I’ve been a big fan of Beth O’Leary’s clever, character-driven writing since picking up the audiobook of her novel, THE FLATSHARE, a couple of years ago. I’ve been looking forward to her third work of fiction, THE ROAD TRIP, which is both an ensemble comedy and a second-chance romance. Now that I’ve had the opportunity to read it (on a road trip, no less!), I’m pleased to say that it was worth the wait.

We meet Dylan and Addie when the Mercedes that Dylan is driving rear-ends Addie’s Mini, totaling the expensive sportscar and leaving Dylan and his best buddy Marcus without a ride to their friend Cherry’s wedding in Scotland. From their first interactions, it’s clear that Dylan and Addie --- who happens to be on her way to Cherry’s wedding as well --- have some kind of history together; as they say, it’s complicated. Against her better judgment, Addie offers Dylan and Marcus a ride to the wedding. So the two lads pile in along with Addie, her sister Deb, and a random wedding guest named Rodney, who bummed a ride via the wedding party’s Facebook group.

"THE ROAD TRIP is a perfect summer novel --- by turns funny, hopeful, romantic and poignant, filled with outrageous situations and truly memorable characters."

Massive misadventures ensue --- involving lactation, public urination, a gallant truck driver named Kevin, and some seriously awkward sleeping situations. This wacky road trip in the present day prompts Addie and Dylan (who narrate the book in separate chapters) to reflect on their past, alternating sections between “Now” and “Then.” The “Then” took place over two years ago, when Addie was serving as a caretaker of Cherry’s family home in Provence. Dylan, who was meant to rent the chateau with his family, instead shows up on his own, and he and Addie feel an instant attraction to one another.

What unfolds is a nearly perfect summer, with Addie falling for Dylan’s love of poetry and Dylan falling for Addie’s honesty and quiet thoughtfulness. But as soon as real life --- in the form of families, friends, and constant reminders of their class and education differences --- comes barging in, their relationship goes off the rails, and they’ve spent the past many months trying desperately to forget what they once had. Might some enforced togetherness with the people and circumstances that drove them apart remind them why they were together in the first place?

THE ROAD TRIP is a perfect summer novel --- by turns funny, hopeful, romantic and poignant, filled with outrageous situations and truly memorable characters. Addie and Dylan are well-drawn individuals with realistic flaws and vulnerabilities, and their right-hand people (Deb for Addie, Marcus for Dylan) are particularly unforgettable in their own ways. I mentioned that I listened to the audiobook of THE FLATSHARE. I can definitely imagine picking up the audiobook of THE ROAD TRIP the next time I’m headed out for a long car ride and want to indulge both my sense of adventure and my inner romantic.