Contemporary Young Adult writer Sarah Dessen is one of those authors who is just reliable; her novels are consistent in their strong female main characters, relatable stories and settings, interesting subplots, and family drama. Her 2009 release Along for the Ride provides all of the above in an easy-to-read package.

The story itself centers on Auden, a teenage girl who has been unable to sleep at night ever since her parents started fighting. Now that they are divorced, Auden’s spending the summer at the beach with her dad and his new family. However, an unexpected opportunity lands Auden a job at a clothing shop where she is introduced to a world that her academic and demanding mother has kept her secluded from: the world of girls, one full of talk and friendship and boys, all of which soon consume Auden’s summer. In particular, she finds herself drawn to Eli, a fellow insomniac who has his own secrets keeping him awake at night. Can Auden and Eli help each other heal, or will they continue to live in the darkness?

Along for the Ride is a cute, charming, and uplifting story that contains a diverse set of characters in which everyone is sure to find a little piece of themselves. I previously read Dessen’s novel Keeping the Moon, and the storyline involving a gang of girls becoming friends with an otherwise loner reminded me a bit of it, but it managed to be told in a different enough way that I wasn’t bored. The love storyline is one I could live without, but other readers may be drawn to it; I just wasn’t particularly attached to Eli.

What I really appreciated about Along for the Ride was the family storyline, as many kids have to deal with divorced parents and the issues that may arise. Dessen’s portrayal of new motherhood is also incredibly believable, and the reader really gets a taste of the struggles involved in having a baby, as well as what it’s like to try to balance that with a career.

Dessen excels when it comes to unique settings that have enough detail to immerse (but not bore) the reader, and Along for the Ride contains some gems, such as a coffee shop in an unconventional location. This isn’t a book that tries to shock or impress the reader; instead it is an honestly told story that, although it may be expected at times, doesn’t take away from the easy enjoyment it provides.

Ultimately, Along for the Ride is a light-hearted book that still manages to tackle some genuine issues in a relatable and clear way. It’s a perfect book for a lazy day, especially in the summer, and could be devoured in a few hours or a few weeks, depending on how long you like to savour your books. But the best part is that when you’re done, there are plenty more like it by Dessen just waiting to be picked up next.