The Road Trip: an hilarious and heartfelt second chance romance from the author of The Flatshare

Beth O'Leary

Apr 2021 · Hachette UK

About this ebook

The instant UK Sunday Times Bestseller

'Beth O'Leary is that rare, one-in-a-million talent who can make you laugh, swoon, cry and ache all in the same book' Emily Henry

'Read this! Absolutely loved it!' Christina Lauren

Addie and her sister are on an epic road trip to a friend's wedding in rural Scotland. But, not long after setting off, a car slams into theirs. The driver is none other than Addie's ex, who she hasn't seen since their traumatic break-up two years earlier.

Dylan and his best mate are heading to the wedding too, so Addie has no choice but to offer them a ride. And with four hundred miles to go, they can't avoid confronting the very messy history of their relationship . . .

Will they make it to the wedding? And, more importantly, is this really the end of the road for Addie and Dylan?


'Funny, relatable and tender' Red

'This book is perfect' Rosie Walsh

'Beth is quite rightly earning her title as "Queen of Uplit"' Prima

'If Richard Curtis and Nora Ephron made a story baby' Zoella Book Club

'So romantic and moving and brilliantly told' Louise O'Neill

'O'Leary does it again! The Road Trip is another sure-fire hit, filled with characters you won't forget' Mike Gayle

'An achingly tender love story' Richard Roper

Ratings and reviews

Such a fun read! Definitely one which will leave you happier than before you read it. Addie and Deb are heading to a friend's wedding in Scotland; they have the playlist sorted, the snacks all packed and are going to have fun! Until, that is, another car rear-ends them which turns out to be driven by Addie's ex, Dylan - the one man she really didn't want to bump into again. As luck would have it, they are heading to the same wedding and while the sisters' car is undamaged the other vehicle gets towed away leaving Dylan and Marcus with no transport and the girls with no option but to squeeze them all into their car. Only 400 miles to go . . . Having previously read two novels by Beth O'Leary, I knew to expect a humorous read and this one fits the bill perfectly. There is such a lot going on and it's only a matter of time before the elephant in the room (car?) - Addie & Dylan's past - comes to the fore. That's not all, of course; this author weaves together so many threads that there is never a dull moment. How I would love to have Deb's car - it survives everything! With a wonderful cast of well-developed characters and a fun storyline, there are plenty of ups and downs along the way. Very entertaining and uplifting, this is one I definitely recommend. 4.5*.

Another different storytelling - this is the 4th book I've read of Beth's, each one exploring different ways to bring the story to life, and I find this differing style for each book clever and thoughtful. Didn't love the story or these characters as much as some (the girls in The Swap were hard to beat, and the ending of The No Show so unxpected and heartbreaking, I was reeling for days, and of course the love story of Flat Share is epic) but it was a good look at how we all are imperfect, early 20s is a crazy time, and to say what you mean, and what you want before it's too late.

It started off well however the back and forth from the past and present was just a bit too much. Lost my interest halfway due to this. Managed to finish it in the end.

About the author

Beth O'Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. Her debut, The Flatshare, sold over half a million copies and changed her life completely. Her second novel, The Switch, has been optioned for film by Amblin Partners, Steven Spielberg's production company. Beth writes her books in the Hampshire countryside with a very badly behaved golden retriever for company. If she's not at her desk, you'll usually find her curled up somewhere with a book, a cup of tea and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).