Auden is the child of divorced university professors.  Pretty much since birth she’s been pressured to succeed academically, and in the quest for the highest grades and most attractive college application package she’s missed out on a lot.  She’s never had close friends, been in a food fight, or learned to ride a bike.  Her acceptance to a prestigious college secured, she heads off to spend the summer with her Dad and his new wife and daughter.  All is not well at her Dad’s house, and the stress soon has Auden wandering the streets of the sea-side town at night, plagued with insomnia.  She soon meets the small town’s other sleepless residents, including Eli, a boy with a secret hurt of his own.  Eli and Auden decide to spend the summer nights filling in her lost carefree highschool years.

Along for the Ride is sweet and funny.  Dessen is as amazing as always at describing the nuances of families and writing characters that sound and act authentic. Highly recommended, especially if you liked Dessen's other books.