SYNOPSIS
A ninety-year-old woman with Alzheimer's and a heartbroken young man end up sharing a ride to Brussels that changes their lives forever.
When Alex pulls up to meet "Max", he expects everything but a ninety-year-old lady who has her heart set on getting to Brussels by carpool.
As for 'Max', who is actually called Maxine, she could not be more ill at ease when settling into the seat next to this young man with bloodshot eyes. God help her if he turned out to be a drug addict who hasn't slept in days!
When it becomes clear that Maxine is suffering from Alzheimer's and wants to take matters in her own hands while she still can, and that Alex battles severe depression, a wonderful friendship starts to form between the unlikely pair. Before long, their travel plans take an unexpected turn.
Title: The car share
Author: Zoe Brisby
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication date: June 3, 2021
REVIEW
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What an absolute joy of a book! I came into it with no expectations at all and found a really uplifting story with one of the best couple of characters I’ve read in a long time.
In the same vein as Ove, Eudora Honeysett or Eleanor Oliphant, Maxine has gone straight into my podium of unforgettable characters.
Alex is 25, depressed and heartbroken. Maxine is 90 and in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. When they share a road trip to Brussels, 48 hours will be enough to change their lives while having the trip of their lifetimes.
This was my second book this year involving a road trip and it was everything I wished the other one was and sadly wasn’t. You just gotta fall in love with Alex and Maxine. Although some of the issues the story deals with are quite sad and serious, they’re done in a very beautiful and charming way. There were also some hilarious moments. Maxine’s bag of tricks was a wonder and all her turns of phrase made so much sense! Her body might be 90 but her soul definitely isn’t! I just loved her take on life.
Even though this was translated from French it did not feel stilted at any moment as it’s sometimes the case with translations. I hope some more books by this author are translated into English soon or I’ll have to start refreshing my French.
The author’s note had a really nice surprise that I would definitely love to read.
If you’re in the mood to get on the road with a couple of memorable characters to live fun, absurd and heartwarming situations, The car share should be at the top of your TBR.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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