Zoe Brisby's laugh a minute novel deserves to be a rip-roaring success, the perfect antidote to the misery of our pandemic times. Although it took me a while to immerse myself in this zany comic caper, after that I was all in, as the outrageously unforgettable purple haired 90 year old, Max (Maxine) and the depressed and lonely 25 year old, Alex, embark on a gloriously vivid technicolor car share, a mad cap road trip to Brussels.

I have just finished reading the car share. To be honest I'm not quite sure about it, the characters are great and likeable I'm just not 100% about the plot. Even still a nice easy summer read. Thank you.

Great story & likeable characters. Lots of silliness & also some touching poignant moments along the way

What a wonderful and captivating story! It was definitely not what I was expecting when I started reading. It was heartfelt and warm and absolutely wonderful!

I loved Alex and Max. They both had struggles that they were willing to set aside to help the other. Their whitty exchanges had me laughing out loud. The story was fast paced and there was never a dull moment.

Living life to the fullest is a strong message woven throughout the story. Taking chances and on love, life and experiences help us to find another presceptive on life.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.

This was a lot of fun. Our two lead characters are real characters. Alex is clinically depressed after taking an unsuccessful chance on love. Max has watched her husband die with Alzheimer’s, and recognizes symptoms in herself.

Their meeting is completely by chance…and entirely the best chance they have. Max is determined to help Alex get some confidence before she dies. Alex is determined to stop Max from going too soon.

Lots of funny coincidences as runaway Max is suspected to have been abducted by Alex. Max’s handbag may need to be acknowledged as its own character.

The resolution of the book is tidy without being far-fetched.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Mild swearing. Conversation about suicide. Mental illness. Drinking.

Who Might Like This Book:
Although this book is targeted at adults, teens could certainly enjoy the story. Anyone who likes road trips and unlikely friendships.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Also reviewed at http://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2021/08/a-varied-crop-of-june-releases.html

This book is hilarious. I laughed out loud so much, it has been a breath of fresh air during this strange year.
On a journey with the 2 most unmatched companions, the characters made it hard to put the book down. The humour and events that took place made me chuckle throughout. Maxine’s use of traditional sayings but getting the words wrong was endearing and my favourite part of getting to know this character.

Brilliant book, Very funny and thought provoking.

The Car Share is the quirky story of Alex and Maddie. Alex is a depressed 20 something who wants to drive as far a way as he can think in order to end his own life and Maddie is a 90 year old with Alzheimer's who needs to get to Brussels for an appointment with a compassionate death clinic. From the get go everything seems to be going wrong and they are now not sure they will make it to their final destinations.
This book just helps you feel good while going on this journey with these polar opposites. They have the adventure of a live time and make you want to route for everyone. This was an enjoyable book and recommend.

I don’t pick up a lot of feel-good books but the fact that Max and Alex were to travel to Brussels (Belgium) for some reason got my attention and honestly, I wanted to read a novel with good vibes. The Car Share didn’t let me down, I really had much fun reading this quirky story with wonderful uplifting rays of positivity.

Max and Alex’s first encounter already gave a little taster how much fun there would follow in the rest of the novel. They were as surprised as someone walking in on their husband lying in bed with someone else (minus the anger it would go with) when they discovered who their travel partner was going to be but even though they would have preferred someone else, other options weren’t really available so they were well and truly stuck with each other. I found the time they traveled taking quite long but I wasn’t complaining because there was plenty to keep me entertained along the way. Soon enough they have the police on their backs and they’re forced to travel incognito to outrun the nationwide manhunt. Alex, 25 years old is actually the one with the ‘old soul’ in the novel and Maxine is the one who acts like she’s mentally the youngest. Is it believable that a nonagenarian is as quick, agile and energetic as shown here? I’m not that sure, but then everything in this novel is quite over the top. Honestly, I did love that Maxine is not your ordinary heroine, and the fact that she still feels so much younger (she plays down her age whenever she has the chance) made me almost forget sometimes what age category she really was in. Max really stole the show for me and I loved how witty she was and how she tried to lift Alex out of his depression with the things she commanded Alex to do.

In fact they are both trying to change the other one’s mind for their set plans before the end of the car ride and I loved how they cared for one another. For all the hilariousness throughout the novel, the ending had me holding my heart and it became surprisingly emotional for such a funny story. Max and Alex are definitely characters that’ll grow on you and will be kept in your heart. A wonderful tale of an unlikely friendship that will change their lives. Exactly the sort of read I needed!

Well, this is disappointing. I don't know if this would count as an unpopular opinion or not, but this book felt like it was trying too hard. At first, I was enjoying the banter and the jokes but soon enough the jokes seemed to be so over the top. There were a lot of unbelievable elements in this story as well. I did like the characters but not enough to continue following them on their car ride. One important positive was how the book tackled depression in a realistic way.

As a frequent user of the service the book revolves around when I lived in France, I couldn’t have been more excited to start this one. I’m not sure if i should blame the translation, or the book isn’t my style, but i couldn’t get into it. The book dragged and I didn’t care enough about the characters enough for that to overcome what, overall, felt like a mediocre story.

This was a lovely and heartwarming read. The relationship that grew between Alex and Maxine seemed natural and wholesome. It’s nice to read a lovely story with a decent ending. Maxine’s words of wisdom can serve to help us all through these trying times.

First time reading this author and I really enjoyed it. It’s a funny, heartwarming & emotional read. Two characters on a road trip bond together to form an unlikely friendship. Couldn’t put it down, would highly recommend.

“The Car Share“ follows the ninety – year – old Maxine and twenty – something Alex. Maxine suffers from Alzheimer’s and wants to travel to Brussels to end her life in one of the clinic’s there. Alex is depressed and unlucky in love and heading out to Brussels to avoid the humiliation. To save the cost, they share a car. However, the trip starts with one misunderstanding after another, and then the media reports Maxine missing, calling Alex the kidnapper, and now the journey is not only about getting to Brussels on time, but also about avoiding getting caught. Will they manage? Does the opposites really attract?

I didn’t love the characters but I liked them, especially when they were on a normal level, feeling real, showing their real faces. Maxine is over ninety but has a very young spirit and the more into the book we are, the younger she felt. She was very self – confident and she experienced a lot in her life. Smart, sharp and quick thinking despite her age, there was nothing impossible for her and I’d love to have her purse – purse containing everything you needed right now, like some kind of magic, really.
Alex, on the other hand, was the one that felt much older than his twenty – five years. Where Maxine was spontaneous, Alex was considering and wondering what can happen. Fleeing an unrequited love affair and with cold, indifferent parents, so really, it was not a wonder that he was unsecure and sad, right? It was brilliant to see how Maxine brought joy back into his life.

But. Despite all the cuteness and sweet octogenarian, it took me a long time to read this book. It somehow annoyed me and I’ve been losing will to read only thinking that I have to pick it up. Maybe it was not a right moment for this story, I’m not sure, because guys, it was not a bad book, of course it wasn’t, but it couldn’t keep my interest. I’m not sure what I’ve been expecting, but not this story. I mean, the idea was brilliant, right, an unlikely pair going on a road trip, bingo, what can go wrong? Well, something went wrong. The book couldn’t decide if it wants to be hilariously funny or overwhelmingly sad. It was filled with fun situations but mostly they’ve bordered on too ridiculous, which made the reading experience a bit… eye – rolling and skim – reading, you know? Which is a shame, because there was such a huge potential in this story, but it was simply overdone and not necessarily in a good way.

The whole story was meant to feel like a comedy of errors, starting with the unlikely pair, through their adventures, Prada shops middle of nowhere, policeman buying the most unbelievable story ever and TV – news that couldn’t be more far away from truth, a service station robbery, so if you want to enjoy the book, simply go into it with absolutely open mind, putting your disbelief away. However, it was also filled with plenty of touching and poignant moments, what, I think, was author’s intention.
Altogether, it was not a bad book, it just didn’t click with me. The author for sure demonstrates here comic touches and the gentle side of her writing that is easy to follow and quick and creating two colourful, different protagonist that are strong enough to carry the whole plot on their shoulders. It was a joyous read about friendship, new beginnings, leaving past behind. Even though it was also about serious issues, such as depression and Alzheimer’s and retirement homes, it was still fun and uplifting read.

Oh this book is just hilarious. “I’m old not psychic” “For me, anything after 1950 is new”. These two lines are at the beginning of the book and I was already laughing. I knew I was in for a real treat. Something to lighten my day and make me laugh. This book is an absolute delight and I loved every word of it.
Yes, there are sad reflections in it but this book is full of human life in all it’s forms and you’ll find it full of love, acceptance and humour. I wish Maxine were my gran. What a crazy time I’d have! You should give yourself a real treat and read this book now.

This was a lovely and heartwarming read. The relationship that grew between Alex and Maxine seemed natural and wholesome. It’s nice to read a lovely story with a decent ending. Maxine’s words of wisdom can serve to help us all through these trying times.

This book is the mother of all road trips in literary comedy and if it were a movie it would be one that everyone was talking about
.
Alex and Maxine represent two extremes of life with different social groups but equal in loneliness and lack of hope.
Alex suffers from a broken heart for a girl whom he idealized, after being diagnosed by a psychiatrist with depresion he decides to do something to help him get ahead, a trip to Brussels seems to be ideal and when he publishes an ad to share his car he never expects to meet with an eighty-year-old lady with purple hair who is determined to end her life after learning of her Alzheimer's diagnosis
.
In this trip the most unexpected things happen, funny situations, and unmissable conversations which allow both characters to understand and reconcile their lives and relationships . On their way to Brussels they forge a relationship that does not stop making you smile
.
It is a light book despite touching topics such as loneliness and mental health, a great book to spend a pleasant weekend or take on any trip
.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for give me this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review

After reading this book, I must share my review with you! The Carshare was a very unique and quirky story. The idea of sharing a longer car ride with a stranger is very intimidating to me, but this story of two very quirky characters sharing a ride to Brussels was such a fun and cute read. The two characters Alex and Maxine are both unforgettable characters, and their personalities meshed so well together, helping work through their struggles of depression and Alzheimer’s. Sharing their ride to Brussels turns into a misunderstanding with the police and Alex is accused of kidnapping Maxine from the nursing home. Just when you think their journey can’t take another wrong turn, you would be mistaken. This story is funny and unique and makes you laugh out loud and deeply sad at the same time, but all in all this journey is an unforgettable one, filled with kindness, trust, honesty, humour, banter and above all love.

This humorous, heartfelt book was just what I needed as a light refreshing story. Alex and Maxine together are a tonic!

DNF at 15%.
This is not for me. I don’t necessarily think this is a bad read, I’ve just been trying with it for two months and it’s not grabbing me so it’s time to give up. Way too much dialogue for me alongside a lack of moving forward in this story. I wish I liked it, the premise is interesting! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.

Such a feel good moment with The Car Share. I really enjoyed the story and the characters are amazing. This is a must read for the summer of ‘21!