"The Car Share" by Zoe Brisby is a ride of a lifetime!

A www.careshare.com ride to Brussels has never been so crazy and exciting!

Maxine, 90 years old, fresh from life in a retirement home, is expecting to be picked up by a young lady called Alex. Alex is interested in: Museums. Traveling. Literature.

She sounds dull! But she's driving and it's a ride to Brussels. So...

Alex, 25 years old, fresh from his parents' house, is expecting to pick up a man called Max. Max is interested in: Mechanics, Whisky and Tour de France.

Instead of finding 'Joe the Mechanic', Alex finds the ride of his life, Maxine!

Both have reasons for going to Brussels...

Maxine knows she has Alzheimer's, doesn't want anyone at the retirement home to know and has an appointment to be euthanized. End of life on her terms...

Alex has depression. The humiliation of an unrequited crush. He's running away! Alice from way back lives in Brussels. She might not remember or recognize him. She might be hideous. He might not even see her. Still, a reason to go. You never know, right?

Although Maxine and Alex get off to a rocky start with each expecting someone other than who they met, off they go to Brussels!

Maxine thinks she's much younger than she is. She's young in her head and in her heart. She's worried that Alex is a druggy! Or a dealer!

Alex feels much older than he is. He feels slow, heavy, broken. He thinks Maxine is off her rocker, literally!

And, then they tell each other their story and the most amazing things begin to happen...

I love watching these two very different individuals getting to know each other, become taken with each other, begin to care about each other. A few short days together in Alex's Renault bridge a gap in their ages, their thinking, their feelings!

Empathy is ever present! And, the socially relevant issues are handled with humor, honesty and (dare I say it?) love! The need to help the other person in the car is the beginning of, what I expect to be, a beautiful and a lasting friendship!

Oh, I almost forget to mention Maxine's bag! Holy-Moly! What isn't in that bag! The bag is the third character in this story, for sure!

This super-sweet-feel-good-experience of a book gets all the stars! And, it's available now!

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Zoe Brisby for an ARC of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.

🚘This book had had me laughing out loud from the start! Alex, 25, depressed seeks a car share partner to ride with him to Brussels. Max, 92, needs to get to Brussels and finds a willing driver in Alex. You will fall in love with this unlikely pair!

Thank you NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Zoe Brisby for this advanced copy!

To be honest I hadn't looking into this book a lot before receiving it as an ARC so I just started the book without knowing a lot.

I enjoyed the beginning getting to know Maxine and Alex and their worlds. But then the deeper I got into the book I really found the book uninteresting.. I felt like we kept hearing "plain" things that didn't matter and change big things. I did like the last 10 % again a lot, but I think that is because suddendly a lot happened and I just really missed that in the rest of the book.

I also found it a bit sad that we didn't get to hear about "real" citynames and stuff, because I found it really hard to imagine their car journey at times, when I had no idea where they were driving.

But one thing that stood out in this book for me was the writing style where it changed all the time, which of their two "brains" we were in, and I loved how that changed all the time!

This is a perfect heartwarming read which has provided a great escape. I love how this has been written and cannot wait to read more by this author.

Pure escapism. An unlikely pairing of two travellers sharing a car journey through France to Brussels. Max, a lively nonagenarian, who is seeking euthanasia and Alex, a highly imaginative law student nursing a broken heart.
A story full of humour and compassion, but a story that beggars belief. An ideal Summer beach read that would easily translate onto the cinema screen.

“We’re not criminals. Juvenile delinquents, at most.” “That’s reassuring.”

How I feel giving a sort of lackluster review for this one . . . .

*cue You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch*

The story here is about an elderly woman and a young man who wind up in a carshare situation to save the cost of traveling to Brussels. She suffers from Alzheimer’s. He suffers from depression. She’s hoping to end her life once they reach their destination. He’s putting a last ditch effort in to the hopes of beginning his. It’s super cute and feel good and I am basically Old Man Nebbercracker.

My apologies for my meh reaction. I am a wrongreader. (Although perhaps some of the blame can be shouldered by a “lost in translation” situation? I noticed the original was in French.)

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

Alex makes plans to visit Brussels to get away from his depressing life. At the same time, Max (Maxine) decides to leave her prison-like retirement home and travel to Brussels since she believes she has Alzheimer’s and wants to end her life on her own terms.

The story starts out with so many misperceptions between the two, it’s almost a slapstick-style comedy. Alex, in his twenties and in college and Max who’s in her 90s, aren’t quite sure what to think of each other. As Max and Alex learn more about other during the long drive, they start to trust and share various parts of their lives. They both become so attached to each other and want to help with their various concerns and issues.

They have various adventures on their travels and each scene is laugh-out-loud funny. I would love to travel with Max with her optimistic attitude and her joy at the smallest things.

Every time Max rummages through her purse, I’m just amazed at what she pulls out but it’s always what’s needed at that time. The way she messes up various well-known sayings, is just so hilarious. Alex finds himself correcting her and explaining and finally just shrugs and lets her say what she wants. I found myself highlighting each one, laughing again and again.

As you learn throughout the story, Alex has one of the worst set of parents ever who are unsupportive and indifferent. They don’t have time to attend his school events, they want him to stay quiet and not cause any upheavals. They’ve made him feel that he can’t do anything right and his depression is overwhelming. The way they react to the over-the-top news reports causes Alex more heartbreak.

Max gives Alex courage and confidence and changes his life in so many ways and Alex provides her with an unbelievable gift.

Make sure to read all the way to the end to access a bonus chapter which I loved!

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this charming story.

Oh my days - how I love this book. It’s witty, funny and charming. I found myself laughing out loud several times.
And I defy anyone not to fall in love with Maxine.
This is the story of 25 year old depressive Alex who after having his heartbroken decides to go to Belgium so he advertises online for someone to share his journey with him, only the man he is expecting to pick up - Max - turns out to be a 90 year old woman running away from her care home with her own agenda.
What follows is much hilarity and the unlikeliest of friendships formed when this formidable amazing woman helps Alex see the error of his ways and turns his life upside down.
A truly brilliant book, which I can’t praise enough.

A story about a road trip with two characters, Alex a guy in his 20’s suffering from depression and Maxine a woman in her 90’s with Alzheimer’s.

On their way to Brussels, these two strangers who have never met but are car sharing, have quite the experience as they travel together.

The story is endearing and told wonderfully where you feel the characters emotions and feel part of their journey.

Alex is super likeable with his awkwardness and anxiety and Maxine is basically a super hero who has lived many lives.

A lovely read that has you feeling all emotions from sadness to laughter and the ending just makes you smile and feel all levels of warmth and comfort. I highly recommend!

This is such a wonderful, endearing and just overall wholesome story! I was a bit nervous at first that it was going to be a bit heavy considering one of the main characters has Alzheimer's, but the bond between Alex and Max reminded me so much of me and my great grandmother who also suffered from Alzheimer's. There are some emotional bits in the book, but overall it's just a fun ride (pun intended)!

<b> Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC, in return for a honest review.</b>

A road trip with a depressed young man and 90 year old woman with Alzheimer’s doesn’t sound great but it was so much better than you’d expect. Funny at times but also some poignant moments. I really enjoyed it and was sad when I got to the end. I wanted it to go on and on.

The Car Share follows the journey of Maxine and Alex, both of whom are headed to Brussels and find themselves as unlikely travelling companions. They are two strangers, two very unlikely travelling companions both with a purpose, both choosing to carpool but for very different reasons. One wanting to end it all whilst they still could make the decision for themselves and one running from the embarrassment of unrequited love. From the get go I loved their interactions, blunt talking and gentle humour. Max aka Maxine, a 90 year old lady with the vigour of a 20 year old continually gives her driver and travelling companion Alex the what for - he really does wonder what he’s let himself in for. I found myself sitting smiling as I read, my grin getting bigger and bigger. I could tell this book was going to be full of fun and I came to expect the unexpected - it was perfect reading for the sunny Easter Sunday afternoon where i had curled up on the sofa with my kindle.

The Car Share turned out to be an absolute tonic of a book, there are serious undertones but the humour is infectious, I choked laughing on more occasions than i could count. Alex and Max - aka Thelma and Louise as i dubbed them were hilarious - I don’t know who I loved more. Their verbal interactions and inner conversations were a joy to read.

The ripple effect of Alex and Max’s journey together is felt far and wide. With stereotypical descriptions of “themselves, character and situation” bandied about and distorted out of context and reality. I loved the direct observations - delivered frankly and without thought, the laugh out loud turns of phrase and out there characteristics of a person who has settled into, and is comfortable in their self. A totally uplifting, fun, at times hysterical, and at others somber read.

I’m glad I suspended belief and went going along for the ride, feeling part of the numerous, hilarious encounters, the heartfelt memories shared and the sad reality of why they were each taking the journey. And boy it was one hell of a ride, bumpy, filled with nostalgia and the unexpected. Alex and Max proved to be Yin and Yang to each other, bonding without realising and as a reader I came to expect the unexpected from them, particularly from Max.

Their closeness and exhilaration inspired by the journey was infectious, the simplicity of experiences shared bonding them and me together, sitting on the periphery of their life was heart warming - it really was such a wonderful book to read that totally hit the spot - feel good, uplifting and just simply delightful.

Not often I give up on a book, but struggled to connect to the characters & storyline, so had to give up sadly

The story is about a young man with real confidence issues who wants to drive from France to Brussels. He decides to advertise a car share to reduce costs but is amazed when his passenger is a woman in her 90s called Maxine, when he is expecting a young man called Max. Alex, the driver has been rejected by the woman of his dreams and is very depressed. Maxine and Alex have absolutely nothing in common but somehow they end up being totally right for each other as companions on a long road trip and each brings something positive to the relationship. I enjoyed the story in parts – the author shows lots of imagination in the events that happen on the journey which I admired. It also kept me engrossed and wanting to know what was going to happen when they arrived. My criticism is that at times it gets a bit silly. An example of this is Maxine’s mixed metaphors which appear to be done deliberately but end up being slightly annoying. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this book.

Sorry, I really tried with this book but just couldn't get into it. I preserved to just over halfway but had to sadly give up as I wasn't enjoying it at all.

This was such a disappointing read. The storytelling was so repetitive and long winded. Some of the events the author conjured up were just too simplistic and unbelievable. I would not recommend this book to anyone. I am obliged to give a star rating before my review is accepted, otherwise there would be no star!!

Review posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend.com/

Super-Cute, though a Bit Over the Top.

Two unlikely individuals sign up for a car share and the rest is history!

Max (Maxine) is 90 going on 50 and Alex is a twenty-something with an old soul. Though it doesn’t seem like these two would have anything in common, truth be told, these two are a lot more alike than you’d think. Max is fun, hip, witty, and hilarious and helps bring Alex out of his shell, while Alex is there for Max when most people have deserted her.

It's love pure and simple, in a non-traditional, sweet, charming, and delightful way.

I’ll admit to feeling a whole lot of agita and angst at some of the antics these two got up to, which took a bit away from my enjoyment, though all in all, I really liked this and loved Alex and Max.

This book is a gem and is just what this world needs right now.

This was a buddy read with Ms. Kaceey.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the arc.

Published on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.

A road trip that delivers all the feels.

Alex is a twenty-five-year-old man, heartbroken and depressed, he is on his way to Brussels looking to heal his heart.

He fills out a car share form just looking for someone to share the journey with that won’t annoy or worse, end up killing him.

Max is in her nineties. She is feisty (that’s probably how she has made it this long). She feels her time is limited as she knows she has Alzheimer’s and wants to leave this world on her own terms. She has an appointment at a clinic in Brussels. Max fills out her application for a car share too.

As you guessed Max and Alex are paired up for the journey of their lives!

Both are shocked when they finally meet.

Max thinks that Alex is into drugs but maybe she can still help him straighten up before they reach Brussels.

And Alex was expecting a man, not a little old lady running away from life.

Together their journey begins….

And I felt privileged to be along for the ride.

I instantly fell in love with both of these characters. Each displayed their own quirky personalities. The way they played off each other was priceless. Both wanting to save the other before they reach their destination.

Maxine truly stole the show. I loved how she mixed up popular expressions without realizing it (my mom used to do the same thing💝).

And her bag that carried everything but the kitchen sink. Who knows…maybe if she dug a bit deeper she would have found that too!😂

This book touched my heart. I was laughing…I was crying… sometimes both at once!

I absolutely loved everything about this book and never wanted it to end. I highly recommend!

A buddy read with Susanne

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC to read and review.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, with its crossed wires, ballsy behaviour and social awkwardness. Maxine was a joy with her malapropisms (using the wrong worms). I wanted to give Alex a massive hug. Both character's behaviour have made me think about my own and how I can get more enjoyment from life.

Maxine is a resident in a Parisian care home who decides to go to Belgium so that she can be in control of her own demise as she thinks she has Alzheimer’s. Alex is a deeply depressed young law student who advertises for someone to share his car journey to Brussels; he is expecting a young man called Max but gets a lot more than he bargained for.
The unlikely friendship that develops between these two very different characters forms the basis of this charming and witty tale. I love a road trip theme in a book or film and this does not disappoint. Maxine and Alex are both on the run from the lives they currently find themselves living. Over the space of a few days, Maxine helps Alex much more than his emotionally unsupportive parents have ever done; she is like the grandmother he never had. And Alex is determined to make Maxine see that she has so much living still to do.
The Car Share is translated from the French though it is not obvious when you are reading it. It deals with some serious subjects, such as depression and our attitude to the elderly, but they are woven into the story and dealt with in a sensitive way. There are numerous music and film references to spot, and every woman surely needs a handbag like Maxine’s.
The characters of Maxine and Alex are well drawn and believable, the mood veers between really sad and very funny, and I can see it being perfect material for a film script. The overriding message is that life is short, and age is just a number, so make the most of every day while you can. If you are curious as to what happened next, at the end of the book is a link to a bonus chapter set five years after the events of The Car Share. I really enjoyed this uplifting story and look forward to reading more by this author in the future. Thanks to Hodder and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.