Alex and Maxine meet by agreeing to car share to Brussels, both are expecting someone completely different. This starts a book about a funny, touching story of two people at totally different times in their lives Alex struggling with depression and his place in the world and Maxine convinced she has Altizimers, wanting to end it all on her terms. Well written the book pulls you along on the strange journey of two strangers trying to save each other.

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Great characters, great read, if you want to smile and laugh then this is the book for you. Well written and a real pleasure to read. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Super cute read. It reminded me a bit of Anxious People by Frederik Bachman, one of my favorite books. I love that the author invited readers to reach out to her for an extra chapter. I must add that the translator did a great job. The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because I didn’t like how the narrator changed so frequently, often in the middle of a paragraph.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving m the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I loved this book it made me laugh out loud, the characters were great and it was also thought provoking.

Absolutly brilliant. A must read. Two great characters. I loved Maxine . She was one amazing woman and it does make you think about assisted dying. Alex was lovely. The yurt part was lovely and the pizza delivery. I won't spoil the ending but I think it was perfect

I enjoyed reading this fun book about two opposites who share a journey together through a ride share app. If you are looking for a light, fun read, then I would recommend this story!

With thanks to #Hodderandstoughton for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Firstly I would just like to say what an amazing read, its a book filled with positivity laughs a minute heartache and Compassion ❤ I truly loved the tale of Alex and Max age has no barrier,do what makes your heart sing life is for living.
Two lost souls 1 car 🚗 and an outstandingly escapade await you.

Where to begin with how much I enjoyed this book? I'd give it 5+++stars if I could.
Alex and Maxine are two strangers who meet up for a ride share to go to Brussels from somewhere in France. Alex is a depressed young man who wants to find an old crush. Maxine is a senior citizen in her 90's who wants to get to a clinic for a special treatment.

I was hooked from the first paragraph. It was hysterical. How can you not love a spunky old lady?
And while Alex wasn't the happiest person, he was witty & patient with her.

Sample quote:
"He hadn’t even been able to keep his Furby alive . . . His goldfish had died of boredom. When he was a child, his turtles had exhibited kamikaze tendencies, jumping from the small palm tree in their tank on top of the chest of drawers because life with him had seemed so unbearable. His hamsters were long gone. They escaped, and he never saw them again. If he hadn’t been able to save his own pets, how was he going to save this old lady?"

This is a translated book but there was nothing lost in the translation. And as with most translations, the English version can be a bit longer or wordier. This was not the case with this book. The chapters are short and moves at a quick pace. And just how big was Maxine's bag? It was epic Mary Poppins! I want to be on a trip w/someone carrying that bag.

One of the best long-running joke is that Maxine is charming with her zest for living life as she doesn't feel her age nor act appropriately. (ie. as a younger senior citizen instead of someone in her 90's) And the way she messes up colloquialisms.

An example quote of that:
"So I'm sensing that something has got your boat. Tell me what it is; we need to clear the bear."

"People in glass houses shouldn't throw bones."

Some of my other favorite sample quotes:
"What's going on? Why are you panicking? Where are the drugs?"
By now Alex had retained his wits a little. "What drugs?"
"We don't have time to play games. Just tell me! We need to hide them. If necessary, we can each swallow some, but I must warn you that I didn't have any prunes today, so you might not recover your merchandise right away."

"No, gay gay! Homosexual, I made a fool of myself. I lectured him about respect for others. I think I even ended with 'Long live free France."
"That does sound like you crossed the wine."

"He asked me point blank, 'Are you married?' 'No,' I replied. 'Good, then I won't have to fight a duel. I'm terrible at fencing, and it's difficult to find a musket these days. We'll be married within the year!".....Six months later, they were married.

Overall, it was sweet story with laugh out loud clever writing. Charming characters and an engaging story.

FYI: At the end of the ebook ARC, there is info to click on a link to receive an epilogue chapter. When I contacted the author, she mentioned that it will not be included in the print version of the book but it will still be available and there will be info in how to retrieve it. I encourage everyone who enjoyed the book to check out the author's website, Facebook page or if provided; the email in order to get that bonus chapter. It was well worth it!!!!

This is a completely different type of book than I usually read and I was not disappointed. What a story of unlikely friends that meet after applying to car share, completely unaware of who each other are, totally not what either of them expect each other to be and then go on a journey together. A journey in many different ways.

One of them suffering from depression, the other from Alzheimer's, they both have completely different reasons for travelling to Brussells. It will make you laugh at the situations they find themselves in together, as they get to know each other and form such an unusual friendship. It shows what generations can learn from each other if they get to know each other. One person who is really starting out on life, the other who's life is coming to an end. A story of 2 friends trying to save each other.

This is a story containing heavy topics, ie depression, Alzheimer's, loneliness and heartbreak but is written in a respectful light hearted way without taking the seriousness of it all away. If you want a different type of read from your usual Rom-Com, this is the book for you

Overall this was a good book, Maxine was a fantastic character, funny, fierce and caring, Alex was a hard character to warm to, but he did hold his own against Maxine. The story was engaging and I enjoyed it. The only thing that let it down was the layout of the writing. There was no pause between the two characters, which made it at times hard to know which characters POV you were reading. Now I'm not sure if this was because it was an advanced read, maybe it will be changed before release day

The car share by Zoe Brisby is an emotionally touching and outrageously funny read. I was in a reading slump, after having struggled with a few not-so-great books. The Car Share was the perfect breather. I laughed out loud so much while reading this book, my family thought I might need a visit to the doc!

The story set in France is about the unlikely friendship between two completely opposite strangers–Alex and Max.

Alex is a 25-year-old heart-broken man. Rejected by the ‘love of his life,’ he is lonely & moderately depressed (as diagnosed by his doctor). He decides to take a road trip to Brussels, and in order to reduce his travel costs opts to take a passenger along. His co-passenger is Max, a non-smoker who is fond of mechanics, whisky and Tour de France (according to Carshare.com profile.) Max is on an extremely important trip to Brussels to meet up with doctors.

Imagine Alex’s surprise when Max turns out to be Maxine; an almost 100-year-old purple haired lady. And Max is equally shocked, for she had assumed Alex to be a young lady.

The road trip to Brussels is full of funny and emotional moments. It is also a life-changing trip as both Alex and Max open up and share their deepest fears and secrets with each other. The story becomes thrilling when Alex is suspected of having kidnapped the old lady from the retirement home. With the cops on tow, the duo experiences an adventurous escapade. However, instead of Brussels, the trip ends up in a hospital.

I loved the way the author has sketched the characters. Max is quirky yet loveable; not perfect, but her flaws make her even more interesting. Alex is kind and considerate; yet lonely and suffering from major self-doubt.
It is human nature to fear failure, but a second chance is all we need. A second chance–be it at love, or at life. The Car Share is all about being kind and forgiving towards one’s own self, and be brave to take the second chance.

I would definitely recommend this book to all those looking for a funny yet emotionally touching read. It’s sure to make you happy!

Thank you to NetGalley Hodder & Stoughton and Zoe Brisby for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Staughton for the ARC copy of this book.
This book is a little gem that kept me smiling and at times laughing out loud throughout the entire reading experience.
The story follows nine years old Maxine and her young car-sharer Alex, a depressed twenty-five-year-old. Maxine is a force to be reckoned with who upon seeing how sad and depressed Alex is, takes it upon herself to restore his will to live. When Alex finds out the reason behind Maxine’s trip to Brussels, he decided that he must do something and ensure she does not follow through with her euthanasia plan. Maxine suffers from Alzheimer’s and she is traveling to Brussels to commit assisted suicide while she is still in control of her faculties. In their attempt to save each other, the two unique characters develop a strong and intimate friendship that takes them to unexpected places.
This book had me laughing out loud, smiling during each chapter, and sighing at the hidden gems of wisdom dotted around. Absolutely loved it.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. How this book made me smile and laugh out loud, it was just what the doctor ordered. Great storyline and great characters, loved it

This is such a sweet story of two different people, Maxine and Alex. Two different ages and this makes a beautiful story to tell.

This is the perfect book for a break away from reality, following Alex and Maxine who meet by chance when car sharing to Brussels.
Maxine is a ninety year old woman with dementia and Alex is a depressed student. The journey to Brussels is nothing if not chaotic but their personalities bounce off one another and it ends up being an entirely heartwarming tale of two entirely different personalities,

Maxines handbag full of all kinds of things felt a little bit like my own grandmas...!

Thank you to Zoe, Hodder & Stoughton and Netgslley for the chance to read this book.

What do you get when you cross a pleated skirted , lavender cardigan and pearl necklace wearing nonagenarian with a twenty five year old hopelessly depressed lawyer? You get two wonderfully entertaining characters in the form of Max and Alex who are both escaping from the confines of their current circumstances in search of freedom. Max is breaking out from the prison like Pleasantstay retirement home in a preemptive strike against her declining mental health whilst young Alex is on the run from a broken heart, suffering from a most chronic and debilitating bout of unrequited love. Together, accidentally but fortuitously, they are car sharing on a trip to Brussels with Alex behind the wheel of his trusted Twingo, not your usual type of getaway vehicle by any means but barring a few mishaps one that will get them to their final destination. In a classic case of the young learning from the old, this storyline mixes laugh out loud silliness with pearls of wisdom relating to depression, loneliness, loss and heartache. Buckle up for a car journey like no other, as these two unlikely friends experience an adventure of a lifetime. Their jolly japes and dare devilish escapades will banish the blues, turn any frown upside down and possibly give you belly ache from laughing at such silly scrapes and shenanigans. So with the engine revved up and raring to go let the action begin in earnest!

The title of this sweet, humorous and hopeful novel immediately conjured up visions of Peter Kay’s TV Car Share but there the similarities end (unless you take into account some carpool karaoke that has Alex and Max belting out Gloria Gaynor’s legendary anthem I Will Survive at the top of their lungs!) Their initial impressions of one another have Max, full name Maxine, assuming Alex is some sleep deprived drug addict going by his appearance whereas Alex is taken aback that Max is actually a woman, and a deranged one at that! Certainly her constant use of malapropisms grates on his nerves like a grinding gear lever but which is really just one endearing characteristic of this pint sized granny figure. As they settle into their 500 mile trip it’s obvious Max and Alex will form a heartwarming friendship as two improbable fugitives on the run, their hijinks threatening to land them in hot water on numerous occasions. It’s fair to say Alex is definitely your glass half empty kind of character whilst Max is the complete opposite but as the car share confessions spew forth, Max just might have a few tricks up her sleeve to help convince Alex life doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. No stranger to loss and heartache herself, Max, with the aid of a multitude of random belongings in her tardis like Mary Poppins bag is determined to prove to Alex life is worth living (even if this is at odds with her own final destination!) Alex needs some chaos in his life and Max is the perfect woman for the job!

The Car Share is a welcome antidote to reality in which the subjects this storyline tackles, particularly depression, is on the rise amongst the younger generation. Instead of focusing on the serious nature of these problems, the author writes with a lighthearted touch so that much of what Max and Alex encounter is completely bonkers but utterly hilarious. I think the petrol station scene is comedy gold so all in all this feel good novel is harmless frivolous fun, shenanigans that can simply be taken with a pinch of salt. Max is definitely a wise old bird so in amongst all the riotous and raucous behaviour Alex is treated to numerous motivational speeches and inspirational quotes courtesy of her deceased psychiatrist husband Charles and Kung-Fu Panda. I often felt as if I was reading a self help manual as well as a humorous piece of fiction but in a good way! It’s impossible not to cheer these two on from the sidelines, willing them to stay one step ahead of the law despite concerted efforts of others to bring a halt to their hijinks. However I do think whilst Max is a well fleshed out lovable rogue it’s to the detriment of Alex’s character who is in need of a friendly but firm kick up the backside! I loved how the narrative is interspersed with snippets from news bulletins alerting the public to Max’s escape, each one growing more fanciful thanks to the Chinese whispers feel to the reporting of events. The assumptions made by those in authority as to who is responsible for Max’s unauthorised absence are an absolute hoot!

Will this pair make it to Brussels unscathed and if so will Max carry out her decision that first prompted her to make her getaway from the retirement home? Or will the police finally apprehend this modern day Bonnie and Clyde, flinging Alex into prison and leaving Max to die a slow lonely death, subjected to a loop of Going for Gold repeats, too many spaghetti filled Tuesdays and a general manager who is more suited to the role of a prison officer? If you fancy an exhilarating journey, from the comfort of your armchair , in the company of this formidable nonagenarian and her (hopefully less depressed by the end!) sidekick then I can highly recommend this novel. My only criticism is it does end rather abruptly with issues in Alex’s life still to be resolved compared to the lovely surprise that awaits Max. Needless to say, as this car journey is brought to a standstill both characters lives have been enhanced by their meeting with hope rather than despair on horizon. Apparently there is a final chapter involving our calamitous duo five years on from their 48 hour car share which I would absolutely love to read (hint to publisher, the online form to read this doesn’t work despite me trying a multitude of times!) My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

I received this novel as an ARC from NetGalley. Maxine, a 90 year old woman and Alex a depressed young man share a ride to Brussels. It is quirky and downright funny at times. However the friendship between the two that develops and the lessons both taught and learned are valuable.

Really loved all the things that Maxine brought forth from her purse. This was a really cute and fun book; it constantly brought a smile or chuckle. Loved Maxines wacky expressions. Stubborn as a mole.

I feel sorry for Alex, no wonder the poor man has been feeling depressed.

This looks to be the authors first English release. All the best!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author Zoe Brisby for the opportunity to review the advance read copy of CarShare in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for accepting me to review The Car Share by Zoe Brisby.

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.

This was a loveable easy read exploring the relationship that builds between 2 very different people.

I really enjoyed this book especially the way Maxine and Alex develop as characters throughout the story. Their friendship grows as the trip progresses and left me with a warm glow at the end.

Thoroughly enjoyable 🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Car Share by Zoe Brisby is released on 3rd June 2021.

I an advanced copy of The Car Share by Zoe Brisby because this sounded like a book I would love. Old person, with Alzheimer’s, takes a road trip with a young man. Along the way, their lives are changed forever. Yes! My favorite type of book. But...Maxine, the 90 year old, old folks home escapee, has so much moxie that the reason for her trip made absolutely no sense to me! Then there’s Alex, the young, depressed man, who is just a whiny millennial who has an unrequited crush on a girl. Max sets out to cheer Alex up and Alex determines to change the ending of the road trip. There is this hilarious news story interspersed throughout the story. Overall, though, the story seemed drawn out, and parts of it were just ridiculous. The ending was a very satisfying resolution to this weeks long, I mean days long, road trip.

Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the advanced e-copy of #thecarshare