The Accidental Plus One: Travel Tales from a Trailing Spouse by Alison Ripley Cubitt is a delightful memoir that feels like an engaging conversation with a lively, well-traveled dinner guest.
Alison, a burnt-out media executive, faces a crossroads in her life. Despite a successful career, she’s tired of the grind and realizes that the sacrifices she’s made over the years have drained her enthusiasm. When her partner receives an opportunity to work in New Zealand, Alison decides to take the leap, leaving behind a lucrative job and the comfort of a familiar life. What follows is a whirlwind of globetrotting, as the couple moves from New Zealand to Australia, Europe, and the U.S., with their dog Zebedee in tow. The memoir follows their adventures as Alison learns to navigate new countries, cultures, and a different way of life.
The book is a warm, funny, and insightful look into the life of a “trailing spouse,” someone who follows their partner’s career and discovers the unexpected joys (and occasional absurdities) of living a life of constant movement. Alison recounts a variety of quirky, memorable experiences—like helping a couple choose a home based on the number of the house, hearing a taxi driver explain the “secret plans of the lizard people,” and the oddity of living in a house once owned by undercover detectives who had to move to protect their children. These anecdotes are often hilarious but also carry deeper reflections about the nature of home, belonging, and identity.
The charm of this memoir lies in its light-hearted tone, with Alison’s self-deprecating humor and keen observations making for an enjoyable, relatable read. She shares moments of both joy and challenge, from the simplicity of planting vegetables to the bittersweet farewell to their dog. The stories offer a unique perspective on everyday life, infused with the excitement of new adventures and the occasional misstep.
Overall, The Accidental Plus One is a fun and engaging travel memoir that will resonate with anyone who enjoys stories of personal growth, cultural discovery, and the quirky side of life. Alison’s witty writing and engaging storytelling make this a perfect read for those seeking a light-hearted, yet thoughtful, travel adventure.
