Drive by Kate Stewart Published by INDIE SELFPUBLISHED on 10/17/2017
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Review Copy Provided By: Author
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Music . . . the heart’s greatest librarian.
The average song is three and a half minutes long; those three and a half minutes could lead to a slow blink, a glimpse of the past, or catapult the soul into heart-shattering nostalgia.
At the height of my career, I had the life I wanted, the life I’d always envisioned. I’d found my tempo, my rhythm. Then I received a phone call that left me off key.
You see, my favorite songs had a way of playing simultaneously. I was in love with one man’s beats and another’s lyrics. But when it came to the soundtrack of a life, how could anyone choose a favorite song? So, to erase any doubt, I ditched my first-class ticket and decided to take a drive, fixed on the rearview.
Two days.
One playlist.
And the long road home to the man who was waiting for me.
I was provided a review copy; this did not influence my opinion of the book.
Where are all of the angst lovers? Have you heard about a little book titled, DRIVE? It is the angst lovers dream!
❝He was my song, my soul, my everything,❞
I am fairly new to Kate Stwart. While I have quite a few of her books on my Kindle, I’ve only read one other book she’s written, Loving The White Liar. Where I thought LTWL was great, DRIVE is phenomenal! It was everything I want in a book; it was intriguing and captivating, it had outstanding writing that kept me engaged with a storyline that had me on the edge of my seat as it slowly unfolded.
The prologue begins with the “present” where Stella is killing it as a music reporter. She’s interviewing an industry giant for her podcast. Her success induced high didn’t last long because her best friend’s phone call left her tumbling with confusion and pain.
And then masterfully, Stewart drops us into the past where Stella is living with her sister, Paige while waiting for college to start. It is here she meets Reid. A tempestuous relationship develops between Stella and Reid. Paige is unhappy with the relationship because, while Reid is her friend, she’s confident he is going to hurt Stella. What once was a close relationship between Paige and Stella as well as Paige and Reid, turns strained. Words are said and feelings are hurt. Stewart leads us through their struggles, through their pain, and through their mess.
❝You aren’t who you were yesterday or the day before. Believe that. You are not your circumstances.❞
Determined to make her dreams come true, Stella barrels her way into ‘Speak’ with hopes of obtaining a job. She interviews with the owner of the magazine, Nate. Nate is interested. Less so of her abilities as an employee and more so of her. He’s attracted. Much to his dissatisfaction, Stella has a good head on her shoulders and wants this job too badly to start something with the man she hopes to be her boss. Not to mention that fact that she is still in a relationship (all-be-it rocky) with Reid. Nate encourages her to work a little harder on her craft, telling her to come back in six months and prove she deserves the job. While dealing with hurt and anger surrounding her sister and Reid, she continues to work hard to impress Nate. Likewise, Nate is determined too. He wants Stella and not just as an employee.
❝So, it’s a sex thing.❞
❝No, it’s a Stella thing.❞
Written in both past and present, Stewart developed her characters thoroughly and completely. ‘The End’ left me wanting more. MORE of these characters, MORE of Nate and MORE of Reid. I cried and screamed with them and swooned over them. My heart ached for Stella, I could feel what she was feeling, the passion, the love, and the anguish. I loved her journey and her transformation. Lexi, Stella’s best friend, was crazy and supportive and funny and strong. Her feistiness added so much to the story. But it is her relationship with Ben that I need MORE of.
A little warning though, the subject matter in ‘Drive’ may not be one that others wish to read View Spoiler ». Clearly, I don’t have a problem with this because this second-chance romance is one of my favorites of the year! ‘Drive’ is heartwrenching and painful and ugly. But it is also beautiful and hopeful. Stewart reminds us that we must experience the ugly to enjoy the beauty. We must work hard to appreciate the easy. And we may have many loves, but we only have one soulmate.
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