DRIVE
by KATE STEWART
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 completely immersed in his eyes, drunk on temptation, done."
Every once in a while you get introduced to a new author that can make or break your thoughts on reading new authors; ones that can break you out of your bubble. Kate Stewart was that new author for me. This book was the very reason I LOVE triangles. The way she weaved the emotions into this story, the way she introduced us to the characters, the way she allowed us to fall in love with them, only to turn our love for them into a weapon against our own hearts? SO GOOD. Ohmygoshsogood.
Ok!! We know I love triangles, and the way this one was told, the introduction to the characters, the storyline that held me captive until the end, it was all-consuming. When you start this story, you have NO idea who is what and why, and I loved going through it this way. The intrigue alone motivated me to keep reading, but also allowed me to stop and ponder what was going on!! The not knowing is what made me pay very close attention to all the minute details Kate dropped along the way. Drive was a busy read that allowed me to fall in love with all the characters, and solidified the 'why' I fell in love with this trope in the first place. The best part about a triangle is the WHY. Always my favorite part. It brings about so many questions and makes you look deep inside as to why Stella is pulled toward Reid and Nate, each one individually and collectively. MAN!! I really really enjoyed this one!
I was quiet about posting this book at first, I admit. I posted the book as a TBR Alert/Cover Reveal on my Facebook page, but was still pretty anxious about reading a new-to-me author. I started reading it, and while the beginning was a little slow for me, it was the set up for the story that kept me turning the pages. The WAY this one was told is my favorite part. I know I have seen back and forth in books before, but I loved the way this one was more of a current situation recapping her past; coming to terms with all the choices she's made in her life. This allowed me, as the reader, to fall in love with these two men and question how it all correlated with the beginning of the book. I loved this...I truly truly did!! The beginning was ripe with contagious excitement and that kept pushing me to continue. This one was a journey that I got to take with Stella, and with all the misunderstandings growing into understandings, this one kept me guessing until the very end. I remember messaging the author as I went along, falling in love with each guy independently, and in the end, feeling that emotional heartbreak that she felt in the beginning....but it was a realization. I loved the way this one started, the way it read, and the way it ended. I seriously enjoyed the angst and the buildup a lot.
"You wonder what it would be like if we were together, if we had gone further. You still want the fairytale, but it's mine to give you and I can't give it to you if you're with the wrong fucking prince."
I can tell you right now that I was torn between both men, and that made the understanding of Stella's situation that much more gripping for me.
ON ONE HAND: I loved the strength in Nate's composure, I loved his take charge attitude, but I also loved his sarcastic and playful side. He had such an understanding for Stella that you don't see with many men, and I adored the way he loved her!! He exuded dominance, but had an insane amount of patience. He was such an anomaly. He was intense, but he was playful. He was matter of fact, but he had game. So darn sexy!!
ON THE OTHER HAND: I really enjoyed Reid's depth and the gift of comfort he always gave Stella. The way these two bounced off each other, and the way they grew on each other, the way they helped each other through the tough times. MAN. I loved their relationship!! I loved the way Stewart explained the fluidity of Reid in his element and the fact that his life choices were never simple. His decisions were not made lightly, and I hurt for him by the time I found out what was going on. But the determination he had? OMG...I couldn't get enough. So darn sexy!!
So, I could see why Stella was torn, because I was torn too!! HAHA!! Both of these men were sexy and they both offered her something she needed at the time and this is exactly why a triangle is my favorite. The emotions, when written well, are so legit and so true, it's stomach-clenching good! I loved this one. The depth of each character was written out so very well, as well as the way she told their sides of the story. I was able to fall in love with both of these amazing men without hesitation. What a problem to have...my gosh, I felt for Stella!!
"In love with two worthy kings, and I was queen of the damned."
I cannot say it enough that this was the best introduction to Kate's writing for me! I was able to read it over a few days and revel in the story little by little, and I didn't want to stop reading it. Being able to read this slowly over those few days, stopping to ponder, to discuss with my husband, and then continue on made this book that much more enjoyable. There was so much depth in these words; the meaning behind them and how she wrote this book didn't escape me. She created a beautiful and sexy as hell vision for me while I read this book. The message about music carrying her through all her good times and bad, it was so neat to read it this way. <sigh> I am so excited to read more by her.
"Looking at him, being able to touch him, it was the purest drug."
~BEE
PURCHASE:
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2y5iN2O
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2yLEitp
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2wUVIPC
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2gjHrcr
~MEET KATE STEWART~
Kate Stewart lives in Charleston, S.C. with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. A native of Dallas, Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring it her creative muse. Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it's what she loves as a reader. A lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap, she dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity only and does a horrible job of playing the ukulele. Aside from running a mile without collapsing, traveling is the only other must on her bucket list. On occasion, she does very well at vodka.
~CONNECT WITH KATE~
UNEDITED ARC REVIEW
COPY GIFTED OUT
COPY GIFTED OUT
Great review. Can’t wait to get back into it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Zilpha!! It was a fun review to write. <3
DeleteThank youuuu🥰🥰🥰
ReplyDeleteGreat Review
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to check her out
Thanks for sharing.