2017 Nominee for Best Contemporary Romance-GOODREADSNamed one of the Top 10 hottest romance reads of 2017 by Huffington Post and New York Daily News!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 … 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.
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Oh my heart
Oh, my heart!!!
No wonder all my book friends are loving this story so much.
I cried my year out with this book and still want more of all the ups and downs of my heart because this means perfection from the beginning to the end.
I Love second chance romances and this story was exactly what I wanted from my heart and mind to feed and read in a beautiful love between two perfect souls and all the sacrifices they had to do and live with til they found a way back into each other arms.
Nothing short of spectacular.
This book is incredible. You definitely have to listen to the playlist as you read. So much good music that informs and enhances the experience. Reid is sexy as hell (I hate that phrase actually but for once I feel it applies), he’s so real and especially the descriptions of him playing his music killed me in the best way. Stella was likable and flawed and real and such a worthwhile heroine. The rest of the characters were equally unique and of interest, adding humor, family, variety and truth. I’ve read a lot of good book so far this year but this one is pretty close to being at the top of the list.
One of my top reads of 2017. A fantastic read.
Music…..it is one of the biggest associations that we have with memories. A melody or chorus that leads us back to moments in the past. It’s a reflection of our happiness or sadness through the melody of a song that means more than the words written upon paper.
Following your dreams is not a new concept for Stella. This moment is one she has longed for over many years, a dream that is finally a reality. Then one fateful phone call pulls Stella into the past. Then the melodies of another place and time encompass her as an old familiar tune fills the speakers of the car. Remembering brings Stella back to the time when her life was full of uncertainty. A journey that transpired through love and heartache, will leading Stella towards a dream that seemed almost impossible.
With the breeze blowing through her hair, Stella remembers the journey that led her to this moment. A devotion to the music that transpired through Stella’s life in the most unique way. Get ready for the ride of a lifetime….a chance to remember all of the sorrow, heartache and joy that flows through your heart with the melody of a song.
Drive is a unique book where the plot and a great song travel hand in hand. Kate Stewart has managed to create an epic romance the dives into self discovery, hardships, and finding your way along a road littered with obstacles. It is unlike any other romance that has been penned to paper. Stella’s road to achieving her dreams will take you on a journey that is completely unforgettable. A rocky road that utters the chords of every milestone through music.
Every chapter has a song that accompanies the story that unfolds between the pages. It’s a journey that reminds us all how an epic song holds the key to so many memories in life. Every single moment in Stella’s journey captivated me and the picture of her life will be on replay every single time I hear some of these songs. Drive Is an unforgettable story that left me tattered and torn at times, but at the end filled me with a love unlike any other for a book that is an original all on its own.
Drive by Kate Stewart is an emotional, contemporary, new adult romance told from the single point of view of the main character, Stella. The story moves between the past and the present with the majority of the content rooted in the past as Stella listens to music and reminisces about her relationships while making a solo, 24-hour road trip home. On her drive, she recalls falling in love with two different men and what happened in those relationships. It’s a love triangle of sorts and the story unfolds in a way that does not reveal who she winds up with until the end.
I enjoyed this story. For the most part, I really liked all of the characters, except for Stella’s older sister, Paige, who was judgy, controlling and prone to gross overreaction. The music that was featured throughout was a nice touch and tied into the story really well. Concerning the timeline, there were a few parts where I lost my place and I had to read a passage again to determine if it was the past or present. I love a good, angsty read that makes me feel and Drive certainly did. Overall, I really enjoyed the ride!
Audiobook Version:
Why or Why did I not read this sooner?!?!?!? This book literally put me on an emotional roller Coaster. It was amazing seeing all the characters developing before your eyes. The writing was fantastic! The characters were ones I will remember for a long time to come. It was a crazy ride that affected me to the core.
Narration was fabulous! Eva Erickson never disappoints. Loved every word of it
WOW! What a ride! Again, I am BLOWN away by Kate Stewart’s ability to consume my life with her storytelling. After reading my first novel by her, HEARTBREAK WARFARE, I really didn’t think she could outdo herself bc that book was EVERYTHING, but she has officially proved to me that her writing and talent is the real deal. DRIVE went beyond all my hope and dreams. I went into this book blind (didn’t read the synopsis), and I’m glad that I did. I am typically not a fan of second-chance romances, but Kate proved that my reading taste can be changed with her books. Also, I am not the biggest fans of rock star romances…ever since reading the THOUGHTLESS series by S.C.Stephens, I haven’t found a book that compares to it, but DRIVE just became it’s biggest competitor.
“One minute past desperation,” I whispered. “You have to wait one minute past desperation, Reid. That’s when it happens. You’ll get a break. You will. It’s coming.”
I have a feeling this story will play on loop in my head for some time to come. It is most definitely on my top fave list for 2018! I was in angst heaven with this book! Constantly left wondering how this book would play out. You see, the beginning of the book (the prologue), technically starts at the end, but you are still left wondering WHO she ends up with. The way that Kate did that, set up the angst for the rest of the book. Most of the book is set in the past with some chapters set in the present interspersed, again this lent to the angst because us readers are left in the dark, even with those moments from the present.
I adored ALL the characters, even the secondary characters. Stella was ruled by her emotions and driven by her love for music. She was a fun character to watch develop and grow with her life experiences. She started the book out so naive, but by the end, she learned from the obstacles life threw at her. Her dreams may have been veered off course for awhile, but they eventually got back on course. And then there was Reid *heart eyes* Reid had the right amount of a mysterious starving artist vibe to pull me in and have me rooting for his character to succeed in life. Stella was the rhythm of his heart, the one that saved him. And then there was Nate #swoon…Kate was so cruel and made me love him too, which was a wonderful kind of torture. I would want to meet a man like Nate in real life. I love when an author can have me pulled in two different directions. When an author can have my heart divided, much like the heroine in the story. THAT’S when you know the story is something to tell others about.
“He knew when a beat was missing, or a note was forgotten. He’d memorized my song, and I was his favorite.”
If you are intrigued by this book, ONE CLICK it today! You will not be disappointed.
5 “Grenade” Stars!
Very originally written with super characters. Really kept me guessing to the end where the heroine would end up and which guy she’d choose.
This book was written so well, I loved thr way her story was told how it kept you guessing till the end. The book was brilliant thr audio narration was great.
One of the best books I’ve ever read. Nobody writes books like Kate Stewart!
This book. It is an absolute must read. The characters are brilliant. The emotion is raw, real, and is everything that a book of this genre should be. The way in which Stewart incorporates music into this novel is a work of art. The reader cannot help but become emotionally invested in these characters. I wish I could give 6 stars.
Drive was everything! Between Kate Stewart’s words and Ava’s narrations I was completely slayed! She had my mind reeling with anticipation from one chapter to the next ! Each song so perfectly planned with each chapter. The music just flowed and story was brilliant! I honestly had no idea how this would end . I can only say that I loved every word!
A solid rock ‘n roll love triangle. Stella acts her (young) age for quite a lot of the book but is also truly torn between two swoon-worthy men. The concept of the book, driving through musical memories, is a good way to retell her history with the two relationships and with her decisions in the end. It ended up feeling like the closure she needed.
There were parts of this book that I really liked. It was uneven at times and I found myself having to re-read sections to figure out what was going on and not because the plot was complicated! I also don’t like love triangles.
I have been lying here for about half an hour just thinking about the book I just finished. The fact that I finally had a book that kept me reading to the early hours of the morning, the fact that I feel like my heart got ripped out and put back together and just can’t stop thinking about how this book made me feel. It’s been a long time since a book made me feel like this a long time thank you Kate Stewart.
This is my first book by Kate and it will not be my last. There are so many books I want to read but I saw this one and knew I had to read it, the cover is amazing the blurb didn’t really give anything away and the best part was going in blind.
This book had it all writing at perfection, lines that made you think about life, I cried, I laughed and I just got all the freaking feels it was just a beautiful book and it had my two absoulte favourite things words and music two loves of my life and it was just such a perfect book.
goodness this book was everything and when I started it I was like nooo why we going back in time sometimes I’m not a fan of this but this book has changed my mind and I will never doubt this style of writing again. This book has hit my top books for 2017 and has really got me out of my slump.
I loved all the characters in this book and didn’t think it would be a love triangle but I am so glad it was because it brought back that old school angst that I love and have not read in a long time. I loved Stella, Paige and Lexi. To be honest even Neil I liked. I have never read a love triangle though where I fell in love with both guys. There would be times when I was behind one guy thinking yes I’m so excited and then the other guy I would be like oh ok yes you go for it too and I think that’s why this novel tore me up. I had a feeling who she would end up with but I have never been so scared for a book to finish in case I was wrong.
Absolutely perfect book, a massive huge amount of stars for this book and is one of my top favourites for 2017 beyond perfect and beautiful writing.
Some books stay with you long after your read them….Drive did that for me. I love,love triangles and this story exceeded my expectations…i could not choose who i wanted her to be with! oh and the spotify soundtrack is to die for!
Just when I thought my tender heart couldn’t handle another love triangle, I took a chance on Drive. Truthfully, if it had been written by anyone other than one of my favorite storytellers, Kate Stewart, I probably would have passed. Drive dragged me through a range of emotions—sometimes kicking and screaming—but man, what a great journey.
You’ve got Reid, the struggling bad boy rocker, and Nate, the passionate startup newspaper owner. Stella is an ambitious music journalist who loves them both deeply. As with most love triangles, I think your level of satisfaction has a great deal to do with who you’re rooting for. You might be #TeamReid or #TeamNate, but maybe, just maybe, you’re first and foremost #TeamStella.
There are some seriously flawed characters in this book, and I’m not just talking about the main players. It’s the imperfections that give the story depth and suck you in. I cursed Kate on more than one occasion and wrestled with my conflicting emotions throughout the entire book. In addition to the angst, though, there are plenty of tender moments.
Music is such an integral part of Stella’s being, so it’s fitting that each chapter begins with a song that conveys the unfolding story. In a truly genius move, the songs are linked to Spotify so ebook readers can easily listen to the music and appreciate the echoed sentiments in a deeper way.
Drive is a highly stirring book that really put my emotions through the wringer. I was exhausted yet ultimately at peace in the end. Here’s the main thing. Whether or not I agreed with the resolution, I FELT. Deeply. If that isn’t a testament to quality storytelling then I don’t know what is.
Drive is a wonderful heartbreaking beautiful story. I loved it so much. I really loved listening to the playlist when I read it on my ipad. There is so much emotion that Kate brings out through her words.
Stella, Reid and Nate- what a journey that Kate Stewart takes the readers on. Stella grows throughout the book with interconnected characters and choices she has to make to be happy. Reid is broken, Nate wants her……. Stella finds herself and love in this beautiful story!
Good writing and characters
5 Cranky Stars
Everyone was all oh you need to read this book it’s simply amazing and plays with your heart. I kept seeing it everywhere and I finally purchased it. There is sat on my kindle just waiting for me to read it. I ignored it for so long because I let my emotions guide me to what to read. Well I decided this is the time and ho lee hell I was in love that was the messy life of Stella, Reid and Nate. I couldn’t stop reading. I was looking for excuses to skip out on life. The chapter titles and their coordinating songs really brought the book home. It was an experience from beginning to end.
Stella is passionate. Bat crap passionate. She is passionate about life and music. Music frees her soul and it’s what lead her to Austin. Here she hits the pavement to find that perfect music journalist job but its not without its hardships and she sleeps on her sister’s couch. While on her journey of self-discovery she finds herself drawn to Paige’s best friend Reid. Reid is her kryptonite which a musician and they embark on a fiery love affair that leads them to heartache. Yet there is Nate the boss who took a chance on a journalist with no skills and no degree, but they became so much more. Drive is Stella’s story to redemption and happily ever after and chasing that elusive dream.
I feel like I could wax poetic on this book for hours. I’ve already told people to read Drive and I just put it down. I liked that Stella was unapologetic in who she was. She was very grab the bull by the horns kind of girl. She knew she was a “mess” for a lack of a better word. I feel for Reid his story crushed my heart, but I knew deep down he just need help to get him on the right path. At times I felt him and Stella were so wrong but maybe that’s what made their love enviable. I liked Nate just not for Stella. She was too explosive he was too controlled. Like Reid called her she was a grenade. I just love this story so read it and be prepared for an emotionally lyrically driven story.