A double shot of devastating news turns Justin Evanson’s life upside down. When he learns his father has cancer, and he has siblings he never knew existed, he leaves everything behind and moves to Virginia to support his dad as he tries to make amends with his family—a family Justin’s not sure he has a place in. Things go from bad to worse when he discovers his recent hookup is his newfound … sister’s brother-in-law.
Drew Sinclair never expected to see Justin after their night at the club or to discover their family connection. If anyone found out, it would give Drew’s brother another reason to hate him. But there’s something about Justin that draws him in, and it’s not only because they burn up the sheets together.
One meeting leads to another, and before Justin realizes it, Drew has become the only thing in his world he feels is his. And for the first time in his life, Drew knows what it means to be needed. Being there for Justin and supporting him when things spiral out of control feels right. But with so much happening so quickly, it’s hard to trust their feelings. Is this thing between them real? Or just a test drive before life forces them down two separate roads?
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Riley Hart redeemed herself with book 3 in her Crossroads series with Test Drive. After book two Shifting Gears which I didn’t like very much I didn’t have such high expectations for this story, and I have never been happier to be proven wrong. This book seriously pulled at my heart and while I did not ugly cry there were totally tears.
“I’m sorry to just show up like this. I didn’t know where else to go. You’re the only thing here that feels like mine.”
Justin is out of place in his new life even if it is temporary. Having to move to a new state, meet two siblings you didn’t know existed and watching your father die can really take a toll on a person. Justin just needs one night, one night to let off steam, forget about everything going on in his life and forget. Enter Drew.
Drew doesn’t have a problem deciding what he wants out of life. He dropped out of law school despite his father’s wishes to be true to himself. He knows his family loves him, but he still feels like an outsider no matter how much he accomplishes. After a fight with his brother Drew decides he needs to relive some stress and he meets Justin. Like recognizes like and they have quite the moment but that is all it is supposed to be. As with life just when you least expect it you are given a curve ball that could change your whole life.
Justin and Drew do not expect to ever see one another again but when Drew shows up at his brother’s house for his sisters-in-law fathers’ birthday, he comes face to face with Justin. Neither man knows about their family’s connection but now that they are going to be crossing paths from time to time what can they do? As friendship turns to new experiences for Drew and quite the distraction for Justin neither man expected to fall in love, especially after they realize their connection.
In this book you get to enjoy all your favorites from the previous two books with Bryce, Nick, Landon and Rod as well as other characters you couldn’t help but love. I would not suggest reading this one without reading the first two. While Hart gives you good reminders it could still be confusing.
This story ripped out my heart and I was not expecting it. I knew it would be sad because of the way the 2nd book ended but what I was not expecting was to fall more in love with this world right when it is coming to an end. Drew and Justin were such good MC’s that you can’t help but pull for their HEA. This story is all about family, love and that the one person you never knew you needed can come into your life at the worst possible moment and still give you hope for the future.
Riley has the knack of using scenes to take our hearts and turn them into piles of mush… and we love her for it. We are given the story of Justin and Drew, who were side characters from Landon and Rob’s book… who were side characters from Bryce and Nick’s book. Justin is a “love child”, the results of a one night stand between Landon’s Dad (Larry) and a woman he met. Drew is the brother of Jacob, Landon’s sister Shannen’s now husband. Justin and Drew met at a club for a “brief encounter”, not knowing who the other was. Drew and Justin meet face to face again at a family gathering, both stunned to see the other. Their story continues from sexual attraction to agreed “friends with benefits”… to wanting more. Drew has always known he was bisexual, but had never explored it… till Justin. The natural progression of their relationship is so refreshing to watch. Drew’s understanding of all that Justin is going through, the realization of all the sacrifices Justin has made, even though he has been let down but his Dad’s mistakes, and his support is so heartfelt. Justin’s need for Drew without hesitation is gut wrenching. Justin’s struggle to fit in with his new family along with dealing with his father’s dwindling health, make Drew realize how fortunate he was to be born into his family, despite his estranged relationship with his brother Jacob. There are scenes that make my heart drop. The motorcycle ride made it hard to read through blurry tears, but the last moments of Larry’s life had my heart just break into pieces. Justin’s breakdown into Drew’s arms had me sobbing like a baby. I grieved as Justin left to go back to his regular life in NC, but I had hope that all would prevail to a HEA. And once again the incorporation of all the main characters from previous books makes the books shine even more. Riley’s writing just wants me to read more and more.
We finally found out what was bugging Drew during Shanen and Jacob’s wedding and how Drew dealt with it after by meeting Justin and having a moment in a bar. Drew and Justin started out with hooking up that then turned into a friendship that turned into love. I loved this book and this world!
The angst in this book was not a surprise considering how book 2 ended, but it was still difficult to read. Not difficult in a bad way, but the fact that a secondary character is dying from cancer is still a difficult topic. Riley Hart did a really good job with exploring all the complicated emotions that come with confronting the death of a parent, especially a parent who’s done such terrible things like Justin and Landon’s father. How do you forgive a man who’s abandoned you? How do you forgive a man who’s hidden such a significant secret? There’s no easy answers and Riley Hart doesn’t pretend her characters have it figured out. With that in the background, the relationship between Drew and Justin was a nice contrast, although I felt we had less romance in this book than the others. There was just so many different familial issues that had to be dealt with. But don’t worry, our guys still get their wonderful Happy Ever After.
I’ve read this author before. I listened to the audio book. This is the next in the series book 3 the story of Drew and Justin. The continuation of the story with lots of interaction from the previous characters in the series. This book covers some sad events and not listening on the public train would be a good idea. Drew and Justin are so right for each other.