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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Stuff your Ereader book.
The voices tend to sound the same but it was an easy read.
The voices tend to sound the same but it was an easy read.
A for narration / B+ for content - 4.5 stars rounded up.
This first book in L.A. Witt’s Anchor Point series is a fairly low angst May/December romance that begins when twenty-something cab driver Sean Wright picks up a fare – an attractive, older guy - from a local hotel who, rather than offering a destination, instructs him to “Just Drive”. Paul Richards has just been dumped by his long-distance boyfriend, and his usual way of getting over a break up is to find someone else to fuck to take his mind off it. After spending the best part of the evening together, he and Sean end up getting down ‘n’ dirty in the back seat of the car, and even though Paul tries to tell himself it was just a one off, he can’t forget Sean’s kindness and the way they just seemed to ‘click’ on more than just a sexual level. Which is why Paul finds himself calling Sean again. And again. The pair continue to hook up on a regular basis after that (and it’s clear that whatever is between them is fast becoming more than just sex) – until both men suddenly realise that Paul is Sean’s father’s CO at Adams Naval Base and that any sort of relationship between them could have a disastrous effect on Paul’s and Sean’s father’s careers.
Paul has always known he’s gay, but had it drummed into him that anyone with ambitions to move up through the ranks could only get so far without the perfect wife and kids, so he married – twice – and did his damndest to be (or at least act) straight for the sake of his career. Now in his early forties with two divorces behind him, he has a lot of regret for the way he treated both the women he married, but is openly out now and focused on his career goal of making Admiral. The Navy has been just as much a part of Sean’s life as Paul’s but whereas Paul chose his path, Sean didn’t and now in his early twenties, resents the fact that the Navy is continuing to dictate the direction of his life. Moving around so often meant he never formed long or lasting friendships or relationships, it caused the breakdown of his parents’ marriage - and falling for Paul and not being able to have him is yet one more reason for that resentment.
The story is perhaps a bit repetitive – Sean and Paul meet up and have lots of mind-blowing sex, then after the bombshell explodes, they tell themselves they should stay away from each other, fail miserably and have lots of mind-blowing sex… you get the picture. But I liked both characters individually and as a couple, and even though there’s a twenty year age gap between them, it’s never an issue for them and it wasn’t for me because they just… fit.
There were some inconsistencies that had me scratching my head though. For instance, we’re never told how old Sean is and the details given in the book are a bit contradictory; and I thought it was a bit odd that Paul never asked what Sean is studying (and we’re not told either, although there’s one scene in which he’s having trouble concentrating on King Lear and A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Those things aren’t desperately important, but it seemed odd they were never mentioned. It’s also a bit of a stretch to believe that neither Paul nor Sean enquired much about the other’s situation; Sean knew Paul was military but didn’t enquire further (and later thinks that perhaps he deliberately avoided doing so) and he didn’t talk much about his dad, so I suppose it’s possible, if slightly implausible.
Nick J. Russo does such a fantastic job with the narration that I honestly didn’t care about the inconsistencies or repetitiveness in the story. He gives Paul a deep, slightly gravelly voice, and he captures Sean’s sunny personality and flirtatiousness brilliantly. There aren’t many secondary characters in the story, but they’re well differentiated and easy to tell apart from the main roles. There are, as I’ve said, quite a few sex scenes in the book, and Mr. Russo takes them in his stride, performing them confidently and getting into the swing of things without going over the top.
I enjoyed Just Drive in spite of the story’s flaws, and Nick J. Russo’s narration was definitely good enough to enable me to get past them. I’ll certainly be listening to more in this series.
ETA 19/04/2025: upgraded becasue I've listened to this several times and the things that bothered me first time around matter less and less with each re-listen!
This first book in L.A. Witt’s Anchor Point series is a fairly low angst May/December romance that begins when twenty-something cab driver Sean Wright picks up a fare – an attractive, older guy - from a local hotel who, rather than offering a destination, instructs him to “Just Drive”. Paul Richards has just been dumped by his long-distance boyfriend, and his usual way of getting over a break up is to find someone else to fuck to take his mind off it. After spending the best part of the evening together, he and Sean end up getting down ‘n’ dirty in the back seat of the car, and even though Paul tries to tell himself it was just a one off, he can’t forget Sean’s kindness and the way they just seemed to ‘click’ on more than just a sexual level. Which is why Paul finds himself calling Sean again. And again. The pair continue to hook up on a regular basis after that (and it’s clear that whatever is between them is fast becoming more than just sex) – until both men suddenly realise that Paul is Sean’s father’s CO at Adams Naval Base and that any sort of relationship between them could have a disastrous effect on Paul’s and Sean’s father’s careers.
Paul has always known he’s gay, but had it drummed into him that anyone with ambitions to move up through the ranks could only get so far without the perfect wife and kids, so he married – twice – and did his damndest to be (or at least act) straight for the sake of his career. Now in his early forties with two divorces behind him, he has a lot of regret for the way he treated both the women he married, but is openly out now and focused on his career goal of making Admiral. The Navy has been just as much a part of Sean’s life as Paul’s but whereas Paul chose his path, Sean didn’t and now in his early twenties, resents the fact that the Navy is continuing to dictate the direction of his life. Moving around so often meant he never formed long or lasting friendships or relationships, it caused the breakdown of his parents’ marriage - and falling for Paul and not being able to have him is yet one more reason for that resentment.
The story is perhaps a bit repetitive – Sean and Paul meet up and have lots of mind-blowing sex, then after the bombshell explodes, they tell themselves they should stay away from each other, fail miserably and have lots of mind-blowing sex… you get the picture. But I liked both characters individually and as a couple, and even though there’s a twenty year age gap between them, it’s never an issue for them and it wasn’t for me because they just… fit.
There were some inconsistencies that had me scratching my head though. For instance, we’re never told how old Sean is and the details given in the book are a bit contradictory; and I thought it was a bit odd that Paul never asked what Sean is studying (and we’re not told either, although there’s one scene in which he’s having trouble concentrating on King Lear and A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Those things aren’t desperately important, but it seemed odd they were never mentioned. It’s also a bit of a stretch to believe that neither Paul nor Sean enquired much about the other’s situation; Sean knew Paul was military but didn’t enquire further (and later thinks that perhaps he deliberately avoided doing so) and he didn’t talk much about his dad, so I suppose it’s possible, if slightly implausible.
Nick J. Russo does such a fantastic job with the narration that I honestly didn’t care about the inconsistencies or repetitiveness in the story. He gives Paul a deep, slightly gravelly voice, and he captures Sean’s sunny personality and flirtatiousness brilliantly. There aren’t many secondary characters in the story, but they’re well differentiated and easy to tell apart from the main roles. There are, as I’ve said, quite a few sex scenes in the book, and Mr. Russo takes them in his stride, performing them confidently and getting into the swing of things without going over the top.
I enjoyed Just Drive in spite of the story’s flaws, and Nick J. Russo’s narration was definitely good enough to enable me to get past them. I’ll certainly be listening to more in this series.
ETA 19/04/2025: upgraded becasue I've listened to this several times and the things that bothered me first time around matter less and less with each re-listen!
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Brilliantly written, you really care about the characters romance and their situation
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia
If there is one thing I can pretty much count on, it's that when LA Witt puts out a military themed novel, I'll probably like it. Even though they often follow a similar formula, she just does them so well!
Just Drive is the first book in her new Anchor Point series, and I really enjoyed it. I liked both MC's, their chemistry is scorching and so is the sex. And I loved the age-gap, aspect and that it was the younger guy doing the topping!
Sean Wright is young. We never find out his exact age, but based on everything I could determine while reading Just Drive, I'd say he is around 21. He's been a Navy dependent all his life, since his father is a career Naval officer. So, Sean knows that the sacrifices involved in being part of a military family are more than just what the service members themselves sacrifice. It's hard being left behind every time your significant other or parent gets deployed, not to mention the frequent moves. The pressures and constant moving cost his parents their marriage and Sean is still living it. He's an adult, now, but he is still living at home so he can go to school and keep medical benefits. But even still, Sean has had to leave friends, and boyfriends, behind time and again.
Captain Paul Richards has been in the Navy for 24 years (he's 42). He's a graduate of the Naval Academy, a former fighter pilot and he's had his whole being set on making Admiral before retirement. He's so close, but until the Navy entrusts him with commanding a ship, he's not even in the running. So, being single focused and dedicated, he drives on. But Paul has experienced his share of Navy casualties, too. He's been married and divorced twice and has had a string of failed relationships since the repeal of DADT. He had to hang up his wings after a catastrophic landing injured him too badly to continue that path and the only thing keeping him in the Navy is the hope of promotion.
So when Sean picks Paul up at a hotel, right after Paul's latest breakup, neither of them was expecting their chemistry to burn so hot. But it did, and what should have been nothing more than a one-night-stand, soon turned into 'any time we can be in the same room'…until they both figured out the score. Sean's dad is in the Navy, too and is a subordinate of Paul's. Ouch. But by then, they were both well and truly in too deep.
My only real complaint was that once they both figured out that they shouldn't be seeing each other because of the chain of command issue, they went too long with the 'one last time' encounters before a resolution was finally reached. But, I have to say, in spite of that one niggle, I loved this story.
I'm also happy that the next book will feature Paul's friend Travis. He seems about ready to be blindsided with love, considering his advice to Paul. I think Just Drive is a great start to this series, and I am looking forward to the next book!
------------------
ARC of Just Drive was generously provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Just Drive is the first book in her new Anchor Point series, and I really enjoyed it. I liked both MC's, their chemistry is scorching and so is the sex. And I loved the age-gap, aspect and that it was the younger guy doing the topping!
Sean Wright is young. We never find out his exact age, but based on everything I could determine while reading Just Drive, I'd say he is around 21. He's been a Navy dependent all his life, since his father is a career Naval officer. So, Sean knows that the sacrifices involved in being part of a military family are more than just what the service members themselves sacrifice. It's hard being left behind every time your significant other or parent gets deployed, not to mention the frequent moves. The pressures and constant moving cost his parents their marriage and Sean is still living it. He's an adult, now, but he is still living at home so he can go to school and keep medical benefits. But even still, Sean has had to leave friends, and boyfriends, behind time and again.
Captain Paul Richards has been in the Navy for 24 years (he's 42). He's a graduate of the Naval Academy, a former fighter pilot and he's had his whole being set on making Admiral before retirement. He's so close, but until the Navy entrusts him with commanding a ship, he's not even in the running. So, being single focused and dedicated, he drives on. But Paul has experienced his share of Navy casualties, too. He's been married and divorced twice and has had a string of failed relationships since the repeal of DADT. He had to hang up his wings after a catastrophic landing injured him too badly to continue that path and the only thing keeping him in the Navy is the hope of promotion.
So when Sean picks Paul up at a hotel, right after Paul's latest breakup, neither of them was expecting their chemistry to burn so hot. But it did, and what should have been nothing more than a one-night-stand, soon turned into 'any time we can be in the same room'…until they both figured out the score. Sean's dad is in the Navy, too and is a subordinate of Paul's. Ouch. But by then, they were both well and truly in too deep.
My only real complaint was that once they both figured out that they shouldn't be seeing each other because of the chain of command issue, they went too long with the 'one last time' encounters before a resolution was finally reached. But, I have to say, in spite of that one niggle, I loved this story.
I'm also happy that the next book will feature Paul's friend Travis. He seems about ready to be blindsided with love, considering his advice to Paul. I think Just Drive is a great start to this series, and I am looking forward to the next book!
------------------
ARC of Just Drive was generously provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
