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nichi17's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cala_p's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of Drive from the author.
I never read a Kate Stewart book before, but I will definitely give more a shot because this was NOT what I was expeciting of this book. If I were to sum up this novel in one signle word, that word would be: REAL. This novel is real. It drags you through real life, realistic situations of love and relationships and life in the young to mid-twenties. The level of angst was perfect.
It was a bit of a slow start, but picked up very fast. For a while, I didn’t know which guy the novel would take her to: Reid or Nate. When she did eventually get with one of them, this is where the realness started. Their relationship blossomed at a good pace. There was a lot of arguing, avoidance of each other, and then finally a hook up and admittance of feelings. But problems between them arise. The struggling music artist trope was introduced here, and then a break up. And thus begins the stomach-tingling novel. She moves on after a while and does get with Nate. They start a slow but steady romance. When New Years Eve rolled around and Reid showed up…my goodness It think my heart cried too.
The time jumps in this novel, in the second half, definitely threw me for a loop. Three years, 8 months, 5 months, etc. Major plot things happened at each of these timelines. The three year gap definitely saw a lot of changes between her and her relationship, all in which Reid never showed his face. But eventually, more gaps and more changes.
The characters are nice too. Stella is refreshing. Follows her heart but is also very focused on herself and fixing her life after everything. Nate was a sweetie. I was pretty well taken by him from the first introduction and hoped we would see him and Stella together. After everything he went through in the novel, I hope he gets his happy ending too. Reid helped bring that realness I keep talking about into the novel. He’s the one with the job and financial and family issues. He’s the one who chooses to leave. He’s the one who initially comes back for Stella and explains his reasons and makes my soul cry. He’s an ideal book boyfriend giving that ideal level of romance but strong character to the book.
This novel deserves all five stars I am giving it. It’s such a wonderful, heart-wrenching read and I am not sorry I read this at all. Thank you to the author for the ARC of Drive. This won’t be the last novel I read of yours.
I never read a Kate Stewart book before, but I will definitely give more a shot because this was NOT what I was expeciting of this book. If I were to sum up this novel in one signle word, that word would be: REAL. This novel is real. It drags you through real life, realistic situations of love and relationships and life in the young to mid-twenties. The level of angst was perfect.
It was a bit of a slow start, but picked up very fast. For a while, I didn’t know which guy the novel would take her to: Reid or Nate. When she did eventually get with one of them, this is where the realness started. Their relationship blossomed at a good pace. There was a lot of arguing, avoidance of each other, and then finally a hook up and admittance of feelings. But problems between them arise. The struggling music artist trope was introduced here, and then a break up. And thus begins the stomach-tingling novel. She moves on after a while and does get with Nate. They start a slow but steady romance. When New Years Eve rolled around and Reid showed up…my goodness It think my heart cried too.
The time jumps in this novel, in the second half, definitely threw me for a loop. Three years, 8 months, 5 months, etc. Major plot things happened at each of these timelines. The three year gap definitely saw a lot of changes between her and her relationship, all in which Reid never showed his face. But eventually, more gaps and more changes.
The characters are nice too. Stella is refreshing. Follows her heart but is also very focused on herself and fixing her life after everything. Nate was a sweetie. I was pretty well taken by him from the first introduction and hoped we would see him and Stella together. After everything he went through in the novel, I hope he gets his happy ending too. Reid helped bring that realness I keep talking about into the novel. He’s the one with the job and financial and family issues. He’s the one who chooses to leave. He’s the one who initially comes back for Stella and explains his reasons and makes my soul cry. He’s an ideal book boyfriend giving that ideal level of romance but strong character to the book.
This novel deserves all five stars I am giving it. It’s such a wonderful, heart-wrenching read and I am not sorry I read this at all. Thank you to the author for the ARC of Drive. This won’t be the last novel I read of yours.
frafrin's review against another edition
5.0
OKAY, KATE STEWART, OKAY
listen. I said to my friend this very morning, “if anyone can get me out of a reading slump, it’s Kate.”
I sat down this afternoon and opened up Drive, turned on the playlist that pairs with the book and got to reading. I started 2022 by reading The Ravenhood trilogy which I deeply loved but a book about a young woman finding her way determined to make a career out of writing about music? Well if that wasn’t 2002-2003 me’s dream- so this was fate. I felt connected to Stella throughout all her ups and downs. Some of it even reflecting the never ending emotions you feel learning how to be an adult and finding your way in the world. Kate wove this story through time and through Stella’s loves. Throughout most of the book you do not know who Stella is driving home to see as she revisits these memories from her early to mid 20s and I loved that.
“Music was my touchstone, my place of worship.”
listen. I said to my friend this very morning, “if anyone can get me out of a reading slump, it’s Kate.”
I sat down this afternoon and opened up Drive, turned on the playlist that pairs with the book and got to reading. I started 2022 by reading The Ravenhood trilogy which I deeply loved but a book about a young woman finding her way determined to make a career out of writing about music? Well if that wasn’t 2002-2003 me’s dream- so this was fate. I felt connected to Stella throughout all her ups and downs. Some of it even reflecting the never ending emotions you feel learning how to be an adult and finding your way in the world. Kate wove this story through time and through Stella’s loves. Throughout most of the book you do not know who Stella is driving home to see as she revisits these memories from her early to mid 20s and I loved that.
“Music was my touchstone, my place of worship.”
ammee411's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
marissabrake's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Kate Stewart has broken my heart with her writing and the characters and worlds she creates more times than any man. So glad it ended the way it did.
1bookobsessionconfessions's review against another edition
5.0
So good, emotional and angsty.
I loved the flaws of the characters
I LOVED the interactive music feature, it enhanced the story so well.
I felt like the story took me back to my early 20’s
Such an emotional roller coaster!
I loved the three main characters so much. I definitely had a favorite, but I think the author does a great job of making them all likable, relatable and great characters!
I re-read this book every year, I simply adore it!
Absolutely a favorite, I can’t even properly describe all the emotions and ways I love it. It’s that good!!
I loved the flaws of the characters
I LOVED the interactive music feature, it enhanced the story so well.
I felt like the story took me back to my early 20’s
Such an emotional roller coaster!
I loved the three main characters so much. I definitely had a favorite, but I think the author does a great job of making them all likable, relatable and great characters!
I re-read this book every year, I simply adore it!
Absolutely a favorite, I can’t even properly describe all the emotions and ways I love it. It’s that good!!
bellal2107's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thereadernthebeast's review against another edition
4.0
Empezó bien y se puso mejor...
Como todo lo que he leído de esta autora: me estrujó el corazón. Sufrí, sufrí tanto y fue tan hermoso.
Pero el afán por prolongar la tensión solo hizo que se enfriara, así que el final me supo a poco; no porque fuese malo, sino que todo lo anterior había sido demasiado bueno. Luego de tanto desgaste emocional en estas páginas, ese cierre me pareció casi insípido; de una forma en la que fue adecuado, pero mustio.
P.D.
Incluso con lo maravilloso que fue Mr.Perfection, en mi corazón nunca hubo duda alguna... cada uno de mis latidos marcó siempre el ritmo del baterista. ❤
Como todo lo que he leído de esta autora: me estrujó el corazón. Sufrí, sufrí tanto y fue tan hermoso.
Pero el afán por prolongar la tensión solo hizo que se enfriara, así que el final me supo a poco; no porque fuese malo, sino que todo lo anterior había sido demasiado bueno. Luego de tanto desgaste emocional en estas páginas, ese cierre me pareció casi insípido; de una forma en la que fue adecuado, pero mustio.
P.D.
Incluso con lo maravilloso que fue Mr.Perfection, en mi corazón nunca hubo duda alguna... cada uno de mis latidos marcó siempre el ritmo del baterista. ❤