My rating: 5 of 5 stars
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
“You’ll know how important something is when you see how much you’re willing to sacrifice for it.”
Ben Barley is working on borrowed time. With an ultimatum—get a promotion by his 36th birthday or find a new job—and a deadline looming over his head, it’s easy to get wrapped up in his own Ivy League world.
That is, until he meets Oscar.
The last thing Oscar Nash needs is to take on a new charity case at his failing mechanic shop. But when a handsome, well-dressed art history lecturer shows up with a vintage car in need of some TLC, Oscar is too intrigued to say no.
Sure he can fix up the car… on one condition. Ben has to agree to a date.
Despite misunderstandings and clashing worlds, the two men hit it off, connecting over their deep love of art. As their connection grows, Oscar shares his greatest yearning: the car mechanic’s dream to become a sculptor and open his own gallery. But will their chemistry be enough to overcome the differences in their two worlds?
More importantly, can Oscar step up with a mechanical miracle while Ben’s career hangs in the balance?
Driven is a 50,000-word standalone contemporary gay romance, complete with lots of heat and a happily ever after ending.
When I started this I already had read the first book by the author, Our Reunion. Where the first novel had its ups and downs this book was definitely better. The setting was placed better imo, the character showed a better developement, the editing was fixed and improved.
I also enjoyed the character themself a bit more than Tyler and Eli which were pleasant but the whole book contained too much drama and too much repetitions…
This story though had a natural flow, the character had some feature which were pleasant and humorous. I had to laugh out loud a lot this time.
Oscar was a charming guy with the heart at the right place. I really enjoyed how timid he could be and how many times he underestimates himself. It was nice to see the particular scene during the gala. 🙂 I won’t spoiler you but I can say: he kicked some asses. 😀 *smirk*
Ben on the other hand was such a great, grumpy main character I instantly fell in love when I first read the preview in Our Reunion. He is witty, he is sarcastic and he knows how to say people he doesn’t give a fuck. xD
The erotic scenes were in great balance to the rest of the book, they never felt out of place.
It was also charming to see how lovely and great the character balanced each other and the slight argument at the last third of the book was necessary but not overdramatically.
I really felt the love, the passion and the deep feelings of the two guy for each other. Although it was romantic it wasn’t unnecessary cheesy. I have no doubts Ben and Oscar are live happily even after. 🙂
Can’t wait to read the other books which were presented with title and scheduled release date. I hope they are as good as this one. 🙂 It was definitely an improvement. 🙂
The next novels are also slightly connected to this book but can be also read as a standalone.
5 out of 5 stars. 🙂
Mikku-chan 
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