Book Review: Drive By Kate Stewart
Drive By T J Maguire
Drive by Kate Stewart - Book 1 in the The Bittersweet Symphony duet.
Tropes: Love triangle, Emotional slow burn, Second chance romance, Age gap, Sister’s best friend, Grumpy sunshine, Music as a love language, Road trip romance, Right person, wrong timing, Angsty romance, Heartbreak and healing, Found family vibes, Coming of age themes, Choosing between two loves.
Summary:
Drive by Kate Stewart is a deeply emotional, music infused romance about love, timing, and the impossible choices that shape our lives. Stella is at the height of her career when a single phone call shatters the rhythm she worked so hard to build. Instead of facing the fallout head on, she does the only thing that makes sense. She drives.
Over the course of two days, one carefully curated playlist, and a long road home, Stella reflects on the relationships that defined her. Two men. Two very different kinds of love. And one decision that will change everything. This is a story about nostalgia, heartbreak, and the songs that mark the most important moments of our lives.
💚 LD
This book had me flipping pages at lightning speed. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. Kate Stewart’s writing is immersive and emotional, pulling you into Stella’s world and keeping you there until the very end. Every chapter felt intentional, layered, and beautifully written.
Stella was such a compelling character. I loved her ambition, her vulnerability, and her passion, even though there were moments I wanted to scream at her choices. But that is what made her feel real. She is flawed, emotional, and human in a way that makes her journey hit even harder.
I will admit the ending was not what I personally hoped for. I had a full moment of frustration where I shut the book and questioned everything. But after sitting with it, I realised how powerful and fitting it truly was. This is one of those books that stays with you, not because it gives you everything you want, but because it makes you feel everything. A beautifully crafted, unforgettable read that is best experienced without spoilers.
“Because music is the heart’s greatest librarian. A few notes had the ability to transport me back in time, and to the most painful of places. Take any song from the Rolodex of your life, and you can pin it to a memory.”
🤍 AD -
I had been putting off reading Drive for the longest time because I was not sure I was emotionally ready. After the Ravenhood trilogy, which still sits firmly in my favourites list, I knew Kate Stewart was going to hurt me again. And she absolutely did.
I went into this book completely blind, and that was the best decision. I fell in love, then fell in love again, and then had my heart completely ripped out. This book took me through every possible emotion. Love, hope, frustration, anger, heartbreak, and longing.
Stella’s journey begins with a phone call that changes everything. From there, we are taken back through her past, piecing together the moments, relationships, and choices that led her to this point. The storytelling is powerful and emotional, and the way music is woven into the narrative makes everything feel even more intense.
This is not a light read. It is emotional, messy, and heartbreaking in the best way. If you love stories that make you feel deeply and stay with you long after you finish, Drive is a must read.
“If anyone tells you a song is important to them, you should turn it up loud, close your eyes, and really listen . Because at the end, you will know that person so much better. Unknown”
💙 AG -
Going into Drive blind was the best choice I could have made. From the first chapter, I was completely hooked. The combination of age gap, sister’s best friend, and grumpy sunshine tropes immediately pulled me in and kept me turning the pages.
Kate Stewart has a way of writing emotional stories that feel intimate and raw. You can feel the connection between the characters, the tension, and the weight of every decision Stella makes. The pacing, the emotions, and the way the story unfolds all work together to create something that truly lingers.
This is the kind of book that leaves you thinking about it long after you close the cover. If you are considering reading Drive, do yourself a favour and go in blind. Let the story unfold naturally and enjoy the ride.
“Love doesn’t die, even when you stop feeding it. There is no expiration date on the ache of missing someone you shared your heart, life, and body with.”
Some books are meant to be read slowly. Drive is not one of them.
This is the kind of story that pulls you in from the first page, sinks its claws into your chest, and refuses to let go until the very last line. Emotional, raw, and unforgettable, Drive is best experienced blind. Trust us. Let the music play and enjoy the ride.
