The Drake Equation

by Heather Walsh

She’s a Democrat, he’s a Republican. She spends her days fighting global warming at an environmental non-profit, he makes his living doing PR for Bell Motors and their fleet of SUVs. But as soon as they meet, Emily Crossley and Robert Drake realize they have encountered their intellectual match. You’re never challenged, he tells her. You’ve surrounded yourself in a cocoon of people who think exactly the same way you do. She hurls the same accusation back at him, and the fiery debates begin. Despite both of their attempts to derail it, there is no denying that they are falling in love. But their relationship is threatened by political differences, Robert’s excessive work hours, and Emily’s fear of losing her identity as she falls deeper in love. Can their love survive? The Drake Equation is a tale of modern love and all its complexities.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2013

About the author

Heather Walsh grew up in North Haven, CT. She received a B.A. in English at Mary Washington College.

She lives in Brookline, MA with her husband, her two children, and her dog.

Reviews

[Jeffrey Keeten · Rating 4 out of 5]

”Humans aren’t the only species on Earth. We just act like it.”



Emily Crossley works for an environmental company called GeoForce. The primary goal of the company is to fight against the proliferation of large SUVs. Emily throws a rally every year to raise awareness about how EVIL SUVs are and also raise funds to help sustain the company. She works with her best friend Carson who ”divides his money between baseball tickets, adopt-a-whale programs, and Nora Ephron movies” and is also the star attraction at the dunk tank.

”I know all those meatheads just wanted to dunk the fag. But I don’t care. I’m using them for a good cause.”

Carson was a star athlete in high school, and openly gay, providing much confusion for the sports fans who believe that only straight men can be real athletes. The community decided to just ignore the gay part, and enjoy the fact that he was helping their team win. Now that he is no longer providing those extra base hits or shagging those ground balls he is back to being just a “fag”. George Carlin has the best explanation.

“Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” George Carlin

Emily meets Robert Drake. He does PR for Bell Motors and their fleet of SUVs. He thinks reading fiction is an absolute waste of time. He dresses in khaki. He is a Republican.

Sparks fly.

He challenges every belief Emily has ever held dear. They accuse each other of cocooning themselves with people of similar ideology.They are the Mary Matalin *shudder* and James Carville of North Prospect, Massachusetts.


”Is it just me or does Mary Matalin always look PISSED OFF?

There is hope for Robert when he starts talking about astronomy, a passion that he put aside to join the villainous corporate culture. He becomes more fanciful and almost dreamy when discussing the cosmos. His hero is Carl Sagan and the Pale Blue Dot is his pin up poster.


The Pale Blue Dot we all call home. Photo is from the Voyager 1 mission.

”Why Pale Blue Dot?”
“That’s how Sagan described the Earth in this famous picture the Voyager spacecraft took as it was leaving our solar system. When you know that picture is just as true as the ground you’re standing on, when you have that perspective, then you can get the syndrome. You realize that while you’re a six-foot person here, you’re also a speck on a pale blue dot. And you’re a miniscule part of a whitish blob--that’s what our galaxy probably looks like to other galaxies. If you keep going out farther, you just aren’t there. To the majority of the universe, you aren’t there.”

The Drake equation is a probabilistic argument used to estimate the number of active, communicative extraterrestrial civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy. Wikipedia.

And there is the book title.

So who are these people that are buying these huge SUVs that are a danger to other vehicles and also helping to imperil our precious Pale Blue Dot?

They are people that might make statements like:

”They will get my SUV the same time they get my guns---from my cold dead hands.”

I have moments on the road when I can’t see around one of these monsters where I have thoughts of making that a real possibility. Man, they have big ass ends.

So who thinks they MUST HAVE a gigantic vehicle? Robert in a moment of candor provides that information.

”The research says they tend to be insecure and care a lot about the way other people perceive them…They are also, on average, self-centered. They tend to care a lot about their own safety and their family’s safety, but not other people’s…So you have people with low self-esteem--and God knows our society provides us all with plenty of reasons to have low self-esteem. An SUV can compensate for those insecurities by providing instant power.”

So it isn’t a need issue, families are getting smaller, it is a want issue. For at least the time they are behind the wheel of one of these vehicles, regardless of how small they are in stature or enfeebled they are mentally, they can be empowered road bullies.


Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is discussed in this novel.

I don’t see BIG ASS SUV anywhere on this pyramid.

I don’t have the privilege of insulating myself with people who agree with me. I live in a red state. (They haven’t voted for a Democrat for president since Lyndon Johnson ran in 1964.) In San Francisco they thought it was a minor miracle that a hayseed like myself climbed out of the primordial swamp of rednecks, trailer trash, and rustic rubes. In Dodge City they think it is a minor miracle that I didn’t emerge from my time in San Francisco as a pinko commie liberal fag. Because after all you can catch being gay like a cold or the flu.

The repartee between Emily and Robert was entertaining and don’t think the author didn’t let Drake win a few points. I have discussions with people who don’t agree with me politically all the time. I have to pick those people selectively because most Republicans start showing me the Mary Matalin face very quickly, usually with the first WORD STILETTO I leave sticking in their ribs, but those that are willing to discuss politics with me, without getting angry, help me solidify my own thoughts and feelings about an issue. It is the only way to tighten up my arguments and develop those crisp one liners that can be so effective in the presentation of my point of view.

I have to say I really enjoyed this book. Heather Walsh made me realize how much I wish I could work for an environmental group. She made me feel really good that I don’t own a monstrosity of an SUV. We do not have recycling pickup at the curb in Dodge City Kansas. I still do recycle, but we have to load it all up and haul it down to the recycling center. (Not very many people are going to do that.) Heather had me thinking maybe I need to do something about changing city policy because curb pickup would mean more recycling and less garbage being sent to the landfill. Crap, she’s got me thinking.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by author in exchange for honest review

The Drake Equation by Heather Walsh is one of those modern contemporary romance tale of two successful individuals who tries to balance their work, beliefs, and personal lives. Ms. Walsh introduces us to Emily and Robert, both who are completely opposite of each other on paper. Emily, an independent driven Democrat, works for GeoForce, an organization whose focus are environmental issues. Robert, on the other hand, is a Republican and works for a PR division of a big SUV manufacturing company. When these two meet at a local fundraiser sponsored by GeoForce, an attraction and friendship forms. Can two people from two different backgrounds find love and a common ground or will their differences be their downfall?



Emily and Robert are two opposites but through heated arguments, email exchanges, and phone calls things between them begins to escalate from friends who banter and debate to them being in a relationship. Typically in most romance stories, one of the couple either changes for the other but in the case of Emily and Robert, they don't. In today's society, you are either a Democrat, Republican or Independent. In the case of Emily and Robert, political and social stands what attracted them to each other but at the same time, became their downfall when they couldn't find a middle ground. Through many disagreements, the couple had to take a step back from their relationship. While they were separated, Emily and Robert were able to see that they missed each other. Robert allowed Emily to see that things are not always black and white, sometimes there are issues that goes both ways, simply with shades of grey. This is not your lovey dovey make you swoon kind of romance, but instead a thought provoking read. This was not my typical kind of book due to the topics and the story-line was on the slow side but I did think Ms. Walsh was able to show a different side and take on contemporary romance. So if you are looking for book that makes you think but with an added twist of romance, then go read The Drake Equation.

Heather Walsh

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

At twenty-six, Emily Crossley considers herself pretty lucky to have a well-paying job with a small non-profit environmental action organisation called GeoForce. She's passionate about the cause in a deeply personal way, is organised and resourceful, and has been practically running the place since she joined five years ago. Her boss, Andy Hill, is relaxed, egalitarian and a bit forgetful. Her colleague, Carson, is proudly gay and shares her sense of humour. And twenty-one-year-old Rachel, the daughter of a local rich businessman, handles the tasks Emily and Carson don't like doing. It's a cosy place to work, Emily finds, one where she is paid attention to and gets to shine. More to the point, she believes passionately in the cause: reducing pollution to prevent climate change.

At her annual rally against the inefficient and excessively-polluting SUV, "Give Up Your SUV For A Day," where she and her colleagues at GeoForce try to convince the local working class population that they really don't need an SUV and the cars really aren't as safe as people think, Emily encounters Robert Drake. Robert is a PR man for Bell Motors, a big American car company with headquarters nearby, a company that produces some of the worst-offending SUVs, as far as Emily is concerned. Emily notices him for the way he's dressed - he's not wearing sneakers, for a start - and his beautiful eyes. But when she finds out he works for Bell Motors, she becomes antagonistic.

Robert, despite being a conservative Republican to Emily's liberal Democrat, is all for being challenged in life. He enjoys Emily's feisty passion, her intelligence and her sense of humour, and nothing she says seems to put him off, but he believes in being challenged in life and your opinions, lest you become entrenched and belligerent. He begins by emailing her, and she's provoked enough to respond. Soon, she can't wait for the little ping on her computer, telling her there's a new message from him. One date - just to see, because Emily's curious and he does have such lovely eyes and he seems to be intelligent - leads to another, though she can't bring herself to tell Carson she's "dating the enemy"; after all, it might not last long enough for her to have to come clean. But can this really go anywhere, when they disagree on politics and the environment? Is it possible to love, respect and admire someone when their opinions are ones you've always scorned and argued against?

The Drake Equation is a modern-day love story about two very different people struggling not against the barriers of class or wealth, as in so many romances, but against the more basic barriers of opinion and belief. It's a love story that ditches the conventional formula in favour of creating realistic characters, believable conversations and a romance that rings true. Without the formula, you're not quite sure where it's going or how it's going to play out, and that too was refreshing. Walsh's writing is excellent, and provides so much more than what you'd expect from a story billed as a romance - and the story, too, is so much more than a romance. There were many humorous details that captured my attention and made me smile, like this one:

She waited until Thursday after work to call him, figuring that was the latest she could call to ensure a date for the weekend without looking too eager.

Here was a new medium. Now she would get to hear his voice again. And yet she appreciated that they had relied solely on the written word over [the] past two weeks. It struck her as something quaint and Romantic, especially because they had avoided the choppy, casual style of writing so often seen in emails and texts. They had used complete sentences and semicolons. If a noun deserved a capital, it was granted that honor.

The novel's strengths lie in Walsh's ability to so accurately capture the subtle workings of Emily's mind and emotions - I could relate well to Emily, not because we had a great deal in common but because her reactions and thought-processes felt so familiar, so realistic. She felt like a real person, full of confidence and insecurities, blind to her own flaws. The way she interacts with Robert, especially at first, rang true. As a study of human nature, human character, Walsh has nailed it.

So this was what it had come to. Annoying him, annoying herself, just so she could make it unambiguously clear what she thought, and then say it once more for good measure. And it was not for his benefit - it was for her own. Lately the mere thought of him would suddenly engender a dizzying fear of loss. The loss of her beliefs, her opinions, her identity. This was the only way she could reconcile her feelings toward him. For every positive feeling he elicited in her, she had to counter it with something that felt true to herself. She had to purge the pleasure she took in his smile with SUV crash statistics and fuel economy projections.

But there was another possibility that she considered as she sat there in the wake of those words. They might not be simply a reminder of her political views. Those sentences could very well be barriers that she was throwing down, like someone strewing any available object - a chair, a wastebasket - in their path, hoping at least one of those items would trip the pursuer.

Would she ever stop with the blockades? If she could never let down her guard, then what exactly was the point of continuing this?

Emily is a nicely representative character, a strong, intelligent, witty 21st-century woman. She reminded me of women I've known, women who don't know how to find the middle ground between being strong and independent, and admitting a (male) partner into their lives, and learning to compromise. They often come across as intimidating and overbearing, and very much fixed in their ways, their preferences. Emily's only twenty-six, so she's not so very frightening or rigid, but she's still in that phase of thinking she's figured herself all out and must protect that façade at all costs.

His lifting her up like that - scooping her up like the proverbial bride. She was not supposed to take such pleasure in that. Nor was she supposed to enjoy it so much when he put his arm around her and pulled her into the nook of his shoulder, and she became a small part of him under there, hiding. And being his little one - that was the most shameful one of all. It was her new guilty pleasure. How distraught she would be if he stopped calling her that. Don't betray yourself, Emily. Don't forget who you were before you met him. She could tell herself that all she wanted, but the truth was, if he asked her to live with him and be his dutiful wife, not that he would but if he did ask her to change her name and settle down and learn how to make a good pot roast, she suspected she would not react with immediate outrage. The battle would come eventually - she knew she would never be able to do it. But he dulled the outrage, and that scared her half to death.

A prevalent, relevant theme in the novel is the environment, or rather, the clash of opinions regarding the environment. Walsh deftly captures the black-and-white nature of such discourse, in the way Robert and Emily sound each other out and debate it. I was a little disappointed in Emily's inability to come up with counter-arguments to a couple of Robert's points, which were rather classic points you'll have heard often and easily rebutted. (I would have loved to see Robert lose his cool for once and get emotional, but that wasn't his character.) Emily and Robert are of the same class - white middle class - and are more alike than they, at first, realise, but their different opinions on the environment are a sticking point, for Emily at least.

What's interesting about this is that the whole thing - the romance, the story, their arguments - is more about the black-and-white labelling that goes on in the United States. It's about the rigid, inflexible juxtaposition of opinion and how that blinds people. You're either a Republican, or a Democrat. You're either Conservative, or Liberal. You either support anti-gun policies or you're against. You either believe in Climate Change or you don't. You're either this or that, there's no grey in-between. Emily, who believes herself to be an open-minded liberal, is arguably more fixed in her opinions and viewpoints - and perceptions of other people - than Robert, the supposedly narrow-minded conservative, is. In that sense, this is a coming-of-age novel for Emily, as she realises this about herself and learns not to feel threatened by "the other side", that people don't just come in red or blue, they come in every possible colour and shade.

But the environment isn't just a useful tool for character development. There are real, relevant issues on debate here, as well as the all-too-real sense of uselessness and hopelessness. I very much agree with Emily that if we don't look after the planet, we won't have a planet to call home ("look after your house and it will look after you", right?), and I personally believe that humans are not the superior species on Earth, as in, we do not have a basic right to do what we like with the planet. But I have never been actively involved in any kind of movement - I try to live like a decent, considerate human being and I like to think that the most important thing we can do is alter our attitudes and way of thinking, because our attitudes are the real sticking point when it comes to change and our expectations regarding standard of living. But I could completely empathise with Emily and her "moment of crisis", the faltering of her conviction.

"Carson, have you ever though we could just be wasting our time? Do you really think that my scooter is going to counteract all of those North Prospect housewives in their Hurons? Or that my lonely little boycott of Dynamo Burger is going to save the rainforest? Rachel's stupid prank basically convinced the whole town to donate their own money to buy another Hummer. And even Andy's grants and GeoForce's efforts are drops in the bucket. Compare my rally to 8.8 million acres of land ruined with a signature. We can't win that fight. We could probably make more of a difference if we sold out and took high-paying corporate jobs and then used our money to make big changes, like Bill Gates does. Maybe we only work at a nonprofit because it makes us feel better. There is a very good chance that what we're doing is not making any difference and we're just wasting our time. Think globally, act locally may just be a big scam, and we've all been duped."

(On a side note, I felt more than a small measure of satisfaction, at every mention of the town's police Hummer, to know that they stopped producing the Hummer several years ago, as it really was a completely ridiculous and needlessly-expensive vehicle to run.)

This is a deeply human story, a story that deftly captures a particular slice of American population and ideology and presents it to readers in an entertaining way. The banter between Emily and Robert is rather addictive, the issues raised are thought-provoking, and the characters will be relatable to many readers. Walsh writes with skill, empathy and intelligence. The pacing might be a little slow for some readers, especially if you're expecting a generic romance (this is "fiction" first and foremost), but it is consistent and smooth and gives you time to engage with the story in thoughtful ways. Most of all, I appreciated the skill with which Walsh captured the nuances of human nature, our often contradictory thoughts, and our feeling of safety which we get from choosing a box and staying in it (and, as a result, how threatened we feel when someone doesn't conform to a box we've already received the instructions for).

My thanks to the author for a copy of this book.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I'm not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but look at that! How could I not? It's a beautiful cover, you have to admit. The Drake Equation by Heather Walsh is a good story. Not wholly life altering perhaps, but for a book with a dreamy cover that promises 'a contemporary love story', it's awesome.

When Robert and Emily met, I felt I knew what was going to happen; how the plot was going to play out. Romance novels can be awfully predictable. But The Drake Equation one wasn't all that formulaic. The love story was both gradual and instant. A long time passed before either of them was serious about the relationship; though that didn't happen many pages into the book. But the initial inevitable attraction, the eventual relationship weren't too drawn out. I liked that there was so much fun dialogue, and few descriptions of fluttering hearts and insanely attractive knights-in-shining-armours. The conversations, the playful arguments and the serious discussions were precious. Both Emily and Robert started out as stereotypes (they definitely stereotyped each other), but they weren't picked straight out of a fairytale. They were real and really interesting. They grew with the relationship and ended up in an altogether different place than they'd started. I still wasn't sure why I so liked the book until I read that very nicely dealt with ending. The Drake Equation is not just another cozy romance, a quick breezy read; though it does a good job convincing you it is. I enjoyed the book immensely because of that: that easy flow it maintained despite all that seemed to be going on; even the often unfocused chaotic plot, managed to be very engaging.

There were other characters that were nice and funny, and some that were perfectly capable of shocking/disgusting me, none of them redundant. There were delightful bits of information about every thing from language to food, fascinating talks about Charlotte Bronte and Carl Sagan, politics and environment. The book did make a point in the end, a big one; and had many small messages strewn over the pages. It had quite a bit of The Pride and Prejudice 'do-i-know-me' and 'am-i-really-sure-i'm-right' theme. But I don't want to talk about the things the book made me (re)consider, I don't wish to spoil the experience for you. You'd want to analyze the story, not to mention, heart-flutter over Robert Drake/Emily Crossley all on your own.

Huh. I guess I only thought I was a cynic, when all this time I'm just a goofy romantic. That's correct, this is one of those rare times when I actually recommend a love story. You don't want to miss this author!

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author Heather Walsh sent me a copy of her book in exchange for an impartial review.

I was intrigued by the premise behind this romance: conservative guy and liberal girl meet and fall for each other, despite their diametrically opposed political views. And the novel does contain plenty in the way of ideological wrangling. In fact, it focuses so much attention on the heroine, Emily, and her job at a Connecticut nonprofit, GeoForce, "an environmental nonprofit organization that is dedicated to finding ways to reduce fossil fuel use, curb global warming, and ensure that clean air standards are being met," that the book often comes across more as a political tract than a romance novel. An editor might have helped the author find a better balance between ideas, characters, and plot, and craft a more shapely, better-paced story.

Once the book finally focuses on the growing romance between Emily and SUV PR exec Robert Drake (they met when he comes to check out GeoForce's annual "Give Up Your SUV for a Day" rally), it becomes less idea-heavy, although much of the time the two spend together focuses on arguing political stances with each other. Unexpectedly, the real conflict in their relationship stems not from their political differences, but from Robert's workaholic ways. Even though they've both declared their love, he cancels on Emily so often to work that she finally breaks up with him. Soon thereafter, the perpetually optimistic Emily falls into a funk at work after the cash register at the annual "Give Up Your SUV for a Day" rally is stolen, along with the $5000+ the event had raised. This struck me as a bit of a cop-out, a way of avoiding the important issue that Emily and Robert's relationship raises: can you love someone with whom your core values conflict?

Robert returns quite a while later, wanting to get back together and to tell her some things that have been happening in his life, but he sees that something's wrong with her, and coaxes her out of her dumps. For the reader, who isn't depressed, it seemed odd that Emily would take him back without any discussion of whether he planned to change his ways, so the workaholic ways that split them up earlier would not do so again. But he explains some time later, after Emily perks up again, that he's transferred to a less stress-filled job, and that he didn't tell her earlier because she was too caught up in her own issues to take it in.

They begin to spend time together again, and Emily realizes she had trouble bouncing back because "I lost you." She redeems this anti-feminist moment later in the scene, when she thinks to herself "she would have been all right. She would not have needed him to pull her out of it.... She could have done it without him, it just would have taken longer."

The book ends without ever really addressing how one can maintain a relationship with a person whose work diametrically opposes one's own, a big disappointment to this reader.

[Michael McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can love survive in a relationship when the lovers operate in different ends of the political spectrum in modern-day America? Can it even develop? Emily Crossley is on a quest to rid the world of carbon-producing SUVs and light trucks, the kind that transport single passengers on trips to the mall, burning gallons of gasoline and threatening Earth’s health and well-being. Robert Drake is a product of corporate America, who works for one of the very car companies that Emily and the non-profit she works for are targeting with a barrage of pamphlets, emails and press releases. At a rally Emily has organized, which asks its participants to give up their SUVs for a day, the two young people meet. Feeling an instant attraction to one another, they plan a date, one in which sparks fly, as they discuss the world’s problems, each shaping their arguments from an opposing point of view. This tale of burgeoning love continues through a succession of similar dates, where debate and discussions are lively but civil. Emily is falling for Robert, even with their differences, but can she see a “happily ever after” for them? It is difficult to know.

Heather Walsh has expertly structured the dialog between her two lead characters in “The Drake Equation” with an even-handedness that makes you wonder which side of the debate she would be on. The exchanges between the young, would-be lovers are at times sweet, at times touching, but most often lively and intelligent. This is an engaging story that seems quite real in the way events develop. I would recommend this to a general audience of young adults and those of us who consider ourselves young at heart. Young people will see that differences can sometimes be the attraction. Those of us who have fallen in love will hearken back to a time when every discussion seemed to be a landmark, where we navigated in unknown waters until we found the right passage into our lover’s heart.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received an advance reader copy. *

This book is billed as a romance but is so much more. Set in a fictional town in Connecticut, the 2 main characters seem to be as different as possible. Yet, slowly over time, their differences end up bringing them together and not being quite so vast as they once seemed.

The environment and what humanity is doing to it is a major supporting storyline. The author has done her research and presents both sides of the issue. I actually learned a few things.

There are things in the book that many will relate to; parents who criticize what we buy and what we spend, living in the same area you grew up in, crazy bosses, and so much more.

The storyline is perfect for a romantic comedy movie.

I read it in just a few hours. My one complaint would be that it wrapped up a little quickly but, that may be because I wanted to keep reading.

* I do not typically read books billed as "romance" because it brings to mind the bodice-rippers. This book is more a story of 2 people learning about each other and falling in love. There is no graphic sex scenes or profane language. So, if you do not usually read romances, give this a try because it really is more of a fiction novel.

I can't wait for the next book. I wonder what she will write about this time. If you haven't read Heather Walsh's first book _Dented Cans_ I suggest you give it a try.

[Chris Torretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that synopsis made me cringe! I told Heather with much trepidation that I would try to read this because, although I am truly not into politics, I love a great push/pull type of romance and it sounded like what this was.

As I read the first few pages I wasn’t taken aback by the story line nor the characters. I think there is just so much going on in so little time that I was not able to filter in any of it. But soon I found myself laughing out loud and really enjoying the characters. And the more I got into it, which didn’t take as long as I thought it would, the more I loved it!

The relationship between Robert and Emily is awesome. It took them quite a while to get used to each other, especially with their views being so polar opposite! But their conversations were so real, so vivid that I found myself intrigued in each one. When they were together was when I was really loving this book.

The other characters are just as quirky and fun to read about and I really enjoyed the balance the gave the plot. The only downside was that I knew exactly what the character arc was going to be but even knowing it didn’t take the stress out of reading about it. I was so hurt and wanted to cry and make everything better with a reading magic wand!

All in all, totally fun, exceptionally cute, and a wonderfully great book to read!

[Ionia · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I had a hard time deciding on a rating for this book. It is well written, intelligent and interesting, but does not exactly follow the usual romance formula that I am used to. This is a book that deals a lot with political matters and environmental concerns and although this is the basis for the love story, it was at times, hard for me to fully grasp as I am not in any way political.

What I liked about this book, very much, was the dialogue. This is a book where you swear you are overhearing a conversation between two people rather than just reading words on paper. The movement of the story and the way the plot unfolds had a very natural feeling.

The characters are people that you can truly come to feel something for and their differences were displayed in a way that created a heavy conflict between them that did not feel contrived or over worked.

This, as mentioned above, is not the A-typical romance that one would expect, with many layers and alternate happenings. This gave the story a well-rounded feeling.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book that made me think, and I expect that others who are tired of the same romance story in different formats will really like it as well.

[Aman]

DNF at 17%

Nothing against the book, but it's definitely NOT for me. The MC--who works at an environmental non profit organization-- is too focused on the SUV aka the killer car issue, and no matter how hard I tried to understand her perspective, I simply didn't get her. What exactly was her deal with the SUV? There are a bazillions other cars and trucks who are hazardous on roads and can cause pretty bad accidents, but Emily's constant push towards that particular vehicle being deadly was beyond my understanding. That was my major issue with The Drake Equation and I don't think I would be enjoyed this book even if the romance turned out to be one of the best I've ever read. And talking about romance, I didn't feel anything for the guy in his introductory scene, and I know it was soon to judge, but he's suppose to be the hero, then the least I would expect id to make an impression in the first meeting. Which he didn't.

Anyhow, those are all personal feelings and yours might be different than mine, so it's no harm in giving it a try if you find the story interesting enough.

A Copy was provided by the author for an honest feedback.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****ARC review*****
Emily, who works for an environmental non-profit company that protests SUVs and their effect on the environment, meets Drake, who works in public relations for a car company promoting SUVs. Although they are attracted to each other and challenge each other intellectually, they have some obstacles to overcome. Emily and Drake have widely conflicting opinions, political views & environmental ideals.

This is a very smart, romantic, and captivating read that brings in many current topics and political views and environmental debates. Emily and Drake must determine whether their differences of opinions will bind them together and they find common ground or will their differences break them apart.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

This could have been a super sweet romance. The two main characters, Robert and Emily, were really likable. In fact, I totally loved Robert. I wish there had been MORE Robert. These two characters meet at a rally - she, the environmental organizer, he the PR guy for the big SUVs she is protesting. They hold polar opposite political views, yet, they bring out the best in each other. I love this idea. These two engage in very intelligent conversation/debate, however, the author always seem to let it go on a little too long, and I felt, this smothered the beautiful romance that was brewing. The romantic moments, though, was so sweet and beautiful and made you wish you had a Robert.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had really high hopes for this novel. It's about a couple, newly getting to know each other and building a new relationship, who have diametrically opposing political views. It is asking the question, can two people who have such radically different views actually fall in love and stay together, despite these huge differences? Personally I thought I'd really connect to the book because I am in a relationship similar to this myself. My partner and I have very different political opinions, and frequently get into passionate discussions about our views, but have over the years learned so much more about each other and about "the other side" through these conversations. I believe we both have grown dramatically as a result of being challenged politically, ideologically, and morally by the other person on a regular basis.

However, I just didn't find The Drake Equation to be all that enjoyable. I thought the characters were rather bland and extremely one-dimensional. Like, the ONLY thing that is important about Emily is that she is a Democrat and works for this super liberal organization, and the ONLY thing important about Robert is that he is a Republican and a workaholic (the two should not be linked; somehow in this book they seem to be). I found the writing somewhat basic and uninspiring. I found the message pretty blah and I did not see, by the end of the book, what the point of their courtship was. I didn't really see either of them as having grown as humans or changed as a result of their being together.

Great idea, but for me the execution fell flat. I applaud what Walsh was trying to do here, but for me she didn't quite get where I think she was intending to go.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

(This review also appears at the Court Street Literary Collective: http://courtstreetliterary.com/archiv...)

I was going to start this review of Heather Walsh’s novel The Drake Equation by saying that I’m not normally a fan of romance novels, but then I realized that probably sounded stuffy. Upon further reflection, I realized it sounded downright snobbish, and I’m not a snob, literary or otherwise. Seriously.

Still, I felt it was important to leave that comment in because it helps me to make my overall point: Heather Walsh’s The Drake Equation is an enjoyable book. It’s well-written, its characters are interesting, and I liked it. Yes, it’s a romance novel. If you like romance novels, you’ll probably like it. If you don’t like romance novels, there’s still a good chance you’ll like it.

See where I’m going with this? When I say I don’t normally enjoy romance novels, I mean novels that contain all the requisite elements of the romance genre, specifically at the expense of a good story. To be fair, I‘d say that about any genre novel: science fiction, fantasy, mystery, thriller, horror, and on and on.

Bearing that in mind, then, you might expect me to say I’m not normally a fan of any genre.

Newsflash: My bookshelves tell a different story.

As I’ve said before—and I’m certainly not the only one—the most engaging stories are about interesting people, regardless of their circumstances. We don’t have to like the characters, though that sometimes helps, and we don’t have to be able to identify with them, though that’s often useful as well. Sure, the specific circumstances may make the story more appealing: the characters may be race car drivers, athletes, politicos, nuclear physicists, secret agents, doctors, lawyers, artists, or even aliens. But if there’s not a compelling tale at the heart of the novel, it runs the risk of becoming an empty cliché that will only appeal to a narrow audience.

On to The Drake Equation. Emily Crossley is a crusader who works for GeoForce, a non-profit environmentalist group. Actually, it’s more accurate to say she runs GeoForce, since her boss, a goodhearted but scattered man named Andy Hill, is the company’s number-one man in name only. Along with her co-workers Carson and Rachel, Emily does everything from planning fundraisers to writing press releases to hitting people up for donations on the telephone. She’s a workhorse, idealistic and passionate, and each morning, the mantra think globally, act locally gets her out of bed.

The real story begins when Emily meets Robert Drake at a “Give Up Your SUV for a Day” fundraiser. Robert is a PR man for Bell Motors, an automotive company, and he’s politically conservative, the seeming antithesis to everything Emily stands for, yet they hit it off and begin to see each other. Not surprisingly, things don’t go as smoothly as we might expect. But that’s not too much of a reveal, right? We go into stories knowing—even if we don’t know that we know—that obstacles will arise. And arise they do in The Drake Equation, but they’re not the obstacles we might expect. This is a good thing, by the way.

This novel’s biggest strength is in the dialogue Walsh writes between Emily and Robert. Stories are often about the changes in a character, and it’s easy for a writer to get ahead of herself, to rush these changes in the interest of time. The two-fold challenge is to a) make the change happen more quickly than it would in real life (who has the time to read years and years of story, after all?), yet b) make it believable. No small challenge there.

Walsh pulls it off, though. There are no car chases, shootouts, or bank heists, thankfully. (Actually, there is a bombed-out vehicle, but you’ll have to read the book to discover the context. It works, too.) The conversations between these two characters are what make the story come alive. Emily and Robert constantly test one another, feeling the other out and gauging responses to try and determine whether or not this one could be “the one.” But they’re not talking about the things we might expect two people of their political stripes to talk about, nor are they or their beliefs the caricatures we might predict them to be. Each character has deeply held convictions and makes a plausible case for having them.

Another plus here is Walsh’s ability to defy expectations. As mentioned before, the problems that beset these characters are not the ones we might normally find in a romance. Neither are the character transformations: Emily doesn’t turn into Robert or vice versa. Too often, protagonists end up becoming more like the people they love, sending the message that to be in love is to eventually be changed by someone. In this case, however, each character strives to grow to understand the other, to see the other person as more than a cartoon character or a set of ill-conceived beliefs.

In many ways, this is also a coming-of-age novel. Anyone who has been through their twenties will be able to identify with Emily and Robert. They’re not self-absorbed—well, not any more than you’d expect twenty-somethings or any-somethings to be—and their concerns about life are relatable. How do you live your passions, caring about the things you love, and still be an authentic human being? Is it possible to not only learn to live with someone you disagree with but also learn to respect that person’s differences? (Hint: You’ll have to read the book to answer these questions.)

So do I enjoy stories about people who fall in and out of love with each other, perhaps even falling in and out of it a few more times in the process? Absolutely. I enjoy them if they’re good stories rather than just good romance stories.

The good news is that Heather Walsh’s The Drake Equation is a compelling story about interesting people. It just happens to be a romance novel.

[Pretty Sassy Cool · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

I have to admit that this review has been difficult for me to articulate. Walsh's writing is certainly intelligent and the storyline is well thought out. It's kind of amazing.

But.

It's not the kind of book I typically read. Though there is no doubt that this story will make you think, it's not the tale of star-crossed lovers trying to deal with opposing political and ethical ideals that I thought it would be after reading the summary.

Twenty-six year old Emily Crossley works at a non-profit environmental organization and lives her life by the motto:
Think globally, act locally.

It is at a fund-raising rally that she meets Robert Drake, a PR representative for a local car and SUV company. They spar a bit and feel an instant connection. They get to know each other a bit more rough emails and phone calls, and after a handful of dates find themselves in a relationship. Robert calls her out for surrounding herself with people that don't challenge her and makes her question everything about her life. He's sweet and does things like kiss her wrist and call her petnames like little one, littlest one, doll, sugar, sweet pea, babycakes, and my favorite: little bird.

He's also a workaholic, which eventually leads to the demise of their relationship.

While they're apart, Emily continues doing what she does and examines where she's going in life.

I'm oversimplifying everything and basically explaining the what of their relationship and the events of the book, but I seem to be leaving out the best part of this story: the dialogue. Walsh is a master at expressing the characters' through their witty banter and the conversations that they have.

"So give me your thesis statement on yourself," he said.

She looked off to the side for a few moments, trying to decide how to play it. Obviously with some humor, but perhaps laced with a bit of truth for good measure.

"Emily is a warm soul who is passionate about protecting the environment, and she acts on that passion. Essentially, she is close to perfection without going over."

He laughed. "OK, now give me your thesis statement on me."

She barely paused before answering.

"Although Robert has a sharp intelligence and very strict work ethic, his ideas and intentions are oftentimes misguided."

"Now I'll give you my thesis statement about you.

"What about your thesis on yourself?

"No, I want to give one about you. But I'll definitely include myself in it, how's that?"

"All right."

"Even though my blood pressure tells me not to, even though every tree-hugging, granola-eating, bleeding-heart liberal I've ever met reminds me why I shouldn't, I can't help but like Emily Crossley."

I loved the intelligent dialogue and the idea for the story. What I didn't like was the fact that this book was one huge PSA. There are sample letters that get sent out on behalf of her organization, as well as numerous phone calls and three poems during an open mic poetry night. It's overkill, imho.

With all the details, it's surprising to me that this is a total FTB, including the emotions that I think Emily should feel about their romantic relationship. Their chemistry is shown as they explore the meaning of life rather than each other's bodies. Despite that, readers can sense a sort of desperation on both their parts.

"So do you still want to get a movie?" she said.

"Hmm."

"Maybe a short one?"

He smiled. "A short one is good."

"The video store is halfway across town."

"Well, drive fast then."

She laughed, but did drive fast. They were back at her house, movie in hadn, in less than fifteen minutes. They had practiacally grabbed the first one they saw.

The take-out menus were in her desk in the other room, but they only got as far as the couch.

"I told you to drive faster," he said into her neck.

"I tried."

I'm pretty sure that Emily Crossley wouldn't like me as a person very much, considering I drive an SUV, believe in God, and stay home with my kids. She's pretty judgmental, which Robert calls her out for, but I don't really see a transformation in her way of thinking and growth in her as a character. She does make some changes, but I didn't feel why she did that. I wanted more emotion.

"I told you that I dealt with how everything turned out with us just fine. I accepted it as just one of those things."

This book deals with pretty much every single political hot topic you can think of, so you'll love it if that's your cup of tea. I really enjoyed some of the other characters, especially Carson, Emily's coworker.

If you're looking for a book with an all-encompassing forbidden romance, this isn't the book for you. But if you're looking for an intelligent, thought-provoking read, definitely pick up The Drake Equation.

For more reviews and bookish talk, visit our blog at Pretty Sassy Cool

[Robert Faron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting dynamics

Dialogues and internal assessment of self, relationship and the emergence of love. Set in two characters with supposedly different personal philosophy and jobs associated with their philosophy of life. They overcome these obstacles and fall in love. Slightly unrealistic outcomes.

[Kassiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-1/2 stars.

I have to admit that this review has been difficult for me to articulate. Walsh's writing is certainly intelligent and the storyline is well thought out. It's kind of amazing.

But.

It's not the kind of book I typically read. Though there is no doubt that this story will make you think, it's not the tale of star-crossed lovers trying to deal with opposing political and ethical ideals that I thought it would be after reading the summary.

Twenty-six year old Emily Crossley works at a non-profit environmental organization and lives her life by the motto:
Think globally, act locally.

It is at a fund-raising rally that she meets Robert Drake, a PR representative for a local car and SUV company. They spar a bit and feel an instant connection. They get to know each other a bit more rough emails and phone calls, and after a handful of dates find themselves in a relationship. Robert calls her out for surrounding herself with people that don't challenge her and makes her question everything about her life. He's sweet and does things like kiss her wrist and call her petnames like little one, littlest one, doll, sugar, sweet pea, babycakes, and my favorite: little bird.

He's also a workaholic, which eventually leads to the demise of their relationship.

While they're apart, Emily continues doing what she does and examines where she's going in life.

I'm oversimplifying everything and basically explaining the what of their relationship and the events of the book, but I seem to be leaving out the best part of this story: the dialogue. Walsh is a master at expressing the characters' through their witty banter and the conversations that they have.

"So give me your thesis statement on yourself," he said.

She looked off to the side for a few moments, trying to decide how to play it. Obviously with some humor, but perhaps laced with a bit of truth for good measure.

"Emily is a warm soul who is passionate about protecting the environment, and she acts on that passion. Essentially, she is close to perfection without going over."

He laughed. "OK, now give me your thesis statement on me."

She barely paused before answering.

"Although Robert has a sharp intelligence and very strict work ethic, his ideas and intentions are oftentimes misguided."

"Now I'll give you my thesis statement about you.

"What about your thesis on yourself?

"No, I want to give one about you. But I'll definitely include myself in it, how's that?"

"All right."

"Even though my blood pressure tells me not to, even though every tree-hugging, granola-eating, bleeding-heart liberal I've ever met reminds me why I shouldn't, I can't help but like Emily Crossley."

I loved the intelligent dialogue and the idea for the story. What I didn't like was the fact that this book was one huge PSA. There are sample letters that get sent out on behalf of her organization, as well as numerous phone calls and three poems during an open mic poetry night. It's overkill, imho.

With all the details, it's surprising to me that this is a total FTB, including the emotions that I think Emily should feel about their romantic relationship. Their chemistry is shown as they explore the meaning of life rather than each other's bodies. Despite that, readers can sense a sort of desperation on both their parts.

"So do you still want to get a movie?" she said.

"Hmm."

"Maybe a short one?"

He smiled. "A short one is good."

"The video store is halfway across town."

"Well, drive fast then."

She laughed, but did drive fast. They were back at her house, movie in hadn, in less than fifteen minutes. They had practiacally grabbed the first one they saw.

The take-out menus were in her desk in the other room, but they only got as far as the couch.

"I told you to drive faster," he said into her neck.

"I tried."

I'm pretty sure that Emily Crossley wouldn't like me as a person very much, considering I drive an SUV, believe in God, and stay home with my kids. She's pretty judgmental, which Robert calls her out for, but I don't really see a transformation in her way of thinking and growth in her as a character. She does make some changes, but I didn't feel why she did that. I wanted more emotion.

"I told you that I dealt with how everything turned out with us just fine. I accepted it as just one of those things."

This book deals with pretty much every single political hot topic you can think of, so you'll love it if that's your cup of tea. I really enjoyed some of the other characters, especially Carson, Emily's coworker.

If you're looking for a book with an all-encompassing forbidden romance, this isn't the book for you. But if you're looking for an intelligent, thought-provoking read, definitely pick up The Drake Equation.

[Anncleire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ringrazio immensamente Heather Walsh per avermi concesso l’opportunità di leggere il suo libro in cambio della mia opinione anche se questa ci ha messo una vita ad arrivare. Grazie mille!

Recensione anche sul mio blog:
http://pleaseanotherbook.tumblr.com/p...



“The Drake Equation” è un libro che mi è stato mandato da recensire e mi dispiace immensamente di averlo lasciato nel dimenticatoio per così tanto tempo. In realtà l’ho letto diversi mesi fa ma non ero riuscita a farmi un’idea molto precisa. Ma sono in vena di pulizia e questa è l’ultima recensione in arretrato che mi è rimasta e sono ad un passo dall’esultare. Questo libro mi ha lasciato molto perplessa perché è intriso di politica e ambientalismo, ma la Walsh regala una storia intensa… che lascia ben sperare.


Lei è una democratica, lui è un repubblicano. Lei trascorre i suoi giorni combattendo il riscaldamento globale in una associazione ambientalista no-profit, lui si guadagna da vivere facendo il PR per la Bell Motors e i loro SUV scintillanti. Ma appena si incontrano Emily Crossley e Robert Drake capiscono che hanno incontrato la loro controparte per uno scontro intellettuale. Tu non sei mai stata sfidata, le dice lui. Sei sempre stata circondata da persone che la pensano esattamente come te. Lei scaraventa le stesse accuse addosso a lui e i dibattiti accesi iniziano. Nonostante i due tentino di impedire lo scontro, non possono negare che si stanno innamorando. Ma la loro relazione è minacciata dalle loro differenze politiche, le ore di lavoro lunghissime di Robert e la paura di Emily di perdere la sua identità mentre si innamora profondamente. Può il loro amore sopravvivere? The Drake Equation è un racconto moderno sull’amore e sulle sue complessità.


È strano come certe volte è proprio vero che gli opposti si attraggono, che da qualunque parte la si guardi sono diversissimi tra di loro. Certe relazioni sembrano destinate a precipitare nella morsa dell’oblio e del fallimento con la rapidità del fulmine. Ma questo solo in apparenza, perché in certi casi invece, due persone che la pensano in maniera tanto diversa sono destinate a crescere insieme, a confrontarsi e a cambiare leggermente prospettiva sulla vita e in definitiva a modellarsi meglio nella propria esistenza, per adattarsi ad una vita che non è bianco e nero, ma ricca di infinite sfumature intermedie. Come ha esclamato ieri l’assistente che mi segue per il mio ultimo progetto “Il mondo è grigetto”. Quando di mezzo poi c’è l’amore tutti diventa ancora più complicato è strano. Emily è un’attivista e si getta a capofitto in ogni progetto, dall’organizzazione di raccolte fondi alle telefonate per sensibilizzare sull’importanza della salvaguardia dell’ambiente. Ma non ha mia riflettuto sull’importanza di altri fattori, sull’importanza del merito, della sicurezza economica, della scia di perbenismo che nasconde e occlude l’interesse a salvare il mondo. Robert non è solo il freddo calcolatore che pubblicizza una potenziale macchina di distruzione. Ma in fondo Robert è un promettente figlio del nostro tempo, con le idee chiare in testa su quello che vuole. Robert è tenero e responsabile, ma è un uomo che non si lascia piegare dalla regole corrisposte.
Non è solo una storia d’amore questa, non perlomeno nei classici termini in cui siamo abituati a vederla. Emily e Robert devono capire cosa significa raggiungere un compromesso, sincerarsi che l’altro stia bene anche con le nostre scelte. È una storia di accettazione e cambiamento, di una strada in salita che non è la sola possibile. Siamo abituati al tutto e subito, ma certe cose vanno conquistate con le difficoltà di una vita che non è facile da contenere. Ho lasciato sedimentare questa recensione appena abbozzata perché non ero sicura del mio giudizio sul libro, e poi perché altre letture più promettenti mi hanno rubato il sonno. Non sono una che ha un opinione estremista, anzi le mie opinioni politiche e sociali stanno nel mezzo, nel giusto compromesso tra le varie spinte sociali, in una convivenza civile che non è rassegnazione e rinuncia ma che premia il merito e rispetta qualsiasi opinione che non leda l’altro.
È interessante vedere per una volta come in una storia d’amore conti anche altro, che non sia solo l’attrazione fisica fulminea che piega l’altro, ma che in un certo modo spinge a dichiararsi anche in momenti di inafferrabile disaccordo.

Il particolare da non dimenticare? Un piccolo telescopio.

Un libro che spinge a riflettere sulla natura delle nostre relazioni sentimentali, anche quando queste sembrano precipitare nell’oblio delle divergenze inconciliabili delle opinioni. Un libro che è anche educazione ambientale e che induce alla riflessione del nostro compito nella società. Un no all’indifferenza di qualsiasi forma.
Buona lettura guys!

[Caroline Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for more than a love story, something that reaches across to political, intellectual issues that cause debate and passion, then Heather Walsh's 'The Drake Equation' could be the next book for you!

As the reader is introduced to Emily we realise very quickly that she is quite a strong character and believes in everything she stands for. She is very proud and nothing can really sway her determination to make more people aware of the damage they are creating to the environment and to try to prevent them from continuously contributing to global warming.

Robert, on the other hand, is less concerned. Not necessarily because he doesn't care, but more because he is a workaholic and working within a corporate background is what he knows. He is good at his job, marketing and advertising SUV's – one of the main topics that Emily is fighting against. It is Emily's fight and passion that Robert is attracted to. Amid the serious discussions, there are moments of teasing and playfulness between the main characters, which does endear the reader to them.

They both meet at a charitable event that Emily has organised, after Robert's boss asked him to 'spy' on GeoForce to find out what they were up to. During their encounter, and during dates afterward, Emily and Robert hold mature conversations regarding their line of work and their beliefs. It is quite amusing at times how strong-willed Emily actually is and she does tend to allow Robert to wind her up very easily with his nonchalant attitude. However, it is equally amusing when she stumbles and doesn't always know how to match his argument or decides against it.

The global warming aspect is quite an intelligent and interesting subject matter that some will enjoy to read, rather than just concentrating on the relationship growing between Emily and Robert – really something more to provide the reader with as they decide which side of the argument they lean towards, and of course, being able to understand the viewpoints of both characters.

Heather Walsh certainly knows how to write well in her debut and has filled this novel with intelligent ideas and built the love story around two people that could easily dislike each other and what they stand for. However, it is this that has actually brought them together and I found this to be very interesting, watching Emily and Robert battle out their opposite trains of thought at the same time as listening and (at times) respecting the others' reasoning.

Emily's colleagues, especially Carson, enlighten the story at certain intervals. Some of these instances made me smile and laugh at times. One moment in particular is where the reader learns how Carson was named by his mother.

The atmosphere and mood of The Drake Equation is quite realistic – with the relationship Emily has with Robert and her co-workers. The reader can explore Emily's moods, especially as she appears to be more serious as the novel moves on. This enables the reader to understand and relate to Emily, and all of the characters as they are all believable. On occasions, I was hoping for a little more drama, a little more action and something more gripping from earlier on in the story. However, as the story moves on it becomes more apparent that this story concerns Emily’s character and thoughts, and how she is affected by Robert’s different views, challenges and love.

Throughout the second half of the book, after Robert shares his feelings that Emily is holding something back, the reader is curious to know what Emily's 'secret' is. The reader is kept guessing until the very end.

I would have liked to have read more about Robert, as The Drake Equation focuses heavily on Emily's views, moods and her work. I would have also welcomed a little more warmth and romance in terms of actions and gestures. The Drake Equation is more a tale of how love can change a persons life and even perspective. The question is: will it work in favour for or against a relationship with Robert?

The Drake Equation was provided by the author, Heather Walsh, in return for an honest and fair review.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

For the past few years, Emily Crossley has worked for GeoForce, the only environmental nonprofit organization in her area of Connecticut. Mostly surrounded by those who espouse similar political and economic views, Emily deals with those who disagree by simply avoiding a discussion of those topics. At the annual Give Up Your SUV for a Day event hosted by her company, however, Emily meets Robert Drake. He works for the local SUV distributor Bell Motors and is everything she despises about conservative politics. And yet she also cannot deny that there is some sort of connection between them.

The Drake Equation is essentially about the relationship that forms between the two as they gradually test the limits of what really matters to each of them and what beliefs they’re willing to sacrifice.

I’m not much of a fan of politics, and neither do I tend to read many books expressly billed as adult romances, but I decided to take a chance with Heather Walsh’s new book. And although there were a few missteps along the way, I still am glad I had the opportunity to read this.

As anyone will notice who reads the book’s blurb, politics and political ideology are abundant in this novel. Through Emily and Robert, readers may expect to find two extremes. However, that’s not quite the case. Sure, Emily has strong liberal beliefs that border on closed-mindedness, but the same cannot be said for the more conservative Robert. Because of this, I actually felt as though I understood Robert’s character a bit more than Emily’s (ironically, since the story is told from her perspective). Not only has Emily never really accepted any challenges to her beliefs, but she has also never paused to consider exactly why she believes in these basic liberal ideologies.

While an interesting and relevant premise, the ideological differences are mainly expressed through debate. At times, this led to the book feeling very dialogue-heavy with little rest provided through description or other information. After Emily and Robert become a little more established in their relationship, other issues are brought to the forefront: namely Robert’s workaholic tendencies. It is his overcommitment to his work, rather than their political differences, that actually creates a wedge in their relationship.

The book’s resolution focuses more on Robert’s time management tendencies and Emily’s struggle to understand her own wants and needs, effectively sidelining their political issues. This was not a big issue for me, as after a while I started to tire of the intense political debates, but this is a marked difference from what I expected the book to be about. Here politics seem to act more as a vehicle for bringing Emily and Robert together and then takes a back seat to other, more personal issues. Once again, not necessarily a bad thing but certainly worth noting.
For a fairly short novel, Walsh is quite ambitious in just what she wants to portray about the modern romance. It’s about politics and belief systems, until suddenly it’s not. It’s about Emily’s journey to find herself, Robert’s struggles to balance his work life with his personal life, and identifying many other little parts that come together in a successful romance. I appreciated how Walsh really tried to identify the many factors that tend to complicate modern-day relationships, but at times I felt as though the issues being addressed came across as too wide-spread.

Although I would have liked to see certain aspects of the book condensed and others expanded upon, it’s clear that Walsh can write. From an aesthetic standpoint, The Drake Equation is very eloquent and well-written. I just wish a bit more time was spent deciding just what readers are supposed to get out of this story. As it is, I can see this working for readers who enjoy more heavy stories, and stories that start to question what people value most in their relationships, even if it doesn’t quite end up answering anything specifically.

[Bookswithbenefits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women comprise over 90% of the romance genre’s readership. I have no idea where the other 10% or so comes from. I’ve spent my entire adult life in professions largely populated by men, and I have never, ever heard a guy talk about the great romance novel he’d just read. Clearly, when women are the first to retire for the evening, they may think their husbands are asleep in their recliners, but apparently something else is going on. Ladies, do you know where your romance novels are tonight?

I, of course, am now one of the exceptions to the rule. My daughter has written two novels and a novella in this genre and, as the rule goes, when your daughter writes a book, you have to read it. As it turns out, she’s a wonderful writer and, well, you can read the reviews.

Given my newly acquired appreciation for romance novels, BWB asked me to review The Drake Equation by Heather Walsh. Having read at least two romance novels, and more importantly, in that I am a GUY who has read at least two romance novels, I am qualified to comment publicly.

I finished this book yesterday, but it was only today that I sat down to put words to paper. I needed to think a while about the characters, their stories and the decisions they made. I don’t suppose there’s a better compliment you can give a writer than to tell her she made you think. That should be enough to convince you that Heather Walsh’s book is worth your time.

Much about “The Drake Equation,” is what we enjoy in a good love story. Be it in a book, in a movie or even in the details of the daily gossip download in the office break room, we just love it when opposites attract. It is the emotional and intellectual stretching and personal growth that results from these kinds of relationships that really make the “opposites attract” stories fun. And, of course, there are the sparks.

Emily Crossley is a driven, type A liberal who has eschewed the for-profit business world for work in a nonprofit environmental organization, GeoForce. Her singular focus and that of her organization is to eliminate SUVs, and gas-guzzlers in general, from the roads. At GeoForce’s annual fundraiser, along comes Robert Drake, another type A and driven, but conservative, junior executive in Bell Motors, the only auto manufacturing company on the East Coast. Bell just happens to make lots of the kinds of cars Emily so despises. Their meeting goes much as you would expect, but yet, there’s this thing between them…

Robert’s story represents what many young men (and more these days, women) experience as they build a life and a career. Inevitably, he works too hard. Much too hard. There is a saying in the South: you’re not a man until your father says you’re a man. That simply means that you must prove yourself to your father – and to some extent, your boss, your mentor, and the significant leaders in your life. This inevitably leads to long hours and disappointed families. How many times have I listened to a man whose family no longer lives with him struggle to understand why. He worked hard. He was an earner. Nice house. New cars. Great vacations (often without him because he “had” to work). And occasionally, even with family intact, he wonders what it was all for. He doesn’t know his family, and they don’t know him. Robert finds himself solidly committed to this track without really comprehending where it is leading him. The crisis in the story is set in motion when Emily begins the process of understanding what this means for her and worries about what it means for Robert. Her decision in the face of this situation has consequences that will lead both her and Robert to examine themselves, each other, and to discover new insights into what really matters most in their worlds.

Spoiler: If you’d like some insight into where this story is going, read Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach.”

Disclaimer: An ARC copy of this book was provided.

[Ryan Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: 3.5

#1 love this cover. Love love love love love love love love love this cover and its correlation to the story. <3 And the cute title and IT's correlation to the story.

I found it a bit hard at first to get into all the political talk and republican/ democrat switch-overs. But at some point, I was able to follow along and understand what was going on (for the most part) and learn a little something new. And It is also not lost on me how difficult it is to write two separate characters with two opposing views- and have them congenial about it. You know how crazy people get about their politics. Politics and religion- 2 crazy argument starters.

I think it was strange, but nice, how the book is about trying to protect the environment.. but focusing on something small in order to make a difference. The main character works for a small company that tries to convince people to help save the environment a little bit everyday.. by giving up their SUVs. But I thought it was a cool idea for the book. The book not only tells a love story, but tries to get a message across as well. The message sort of made me feel uncomfortable since I have a Ford Explorer.. but still. Nice message. (:

I have been a little bit back and forth about the rating of the book. I know the book was centered on Emily- duh. I mean, it's her story. But I just feel like I needed to get a little bit from Robert's point of view. We get her take on the annoyance and struggles of dating someone with such opposing views. And that is not even that much of a problem- really. She gets crazy about her views and raises her voice.. but he is calm and steady about his. They sort of balance each other out- which I like.

The reason I want to touch on him more is because there is a period in the book where Emily notes faraway looks in his eye and he goes through some serious problems.. And he works them out and they are solved offstage. I wanted to know what was going on and how he worked through them. I liked him as a character and wanted to read a bigger part of his hardships.

I get a great front row seat to all of Emily's problems, anger, and fall from grace. And I get to see how she picks herself back up. He goes through all that and I was like WHAT IS GOING ON because the reader is not really a part of it. So.. I may have stayed on that subject for a little while. The point being- I did not feel a very strong connection to him as a character because I was not in his head as well. But that is a personal preference and I am crazy.. so. yeah.

Emily, though.. I got to know her all too well. I like how the events, characters, and realizations in this book are real and believable. There was nothing I can question. Everything was - to my knowledge- plausible.

Also.. some of the story felt... like I was reading about what happened from far away from the situation. like.. "It happened" this way. or I cannot recall exactly how that section was written, but I was not the biggest fan of how I was given the information. I was a bit disappointed in that instance. Oh, maybe I can explain it better. It felt like.. I was reading a summary of the story instead of the actual story. If.. that makes sense. I think that was only for a little part of the book, though. Other than that, smooth reading.

I still like the author's writing style. I did not put the book down the whole time I was reading it. It held my interest, which is great. The supporting characters were cool. I laughed a little and was a little upset at certain times. So a check mark for the emotions. I learned something new about.. politics. Which I hate. But it wasn't too horrible. So.. *thumbs up*

All in all, cute read. A love story with a little something deeper in the mix. And a creative title and cover to go along with a good story. (:

[Kathy Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t like romance novels. I wanted to get the out there in the open, right from the start. I’m not a fan of soap opera plotlines, weak-willed females who go all mushy over some guy with nice pecs, or “love conquers all” messages drenched in syrup and flowers. So I was a little nervous about reading Heather Walsh’s THE DRAKE EQUATION, which is most definitely a romance novel. Then again, as I quickly discovered, it’s so much more than that. It’s a novel about human nature, relationships, politics, the world we live in, and yes, even the meaning of life. There is a romance, and it is the heart of the plot. But it’s a wonderful and believable romance, more about the things that separate us, those that draw us together, and those that elevate a relationship beyond “girl-meets-boy” or all the “mushy love stuff” that makes up most of what passes for romance these days. THE DRAKE EQUATION is one hell of a fantastic read.

Twenty-six-year-old Emily Crossley is a bleeding heart Democrat who works for an environmental non-profit organization raising money to fight global warming and the continuing popularity of gas-guzzling SUVs. Robert Drake (also 26) is a conservative Republican who does PR for one of the big auto companies – in other words, he’s out there trying to get more people to buy the same SUVs that Emily is dead set on outlawing. They meet at a rally Emily has organized and right away there’s an attraction. But can two people with such different political and social viewpoints really manage to form a relationship?

What make this work are the characters – both Emily and Robert are real people, with clear convictions and a very similar passion for the world they live in. When they debate political issues, both of them make sense. I found myself agreeing with Emily more often than I did with Robert, but he expresses his more conservative viewpoints in an intelligent way that made me think – just as he makes Emily think. This isn’t a novel about left-wing jargon and Tea Party propaganda. Emily honestly wants to make the world a better place; and Robert honestly thinks her way of going about it is never going to work. But they both love the debate and the intelligent exchange of ideas, and what develops between them is something more than sexual attraction or romantic love. These are two very different people who find in each other something that challenges their ways of looking at the world. And that’s a very rare and very important thing.

At its core, THE DRAKE EQUATION is about the never-ending debate over the nature of human beings – are we naturally good and caring, or are we naturally selfish and egocentric? Emily has always been an optimist, believing in the goodness of her fellow men and women. Robert, on the other hand, is more of a realist – as he puts it, “there’s comfort to be found in the truth.” By the end of the novel, both Emily and Robert are tested in ways that challenge their frames of reference. And Walsh’s suggestion is that there is great value in the sharing of divergent beliefs – if we can open ourselves up to both sides of an argument, we just might find that we have more in common than we thought. That may sound like Emily’s optimism speaking, but it’s Robert’s truth as well.

Read THE DRAKE EQUATION. Fans of romance novels will fall in love with Emily and Drake, just as I did. And readers with less tolerance for romantic fluff will find in this novel an intelligent and meaningful look at what it means to live in today’s very volatile world. Walsh is an accomplished writer with a great talent for character and dialogue. I loved this novel, and I highly recommend it.

[Please note: I was provided a copy of this novel for review; the opinions expressed here are my own.]

[ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Walsh's The Drake Equation will capture readers attention with its intelligent dialogues, witty characters, and unpredictable romance. For once, the male and female protagonists are not involved in an exceptionally cheesy romance; a refreshing other-side of love relationships.

Emily is an enthusiastic employee at GeoForce – a company beat on advertising the harm the environment faces when citizens get around in their “needed” SUVs. On the day of the company's held rally, Emily meets Robert who is a PR of the opposing team. His ideals contrast her's, yet there is no denying their attraction towards one another. Put Emily and Robert together and they are like Ying and Yang, the sun and the moon, they exist to oppose the other. How will two with SO different ideals come together?

First and foremost, I love the pacing of this title. Immediately the story kicks off with the meeting of Robert and Emily and the rest of the book is those two coming together and getting to know one another. Also, the complications their relationship faces. Because of this, the story and setting can be a little dull—but the witty conversations between ALL the characters made up for it.

The book is brilliantly written and you will be able to pin-point the characters development and transition. Robert, we see in the beginning and the middle of the book, his put-together-composed personality and actions; yet, towards the end we witness his breakdown point and instead of being put off by it, it made him even more attractive and more able to relate. That is the thing about Heather Walsh, she creates realistic characters--characters that faces trouble and break downs just as real live humans required one point in their lives. It was the same with Emily. She was this determined-optimist with confidence I wish I had, yet in the end, just like anyone she lost it. Instead of deeming her weak, I adored her all the more. Their relationship was also a matter that people understand and go through … they faced complications because of their individual works and this is a cause that many couples find themselves in all the time. 'Til today, I still cannot phantom how wonderful and intelligently this novel was written. When you read something so gracefully done, you just sit down and have a moment. Truly, Heather Walsh is amazing! I am looking forward to her upcoming works.

Have I mention that with their complications there were also sweet and dreamy scenes? Because, although it was not school-girl cheesy (whatever I meant by that), their little moments had me envious and longing for a suitable partner. <--- Yes, although they contrast in ideals and certain values, their personality and intelligence are quite alike – that they are the power-push of the other. That, in my opinion deems suitable. I cannot picture Emily and Robert with other partners. Just cannot.

Aside from Emily and Robert being my favorite characters, I also adore Carson. He seems so easy-going -- someone who would be a great friend. In short, he is the butter to an already heavenly-delicious pancake -- it is optional but with it, it taste SO good. He adds that extra 'oomph'. I can sit here and describe all the sweet qualities of this novel, but it would better for you to get it and find out for yourself.

Happy reading!

(A special thanks to Heather Walsh for seeking me out and offering me this opportunity to reading your book! Thank you.)

[AK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this book. It was real, it was relevant, and bickering love interests are always fun.

I really enjoyed reading about these characters. Lots of books have those characters who are just like /toolazytofunction., but Emily was always running on high energy. I loved the enthusiasm and passion that she had for her team, her cause, and her company. She was also really independent, and I liked that she didn’t really give that up throughout the novel. Robert, on the other hand, was always ready to challenge Emily and get her to look at things from the other side. I feel like they really complimented each other in their views and that made for interesting debates, and therefore made it an interesting book.

I also loved that they didn’t drop everything and frolic off into the sunset with each other. They had very mundane issues (he worked way too much and she hated it, she had an opinion on everything and was unmovable in many aspects, etc). I enjoyed the simplicity of the book. There was no insta-love. There was a cautious testing of the waters, and then moving into something more. There romance was there but it wasn’t and overwhelming force that left them in crazy emotional puddles. It was realistic and I thought it was genius.

While the plot could be slow at times, Walsh made up for it through sub-plots including the secondary characters (Emily’s co-workers, even Robert’s best friend). This kept the plot moving and the book interesting throughout, which is often hard to do in these types of books. I liked that more than one issue was addressed and that the story didn’t just center around the two main characters and their undying love for each other.

Why am I doing this? Who am I? What does this mean to me? Is it all worth it? These are questions that Emily starts asking herself throughout the book, and the fact that this even came up was absolutely perfect. We all stumble across these questions at some point in our lives, and I feel like, again, it was so mundane and relatable that it worked.

The only complaint I had was the repetition of the SUV issue. I wish that there had been a few other political issues addressed. I understand that a large part of the company she worked at was about the environmental thing, but I feel like she should’ve had her nose in more issues. Maybe she didn’t have to act on it, but she could’ve used that to fodder their conversations instead of the same overused topic throughout the novel.

There were definitely great ideas within this book, and I loved the political spin of it (because let’s face it, literature these days usually revolves solely around the romance or some plot that isn’t really that relevant), as well as the characters. Walsh paid a lot of attention to details, making sure this and that were in place at the perfect times and setting things up just right to make for well timed jokes and jabs. I really hope you guys pick this book up because I thought it was amazing ~

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.93/5

eBook obtained via the author, Heather Walsh, in exchange for an honest review.

-review by Between Printed Pages

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

Emily is in her mid-20s and is passionate about her job working for a non-profit agency that promotes the use of cars other than SUVs. She is happily single; married to her job you might say and she is just fine with that. She is one of just four people in her office at GeoForce and is the backbone of their organization. She is the one that can always be trusted to get the job done, and to delegate what her co-workers need to do. She is far more “managerial” than her hippie boss Andy could ever hope to be.

Robert works as a corporate executive for Bell Motors, a maker of many best-selling SUVs. His job is to sell SUVs to people who don’t even know they need, much less want them. While he himself drives an economical little sedan, he doesn’t see anything wrong with letting people do as they will, and what they see fit for their families. One day, Robert is sent on a recon mission by Bell Motors to see GeoForce’s annual “Give Up Your SUV For a Day” rally. It is during this spy trip that Robert first meets Emily, and gets a sense of the passion she brings not only to her work but to the rest of her life as well.

The Drake Equation started out very strong and was a lot of fun. The banter between Robert and Emily was smart, witty, and seemingly mature. There was no sex to speak of, but there was plenty of tension between the two of them. Unfortunately though, about 75% into the book, it just started to get boring. There was little this book could do to keep my attention and it took me several hours to get through that last 25% because I kept nodding off. The environmental aspect of the book began to get heavy-handed after awhile and there were several small crises that came up that it turns out did very little to move the storyline forward and you’re left wondering, why even bring that up, if you’re not going to do more with it?

The political differences between Robert and Emily are what you would expect to be the downfall in their relationship, but it is Robert’s workaholic ways that ultimately dooms them from the start. To him, work is like a drug and he needs just a little more, like all other addicts. Fortunately, Emily is a strong enough heroine that she is not willing to take a second seat to Robert’s career. Ms. Walsh did an excellent job of crafting characters with depth and the ability to tackle mature subject matter, but in a lot of ways both Robert and Emily were quite immature. Emily was prone to near temper tantrums when it came to her arguments on the environment, and Robert knew exactly what buttons to push in order to elicit that response from her. I applaud Ms. Walsh for bringing real-life mature problems to an NA love story, a level of maturity that many seem to lack, but the constant overreaction by Emily got to be tedious.

I feel comfortable giving The Drake Equation three and a half stars. It was definitely well written and Ms. Walsh required the reader to engage their brain, but unfortunately I found my attention start to wane and I was just ready to be finished. Ms. Walsh is an excellent writer and I will definitely check out her other works.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Heather Walsh recently emailed me to offer a copy of her self-published novel, The Drake Equation, for me to read and review. I’ve read some self-published novels in the past and while I don’t have anything against them, I’ve found that they’re not always as polished as they might be if published by a mainstream publisher. Thankfully, that was not the case with Walsh’s book. I found the story to be well-formulated and captivating, and her writing to be clear and well-edited.

Set in a small New England town, The Drake Equation follows Emily Crossly, a Democrat working for an environmental non-profit, and Robert Drake, a Republican working for the car company that Emily’s organization rallies against. When their jobs bring them together, their opposite ideologies and strong personalities make them an unlikely match. And despite their better judgement, they fall in love. When career demands and political differences put a strain on their relationship, they realize they must re-evaluate everything they believe in.

Walsh tries to be balanced and represent the views and interests of both Emily’s and Robert’s opinions, but it does tend to skew a little toward the liberal side. I think having Emily narrate the story made the book feel unbalanced. I kept expecting the narration to switch to Robert’s point of view, either in alternating chapters or half-way through the book, but it never happened. Incorporating this different point of view would have made the plot more balanced and created a better opportunity to get each character’s true perspective.

Having said that, however, I do love how Walsh tackled the idea of the two opposing political parties and ideals present in our country. Contrary to what seems to be the norm today, the book shows that people with drastically different ideas can still get along. Emily and Robert’s relationship is a model for respect, compromise and even understanding. Walsh’s novel is an idealistic look at how people should behave when it comes to differences of opinion (in any situation). While her characters have radically different views, they still manage to come together.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. With unique and dynamic characters and a refreshingly modern plot, Walsh has not only created a fun novel, but makes a commentary on society while being fair and respectful.




The Drake Equation was released in October, 2013 and self-published by the author. I received a copy of the book from the author.

[Book Club Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Drake Equation, a modern romance in which two young professionals from seemingly opposite ends of the political spectrum meet and clash. The story’s lead character, Emily Crossley, is a super-focused and driven earth-conscious liberal, working for the non-profit, GeoForce, whose primary goal is to eliminate all the unsafe, gas guzzling and air-killing SUVs from the road. Along comes Robert Drake, a PR man from Bell Motors. Not willing to accept Robert’s Republican views, Emily feels compelled to argue her point and win over this good-looking conservative.

After a great deal of political and environmental debate which is fueled by their romantic interest, Emily and Robert discover some common ground, and the story goes from there. This is an intelligently written, well-organized romance with easy-to-know characters and a smooth flow of plot. Walsh adds a layer of amusing descriptions and tongue-in-cheek humor and that keeps things moving at a good pace.

Walsh does a great job with the banter between Emily and Robert, particularly as they move away from SUVs and the auto industry and into more interesting discussions. I think she realistically portrays these twenty-somethings and their developing relationship in a classy way which very much seems to reflect conversations between Jane and Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre, Emily’s favorite book.

Walsh’s characters are nicely portrayed, particularly Robert, my favorite. He has an easy way of tempering Emily’s unusually intense views and it’s fun to watch him win her over. Emily’s character is not quite as nice to know until later, when her vulnerabilities surface. These weaknesses redeem her at the end of the story as Walsh shows the reader Emily’s more human side. Emily’s co-workers, Carson, Rachel and Andy add another layer of interest and a few sub-plots and that keeps the story moving.

I particularly like Walsh’s style of introducing an unexplained fact, letting it dangle for a few paragraphs and then cycling back to explain. It’s just enough of a tease, without frustrating the reader, a nice technique.

All in all, this is a light and amusing read. Some readers may be frustrated by the abundance of talk about eco-friendly solutions to the large and environmentally hazardous SUVs on the road, particularly in the beginning. But the nice surprise is that these conversations lessen as the romance blossoms and we see the real people behind the arguments.

[Jenn Ravey · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Crossley and Robert Drake would never be matched up on eharmony or match.com. Each is passionate about politics and his or her own key issues. Emily works for a nonprofit devoted to ridding the planet of gas-guzzling SUVs. Robert is a businessman whose business it is to market those same SUVs.

When they meet at an anti-SUV rally Emily hosts, sparks fly…but less from lust and more from a sense of righteousness. Robert follows up with a string of emails, and Emily is intrigued, asking him out before she loses her nerve. As Emily and Robert’s arguments grow more and more heated, so does their attraction.

But how do you reconcile an attraction to someone so inappropriate for you on paper? Emily and Robert both struggle with this, yet each is level headed and logical, able to articulate their stances in ways that aren’t offensive to the other. Plus, there’s more to each than politics. Robert loves astronomy. Emily loves to read. At one point, Emily even questions whether she uses her politics as a way to separate herself from others, a moment of brutal honesty. But it is each character’s openness with one another that allows them to fall in love until Robert’s demanding job overwhelms any chance they have of being together.

At first glance, The Drake Equation made me nervous. Not only is it a romance novel, but it’s also a novel involving two characters whose political beliefs are diametrically opposed. To be together, miraculously, neither Robert nor Emily suddenly changes his or her political beliefs. Neither one gives up a career for the other. That’s not to say that Robert and Emily don’t change or compromise, but so often in romance novels, one or the other of the characters in the couple makes a change that makes my skin crawl a bit. Heather Walsh avoids that and creates a cast of intelligent, thoughtful characters without unrealistic obstacles getting in the way of love, making The Drake Equation the perfect romance novel for people who hate romance novels.

[Enna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Drake Equation

257 Pages

Published: August 28, 2013

Edition: Kindle Edition

In exchange for an honest review, the author had given me an eBook version of The Drake Equation.

In all honesty, the book was ok. It had a promising story and interesting characters; however, I felt as if the books was: politics, politics, romance, politics, politics, and leftover romance.

Emily is the main character of The Drake Equation and she's a democrat who works for a non-profit organization protesting the use of SUV's. Robert is a republican who works as a PR for Bell Motors and goes against everything Emily stands for. They meet at Emily's fundraiser and obviously don't hit if off (because of their very different views). Although they do end up meeting up later for lunch, and what do they discuss? Politics. I felt as if romance was not as much introduced until I reached the middle of the book, and it then faltered out in the end.

It was an ok book, but because I didn't find the political information much interesting and familiar; therefore, I was uninterested very quickly. Despite that, I continued reading and predicted a couple of the events that ended up happening in the book.

Emily and Robert do end up together, then they break up, then they get back together againl

As much as I wanted to love this book, I couldn't. I rated it a three because I liked the diversity of characters and the romance. I felt as if the books was: politics, politics, romance, politics, politics, and leftover romance. This could have been better if there wasn't as much politics involved and, personally, if there was a tragic backstory.

Check out this review on my blog: http://booksboysandblogs.blogspot.com...