When free-spirited socialite Ari Stark invites her no-nonsense chauffeur, Nancy Doyle, to be her date to her ex-fiancé’s wedding, Nancy’s first instinct is to decline. Pretending to be a couple with her boss? Risky. But Ari is persuasive — and Nancy could use the extra cash.
As they navigate the lavish wedding weekend, their fake relationship starts to feel all too real. Nancy uncovers a vulnerable side to Ari beneath her party-girl facade, while Ari discovers unexpected warmth in Nancy's reserved demeanour.
The chemistry between them is undeniable. But so are the obstacles. Ari lives in the spotlight. Nancy prefers to blend into the background. And neither of them were expecting this connection to feel so real.
As tensions rise and secrets come to light, Nancy must will she play it safe, or take a chance on something unexpected?
Packed with her signature mix of humour and heart, Take the Wheel is Natasha West’s latest witty, heartfelt lesbian romcom, packed with slow-burn chemistry, high-society drama and an opposites-attract love story that will keep you hooked.
Ari is outwardly a spoilt rich brat, getting drunk and flirting with every beautiful woman or man she sees. However, underneath the surface she is just desperate for her mother’s praise, but instead she gets attention for the bad things she does - all the more reason to keep doing them. Nancy is Ari’s long-suffering driver, often having to pull her out of an unwise situation, or hold her hair back while she throws up. Nancy sees more than others realise, but keeps her own counsel, being loyal to Ari. When Ari is invited to her ex-girlfriend Paris’s wedding, Ari knows it’s so Paris can gloat. However, Ari chooses to go because she has to get even with narcissistic Paris, and the wedding is the obvious venue. But because of circumstances, Nancy gets pulled into this too, and so the fun begins… This is an interesting take on the fake dating trope, with many crazy twists. It’s trying to do slapstick comedy, especially at the wedding when Ari tries everything to get keys, but for me that falls flat. These scenes just seem a bit cringy, not very funny. The later wedding scenes are better. The writing is good, but this is quite a two dimensional portrait of the two women. The ending is a bit abrupt too. If you are here for the dated comedy, then it’s quite good, but as a modern romance it lacks depth. Such a pity, as I really wanted it to be better.
This book was short and a little sweet, with a few good laughs. The story is exaggerated, dramatic and somewhat unrealistic, but makes for a necessary backdrop for the characters’ shenanigans. For what was an extremely frustrating main conflict (and the antagonists were beyond insufferable), the resolution barely scrapes past satisfying my sense of justice, and feels slightly less than complete. I didn’t care as much for the main characters or romance of this one; instead what kept me reading was hoping to see those antagonists get what they deserved. I found Ari’s character to be grating and somewhat idiotic, which made it hard for me to root for her despite the backstory. Nancy was a more palatable character. It seemed most of the actual romance of the entire book was the short epilogue—this one is definitely more “com” than “rom”. The rest is merely tension and internal monologues. Quite “PG” if that’s what you’re looking for.
Nancy is Aris "driver", but somehow became her emergency-assistant. Nancy is reliable, discreet and not very talkative. When Ari decides to attend her Ex' wedding she ropes Nancy into being her fake date. Over the weekend of the lavish wedding the plot happens, then happens a time jump and the epilogue.
Ari is not very likeable. The romance is fast and has no foundation. Nancy enables Aris destructive behaviour, which makes her unpleasant, too. What they do is actually criminal and not very well justified. The whole book has exactly two scenes with Aris mother and the second happens in the epilogue. Especially the ending is pretty much invented from nothing.
I'm missing SO. MUCH. And their antics at the wedding aren't even that funny.
Ari is on her way to her ex's wedding when her date canceled at the last minute. Knowing she'd look pitiful going alone she tries to find someone to fill in... and ends up asking her driver/aide, Nancy.
Hired by Ari's mom, Sandra, Nancy has to manage Ari a bit to maintain the family image. She is very iffy about going as her date, but can tell there's something going on, so agrees.
Paris, it turns out, swiped Ari's Grandmother's necklace, and she wants it back, so plans to sneak off and find it. Nancy is less than thrilled.
Various stuff happens, the wedding gets done, and Nancy and Ari figure out they actually love each other.
The only way to describe this book is that it gave off vibes from a 1960's show or movie. I certainly love some of those older movies but when I'm reading a lesbian romance I guess I expect some romance. There should at the very least be an earth shattering kiss between the two main characters. A kiss that will convey that these two women find each other so irresistible that when they do kiss, it should describe an explosion of want, need, wetness and lust in that kiss. When Ari and Nancy kiss it just makes you think of an episode of Leave It to Beaver with June clutching her pearls and Ward coming home an expecting dinner on the table.
Nothing actively bad about this, just a little boring with not much development. A high three stars I guess. I needed a relatively simple and easy read that wouldn't use my energy or make me remember any of my own problems, so it fulfilled its purpose. I just don't feel I can give it four stars because nothing about it made me go "wow yeah this was good!". But also my rating system for books has absolutely zero consistency and no system, so, take anything I say with a pinch of salt.
This is another fun read. Ari goes to the wedding of her ex. She had planned to go with her boyfriend, Jake. However he cancels. Ari struggles to find another date at short notice and ends up going with her PA Nancy - so a fake dating situation. There will also be a only one bed issue to get over, and also a bit of sly burglary to steal back something that had previously been taken from Ari.
It is fun, and comedic. I always enjoy Natasha West's books.
3.5 stars. This book was just ok. The big thing for me was the length! This book was immensely shorter than the usual books I read! Additionally, I felt that the characters should’ve been delved into more in regard to their background. For instance, I don’t even know if Nancy’s parents are alive! But, I did enjoy the main conflict of the story and further with an ex partner! Anyway, decent book.
3.75 ⭐️ It's a fun, mission-accomplished heist rom-com movie type of thing. It's fun in one way and embarrassing in the other, like something you find on Netflix if you scroll long enough and nothing catches your eye. The writing is good, and I think it's worth a shot. I enjoyed the characters; they are well-developed. It's less of a Rom and more of a Com for sure.
The driver of a supposed rich girl who played and partied hard both had feelings for each other and with the ups and downs that follow through this book they find their happiness together 🌈🌹
Ocean eight kind of story, no more sapphic than the real movie but yeah. It did disappoint there was no depth to the pair. And it is not a slow-burn if there is no burning. BUT at least we got a good old happy ending.
Another quick read but i feel that’s there its downfall lies. Too many quick chapters without enough substance in them, but the story was still enjoyable. Quite possibly the most dramatic book I’ve ever read. Wish there was more romance but for what it was, it was good.
I love everything by this author. It's laugh out loud funny, heartfelt, and relatable. The characters are amazing. Can't wait to read all of her books.