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The Driving Seat: what is your freedom worth to you...?
Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 16:14:44
50 copies available
U.S. only
Emma Propeller is trying to swerve the wreckage of her marriage. When her husband returns from rehab with a new lover, Emma bolts with her baby on a midnight train to a castle in the Scottish Highlands. A job as a live-in driver for a glamorous marchioness promises safety and the chance to reinvent herself. Everything seems to have fallen into place.
But the castle is no sanctuary. Dark secrets stalk its halls, the marchioness's behaviour spirals into the unhinged and someone, Emma suspects, is following her. She hasn't steered herself out of danger – she's driven straight into it.
But the castle is no sanctuary. Dark secrets stalk its halls, the marchioness's behaviour spirals into the unhinged and someone, Emma suspects, is following her. She hasn't steered herself out of danger – she's driven straight into it.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 8, 2026
For a full spoiler version of this review, please check out my blog, spoiledbooks.blogspot.com
4 stars
This one started off so strong for me. We follow Emma, a sleep-deprived new mom whose already fragile life implodes when her unreliable, narcissistic husband goes missing… and then things only get worse from there. What begins as a domestic drama quickly spirals into something much bigger and stranger.
The portrayal of a toxic, narcissistic partner felt very real and honestly hit close to home. That emotional core kept me invested even when the plot started piling on twist after twist (and then a few more for good measure 😅).
It did lose a bit of focus for me toward the end, but overall I was hooked and genuinely enjoyed the ride.
4 stars
This one started off so strong for me. We follow Emma, a sleep-deprived new mom whose already fragile life implodes when her unreliable, narcissistic husband goes missing… and then things only get worse from there. What begins as a domestic drama quickly spirals into something much bigger and stranger.
The portrayal of a toxic, narcissistic partner felt very real and honestly hit close to home. That emotional core kept me invested even when the plot started piling on twist after twist (and then a few more for good measure 😅).
It did lose a bit of focus for me toward the end, but overall I was hooked and genuinely enjoyed the ride.
July 16, 2026
I devoured this - it’s packed full of truly quirky characters and told with a sharpness and wit that’s unique and compelling. The darker hints at shadowy secrets push you forward while you’re rooting for Emma, who is so deeply relatable I felt like I knew her.
August 23, 2026
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Thank you NewSouth Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review
The Driving Seat is what happens when you take a woman on the verge of rebuilding her life, drop her into a remote Scottish castle, surround with secrets, and then whisper, “Good luck.” Emma Propeller is already dealing with enough chaos to last several lifetimes. Her marriage has imploded, her husband has returned from rehab with a new partner, and she's trying to create a new life for herself and her baby. So, when she lands a job as a live-in driver for a glamorous castle in Scottish Highland, it feels like the fresh start she's desperately been searching for. And I mean we have all seen Outlander, so why wouldn’t you right?!?!
But being a thriller… it isn’t as it always cracked up to be!! Abbas delivers a deliciously thriller that had me constantly questioning who could be trusted and whether Emma should simply turn the car around and leave or stay to figure out ‘whodunnit’
What I enjoyed most was watching Emma find her footing. She's not a superhero or an amateur detective looking for adventure but she's a woman trying to protect her child and survive a difficult chapter of her life. That grounded emotional core makes the suspense feel more personal and the danger more real. While the story occasionally takes its time unfolding its mysteries, the atmosphere, intrigue, and escalating paranoia kept me hooked.
The Driving Seat is a fun, twisty gothic thriller packed with castle secrets, unreliable characters, creeping tension, and a heroine you can't help but root for. If you enjoy stories where fresh starts quickly become nightmares.
Bookstagram
Thank you NewSouth Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review
The Driving Seat is what happens when you take a woman on the verge of rebuilding her life, drop her into a remote Scottish castle, surround with secrets, and then whisper, “Good luck.” Emma Propeller is already dealing with enough chaos to last several lifetimes. Her marriage has imploded, her husband has returned from rehab with a new partner, and she's trying to create a new life for herself and her baby. So, when she lands a job as a live-in driver for a glamorous castle in Scottish Highland, it feels like the fresh start she's desperately been searching for. And I mean we have all seen Outlander, so why wouldn’t you right?!?!
But being a thriller… it isn’t as it always cracked up to be!! Abbas delivers a deliciously thriller that had me constantly questioning who could be trusted and whether Emma should simply turn the car around and leave or stay to figure out ‘whodunnit’
What I enjoyed most was watching Emma find her footing. She's not a superhero or an amateur detective looking for adventure but she's a woman trying to protect her child and survive a difficult chapter of her life. That grounded emotional core makes the suspense feel more personal and the danger more real. While the story occasionally takes its time unfolding its mysteries, the atmosphere, intrigue, and escalating paranoia kept me hooked.
The Driving Seat is a fun, twisty gothic thriller packed with castle secrets, unreliable characters, creeping tension, and a heroine you can't help but root for. If you enjoy stories where fresh starts quickly become nightmares.
September 22, 2026
2.5 stars
August 9, 2026
The Driver’s Seat by Abigail Abass is an advanced reading copy I received from NetGalley. The book is scheduled for release in January 2027.
This was a fun, entertaining read. The best way I can describe it is a comedy version of a Freida McFadden thriller. It’s a little over the top, but I think that’s exactly how it’s meant to be. Pretty much all of the characters are at least a little unhinged.
Our main character, Emma, needs to run and hide with her baby from her narcissistic husband and overbearing mother-in-law. Her hiding spot involves taking a job as a driver for an eccentric woman whose family is just as nuts as the one Emma is trying to escape.
There are some laugh-out-loud moments throughout. This is definitely not meant to be taken too seriously, and that’s part of the fun. It’s a great palate cleanser between heavier or more emotionally intense novels.
3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
This was a fun, entertaining read. The best way I can describe it is a comedy version of a Freida McFadden thriller. It’s a little over the top, but I think that’s exactly how it’s meant to be. Pretty much all of the characters are at least a little unhinged.
Our main character, Emma, needs to run and hide with her baby from her narcissistic husband and overbearing mother-in-law. Her hiding spot involves taking a job as a driver for an eccentric woman whose family is just as nuts as the one Emma is trying to escape.
There are some laugh-out-loud moments throughout. This is definitely not meant to be taken too seriously, and that’s part of the fun. It’s a great palate cleanser between heavier or more emotionally intense novels.
3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
August 31, 2026
Best book I have ever read! Excited to see more from this writer! Must read!!!
May 26, 2026
loved this!! great story start to finish, quick pace with short chapters, and really did not see the twists at the end.
would love to see another story for Emma, how she gets on working and running the visitor centre and castle etc..
would love to see another story for Emma, how she gets on working and running the visitor centre and castle etc..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2026
A light-hearted thriller, mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed! The main character, Emma, must run away with her baby from her husband and begins a new life that turns into quite an adventure. Lots of twists and turns but also laugh out loud moments too. The book was a little over the top at times but in a great way. A great palate cleanser from anything too heavy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun book, that was a darkly funny story about life and how absurd it can be sometimes! I appreciated it's lightness, while also being honestly pretty heavy if that makes sense? I would definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys thrillers, and would like funny thriller!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A light thriller that laughs at the absurdity of life. Touched on the difficulty of motherhood and would have loved that to be explored more.
July 4, 2026
Emma escapes her scummy husband in London by taking a chauffeur job in Scotland where she drives around a rather eccentric marchioness. This was an unexpected gem. Wasn't the story I thought it was going to be but I loved it. A bit of mystery, some batshit characters and a touch of heart. Well worth a read.
April 5, 2026
If I were stranded on a desert island, I’d want The Driving Seat. Useless for navigation. Absolutely essential for sanity. Abigail Abbas wins.
June 7, 2026
Not a bad book but just all felt a bit slow and then a really fast finish. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews