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Crazy Love #1

Driving Her Crazy

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Driven to (sexy) distraction...

Cher Debusshere hates being the black sheep of her posh, well-to-do family almost as much as she hates driving-which is exactly what she's forced to do when her flight home for her perfect sister's wedding is grounded. Fan-freakin'-tastic. Then a hot guy offers to share both the car rental and the driving duties...only to drive her crazy by assuming she's just some spoiled little rich girl.

Mechanic Nathaniel "Oz" Oserkowski is about as blue-collar as they come. There's never been a time he hasn't worked his ass off, and he's determined to prove it to the gorgeous princess in the passenger seat. As the miles pass, they bait and needle each other...until their lust and longing gets so hot it nearly overheats the engine.

They have nothing in common. Hell, they can barely stand each other. But sometimes it takes a journey to change the destination...

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2015

83 people are currently reading
975 people want to read

About the author

Kira Archer

20 books614 followers
USA Today bestselling author Kira Archer lives in Pennsylvania with her hubs and two kids. And 3 ridiculous cats. She's one of those people who laughs at inappropriate moments (especially overly emotional occasions like weddings or funerals), and she has an insanely overactive imagination which is great when she's writing but not so great when she's shutting all the lights off at night and then has to go up the stairs. She has a PhD in Procrastination (or would if there was such a thing and there soooo should be because she's seriously at expert level here). And if she's not writing, she's reading, or thinking about reading or writing. And running her kids around because they are busy and she's the taxi driver. She also writes historical romances as Michelle McLean.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel.
639 reviews38 followers
October 13, 2015
Overall rating: 4.5 "Ox and Nag" stars!

Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate pasts:
Steam:
Ow/Om drama:
Push/pull:

HEA:

This was a very cute and sweet romance. Oz and Cher was both headed to New York when their plane is grounded do to bad weather conditions. When Oz gets the last rental car, he offers Cher for them to ride together. Which works out well for her, because she is deathly afraid of driving, especially long distance in the rain. Neither knew this would be the best decision they ever made.

I thought Oz was such a stand up guy. It's not even funny. What guy abandons school after 2 years in college, to help support his sister and her young son? THAT is a real man. He works as a mechanic during the day, throws papers at night and works as a janitor on the weekends. I mean, seriously! Great guy! Ugh and when he said he didn't know when the last time he dated was? AND when he said he had never had a one night stand in his life? I MEAN COME ON! I was meant to read all about him!

I absolutely adored Cher as well. Her job was so damn rewarding. Helping battered women reenter the workforce by offering interview advice, as well as helping to dress these women. She had the kindest heart ever.

It was so cute how Oz thought she was this rich bitch, but she was clearly not even close to that, but he was so damn attracted to her anyway.

Overall this was a cute and sweet read and exactly what I needed!
Profile Image for Mandy.
1,560 reviews235 followers
August 6, 2015
4.5 stars

Cherise is flying from North Carolina to New York for her sisters wedding. She's kind of the black sheep of her wealthy family and if she's late for this wedding, her mom will never let her forget it. Oz if also flying to New York for a job interview. He supports his sister and nephew by working 3 jobs, and he is getting interviewed for his dream job. When bad weather grounds their flight and Oz gets the last the rental, he offers to let Cher ride along with him. With no other option, Cher decides to go with the handsome stranger. They are complete opposites and drive each other crazy but they can't fight the chemistry between them.

I really enjoyed this sweet, sexy and funny romance. This was fast paced and a fun, light read. Cher and Oz had great chemistry and were both likeable characters. I love the way they antagonize each other and the banter between them. I really liked this one and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun romance.

**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
Profile Image for Jo.
957 reviews242 followers
June 15, 2016

Unfortunately this book did not work for me. Both Cherise and Nathaniel were too judgmental about each other, always jumping to conclusions about what the other one was wearing, the jobs they did, and well basically everything. Also Cherise had no backbone at all when it came to her family, and I just could not relate to her at all.

It did improve a bit after they had sex for the first time, but that was near the end of the book, and way too late to redeem them to me.

Profile Image for Kristiej.
1,533 reviews101 followers
January 30, 2016
Although I'm not giving this book 5 stars, it's only because I'm getting stricter but the fact I inhaled this book in one day means I enjoyed it. I mean really, really enjoyed it.

This is a "road romance" between two people from opposite worlds who discover throughout their journey they aren't so different after all. Our hero Oz or Nathaniel as our heroine insists on calling him, a true blue collar hero (my favourite kind in contemporaries) is flying to New York to interview for an interview for a job he really wants. Oz is a great hero. He has 3 jobs, an auto mechanic, a janitor and a newspaper deliverer so that he can take care of his single sister and nephew. Because he's working so many hours he doesn't have hardly any time for a social life but he's not bitter, he loves his family. But he does have a positive outlook along with a wonderful sense of humor.

Cherise or Cher as Oz insists on calling her is about as opposite of Oz as can be. She comes from a very wealthy family who intimidate the heck out of her. She's prim and proper and doesn't believe in nicknames. She really does seem to have a stick up her butt and could be quite easy to dislike except every so often the author gives us a glimpse into the real heroine beneath the mask and she's a very kind and thoughtful person. She is headed to the Hamptons for her sister's wedding.

Their worlds collide when they are both late for the same plane. The planes doors are locked and can't be opened. Then the whole flight is cancelled. Oz prepares to rent a car and drive from North Carolina to New York. He overhears Cher also trying to rent a car and very considerately offers to share the drive.

And thus follows a delightful story of two people developing feelings for each other despite their differences; really seeing the real Oz and Cher and each pricking the balloons of the other. Oz has more preconceived ideas of poor, little rich girl Cher and for the longest time he just doesn't see why she can't just throw off the shackles of her family. He's also quicker to misunderstand Cher but he's just such a likeable guy it's easy to forgive him. As soon as I finished this book bought more by Kira Archer. I quite happily recommend this sweet book.
Profile Image for Naima Simone.
Author 169 books2,143 followers
August 19, 2015
The hero and heroine's names--Nathaniel "Oz" Oserkowski and Cherise Debusshere--automatically give the reader a clue that these two couldn't be more opposite of each other than oil is to water, black is to white, Doritos are to trail mix...and from there let the good times roll! And that's what Driving Her Crazy was--fun. Pure, laugh out loud, did-that-just-happen? fun! Cherise is the black sheep of her uppercrust, moneyed family. The only ally she has in the family full of surgeons and lawyers is her twin brother. Desperate to not give her parents another reason to criticize and chastise her, she is willing to do anything to get to her sister's wedding in New York. Even ride with a perfect stranger--albeit a gaw-geous stranger--from North Carolina to New York in the only rental car the airport has left. Oz is headed to NY as well for his dream job as an editor, which will allow him to drop two of the three jobs he's currently working, as well as provide a better life for his sister and nephew. He agrees to take the gorgeous, if a bit uptight, stranger with him since they're headed in the same direction. And hey--he could use the distraction of company and conversation for the long ride ahead, right? Oh boy, they both got soooo much more than they bargained for. Frustration, enlightenment, laughs, grudging respect and the hottest passion and sex either have ever experienced!

Driving Her Crazy is a wonderful read. Full of side-splitting moments (the pictures in front of the state signs, the clothing malfunctions, etc.), some of the sweetest moments (Cherise helping the mom and daughter in the discount store, for one) and the hottest moments (woods, car. That's all I'm saying!). They each went into this ride with particular perceptions of one another and ended up discovering they couldn't be more wrong...and in love. It was fun seeing Cherise finally stand up for herself and her future to her prissy, snobbish and controlling parents. That scene was EPIC! And the epilogue had me sighing. Just a really great book that will have you going, Dang! It's over? Aw, man! LOL! I can't wait for Elliot's book!!
Profile Image for Jamie Kline.
198 reviews4 followers
August 20, 2015
What a cute, fun read! This novel centers around Cherice and Oz, two strangers who are pretty much complete opposites. What better way to see sparks fly (for better or worse) than to put these two on a long car ride together. I don't know about all of you, but I end up wanting to smother my own family after being in the car with them for too long, so I can't imagine what it would be like to be stuck with a stranger. Although, if he looked like Oz I think I could make it work.

Both Cherice and Oz evolved as the pages turned. Cher started out so stiff and proper, since this was how her mother and father expected her to behave. She was basically living for them, doing everything they wanted her to do, putting her goals and dreams on the permanent back-burner. Oz was busy working several jobs, trying to take care of his sister and nephew. He had a lot of trouble seeing Cherice as anything other than a spoiled rotten rich girl that didn't know what it was like to struggle. True, her family was rich, but nothing she did ever made them happy; it was different from what Oz was going through, yet it was a struggle all the same. They definitely had trouble understanding each other at first and it was interesting to watch them realize that their first impressions may have been way off.

I really enjoyed the humor and witty back and forth banter between Cherice and Oz. He sure learned how to get under her skin very quickly and obviously enjoyed doing so. I give the author bonus points for referencing Grumpier Old Men also; I love that movie.

The sex scenes were pretty steamy, but not overly graphic or raunchy. Or maybe I've become desensitized to it. Either way, I thought they were well done and all I could think was, "Finally!" when it happened because the sexual tension was running pretty high. That seems wrong now that I'm thinking about it. I mean, they hadn't even known each other for a full day yet. The way the novel played out just made it feel like a lot longer.

It's always hard for me to accept any sort of intense connection between characters in such a short amount of time, but in this case it didn't really bother me. They had some deep conversations and were able to confide things that they normally didn't give voice to. Still, you have to assume that most of it was lust, no matter what sort of emotions they felt and no matter how cute the ending was. Spoiler: it was pretty darn cute. Luckily there is an epilogue that travels about two years into the future. Did they make a lasting connection? I guess you will have to read Driving Her Crazy to find out.

If you would like to check out more of my reviews, please visit my book review blog, Lucky Devil Reviews
Profile Image for Julianne Redmon.
267 reviews2 followers
August 5, 2015
This is the first book I've read by Kira Archer and holy rabies am I glad I did!

First, the story is a little improbable but not entirely far-fetched. While the mom in me screams "stranger danger," I'm sure if I was in Cherise's situation I wouldn't hesitate to take Oz up on his offer. Archer really makes the limited scope in setting work for the story. The quick-witted dialogue and sexual tension between the characters really carries a story that takes place mostly in a car. I like how the story goes beyond romance and steamy (and I mean STEAMY) scenes to develop more into a story of living for yourself vs. living for others.

The main characters are well-written and you know their backstory, which is an impressive feat in a book that spans a little over 24 hours. Oz is hot...I wouldn't fight over him calling me a nickname. He can call me whatever in the heck he wants LOL And Cher...such a complex character wrapped up in a tightly wound little package. Both of them are smart, caring and hard-working people. Very easy to want things to turn out well for the both of them.

I laughed, I teared up, I called the hero a "d*****bag" at one point...it gave me all the feels and I truly LOVED the ending! I think I just found a new author to follow!
Profile Image for Crystal Yawn.
602 reviews3 followers
August 6, 2015
all around feel good book. it just left me smiling! my first book by Kira Archer I will definitely be looking for more.
The scenario is a little scary (strangers driving up coast together) but we'll done. the banter, nagging and sexual chemistry is alive and wonderful. the play between social classes, opposites attract is very enjoyable.
Cher is fairly likable upper class lady who is afraid to go after what she truly wants and her family doesn't. this makes me able to sympathize with her and her struggle to make her way.
Oz is a working class very lovable guy with a humorous personality that takes things very lightly but lives his family fiercely. you can't help but root for good things to happen with him.

I would love to read Elliott's story, I'm thinking he'd be a great, fun hero
Profile Image for Shelly.
Author 24 books23 followers
August 17, 2015
This book was hilarious. I loved the banter between the main characters. This book is about following your dreams and being with the person who makes you happy. Oz or Nathaniel is a blue collar guy working 3 jobs to help support his sister and nephew. Cherice comes from a wealthy family but wants to help others but her mother has other plans for her. When a storm grounds a plane they both needed to be on, it turns out to be a road trip that will leave them wanting more. This is a fun read definitely an absolute must read.
Profile Image for Stacee.
3,036 reviews758 followers
December 13, 2015
I loved the premise of this: 2 seemingly opposite people stuck in a car? Yes. Sign me up.

Cher and Oz are more similar than they first think and it was fun seeing them try to figure everything out. Yes it's a bit predictable, yes it's a little clichéd, but it was a quick and cute read with a satisfying ending.

**Huge thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
Profile Image for Shawnie.
763 reviews52 followers
March 26, 2016
This is a fun and silly road trip romance. It's a great weekend read. I'll definitely read more in this series.
Profile Image for Gökçe.
Author 4 books73 followers
June 23, 2016
2.5/5

Bir ara güzelleşti dedim ama sonu o kadar havada, o kadar acele bitti ki. Anlatım da ilgi çekici değildi. Hava sıcak olmasa ve telefonda kitap seçerken buna tıklamış olmasam ookumazdım
Profile Image for Rachel-RN.
2,424 reviews29 followers
August 12, 2019
Cherice set the wrong time on her clock and is late to the airport for her flight to her sister's wedding. Making it more of a problem is her mom is a bitch and thinks Cher is a failure. Then her flight is cancelled due to the weather (it wouldn't have made a difference anyway since the doors were closed). It turns out Oz is in the same position. He has an interview in New York for his dream job. He gets the last rental car and since he is a nice guy, offers to share said car with Cher since they both are going to NYC.
I ended up giving this a 3 which is my average rating. There were several things that aggravated me (both Oz and Cher are judgmental as hell and make quick assumptions, Cher has NO backbone when it comes to her mom/family). But, at the end things worked out- if a little to quickly. I would have liked to read more about Cher taking ownership of her life and standing up to her mother. I did like the epilogue but would have liked to know how much time has passed (a year? 2 years?).
Ripped Bodice Bingo: roadtrip
28 reviews
August 17, 2015
Kira Archer did a great job hooking me in from start to finish. I expected a light hearted romance and this book delivered that and so much more! I love a quick wit and these characters certainly delivered. Sometimes, you just wanted to reach in the book and smack one or both of them!!
Cherice Debusshere is the black sheep from a well to do New York family trying to make it on her own as a “personal shopper”. Nathaniel “Oz” Oserkowski is a blue collar worker from North Carolina that is trying to make ends meet to support his sister and nephew.
Cher is always disappointing her mother in some small way and in the opening scene she sets her alarm for pm instead of am and is running late for her flight back home in New York to her sister’s wedding. Oz is also checking in for the same flight for his dream job interview; a job that would replace 2 of the 3 jobs he currently works to support himself, sister, and nephew. While they are checking in, a major storm was brewing and canceling flights, by a stroke of luck Oz is able to secure the last rental car. Cher has a fear of driving and with no flights in the near future, takes a chance and accepts a ride with the stranger whom she thinks is married. The ensuing car ride is filled with witty banter, sexual tension, hopes, dreams, some more sexual tension, misunderstandings, and overall laugh out loud situations.
Profile Image for Danielle.
1,339 reviews51 followers
August 5, 2015
This book started out a little slow but once Cher and Oz start on the road trip from hell it picks up and because a cute lighthearted read.

These two couldn't be more different and it shows from the trip from NC to the big apple. Cher's family comes from money and although she is a personal shopper she is the black sheep in her family. Oz on the other had has his fair share of struggles. He is helping support his sister and her son. He is hoping to get the job of his dreams but due to the weather Char and Oz have to share the car to get to there destination.

Many things tend to go wrong on this trip and while everything is happening they both are fighting there attraction but for different reasons. Char thinks he is married and Oz thinks she is stuck up. But once these two get together it's all fireworks.

Normally I like longer books but this book was just at the right length. Since this book was basically about there road trip I thought the romance and the getting to know each other happened in a reasonable time. It wasn't rushed and it was full of the unexpected.

If you love books when opposites attract and things can go wrong due to the weather this is the book for you. It's a cute fast paced read.
Profile Image for Jaime Fiction Fangirls.
1,664 reviews153 followers
August 15, 2015
4.5 Stars
This story was cute and fun and exactly the type of easy reading I was looking for on this lazy Friday night.

I love a good story with two people from opposite sides of the tracks who fall for each other, even though the likelihood that they will actually work out is pretty low. The fact that they are basically strangers stuck in a car for 12 plus hours with nothing in common besides an undeniable sexual attraction to each other makes the story that much more interesting, and hot. Did I mention how hot this story is?

I had no trouble falling for Oz from the first moment he's introduced. He's just your everyday regular kind of guy who works hard and loves his family harder. Oh, and he's a super hot dirty talker, that doesn't hurt either.

Cherice was likable but she did have a tendency to come off the wrong way. I'm glad we got alternating POV's or it might not have been clear that she was more misunderstood than snooty and spoiled. Her family, outside of Elliot, was awful and I hated them.

I suppose this story was a bit predictable but I still ate up every second of it. I definitely recommend this one to anyone who is looking for a quick, easy, and sexy read.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for ☆Angel☆.
441 reviews38 followers
August 18, 2015
ARC provided by Entangled Publishing through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

3.5 Stars

Driving Her Crazy puts me in mind of those rom coms with Drew Barrymore. It just has a laid-back kind of feel to it. It's a storyline similar to ones we've seen before. Two strangers are forced to travel together in order to reach their destinations on time because the weather has grounded their flights. Oz is working three jobs just to help support his sister and nephew. Cherise comes from a rich family, but she dropped out of college, therefore, she is a disappointment to her parents.

The road trip aspect was something that I enjoyed while reading this book, I'm a fan of road trips myself so I understand why Oz needed to stop and take pictures at each state sign they passed.

The first half of the book had a couple of cutesy moments, but the second half was much better. I loved the little dance scene they had when their car got stuck in the mud, that was my favorite part.

If you're looking for a romantic and flirty contemporary story, this is it.
824 reviews9 followers
August 17, 2015
OMG I so loved this story! It was like girl from the 'right side of town' plows into 'boy from wrong side of tracks'! There was humor, sparks, heat, rain, drama, love, mud, and lots more. Cher was raised to always do what was expected of her and to always worry about what people think. Even though she moves away from her family, these lessons stay with her. She is forced to go home for her sister's wedding and even though she has put it off until the last minute she knows she has no choice. Well, storms interfere and she meets 'Oz' who she believes is a married father, but even so, she can't help feel something electric around him. When they are forced to share a car to get to their destinations they both learn things about the other that draw them together even though their worlds are so far apart. Oz brings out the person Cher wants to be. Their road trip is definitely one that will have you smiling and laughing. Their chemistry is undeniable. Oz helps Cher stand up for herself and what she wants out of life and Cher helps Oz learn to trust and love.
741 reviews10 followers
August 17, 2015
Ok, this is my first Kira Archer read, and I am dying to get my hands on more of her books!! Driving Her Crazy drew me in from the beginning, with an alarm mishap, cancelled flights, and rides with a sexy stranger. And let's not forget the sparks flying between Cherice and Nathaniel (or Cher and Oz, depending on which character you were talking to :) ). I loved that these 2 couldn't seem to stand each other throughout the book. It made the build up to their relationship so much better :). I loved that Oz was like any other guy, and when he finds something that annoys someone, he makes sure to push their buttons with it. Cherice was definitely a prim and proper lady, with a hidden down and dirty side. I loved how the characters seemed to grow throughout the story, and finally stood up to go after what they wanted. I highly recommend Driving Her Crazy to anyone looking for a phenomenal read (just make sure you give yourself enough time to finish in one sitting, because you aren't going to want to put it down once you start!)
Profile Image for Dísir.
1,743 reviews188 followers
August 13, 2016
Cute and entertaining read about an impromptu road trip to hell with strangers who are thrown together (and couldn't be more different) when a flight to New York is cancelled. Not too sure about the instant-love connection even if the chemistry between Oz and Cher is obviously evident.

Oz was an arse for quite a bit of the book, but I certainly understood the well-articulated pressures faced by Cher. The ending was rather abrupt and the epilogue merely hints at what had happened in the intervening years when I would have liked to know more how Oz and Cher got on.

Nonetheless, a light-hearted read that for a lazy afternoon.

*ARC by netgalley*
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
8,982 reviews173 followers
August 13, 2015
Driving Her Crazy is unexpected treat. Of course it's unrealistic but that what makes it so intriguing. Cher and Nathaniel are as mismatched as you can get. She's rich, he's not. She's classy, he's rough around the edges. Forced together due to circumstance these two are about to discover that life is full of surprises. Kira Archer has written an engagingly humorous story full of irony and feeling. Driving Her Crazy was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review and I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews162 followers
July 27, 2015
Our girl can be a tad bit prickly, “since I do not have balls, I guess you’ll be waiting a long time. And will you please stop calling me Cher. My name is Cherice.” Nothing wrong with ogling your man and getting caught, “you’re welcome to stay if you want,” he said, his hands drifting to the button of his jeans. He popped it open and Cherice snapped out of it." This book was fun and a good read.
Profile Image for Nae.
749 reviews
November 11, 2020
2.5 stars

1) The premise of the plot line is cute & a good idea, but insta-love in 13 hours, especially with all the misunderstandings the main characters had about each other is a definite no-go.

2) Cherise has a really giving side to her that obviously keeps her from being a spoiled brat, but the way she reacts to a lot of things is pretty ridiculous and out of touch with reality. Like, honestly, who in this day and age doesn’t know you can’t travel with liquids on airlines, she’s all “can’t you make an exception for me” lady, have you ever traveled anywhere in your life? At 24 years old, both her fear of driving & how much she lets her parents control her life are super annoying. I know that’s the character development the author is going for - this character finding her own strength and freedom - but it’s hard to feel a connection with a character who comes across as so immature. Also, she really does make some snobbish comments towards Oz, although...

3) Oz is way too concerned about their class difference and let’s himself jump to some *eyeroll* conclusions at times.
Profile Image for Michelle Incognito.
80 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2019
I usually enjoy a fun road trip misadventure, unfortunately this wasn't it. I didn't like either of the MCs. Cher is stuck up, rude, klutzy and in need of a backbone. Oz wasn't much better personality-wise. I suppose the author meant for Oz to be the charming, down-to-earth, nice guy who melts the ice princess to reveal her heart of gold. The problem is humble Oz isn't all that likeable. He's judgemental and a real pest towards Cher. They clash a lot! Too much. Their travel conversations consist of arguing about careers, arguing about names and arguing about life choices(or the lack thereof). I felt like I was stuck in the car with them. It was exhausting listening to their dialogue and inner monologue. Cher eventually has her "aha!" moment 93% into the book, which felt way too late for me to start caring about her.
Profile Image for Kathy Temean.
1,604 reviews42 followers
May 27, 2023
This book is so much fun. I loved it all, except it left out a ton of story. What happened after the left the wedding. How did they pay the bills. How did Cher get along with his family? Did Cher's family disown her? Maybe this will be revealed in Kissing Her Crazy, which is waiting for me to read.

Also, I don't know what airport they flew out of, I was assuming Charlotte Airport in North Carolina. They leave NC and drive through Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania to get to Montauk NY. To someone who lives on the East coast, this seems ridiculous, since they could have driven out of North Carolina, through Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey to the Long Island expressway. It's a little thing that bothered me.
145 reviews
March 16, 2019
This is the second Kira Archer book I tried (couldn't finish this one) and similarly to the first - I didn't enjoy it. There's nothing specific I can pinpoint. The personal conflicts of both MCs seemed superfluous to me and became quite annoying the more these conflicts seemed to repeat. And while I love that there's a good amount of dialogue, the inner monologues are still too repetitive and long (exhausting the reader) and don't provide much depth to the characters.
What I also find tedious is how she seems to take a plot line that is seemingly lighthearted and yet strip it of almost all levity and humor.
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