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Turbocharged
Kaitlyn Driver needs to convince her dad that the wrench-wielding daughter he has is just as good as the son he lost. What better way to do it than by winning the Atlantic Coast Big Rig Pulling Series? But when her step-mom gets sick, Kaitlyn must set aside her big plans so she can run the company and take care of her step-brothers. Then, rumors start to fly, and the garage and her reputation are in danger of being torn apart.
After an accident, IT specialist Nate Gordon is forced to share a garage with the tough, yet tender, Kaitlyn Driver. Suddenly Nate's knee-deep in boys and baby bottles, trucks and turbos, but he's fascinated with the blue-eyed beauty who can handle a big rig the way most girls run their curling irons.
Kaitlyn is intrigued by Nate, but she isn't sure if Nate will stick around or believe the rumors. When her dad's drivers start quitting, Nate could be the only one who can save their company. Can she learn to depend on someone besides herself?
After an accident, IT specialist Nate Gordon is forced to share a garage with the tough, yet tender, Kaitlyn Driver. Suddenly Nate's knee-deep in boys and baby bottles, trucks and turbos, but he's fascinated with the blue-eyed beauty who can handle a big rig the way most girls run their curling irons.
Kaitlyn is intrigued by Nate, but she isn't sure if Nate will stick around or believe the rumors. When her dad's drivers start quitting, Nate could be the only one who can save their company. Can she learn to depend on someone besides herself?
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 6, 2019
Awesome book!
A woman trying to find her place in the world and a place in her dad's heart.
A man trying to leave the world he'd been a part of while trying not to be like his dad.
The two meet when Kaitlyn runs her truck into the corner of the shop Nate was overseeing while the owner was on vacation.
These two seemed to be the opposite of what the other needed, but each filled a spot in the other's life that they didn't know needed filled.
Really good book!
A woman trying to find her place in the world and a place in her dad's heart.
A man trying to leave the world he'd been a part of while trying not to be like his dad.
The two meet when Kaitlyn runs her truck into the corner of the shop Nate was overseeing while the owner was on vacation.
These two seemed to be the opposite of what the other needed, but each filled a spot in the other's life that they didn't know needed filled.
Really good book!
September 6, 2019
Nate grew up in an abusive household and he’s got some tendencies that he’s terrified will prove him to end up being just like his father. To keep his anger managed, he is a champion fighter. He believes he needs a woman in his life who is meek and gentle, who won’t stir up his anger and turn him fully into the Incredible Hulk. But when he meets Kaitlin, she’s the opposite of what he’s looking for: she’s fiesty and fiery. He’s a virgin and she’s been around the block. They absolutely should never have a relationship, but they are both drawn to each other and, when they start to fall in love, what can they do to stop their feelings and move on to better love matches?
Definitely a very original storyline, which I have come to expect from this author. Readers may be turned off as they start to read but things are not as they seem so stick with it and truths will begin to unravel. This is a romance with Christian values so readers should keep this in mind. I would rate it PG-13 and suited to a more mature audience. I highly recommend this book.
Definitely a very original storyline, which I have come to expect from this author. Readers may be turned off as they start to read but things are not as they seem so stick with it and truths will begin to unravel. This is a romance with Christian values so readers should keep this in mind. I would rate it PG-13 and suited to a more mature audience. I highly recommend this book.
June 7, 2019
Kaitlyn is a truck mechanic determined to show her father that she is as good of a mechanic as any man and that she can run the family business. Her relationship with her father has been strained since the death of her brother in accident for which she is sure he blames her. Her father’s second marriage and two half brothers she barely knows have put further distance between them. Nate is in town to run his brother-in-law’s business for a month. On his first day in town, he witnesses Kaitlyn’s accident that involves driving a semi truck through the back of the truck repair shop Nate is supposed to run. After Kaitlyn’s dad offers the use of his own truck repair shop to Nate while repairs are being made to the damaged building, Nate once again comes in contact with the woman he knows he should avoid. He is far to attracted to the headstrong, bold mechanic who he is afraid could wake the beast he fears lies within his soul. When a family emergency leaves Kaitlyn looking after the family business as well as her two much younger half-brothers, Nate finds himself quietly helping her out with the boys. Both Kaitlyn and Nate have demons from the past to confront and overcome, but somehow the time they spend together helps to soothe something in their souls. Each insight into each other’s psyche, and the manner in which they deal with whatever life throws at them, strengthens their attractions. She can’t get over his tender care of the young boys, and he can’t help but admire he fortitude in the face of the family crisis that is drawing to a horrible conclusion. The revelations of their somewhat sordid pasts and their innermost fears could bring them closer together or tear them apart. Read this emotional and gripping book to discover how their story concludes. The characters easily draw the reader into their story and bring out every ounce of empathy as they struggle to cope with one criss after. This book belongs on the keeper list.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 14, 2019
(4.5 stars) - fighting fire with fire, or at least some potent smoldering
Kaitlyn is a fun heroine, despite her tragic background. She's not the stereotypical tomboy so much as she's just take-it-or-leave-it comfortable with what she likes & what she knows.
Nate is a swoony, clark kent kind of hero. It is so touching watching him jump in to help Kaitlyn when her world is falling apart, even though she's a bit witchy to him initially.
They don't seem like they would fit well together, but under trial they find they actually make a pretty good team. And influence each other for the better. Nate slowly teaches Kaitlyn not to judge people based on appearances; and Kaitlyn teaches Nate to stop doing it to himself in return.
It's not perfect. Clint's a bit too obvious & his actions/talk needed stronger support. Nate gives something to Kaitlyn that I didn't think he would have & she makes a decision that ignores what Nate had told her about it. Kaitlyn's fear of losing her independence swung back to complicate the plot at a point where it seemed to me to have already been previously addressed.
But I loved the little boys & how they all came together into a family forged by shared needs met with selfless love. It was so sweet without being glurge-y. Definitely happiness inducing, and that warm heart glow is my primary reason for reading romance. 😊
*Clean romance level: passionate kisses,
(heroine has a bad reputation for having slept around in the past, including allegedly with a married man, some men make leering & suggestive comments. Nothing worse than a PG rating, though)
Kaitlyn is a fun heroine, despite her tragic background. She's not the stereotypical tomboy so much as she's just take-it-or-leave-it comfortable with what she likes & what she knows.
Nate is a swoony, clark kent kind of hero. It is so touching watching him jump in to help Kaitlyn when her world is falling apart, even though she's a bit witchy to him initially.
They don't seem like they would fit well together, but under trial they find they actually make a pretty good team. And influence each other for the better. Nate slowly teaches Kaitlyn not to judge people based on appearances; and Kaitlyn teaches Nate to stop doing it to himself in return.
It's not perfect. Clint's a bit too obvious & his actions/talk needed stronger support. Nate gives something to Kaitlyn that I didn't think he would have & she makes a decision that ignores what Nate had told her about it. Kaitlyn's fear of losing her independence swung back to complicate the plot at a point where it seemed to me to have already been previously addressed.
But I loved the little boys & how they all came together into a family forged by shared needs met with selfless love. It was so sweet without being glurge-y. Definitely happiness inducing, and that warm heart glow is my primary reason for reading romance. 😊
*Clean romance level: passionate kisses,
(heroine has a bad reputation for having slept around in the past, including allegedly with a married man, some men make leering & suggestive comments. Nothing worse than a PG rating, though)
June 20, 2019
This is a very emotional story on so many different levels. It will touch your heart at times. Kaitlyn is a mechanic who is struggling for her father's love after her brother, Kyle died several years ago. Jessie also lost her mother and she now has a stepmother and two little brothers that she really does not know. Kaitlyn is trying to turn things around and not be the person she has been known to be.
Nathan, is a professional fighter that is afraid he is just like his abusive father. I liked that he learned he is not like his father and that is not how others see him either. It was interesting to watch how he changed his appearance when he went to help out his sister and brother-in-law.
I liked the lessons that this story taught such as appearances can be deceiving and people might not be who they seem to be in spite of what people may think. I also liked that the story gave the message of forgiving yourself for past mistakes.
Kaitlyn and Nate are so good for each other. I was amazed at what they had each been through and what was yet for them to go through as the story progressed. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Nathan, is a professional fighter that is afraid he is just like his abusive father. I liked that he learned he is not like his father and that is not how others see him either. It was interesting to watch how he changed his appearance when he went to help out his sister and brother-in-law.
I liked the lessons that this story taught such as appearances can be deceiving and people might not be who they seem to be in spite of what people may think. I also liked that the story gave the message of forgiving yourself for past mistakes.
Kaitlyn and Nate are so good for each other. I was amazed at what they had each been through and what was yet for them to go through as the story progressed. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
January 17, 2020
Turbocharged was an amazing read! I LOVED getting to know Kaitlyn and Nate, as well as watching them slowly fall for each other (slow-burn romance). The odds were high against them, and neither of them had it easy: her having to care for her stepbrothers as well as the family business while having the whole town talking behind her back, and him with his secret life and haunting past. Still, I think part of this story's charm was seeing them grow because of these challenges, as well as start working together to solve them. Seriously, I loved pretty much everything about this book, and know that I've found my next one-click author. My only "complaint" would be that if this was meant to be a Christian Fiction book, it threaded too lightly on the Christian part (yes, there's talk about church, but I think that's pretty much it. All their life changes as well as their wisdom come from personal experience and/or relying on someone else instead of God).
All in all, the writing is excellent, the romance is sweet (only kisses), and it'll have you feeling every emotion the characters go through, as well as (maybe ;) ) have you longing for a Nate of your own.
All in all, the writing is excellent, the romance is sweet (only kisses), and it'll have you feeling every emotion the characters go through, as well as (maybe ;) ) have you longing for a Nate of your own.
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June 8, 2019Nate and Kate (Kaitlyn). Opposites attract. Both have been wounded in their upbringing. Both have reacted differently. Kaitlyn reacted with wild abandon giving her body away freely in an unsuccessful effort to feel loved. Nate was home schooled and reacted with caution informed by faith in order to avoid becoming violent like his alcoholic father. They both have secrets. They are very attracted to one another but agree that the other is not their "type". They are working together for a several weeks and have time to observe and try to understand what makes the other one tick. I loved this story as layer upon layer these characters steadily became more and more fleshed out and relatable. Their story is one you don't want to miss! Even though I received an ARC it was not fluffed up yet with proper formatting and although I've already had the opportunity to read it, I will still purchase a copy of this book for my library. It was that good! I hope it becomes book one is a series--maybe about Nate's siblings. Highly recommend!
June 16, 2019
Kaitlyn and Nate were both hurting in different ways. Kaitlyn blames herself for her brother’s death and she punishes herself by allowing men to use her. Nate grew up with an abusive alcoholic father and he’s afraid to turn out like him so he doesn’t drink nor date. They end up working together when she drives a rig into his brother-in-law’s shop trying to avoid cows in the road. She puts up a tough front on the outside working as a mechanic in her father’s shop, but her hard shell starts cracking after her stepmother ends up in a hospital battling cancer and she ends up taking care of her young brothers. It’s funny how much she doesn’t know much about babies and small children, but Nate does being from a family of nine kids. She thinks he could never be her type because he dresses in loose professional looking clothes. The more she leans on him she starts to see how dependable and caring he is, but with her shameful past maybe she’s not good enough for him. Dusty and Clint were nasty selfish characters. I liked Linda whose had to deal with a lot in her life.
June 18, 2019
I love a passionate romance as much as the next one but what really touches me are the ones where the author can achieve all the feels in a clean read. At a time when so many authors have decided that sex sells this author and many like her have chosen to keep it clean. I love her characters and their battle. For Kaitlyn who had always had to do more and strive to be the best but also felt she had fallen short in too many ways to count.She had to do it on her own, hide her survivors guilt and fight for her fathers approval along with dealing with rumors and vicious attacks from her peers. Nate never felt like he was any better than the father all compared him to, the same one who abused them all. These two not only fight their personal demons but are drawn together by circumstances to each other and their hea. With open minds and hearts calling out to each other they see each other in a different light and bring about to each other the peace the didn't think they deserved. Awesome read.
June 9, 2019
You can’t build a future on the past...
Nathan Gordon is trading his life as a professional fighter for a peaceful life in the woods, hopefully as a family man with a passive, gentle wife that will not fuel the combativeness he inherited from his father.
Kaitlyn is not at all the type of woman Nate is looking for. She is an independent, feisty, grease-covered mechanic who would undoubtedly create the type of relationship conflicts that Nate must avoid if he does not want to become his father. Kaitlyn has her own issues, including never being good enough to replace her dead brother in her father’s eyes. Working harder, being better – it is never enough to make up for all the mistakes she has made.
This is a well-written, clean romance. The characters are likable and I enjoyed reading it. It will make you laugh and cry as you read it.
Nathan Gordon is trading his life as a professional fighter for a peaceful life in the woods, hopefully as a family man with a passive, gentle wife that will not fuel the combativeness he inherited from his father.
Kaitlyn is not at all the type of woman Nate is looking for. She is an independent, feisty, grease-covered mechanic who would undoubtedly create the type of relationship conflicts that Nate must avoid if he does not want to become his father. Kaitlyn has her own issues, including never being good enough to replace her dead brother in her father’s eyes. Working harder, being better – it is never enough to make up for all the mistakes she has made.
This is a well-written, clean romance. The characters are likable and I enjoyed reading it. It will make you laugh and cry as you read it.
June 8, 2019
It's fun, funny & flirty and they both have big hearts. Two people who are perfect for each other. Neither one fit into a typical mold but both are limited by lies. Not their lies but still the sticky webs trap and limit them.
Do you think they are not your type of people? Stick around a while & you will see caring people who you will enjoy getting to know.
Another unique & original story line that has pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. Nate has several siblings...I'm hoping I will get the chance to know them in future books.
I am privileged to have an advance copy & believe that you will enjoy this story.
Do you think they are not your type of people? Stick around a while & you will see caring people who you will enjoy getting to know.
Another unique & original story line that has pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. Nate has several siblings...I'm hoping I will get the chance to know them in future books.
I am privileged to have an advance copy & believe that you will enjoy this story.
June 14, 2019
“Let me be strong for you now. Someday, it’ll be me who needs your strength. … I cover your weakness with strength. And you cover mine.”
Page after page I found myself glued to the perfectly penned words and enigmatic characters. Turbocharged is a must read story, emotional and thought-provoking!
“Sometimes a man looks confident and capable, but the reason he seems that way is because he’s got a good woman beside him, holding him up.” Is it true? Read the story to find out!
I received an ARC of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions in this review are my own.
Page after page I found myself glued to the perfectly penned words and enigmatic characters. Turbocharged is a must read story, emotional and thought-provoking!
“Sometimes a man looks confident and capable, but the reason he seems that way is because he’s got a good woman beside him, holding him up.” Is it true? Read the story to find out!
I received an ARC of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions in this review are my own.
June 14, 2019
A sweet romance about a woman who loves trucks - fixing them, servicing them and competing in pulls with them. She has a "history" and doesn't have friends in town. She meets a man who appears to be her complete opposite. He is good with kids and seems to be a wimp. Both have secrets. Both are immensely attracted to each other but know that they shouldn't be.
Complicating things are serious family issues and their expectations of what a good love match would be for themselves.
Jessie Gussman has done it again with a fun to read story.
Complicating things are serious family issues and their expectations of what a good love match would be for themselves.
Jessie Gussman has done it again with a fun to read story.
June 21, 2019
A beautiful emotional and inspiring romance. This engaging storyline was addicting, fun, with obstacles, twist and turns, love and happiness. The characters are wounded opposites with their own insecurities, heartbreak, and secrets that together make each other better. Their attraction and denial while working together was a great slow burning to an amazing story. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC.
June 25, 2019
A truly heart-wrenching and emotional romance, this is a wonderful story that had tears pouring down my cheeks. It is a powerful one of two people who both have regrets about their pasts and want to be better in the future. It also shows that true strength doesn't mean that you can stand on your own, but that coming together with another means sharing the good and the bad and that two are stronger together.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy.
September 19, 2021
I just finished this book written by Jessie Gussman and all I can say is wow! The characters were so believable and down to earth while the storyline contained so many heart wrenching moments. Kate always felt that her father didn’t love her, especially after her brother died. Nate was always told that he was just like his father, who unfortunately beat his wife and children, especially when he was drinking. This story just grabbed my heart , but was so thrilled that there was a HEA!
June 11, 2019
Turbocharged is another awesome romance from Jessie Gussman. I really liked the characters of Kaitlyn and Nathan. Kaitlyn's brother Bobby was also fun. These are two wounded people trying to do better. Turbocharges is a very emotional, inspiring, fun story that I could not put down! You do not want to miss this book.
June 6, 2019
I really enjoyed reading Turbocharged. The book is full of emotion, love, family and so much more. The characters are incredible. They are detailed and so full of depth that they come to life on the pages. Their strength and conflict as their learn to work together and love is so powerful.
June 8, 2019
I had an ARC copy of this book. I enjoyed reading the book…the characters are real and memorable. The twists and turns in the book keep your interest the whole way through. I enjoy reading about people in real life situations and seeing how they handle their problems. Good work Jessie!
June 12, 2019
Perceptions... not only our perception of ourselves and of others, but what we think others see in us vs what they actually see... and God's grace and redemption are all themes brought up in this not-so-simple little romance story.
May 12, 2020
Wow. This was a great book filled with passion and spirit and fiery personalities. The characters were amazing with comprehensive backstories and they both had a lot to work through. This book covered a lot of issues that people face In Life and it handled them well. It was an incredible book.
June 9, 2019
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this story of two people trying to become better versions of themselves in a world that makes it very hard to do so.
I really enjoyed this story of two people trying to become better versions of themselves in a world that makes it very hard to do so.
June 14, 2019
This is an extremely powerful and moving story, not just about their love story but about what leads her to this point.
It will have you giggling and have you crying. But oh it will be so worth it. The heartache that Kaitlyn goes through is just heartbreaking but she just keeps getting back up and soldiering on. But Nate completes her and loves her for who she is, which in the end is all she ever wanted. To feel loved and special
I received this as an arc and I am giving my honest review voluntarily
It will have you giggling and have you crying. But oh it will be so worth it. The heartache that Kaitlyn goes through is just heartbreaking but she just keeps getting back up and soldiering on. But Nate completes her and loves her for who she is, which in the end is all she ever wanted. To feel loved and special
I received this as an arc and I am giving my honest review voluntarily
August 7, 2019
Another great book by Jessie Gussman. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. These two went through a lot to come together and find happiness.
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