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From the bestselling author of The Ravenhood Trilogy comes a angsty, steamy journey filled with love, loss, and self discovery.
Thirty years ago, my father became the other half of a broken love story.
A relationship he’s kept hidden for decades.
Upon unearthing his secret through a series of emails in our paper’s archives, I began my search for the truth. Haunted by my father’s love story, and in my quest for answers, I never imagined I would discover a love of my own. Or that my love for Easton Crowne would be key in discovering the reason behind what split our parents up.
Doomed from the start and knowing the havoc our relationship would inevitably wreak on our families, I could never have prepared for the toll it would take or the cost of the truth.
But in order to find our ending, we had to go back to their beginning.
My name is Natalie Butler, and this is my star-crossed love story.
The Bittersweet Symphony Duet
#1 Drive
#2 Reverse
#2.5 Bittersweet Melody (A Bittersweet Novella)
*Both books in the duet must be read in order.
Thirty years ago, my father became the other half of a broken love story.
A relationship he’s kept hidden for decades.
Upon unearthing his secret through a series of emails in our paper’s archives, I began my search for the truth. Haunted by my father’s love story, and in my quest for answers, I never imagined I would discover a love of my own. Or that my love for Easton Crowne would be key in discovering the reason behind what split our parents up.
Doomed from the start and knowing the havoc our relationship would inevitably wreak on our families, I could never have prepared for the toll it would take or the cost of the truth.
But in order to find our ending, we had to go back to their beginning.
My name is Natalie Butler, and this is my star-crossed love story.
The Bittersweet Symphony Duet
#1 Drive
#2 Reverse
#2.5 Bittersweet Melody (A Bittersweet Novella)
*Both books in the duet must be read in order.
622 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2022
2561 people are currently reading
26025 people want to read
About the author
Kate Stewart
50 books26k followersNew York Times, USA Today, Amazon Charts, and Internationally bestselling author Kate Stewart, a Texas native, lives in North Carolina with her husband, Nick. Nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance, as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense.
The Ravenhood Trilogy, consisting of Flock, Exodus, and The Finish Line, as well as the spinoff series, Ravenhood Legacy, have become NYT, USA Today, and International bestsellers as well as TikTok sensations. The Ravenhood was recently acquired for film adaptation with Kate set to co-write the script, as well as executive produce, which will kickstart her lifelong dream of becoming a filmmaker.
Amongst Kate’s other bestselling works, The Bittersweet Symphony Duet, specifically Drive, was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for best contemporary romance of 2017. Stewart’s works have been featured in USA Today, BuzzFeed, The New York Daily News, Huffington Post, Glamour Magazine, and translated into over twenty languages.
More info: https://geni.us/katestewartbooks
The Ravenhood Trilogy, consisting of Flock, Exodus, and The Finish Line, as well as the spinoff series, Ravenhood Legacy, have become NYT, USA Today, and International bestsellers as well as TikTok sensations. The Ravenhood was recently acquired for film adaptation with Kate set to co-write the script, as well as executive produce, which will kickstart her lifelong dream of becoming a filmmaker.
Amongst Kate’s other bestselling works, The Bittersweet Symphony Duet, specifically Drive, was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for best contemporary romance of 2017. Stewart’s works have been featured in USA Today, BuzzFeed, The New York Daily News, Huffington Post, Glamour Magazine, and translated into over twenty languages.
More info: https://geni.us/katestewartbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,692 reviews
October 20, 2023
5+ stars
This is the absolute BEST thing I've read this year. Reverse is everything I want in a book. All the angst, emotion, steam, and romance. It was absolutely perfect for me.
If you’ve read Drive, you know all about the Crownes and Butlers. If you haven’t read Drive, I encourage you to stop reading this review and pick up that epic book. Reverse is a second generation book and trust me when I say it will mean everything to those of us that have read and loved Drive
Natalie is a journalist, like father like daughter… and Easton is on the verge of something huge. He’s got even more talent than his father if you can believe it. They both are on a path the greatness, but taking that path together comes with so many challenges and difficulties.
When I tell you this book will put you through the ringer, boy do I mean it. It was one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read with a hero that’s unparalleled. But the angst. When I tell you I cried over this angst, I mean it. I was so upset it brought me to tears. But those are the best books. The ones that truly make you feel. This story brought out all of those feels for me.
Kate's writing is mesmerizing and this story captivated me all the way through. It was a long book, but it didn't feel long. Easton Crowne is everything and soooo romantic. I couldn’t love this book more if I tried. It’s such a special story to me and I know I’ll be re-reading it for years to come. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this one!
“Their story doesn’t change the significance of ours.”
This is the absolute BEST thing I've read this year. Reverse is everything I want in a book. All the angst, emotion, steam, and romance. It was absolutely perfect for me.
If you’ve read Drive, you know all about the Crownes and Butlers. If you haven’t read Drive, I encourage you to stop reading this review and pick up that epic book. Reverse is a second generation book and trust me when I say it will mean everything to those of us that have read and loved Drive
“You’re a media princess.” Her eyes narrow. “And you’re rock royalty. We both have legacies to try and live up to.”Natalie Butler and Easton Crowne meet in an interesting way. It starts with some emails, then an interview of sorts. They become friends but there is so much more there. Neither one of them have ever met another person that makes their soul sing like this. They are meant to be, fated. But it’s complicated with their families history.
I want to cling to his star as it burns the brightest- if only to be with him for a little longer. If what Easton said is true, and we live in echoes of defining moments, I want to remain in this one for as long as I possibly can.
Natalie is a journalist, like father like daughter… and Easton is on the verge of something huge. He’s got even more talent than his father if you can believe it. They both are on a path the greatness, but taking that path together comes with so many challenges and difficulties.
When I tell you this book will put you through the ringer, boy do I mean it. It was one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read with a hero that’s unparalleled. But the angst. When I tell you I cried over this angst, I mean it. I was so upset it brought me to tears. But those are the best books. The ones that truly make you feel. This story brought out all of those feels for me.
Kate's writing is mesmerizing and this story captivated me all the way through. It was a long book, but it didn't feel long. Easton Crowne is everything and soooo romantic. I couldn’t love this book more if I tried. It’s such a special story to me and I know I’ll be re-reading it for years to come. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this one!
In this universe, only we exist.
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July 17, 2022💜 🎵 🎼🎶 ℕ𝕆𝕎 𝔸𝕍𝔸𝕀𝕃𝔸𝔹𝕃𝔼🎶 🎼 🎵 💜
𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 by USA Today Bestselling author Kate Stewart is LIVE! This is a steamy, star-crossed lovers, rockstar romance with all the feels!
#FREE to read in #KindleUnlimited Find the 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 duet here: mybook.to/ksbittersweetduet
Grab book #1 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄 here: mybook.to/KSDrive
Grab book #2 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 here: mybook.to/ksreverse
"𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝘽𝙀𝙎𝙏 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧. 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙨𝙩, 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙆𝙖𝙩𝙚'𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝." - 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙮, 𝘽𝘽𝙐 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝘽𝙡𝙤𝙜
Blurb:
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨, 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲.
A relationship he’s kept hidden for decades.
Upon unearthing his secret through a series of emails in our paper’s archives, I began my search for the truth. Haunted by my father’s love story, and in my quest for answers, I never imagined I would discover a love of my own. Or that my love for Easton Crowne would be key in discovering the reason behind what split our parents up.
Doomed from the start and knowing the havoc our relationship would inevitably wreak on our families, I could never have prepared for the toll it would take or the cost of the truth.
But in order to find our ending, we had to go back to their beginning.
𝐌𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫-𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲.
💙💜 🎵 🎼🎶 🎼 🎵 💜 💙
Watch the 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 trailer here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdcYYm52/?k=1
Trailer produced by Bookshelf Productions
“The Dance” cover and permission granted by Fist of Five
Written by: Tony Arata See less
𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 by USA Today Bestselling author Kate Stewart is LIVE! This is a steamy, star-crossed lovers, rockstar romance with all the feels!
#FREE to read in #KindleUnlimited Find the 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 duet here: mybook.to/ksbittersweetduet
Grab book #1 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄 here: mybook.to/KSDrive
Grab book #2 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 here: mybook.to/ksreverse
"𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝘽𝙀𝙎𝙏 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧. 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙨𝙩, 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙆𝙖𝙩𝙚'𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝." - 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙮, 𝘽𝘽𝙐 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝘽𝙡𝙤𝙜
Blurb:
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨, 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲.
A relationship he’s kept hidden for decades.
Upon unearthing his secret through a series of emails in our paper’s archives, I began my search for the truth. Haunted by my father’s love story, and in my quest for answers, I never imagined I would discover a love of my own. Or that my love for Easton Crowne would be key in discovering the reason behind what split our parents up.
Doomed from the start and knowing the havoc our relationship would inevitably wreak on our families, I could never have prepared for the toll it would take or the cost of the truth.
But in order to find our ending, we had to go back to their beginning.
𝐌𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫-𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲.
💙💜 🎵 🎼🎶 🎼 🎵 💜 💙
Watch the 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 trailer here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdcYYm52/?k=1
Trailer produced by Bookshelf Productions
“The Dance” cover and permission granted by Fist of Five
Written by: Tony Arata See less
July 29, 2025
Reread update: still 5 stars. I love this duet and all of these characters so much.
My God.
This book made me feel things.
I can’t even describe how much I loved it. Drive has a special place in my heart, but this one I loved almost just as much.
Kate Stewart has such a way with words. She builds you up just to destroy your heart then piece it back together.
Read. This. Book.
My God.
This book made me feel things.
I can’t even describe how much I loved it. Drive has a special place in my heart, but this one I loved almost just as much.
Kate Stewart has such a way with words. She builds you up just to destroy your heart then piece it back together.
Read. This. Book.
July 11, 2022
Reverse is a rockstar romance and one hell of a love story.
It isn’t a continuation of Drive. Reverse is about the second generation of the main characters Stella, Reid and Nate. Their children. It’s a long book but didn’t felt like it. I was swept away and inhaled this book.
Natalie and Easton became my obsession. They’re so much like their parents and again they shine so bright on their own.
Meeting Easton changes everything for Natalie. She goes to see him because of unanswered questions which only leads to her meeting a man that evokes emotions she’s never encountered before and the same goes for Easton. One strong unbreakable connection is formed along with a friendship.
The consequences of meeting Easton is what makes Natalie not pursuing more but he’s not one to admit defeat, to just let go and move on.
I fell head over heels for Easton. So honest and vocal about who is and what he wants. A gifted prodigy when it comes to music. His wants is music and Natalie.
Natalie is one talented journalist and has her father to thank for that. Her relationship with Nate is truly some special and the bond these two share shows she’s daddy’s girl. Both equally stubborn.
She doesn’t compromise when it comes to her work and it’s something that shines through.
The connection Easton and Natalie formed gave me all the tingles and goosebumps. Out of this world amazing and all consuming chemistry. I couldn’t put Reverse down. I was completely and utterly obsessed. Easton Crowne! What a hero he is. He’s so certain that Natalie is the woman for him and doesn’t give up. He absolutely wooed me from start to finish.
The consequences of their secret love and deceit was heartbreaking. Kate Stewart executed in portraying that hurt beautifully and authentically. It broke me. Reverse is a rockstar romance with the right amount of steam and angst. It was the perfect emotional roller coaster.
Reverse is a layered story and not just because of Natalie and Easton. This story is so much more. It isn’t just one love story. No it’s multiples and to merge all these characters into one story is quite a feat but Stewart has nailed it to perfection. If you have been looking for answers since finishing Drive you’ll get them and so much more.
What Stewart has accomplished with Reverse is nothing less than spectacular.
5+ Supernova Stars
*Beta Read*
It isn’t a continuation of Drive. Reverse is about the second generation of the main characters Stella, Reid and Nate. Their children. It’s a long book but didn’t felt like it. I was swept away and inhaled this book.
Natalie and Easton became my obsession. They’re so much like their parents and again they shine so bright on their own.
Meeting Easton changes everything for Natalie. She goes to see him because of unanswered questions which only leads to her meeting a man that evokes emotions she’s never encountered before and the same goes for Easton. One strong unbreakable connection is formed along with a friendship.
The consequences of meeting Easton is what makes Natalie not pursuing more but he’s not one to admit defeat, to just let go and move on.
I fell head over heels for Easton. So honest and vocal about who is and what he wants. A gifted prodigy when it comes to music. His wants is music and Natalie.
Natalie is one talented journalist and has her father to thank for that. Her relationship with Nate is truly some special and the bond these two share shows she’s daddy’s girl. Both equally stubborn.
She doesn’t compromise when it comes to her work and it’s something that shines through.
The connection Easton and Natalie formed gave me all the tingles and goosebumps. Out of this world amazing and all consuming chemistry. I couldn’t put Reverse down. I was completely and utterly obsessed. Easton Crowne! What a hero he is. He’s so certain that Natalie is the woman for him and doesn’t give up. He absolutely wooed me from start to finish.
The consequences of their secret love and deceit was heartbreaking. Kate Stewart executed in portraying that hurt beautifully and authentically. It broke me. Reverse is a rockstar romance with the right amount of steam and angst. It was the perfect emotional roller coaster.
Reverse is a layered story and not just because of Natalie and Easton. This story is so much more. It isn’t just one love story. No it’s multiples and to merge all these characters into one story is quite a feat but Stewart has nailed it to perfection. If you have been looking for answers since finishing Drive you’ll get them and so much more.
What Stewart has accomplished with Reverse is nothing less than spectacular.
5+ Supernova Stars
*Beta Read*
July 15, 2022
I JUST FINISHED THIS MEGAFUCKING BRILLIANT FORBIDDEN STAR CROSSED LOVE STORY. I'M DEAD TIRED. STAYED UP ALL NIGHT READING. I'M SLEEP DEPRIVED. EMOTIONALLY SPENT. AND HAPPY AND SAD AT THE SAME MOTHERFUCKING TIME BECAUSE I LOVED THIS FUCKINGGG BOOK SO MUCH AND THIS MAN IS ONE OF MY ABSOLUTE WITHOUT A DOUBT MOST FAVE BOOK BOYFRIEND EVER!
HOW THE F DO I MOVE ON?!?!?! HOW HOW HOW?!?!
**beta read**
FULL REVIEW TO COME!
HOW THE F DO I MOVE ON?!?!?! HOW HOW HOW?!?!
**beta read**
FULL REVIEW TO COME!
October 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — WOW. Just… WOW. 😭💔🔥
Okay, so I loved Drive, but the one thing I always wished for was Reid’s POV. So when I found out who the main characters were in Reverse, I’m not gonna lie—I got the ick a little and felt kind of disappointed. But OMG… I could not have been more wrong. This book completely blew me away.
Even though Reverse follows different characters, it ties beautifully back into Drive and adds so much more context to Stella’s choices and the relationships that shaped her. It made me understand her choices in such a deeper way, and I truly wasn’t expecting that.
When I finished, my first thought was, “WOW, Kate did it again.” This book had some of the most beautiful and memorable moments, and the musical tie-ins were absolutely on point. I was an emotional wreck at parts, and I completely fell for Easton Crowne. Revisiting some of my favorite characters ever was just icing on the cake.
The second half of this book was absolutely unputdownable—I was glued to the pages, fully invested, and emotionally wrecked (in the best possible way). While I didn’t agree with all of Natalie and Easton’s choices—especially Natalie’s—it only made them feel more real. Their messy decisions, confusion, and heartbreak all felt so authentic to young love and the struggle of figuring out who you are. By the end, I found myself cutting them some slack for their younger years, because their flaws made them feel so beautifully, painfully human.
Kate Stewart just has this unmatched talent for writing the most angsty second-chance romances, and the freaking yearning gives me actual butterflies. The love, the heartbreak, the soul-stealing drama—it’s all there. Another very hot rockstar romance slaying again 💘
If you loved Drive, you need to read this. It’s emotional, raw, and absolutely unforgettable.
✨ “He is my supernova.” 💫
Okay, so I loved Drive, but the one thing I always wished for was Reid’s POV. So when I found out who the main characters were in Reverse, I’m not gonna lie—I got the ick a little and felt kind of disappointed. But OMG… I could not have been more wrong. This book completely blew me away.
Even though Reverse follows different characters, it ties beautifully back into Drive and adds so much more context to Stella’s choices and the relationships that shaped her. It made me understand her choices in such a deeper way, and I truly wasn’t expecting that.
When I finished, my first thought was, “WOW, Kate did it again.” This book had some of the most beautiful and memorable moments, and the musical tie-ins were absolutely on point. I was an emotional wreck at parts, and I completely fell for Easton Crowne. Revisiting some of my favorite characters ever was just icing on the cake.
The second half of this book was absolutely unputdownable—I was glued to the pages, fully invested, and emotionally wrecked (in the best possible way). While I didn’t agree with all of Natalie and Easton’s choices—especially Natalie’s—it only made them feel more real. Their messy decisions, confusion, and heartbreak all felt so authentic to young love and the struggle of figuring out who you are. By the end, I found myself cutting them some slack for their younger years, because their flaws made them feel so beautifully, painfully human.
Kate Stewart just has this unmatched talent for writing the most angsty second-chance romances, and the freaking yearning gives me actual butterflies. The love, the heartbreak, the soul-stealing drama—it’s all there. Another very hot rockstar romance slaying again 💘
If you loved Drive, you need to read this. It’s emotional, raw, and absolutely unforgettable.
✨ “He is my supernova.” 💫
July 23, 2022
Brilliantly written, poignantly factual & dreadfully honest, it will shake you to your core.
A doomed love story if there was one and who else to write it than Queen Of Angst - Kate Stewart.
I can't review this book cause it has Destroyed Me!
I can't give it any stars cause There aren't enough in the universe!!
I can't praise it enough cause I can't move on from the experience
I can't Recommend it enough cause I haven't yet let go!
That's my review. Right there!
I thought 6 years and a Drive down were enough to lessen the pain..
But I was wrong!!
Love is pouring out of my soul for the perfect lover called Easton Crowne.
He's mine. Mine to keep.
Kate you've ruined me for other authors!!
READ THIS BOOK NOW!!
Clarity. Insight . Remorse
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
A doomed love story if there was one and who else to write it than Queen Of Angst - Kate Stewart.
I can't review this book cause it has Destroyed Me!
I can't give it any stars cause There aren't enough in the universe!!
I can't praise it enough cause I can't move on from the experience
I can't Recommend it enough cause I haven't yet let go!
That's my review. Right there!
I thought 6 years and a Drive down were enough to lessen the pain..
But I was wrong!!
Love is pouring out of my soul for the perfect lover called Easton Crowne.
He's mine. Mine to keep.
Kate you've ruined me for other authors!!
READ THIS BOOK NOW!!
Clarity. Insight . Remorse
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
Read
August 22, 2022it's not that life's too short, it's that i simply have too many books i have to read this year. and this is neither a "have to" or a "really really want to add to my tbr cause it's keeping me captivated." maybe one day.
September 22, 2022
I wish I could reverse the fact that I read this book.
i-m-a-quitter
July 21, 2022Unpopular opinion ahead I am sure, but this one's just not doing it for me.
Time of death - 32% - Chapter 33.
I loved book one - Drive. I also just read it last week. Not sure if that's why I am not loving this one as much or what? Obviously they are somewhat similar and connected.
It's just not holding my attention like Drive did. And I started skimming by around 20-25%.
Thoughts so far:
(1) This book is way too long. In the first 30% the inner monologue's have been so repetitive.
(2) I just don't get Natalie's fixation on her dad and Stella's relationship. And why she can't just ask him about it. They're close. Supposedly.
(3) I also don't get why it's such a big deal for her and Easton to be together. Sure, it might be awkward at first but it's been 30 years. If anyone can understand surely they could.
(4) I just don't really care for Natalie as a heroine. I didn't find her very likable thus far which is going to make it hard for me to root for her and her relationship with Easton.
At 800 pages long I am not going to push. I obviously know where the angst is going to be created. And I can just picture Natalie the martyr now and how frustrating it will be.
I know a lot of people will like this one but this is my two cents. You win some, you lose some!
Too Many Books Too Little Time....
Time of death - 32% - Chapter 33.
I loved book one - Drive. I also just read it last week. Not sure if that's why I am not loving this one as much or what? Obviously they are somewhat similar and connected.
It's just not holding my attention like Drive did. And I started skimming by around 20-25%.
Thoughts so far:
(1) This book is way too long. In the first 30% the inner monologue's have been so repetitive.
(2) I just don't get Natalie's fixation on her dad and Stella's relationship. And why she can't just ask him about it. They're close. Supposedly.
(3) I also don't get why it's such a big deal for her and Easton to be together. Sure, it might be awkward at first but it's been 30 years. If anyone can understand surely they could.
(4) I just don't really care for Natalie as a heroine. I didn't find her very likable thus far which is going to make it hard for me to root for her and her relationship with Easton.
At 800 pages long I am not going to push. I obviously know where the angst is going to be created. And I can just picture Natalie the martyr now and how frustrating it will be.
I know a lot of people will like this one but this is my two cents. You win some, you lose some!
Too Many Books Too Little Time....
July 25, 2022
4 STARS
If you follow my reviews then you already know my undying love for all things Kate Stewart. I live for her words and I devour everything the woman writes. I don't even need a blurb to know I'll be desperate for it. But as much as I loved all her books, outside of Ravenhood there's one other book of hers that always stayed with me and that was Drive. That book was so much more than a romance. It was an experience of music and a love years in the making. It's been years since I read and I still find myself thinking about it. So when I saw that she'll be writing another book in this world? Well, suffice it to say I was chomping at the bit to read it.
Now trust me when I tell you, you do not want to read this book without first having read Drive.
This romance is star crossed lovers gold. It's a story of fate and how life has a funny way of working out in the most interesting of ways at times. And it's a story of a man who I will simp over until the day I die. Because Easton was EVERYTHING. ALL THE THINGS>
Now as much as I loved parts of this book, I have to admit I found myself skimming a great deal of it. It took me days to finish, when usually I binge on Kate's books in one sitting. This one felt a bit...too long. There was too much internal monologue and there was too much details in parts. I felt like it could have easily shaved 30% off and not suffered for it.
My other quibble with the story was Natalie. As much as I simped for Easton, Natalie was up and down for me. She frustrated me to no end in parts, and in others my heart hurt for her. The romance was beautifully crafted and enrapturing. It was also up and down, frustrating, and enraging in parts. You want these two to get their shit together so bad, and it seems like life conspires against them but for different reasons. While I wanted Natalie to fight for Easton, it just didn't feel that way at the end. It was painful to watch how things went down and the secondhand embarrassment was real.
But even all that aside, I still loved this book. I loved how the music was interwoven into the chapters. I loved how fate twists and turns and ultimately brings them together. I loved getting more Nate. And I fell hard and fast for Easton. If you're looking for a unique romance full of feels, look no further.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
I can’t fall for you, Easton,” she whispers hoarsely. “I’ll lose everything I’ve worked for…my whole life is in Austin, my future.”
“You’re already mine,” I declare, knowing that’s the truth for us both.
If you follow my reviews then you already know my undying love for all things Kate Stewart. I live for her words and I devour everything the woman writes. I don't even need a blurb to know I'll be desperate for it. But as much as I loved all her books, outside of Ravenhood there's one other book of hers that always stayed with me and that was Drive. That book was so much more than a romance. It was an experience of music and a love years in the making. It's been years since I read and I still find myself thinking about it. So when I saw that she'll be writing another book in this world? Well, suffice it to say I was chomping at the bit to read it.
Now trust me when I tell you, you do not want to read this book without first having read Drive.
This romance is star crossed lovers gold. It's a story of fate and how life has a funny way of working out in the most interesting of ways at times. And it's a story of a man who I will simp over until the day I die. Because Easton was EVERYTHING. ALL THE THINGS>
Now as much as I loved parts of this book, I have to admit I found myself skimming a great deal of it. It took me days to finish, when usually I binge on Kate's books in one sitting. This one felt a bit...too long. There was too much internal monologue and there was too much details in parts. I felt like it could have easily shaved 30% off and not suffered for it.
My other quibble with the story was Natalie. As much as I simped for Easton, Natalie was up and down for me. She frustrated me to no end in parts, and in others my heart hurt for her. The romance was beautifully crafted and enrapturing. It was also up and down, frustrating, and enraging in parts. You want these two to get their shit together so bad, and it seems like life conspires against them but for different reasons. While I wanted Natalie to fight for Easton, it just didn't feel that way at the end. It was painful to watch how things went down and the secondhand embarrassment was real.
But even all that aside, I still loved this book. I loved how the music was interwoven into the chapters. I loved how fate twists and turns and ultimately brings them together. I loved getting more Nate. And I fell hard and fast for Easton. If you're looking for a unique romance full of feels, look no further.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
September 10, 2025
* * * SPOILER FREE REVIEW * * *
REVIEW: Off the charts emotional damage...
"Their story doesn't change the significance of ours."
A few years ago, I picked up a book titled DRIVE. I had never read Kate Stewart, and I was super leery at the time trying new authors - but this one proved to be a win in more ways than one. Not only did I find a triangle that had me physically feeling the words (my favorite kind), but I found an author that I was willing to follow blindly into any circumstance she doled out. And boy, did I hit the jackpot! She knew how to obliterate my heart - but she did it with grace and poise. She has since written so many of my favorite books that have topped many of my charts. This one will sit amongst the highest on my favorites shelf.
I. CRIED. Ok? I cried!!! I rarely get to say that, but every now and then I get lucky enough to find a book that pushes my emotional boundaries and gives me something to feel and think about, and this book was just that. It's no secret I love her writing. Stewart is such a heavy writer and one that pushes me every single time I read her. I also love that she makes me work for the answers that I am seeking while reading. With a little "read between the lines" writing and a whole lot of LOVE to sift through, she never lets me down when it comes to the characters, their defining moment, their love, and their meaning. So, needless to say - this one hit me square in the jaw. Took me down.
This book is also the exact reason why I love a rockstar romances. Artists always have a deeper, more meaningful connection when it comes to the very definition of true love. So the roller coaster of emotions is never foreign and always welcome and Easton and Natalie have a romance worthy of the pages of this book...but I want to watch it in on the big screen. This one will be melting hearts for a long while. Someone, anyone - please make this happen.
"Every time I look at him, my insides light fire, and I am every bit a moth to his flame."
I've been asked multiple times if reading DRIVE is necessary in order to read this book and while I can confidently say no - I have to pull back and reiterate that it is INTEGRAL to reading, understanding, and feeling Reverse in the manner in which it was meant to be enjoyed. The baseline for the emotions that are already swirling. The understanding of why this whole situation is forbidden. The reality behind the ending of this book is encased in the beginning of the entire story: DRIVE. Go read it, and then jump into REVERSE. So while I can easily say that Kate Stewart is an all encompassing writer and she does a great job filling in the blanks, I feel like you would do yourself a huge, massive, ginormous disservice to go into this one without reading Drive first because it quite honestly begins there. In order to experience this emotional rollercoaster in all its glory, I feel like it's my duty to SUGGEST HEAVILY that you read the first book. Also, as a fellow reading friend - why have you not read it already?? I feel like I may have failed you...
After going through everything they did in this book, I questioned a few things - merely because they affected me in a way that made it more personal. There were plenty of times that I questioned why Natalie was not throwing up or not physically ill seeing what was going on. If I am sitting on the outside looking in while reading her story, and it was affecting me physically? I have no clue how it did not affect her. I’m asking myself this constantly. Stewart's words are masterfully used in a way to elicit the utmost pain imaginable. I am fairly positive she revels in that knowledge, too. But, if there’s one thing I know, it's that she personally lives, eats, breathes her stories because you can feel how emotionally invested she is every time you read one. My heart is always put through the wringer every time – and this one is no exception. This one, I had to crawl on my hands and knees out of a dark, emotional place to accept how it all went down, but for entirely different reasons than you would be used to from me. Pure brilliance.
I know I have mentioned 1001 times how much I loathe with every particle of my being the “miscommunication” between lovers - and for the record, I’m not saying this is what happens, only that I loathe miscommunication in a romance book because it never comes with the right emotions or a valid reason. BUT, when the reasons and the...validity? reality? collide, that’s when the whirlwind of anxiety ramps up and gives me that pang of terror that has me clinging to my kindle while I read. The anger, the vitriol, the pain - I didn’t want to have to understand it but I understood every single minute of it and why it had to happen. Not because the story needed it, but because of the personal growth that needed to happen. I could understand the stubbornness and the truth behind it. I didn’t want to accept it - hell, I refused to accept it, but it was very much so a reality. So yeah, maybe I clenched a bit. Maybe. But, I loved it the entire time I wasn’t breathing right.
With that, I loved how many people had Easton’s back. I also loved how many people had Nat’s back. But what I loved more than anything else was knowing a slice of humble pie will never taste as good as it should. As a reader, I reveled in that....it sure caught me up in a smile or two.
It's official: I’m a glutton for punishment. I continually, willingly, and happily give my heart over to Stewart and she inevitably has her evil, twisted, and oh-so-amazing way with it. My heart is in shambles. The pain is palpable in this book. The hurt is heartbreaking. The anger is soul-crushing. The reality is...truth. There's nothing I love more than a love worth fighting for, a story that embodies the pain and emotion in real life drama - all without the BS. This one has it in spades. It's angering. It's heartbreaking. It's soul-crushing. But it's REAL.
This book is not meant to be safe. It's meant to be emotional, harrowing, heartbreaking....you're supposed to feel it.
The depth. The emotions. The quality storytelling. It's all there...no order, just all there. I was emotionally connected on every level to ALL the characters in this duet and I feel like I left a part of me within the pages of this book. I will forever hold them near and dear to my heart. So, to reiterate: GO. READ. DRIVE. And then pick up Reverse and continue the love story that will live with you for quite some afterwards. Easily, happily, most definitely a 6 star, "best of the year" read for me. I highly recommend this duet and I cannot wait to have this signed on my favorites shelf.
"We can't apologize for loving each other, or we'll give others the power to condemn us."
~BEE
PURCHASE: https://amzn.to/3ctcLC9
(Affiliate link)
ENTER HERE TO WIN SIGNED PAPERBACK, A TEE - OR AN ECOPY: https://bit.ly/3RSmDFK
REVIEW: Off the charts emotional damage...
"Their story doesn't change the significance of ours."
A few years ago, I picked up a book titled DRIVE. I had never read Kate Stewart, and I was super leery at the time trying new authors - but this one proved to be a win in more ways than one. Not only did I find a triangle that had me physically feeling the words (my favorite kind), but I found an author that I was willing to follow blindly into any circumstance she doled out. And boy, did I hit the jackpot! She knew how to obliterate my heart - but she did it with grace and poise. She has since written so many of my favorite books that have topped many of my charts. This one will sit amongst the highest on my favorites shelf.
I. CRIED. Ok? I cried!!! I rarely get to say that, but every now and then I get lucky enough to find a book that pushes my emotional boundaries and gives me something to feel and think about, and this book was just that. It's no secret I love her writing. Stewart is such a heavy writer and one that pushes me every single time I read her. I also love that she makes me work for the answers that I am seeking while reading. With a little "read between the lines" writing and a whole lot of LOVE to sift through, she never lets me down when it comes to the characters, their defining moment, their love, and their meaning. So, needless to say - this one hit me square in the jaw. Took me down.
This book is also the exact reason why I love a rockstar romances. Artists always have a deeper, more meaningful connection when it comes to the very definition of true love. So the roller coaster of emotions is never foreign and always welcome and Easton and Natalie have a romance worthy of the pages of this book...but I want to watch it in on the big screen. This one will be melting hearts for a long while. Someone, anyone - please make this happen.
"Every time I look at him, my insides light fire, and I am every bit a moth to his flame."
I've been asked multiple times if reading DRIVE is necessary in order to read this book and while I can confidently say no - I have to pull back and reiterate that it is INTEGRAL to reading, understanding, and feeling Reverse in the manner in which it was meant to be enjoyed. The baseline for the emotions that are already swirling. The understanding of why this whole situation is forbidden. The reality behind the ending of this book is encased in the beginning of the entire story: DRIVE. Go read it, and then jump into REVERSE. So while I can easily say that Kate Stewart is an all encompassing writer and she does a great job filling in the blanks, I feel like you would do yourself a huge, massive, ginormous disservice to go into this one without reading Drive first because it quite honestly begins there. In order to experience this emotional rollercoaster in all its glory, I feel like it's my duty to SUGGEST HEAVILY that you read the first book. Also, as a fellow reading friend - why have you not read it already?? I feel like I may have failed you...
After going through everything they did in this book, I questioned a few things - merely because they affected me in a way that made it more personal. There were plenty of times that I questioned why Natalie was not throwing up or not physically ill seeing what was going on. If I am sitting on the outside looking in while reading her story, and it was affecting me physically? I have no clue how it did not affect her. I’m asking myself this constantly. Stewart's words are masterfully used in a way to elicit the utmost pain imaginable. I am fairly positive she revels in that knowledge, too. But, if there’s one thing I know, it's that she personally lives, eats, breathes her stories because you can feel how emotionally invested she is every time you read one. My heart is always put through the wringer every time – and this one is no exception. This one, I had to crawl on my hands and knees out of a dark, emotional place to accept how it all went down, but for entirely different reasons than you would be used to from me. Pure brilliance.
I know I have mentioned 1001 times how much I loathe with every particle of my being the “miscommunication” between lovers - and for the record, I’m not saying this is what happens, only that I loathe miscommunication in a romance book because it never comes with the right emotions or a valid reason. BUT, when the reasons and the...validity? reality? collide, that’s when the whirlwind of anxiety ramps up and gives me that pang of terror that has me clinging to my kindle while I read. The anger, the vitriol, the pain - I didn’t want to have to understand it but I understood every single minute of it and why it had to happen. Not because the story needed it, but because of the personal growth that needed to happen. I could understand the stubbornness and the truth behind it. I didn’t want to accept it - hell, I refused to accept it, but it was very much so a reality. So yeah, maybe I clenched a bit. Maybe. But, I loved it the entire time I wasn’t breathing right.
With that, I loved how many people had Easton’s back. I also loved how many people had Nat’s back. But what I loved more than anything else was knowing a slice of humble pie will never taste as good as it should. As a reader, I reveled in that....it sure caught me up in a smile or two.
It's official: I’m a glutton for punishment. I continually, willingly, and happily give my heart over to Stewart and she inevitably has her evil, twisted, and oh-so-amazing way with it. My heart is in shambles. The pain is palpable in this book. The hurt is heartbreaking. The anger is soul-crushing. The reality is...truth. There's nothing I love more than a love worth fighting for, a story that embodies the pain and emotion in real life drama - all without the BS. This one has it in spades. It's angering. It's heartbreaking. It's soul-crushing. But it's REAL.
This book is not meant to be safe. It's meant to be emotional, harrowing, heartbreaking....you're supposed to feel it.
The depth. The emotions. The quality storytelling. It's all there...no order, just all there. I was emotionally connected on every level to ALL the characters in this duet and I feel like I left a part of me within the pages of this book. I will forever hold them near and dear to my heart. So, to reiterate: GO. READ. DRIVE. And then pick up Reverse and continue the love story that will live with you for quite some afterwards. Easily, happily, most definitely a 6 star, "best of the year" read for me. I highly recommend this duet and I cannot wait to have this signed on my favorites shelf.
"We can't apologize for loving each other, or we'll give others the power to condemn us."
~BEE
PURCHASE: https://amzn.to/3ctcLC9
(Affiliate link)
ENTER HERE TO WIN SIGNED PAPERBACK, A TEE - OR AN ECOPY: https://bit.ly/3RSmDFK
August 14, 2022
OMFG I am screaming!!! The best book that I've read in this year... FTCL 🥰
***I received an ARC*** 🥰🥰🥰
***ARC provided by Wordsmith Publicity.
------------------
Drive (1st book of this series) is one of my favorites and I'm dying to read this one too. Thank God we won't wait too long. :)
Expected publication: July 19th 2022
***I received an ARC*** 🥰🥰🥰
***ARC provided by Wordsmith Publicity.
------------------
Drive (1st book of this series) is one of my favorites and I'm dying to read this one too. Thank God we won't wait too long. :)
Expected publication: July 19th 2022
November 10, 2025
OH MY FUCKING GOD WHAT A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS THIS BOOK IS !!!!!!!!!!
AGAIN THE SONGS ……. Omg ! Instantly THERE with them !!!!!
Tell me why I started this book tearing up about NATE of all the fucking people ? 😂😂😂😂 Gee what a way to start…… since I finished Drive and immediately started Reverse, I was attacked with an avalanche of emotions right from the beginning. My heart was still raw from Drive and reading some of the emails between Stella and Nate made me emotional as fuck.
I can’t believe we have here the kids of Stella and Nate now falling in love ❤️❤️❤️ it’s kismet and it’s beautiful. The road of their love story is painful and way too similar to their parents, an more times than I can count I was FRUSTRATED with one of them, sometimes Nathalie and sometimes Easton, a lot times with both of them and not to exclude anyone I was also frustrated with Stella, Nate, Reid and Nathalie’s mom even though she was the coolest one! I think the ONLY person I wasn’t frustrated with was Joe 😂😂 he was great !
Nathalie was the one making my frustration bigger more than Easton because she did put them on hold and didn’t fight for him as ferociously as he did for her, but I did understand her since she couldn’t hurt her father’s heart (Nate) once again with the same family… I do understand that part and I get that she put too much faith in the fact that Easton would BE THERE and not push her to choose. And he was till he wasn’t …. It was her fault, I know. But I also got angry at him for not trying to be more patient, he was a bluntly honest man and extremely inpatient. Yes he waited but he did pressure her to do the impossible after 6 weeks only and she couldn’t and that’s again on her. So you see how it’s a here and there situation? So yes I hated that she didn’t fight for him but I also hated that he didn’t have more faith in her. The time they spent apart was brutal but SHE REMAINED FAITHFUL and he didn’t !!! So then in this case FUCK him for having a girlfriend and none the less a girlfriend Nathalie saw many pictures in the media talking about them together when they were only friends but she didn’t know so she suffered double.
The whole Mexico “coincidental” trip made me want to pull my hair out and scream like a dramatic baby. It was a long long road to happiness but I am glad we got there almost unscathed 😅 I would read a book about Bengi and the daughter of the guitar player of the Sargents …. I forgot her the name 😂😂😂 BUT AGAIN for the love of God NEVER will I read a book about Lexi and Ben, my heart isn’t strong enough for that !
AGAIN THE SONGS ……. Omg ! Instantly THERE with them !!!!!
Tell me why I started this book tearing up about NATE of all the fucking people ? 😂😂😂😂 Gee what a way to start…… since I finished Drive and immediately started Reverse, I was attacked with an avalanche of emotions right from the beginning. My heart was still raw from Drive and reading some of the emails between Stella and Nate made me emotional as fuck.
I can’t believe we have here the kids of Stella and Nate now falling in love ❤️❤️❤️ it’s kismet and it’s beautiful. The road of their love story is painful and way too similar to their parents, an more times than I can count I was FRUSTRATED with one of them, sometimes Nathalie and sometimes Easton, a lot times with both of them and not to exclude anyone I was also frustrated with Stella, Nate, Reid and Nathalie’s mom even though she was the coolest one! I think the ONLY person I wasn’t frustrated with was Joe 😂😂 he was great !
Nathalie was the one making my frustration bigger more than Easton because she did put them on hold and didn’t fight for him as ferociously as he did for her, but I did understand her since she couldn’t hurt her father’s heart (Nate) once again with the same family… I do understand that part and I get that she put too much faith in the fact that Easton would BE THERE and not push her to choose. And he was till he wasn’t …. It was her fault, I know. But I also got angry at him for not trying to be more patient, he was a bluntly honest man and extremely inpatient. Yes he waited but he did pressure her to do the impossible after 6 weeks only and she couldn’t and that’s again on her. So you see how it’s a here and there situation? So yes I hated that she didn’t fight for him but I also hated that he didn’t have more faith in her. The time they spent apart was brutal but SHE REMAINED FAITHFUL and he didn’t !!! So then in this case FUCK him for having a girlfriend and none the less a girlfriend Nathalie saw many pictures in the media talking about them together when they were only friends but she didn’t know so she suffered double.
The whole Mexico “coincidental” trip made me want to pull my hair out and scream like a dramatic baby. It was a long long road to happiness but I am glad we got there almost unscathed 😅 I would read a book about Bengi and the daughter of the guitar player of the Sargents …. I forgot her the name 😂😂😂 BUT AGAIN for the love of God NEVER will I read a book about Lexi and Ben, my heart isn’t strong enough for that !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2022
***** 5 Stars *****
Kate Stewart wrecked me once again.
She used the same recipe from Drive, and penned Reverse ruthlessly, readers' hearts be damned!
Reverse is a long book. The story is intense, highly emotional, infuriating and frustrating at times. So many feelings. And did I say it hurt?
My highlights:
🔝 The writing. Oh man, Kate Stewart is good. She's cruel (it's praise) and incredibly talented. It's been a while since I've gotten so attached to fictional characters. The story is finished and yet I can't stop thinking about them, proof of my attachment. It takes skills and a certain bewitching to convince AND hurt a reader as much as this story did. Certainly all down to terrific writing.
🔝Easton Crowne. What was that?!
I wasn't ready for him.
“I grew up in a whirlwind of notes, tuned by melody, shaped by lyrics. My parents’ obsession with music and their love for it was the seed that I stemmed from. There hasn’t been a day of my life where I haven’t been entangled in the purity of some sort of melody, either someone else’s or my own. Music is as necessary for me as the air I breathe.”
I never thought I would love the man Stella and Reid raised so much!
Kate Stewart did an outstanding job creating Easton.
She sought out the best in Stella and Reid's DNA and created him.
🔝The fate/Nate twist at the end.
🔝Seeing all the other characters again, especially Nate.
🔝The music reference at the beginning of each chapter.
What I didn't like much:
⬇️Besides, I couldn't help but feel disappointed because Easton deserved to hear all that with Nat looking him in the eyes, goddammit!
⬇️The last 30% of agony was stretched too much and I wish all the miscommunications were toned down a bit.
But hey, lucky you, I am not an author.
That being said, none of my criticism will impact my rating because although I felt frustrated with that, Kate Stewart made it all very real and convincing, by showing the turmoil in each character's hearts with their distinctive POVs, presenting a shit ton of angst.
2022 has been a difficult year in many ways, affecting my life as a reader, with no focus at all. Therefore, I feel extremely grateful to find a story that consumes me, makes me obsess, ruins me and leaves me swooning and crying.
Hands down one of my top read this year.
Praying for Benji's story now.🙏
Kate Stewart wrecked me once again.
She used the same recipe from Drive, and penned Reverse ruthlessly, readers' hearts be damned!
Reverse is a long book. The story is intense, highly emotional, infuriating and frustrating at times. So many feelings. And did I say it hurt?
My highlights:
🔝 The writing. Oh man, Kate Stewart is good. She's cruel (it's praise) and incredibly talented. It's been a while since I've gotten so attached to fictional characters. The story is finished and yet I can't stop thinking about them, proof of my attachment. It takes skills and a certain bewitching to convince AND hurt a reader as much as this story did. Certainly all down to terrific writing.
🔝Easton Crowne. What was that?!
I wasn't ready for him.
“I grew up in a whirlwind of notes, tuned by melody, shaped by lyrics. My parents’ obsession with music and their love for it was the seed that I stemmed from. There hasn’t been a day of my life where I haven’t been entangled in the purity of some sort of melody, either someone else’s or my own. Music is as necessary for me as the air I breathe.”
I never thought I would love the man Stella and Reid raised so much!
Kate Stewart did an outstanding job creating Easton.
She sought out the best in Stella and Reid's DNA and created him.
🔝The fate/Nate twist at the end.
🔝Seeing all the other characters again, especially Nate.
🔝The music reference at the beginning of each chapter.
What I didn't like much:
⬇️Besides, I couldn't help but feel disappointed because Easton deserved to hear all that with Nat looking him in the eyes, goddammit!
⬇️The last 30% of agony was stretched too much and I wish all the miscommunications were toned down a bit.
But hey, lucky you, I am not an author.
That being said, none of my criticism will impact my rating because although I felt frustrated with that, Kate Stewart made it all very real and convincing, by showing the turmoil in each character's hearts with their distinctive POVs, presenting a shit ton of angst.
2022 has been a difficult year in many ways, affecting my life as a reader, with no focus at all. Therefore, I feel extremely grateful to find a story that consumes me, makes me obsess, ruins me and leaves me swooning and crying.
Hands down one of my top read this year.
Praying for Benji's story now.🙏
July 30, 2022
Book 1 was magic. Book 2 was infuriating.
It was everything I hate about mainstream MF romance books. I hated the heroine and all her martyr bullshit. Every decision she made had me wanting to throw my Kindle. The whole book was filled with contrived dramatic bullshit. I don't want to read a soap opera. I wanted REAL.
The only reason I even kept going was because I did like Easton, and I wanted more of the parents.
It was everything I hate about mainstream MF romance books. I hated the heroine and all her martyr bullshit. Every decision she made had me wanting to throw my Kindle. The whole book was filled with contrived dramatic bullshit. I don't want to read a soap opera. I wanted REAL.
The only reason I even kept going was because I did like Easton, and I wanted more of the parents.
January 26, 2024
Note from the author: If you have not read Drive, I strongly urge you to stop and grab it before proceeding with this story.
Drive: Stella, Reid, and Nate's love triangle story.
Reverse: Natalie and Easton's star-crossed love story. (next generation)
Full disclosure: Maybe I should have marked this as a DNF. See, I was going to DNF at 15% but decided to skip forward to the big revelation when Natalie and Easton's parents (Drive's main characters) find out about their secret relationship. This was at about the 64% mark. I read the rest of the book from that point on. Keep in mind this book is 800 pages. I usually don't rate books I didn't fully read but I feel I read enough in this case. At the very least, I feel I can share my thoughts based on what I did read.
What I didn't like:
✖️ Natalie fixating on her father's relationship with Stella (Drive's heroine). A relationship 30 years in the past. I couldn't understand this obsession. She could have very easily asked Nate about it since they had an amazing father-daughter relationship. I thought it was ridiculous she felt she had to invade her father's privacy by reading his old emails between him and Stella, and while he was feet away from her! It didn't make sense and it felt contrived. I think it would have been better if the author had brought Natalie and Easton together another way without Natalie being creepy.
✖️ At 15% I was bored to death. It was just blah blah this, and blah blah that. Natalie was dull. The story didn't hook me enough to want to continue and I almost DNFed right there and then. But I was curious to see how their parents would handle the relationship which is why I decided to skip forward.
✖️ Why couldn't Natalie and Easton be together anyway? "Newsflash, Natalie. Plenty of people get along with their exes for the sake of their children.” Not in Reverse.
✖️ I didn't connect with Natalie or Easton, or with them as a couple. Their first meeting had me already giving them the side-eye. Their conversations were tedious, and they were predicable.
✖️ All the inner-monologuing! Redundant and only went around in circles.
✖️ Is it bad of me that I wanted Nate to still love Stella? Guilty as charged. This is one of the reasons I avoid reading books with characters who were the love interest in a previous book of a series...I don't want to see how easily they got over the heroine or hero, to see them happily loving someone else. Yeah, I'm evil like that. Another reason is that it's hard for me not to see their new love as second best. In this case, if Kate Stewart wanted to convince us that Nate's wife wasn't second best, then why make Nate react so explosively to Natalie and Easton's affair? The man was devastated and Stella almost had a stroke. It's been 30 freaking years, people. Hadn't they ended things amicably?
“Is this my fucking life, Reid? Is a Crowne man destined to swoop in and take everything that’s precious to me?”
I fucking love that he said that. But Stewart was simultaneously trying to convince us Nate's true love was his wife. 🤔 How very conflicting.
✖️ It really annoys me when a heroine acts like such a loser in front of the hero. At the end, Natalie's behavior made her look pathetic--not brave! Natalie and Easton ran into each other at a beach resort in Mexico and she pitifully fell apart for him...While he was there with his girlfriend.
✖️ This book is almost 800 pages. Honestly, I don't have patience for all this filler. Maybe if I had loved the book, I wouldn't have minded but I didn't love it. I agree with Kate Stewart, music does elevate a story, enhances the experience. But even the kickass music selection couldn't help save this book. Too bad, so sad. Next!
************************************
Why 3 Stars? I don't know WHY 😂 It just feels right. Despite everything I disliked, it doesn't mean I hated it. It just wasn't for me, is all.
✔️ I appreciated how this duet came full circle. Once again the heroine having to choose between a Crowne and Butler man (Oh, the angst!). I thought it was pretty cool even if that kind of contradicts some of what I said in the points above. Sue me.
✔️ I enjoyed the HEA, especially the scenes between Nate and Stella, and Reid and Nate.
✔️ I still love Stella, Reid, and Nate's angsty love story.
Drive: Stella, Reid, and Nate's love triangle story.
Reverse: Natalie and Easton's star-crossed love story. (next generation)
Full disclosure: Maybe I should have marked this as a DNF. See, I was going to DNF at 15% but decided to skip forward to the big revelation when Natalie and Easton's parents (Drive's main characters) find out about their secret relationship. This was at about the 64% mark. I read the rest of the book from that point on. Keep in mind this book is 800 pages. I usually don't rate books I didn't fully read but I feel I read enough in this case. At the very least, I feel I can share my thoughts based on what I did read.
What I didn't like:
✖️ Natalie fixating on her father's relationship with Stella (Drive's heroine). A relationship 30 years in the past. I couldn't understand this obsession. She could have very easily asked Nate about it since they had an amazing father-daughter relationship. I thought it was ridiculous she felt she had to invade her father's privacy by reading his old emails between him and Stella, and while he was feet away from her! It didn't make sense and it felt contrived. I think it would have been better if the author had brought Natalie and Easton together another way without Natalie being creepy.
✖️ At 15% I was bored to death. It was just blah blah this, and blah blah that. Natalie was dull. The story didn't hook me enough to want to continue and I almost DNFed right there and then. But I was curious to see how their parents would handle the relationship which is why I decided to skip forward.
✖️ Why couldn't Natalie and Easton be together anyway? "Newsflash, Natalie. Plenty of people get along with their exes for the sake of their children.” Not in Reverse.
✖️ I didn't connect with Natalie or Easton, or with them as a couple. Their first meeting had me already giving them the side-eye. Their conversations were tedious, and they were predicable.
✖️ All the inner-monologuing! Redundant and only went around in circles.
✖️ Is it bad of me that I wanted Nate to still love Stella? Guilty as charged. This is one of the reasons I avoid reading books with characters who were the love interest in a previous book of a series...I don't want to see how easily they got over the heroine or hero, to see them happily loving someone else. Yeah, I'm evil like that. Another reason is that it's hard for me not to see their new love as second best. In this case, if Kate Stewart wanted to convince us that Nate's wife wasn't second best, then why make Nate react so explosively to Natalie and Easton's affair? The man was devastated and Stella almost had a stroke. It's been 30 freaking years, people. Hadn't they ended things amicably?
“Is this my fucking life, Reid? Is a Crowne man destined to swoop in and take everything that’s precious to me?”
I fucking love that he said that. But Stewart was simultaneously trying to convince us Nate's true love was his wife. 🤔 How very conflicting.
✖️ It really annoys me when a heroine acts like such a loser in front of the hero. At the end, Natalie's behavior made her look pathetic--not brave! Natalie and Easton ran into each other at a beach resort in Mexico and she pitifully fell apart for him...While he was there with his girlfriend.
✖️ This book is almost 800 pages. Honestly, I don't have patience for all this filler. Maybe if I had loved the book, I wouldn't have minded but I didn't love it. I agree with Kate Stewart, music does elevate a story, enhances the experience. But even the kickass music selection couldn't help save this book. Too bad, so sad. Next!
************************************
Why 3 Stars? I don't know WHY 😂 It just feels right. Despite everything I disliked, it doesn't mean I hated it. It just wasn't for me, is all.
✔️ I appreciated how this duet came full circle. Once again the heroine having to choose between a Crowne and Butler man (Oh, the angst!). I thought it was pretty cool even if that kind of contradicts some of what I said in the points above. Sue me.
✔️ I enjoyed the HEA, especially the scenes between Nate and Stella, and Reid and Nate.
✔️ I still love Stella, Reid, and Nate's angsty love story.
July 20, 2022
No part of me wants to share this moment with anyone in any capacity. More than anything, I want to cling to his star as it burns the brightest—if only to be with him for a little longer. If what Easton said is true, and we live in echoes of defining moments, I want to remain in this one for as long as I possibly can.
Kate Stewart, you are simply a genius with words! And I have zero words to describe what I’m feeling right now after reading this book for the good part of three days. This book pretty much put me through the wringer, broke me and put me back together! It’s was just absolutely amazing.
Something about this woman is driving me to the brink of insanity, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened, but all that matters to me right now is how strong this pull is; though foreign, it feels fucking amazing. If I could bottle or needle it, I would inject myself regularly, even as its danger presents itself, and despite her warning, it’s lethal.
I want more.
I want her.
Rarely does a sequel affects me as much as the original, but I have to say that this one is as good, if not better than the first. I’m pretty sure I said this when I read Drive, but this is one of those books that you wish you can read for the first time over and over again.
This is of course a second generation story/ sorta sequel to Drive, and reading Drive is NOT optional, there’s no way to read Reverse without first reading Drive, so if you haven’t read Drive, please stop reading this review and pick it up…I’ll wait.
“I can’t fall for you, Easton,” she whispers hoarsely. “I’ll lose everything I’ve worked for… my whole life is in Austin, my future.”
“You’re already mine,” I declare, knowing that’s the truth for us both.
Alright, I assume if you’re reading this far, then you read Drive. I will still try to keep my review of Reverse as spoiler free as possible. I’m a very emotional reader, and a very very tough critic, some many things just throw me off from books. For me, Drive was THE BOOK. The year it came out, it was hands down my absolute favorite book, and it remains at the top of my All-Time list. Stella, Reid, and Nate’s story was just such an emotional roller coaster ride and just so so good. Like I said in my review, I would’ve been happy if it had gone the other way, I loved both men that much. Drive just spoke my love language, music, and it shook me to my core.
So I won’t lie, even though I’ve been waiting over 5 years (since Kate made that famous post in the Drive group) for this sequel, I was terrified that I wouldn’t like it, let alone love it. Well, all my prayers were answered because Kate delivered ten fold, this was absolutely perfect.
“Intelligent men don’t let life-changing women pass them by without trying to grasp onto them with both hands. I don’t need endless months to figure out you’re that woman for me. I’m not most men, Natalie. I know exactly what I don’t want, and it’s everything outside of that door. What I do want is standing in front of me, and the idea of letting her walk away from me a second time is fucking eating me alive."
So how you can make a book where Nate’s daughter and Stella and Reid’s son fall in love without lots of angst, tears and heartbreak? Well, you can’t! And no one could tell the story as perfectly as Kate because angst and music are her love language, just like mine. So much happens on this book, good, bad, ugly and everything in between. I will tell you that this is definitely a star-crossed, full on forbidden story, due to the nature of the Reid/Stella/Nate relationship, the angst and the animosity, is all there. It was very Romeo and Juliet-esque (but with an HEA of course).
“What in the hell just happened?” He grips my hip with one hand and strokes my face with the other, his eyes injecting me with the truth.
“What’s been happening since the day we met,” he lifts to sit before pressing a long, slow kiss to my lips.
“Welcome to this side of the glass, Beauty.”
I loved both Easton and Natalie so much. And I completely understood and identified with them and their story, that feeling of all consuming love. They’re such amazing characters. The love between Easton and Natalie is absolutely everything. OMG, I was just giddy all the way, it’s like I was experiencing everything right along them. When they were happy, I was happy, went everything went south, I was desperate for them to find their way back to each other, and when they finally get back together, it was just EPIC!
Despite it being the worst twist of fate imaginable, Easton is the man who fills my heart and soul, and with me, he comes first.”
And then there Stella and Reid, and Nate and Addie, absolutely perfect. And of course the love between Natalie and her parents and Easton and his parents. And of course all the amazing side characters like Joel, Benji, Holly and Damon.
Whoever I was before this moment exists no more. Inside, I’m aware I’ll never be her again, the woman who doesn’t know what this kind of love feels like. Whatever I presumed my loves expectations to be feel insignificant for the moment, because his declaration makes me feel immortal.
It’s just hard to describe feelings, but I loved every second of this book. I love books that make me feel, and this one made me feel every single emotion imaginable. I have so many highlighted quotes it’s unhealthy! And let’s not forget the playlist. Like Drive, this book has clickable title headings that link to an epic playlist that just takes the experience to a whole new level. Every song was so perfectly curated and so relevant to what the characters were feeling.
The book is really long, and yet I was left wanting more. I can be in this world, with these characters, forever. And the epilogue, OMG, all I will say is at last, full circle. I absolutely recommend this book (and this duet) with all of my heart. It will not disappoint.
“What took you so fucking long?”
“I’m sorry,” I lick the salt from my lips. “I got lost.”
“But I told you where to find me. I told you I’d be right here where you left me,” he reminds me as I shake in his hold, hope lighting up my being.
“It’s not too late, Beauty,” he murmurs, “and with you, it was never going to be.”
Kate Stewart, you are simply a genius with words! And I have zero words to describe what I’m feeling right now after reading this book for the good part of three days. This book pretty much put me through the wringer, broke me and put me back together! It’s was just absolutely amazing.
Something about this woman is driving me to the brink of insanity, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened, but all that matters to me right now is how strong this pull is; though foreign, it feels fucking amazing. If I could bottle or needle it, I would inject myself regularly, even as its danger presents itself, and despite her warning, it’s lethal.
I want more.
I want her.
Rarely does a sequel affects me as much as the original, but I have to say that this one is as good, if not better than the first. I’m pretty sure I said this when I read Drive, but this is one of those books that you wish you can read for the first time over and over again.
This is of course a second generation story/ sorta sequel to Drive, and reading Drive is NOT optional, there’s no way to read Reverse without first reading Drive, so if you haven’t read Drive, please stop reading this review and pick it up…I’ll wait.
“I can’t fall for you, Easton,” she whispers hoarsely. “I’ll lose everything I’ve worked for… my whole life is in Austin, my future.”
“You’re already mine,” I declare, knowing that’s the truth for us both.
Alright, I assume if you’re reading this far, then you read Drive. I will still try to keep my review of Reverse as spoiler free as possible. I’m a very emotional reader, and a very very tough critic, some many things just throw me off from books. For me, Drive was THE BOOK. The year it came out, it was hands down my absolute favorite book, and it remains at the top of my All-Time list. Stella, Reid, and Nate’s story was just such an emotional roller coaster ride and just so so good. Like I said in my review, I would’ve been happy if it had gone the other way, I loved both men that much. Drive just spoke my love language, music, and it shook me to my core.
So I won’t lie, even though I’ve been waiting over 5 years (since Kate made that famous post in the Drive group) for this sequel, I was terrified that I wouldn’t like it, let alone love it. Well, all my prayers were answered because Kate delivered ten fold, this was absolutely perfect.
“Intelligent men don’t let life-changing women pass them by without trying to grasp onto them with both hands. I don’t need endless months to figure out you’re that woman for me. I’m not most men, Natalie. I know exactly what I don’t want, and it’s everything outside of that door. What I do want is standing in front of me, and the idea of letting her walk away from me a second time is fucking eating me alive."
So how you can make a book where Nate’s daughter and Stella and Reid’s son fall in love without lots of angst, tears and heartbreak? Well, you can’t! And no one could tell the story as perfectly as Kate because angst and music are her love language, just like mine. So much happens on this book, good, bad, ugly and everything in between. I will tell you that this is definitely a star-crossed, full on forbidden story, due to the nature of the Reid/Stella/Nate relationship, the angst and the animosity, is all there. It was very Romeo and Juliet-esque (but with an HEA of course).
“What in the hell just happened?” He grips my hip with one hand and strokes my face with the other, his eyes injecting me with the truth.
“What’s been happening since the day we met,” he lifts to sit before pressing a long, slow kiss to my lips.
“Welcome to this side of the glass, Beauty.”
I loved both Easton and Natalie so much. And I completely understood and identified with them and their story, that feeling of all consuming love. They’re such amazing characters. The love between Easton and Natalie is absolutely everything. OMG, I was just giddy all the way, it’s like I was experiencing everything right along them. When they were happy, I was happy, went everything went south, I was desperate for them to find their way back to each other, and when they finally get back together, it was just EPIC!
Despite it being the worst twist of fate imaginable, Easton is the man who fills my heart and soul, and with me, he comes first.”
And then there Stella and Reid, and Nate and Addie, absolutely perfect. And of course the love between Natalie and her parents and Easton and his parents. And of course all the amazing side characters like Joel, Benji, Holly and Damon.
Whoever I was before this moment exists no more. Inside, I’m aware I’ll never be her again, the woman who doesn’t know what this kind of love feels like. Whatever I presumed my loves expectations to be feel insignificant for the moment, because his declaration makes me feel immortal.
It’s just hard to describe feelings, but I loved every second of this book. I love books that make me feel, and this one made me feel every single emotion imaginable. I have so many highlighted quotes it’s unhealthy! And let’s not forget the playlist. Like Drive, this book has clickable title headings that link to an epic playlist that just takes the experience to a whole new level. Every song was so perfectly curated and so relevant to what the characters were feeling.
The book is really long, and yet I was left wanting more. I can be in this world, with these characters, forever. And the epilogue, OMG, all I will say is at last, full circle. I absolutely recommend this book (and this duet) with all of my heart. It will not disappoint.
“What took you so fucking long?”
“I’m sorry,” I lick the salt from my lips. “I got lost.”
“But I told you where to find me. I told you I’d be right here where you left me,” he reminds me as I shake in his hold, hope lighting up my being.
“It’s not too late, Beauty,” he murmurs, “and with you, it was never going to be.”
March 3, 2025
this book has changed me forever, up there in my top 3 books I have ever read
If you want a GOOD rockstar romance that strays away from the typical tropes, incredible characters, immense yearning and angst then please please read this, I’ve read hundreds of books and there’s few that are as PERFECT as this 🥺💖
If you want a GOOD rockstar romance that strays away from the typical tropes, incredible characters, immense yearning and angst then please please read this, I’ve read hundreds of books and there’s few that are as PERFECT as this 🥺💖
July 24, 2022
I love Kate Stewart, I loved drive, I loved Reid, Nate and Stella but I hated their children in this book.
First of all the book was way too long and Natalie‘s obsession with her dad’s love life is just straight weird. Like you really travelled all the way to Seattle to dig up dirt on your dad‘s ex-lover and the fact that she let her dad control basically everything despite Easton’s best efforts just pissed me off. I basically skipped most of the book. And I’m glad I did because honestly if I had to read the whole thing I would’ve been pissed.
Don’t pick up this book if you don’t want your feelings towards Drive to change. After reading this I honestly feel that drive just didn’t need a second book.
First of all the book was way too long and Natalie‘s obsession with her dad’s love life is just straight weird. Like you really travelled all the way to Seattle to dig up dirt on your dad‘s ex-lover and the fact that she let her dad control basically everything despite Easton’s best efforts just pissed me off. I basically skipped most of the book. And I’m glad I did because honestly if I had to read the whole thing I would’ve been pissed.
Don’t pick up this book if you don’t want your feelings towards Drive to change. After reading this I honestly feel that drive just didn’t need a second book.
July 25, 2022
I just discussed Reverse for the past two hours with my buddy read bestie, and I feel like I've been through a therapy session. 🤣 This book is worth every one of the 5 stars I gave it, because of the emotion it pulled out of me alone.
Reverse is such a beautiful story. It's one of those books that will stay with me for a very long time. I have too many thoughts about it to write a review at the moment without it being pages and pages long, so I'm going to leave it for now until I can condense my feelings into a few paragraphs.
Just know, this duet is going on my list of favorite books of all time.
Reverse is such a beautiful story. It's one of those books that will stay with me for a very long time. I have too many thoughts about it to write a review at the moment without it being pages and pages long, so I'm going to leave it for now until I can condense my feelings into a few paragraphs.
Just know, this duet is going on my list of favorite books of all time.
August 25, 2022
✽ 2 STARS ✽
Unpopular opinion; don't read it if you are a fan of author and you may be offended:
This was totally unnecessary story full of babbling inner monologues, author was carried away zillion times and it was really annoying and tiring.
Don't get me wrong, the author is a master of words and knows how to use the word and create brilliant sentences, but you can feel how this story was forced to be written so that it didn't come from the author's heart like the first book.
This book it tooooo long! It's my first time in "reading career" that I shimmed over 50% of the book. I really forced myself to not DNF it at 15%, than I read up to 20%, than skip to 64% and than skipped to 80% and I read last 20%. It was still too much of bullshit - despite skipping, I didn't notice that I missed anything in the whole story.
I didn't like Natalie, a lot of dialogues were just odd, a lot of things didn't add up - whole story with all reasons felt very forced and artificial. A lot of things about the relationship between Natalie and Easton were the same as the relationship between their parents - it happened again and again. It felt like Drive on steroids (because of too many pages, not because of the emotional impact).
Why so many good reviews and ratings? I think because of mainstream popularity, that is why. I always strive to stay true to story, not to author. Try it sometimes, it's liberating. Be like Easton.
Drive stays one of my top 5 ever favorite books, I just wish to stay away from this one. I can't shake the feeling that this book left a stain on the first book anyway. I wish I could have left with the knowledge where the first book ended.
Unpopular opinion; don't read it if you are a fan of author and you may be offended:
This was totally unnecessary story full of babbling inner monologues, author was carried away zillion times and it was really annoying and tiring.
Don't get me wrong, the author is a master of words and knows how to use the word and create brilliant sentences, but you can feel how this story was forced to be written so that it didn't come from the author's heart like the first book.
This book it tooooo long! It's my first time in "reading career" that I shimmed over 50% of the book. I really forced myself to not DNF it at 15%, than I read up to 20%, than skip to 64% and than skipped to 80% and I read last 20%. It was still too much of bullshit - despite skipping, I didn't notice that I missed anything in the whole story.
I didn't like Natalie, a lot of dialogues were just odd, a lot of things didn't add up - whole story with all reasons felt very forced and artificial. A lot of things about the relationship between Natalie and Easton were the same as the relationship between their parents - it happened again and again. It felt like Drive on steroids (because of too many pages, not because of the emotional impact).
Why so many good reviews and ratings? I think because of mainstream popularity, that is why. I always strive to stay true to story, not to author. Try it sometimes, it's liberating. Be like Easton.
Drive stays one of my top 5 ever favorite books, I just wish to stay away from this one. I can't shake the feeling that this book left a stain on the first book anyway. I wish I could have left with the knowledge where the first book ended.
July 19, 2022
5 'My supernova' Stars!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
It has been a long while since I stayed up late reading (on a weekday!) because the book had me so hooked, I could not stop reading. I am not surprised though, that the one doing that is the one and only Kate Stewart. She gave us the surprise of our lives when she announced, five years after publishing Drive, that she had been writing a sequel. A sequel where the son of Reid and Stella falls in love with Nate’s daughter. Talk about complicated, am I right? But trust me, it’s 100% worth it from start to finish. If you loved Drive, you must read Reverse.
So, as I said, Reverse is a sequel to Drive, now also the second installment in Kate’s The Bittersweet Symphony Duet. It tells the star-crossed love story (thirty years after the first book) of Easton Crowne and Natalie Butler. Natalie is a journalist, just like her father in many aspects, and imagine her surprise when she discovers Nate had a relationship with Stella through emails. She begins researching and she ends up meeting Easton. An instant connection neither expected sparks but it becomes even more complicated. Especially Natalie fights against it but their chemistry is too strong. What will happen when, inevitably, the parents discover their secret relationship? Will the world come crashing down or is love the most powerful force of all?
This is no longer just about what she’s missing. She’s starting to make me believe I’m missing something vital too.
Well, damn! What a crazy roller coaster. Again, I am not surprised because this is Kate Stewart we are talking about and she knows how to give us unforgettable love stories. This sequel is the book we never knew we needed. Diving back into Drive’s world, into Stella, Reid and Nate’s lives is such a wonderful journey. A heartbreaking one (at times) but so beautiful. And this love story between their children? Wow. Forbidden, extremely emotional, sexy, romantic, steamy, gut wrenching. Kate always knows how to make me cry my eyes out. Like literally. I was bawling so many times. But, as I mentioned before, it’s totally worth it. And to see more of the lives of these characters that made us feel so many things years ago? Yes, it was such a treat. I loved every single second of reading this book that I didn’t even notice the time I finished yesterday. And do remember, music is a very big part in this one too and it makes the story even more epic.
This love story is ours and ours alone.
Therefore, I am rating Reverse with 5 STARS because despite being the length of two books in one it didn’t feel like one. Easton and Natalie’s love story is so gripping that I was addicted from start to finish. It’s not an easy novel to read (that is for sure) but trust me when I say you cannot miss this one. Especially if you loved Drive. You want to know more about those characters you adored, and it was so amazing to read more about Stella, Reid and Nate. I am so happy everyone found their much-deserved happy ending and Kate gave these characters (and us) another unique love story to go wild about.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
It has been a long while since I stayed up late reading (on a weekday!) because the book had me so hooked, I could not stop reading. I am not surprised though, that the one doing that is the one and only Kate Stewart. She gave us the surprise of our lives when she announced, five years after publishing Drive, that she had been writing a sequel. A sequel where the son of Reid and Stella falls in love with Nate’s daughter. Talk about complicated, am I right? But trust me, it’s 100% worth it from start to finish. If you loved Drive, you must read Reverse.
So, as I said, Reverse is a sequel to Drive, now also the second installment in Kate’s The Bittersweet Symphony Duet. It tells the star-crossed love story (thirty years after the first book) of Easton Crowne and Natalie Butler. Natalie is a journalist, just like her father in many aspects, and imagine her surprise when she discovers Nate had a relationship with Stella through emails. She begins researching and she ends up meeting Easton. An instant connection neither expected sparks but it becomes even more complicated. Especially Natalie fights against it but their chemistry is too strong. What will happen when, inevitably, the parents discover their secret relationship? Will the world come crashing down or is love the most powerful force of all?
This is no longer just about what she’s missing. She’s starting to make me believe I’m missing something vital too.
Well, damn! What a crazy roller coaster. Again, I am not surprised because this is Kate Stewart we are talking about and she knows how to give us unforgettable love stories. This sequel is the book we never knew we needed. Diving back into Drive’s world, into Stella, Reid and Nate’s lives is such a wonderful journey. A heartbreaking one (at times) but so beautiful. And this love story between their children? Wow. Forbidden, extremely emotional, sexy, romantic, steamy, gut wrenching. Kate always knows how to make me cry my eyes out. Like literally. I was bawling so many times. But, as I mentioned before, it’s totally worth it. And to see more of the lives of these characters that made us feel so many things years ago? Yes, it was such a treat. I loved every single second of reading this book that I didn’t even notice the time I finished yesterday. And do remember, music is a very big part in this one too and it makes the story even more epic.
This love story is ours and ours alone.
Therefore, I am rating Reverse with 5 STARS because despite being the length of two books in one it didn’t feel like one. Easton and Natalie’s love story is so gripping that I was addicted from start to finish. It’s not an easy novel to read (that is for sure) but trust me when I say you cannot miss this one. Especially if you loved Drive. You want to know more about those characters you adored, and it was so amazing to read more about Stella, Reid and Nate. I am so happy everyone found their much-deserved happy ending and Kate gave these characters (and us) another unique love story to go wild about.
October 24, 2022
i currently do not have the facilities to put together a review rn
i can barely see straight through the tears
for now, just know that this book gets an infinite amount of stars from me and is one of my favorite books in the entire world
-----
UPDATE: 31 JULY 2022
I've literally had one week to really gather my thoughts on this book, and I think I'm ready.
Let me start by saying that this book gets an infinite amount of stars from me. It is now tied for my favorite book in the entire world. I don't think the review I am about to give it will do it justice, but I'll try my best 💞
Kate Stewart NEVER misses. I have not rated a single one of Kate Stewart's books under 5 stars. She is so easily my favorite author. She pours every single emotion under the sun into her writing and I feel EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. She makes me truly care about each character and really puts me in their shoes so I can understand why they feel the way they feel.
I am so extremely grateful that I received the ARC for this book! It was my first ARC ever and it was from my favorite author 😭 This book was 600+ pages long, but I SWEAR TO YOU, it did not even feel like it. There is not a single part of this book that I found unnecessary or boring. Every single word was strung together so carefully to create the most beautiful love story ever.
This book is so unique. For it to not be a direct continuation of Drive, but to be a second generation book?????? I cannot. I have no words. I can't believe it took me so long to read Drive...but I finished it in a day and immediately knew I had to continue to Reverse. I love Stella, Reid and Nate, but Easton and Natalie are SUPERIOR.
ELLIOT EASTON MF CROWNE 👑 This man is now tied with Alfred Sean Roberts (The Ravenhood Series) for #1 on my book boyfriends list. You know that saying that goes: If he wanted to, he would? Well. EASTON CROWN ALWAYS WANTED TO, AND HE ALWAYS DID. This man is EVERYTHING TO ME. I cannot believe how perfect he is. He wouldn't let Natalie deny their connection. He made them talk. He made them have mature conversations. WE LOVE THAT. This man and his grand gestures too!!!! AHHHHH. All my annotations on my kindle were literally in all caps just screaming how much I love this man. These Crowne men are a different breed, but without a doubt...Easton > Reid.
This book made me go from extremely happy, giddy, and on top of the world, to a constant state of anxiety (in a good way) to crying my eyes out at 3am. My heart was shattered into a billion and one pieces, and it was still somehow put back together by the end. I love a book that can do that to me. No one does it better than Kate Stewart!
I read this on my Kindle because I got the ARC, but I NEED a signed paperback. I'm literally saving money for one right now. I need to hold Reverse in my hands. I need to tab and annotate and put it on display in my room like the gem it is.
LASTLY. THE EPILOGUE. OMG THE MF EPILOGUE. I DIDN'T KNOW I NEEDED IT UNTIL I GOT IT. I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER BEEN SO HAPPY AT THE END OF A BOOK.
In conclusion, I will never be the same again, and I'm not even mad about it.
KATE STEWART, I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU FOR THIS MASTERPIECE.
i can barely see straight through the tears
for now, just know that this book gets an infinite amount of stars from me and is one of my favorite books in the entire world
-----
UPDATE: 31 JULY 2022
I've literally had one week to really gather my thoughts on this book, and I think I'm ready.
Let me start by saying that this book gets an infinite amount of stars from me. It is now tied for my favorite book in the entire world. I don't think the review I am about to give it will do it justice, but I'll try my best 💞
Kate Stewart NEVER misses. I have not rated a single one of Kate Stewart's books under 5 stars. She is so easily my favorite author. She pours every single emotion under the sun into her writing and I feel EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. She makes me truly care about each character and really puts me in their shoes so I can understand why they feel the way they feel.
I am so extremely grateful that I received the ARC for this book! It was my first ARC ever and it was from my favorite author 😭 This book was 600+ pages long, but I SWEAR TO YOU, it did not even feel like it. There is not a single part of this book that I found unnecessary or boring. Every single word was strung together so carefully to create the most beautiful love story ever.
This book is so unique. For it to not be a direct continuation of Drive, but to be a second generation book?????? I cannot. I have no words. I can't believe it took me so long to read Drive...but I finished it in a day and immediately knew I had to continue to Reverse. I love Stella, Reid and Nate, but Easton and Natalie are SUPERIOR.
ELLIOT EASTON MF CROWNE 👑 This man is now tied with Alfred Sean Roberts (The Ravenhood Series) for #1 on my book boyfriends list. You know that saying that goes: If he wanted to, he would? Well. EASTON CROWN ALWAYS WANTED TO, AND HE ALWAYS DID. This man is EVERYTHING TO ME. I cannot believe how perfect he is. He wouldn't let Natalie deny their connection. He made them talk. He made them have mature conversations. WE LOVE THAT. This man and his grand gestures too!!!! AHHHHH. All my annotations on my kindle were literally in all caps just screaming how much I love this man. These Crowne men are a different breed, but without a doubt...Easton > Reid.
This book made me go from extremely happy, giddy, and on top of the world, to a constant state of anxiety (in a good way) to crying my eyes out at 3am. My heart was shattered into a billion and one pieces, and it was still somehow put back together by the end. I love a book that can do that to me. No one does it better than Kate Stewart!
I read this on my Kindle because I got the ARC, but I NEED a signed paperback. I'm literally saving money for one right now. I need to hold Reverse in my hands. I need to tab and annotate and put it on display in my room like the gem it is.
LASTLY. THE EPILOGUE. OMG THE MF EPILOGUE. I DIDN'T KNOW I NEEDED IT UNTIL I GOT IT. I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER BEEN SO HAPPY AT THE END OF A BOOK.
In conclusion, I will never be the same again, and I'm not even mad about it.
KATE STEWART, I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU FOR THIS MASTERPIECE.
August 23, 2025
He turns to face me, eyes shimmering. “I can’t recall any other time in my life where I was so blissfully happy.” A tear slowly rolls down his cheek, “Can you?”
Can’t tell if I hate myself or love myself for rereading this book, considering the MIGRAINES it gave me from the amount of tears I shed…. But ultimately I loved the experience.
One thing about Kate Stewart, she doesn’t shy away from emotional pain in her books. I think her books border more on realism, in the sense that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, and not everyone comes out unscathed, unhurt, and unharmed. You get the happy ending but at what cost? I swear I went through war to reach that happily ever after, but it was worth it.
Flawed characters are without a doubt my absolute favorite. Because they’re authentic and they’re relatable. They’re the characters that stick with you and that make you feel seen. Easton and Natalie frustrated me on so. Many. Occasions. But I can’t help but love them and their story.
Easton Crowne is one of the most well written mmcs in the romance genre. He’s so unapologetically himself. His love for Natalie was so profound I FELT it so deeply. Without a doubt, in my top 5 favorite mmcs EVER.
I’ll be honest, when I first read this book back in 2022, I wasn’t a fan of Natalie. But this reread made me truly understand and appreciate her as a character. I loved her character growth- and the way she acknowledged when she was at fault and owned up to it, apologized for it, and grew from it.
It is possible that I am officially ruined for all other contemporary romance books until further notice..
A few quotes that cut me so deep:
“I love you,” he whispers, a tear gliding along his jaw. “Wholly, unconditionally, and definitively, Natalie.”
“So, where is my wife? In hell, that’s where she is. Blaming herself, punishing herself, because she doesn’t feel like she deserves happiness with me, because your fucking husband made her feel like she didn’t—along with her own fucking father, who still doesn’t!”
“Didn’t I love you the way you needed me to?” His voice cracks on the words, his pained breaths cutting through me. “It was so effortless for me…”
“I can now say that I loved a woman with every fiber of my being, heart and soul, and always will. I can claim that. I wonder how many souls can’t.”
“I missed you to the point my soul bled.
I missed you when I didn’t have to.
I miss you now.”
“But love is like music for so many in the fact that it’s—”
“Timeless,” I finish for him.”
“You know, you always do this to me. One minute I’m emotionally stable and somewhat put together, and the next, with you, I’m a damn mess.”
“Such a beautiful mess,” he fires back.”
“Once upon a time, Elliot Easton Crowne was mine. He was mine, and we were as close as two people could ever be.”
“Why is life so fucking cruel to let me see her like this, if she can’t be mine? If I can no longer be hers. If we weren’t meant for one another in the way I once so adamantly believed—to the point it made me sick.”
“The truth of the matter is some people work together, some people don’t, time will tell, and trust me, it always fucking does.”
“I just held your mother’s hand and watched her check out, but that doesn’t matter.” Dad’s eyes redden as he stares at me like we’re strangers. “The whole time I watched her disappear inside herself, I told myself I can get past this with you, because you are what matters most in the fucking world to us both. But if you keep looking at me with zero remorse, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive you.”
“I fucking love her,” I rasp out, “with all that I am. She’s everything to me. You want me to give that up?”
Can’t tell if I hate myself or love myself for rereading this book, considering the MIGRAINES it gave me from the amount of tears I shed…. But ultimately I loved the experience.
One thing about Kate Stewart, she doesn’t shy away from emotional pain in her books. I think her books border more on realism, in the sense that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, and not everyone comes out unscathed, unhurt, and unharmed. You get the happy ending but at what cost? I swear I went through war to reach that happily ever after, but it was worth it.
Flawed characters are without a doubt my absolute favorite. Because they’re authentic and they’re relatable. They’re the characters that stick with you and that make you feel seen. Easton and Natalie frustrated me on so. Many. Occasions. But I can’t help but love them and their story.
Easton Crowne is one of the most well written mmcs in the romance genre. He’s so unapologetically himself. His love for Natalie was so profound I FELT it so deeply. Without a doubt, in my top 5 favorite mmcs EVER.
I’ll be honest, when I first read this book back in 2022, I wasn’t a fan of Natalie. But this reread made me truly understand and appreciate her as a character. I loved her character growth- and the way she acknowledged when she was at fault and owned up to it, apologized for it, and grew from it.
It is possible that I am officially ruined for all other contemporary romance books until further notice..
A few quotes that cut me so deep:
“I love you,” he whispers, a tear gliding along his jaw. “Wholly, unconditionally, and definitively, Natalie.”
“So, where is my wife? In hell, that’s where she is. Blaming herself, punishing herself, because she doesn’t feel like she deserves happiness with me, because your fucking husband made her feel like she didn’t—along with her own fucking father, who still doesn’t!”
“Didn’t I love you the way you needed me to?” His voice cracks on the words, his pained breaths cutting through me. “It was so effortless for me…”
“I can now say that I loved a woman with every fiber of my being, heart and soul, and always will. I can claim that. I wonder how many souls can’t.”
“I missed you to the point my soul bled.
I missed you when I didn’t have to.
I miss you now.”
“But love is like music for so many in the fact that it’s—”
“Timeless,” I finish for him.”
“You know, you always do this to me. One minute I’m emotionally stable and somewhat put together, and the next, with you, I’m a damn mess.”
“Such a beautiful mess,” he fires back.”
“Once upon a time, Elliot Easton Crowne was mine. He was mine, and we were as close as two people could ever be.”
“Why is life so fucking cruel to let me see her like this, if she can’t be mine? If I can no longer be hers. If we weren’t meant for one another in the way I once so adamantly believed—to the point it made me sick.”
“The truth of the matter is some people work together, some people don’t, time will tell, and trust me, it always fucking does.”
“I just held your mother’s hand and watched her check out, but that doesn’t matter.” Dad’s eyes redden as he stares at me like we’re strangers. “The whole time I watched her disappear inside herself, I told myself I can get past this with you, because you are what matters most in the fucking world to us both. But if you keep looking at me with zero remorse, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive you.”
“I fucking love her,” I rasp out, “with all that I am. She’s everything to me. You want me to give that up?”
August 5, 2022
I loved Drive for the delicious angst that had every reason to be there, and for the kickass heroine who grabbed life by the balls and never let go. I hated Reverse because of the angst that was totally manufactured (I figured as much in the very first chapter, she could have easily asked her father), and the unbelievably irritating, pathetic heroine who chose to make herself a martyr.
But most of all, more than the unnecessary length (800 pages, WTF), the terrible dialogue that made no sense most times, the insta love (because who does that after only 4 months?), I hated it because it almost made me question the ending of book 1. Because why the f@ck did they all react so strongly, especially Nat's dad, if they were basking in their HEA? I expected a lot of tension, but this? This is the behaviour of someone whose happiness is too fragile.
Thankfully, Nate's POV in the end restored my faith in it. So the two star rating is only for that, and the amazing song scene at Super Bowl. The rest of it was bullshit.
But most of all, more than the unnecessary length (800 pages, WTF), the terrible dialogue that made no sense most times, the insta love (because who does that after only 4 months?), I hated it because it almost made me question the ending of book 1. Because why the f@ck did they all react so strongly, especially Nat's dad, if they were basking in their HEA? I expected a lot of tension, but this? This is the behaviour of someone whose happiness is too fragile.
Thankfully, Nate's POV in the end restored my faith in it. So the two star rating is only for that, and the amazing song scene at Super Bowl. The rest of it was bullshit.
January 28, 2025
Wow I love this series as a whole but this book is SO special. While it was really long I loved every minute!! I bounced back and forth between the physical book and audiobook while playing the playlist and omg what an amazing immersive experience. Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell freaking killed this audiobook, per usual. I loved the star-crossed lovers aspect of this book even tho I wanted to throttle Natalie at times. Easton has made his way in my top book boyfriends—he was almost too perfect. Omg and Nate😭😭😭😭 ugh so obsessed. I know a lot of people don’t like Kate’s fmcs I freaking love them. She writes couples so beautifully. The spice is so hot and so true to the characters without being too much. I def see a reread happening in the future.
September 8, 2025
Masterpiece! it was absolutely a beautiful story....
“Every song has a memory; every song has the ability to make or break your heart, shut down the heart, and open the eyes. But I’m afraid if you look at a thing long enough; it loses all of its meaning. And your own life while it’s happening to you never has any atmosphere until it’s a memory.”
“Every song has a memory; every song has the ability to make or break your heart, shut down the heart, and open the eyes. But I’m afraid if you look at a thing long enough; it loses all of its meaning. And your own life while it’s happening to you never has any atmosphere until it’s a memory.”
August 19, 2022
It’s a brilliant story but at the middle of the book the dialogues were boring.
I knew they were immature at the beginning but I didn’t feel sympathy for the female character until the end.
Do you know the truth? The stars of the book were their parents ( for me).
It’s worth the reading.
I knew they were immature at the beginning but I didn’t feel sympathy for the female character until the end.
Do you know the truth? The stars of the book were their parents ( for me).
It’s worth the reading.
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