In my review of Drive I referred to Author Kate Stewart as a seasoned cardiologist piecing our broken hearts into scarred masses that reside behind our breastbones. Someone, in that thread, referred or insinuated that her books border on psychological thriller. So continuing in the vein of medically aligned specialties, let's call Stewart a psychological warfare specialist, shall we?
Granted, I have only the Ravenhood and now Bittersweet duology under my belt to make such a bold accusation, but if we're saying I feel personally attacked by the weapons of mass destruction she holds in her arsenal, I think 6.5 volumes of her work are enough to lay such claim boldly and loudly.
Stewart outs herself not even seeing a future for a second book after penning her conclusion to Drive leaving us heartbroken for Nate and in total love with Stella and Reid's happy ever after. But to come up with the brilliant idea of gutting both Stella and Nate's relationships through their children - I think that is the definition of psychological warfare.
No, her readers aren't her only victims. Her characters are directly in the line of fire. No one is spared from devastation as Kate sits behind her keyboard penning attack after attack against our emotional state of mind.
A distinct difference between Ravenhood and this duology (and a half) is I went into the Ravenhood being outright told it was going to cause me emotional damages. And so I held off reading it until I needed that level of trauma. I knew nothing but that I was about to be mercilessly gutted.
I didn't get any of that going into the Bittersweet duology. I was assuered tears and an emotional roller coaster. And it's exactly what I got. But I had no doubts Stella and Reid would get their happy ever after, just as I was 100% sure Stewart wasn't going to leave Natalie and Easton hanging even though putting them through the ringer without care to their poor battered and bruised hearts.
But what I really think I got out of this book is the hidden gem that is the 5 year gap between stories. Don't get me wrong. Drive was nothing less than a 5-star read for me. But between Drive's 2017 publication date and Reverse's 2022 publication, she wrote and published all 3 main novels of the Ravenhood series (Flock, Exodus, The Finish Line). You can really see her growth as a writer and story teller. Her lines were so much deeper and definitely more refined for Natalie and Easton's story. I could have never read a single word of Drive, and I would still be able to experience the full whirlwind of emotions that must have taken place within those pages because of how well expressed it is in Reverse.
Given my neurospicy brain, I tend to do a lot of skim reading when an author gets too wordy in their expository pasages, finding far too many authors tell instead of show. But I can say hands down I have read every word cover to cover inside each of the novels I have read penned by this talented woman. Many of them multiple times over because I need to relive the moments over and over. Stewart tells us little and shows us everything so spectacularly that it’s spellbinding, captivating. Crushing and healing all in the same moment.
If I had to give another kudos to Stewart for Reverse, I would have to add that she says the words that need to be said instead of using a miscommunication trope to throw us off. The banter is amazingly on point - exactly what I both want and need the words to be - exactly the conversation I would have if I were sitting in the character's shoes. So few authors really get that right - and it's a huge pet peeve of mine in reading. But every time these character's speak in love, hate, hurt, or fear the words are absolutely perfect.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Shop this series
See full series- Kindle Price:$13.97By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
Shop this series
There are 3 books in this series.
Kindle Price:
$13.97
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start over
Popular Highlights in this book
What appears to be bold black feather tips peak along the side of his neck.Highlighted by 1,376 Kindle readers- I hate so much that Easton Crowne is the most beautiful secret I’ll ever have and will forever be the one I’m forced to keep.Highlighted by 1,093 Kindle readers
- Easton Crowne is not some budding star. He’s a supernova. He’s undoubtedly a prodigy—a genius disguised in a beautiful, but highly breakable—human package. At any time in the future, if he so desires, he will become a world-renowned star.Highlighted by 958 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
About the author
Great Read (especially with the playlist)
Like the first book in this series, this book was also interactive with a playlist on Spotify. I absolutely LOVE this concept, and would love to read more books with accompanying music. A few stand-out scenes to me were Easton and Natalie's first kiss in the Space Needle in Seattle, with the song "Dive Deep" by Hushed, and also the scene where Easton plays the piano for Natalie in the hotel, and the song "Only You Know" by Dion. My absolute favorite scene with music was the scene where Easton plays "Drive" at the SuperBowl with his Dads band. A song that has become synonymous with this book series to me.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
Top reviews from other countries
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in India on August 23, 2022
Drive and Reverse... engrossing, captivating and take you totally through the story
Format: KindleVerified Purchase - ChloeReviewed in Australia on July 31, 2022
What a books. So many emotions.
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase -
