I'm a big fan of road trip romances, and "Test Drive" was a particularly fun one because it combined that trope with another one of my favorites, the fake relationship. In an effort to persuade her family that her life is going better than it really is, main character Willow Andrews invents a boyfriend who suspiciously resembles a real-life acquaintance, pub owner Levi Sullivan. When Willow's grandmother demands that her "boyfriend" accompany Willow to her 75th birthday party in Florida, Levi agrees to go with her and play along with the ruse. Of course, high jinks ensue and real feelings develop along the way, but neither Levi nor Willow is sure that their vacation romance will be able to survive the transition back to real life.
Both Willow and Levi were likeable, well-developed characters, and I found it very easy to root for them to sort out their issues and figure out a way to be together for real. Levi seemed like a kind, caring guy, if a bit of a workaholic, and I liked how close he was with his family. As for Willow, I found her to be quite relatable because of her clumsiness and the way her mouth would sometimes run away with her, but I also empathized with her because of the difficult position her parents put her in. They put a lot of pressure on her to live up to their
expectations and the examples set by her high-achieving older siblings, but Willow seemed to take after her free-spirited grandmother instead. I really admired Willow for refusing to bow to the pressure to follow the career path her parents wanted for her and instead found what made her happy, even if it wasn't necessarily as prestigious as her parents would have liked.
Overall "Test Drive" was a sweet, funny, and quick read, and I would recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever Samantha Chase plans to write next!
Overall "Test Drive" was a sweet, funny, and quick read, and I would recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever Samantha Chase plans to write next!
*ARC provided by the author via InkSlingerPR. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "Test Drive"
Willow Andrews's life is a hot mess.
Coming from a family of successful professionals, the fact that at twenty-seven she still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up doesn’t sit well. Desperate not to disappoint her grandmother, she invents a fake boyfriend so Gammy won’t worry so much. It seemed a victimless lie... until Gammy announced that Willow AND her boyfriend needed to be present at her 75th birthday party. Or else. Out of time and options, Willow turns to the sexy bartender she’s been secretly crushing on for help.
Levi Sullivan has his life in order and thrives off helping others.
In fact, he would do anything to help out a friend. But he’s angling for far more than friendship with Willow. Entranced by the clumsy beauty since the first time he watched her trip over nothing, he happily agrees to a chance to spend more time with her. Fake romance or not, he’s determined to use their long-distance road trip to turn a game of pretend into something more.
Warning—the roads ahead will twist and turn with laugh-out loud moments and sizzling chemistry. But traffic should be aware, the journey ahead is far more important than the destination.
Read an Excerpt from "Test Drive"
“I must say, Willow. Well done.”
It was really hard to relax in the massaging chair while getting the world's greatest foot rub when all your grandmother wanted to do was talk about sex.
The car ride over had been hell.
The only silver lining was that her mother had opted out of getting pedicures–she thought the salons were too unsanitary.
I wish I had thought of that…
“Gammy, please…”
“All I’m saying is I…” She paused and seemed to consider her words. Reaching over, she held one of Willow’s hands. “Now, don’t be upset with me, but…”
“But…?”
“But I was beginning to think you made him up.”
Eyes wide, Willow had no idea what to say. Her mouth seemed like it was moving, but no words came out.
“You were always so vague on the phone whenever we talked about Levi, and at first, I thought you were just being shy. Then I thought you didn’t want to share because the relationship was new and you didn’t want to jinx it.” She sighed. “But after a while, I thought he was a figment of your imagination, and honestly, I didn’t want to embarrass you by calling you out on it.”
Maybe I can go for a bikini wax and get away from this.
“When the two of you pulled into my driveway though, hoo-wee! I got a glimpse of Levi and thought, what a lucky girl you are!”
Seriously, hot wax all over my crotch would be less painful…
“And his hands! Oh, my…he has the kind of large hands that you know can make you tingle in all the right places!” She shook Willow’s hand excitedly. “Is he a good kisser?”
“Gams, I’m really not comfortable talking about this with you. Or anyone, really. What Levi and I have is…private.”
“Sweetie, there’s nothing wrong with sharing just a little bit. It’s all harmless fun. I mean, I’m 75 years old. It’s not like I haven’t been where you are. I mean, your grandfather–God rest his soul–was a wonderful husband and a fantastic lover…”
“OH MY GOD!” her hands flew over her ears.
“Sex is a healthy part of life! I’m not asking for specifics, just a general idea. Although, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish for you to have a fantastic sex life too. You’re young and pretty and have such a curvy little body! Honestly, I wish my boobs were still…”
“Lalalalala!” Willow cried out as she stuck her fingers in her ears.
Gammy swatted at her arm. “I never would have pegged you for a prude, Willow. I have to say, I’m a little disappointed.” And with a dramatic sigh, she turned her attention to the nail attendant who was massaging her feet. “That feels wonderful. Thank you.”
They sat in silence for several minutes until Willow couldn’t take it anymore. “Okay, Gam, here’s the thing,” she began carefully. “I’m just not used to…you know…talking sex with anyone other than my friends. My mother never talks about it…”
“Your mother’s too uptight.”
No argument there…
“You know what I’m saying. We never did this before and…”
“You never brought a sexy boyfriend here before.”
“We never did this before,” she repeated for emphasis. “And I’m not comfortable with this.”
“Would it help if I told you a little about my sex life?”
Oh, dear God…
“Remember the night I beat you at Words With Friends and I mentioned I was going out with Donald?”
“If I say no, can we change the subject?”
“No.”
“What if I say yes? Then can we change the subject?”
“I’m ignoring you and telling my story,” Gammy said stubbornly. “Now, I wouldn’t say that Donald is my steady beau, but we do out together once a week, and he has been known to spend the night.”
Groaning, Willow turned her head and rested it on her hand.
Again.
“Viagra is a game-changer, let me tell you.”
“I really wish you wouldn’t.”
“But I really miss the spontaneity, you know? Sometimes it would be nice to just be able to…you know…do it whenever we wanted rather than waiting those pesky thirty minutes.”
Another groan.
“One time, Donald took two pills instead of one!” She laughed joyously. “Now that was a memorable night!”
“Levi’s an amazing kisser! And his hands are a little rough and scratchy, and I love the way they feel against my skin! And the sex is the stuff of fantasies!” Willow blurted out loudly and then noticed the entire nail salon had gone quiet.
Dammit.
Gammy gave her a knowing grin. “I knew I’d wear you down.”
“Gammy…” she whined.
“The stuff of fantasies, huh? Bravo!”
“Yup. Fantasies.”
Mainly because that’s the only point of reference I have where sex with Levi is concerned…
“I’ll say it again, Willow. Well done. I think he is absolutely perfect for you.”
***
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