Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Test Drive 

SERIES: Crossroads Book 3 

AUTHOR: Riley Hart 

PUBLISHER: Self-Published 

LENGTH: 243 pages 

RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2016 

BLURB: 

A double shot of devastating news turns Justin Evanson’s life upside down. When he learns his father has cancer, and he has siblings he never knew existed, he leaves everything behind and moves to Virginia to support his dad as he tries to make amends with his family—a family Justin’s not sure he has a place in. Things go from bad to worse when he discovers his recent hookup is his newfound sister’s brother-in-law.

Drew Sinclair never expected to see Justin after their night at the club or to discover their family connection. If anyone found out, it would give Drew’s brother another reason to hate him. But there’s something about Justin that draws him in, and it’s not only because they burn up the sheets together.

One meeting leads to another, and before Justin realizes it, Drew has become the only thing in his world he feels is his. And for the first time in his life, Drew knows what it means to be needed. Being there for Justin and supporting him when things spiral out of control feels right. But with so much happening so quickly, it’s hard to trust their feelings. Is this thing between them real? Or just a test drive before life forces them down two separate roads? 

REVIEW:

As most of you know, the first book in this series, Crossroads, was the book that I literally cut my teeth on as a reviewer for Love Bytes. I fell in love with Nick and Bryce. Then the second book, Shifting Gears, came as surprise to me because I didn’t know that it was going to be a series. Not a big surprise that I fell in love with Landon and Rod too. I knew there was going to be a third book because there was too much left to be said after Landon met his half-brother he never knew. Even though I trust Riley Hart’s writing I wasn’t sure I could grow to love a man who almost destroyed Landon. I was right to trust her though because she blew it out of the water.

Test Drive is the book of Justin Evanson, Landon’s brother. They are still getting to know each other after the bombshell that was dropped on Landon at the end of Shifting Gears. Landon’s long-lost dad is back, dying of cancer, and brought along a grown, adult half-brother he never even knew about. It is the story of Justin getting to know his new family. A family Justin never knew about and he is adjusting from being an only child all his life. Enter Drew Sinclair, name sound familiar? It will if you pick your mind. Justin heads to a bar to blow off some steam before he actually meets his long-lost family and looks for a hook-up. Sitting down the bar is a very attractive guy that he hits on. One thing leads to another, as it does in these type stories, and they make out. But the guy runs off from him only knowing his first name. Justin doesn’t think anything of it until he goes to his father’s final birthday party with his new family and there stands run-away guy across the room. Test Drive leads you down the road to where these two guy’s lives are headed and how they negotiate the ride.

As I said in the beginning, I wasn’t sure I could learn to like Justin. His father had hurt Landon so much and there was a lot of strife in that meeting. But there is no way you fault him. He was a victim too. You also couldn’t not fall for him. He really is a good, decent guy that got duped by his own father also. Robbed of a childhood not knowing he had a brother and a sister. And, even after all that, he still dropped his life back home to help his dad meet back up with his other children, even if it gutted him the whole time. His entire world was turned upside down and he didn’t know where to land but luckily for him it was next to Drew! And poor Drew, the black sheep of a very wealthy and influential family. He has a heart of gold and a caring personality you could only love and root for. Test Drive has all the main characters back from the series, helping each other out as they always do. Oh how I wish I could go hang out at one of their barbecues sometime that Nick is cooking at and listen to all their banter.

I think that one of the strongest themes in this book was forgiveness. There were a lot of hurdles to overcome in a very short time. Larry came back to say he was sorry for leaving the family but he has such a short time to convince them he is sincerely sorry for all he has done. Cancer is a nasty, vile disease and Ms. Hart did a really good job of describing how devastating it was for not only Larry but the entire family and their significant others. It broke my heart to see how crushing it was for them all.

I had a really hard time reading this book. I knew it was the last in the series and I just didn’t want it to end. These men have edged their way into my heart and became real, a sign of a really well written book series. I admit I kept leaving and coming back to the book hoping that it would grow in size and not end. Pathetic, I know, but I really wasn’t ready for The End. I think that was the most shocking part. It came on so quickly and I was so sad until I read the eight words she typed after she wrote the end and my heart soared! No, don’t cheat!!! Read the book and then you will know. But savor it instead of fearing it! Five bright shining stars for a fabulous book in a fantastic series!!! Great Job Riley Hart!

RATING:  

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