Driven (Full Throttle) [Kindle Edition]

Lisa Nowak (Author)

Book Description

The last thing on 16-year-old Jess DeLand's wish list is a boyfriend. She'd have to be crazy to think any guy would look twice at her. Besides, there are more important things to hope for, like a job working on cars and an end to her mom's drinking. Foster care is a constant threat, and Jess is willing to sacrifice anything to stay out of the system. When luck hands her the chance to work on a race car, she finds herself rushing full throttle into a world of opportunities—including a boy who doesn't mind the grease under her fingernails. The question is, can a girl who keeps herself locked up tighter than Richard Petty's racing secrets open up enough to risk friendship and her first romance?

“The first romance is captured beautifully—just the right combination of natural and awkward, of eager and scared.”

~ Bob Martin, writing professor, Pacific Northwest College of Art

Product Details

• File Size: 614 KB
• Print Length: 342 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Webfoot Publishing; 1 edition (May 2, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007ZW06ZK
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,834 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #62 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Sports > Miscellaneous > Motor Sports

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner for Lisa Nowak May 13, 2012

By Alice Lynn

Format:Kindle Edition

When Jess DeLand takes center stage as the main character in the third of Lisa Nowak's Full Throttle series, we are immediately captivated. Jess enters the world of stock car racing to take her place among familiar faces (if you've already read Running Wide Open and Getting Sideways). Jess, at sixteen, is smart and savvy with a strong sense of responsibility.

A talented mechanic, Jess is fascinated by cars and the internal combustion engine. Complicating Jess's life is the fact that her mother is an alcoholic, barely able to keep things together. Stepping into the gap, Jess sees that bills are paid even if the money comes out of her wages at a local fast food restaurant. In a stroke of luck and timing, life changes when she meets Terri Sue Cline, a girl her own age who's racing at the Eugene Speedway. Being offered a job as Terri Sue's mechanic is a dream come true. But when her mother deserts her. Jess's pride is put to the test as she tries to pretend that all is well. Woven into the sometimes dark story line is Nowak's trademark humor as well as a sensitive depiction of a budding romance. For established fans, Jess's tale provides new insight into those favorite characters, Cody Everett and his awesome Uncle Race. A delightful addition to the Full Throttle series, Driven is already a hit for old and new readers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful storyline May 21, 2012

By S. Schairer

Format:Kindle Edition

DRIVEN (YA) by Lisa Nowak

DRIVEN is the third book and May 2012 new release from Lisa Nowak's Young Adult series. Driven focuses on Jess Deland, a shy 16 year girl trying to keep up appearances in a world full of betrayal and shame. Knowing your mother is a drunk and thinking your father never wanted you forces Jess to put all of her time and effort into her studies and re-building cars. But when she meets Teri-Sue Cline and Cody Everett at the local speedway, she doesn't know how her life is about to change.

Jess knows how to keep secrets. For years her mother's drinking has forced the young girl into being the parent. But when Teri-Sue Cline, a beautiful, young amateur racecar driver offers Jess a position with her pit-crew, she jumps at the opportunity to earn more money-and the fact that she will be working on racecars makes it the best job (ever).

Cody Everett is a fellow amateur racecar driver. But living in the shadow of the infamous racecar driver and uncle-Horatio "Race" Everett, places Cody in the unenviable position to try and prove worthy. Cody's love and worry for his uncle is well placed, following the previous year's harrowing accident that almost killed the man. But when he sideswipes Teri-Sue's car on the track, he finds himself the target of a very emotional and pretty 16 year old mechanic. And now his prime motivation will be to meet and get to know-Jess Deland.

Jess is determined to keep her distance. Hoping no one will discover her family secrets, Jess has few friends and is determined to push Cody away. Teri-Sue's family has welcomed Jess with open arms, and she is reluctant to accept any favors or gifts. And Teri-Sues younger brother Rhett tugs at Jess's heart.... An easy-going young boy of 10, Rhett's desire is to have contact with his absentee mother. But a horrific accident has placed the Cline's family at odds with each other, and Jess seems to be the only person who is able to break through Rhett's façade. And Jess soon learns that appearances are not always what they seem. She is not the only person to keep secrets buried. Cody's demons ride him hard and it will be a 16 year old girl who will help tame and wipe away the tears of a young man.

Life for Jess is about to change. As her relationship with Cody grows, the relationship with her mother pushes further apart. But finding herself alone and homeless will force Jess to test the limits of her abilities. Keeping secrets and fearing the authorities will take her from the people that she has grown to love, Jess begins to risk her health and her happiness in an effort to keep the others from discovering the truth. But it will be the love of her new family that will help discover the real-truth about her past.

DRIVEN is a fictional young adult storyline. Written in first person POV from the heroine's perspective, the reader is taken on a journey of discovery into first love and the feeling of betrayal by a parent. The character of Jess was, at first, a little difficult to like with her misplaced anger at Cody Everett, but looking beyond the obvious, Jess is a wounded child hiding a multitude of pain. Anger is an emotion she knows only too well. Driven is a sweet story about accepting who you are and asking for help when the going gets tough.

see all of my reviews at : thereadingcafe.com Read more ›

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking chances April 22, 2013

By Miranda

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I like the fact that it mixes the struggles some teenagers go through in their home life and how they are able to channel their energy in a positive way like at the race track instead of going down the wrong path. I just loved reading this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Grabs ya! January 1, 2013

By John Nziramasanga

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Good read, good insights into the teenage years. Nice intro into amateur racing. Not too technical, not too insulting either.

5.0 out of 5 stars Go Jess, Go Jess December 1, 2012

By Must read

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved Jess, I wanted to shake some sense into her, and hold her hand at the same time. Cody, ahh ever the charmer. I really hope the sample of redline becomes a book. I want to know what happens to them!

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome series, can't wait for more! July 22, 2012

By Steve

Format:Kindle Edition

I was thrilled when I read this, hoping my 15 year old grandson would like it. I loved it so much that I read all three in the series in two days. The stories continue to unfold with believable characters, good dialogue, and a story line that calls you to read more. I can't wait for the next one, which I know Lisa is working on. Keep at it, Lisa! We want to find out what happens to these kids!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic story! July 17, 2012

By Michelle C. Jordan

Format:Kindle Edition

MY REVIEW

I received this as a complimentary copy on Goodreads from the author for read and review...this does not in anyway affect my review!

This is the story of Jess Deland a young woman who is living a difficult life. Her father left when she was young and her mother drinks and will never win parent of the year. Jess works at a job she hates, pays the bills and tries keeping up in school, she is living a life way beyond her years. But things seem to take a turn for the better for Jess; she is given the opportunity to work on a race car and begins to make real friends. Jess also meets a young man and things become even sweeter and more frightening for Jess all at the same time.

I really enjoyed reading this book. This is the second book I have read by Ms. Nowak and it's just as wonderful as the first time. I enjoyed Driven because not only are the readers introduced to new characters and friends, but also some old friends are brought in, such as Cody Everett and his uncle Race and his girlfriend Kasey! I was so excited at being able to revisit with these characters, as well as seeing them in new situations:)

But I loved Jess, she was strong and resourceful; but I did see the slightly vulnerable side of her, when she was so hopeful regarding believing that "this time" would be different, and that her mother would be serious and remain committed to her sobriety. Jess, simultaneously appeared frighten to believe, and excited about the possibility that it was true!

Ms. Nowak's writing is clear, concise, strong and flows smoothly...sweeping the reader along through the up's and down's of the characters situation.... Once again, I enjoyed being swept into the world of stock car racing and seeing it from a female's perspective is even more thrilling...

This is simply a must read...you will not be disappointed Read more ›

More About the Author

In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and stout beer and constantly works toward employing wei wu wei in her life, all the while realizing that the struggle itself is an oxymoron.

Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she'd use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.

To get updates of new releases, sign up for Lisa's newsletter by cutting and pasting this link into your browser window: http://bit.ly/LisaNowakNewsletter