Member Reviews
A sweet romance between Mary and Brodie who were thrown together working. Mary is an assistant who meets and pays for items purchased via auction for her wealthy boss. Brodie is the 'rough around the edges' driver hired to transport Mary and the purchase. Both Brodie and Mary have had challenges growing up, with Brodie much more well-adjusted than Mary.
I found the book to be a bit formulaic in how Mary fights her attraction to Brodie then eventually blossoms under his love and attention. There was a bit of a mystery thrown in to bring the couple together. A rival bidder is out to claim some of the purchases from Mary's boss. The resolution of the mystery was a tad unbelievable as someone who was a successful criminal wouldn't have taken his actions that led to his downfall.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Really enjoyable, classic Lori Foster with a sweet, sexy romance and some nice angst.
The boss benefactor was a bit too Nice Guy for me tbh, and I wasn’t sold on the happily resolved found family by the end (which is a shame cause I love that trope!) but definitely an enjoyable low stakes suspense read.
Years ago, there was a movie called "Transporter." It was a fun movie that featured a man in a career that I figured didn't really exist: a transporter who takes packages from one place to another.
Lori Foster must have seen the movie and it sparked an idea for a series. The first book is "Driven to Distraction," which is a book full of action and characters that make me want to keep reading book two and book three.
Driven to Distraction is non-stop, although not as violent as the Transporter movie. Mary Daniels is a character who catches the interest of Brodie Crews, the transporter. Naturally, she is hot and he is hot, and they are hot together. The longer I read the book, the more I liked them. Her boss and his associates seem a little too nice, but maybe I'm just cynical about someone who would deal in items that would require a transporter. While the story lacks the charm of the last one I read from her (I absolutely adored "Cooper's Charm" and would love to see a book stem from that one), the characters make me want to know more about them and see them in more stories.
Honestly, I don't think Lori Foster can fail at a book. She just has different levels of wonderful.
Feels 4
Steam 5
Storyline 4
Overall Rating 4
Mary Daniels is focused on remaining one hundred percent professional as her wealthy boss has her acquire obscure pieces for his collections. But when Mary meets her new transporter Brodie Crews, she doesn’t know how she’s going to ignore this too attractive, masculine man. With sparks flying, the chemistry is a two way street and with the highly competitive collectibles trade, these two might find each other in danger of becoming too close to resist.
“You had this whole ‘take me serious or else, because I’m a hard-core professional and I don’t need you ogling my boobs’ vibe going on.”
This transporter story was just fun to read. There’s attraction, sass, intrigue, mystery and action all packed up in this page turner. Some of the characters were definitely oddballs and it drew me more to Mary and Brodie as a team against the strange obstacles against them. I loved Brodie’s protectiveness toward family and really anyone who was an underdog. He has such a sense of fairness and what is right. But my FAVORITE character was Howler. Such an entertaining and loving dog. And really, who can resist a guy who is such a great doggy daddy. Not me.
If you’ve enjoyed Lori Foster’s MMA and Bodyguard stories then you will definitely like the new Road to Love series. It has the same strong sense of family and friends that was the main theme in all of the other series. Once you get to know the main characters, you can’t help but fall in love with them and want to see their happy endings.
Love anything from Lori Foster!! her books are really great and this was one was too! her books are very engaging!
While I normally enjoy Lori Foster's books, this one did not live up to my expectations. Both Mary and Brodie didn't seem to have any real connection just insta-lust. Plus the whole plot/job of the book seemed way too over the top.
Okay, so this is hard …. I’m a Lori Foster fan but *sigh* this just didn’t work for me. Wait, no, not that it didn’t work for me, but it *should* have been more thrilling/captivating/fun. It shouldn’t have been easy to put the book down and pick up another and it shouldn’t have been so easy to skim some parts … mean the blurb pretty much seals that we’re gonna have a good time with a lot of sparks, amirite? Close proximity topped with opposites attract, and we should have been flying high on this one! Well, not so much. At least not for me. I don’t know if I’m just getting too old for some of these shenanigans in books, but my eyes rolled too many times LOL This book could easily have been 25% shorter and taken nothing away from the journey.
I’m still looking forward to reading a lot more from this series because this author has established herself to me as a reader already as excellent at her craft. This particular book just didn’t hit the mark for me … can’t win them all :)
Lori Foster is one of those authors that takes simple things like words and weaves a story that sucks you in and doesn't let go until the very last period.
Diven To Distraction is a touching story about a man who finds what he needs without his knowing it. And a woman who discovers it's not always easy to let go of past hurts.
Mary reminded me so much of myself. Strong, independent, and wounded. Sometimes the things others do make such an impression that it changes how you feel about life, about yourself. Mary was a prime example. She struggled every day to bury who she really is and tried to be someone she thought people would 'approve' of.
That is until a man made her want something different. Something better.
I cheered for Mary when she took Brodie's breath away. It was awesome watching her bloom into who she was always meant to be.
Brodie is, in a word, YUMMY! He's sweet, smart, sexy and so confident it oozes off the pages and makes your fingers tingle.
He made me giggle and sigh. And the way he decided Mary was the one...sigh.
And let's not forget about a big slobbery, fuzzy critter that will make you love this book even more.
I love that Lori has a heart for the fuzzy, lovable critters and never forgets to include them in her writing.
This book y'all. It's a must read!
Thanks Lori for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Not my favourite Lori foster book . I didn’t see the point in the profession and so the whole book didn’t work for me
What a wonderful start to a new series!
Brodie and Mary are complete opposites when it comes to family upbringing, but there is no denying the chemistry between them. Little by little, Brodie shows Mary what real family and true love is and not even the threat of danger will keep these two apart.
Brodie is a swoon-worthy hero all the way around and Mary is a tough-as-nails heroine that just needs a little love.
Great read, and I can't wait for the next one!
I received an ARC from NetGalley. I really look forward to reading books by Lori Foster and this one did not disappoint. Loved the cover, great characters and story. I look forward to the next book in this series.
~~Reviewed by Monique~~
Mary Daniels works as an artefact collector, and when she meets the new driver her employer has hired, Brodie Crews, she is flustered by his virility and matter-of-factness. Mary is all-business, she keeps her private life separate from her work, but having Brodie Crews driving will make things very difficult.
I was really looking forward to Lori Foster’s new series, Road to Love, and DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION had the bare bones for a great story with what appeared to be an intriguing villain, but somehow got buried beneath Mary’s ample chest, other various large body parts, before the plot took a very odd, and rather unexpected turn. I never warmed up to Brodie; no matter how much I kept being told what a great guy he was – and yes, he did love his dog! – I only saw a thirtysomething Neanderthal who thinks like an oversexed teenage boy, pulling on the metaphorical pigtails of Jessica Rabbit-lookalike Mary. Neither did I enjoy that he kept calling her “Red” while he knew she hated it; about that, I wondered why Mary hadn’t dyed her hair if it bothered her so much. I also felt he overstepped his boundaries when it came to the job she loved. Pneumatic chest aside, Mary is your typical heroine whose backstory is filled with misery.
The numerous sex scenes are lovely and passionate, which was a good thing, as DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION consisted of little more in the end than lust and push-and-pull between Mary and Brodie; he acting like a caveman, she seemingly losing brain cells to his amazing lovemaking skills and paying attention to her. I also felt that the book dragged from the middle on. Needless to add, this book didn’t work for me; it’s a matter of taste and I did not connect with the characters, separately or as a couple.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mary Daniels’ job and top priority is acquiring rare items for her rich boss. When they need a new driver, her boss’s top pick, Brodie Crews, has Mary practically begging him to reconsider. There’s something about Brodie, aside from all of his bad manners and habits, that leaves Mary unsettled like never before. When Brodie sees the uptight Mary, he can’t help but want to do everything possible to ruffle her feathers (as well as rub her the right way).
I hadn’t really read an Lori Foster book in a while and I’m glad I got the chance. I really LOVED this book. I loved both Mary and Brodie and every interaction between the two. I can’t wait to read another book by this author! I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
Lori Foster is an author that when offered or when I come across a new book by her I have to get it in my hands and this book was one of them. Wasn't even aware of what the book was about. Just knew the author and liked the cover and got curious enough to pick up this book and so glad that I got a chance to read it. I loved the characters and getting to know them. Getting to know Mary's character and why she acts the way she does really got me into her character. You can't help but wish for the best for the women. Then there is Brodie who is the complete opposite of her that was now going to be working beside her as a driver / guard for her in case things go sideways. It was interesting seeing him bait her endlessly and breaking her out of that shell slowly but surely. Theres not much to say about this book that wouldn't be a spoiler but if you can check it out. This book was so well written with an interesting set of characters, plenty going on to keep the readers interesting, and a few twists thrown in to keep the readers curious to know more. Highly reocmmend!
Another great book! Mary is buttoned up, prim & proper, until she gets around Brodie. He manages to get under her skin whenever they are together. Brodie enjoys his time with Mary until it begins to look like she’s been placed in danger. Mary is all about the job & is sure her employer wouldn’t put her in danger. She’s angry with Brodie when he breaks the rules & confronts their employer.
I really enjoyed the touch of suspense in this story! The chemistry between Brodie & Mary is strong & apparent but the anticipation of danger adds an extra dimension. Brodie’s family and their interactions provide background & depth. Another good story.
An exciting read. Not only do Mary and Brodie have amazing chemistry, but there are twists and turns to their story that will leave you spinning! Don’t miss out!
5 stars!
I am usually a fan of this Author but this story for some reason didn't do it for me. Perhaps as others stated it had something to do with the job they were doing that was beyond unbelievable. But in the most part, I didn't feel any chemistry between the two characters. The plot in itself also did not keep me entertained and I struggled to finish.
I typically love everything Lori does but this one was just okay. I didn't find the characters all that interesting and the storyline was a bit dull, too.
I always get excited when I find out that Lori Foster has started a new series. It almost takes the sting out of one of her series ending. ;) (Just kidding - I mean I can always go back and for a re-read...)
Mary and Brodie had a rough start. Brodie thought she was stuffy and Mary thought he was not professional in the slightest. She would have much preferred working with his brother. Her boss was specific in his request for Brodie though, so she didn't have a choice. She didn't have to like it though and she made that pretty clear from the start. It wasn't like Brodie was excited about the prospect of spending so much time with Mary, but he had to admit she was a mystery that he definitely wanted to solve. He knew there was more behind her than she revealed. He considered it a challenge.
The more these two spent time together though, the more they couldn't deny the attraction. Beyond the budding romance between Brodie and Mary there was a lot going on in Driven to Distraction. Mary had a few hang-ups and emotional attachment of any kind was one of them. It took her a while to realize that there was more than one way to define family. She had more than she realized and she gained even more with her connection to Brodie. There was also the element of danger and craziness surrounding Mary's boss's obsession. It definitely kept things interesting.
I know that there's at least one more book in this series that will be centered on Brodie's brother, Jack. I personally can't wait for the Road to Love series to continue with Slow Ride. ;)
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com
4.5 Hearts A new series by Lori Foster. I really enjoyed Mary. She is woman but she is also written strong and independent. I found myself wanting to be friends with her. And of course the drop dead gorgeous Brodie and his brother are worth reading about…
But what made this story for me was the brother relationship and the relationship between the boys and their mom. It was so real family that I found myself smiling every time there was a family scene.
I loved this story and can not wait for the next one!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.