Book Reviews: Driven and Fueled (Driven Trilogy) by K. Bromberg

Okay, guys!! It's my official first post post-SPM. This time, I would like to talk about the two books I've read a day before my Physics test. It was damn good, people. (Well, depend on some people of course). I lost a couple of night sleep because of this book. In fact, I skipped studying for my test for this book. I just got addicted, you know. I was like, '5 more minutes'. Then after 5 minutes, I would say 'just until the clock strikes 4 am. Then I was like, 'damn, the story is good. 5 more minutes.' This cycle moved on until it was like 2 hours away from me entering the examination hall. It was that freaking addicting.

         I found this book by chances but I do know that it got a high rating on Goodreads. So, I just read ahead without looking at the reviews. And I have never regretted that. Despite all the smashing-my-head-into-the-pillow-groaning-in-frustration when both of the stories ended with I-cannot-believe-it-ended-just-like-that kind of cliffhangers. Then, combined with the unknown date release for the last book of the trilogy, Crashed, it's a recipe for disaster-in-making. (By the way, MAJOR SPOILERS ALERT!)

Driven by need,

Fueled by desire,

Crashing into love.

Driven

Rylee Thomas is used to being in control. But she’s about to meet the one man that just might make her enjoy losing it…

I am the exception to the rule. 

In a world full of willing women, I’m a challenge to the roguish and achingly handsome Colton Donavan. A man used to getting exactly what he wants in all aspects of life. He’s the reckless bad boy constantly skating that razor thin edge toward out of control, on and off of the track.

Colton crashes into my life like a tornado: sapping my control, testing my vulnerabilities beyond their limits, and unintentionally penetrating the protective wall around my healing heart. Tearing apart the world I rebuilt so carefully with structure, predictability, and discipline.

I can’t give him what he wants and he can’t give me what I need. But after a glimpse beneath his refined exterior into the dark secrets of his damaged soul, can I bring myself to walk away?


Our sexual chemistry is undeniable. Our individual need for complete control is irrefutable. But when our worlds collide, is the chemistry enough to bring us together or will our untold secrets and battle of wills force us apart?

            Rylee Thomas worked with the orphans. Her life was wrecked (literally) before, when she involved in an accident with her fiancee, Max. Her fiancee and her unborn baby died in that crash She lost her life in that crash. So, she took comfort in managing an orphan house.

           The story started with Rylee organizing an auction for her charity. There, she met Colton Donavan, a famous professional car driver. Rylee was trapped inside of a closet when Colton opened the door to get her out. The moment they met was HOT. They changed looks for one second and BAMM they were kissing the other minute. It was awesome!

I have no time to register the confusion mingled with a heavy dose of desire that surges through me when I hear him mutter, “Oh fuck it,” seconds before his mouth is on mine. I gasp in utter shock, my lips parting a fraction as his mouth absorbs the sound, giving him an opening to caress his tongue over my lips and dart slowly between them.

            However, little did she know (as we all did), Colton was another bad case of tortured-hero-in-his-early-childhood-kinda-guy. I mean it. In first book, I was like, 'what the hell happened to this guy that made him afraid so much about loving people'. Little did I know indeed.

          Anyway, back to the story plot. Colton was persistent (kinda like a normal routine in the books I've read so far, huh?) in chasing Rylee. When Rylee finally gave up, they went on a date to the beach. It was the happy beginning for them. I thought things won't get really rough for them because they looked like they belonged together, you know. They were both people who had gone terrifying moments in the life (although I knew nothing about Colton at that point.)

I’ll be right back!” he announces before unfolding himself gracefully out of the car and standing deliberately to give me an incredible view of his ass in snug jeans. I bite my lip to suppress the various urges whipping through my body. He glances over his shoulder at me and laughs, knowing full well the impact of his actions. “Hey, Ryles?”

“Yeah, Ace?”

“I told you you wouldn’t be able to resist me.” He flashes me a disarming smile before hopping up on the curb and walking briskly down the block, long legs eating up the sidewalk, without a look back.

           Then, they had a one-night stand (well, that's what Rylee thought). The next day after they done it (and they done goooood), Colton came to her house and explained about what they did was not a one-time-thing and yada yada yada. They changed text with songs title to each other, wanting to give the other person of what they were thinking about. It was a nice concept, you know. Plus, it is one of those times where I know the songs they were talking about.

             Some of the way, Colton screwed up. Actually, a lot I think. He explained to her about his prior arrangements with other women and somehow it didn't sit well with Rylee. She assumed that Colton had some commitment issue which would only break her heart at the end of the day and all of her insecurity flared up. Colton explained a little bit about his past to Rylee and I couldn't but to wonder what did happen to him. A part of me was asking, 'what could've been more horrible than being the guy who killed your parents, your boyfriend and your bestfriend?'.

          Little did I know, people. Little did I know.

“I’m hardwired this way, Rylee. I’ll purposely do something to hurt you to prove that I can. To prove that you won’t stick around regardless of the consequences. To prove that I can control the situation. To control that I don’t get hurt.”

          They both went back and forth with their no-relationship status. And it perplexed Rylee when Colton sent mixed signals.

"What’s wrong, Ry?” 

“You,” I whisper.

“Me?” he mouths.

“You confuse me at every turn, Colton.” I shake my head softly and despite telling myself that touching him will only make walking away that much harder. “One minute you tell me you can’t stay away and the next you tell me you have to keep me at arm’s length because you’re going to hurt me. On Saturday you told me whatever is between us will never work unless I agree to your terms and then today you kiss me breathless. I can’t give you what you want and you can’t give me what I need. That’s all I know. All I understand, Colton.”

           Okay. Let's talk about the cliffhanger, shall we? Oh dear, the cliffhanger. It's almost as worst as Opal (but Opal is the worst though). It was too sudden. One minute they were sleeping on the bed with each other, after having the best moment of their life of course, then the guy woke up with a serious case of nightmare and one second after that, he threw her out from his house. And I was like WTF??? And you know what was the worst thing happened next, NOTHING. NOTHING HAPPENED. It ended just like that. If I wasn't already had the second book in my hand, I would've banged my head to the wall, like this.

            Seriously. It was that frustrating. Plus, I hated Colton so much at that point. He never let anyone in. I cannot understand why he pushed Rylee away when he clearly had some feelings for her. I was brimming with anger at that point. I just wanted Rylee to run away from him and let him suffer to his death. But, that's not what happened.

            Okay now, let's move to the second book.

Fueled

What happens when the one person you never expected suddenly happens to be the one you’ll fight the hardest to keep?

Colton stole my heart. He wasn't supposed to, and I sure as hell didn't want him to, but he crashed into my life, ignited feelings within me that I thought had died forever, and fueled a passion that I never knew could exist.

Rylee fell out of that damn storage closet and into my life. Now I don't think I'll ever be the same. She's seen glimpses of the darkness within me, and yet she's still here. Still fighting for me. She is without a doubt the saint, and I am most definitely the sinner.

How is it the one thing neither of us wanted—neither of us anticipated that fateful night—has us fighting so hard to keep?

He steals my breath, stops my heart, and brings me back to life again all in a split second of time. But how can I love a man who won't let me in? Who continually pushes me away to prevent me from seeing the damaged secrets in his past? My heart has fallen, but patience and forgiveness can only go so far.

How can I desire a woman who unnerves me, defies me, and forces me to see that in the deep, black abyss of my soul there's someone worthy of her love? A place and person I swore I'd never be again. Her selfless heart and sexy body deserve so much more than I'll ever be capable of giving her. I know I can't be what she needs, so why can't I just let her go?

We are driven by need and fueled with desire, but is that enough for us to crash into love?

           The prologue to the second book took my breath away. Literally. I was gaping with mouth full opened when I reached the part where all things started to make sense. It was in the middle of the night when I read it and the gasp was so loud that I think I almost woke my mom up from her deep sleep. And my mom slept in another room from mine.

         I can't believe what happened to Colton in the past. I mean like, it was the worst case scenario EVER. It was sick and unbelievable and brought stupid bile to my throat when I remembered it and I got serious case of goosebumps when I heard him say.

'Spiderman. Batman. Superman. Ironman.'

         Now, I know what the worst case would be.

Spiderman. Batman. Superman. Ironman. Spiderman. Batman. Superman. Ironman. I repeat the names of the superheroes, my silent escape from this hell. From the fear that races through my veins, coats my skin with sweat, and fills the air with its unmistakable scent. I repeat the names again. Praying any of these four superheroes will show up and rescue me. To fight evil.

“Tell me,” he grunts. “Say it or it’ll hurt more until you do.”

I bite my lip and welcome the metallic taste of my blood as I try to prevent myself from crying out in fear and terror. From giving him what he wants, my screams for the help that I know will never come. He grips me hard. It hurts so bad. I give in and say what he wants to hear.

“I love you. I love you. I love you…” I repeat over and over, endlessly as his breath picks up from the excitement my words bring him. My fingernails dig into my clenched fists as his hands grope and grab their way down my torso. His rough fingers find the waistband of my threadbare underwear—one of the only pair I have—and I hear them rip under his excited and jerky movements. I suck in my breath, my body shaking violently, knowing what happens next. One hand cups my crotch, squeezing me too hard and hurting me, while I feel his other hand spreading me apart from behind.

           God, that brought freaking shivers to my skin! I can't believe that happened to an 8-year-old kid. He was a freaking little kid!! You have no idea how mad I am at myself for thinking so little about him in the first book. In fact, my opinion of him changed as a lightning when I reached that bug-crawling-under-my-skin moment. I feel like I want to hunt Colton down and give him a VERY big hug. It was the worst case ever and will be one of those moments I will never forget. You have a piece of my heart with you, Colton.

           So, the second book ended where the first book exactly left on. On the doorstep of Colton's house. What I love about the second book is Rylee's character. In the first book, I didn't like her so much but in the second book, I fell in love with her. Rylee did what any female lead won't. She went back into the house to knock some sense in Colton.

He may be done with me, but I haven’t had my say yet. Too many things jumble around in my head that I might never get the chance to say again. And regret is one emotion I don’t need added to my list of things to rue over.

            Then, she found Colton crying in the bathroom and I got the heartburn again. I started to love Colton so much in this book. He became this type of guy that I want to tuck under arm and keep him away from the bullies, you know.

“I’m so sorry,” he says finally in a broken whisper before lowering his eyes and pushing himself off of the wall. He staggers back and collapses onto the built-in bench, and I can’t hold myself back any more. I take the few steps to cross the shower stall and use my body to push his knees apart so I can step between his legs. Before I can even reach for him, he takes me by surprise, gripping his fingers into the flesh at my hips and yanking me to him. He finds his way beneath my now wet shirt and runs his hands up my torso, pushing it up as he goes until I cross my arms in front of me and strip it off. I toss it carelessly behind me and it lands with a loud slap against the tile. The minute I’m naked, he wraps his arms around me, and crushes my body to his. With him seated and me standing, his cheek presses against my abdomen, and his arms are like a vice gripping me tight.

          Oh dear, Colton...

           Anyway, stopping my obsession with Colton for awhile and back to the story, they got back together. They had their moments, in and out of the relationship. What surprised me the most was by how Rylee keeping things together. She was the one that making the relationship moved forward rather than being stuck as one of Colton's other women. She tried to make the relationship out even though there were times when Colton chickened out.

“I Spiderman you?” 

She laughs with this adorable look on her face. “Yeah. Some of the boys have trouble with affection when they come to us. Either they feel like they’re betraying their parents, regardless of how fucked up their situation, by having feelings for their counselors, or feelings in general had a negative connotation from whatever situation they came from...” 

...  

She mistakes the look I give her to be that I don’t understand so she tries to clarify. She shifts off of her knees and situates herself closer to me. “Okay, for instance pretend you are one of my boys—tell me one thing that you love more than anything.” 

“That’s easy.” I smirk at her. “Sex with you.” 

The smile spreads on her lips and her cheeks flush. So sexy. “Well that’s an answer I’ve never gotten from one of my boys before,” she jokes, laughing at me. “No seriously, Colton, give me the one thing.” 

I shrug, saying my first and only love. “I love to race.” 

“Perfect,” she says. “If you were one of my boys and you wanted to tell me you loved me, or vice versa, you’d say ‘I race you, Rylee.’”

           The worst fight they had was when Rylee finally said 'I love you' to Colton. Colton, as his name, bolted out. He ran away and avoided Rylee. Rylee was still persistent in making things working as they already did but Colton's overreaction to her words was unexplainable. But I get it why he ran away. For him, that three little words were a little harder to say since he always said it to the man that raped him when he was a kid. (Gosh, that just made me cringe.) To him, those three little words mean a lot more than other people.

          Then, the misunderstanding happened. Rylee caught Colton with Tawyn, his ex-girlfriend in a suspicious condition which let her into thinking that Colton was cheating on her. That made a huge fight. Rylee broke up with Colton and Colton chased after her relentlessly.

“I—I just need some time away from you, Colton, and the disaster that we’ve made of the past couple of days. You’re so overpowering—so everywhere—that when I’m near you I become so lost in you that it’s like I can’t breathe or think or do anything on my own. I just need a little time to process this...” I look around before turning back to him. “Time to try and figure out why we’re so broken…”

“No, Ry, no,” he insists, the rasp in his voice breaking as he brings his hands up to frame the sides of my face at the same time he bends his knees to bring us inches apart, eye to eye, thumbs caressing over the line of my jaw. “We’re not broken, baby…we’re just bent. And bent’s okay. Bent means that we’re just figuring things out.”

          They got back together after Colton's friend, Becks helped them to solve their issues. And THANK YOU to him because I was tired of all the cat-and-mouse-chasing kind of thing. After they got on a solid rock again, I was like, finally they can get their happily ever after.

“I might not be able to tell you the things you need to hear with the traditional words you need to hear them in, but I swear to God, Rylee, I will try. And if I can’t, then I’ll show you. I’ll show you with everything I have—anything it takes—where your place is in my life,” he murmurs to me, shattering every last form of protection I have guarding my heart.

He just stole it completely.

And I just more than willingly handed it over.

            And this is my favourite moment.

“Rylee!” In all of the complete, organized chaos, his voice rings out. Stops me. Starts me. Completes me.

I turn around and face him in all of his suited up glory. His white balaclava is in one hand and helmet in the other. So achingly handsome. So damn sexy. And all mine. I look at him confused since we already had our moment of privacy in the motor home. Did I do something wrong? “Yeah?”

His smile lights up. A solid figure standing still while everyone else moves in one big blur around him. His eyes hold mine, intense and clear. “I race you, Ryles,” he says in a voice that’s implacable and unwavering amidst the swirling chaos.

My heart stops. Time stands still and it feels like we’re the only two people in the world. Just a damaged boy and a selfless girl. Our eyes lock and in that exchange, words that I can’t shout out in the chaos between us are said. That after the little he explained last night, I know how horribly difficult it is for him to utter those words. That I understand he’s telling me he’s still a broken child inside, but like my boys he’s giving me his heart and trusting that I will hold it with gentle, compassionate, and understanding hands.

“I race you too, Colton.” I mouth to him. Despite the noise, I know he hears what I’ve said for a shy smile graces his lips, and he shakes his head like he’s trying to understand all of this too. Beckett calls his name and he gives me one last glance before his face transforms into work mode. And I can’t help but just stand there and watch him. Love swells, overwhelms, and heals my heart that I once thought was irreparable. Fills me with happiness over the man that I can’t tear my eyes away from him.

             And I was like,

              Then, the unexpected happened. I thought that since the first book had a negative cliffhanger, the second book will end up on a more positive and brighter note. That didn't happen when K. Bromberg ended the second book with a BANG! Literally. This time, Colton was involved in an accident during his race tour. I was like, WTF and this time I did bang my head to the headboard of my bed like this. I stayed up all night and just to have a freaking cliffhanger???!!!

          Anyhow, I enjoyed this two novels very much. This book received a full 5 stars from me. Although it was the second book that made me think 'I was stupid for thinking this story just another mediocre'. I love Rylee so much for her efforts in making something out of nothing and I FREAKING RACE YOU, COLTON!!! I also love how they try to repair their 'bend' relationship and how Colton wanted to take chances with Rylee and how Rylee forgave Colton at the end (although it took her a lot of times and some force) and everything just clicks when both of them were together.

          So, that is all for today. I need to read another book and I'll return tomorrow with The Reaper's Property's review. That book was worth the wait. I book you all! Bye!

I book you,

Liely

P.S. Quote of the day, guys.

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. ― C.G. Jung.