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Under The Hood #2
Driver's Seat
A small town, brother’s best friend, blue-collar-hero, steamy and sweet romance
CAM
After watching the strongest man I've ever known crumble under the weight of a broken heart when my mother died, I made the conscious decision never to fall in love. The best way to do that? Steer clear of women who’ll want more than I'm willing to give.
Women like my buddy’s little sister, Isabel, who followed me around like a shadow since the day she took her first step, and had our wedding planned and future kids named by the time she was twelve. I was spared the agony of her teenage pining because she moved out of town when her parents divorced.
Now she's back, and according to my buddy, she's in desperate need of a good mechanic. Coincidence? Not likely. I'll service her car as a favor to my friend, but my days of humoring his little sister’s crush are over.
Except, Isabel is no longer a little girl and her days of crushing on me are long gone. She’s all grown up. A self-assured, interesting, beautiful woman whose only interest in me now is to fix her car. Suddenly, she’s in the driver’s seat, and it’s me who’s following her. Crushing on her. Maybe even falling for her…
Driver's Seat is a standalone story connected to the Under the Hood series by Karla Doyle* This book contains content suitable for adult readers only.
CAM
After watching the strongest man I've ever known crumble under the weight of a broken heart when my mother died, I made the conscious decision never to fall in love. The best way to do that? Steer clear of women who’ll want more than I'm willing to give.
Women like my buddy’s little sister, Isabel, who followed me around like a shadow since the day she took her first step, and had our wedding planned and future kids named by the time she was twelve. I was spared the agony of her teenage pining because she moved out of town when her parents divorced.
Now she's back, and according to my buddy, she's in desperate need of a good mechanic. Coincidence? Not likely. I'll service her car as a favor to my friend, but my days of humoring his little sister’s crush are over.
Except, Isabel is no longer a little girl and her days of crushing on me are long gone. She’s all grown up. A self-assured, interesting, beautiful woman whose only interest in me now is to fix her car. Suddenly, she’s in the driver’s seat, and it’s me who’s following her. Crushing on her. Maybe even falling for her…
Driver's Seat is a standalone story connected to the Under the Hood series by Karla Doyle* This book contains content suitable for adult readers only.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2024
46 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Karla Doyle
56 books432 followersKarla grew up in a small town on the north shore of Lake Erie. She trained and worked in the fashion industry for over two decades, before embracing the writing muse. When she's not writing romance, Karla loves spending time with her family, friends, and pets, reading romance novels, and playing online Scrabble.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 16, 2024
OMG!!! WOW!! Fab*u*lous Absolutely love this one!! I couldn't put this one down. This was a nice quick, short read.
Cam and Isabel knew each other growing up, he was her brother's best friend. Isabel moved away when she was twelve years old, with her mother. From the time Isabel could she make a scrapbook with her and Cam's wedding, and she would bring it out and show him. Isabel comes back into town hoping to reconnect with her father. When Isabel's brother Tony finds out she's having car problems he asks Cam to look at her car. Cam is overloaded with work, he owns a garage with his father Granger Shifting Gears who recently had a work accident and will not be able to work for six weeks. Cam agrees to look at Isabel's car for his best friend, but when she bring her car to the garage it's more work than Cam can manage in a days work. Cam won't let Isabel drive her car back to her dad's since it's not fit for the road. Then Isabel finds out that Cam is working over when no one is around. So Isabel tells Cam that she'll stay with him and watch over him, so that nothing happens to him like happened to his dad. Cam promises Isabel he is going to look for someone to work part-time at the garage to help him out. The next day Cam has a few interviews, but they don't work out. Cam tries as hard as he can to flirt with Isabel who once had a huge crush on him. Isabel doesn't want a relationship right now, she just got out of a bad one and is looking for some time for herself. The next day when Isabel shows up at the garage Cam has an idea he takes her on a ride, and shows her his home. Then Cam lets her borrow one of his vehicles, Isabel isn't sure about driving around in Cam's vehicle. The following night when Isabel comes to the garage Cam can tell something is wrong, but she won't tell him. Finally Isabel tells Cam that her father who is an alcoholic threw something at her, but it missed her. Cam tells Isabel she can move into his home he has a spare bedroom she can use. Isabel isn't sure about this arrangement is hard to keep her feelings for Cam locked up and away and he almost kissed her. After Cam gets Isabel settled into his home he takes a shower and heads to bed. While Isabel is trying to sleep she thinks maybe it would be so bad to have a little fun with Cam, to let him make her feel like she's worth something. So Isabel heads to Cam's room, she knocks on the door and he tells her to come in. Cam asks her if she needs anything Isabel tells him she wants him. Then Isabel climbs into bed with Cam and on top of him. Isabel starts to slide her hands over Cam but he stops her, he tells her she doesn't want him she wants to stay in the friend zone. Isabel tells Cam she does want him she wants him to make her feel wanted, like she's worthy. Cam strips Isabel then tells her how beautiful she is, when she tries to cover her body and hide it from him. Cam pleasures Isabel then they make love. When Cam wakes up the next day he realizes he slept in, because of the beautiful woman next to him. Soon Cam hears someone knocking on his door, and realizes he forgot about meeting his dad for breakfast. When Cam doesn't answer his dad uses his key and sees Isabel scurrying off to the guest bedroom. Cam explains that he forgot about breakfast but his father tells him not to worry about it. When Isabel comes out and tells Cam she's heading to her father's to get her things. Cam asks his dad if he has some time to help him out, his dad tells him to tell Isabel how he feels about her and not to wait. When Isabel returns to Cam's house, he is standing outside, a white little fence around his yard. Isabel asks Cam if he's messing with her, he tells. her no it's a promise. Cam tells her he wants to build her a white picket fence for it to be their yard. Cam tells her if she still wants those two kids she planned with him he scared of losing her one day but a life without her isn't worth living. Cam tells her he loves her, he's head over heels in love with her. Isabel tells Cam she loves him, and he'll always be her home. Then Cam tells Isabel he has something else for her and gives her a scrapbook to start their new memories with. Six week later, Cam and Isabel invited his family over for a barbecue. As they are getting ready Cam leans in to kiss Isabel but he sees the hesitation on her face. Cam asks her what is wrong but Isabel won't tell him, so he tells her he'll tell his family to go home. Isabel tells Cam not to do that, she tells him it's just that something she gets a feeling he's going to wake up and not want her. When Cam's father arrives he tells him to make himself at home, he needs a moment with Isabel. Cam takes Isabel out to his garage it's not how he planned to do this. Cam drops to one knee and asks Isabel to marry him, she tells him yes.
Cam and Isabel knew each other growing up, he was her brother's best friend. Isabel moved away when she was twelve years old, with her mother. From the time Isabel could she make a scrapbook with her and Cam's wedding, and she would bring it out and show him. Isabel comes back into town hoping to reconnect with her father. When Isabel's brother Tony finds out she's having car problems he asks Cam to look at her car. Cam is overloaded with work, he owns a garage with his father Granger Shifting Gears who recently had a work accident and will not be able to work for six weeks. Cam agrees to look at Isabel's car for his best friend, but when she bring her car to the garage it's more work than Cam can manage in a days work. Cam won't let Isabel drive her car back to her dad's since it's not fit for the road. Then Isabel finds out that Cam is working over when no one is around. So Isabel tells Cam that she'll stay with him and watch over him, so that nothing happens to him like happened to his dad. Cam promises Isabel he is going to look for someone to work part-time at the garage to help him out. The next day Cam has a few interviews, but they don't work out. Cam tries as hard as he can to flirt with Isabel who once had a huge crush on him. Isabel doesn't want a relationship right now, she just got out of a bad one and is looking for some time for herself. The next day when Isabel shows up at the garage Cam has an idea he takes her on a ride, and shows her his home. Then Cam lets her borrow one of his vehicles, Isabel isn't sure about driving around in Cam's vehicle. The following night when Isabel comes to the garage Cam can tell something is wrong, but she won't tell him. Finally Isabel tells Cam that her father who is an alcoholic threw something at her, but it missed her. Cam tells Isabel she can move into his home he has a spare bedroom she can use. Isabel isn't sure about this arrangement is hard to keep her feelings for Cam locked up and away and he almost kissed her. After Cam gets Isabel settled into his home he takes a shower and heads to bed. While Isabel is trying to sleep she thinks maybe it would be so bad to have a little fun with Cam, to let him make her feel like she's worth something. So Isabel heads to Cam's room, she knocks on the door and he tells her to come in. Cam asks her if she needs anything Isabel tells him she wants him. Then Isabel climbs into bed with Cam and on top of him. Isabel starts to slide her hands over Cam but he stops her, he tells her she doesn't want him she wants to stay in the friend zone. Isabel tells Cam she does want him she wants him to make her feel wanted, like she's worthy. Cam strips Isabel then tells her how beautiful she is, when she tries to cover her body and hide it from him. Cam pleasures Isabel then they make love. When Cam wakes up the next day he realizes he slept in, because of the beautiful woman next to him. Soon Cam hears someone knocking on his door, and realizes he forgot about meeting his dad for breakfast. When Cam doesn't answer his dad uses his key and sees Isabel scurrying off to the guest bedroom. Cam explains that he forgot about breakfast but his father tells him not to worry about it. When Isabel comes out and tells Cam she's heading to her father's to get her things. Cam asks his dad if he has some time to help him out, his dad tells him to tell Isabel how he feels about her and not to wait. When Isabel returns to Cam's house, he is standing outside, a white little fence around his yard. Isabel asks Cam if he's messing with her, he tells. her no it's a promise. Cam tells her he wants to build her a white picket fence for it to be their yard. Cam tells her if she still wants those two kids she planned with him he scared of losing her one day but a life without her isn't worth living. Cam tells her he loves her, he's head over heels in love with her. Isabel tells Cam she loves him, and he'll always be her home. Then Cam tells Isabel he has something else for her and gives her a scrapbook to start their new memories with. Six week later, Cam and Isabel invited his family over for a barbecue. As they are getting ready Cam leans in to kiss Isabel but he sees the hesitation on her face. Cam asks her what is wrong but Isabel won't tell him, so he tells her he'll tell his family to go home. Isabel tells Cam not to do that, she tells him it's just that something she gets a feeling he's going to wake up and not want her. When Cam's father arrives he tells him to make himself at home, he needs a moment with Isabel. Cam takes Isabel out to his garage it's not how he planned to do this. Cam drops to one knee and asks Isabel to marry him, she tells him yes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2024
2.1/5
It just wasn’t what I was promised. The synopsis made it sound like she was in love with him as a kid and moved away and when she came back she is over him and he is down BAD. Sounds great, right? Well it wasn’t fucking that.
INSTEAD she has been hopelessly in love with him the whole time, abused horribly by men and neglected by her family and when he sees her again he’s an asshole. Repeatedly. Then she accepts what he gives her. And granted, he is nice to her. But I was promised PINING and I just got her being sad and desperate.
And I’m sorry but why was some huge trauma hinted at time and time again for her but never actually brought up or discussed? And the big barrier to their relationship (her being his best friends baby sister) never played out at all. They never told the brother???
It really felt like she was a pathetic love sick puppy (which, I mean, whatever. We’ve all been there girl but we were billed a self actualized badass who would make him grovel). Plus it felt icky. Like he was taking advantage of her somehow. And also like he would get rid of her and she wasn’t good enough (she chubby but he’s perfect. She is damaged but he has a good family. Etc). Not for me. Especially because I thought it would be something much better.
No OMD/OWD. No cheating. No breakup. Bleh. Epilogue with a proposal.
It just wasn’t what I was promised. The synopsis made it sound like she was in love with him as a kid and moved away and when she came back she is over him and he is down BAD. Sounds great, right? Well it wasn’t fucking that.
INSTEAD she has been hopelessly in love with him the whole time, abused horribly by men and neglected by her family and when he sees her again he’s an asshole. Repeatedly. Then she accepts what he gives her. And granted, he is nice to her. But I was promised PINING and I just got her being sad and desperate.
And I’m sorry but why was some huge trauma hinted at time and time again for her but never actually brought up or discussed? And the big barrier to their relationship (her being his best friends baby sister) never played out at all. They never told the brother???
It really felt like she was a pathetic love sick puppy (which, I mean, whatever. We’ve all been there girl but we were billed a self actualized badass who would make him grovel). Plus it felt icky. Like he was taking advantage of her somehow. And also like he would get rid of her and she wasn’t good enough (she chubby but he’s perfect. She is damaged but he has a good family. Etc). Not for me. Especially because I thought it would be something much better.
No OMD/OWD. No cheating. No breakup. Bleh. Epilogue with a proposal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2024
A more fitting title for this book would be “Daddy Issues”. When they finally start anything between themselves, at the 80% mark, the FMC just goes on and on about how she just needs you to bang her so she can feel special and pretty for just a minute, ugh you’re kidding me right now! And what in the hell is a muffin top below your belly button? Correct me if I am wrong but I thought a muffin top came from your pants being too tight, how does it happen when you are naked. “Cushiony flesh” are you freaking kidding me, why oh why must authors use the most utterly ridiculous ways to decide a fluffy FMC. If writing about big girls ain’t in your wheel house then quit making us suffer through your terrible descriptions. If this story wasn’t already ludicrous enough the FMC thanks the MMC in the middle of sex, not at end, the freaking middle she is all “thank you, I appreciate you doing this for me and your current dedication to a job well done.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
August 5, 2024Good With His Hands: Season 2 (16 books) :
❌Cementing Her Love by Debra Elise (July 8, 2024)
❌High Voltage Lane by Andie Fenichel (July 9, 2024)
❌Axing For Trouble by Jessa Joy (July 10, 2024)
❌Draining His Tank by Lisa Freed (July 11, 2024)
❌Shock to the Heart by Haley Travis (July 15, 2024)
❌Driver's Seat by Karla Doyle (July 16, 2024)
❌Shore Leave by Ember Davis (July 17, 2024)
❌Sturdy & Dirty by Penn Rivers (July 18, 2024)
❌Hooking Her Up:by Cassi Hart (July 22, 2024)
❌Pining for You :by Leah Braemel (July 23, 2024)
❌Handling the Boss by Rose Bak (July 24, 2024)
❌Nailed It by Tamrin Banks (July 25, 2024)
❌Wet and Welder by Heather Lauren (July 26, 2024)
❌Morning Wood by Cameron Hart (July 29, 2024)
❌Fulfilling His by Amy Ruttan(July 30, 2024)
❌Slippery When Wet by Mayra Statham (Author) , Karla Doyle (Illustrator) , Julia Goda (Editor)(July 31, 2024)
❌Cementing Her Love by Debra Elise (July 8, 2024)
❌High Voltage Lane by Andie Fenichel (July 9, 2024)
❌Axing For Trouble by Jessa Joy (July 10, 2024)
❌Draining His Tank by Lisa Freed (July 11, 2024)
❌Shock to the Heart by Haley Travis (July 15, 2024)
❌Driver's Seat by Karla Doyle (July 16, 2024)
❌Shore Leave by Ember Davis (July 17, 2024)
❌Sturdy & Dirty by Penn Rivers (July 18, 2024)
❌Hooking Her Up:by Cassi Hart (July 22, 2024)
❌Pining for You :by Leah Braemel (July 23, 2024)
❌Handling the Boss by Rose Bak (July 24, 2024)
❌Nailed It by Tamrin Banks (July 25, 2024)
❌Wet and Welder by Heather Lauren (July 26, 2024)
❌Morning Wood by Cameron Hart (July 29, 2024)
❌Fulfilling His by Amy Ruttan(July 30, 2024)
❌Slippery When Wet by Mayra Statham (Author) , Karla Doyle (Illustrator) , Julia Goda (Editor)(July 31, 2024)
July 20, 2024
Second chance romance which is one of my favorite trope's to read. Cam and Iz grow up together she had the biggest crush on him even after she moved away. She is now back in town and things between them are changing. But will Cam be able to put aside the fact that he refuses to love anyone? Love and loss are not in the cards for him. He refuses to give his heart away and have it broken. Will Iz be able to change all that?
I absolutely loved these two. The banter between these two is well written and very enjoyable. The chemistry has always been there and just rekindled so very easily when they come back together. A very well written story about a second chance at love and happiness.
I absolutely loved these two. The banter between these two is well written and very enjoyable. The chemistry has always been there and just rekindled so very easily when they come back together. A very well written story about a second chance at love and happiness.
July 18, 2024
Her heart always knew....
....they just needed to believe!
This is almost a second chance for first love, it was love, they were just too young for it to be a relationship. But that love never actually died, it's just put on hold until they grow up and meet again, then the chemistry explodes!
They have such an easy, sassy, funny and sweet relationship, they tease, they flirt, but most of all they are honest about the past and about what scares them for the future. I really enjoyed this light hearted addition to the series.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
....they just needed to believe!
This is almost a second chance for first love, it was love, they were just too young for it to be a relationship. But that love never actually died, it's just put on hold until they grow up and meet again, then the chemistry explodes!
They have such an easy, sassy, funny and sweet relationship, they tease, they flirt, but most of all they are honest about the past and about what scares them for the future. I really enjoyed this light hearted addition to the series.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
July 26, 2024
Scrapbooking
A fast, sweet, emotional story about Isabel and her brother’s best friend Cam. She crushed on him as a child and thought she’d grown out of it, but 5 minutes together show her the feelings are still strong.
Cam liked little girl Isabel, but the woman she’s become has him feeling all sorts of different.
I loved their growth, support of each other and watching how their love grew.
Great humour, cute characters, a little spice and a beautiful HEA.
Thank you to the author.
A fast, sweet, emotional story about Isabel and her brother’s best friend Cam. She crushed on him as a child and thought she’d grown out of it, but 5 minutes together show her the feelings are still strong.
Cam liked little girl Isabel, but the woman she’s become has him feeling all sorts of different.
I loved their growth, support of each other and watching how their love grew.
Great humour, cute characters, a little spice and a beautiful HEA.
Thank you to the author.
July 28, 2024
Picking up a book by this author means a well written story that you can fall into. Isabel is back in town after twelve years with shadows of past hurts on her heart. Cam has decided the love is not worth the risk of loss. Sparks fly, engines rev and feelings ignite in this steamy story about how love becomes strength. Loved their Cam and Iz’s easy banter and enjoyed their love journey to a HEA.
I received an advanced reader copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
I received an advanced reader copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
July 19, 2024
Driver's Seat is Cam and Isabel's brother's best friend HEA. Cam is determined to never fall in love. It's just pain and heartache. Isabel is his buddy's sister, and Cam was her childhood crush. Now she's back after twelve years and she's not the only one who forms a "crush". I really enjoyed it. Their banter was so great! Fun quick read with depth and steamy bits🙃😉
September 12, 2024
HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
Brother's Best Friend
Good With His Hands; Season 2 Multi-author series
Under The Hood series, Book 2
Trigger/ Content warnings
Death of spouse
Alcoholism
Hints of DV
She's been in love with him all her life. But she left 12 years ago, and they both thought she would outgrow it. Now she's back, and it's him chasing her.
Standalone, interconnected characters
Brother's Best Friend
Good With His Hands; Season 2 Multi-author series
Under The Hood series, Book 2
Trigger/ Content warnings
Death of spouse
Alcoholism
Hints of DV
She's been in love with him all her life. But she left 12 years ago, and they both thought she would outgrow it. Now she's back, and it's him chasing her.
July 19, 2024
I loved the banter about the side piece cars! Cam and Isabel are amazing! I cried and laughed and awed the whole way through. I love that the hardships are there but not detailed. Definitely a must read as always.
July 27, 2024
Very romantic
I was sceptical of Cam for a hot minute because he can be an azz, but cam and Izzy were great together. This was a well developed story for how short it was. I definitely have to read the dad's book now!
I was sceptical of Cam for a hot minute because he can be an azz, but cam and Izzy were great together. This was a well developed story for how short it was. I definitely have to read the dad's book now!
July 22, 2024
Short, spicy, and swoon worthy!!! Cam has me blushing so hard over the dirty talk and that epilogue!! Oh Cam…… sooooo book boyfriend approved!!
August 4, 2024
so sweet
This was such a sweet book. Oh my goodness Cam and Isabel were adorable together. There was just enough angst and a whole lot of heat. Enjoyed it.
This was such a sweet book. Oh my goodness Cam and Isabel were adorable together. There was just enough angst and a whole lot of heat. Enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews