Drive Me Crazy

Food Truck Warriors #1

by Beth Bolden

This summer, Tony Blake is looking for love, not a new employee for the food truck he owns with his brother. But his brother adores meddling, and hires Lucas anyway. Maybe if he’s lucky, Tony can have his cake and eat it too.

But while Lucas might be hotter than the steamy LA weather, to Tony’s disappointment, he’s not interested in more than a casual hookup. Old Tony would have loved the lack of strings, but New Tony wants so much more.

What he wants is Lucas next to him, revolutionizing their carnivore-friendly menu with his vegan point of view, and what he needs is Lucas underneath him in bed, turning his life inside out.

As the tiny, cramped kitchen heats up in the dog days of summer, Tony aims to drive Lucas crazy enough to fall ridiculously, stupendously, head-over-heels in love.

Drive Me Crazy is an 83,000 word gay romance, and the first book in the Food Truck Warriors series. Don't read hungry!

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Queer, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

358 pages, Paperback

First published August 24, 2020

About the author

A lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drive me Crazy is book one in the brand new series, Food Truck Warriors, by Beth Bolden. This is my very first book by this author! This is a M/M romance full of all kinds of food for those of you who are foodies.



Tony Blake is the older brother of Wyatt Blake. If you’ve read this author before, you may have read Wyatt and Ryan’s story in Catch me, book two in the Kitchen Gods series. It’s been a year since Tony was dumped by his ex-boyfriend. Tony lives in the guest house of his brother and brother’s husband’s house. He and his brother are partners in owning their food truck, What a Catch. Only Wyatt has all kinds of other projects going on and won’t be able to work much in the food truck. So they need a new employee. Practically living with Wyatt and Ryan and seeing how happy and in love they are every single day has made Tony want that for himself. If only he could find the right man to have that with.



Lucas Barnes works part time at a local gym as a personal trainer but needs another part time job while he works to get his protein bar business off the ground. When Wyatt hired him, it was with the promise that he could use the food truck kitchen to make his bars when it wasn’t in use. Lucas has a plan. To get his business started. He’s all for hook ups but he doesn’t do relationships. He doesn’t do boyfriends. He just doesn’t have the time or mental space for that right now. When he first met Tony, that zing of attraction was immediately there. Tony was definitely a sexy, good looking man. But he could tell that Tony wasn’t a casual fling kind of guy. He would want more than Lucas would ever be willing to give.

As Tony and Lucas worked together, their chemistry was too much to deny. And both soon realized that once would never be enough. Things were just too easy between them. They just seemed to fit. For the first time ever, Lucas could see himself long term with someone, and that thought scared him more than anything else.



While Tony and Lucas are blending together their work and private lives, things start disappearing from the food truck. Lucas is convinced he knows who it was but Tony isn’t so sure.

I loved that these two never really fought the attraction between them. I’m not a big fan of push and pull and did enjoy that both Lucas and Tony just kind of went with it, even though their feelings scared them. Adding in the little bit of a mystery gave the story a little something extra. This is a sweet, sexy romance of two men who weren’t actually looking but found something they didn’t even know they needed, each other.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review tomorrow when I'm at the laptop.

***

Disclaimer as usual, I beta read this book for Beth but if I tell you my only note to her was - I need an Epilogue - it should give you an idea about the quality of the narrative 😁

From the opening scene, when Tony is convinced his brother Wyatt's setting him up with Lucas, to the ending, this book is a joy. It's just a relatively low angst, drama free falling in love romance.

The tension element comes from an outside source and, while it's obvious to the reader what's going on, I totally believed that Tony would take the position he does because of how he's behaved in the past and his desire to change and be a reliable person and not blow off the handle at everything.

Lucas is a joy though, he has a right mouth on him and I loved that he wouldn't just sit back and say nothing. They're explosive together but also ridiculously sweet and loving.

We also get lots of Wyatt and Ryan, which I massively appreciated, a hilarious sub-plot with a parrot and some set up for the future books among the rest of the food truck gang.

Great start to this series!

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good but the pacing was kind of weird. Like when where why and how did they fall in love - I don’t remember reading it in the book lol.
I’m interested in the rest of the series, and I think I’ll go back and read Ryan and Wyatt’s story too.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot. It's not fast paced by any means, but it's engaging. I really cared to know what would happen next without feeling anxious over it. Both Tony and Lucas are pretty appealing main characters, and I liked seeing their journey.
I usually go for fast books when I'm anxious to distract myself from the world (and heaven knows the world has a lot we need distracting from nowadays) but I found this one oddly soothing.

[Ele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Pretty hot but I couldn't get into the romance. And the mystery was too much in the way but at the same time not that interesting.

[Athira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored Tony and Lucas. This was a fun and lighthearted romance. I really enjoyed seeing Tony trying to charm Lucas off his feet.

They have really good chemistry. I loved the secondary characters, especially Wyatt and Ryan. The food sounds delicious and most of the time I was super hungry.

Though this is a spinoff of Kitchen Gods, I didn't feel like I was missing out anything. It can be read as a standalone and is written in dual POV. But I'm definitely curious about Wyatt and Ryan's story now.

If you're looking for a low angst and fun romance that will leave you hungry, look no further! Definitely recommend this one!

*ARC provided by the author via Gay Book Promotions in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

[Manfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a light read, not much drama, no angst, just a fun story, and I can definitely confirm that I found it with this book.
There is a very light theme of suspense, someone breaking in and stealing from Tony, one of the main characters, but it takes around 5 seconds for everyone (except him) to figure out, who the thief will be.
I tried one of the kitchen gods stories before and it really didn't work for me, but this was a much better fit, or maybe just a better time to give it a try, you know how it is with the right story at the right time...
Tony runs a food truck and because his brother is busy writing a cookbook he hires someone to help.
However, his brother had the same idea, so he ends up with 2 guys to work with. One of those 2 is Lucas (the guy his brother hired) and it doesn't take long before those two are all over each other.
But while Tony is looking for more than a hookup, Lucas likes to keep it casual.
This is more of less all that happens here, combined with lots of great food being prepared, it makes an easy and appetizing read.
Sweet and entertaining this was a 3.5 star read for me.

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Beth Bolden's Drive Me Crazy is the first book in the Food Truck Warrior's series. If the rest are anything like this one, it should be a great series.

Tony and Lucas don't get off to a good start, as Tony doesn't like being set up. But soon the two develop an easy comradery, with an attraction that is ever growing.

Their story includes a mystery, as someone is stealing from Tony's truck, and a strong friendship as the two start to respect one another and get closer.

Their chemistry is strong and hot, with some steamy phone sex and a smoking public kiss. The physical side of their relationship starts slow, with a nice build up. But once they are there, they can't keep their hands off each other.

As for Lucas, his past and his struggles are damn depressing. I just wanted to wrap Lucas in my arms, protect him, and help him. His goals are real and his motivation is heartfelt.

Their journey includes a jealous co-worker, some food truck competitors, and plenty of yummy sounding food. If you're in the mood for a surprising reveal to the mystery, move on. This mystery is only a mystery to Tony, not the reader. Don't let that distract you though, it's a great read and the suspense helps guide the tale along.

I always enjoy the author's writing style, with well developed characters and their intriguing storyline. The flow is great, and the sex is hot.

Drive Me Crazy is a fun read. Definitely check out this Beth Bolden book when you're in the mood for something sweet and sexy, with a side of suspense.


As for Wyatt and Ryan, you can read their story in book two of the Kitchen Gods series, Catch Me.

[Edga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upbeat and passionate romance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's a totally sweet romance, full of both passion and humour. Tony was an absolute joy to read. I literally chuckled, smiled, sighed and grinned my way through the story, I also wanted to give Tony a head slap a time or two ( all I'll say here is, Jeremy 🙄), but also give lots of hugs too.

I loved the friendships and the positive family relationships, I just fell in love with the story and the people who were part of it. Ryan is a hoot. So yay, I have just read a really good, upbeat book, I'm loving this series. It's just what I need right now, and am looking forward to the next one.

[Camila T 🍉]

DNF@14% not the vibes I’m looking for, might come back to it at a later time

[Fernanda Parente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book, amazing MC´s specially Tony. That class in the gym made me laugh to tears.
And all his friends are so adorable.
I have to check The Kitchen gods series to catch up with these guys

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review

[⭐️AMST⭐️]

DNF 20% No rating.
I’m pretty sure the attraction between the MCs is the only plot we will get here.
Not for me.

[Renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I am very new to Beth Bolden, so going back to the Food Truck Warriors is a lot of fun.

I enjoyed Tony and Lucas' story (I am still laughing thinking about that spin class). But I need to remind myself as I read more, not to read when hungry. I don't even like tacos, and I wanted tacos!

I enjoyed their banter, how they like each other so much even when they don't want to like each other.

What did Drive Me Crazy though was Tony. There is some suspicious stuff going on, and everyone can see what is happening right from the start and Tony, bless his heart, is so oblivious to what his "friend" is up to, I just wanted to scream in his face to wake up!!

I look forward to more in the series

[Ada · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes.
Points for the food truck business plot.
Both Tony and lucas were boring seperately and together. All that banging around about Tony wanting a relationship and lucas not wanting one grew old fast.
At first it reads like humor and I was enjoying it, but as you progress it loses touch and the storyline becomes flat.
Even Jeremy had more character in himself than both of them.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/25/2021)! 🎁

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3 stars

Drive Me Crazy is the first book in the Food Truck Warriors series about food truck owners in the LA area, and is a spin-off of the Kitchen Gods series. While this story is told by both Lucas and Tony, I didn’t really get a different flavor from these guys. The central dilemma seemed trite, and it was not helped by pacing slowed by Tony and Lucas frequently repeating the objections to getting involved. Tony (rightfully) thinks it’s bad form to have relations with his employee, while Lucas is only out for a fling, wanting to keep his eyes on his prize of a distribution contract for his energy bars. I did like the story, but I found myself struggling to stay engaged due to these repetitive moments. Both narrators were too verbose for me, and I will admit to wanting, at times, to skim ahead to get to some action. We do meet potential MCs for future stories in the end, but I’m not currently tempted to read on. I was honestly more intrigued about the vegan recipes Lucas developed for Tony’s food truck than these interpersonal relationships.

Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.

[Lisa Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story, and I couldn't get enough of it. I loved seeing how the MCs developed and grew, and the secondary characters were great as well, especially Ryan & Wyatt. I'm somewhat new to Beth Bolden's books, but I was glad to see that Ryan & Wyatt already have a book, and I can't wait to read that one. I'm excited to see what comes next in this series.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.

[Enirehtak Melas · Rating 3 out of 5]

~~~3.5 stars~~~

This was an enjoyable read. Tony and Lucas were definitely easy to like individually and hard not to like as a couple. The whole food truck role in this book was refreshingly new to me, as I haven't read a book with that job being featured. I definitely appreciate that.

However, what impacted my rating for this book was more so Tony's oblivious and too trusting nature, and his inability to use his voice in confrontation with his brother, Wyatt. I didn't understand when he allowed Wyatt to not only hire someone (even if that hire was something that needed to happen and put Lucas and Tony in each other's path) without his consent or even knowledge. They are supposed to be co-owners of the food truck, but Wyatt didn't even consult Tony here. That was high handed and not at all professional. There was no effective consultation and no heads up, just a "I met this guy, hired him, and gave him access to the kitchen in the truck without your knowledge or agreement." The fact that Tony, who was bothered by this, chose to say nothing and merely turn over on his belly, basically made me not like West or Tony. I get that Wyatt is busy, but that was not a great move for a business partner and a pretty sh***y thing to do to your brother on the spot. Whereas Tony, needs to not only find his voice but his spine. He was lacking in that and it made me so frustrated. SPEAK UP. It's okay to not always agree on everything and it's okay to call your brother out on something. There was a lack of balance in this dynamic between him and his brother. It was mostly Tony doing all the work and Wyatt didn't acknowledge that.

Then we come to the "who is stealing" mystery that wasn't a mystery to anyone but Tony. The fact that he was so trusting that he couldn't see what was in his face....yeah the frustration. Tony was a likable character, don't get me wrong, but he was very frustrating.

I still feel a certain way about Wyatt too. I wish the author had given Tony the opportunity to call out Wyatt, but it never came. Tony just accepted it because he didn't want to disagree or have any confrontation. That's not healthy.

Overall, I did enjoy the book, but certain characters and their actions proved to try my patience as a reader.

*ARC provided, and I have given my honest review.*

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drive Me Crazy is the first book in Beth Bolden's Food Truck Warriors series, which is a spin-off of her Kitchen Gods series. This was a good start to the series, one that had a good amount of romance and a pinch of mystery because of some thievery in the food truck. This didn't have a whole lot of angst, and while I may be someone who's addicted to angst, this was still an entertaining read with the minimal amount that was there. Having read the author's Kitchen Gods series, I enjoyed seeing Wyatt and Ryan here, and their presence was rather pronounced, given that Wyatt is Tony's brother. As for Tony and Lucas, there was no denying that they had chemistry, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship blossom from boss and employee trying desperately to not cross the line, especially since Tony doesn't do casual hook-ups and Lucas knows nothing but that, to two people in love. This has a strong contingent of supporting characters, so I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Four stars for Drive Me Crazy.

[Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony and his brother own a food truck. Wyatt meets Lucas at a restaurant supply store and offers him a job on the truck, under the pretense that he'll be too busy writing his cookbook this summer and Tony will need reliable help. He invites him to dinner and a job interview, so Tony can meet him.
While the initial attraction is strong, denial is stronger.
Lucas is mostly only interested in the side benefit that Wyatt offers, though. Use of the truck's professional-grade kitchen to make his energy bars in the hopes he can pick up a distributor and start his own business finally.
When Lucas comes aboard, things start going south on the truck. Equipment and cash turn up missing and Tony's long-time friend and other part-time employee is pointing the finger at Lucas.
Tony's torn between loyalty to his friend and the man he's developing feelings for but are those feelings making him blind to the truth?
Through an amateur stake-out, interrogation, and nearly catching a cat named Dom, Tony refuses to believe Lucas is the culprit. But if it's not him, who's behind it?

[GhostMMreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Beth Bolden so I was really waiting for this new book. It is a spin-off of the Kitchen Gods series and I loved reading about the happy married life of Wyatt (Tony’s little brother and MC of the book Catch Me) and his baseball star husband Ryan.

Tony is a rather important side character in Catch Me so I went back and read all the scenes of him and Wyatt in Catch Me and I realised that Tony is much better described in that book rather than in his own story! For example, in Drive me Crazy there is no mention of Tony’s many tattoos (just the smallest and more meaningful are noticed by Lucas) and you would think that Lucas saw them and appreciated them, but no, somehow the author skipped the detailed description of Tony’s background story probably because he himself was not very proud of how he used to be and because the present close and affectionate relationship with his brother is more relevant for the story. However, I would recommend to read Catch Me so you may love Tony even more.

Lucas is initially the more enigmatic character and you’ll have to wait way beyond ⅔ of the book to read his personal story. He is strong willed, and so focused on his professional goal that he doesn’t even realise at first he is falling in Tony’s well thought trap to show him that they are made one for another.

This is by no means a slow burn romance, but more a story showing that the basis of a successful relationship are common goals, having fun together, trusting one’s partner and accepting that it comes a time in life to grow up and build a family leaving hookups behind.

And the title of the book is just perfect - Tony and Lucas might be attracted from the first time they met, but thanks to Tony resolute decision to avoid past mistakes and aim at happiness like his brother, they will drive each other crazy in a good and sexy way!

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review and I am more than pleased to recommend this book to anyone loving romances with strong men, witty conversations, strong family ties, low angst and HEA endings. Heat level 3, sexual tension and attraction level 5!

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book probably deserves 3 stars (the fact that there's an ultra-muscular character who actually spends most of his time in the gym is unique for the genre and deserving of a star in and of itself), but my god, the "mystery" ruins this book. Literally hits the Top 5 Worst Mysteries of All Time list, istg.

This author is so uneven it's insane. She needs an editor, or at the very least a friend who'll talk her down from the appalling plot choices she makes, because her books should be far better than they are. Seriously.

[kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drive Me Crazy was the perfect read for a summer afternoon. Light, fun and sexy, this story will satisfy your every craving.
Tony and Lucas are both very likable characters. They seem at opposite ends of what they are looking for in a relationship. Tony is looking to build something strong and Lucas is more about keeping it casual.
I enjoyed their journey towards their HEA. It's full of fun, food, happiness and love!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it

This was an easy falling in love story about two guys running a food truck. They had instant count, even though Lucas was hesitant at first to jump all in. Tony was determined, though. Both these guys are super likeable, easy to root for their happy ending.There's some side story going on about suspicious activities, which made the story more interesting. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

A lot of fun, plenty of heat building between them. It takes a little while before Lucas gives in but it is worth it when he does. The mystery over who is sabotaging the truck isn't much of a mystery really but after it comes out it doesn't go anywhere.
It felt a little long in places when the pacing dipped but Toby and Lucas were great

[Patricia Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this great, charming, grab-you-by-the-feels, tug-at-your-heartstrings, slow burning, fantastic, delightfully delicious, engaging, and totally awesome start to an interesting new series.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Gets His Man-wich (lol)

It’s been a while since I’ve read the previous series Kitchen Gods, so it took me a bit to remember all the names and who’s who, and if I’d read about them before. It’s probably me, naw, it is me, but I didn’t feel the chem between the two leads. I think I wasn’t quite in the right headspace. To be sure, though, the food trucks in LA are pretty damned amazing! And it was a huge thing a few years back when they started clustering in Granada Hills center every Friday. Awesome food. I’m glad there’s a series about them and their chefs!

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a group challenge, picked because it looked new and interesting. Spin off. I liked it. It was sweet, entertaining and I’m looking forward to more from the series. The Jeremy thing was obvious and Tony being oblivious did get a little tiring. Ryan and Wyatt were a cute couple. May have to read their story.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It feels like I always think I'll like this author's work more than I end up liking her books. Maybe I should learn something from this realization...

BTW, I know it's picky, but the people who live in Los Angeles are Angelinos, and they live in SoCal. Not Los Angeleans from Cali. Just no.