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Driven to Distraction #1
Driven to Distraction
Jess Leonard has his hands full as a single dad and the owner of a small but busy garage. He doesn't have room in his schedule for a deep breath, much less a date. When Benaiah Day bangs up the underside of his '66 Jaguar, Jess heads out to do the fix-up work—and finds himself invited in for dinner and more.
Ben fits perfectly into the tiny bit of time Jess calls his own. Both of them are marveling at their good luck when Jess's dad inadvertently drives a wedge between them. Dating a black man when your dad isn't shy about his Southern pride—preferably with the biggest Confederate flag he can find—is a heck of a recipe for relationship issues, and that's before Jess trips over the baggage—an obnoxious ex—that Ben can't seem to lose.
In spite of the mess, Jess and Ben drive each other crazy in the very best way, and they're both dreaming of the same destination—love that lasts. Can they find a way around the obstacles that could keep them from getting there together?
(Sequel: Going the Distance)
Ben fits perfectly into the tiny bit of time Jess calls his own. Both of them are marveling at their good luck when Jess's dad inadvertently drives a wedge between them. Dating a black man when your dad isn't shy about his Southern pride—preferably with the biggest Confederate flag he can find—is a heck of a recipe for relationship issues, and that's before Jess trips over the baggage—an obnoxious ex—that Ben can't seem to lose.
In spite of the mess, Jess and Ben drive each other crazy in the very best way, and they're both dreaming of the same destination—love that lasts. Can they find a way around the obstacles that could keep them from getting there together?
(Sequel: Going the Distance)
157 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2010
1 person is currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Anah Crow
58 books194 followersUnder Construction!
F.A.Q.
Do you want to participate in Generic_Author_Event?
F.A.Q.
Do you want to participate in Generic_Author_Event?
Drop me a line, please! If you're looking for a book for donation or a blog post from me, I'm usually cool with that.Are you going to write a sequel to Some_Book_You_Wrote?
The up front answer is no, unless the book cover indicates that it's part of a series. If there's going to be a sequel to a book, you'll know once I've signed the contract.Who is this Dianne person?
Only the light of my life and all that rot. She e-sides here: http://www.foxwrites.com/ Without her, you wouldn't see much from me at all, not even the books that don't have her name on the cover.Do you read your email?
All the time. I think the question you want is do I answer my email? Occasionally. Badly. I'm a terrible, terrible emailer.You're reading X books at once?!
Only occasionally at once. I can read two books at the same time, but I get dizzy. Mostly, I just switch books depending on my mood. It's unusual for me to have less than four on the go at a time.Do you read reviews of your books?
No, sorry! I'm here, yes, but I prefer not to read reviews (no matter how lovely they are) because once a book has left my hands and is available to the readers, my relationship to it changes. It's all grown up. :) I have a clutter of booklings to nurture so they will join the others on your shelves.Will you read/review my book?
Sorry, but no. There are a number of reasons for this but the biggest is—I suck at doing these things. I'm a horrible procrastinator. I get wound up and then blank out what I'm supposed to do. My ADHD goes galumphing through my head like a bull in a china shop, wrecking everything.I'm a writer and you hated/loved my book!
I'm sure you're a lovely person, either way. Please have one or both of: "I'm sorry!" or "You're welcome!"Can I be excused now?
Of course you can! Thanks for reading.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 26, 2012
An interracial love story ( which I find are few and far between unfortunately ) between Jess , a single father of 2 mechanic and Ben a teacher at the university.
It's pretty short and easy read, a little bit of drama and misunderstanding, but not much and quickly resolved.
It's pretty short and easy read, a little bit of drama and misunderstanding, but not much and quickly resolved.
January 9, 2011
Jess is a mechanic and a single Dad (with a father who is proud Southerner) and Ben is a black professor who is trying to make his ex sees that they're through. It's a nice story, but doesn't leave a deep impression in me. Maybe I'm just not in the mood when reading this (shrugs). I just don't feel any connection with the characters. The addition of the kids (and a cat named Eugene) is nice though
May 4, 2012
This book held lots of promise and I don't just mean because of the cover. Mamma mia! Well done on that, authors! But, seriously, the premise was right up my alley - m/m, white collar/blue collar and interracial too?? Sign me up! - however, it didn't quite work out as I'd envisioned.
Jess and Ben meet when Ben's grandfather dies and he inherits his classic cars. The initial meeting between the characters was good, and I liked the first few scenes with them. The inclusion of Jess' parents and kids ,off camera, gives the book a familial feel that works well. Then Ben and Jess kiss - I found the kiss a bit forward and rushed, but hey, they're men, right? They make the most of whatever downtime their busy schedules allows and though neither of them are trying to be clingy, they can't fight their attraction to each other.
The problem is that the prose just feels very...wooden, even the sex. It was like reading turn by turn directions. There was no fire! Also the sex scenes were bogged down with entirely too much dialogue. It felt like I was watching a tennis match...and not a very interesting one. Having read Uneven by Anah Crow (5*)and other books by both authors,One Real Thing (4*), Renovations 1: Framework (3.5*) and the sequel (3*) , I was disappointed in this book. It just didn't do anything for me and that's before I even got to the quick and dirty resolution of the (non) problem with Jess' father. The whole thing was resolved so quickly and unrealistically that I literally rolled my eyes, HARD. If the book didn't end shortly after that, I would have stopped reading. The ending is unfulfilling. Ben never meets Jess' kids or his parents and you're just kind of left feeling like, 'What was the point?'
Jess and Ben meet when Ben's grandfather dies and he inherits his classic cars. The initial meeting between the characters was good, and I liked the first few scenes with them. The inclusion of Jess' parents and kids ,off camera, gives the book a familial feel that works well. Then Ben and Jess kiss - I found the kiss a bit forward and rushed, but hey, they're men, right? They make the most of whatever downtime their busy schedules allows and though neither of them are trying to be clingy, they can't fight their attraction to each other.
The problem is that the prose just feels very...wooden, even the sex. It was like reading turn by turn directions. There was no fire! Also the sex scenes were bogged down with entirely too much dialogue. It felt like I was watching a tennis match...and not a very interesting one. Having read Uneven by Anah Crow (5*)and other books by both authors,One Real Thing (4*), Renovations 1: Framework (3.5*) and the sequel (3*) , I was disappointed in this book. It just didn't do anything for me and that's before I even got to the quick and dirty resolution of the (non) problem with Jess' father. The whole thing was resolved so quickly and unrealistically that I literally rolled my eyes, HARD. If the book didn't end shortly after that, I would have stopped reading. The ending is unfulfilling. Ben never meets Jess' kids or his parents and you're just kind of left feeling like, 'What was the point?'
December 7, 2010
This is the kind of easy to read, light story that simply works when you want something hot and fun. The writing is good and the characters well crafted with just a touch of tension. The misunderstands are those that would normally tempt people to just give up on a burgeoning romance but these two put just a little more effort in to see if it can go somewhere and end up with great results.
The story is based on the slight miscommunications that arise. Jess and Ben meet and immediately are getting down and dirty with some pretty hot sex and plenty of innuendo. Their connection is so steamy the two decide to establish an easy friends-with-benefits type friendship. Yet before that can even get off the ground, issues come up threaten to derail their budding feelings.
Well written with a minimum of just enough outside influence, Driven to Distraction plays the title and characters well. Both men are car fans and interested in the chemistry they feel together. The sex is hot, delicious, and great fun but not something lasting as of yet. Ben has an issue with his employer to handle while Jess has two young kids to consider. The various secondary characters offer just enough influence to move the story along while being nice additions. The kids are fun to read and true to form while the issue with Jess’ dad is not only relevant, it’s an issue that easily could have ended things before they began.
All of the issues are pretty minor and easily resolved, but they do take just that bit of effort where most never bother. That little bit of effort is richly rewarded and perhaps too much so as the two leap into a relationship a little early. Not much changes after the minor issues are resolved so the fact that Ben and Jess are so committed so fast is the only jarring note to the story. Otherwise this is a satisfying contemporary with good characters, solid writing, and an engaging story. Worth reading if you’re looking for something light and easy.
The story is based on the slight miscommunications that arise. Jess and Ben meet and immediately are getting down and dirty with some pretty hot sex and plenty of innuendo. Their connection is so steamy the two decide to establish an easy friends-with-benefits type friendship. Yet before that can even get off the ground, issues come up threaten to derail their budding feelings.
Well written with a minimum of just enough outside influence, Driven to Distraction plays the title and characters well. Both men are car fans and interested in the chemistry they feel together. The sex is hot, delicious, and great fun but not something lasting as of yet. Ben has an issue with his employer to handle while Jess has two young kids to consider. The various secondary characters offer just enough influence to move the story along while being nice additions. The kids are fun to read and true to form while the issue with Jess’ dad is not only relevant, it’s an issue that easily could have ended things before they began.
All of the issues are pretty minor and easily resolved, but they do take just that bit of effort where most never bother. That little bit of effort is richly rewarded and perhaps too much so as the two leap into a relationship a little early. Not much changes after the minor issues are resolved so the fact that Ben and Jess are so committed so fast is the only jarring note to the story. Otherwise this is a satisfying contemporary with good characters, solid writing, and an engaging story. Worth reading if you’re looking for something light and easy.
October 28, 2010
3.5 stars
Jess is a mechanic and a single father of two living in a small Southern town. Ben is a university professor who's inherited his grandfather's classic cars but doesn't know much about them. They meet when Ben damages one of the cars and they're instantly attracted. Before long they've become friends with benefits and their no-strings affair works well until a misunderstanding and then an old lover get in the way. Will they be able to work through their differences and find a happy road to love?
I liked this latest release from the writing duo of Anah Crow and Dianne Fox. It's a nicely written book and the protagonists are likable and interesting. The story centers around the theme of differences. Ben is black and Jess is white and their careers and personal backgounds are also very different. Despite their differences they are attracted to and good for each other. Their sex scenes are well written and hot but they also do well outside of the bedroom.
There is a bit of conflict in the storyline but no heavy angst. It's just a couple of minor misunderstandings that are quickly and easily dealt with. Although those misunderstandings could have been used to provide more depth to the story it probably couldn't be done in this story length. Overall this is an easy feel good story with a definite HFN ending that shows the promise of more.
Jess is a mechanic and a single father of two living in a small Southern town. Ben is a university professor who's inherited his grandfather's classic cars but doesn't know much about them. They meet when Ben damages one of the cars and they're instantly attracted. Before long they've become friends with benefits and their no-strings affair works well until a misunderstanding and then an old lover get in the way. Will they be able to work through their differences and find a happy road to love?
I liked this latest release from the writing duo of Anah Crow and Dianne Fox. It's a nicely written book and the protagonists are likable and interesting. The story centers around the theme of differences. Ben is black and Jess is white and their careers and personal backgounds are also very different. Despite their differences they are attracted to and good for each other. Their sex scenes are well written and hot but they also do well outside of the bedroom.
There is a bit of conflict in the storyline but no heavy angst. It's just a couple of minor misunderstandings that are quickly and easily dealt with. Although those misunderstandings could have been used to provide more depth to the story it probably couldn't be done in this story length. Overall this is an easy feel good story with a definite HFN ending that shows the promise of more.
November 17, 2014
synopsis: ben inherits some classic cars from his grandfather and damages one in his driveway. he calls his grandfather's mechanic who agrees to come over and take a look. when jess arrives, he is just as good looking as ben remembers. jess is raising his kids on his own (with help from his parents) after his ex-wife left, but not before telling everyone that he is gay. however, with running his own business and raising 2 kids, jess doesn't have a lot of time to meet guys. when ben invites him to stay for dinner, things heat up. they both feel more than they think they should, but want to keep it casual, especially because of jess's kids.
what i liked: that both ben and jess were concerned that the children not have an endless line of new men in jess's life to deal with. i liked that jess was a father first.
what i didn't like: until jess had a bad reaction to ben seeing the confederate flag in the back of his father's truck, i didn't realize that ben was african american. i don't know if i missed it, or if it just wasn't stated. i actually like inter-racial romances, but if it's going to be a point of contention between the two main characters, perhaps it should not be a complete surprise to the reader when the situation occurs. i honestly like that a big deal wasn't made about the difference in colour of skin, but i swear that it wasn't mentioned anywhere until that moment.
what i liked: that both ben and jess were concerned that the children not have an endless line of new men in jess's life to deal with. i liked that jess was a father first.
what i didn't like: until jess had a bad reaction to ben seeing the confederate flag in the back of his father's truck, i didn't realize that ben was african american. i don't know if i missed it, or if it just wasn't stated. i actually like inter-racial romances, but if it's going to be a point of contention between the two main characters, perhaps it should not be a complete surprise to the reader when the situation occurs. i honestly like that a big deal wasn't made about the difference in colour of skin, but i swear that it wasn't mentioned anywhere until that moment.
October 7, 2010
3.5 stars
Ben inherited his Grandfather’s collection of classic sports cars and when he damages one, calls on his Grandfather’s mechanic Jess to fix it. Jess is hot and they are hitting the sheets within hours. However Jess’ wife left him with two small children to raise and despite smoking hot sex, Ben tells him no strings figuring that would be easier for Jess. A few misunderstandings rise up, along with perceived racism in Jess’ family (Ben is black) and Ben’s ex who doesn’t take no for an answer, and get in the way for a short while but it’s quickly worked out. This was an enjoyable story without much angst and the conflict was solved pretty easily although you could see the hallmarks of male communication techniques.
Ben inherited his Grandfather’s collection of classic sports cars and when he damages one, calls on his Grandfather’s mechanic Jess to fix it. Jess is hot and they are hitting the sheets within hours. However Jess’ wife left him with two small children to raise and despite smoking hot sex, Ben tells him no strings figuring that would be easier for Jess. A few misunderstandings rise up, along with perceived racism in Jess’ family (Ben is black) and Ben’s ex who doesn’t take no for an answer, and get in the way for a short while but it’s quickly worked out. This was an enjoyable story without much angst and the conflict was solved pretty easily although you could see the hallmarks of male communication techniques.
June 16, 2012
So this was the book that went before the one I read last night and it really cleared a lot of things up for me! I figured out what happened in Ben's office that they had been talking about and what happened that led Jess to go to Ben's office to begin with.
I don't like Andrew in either book and I'm glad Ben finally stood up to him and told him how it is. I love that Jess has decided to open up his life and let Ben in.
Good book :)
I don't like Andrew in either book and I'm glad Ben finally stood up to him and told him how it is. I love that Jess has decided to open up his life and let Ben in.
Good book :)
November 12, 2013
Enjoyable, but I wish it had been longer. I need to read the sequel.
February 7, 2011
Nice romance. I thought the connection between the protagonists was forced and not natural. It had a good premise though.
January 23, 2011
Good m/m romance about a professor who inherited his grandfather's collection of classic cars. When he damages one of the cars, he has the chance to get to know his mechanic much, much better...
September 15, 2012
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews