Dominique Kyle

This fantastic book is #5 in a series but can easily be read as a standalone. Eve is a hotshot racecar driver. She’s at the top of her game, posed to win a championship and take things to the next level in her sport (totally awesome Danica Patrick vibe!)

But on the inside, Eve is struggling. And that’s where this novel really shines, because it isn’t *just* a blend of really good sports novel and a plucky heroine we can all cheer for. Eve is a sexual assault survivor, and also is mourning the loss of a man she loved, another hotshot racecar driver, who passed away recently (and that relationship, like everything else in the book, has some very interesting gray areas that are explored.) In between racing, Eve takes on new students, and when a fifteen year old student reveals one of her friends is in trouble, Eve realizes that there’s a sex trafficking ring operating in her small town, and that young girls are being victimized.

When the authorities won’t listen, Eve goes undercover to try to get the evidence needed to bust up the ring and protect innocent girls. This book has so many good messages. I love the way it asks hard questions, examines how abuse happens, how victims are chosen and are often not believed even when they cry out for help, and the long-term effects on survivors. The author is clearly well-versed in the subject matter and that shines through in the writing. Eve is a heroine everyone can cheer for both on and off the track, and while the subject matter in this one is gritty at times, it’s an important, outstandingly written read.

Trigger Warnings: sexual assault
… (meer)

*Boys, Bikes & Drama for Days.*

Not Quite Eden is a coming of age story set in an urban area. Rebellious teen, Eve must deal with her tragic past and how it affects her everyday attitude, or risk pushing her loved ones away.

Eve is tough, cheeky and sarcastic but in a positive, quirky way. She quickly stole my heart, her unique perspective making the story fresh and exciting.

The fact that Eve has a motorbike at seventeen and gets a job as a mechanic made me admire her even more. To be a strong female lead in a business whose workers are mostly male made me proud of her.

Watching the change in how the men reacted to her was fascinating and the fact that they gradually begin to accept Eve as she perseveres through her difficulties is something that truly warmed my heart.

From there, the book picked up fast, introducing many more characters that I found easy to like.
One of them was Adam Quinn: (Adam and Eve: Not Quite Eden ~ get it?) Adam, Eve's lifelong rival and friend (of sorts) reminded me of Nathan Young from the tv show, MISFITS.
He just had this cocky personality that leaped off the page but deep down, seemed far more sensitive and willing to connect. It’s male characters like this that get me every time.

While Not Quite Eden had my heart and mind racing 90% of the time, there were also some calmer, more vulnerable and, dare I say, romantic moments. I would, however, recommend that you be sixteen or over before reading this book as there is moderate reference to drug and knife crime.

There’s plenty of action to be found in this series and Dominique Kyle has definitely set a series standard that seems hard to beat.
At its core, I’d sum the story up like this: Two teenagers desperate to remain strong due to loss, just wishing to connect. Afraid to trust and care for each other. Until one day, someone takes that first step.

I’m prepared to read the entire series of books if they’re even half as good as this one.
Not Quite Eden captured my mind and literally took my breath away. The story ended with a new status-quo, with all former issues resolved…for now.

I can’t wait to read book two.
… (meer)