User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
It's a cute, heartwarming, plain old fun novel that's relatable, down to earth, a fun peak with just the right bit of geekiness, and possibly one of the finest LGBT, fake dating + enemies to lovers book.
Highly recommended 💕✨
Rating: really liked it
↠ 5 starsThe sapphic enemies-to-lovers and fake dating sports rom-com the world deserves. In this quintessential YA contemporary, two arch rivals strike a bargain, after a fender bender presents them both with an unexpected opportunity. Scottie wants payback. Her girlfriend dumped her right before transferring schools and she has to play against her basketball team every weekend. Enter Irene, captain of the cheerleading team, and Scottie’s salvation. Irene wants nothing more than to be taken seriously by the people in her life, but needs money to pay for the damage inflicted on her car, and Scottie’s offering. The catch: Irene has to date Scottie publicly for four months, and no sooner. It might not be the perfect situation, but stranger things have happened, and with these two at the wheel, who knows what will result.
Kelly Quindlen has done it again folks, and I’m beginning to wonder why I am even surprised at this point. This whole book was just a love letter to the queer community through the form of an 80’s style romantic comedy and I am here for it. The exploration of forgiveness and moving on from first love is such a force for good in this novel. Tie that in with queer characters that simply exist in their own space and you get to the bottom of why I adored this, and the authors previous work, Late to the Party. Both have such different vibes, but are amazing illustrations of the kind of books I’d love to see more of within the YA contemporary genre. Specifically queer stories. She Drives me Crazy gives a raw and honest look into high school relationships and a loss of self worth that sometimes accompanies giving all of yourself to another person. Scottie’s emotional journey is one that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to, and I’m so glad time was taken to thoroughly examine every side of it. While this book does serve playful banter with a side of sapphic angst, there are some more deeper moments that make it the perfect kind of nod to the 80’s romantic comedy. In fact, this gave me such a strong Dirty Dancing meets Say Anything vibe, which the author definitely intended to come across while reading. It’s got an epic soundtrack, funny background characters, and the classic big romantic gesture that is a part of any of these films. This book really is the whole package. Snarky and humorous, with the best execution of the fake dating trope I have read in a long time. Maybe it’s the fact that this whole book revolved around two enemies inconveniently falling in love and becoming a lesbian power couple, but it's unrelated that it’s also one of the best contemporaries I have read this year. What else is there to say other than big romantic gestures are clearly superior and will be making a comeback after this book releases. I will it to be so.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.Trigger warnings: homophobia, homophobic language, alcohol consumption (underage)
Rating: really liked it
I could probably come up with something coherent to say about this but all I’m thinking right now is “sports sapphics!!!!!”
Rating: really liked it
She Drives Me Crazy is a little bit ridiculous in the best way possible. Quindlen expertly balances creating three dimensional characters and exploring the impact of toxic relationships with all the campy trappings of a 90’s rom com. With a fake dating scheme for the ages between two sworn enemies, the only one bed trope and a Christmas town setting,
She Drives Me Crazy is the most unapologetically
fun book I’ve read in ages.
My first ever Kelly Quindlen book is a success! I’d heard that the strength in Quindlen’s books lay in her characters and this could not be more accurate.
She Drives Me Crazy is a masterclass on creating messy, hurt and angry characters; characters that aren’t in a good place and act accordingly and then giving them space to heal and develop in the most natural way. Scottie, our main character, isn’t always likeable. In fact, she can be a downright bitch at times. She makes mistakes, lashes out and hurts people but she has an amazing support network who want what’s best for her and help her begin to find herself again and heal from the aftermath of a toxic relationship. Additionally, her behaviour is not excused just because she was hurting and I loved seeing her accept responsibility for her actions.
Now, this could all make the book sound heavy and not exactly like rom com material but that’s where the brilliance of
She Drives Me Crazy lies. Scottie’s difficult and messy character development and relationships are juxtaposed over the most lighthearted and fun setting and tropes, creating a perfect balance. Set in a small town named for its year long Christmas emporium, this book is merry and over the top and so much fun! This really shines through the side characters, particularly Honey Belle who I adored! She’s just sugary sweet and soft and exactly what you’d expect from a family running a Christmas emporium. The characters of this book were all so loveable and I particularly loved Danielle, Scottie’s best friend, and Scottie’s family. They weren’t always perfect and had some of their own issues but I loved seeing their relationships with Scottie and the way they all came through for and supported each other. I could speak about how cleverly written the characters and relationships were in this book endlessly but I’ll let you experience that for yourself!
And this finally brings us to Irene, our love interest. I absolutely adored her character and found her so easy to relate to and sympathise with. I loved the way this book, and particularly Irene, handled assumptions and stereotypes surrounding the popular mean girl cheerleader figure and turned them on their head, creating a character with depth and nuance. This also played into a great conversation about the lack of recognition cheerleaders receive, and how they’re not regarded as ‘real’ athletes. Scottie and Irene’s relationship was so fun to read, although not always easy in the beginning as these girls knew exactly how to hurt each other. I also appreciated the development of their relationship once things began getting real, and the acknowledgement that Scottie wasn’t in a good place at this time.
The writing of this book was incredible. I read this in two sittings and absolutely flew through it – in fact, it could have been one sitting if I hadn't started it so late at night. The story and Scottie’s voice just immediately gripped me and I couldn’t put it down. With a fast pace, great dialogue and just so much
fun, reading
She Drives Me Crazy was a joy.
Unfortunately, I did have a couple of concerns with this book. Primarily, the fake relationship itself, and its rules. I wasn’t completely comfortable with the idea that Scottie essentially was paying Irene to date her, and that this wasn’t really addressed again once they developed real feelings. I also felt that Scottie, in her desperation to get back at her ex, pressured Irene to accept (and therefore come out to everyone) which wasn’t entirely fair, though it was ultimately Irene’s decision and she did not make it lightly. I would also say that they spent quite a long time being enemies and I’d have liked to spend more time developing their relationship once they developed feelings. I’d have also appreciated the word ‘lesbian’ being used as both of our main characters were written as lesbians and there is an unfortunate lack of the word ‘lesbian’ in YA.
She Drives Me Crazy is cheesy and campy and angsty in the absolute best way possible. With brilliant character development and dynamics, an exploration of heartbreak, the effects of a toxic relationship and the importance of looking past preconceptions, Kelly Quindlen has created a story that will resonate with lots of teens, especially queer ones. The characters of
She Drives Me Crazy are messy and flawed which just makes them all the more real. With nods to classic rom coms and expert trope usage, this book is perfect for anyone looking for some good teen fun, a lovely sapphic romance and expertly written characters.
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*eARC received in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley. Thank you Kelly Quindlen for making sure I got a copy, this has not affected my review.*
Rating: really liked it
the way I became ten times gayer just by looking at this cover:)))))))))
Rating: really liked it
Y'all. This was messy, queer, fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers PERFECTION. I enjoyed this so much!!!!
CW: bullying, homophobia
Rating: really liked it
This was sooooooo cute. This had some of my favorite tropes in romance like fake dating and hate to love and it's gay!!!!!! It was a very cute audiobook and I finished it in one day. I adore the characters in this book so much.
Rating: really liked it
Buddy read with Naomi❤️
⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars!
This book was so cute I can't even function anymore! Irene and Scottie have stolen my heart<3
She drives me crazy is the story of Irene and Scottie, high school rivals. Both hate each other.
Scottie just broke up with her girlfriend Tally and lost spectacularly to her in the basketball game. And she is now extremely embarrassed. And there is only one solution to show her ex that she is okay. No not only okay but better and moved on.
And there is only one way for that
When Irene and Scottie are forced to carpool, Scottie comes up with a plan to benefit both.
Fake date each other.
This will not only help Scottie get over Tally, but help Irene get some money
They absolutely hate each other, so there is no danger of falling for real
How difficult could it be?
there is a huge danger bcz they both are super cute and sweet“Because before you can worry about who’s in your passenger seat, you have to learn to drive yourself.”The Writing was super fun to read! I loved how the author carried the plot and it had all of my favorite tropes!
Fake dating, enemies to lovers, one-bed trope and sports romance ahhhhhhhhhh🥰🥰
CharactersScottie was TBH, kinda irritating. I found her extremely rude most of the time especially when she shouted at Irene multiple times. She is flawed yes, but this just makes her obnoxious.
The one aspect I really liked was the healing thing. Watching her get over Tally was fun and the way she handled stuff was good!💕
Irene“Hi,” she says, her voice level and cool. “This bitch’s name is Irene.”I LOVE IRENE SO MUCH I CAN'T EVEN THINK STRAIGHT😭💕(pun intended)
Irene is such a cool person. She's smart funny brave and headstrong. She won't take shit from anyone. Though she may appear all strong and evil, she is actually a cinnamon roll.🥺
She's so sweet and extremelyyyyyy cuteee<333
Final thoughtsI LOVED IT! I think this would be perfect fro anyone looking for a good sapphic romanceee<33
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My rating system:
5⭐ - I loved it soo much! New favorite
4⭐ - It was really good! But something was missing
3⭐ - It was nice..but had more potential
2⭐ - I did not like it at all!... It could have been soo much better
1⭐ - Nope. Just No. I hate it
Rating: really liked it
May 3, 2021
Kelly Quindlen is excellent in making me fall in love with her characters. Her previous book's -
Late to the Party - main caharacter was in love with her friend group, too, just like Scottie, just like me throught them.
Irene, Honey-Belle and Danielle were amazing. I adore every one of them.
Plus Honey-Belle is the coolest name out there, and based on her personality, she is literally my dream girl.
Three things I didn't like:
- the first chapter. it was the epitome of "please, for the love of god, show, don't tell"
- that Scottie blackmailed Irene - they tried to make me believe Irene agreed to it, but she had only two options: fake-date Scottie, or give up cheerleading. And come on, Simon vs. is my all time favorite book, I know a few things about subtle blackmailing.
- we were told Tally, the ex-girlfriend was toxic, but we were never shown why Scottie loved her in the first place, or how exactly was she toxic
Jul 01, 2020
I thought 2020 is THAT year for us gays, but it seems like from now on every year will be THAT year.
The amount of sapphic books that will come out gives me life.
Rating: really liked it
**'Words bounce and will do anything that you as a writer needs or wants them to do because the innocence of telling a YA story sometimes comes across as pleasurable..'
3.5stars!
A nice YA story and an encouraging recommended read.
Rating: really liked it
the enemies to lovers, fake dating to make an ex jealous, mean girls, grand gestures... it read like a queer 80s romcom and im here for it
Rating: really liked it
!!BEYOND FIVE STARS!!
Everybody shut the fuck up, I am in my feels.
Y'all, I loved this. Loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it!!!!!! Also like, this is a perfect book to use for the lesbian apocalypse. If lesbianism was a thing, this book would be the perfect model. ;P
But the real question is dun Dun DUNNNNN...Why did I love it?
When there is a rom-com, there are three important aspects to consider.
One: the romance (duh)
two: the comedy (double duhs)
three: the plot
And this book hit the nail with the hammer (please don't judge me I'm bad with idioms)
ugh...sapphic. Okay, i may be biased. I loved this completely because it was WLW, but can you blame me. Another reason why I also loved the romance is that it wasn't rushed or artificial. Our main baddie, Scottie, was dealing with a lot, and being with Irene didn't immediately solve the problem because she had an ass and rocking tits. No, Scottie needed healing time and Irene gave her just that. It felt like that. real and somber and slow. Just what I like!!
Hey Siri...how many times did I laugh while reading the book:
I'm sorry, the data is out of my reach.
Exactly, I laughed so many times. too many times even. And boys say women aren't funny.
and the plot...umm hello! Girls fake dating. Sign me tf up, say no more, speak less. I'm here to watch gays be gays. And not to mention the drama with *cough*the exes. Specifically, one ex who I'd like to shove in a meat grinder (fuck you charlotte, you gay homophobe)
-------------------------
I love Irene! I love Scottie! I love Lesbians! That is all
Review To Come
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everything is ten times better when it's sapphic.
Rating: really liked it
i adored this fluffy, tropey, adorably heartwarming 80s-inspired romcom!!
i've never cared much about sports stories (unless it's
a league of their own or something), but sapphic enemies-to-lovers fake dating between basketball star and cheerleader?? yes please.
one of the book's strengths is its well-rounded cast of characters. scottie's angst is relatable, and her love interest irene is amazingly powerful. i loved watching their dynamic shift as scottie learns there's more to irene than her popular cheerleader mean girl image. their relationship is sweet and ridiculously romantic. and it becomes remarkably healthy, especially considering the fact that it stems from fake dating drama!!
best friends danielle and honey belle are great supporting personalities, too. and i was amazed by the warmth of scottie's loving, supportive family. having sisters must be an amazing thing.
anyway. scottie initiates the fake dating drama in the hope of evoking jealousy from her ex, tally (who happens to be on the rival basketball team). i expected this to turn into a straightforward romance between scottie and irene, but i was impressed by the nuance.
scottie has to confront the fact that she's not over tally, despite the toxicity of the relationship and developing feelings for irene. finding closure while treating all parties with respect is ridiculously challenging. kudos to her character for being able to take a step back to heal. that shit is real.
People break our hearts, but they create more room in them first, and that room makes it possible for us to become more ourselves.
above all,
she drives me crazy feels like a fluffy tribute to 80s and 90s romcoms, and it's a blast. the ending warmed my heart. dramatic romantic gestures aren't a solid foundation for a relationship, but damn, they can be an adorable addition.
Rating: really liked it
it’s a lesbian (jock!!!!!) book written by a lesbian and i am so happy it exists and i truly believe that so many other people will love it and you should check it out and support it!!!!!! i do not love high school rom coms so it was really just personal taste and i knew that going in. i didnt love scottie but she did get better as the book went on. and ohhh boy did the portrayal of an emotionally abusive relationship HIT !!!! and irene supremacy tbh i love her
Rating: really liked it
3.75 ⭐️ banter, enemies to lovers, sapphic, basketball player x cheerleader, fake dating.. all a big yes. took me a second to like scottie which is why this wasn’t a full 4 star for me. being in her head angered me sometimes. but irene I loved right away!!!! by the end tho.. they were both amazing. the two romantic gestures absolutely made it for me.
“because before you can worry about who’s in your passenger seat you have to learn to drive yourself”
