Happy Friday! Today I have a review of Tiger Drive by Teri Case. When I read the synopsis, and knowing how drawn I am to stories of dysfunctional families, I was excited to see what Tiger Drive is all about. Please read on for my review.
My Thoughts:
In reading the synopsis of Tiger Drive, I was interested in this family’s story. The Sloan family lives in Nevada in a trailer park. Harry, the father, is an alcoholic, and Janice, the mother, is fed up with him. Everything has become overwhelming to Janice. She’s doing this all on her own, she’s drowning in debt, and she has kids to take care of (two young ones, and four mostly grown); but all she wants to do is sing in the Grand Ole Opry.
Carrie, one of the teen daughters, plans to escape life on Tiger Drive by going to college. She’s been saving every penny to have a different way of life. On the cusp of her leaving, Janice decides to run, too, giving her two young sons to Harry. None of this happens, though, because another secret of Harry’s is uncovered, his biggest yet.
All the Sloans want a different life, but how will they create one, and how successful will each family member be?
The talent of Teri Case shines in the complexity of her characters.. Starting with Harry, there’s a tenderness and a large amount of regret and shame built into his drinking and his discoveries of just who he has hurt physically and emotionally after his black outs. He doesn’t want to be this way, but he has no idea how to be different. The same is true with strong Janice. She’s been the mom and caretaker, but she’s tired, and she’s ready to let it all go to find her piece of the pie. Carrie is ready to run out the door, but at the same time, she feels an immense love towards her family, and she wishes she could help them all. It’s like they are on a ship that’s going under, and she’s trying to figure out who to put on the life raft with her. This richness carries on throughout each of the individual characters.
Tiger Drive is a well-written novel of a family in hard times that could be any family, one on the possible cusp of change, but one in which the secrets of the past continue to weigh it down. The stories of each character come together so beautifully because they are part of this thing called family, and love, though extraordinarily complex, continues to bind them together.
Overall, I found Tiger Drive to be relatable, vividly real, and written emotionally from the heart; a story of utter despair clashing with hope and faith at every turn.
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
One family. Too many secrets. Four people who want to matter. In Nevada, Sloan family matriarch, Janice, is tired of her white trash life–dealing with debt, kids, her son’s motorcycle gang, and Harry, her drunk of a husband. She can’t shake her lifelong dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry.
As Janice’s teen daughter, Carrie, plans her escape to college, Janice confronts the fact that she’s forty-eight and running out of time. She decides to leave her two young sons with Harry and move to Nashville for one year to pursue her dream. But before Janice can leave, Harry’s worst betrayal yet destroys everyone’s plans, and detectives start digging up the family dirt.
Times are desperate for the Sloan Family. They might survive if they can become each other’s unlikely heroes. Do they have what it takes to confront the truth about their lives and each other and break free from their way of life on Tiger Drive?
Debut novelist, Teri Case puts us inside the minds of mother, father, daughter, and son to portray how addiction, poverty, and secrets can derail the best of intentions. But with a little hope and a dose of trust, the human spirit can prevail.
“Tiger Drive is an outstanding [novel], with . . . layered characters, relationships that make me ache for the characters and yearn for a positive resolution, and character journeys that intertwine in heartbreaking, soul-soaring ways.” –Deborah Halverson, DearEditor.com
“I LOVED Tiger Drive so much . . . I know I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time.” –Lizette Clarke, Author Accelerator
Have you read Tiger Drive, or is it on your TBR? Do you have a favorite story of a dysfunctional family? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
This one sounds interesting, Jen. I’m really drawn to these types of stories too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Happy Friday! ❤💚❤
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Thanks, favorite M! I felt like I knew this family, it was so well-done. Happy Friday to you, too! 💗
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I got drawn into the drama immediately! I’ve got to know what happened, Jennifer😧
Obviously, your review is outstanding.
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Thanks, Jonetta! Your comments always lift my spirits. Thank you for that. ♥️ The author did an amazing job with this story. It has so much heart.
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Wonderful review, Jennifer!!! I love the way you described the emotions here—sounds fantastic!
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Thanks, Mack! I loved this one so much it made it easy to write about. You know how much I love emotional reads!
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I am so grateful for this fabulous review, Jennifer. You “got” the Sloans. I am over the moon and a bit teary with happiness. Thank you for being you.
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Thanks so much for the kind words, Teri, and it was my pleasure to review your book because, yes, the Sloans are completely relatable, interesting, and your book is a gem. Thank you for the opportunity to read it! ♥️
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Lovely picture and fantastic review, Jennifer. I have added this domestic noir to my tbr list. Happy Friday. 🌹💕📚
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Thanks, Virginia! I don’t think you’ll regret adding it. It was a wonderful read for me. Happy Friday to you! 💗
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I just finished Sally Field’s book In Pieces about a dysfunctional family. I think that she will win an award for this one.
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Oh, yes, Sally’s story definitely has a difficult and dysfunctional family dynamic. I think she should win an award too!
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I love stories about dysfunctional families, and I have to admit, this sounds like it’s full of drama. Thanks for showcasing this😁
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Thanks, Tammy! I find books like this so fascinating, too, and I never tire of them. So many stories to tell when it comes to families!
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Definitely looks interesting. Terrific review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I really enjoyed it!
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Lovely review!
Sounds like a good story. I like realistic stories about families and their relationship with each other ❤
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Thank you, Norrie! I do, too. Families can be so interesting and the dynamics can be rather dramatic. I’m happy you enjoy them too. ♥️
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Wonderful review Jen! Happy Friday!!😁💕
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Thanks, Sus! I hope your weekend ahead is awesome! 70 on Sunday! Woo! ♥️
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56 for us!! But with rain!!☔☔
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That’s where we are today! I guess we are sending it up to you!
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i agree after reading synopsis i also want to read the book .. Adding tiger drive to my tbr list.
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Thank you, Ashi. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! It’s a wonderful read! ♥️
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lovely review
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Thanks so much, Ashi. 💗
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Excellent review. I don’t read too many of this sort of fiction because it’s heartbreaking. It’s great but sometimes I can’t take the emotional outpouring. Anne – Books of My Heart
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Thank you, and I understand, Anne. I am drawn to emotional stories, but I like there to be something uplifting or some hope involved, and luckily this one had that.
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Great review, Jennifer! This sounds like a tough read.
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Thanks, Jacquie! It was difficult at times, but not all throughout.
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I haven’t read this book. It does sound brilliant though. 🙂 Great review!
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Thanks, Chrissi! I enjoyed it quite a bit!
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Jennifer fabulous review this looks really good!
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Thanks so much, Berit!
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Love this review! Adding it to my pile. I’m the same way— drawn to stories of less than perfect families.
Have you read Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay? Probably my favorite in that niche.
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Thanks, Christopher! I never tire of the family dynamics. I really appreciate the reminder about Vinegar Hill. I own it, but I’ve not yet read it. I need to get on it and happy to know you enjoyed it.
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Oh I’m so curious to know what Harry did & more about the drama within this family. Great review Jennifer! ☺️
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Thanks so much, LP! It really starts with a bang wondering what Harry did, and as rough as he was, I found him endearing. I hope you are having a great weekend! ♥️
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Ah I love that when character are complicated like that since almost nothing and no one is ever perfectly good or totally rotten!
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That’s absolutely true, so it makes everything more realistic!
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Love the sound of this! Dysfunctional families :O Looks awesome and I didn’t even know about it
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Thanks, Annie! It was grateful it was put on my radar, too. A hidden gem!
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Wow this story can be about any family.. It’s so real especially when everyone has reached their limits. So you either fly or fight. Great review Jennifer! How do you always write great reviews!!! I’m envious of your skills and pictures!! ❤️
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Thanks, Jee! It really is relatable. Thank you for your sweet words. I think your reviews are much better than mine- you definitely have the reviewing skills! I hope you are having a lovely weekend with a good book! ♥️ xoxo
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You’re too kind, Jennifer! I hope the same for you too!
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Wonderful post Jennifer – this sounds really good!
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Thanks, Mackey! It was a great read.
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Wow this sounds like a powerful read Jenni! Fantastic review! 🤗
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Thanks, Beth! It was emotional and powerful, definitely. ♥️
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Stories about dysfunctional families appeal to me so this sounds like my kind of read. Great review!
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Thank you, Suzanne! This family had dysfunction in spades and a great balance of love, too.
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On the TBR, thanks – love stories about the down at heel in places like Nevada trailer parks! Discovered when RTd by Mrs Bloggs. :0
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Thanks, Terry! I hope you enjoy it too!
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Sounds like a very emotional and compelling read. Such different characters to figure out.
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Yes, definitely all those things. I love trying to figure out characters, and these were extra complex.
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