She Drives Me Crazy

Written by Kelly Quindlen

Narrated by Piper Goodeve

After an embarrassing loss to her ex-girlfriend in their first basketball game of the season, Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her nemesis, Irene Abraham, who is as beautiful as she is mean. When the damage sends Irene's car to the shop for weeks' worth of repairs, the girls are forced to carpool for the foreseeable future.



Their rocky start only gets bumpier the more time they spend together. But when an opportunity presents itself for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex (and climb their school's social ladder at the same time), she bribes Irene into playing along.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705268346

Kelly Quindlen

Kelly Quindlen is the bestselling author of young adult LGBTQ novels. She initially pursued self-publishing with Her Name in the Sky, which sold more than 30,000 copies through word-of-mouth marketing in the queer community, before she pursued traditional publishing with Late to the Party and the IndieBound bestseller and Goodreads Choice Award nominee She Drives Me Crazy. Kelly graduated from Vanderbilt University with degrees in English Literature and American Studies. She taught middle school math for two years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before moving back to her hometown of Atlanta. She is on the leadership team of a non-profit for Catholic parents with LGBTQ children and is very passionate about the intersection of queerness and faith.

Reviews for She Drives Me Crazy

[Ezinwanyi1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best YA lgbt stories I’ve read in a long time. The character development and story telling was real, entertaining and endearing. I felt connected to both Scottie and Irene. They were characters that had so much under the surface that people didn’t see but they were special people. The supporting cast of family and close knit friends added to my appreciation of these high school athletes and their growing friendship. And the narrator really delivered an awesome performance. This one was really good!

[Kelly · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I love that this was an LGBT book that did not revolve around somebody coming out and being excepted by their parents. However I did not love the characters and did not feel that the relationship was authentic. I wish there would’ve been more moments between Scotty and Irene to show how they fell in love. I did appreciate the other complicated relationships though about being in love with somebody and it not being reciprocated as well as being in love and then breaking up.

[Kathryn Soderholm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tropey but not stereotypical. No Idiot Ball or Poor Communication nonsense. Made me tear up a bit.

[Jasmine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cute YA story. Sweet love interest. The school seems more forward thinking, which is refreshing to not have to read a story of the martyrdom of two high school lesbians. HEA, no cliffhanger, no sexual relations.

[Becki · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enemies to loves queer love story dealing with bullying and past toxic relationships. Some strong good messages in here. The book gets better the longer it goes on. Highly recommend

[Isabella Scucchi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars. Super cute, wholesome read. Made me smile through the book.

[Lisa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If I were to describe this book in one word, it's cathartic. It's very well written, the characters feel real and well fleshed out, and the story wraps up perfectly. Would definitely listen to again and recommend wholeheartedly.

[Natale Michaud · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mean girl Enemies to Lovers story. Irene is the mean girl popular cheerleader that is very smart which no one sees because she is a cheerleader. She pays a stunt on Scottie that makes it seem like they are now mortal enemies. Scottie is a smart basketball player, but also displays mean girl behavior, but with her mouth putting down people instead of putting stunts.

I actually like Irene and want to slap Scottie upside the head at times. She is so verbally abusive and so stupid over here manipulative ex-girlfriend Tally.

I would like a second book to know if they get in their colleges and if their relationship survives.

[natashawilson732 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was such a fun read. I laughed so hard while reading some of these chapters. This was really good.

[Naria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a cute story! Gave me 90s teen romcom nostalgia!

[Channi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is such a cute comfort book. Read for fuzzy feelings and an actual healthy relationship development. She Drives Me Crazy has all the camp and I loved it!

[Ari Torres · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Irene will forever be my baby. Scottie DID get a redemption arc, but it was too close to end for my liking which is why I'm giving this book 3/5 (Technically 3.5, but there are no half stars so.) The ending chapters were cute and I'm glad that Tally will be a forgotten memory.

[hollyhil13 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book! Kelly Quindlen is an amazing author, I love her sense of humour and how she makes accessible wlw stories for everyone that are cute and interesting.

[barnesbookshelf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was surprised by the emotional intelligence of this book. Going into it, I figured it would be the same as most other YA Romances I've read, and I was happy to be proved wrong. I'm glad there was no blow out fight and that Scottie took the time she needed to heal. It's so rarely shown in any form of media. Plus, who doesn't love the enemies to lovers trope?

[Rachbooks · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Review:

Scottie is part of the basketball team, but he’s not going through his best streak after breaking up with his girlfriend, who is now part of the rival team he has been losing to. On the day of a tournament, after finishing the game, Scottie has a minor car accident where his car crashes into that of his biggest rival, Irene, the cheerleading captain.

This accident forces our protagonists to cross paths due to various agreements made between their families. Scottie has to pick up Irene to take her to school while his car is being repaired, which creates a huge scandal at school, where everyone will wonder why they are seen together.

This scandal will reach the ears of Scottie’s ex-girlfriend, who becomes jealous of this interaction. This creates an idea for Scottie, who, as a plan to get back at his ex-girlfriend and his basketball team, decides to take advantage of this scandal. That’s why he dares to ask Irene if she wants to pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for a sum of money so that Irene can pay for the damages caused in the car accident. Thus, two rivals enter into a fake relationship where both can come out satisfied. But this will bring them more suspicion than they expect.

Personal Opinion:

With the fame this book has, I honestly expected much more. It’s somewhat entertaining to read but nothing out of this world. In terms of story development and the main point, which is the enemies to lovers romance, or the fake relationship in general, I was more interested in the protagonists’ hobbies, such as Irene being a cheerleader, where she seemed totally dedicated, or even Scottie’s basketball. I think it would have been a bit more interesting to include more about these topics than the filler content it had with the rest. Additionally, I don’t think the point around which the book revolves was covered in a very good way. Scottie’s ex is insufferable, and her reason for breaking up with him, as valid as it may be to him personally, is absurd and somewhat selfish; yet she gets angry because Scottie finds someone else... It highlights this girl’s toxicity, as well as the relationship they had to endure. There were more interesting points to focus on, such as Irene and Charlotte; their story has much more sense and depth to focus on than Scottie and Tally. (Translated from Spanish)

[dominiquedavis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

(3.75 rounded up)

Overall, it’s an enjoyable easygoing read. I wasn’t totally enthralled by the romance, but it was nice enough. The story by itself was fun even if I wasn’t fully invested in the main romance.

[librarianryan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This Sapphic rom com retelling of the movie Can’t Buy Me Love, is so much fun. Scottie is on the basketball team but is not doing well. She cannot get over her ex Tally. It has become a complete mental block that is taking away from every aspect of her life. After the demo game against her school rival, where Tally is now going, she runs her car in to the car of the Head Cheerleader Irene. The same head cheerleader who had Scottie’s car towed last year at a party for no reason. This starts off an enemies to lovers’ adventure that keeps readers smiling throughout. Scottie offers Irene the money she needs to repair the car if she pretends to be her girlfriend for 4 months. Scottie has two main reasons for this offer, one to make Tally jealous, and two to make her basketball team play better. After all, don’t all teams play better when they have a cheering section?

While this book is quite typical for the genera, its written well and keeps the readers wanting to turn the page. This is a read in one sitting book. It’s short and quick, but does not lack in emotion or problem management. Scottie has a dream family. They are so loyal and supportive in all things. Irene’s parents are also supportive, but this book does a great job of showing how Irene does’t always feel that support. I think it also handles Scottie’s mental anguish over her breakup really well. Her family talks things over, her friends let her take the time and do the things she needs to do to find herself again. This is not an “issue” book, it is instead a book filled with events that feel true life. They fell real, and youth could see themselves and their friends as different characters living these lives.

One of the great things about this book is that the pop culture references are already dated so it keeps the book fresh. For example, Irene, actually says : is this a Can’t Buy Me Love thing (classic Patrick Dempsey movie from the 80’s). One of the main characters actually references the movie this book retells. The title come from the Fine Young Cannibals song of the same name, and Irene is called Regina George (from Mean Girls) more than once. It is all tongue in cheek, but it all works together seamlessly. Nothing feels pushed or too cheesy.

Overall this book was a joy to read. If you are looking for more Sapphic rom-coms try: You Should See me in a Crown by Leah Johnson, or Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen. If you want more Can’t Buy me Love retellings (fake relationships) in all sexualities try: Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan or Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao.

[LectoraSmith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

AAAAAA very nice, I liked it a lot.
I had no expectations to avoid disappointment, so I must say that I felt comfortable and loved the ending.
It’s a simple story, but enjoyable to read. Although I would have liked them to spend more time together, maybe with more outings(?) and see how feelings gradually develop (Anyway, I didn't feel it was rushed).
-By the way, the book left me with good movie recommendations lol

“My sweet girls, let me tell you something,” Mom says, looking around at each of us. “You will move through life and fall in love with many different people, and at some point, you will get your heart broken. It’s unavoidable. The key is to not be afraid of the breaking. People break our hearts, but they create more room in them first, and that room makes it possible for us to become more ourselves.” (Translated from Spanish)

[kevn57-163679 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked how Scottie grew throughout the story, but sometimes I felt the pacing of that growth just took too long. Scottie and Irene should have had more fun together then have things fall apart before the final act. It would have made the story more fun and even more believable as to why Scottie and Irene even should be together

[Clarisse14 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

YES!
I can't say that this is objectively an excellent book; it’s full of clichés and doesn’t offer anything new. However, I had an amazing time reading it; I enjoyed it a lot, cried with joy, shouted with excitement, and everything that can be said. It genuinely made me happy.
The plot is as simple as it can get: two girls make a deal after one of them crashes the other's car to agree to start fake dating to benefit their own interests. Now, every imaginable cliché from a romance book is here: fake dates, double dates, a single bed, very cheesy scenes in front of the whole school AND STILL I had an incredible time reading it. The characters were likable, and many times I laughed out loud. (Translated from Spanish)

[starlight3glimmer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my favorite kind of YA, thoughtful, fun, inclusive, and sensitive. I clicked with both of the bright, layered main characters, and I enjoyed how they both prioritize friendship and their goals, while also embarking on a cute romance! The family dynamics also felt really empowering and it is such a pleasure to see parenting depicted in this loving, truly supportive way. Bonus points for cats named Boo Boo and Pickles! :) I’m giving more bonus points because coming out/being out is not a major plot point, and that is so refreshing!

[edgoldberg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun, sometimes laugh out loud funny take on enemies to friends to girlfriends. Irene and Scottie get into a fender bender. Scottie's mother suggests Scottie drive Irene to school while the latter's car is being repaired. Since they dislike each other, it is a task.

Scottie is a whiz on the basketball court and Irene leads the cheerleading squad. Also, Scottie is on the rebound after her girlfriend, Tally, broke up with her and switched high schools to their arch basketball enemy.

Can two girls who dislike each other become more than friends? Enjoy the ride as you get to see. Don't forget the romance between some of Scottie's friends with some of Irene's. fun and heart warming through to the end.