You Should've Kept Driving

What a thrill of a ride. I thoroughly loved this book so much. READERS I know it’s hard to leave a review. I feel like my reviews are from a child. If you enjoyed the book a positive review would mean so much for the author. They rely heavily on word-of-mouth recommendations to reach new readers. Please consider leaving a review, even if it’s only a sentence

Just think Mindf*ck Series on Steroids!…

Revised Review 7/22/2025

You Should've Kept Driving

~M.A. Savino          Originally Read

***If you are squeamish, be aware this book is GORY and GRAPHIC***

Now that I have the warning out of the way, whew………WHAT A WILD RIDE!!!! I am so glad I didn't keep scrolling when I came across You Should've Kept Driving. I can say this though, I am betting Benny and Griff sure wish they had. But I won't let things “spoil" for you, so let's get this review under way!

Brothers, Benny and Griffin are in the business of people. Literally. The two have the market cornered when it comes to human sex trafficking in their area. But some days they have to work harder than they like to find a suitable candidate. Today, seems lady luck is on their side.

For Odeya Willamina Parks, Willow or Odie depending on her mood, being broken down on the side of the road wasn't in her plans. But plans can change, and sometimes for the better. She's definitely no damsel in distress but for these two, maybe she can pull off the act long enough to accomplish her goals.

When the brothers abduct Willow, they think they've hit the jackpot. Benny says add her to the line-up while Griff wants to keep her as a play thing. It doesn't really matter what they want to do with her, Willow has her own plans for the brothers – a twisted tale of revenge.

Savino has mastered “fleshing" out characters – main and supporting. Willow is as unhinged as she is hilarious, giving us the ability to relate to her even with the insanity. If Williow isn't the classic case of ADHD, I ain't looking in the mirror. One minute she's humming tunes, the next she's sharpening her blades. Benny and Griff, well they are just scum balls of the earth and honestly get what they deserve. But Savino builds their characters to the point while you can relate to them, making it easier to dislike them as well. Savino has written these characters to invoke extreme reactions from her readers – and emotions they do invoke!

You Should've Kept Driving has a relentless pace that keeps tensions high and stakes even higher. Readers are drawn in from the first page with its dark humor and graphic violence – blending the two surprisingly well. With themes or horror, eroticism, and psychological thriller, I am thinking Savino has cornered a new genre with her name solely on it. Her writing is raw and unfiltered, not shying away from the dark and graphic details. As you can probably imagine, the vivid imagery and descriptive details are very graphic.

 

If you are looking for a bucking wild time, saddle up because you are in for the wildest ride of your life. Savino does NOT disappoint in any aspect with this one. I honestly had way too much fun with this review.

Before I end this review, I do want to list some of the trigger warnings just because I feel like if you've made it this far, you may be considering reading this book. While I am not trying to discourage anyone from reading this, just be aware of what you are getting into.

Triggers: kidnapping, vengeance, trauma, spicy, gore, cannibalism, dark humor, horror, rape, sex trafficking, serial killer, psychological manipulation to name just some. I can attest there are no children or animals involved that I remember (I would remember if they were of any significance).

As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, present or future, by the author or publisher in exchange for this fair review.

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Wild and intense, I never knew what was going to happen from paragraph to paragraph. I enjoyed the darker side of the main character, but I did find myself skimming through the spicier scenes.

Very interesting book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Abso-F*€king-lutly out of my genre but I certainly don't regret expanding my horizon. (This is not for the faint of heart. Read the trigger warnings.) I giggled so many times to myself and out loud while reading. My husband just laughs and calls me a nerd.
Willow is a phenomenal character with such spice and sas, and Ari is the perfect ride or die friend! Audrey though, I felt such a connection with this gal and I sure hope book two mentions her again. The strength and confidence these characters put off a long with their pain and suffering you feel apart of their story of their lives. Your heart breaks for them but is also cheering them on the whole way.
Some parts seemed a bit repetitive when it came to the erotica making the ⭐rating drop for me. However, I do believe this was extremely well written and thought out. The detail in each scene, perfectly planned and laid out. I highly recommend BUT not for those with trigger warnings absolutely read those before proceeding forward.
Melissa Savino - author I can't wait to read the next chapter of these gals lives.! ARC is up next. Thank you for that ♥️ hope this review is worthy of your book!

Messed up…perfectly messed up! I was immediately hooked from the ‘Dearest Readers’ trigger warning at the beginning. Brilliant!

Griffin and Benny think they’ve hit the jackpot when they find a stranded woman on the roadside. Snatching victims is usually harder than this. But this is not the damsel they expected. She’s calm, dangerous, and definitely not on the menu. In fact, she has her own recipe for revenge. What starts as a kidnapping turns into something much bloodier.

Spillin’ the Book Tea:
Meet Odeya Willamina Parks, better known as Willow or Odie depending on the mood. She strolls onto page one already in over her head and looking way too pleased about it. Trouble is her natural habitat and she swims in it like a champion.

Now, about the elephant in the room or rather the entrée. Odie’s cannibalism is a conscious lifestyle choice. She does not wake up mid barbecue wondering what happened. She knows exactly who is on the menu.

Between violent revenge plans her brain starts playing random songs on loop. Which I can totally relate too. Plus, thigh meat is my favorite cut too

Wild, crazy, graphic, and disturbing!

This author takes you straight into the story. I love her fast-paced, no-nonsense approach. Her writing style is on the nose: beautifully descriptive, vulgar, unnerving, and darkly hilarious. I couldn't get enough and greedily devoured the words. 

The main character's descriptions of her captors and the lecherous prospective would-be owners of the captive girls were laugh out loud, wickedly entertaining. In fact, all of her thoughts and one-liners were so funny.

It's obvious from the outset that the brothers Griff and Benny have bitten off more than they can chew (pun intended).

This book is wild from start to finish, and I loved every minute of it. Download a copy, buckle up, and prepare for one crazy, graphic, disturbing story. 

This is my favorite book so far this year!!! (And I read ALOT)

“You Should’ve Kept Driving” is a fascinating novel that demands your attention from the very first page. As a Beta reader, I had the privilege of diving into this dark and tantalizing tale. Before we jump into the details, I want to mention the cover and how it plays a significant role in drawing readers in. While I don’t judge books solely by their covers, okay, maybe I do, this cover certainly sets the tone. Melissa’s cover artist is exceptional and always spot on.

Melissa’s warnings, thoughtfully placed right before the first page, serves as a compass for readers. They signal that this book isn’t for the faint of heart. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride!

Willow emerges as the standout character—a complex and twisted individual. Her multifaceted personality keeps readers guessing. She’s not just “one sick b!tch”; she’s sexy, a firestorm, and a force to be reckoned with. Whether you love her or hate her, and oh how I love her, you can’t ignore her impact on the story.

The storyline itself, takes us to the edge and then pushes us further. It’s a journey into the abyss, where morality blurs, and consequences are spine-chilling. Melissa wrote scenes that push boundaries and challenge our sensibilities which make this book unforgettable.

Melissa’s writing style is both evocative and unapologetic. She doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable situations. It’s one of the things I admire and love about her as an author. Her writing grips you, urging you to read on even when you’re tempted to look away.

“You Should’ve Kept Driving” is more than a novel; it’s an experience. It lingers in your mind, challenging your perceptions and leaves you wondering, “WTF did I just read?” and I said that in present and past tense a few times as I was reading it! If you’re ready to explore the darker corners of human nature, buckle up and get ready to take this wicked ride! You have been warned.