Rating: 
Summary: Unforgettable cast of true-to-life characters
Review: After 21 years of marriage and three children, Charlene Darnell's husband Joey has just up and walked out, leaving her confused, feeling like a failure, and not sure whether to be sad or angry. Her entire married life has been dedicated to being there for everyone else; now, for the first time, circumstances are forcing her to put herself first, figuring out what CHARLENE wants, for a change. The last thing she needs is the sudden, and admittedly very flattering attention, of one Mason MacCoy, a man who's harbored a secret love for Charlene for more than ten years. As with the other books of Curtiss Ann Matlock's that I've read, the pages of DRIVING LESSONS fairly teem with eccentric but loveable characters and down-home, humor-laced wisdom. Don't expect to find lots of fast-paced action here, or a bunch of steamy sex scenes. Those aren't Matlock's style. What you WILL find is an uncanny ability to capture the magic in small moments and everyday occurrences, and a sexual chemistry that far surpasses anything merely physical. Since this is primarily Charlene's story, the romance seems more of a subplot than the driving force of the storyline, but it is a lovely, sweet romance all the same. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the ending seemed a tad abrupt after such a luxuriously developed story -- and I did want to know what happened with Rainey and her baby! But Charlene and Mason are wonderful characters, flawed and appealing and real. . .as are all the inhabitants of Valentine, Oklahoma. Another keeper for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable cast of true-to-life characters
Review: After 21 years of marriage and three children, Charlene Darnell's husband Joey has just up and walked out, leaving her confused, feeling like a failure, and not sure whether to be sad or angry. Her entire married life has been dedicated to being there for everyone else; now, for the first time, circumstances are forcing her to put herself first, figuring out what CHARLENE wants, for a change. The last thing she needs is the sudden, and admittedly very flattering attention, of one Mason MacCoy, a man who's harbored a secret love for Charlene for more than ten years. As with the other books of Curtiss Ann Matlock's that I've read, the pages of DRIVING LESSONS fairly teem with eccentric but loveable characters and down-home, humor-laced wisdom. Don't expect to find lots of fast-paced action here, or a bunch of steamy sex scenes. Those aren't Matlock's style. What you WILL find is an uncanny ability to capture the magic in small moments and everyday occurrences, and a sexual chemistry that far surpasses anything merely physical. Since this is primarily Charlene's story, the romance seems more of a subplot than the driving force of the storyline, but it is a lovely, sweet romance all the same. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the ending seemed a tad abrupt after such a luxuriously developed story -- and I did want to know what happened with Rainey and her baby! But Charlene and Mason are wonderful characters, flawed and appealing and real. . .as are all the inhabitants of Valentine, Oklahoma. Another keeper for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: After twenty-one years of marriage, Joey Darnell fails to return to his home from a business trip. Instead, he moves into a trailer owned by Sheila Arnett. His wife Charlene and two children are devastated and the townsfolk of Valentine, Oklahoma thinks he is nuts. Everyone advises Charlene that Joey is suffering a mid-life crisis, will come to his senses, and should never have hurt her like this. Slowly, Charlene begins to gather herself together. She drives for the first in six years and takes a job at the beauty parlor. Mason MacCoy begins to court her. Unbeknownst to Charlene, Mason has loved her ever since he first met her a decade ago. In her forties, Charlene begins to regain her self-respect and buried hopes even as she starts to fall in love with her suitor. DRIVING LESSONS is an interesting character piece that demonstrates the width of talent that best-selling author Curtiss Ann Matlock possesses. The story line centers on the actions and reactions of various players to Joey, who is not an evil person, leaving his family. This tale is a thought-provoking novel because the author avoids the pitfalls of turning Joey into pure evil and Charlene into pure goodness. Instead these are real people coping with a crisis and the way the author handles that will bring much acclaim to Ms. Matlock. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: not disapointed again!
Review: Curtis Matlock is so good at writing about things that can really happen instead of fantasy that most likely will never happen.She makes her characters down to earth people. They always make me think that love can and will happen when we least expect it! Charlene has some of the bravery in her that most all of us have when things seem at their worst! Thank goodness for a great story that will give us all hope to keep on hoping that when we do not try to find love, it will inevitably happen!
Rating: 
Summary: I think I've met this woman!
Review: From the start of the book, I felt like I knew Charlene. I loved her simpleness, her relationship with her family, and mostly I loved her ability to keep things going for her children. She was able to admit to being totally confused and at the same time she managed to figure out who she was. I loved all the characters in the book, even the ornery ones turned out to be good people. Charlene's father was so well written, I could see him in my mind and hear his voice.He is a character I will long remember. This was a book full of love and laughter,and a book that is simply the story of the lives of those living in a small community who stick together when they need to. I throughly enjoyed it as an entertaining book that shows humanity at it's best. I definitly recommend it to anyone who reads for the pure pleasure of it.
Rating:
Summary: I think I've met this woman!
Review: From the start of the book, I felt like I knew Charlene. I loved her simpleness, her relationship with her family, and mostly I loved her ability to keep things going for her children. She was able to admit to being totally confused and at the same time she managed to figure out who she was. I loved all the characters in the book, even the ornery ones turned out to be good people. Charlene's father was so well written, I could see him in my mind and hear his voice.He is a character I will long remember. This was a book full of love and laughter,and a book that is simply the story of the lives of those living in a small community who stick together when they need to. I throughly enjoyed it as an entertaining book that shows humanity at it's best. I definitly recommend it to anyone who reads for the pure pleasure of it.
Rating:
Summary: A new found friend
Review: I couldn't put down this charming book with such wonderfully believable characters. I would just love to move to such a town where people care about each other. I felt like I could talk to Charlene about her problems with Joey, while sipping on a glass of iced tea, or get my nails done at the beauty shop where she works. Living in the South myself,this story touched my heart. Am trying to locate Ms Matlock's other books about Valentine, OK so I can visit again!
Rating:
Summary: A new found friend
Review: I couldn't put down this charming book with such wonderfully believable characters. I would just love to move to such a town where people care about each other. I felt like I could talk to Charlene about her problems with Joey, while sipping on a glass of iced tea, or get my nails done at the beauty shop where she works. Living in the South myself,this story touched my heart. Am trying to locate Ms Matlock's other books about Valentine, OK so I can visit again!
Rating: 
Summary: Scatterbrained
Review: I've been reading this book and find the author's whole train of thought to be very scatterbrained, choppy. It seems like one minute, something happens, and then very abruptly, the train of thought changes without warning. If this pattern holds true for the rest of the story, I'm not sure I'll buy another Curtiss Ann Matlock work -- it is wearing me out!
Rating:
Summary: Scatterbrained
Review: I've been reading this book and find the author's whole train of thought to be very scatterbrained, choppy. It seems like one minute, something happens, and then very abruptly, the train of thought changes without warning. If this pattern holds true for the rest of the story, I'm not sure I'll buy another Curtiss Ann Matlock work -- it is wearing me out!
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