Book cover of The Spark and the Drive

Book description

By an award-winning writer of short fiction, a devastatingly powerful debut novel of hero-worship, first love, and betrayalJustin Bailey is seventeen when he arrives at the shop of legendary muscle car mechanic Nick Campbell. Anguished and out of place among the students at his rural Connecticut high school, Justin finds…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Spark and the Drive as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was immediately taken by 17-year-old Justin Bailey because, like him, I didn’t have a strong father figure who could teach me how men were supposed to behave. So when he lands an internship at a legendary muscle car shop, it seems like a dream come true until it quickly becomes clear that his new mentor is equally vulnerable to tragedy.

As his hero falls, Justin falls right along with him—easily lost in his surroundings and eager to accept one justification after another until he succumbs to the darkest of temptations. As a protagonist, his only saving grace is understanding…

If you love The Spark and the Drive...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like The Spark and the Drive?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 92 books like The Spark and the Drive.

Browse books like The Spark and the Drive

Book cover of 13 Reasons Why
Book cover of The Outsiders
Book cover of The Catcher in the Rye

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

183

readers submitted
so far, will you?

šŸ“š If you like The Spark and the Drive, you might also like...

Book cover of Child of Vanris

Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack,

At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a…

Book cover of Almost Home

Almost Home by Howard Means,

Almost Home is a fictional retelling of the last great tragedy of the Civil War.

In late April 1865, almost 2,000 newly freed Union prisoners of war are packed onto the steamer Sultana, in poor repair and with a listed capacity of 376 passengers.Ā Among them are four Indiana soldiers…

5 book lists we think you will like!