Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Drifter

Rate this book
From USA Today Best Selling Author Kathy Coopmans
The Drifter
A Standalone novel
To the outside world, Kray Brooks had it all growing up.
Wealth. The devoting parents.
The beautiful girlfriend.
Good grades.

All of it a lie, except her. The woman he left behind thirteen years ago to try and achieve his real dream... to become a musician.

Life doesn't always go according to the plan you set out for yourself.
Sometimes, you drift. Become lost, lose hope and crash.

For thirteen years he's been drifting wherever his guitar takes him, avoiding his past. Never thinking of his future.
Not once did he think it would all catch up to him. Until it did.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2016

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Kathy Coopmans

72 books2,699 followers
Kathy is a USA Today Best Selling Author. A wife, mother, grandmother, and book nerd. She loves chatting with her readers and making new book friends. You can visit with her and other book lovers in her reading group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Coopm...

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
198 (37%)
4 stars
178 (33%)
3 stars
102 (19%)
2 stars
41 (7%)
1 star
14 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
Profile Image for Maya.
858 reviews474 followers
July 2, 2016
ARC was kindly provided from TRSoR Promotions in exchange for an honest review.


This book is so amazingly beautiful!!! Rori & Kray's story is so emotional and so heartbreaking, I almost shed a tear or two and it definitely left me wanting for more! As far as second chances go, The Drifter is one of my favs!

That's me while reading the story

description

My emotions were all over the place. From wanting to shake Kray for what he did to Rori to wanting to hold him in my arms and tell him everything is going to be alright. His character is truly so beautifully broken, the poor man. I feel like he never really felt love until Rori and Muriel. His past is simply horrible and I life for sure dealt him a very bad hand. Also his present life was not made from a fairy tale, heck no! He had to fight every day to basically just stay alive.

He's a lonely man whose life has been shifted out of alignment, tossed about in a tremulous course, and yet he's still standing.

I loved Kray and luckily for me I also loved Rori. She's such an amazing, strong character and what she did for Kray simply shows just how much their love is worth and how strong it is, even after all these years spent apart. She's a wonderful and successful young woman that knows what she wants and let's just say that the things se wants...she gets!

description

As already said, their story is unique and a tearjerker. They have so much to overcome, from their past to their future, it's definitely not an an easy read and I loved that! I felt with them every step of their journey and I have to say I regret nothing!!! I truly recommend this read, you will not be disappointed!

Safety: Safe.
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,335 reviews9,338 followers
June 24, 2016
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author
"Kathy Coopmans" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

TITLE: THE DRIFTER
AUTHOR: Kathy Coopmans
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
CHAPTERS: 21 + Epilogue
RELEASE DATE: July 11th, 2016

MY RATING
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

This will be my first time reading anything by this author going by the cover I'm hoping that whats within is just as hot!!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

THE DRIFTER: Told is 'dual perspectives' (Rori & Kray) A second chance romance

Kick starts us off in the PROLOGUE we're first introduced to eighteen year old Kray Brooks, living under the roof of a controlling father, who is the head of a Neurology Department, whose lifes mission is to get his son to follow in his footsteps.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic He's managed to tear down my self esteem, my integrity, and made me lose sight of who I really am.

The only silver lining in Kray's life is his girl friend, Rori McBride of two years the girl who entered my life a little too late to save me. a girl who has grown up with nothing but has made something of herself. Their dreams as a couple was him becoming the next Eric Clapton and Rori being his manager.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic I'm leaving her
Leaving the girl I love
I girl I will never forget.
The girl I will write every song about.
The girl I will love until the day I die.


Like a thief in the night the only thing he leaves behind is letters to his loved ones.

THIRTEEN YEARS LATER:

A reconnection in Las Vegas, the city of dreams and bright lights.

All of Rori's dreams came a reality she owns her own company ' McBride & Forester Marketing' with a business partner.
Kray's dreams of making it big never came to frution, a drifter from one city to the next trying to make a name for himself in the music industry only to be shit down everytime he gets a step in the door as soon as he mentions his surname.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Kray has always been a head turner
Now he's a man with a body of a beast.


Image and video hosting by TinyPic

The only thing I didn't like about this was Kray's younger teen years, I could fully understand why he walked away from the one he loved (to a point) in some ways it was selfless he wanted to save her from his tyrant of a father, but in the end what did it really accomplish, his father won in the end, until they meet up years later and reconnect that they can finally put to rest the shit storm his father threw at them, they had lost so much but reconnecting they found so much more, in some ways they needed to be apart to grow as individuals, they came together whole..
Profile Image for Janie.
870 reviews81 followers
July 12, 2016
This is a very emotional story of loss, redemption and forever love. This is the story of Kray who grew up in a very abusive home with parents that didn't care about him, only about the image they portrayed. Kray and Rori began dating in high school and were together for two years before he had to make a decision that was devastating to them both. Thirteen years later they find each other again and so their story of finding their way back to each other begins. I don't want to get into the story too much as it needs to be experienced to understand it anyways. Kray is honestly an amazing man that carried such guilt for the decision he had to make even though at the time he really felt he had no choice. Rori is caring, supportive and forgiving. Their road back to each other is not an easy one. But never do they waiver in their love for each other. I felt so bad for them and what was stolen from them so long ago. I also loved Muriel, Kray's mother figure that has been there for him for so long. The writing in this book may not be for everyone. There is a lot of internal dialogue taking place which usually drives me crazy. But honestly, for this story it worked. I'm not sure if it was written differently that it would've been the same. I also don't always enjoy second chance romance stories because of the route most authors go with those. None of that is in this story. It is creative and unique. No OW/OM or cheating at all.
Profile Image for Sybil aka Lala.
478 reviews214 followers
July 11, 2016


This was my very first read by Kathy Coopmans. I know, I’m disappointed in me too. I was first drawn in by a hot guy on a cover and a blurb that promised a sweet second chance romance. I’m so glad this is the first book of hers I chose to read because I am now solidly on her list of fan girls.



This was such a beautiful and poignant read. This was a love story that was so gritty and real but also smacked of a fairy tale with a surreal quality. I absolutely adored the unique Coopmans took with this plot, almost a reversal of the old cliché roles I often see. There were obvious issues for these two to overcome but I loved the fact that these weren’t just brushed over in order to move the plot along, instead the author took her time and we were made to felt every single beautiful, sad and frustrating moment.



The characters themselves were excellent. I could form a connection to each one and I was rooting for both of them from practically the first sentence. Their love was so intense, Kray’s desperation for Rori made me weak at the knees and the tension and chemistry between them was palpable. I cannot give the plot away – this book is best enjoyed when you don’t know everything. Just know that this is a one handed read because you will either be fanning yourself, or wiping away the tears.



As I stated earlier: this book is utterly unique, an emotional rollercoaster, sweet, sad, beautiful and even at times funny. I absolutely loved it and it comes highly recommended!

(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews481 followers
July 17, 2016
I’m a huge fan of Kathy Coopmans’ The Syndicate series, so when The Drifter came out, I jumped on it. I have to say, this is the most complex, heartbreaking-yet-uplifting story I’ve read from her. She totally tossed me into the deep end with this one.

I can honestly say The Drifter wasn’t what I thought it would be. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure I could do it. Let me say, it was a personal thing. We all have them and, when an author writes about something that hurts our hearts, we don’t always realize it until we are invested. In this case, from the very beginning, this book tugged at me. And I knew that there was so much more to come.

Life is like a passageway into unknown territory. It’s like standing in the dark, searching for a way to escape.

—THIS. SO. MUCH. THIS!!!! I have tattoo that says “trust the journey” on my foot, and when I read this, it touched my soul. If you’ve ever struggled, and been to the dark, you understand this. I understood this. I loved this.

This book gave me the feels. So many feels all over the place. I’m pretty sure my heart broke and I wasn’t sure it was going to be put back together. So much so, that I almost skipped to the end and then went back.

But I didn’t. :) The angst, love, and stress of Kray and Rori radiated off the pages. This wasn’t a book about a down-and-out singer like I anticipated. It was so much more. This was a book that was a real love story! Grab it and settle in for a read you aren’t soon to forget! ~ Heather, 4 stars
Profile Image for Renee Dyer.
Author 23 books282 followers
June 15, 2016
Sometimes you feel like decisions are being made for you and you have no say, no life, nothing will ever change, or get better unless you do the one thing you don't want to. Kray Brooks knows this better than anyone. This book had me spellbound from page one. Angry at Kray's father for his not understanding how a parent should love his child. Angry at his mother for not stepping up and supporting her son. And angry at Kray for the decision he made. My anger for one of these people dissipated and I found myself routing for him. Wanting him to have all he deserved to have. A good life, happiness, and most of all...love. This is a story of fighting back against the odds. Becoming who you are meant to be and finding self worth. It's beauty in the depths of destruction. Sometimes you have to drift to find where you belong. Beyond a five star read for me. #Crazy4Kray
Profile Image for Amy .
2,845 reviews
July 15, 2016
4.5 Second Chances Stars!

“People say there is no taste to a kiss, except the scent of each other. What a lot of people fail to realize is, a kiss can speak words that we as humans are not quite comfortable saying, whether the timing is right or we can not find the right choice of words. This kiss, right here where the passerby can see us, is a kiss marking a new beginning of love that will never be taken for granted again.”

“My soul chooses to not live without love. My mind chooses to think about you. My heart chooses to never stop loving you. My body chooses to catch on fire when you’re near me. My lips choose to kiss you back. My fingers choose to touch you. All this time I thought I hated what you did to me. To us.”

The Drifter is a well written and beautiful second chance romance. Told from dual points of view, The Drifter follows the story of Kray and Rori. Kary and Rori fell in love as teenagers. Their love was a beautiful thing and the only thing standing in the way of a beautiful future together, was Kray’s father. Kray’s father wanted to Kray to be just like him and loathed that Kray had other dreams; especially those involving Rori. Kray had a decision to make and at the time, he thought he was doing what was best for everyone one. However, this decision will prove to be the biggest regret of his life…Rori was madly in love with Kray. She wanted nothing more than the amazing future he painted of the two of them together. She had no way of knowing that her world was about to be turned upside down. You see, when Kray left town, his decision impacted everyone and forever changed Rori’s view on life. Now, 13 years later, these two old lovers will be thrown together again. Fate has decided to give these two a second chance and only time will tell if these two will get the HEA they both deserve.

The Drifter is a fantastic read. It was just the kind of book that I was looking for. The Drifter is well-written and is a heart-breaking second chance romance. From the moment we are introduced to Kray and Rori, you just know that their story is going to be special. Kray thought he was making the right choices in life, but sadly his choices did not take him down the path that he was expecting. He never imagined he would see the things that he did or that he would live the way that he was living. But, the one thing that kept him going, was his love for Rori. And Rori…She was so strong. Losing Kray destroyed her, but instead of letting it ruin her life, she worked hard on making something of herself. These two coming together again after all that time was a beautiful thing to see. The chemistry and love was still there. You knew Kray messed up big time, but you just couldn’t help yourself from rooting for these two.

The Drifter is a fantastic second chance romance. The story-line is real and refreshing. The characters are flawed and are ones that you want to see good things happen to. This story is filled with hope and love. It’s filled with angst and romance and lots of sexy good times. I enjoyed every second of this book and devoured it in one sitting. If you are a sucker for second chance romances like I am, I definitely would recommend checking this one out.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Victoria  Prince.
16 reviews3 followers
June 14, 2016
This book is so emotional, heartfelt, relatable, driven, and hectic. Rori and Kray suffer through so much in the thirteen years they've been apart. Kathy Coopmans does a masterful job of digging into the souls of her characters and conveying that on to the pages of The Drifter for her readers.

I've read some amazing stories by Kathy, but this book is so special and different from her other works. I enjoyed the gut-wrenching roller coaster of love and despair from beginning to end. You will not regret picking up this book and savoring every bit of it. Thank goodness this book wasn't short because it would have ended too quickly! This story is magical and there is so much about life we all see in it.

Add this to your TBR list and prepare to be entranced by each page.
Profile Image for Melissa Mendoza.
2,551 reviews53 followers
June 30, 2016
Title: The Drifter
Author: Kathy Coopman
Release Date: July 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 400
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:

To the outside world, Kray Brooks had it all growing up.
Wealth. The devoting parents.
The beautiful girlfriend.
Good grades.

All of it a lie, except her. The woman he left behind thirteen years ago to try and achieve his real dream... to become a musician.

Life doesn't always go according to the plan you set out for yourself.
Sometimes, you drift. Become lost, lose hope and crash.

For thirteen years he's been drifting wherever his guitar takes him, avoiding his past. Never thinking of his future.
Not once did he think it would all catch up to him. Until it did.


Review:
“I continue to sing as if I’m looking at her, my breath pouring into her, my words sinking into the fundamental part of her soul, the portion that belongs to me. Rori has left an imperishable imprint that has lived underneath my skin.”

5 drifting stars! Beautiful, emotional, and breathtakingly heartfelt!

Kray had the perfect life growing up. Money, perfect family, a gorgeous girlfriend Rori, what more could you ask for?? Well not all is as it seems. He leaves his life behind, including the girl he loves to start a life as a musician, his true calling. But thirteen years later, he’s still the lost guy he was back then, can he achieve the life and happiness he wants?

I love anything Kathy Coopmans, but this is by far my favorite book by her!! It’s so much different than her normal books, but that’s not a bad thing at all! There’s so much heart and emotion poured into this book, you can feel it coming out of the pages!! Your heart breaks for Kray and Rori and all that they seem to be going through! This has got to be one of my top ten books of 2016. Oh and P.S. have your tissues handy!

me alphabookclub
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club description
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,292 reviews165 followers
July 11, 2016
When you lose something as precious as an everlasting love that not once dissipated, you realize you had to lose them in order to appreciate the love you have more.

At 18, Kray Brooks walked away from his wealthy life due to an abusive father. All he ever wanted was to be a musician but sociopathic father refused for him to be anything other than what he wanted. Kray also walked away from the girl he knew was the love of his life but he thought by leaving he would be doing her a favor by making sure she never had to deal with his father not knowing that his father's long arm ruined not only her life but her mothers as well in revenge against them for his son leaving.

Kray is now 32 years old and has been living on the streets for 13 years. His father also blocked any chance he had of making it in the music industry when he first left. His best friend/mother figure is a woman who had turned tricks for most of her life. He had giving up on ever being more than a drifter who plays his guitar on street corners for money, until one day a woman passes him and he realizes its his Rori – the woman he's never forgotten – the one he walked away from and his life has been crap ever since.

Rori McBride heart was shattered when Kray left with a word. As it that wasnt enough then his father made sure her and her mother life were a living hell until her mother's heart gave out. She ended up making it though and now she runs her own business and is opening a new branch in Las Vegas. It here walking the streets that she unknowing at first re-connects with Kray.

The 2nd chance at love and showing us the ugly truth of living on the streets were the highlights of this story. What bogged it down was in its first person POV and had way to much info – info that really wasnt needed. Many, many places through this story it got way to wordy. Even though the main characters are in their early 30's this book was classic NA style writing. Even the characters thought processes were not of two people in their 30's that had experienced so much life in those 30 years. Wonderful story but could have been trimmed down a lot.
Profile Image for Hooked On Books.
1,887 reviews63 followers
July 28, 2016
I gave this book 5 Stars!

Kathy has once again blew us away with this book. This book will make you relize that they are people in this world struggling with everyday life. How she writes this book, will ring out every emotion that you have. So go ahead a be warned that you will need a box of tissues, a glass or two of wine and a comfty spot because once you start, your not putting this book down anytime soon. The soul chemistry that Rori and Kay have will have you begging that these two can work things out, try to move on and love each other.

This book is part of the Syndicate Series and if you have read any, you need to. All the books are stand alone and cane be devour in a few hours. I can't wait to see what comes out of Kathy's brilliant mind next
Profile Image for Sheila'S Book Corner.
1,033 reviews78 followers
July 13, 2016
4 emotional stars! by Diane Sullivan

Kray's life on the outside looks perfect, but he has been living with a controlling and abusive father and a mother who has stopped caring. The only light in his dark world is his girlfriend Rori, but he doesn't want to drag her down to his darkness. Believing that Rori, who's future looks so promising, will be able to flourish without Kray holding her back, he takes off and becomes a drifter, trying to support himself with his music.



"The first time I felt loved was the only time I was at fault for loving too much, for wishing things could be different. That one day, she and I would live a life where we tripped over each other’s love because it was so strong, so incredibly rare that we vowed to never let it get extinguished. She will always own my heart. But she isn’t the one who eventually broke it. I did."

Rori must pick up the pieces of her shattered world when Kray disappears. She is left with so much to deal with, but is such a fighter, such a strong heroine. I admired her extremely kind and giving heart. Rori builds her future but never really moves on with her life as she still pines for her true love.



"I have never gotten over Kray Brooks. I never will. He’s embedded into my soul."

There was more introspective inner dialogue and not as much communication as I wanted and Kray was a bit needy and overly emotional and not quite the alpha that I usually look for in a hero, but his strong feelings of love for Rori held the story together.
The Drifter is an emotional tale of a true second chance. A story of two people who lives and loves and worlds seemed shattered beyond repair until they drifted back together.

"...a person’s past may define them, but a person’s future is solely up to them. I determine my fate from here on out, and I plan on taking the gift of a second chance at life and letting it outline what is yet to come for me. For Rori. For us."

I really struggled with this book at the beginning and all throughout I was sure I was going to rate it 3 - 3.5 stars... But the last chapter and epilogue really redeemed it for me.

“You’ve always held my heart, Kray Brooks. I’ll hold your hand through the good and the bad times. I’ll look at you this way for the rest of my life and I will stand with you while you save yourself. I’m not going anywhere, not without you by my side."
Profile Image for Stacy Hahn.
764 reviews10 followers
June 28, 2016
I absolutely loved The Drifter. This book is so different from all the other Kathy Coopman's books, but equally amazing. You better get tissues ready because you're going to need them.

My heart broke in two at the torment that Kray suffered under the all controlling power of his father and and unloving nature of his mother. This led him to make a choice that changed his life and the life of the only person he loved and who loved him unconditionally. No 18-year-old should have to make the choice that he made.

Rori was left broken and devastated but she fought against all odds to become the success she is today. 13 years later her life is forever changed again when she runs into the man who left her broken and shattered years before.

This is a totally heartbreaking but beautiful love story. I love second chance romances and this one has everything I love. My completely broken and shattered heart was put back together again by experiencing their pain, passion, love, and forgiveness and by watching Kray learn to believe in himself again. I adored this book! It's most definitely a 5 star read for me!
Profile Image for Shay.
1,267 reviews40 followers
July 2, 2016
Kray and Rori were high school sweethearts. His only love in his world of crazy because of and uncaring mother and a out of control father. Kray cannot take it anymore. He leaves and just as you suspect leaves Rori behind thinking he is actually saving her. 13 years later they met again by chance and finds out that his family made her life miserable. She has a right to be angry. Will she forgive Kray for up and leaving her behind when all she wanted was him?

I liked the story. The characters were versatile and well developed. The story had me from the get go, who wouldn't love a man that wants to right the wrongs. My only complaint is that there was a lot of internal dialogue and when we would get interaction from between the characters, one character would have almost a page of dialogue leaving me a little turned off by it.

Reviewed by Shay from Mommys a Book Whore
Profile Image for H.J. Bellus.
Author 88 books2,714 followers
July 11, 2016
Where to start? The title, cover, and blurb had me hook, line, and sinker! Then the prologue broke my heart and I'd already felt crushed before beginning Chapter One. I ADORE stories about men and women breaking an evil cycle following their dreams and bettering themselves. However, in this twisted tale of love it's not so black and white. DRIFTER gives a whole new meaning to the words sacrifice and forgiveness. Coopmans weaved together a story of a love so deep you won't be able stop turning the pages. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride of emotions when you begin reading page one. Coopmans leaves you wondering with unexpected twists and turns around each corner with this epic love story. Drifter is unique and intriguing.
Profile Image for Myra Espino .
1,167 reviews64 followers
June 21, 2016
Wow!!!
Love this book. The Drifter left me emotional all throughout. The characters are amazing! I have mixed emotions with Kray but still......

Anyway, you will definitely need tissues before reading this book. This book is not like the other books of Ms. Kathy. All of her books touched my heart but this one is different. I have tons of favorite lines of this book that really left it's mark to me. The start until the end of this book really had my interest - for short it's addicting! I can't put it down!!!!

Kray's story will definitely touch your hearts. Ms. Kathy did an amazing job! Loved it!! Definitely worth reading.
Profile Image for Caro.
1,447 reviews
June 23, 2016
Under the thumb of a tyrant hell bent on controlling, Kray makes a decision that will change his life forever...leaving behind his love, Rori.

13 years later they meet again....

'I'll hold onto you
Till our world's collide again
And you drift back into view
I'll hold on'

I wanted to kick Kray in his man bits for making the worst decision.....but I understand why he felt he had to....but Rori....gaaaah i loved her! And Muriel too...the best side character!

This book is so hauntingly beautiful, love, memories, despair.....and the cover, luscious!
Profile Image for Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog.
2,438 reviews143 followers
July 30, 2016
3.25 stars. There were thins I really liked about this book and things that I didn't love. This is Kray and Rori's story. They were high school sweethearts. Kray, a talented singer/songwriter, came from a rich but abusive family, especially his father. Rori had a poor family and Kray's father did not think she was a good match for his son. Kray wanted to be a singer, but his father wanted him to be a doctor. Rori and Kray were soulmates and planned a future together, but Kray's father threatened to kill them both. So Kray ran away to save them and broke Rori's heart in the process. He thought he was saving her from his father's wrath, but instead his father ruined her and her mother's life. Now it is 13 years later. Rori has moved on from everything she went through, owning her own marketing business, but never really allowed herself to fall in love again. She moved to Vegas for her job and she runs into a homeless looking man playing music on the street who looks very familiar. Kray has been a drifter since he ran away from home and has suffered through homelessness and other major difficulties just trying to survive. When they see each other again, Kray and Rori realize that they need to understand what happened between them and they realize they never stopped loving each other. They are both in need of forgiveness and healing so they can move on together and start really living again.

I liked Kray and Rori, but I didn't love them. They were both more hesitant than I would have preferred. Kray was somewhat broken from everything he had gone through and just not very take-charge or alpha enough for my preference. I did feel a connection between them though. It was obvious they were each other's other half and meant to be together in order for either of them to be happy. The writing in this story was really good and almost poetic. There just wasn't much to the story. It was slow moving in the action sense, but packed full of emotions. I was sad for what Kray and Rori went through over the years. I understood all of their emotional upheaval when they reconnected. I just wished there was more going on. Basically they found each other and got back together. I needed more of a story. Overall, I did enjoy the writing and I appreciated the love between Kray and Rori. This was my first book by Ms. Coopmans and I will probably try her again in the future.
July 12, 2016
TRUTH - you just cannot go wrong with a Coopmans story !! On top of that we have a vulnerable GUY who wears his heart on his sleeve and made heartbreaking choices in the hopes to get away from his horrible family life and save his one true love from the evil his family brought on him. The cover is gorgeous , the synop hooked me and of course as I always mention when it comes to this storyline I cannot resist the 1st loves reunited. Talk about fate and true love and all that other stuff dreams are made of !!!! Kray and Rori had a great love story , they were destroyed by others and now join them as they attempt to piece themselves back together 13 years later !!!!

Without giving too much away - the aftermath of Kray's leaving did some serious damage to Rori, her mom and their futures. Now 13 years later she is successful and on the verge of some amazing big changes. As fate would have it - the one thing that has always plagued her may just have its chance to work itself out. Can all the hurt and time be wiped away ?? Can Kray get his girl back and start living a life worthy of the man he is ?? Will Rori be able to handle the things she finds out about Kray ?? Can she accept the man he became and why he made the choices he did the past 13 years ??

Wow - not only is their chemistry off the charts but their love and honesty is too. I loved the flow and ease of the story. I enjoyed some of the side characters and others took some time to grow !! This is definitely one of those stories you can read and then feel happy and complete when done. I mean I could definitely read more of Kray's deliciousness BUT I am satisfied with how their story worked out , they both have what they deserve and what they wanted all along.
Profile Image for Denise.
4,123 reviews12 followers
July 6, 2016
This one was like starting a new adventure because you do not really know what to expect from a author when they give you something new, especially when it is not connected to a series. Even though I have only been reading this author for a short time she knows how to push the buttons. I remember a kids tv series back in the day when the characters stepped out of the book, the adventure to place and your given a spectacular ending. The build up of the foundation of this one with this guy doing what he deems right, Kray leaves it all even Rori. When you are given the present day in their present time of work, living etc when the touch of magic happens it seems and they connect once again it is totally not how you would expect. First off a plus for that refreshing direction with a different approach. To think they both have only been half living with half of them missing but like a magnet they come together. She will also play on your nerves because I do not think I could of been like Rori but then how would I have been faced with life again? This is realism at its finest with the raw emotions laid out bare to see with the eyes of the heart. The realms they explore but the paths they actually take will be down right what will keep you nose to the page being already part of their story. Originality in storyline is the gem in here folks with characters that have the depth to pull it off but make you forget they are buried until we set them free with the reading. The wind down of this actually is for us the reader to let us go but be left like jelly once again by this author whom we should also beware of unless we have the time to escape once we pick up one of her novels.
Profile Image for Crystal Solis.
363 reviews21 followers
July 5, 2016
"I may be a nobody, my decisions on who I really want to be stripped from me before I was even born, but now that I'm old enough to understand I have a choice, by God, I'm taking it; it's the only option I have. Even if it costs me everything."

Kray was an 18 year old kid that just graduated from high school and was getting ready for college. He should've been excited. He should've felt free as most 18 year old graduates do, but not Kray. Most other kids did not have a dictator-type father that decided when he was still in diapers what he would and would not do with his adult life. Their parents would not beat them for not having perfect grades; would not push them to the point that they felt trapped in a corner with running away as their only option for freedom.
Kray would run, he would run so far and so fast; leaving behind his heart. Tori was Kray's girlfriend for the last two years, his only reason to keep on going and not give-up or give-in to suicide. She was his on,y source of pure, unconditional love. He let the hate for his father overcome his love for Rori and left. Would they ever see each other again? Would he survive living on the streets without anyone to rely on financially or emotionally? Would Kray's father look for him and find him? Was he doomed to live a life without love?
Kathy Coopmans stayed my heart with this story. There were many moments that had me on the edge of my seat. It did seem that I started to get frustrated with Kray towards the end of the story, but Kathy did us a solid by leaving this book as a standalone. There was no icky cliffhanger in this book.
Profile Image for Tami czenkus.
1,551 reviews19 followers
July 2, 2016
Where to start with The Drifter!!!!!
"Tell her through a song how much she means to you; Make every word count and never hold a damn thing back."
There were so many quotes in this book that touched me on such a personal level, the emotions that were pulled from me from Kathy Coopmans left me emotionally raw!!!
Kray and Rori were high school sweethearts that had their entire life planned, that is until Kray had to make a choice, A choice that he knew would leave them both heartbroken and devastated.
13 years have passed by when finally the stars align and bring Rori and Kray once again face to face.
Do they have what it takes to get past the hurt and lies, to rekindle the love once more? or is it too late for them now??
"I've been drifting through life like you. I want to live. I want to drift with you, and... what I feel is loved.'
"No one deserves to be hanging on a string that would eventually unwind to only break free until it's useless to someone else."
"Hate took you from me. Fate brought you back."

Reading this book is transported me within the pages!! I'm felt what they felt!! I have been impacted by Kray and Rori immensely. More than any other book I've read this far. This is a very unique second chance love story. Not just for Kray and Rori but for other characters in the story as well. I hung on to every word written and will remember The Drifter for years to come.
My heart was tore open and left to bleed throughout the entire story, but the love and strength these characters showed blew me away.
Anyone that has had any hardships in life need to read this story, I know it gave me immense hope that a better life is mine for the taking.
Profile Image for Pamela Stallings.
199 reviews5 followers
July 11, 2016
Kray Brooks seems to have everything a guy could want in the world. Looks are deceiving and he decides to leave behind everything. This includes the love of his life Rori McBride. Thirteen years later they cross paths again, could this be their second chance at a future together?

This was the first book I've read by this author. Her words are beautiful and the writing will pull you in on the first page. This book just blew me away it is just so raw and beautiful. It's so real and I fell head over heels for these characters. This is a story of heartbreak and redemption, a love that is so strong that no obstacle could stop it. I love second chance romances because I love the feelings I get of two people fighting for each other, just overcoming their heartbreak to get that second chance. It's something that's so real and happens everyday in real life.

Kray is the perfect book boyfriend, just the way you can feel his love for Rori. There's so much love, tension, and chemistry between these two that you can feel it coming off of the pages in this book. Kray is swoon worthy, he's talented, loyal, sweet, and has such a dirty mouth. We're talking wet panties dirty here, their sex life will set your kindle on fire. Rori is strong, motivated, supportive, she's such an amazing woman all around I just loved her.

This story is told in alternating povs between Kray and Rori. I just can't stop thinking about this book. I would love to read more of these two or a book about the other characters. This is a couple that have left a lasting impression on me and now Kathy Coopmans has a new fan.
Profile Image for MegL.
922 reviews7 followers
July 21, 2016
Thirteen years. That’s how long it’s been since Kray Brooks left his his home in order to make his dream come true. He never expected the obstacles that that he faced. He never expected to lose his way. He just knew he needed to leave his old life behind. Now after so many years, he’s faced with his past and he has to decide whether to continue to drift down the path he’s on or turn in a new direction.

Having read a few books from Kathy Coopmans. I found that The Drifter was different but in a good way. Kathy really draws you into Kray and Rori’s story. It started off a bit slow though it did hold my attention. Once I got through the first couple of chapters it picked up. I could really feel the emotions and the connection between Kray and Rori. I really liked Rori but she rambled a lot! I wanted to tell her to take a deep breath and calm down. Aside from that I commend her for making a way out of no way. She had so many strikes against her but she didn’t give up. She kept fighting until she came out on top. Kray is fighting a lot of inner demons. I can only imagine how difficult his transition from his old life to where he is in the present was. More than that though I love his loyalty to Rori. It showed how deep his love was for her. My heart hurt for what they went through in their past but it hurt even more for Kray and what he was dealing with in the present. The Drifter was different from anything I’ve read so far this year and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading what Kathy comes out with next.
Profile Image for Helena Rizzuto .
51 reviews10 followers
July 10, 2016
I am 100% positive that this book is the most emotional and best written story to date by this author. I truly felt like she had these emotions and poured them into this book leaving the reader raw and in awe.


Kray.... Oh my heart.... Kray. Because seriously, this man is different than any other male character I've ever read... He's emotionally gripping and will make you just want to hold him and cry. Cry for the life he lives and loves and cry because damn it... Nobody else did!

Rori, overcame a lot and came out ahead. Despite what life and a certain jerk threw in her path. But that's just it.... She's only living. Kathy did a great job In portraying a woman who's lost love. You feel the emptiness in the heart and you identify with Rori.


Now down to the nitty gritty. Rori and Kray are by far my favorite ugly cry and sob couple. I really am having a hard time with this review because I want everyone to feel as I did while reading this book. From the always high emotional investment to the ever flowing trepidation and love that this book is bound to instill in you. The reader is guaranteed to be on a ride of a smorgasbord of feels. While I want desperately to leave some clues as to how this book goes... I can't in good faith do that. But I will tell the reader this..... Be prepared to dive into a story so raw and real that you'll fall in love with this book as much as I have. Kudos Kathy on one hell of a story!
Profile Image for Tricia Bartley.  #AuthorStalker.
1,268 reviews95 followers
July 12, 2016
"No damn way was he keeping me away from her. She's the only person keeping me from wanting to kill my father myself."

OHHHHH Kathy Coopmans..... this book ROCKS!! I am such a fan of your MC books and of course the book you wrote with Hilary...I am such a Author Stalker of you guys books!!! Just love em'.

This book was about Kray and Rori and it starts off with Kray being 18 years old and his father wants him to follow in his footsteps and become a physician. Kray has no desire to do this because his dad is such a total jerk, he hollers all the time, screams at him and his mom and is always threatening and degrading to Kray.

"He's managed to tear down my self-esteem, my integrity, and made me lose sight of who I really am. I'm a man walking around in a stranger's body."

So Kray takes off, leaving his girlfriend of two years-Rori and his life behind him...He becomes a Drifter.

"Her memory will always be forefront in my mind. The girl I will write every song about. The girl I will love until the day I die."

Seee this book is such a Love story. It's heartbreaking but a chance encounter years later just may have brought them back in the same place?? Will Kray and Rori get a second chance at love?? Girlsss you are going to have to pick this book up and just see what happens!! : )

I gave this book 5 iScream Books Stars!!! Just loved it!!! Ohhh and love this cover... Its perfect for Kray!! : )


Profile Image for Rachel Hill.
818 reviews38 followers
September 28, 2016
"Fear should never come between a person and the capability of living. It's sheltered me to the point I don't even know who I am."
This was a poignant second chance at love story. Kray Brooks didn't want to be his father...So instead of being a world reknown brain surgeon he up and left...his family, his friends, his one and only love, Rori McBride. She was from "the wrong side of the tracks" and not someone his esteemed parents wanted him associating with...that just made him love her more. Right before they were to start college together Kray took their future, running from his parents, away and drifted for YEARS.
Walking on the streets of Las Vegas Rori feels a pull towards a man, hidden in the shadows, playing his guitar...it brings to mind that one love..a lifetime ago..the one she can no longer call hers..and she feels bidden to help him out. She doesn't know if he's homeless, she doesn't know if he needs or wants any help..but she can't just let him be.
~This is what it all boils down to, what means the most to us, what we can become together: a woman and a man whose love never once went dissolute, never deemed itself worthless. It's been idling, lying hidden behind my mask. The mask is off, the love is catching up, and I am intimately submerged in her.
Join Kray and Rori as they rediscover just what they meant to each other, what they still feel surrounded in and the beauty of "older" love.
4 Stars
Profile Image for Elizabeth Horbaczek.
765 reviews6 followers
July 10, 2016
I was given this book for an honest review

2 stars


I thought the blurb for this book was very intriguing and something I don't usually read, but unfortunately it was not what I thought it was. I do have to say I have a lot of respect for any other that writes, but I just could not get into this book. I liked the prologue, I thought that Kray had a difficult life and was trying to find a way out, but what I couldn't understand was how it seemed to lose momentum after the prologue. I found Kray just not the alpha that was needed for this book he seemed needy and his character just wasn't likable. I liked Rori's heart. She had a heart of gold and was willing to help anyone. Even after she was hurt over and over by Kray and his family she still showed how much she was willing to give. The story line just wasn't realistic. Waiting for something that ended so badly with no calls no nothing, but never moving on, its just absorb. I don't want to get into much detail, but I will conclude that the chapters seemed to repeat each other, even though they were in different perspectives it still went backwards and made me skip a lot of the chapters throughout the book.

I'm sorry that I didn't like this book. I feel I leave the author down when I don't like the book and I hope there are other readers out there that will enjoy this book. This book was just not for me and I hope the very best for this author.
Profile Image for Zili.
790 reviews
July 16, 2016
3.5 - 4 Stars in my Sky!

I love a second chance romance and was expecting big things from The Drifter (plus I really flipping like the pretty cover). The standout part of the story for me was Rori's strength and how she took the 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade' idea and really went for it.

Kray's life hasn't exactly turned out how he planned, in fact it's been pretty horrible. I have a huge amount of respect for him and the choices he makes by leaving all those years ago. Kray is determined to make his own way separate from his controlling and horrible father. I had an almost irrational sense of anger towards his family.

There were times when I found myself getting annoyed at Kray for accepting his lot and for the damage he does to Rori, albeit accidentally. BUT there's just something really likeable about him - plus he really rocks the whole tortured musician thing...

The story is emotional, angst filled and difficult at times, but this is balanced out by the naughty parts. I also really enjoyed the setting (sorry it's a spoiler) which seemed like another character in itself. The secondary characters, particularly a certain old lady, made me smile. I'd have liked a little more flow in the story and ease between the characters but I enjoyed The Drifter and found myself hoping Kray could move on with Rori and find a HEA.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.