Velva Jean Learns to Drive

A Novel

By: Jennifer Niven

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia

Set in Appalachia in the years before World War II, Velva Jean Learns to Drive is a poignant story of a spirited young girl growing up in the gold-mining and moonshining South.

Before she dies, Velva Jean's mother urges her to "live out there in the great wide world." Velva Jean dreams of becoming a big-time singer in Nashville until she falls in love with Harley Bright, a handsome juvenile delinquent turned revival preacher. As their tumultuous love story unfolds, Velva Jean must choose between keeping her hard-won home and pursuing her dream of singing in the Grand Ole Opry.

Critic reviews

Praise for Jennifer Niven and Her Novels

“A touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery O’Connor, and maybe a shot of Hank Williams...Niven makes some memorable moon-spun magic in her rich fiction debut.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“In this story Jennifer Niven creates a world long gone, a mountain past where people suffer failure, loss, and betrayal, as well as the strength and joy of connection and deep love. Velva Jean Learns to Drive takes us far into this soaring, emotional country, the place where our best music comes from.”—Robert Morgan, bestselling author of The Road from Gap Creek and Gap Creek

“A fluid storyteller.”—Wall Street Journal

“Velva Jean learns to...not only drive, but to soar. This beautifully written coming-of-age story captivated me, and I recommend it to anyone who has ever longed to ‘live out there.’”—Ann B. Ross, author of the bestselling Miss Julia novels

“Spirited.”—Parade

“If [Niven] continues to create female characters as strong, as fallible and as appealing as Velva Jean, she has a grand career ahead of her.”—Wilmington Star News

“Velva Jean makes a charming, bright-eyed narrator (bringing to mind that other delightful young rural protagonist: Scout of To Kill a Mockingbird).”—The Christian Science Monitor

“The novel takes hold of your imagination and refuses to let go—even long after you've read the last page.”—Costco (Pennie’s Book Pick of the Month)

Wonderful book!!!!

I loved this book! I was sad when it had to end. The narrator is the absolute best! I hope the auther writes more books soon, maybe a part II of Velva Jean?

Lovely book

This book is a wonderful read. It is a simple story of a girl and her dreams. Highly recommended.

Narrator Makes This Book Come Alive

Velva Jean becomes a real person thanks to Jenna Lamia....she’ll make the reader laugh/cry/smile with all her antics. Living in NC... I could definitely relate to the small mountain towns and the folks that lived there.

loved this book!

I loved this book sooooo much! The struggle to become the woman she needs to be is so real and tangible, I joined her in learning to drive!

This should win an Audie Award

I loved this book. Like the prior reviewer, it kept my attention from beginning to end. Jenna Lamia is one of my favorite narrators, and southern literature suits her voice. This book ranks right up there with Secret Life of Bees (also narrated by Lamia) and The Help (Lamia is a narrator here, too.). This is the first fiction book by this author, which can't be her last. She ties all the "little stories" in the book together with a very easy to listen to style. And no, it's not about driving. Highly recommend this one.