St. Petersburg author Tamara Lush is celebrating a milestone for the city’s literary scene. Her 2015 romance novel Drive—the first in the Pretenders series—has been turned into a feature film now available on Amazon Prime.
From self‑published manuscript to international screen
After Harlequin rejected the manuscript, Lush self‑published the book and posted it on Wattpad, where it was read three million times. Wattpad later re‑published the print edition in 2022. The story follows Dante, a charismatic Formula One driver, and Sarah, a pragmatic mechanic who resists his charms while dreaming of racing herself.
German production company Bavaria Fiction acquired the rights, filmed the movie in Germany, the Czech Republic, and along Italy’s Mediterranean coast, and kept the dialogue in German with subtitles and dubbed options in English, French and Spanish. Lush said she never imagined a film adaptation, noting the odds were “very, very low.”
Local roots and personal connection
Lush, a former journalist who has authored 25 books, chose the high‑stakes world of auto racing because her father and husband are longtime Formula One fans. She wrote the novel under the name Tara Lush after shifting her focus to mystery novels set in Florida during the pandemic.
When asked about the adaptation, Lush praised the producers, saying, “I love the book, and I love the movie. The way they handled it is better than the way I handled it in the book.” She added that once a work is public, it “is no longer mine,” and she trusts the creative choices made by the filmmakers.
Reception and future projects
The film is generating “massively positive reactions” on TikTok, Instagram and other social platforms, especially among younger viewers. Fans are already inquiring about a sequel, and Lush expressed hope that one may follow.
Beyond the romance adaptation, Lush is preparing to release a new murder‑mystery novel titled The Florist’s Guide to Homicide, described as a “bonkers romp” set in the fictional town of Sunny Shores, Florida—a nod to the classic Golden Girls vibe mixed with murder intrigue.
Local significance
The success of Lush’s work highlights the creative talent emerging from St. Petersburg and underscores the city’s growing reputation as a hub for writers who can reach national and international audiences. Residents can watch the film on Amazon Prime and support the author by checking out her upcoming mystery novel when it releases later this month.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
