Reviews

Chase Wilde Comes Home by Jennifer Ryan

romancebookloverinseattle's review against another edition

5.0

What a fantastic start to a new series. This is my first book by Jennifer Ryan, but it won't be my last. Chase Wilde and Shelby Payne both have difficult and tragic pasts to overcome. Chase is coming back home after time in rehab. He left the military wounded, and ended up in rehab. Shelby is the legacy of a horrifying and tragic story who feels like she is always the subject of town whispers and gossip. Her and Chase crossed paths on his last night home before his deployment and their little girl, Eliza, is the result of that night.

Now that Chase is out of the military, out of rehab, he is coming back home and hoping to make things right with Shelby and his daughter. This was such a great book to lose yourself in for a few hours. Chase and Shelby were were both complex characters and the story has a lot of depth as they work through not only their relationship with each other, but their pasts, which also includes both of their "families". I'm hoping that the other books in the series will focus on Chase's siblings. Chase Wilde Comes Home deals with some heavy, dark and tragic topics but it is also a rich, heartfelt small town romance that makes for a satisfying reading experience!

romancejunkie1025's review against another edition

5.0

Wow, the trauma these two had to deal with continues the terrifying stories from previous series and links them beautifully. I never imagined we'd get to see Chase again much see if find love and an HEA with the love of his life he lost.

Full review coming soon to the block.

blodeuedd's review against another edition

3.0

I like Ryan's suspense books. Though here the suspense came more at the end, and when it came...baam! Crazy

This is a really wounded hero. He has nightmares from his time in the army, he has struggled with addiction, and he lost someone close tom him in a horrible twist of fate. But in a moment of light he met someone, she became pregnant, and now he wants to show to her that he can be the father their daughter needs.

Shelby was so sweet. She did not have a lot of experience with men since she has a dark secret hanging over here. It was crazy. What a psycho that is in the shadows! But she is a good woman, and she thinks Chase has turned a new leaf.

They become friends, they become more. They struggle and then the suspense part comes.

I enjoyed it. Two wounded people that deserved love in their lives.

All the other Ryan books I have listened to have had a female narrator, but this one had a male. And it worked really well. He does get the male voices right, and the female voices work so well to. Even the kid has the best voice. All in all a terrific choice

crhbrault's review against another edition

5.0

Excellent book, fairly typical romance with some thriller thrown in for good measure. The topic of PTSD and drug recovery were both handled very well and not merely glossed over. The characters were engaging and the storyline was very good.

novelesque_life's review against another edition

4.0

RATING: 4 STARS
2022; Avon/HarperCollins

I am in love with Jennifer Ryan's Cowboy romances. They are a great escape, with endearing characters. This is the reason I read romances to have that predictable HEA, but having to overcome issues. This is a first in a new series, and if you are looking for a fun great romance this would be a great novel to pick out. If you have not yet read a cowboy romance, you need to! If you like Hallmark romances these are great for when you need comfort read.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

readingwithemmett's review

3.0

I had some mixed feelings about this book. The first half of the book was EXTREMELY slow. Then, it picked up a little bit, got slow again, and then picked up at the end. Yes, this book covers some very heavy and serious topics: PSTD, rape, kidnapping, murder, addiction... it's a lot all in one book. At times, I felt like I was never going to get through it, but I just kept going. I can't even tell you how many times I almost DNF this book. Honestly, I would put the book down in the middle of the scene and then when I picked it back up a few hours later, I would have to go back to understand what I was reading. I don't normally forget what I'm reading when I'm only reading one book.

Aside from that, I actually really enjoyed the characters. I loved Shelby and Chase. I loved their love story and how they got together. They have been through a lot together, but still love each other through all the ups and downs. The plot was actually interesting, despite me almost not being able to get through the book. Chase just got out of rehab and wanted to start over with Shelby and their daughter to become the person that he wanted them to be.

I think my main problem with this book was that it just seem to drag on forever and I never felt like I was making progress until I hit the 50% mark. I am almost tempted to continue the series to see what happens with Chase's brother, Hunt, because I know it will be an interesting story and I loved the characters; however, I don't know if I could get through it.

Also, the cover is amazing!

I received this book for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

shellyleblanc86's review against another edition

4.0

I won a copy of Chase Wilde Comes Home by Jennifer Ryan in a Goodreads giveaway.

The story is about war veterans Chase Wilde and outcast Shelby.

He is fighting PTSD and a drug problem in order to keep his daughter and live in his life. He struggles every day with staying clean and overcoming his nightmares. Shelby is with him every step of the way pushing him to work through it. With her and their daughter Eliza by his side, he is able to make progress with coping.

Shelby is the product of a rape. Growing up the town continues to remain her every day of how she came to be. Her past towards the end of the story comes back and causes issues for them mentally.

I really enjoyed how Ryan was able to take things that effect so many people and turned it into a story showing strength and power in refusing to give up.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the Wyoming Wilde series “Surrendering to Hunt.”

loverofromance's review

4.0

Chase Wilde Comes Home is the first book in the NEWEST series that Jennifer Ryan is releasing and every time I see a new series from this author, I just want to dance a jig of joy because her books just work in every way for me. I will say that technically this isn't a new series, it is connected to the previous series. In the last book of the Wild Rose Ranch series, where our hero barely survived and is best friends with Drake. And I have been wanting Chase's book for quite a few years and I am so happy that Jennifer Ryan was able to write his story. So Jennifer Ryan fans especially will be thrilled with this latest release and seeing this tortured soul's story come to life.

Chase Wilde Comes Home is a heart wrenching second chance romance that features:

• Chase Wilde -Ex Military, Scarred and in Drug recovery dealing with PTSD, single father

• Shelby Payne-single mother, shy but strong, abused

Chase Wilde Comes home, starts off with seeing our hero, Chase Wilde, on his last day in rehab. He has been battling PTSD and struggling with drug addiction, and was almost recovered when he risked everything to try to save a young woman, his best friends woman's sister, but she overdosed on purpose and as a result, he almost lost his life in trying to save her life. And now he is in recovering and ready to take back his life, the woman he loves, and his precious daughter. Chase is a man that has sacrificed so much for his family, and his country and is still suffering from that sacrifice. He met Shelby, one night at a bar, and he was attracted to her sweet yet shy personality that drew him in like a bee to honey. They shared one beautiful night together and then he went to serve in the military and a child resulted in that one night. He had to spend years being away from his daughter, Eliza. He hasn't been the man that Shelby or Eliza deserves and he is more determined than ever to prove to them that he is back for good and willing to fight for them, no matter what it takes. Shelby has been in love with Chase for years, but will also protect their daughter. She has suffered much in her life but has a spine of steel because of it. And her dream has always been to have Chase Wilde in her life, but wonders if he could ever truly love her as she loves him?

I've wanted you every day since that night, I'm not going anywhere, Chase, because the only place I want to be is with you

Chase Wilde Comes Home is a story that I simply fell so hard for in this one here. I couldn't get enough of seeing this story unfold in the sweet deep ways that it was penned. I have always been a solid fan of Jennifer Ryan, and I am be a bit biased as I love everything she writes, but I do try to be as honest as I can in how I look at her books. This story is one that I have been waiting years on and it definitely was such a solid romance and it filled me with such love and sweetness and it was everything that I was expecting and more. We don't see as many shy heroines in romance as we used to and I really loved seeing this heroine. I truly adored her so much. She is a fighter though, she may be shy and reserved around Chase, but she will protect and defend those she loves. I love how dedicated she is to her family. She has been treated so horribly by her own family. She is the result of her mother being kidnapped, abused and raped. And now her birth father is released from prison and wants her in his life. And now Chase is coming home and back into her life, As Chase and Shelby reconnect their love and friendship, learning to adapt to the new change in circumstance and building some new but also dealing with the threat of Shelby's birth father. I really adored seeing all the characters come together in this book. We get some fun interactions with Chase's family, and seeing them reconcile was delightful (and I can't wait for his brothers to have stories)

That night, you made me feel beautiful and special and wanted and needed. For the first time in my entire life, I felt like I was enough. You didn't know anything about me, except what you saw and what we shared. I thought it would be quick and you'd be gone after the first time. But you stayed, and you wanted more, and I didn't want you to go, because you saw only me....and that was the best gift

Chase Wilde Comes Home features a romance that I recommend checking the trigger warnings on. There are some aspects that may be challenging for some to read. This is a romance that was so heartfelt and it will evoke feelings deep within the heart and soul. This is the talent of Jennifer Ryan's writing, I love how her books can be full of so much intensity but at the same time have a cozy feel to them that you just want to soak up as much as possible. You find such reliability with Chase and Shelby in the small moments that will leave you embracing this story to the depths. There is such sweetness delved into this story to balance out the more serious tones of the feels of the story. We do see a serious elements of PTSD and drug recovery, and the damage of emotional abuse. We also see the complexities of unrequited love. Both Chase and Shelby have been in love with each other for quite a long time, but a relationship hasn't been possible until now and they also have a daughter that is a vital art of the equation. I just loved seeing how this author brought this story together and it was told in such a way that will captivate the heart of her readers in such delicious ways.

Overall I found Chase Wilde Comes Home to be a superb story that fed my heart in all the delectable ways that this author is guaranteed to accomplish. You will feel at home with this endearing romance in its most precious intricate moments to guide you to an epic happily ever after that has been years in the making....

alihreads's review

4.0

I got this book as an arc for a condition of an honest review

I liked this book but this is not a feel good romance and deals with harder issues such as ptsd after war, drug abuse and sexual abuse/assault

Chase comes home from war not the same person he was as he went . He has trouble with his family and trouble with the mother of his child.
He goes to rehab to help with the drug issues he was using to cope. He has a lot of survivors guilt and is trying to cope with that .
His family is angry that he helped his mother end her life when she had enough with the cancer.
To keep the ranch afloat he enlists and sends money home .
During one of his leaves he meets somebody and they have what is a one night stand but that turns into a baby nobody expected.

She is a wonderful person and named the baby after his mother which he is thankful for. They grow closer as he is overseas and the baby is close too due to a vid cam he is able to connect to the baby with.

There is an unexpected turn no one expects from Shelby’s past. Her father is not a good man . He kidnapped and raped her mother . He is delusional and won’t give up.

Shelby didn’t have a good upbringing and always felt unwanted . He grandparents didn’t want her because of what she represented and her mother committed suicide and tried to kill her too because of the painful memories

This book has a good portrayal of the steps veterans deal with returning from war and was a good learning experience.

librarygirlreads's review

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0