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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
3.5
Good, but it was too short. Needed a bit more substance.
Good, but it was too short. Needed a bit more substance.
Chaser is the second book in the Dive Bar series and it can be read as a stand-alone. This is Eric Collins’ story. I first met Eric in book 2 of the series. His action showed his immaturity. When I learnt he would be the focus of this installment, I was curious to learn what made him tick.
Eric is owns a share of the Dive Bar where he works as a bartender. He is the consummate womanizer and is not looking to be involved in a long-term relationship. Then he met Jean, but when he discovered she would be his neighbour, he figured all bets would be off. Especially because she was seven months pregnant. This interfered with his attempts to prove to his friends he was not the low life womanizer they thought him to be. He tried staying away, but then he came to her aid the night she went into labour. Since they slowly developed a bond, one that went beyond friendship. Will Eric finally get the chance to prove to his friends he is relationship material?
I was prepared to dislike Eric based on my previous knowledge of him. Actually, at the start of the story he was vain and unreliable. He was more an anti-hero. However, as the story developed he proved to be a responsible young man. Someone you can rely on in times of trouble. As a result, I found myself rooting for him throughout the story.
Watching him bond with Jean and her baby was a wonderful experience. I loved how he was there for her during her lowest and highest points. Knowing he had no reason to help Jean but watching him being there for her anyway was heart-warming and all around a joy to witness. It was at this moment I saw beyond his selfish facade to his kind-hearted personality.
I loved how the romance developed. Theirs was not an insta-love connection. What started out as a friendship, slowly developed into a passionate connection that neither could deny.
Despite being a cute and adorable read, I had some issues. One of which involved the POVs from the story was narrated. I have no issue when the narration is done from one of the protagonists POV. However, in this case it did not work well enough for me. As the story was narrated from Eric’s POV connecting with him came natural. I related to his fears regarding love and relationships. I believe with Jean’s POV the story would have been so much more appealing. Not having her POV made it difficult to connect with her. I could not put a finger on her feelings for Eric. I did not feel any chemistry between them.
Another thing, which prevented me from connecting with Jean, was the lack of information regarding her past. I was aware of the reason for her relocation but beyond that, nothing else was disclosed.
I did not appreciate how Nell, who is also a co-owner of the bar, treated him. She kept putting him down and constantly tried to make him feel guilty for things, which happened between them in the past. They both were affected by this incident, but she acted as if she was the only one who was hurt. Even though she has moved on with her life. It would seem she could let go of the past and every chance she got she kept reminding Eric about it.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, this was a sweet and heart-warming read. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Eric is owns a share of the Dive Bar where he works as a bartender. He is the consummate womanizer and is not looking to be involved in a long-term relationship. Then he met Jean, but when he discovered she would be his neighbour, he figured all bets would be off. Especially because she was seven months pregnant. This interfered with his attempts to prove to his friends he was not the low life womanizer they thought him to be. He tried staying away, but then he came to her aid the night she went into labour. Since they slowly developed a bond, one that went beyond friendship. Will Eric finally get the chance to prove to his friends he is relationship material?
I was prepared to dislike Eric based on my previous knowledge of him. Actually, at the start of the story he was vain and unreliable. He was more an anti-hero. However, as the story developed he proved to be a responsible young man. Someone you can rely on in times of trouble. As a result, I found myself rooting for him throughout the story.
Watching him bond with Jean and her baby was a wonderful experience. I loved how he was there for her during her lowest and highest points. Knowing he had no reason to help Jean but watching him being there for her anyway was heart-warming and all around a joy to witness. It was at this moment I saw beyond his selfish facade to his kind-hearted personality.
I loved how the romance developed. Theirs was not an insta-love connection. What started out as a friendship, slowly developed into a passionate connection that neither could deny.
Despite being a cute and adorable read, I had some issues. One of which involved the POVs from the story was narrated. I have no issue when the narration is done from one of the protagonists POV. However, in this case it did not work well enough for me. As the story was narrated from Eric’s POV connecting with him came natural. I related to his fears regarding love and relationships. I believe with Jean’s POV the story would have been so much more appealing. Not having her POV made it difficult to connect with her. I could not put a finger on her feelings for Eric. I did not feel any chemistry between them.
Another thing, which prevented me from connecting with Jean, was the lack of information regarding her past. I was aware of the reason for her relocation but beyond that, nothing else was disclosed.
I did not appreciate how Nell, who is also a co-owner of the bar, treated him. She kept putting him down and constantly tried to make him feel guilty for things, which happened between them in the past. They both were affected by this incident, but she acted as if she was the only one who was hurt. Even though she has moved on with her life. It would seem she could let go of the past and every chance she got she kept reminding Eric about it.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, this was a sweet and heart-warming read. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Love isn’t always NEAT…
Ah this was simple and sweet. Nothing off the charts about taming the notorious Eric Collins, but albeit it happens. Slowly at first and then swoosh he was a goner. However I tip my hat off to Kylie it's hard to write about the b word. Yep babies. When you put them in books often your sales tank. You can't get jiggy if your knocked up or can you??
Read the book to find out!
Blurb
Bartender and all round bad boy, Eric Collins, has come to a crossroads. It’s time to take life seriously and maybe even attempt to settle down. If only the person he was hoping to settle down with didn’t turn out to be pregnant.
Starting over in a small town, Jean is determined to turn her wild lifestyle around and be the kind of mother she always wished she’d had. Since local bar owner and all round hottie, Eric, is now determined to steer clear of her pregnant self, it should be easy. When she goes into labor during a snowstorm and her car slides on some ice, however, it’s Eric who comes to the rescue.
There seems to be a bond between them now, but is it enough? And can Eric give up his manwhore ways to be the man Jean needs?
What a new and refreshing storyline this was for me. I very much enjoyed the falling for a pregnant chick storyline. Some could even say it was a slow burn. I mean, pregnancy and birth aren’t very conducive with a hot romance. But relationships should start with friendship and this is why it worked.
Eric has been told that he’s not exactly the forever type of guy. Temporary, just for fun, but nothing serious. That kinda stings. When he meets Jean, something about her makes him want to change and grow up. The more time he spends with her the more he realizes that his past is not how he wants his future to be.
I like Jean and Eric together. At first I thought she was gonna latch on to the nearest person, since she needs help, but I was so wrong. And I’m glad I was. It’s nice to see a strong girl take care of herself and go after what she wants, in HER schedule. No one pressured her. When she was ready for more, she grabbed on and took it.
Chaser had a few cameos of our favorites, so that was nice also.
I won an ARC, so here’s my honest review.
Eric has been told that he’s not exactly the forever type of guy. Temporary, just for fun, but nothing serious. That kinda stings. When he meets Jean, something about her makes him want to change and grow up. The more time he spends with her the more he realizes that his past is not how he wants his future to be.
I like Jean and Eric together. At first I thought she was gonna latch on to the nearest person, since she needs help, but I was so wrong. And I’m glad I was. It’s nice to see a strong girl take care of herself and go after what she wants, in HER schedule. No one pressured her. When she was ready for more, she grabbed on and took it.
Chaser had a few cameos of our favorites, so that was nice also.
I won an ARC, so here’s my honest review.
The best thing about this book is that it’s written from Eric’s point of view. This is an uncommon tactic and I appreciated the author’s decision to do so. Eric’s actions in the previous Dive Bar series have significant consequences so getting his point of view was incredibly helpful in understanding him better.
Frustratingly, I could not connect with this book. I struggled to understand the actions of the characters and I did not buy into the romance between Eric and Jean. It felt like they were settling for a mate that was conveniently in their vicinity as opposed to being soul mates.
Frustratingly, I could not connect with this book. I struggled to understand the actions of the characters and I did not buy into the romance between Eric and Jean. It felt like they were settling for a mate that was conveniently in their vicinity as opposed to being soul mates.
I’m surprised to find myself rating a book from this series a ‘3’ but here we are. Chaser focuses on Eric, that annoying tool I remember from the previous books, known for his messy entanglement with Nell. It’s not the best introduction to a hero but worse characters than Eric have been redeemed. Jean is the lead female in this book and she’s solid, strong and interesting.
Jean brings something along with her to this ride, this little tag-along was the best and a context I could get behind....normally. However, it took me to 30% to feel any kind of into-it. Then I struggled from 30-70% and finally I really enjoyed the last 30%.
So was this ‘okay’ rating an issue of pacing? I think a little that, a little me but mainly I struggled to connect in any shape or form to Eric. I didn’t really feel the connection between Eric and Jean until that later part I enjoyed and by the end I can say I still felt ambivalent about him. Kylie Scott wrote the intimate chemistry superbly when we got to that.
I’m enough of a Kylie Scott fan to know that this read was out of the ordinary for me and that in all likelihood I’ll be back to high ratings for her books in the future.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
Jean brings something along with her to this ride, this little tag-along was the best and a context I could get behind....normally. However, it took me to 30% to feel any kind of into-it. Then I struggled from 30-70% and finally I really enjoyed the last 30%.
So was this ‘okay’ rating an issue of pacing? I think a little that, a little me but mainly I struggled to connect in any shape or form to Eric. I didn’t really feel the connection between Eric and Jean until that later part I enjoyed and by the end I can say I still felt ambivalent about him. Kylie Scott wrote the intimate chemistry superbly when we got to that.
I’m enough of a Kylie Scott fan to know that this read was out of the ordinary for me and that in all likelihood I’ll be back to high ratings for her books in the future.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
Chaser is the second book in the Dive Bar series and it can be read as a stand-alone. This is Eric Collins’ story. I first met Eric in book 2 of the series. His action showed his immaturity. When I learnt he would be the focus of this installment, I was curious to learn what made him tick.
Eric is owns a share of the Dive Bar where he works as a bartender. He is the consummate womanizer and is not looking to be involved in a long-term relationship. Then he met Jean, but when he discovered she would be his neighbour, he figured all bets would be off. Especially because she was seven months pregnant. This interfered with his attempts to prove to his friends he was not the low life womanizer they thought him to be. He tried staying away, but then he came to her aid the night she went into labour. Since they slowly developed a bond, one that went beyond friendship. Will Eric finally get the chance to prove to his friends he is relationship material?
I was prepared to dislike Eric based on my previous knowledge of him. Actually, at the start of the story he was vain and unreliable. He was more an anti-hero. However, as the story developed he proved to be a responsible young man. Someone you can rely on in times of trouble. As a result, I found myself rooting for him throughout the story.
Watching him bond with Jean and her baby was a wonderful experience. I loved how he was there for her during her lowest and highest points. Knowing he had no reason to help Jean but watching him being there for her anyway was heart-warming and all around a joy to witness. It was at this moment I saw beyond his selfish facade to his kind-hearted personality.
I loved how the romance developed. Theirs was not an insta-love connection. What started out as a friendship, slowly developed into a passionate connection that neither could deny.
Despite being a cute and adorable read, I had some issues. One of which involved the POVs from the story was narrated. I have no issue when the narration is done from one of the protagonists POV. However, in this case it did not work well enough for me. As the story was narrated from Eric’s POV connecting with him came natural. I related to his fears regarding love and relationships. I believe with Jean’s POV the story would have been so much more appealing. Not having her POV made it difficult to connect with her. I could not put a finger on her feelings for Eric. I did not feel any chemistry between them.
Another thing, which prevented me from connecting with Jean, was the lack of information regarding her past. I was aware of the reason for her relocation but beyond that, nothing else was disclosed.
I did not appreciate how Nell, who is also a co-owner of the bar, treated him. She kept putting him down and constantly tried to make him feel guilty for things, which happened between them in the past. They both were affected by this incident, but she acted as if she was the only one who was hurt. Even though she has moved on with her life. It would seem she could let go of the past and every chance she got she kept reminding Eric about it.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, this was a sweet and heart-warming read. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Eric is owns a share of the Dive Bar where he works as a bartender. He is the consummate womanizer and is not looking to be involved in a long-term relationship. Then he met Jean, but when he discovered she would be his neighbour, he figured all bets would be off. Especially because she was seven months pregnant. This interfered with his attempts to prove to his friends he was not the low life womanizer they thought him to be. He tried staying away, but then he came to her aid the night she went into labour. Since they slowly developed a bond, one that went beyond friendship. Will Eric finally get the chance to prove to his friends he is relationship material?
I was prepared to dislike Eric based on my previous knowledge of him. Actually, at the start of the story he was vain and unreliable. He was more an anti-hero. However, as the story developed he proved to be a responsible young man. Someone you can rely on in times of trouble. As a result, I found myself rooting for him throughout the story.
Watching him bond with Jean and her baby was a wonderful experience. I loved how he was there for her during her lowest and highest points. Knowing he had no reason to help Jean but watching him being there for her anyway was heart-warming and all around a joy to witness. It was at this moment I saw beyond his selfish facade to his kind-hearted personality.
I loved how the romance developed. Theirs was not an insta-love connection. What started out as a friendship, slowly developed into a passionate connection that neither could deny.
Despite being a cute and adorable read, I had some issues. One of which involved the POVs from the story was narrated. I have no issue when the narration is done from one of the protagonists POV. However, in this case it did not work well enough for me. As the story was narrated from Eric’s POV connecting with him came natural. I related to his fears regarding love and relationships. I believe with Jean’s POV the story would have been so much more appealing. Not having her POV made it difficult to connect with her. I could not put a finger on her feelings for Eric. I did not feel any chemistry between them.
Another thing, which prevented me from connecting with Jean, was the lack of information regarding her past. I was aware of the reason for her relocation but beyond that, nothing else was disclosed.
I did not appreciate how Nell, who is also a co-owner of the bar, treated him. She kept putting him down and constantly tried to make him feel guilty for things, which happened between them in the past. They both were affected by this incident, but she acted as if she was the only one who was hurt. Even though she has moved on with her life. It would seem she could let go of the past and every chance she got she kept reminding Eric about it.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, this was a sweet and heart-warming read. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
*SBTB Quarterly Challenge - May 3. Cinco de Mayo: Read a book with a bartender character.*
Kylie Scott is one of the few authors that I will buy full price pre-orders for. I loved the first book in this series (top 5 meet-cute), but hated the last 30% of the second book in the series. This was better than the last, but not as good as the first.
This book, unlike all her other contemporaries, is told exclusively from the hero's POV. She's one of the few authors who I actually didn't mind having first person POV by the heroine, because she managed to get through to the hero's arc as well.
This POV works well again here. It gives the reader some nice insight into the well worn trope of the man-child growing up because of the responsibility of a baby. I normally HATE that trope. But because the baby wasn't actually his, it didn't grate on me as much. And it avoided looking like "shoplifting the pootie".
This book is pretty low drama compared to other Kylie Scotts. And while I appreciated the break from some typical contemporary romance tropes, I could have used a little bit more in the plot area.
Can I also mention that I'm still bummed that Nell and Pat didn't get a novella, or something. Nell has been a great background character, and she very much had some angry feelings to get over for Eric, but she also needed to take some responsibility for herself. I think that could have been a very strong story.
Kylie Scott is one of the few authors that I will buy full price pre-orders for. I loved the first book in this series (top 5 meet-cute), but hated the last 30% of the second book in the series. This was better than the last, but not as good as the first.
This book, unlike all her other contemporaries, is told exclusively from the hero's POV. She's one of the few authors who I actually didn't mind having first person POV by the heroine, because she managed to get through to the hero's arc as well.
This POV works well again here. It gives the reader some nice insight into the well worn trope of the man-child growing up because of the responsibility of a baby. I normally HATE that trope. But because the baby wasn't actually his, it didn't grate on me as much. And it avoided looking like "shoplifting the pootie".
This book is pretty low drama compared to other Kylie Scotts. And while I appreciated the break from some typical contemporary romance tropes, I could have used a little bit more in the plot area.
Can I also mention that I'm still bummed that Nell and Pat didn't get a novella, or something. Nell has been a great background character, and she very much had some angry feelings to get over for Eric, but she also needed to take some responsibility for herself. I think that could have been a very strong story.
4.5. This was really good. I seriously put this off for awhile, because I didn't think I was interested in Eric's story due to his womanizing ways. I was very very wrong. I enjoyed reading about him and Jean very much. I recommend checking this out.