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A review by thebritishbibliophile
Chasing Your Tail by Kate McMurray
3.0
I downloaded an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for reading it and leaving an honest review. A copy of this review will also be left on NetGalley.
After reading the blurb over on NetGalley, I immediately, at first, put in a request to read this novel. At first glance at the blurb alone, it had the draw and appeal in what I like to read in a book. Mainly, romance and humour. Of course, there was the added bonus of second chance love with the main characters, Brad and Lindsay. All three elements promised a truly enjoyable read, but did those promises deliver?
The answer is yes and no.
From a personal perspective, I struggled to get in-tune with this novel. I wasn't gripped from the get-go like I usually am, and I had to plow on through to see if there would be a moment within that would redeem the slower than usual start. There was, but it was towards the latter end of the novel by which point I assume other readers would have DNF'd. Of course, each other writes the story they want to write, how they want to write it, and that is simply what has been done here. I greatly respect Kate's choice in doing her own thing the way she wanted to do it to tell the story, but it hasn't resonated with readers this time around, it seems.
One element that I would like to praise Kate on, which others seem to have done the opposite, is the character of Lindsay. Lindsay is a character full of insecurities, anxieties and most of all, trust issues. This was a hard no for a lot of readers, as after she on several occasions was posed with the truth and opportunities to clear the air, still had doubts and did not open herself to trust Brad. Usually within romance novels, at the first time of begging to be trusted or opportunity to clear the air, the woman has immediately forgiven the man, they'd kiss and usually end up in bed together. Lindsay and her issues represent some of us in society who have been through the wringer, several times, and openly show that they're nervous to trust again for various reasons. I loved this realistic representation of some of us women, rather than the romanticised version often portrayed in romance novels. The trick is with people and characters like Lindsay, is to not give up when things seem tough or 'too much'. We're worth pursuing and not giving up on, and I applaud Kate for not creating a character that would simply fall at a man's feet.
Speaking of our main man, Brad has the patience of a saint. Sure, he thinks about giving up on Lindsay when after several attempts, she's still hesitant to trust, but he deep down knew that she was worth it and all that the two of them went through over the course of this novel. Brad is an ideal book boyfriend, and deserves a medal for putting the past behind him, staying the course and staying true to himself.
Chasing Your Tail has promise to be a truly enjoyable read. If there was another version of this book down the line, I would recommend wrapping up Lindsay's decision maybe a bit earlier than what is currently available, and to perhaps include a bit more of a wrapped up--less rushed--ending before the epilogue. Other than that, this wasn't a bad read but could be improved.
3.5 stars.
After reading the blurb over on NetGalley, I immediately, at first, put in a request to read this novel. At first glance at the blurb alone, it had the draw and appeal in what I like to read in a book. Mainly, romance and humour. Of course, there was the added bonus of second chance love with the main characters, Brad and Lindsay. All three elements promised a truly enjoyable read, but did those promises deliver?
The answer is yes and no.
From a personal perspective, I struggled to get in-tune with this novel. I wasn't gripped from the get-go like I usually am, and I had to plow on through to see if there would be a moment within that would redeem the slower than usual start. There was, but it was towards the latter end of the novel by which point I assume other readers would have DNF'd. Of course, each other writes the story they want to write, how they want to write it, and that is simply what has been done here. I greatly respect Kate's choice in doing her own thing the way she wanted to do it to tell the story, but it hasn't resonated with readers this time around, it seems.
One element that I would like to praise Kate on, which others seem to have done the opposite, is the character of Lindsay. Lindsay is a character full of insecurities, anxieties and most of all, trust issues. This was a hard no for a lot of readers, as after she on several occasions was posed with the truth and opportunities to clear the air, still had doubts and did not open herself to trust Brad. Usually within romance novels, at the first time of begging to be trusted or opportunity to clear the air, the woman has immediately forgiven the man, they'd kiss and usually end up in bed together. Lindsay and her issues represent some of us in society who have been through the wringer, several times, and openly show that they're nervous to trust again for various reasons. I loved this realistic representation of some of us women, rather than the romanticised version often portrayed in romance novels. The trick is with people and characters like Lindsay, is to not give up when things seem tough or 'too much'. We're worth pursuing and not giving up on, and I applaud Kate for not creating a character that would simply fall at a man's feet.
Speaking of our main man, Brad has the patience of a saint. Sure, he thinks about giving up on Lindsay when after several attempts, she's still hesitant to trust, but he deep down knew that she was worth it and all that the two of them went through over the course of this novel. Brad is an ideal book boyfriend, and deserves a medal for putting the past behind him, staying the course and staying true to himself.
Chasing Your Tail has promise to be a truly enjoyable read. If there was another version of this book down the line, I would recommend wrapping up Lindsay's decision maybe a bit earlier than what is currently available, and to perhaps include a bit more of a wrapped up--less rushed--ending before the epilogue. Other than that, this wasn't a bad read but could be improved.
3.5 stars.