Chaser: A Dive Bar Novel (Dive Bar, #3)

by Kylie Scott

Chaser is the third standalone novel in the fresh, hilarious and sexy Dive Bar series from New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott.

Welcome to Dive Bar, where the tattooed bartenders keep the drinks - and romance - flowing with a perfect cocktail of heartbreak, humour and sweet, sexy romance.

Given his well-earned bad boy reputation, Eric is having a tough time scoring. When single Jean moves to town, she seems heaven sent by the sex gods. Only problem is, she not only wants nothing to do with him, but it turns out that she's 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 Collins, is now determined to steer clear of her pregnant self, it should be easy. When she goes into labour during a snow storm and her car slides on some ice, 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?

• ISBN10: 125008329X
• ISBN13: 9781250083296
• Publish Date: 17 April 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

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.

[stacey_is_sassy]

***IT'S ALIVE!!!***

Finding the right one…

I think love makes sense when you find the right one to share your heart with. Before the right one, you experiment. You test the waters, make mistakes, think it's love, decide it couldn't feel like this and decide it's just not worth it. Well, it’s different when you’re really in love. You BOTH do anything to make it work and it's never too hard. You’re pushing and pulling to get it right. In my case, sometimes he pushes me out of my comfort zone (which I HATE), and other times I’ll pull from him and take too much. But, in the end, I’ll pull his cord and he’ll push my buttons (OMG, I’m such a dirty bird) but it still comes back to the fact he lights my world and I turn him on...or so he tells me.

Eric hadn’t met the right woman for him until she walked into his bar. Well, she was right looking (besides the baby in her belly), she was the right personality (besides the baby in her belly) and the right attitude (besides the baby in her belly). Eric found the right woman…who was a wee bit occupied with the baby in her belly.

I’ve got to say, Kylie Scott gets blokes. Chaser was completely seen through Eric’s eyes. Sometimes, it can be hard having to gauge feelings and emotions from a hero. Eric, well, we know that he’s dealing with a lot of emotions but he’s completely manipulating things in his mind to lessen the blows.

This is how I see Eric and how he feels...

Guilt – "Well, I guess I shouldn't be trusted ever again"
Sorrow – "I don’t deserve pity for my loss because it’s my fault"
Affection – "I’m told I’m not a good bet in a relationship, so I should only offer friendship"

Eric keeps barriers up because he doesn’t trust himself to be everything that Jean and Ada need.

Then, he just accepts that he wants Jean and Ada. Fullstop...the end...this is how it's going to be.

Yep, Kylie Scott really gets blokes.

Obviously, Eric takes a wee while to come to that conclusion. While he gets there, we are treated to a fabulous story about a recovering manwhore who meets and falls for a young woman who’s pregnant and later becomes a mother to a beautiful baby girl.

I loved seeing the fun and games of having a newborn from the outside looking in. I could completely sympathise with the sleepless nights, worry about their health and wellbeing and stress over getting it right. There is no way in hell I’d go back and have more of those little hellions who scream blue murder if you DARE to have a shower. I do miss snuggles, cheeky, drooly grins and the beauty of looking down at your baby as they sleep peacefully in your arms. It was fun looking in but I’m happy to only observe.

I really enjoyed Chaser. It was funny, sweet and very believable. There is NO WAY a new mother wants to hook-up or start a relationship straight after childbirth. It takes time and a level of trust must be earned before things can move forward. Eric never rushes Jean and I loved him more for it. Chaser was paced extremely well. The heat doesn’t come until later in the book but it was perfect timing.

If you’re a Kylie Scott fan, you are going to love Chaser. She gets it right on so many fronts. I highly recommend.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.