Chaser (Dive Bar, #3) by Kylie Scott
Series: Dive Bar #3
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on April 17, 2018
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 270
Goodreads

FINAL DECISION: An enjoyable story about a man who meets the right woman and it changes his whole life. I enjoyed the story which is told in the first person from Eric’s point of view and how his whole world changes warmed my heart.

THE STORY: Something is just not right with Eric Collins. He’s feeling unsettled and when he meets newcomer Jean, his no commitment, single swinging lifestyle doesn’t call to him as much as spending time with the very pregnant single mom who ends up being his neighbor. But the friendship that develops between the two is constantly challenged by Eric’s attraction to Jean.

OPINION: This book’s slow and steady romance was wonderful. We get to see Eric actually changing as the book progresses. The events occur over months and Eric finds himself becoming the man that Jean needs. Getting to see exclusively Eric’s point of view allowed me to have sympathy for a guy who seemed shallow and immature in the prior books of the series. The book is sweet and made me smile as Jean and Eric got to know one another.

I was most impressed that this book made me really like Eric by the end. I truly believed that he had changed as the book progressed and a guy who I worried would be a lousy hero ends up being a man willing to love a woman and her child.

WORTH MENTIONING: There is a special appearance and update that will please fans of Kylie Scott’s other books.

CONNECTED BOOKS: CHASER is the third book in the Dive Bar series. The romance here is self-contained and can be read as a standalone, but there are overlapping characters.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Twist by Kylie Scott
Series: Dive Bar #2
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on April 11th 2017
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 288
Goodreads

FINAL DECISION: A wonderful quirky romance between two flawed humans.  Kylie Scott never disappoints in making her characters feel real and honest and TWIST is no exception.  Loved the characters!

THE STORY:  Joe Collins has always been the good brother.  When his younger brother Eric wants to sign up for an online dating service, Joe helps him but ends up connecting with one of his brother’s matches.  Under the identity of his brother, Joe corresponds with Alex Parks for months until Alex decides to surprise Eric on his birthday.

OPINION:  Twist features such wonderful characters that I loved every moment of the book.  Joe is a genuine good guy who makes the “mistake” of adopting his brother’s persona to email a woman who catches his interest.  I liked how Joe falls into doing something that is completely against his nature — but the truth is that it might have been the right thing to do ultimately.

Joe is so wonderful a man. A bartender, a builder, someone who has done his best even when taken advantage of by those he cares for.  He cares for Alex even when she is angry with him and takes on so much onto himself for everyone around him.  I liked how considerate he is and how he is able to accept all of Alex’s neuroses with equanimity.

Alex is a woman of incredible contradictions — as are we all.  Talented as a graphic artist, she has trouble with social interactions.  Her fears make her veer away from the possibility of being hurt.  She has meaningless sexual relationships as a way of placing distance between herself and others. Joe challenges her at every turn.

I especially liked in this book how Joe and Alex have a funny and sweet relationship that becomes incredibly hot and intense.  How can you not love a guy who takes care of a woman who is at her absolute worst. Joe works to help Alex become the best she can be which means challenging herself.  Joe needs help as well.  These two nicely balance one another.

This book was almost a 5 star book, but the end of the book has a crisis which disrupts Joe to an incredible extent.  Both Alex and Joe relapse into their comfort zones a bit.  That causes a problem in their relationship which is resolved too quickly and easily for my tastes.  Too much of a serious situation is resolved off stage for me.  Even with that caveat, I loved this book and recommend it.

WORTH MENTIONING:  Mal!

CONNECTED BOOKS:  TWIST is the second book in the Dive Bar series.  The book can be read as a standalone although a lot of characters appear in the prior book so you might enjoy it more knowing more about the interrelationships.

STAR RATING:  I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE:  I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions contained herein are my own.