I finally sat down and read this story.
The concept of this book is great! I loved all the detail in the art world.
The characters were just ok. Zara just lacked something. I’m not sure what. I skimmed through out this book which is why it lost a star and the fact that I didn’t connect to the characters is why another star was taken away.

Review: If there is one thing I can appreciate when picking up a book, it is finding an author who can weave a tale with a rich backdrop. Vanessa Fewings taps into the world of art collecting, where one painting is worth much more than the average worker’s salary. She takes it a step farther by adding a key element of suspense with a mysterious art thief.

The Chase marks the first installment in Fewings’ ICON trilogy. It took me a few tries to get into the story, but once I finished the prologue, the pace quickened. As someone who is not very familiar with fine art, there were areas that almost overwhelming, but the budding relationship between Zara and Tobias provided an excellent distraction.

I was incredibly impressed with the historical information woven into the storyline, especially as it strengthened Zara’s role as a knowledgeable art consultant. Her attraction to Tobias is evident, with each encounter increasing the heat factor. With Tobias being such a mysterious character, I found myself jumping to conclusions, only to have them proven false in the next chapter. Trust becomes a significant factor among the characters.

The author has excelled at creating a dynamic relationship between the couple while also orchestrating an intriguing mystery. When the last page was turned, I was left with a number of questions, all of which make me eager to see what happens in the next installment.

I'm not new in Vanessa's writing style but I'm new to this series and it was a little bit different from her style.Zara and Tobias have a fantastic first meeting, and I loved this book from that point on. I loved that their first meeting wasn't perfect, but rather felt like a real life situation.The writing in this book just flowed very well for me. I was engrossed in the story and loved all the twists and turns that the plot took.

I am such a Vanessa Fewings fan! However, the ICON trilogy was really hard for me to get into. Hence why my review has taken so long to get done. I tried, I really did. I even went back to it three times!

There are some books that just don’t click with people. This was one of them. But know that I still love Vanessa!! And my blog (My Girlfriend’s Couch) will always support her.

Thank you for giving me the chance to try this new trilogy. I am just sorry that this was not the series for me.

Will she risk it all for a priceless desire?

A rising star in one of London's top art investigation firms, Zara Leighton's talent for seeing deep into paintings is in her blood. She's chosen to help track down Icon, an enigmatic international art thief whose heists are methodical, daring, baffling. To Zara the case is maddening—bordering on an obsession.

She finds distraction in the chiseled form of top-shelf client Tobias Wilder, a magnetic American billionaire who demands her expertise, her discretion—and her secrecy. Wilder doesn't ask questions. He gives orders. His gaze alone ignites her deepest fantasies. And his touch…

The sudden whirl of exclusive exhibitions and decadent parties that Wilder introduces her to is a potent aphrodisiac. But surrender soon becomes tinged with suspicion. Is Zara's tryst with Wilder the real thing…or just a convincing forgery?



* * * * *



I was really looking forward to this book as I love mysteries and romantic suspense. I did find a bit of both in this book however the pace was rather slow. After all, you have to time for all the sex scenes that this book introduces the reader too. In my opinion, this book could do with more plot and less sex. I also found errors in the book that should have been caught by the editor even though spell check would let them by.



I do suggest that my readers pass this book by if they are looking for a romantic suspense. On the other hand, if you are looking for a book that really turns up the heat then THE CHASE is perfect.



*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

I was very excited to start this new series by Fewings but sadly it didn’t work in my favor. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the story wasn’t able to hold my interest. I’ve read another series by this author which I enjoyed and will continue on with that series.

Zara find Tobias more of a challenge that she should. He was the one man she should stay away from but there was just something about him. She couldn't put her finger on it. This was a romantic suspense that took it time to build and give me what I was looking for. After the chase for more, I got a step or two closer to find satisfaction and then finding that it was not over by a long shot.

5 INTRIGUING stars! This book is a beautiful masterpiece wrapped in and elegant cover.

Once in a time you find a new trilogy that catches your attention. Once in a time you find that special book that mixes what you love the most and once in a time you find a kind author who is highly talented. I am so glad I found all of that in the first instalment of The Icon Series.

The Chase is the kind of book that mixes art, culture, suspense and steamy scenes in a wonderful and clean writing. I couldn’t put it down. It was highly addictive. This is not like other books I have read. Here, the author not only shows us her knowledge about paintings and art. Clearly she did a good research before writing this book (something that not many authors do). I wonder what inspired her to write it the way she did.

The heroine, Zara, is an intelligent woman, passionate for painting and so happy with her new job as an art consultant. The love for art is in her veins. During her childhood she was always surrounded by paintings. Her love for art was developed at an early age thanks to her father. Her ability to recognize original paintings and her father's inheritance opened the door for her to get the job of her dreams. However, Zara’s world will change drastically thanks to the first client who expressly requested her services.

“I’d known in the depths of my soul art would always be my one true love.”

Meeting Tobias will be like a storm of fresh air. He is an intelligent, powerful, enigmatic and cocky alpha man. He is the kind of man who always obtain what he wants. Something about him makes you want to discover his secrets. Zara is quite intrigued by him. She knows he is dangerous, a seducer ready to eat her completely. Her insticsts tell her to run away but something drawn her to him.

“I hardly knew anything about Tobias and yet he was seducing me with the ease of a man who always got what he wanted.”

“Despite the fact that he was a virtual stranger, I somehow trusted him. This alluring enigma that was Tobias William Wilder was seductively hypnotic.”

Being around him will open her eyes to a dark side of the art world where some people have valuable paintings which does not belong to them. A side that she was already aware of.

“Art should be shared. It’s a travesty to hide them away.”

The attraction, the chemistry plus the push and pull game will seduce Zara. The enigma that Tobias represents is something that will awake a wild part of her.

“Sometimes love, like art, cannot be defined,” I said. “It can’t be contained. Controlled. Owned. It needs its freedom to become fully realized.”

Behind them is the mistery of an art thief. Icon. This is not only a story of a couple falling in love, it is more. Be prepare for an intriguing and stunning book.

As you dive in each page, you fall deep into the story around the characters. It is elegantly written. The plot is original. There is no cliché inside of this masterpiece. Books like this shall be written more often. I was so intrigued from the first pages.

I urge you to pick this book. You won't be disappointed. Vanessa is a gifted writer so talented who will take you to a journey through the art world.
I want to discover Tobias’ secret. He has became my favorite book boyfriend so far. He has stolen my heart.

“My need for you is my greatest weakness. You’ve utterly destroyed me.”

A deliciously addictive trilogy is waiting for you.

Loved this book a lot.  It had a lot.  Romance, mystery, intrigue, sexy scenes!!  I read this book in 2 settings.  I was hooked and I needed to know who ICON is.  As I read, I would think it was this one person (don't want to give anything away), but then I would think no, it couldn't be that person.  Then I was back to but it could. 

This was my first book by this author and I can not wait to read book #2, The Game.


☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa

I love the book very much. Both hero and heroine are very stubborn. I can not wait for the last book. This book id worth the wait and time.

When I read the blurb for The Chase I knew I needed to read it. It seemed to offer everything I loved: action, adventure, passion and a mystery that needed solving. And honestly, after reading it, I can say that this novel was absolutely brilliant! It was full of passion and suspense and was just perfect. Tobias and Zara were electrifying. I actually got goosebumps reading because I did not know how the story was going to play out but I knew for sure I did not want it to end!

From the get go I fell in love with Zara and Tobias. As a result of a deep and abiding love of art from her famous art collector father, Zara Leighton immerses herself in the art world. Ranked as a rising star in one of London's top art investigation firms, she has a talent for seeing deep into paintings and has chosen to help track down Icon, an enigmatic international art thief whose heists are methodical, daring, baffling. Along the way she meets elusive and eccentric Billionaire Tobias Wilder, a fellow art connoisseur/collector. From their initial meeting you could feel the electricity pinging off the pages between them. Their chemistry was combustible and their passion unrivaled. I loved how Fewings made it clear their was a genuine love between them but an even bigger amount of secrets. Who is Tobias Wilder and why is Zara drawn to his dark, daring and dangerous side?

GAH this book was so amazing. Tobias and Zara were just so sexy and passionate and I could not get enough! But I felt the real standout in this novel was the art, itself. I honestly have not felt this way about a book where I was driven to look up every painting described since Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. I became obsessed. I needed to see what Zara and Tobias saw as I felt so deeply connected to the lush details and descriptions of each painting. I felt like I was standing right alongside them in the myriad of galleries throughout the book. All in all this was an AMAZING read and I cannot wait to read book two. Bravo! ~Ratula, 5 Stars!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Harlequin (US & Canada) for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

The Chase by Vanessa Fewings reminds me of The Thomas Crown Affair, one of my old time favorite movies. It's sexy and it's hot. It's got action and suspense. It's romantic and it's funny, and the thrill of the chase for Icon is simply incredible.

The Chase isn't just another "romance" story. It's an erotic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I kid you not. The chemistry between Tobias and Zara is off the charts. Their banter is upbeat. As a couple, they draw the reader into their world.

Zara is young but not stupid. I love how she stands up for herself and lets Tobias have it when she thinks he's swindled her out of her most precious, priceless possessions.

Never before had I read a hero like Tobias (if you know me, you know I read a lot and have been reading for years). I think the whole inventor things suits him perfectly. That infamous tattoo he's got and its meaning ties in everything nicely.

Tobias is a bad guy for most, but he really isn't. All throughout the book, I kept wondering why he'd go to such lengths for art until he explains it. The bad boy has a heart bigger than some and I can totally understand Zara's struggle in reconciling his reasons with what's right and wrong in addition to how she feels about him.

The Chase by Vanessa Fewings is one of those books I want to tell everyone I know they must read. As I'm writing this, I'm wondering where Vanessa Fewings has been all my life and why is it that only now do I get to read her.

I feel like a huge disservice was done to the author with the editing process on this book. There are glaring errors and mistakes in the storyline with this one that would have been caught in a read-through. The story is VERY good, the errors are going to upset a lot of readers. I did look over the ARC and the purchased version, and they are the same. I am really enjoying this book, but feel like she got the short end of the stick in the editing/proofing department.

The storyline itself was a great one and I look forward to carrying on in the series because I am genuinely interested to see how it all works out. I am doing a FULL series review on my blog, so I will have links as soon as I review the next two books as well. I am transferring over to this format moving forward because of readers not wanting to wait for books to come out in a series, causing the interest to die down.

Thanks!!

This darn book. Holy crap. This was my first read by Vanessa Fewings and it will NOT be my last. I wasn't prepared for what The Chase would offer my in-need-of-a-change reader heart. It was a refreshing new voice, a unique storyline, undeniably cataclysmic sex, and so much more. the ICON Trilogy is setting up to be a sure favorite of mine and I can't wait to see where that cliffhanger takes me.

Sensational!! This was a great book!! Loved the story, characters and writing! Loved the fact that it took place in the art world. The story was full of mystery, adventure and romance!! Loved it!

Let the chase begin...

Vanessa Fewings takes us into an art world where high art is being stolen. The thief is known as Icon. Zara is an art forensic investigator at her new job and part of the team that's looking into Icon. While she's tracking him down, she meets the mysterious Tobias Wilder. Unable to resist his seductive charm, Zara starts a relationship with him. He has secrets and has her doing things out of her comfort zone. She finds herself in uncomfortable situations, but Tobias is always there for her. He appears at the right place and at the right time. As Zara is getting to know Tobias more, she starts to have suspicions. Then something comes out that could mean her downfall. As usual he's there for her, asking to trust him. Can she trust him, or is everything not what it seems?

"Tobias was an enigma I couldn't get enough of."

I fell in love with him and couldn't get enough. Tobias is a charismatic, dirty talking alpha. He has a mysterious allure that made me want to crack open. I wanted to know all of his secrets—what he was hiding. His magnetic pull was hard to resist. It's see to see why Zara couldn't either.

"I respected Tobias's time and he needed to respect mine. No matter how sexy that dominating tone of his was, I wasn't dropping my plans on a whim to please him."

I loved her strength. It was subtle, yet strong. She wouldn't let anyone push her around. There's something alluring about her. I could see why Tobias fell for her. Their chemistry was sizzling hot and passionate. These two made a great couple. I love the way Fewings wrote these two characters.

I couldn't put The Chase down. I was enthralled by it. Fewings storytelling and knowledge of the art is truly amazing. I even Google the paintings that were mentioned. I think the art background made the story much richer. Fewings took me on an art ride that I didn't want to get off from.

"We both knew we'd meet again. It was only a matter of when. "

4.5 Stars

Review by Amber for Love Romance Books Blog

Zara grew up in the art world, and just got her dream job authenticating paintings for a London firm. Tobias is a technology whiz who also has a passion for art. They meet at a party, and she is captivated by him. She doesn't think she will see him again though, until he shows up at her workplace.

This was a steamy fast-paced novel, and I loved the characters. Zara is a strong independent woman, and falling in love is not what she expected. Tobias is used to getting what he wants, when he wants it. Zara is an enigma to him. I would give this book 4 stars.
I was asked by the author for an honest review.

The Chase is the first book that I have read by Vanessa Fewings. It won't be the last. Her writing style is smooth with solid character development and an intriguing plot.

Zara Leighton inherited her love of art from her father, a famous collector. She immerses her life in the art world. She is known as a rising star in the world of art investigation. When her firm involves her in investigating an art theft she meets the mysterious Tobias. The sparks fly between them and the secrets between them lay well below the surface. Will the secrets that they each harbor douse the flames of their chemistry or provide kindling to the flames?

What a great start to a new trilogy, she is a new author to me but I couldn't put this book down. It has the right amount of suspense and romance. Zara is an art consultant, she is introduced to Tobias but there is a mystery behind that charming hot sexy dominating rich man, who has secrets you will want to find out. Their chemistry is off the charts, the erotic romance is just that good. I was captured from chapter one and I want more!

Title: The Chase
Author: Vanessa Fewings

4 unexpected stars

When i grabbed The Chase by Vanessa Fewings, i knew it was part of a series. What i didn't know was which instalment it was. It turns out that it was the first book in her Icon Trilogy, taking art and heists to a whole new level. I'll admit that since my art skills are limited to stick figures, i enjoyed how Vanessa Fewings gave me a new perspective on what it could mean to anyone even if they don't have any special skills.

4 breath taking dreams

I liked the balance that this author created between each element in her story. There wasn't too much of one thing or too little of another. It's the kind of well rounded story that leaves you more than a little curious as to what's going to happen next in the series since The Chase just whet your appetite for more of what is to come and more of Zara and Tobias.

*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Kathleen, The Small Girl from A small girl, her man and her books