Cassie Gambol is looking for a new life. A new town, a new job and a new place with new people. So she moved to Petal, Georgia, and the sheriff looks mighty good! Which would be a good thing if she wasn’t still recovering from the years of domestic abuse that she went through with her ex-husband because, all demons aside, she wants him bad!

Cassie is a strong character. She’s the kind of person who wants to do it all on her own, refusing any help and if I’m honest, that was kind of annoying sometimes but at the same time, I guess independence is something you would want after trusting a man with your life and end up alone and close to dead.

On that note, she’s still fighting her demons when it comes to men. She’s not comfortable around them and has a hard time trusting them. Which is understandable. So I think it was really sweet the way that Shane always tried to reassure her that he was nothing like her ex.

Regarding Shane, he’s the man that you all ladies would want at home so nothing to say here but, the book’s description mentions an ex-girlfriend that cheated on him and how that still affects him. Honestly, I don’t think this point was actually made because he’s not that “traumatized” as the book’s description makes you believe, ok? It’s just not that big of a deal for him, at least that’s what it looked like to me.

Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the funniest character of the book which is Shane’s mother. I think she was the sugar to this bittersweet story! She’s always really funny and perky with that wisdom that you only get with age that makes us young (young people!) feel dumb sometimes!

Overall, the story is good but the plot is not that remarkable because, let’s face it, we all know that her ex is coming back and we all pretty much know how that’s going to end. So no surprises there. Anyhow, I think this could be a cute yet serious addiction to your TBR since it can be read as a standalone.

Taking Chase is a pretty easy read, enjoyable but I wanted more.. Looking forward to more with these characters.

This was a great story. I would classify this one in the series as romance with a thriller aspect. Looking forward to the third book in the series.

Typically I stay away from novels where the leads seem “damaged” and opposed to relationships. With Lauren Dane, however, I either love or hate her work so I am always willing to take a chance on her. When she’s good, she’s great and when she’s bad, it’s terrible.

Taking Chase is one of those novels that fall into the good category. I tend to like her contemporary romances where the heroine is in some type of danger. Dane just writes them so well. She knows how to write strong women that realize they still may need help or have flaws. Her alpha males also tend to be less obnoxious. As always, her sex scenes are hot with explosive chemistry between the leads. Coupled with an entertaining plot, it just works for me.

Blood, sweat and tears. That is how Cassie rebuilt her life in Taking Chase. This is the second installment in Lauren Dane’s Chase Brothers series. This is a re-release and does not need to be read in chronological order.
I really liked Cassie. She is skittish when she arrives to Petal but also determined. She wants to take back her life and slowly but surely the town of Petal and its residents are along for the ride. But even as she rebuilds herself is she ready for romance? Shane didn’t endear himself to Cassie on his first meeting. I am not sure that improves much on their second meeting either but if nothing else Ms. Dane gave us a man strong in principle. So he kept trying, especially once he realized he felt more than suspicion for Cassie. I loved seeing the push/pull of their growing feelings. I adored that Shane became Cassie’s friend first. I really loved returning to Petal. And enjoyed the quirkiness and genuine goodness of its residents. I loved seeing them work their magic of Cassie as she found her strength and her happily ever after.

I have been a fan of this author a long time and I always know that reading any of her books, will leave me with this heart warming feeling that puts butterflies in my belly. She makes me fall in love with every one of her characters and that is what happen this time too. You get such a breath taking love story which just captivates you right from the beginning and leaves you totally hooked for more. I would absolutely recommend this book to all book lovers out there.

The upside of these re-releases of books that used to be with publishers that are no more is that I get to rediscover series that I haven’t visited in a looooong time. The downside is finding the time to get to them all, but it is worth it. Lauren Dane is one of my comfort read authors. I loved refreshing my memory as to why I enjoyed the Chase Brothers and all their sexy alpha ways so much.

Cassie has lived a nightmare and escaped by giving everything up: her home, her brother, her career, even her name. She has scars on both the outside and the inside and is a shell of the person she used to be. It’s good she landed in Petal, Georgia because it’s going to take the love and care of the whole town for her to heal from her ordeal and survive when the past catches up to her.

I love you and that means you’re mine. And not in the way he meant it. You’re not a thing to me. You’re everything.

In the first Chase Brothers book, Giving Chase, Shane made quite the ass of himself, so I was a bit doubtful of him being a good choice for Cassie. I can wholeheartedly say that Shane redeems himself and then some. He was sweet, caring, loyal, and plain old alphatastic. Cassie was a woman who’s past meant she needed care, tenderness, and understanding and Shane came through…well, most of the time. He had a few missteps but each one came from him wanting to take care of her, not from a cavalier attitude towards women.

I ended up liking both Shane and Cassie even when they let their pasts get the best of them. Both had baggage with Cassie’s arguably heavier than Shane’s, but that didn’t mean Shane’s didn’t weigh him down. Relationship wise, things moved slowly for the pair at first, which, considering her past, fit the story perfectly. That does not mean the chemistry was lacking, quite the opposite in fact. By taking their time, when they finally do come together the emotions take it to a new level of sexy and hot intimacy.

With this being the second book in the series, we are starting to really get to know the Chase family and the citizens of Petal. I loved how everyone gave it all they had to protect Cassie and help her thrive in their little town. Polly Chase, the mother of all these boys, is especially endearing and quite the force to be reckoned with. Her antics had me laughing and shaking my head more than once.

This was a damsel in distress story I can get behind. Cassie’s past was heartbreaking but the sweet, sexy, and infinitely patient way Shane went about winning her over warmed my heart.

Rating: 4 Alphatastic Stars

Le sigh...

I picked this up because it looked interesting, fun, sweetly romantic. Honestly, it was only sort of those things. I was then bummed to find out that this was re-released and when looking further, the author did do some clean up front he original version, I guess, through I'm hard pressed to see what was cleaned up. It's sorely in need of tightening up, streamlining the story, and maybe shortening.

The story started off great, but it dragged on too long and the writing was not as good as I'd hoped. While I enjoyed a large part of this, in the end I just could not wait to get through it all and move on to something else. Tensions that were palpable at first, became very boring and while I appreciated the way the author took the story of Cassie and her PTSD frothier abuse ex very seriously, Cassie became really unlikeable.

I was also a little creeped out by more than one Chase brother being really attracted to Cassie at first and having them kind of decide who was going to go for it.

I'll try this author again some time, but maybe something more recent.

Taking Chase is a quick, easy, read that takes place in a wonderful town located in Georgia. The townspeople of this town, Petal, are all so friendly and welcoming, Especially to Cassie, one of our main characters and a newcomer to the town. At the hands of her abusive now ex-husband, Terry, our main character, Cassie has suffered so much pain and suffering but it made her a fighter, strong and independent. Cassie, with the help of Chase and his family, is able to overcome all that she has been through in her relationship with Terry and eventually, she is able to trust a little easier, enjoy life again and feel better about herself. Chase is kind, caring, loving, gentle and protective to Cassie and plays a big role in her ability to trust a little easier, enjoy life and feel better about herself, sexy and confident, even. I also loved how Chase's family are welcoming, kind, caring and although at times pushy as well as nosy, thoughtful. I loved how everyone were so caring and friendly to each other, like family, especially to Cassie.

Shane is a sheriff in a small town in Georgia. Cassie comes into town to get away from her life as a surgeon in L.A. The two hit it off and the sparks fly. An irresistible story that you can't put down.

I received an arc via Netgalley and am leaving a review.

This is the second book in the Chase Brothers series and features to romance between Shane and Cassie. Both of these characters have painful pasts and they carry the baggage to prove it. Shane has been burned by love. Having his fiancée dump him has left scars, caused him to wall off his heart and yes, often come across as cold, unfeeling, a jerk (as witnessed in book 1). Cassie has not only been hurt emotionally, but also physically by her abusive ex. On the run and hiding out, the last thing she needs is another man in her life. With a well written and very engaging storyline this book is a very entertaining read. Filled with, intensity, drama, humor, danger, suspense and deep emotions this book will touch your heart and keep you turning pages.

The notorious Sherriff of Petal, Georgia has taken a fall and much to his dismay has to work pretty hard to win the girl of his dreams’ heart in this heartfelt romance.

Shane and Cassie are two very strong and captivating characters whose romance is anything but smooth, there is lot of ups and downs due to past issues and miscommunication that the story is a kind of emotional rollercoaster. Readers can help but become caught up in their story as Shane works hard to overcome his own issues and find a way to help Cassie overcome hers and let me tell you this story tugs at heartstrings and actually had me crying at a couple of points, which I must say is unusual for me. But since, Lauren Dane creates characters that are easily connected to, I shouldn’t be surprised that I had such a connection to Shane and Cassie.

And if their emotional issues weren’t enough to keep readers enthralled, this story has readers holding their breath in suspense when Cassie’s past comes calling and placing her in danger when adds quite an exciting edge to this romance. Lauren Dane makes it easy to picture each and every scene as it happens which just makes the connection with the characters that much more vivid.

I have to tell you Shane caught my attention in the first book, Giving Chase, when he made a bit of a jerk of himself so I highly anticipating the release of Taking Chase to find out how he fared when came to matters of his heart and I was in no way disappointed as I was completely enthralled with his and Cassie’s book from start to finish, now I just have to wait for Chased and find out which brother will fall next.

3 1/2 stars. The second book in the series and can be read as a standalone. I didn't read the first book and I don't feel as if it was an issue at all. Although I would like to go back and read book 1. I also believe this is a reissue of an older book.
Cassie has changed her name and moved to a small town to hide from her abusive ex-husband who nearly beat her to death. He escaped after the trail and she fears for her life.
Chase is the sheriff who meets her when she arrives and he immediately senses she is hiding something. He is drawn to her and that's not his style.
Cassie really can't handle Chase being the dominating man he is and yet she feels safe with him. This creates a lot of drama for them.
There is one scene that definitely dates this book for me. When she described Chase as wearing a rust colored Tommy jeans and Ralph Loren cologne, I had to ignore that bit of information. Just wasn't the way I envisioned my Chase :)

Taking Chase

**received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

3⭐️⭐️⭐️


Shane Chase knows everything that goes on in his town and when Cassie comes to town she changes everything. He knows right away she is different from other women and she catches his attention like no one ever has.

Cassie is excited to start over in a new town. But getting into an accident and meeting the town sheriff wasn’t how she expected to start her new life out. But nothing can bring her down, she is finally away from her past and ready to take her life back and the sexy sheriff is definitely catching her eye.

But is Cassie ready to let someone new in her life? After getting out of an abusive relationship can she really trust again? Shane will try and show her that she is perfect the way she is and give her the back the confidence in herself. But will the past find her again and threaten their new lives?

This is a reissue of a great story and one I'm glad I took the time to read. Cassie Gambol is a woman who has created a whole new life in a small town in Georgia. A huge difference from her former life in L.A. After fleeing an abusive ex husband getting into another relationship is the last thing she wants or needs. Shane Chase isn't a man interested in commitment but there is something about his sexy new neighbor that has him considering giving it a try. He's certain she has secrets though so he works to get her to open up. Everything becomes clear when Cassie is in danger and Shane will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

A great read that I highly recommend.

Taking Chase by Lauren Dane is book Two in the Chase Brothers series. This is the story of Cassie and Shane. I have read the previous book but feel this can be a standalone book. This is a re-release as the first publishing was around 2007 and does have a new cover.
Cassie was once Carly Sunderland a successful surgeon but back then she had a ex-husband trying to kill her. Now she on the run because he escaped the system and he out to finish what he started.
Now Cassie is hiding out in Petal, Georgia where she meets Shane ...there is an immediate attraction. But Shane has a bad break up that left him cold to getting into another relationship....but Cassie makes him rethink that. But she is hiding something and he out to find out.

This book was a wonderful escape into the small town of Petal and all of the characters that inhabit the town. The story follows Cassie Gambol has come to Petal to start a new life after the disaster that was her marriage in LA. But to start this new life Cassie is keeping secrets, something that drives Shane Chase, the town's sheriff, a little crazy. While the plot of Cassie and Shane falling in love and moving past the demons of their past was predictable, what made this book standout for me was the way in which Shane was able to acknowledge the depth of the psychological scars that abuse left on Cassie and how gentle he was in helping her heal. While he acknowledges her scars he doesn't let her runaway from life, but he is also imperfect and makes mistakes that have the potential to drive Cassie back into that dark place despite his best intentions. All in all this book is a great read that handles the theme of domestic abuse with a sensitivity and grace that is difficult to pull off for some.

Wow!

Holy emotional roller coaster ride batman! A truly beautiful love story.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Thanks Netgalley for a copy to read and review. This review is given as my honest opinion.

This is basically a rewrite of a previously published book, and it has an amazing cover. Hawt! The blurb is what caught my eye, and stole my interest. I have read many by this author and this book was pretty great.

Cassie Gambol heads to Petal, Georgia to start a new life after an ex husband almost ends her. Under a new name she enters Petal only to be in a car accident first thing. Shane Chase the local officer of the law is one of the first on the scene since its his mother that rear ends Cassie.
Instantly he knows Cassie is trouble, and scared or running from something. As time goes on though he realizes his attraction to her and his huge family slowly taking her in as one of there own.

I enjoyed the book, and gave it four stars of entertainment. Cassie made a good character and Shane was kind of pushy more often than not. They seemed to butt heads a lot but eventually they're love for each other holds out. Thanks Netgalley for a copy.

Another solid romance by Ms. Dane. I liked the plot which was superb. Cassie and Shane make a good couple. The writing was nicely done.