I read this book without reading the previous two books in this series, and that has greatly influenced my lack of enjoyment for this book. I have read and loved a lot of Ms Bybee’s other books, so I’m also disapointed.

I hoped the focus of this story would have been on Liam and Avery. Their story, to me, felt vastly overshadowed by too much focus on the heroine’s external demons (with too little attention to showing the relevance of battling with these demons in this book) and too much guest appearances by heroes and heroines from previous books (which I might have cared for if I had read the previous books). Hence the first sentence of this review.

One day I’ll probably read those first two books, and revisit this rating. For now, it is what it is.

Chasing Shadows follows a woman haunted by a violent attack and a man who just wants to be there for her. If you’re a follower of Bybee’s First Wives series, then you know that Avery, our heroine, was brutally beaten in the previous book. This novel takes place some time later after Avery is completely recovered physically, if not emotionally.

Where do I start with this book? Let’s start with what I loved. I loved the hero! Liam is a gosh darn dreamboat. He is completely supportive of Avery and loves everything about her. She puts him through a bit of a wringer and his steady, good-natured consistency is exactly what Avery needed in her life. I want more heroes like Liam!

This was very much Avery’s book. I love that Avery took control of her life after her attack. The Krav Maga classes and awareness of the need for safety were valid. The book took a bit of a left turn for me when this socialite millionaire from LA went all Rambo in New York City. For a few chapters I completely dumbfounded by Avery’s actions. I actually reread a few chapters to make sure I didn’t miss a complete personality transplant. To be clear, I didn’t dislike Avery. She is a fun character who owns her sexuality and craziness and I love that.

There were a few hanging plot lines and head scratch moments that kept this from being a super great book for me. There was also significantly less action than the previous books unless you count Avery picking fights at random bars, action.

Overall, if you’re a fan of this series, this will get you excited about the next book in the series. If you love a sweet and supportive hero, read this book just for Liam. Bybee always writes a nice story, this one just had a few weird spots.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

Although this was the 3rd book in the series I had no problem catching up from the previous books cast of characters. As the title confer these are women who are all divorce and it seems were married to rich men. Avery is recovering from being attacked a year ago and has refused to give her heart to any man. Enters Liam whom she meets in a bar or was it the gym? this was a running gag in the storyline. As Liam begins to pursue her he realizes this a relationship he wants more of and so it will be a challenge to convince Avery he's the one for her. This book not only gave us romance but suspense and some mystery. One particular issue came up that was not solved so was not crazy about that. This book was captivating kept in you wondering whats coming next. Would enjoy reading more of the series. Review on goodreads and amazon.

I like warriors and especially strong and determined women. Avery is my favorite of the 4 First wives ladies. I liked her in the previous stories and I liked her more in her book even if she’s changed. Her “adult self”, as she describes it, is both more sympathetic and less cynical.
Liam is real hero material. Catherine Bybee always aces her closing eyes elating and sighing hero moments. Those that make you remember your own great moments or make you fall in love with the hero at once.

Love. Love. Love. Catherine Bybee is one of my favorite authors. I've read MOST of her books. And this one didn't disappoint. Chasing Shadows is part of her "First Wives" series and can be read as a standalone, BUT these stories (so far) are somewhat intertwined and I RECOMMEND reading them in order.

Each story gets better! I've really enjoyed this series. The friendship between the ladies that are part of the First Wives Club is fabulous! We all could use friends like these. Avery is a changed person. She is no longer the good time girl she was in the previous stories. The attack she experienced has truly changed her. She is reinventing herself from being the victim to being a warrior. Liam is so not who I would have expected her to be paired with. But they worked perfectly. Liam is a guy we all wish we had in our lives. He let her be herself, but was there when she needed someone. I enjoy every minute of Catherine Bybee books. They pull me into the story and won't let me go until I get to the last page. I'm looking forward to the next and am hoping there are more to follow! I received an advance copy for an honest review.

Brilliant book. Loved this book and I am loving the whole series. Catherine's writing just gets better and better. Totally recommend the book and series.

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake Publishing for giving me the chance to get an advance copy of this book.

In the 3rd installment of The First Wives’ series Catherine Bybee has given us another great story full of friendship, sisterhood and hot guys you fall instantly in love with…You can’t go wrong when choosing to read this fantastic story.

Avery Grant has been married and divorced and is recovering from a horrific attack that changed her life forever. After her divorce she wanted to live the life she always wanted and the freedom to come and go as she wished. She has a successful business and the love and friends ship of the other “first wives”. She is getting back her life and kicking ass in her Krav Magna class and she comes in contact with good looking, hot contractor Liam…
Liam has a lot of layers to get through with Avery, she is still having nightmares about her attack and starts to remember details that send her back to scene of the crime. She has shut out her loved ones and goes on her own to find the “guy with the spider” tattoo. She soon learns that there are somethings that you just can’t go alone with and she needs to open herself up to letting others in and that’s when the real healing begins.

I loved Avery from the previous books and could not wait to for her story to be told. And don’t get me started on Liam… I wanted find him and tell him he could work on my house any day..LOL.. These two were meant for each other. Liam has a strong family tie and he adores his little niece and his dog, what’s not to love. He gives Avery the space she needs, while at the same time showing her that she does not need to be strong alone.. Another 5 Star book by Catherine Bybee and I can’t wait for book 4
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Reading Progress

June 3, 2018 – Shelved

June 3, 2018 – Shelved as: to-read

I loved this novel about a woman determined to strengthen herself after a horrible attack and to find the person who did it. Avery is a strong woman but her defenses were shattered after the attack, along with her nose. A chance meeting at a local bar after her Krav Maga class leads her to Liam. He is intrigued by Avery and becomes her fighting partner. As romance blooms, so does Avery’s memories of the attack and her determination to travel back to New York to the scene of her attack. She tells Liam nothing about her search leaving him to wonder about their relationship and her whereabouts. The ending will take you by surprise but melds well with the rest of the novel.

Avery’s story in the First Wives Club was one that captured you from the beginning and held you until the end. When Avery meets Liam, she is wary and attracted to him at the same time. After being brutally attacked, Avery has vowed never to let that happen again and is still trying to face her fears. Liam wants to help her, but Avery doesn’t trust anyone to let them in to her heart.
A wonderful story of regaining love and trust as only Catherine can tell it.

4.5<b> He’s still alive </b> Stars
I have so many ARC’s I am behind in reading but I knew I needed to read a book by one of my favorite authors to get me back into binge reading.
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First Wives club is a group of women who have married and divorced for money. This sounds like it would be very vapid and boring. However, you learn about each woman and how love finds a way to everyone.
This story is about Avery Grant. In previous books I assumed she was a “poor little rich girl” but after Trina’s story (book 2) you start to realize there is actually a lot more to Avery than we knew. This series is really enhanced by reading the books in order because you don’t get the full emotional aspect of the series without doing that. Avery is needing validation for her pain but in a way that makes you scream “girl power”. I think as a woman (even if they have never gone through abuse) Avery will speak to you. She brings out your inner bad ass that shows how strong a woman can be emotionally and physically. As she recoils from her painful experience she has shut off all of her emotions and built some sky high walls that Liam us determined to climb.

I think the story could have been enhanced with a bit more from “Spider” and may a bit longer between the couple as well. But I still loved the purity and strength this book gave.

Avery’s book was wonderful. I loved Liam so much and them together was so perfect. This is a great addition to the series!

Catherine Bybee is always an automatic read for me because her novels are a sure thing! Chasing Shadows, just like entire First Wives series, is a MUST READ!!

After reading the previous installment (Half Empty) I knew I couldn’t wait to get hands on Avery’s book! Avery had suffered a horrendous situation and she is bound and determined not find herself vulnerable ever again. In saying that, she has also put a brick wall around her heart and has no intentions of letting anyone in...ever!

Liam gets one look of Avery and knows he has to get to know her better. The problem is that’s easier said than done, but where there is a will there’s a way and ultimately Liam and Avery become friendly. Can Liam get out of the “friend zone” and more importantly can they be “more”!?!

Catherine Bybee writes amazing romance novels! If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you start this series from book 1 (but this novel can totally be read as a standalone). I enjoy how strong she writes her female characters and in Avery’s case, my heart went out to her and all she had endured, but I was also so darn proud of the person she’d become! And even just writing that last line it just goes to show you what a fantastic author Catherine is— the characters are so real and authentic you forget you don’t know them in real life!!! Chasing Shadows is a 5 star MUST READ! I cannot wait to get my hands on the book in this addictive series!

Don't pick up a book by Catherine Bybee unless you have several hours free for reading, because once you pick it up you won't be able to stop reading! This is the third book in the First Wives series and it really does help if you have at least read book two since Avery's life was forever changed in book two. Don't want to spoil anything here, so I will just say read book two and then pick this one up next!
As always Catherine Bybee is able to create such wonderful characters that actually feel like real people and ones that you actually wouldn't mind being friends with. A great read and I can't wait to see what is in store for Shannon as the fourth member of the First Wives Club!

Chasing Shadows is the third installment in the First Wives series. As with every other book I've read by Ms. Bybee, I absolutely LOVED it. The blend of romance and suspense is perfectI LOVED IT!!! Can't wait for the next one. I highly recommend this series but make sure to start at the beginning. Well, at least, I always do. I don't wanna miss anything.

Big thanks to Montlake Romance, NetGalley and Ms. Bybee for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the third installment in the First Wives Club and Ms. Bybee continues to hit the ball out of the ballpark. Continuing characters, so it is advisable to start at the beginning of the series. If you like romantic suspense, try this series along with Weekday Brides series, they are consistently great! I received an ARC e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

I was so excited to receive an advance copy of this book especially since I loved Wade and Trina’s story so much. Catherine Bybee did it again. I loved how she showed all of Avery’s vulnerabilities and all Liam wanted to do was to be there and support her with anything that she needed, especially emotional support. It was hard for her to accept because of her awful parents and the attack that happened a year ago. She truly was a warrior and the tattoo was perfect. I especially loved how things turned out at the end with Avery. I really felt how much she learned and grew from the experience that she went to. It also warmed my heart when she finally accepted the love of a man. Absolutely read this book!

4.5 stars - Chasing Shadows is a solid romance with steam and a bit of drama (the genre, not tantrum foolishness). I quite enjoyed the read and only had one tiny gripe. There's a secondary character, Sheldon, who is the heroine's client. He gives her the willies and we never find out what is his deal. He's asking for dates and creeping up on her in the attic. What gives? Otherwise, this is pretty close to perfect. Well done!

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review

Thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book. The review below is entirely my own opinion.

I think in order to fully appreciate and understand Avery’s story, one should read books 1&2 of the series first. Otherwise, imo, some things will not be as significant and there are mentions of characters from the previous two books.

Because I did read the first two books, I can say that I loved how much Avery has grown from book 1. It was awesome to see her blossom in this book and I liked getting to know her more. She totally deserves her HEA and Liam is a great partner for her. They make a great couple!

I must say though that book 2 still remains as my favorite of the series.

Can’t wait to read Shannon’s story!

I think there might be previous books before this one that I haven’t read, as there seemed to be a lot of back story that I didn’t understand at first.

Avery & Liam were both very likable and believable. Avery is not open to a relationship, but somehow Liam works his way into her life. He loves her and her friends love him, but Avery isn’t sure if she is able to live him, at this point in her life..

Avery, viscously attacked, and left for dead, the previous year, starts to remember things from the attack and realizes the police had pinned it on the wrong guy., who just so happens to have been murdered himself. Avery who has spent the last year learning how to defend hersel, using Manga Krav, sets off to New York, on her own, to find the real perpetrator. She does enlist help from the detectives who worked the case, prior, and lets them know that the guy is still out there. They vow to investigate, but Avery is on a mission.

SPIOILER: In the end, with the help of Liam, and her friends, she does indeed find the guy. A guy who has zero recollection of the events in which he left her for dead. He did the deed for his drug dealer, in payment for drugs. Shortly after the attack he goes to rehab, where he is now clean, with no memory of the attack. Avery does the right thing in the end, by leaving him be..

This book was well written and includes a cast of characters you just have to like, from Avery’s friends to her family, who are quite snobby. “Oh dear lord” from her mother when Avery is standing next to her friends African American boyfriend, and assumes he is Avery’s boyfriend. That comment made me literally laugh out loud. The book is a serious subject matter but the humor within the story keeps it from being too dark.

Disclaimer: I was given a free advance copy from NetGalley in return for my honest review