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mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Sigh. I'm just addicted to Catherine Bybee, and have been ever since I discovered her Weekday Brides series on Kindle Unlimited several years ago. I immediately inhaled ALL of those books, then her Not Quite series, and then was ecstatic that she did a spin-off of Weekday Brides in this newer series, First Wives. This one wasn't my favorite of her books, but it was very satisfying and featured so many of the recurring characters that I love. I love that these are available as Read & Listen on KU, so I took advantage of the audio for this one and have already started on #4 in the series on audio as well. If you like swoon-worthy contemporary romance that you can just sink into and haven't read Bybee yet, definitely start with the Weekday Brides series!
leisaann's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book! The whole series is fantastic. This book has every element I love in a book— strong women, close friends, alpha men on the outside and soft on the inside, great story, some mystery thrown in......it’s absolutely a 1-click!
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Avery Grant
Liam Holt
Shannon Wentworth
----------------------------------
What happens?
Avery is recovering from the brutal attack you see in the previous book. She has started self defence classes to try and improve her fear of the attack. After one class she stops in a bar with a friend and briefly sees Liam who decides he has to get to know the beautiful blonde who can clearly handle herself.
Liam shows up at her next class determined to get to know Avery and to get in her life.
Final thoughts
This book is different as there isn't really any threat like there was for the first 2. This one is more seeing Avery recover and move on. I like Avery the best, she doesn't take crap shes her own woman acts like she is free and does as she wants. I like that about her. I like Liam too, hes normal and nice.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Avery Grant
Liam Holt
Shannon Wentworth
----------------------------------
What happens?
Avery is recovering from the brutal attack you see in the previous book. She has started self defence classes to try and improve her fear of the attack. After one class she stops in a bar with a friend and briefly sees Liam who decides he has to get to know the beautiful blonde who can clearly handle herself.
Liam shows up at her next class determined to get to know Avery and to get in her life.
Final thoughts
This book is different as there isn't really any threat like there was for the first 2. This one is more seeing Avery recover and move on. I like Avery the best, she doesn't take crap shes her own woman acts like she is free and does as she wants. I like that about her. I like Liam too, hes normal and nice.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
Chasing Shadows is the third book in the First Wives series by the fabulous Catherine Bybee. I’m loving this series about these strong, funny, loyal women and the men who fall for them. We've met Avery before. The blonde pitbull has been through a lot in her life. Not the happiest of childhoods, a fake marriage and then being attacked. She's lost some of her light but she's trying to get her life back. She's learning krav to defend herself and when using those skills catches the eye of Liam her life is about to change. Liam is instantly attracted to Avery and he swindles his way into her krav classes and into her life. Avery isn't looking for a man or love. Definitely not anything permanent. And she really doesn't like Liam. He's big, built, handsome and funny. Wait, why doesn't she like him? Oh yeah, he's pushy. But he's determined to change her mind. He's going to help her even if he gets his butt kicked. He's also going to show her there are good men who want more. And he wants much more. All of a sudden they are dating! Avery is in denial, but her attraction to Liam is off the charts. When she gets news about her attacker, she runs alone to try to find out what really happened. Turns out she doesn't really want to be alone and when Liam shows up to be with her, her life feels safe again. She didn't see him coming, but she's not letting go now. I loved this story! I wasn't sure about Avery is the previous books. She was a little harsh and mouthy, but now that we get to see into her life, I understand more about her. And Liam. Wow. I love everything about him. His handsome and sexy, but he's also a loving brother and uncle and son. He values family and he's loyal. He's a go with the flow type of guy who works with his hands and is successful. I loved watching him meet the other women and his reaction to their status, wealth and partners. Overall, I laughed, teared up, swooned and enjoyed the ride. I can't wait for Shannon's story!
"And if the guy wants more?"
Avery smirked. "I haven't met him."
Liam was silent until she looked up.
"Yes, you have."
"Avery?"
"Yeah?"
"I miss you already."
"I saw you yesterday."
"That doesn't stop me from missing you today."
He really should do those without the shirt. Women everywhere would applaud, and what red-blooded American man didn't want that?
"Are you staring?"
"I most certainly am."
"And if the guy wants more?"
Avery smirked. "I haven't met him."
Liam was silent until she looked up.
"Yes, you have."
"Avery?"
"Yeah?"
"I miss you already."
"I saw you yesterday."
"That doesn't stop me from missing you today."
He really should do those without the shirt. Women everywhere would applaud, and what red-blooded American man didn't want that?
"Are you staring?"
"I most certainly am."
stinamoore1971's review against another edition
4.0
Another quick paced, enjoyable romance. I am completely in love with this author's characters. They have become like old friends and I totally enjoy "catching up" with them with each new book. Also, after reading some copycat authors while waiting for Catherine's next book, I have a new appreciation for how well she can write and weave a story. My only complaint is the liberal use of spiders as new chapter icons. Blech. Could have done without that.
ebgracie77's review against another edition
4.0
I think I like this book the most out of all of the four in the series.
However, before I tell you all the things that I liked, I will tell you a couple things that concern me regarding the author and the characters and race. It feels like this author has her characters be a bit casually racist which sucks. Avery talks about someone not looking the right nationality… nationality is about citizenship and doesn’t describe someone’s looks. Secondly, there’s a little “scare” at the end where Avery’s parents think she’s dating a black man and they are so relieved she’s not, they accept her working class white boyfriend. This kind of inclusion of implicit biases sort of sucks when I want to like these characters.
But, in general, I loved Avery. She is the one out of the four friends has grown the most and changed the most. She’s gone through something pretty horrific and come out stronger the other side. She used to be really casual in her sexual relationships, partly because she didn’t think anyone would stay. I appreciate her friendship and her caring for others. And the way that she worked to be able to defend her self and fight. The storyline was awesome as well as she struggles through surviving and confronting the violence that was done to her. It sucked that she didn’t trust her friends and lied to them to try to solve things on her own… but it was part of her growth.
Liam is such a sweet hero. He is a bit of a stalker in the beginning… but in the way of trying to meet her. And it all comes out pretty quickly and isn’t too icky. He’s a kind human being who takes care of his family and puts himself out there. She never has to wonder how he feels cause he tells her.
It’s a pretty fun read but there are definitely some funny dynamics with the friends being all up in each other’s business. Also, this book confirms that I hate Wade.
Also, what’s up with the public proposals from Bybees heroes. Yuck!
Avery has been the most sexual of her friends but it’s been a year. And Liam isn’t a manwhore. Solid great guy.
However, before I tell you all the things that I liked, I will tell you a couple things that concern me regarding the author and the characters and race. It feels like this author has her characters be a bit casually racist which sucks. Avery talks about someone not looking the right nationality… nationality is about citizenship and doesn’t describe someone’s looks. Secondly, there’s a little “scare” at the end where Avery’s parents think she’s dating a black man and they are so relieved she’s not, they accept her working class white boyfriend. This kind of inclusion of implicit biases sort of sucks when I want to like these characters.
But, in general, I loved Avery. She is the one out of the four friends has grown the most and changed the most. She’s gone through something pretty horrific and come out stronger the other side. She used to be really casual in her sexual relationships, partly because she didn’t think anyone would stay. I appreciate her friendship and her caring for others. And the way that she worked to be able to defend her self and fight. The storyline was awesome as well as she struggles through surviving and confronting the violence that was done to her. It sucked that she didn’t trust her friends and lied to them to try to solve things on her own… but it was part of her growth.
Liam is such a sweet hero. He is a bit of a stalker in the beginning… but in the way of trying to meet her. And it all comes out pretty quickly and isn’t too icky. He’s a kind human being who takes care of his family and puts himself out there. She never has to wonder how he feels cause he tells her.
It’s a pretty fun read but there are definitely some funny dynamics with the friends being all up in each other’s business. Also, this book confirms that I hate Wade.
Also, what’s up with the public proposals from Bybees heroes. Yuck!
Avery has been the most sexual of her friends but it’s been a year. And Liam isn’t a manwhore. Solid great guy.
callmetaybar's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
paddlefoot55's review against another edition
5.0
ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review
If you have read the previous First Wives book, you will remember the incident with Avery and how it changed her life. Though these can be read as stand alones, they are all intertwined so you will miss some things if you haven't read the previous two stories.
Now a year past the attack, she is still looking over her shoulder. What she doesn't expect to find over there is love.
Oh My Liam <3 He is just all kinds of lovable right from the start. As much as Liam is attracted to Avery, he is as much a support system for her as a love interest. He is sweet and tender and charming - not to mention hot as!
Out of all the First Wives books, to me this one is the best. The depth, the emotion, I just felt it more with this installment.
I loved seeing more of Lori, Trina and Shannon, as their lives are all woven together.
I laughed, I cried a little, but most of all, along with Avery I felt her hope. Hope for a new beginning. For love. For forever.
Go buy Chasing Shadows, but find your own Liam as I have claimed this one!
If you have read the previous First Wives book, you will remember the incident with Avery and how it changed her life. Though these can be read as stand alones, they are all intertwined so you will miss some things if you haven't read the previous two stories.
Now a year past the attack, she is still looking over her shoulder. What she doesn't expect to find over there is love.
Oh My Liam <3 He is just all kinds of lovable right from the start. As much as Liam is attracted to Avery, he is as much a support system for her as a love interest. He is sweet and tender and charming - not to mention hot as!
Out of all the First Wives books, to me this one is the best. The depth, the emotion, I just felt it more with this installment.
I loved seeing more of Lori, Trina and Shannon, as their lives are all woven together.
I laughed, I cried a little, but most of all, along with Avery I felt her hope. Hope for a new beginning. For love. For forever.
Go buy Chasing Shadows, but find your own Liam as I have claimed this one!
staceylynn42's review against another edition
3.0
I don't like Avery. She's too abrasive. But at points in this, when everyone is pushing her to do something she isn't ready to do & then manipulates everything to make sure it happened I felt sorry for her. Mostly though I was annoyed that, while everyone says she cares so much for others, she utterly fails to ask for help when she needs it. I understand some of the things she was going through she had to do on her own. But trolling around NYC bars hoping to find the guy who assaulted her last year was just stupid when she has the assets of an entire security company at her disposal if she would just ask.
The hero was a nice guy. Such a nice guy he failed to stick in my memory at all & even though it's only been 2 days I had to look up his name to remember much about him. Liam is a contractor comes with no emotional or mental baggage, which is a good thing because Avery has a ton.
It was okay.
The hero was a nice guy. Such a nice guy he failed to stick in my memory at all & even though it's only been 2 days I had to look up his name to remember much about him. Liam is a contractor comes with no emotional or mental baggage, which is a good thing because Avery has a ton.
It was okay.