What do you think?
Rate this book
Chase #1
Being Chase
Being Chase
The Chase Series (Book One)
Wouldn’t it be nice to be a celebrity?
Liam Collins is desperate for a job. Forced to jump to the big city, he can’t believe his luck when he suddenly gets an offer from a prestigious publishing company. Absolutely ecstatic, Liam doesn’t even bother reading the details. But on his first day of work, he isn’t ushered to a quaint cubicle. Instead, he’s brought to a classy high-rise and told that he’s been hired to be the face of the best-selling author, Chase Preston.
When Liam first meets Chase, he’s so captivated by the mysterious man’s imposing figure and deep-set eyes. Maybe Liam really did get lucky.
All Liam has to do is go to fan meetings and award events as a stand-in for Chase. It actually doesn’t sound bad, but Liam soon realizes that being with Chase is harder than it appears. Despite the challenges of Chase’s arrogant attitude, Liam puts up with it. What he finds difficult to put up with is Chase’s sexy body and brilliant blue eyes.
Even worse, the feeling may be mutual.
The Chase Series (Book One)
Wouldn’t it be nice to be a celebrity?
Liam Collins is desperate for a job. Forced to jump to the big city, he can’t believe his luck when he suddenly gets an offer from a prestigious publishing company. Absolutely ecstatic, Liam doesn’t even bother reading the details. But on his first day of work, he isn’t ushered to a quaint cubicle. Instead, he’s brought to a classy high-rise and told that he’s been hired to be the face of the best-selling author, Chase Preston.
When Liam first meets Chase, he’s so captivated by the mysterious man’s imposing figure and deep-set eyes. Maybe Liam really did get lucky.
All Liam has to do is go to fan meetings and award events as a stand-in for Chase. It actually doesn’t sound bad, but Liam soon realizes that being with Chase is harder than it appears. Despite the challenges of Chase’s arrogant attitude, Liam puts up with it. What he finds difficult to put up with is Chase’s sexy body and brilliant blue eyes.
Even worse, the feeling may be mutual.
91 pages, Unknown Binding
First published February 23, 2014
254 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Scotts
11 books78 followersJ.J. Scotts began writing fiction as a hobby during college. She loves writing romance stories and has taken an interest in writing m/m romance.
Other than writing and having a rather dull job, J.J. likes to go hiking and rock climbing. She lives happily with her loving husband, friendly dogs, and lazy cat in sunny California.
You can email her at jjscottsbx@gmail.com
Other than writing and having a rather dull job, J.J. likes to go hiking and rock climbing. She lives happily with her loving husband, friendly dogs, and lazy cat in sunny California.
You can email her at jjscottsbx@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
February 19, 2014
ARC provided by author in exchange for honest review!
In my opinion a great start... for I think a great series!
The story is very creative, well written, the characters very good also!
Chase is such a teaser and I love it… but need to know the hidden depths that Chase held!
Liam is like a challenge to Chase… he is the proud farm boy!
And that first KISS … so full of SEXUAL TENSION ! Amazing…
(These men don´t look like the characters… but the “meaning” is there: D)
Well now I will wait anxiously for the rest of the series, J.J.Scotts, thanks so much for this privilege!
In my opinion a great start... for I think a great series!
The story is very creative, well written, the characters very good also!
Chase is such a teaser and I love it… but need to know the hidden depths that Chase held!
Liam is like a challenge to Chase… he is the proud farm boy!
And that first KISS … so full of SEXUAL TENSION ! Amazing…
(These men don´t look like the characters… but the “meaning” is there: D)
Well now I will wait anxiously for the rest of the series, J.J.Scotts, thanks so much for this privilege!
February 18, 2014
*ARC provided by author in exchange for honest review!
Short, funny, sexy and original story! I loved it and I'm hungry for more!
Being Chase it won't be easy to Liam, and I can't wait to see how's that gonna be! I'm also eager to see Liam submiting to Chase, a younger man, but arrogant, dominant and so captivating! I'm so anxious!
Thank you J.J. Scotts for giving me this oportunity to read your book!
Short, funny, sexy and original story! I loved it and I'm hungry for more!
Being Chase it won't be easy to Liam, and I can't wait to see how's that gonna be! I'm also eager to see Liam submiting to Chase, a younger man, but arrogant, dominant and so captivating! I'm so anxious!
Thank you J.J. Scotts for giving me this oportunity to read your book!
February 22, 2014
"WE NEED YOU TO BE THE PUBLIC FACE OF OUR CLIENT"
I read JJ's novella Captain a couple of weeks ago and found myself really enjoying her style of writing so it was a no brainer decision to want to read and review this new short story. Book one of The Chase Series. The blurb sounded really interesting and the teaser I read had my mouth watering straight away because it was oozing with my favourite thing ever in a m/m romance... SEXUAL TENSION! That was it, I wanted to get my hands on this ASAP, and when I did I wasn't disappointed.
The title says it all. Liam Collins is out of work and getting pretty desperate so he's over the moon when he thinks he's got a job with a top publishing company. The only thing is he's no idea what he's going to be doing there, in his mind he's so desperate he'd be happy cleaning the loos if it got him at least a foot in the door!
The two guys who interview him are not that forthcoming either, in fact one of them, Landon, is downright supercilious and snobby, but beggars can't be choosers. The other guy Eli, is nicer, more accommodating so Liam takes their good cop, bad cop routine and goes with the flow. Imagine his surprise the day after, when he arrives at a large über modern apartment building, that's obviously a place of residence and not the set of offices he expected, to be told exactly what his job is going to be...he's somewhat gobsmacked! They want him to become the public face of Chase Preston, best selling author. This means doing every single public appearance for the guy, including book signings, fan meetings and awards ceremonies. To add even more of a shock to his system they inform him he'll have to live with Chase in his home, learning everything about him and the books he writes, which are flavour of the month. After working through some initial doubts, Liam decides he can do this, it won't be easy but he can make it work. I mean he needs this job. Right?
Enter Chase Preston and suddenly this isn't such a good idea, but he's committed himself to the job and can't afford to step away. Not only is the guy a walking wet dream with his model looks and his intense scorching blue eyes but he's an arrogant, dismissive, condescending, smug prick! How the hell is he going to live closely with this total Dick, who has him totally turned on one minute but biting his tongue with irritation the next! And of course this is where the hot, sexy fun begins!
I love this sort of love/hate relationship, its nothing new in romance but It offers the perfect canvas for oodles of sizzling sexual tension and JJ gives it to us in bucket loads. Talk about the low belly tingles! When poor Liam (who you can't help loving) is constantly thrown into the path of this infuriatingly sexy SOB, the sparks fly and you can feel the heat level rising by the minute. Chase is a proper pain in the arse at the moment but he sure is hot stuff and there's obviously reasons why he is like he is, the cocky front is definitely masking some deeper issues which I'm sure like Liam, we'll discover as the series progresses. Secretly I'm just as smitten with the man as Liam is, even though if it was me I'd probably have been tempted to put laxatives in his coffee! *grins*
What is it about bad boys!?! *sigh*
Then goddammit, Ms Scotts pulls a bit of a cliffy at the end of this, just at a hot slightly sweat inducing point, where she has you hooked enough to not want to put it down...sneaky but clever!!! Luckily there's not long to wait until Liam and Chase resume their enemies to lovers story. Personally I can't wait. Yum! This is fun, engaging, delish and extremely moreish! That's two really enjoyable easy reads from this new writer so for me JJ is going to be an author to watch. Mmm, I likee a lot.
The Chase is on....
I read JJ's novella Captain a couple of weeks ago and found myself really enjoying her style of writing so it was a no brainer decision to want to read and review this new short story. Book one of The Chase Series. The blurb sounded really interesting and the teaser I read had my mouth watering straight away because it was oozing with my favourite thing ever in a m/m romance... SEXUAL TENSION! That was it, I wanted to get my hands on this ASAP, and when I did I wasn't disappointed.
The title says it all. Liam Collins is out of work and getting pretty desperate so he's over the moon when he thinks he's got a job with a top publishing company. The only thing is he's no idea what he's going to be doing there, in his mind he's so desperate he'd be happy cleaning the loos if it got him at least a foot in the door!
The two guys who interview him are not that forthcoming either, in fact one of them, Landon, is downright supercilious and snobby, but beggars can't be choosers. The other guy Eli, is nicer, more accommodating so Liam takes their good cop, bad cop routine and goes with the flow. Imagine his surprise the day after, when he arrives at a large über modern apartment building, that's obviously a place of residence and not the set of offices he expected, to be told exactly what his job is going to be...he's somewhat gobsmacked! They want him to become the public face of Chase Preston, best selling author. This means doing every single public appearance for the guy, including book signings, fan meetings and awards ceremonies. To add even more of a shock to his system they inform him he'll have to live with Chase in his home, learning everything about him and the books he writes, which are flavour of the month. After working through some initial doubts, Liam decides he can do this, it won't be easy but he can make it work. I mean he needs this job. Right?
Enter Chase Preston and suddenly this isn't such a good idea, but he's committed himself to the job and can't afford to step away. Not only is the guy a walking wet dream with his model looks and his intense scorching blue eyes but he's an arrogant, dismissive, condescending, smug prick! How the hell is he going to live closely with this total Dick, who has him totally turned on one minute but biting his tongue with irritation the next! And of course this is where the hot, sexy fun begins!
I love this sort of love/hate relationship, its nothing new in romance but It offers the perfect canvas for oodles of sizzling sexual tension and JJ gives it to us in bucket loads. Talk about the low belly tingles! When poor Liam (who you can't help loving) is constantly thrown into the path of this infuriatingly sexy SOB, the sparks fly and you can feel the heat level rising by the minute. Chase is a proper pain in the arse at the moment but he sure is hot stuff and there's obviously reasons why he is like he is, the cocky front is definitely masking some deeper issues which I'm sure like Liam, we'll discover as the series progresses. Secretly I'm just as smitten with the man as Liam is, even though if it was me I'd probably have been tempted to put laxatives in his coffee! *grins*
What is it about bad boys!?! *sigh*
Then goddammit, Ms Scotts pulls a bit of a cliffy at the end of this, just at a hot slightly sweat inducing point, where she has you hooked enough to not want to put it down...sneaky but clever!!! Luckily there's not long to wait until Liam and Chase resume their enemies to lovers story. Personally I can't wait. Yum! This is fun, engaging, delish and extremely moreish! That's two really enjoyable easy reads from this new writer so for me JJ is going to be an author to watch. Mmm, I likee a lot.
The Chase is on....
February 22, 2014
When I started this book I expected a light sweet read. What I got though was irritation instead. This is about Liam, out of work, struggling to make a living in the big city. He gets an unbelievable offer, to impersonate a popular author (Chase). Liam to me was a sweet, relatively innocent, optimistic guy that I liked enough. He enters into this agreement that everything is going to work out fine.
Chase is arrogant, condescending, dismissive, and I honestly found absolutely nothing to like about him. Liam finds himself physically attracted to Chase. Ok I can get this, Chase is physically attractive. but apparently Liam has the resistance of a teenage girl and can’t say no. So despite Chase’s dismissive treatment of him from the start he lets Chase feel him up and use him to satisfy his own ego. All the while you get to listen to Liam’s internal dialogue with himself over his whole lack of resistance and embarrassment at his lack of control.
And then the book ends…..
I will say I liked the writing style of the author and I found it easy to read and follow. While I am sure it will appeal to a great number of readers, this simply was not my type of book. I will be looking forward to other books from the author.
This was an ARC provided by the author for an honest review.
Chase is arrogant, condescending, dismissive, and I honestly found absolutely nothing to like about him. Liam finds himself physically attracted to Chase. Ok I can get this, Chase is physically attractive. but apparently Liam has the resistance of a teenage girl and can’t say no. So despite Chase’s dismissive treatment of him from the start he lets Chase feel him up and use him to satisfy his own ego. All the while you get to listen to Liam’s internal dialogue with himself over his whole lack of resistance and embarrassment at his lack of control.
And then the book ends…..
I will say I liked the writing style of the author and I found it easy to read and follow. While I am sure it will appeal to a great number of readers, this simply was not my type of book. I will be looking forward to other books from the author.
This was an ARC provided by the author for an honest review.
February 25, 2014
*** 2.5 Stars ***
Maybe it’s because I’m currently going through the soul-crushing experience of trying to find a job in my field, but Being Chase had me at “hello.” Unfortunately, as much as I found myself relating to the main character in those first few pages, the overall experience of reading this short story ran hot and cold for me - there were aspects to it that I really enjoyed, but several others that I felt just didn't work.
When I'm reading a book, the main characters make or break a story for me. They need to be engaging and authentic and it never hurts if their chemistry together is off the charts. I loved that Being Chase had two very polar opposite characters with very distinct voices. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that I enjoyed said voices. There were definitely moments in the story in which Liam's voice came across as sweet and honest and refreshing, but most of the time I felt as if he was characterized as weak, immature, younger than his years, and . . . dare I say it? Feminine.
Don't get me wrong, not every character needs to be an alpha or charmingly arrogant, but I don't want them to be a doormat either. I just felt that Liam went along with the crazy demands and atrocious treatment of those around him for far too long. I kept thinking, "surely he's going to say enough is enough now, right?!" after each incident but he never did. Well, until he It was like Liam finally got his man card for the first time in the story.
But where Liam's character came across as so much younger than his age, Chase's seemed far older than his. Fortunately this was done in a way that felt very authentic. Chase is supposed to be this pampered, independent, talented guy who has been largely on his own for years before we meet him, so it made sense to me that he came across as more worldly and experienced than Liam.
That said, there wasn't a lot that was likable about Chase in this story. In fact, the man is an arrogant prick. I don't necessarily say that as a criticism; I actually think a lot of readers are going to love Chase's bad boy persona and I think Scotts writes this character particularly well. I know we'll get more info about Chase and his history in the next story, so I'm trying to reserve judgement, but as of right now, I think the man's a straight up jerk. Boo hiss, Chase.
But, even though I didn't particularly like Chase as a person, and I was sort of confused by Scotts' characterization of Liam, I have to say that the two of them had AMAZING chemistry together. J.J. Scotts does the steamy really, really well. I practically had to roll my tongue back into my mouth after that first scene between them in the kitchen. *fans face vigorously* I'll take some more of THAT in the next story, please (and if you can make it full on penetrative, that'd be great)!
I think the thing that bothered me most about this story was the lack of interaction between the two main characters (especially given their molten hot chemistry together). I understand that this is only the first in a series and that Scotts needed to establish context for the two characters to meet (so she's earned some leeway from me for that), but Chase doesn't even enter the story until 30% of the way through and then they only have two or three more scenes together. I guess I was just hoping that Liam would spend less time with secondary characters and more time with Chase talking, flirting, butting heads, and ramping up all that delicious sexual tension between the two of them.
It's admittedly a minor point, but I found myself annoyed by the blurring between the lines of the real story and the slide into Chase's NA novel content. It was some of Scott's strongest writing (and I actually think that it would make a really successful NA series), but I thought that it was a solid 3-5 pages that could have been chopped in order to add a scene between Liam and Chase that would have heightened that sexual tension I was looking for.
Okay, I know my review of Being Chase hasn't been the most glowing I've ever written, but here’s the bottom line: I think that the series has an unique premise, the characters have excellent chemistry together, and Scotts' writing shows great potential for improvement. I have faith in the series and will definitely be reading the next story when it comes out.
*A big thank you to J.J. Scotts who generously provided an ARC of Being Chase in exchange for an honest review.
Maybe it’s because I’m currently going through the soul-crushing experience of trying to find a job in my field, but Being Chase had me at “hello.” Unfortunately, as much as I found myself relating to the main character in those first few pages, the overall experience of reading this short story ran hot and cold for me - there were aspects to it that I really enjoyed, but several others that I felt just didn't work.
When I'm reading a book, the main characters make or break a story for me. They need to be engaging and authentic and it never hurts if their chemistry together is off the charts. I loved that Being Chase had two very polar opposite characters with very distinct voices. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that I enjoyed said voices. There were definitely moments in the story in which Liam's voice came across as sweet and honest and refreshing, but most of the time I felt as if he was characterized as weak, immature, younger than his years, and . . . dare I say it? Feminine.
Don't get me wrong, not every character needs to be an alpha or charmingly arrogant, but I don't want them to be a doormat either. I just felt that Liam went along with the crazy demands and atrocious treatment of those around him for far too long. I kept thinking, "surely he's going to say enough is enough now, right?!" after each incident but he never did. Well, until he It was like Liam finally got his man card for the first time in the story.
But where Liam's character came across as so much younger than his age, Chase's seemed far older than his. Fortunately this was done in a way that felt very authentic. Chase is supposed to be this pampered, independent, talented guy who has been largely on his own for years before we meet him, so it made sense to me that he came across as more worldly and experienced than Liam.
That said, there wasn't a lot that was likable about Chase in this story. In fact, the man is an arrogant prick. I don't necessarily say that as a criticism; I actually think a lot of readers are going to love Chase's bad boy persona and I think Scotts writes this character particularly well. I know we'll get more info about Chase and his history in the next story, so I'm trying to reserve judgement, but as of right now, I think the man's a straight up jerk. Boo hiss, Chase.
But, even though I didn't particularly like Chase as a person, and I was sort of confused by Scotts' characterization of Liam, I have to say that the two of them had AMAZING chemistry together. J.J. Scotts does the steamy really, really well. I practically had to roll my tongue back into my mouth after that first scene between them in the kitchen. *fans face vigorously* I'll take some more of THAT in the next story, please (and if you can make it full on penetrative, that'd be great)!
I think the thing that bothered me most about this story was the lack of interaction between the two main characters (especially given their molten hot chemistry together). I understand that this is only the first in a series and that Scotts needed to establish context for the two characters to meet (so she's earned some leeway from me for that), but Chase doesn't even enter the story until 30% of the way through and then they only have two or three more scenes together. I guess I was just hoping that Liam would spend less time with secondary characters and more time with Chase talking, flirting, butting heads, and ramping up all that delicious sexual tension between the two of them.
It's admittedly a minor point, but I found myself annoyed by the blurring between the lines of the real story and the slide into Chase's NA novel content. It was some of Scott's strongest writing (and I actually think that it would make a really successful NA series), but I thought that it was a solid 3-5 pages that could have been chopped in order to add a scene between Liam and Chase that would have heightened that sexual tension I was looking for.
Okay, I know my review of Being Chase hasn't been the most glowing I've ever written, but here’s the bottom line: I think that the series has an unique premise, the characters have excellent chemistry together, and Scotts' writing shows great potential for improvement. I have faith in the series and will definitely be reading the next story when it comes out.
*A big thank you to J.J. Scotts who generously provided an ARC of Being Chase in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2014
3.5 stars
This short book is a promising start to a new serial.
When Liam is hired to be the public face of the reclusive author of a popular YA/NA book series, he knows very little about what he is getting into. All his other jobs have been manual labor in the midwest and having been in NYC for a month, his financial situation is getting desperate. He is quickly moved into the author's home, given instructions and background and meets the man himself.
Chase Preston is a few years younger than Liam, wealthy, good looking, arrogant and intimidating. The two have very little interaction with each other, Chase spending the days locked away writing, while Liam tries to learn enough to be Chase at an awards dinner in one weeks time. When the mysterious and sexy Chase comes on to him after a night out, Liam is left wondering what kind of game he is playing.
The story here is mostly a set up for the continuation of the serial, but was intriguing enough to make me want to continue with it. It is told from Liam's POV and Chase remains a mystery other than the little information provided by his publicists and younger brother. The few times Chase and Liam were together were filled with tension. Although Liam is older, he is more naive and intimidated by the younger, dominating Chase. Sometimes the writing got overly descriptive, but the story moved along at a good pace and left me wanting to know more.
ARC provided by the author for an honest review.
This short book is a promising start to a new serial.
When Liam is hired to be the public face of the reclusive author of a popular YA/NA book series, he knows very little about what he is getting into. All his other jobs have been manual labor in the midwest and having been in NYC for a month, his financial situation is getting desperate. He is quickly moved into the author's home, given instructions and background and meets the man himself.
Chase Preston is a few years younger than Liam, wealthy, good looking, arrogant and intimidating. The two have very little interaction with each other, Chase spending the days locked away writing, while Liam tries to learn enough to be Chase at an awards dinner in one weeks time. When the mysterious and sexy Chase comes on to him after a night out, Liam is left wondering what kind of game he is playing.
The story here is mostly a set up for the continuation of the serial, but was intriguing enough to make me want to continue with it. It is told from Liam's POV and Chase remains a mystery other than the little information provided by his publicists and younger brother. The few times Chase and Liam were together were filled with tension. Although Liam is older, he is more naive and intimidated by the younger, dominating Chase. Sometimes the writing got overly descriptive, but the story moved along at a good pace and left me wanting to know more.
ARC provided by the author for an honest review.
February 16, 2014
ARC provided by author in exchange for honest review!
Well... I liked it... who wouldn't want tall, dark, mysterious and dangerous?
Quite an original beginning of the series and I am intrigued and want MORE!
Thank you J.J. Scotts for giving me wonderful opportunity to read your book :)
Well... I liked it... who wouldn't want tall, dark, mysterious and dangerous?
“You’ve got some fight in you, huh? I love a challenge.”
Quite an original beginning of the series and I am intrigued and want MORE!
Thank you J.J. Scotts for giving me wonderful opportunity to read your book :)
March 17, 2014
♥ `•.¸.•´ ♥ º ☆.¸¸.•´¯`♥ Witty & Engaging ♥ `•.¸.•´ ♥ º ☆.¸¸.•´¯`♥
This is one entertaining and charming story!
I really enjoy J.J. Scotts's storytelling, and Being Chase was a total page-turner. I found myself admiring page for page of this unique little treat. It was so much fun to read that I didn't realize it was over when I reached 99% :(
Personally I love bad boys and a lot of sexual tension between two MC's. That kiss was real HOT. I wasn't let down here at all :)
Chase is a real tease AND a real baddie. I love his attitude - he isn't a sweet talker and I find that very sexy. I'm looking forward how this story turns out and whether they can find a bit of romance too.
This was a wonderful treat, J.J. Scotts Thank you so much for giving me the chance to read your book - wow that was my first ARC too / memorable! – I am in love with your writing, and I absolutely adore Liam ♥ I already love the snarky, teasing boy Chase too ♥
This is one entertaining and charming story!
I really enjoy J.J. Scotts's storytelling, and Being Chase was a total page-turner. I found myself admiring page for page of this unique little treat. It was so much fun to read that I didn't realize it was over when I reached 99% :(
Personally I love bad boys and a lot of sexual tension between two MC's. That kiss was real HOT. I wasn't let down here at all :)
Chase is a real tease AND a real baddie. I love his attitude - he isn't a sweet talker and I find that very sexy. I'm looking forward how this story turns out and whether they can find a bit of romance too.
This was a wonderful treat, J.J. Scotts Thank you so much for giving me the chance to read your book - wow that was my first ARC too / memorable! – I am in love with your writing, and I absolutely adore Liam ♥ I already love the snarky, teasing boy Chase too ♥
February 24, 2014
Damn! Damn! Damn! I looooooove bad boys and Chase Preston is a bad boy par excellence!
Being Chase is funny, sexy, and hot. Loved it and can’t wait for more. Of course Chase annoyed the hell out of me. And I loved Liam when he finally freaked out and gave Chase a piece of his mind.
It’s a promising start to a new series and I look forward to the second instalment. :)
February 13, 2014
3.5 MYSTERY FILLED STARS
*ARC provided by author.
Liam Collins is a farm boy forced into the big city, he's pretty sure NYC is ready to swallow him whole and spit him after, with little savings left he's desperate for a job. When he unexpectedly gets a job offer from a prestigious publishing company, he's so eager he doesn't even question what his new job entails, but he's left wondering is everything is just a big ugly joke when he arrives at work on the next day and he ends up in a classy luxurious apartment instead of a tiny cubicle.
When he's offered to be the face of best-selling author Chase Preston he takes the opportunity, scared of this being the only chance he gets at a job, an apparently very easy and comfortable one. Till actually meets Chase, when he first sees him he's captivated by his imposing figure and bright eyes, Liam think he actually did get lucky, till Chase opens his mouth and is an arrogant prick.
First of all, I really enjoyed this, it was fresh, good plot and highly amusing at times, if I have point out some things I didn't like were the fact that even if Liam was 27 he acted so much younger, it left me confused at times. Also, the story left us wondering about Liam's secret, he was definitely hiding something, and I'm excited for the next book and find out what it was.
I was spooked because of the book. My bloodstream was swimming with useless adrenaline, and it was making me jumpy. I knew that. And yet, I couldn’t make myself relax. Fucking zombie soldiers.
It was the guy. The murderer! Fuck!
I screamed. There must’ve been a teenage girl trying to escape my body because it sounded a lot louder and higher-pitched than I had expected. But who gave a shit? I was going to get dismembered!
Chase is a whole other ball-game, he's a complete mystery, I don't know anything about him, the interaction is minimal, the MC's bump into each about three times in the whole book, it left me wanting more and I didn't like Chase, so really, there's only one MC here, Liam. For now, Chase is only a secondary character. I did love his little brother though.
Now what was I supposed to do? Say something like, ‘So, where do you get your ideas from and, by the way, why did you rub your dick against mine?’ Yeah, that’d go over real well.
I really am looking forward to the next book, this was way too short and it ended like it was a chapter, not exactly a big cliff hanger but it did leave me wondering. I want to actually get to know Chase, he will be a very interesting character, homeschooled and pretty much hidden from the public eye he will be very particular, and watching Liam in action as Chase will surely be amusing and nerve wracking.
Chase eyed me, obviously reading the situation. His lips twisted into that sideways smirk. “Oh…did I frighten you?” He asked the question almost sweetly. “You should be more careful throwing yourself at men in the dark.” He chuckled.
Chase chuckled quietly. “Even your protests are kind of adorable, Liam.”
“I’m not fucking adorable.” I clenched my teeth. “I’m a fucking man.”
“You’ve got some fight in you, huh? I love a challenge.”
*ARC provided by author.
Liam Collins is a farm boy forced into the big city, he's pretty sure NYC is ready to swallow him whole and spit him after, with little savings left he's desperate for a job. When he unexpectedly gets a job offer from a prestigious publishing company, he's so eager he doesn't even question what his new job entails, but he's left wondering is everything is just a big ugly joke when he arrives at work on the next day and he ends up in a classy luxurious apartment instead of a tiny cubicle.
When he's offered to be the face of best-selling author Chase Preston he takes the opportunity, scared of this being the only chance he gets at a job, an apparently very easy and comfortable one. Till actually meets Chase, when he first sees him he's captivated by his imposing figure and bright eyes, Liam think he actually did get lucky, till Chase opens his mouth and is an arrogant prick.
First of all, I really enjoyed this, it was fresh, good plot and highly amusing at times, if I have point out some things I didn't like were the fact that even if Liam was 27 he acted so much younger, it left me confused at times. Also, the story left us wondering about Liam's secret, he was definitely hiding something, and I'm excited for the next book and find out what it was.
I was spooked because of the book. My bloodstream was swimming with useless adrenaline, and it was making me jumpy. I knew that. And yet, I couldn’t make myself relax. Fucking zombie soldiers.
It was the guy. The murderer! Fuck!
I screamed. There must’ve been a teenage girl trying to escape my body because it sounded a lot louder and higher-pitched than I had expected. But who gave a shit? I was going to get dismembered!
Chase is a whole other ball-game, he's a complete mystery, I don't know anything about him, the interaction is minimal, the MC's bump into each about three times in the whole book, it left me wanting more and I didn't like Chase, so really, there's only one MC here, Liam. For now, Chase is only a secondary character. I did love his little brother though.
Now what was I supposed to do? Say something like, ‘So, where do you get your ideas from and, by the way, why did you rub your dick against mine?’ Yeah, that’d go over real well.
I really am looking forward to the next book, this was way too short and it ended like it was a chapter, not exactly a big cliff hanger but it did leave me wondering. I want to actually get to know Chase, he will be a very interesting character, homeschooled and pretty much hidden from the public eye he will be very particular, and watching Liam in action as Chase will surely be amusing and nerve wracking.
Chase eyed me, obviously reading the situation. His lips twisted into that sideways smirk. “Oh…did I frighten you?” He asked the question almost sweetly. “You should be more careful throwing yourself at men in the dark.” He chuckled.
Chase chuckled quietly. “Even your protests are kind of adorable, Liam.”
“I’m not fucking adorable.” I clenched my teeth. “I’m a fucking man.”
“You’ve got some fight in you, huh? I love a challenge.”
February 26, 2014
4 I WANT MORE STARS!
So I was surprised by this book when I read it. I was expecting sexual tension, but I thought it would get on my nerves by the end. Actually, it was really well done and it made the book enjoyable, fun even, for me to read. JJ managed to make me want more sexual tension. And normally I want it to end and for the MC's to get together. Don't get me wrong, I really want them together, but I can wait until the next book. Maybe longer if I have as much fun with book 2.
Chase was another surprise. His arrogance was... surprisingly good. I'm interested in him and he was a character I really liked. There appears to be a secret or two there, and I think that is something I will be waiting to find out. He seems to be worth it, though. So I hope I won't end up hating him or anything.
As for Liam, he was a really good protagonist. I loved the fact he was actually older than Chase.Not by much, but still... His voice was really clear and I enjoyed reading this book from his POV. His attraction to Chase mixed with his desire to stay away from Chase made me want to read more. I wanted to see if he would be able to stay away, or if Chase would win out in the end. I think the author could do a lot of great things with these two characters if she chooses to do so. Whether she will or not, I guess I'll have to wait for the next book to see.
The ending... it was a cliffhanger, a very entertaining cliffhanger, but not something that left me screaming. Was I happy about that? Yes, actually. It's nice to see a cliffhanger ending that leaves me with a smile on my face,which doesn't happen very often. I think it was a great way to leave people wanting more, though. I, for one, want to see what will happen with these two characters, and if they will get their act together or not.
ARC provided by the author for a fair and honest review.
So I was surprised by this book when I read it. I was expecting sexual tension, but I thought it would get on my nerves by the end. Actually, it was really well done and it made the book enjoyable, fun even, for me to read. JJ managed to make me want more sexual tension. And normally I want it to end and for the MC's to get together. Don't get me wrong, I really want them together, but I can wait until the next book. Maybe longer if I have as much fun with book 2.
Chase was another surprise. His arrogance was... surprisingly good. I'm interested in him and he was a character I really liked. There appears to be a secret or two there, and I think that is something I will be waiting to find out. He seems to be worth it, though. So I hope I won't end up hating him or anything.
As for Liam, he was a really good protagonist. I loved the fact he was actually older than Chase.
The ending... it was a cliffhanger, a very entertaining cliffhanger, but not something that left me screaming. Was I happy about that? Yes, actually. It's nice to see a cliffhanger ending that leaves me with a smile on my face,
ARC provided by the author for a fair and honest review.
February 23, 2014
3.5 star review by The Blogger Girls.
This was a very interesting start to a promising new serial. Liam has moved to the City after becoming estranged from his family. He’s living off savings for now so really needs to find a job. His first interview with a publishing company is successful, and he accepts the job, though he isn’t really sure what job entails.
Turns out, they want him to be the face of their star author. Seems like a pretty easy gig at the start, although he has a lot to learn to be able to pull it off. Chase is the author, who is a bit mysterious and not all that friendly. He is scarred on his face, which seems to be the main reason right now for his hiding. Turns out that Liam must live pretty much in isolation so that they can manage his image and uphold the scam. It still seems like too good a deal for Liam to pass up, so he gives it a go.
I found that I really wanted more details throughout this story. I understand it is a serial, so we may learn more as we go, but I wanted to know more about Liam’s issues with his parents and maybe a better understanding as to why he was needed in the first place. He isn’t treated very well by his employers, and things are a bit odd with Chase. But there is the promise of some hot stuff to come, and I’m hoping more will be learned as we go.
Again, this seemed too short, as I wanted more, and just when things seem to be kicking it up a notch, it is over. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where this is headed and hope we don’t have to wait too long to find out.
February 14, 2014
*ARC provided by author in exchange for honest review!
...
Short, intense and fun. I liked it, even though I'm left with questions and thoughts, lots of questions but overall this has all the makings of a really good story. Can't wait to see where the next book takes us.
Thanks so much for the arc, JJ ;)
...Short, intense and fun. I liked it, even though I'm left with questions and thoughts, lots of questions but overall this has all the makings of a really good story. Can't wait to see where the next book takes us.
Thanks so much for the arc, JJ ;)
March 7, 2014
Well that was fun! Unique storyline, boy-next-door Liam, sexy mysterious author Chase, large amounts of sexual tension, some grinding of groins :) This is the first installment in a new series, I can't wait to read more!!
October 24, 2015
I'm not really sure if I liked this or not. But the characters have intrigued me enough to not only continue on but to also find out more about them. So on to the next!
February 13, 2014
3.5
This was an entertaining, quick read that obviously serves as the start of a series - and as such there is no real closure here, I would even say this installment isn't even getting to the really good parts yet. But there's a big fat promise for them. Big fat promise.
Be warned though, so far this isn't exactly a romance. Whether it becomes one or not is very much dependent on where the next installments in this series go, so it's all very much open still.
This story is well written, even if at times the writing seemed a bit... unexperienced. Or maybe it's just a question of editing - I'm a bit of a nut about that. J.J. Scotts really takes a lot effort in trying to describe everything in minute details, the environment, the characters' (main and secondary) appearances, everything. Which is good, but sometimes it feels a bit overdone and it makes some scenes and paragraphs longer and a bit more drawn-out than they need to be. I think that's maybe my biggest criticism here: that the story feels a bit too drawn-out, sticks too much to details even when a short and concise description or even summary of events would have sufficed.
Nevertheless, there is primarily one big reason why I liked this story - and that is Liam. Liam's great. He's in a bad situation financially, so taking on this job as Chase Preston's public face seems like the only reasonable choice he can make. He's insecure sometimes, especially in a situation he isn't prepared for and feels overwhelmed with, but he's also grown-up enough to understand his situation, to know his strengths and his weaknesses, to reflect, and to be aware of his emotional state of mind. All that really isn't exactly a given in many stories.
Chase is a bit of a mystery to me, and not one I liked at first read. He comes off as obnoxious and overly cocky, not exactly stellar traits to endear him to me, and that alpha, macho, condescending thing he has going on? Argh. I'm feeling a bit sorry for Liam, honestly. Who knows if things will stay that way, though?
The job arrangement itself annoyed me a little bit, to be honest, for Liam's sake obviously. But... well. We'll see how it goes.
"We'll see how it goes" has to be the general theme of this review, because, really, this could go either way from here. It has quite a bit of potential, though! And it's because of that potential I decided to round up to four stars, instead of going down to three. Let's see what the next installment brings!
This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was an entertaining, quick read that obviously serves as the start of a series - and as such there is no real closure here, I would even say this installment isn't even getting to the really good parts yet. But there's a big fat promise for them. Big fat promise.
Be warned though, so far this isn't exactly a romance. Whether it becomes one or not is very much dependent on where the next installments in this series go, so it's all very much open still.
This story is well written, even if at times the writing seemed a bit... unexperienced. Or maybe it's just a question of editing - I'm a bit of a nut about that. J.J. Scotts really takes a lot effort in trying to describe everything in minute details, the environment, the characters' (main and secondary) appearances, everything. Which is good, but sometimes it feels a bit overdone and it makes some scenes and paragraphs longer and a bit more drawn-out than they need to be. I think that's maybe my biggest criticism here: that the story feels a bit too drawn-out, sticks too much to details even when a short and concise description or even summary of events would have sufficed.
Nevertheless, there is primarily one big reason why I liked this story - and that is Liam. Liam's great. He's in a bad situation financially, so taking on this job as Chase Preston's public face seems like the only reasonable choice he can make. He's insecure sometimes, especially in a situation he isn't prepared for and feels overwhelmed with, but he's also grown-up enough to understand his situation, to know his strengths and his weaknesses, to reflect, and to be aware of his emotional state of mind. All that really isn't exactly a given in many stories.
Chase is a bit of a mystery to me, and not one I liked at first read. He comes off as obnoxious and overly cocky, not exactly stellar traits to endear him to me, and that alpha, macho, condescending thing he has going on? Argh. I'm feeling a bit sorry for Liam, honestly. Who knows if things will stay that way, though?
The job arrangement itself annoyed me a little bit, to be honest, for Liam's sake obviously. But... well. We'll see how it goes.
"We'll see how it goes" has to be the general theme of this review, because, really, this could go either way from here. It has quite a bit of potential, though! And it's because of that potential I decided to round up to four stars, instead of going down to three. Let's see what the next installment brings!
This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2014
Being Chase is the start of a new series by J.J. Scotts with a really interesting premise and this was just enough of a tasty set up that made me want to read more. So far it’s more of an introduction to the players as the only character I feel like I have a handle on is Liam. Although I don’t feel as if I can form an opinion on him just yet either as he’s an ordinary guy in an extraordinary circumstance. All I can really speak to as far as the story goes, is that the set-up has a ton of potential and the characters have me curious. The writing is really good and the backstory flows well.
Here’s what I think of the characters so far:
Liam is a good guy with more of a story than we know just yet. I’m hoping that story will explain why he is putting up with the crappy treatment he’s been handed so far. He seems like a pretty centered person who just really needs a decent job. I don’t seem him as being desperately hopeless though, so there has to be something explaining why he’s afraid to set some boundaries and limits to these guys who are treating him so poorly. It’s a job, not a punishment. He’s attracted to Chase and all the mystery surrounding him. Chase knows and uses this and poor Liam and his blue balls are in for a long night or ten and painful relationship I fear.
Chase is a big mystery and a real asshole. So far all I really know is that he’s handsome, highly intelligent, scarred and a total prick to Liam. I’m hoping he has some redeeming qualities besides his hotness in the future because he can only ride the bad boy thing for so long. My real curiosity is with him, I want to know his story.
Eli and Landon are the good cop/bad cop in the mix. Eli seems like a pretty decent guy, but I would never assume that Liam should trust him while Landon is openly dismissive and insulting to Liam. I guess I just don’t really get the point of all the asshole-ishness. Call me old fashioned, but since when do we not have to use our manners? Really guys, no need to be such pricks. All that negativity was a little off putting for me, but if you love a bad boy, Landon and Chase won’t be a problem for you at all.
Josh is Chase’s younger brother and the only character I really liked. He’s very young, underage young, but he’s a brilliant junior chef already and his family supports his art through home schooling and training, the same way they did for Chase. He was the only one who really showed any kindness towards Liam and I hope he’ll make another appearance. Josh says that h almost never sees Chase, so it’s a mystery to Liam as to how they can be so different.
Overall I liked the beginning of this story. There is just so much mystery yet I can’t really speak to the story as a whole. It feels like it’s barely started. As I said though, it does have me curious though, and that is a good thing. Definitely go into this one knowing you aren’t getting a full story, if you’re aware of that it will help you appreciate the introduction to the series and the characters.
a copy of this story was provided by the author for an honest review
Here’s what I think of the characters so far:
Liam is a good guy with more of a story than we know just yet. I’m hoping that story will explain why he is putting up with the crappy treatment he’s been handed so far. He seems like a pretty centered person who just really needs a decent job. I don’t seem him as being desperately hopeless though, so there has to be something explaining why he’s afraid to set some boundaries and limits to these guys who are treating him so poorly. It’s a job, not a punishment. He’s attracted to Chase and all the mystery surrounding him. Chase knows and uses this and poor Liam and his blue balls are in for a long night or ten and painful relationship I fear.
Chase is a big mystery and a real asshole. So far all I really know is that he’s handsome, highly intelligent, scarred and a total prick to Liam. I’m hoping he has some redeeming qualities besides his hotness in the future because he can only ride the bad boy thing for so long. My real curiosity is with him, I want to know his story.
Eli and Landon are the good cop/bad cop in the mix. Eli seems like a pretty decent guy, but I would never assume that Liam should trust him while Landon is openly dismissive and insulting to Liam. I guess I just don’t really get the point of all the asshole-ishness. Call me old fashioned, but since when do we not have to use our manners? Really guys, no need to be such pricks. All that negativity was a little off putting for me, but if you love a bad boy, Landon and Chase won’t be a problem for you at all.
Josh is Chase’s younger brother and the only character I really liked. He’s very young, underage young, but he’s a brilliant junior chef already and his family supports his art through home schooling and training, the same way they did for Chase. He was the only one who really showed any kindness towards Liam and I hope he’ll make another appearance. Josh says that h almost never sees Chase, so it’s a mystery to Liam as to how they can be so different.
Overall I liked the beginning of this story. There is just so much mystery yet I can’t really speak to the story as a whole. It feels like it’s barely started. As I said though, it does have me curious though, and that is a good thing. Definitely go into this one knowing you aren’t getting a full story, if you’re aware of that it will help you appreciate the introduction to the series and the characters.
a copy of this story was provided by the author for an honest review
September 3, 2016
Being Chase is a fun, relatively light story of just under two hours. It reads like a serial and has definite promise.
Scotts writes intelligently but sometimes uses words and expressions that seem a bit off to me. This is not a big deal but can be a little distracting when it occurs.
The story line is quite decent with lots of potential, and the characters are interesting. Chase is a bit of a mystery, and Liam, the Chase imposter, is likeable if a little insecure. Liam is supposed to be about 5 years older than Chase, but if anything, he comes across as being significantly younger. I admit to having some issues with this age discrepancy. The sexual orientation of the MCs is never openly discussed; some preferences, however, are strongly indicated.
I found the last scene in the book to be a bit awkward, overdone. Again, it showcased Liam's immaturity. As is often the case with serials, the book just ends, like the close of a chapter. Although there's no real cliffhanger, much is left up in the air, and I am curious to see what happens next.
This is the second book I have read by Scotts, and I certainly detect a maturing in her writing that is good to see. Like this serial, Scotts has great promise. I look forward to the next installment of Being Chase, and if her previous releases are any indication, we won't have to wait too long--something I am grateful for.
Scotts writes intelligently but sometimes uses words and expressions that seem a bit off to me. This is not a big deal but can be a little distracting when it occurs.
The story line is quite decent with lots of potential, and the characters are interesting. Chase is a bit of a mystery, and Liam, the Chase imposter, is likeable if a little insecure. Liam is supposed to be about 5 years older than Chase, but if anything, he comes across as being significantly younger. I admit to having some issues with this age discrepancy. The sexual orientation of the MCs is never openly discussed; some preferences, however, are strongly indicated.
I found the last scene in the book to be a bit awkward, overdone. Again, it showcased Liam's immaturity. As is often the case with serials, the book just ends, like the close of a chapter. Although there's no real cliffhanger, much is left up in the air, and I am curious to see what happens next.
This is the second book I have read by Scotts, and I certainly detect a maturing in her writing that is good to see. Like this serial, Scotts has great promise. I look forward to the next installment of Being Chase, and if her previous releases are any indication, we won't have to wait too long--something I am grateful for.
March 13, 2014
Let’s call Being Chase the appetiser before the main course in the Chase series. It’s like a bite size introduction that stimulates your appetite before the main meal. It’s fun, engaging and entertaining, and right from the get go there’s a comedic display of awkward social interactions.
Written in first person POV, it’s easy to see Liam’s (MC) insecurities and concerns… He becomes employed due to the least complimentary reasoning imaginable, which only makes the reader love him more… And then Chase (MC) enters the picture. Chase is a hard, sarcastic, mysterious, bastard-of-an-author who seems to need Liam in more ways than one… so let the crazy times begin.
It’s a fun story about adorable Liam and the crazy mess he gets himself into and it’s pretty easy to like this story.
There’s three side characters that instantly add more flavour to the story. There’s a “good cop/bad cop” duo who are hilarious. There’s also Liam’s younger brother who presents as fresh and intriguing. Put these characters together with endearing Liam and grouchy Chase, well it’s bound to be fun.
I guess Being Chase has all the ingredients for a recipe for success. Now, when’s book two coming out?
Written in first person POV, it’s easy to see Liam’s (MC) insecurities and concerns… He becomes employed due to the least complimentary reasoning imaginable, which only makes the reader love him more… And then Chase (MC) enters the picture. Chase is a hard, sarcastic, mysterious, bastard-of-an-author who seems to need Liam in more ways than one… so let the crazy times begin.
It’s a fun story about adorable Liam and the crazy mess he gets himself into and it’s pretty easy to like this story.
There’s three side characters that instantly add more flavour to the story. There’s a “good cop/bad cop” duo who are hilarious. There’s also Liam’s younger brother who presents as fresh and intriguing. Put these characters together with endearing Liam and grouchy Chase, well it’s bound to be fun.
I guess Being Chase has all the ingredients for a recipe for success. Now, when’s book two coming out?
December 15, 2015
ARC provided by author in exchange for honest review!
Unfortunately, I didn't really like this novella. I found the premise more than a little unbelievable -- not that a company would hire someone to be the "face" of someone else, but just how the author went about portraying such an arrangement. I wouldn't accept a job without knowing the first thing about it and I find myself a bit dubious that Liam wouldn't even ask a single question about what it was he was being hired for. The only thing he knows is that it's for a publishing company? He may be desperate for employment, but I would think that he would at least ask a question or two. And even after he finds out some of the job details he still doesn't question much of anything. Doesn't even ask about salary. He's a door mat. I'm not a huge fan of stupid MC's and he didn't make a very good impression on me from the get go.
And then there's Chase. He's an ass of the first water and doesn't seem to think twice about using people or manipulating them. The scene in the kitchen the first night Liam is there kind of left me cold. Chase didn't come off as sexy at all and once again Liam lets himself get walked all over. That same Chase makes another appearance later and I'm still not left with a sexy feeling. More like sociopath.
I'm sorry to say that this book or series isn't for me.
Unfortunately, I didn't really like this novella. I found the premise more than a little unbelievable -- not that a company would hire someone to be the "face" of someone else, but just how the author went about portraying such an arrangement. I wouldn't accept a job without knowing the first thing about it and I find myself a bit dubious that Liam wouldn't even ask a single question about what it was he was being hired for. The only thing he knows is that it's for a publishing company? He may be desperate for employment, but I would think that he would at least ask a question or two. And even after he finds out some of the job details he still doesn't question much of anything. Doesn't even ask about salary. He's a door mat. I'm not a huge fan of stupid MC's and he didn't make a very good impression on me from the get go.
And then there's Chase. He's an ass of the first water and doesn't seem to think twice about using people or manipulating them. The scene in the kitchen the first night Liam is there kind of left me cold. Chase didn't come off as sexy at all and once again Liam lets himself get walked all over. That same Chase makes another appearance later and I'm still not left with a sexy feeling. More like sociopath.
I'm sorry to say that this book or series isn't for me.
March 17, 2014
2.5*
I think it's an okay read. The plot was interesting. But it's so short that the book stopped suddenly and I thought
my eReader was broken!
Actually, I would give it a higher rating if the story can be read in one go but not chopped into several novellas.
I really hate the authors and publishers doing this so often nowadays. I will properly forget to get the rest of the books in the series.
I think it's an okay read. The plot was interesting. But it's so short that the book stopped suddenly and I thought
my eReader was broken!
Actually, I would give it a higher rating if the story can be read in one go but not chopped into several novellas.
I really hate the authors and publishers doing this so often nowadays. I will properly forget to get the rest of the books in the series.
March 31, 2014
Liam is a handsome, likable young man who finds himself in a real dilemma. It has been about a month since he arrived in New York City, his money is about to run out, and he still hasn’t landed a job. He can’t ask his parents for help because they have recently cut off contact with him. The book (told in Liam’s first-person viewpoint) doesn’t reveal why, but, come on – in the gay romance genre, it’s probably because he’s gay and his parents are homophobic.
Meanwhile, Liam’s sole offer of employment comes from two lawyers connected to a publishing company owned by the Prestons, a wealthy family. The Prestons want someone personable and extroverted like Liam to be the “public face” of their top-selling author Chase Preston, who is also their eldest son. In his mid-twenties, Chase is a reclusive best-selling author of young adult fiction, and he has a big mysterious scar down his incredibly handsome face. He believes he needs to look unscarred to appeal to his teen audience and keep selling books, and for unspecified reasons he can’t get his scar fixed with cosmetic surgery.
Therefore his family is willing to pay someone like Liam to impersonate Chase at awards ceremonies and book signings. However, for unspecified reasons, Liam is required to reside with Chase in Chase’s opulent apartment, which would make Liam sort of a live-in servant at the mercy of his employer much like Jane Eyre and the heroines of about a thousand Harlequin romances from the 1960s.
Liam takes the offer, moves in, and meets Chase all on his first day of work. Scar or no scar, Chase is devastatingly handsome, but also sneering, snobbish, condescending, and smug. Why does Chase have such a nasty personality when he is a rich, gorgeous, best-selling author with a loving family? I have no idea, but I’m guessing it is because the overall story is intended to be an enemies-to-lovers romance between him and Liam.
Meanwhile, the lawyers step in and start rehearsing Liam for his first public appearance as Chase where he is supposed to accept a literary award at a prestigious ceremony. That night Chase – who wears a mask and frequents “underground” clubs when he’s not squirreled away in his room, writing – comes home to the apartment,
Uh, yeah. That’s where the story loses me. There is absolutely no way I can see the series managing to redeem Chase after he has chosen to commit such a distasteful (and criminal) power play against his employee Liam. (To make matters worse, the same thing happens AGAIN at the end of the book and .
My guess is that the series will attempt to soften Chase in some future installment by having him tearfully confess some past trauma to Liam that explains his scar – a scene designed to show vulnerability on Chase’s part as he makes a gift of his trust to Liam. But, no, I’m not buying it. One of the favorite types of manipulation practiced by most sociopaths is to show fake vulnerability to reel in their victims. And no type of trauma related to Chase's scar could function as any sort of excuse for his exploitative behavior toward Liam.
Unfortunately, Chase’s behavior isn’t my only problem with this story. I kid you not – the book breaks off after only about two or three days into Liam’s new life. We readers don’t even get to see his first performance as Chase at the awards ceremony. You know, the thing that the lawyers were rehearsing him for? This is not a real ending to a book because no basic conflict has been resolved. It’s not even a cliffhanger because it doesn’t stop on a high point of action.
It’s as if the author wanted to introduce the first 91 pages of Liam’s basic dilemma to us readers (for the price of 2.99) and then break off and ask us to cough up another 2.99 for the next installment, which seems indicative of either complete ignorance of what is traditionally owed to one’s readers, or deliberate author greed. I’m not sure which.
To be honest, I think the author has a smooth writing style, and I liked Liam as a character. I would read something different by this author and keep an open mind that I could really end up enjoying and endorsing it. On the strength of this author’s writing style, I was mentally giving the book a rating of three stars on its first page, and having the optimistic feeling that the plot and the love interest’s character (that is, Chase’s character) might enable me to rate the book with four or five stars overall. But then I read onward, and Chase’s actions knocked the book down to two stars. The unacceptable non-ending brings the book down to one star. I won’t be continuing with the Chase series, nor can I recommend that you do so. This book was received for free from the author via Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
Meanwhile, Liam’s sole offer of employment comes from two lawyers connected to a publishing company owned by the Prestons, a wealthy family. The Prestons want someone personable and extroverted like Liam to be the “public face” of their top-selling author Chase Preston, who is also their eldest son. In his mid-twenties, Chase is a reclusive best-selling author of young adult fiction, and he has a big mysterious scar down his incredibly handsome face. He believes he needs to look unscarred to appeal to his teen audience and keep selling books, and for unspecified reasons he can’t get his scar fixed with cosmetic surgery.
Therefore his family is willing to pay someone like Liam to impersonate Chase at awards ceremonies and book signings. However, for unspecified reasons, Liam is required to reside with Chase in Chase’s opulent apartment, which would make Liam sort of a live-in servant at the mercy of his employer much like Jane Eyre and the heroines of about a thousand Harlequin romances from the 1960s.
Liam takes the offer, moves in, and meets Chase all on his first day of work. Scar or no scar, Chase is devastatingly handsome, but also sneering, snobbish, condescending, and smug. Why does Chase have such a nasty personality when he is a rich, gorgeous, best-selling author with a loving family? I have no idea, but I’m guessing it is because the overall story is intended to be an enemies-to-lovers romance between him and Liam.
Meanwhile, the lawyers step in and start rehearsing Liam for his first public appearance as Chase where he is supposed to accept a literary award at a prestigious ceremony. That night Chase – who wears a mask and frequents “underground” clubs when he’s not squirreled away in his room, writing – comes home to the apartment,
Uh, yeah. That’s where the story loses me. There is absolutely no way I can see the series managing to redeem Chase after he has chosen to commit such a distasteful (and criminal) power play against his employee Liam. (To make matters worse, the same thing happens AGAIN at the end of the book and .
My guess is that the series will attempt to soften Chase in some future installment by having him tearfully confess some past trauma to Liam that explains his scar – a scene designed to show vulnerability on Chase’s part as he makes a gift of his trust to Liam. But, no, I’m not buying it. One of the favorite types of manipulation practiced by most sociopaths is to show fake vulnerability to reel in their victims. And no type of trauma related to Chase's scar could function as any sort of excuse for his exploitative behavior toward Liam.
Unfortunately, Chase’s behavior isn’t my only problem with this story. I kid you not – the book breaks off after only about two or three days into Liam’s new life. We readers don’t even get to see his first performance as Chase at the awards ceremony. You know, the thing that the lawyers were rehearsing him for? This is not a real ending to a book because no basic conflict has been resolved. It’s not even a cliffhanger because it doesn’t stop on a high point of action.
It’s as if the author wanted to introduce the first 91 pages of Liam’s basic dilemma to us readers (for the price of 2.99) and then break off and ask us to cough up another 2.99 for the next installment, which seems indicative of either complete ignorance of what is traditionally owed to one’s readers, or deliberate author greed. I’m not sure which.
To be honest, I think the author has a smooth writing style, and I liked Liam as a character. I would read something different by this author and keep an open mind that I could really end up enjoying and endorsing it. On the strength of this author’s writing style, I was mentally giving the book a rating of three stars on its first page, and having the optimistic feeling that the plot and the love interest’s character (that is, Chase’s character) might enable me to rate the book with four or five stars overall. But then I read onward, and Chase’s actions knocked the book down to two stars. The unacceptable non-ending brings the book down to one star. I won’t be continuing with the Chase series, nor can I recommend that you do so. This book was received for free from the author via Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2014
I remember dreaming of moving to New York and working, living in some tiny and way overpriced apartment while meeting tons of people and living the night life. Yeah, that didn't happen. I went off to college instead, and then life interfered. Plus, I'm not sure I would have had the courage to do it. But, I respect the hell out of people who do and within a few sentences I knew I was going to like Liam. It's hard to start over in a new city with new people and no job prospects, and New York isn't exactly easy, if you know what I mean.
I got mighty irritated with one of the executives at the publishing house because he seemed to enjoy being cruel to Liam, and when you're desperate for a job, that's not funny. Liam was very surprised to discover he had been hired to be the "face" of author Chase Preston, a young, gorgeous, talented man who has a facial disfigurement. Apparently it wasn't a good idea for his fans to see what he really looked like, although Liam didn't think the scar detracted from Chase's good looks at all. The weirdest part, though, is Liam has to live at Chase's penthouse apartment and, essentially, be Chase in public.
Getting to know Chase becomes quite the challenge and I could have understood if Liam had thrown in the towel on many occasions. Chase comes across as entitled, spoiled, rude, arrogant, and basically a jerk. But reading his series of young adult/new adult books, Liam is surprised at Chase's ability to craft such complex characters and storylines in a way that keeps Liam hanging waiting for the answers. Liam is such a good man, with a rough history, and watching him become involved in Chase's world was so entertaining.
'Being Chase' by JJ Scotts is the first book in her new 'The Chase' series. I guarantee that she's hooked me. This book was left on a total cliffhanger with no resolution or answers to all of the questions that Liam, and I, have. There is off the charts heat between Liam and Chase but now I have to wait for the next installment to see what happens. This book was in Liam's point of view and I don't know if the author plans to change that in the next one, but I'm anticipating finding out. Good job, JJ!
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
I got mighty irritated with one of the executives at the publishing house because he seemed to enjoy being cruel to Liam, and when you're desperate for a job, that's not funny. Liam was very surprised to discover he had been hired to be the "face" of author Chase Preston, a young, gorgeous, talented man who has a facial disfigurement. Apparently it wasn't a good idea for his fans to see what he really looked like, although Liam didn't think the scar detracted from Chase's good looks at all. The weirdest part, though, is Liam has to live at Chase's penthouse apartment and, essentially, be Chase in public.
Getting to know Chase becomes quite the challenge and I could have understood if Liam had thrown in the towel on many occasions. Chase comes across as entitled, spoiled, rude, arrogant, and basically a jerk. But reading his series of young adult/new adult books, Liam is surprised at Chase's ability to craft such complex characters and storylines in a way that keeps Liam hanging waiting for the answers. Liam is such a good man, with a rough history, and watching him become involved in Chase's world was so entertaining.
'Being Chase' by JJ Scotts is the first book in her new 'The Chase' series. I guarantee that she's hooked me. This book was left on a total cliffhanger with no resolution or answers to all of the questions that Liam, and I, have. There is off the charts heat between Liam and Chase but now I have to wait for the next installment to see what happens. This book was in Liam's point of view and I don't know if the author plans to change that in the next one, but I'm anticipating finding out. Good job, JJ!
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 24, 2014
3.5*
Well, this story certainly hooked me from the beginning! I was just going to read a few chapters to get a feel for the story and the writing and finish it today, but once I started there was no stopping and I just kept on reading until the last page. And the last page? Crap!! It turns out this is a serial novel. I've always stayed away from them, because I like to get lost in a story and follow it all the way through to the HEA (or HFN) but now I totally understand why people get sucked into them. If the story is compelling, you don't want to wait until all the parts are published as a single volume. Oh no. You want to know what happens next RIGHT NOW!! I was even thinking about it today; imagining all the different ways the story could unfold. I think I'm already addicted. When do I get my next hit...er...I mean part 2? :-D
So what's to like about this story, you ask? Why am I still thinking about it today?
Well first off, I really like Liam. He's new to NYC, fresh off the farm and trying to find a job so he doesn't have to go home, where he probably wouldn't be welcome anyway. He's naive and a little clueless but he's also strong and smart and it's fun to see the story unfold through his guileless eyes. And then there's Chase, the famous author Liam has to "be." He's super rich, spoiled and he's a Grade A alph-hole, of the "no means yes" variety, none of which I'd usually count as positive attributes, but you know there's a lot more going on with him and I'm dying to know what makes him tick.
I also like the set up of the story -- Liam having to be Chase for his adoring fans -- because you know that's not going to end well.
Then there's the basic set up of the story with the super rich alph-hole Chase and poor naive Liam which reminds me a bit of a Harlequin Presents novel but with NA age characters. :-D
Bottom line: This was a great start to a new series and while I had some reservations about how Chase treated Liam, I'm definitely hooked and can't wait to see how the story unfolds. Really, I can't wait! I need part two now, please!
**Book provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**
Well, this story certainly hooked me from the beginning! I was just going to read a few chapters to get a feel for the story and the writing and finish it today, but once I started there was no stopping and I just kept on reading until the last page. And the last page? Crap!! It turns out this is a serial novel. I've always stayed away from them, because I like to get lost in a story and follow it all the way through to the HEA (or HFN) but now I totally understand why people get sucked into them. If the story is compelling, you don't want to wait until all the parts are published as a single volume. Oh no. You want to know what happens next RIGHT NOW!! I was even thinking about it today; imagining all the different ways the story could unfold. I think I'm already addicted. When do I get my next hit...er...I mean part 2? :-D
So what's to like about this story, you ask? Why am I still thinking about it today?
Well first off, I really like Liam. He's new to NYC, fresh off the farm and trying to find a job so he doesn't have to go home, where he probably wouldn't be welcome anyway. He's naive and a little clueless but he's also strong and smart and it's fun to see the story unfold through his guileless eyes. And then there's Chase, the famous author Liam has to "be." He's super rich, spoiled and he's a Grade A alph-hole, of the "no means yes" variety, none of which I'd usually count as positive attributes, but you know there's a lot more going on with him and I'm dying to know what makes him tick.
I also like the set up of the story -- Liam having to be Chase for his adoring fans -- because you know that's not going to end well.
Then there's the basic set up of the story with the super rich alph-hole Chase and poor naive Liam which reminds me a bit of a Harlequin Presents novel but with NA age characters. :-D
Bottom line: This was a great start to a new series and while I had some reservations about how Chase treated Liam, I'm definitely hooked and can't wait to see how the story unfolds. Really, I can't wait! I need part two now, please!
**Book provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**
February 17, 2014
***3.5 stars***
One word to describe this book……………..intriguing!
Enter the first main character, Liam. A good looking, out of work, former farm boy who has dreams of a new life in New York City. With only about two months worth of savings, Liam is desperate to find a job, any job, in the big city. At his first interview with a publishing company, he is offered a position without any actual job description. What he finds the next day is a swanky apartment building instead of an office building and an offer he can’t (or maybe should) refuse.
The owner of the apartment is Chase Preston. A pompous, arrogant, wealthy, secluded writer. Chase is the next Stephenie Meyer with a large fan base of young adults and movie offers for the future. The only flaw in the gorgeous features of this 23 year old man is a large scar that runs from below his eye to below his shirt collar.
Liam’s new job - to be the public face of the infamous Chase Preston.
This is a short, introductory book for the series. As with all books this length, it does not allow for good character development. The book felt rushed with two much information coming too quick.
What the book did have though is an interesting plot, sexual tension between the MCs and enough mystery regarding the scar and odd behavior of Chase to draw me in.
Yes, I am intrigued and want to continue on in this series.
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
One word to describe this book……………..intriguing!
Enter the first main character, Liam. A good looking, out of work, former farm boy who has dreams of a new life in New York City. With only about two months worth of savings, Liam is desperate to find a job, any job, in the big city. At his first interview with a publishing company, he is offered a position without any actual job description. What he finds the next day is a swanky apartment building instead of an office building and an offer he can’t (or maybe should) refuse.
The owner of the apartment is Chase Preston. A pompous, arrogant, wealthy, secluded writer. Chase is the next Stephenie Meyer with a large fan base of young adults and movie offers for the future. The only flaw in the gorgeous features of this 23 year old man is a large scar that runs from below his eye to below his shirt collar.
Liam’s new job - to be the public face of the infamous Chase Preston.
This is a short, introductory book for the series. As with all books this length, it does not allow for good character development. The book felt rushed with two much information coming too quick.
What the book did have though is an interesting plot, sexual tension between the MCs and enough mystery regarding the scar and odd behavior of Chase to draw me in.
Yes, I am intrigued and want to continue on in this series.
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
February 22, 2014
ARC provided by author in exchange for honest review!
This was a tough one. I love series but they are usually books that tell a complete story. Being Chase left me with so many unanswered questions. Why did Liam move to New York? Why did he drop out of college? I had more questions regarding Liam than Chase who is supposed to be the big enigmatic dynamic one!
Liam really pissed me off. I know he is the farm boy, but how do you reach the age of 27 without some street sense? He doesnt question anything. If he's not getting a paycheck then he's just working for room and board? How long will this job last? Is he supposed to do it for life? And when is he supposed to have a life if he is living publicly as Chase? And every argument a reader has on why he should reconsider, Liam has thought of those same arguments and talked himself out of them. He says he's a grown man and Chase said he heard Liam's balls drop. But I don't think so. It's almost as if Liam was the younger reclusive homeschooled character. Him being tongue tied so often is annoying. Man up boy!
Now the story within the story had me riveted. At first, I hated the addition of Violet's story. I was like, "wtf??". But seriously, it was good. Real good. It had me by the short hairs. A cliffhanger within the cliffhanger--priceless. I WILL be getting the second installment. I just hope Liam can put on his big boy pants. The punch was a good start.
Bravo, Ms. Scotts.
This was a tough one. I love series but they are usually books that tell a complete story. Being Chase left me with so many unanswered questions. Why did Liam move to New York? Why did he drop out of college? I had more questions regarding Liam than Chase who is supposed to be the big enigmatic dynamic one!
Liam really pissed me off. I know he is the farm boy, but how do you reach the age of 27 without some street sense? He doesnt question anything. If he's not getting a paycheck then he's just working for room and board? How long will this job last? Is he supposed to do it for life? And when is he supposed to have a life if he is living publicly as Chase? And every argument a reader has on why he should reconsider, Liam has thought of those same arguments and talked himself out of them. He says he's a grown man and Chase said he heard Liam's balls drop. But I don't think so. It's almost as if Liam was the younger reclusive homeschooled character. Him being tongue tied so often is annoying. Man up boy!
Now the story within the story had me riveted. At first, I hated the addition of Violet's story. I was like, "wtf??". But seriously, it was good. Real good. It had me by the short hairs. A cliffhanger within the cliffhanger--priceless. I WILL be getting the second installment. I just hope Liam can put on his big boy pants. The punch was a good start.
Bravo, Ms. Scotts.
February 26, 2014
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
Liam has just moved to the city, he's been cut off by his family and has few friends and no job prospects. Running out of money he takes the first job offer that he gets and isn't sure what he's in for. Turns out they want him to be the public face of an author that prefers to be unknown except by name. Chase turns out to be not very nice to say the least. He's very aggressive almost to the point of assault if Liam wasn't actually turned on by Chase.
Even though there are some sexual parts to this short story, I have trouble calling it an actual erotica because there is no sex in it. Liam is groped and there is arousal but that's as far as things go. It leaves us as frustrated as Liam is getting.
I found this book to be a bit short. Its very engaging and flows well. I love the style of writing. There just isn't enough of it, and I look forward to the next installment. I hope there is more of an explanation in the next book concerning Chase's behavior. At this point we know little about him or his motives. I'd also love to see more of his little brother, too bad he's too young as he sounds much nicer than Chase.
Overall, I liked it. Its definitely for those over 18 but not too overly explicit at this point. (sadly) But am anxious to continue the series.
Liam has just moved to the city, he's been cut off by his family and has few friends and no job prospects. Running out of money he takes the first job offer that he gets and isn't sure what he's in for. Turns out they want him to be the public face of an author that prefers to be unknown except by name. Chase turns out to be not very nice to say the least. He's very aggressive almost to the point of assault if Liam wasn't actually turned on by Chase.
Even though there are some sexual parts to this short story, I have trouble calling it an actual erotica because there is no sex in it. Liam is groped and there is arousal but that's as far as things go. It leaves us as frustrated as Liam is getting.
I found this book to be a bit short. Its very engaging and flows well. I love the style of writing. There just isn't enough of it, and I look forward to the next installment. I hope there is more of an explanation in the next book concerning Chase's behavior. At this point we know little about him or his motives. I'd also love to see more of his little brother, too bad he's too young as he sounds much nicer than Chase.
Overall, I liked it. Its definitely for those over 18 but not too overly explicit at this point. (sadly) But am anxious to continue the series.
February 23, 2014
I don’t know if I can really review this work fairly. This book is the first in a series, but this novella is incomplete also.
Being Chase ends in the middle of scene. I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger, but was really abrupt. It definitely could’ve been handled better.
That being said, I did like Liam. Though, his voice alternated between masculine and more feminine. Like, there would his voice and then the author’s “voice” would sneak in and say something, if you can follow what I’m saying. Bottom line, his voice wasn’t consistent. Still liked him though. He’s sweet and endearing and I wish we got to know more about him in the book.
I didn’t care at about Chase’s book series or what Liam was reading about and skimmed over those parts. I felt like the pages those scenes took up would’ve been better spent doing something else.
I can forgive the implausible plot. It’s fantasy; it’s fiction. I can even forgive the 16 year-old chef prodigy. But I needed more than what the book had to offer.
I’m giving it 3 stars for now and hope that the next book will be better.
Being Chase ends in the middle of scene. I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger, but was really abrupt. It definitely could’ve been handled better.
That being said, I did like Liam. Though, his voice alternated between masculine and more feminine. Like, there would his voice and then the author’s “voice” would sneak in and say something, if you can follow what I’m saying. Bottom line, his voice wasn’t consistent. Still liked him though. He’s sweet and endearing and I wish we got to know more about him in the book.
I didn’t care at about Chase’s book series or what Liam was reading about and skimmed over those parts. I felt like the pages those scenes took up would’ve been better spent doing something else.
I can forgive the implausible plot. It’s fantasy; it’s fiction. I can even forgive the 16 year-old chef prodigy. But I needed more than what the book had to offer.
I’m giving it 3 stars for now and hope that the next book will be better.
March 10, 2014
I thought that this novella was a terrific start to a new series. I absolutely loved Liam's commentary as he went from being a down-on-his-luck day laborer to a stand-in for a famous writer. Liam's narration was hilarious, entertaining, and utterly engaging. Chase, the few times that we see him, is smug, snarky, arrogant and, I think, a fascinating character who I can't wait to learn more about. It is true that this book is short and that we don't really learn a lot about the characters' backgrounds , but it is a great start to a new series that introduced some very interesting main characters. I can't wait for the next installment!
September 8, 2016
I really liked the writing in this one. I believe there were a few plot holes but this seems to be built like a serial so hopefully they will be addressed in future volumes. I have enjoyed everything I have read by JJ Scotts so I am sure this will smooth out, and the speed she publishes at means I won't have to wait long.
Is it her best? Not yet. Does it have potential? Oh yeah!
Notice: I was sent this ARC for a fair review.
Oh and I have lost my mind somewhere. This is the 3rd time I have thought I posted my review. Hopefully 3rd times the charm.
Is it her best? Not yet. Does it have potential? Oh yeah!
Notice: I was sent this ARC for a fair review.
Oh and I have lost my mind somewhere. This is the 3rd time I have thought I posted my review. Hopefully 3rd times the charm.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews