Chasing Mr. Wrong

by Anastasia Alexander

Dive into the enthralling journey of Zoey, a resilient divorcée, as she navigates love, life, and self-discovery in Anastasia Alexander's latest novel, Chasing Mr. Wrong.
Jobless, loveless Zoey, fresh off a divorce, embarks on a quest to find her elusive Mr. Perfect. An unexpected twist occurs when her sister concocts a love potion to attract their charismatic neighbor, leading to a whirlwind romance. However, when the potion's effects dissipate, Zoey must confront the harsh realities of love and heartbreak, striving to rebuild her life and secure her happily-ever-after.

Chasing Mr. Wrong addresses the timeless question of whether humans are guided by fate or self-determination, offering a heartwarming exploration of Zoey's transformative journey of self-discovery.  The novel stands out with its unique, light-hearted take on the classic love potion trope, but retains its focus on the character's emotional evolution, making it a refreshing read in the women's fiction and romance genre. This novel not only appeals to fans of Lifetime and Hallmark for its wholesome, clean narrative, but also provides engaging material for book club discussions. As Zoey finds her inner strength and resilience, she inspires others to reflect on their own paths and the power of personal growth, leaving them with a renewed belief in the magic of the human spirit. 

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Anastasia Alexander doesn’t have the answers to life’s love questions. What she does know is that love in the 21st Century is complex. There are no easy answers, and there is a lot of richness and juiciness in exploring all the complexity that love brings.

Her credentials are two failed marriages, equaling twenty-three years of marriage and a willingness to believe that maybe a third one will be her lucky number. Or she might decide to compete with Elizabeth Taylor for who can get married the most times. It is yet to be determined which option she’s going to go for, but until then she pours her passion and sarcasm for relationships into her stories.

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: CHASING MR WRONG
AUTHOR: Anastasia Alexander
PUB DATE: 05.07.2024

Dive into the enthralling journey of Zoey, a resilient divorcée, as she navigates love, life, and self-discovery in Anastasia Alexander's latest novel, Chasing Mr. Wrong.

THOUGHTS:

I love a good love story, and CHASING MR WRONG has all the ingredients of a wonderful story in all its glory - the messy, the complex, and the realities of real life, and Alexander gives her readers a little sprinkling of magic, a bit of a twist, and a whole lot of hope. I also love a quirky character, and I absolutely adored Zoey who is trying really hard to find happiness and along the way she discovers herself.

This was a light and quick read but truly packed a punch - it was funny and heartwarming, but so well written and enjoyable to read. There is diversity in the characters which I appreciated.

[Marie Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Mr. Wrong is a delightful read about a woman who knows what she wants, but not
what she needs. Her ups and downs resonate with those of us seeking to live happily
ever after.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this one, it was funny, heartfelt and so easy to read. I love second chances and enjoyed Zoey’s journey of love, friendship and resilience. A story that will leave you with a feel of warmth.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗿. 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 released May 7, 2024.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
💕 believe in a soulmate
🪄 enjoy magical realism
🧪 would take a love potion
🧬 believe that love is a science

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Jobless, loveless Zoey, fresh off a divorce, embarks on a quest to find her elusive Mr. Perfect. An unexpected twist occurs when her sister concocts a love potion to attract their charismatic neighbor, leading to a whirlwind romance. However, when the potion's effects dissipate, Zoey must confront the harsh realities of love and heartbreak, striving to rebuild her life and secure her happily-ever-after.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was such a cute romcom with some magical realism thrown in. I loved the idea of the love potion as I always wanted one of these to exist as a kid when I would see them in movies. I also empathized with Zoey’s character, as someone who also believes in soulmates and true love, though I have never been divorced (or married). I was really rooting for her the entire time and was happy that, in the end, she found who she was instead of who was when by someone else’s side. Overall, I recommend this one if you want a clean, sweet romance.

[Jennifer Peer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent and well-written read. This book brings a lot to the table. Multi-cultural backgrounds and very different personalities. Most of all, Zoey is a genuinely likeable heroine who we get to grow with throughout the story. The author does a great job of leading us along the path with her so that we experience what she does.
The other thing that I really enjoyed (and always gravitate towards in romance reads) was the humor throughout, not just with the main character in her search for love, but also with the support characters.
Every character Alexander weaves into the storyline is realistic, even showing us their warts and all.

And let me just say, that touch of the supernatural (think witchy, not dragons)? Well, who doesn't love a good magic potion to make mister right take notice? I can certainly appreciate that Zoey has already experienced heartbreak via divorce and is trying to rekindle her faith in love, so why not use her sister's little helper?

This is a slow burn, delightful, humorous, and redemptive read. Great for anyone who likes their romance reads with a lesson, a hint of fantasy, and enjoyable characters.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoey Woodland wants to believe in finding her happily ever after, but things are going a little… weird.

She just signed her divorce papers, and her ex (or X, as he is referred to) is sending her roses. Then Reynesh, her new neighbor, shows up on her doorstep. He’s handsome and quite charming, but he’s also developing a new relationship app and Zoey doesn’t believe love is programmable.

Although Zoey is studying to be a relationship coach, she feels a little adrift. It doesn’t help that her very pushy sister, Tiffany, keeps telling her what to do, even if it is with good intentions. Reynesh and Tiffany both try to help Zoey get her business off the ground, but her sister does some other meddling to help jump-start something between Zoey and Reynesh.

This is a quick and fun read, with characters popping in and out of Zoey's day. With a little bit of magical realism, this becomes a cute and quirky love story.


Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @author_anastasiaalexander for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her divorce and feeling conflicted about being jobless, she decides she’s not making any mistakes she’s going to find Mr. Perfect! When her sister concocts a love potion to attract their charismatic neighbor, everything is great and leads to a whirlwind romance it’s ever bring she’s looking for that is until the portion wears off. Zoey is left to confront the realities of love and heartbreak, determined to rebuild her life and find her happily-ever-after. We’re taken on an adventure with Zoey while she uncovers her inner strength, while she inspires others to reflect on their own paths and uncover the power of personal growth, leaving them with a renewed belief in the magic of the human spirit. This book is perfect for any reader that loves Hallmark movie for its wholesome, clean narrative, but also for bookclub!

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like this book has so many authentic feelings. It does have a romance, but the part I enjoyed the most was seeing the development of Zoey, the main character, as a person after her divorce.

In the book, Zoey initiates the divorce, but she feels lost and instantly is looking for a perfect man. I think this book really does a nice job of displaying Zoey’s feelings as well as how her past plays a part in what she thinks she wants.

Zoey finds friendship with her new neighbor, Reynesh, who is American born, but holds with many of the traditions of his New Deli family.

There is a little magical realism tossed into this one that changes the way Zoey and Reynesh feel about it each other.

I liked the combination of light and seriousness in this book which was a quick read.

[Rocio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read takes you on a journey through the ups and downs of a woman's search for love. Zoey's struggles and triumphs remind us of the inherent complexities in our own quest for happiness and offer a poignant reflection of our journeys towards self-discovery and personal fulfillment. Through the protagonist's experiences, it reminds us of the importance of recognizing our own value and following our hearts, even when faced with uncertainty. Alexander's narrative and universal themes make this book a thoroughly enjoyable read and one that I recommend to anyone seeking a sincere exploration of love and self-discovery. It reminds us that the path to fulfillment often involves unexpected twists and turns, ultimately leading us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our desires.

[Babette Ettridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written romcom with relatable characters and amusing quirks around the usual plotline for this genre.

Chasing Mr.Wrong by Anastasia Alexander is a light-hearted and funny story that allows the reader to jump straight into the action and learn about the main characters and what makes them tick within the first few pages. It has a charming sense of humor that shines in the slow-build romance. This is a great read to relax with, although the different ideas about finding love introduce some deeper ideas to ponder. Extra layers are added to the story through the mix of cultural backgrounds and the main character's reaction to her change in life circumstances. This book will please readers of fight-back female leads who rebuild their life their way.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun light-hearted romance that features a little magical realism, a hefty dose of character development, and a sometimes challenging relationship between sisters. Zoe is an engaging character that I was hoping would eventually find her happily ever after. She experiences a lot of growth throughout the book and ultimately finds herself as well as love. I enjoyed the humor the author injected into the story and the gentle way she wrote the relationships in the book. It's definitely a book that will leave you feeling hopeful, satified, and with a smile on your face.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

This book is an overall fun read, with likable characters and a standard romancey plot. I liked that the writing was a quick and easy read without the cringe and bad writing that usually comes hand in hand with these kinds of books. There were minor typos (such as aloud instead of a loud) which may have been due to the kindle version I was reading. The story is slower-paced, but felt like a light and bright TV sitcom, with supporting characters popping in and out of the main character's house ready with clever quips and jokes . Overall I'd recommend this book if you're looking for a fun summer read.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story follows the life of Zoey, a woman who is looking for her way, who wants to find herself again. A woman who, after suffering a heartbreak, does not lose hope and wants to find the love of her life. But there is an unexpected twist when her sister concocts a love potion to attract her charismatic neighbor, leading to a whirlwind romance. But what will happen when the potion wears off? Will he be her true love?
I really enjoyed this novel which is entertaining and has excellent characters. The author's great skill when it comes to storytelling can be seen at all times. I think it is a fluid and fresh romantic novel, especially for young readers.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about love, self-discovery and life. The main character is Zoey, a divorced and jobless woman who has to face many changes and does not know how to get started. She’s an absolute resilient woman, who never gave up under any circumstances and who took advantage of every bad move of fate to find her enormous inner strength. She represents me in so many ways that I can't explain it. This made my empathy for this character transcend borders and I began to reflect on my own life. I understood that the human spirit has a strength that we often doubt but that in the most adverse situations it imposes itself fiercely.

[Aneley Sánchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny.

It is a story that explores love, life and self-discovery through the personal experiences of Zoey, a resilient divorcee, accompanied by other interesting characters such as her sister. In Chasing Mr. Wrong, a novel written by Anastasia Alexander, Zoey embarks on a fun journey of love, heartbreak, mistakes and adventures.
I liked the author's writing style because it is enjoyable and fresh, and makes the story a quick read. Although I would have preferred it not to have the magical touch, I still liked the book and recommend it. I think one of the best points of the story is that it is easy to empathize with the protagonist and feel identified with her experiences.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Mr. Wrong is RIGHT! I could not stand Nick and could not see why Zoey thought he was her "perfect"man... especially after what she went/goes through with her X.

Zoey had a lot of interesting ideas about how a great relationship can be found through science and certain rules. I didn't ever agree with that but it was nice to see Zoey figuring out herself along the way

When her sister gets involved with a "love potion" (cue that magical realism) for Zoey and her neighbor Ray... It brings the story to the questions of destiny and chemistry and finding the right person at maybe the wrong time.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very captivating cover to portrait a very heartwarming novel that follows Zoey, a woman that went through a divorce and is searching for that true love.
It took me a few pages to get immersed in the story, but once I was there, I really enjoyed how the author develops Zoey's character and through all her experience and life ups and downs she starts getting stronger and getting to know herself a lot more. I like the message it leaves. Also, it has a lot of humor that mixes really well in the story.
To sum up, I think it is a great story with a very good ending.

[Melissa Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was ready to throw this book out the door if I didn't get the ending I wanted. Hahaha. Luckily, I did not throw the book out the door. This was such a cute romance. I love that at the end of the day, what really matters, is for Zoey to find herself. But there was romance, so I was happy she got to be happy! The Disneyland Dad spiel did begin to annoy me, and I don't know if it's because I live near it or I wouldn't associate family dad with that exactly. I understood the analogy but still. Zoey finding herself and getting her act together was fun to watch. I enjoyed this cute short romance!

[J. Rose Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute and clean

Ah yes, the divorced woman life where the controlling man can’t take it when she finally frees herself of his micromanaging a$$-hattery. Add in the: you’re not attractive to me and you’re fat, and it’s the my-ex-husband trifecta. Joy.

Anyway, yes, I could relate to the protagonist’s love life situation. I could not relate to anything else. But it was entertaining, to have the “love via app” vs the “love via science + data” concepts and the romance between her and Ray was ultimately very sweet and fulfilling.

[Jen Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Mr. Wrong is a fun read that packs a powerful message about resilience after loss. Zoey is a character I loved cheering for as she muddled her way through life after divorce. I loved the twist on the love potion trope, the witty dialogue, and the push and pull of the romance at the center. I knew from the minute I read the Author's Note that this was going to be a story wrapped in humor, an expectation that was met every step of the way.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun cover and it set the tone perfectly for Zoey, the zany main character. Zoey had such a good heart and a bit of a free spirit and I really enjoyed her journey of self discovery. She made some poor choices and learned some hard life lessons but I adored her and was rooting for her to chart her own course and stand up for herself. This was a delightful read and it brought a lot of joy during a stressful time.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit finding yourself and a little bit of romance in this read. I wasn’t sure sure how I felt about Zoey at the start, but she grew on me. She’s trying to bounce back after her divorce but she doesn’t seem to think things through before she jumps right in.

It’s a sweet tale of Zoey discovering what does and doesn’t work in her life and what she wants to prioritize.

I loved Reynesh and his portrayal of Indian culture fit perfectly for AAPI.

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was so much that I enjoyed about this book. I loved the friendship between Zoey and Ray. They communicated well and respected each other when their views differed. Ray was so sweet trying to help Zoey’s business take off. This is a romance and there is a lot of talk about love and relationships but I really enjoyed the self-discovery journey Zoey had through it all. She had some “growing up” to do after her divorce, she relied heavily on the other people in her life and she had to learn how to be on her own. Zoey was braver than most as she put herself in situations she was not 100% confident in inorder to make connections for her business. I didn’t always agree with her choices and the science behind romance but I liked how it helped her learn that love doesn’t always fit into the mold you want.

Thank you @author_anastasiaalexander and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.

[Lori Colwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute life lessons romance

“Chasing Mr. Wrong” is a clean romance about a recent divorcee who is on a quest to find her place in the world. On this journey, she finds that her priorities have changed with maturity and ultimately finds a new friend and so much more. Recommended for readers that love a happy ending romance.

[Marta Lee Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting tale

This is a riveting tale. Chasing Mr. Wrong beautifully weaves the complexities of modern love with irresistible storytelling. An absolute must-read!

[Marilyn Goncalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun romance read, great characters and plot. It’s quick and easy and light. Side characters are fun. It’s a book about being and finding the happiness you want
Another fun summer read.

[Emily Cahoon Horvath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, quirky, clean fun romance.

[Rachel Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging, witty read packed with humour and charm along the way to a satisfying ending!