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To Catch a Thief #1
Hot Pursuit
Don't miss this laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers romance that's How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets White Collar with a dash of The Thomas Crown Affair thrown in!
All Jolene Carter has ever wanted is to own a bakery of her own. There’s only one problem. Her father, Robert Carter, is a world-renowned art thief and she’s, well, sort of his protégé. But he’s promised her that this next job in New York will be their last, and she won’t let anyone get in the way of her dreams... especially not the distractingly delicious FBI agent hot on her tail.
Agent Nate Parker has been on the Robert Carter case for years, and if the rumors of the aging criminal’s retirement are true, this might be his last chance to nail him. With the legacy of his late father in the back of his mind, the stakes are more personal than anyone realizes. He won’t let anything stand in the way of justice...especially not the red-headed vixen who keeps giving him the slip.
He’s a cop who’d never bend. She’s a con who’ll never break. But all’s fair in love and larceny...
**To Catch a Thief is a romantic comedy series that's one part humorous and one part heartfelt, with a dash of adventure, a hint of criminal activity, and a whole heap of fun! Each book is a standalone romance with a HEA.
All Jolene Carter has ever wanted is to own a bakery of her own. There’s only one problem. Her father, Robert Carter, is a world-renowned art thief and she’s, well, sort of his protégé. But he’s promised her that this next job in New York will be their last, and she won’t let anyone get in the way of her dreams... especially not the distractingly delicious FBI agent hot on her tail.
Agent Nate Parker has been on the Robert Carter case for years, and if the rumors of the aging criminal’s retirement are true, this might be his last chance to nail him. With the legacy of his late father in the back of his mind, the stakes are more personal than anyone realizes. He won’t let anything stand in the way of justice...especially not the red-headed vixen who keeps giving him the slip.
He’s a cop who’d never bend. She’s a con who’ll never break. But all’s fair in love and larceny...
**To Catch a Thief is a romantic comedy series that's one part humorous and one part heartfelt, with a dash of adventure, a hint of criminal activity, and a whole heap of fun! Each book is a standalone romance with a HEA.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2018
776 people are currently reading
2596 people want to read
About the author
Kay Marie
11 books459 followersKay Marie writes sweet romantic comedies with a touch of spice. Her books are full of humor and heartache with lots of swoony moments and, of course, a HEA! Under the name Kaitlyn Davis, she also publishes YA fantasy. Publishers Weekly has said, "Davis writes with confidence and poise," while USA Today has recommended her work as "must-read romance."
Find more on her website: www.KayMarieBooks.com
Sign up for her newsletter to stay up-to-date with all of her new releases, to receive exclusive subscriber bonus content, and more: www.kaymariebooks.com/my-newsletters
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Twitter - @DavisKaitlyn
To learn more about her young adult novels, visit her Goodreads author page for Kaitlyn Davis here: https://www.goodreads.com/Kaitlyn_Davis
Find more on her website: www.KayMarieBooks.com
Sign up for her newsletter to stay up-to-date with all of her new releases, to receive exclusive subscriber bonus content, and more: www.kaymariebooks.com/my-newsletters
Or find her on social media:
Instagram: @KayMarieBooks
TikTok: @KayMarieBooks
Facebook - Facebook.com/KaitlynDavisBooks/
Twitter - @DavisKaitlyn
To learn more about her young adult novels, visit her Goodreads author page for Kaitlyn Davis here: https://www.goodreads.com/Kaitlyn_Davis
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
August 31, 2018
Oh my my! I think this book may have topped by most loved enemies To lovers book!
I loved this book, the suspense and the chemistry between Jo and Nate was so sexy and so humorous!
Jo, seems like the average woman. A woman with dreams of opening up her own bakery and inventing many new and different things to bake, such as a coopie, (that's right a cookie in a pie, 🤤🤤🤤). Just a warning to all you sweet tooth readers, this book will make you want all the sweet and chocolates in the World!
But Jo's life is anything but normal. She is the daughter of an art thief, worse, she is the master hacking.
But, she is a smart and intelligent woman, and knows how to play the game well. Including the cops
Nate is a cop who is determine to bring down criminals. In honour of his late father, he has followed his footsteps and has risen the ranks to get to where he wants to be
But after trying to get information about his job, the daughter is infuriating and knows how to push his buttons.
But what happens when these two try to play the game a different way? Will they gain what they wanted, or end up losing their hearts ?
Jo was so funny when trying to annoy Nate, and she knows how to push just right to keep it interesting!
This tale is a story of enemies, or mistrust, and betrayals, but also of adventure, of sorrow, of tears, and of pain. But mostly, it's a tale in where a cop and a criminal meet, and sparks fly ✨ but how long will it last ?
Highly recommended this novel!
Received a copy from the author herself, for an honest review, thank you!
I loved this book, the suspense and the chemistry between Jo and Nate was so sexy and so humorous!
Jo, seems like the average woman. A woman with dreams of opening up her own bakery and inventing many new and different things to bake, such as a coopie, (that's right a cookie in a pie, 🤤🤤🤤). Just a warning to all you sweet tooth readers, this book will make you want all the sweet and chocolates in the World!
But Jo's life is anything but normal. She is the daughter of an art thief, worse, she is the master hacking.
But, she is a smart and intelligent woman, and knows how to play the game well. Including the cops
Nate is a cop who is determine to bring down criminals. In honour of his late father, he has followed his footsteps and has risen the ranks to get to where he wants to be
But after trying to get information about his job, the daughter is infuriating and knows how to push his buttons.
But what happens when these two try to play the game a different way? Will they gain what they wanted, or end up losing their hearts ?
Jo was so funny when trying to annoy Nate, and she knows how to push just right to keep it interesting!
This tale is a story of enemies, or mistrust, and betrayals, but also of adventure, of sorrow, of tears, and of pain. But mostly, it's a tale in where a cop and a criminal meet, and sparks fly ✨ but how long will it last ?
Highly recommended this novel!
Received a copy from the author herself, for an honest review, thank you!
May 19, 2020
I'm ditching this one at about two-thirds in for two reasons, mainly. The first is that I just don't like Nate at all. I'm not a big fan of the rules-worshipping drone even if it's tied up in a thirst for justice for his father's death. Indeed, the avenge-my-father almost makes it worse because the places those two motivations conflict was never explored so they felt disconnected and made Nate come across as a collection of hero-pieces left over from other stories.
The second problem I have is that I don't buy their connection by the time Jo decides to throw in with him. They've had a semi-free day of kinda connecting and it almost works. But the trust needed to throw over everything else in her life and trust this rules-drone into the unknown? I just didn't buy it. Jo needed more than the bits and pieces she gets to "convince" her that she'd been lied to and manipulated by those she thought loved her. And I just didn't buy that had the deeper meaning both of them seemed to ascribe to it.
Anyway, I put it down before they run off to go do the sex and just couldn't bring myself to start again. So I'm going with one star and I'm sad it didn't work out. I think one additional thing playing into this that I'm just now putting together is that this is closer to romantic suspense than anything else (once you get far enough to grasp the core dynamics involved) and I have a really hard time with that subgenre.
The second problem I have is that I don't buy their connection by the time Jo decides to throw in with him. They've had a semi-free day of kinda connecting and it almost works. But the trust needed to throw over everything else in her life and trust this rules-drone into the unknown? I just didn't buy it. Jo needed more than the bits and pieces she gets to "convince" her that she'd been lied to and manipulated by those she thought loved her. And I just didn't buy that had the deeper meaning both of them seemed to ascribe to it.
Anyway, I put it down before they run off to go do the sex and just couldn't bring myself to start again. So I'm going with one star and I'm sad it didn't work out. I think one additional thing playing into this that I'm just now putting together is that this is closer to romantic suspense than anything else (once you get far enough to grasp the core dynamics involved) and I have a really hard time with that subgenre.
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April 11, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/11/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
All Jolene Carter has ever wanted is to own a bakery of her own. There’s only one problem. Her father, Robert Carter, is a world-renowned art thief and she’s, well, sort of his protégé. But he’s promised her that this next job in New York will be their last, and she won’t let anyone get in the way of her dreams... especially not the distractingly delicious FBI agent hot on her tail.
Agent Nate Parker has been on the Robert Carter case for years, and if the rumors of the aging criminal’s retirement are true, this might be his last chance to nail him. With the legacy of his late father in the back of his mind, the stakes are more personal than anyone realizes. He won’t let anything stand in the way of justice...especially not the red-headed vixen who keeps giving him the slip.
He’s a cop who’d never bend. She’s a con who’ll never break. But all’s fair in love and larceny...
Blurb:
All Jolene Carter has ever wanted is to own a bakery of her own. There’s only one problem. Her father, Robert Carter, is a world-renowned art thief and she’s, well, sort of his protégé. But he’s promised her that this next job in New York will be their last, and she won’t let anyone get in the way of her dreams... especially not the distractingly delicious FBI agent hot on her tail.
Agent Nate Parker has been on the Robert Carter case for years, and if the rumors of the aging criminal’s retirement are true, this might be his last chance to nail him. With the legacy of his late father in the back of his mind, the stakes are more personal than anyone realizes. He won’t let anything stand in the way of justice...especially not the red-headed vixen who keeps giving him the slip.
He’s a cop who’d never bend. She’s a con who’ll never break. But all’s fair in love and larceny...
May 13, 2020
What a sweet little book. This is just your typical opposites attract sort of romance. Nick is an FBI agent. He follows the rules. Always. He's put together, calm, and collected. He's rigid and a clean freak. He's a man on a mission, and he will do whatever it takes to complete that mission. Jo is a cyber criminal who yearns for another life as a baker. She is impulsive and funny, and she is definitely not a neat freak. His life is clean ... hers is messy. Nick is currently trailing Jo as her father and friend prepare to pull off what is supposed to be their last art heist. Catching these criminals could help them to solve a much bigger crime syndicate. Like I say ... opposites.
For the first third of this book I was having trouble seeing how there was any way for these two to come together and form any sort of realistic relationship. How could a good FBI agent ever look past the crimes that Jo had committed? Realistically ... there was no way. But Kay Marie managed to write a story that pulled me along until I could finally see the path. It didn't seem completely like a wish fulfillment fantasy sort of path. It seemed real ... for the most part. I could buy into the story enough to be satisfied as I watched it play out. I loved the banter between Jo and Nate. I loved how her impulsiveness wore away some of his tightness, but I also loved how his attention to detail and what is right helped Jo to find her path to happiness. I was happy to see this couple find a way to make it.
Pulling back from the story a bit I can admit that Jo and Nate probably got to the "I love you" stage a bit too quickly relative to the length and depth of their relationship and interactions. Considering how much of their lives were dedicated to either crime or stopping crime, they probably came to soften toward each other's positions too quickly. They also probably came to trust each other a little too easily. But for whatever reason I rolled with it. I liked it.
I'm not sure if this totally rises to the level of five full stars, but I'm keeping this rating because I found myself grabbing the book and racing through it to get to the happily ever after. It was the perfect mix of danger, romance, and cute that hit the spot for me this week, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series soon because there are still some unfinished story lines to uncover. Five stars for this one. It was amazing!
For the first third of this book I was having trouble seeing how there was any way for these two to come together and form any sort of realistic relationship. How could a good FBI agent ever look past the crimes that Jo had committed? Realistically ... there was no way. But Kay Marie managed to write a story that pulled me along until I could finally see the path. It didn't seem completely like a wish fulfillment fantasy sort of path. It seemed real ... for the most part. I could buy into the story enough to be satisfied as I watched it play out. I loved the banter between Jo and Nate. I loved how her impulsiveness wore away some of his tightness, but I also loved how his attention to detail and what is right helped Jo to find her path to happiness. I was happy to see this couple find a way to make it.
Pulling back from the story a bit I can admit that Jo and Nate probably got to the "I love you" stage a bit too quickly relative to the length and depth of their relationship and interactions. Considering how much of their lives were dedicated to either crime or stopping crime, they probably came to soften toward each other's positions too quickly. They also probably came to trust each other a little too easily. But for whatever reason I rolled with it. I liked it.
I'm not sure if this totally rises to the level of five full stars, but I'm keeping this rating because I found myself grabbing the book and racing through it to get to the happily ever after. It was the perfect mix of danger, romance, and cute that hit the spot for me this week, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series soon because there are still some unfinished story lines to uncover. Five stars for this one. It was amazing!
January 21, 2024
Quick, sexy, enjoyable story with a unique and rare trope. FBI Agent and forbidden criminal hot shot female. I read it fast and enjoyed it. Wasn’t perfect but should be enough to get you out of a slump or help turn your mind off for a while if that’s something you need.
July 26, 2024
Sparks fly when a criminal hacker and the FBI agent trying to nail her father cross paths. Jolene wants to be a baker but has been helping her father with his scheming and stealing. This last job is the only thing in the way of her getting the bakery of her dreams. Nate knows this is his last chance to catch Jolene’s dad and get his real target - the men he is working for. As Nate follows Jolene around, her taunting sparks a friendship and they cannot deny their attraction to each other. Nate wants Jolene to turn state’s witness and give up the info she has with the promise of full immunity, but Jolene doesn’t know if she is able to betray her father.
The antics in this book were quite humorous. Jolene’s first meets Nate in a bikini on a jet ski when she goes to say hi after she notices his boat while he’s staking out her father’s private island. She hands him her baked creation and teases him a little bit. When she is in New York, she takes him on a wild goose chase as she samples the baked wares of various bakeries around the city.
I loved their dynamic and the dichotomy of the strait-laced man of the law being enamored with a criminal. Nate and Jolene know they are on opposite sides but come to understand each other’s motivations. Poor Jolene is so lonely but her loyalty to her father is unwavering, even when she finds out he’s been keeping secrets from her.
This is a cute and fun caper that still manages to hit you in the feels.
The antics in this book were quite humorous. Jolene’s first meets Nate in a bikini on a jet ski when she goes to say hi after she notices his boat while he’s staking out her father’s private island. She hands him her baked creation and teases him a little bit. When she is in New York, she takes him on a wild goose chase as she samples the baked wares of various bakeries around the city.
I loved their dynamic and the dichotomy of the strait-laced man of the law being enamored with a criminal. Nate and Jolene know they are on opposite sides but come to understand each other’s motivations. Poor Jolene is so lonely but her loyalty to her father is unwavering, even when she finds out he’s been keeping secrets from her.
This is a cute and fun caper that still manages to hit you in the feels.
September 20, 2024
2,5 ⭐️ eu queria tanto gostar deste livro 😭
sinto que o meu eu de 14 anos teria amado, mas infelizmente não me convenceu. as personagens foram pouco desenvolvidas e são literalmente o estereótipo, para além de às vezes fazerem coisas muito out of character ??? quanto à relação em si, houve momentos fofos, se o livro tivesse sido todo como a cena do baile eu teria amado tudo!!! mas novamente, não houve diálogos/momentos suficientes para se desenvolver uma conexão emocional, eles dormiram juntos 1 vez e já se amavam bue 😭
eu gosto muito de livros unserious mas este foi só leitura semelhante a uma fanfic do harry styles no wattpad, e mesmo assim já li melhor lá AHAHAHAH
sinto que o meu eu de 14 anos teria amado, mas infelizmente não me convenceu. as personagens foram pouco desenvolvidas e são literalmente o estereótipo, para além de às vezes fazerem coisas muito out of character ??? quanto à relação em si, houve momentos fofos, se o livro tivesse sido todo como a cena do baile eu teria amado tudo!!! mas novamente, não houve diálogos/momentos suficientes para se desenvolver uma conexão emocional, eles dormiram juntos 1 vez e já se amavam bue 😭
eu gosto muito de livros unserious mas este foi só leitura semelhante a uma fanfic do harry styles no wattpad, e mesmo assim já li melhor lá AHAHAHAH
September 22, 2023
This is a new favorite! Loved the witty banter, the plot, the characters, so overall it made for a fun and entertaining read. Highly recommend for those of you looking for a closed door romance that still brings the heat.
January 5, 2024
This book was such an easy read. It had a good story that was fun to follow. The author is a really good writer and it made for a fast paced book that I never got bored of. I would definitely recommend if you want a fun easy read. I’m going to look into the next book in the series to see what happens next!
August 23, 2020
I've said it a thousand times before, and I'll say it a thousand times more. I loooove a good crime drama rom com. It is just the perfect blend of everything I love, and this series was a blast to read. I enjoyed the cast of characters and the story that tied them all together.
Jo and Nate were a delight to read about and I loved her passion for baking and his Boy Scout personality. I loved how she was a master hacker and how he was the golden boy. These two shouldn't have worked, and yet, they worked so well, and I loved everything about their story, from the way Jo taunted and teased to the way Nate saw the heart under her banter.
I loved how they were both so good, how they both wanted to do the right thing. I loved how they uncovered the conspiracy together and how much Jo loved her family, how she would have done anything for them, despite also wanting to do what was right.
This was just a great story and launches us into a wonderful series filled with amazing characters, lots of action, and incredible romances and friendships.
Jo and Nate were a delight to read about and I loved her passion for baking and his Boy Scout personality. I loved how she was a master hacker and how he was the golden boy. These two shouldn't have worked, and yet, they worked so well, and I loved everything about their story, from the way Jo taunted and teased to the way Nate saw the heart under her banter.
I loved how they were both so good, how they both wanted to do the right thing. I loved how they uncovered the conspiracy together and how much Jo loved her family, how she would have done anything for them, despite also wanting to do what was right.
This was just a great story and launches us into a wonderful series filled with amazing characters, lots of action, and incredible romances and friendships.
August 9, 2018
I received Hot Pursuit by Kay Marie from the blog tour host. This has no impact on my thoughts, my thoughts are my own. I was a little bit worried about Hot Pursuit by Kay Marie when I first got it but I read her Confessions of a Virgin Sex Columnist books last year and enjoyed them so I decided to take a chance and request this book from her.
I ended up being really happy about how this book turned out. I'm not normally into the whole cops romantic suspense like plot but this one was more fun than the others I've tried. I liked the writing style here. Jolene Carter was an expert hacker who secretly wanted to be a baker. Nate was an FBI agent who was in charge of keeping an eye on her and to turn her dad and friend in, but he had another idea once the two bonded over an unlikely friendship.
I really liked their friendship in this book. I also liked the little things Jolene did when she knew Nate and Leo (Nate's FBI partner in crime and best friend) like singing If you want to be my lover from Spice Girls. I liked it when Leo found it catchy and that made me warm up to him also.
Hot Pursuit really was like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Catch Me if You Can with that dash of romance. It all mixed well and it was a five star rating for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I ended up being really happy about how this book turned out. I'm not normally into the whole cops romantic suspense like plot but this one was more fun than the others I've tried. I liked the writing style here. Jolene Carter was an expert hacker who secretly wanted to be a baker. Nate was an FBI agent who was in charge of keeping an eye on her and to turn her dad and friend in, but he had another idea once the two bonded over an unlikely friendship.
I really liked their friendship in this book. I also liked the little things Jolene did when she knew Nate and Leo (Nate's FBI partner in crime and best friend) like singing If you want to be my lover from Spice Girls. I liked it when Leo found it catchy and that made me warm up to him also.
Hot Pursuit really was like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Catch Me if You Can with that dash of romance. It all mixed well and it was a five star rating for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
March 26, 2021
This has been on my TBR list for a long time now. It had to go in the "couldn't find for free online" tab for most of that time because it wasn't available for free (as the tab suggests). So when it finally came online I snapped into action to ready it. I was excited to read this enemies to lovers comedy but if I'm being honest it was rather disappointing.
It wasn't as funny as I was hoping for. And as for the enemies to lovers I mean sure the MMC put up a good fight for his attraction of the MFC but that was about it. It was otherwise insta-love between the characters.wichbis something I can't stand when it comes to my romance books.
Another thing I didn't enjoy was the overall plot drama with the bad guys. The ending was rushed and didn't leave alot of answers. It felt half assed and like the author didn't care about the plot compared to the romance. This one just didn't do wonders for me.
It wasn't as funny as I was hoping for. And as for the enemies to lovers I mean sure the MMC put up a good fight for his attraction of the MFC but that was about it. It was otherwise insta-love between the characters.wichbis something I can't stand when it comes to my romance books.
Another thing I didn't enjoy was the overall plot drama with the bad guys. The ending was rushed and didn't leave alot of answers. It felt half assed and like the author didn't care about the plot compared to the romance. This one just didn't do wonders for me.
August 29, 2018
Just give me a second here, please? I need to organize some very jumbled thoughts. Ok, so first, baked goods. I want a coopie!! Or ten… They sound incredibly delicious, I swear. My mouth kept watering at the mention of them. Also, if you love hearing about different foods/desserts, get ready for some salivating.
My favorite passage:
“Jo closed here eyes and shook her head, trying to wipe the smile from her face as she imagined the way Agent Parker must have growled when she spent forty-five minutes in the kitchen yesterday, singing along to her favorite soundtrack, The Bodyguard. Whitney Houston had the voice of an angel. Jo had the voice of a dying parakeet. But it was all about confidence, which for some unknown reason, she seemed to have in abundance.”
This clearly sums up Jo, 100% being who she is, a hacker and baker, an odd combo for sure, bold and dangerously fun. She is the main protagonist, while the second perspective we get is from Agent Parker. And, hot damn, if there isn’t immediate chemistry between the two as soon as they meet. But they fight it for as long as possible, because they are fighting from different sides.
Agent Parker follows the rules, is in the FBI and determined to keep Jo as far from him as possible personally, and nail the family professionally.
Thaddeus is Jo’s best friend since they were kids and became her dad’s partner after he died. He knows her too well to be anything more (yay for no love triangles), seeing right through her.
Jo and her dad’s relationship is goals personified for sure, precious and sweet.
There are so many more things going on in this novel, but believe me, you won’t get lost even once while reading. You’ll get sucked into a plot of intrigue and suspense. You will laugh out loud so many times and shake your head at Jo and Agent Parker too.
Their obvious differences made their attraction to each other all the more alluring to read about, especially because they both know they should definitely not get together at all.
And forget twists, just wait for your heart to start clenching. I swear I was so anxious while reading the last couple of chapters, barely breathing until the end!
My favorite passage:
“Jo closed here eyes and shook her head, trying to wipe the smile from her face as she imagined the way Agent Parker must have growled when she spent forty-five minutes in the kitchen yesterday, singing along to her favorite soundtrack, The Bodyguard. Whitney Houston had the voice of an angel. Jo had the voice of a dying parakeet. But it was all about confidence, which for some unknown reason, she seemed to have in abundance.”
This clearly sums up Jo, 100% being who she is, a hacker and baker, an odd combo for sure, bold and dangerously fun. She is the main protagonist, while the second perspective we get is from Agent Parker. And, hot damn, if there isn’t immediate chemistry between the two as soon as they meet. But they fight it for as long as possible, because they are fighting from different sides.
Agent Parker follows the rules, is in the FBI and determined to keep Jo as far from him as possible personally, and nail the family professionally.
Thaddeus is Jo’s best friend since they were kids and became her dad’s partner after he died. He knows her too well to be anything more (yay for no love triangles), seeing right through her.
Jo and her dad’s relationship is goals personified for sure, precious and sweet.
There are so many more things going on in this novel, but believe me, you won’t get lost even once while reading. You’ll get sucked into a plot of intrigue and suspense. You will laugh out loud so many times and shake your head at Jo and Agent Parker too.
Their obvious differences made their attraction to each other all the more alluring to read about, especially because they both know they should definitely not get together at all.
And forget twists, just wait for your heart to start clenching. I swear I was so anxious while reading the last couple of chapters, barely breathing until the end!
August 29, 2018
All Jolene Carter wants to do is own her bakery one day, there's just one hitch in her plan. Her father Robert Carter is a world-renowned criminal in the art heist world, and now they spend their days on their island hiding and avoiding the FBI. That is until her father promises to quit after this one last job and there's a new FBI agent on board - Nate Parker. Nate wants Robert and Jolene behind bars where they belong as in his book - a criminal is a criminal no matter how good they try to be. Jolene heads to NY with her father and knows that she is being trailed by the FBI and decides to send them on a wild goose chase around New York as she visits the different bakeries on her list. During her time in New York, Jolene and Agent Parker exchange some words and end up spending time together. During their time, you can read as the sparks fly off the pages and the chemistry between the two of them is sizzling not to mention their amazing, witty banter between themselves. Nate starts to realize that Jolene is a good person caught between doing what's right and family loyalty as her father is all she has. As the book progresses, we read as we wonder can two people on opposite sides of the law live HEA forever? Find out in this fun read, and I am looking forward to reading more of Kay Marie's books in this series as I am a big fan of heist and theft type novels.
August 28, 2018
Fun, captivating and tasty!
He is after the organization they killed his father, she is after the life she wanted not involving her father’s organization. Together they try to correct the parts of their lives that have been damaged.
This fun addictive read has you flipping pages and cravings sweets throughout the whole book.
Jolene is a hacker daughter of an art thief whose real dream is to open up a bake shop. When her mom died her loyalty stays with her family and she sacrificed her dreams to keep her father happy.
Nate is an FBI agent whose whole life is all about his job. His father was killed in front of his eyes as a child while on the job and Nate feels he needs to rectify his death. He never had a sweet tooth until Jolene basically force fed him one of her concoctions.
I can’t tell you how many times I searched my pantry or contemplated baking when Jolene was baking, eating or talking about sweets.
And speaking of sweets, these two together and their flirting is deliciously entertaining. They have a sweet sensibility that keeps you glued to the pages and enticed by their adventure.
I enjoy this book so much! It was such an easy read with so much fun and enchanting. Kay Marie is a new author for me but the way she writes has me stimulated with curiosity. I am looking forward to another read by her.
He is after the organization they killed his father, she is after the life she wanted not involving her father’s organization. Together they try to correct the parts of their lives that have been damaged.
This fun addictive read has you flipping pages and cravings sweets throughout the whole book.
Jolene is a hacker daughter of an art thief whose real dream is to open up a bake shop. When her mom died her loyalty stays with her family and she sacrificed her dreams to keep her father happy.
Nate is an FBI agent whose whole life is all about his job. His father was killed in front of his eyes as a child while on the job and Nate feels he needs to rectify his death. He never had a sweet tooth until Jolene basically force fed him one of her concoctions.
I can’t tell you how many times I searched my pantry or contemplated baking when Jolene was baking, eating or talking about sweets.
And speaking of sweets, these two together and their flirting is deliciously entertaining. They have a sweet sensibility that keeps you glued to the pages and enticed by their adventure.
I enjoy this book so much! It was such an easy read with so much fun and enchanting. Kay Marie is a new author for me but the way she writes has me stimulated with curiosity. I am looking forward to another read by her.
September 3, 2018
Cute story about a young woman (Jo) who is unfortunately on the wrong side of the law due to her father’s profession as a master thief, and a FBI Agent.
Nate looks at the world in black and grey and has very good personal reasons to catch Jo’s father and his partner in crime Thad. He is attracted to Jo and tries to cut her a deal, but will she take it, betraying her father and best friend? Jo realizes there is much she doesn’t know and she wants to live a normal life. But at what cost?
I enjoyed the story even when I sometimes thought Jo a bit too cocky.
Nate looks at the world in black and grey and has very good personal reasons to catch Jo’s father and his partner in crime Thad. He is attracted to Jo and tries to cut her a deal, but will she take it, betraying her father and best friend? Jo realizes there is much she doesn’t know and she wants to live a normal life. But at what cost?
I enjoyed the story even when I sometimes thought Jo a bit too cocky.
September 10, 2018
4-1/2 stars! I love a good romantic suspense with a healthy dose of humor which is exactly what HOT PURSUIT delivers. Jolene Carter is the daughter of a notorious art thief being hunted by the FBI. All she wants is open her own bakery where she can make her coopies–cookies wrapped in pie dough. FBI agent Nate Parker just wants to nail Robert Carter. Too bad Carter’s sexy, flirty, bad ass daughter is hell-bent on making his life difficult. The two begin a game of cat and mouse that is as much fun as it is frustrating, until things shift and feelings get in the way of what both of them want. Responsibilities, desires, loyalties, and wits tangle within both Nate and Jo. Both will be forced to choose between what they want most and what they must do, with no easy out for either of them, and nothing but heartache on the horizon.
Plot
The plot centers around the heist that Jo is helping her dad and her best friend, Thad, pull off, and the FBI’s attempts to catch them in the act. Central to that plot is the budding romance between Jo and Nate. The two plots are so intertwined they’re nearly one in the same. The romance drives conflict in the heist and Jo’s criminal family and her role in all of it drives conflict in their relationship.
The Characters
The characters are what sold this book for me. Not that it wasn’t a fun story, but the author made me care about the characters so much, that I wanted everything for both of them. Each has deep motivations and rich back stories that drive everything they do. At no point did I question their actions, because they remain true to themselves throughout. Jo is funny, irreverent, smart, and lonely. Nate is all about the rules and he hates everything Jo stands for, but that doesn’t stop him from falling for her after finding out what makes her do the things she does. Each wants to save the other from themselves.
Top Five Things I Loved About HOT PURSUIT
1. Jolene Carter. She’s adorably spunky, unpredictable, and just the type of person I’d love to have for a BFF.
2. Nate Parker. Sexy. FBI. Enough said.
3. Non-graphic heat. Don’t get me wrong, I love graphic sex scenes as much as the next reader, but the way the author creates sexual tension is straight out of Gypsy Rose Lee’s playbook. Always leave them wanting more!
4. Thievery. I’m not promoting lawbreaking, but I love a good heist story, along the lines of Oceans Eleven or Now You See Me. HOT PURSUIT is in the same vein, and it was pure fun.
5. Doing the right thing for the right reason. Both main characters try to walk a fine line, but in the end, they do what’s right for all the right reasons.
Bottom Line
A fun, witty, romantic comedy/adventure with lots of playful banter.
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Plot
The plot centers around the heist that Jo is helping her dad and her best friend, Thad, pull off, and the FBI’s attempts to catch them in the act. Central to that plot is the budding romance between Jo and Nate. The two plots are so intertwined they’re nearly one in the same. The romance drives conflict in the heist and Jo’s criminal family and her role in all of it drives conflict in their relationship.
The Characters
The characters are what sold this book for me. Not that it wasn’t a fun story, but the author made me care about the characters so much, that I wanted everything for both of them. Each has deep motivations and rich back stories that drive everything they do. At no point did I question their actions, because they remain true to themselves throughout. Jo is funny, irreverent, smart, and lonely. Nate is all about the rules and he hates everything Jo stands for, but that doesn’t stop him from falling for her after finding out what makes her do the things she does. Each wants to save the other from themselves.
Top Five Things I Loved About HOT PURSUIT
1. Jolene Carter. She’s adorably spunky, unpredictable, and just the type of person I’d love to have for a BFF.
2. Nate Parker. Sexy. FBI. Enough said.
3. Non-graphic heat. Don’t get me wrong, I love graphic sex scenes as much as the next reader, but the way the author creates sexual tension is straight out of Gypsy Rose Lee’s playbook. Always leave them wanting more!
4. Thievery. I’m not promoting lawbreaking, but I love a good heist story, along the lines of Oceans Eleven or Now You See Me. HOT PURSUIT is in the same vein, and it was pure fun.
5. Doing the right thing for the right reason. Both main characters try to walk a fine line, but in the end, they do what’s right for all the right reasons.
Bottom Line
A fun, witty, romantic comedy/adventure with lots of playful banter.
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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May 2, 2024Great reading
I enjoyed the banter between Nate and Jo. The chemistry was well described. There's premarital sex scenes, so I would recommend this book for a mature young adult.
I enjoyed the banter between Nate and Jo. The chemistry was well described. There's premarital sex scenes, so I would recommend this book for a mature young adult.
September 12, 2022
It was a bit too insta-lovey but it was fast-paced so I guess... It did warm things to my heart still so I'm not complaining too much.
Clearly I have problems since I love it when the mc gets hurt or something and the guy gets all desperate and "omg no you can't die i love you you're my everything"
Clearly I have problems since I love it when the mc gets hurt or something and the guy gets all desperate and "omg no you can't die i love you you're my everything"
June 21, 2025
Here is an excerpt from this book:
“Nate’s pointer finger twitched against the trigger of his Glock 22. Not an equal match, not by a long shot. He swallowed, calming his nerves, reminding himself that in the game of size versus skill, skill almost always won out.”
(Listen, it was kinda fun tho.)
“Nate’s pointer finger twitched against the trigger of his Glock 22. Not an equal match, not by a long shot. He swallowed, calming his nerves, reminding himself that in the game of size versus skill, skill almost always won out.”
(Listen, it was kinda fun tho.)
January 8, 2026
Quick, fun read. Plot was fast paced, made it difficult to put down! No spice, but plenty of heat between the MC's.
January 5, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ It was a free download, I can kind of see why. Fun concept but the plot felt rushed.
May 15, 2025
My “should’ve been at Tour of Destruction and the lake” read.
Quick, cute, predictable read.
Quick, cute, predictable read.
August 8, 2018
Jolene Carter is the daughter of a wanted art thief. She helps her father with her expert hacking capabilities, but her dream is to escape her life and open a bakery. That dream could come true with this last job. Freedom. She can see it on the horizon. One last job. Her father promised. But will he keep his promise?
Nate Parker is a FBI agent for the organized crime division. His assignment is Jolene Carter’s father. The pressure is on since word on the street is he is about to pull his last job and go underground into retirement. There is so much riding on this bust. Nothing will get in his way. Not even his target’s hot fiery red-headed vixen daughter.
This author knew what she was doing when she created these characters. Nate and Jolene are awesome characters. Together they are fun and exciting. I love the cat and mouse game that they play. Their chemistry is off the charts. The circle each other and throw jabs at one another like it is second nature.
I freaking loved this book. It was an action packed adventure from page one. Kind of reminded me of the Fox and O’Hare series by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg. This story had it all. It had great characters and a well laid out plot. The story flowed smooth and was never rushed. It is a page turner for sure. It will grab your attention and won’t let go. I love how the book has a dangerous thrill to it. Made for a very exciting read. The book even ended on a great note leaving you to wonder what is next.
Overall this book was amazing. I love how the romance and hotness factor is there without being too dirty. It was the perfect blend of thrills, chills and romance. If you like a good thief vs hot FBI agent, then this book is all you. I guarantee you will enjoy every minute of the cat and mouse game.
Nate Parker is a FBI agent for the organized crime division. His assignment is Jolene Carter’s father. The pressure is on since word on the street is he is about to pull his last job and go underground into retirement. There is so much riding on this bust. Nothing will get in his way. Not even his target’s hot fiery red-headed vixen daughter.
This author knew what she was doing when she created these characters. Nate and Jolene are awesome characters. Together they are fun and exciting. I love the cat and mouse game that they play. Their chemistry is off the charts. The circle each other and throw jabs at one another like it is second nature.
I freaking loved this book. It was an action packed adventure from page one. Kind of reminded me of the Fox and O’Hare series by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg. This story had it all. It had great characters and a well laid out plot. The story flowed smooth and was never rushed. It is a page turner for sure. It will grab your attention and won’t let go. I love how the book has a dangerous thrill to it. Made for a very exciting read. The book even ended on a great note leaving you to wonder what is next.
Overall this book was amazing. I love how the romance and hotness factor is there without being too dirty. It was the perfect blend of thrills, chills and romance. If you like a good thief vs hot FBI agent, then this book is all you. I guarantee you will enjoy every minute of the cat and mouse game.
January 2, 2024
Very cute - a great enemies to lovers read! I loved the mix of romance with the element of crime & thriller.
February 11, 2025
Closed door romance with innuendo. Characters were likable but the plot/storyline was all over the place. Great concept but the book felt rushed in most areas.
Like come on, after one week Nate is going to risk his entire career, honoring his promise to his dad, and morals to help the FMC because he's attracted to her? I could see it if there were months of tailing and interactions, but the whole thing felt very rushed and forced. Same for FMC, like she's going to consider an immunity plea deal throwing away her relationship with her Dad and best friend / brother all for a guy she and spent one day alone with? I was really excited to read this based on the summary but overall the book didn't live up to it's potential.
Like come on, after one week Nate is going to risk his entire career, honoring his promise to his dad, and morals to help the FMC because he's attracted to her? I could see it if there were months of tailing and interactions, but the whole thing felt very rushed and forced. Same for FMC, like she's going to consider an immunity plea deal throwing away her relationship with her Dad and best friend / brother all for a guy she and spent one day alone with? I was really excited to read this based on the summary but overall the book didn't live up to it's potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2024
I bought this book off a Instagram ad that set it up as the flirty hacker who won't stop bothering the FBI agent chasing her. So I was sold. The book was...okay. I was looking for a little more slow burn and conflict. The banter we got was good but the MMC felt a little too stereotypical, the straight laced FBI agent bent on avenging his father's death. I did like that the FMC was a reluctant hacker, she dreamed of being a baker but was forced into a life of crime to support her famous art thief father. But she felt a little too naive for being an international hacker. This was an easy read but didn't excite me as much as I wanted.
April 10, 2019
This book was a delightful, rather light and funny, but still somehow suspenseful romance tale about two very unlikely candidates for a relationship who somehow just click with one another.
When first they meet, Nate is such a stickler for the rules and proper procedure and all of that. He doesn't seem as though he'd even be able to contemplate how to break the rules. He even keeps his white shirt buttoned all the way up... while on a boat, supposedly fishing... in the Bahamas. Nate has a traumatic past which we only very slowly begin to learn about as the story progresses, which very much explains his dedication to the job and obsession with apprehending his latest targets.
Jo on the other hand, is a total free spirit, not easily contained or directed by anyone, even herself. She does a lot of things that seem rather foolhardy, maybe even dangerous for her. Although many of them do prove to be very calculated acts of subterfuge. Basically, Jo and her little gang are in a league way above the field where the FBI agents are playing. Unfortunately, they are also interacting with players from the Russian Mafia that Jo was totally unaware of prior to the events of this book.
Jo seems to know just how to push all of Nate's buttons to get a rise out of him. And eventually she works her way underneath his skin enough to pull him a bit out of his oppressive shell. In just a short time, they develop a genuine friendship, in addition to the intense physical attraction that they have for each other. They actually have a lot more in common - instances of childhood trauma - than either would have thought. But at the end of the day, he is still a law enforcement officer and she is still a criminal. It doesn't seem there is anyway that ever the twain shall meet. Luckily, after a lot of back and forth, good and bad, hit and miss, they do come to a point where they are able to put aside their differences and focus on each other.
The secondary characters too - Jo's dad, their business colleague, Nate's partner especially - are all interesting characters as well, and provide a bit more background and depth for these players. Even Jo's online baking gal pals seem like real people with very distinctive personalities, whom I'd definitely like to learn more about.
The biggest drawback to the story for me was less on the romance side and more in the whole mystery and suspense arena. While the planning and execution of the heist seemed flawless, the back story for all of the deeper goings on here seemed very thin and not especially believable. The extreme measures of the near ending also didn't strike me as awfully authentic either. Still, it was a good book, lots of fun banter and interaction, as well as some thought-provoking mystery elements.
(Oh, and I did feel that the name Jo gave her treat invention -- coopies -- was totally ridiculous. Just made me think of cowpies!)
I understand this is the first in a new series, and I am anxious to read the next installment and see where things go, presumably with some or all of these same characters.
I received a free eBook copy of this title from Xpresso Book Tours, and have willingly provided an honest review.
This review originally appeared on the So Few Books blog at: https://sofewbooks.blogspot.com/2018/...!
When first they meet, Nate is such a stickler for the rules and proper procedure and all of that. He doesn't seem as though he'd even be able to contemplate how to break the rules. He even keeps his white shirt buttoned all the way up... while on a boat, supposedly fishing... in the Bahamas. Nate has a traumatic past which we only very slowly begin to learn about as the story progresses, which very much explains his dedication to the job and obsession with apprehending his latest targets.
Jo on the other hand, is a total free spirit, not easily contained or directed by anyone, even herself. She does a lot of things that seem rather foolhardy, maybe even dangerous for her. Although many of them do prove to be very calculated acts of subterfuge. Basically, Jo and her little gang are in a league way above the field where the FBI agents are playing. Unfortunately, they are also interacting with players from the Russian Mafia that Jo was totally unaware of prior to the events of this book.
Jo seems to know just how to push all of Nate's buttons to get a rise out of him. And eventually she works her way underneath his skin enough to pull him a bit out of his oppressive shell. In just a short time, they develop a genuine friendship, in addition to the intense physical attraction that they have for each other. They actually have a lot more in common - instances of childhood trauma - than either would have thought. But at the end of the day, he is still a law enforcement officer and she is still a criminal. It doesn't seem there is anyway that ever the twain shall meet. Luckily, after a lot of back and forth, good and bad, hit and miss, they do come to a point where they are able to put aside their differences and focus on each other.
The secondary characters too - Jo's dad, their business colleague, Nate's partner especially - are all interesting characters as well, and provide a bit more background and depth for these players. Even Jo's online baking gal pals seem like real people with very distinctive personalities, whom I'd definitely like to learn more about.
The biggest drawback to the story for me was less on the romance side and more in the whole mystery and suspense arena. While the planning and execution of the heist seemed flawless, the back story for all of the deeper goings on here seemed very thin and not especially believable. The extreme measures of the near ending also didn't strike me as awfully authentic either. Still, it was a good book, lots of fun banter and interaction, as well as some thought-provoking mystery elements.
(Oh, and I did feel that the name Jo gave her treat invention -- coopies -- was totally ridiculous. Just made me think of cowpies!)
I understand this is the first in a new series, and I am anxious to read the next installment and see where things go, presumably with some or all of these same characters.
I received a free eBook copy of this title from Xpresso Book Tours, and have willingly provided an honest review.
This review originally appeared on the So Few Books blog at: https://sofewbooks.blogspot.com/2018/...!
August 3, 2018
4 Cranky Stars
I was worried at first about how a proper federal agent would mesh with a messy daughter of an art thief who had dreams of opening a bakery would play out. Once the story got rolling it was a crazy ride and the story flowed nicely.
Jolene Carter wasn’t as innocent as she may seem. She helped her father out with intel on his heist, but she had bigger dreams of opening a bakery. It was just that though a farfetched dream because she knew living on the run like they did it wouldn’t be a reality. Her life was contained to living on an island with her father and Thad who was her best friend. Her and Thad set out for one more job but she has a feeling something is very off about this. It’s when she encounters Agent Parker that she thinks maybe this isn’t the life she wants anymore.
Nate Parker was a man with a vendetta. He worked his way into the organized crime unit for only one reason and that was his father . When he is given the task to trail the Carters he assumed everyone involved was guilty. Nate only saw things in black and white and when he lays eyes on Jo she makes him see color. It’s frowned upon for an agent and a daughter of an art thief to get together. What started out as trying to work her for information becomes this need to keep her safe.
This book took the natural progression of things. Jo and Nate didn’t just hop into bed and use each other. I wasn’t fond of Thad. He seemed way too shady but that’s because we didn’t really get to know him too much in this book. Jos obsession with the coopie was kind of funny and I was almost certain she was going to get revenge on the guy who stole the cronut idea. If you like a good heist and a button upped federal agent (think The Thomas Crown Affair) then this is your book.
I was worried at first about how a proper federal agent would mesh with a messy daughter of an art thief who had dreams of opening a bakery would play out. Once the story got rolling it was a crazy ride and the story flowed nicely.
Jolene Carter wasn’t as innocent as she may seem. She helped her father out with intel on his heist, but she had bigger dreams of opening a bakery. It was just that though a farfetched dream because she knew living on the run like they did it wouldn’t be a reality. Her life was contained to living on an island with her father and Thad who was her best friend. Her and Thad set out for one more job but she has a feeling something is very off about this. It’s when she encounters Agent Parker that she thinks maybe this isn’t the life she wants anymore.
Nate Parker was a man with a vendetta. He worked his way into the organized crime unit for only one reason and that was his father . When he is given the task to trail the Carters he assumed everyone involved was guilty. Nate only saw things in black and white and when he lays eyes on Jo she makes him see color. It’s frowned upon for an agent and a daughter of an art thief to get together. What started out as trying to work her for information becomes this need to keep her safe.
This book took the natural progression of things. Jo and Nate didn’t just hop into bed and use each other. I wasn’t fond of Thad. He seemed way too shady but that’s because we didn’t really get to know him too much in this book. Jos obsession with the coopie was kind of funny and I was almost certain she was going to get revenge on the guy who stole the cronut idea. If you like a good heist and a button upped federal agent (think The Thomas Crown Affair) then this is your book.
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