Blog Tour, Book Review, Contemporary, Opposites Attract, Romance, Series, Social Butterfly PR

Chasing Serenity (River Rain #1) by Kristen Ashley

ABOUT THE BOOK

From a very young age, Chloe Pierce was trained to look after the ones she loved.  And she was trained by the best. But when the man who looked after her was no longer there, Chloe is cast adrift—just as the very foundation of her life crumbled to pieces.  Then she runs into tall, lanky, unpretentious Judge Oakley, her exact opposite. She shops. He hikes. She drinks pink ladies. He drinks beer. She’s a city girl. He’s a mountain guy. Obviously, this means they have a blowout fight upon meeting. Their second encounter doesn’t go a lot better. 

Judge is loving the challenge. Chloe is everything he doesn’t want in a woman, but he can’t stop finding ways to spend time with her. He knows she’s dealing with loss and change. He just doesn’t know how deep that goes. Or how ingrained it is for Chloe to care for those who have a place in her heart, how hard it will be to trust anyone to look after her… And how much harder it is when it’s his turn.

MY REVIEW

Holy cow! I can’t express how much I love Kristen Ashley’s incredible writing. Her characters are irresistibly charming and compelling and her world-building is engaging.  Where has this author been all my life?

The beautiful and confident Chloe Pierce is the glue that holds her famous family together. As the eldest of the once golden, loving Swan-Pierce empire, she is now shouldering her broken family’s problems.  From her dad’s scandalous behavior and the fallout from her parent’s divorce to her beloved Uncle Corey’s betrayal and shocking suicide. And then walks in the gorgeous and aggravating Judge Oakley who knows her better than herself. He’s the only person who has her back. But she’s terrified of her feelings for him. From her experience, she knows he will get tired of her crazy life and leave. So she pushes him away until she can’t take the pressure anymore.

I love, love, love Chloe and Judge. Their first encounter is hilarious as his “nice booties” comment in the shoe department is taken the wrong way. Chloe is stubborn and vulnerable as she wears a suit of armor that only Judge can penetrate as he slowly wears her down with his quick wit and freakin’ awesome protective nature. When Chloe finally broke down, it was incredibly heartbreaking, but Judge and his best friend Rix were there to support her and get her away from the negativity that her family unintentionally heaped on her. I can’t tell you how many times I teared up reading this beautiful story. Judge’s tragic upbringing is a killer and I was bawling at his horrible memories revealed in front of the people that love him so much. Chloe really stepped up for her man. They are so deserving of each other.

I want to emphasize that Ms. Ashley writes fantastic male roles. They are smart, respectful, and kind and they love their family with all that they have. From Judge, Chloe’s stepbrothers and father, to her mother’s fiance, Bowie.  And, what can I say about the hot, sexy Rix? The way he holds Chloe as Judge melts down. More tears, folks!! I really, really can’t wait for Rix’s and shy, insecure Alex’s story.  I do love the strong women in the story as well.  Chloe’s mother is a good role model as well as Chloe’s feisty and funny business partner, Mi-Young.

Pick up this book, people!  It is my favorite book this year. Ms. Ashley has found a prominent place on my bookshelf.

Thank you to Ms. Ashley for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

BUY THE BOOK

Chasing Serenity

Amazon US Amazon UK apple googleplay Kobo Barnes & Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristen Ashley, born in Gary and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, was a fourth-generation graduate of Purdue University. Since, she has lived in Denver, the West Country of England, and now she resides in Phoenix. She worked as a charity executive for eighteen years prior to beginning her independent publishing career. She currently writes full-time.

Although romance is her genre, the prevailing themes running through all of Kristen’s novels are friendship, family and a strong sisterhood. To this end, and as a way to thank her readers for their support, Kristen has created the Rock Chick Nation, a series of programs that are designed to give back to her readers and promote a strong female community.

The mission of the Rock Chick Nation is to live your best life, be true to your true self, recognize your beauty and take your sister’s back whether they’re friends and family or if they’re thousands of miles away and you don’t know who they are. The programs of the RC Nation include: Rock Chick Rendezvous, weekends Kristen organizes full of parties and get-togethers to bring the sisterhood together; Rock Chick Recharges, evenings Kristen arranges for women who have been nominated to receive a special night; and Rock Chick Rewards, an ongoing program that raises funds for nonprofit women’s organizations Kristen’s readers nominate. Kristen’s Rock Chick Rewards have donated nearly $170,000 to charity and this number continues to rise.

Follow Kristen on her website, newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, and Bookbub.

BLOG TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

SocialButterflyPR