Chase

by Katie Knight, Leslie North

A blind date with a SEAL takes a deadly turn…

When Gabbi King reluctantly agreed to a blind date, she had no idea it would be with an infuriating SEAL—or it would end in murder. The victim was a friend and now she won’t stop until the killer is caught… especially since she witnessed the crime, and whoever did it may be after her.

Their blind date was a disaster, but Gabbi can’t deny that having tough-as-nails former Navy SEAL Chase Baker helping her is a huge plus.

What’s not so good? The blistering chemistry between them when they’re forced to fake date to keep their investigation under the radar. The two are completely wrong for each other. And yet, sparks keep flying between them.

Catching this killer is Gabbi’s priority. But she’s finding it impossible to keep Chase out of her thoughts. And out of her bed. And, if Gabbi’s honest, out of her heart…

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 4, 2024

About the author

It isn’t a big surprise Katie Knight ended up writing romances about the stellar, studdly men of the Navy SEALs; after all, she was a K-9 trainer for the SEALs and met her own Navy SEAL hero husband while preparing one of their K-9 partners for combat. A few years after their marriage, her and hubby decided to retire with their K-9 partner, Sam, to raise their children in the Midwest. It wasn’t long after that before Katie decided to write her own stories featuring the men of the SEAL teams and the women who love them.

When not imagining dangerously romantic scenarios for her heroes and their feisty heroines, Katie enjoys hikes with her husband and Sam, spending time with her children, and long runs (on and off the beach).

Join me on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/Katie-Knight...

Reviews

[Lindsay De Cuyper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hit all my checkboxes. The strong protector, the stubborn and independant woman who has a hard time admitting to how much she likes beeing cared for, the danger, ... I was here for it!

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Chase to absolute bits and pieces. Unfortunately, Gabbi frustrated me a lot. I understand where she’s coming from; she’s got some pretty horrible relationship baggage in her past. But, it causes her to do one of the things that drives me the most batty in romantic suspense: disregard the good advice a professional has given. In her defense, though, Chase’s assessments weren’t always entirely accurate. I enjoyed watching this pair going from complete enemies to head-over-heels in love. However, I think what I appreciate most about this story is that it wasn’t the usual partner we expect making the Grand Gesture in the end.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Ashley Carr, LSoR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabbi and Chase were set up on a blind date that ended in disaster. She has had it with domineering men after her ex and Chase was all that. Chase thinks she is too flaky and doesn’t have time for that. So they part ways and when Chase walks into her office and they hear shots ring out they go in and investigate. Now they are forced to work together to solve a murder mystery. Will they go closer, and start a real relationship?

[Jean M · Rating 4 out of 5]

As easy to read story. Despite Gabbie and Chase not getting on together they persevere in investigating the murder together. Chase is an alpha male and a born leader which Gabbie resists due to a previous relationship.
There’s a lot of “should they shouldn’t they” as if they are a couple of teenagers not mature adults which was a little frustrating.
They both have issues to resolve but the murder investigation comes first.
They eventually get their HEA but not without a few setbacks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Knight has written a 5-star book. This is the story of Gabbi and Chase. Gabbi is a reporter working for a small-town newspaper. Chase is a former Navy Seal and now works for his father's security company. His cousin Ashley has set him up on a blind date with a friend of hers. When Gabbi and Chase meet, they do not hit it off. She thinks that he is controlling after he orders drinks and appetizers without asking what she would like. After the date was over, he offered to walk her to her car but she told him it was at the newspaper. He said that he would take her to her car but she said that it was only a few blocks and that she could walk. He tells her that he would walk with her to the newspaper. Once there, she tells him that Oscar should be there and that he would walk her out to her car after she gets her laptop. Chase didn't trust her to do what she said so he said that he would wait on her. Gabbi is talking to Oscar outside of her office when there is a man dressed in all black coming out of it. The man sees Gabbi and Oscar and the man points a gun at him and shoots him and then runs. Chase hears the gunshot and runs to check on Gabbi. He finds her trying to help Oscar. Things do not go well for Gabbi after this. The police think that it is a robbery gone wrong. Chase takes Gabbi home and when they get there, her front door is open just a little bit. Someone had broken into her house and trashed it. The police are called but they don't think it has anything to do with Oscar's death. They just think it is some random break-in. Chase offers to let Gabbi stay with him until the person is found. When she goes to work the next morning, the story is given to another reporter and he doesn't even want to speak to Gabbi. Gabbi doesn't believe what the police are saying and she wants to find out who killed Oscar. She gets Chase to help her find out the truth. The more questions they ask, the more they need to find out. They finally find something that may explain why someone is after her. She gets a note telling her to back off or something would happen to her. She calls Chase and tells him what happened. He tells her to stay in her office and to wait until he gets there. Gabbi thinks about things and says something to Chase about his friend Eddie. Chase tells her to drop it but she says she can't. They get into a big fight and she won't speak to him. Gabbi is checking on things and she calls Eddie's phone and gets Veronica, his wife. Gabbi is told that Eddie was not there and he left and didn't say where he was going. While Gabbi is talking to Veronica, she is kidnapped. Chase calls Eddie's phone and gets Veronica. She asks if Gabbi is okay. Chase doesn't know what she is talking about. She tells him what she heard while on the phone with Gabbi. Chase called his father and told him he needed everyone to come to his house because Gabbi had been taken.
Can Chase find Gabbi and save her?
Will Gabbi give Chase a second chance?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reporter gets the scoop of her lifetime along with the love of her life.

Gabbi King is a newspaper reporter in Estes Springs, Colorado. She was talked into going on a blind date with Chase by his cousin, Ashley. So far, she's not impressed. At the restaurant, he orders without asking what she'd like to have. He criticized her for leaving a reporting job in New York to move to Colorado. Confident, assertive men make her cautious. In her experience, they want to change you until you're only a shell of your former self. Or at least that's what her last boyfriend did.

Chase Baker is a former Navy SEAL. He's now working at his father's security company. Gabbi is the type of woman he's normally attracted to. Too bad his cousin forgot to mention her age, as she's twelve years younger than him. She's still in the dating phase of her life, while at thirty-eight, he's thinking of settling down. He realizes that the date is a wash, but he's determined to see it through to its conclusion.

After dinner, with separate checks at her insistence, she reluctantly allows him to walk her back to the newspaper office to get her car. At the office, he waits outside as she goes in to retrieve her laptop. Then he hears gunfire. The night guard, Oscar, was walking her to her office when a masked man ran out of her office and shot and killed Oscar. Oscar was her friend and she's determined to find out who killed him and why. Oscar worked for Chase's father, so Chase also wants to learn the who and why of Oscar's death. To do so, she'll need help and Chase is the ideal partner.

She has no idea who the killer is. However, now she's receiving death threats...

Chase isn't going to stand for that! Things were going fine with them until he failed to listen to her concerns. Then, when he went behind her back, that was the final straw. Then we're over, done, finished and finito! Or were they?

 I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming,tumultuous, age-gap, fake-dating,grumpy/sunshine, military, opposites attract romance between Chase Gabbi. Chase is a former Navy Seal who now that he's retired from the military works with his dad at their security firm. His cousin Ashley is determined to set him up on a blind date with her best-friend Gabbi even though he doesn't want to go but Ashley won't let him say no. When Chase and Gabbi meet on their date it doesn't go very well at all especially when Chase orders some appetizers without asking Gabbi what she wants. Gabbi doesn't appreciate it and she thinks that Chase is being controlling so when the date's over he offers to walk her to her car. Gabbi tells him that her car is at the newspaper and that she'll walk as it's a short walk from there and Chase tells her that he'll walk with her. Once they get there Gabbi tells Chase that she needs to retrieve her laptop from her office and that Oscar would walk her out to her car. Gabbi is talking to Oscar when all of a sudden a man in head to toe black comes out of her office and he takes out a gun points it at Oscar and shoots him. Chase hears the shot and runs to check on Gabbi who's trying to help Oscar. The cops come and their theory is that it's a robbery gone wrong then Chase takes Gabbi home and her front door is slightly ajar. Gabbi's house is trashed and when they call the cops they don't think that it's related to Oscar's shooting. Chase tells Gabbi that she can stay with him and when she goes to work the next day they give the story to a different reporter who doesn't even talk to Gabbi about what happened. Gabbi is determined to find out what happened to Oscar and why so she works with Chase to find out the truth. Can Chase protect Gabbi? Will Gabbi give Chase a second chance? You really need to read this heartwarming, tumultuous, age-gap, fake-dating, grumpy/sunshine, military, opposites attract romance to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chase by Katie Knight is a little different SEAL romance than Knight normally writes. Chase is retired from the SEALs and back in Estes Park working in his father’s small security business. Gabby is a reporter, having been blacklisted in New York and so moved to this small town. She is currently “paying her dues” by writing fluff pieces. Chase is 38; Gabby is 26. They have been set up on a blind date by Chase’s cousin, Angela, and it has not gone well. Chase is a gentleman, though, and sees Gabby back to her office where she wants to pick up something before she heads home. She is walking down the hall with security guard, Oscar (who works for Chase’s company), and Chase is walking away when he hears the sound of gun fire. He runs in to see Gabby trying to staunch the flow of blood from Oscar’s body. The shooter has run and Chase follows him, but he’s already gone. In the following days, Chase and Gabby are certain the policed are not going to follow up, believing it was a robbery gone bad. Then, someone trashes Gabby’s house. That’s enough for Chase so he takes Gabby to his place to protect her.

Both really good characters: Gabby is still reeling from an emotionally abusive relationship with the man with whom she had been involved back in New York. She has major trust issues. The reader can feel her pain and uncertainty. Chase is unhappy with his father’s small, slipshod security business, the one he is to take over so his father can retire. He has major attitude problems, but underneath is a good man, a protective man. Of course, living together leads to a deeper relationship and as in all relationships, ups and downs. The plot is a decent one in which both Chase and Gabby use their skills to solve the mystery. It is both hot and tender. Knight has done herself proud with this book.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Chase by the author, through Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #KatieKnight #Booksprout #Chase

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chase Baker recently retired from the Navy Seals and comes home to work with his Dad's Security Company, Baker Security. He is less than thrilled being back in his small town where not much happens.

Chase's cousin Ashley sets him up on a blind date with Gabbi, who is a reporter. He is more than 10 years older than her and from the get-go, they do not click. She is not happy with the way he automatically orders appetizers, etc. As the date goes on, it is evident to both that this is a bad idea, so they end the night with Chase walking her to her car. She lets him know she needs to pick up her laptop from her office so he says he will wait.

All of a sudden Chase hears gunfire from inside her office and a woman's screams.
Gabbi is trying to stop the bleeding on the security guard's chest whose name is Oscar. She can't believe this is happening and can't stop shaking while doing chest compressions on Oscar. Paramedics show up but they are not helping him and then we realize that he is gone.

The police are going to investigate but Gabbi thinks this has something to do with her office or an article she worked on. Otherwise, why would Oscar be killed and why was the masked man in her office.

So, her and Chase combine forces to find out what happened. Then her home is broken into as well, so she ends up staying with Chase.

Throughout the story they have their ups and downs with Gabbi bringing in her past relationship which was from a controlling man, and she can't help but compare Chase and Derrick.

This story has lots of twists, turns and sizzle when Chase and Gabbi aren't fighting.

I enjoyed this book.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chase Baker is a recently retired Navy SEAL. Currently working at his father’s security company. A company that he feels is not up to par with what a security company should be. Therefore, is not happy with the work environment.
Meanwhile, reporter Gabbi King left NYC after her ex black balled her and no one wanted to hire her there. So small town reporting is what she’s doing nowadays.
When Chase’s cousin sets up a blind date between him and Gabbi, things went downhill from the first greeting . But when she witnesses the murder of a security employee of Baker Security, Chase is determined to keep her safe.
As the danger increases. these two opposites find themselves drawn together to each other.
In the midst of it all, who is responsible for the murder and the additional danger that Gabbi seems to find herself? Is it a friend or foe?
This is a whodunit romance of two opposites finding themselves attracted to each other, but wondering if that’s a good thing or not.
The plot was engaging, and though Gabbi is really not a sunshine reporter as described in the synopsis of the story, both characters are likable .
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Booksprout. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the opportunity to read several books by Leslie North and Katie Knight these two ladies are totally awesome. I so love their writing styles, plots and their characters. This is an entertaining read that has its share of drama, mystery, mayhem, murder, danger, great characters and a plot that held me captive. Chase is a sexy alpha ex-Navy SEAL and he is working for father’s security company Baker Security. Gabbi is a reporter. Ashley and Chase are cousins and she sets Chase up on a blind date with Gabbi. Gabbi and Chase for some reason or another are not getting along while on their date. As their date is nearing an end; Gabbi has to return to her office momentarily and Chase waits for her to return. When gun fire rings out Chase goes in search of Gabbi and what he finds is Gabbi leaning over a wounded security guard Oscar who dies. Now Gabbi and Chase are working together to investigate a murder and forge into a fake relationship. As the two continue with their fake relationship they both get more than they bargained for when their feelings and hearts taking center stage. Can’t wait to see what these ladies are up to next.

I received an ARC and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the story Gabbi and Chase stumbled into was interesting. I did find it a little irritating that it took so long for the puzzle pieces to start to fit together. It was late in the book before I got the sense that these separate issues were moving toward a particular outcome.

The thing that dropped the rating from a 4 to 3 star rating was Gabbi. Was she really supposed to come across as a "sunshine" reporter, or was that the description because she wrote fluff pieces?

I can count the number of times I found her likable. She was the most unpleasant character in this book. I made a commitment to read it, but her character made it a genuine struggle.

I am not saying Chase's character was perfect, but he absolutely was not obnoxious. I also kept feeling like maybe there would be another female character to come in as a love interest and Gabbi would just be the irritating best friend.

How did Gabbi manage to NOT hear anything while talking to Veronica? It made no sense. I felt like she made things more unpleasant than they had to be.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book received via Booksprout

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Chase is a retired Navy SEAL that works with his father at their security firm. He agrees to a blind date with his cousin Ashley's best friend, Gabbi.

Their blind date does not go well though.

Gabbi is just starting out as a reporter and is given very simple and boring stories to write so when she heads to her office after her disastrous date with Chase, she's positive she's discovered something important to very dangerous people. The security guard was shot right in front of her.

Chase heard Gabby's scream and his training to protect kicks in. They decided they wanted to investigate what happened and the best way to do this without causing suspicion, is to carry on a fake dating relationship. The close proximity causes them both to realize they might have judged the other to harshly.

The story was told well, keeping the reader entertained. The characters are realistic and the added mystery made the story even better.

This was the first book I have read by this author but I would definitely read more.

There is some spice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decidedly NOT meet-cute, but HEA destined all the same
Chase: A military romance with a grumpy, former SEAL fake dating a sunshine reporter by Katie Knight is all grumpy-sunshine, as frustrating as it is fun entertainment. While this couple’s meeting is not exactly meet cute, it’s definitely memorable! It also seems that the odds are completely against them until their forced proximity of fake dating brings each of their qualities in to the light. He may be grumpy and she may be sunshine, but chemistry does not lie.
The plot is just as exciting as the characters are entertaining. Much needs to be resolved to end the danger that Gabbi finds herself in and Chase is absolutely up for the challenge. However, the real challenge is not just dodging bullets, it’s understanding one another and learning to trust despite assumptions and baggage.
Overall, this romance is also a thrilling mystery that ends with a HEA after a bit of heartbreak. Chase and Gabbi find their way back to one another and the future is looking pretty promising in every aspect of this couple.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my review.

[Sarah Cudlipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this one definitely had me from the beginning. Because the blind date between Chase and Gabbi was a complete and utter disaster. And murder. So I knew immediately that I was going to be rooting for these two! On top of that, she is a reporter and he is a SEAL which is basically one of my all-time favorite tropes. So yeah, I was all in on this book and Katie Knight did NOT disappoint! When Gabbi's friend and the security guard of the paper is gunned down in front of her, she isn't going to let the story go until she finds out who is behind it. Which means teaming up with Chase, since the police think it was a robbery gone wrong and Chase works in security.

As Chase and Gabbi get deeper into the mystery and start figuring things out, Gabbi is put in more danger. She is warned to back off of things, which only makes her more determined. I won't give anything away, but I will tell you that things quickly go from bad to worse. This book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. It was fast-paced and I was able to read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down once I had begun. So I definitely recommend this book and this author!

[Cathaleen Way · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could a first date go worse?

Chase Baker didn’t want to go on this blind date, but his cousin wouldn’t let him say no. Gabbi was trying to get over her last disastrous relationship but didn’t think she was ready. If it could go wrong, it did, even to the point as he walked her safely back to her office, they witnessed a murder.

Chase went into protective mode and Gabbi tried to deal with the aftereffects. As they investigate, they spend a lot of time together and find that maybe things weren’t as they first imagined. Old habits are hard to break. Can they survive catching a murderer and make it out the other side together.

Chase and Gabbi’s story is stormy, heartwarming and even heart breaking. We all have history that defines who we are. Sometimes it lingers longer than we think or want. I love their story of trying to find each other and maneuver all the potholes to get there. This was a great story, and I would love to see more of these characters and Baker Security.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebmay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is action-packed, thrilling and captivating. Neither Gabbie or Chase enjoy their blind date. She doesn’t like his take charge attitude and he finds her a bit flakey and impulsive. He walks her to her office with the thought of no second date. Both are surprised to hear gun shots and soon discover that they both know the victim. As a former SEAL and now a security specialist, Chase is used to investigating and protecting others and now it seems he will have to do both with Gabbie. She is not about to stay out of the investigation of her friend’s death and will keep going with or without a Chase’s help.

As they investigate, dating each other becomes their cover story. Neither expect the connection that they begin to feel, their fiery chemistry or the deeper feelings that both try to deny. Both seem to thrive on the danger and suspense, but her headstrong attitude drives him crazy. Will these two opposites find some common ground and build future together?

I enjoyed reading this book and would certainly recommend it to others.

[Nikki Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Chase, an ex Navy SEAL, and Gabbi, a journalist, meet on a blind date, it does not go well. Gabbi feels that he is controlling and after being in a controlling relationship previously she judges Chase. Chase is concerned about her being too young for him. Taking her back to her office so she can collect something and then go home, Gabbi and the officer's security guard discover a masked man coming out of her office and he shoots the guard. With the police thinking it is just an interrupted robbery and Gabbi thinking it is something more, Chase finds himself protecting Gabbi and they pretend to be in a relationship. As more comes to light, their relationship becomes more real, but suspicion is everywhere and they clash leaving doubts whether it will survive and when betrayal is found closer than Chase could imagine it may rip them apart forever. Full of intrigue, suspense, action and drama, this book has everything you need to keep you glued to every page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabbi and Chase meet on a blind date and it does not turn out well. She has gotten out of a controlling relationship and has gotten her confidence back. When Chase orders the wine and appetizer without asking her, this brings up her feelings of another man making decisions for her. They get through the dinner and when he goes with her back to her office to pick up her laptop, someone has broken into the newspaper office and has shot the security guard.

Gabbi takes it upon herself to investigate the incident and convinces Chase to help. To make their relationship look convincing, they fake their relationship and develop feelings. When she suspects one of his friends is involved, Chase is convinced that she is wrong which causes a rift between them. When she gets kidnapped, Chase rallies the security team to rescue her. They are able to overcome their differences and express their love for each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can an awkward first date lead to more for former Navy SEAL Chase Baker and Gabrielle “Gabbi” King? Maybe, unfortunately, a murder! She is beautiful, but he thinks she is too young for him. She recently left a situation with a possessive man and fears that he is as well. Agreeing to go their separate ways after dinner, he escorts her to her office at the local newspaper only to hear her scream and find the office guard shot. The guard was an employee of Baker Security, his firm. The police believe it was a robbery gone wrong, but when her house is broken into and trashed, she fears that she is in danger. Posing as a couple, she moves in with him to keep her safe. The attraction between them becomes too hard to ignore and they soon become lovers. As they search through various articles printed in the paper, they focus on a tragedy that occurred years ago and a possible coverup. When her life is on the line, will Chase and his team find her in time? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good story. Gabbi and Chase were setup on a date that did not go well. He was too domineering and she had already had a relationship like that. He walked her to her office to get her computer after and was there when someone shot the security guard that worked for his company. She was standing right next to him when it happened and it freaked her out. He took her home and said he would find Oscar's killer. Then her cabin was broken into and destroyed. She went home with him to be safe and they decided to pretend to be a couple. Eventually, they became one but in working together to find the killer, they kept things from each other and it tore them apart. When she is kidnapped, he realizes he can't live without her. The bad guy did surprise me but the head guy got caught in the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elaine A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chase is a retired SEAL who is now working with his father’s security company. Gabbi is a reporter for the local newspaper but has been doing the lighter stories. She wants to move to more important stories. They meet when a security guard at the paper, who works for Chase’s company, is shot when someone is coming out of Gabbi’s office. Now the two of them are trying to work together to find out what and who was behind the shooting. But Gabbi doesn’t want to trust a man again since having a bad experience with her ex and Chase feels he should be in charge because he knows what he is doing as a SEAL. A lot of twists and turns in the story as they try to find out who is behind the shooting. And a lot of steam as Chase and Gabbi realize that there may be more between them than just working on the shooting. Great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One over-the-top story filled with action, drama, and steamy lovemaking. From the moment Chase and Gabbi meet the action begins with their date going in all directions but right. He does remember his manners afterwards walking her to, where she needs to go. She was only out of his sight a few minutes, but she witnessed a murder. The next day her cabin was broken into and trashed. They see a pattern if the police do not, and they develop their own plan of action, she moves in with him for protection. They just have to convince everyone, they are now a couple, until they solve the murder. Easy enough. He's a retired SEAL with his father's security company resources (firm) behind him, and she's an investigative reporter with all the newspaper resources behind her. Hang on tight for all the twists and turns in this unbelievable story you will not be able to put down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The description of the book and the actual book that I downloaded and read weren’t the same, however I thoroughly enjoyed the book Chase. I thought that the two main characters, retired navy SEAL Chase and reporter Gabbi had such a connection and there was so much sexual tension. They were initially set up on a blind date that doesn’t go well but then circumstances intervene so they decide to fake date. Whilst investigating the murder of Oscar the security guard at the newspaper offices where Gabbi works, they become close……. In my opinion this had a bit of everything from friendship, simmering romance, drama and a bit of violence. The characters were all well described and thought out, with some nicer than others! It was easy to follow and keep track of how everyone was connected. Thank you to Netgalley and Relay Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Lyssa Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chase by Leslie North and Katie Knight is an open door romance novel that is full of popular tropes and ends in a happily ever after. 

26 year old Gabbi King is a (blackballed NYC) reporter working for a small-town newspaper in Colorado. 38 year old Chase Baker is an (unhappily) retired Navy Seal working for his father's security company. 

The unlikely pair are set up on a date and quickly realize they clearly have nothing in common, although each finds the other attractive. Their date goes really badly and ends with someone they both know being murdered.

Wanting to secretly investigate the case the police have dismissed, Gabbi and Chase team up and pretend to be a couple while working together to solve the murder. 

This spicy, small-town, military,  fake dating, alpha-male protector, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, age gap, forced proximity, suspenseful novel is a pretty good read. I'd 

recommend it to anyone who enjoys an easy read with the above-mentioned tropes included.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ex SEAL back in his home town to take over the family business. Blind date with a reporter who had a controlling ex boyfriend and you have a recipe for disaster. The bad blind dates ends with even more disaster and the book takes off. Interestingly enough had more problems with Chase the ex seal. I was not enticed or interested in either party. I knew some of the guilty party from their first time on the page and then as the story progressed I was disappointed in Chase. I know a SEAL is not a God, they are human, mistakes happen, but something was missing there. Gabbi (or Gabs *snicker*) seemed to be more on point in their investigation. It was still a readable book I wanted to finish for confirmation of the guilty and how it would conclude. Thank you for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #Chase #MilitaryRomance #KatieKnight #Booksprout

[Foodiegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books by Leslie North and Katie Knight!
This is an exciting read that filled with mystery, drama, murder, danger, and a plot that held me captive.
Chase is a retired Navy SEAL working for Gabbi's father’s security company Baker Security.
Gabbi is a reporter and Chase's cousin sets Chase up on a blind date with her friend Gabbi.
Gabbi and Chase aren't getting along while on their date. At the end of their date Gabbi has to return to her office momentarily. As Chase waits for her to return gun fire rings out Chase goes in search of Gabbi, finding Gabbi leaning over a wounded security guard.
Gabbi and Chase decide to work together investigating the murder. Posing in a fake relationship, their relationship quickly becomes more than they bargained for when their feelings grow stronger and steamy.
I can’t wait for the next exciting book.

[Nutnut1(Lornajean Ford) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC for an honest
After going on a disastrous blind date.Chas & Gabrielle end the date after walking her back to get her car. She pops in to her office to pick up something just as an intruder flees after shooting the security guard. After hearing shots fired Chase runs in only to find Gabrielle trying to save the guard.
Now a cat and mouse game is a foot. Is this just just a robbery gone wrong or is something else at play.
With Gabrielle's curiosity as a journalist and Chase's curiosity as a an ex seal both are unsure what is going on when Gabrielle's home is tossed.it becomes evident that the true target is her. But no one knows why. Trying to investigate what's going on they have to pretend they are a couple only it sure feels like a real relationship.
Good read enjoyed the pace and the complicated relationship with baggage on both sides 😀

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chase and Gabrielle were set up on a blind date together. However, when Chase took charge on ordering certain things the night goes south. Chase walks her back to her office and is about to leave when he hears shots fired. He finds Gabbi tending to one of the security men that works for his family's company. After dealing with the cops Chase offers her a place to stay after what happened. Soon they are agreeing to pretend to date so they can investigate what happened together. Its not long before things get very real between them. Can this turn into something more after their bad date?

This is a great story that will draw you in from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chase and Gabbi meet on a blind date that goes really wrong, especially at the end when a co-worker of theirs is killed in what appears to be a robbery at her office. The only way to investigate is to look like they are dating, but when more events happen, Chase becomes even more protective. Wonderful characters with great sassy banter, personalities and chemistry. Can they fool their friends? Are they getting real feelings? Will she survive what is coming? Will he be there if it does? Terrific fast paced storyline with great visuals and mystery aspects. Loved how they gain respect for each other and grow closer. Great ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.