When Olivia Hayes was a girl, she'd dreamed of escape. She had fantasized about living a different life, in a different place, as a different person. Her plan was mapped out, every last detail. But, when Olivia's circle of friends finds themselves faced with the enigma that is Jackson Wolf, she finds herself questioning every future life decision that she thought was etched into stone. Tears will be shed. Blood will be drawn. Death will be lurking in the shadows. How much is she willing to give? How much of herself will she lose to the inevitable massacre of her future?
She is the only one that makes it out alive, but how much of her is actually living when she gets to the finish line?
I read this in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. I planned to read it over the course of my weekend, relax, enjoy my time off but here I am, in the late hours of the kick off to my weekend, reeling from the absolute grip this book had on me.
A phenomenal debut novel from Elizabeth Tyson.
This book takes us through the unfortunate life of Olivia Hayes, a girl who has seen the worst it has to offer. A horrendous childhood. The evils of man. Unforgivable betrayals. Secrets. Death.
But it doesn't taint her heart. Olivia's love runs as deeply as her loyalties, no matter how often that fact is tested by the cruelties of life.
Jackson Wolf sees her. He knows her soul because it mirrors his.
But as I witnessed the shattering and breaking of Olivia, continuously, over the course of this book, all the way to the very end, I was left wondering how much heartbreak one could take before they come completely undone.
This book had me laughing, crying, so nervous that my sweaty hands have stained the cover of the book and absolutely kicking my feet and squealing in glee.
I literally can't wait for the next book. I know Olivia, I know she is strong and has overcome so much, and I KNOW there is more to come, but Elizabeth really makes me worry.
But I'm also excited to see the unraveling of secrets still left undiscovered. Betrayals that have yet to be confronted.
Read trigger warnings before diving in.
This book deals with self-harm, suicidal ideation, SA, death (murder), death (cancer), anxiety and depression, sexual content, and the consumption of marijuana and alcohol by minors.
I believe there are some that should be added; there is non-descriptive discussions of miscarriage. A side character loses their battle with cancer. And an attempted murder/suicide.
This book does have some writing errors, but they are forgivable.
Tropes I can think of off the top of my head: • Stalking 🥵 • BOOK GIFTING, BABES, SO HOT. Not a trope but so worth mentioning. • Organized Crime • Dark Themes • Virgin FMC • Territorial and possessive MMC • Bad boy/good girl • Small Town • Slow Burn • Troubled, dangerous MMC
Spice: 1🌶 but it seems promising book two will give us more
I loved Olivia so much. She’s been through such a hard and unforgiving life, and is still so kind and innocent. She has so much ambition and big plans. She deserves the world.
Jackson is so hot 😭 I don’t even care about what he does for a living, do you know how hard it is to find a man this handsome and this respectful? The man has a LIBRARY and reads SMUT for god’s sake!! And even though some of his actions SHOULD border on creepy, I never ever felt like he was unsafe for Olivia. He’s just a whole ass man.
The author really handles death so beautifully in this book. The times it came up, I felt Olivia’s grief so clearly and I cried with her. The scene in the rocking chairs on the front porch and the brief foreshadowing of what was to come had me sobbing.
Being from the same area of rural Florida as in the book, the author fully and accurately captured the southern culture and struggles that come with growing up in such a small town. The drug usage, the teenagers growing up too fast, the getting into trouble out of sheer boredom. It was very easy to get immersed in the story. (Also, I have never craved spaghetti and meatballs so badly in my life)
That cliff hanger was something else though 😭 I cannot wait for book two!
Before I begin I want to thank the author, Elizabeth Tyson, for giving me this ARC.
I really liked this. It's the perfect starter of a serie. I read this in a few a hours. This was definitely a emotional rollercoaster but it was very easy to read. Overall I really liked this and I'll definitely read the rest of this serie.
"Chasing Shadows" is Elizabeth Tyson's debut novel, and she has did the damn thing. Not only does this book have a remarkable ability to weave together a narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns that continually surprise the reader, but it's captivating and written so that you can place yourself in Olivia Hayes's shoes.
The protagonist, Olivia Hayes, is crafted with depth and realism, immersing readers in her experiences. You can truly feel her emotions, fears, and triumphs, making it easy to empathize with her journey. The vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue draw you into the story as if you are walking alongside Olivia herself.
Tyson's writing style is fluid and dynamic, making readers want to rip through each page. The pacing is perfect, ensuring there is never a dull moment while allowing character development to shine. Whether you're a fan of romance, thrillers, mysteries, or just a well-crafted story, "Chasing Shadows" is a must-read.
Overall, Elizabeth Tyson has outdone herself with this debut. "Chasing Shadows" promises a thrilling ride that will leave you eagerly awaiting book two. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping and immersive reading experience!
A Dream That Bleeds Into Survival This book pulled me in slowly, then refused to let go. Olivia’s longing to escape felt achingly real, and watching her carefully planned future unravel was heartbreaking. As the darkness closed in, the story became less about survival and more about what it costs to keep going. Haunting, emotional, and unsettling in the best way, this is the kind of story that leaves you asking whether making it out alive is the same as truly living.
This was an intense novel with a cliffhanger ending! A bit more language than I prefer in my stories, but Tyson developed the characters well and kept the plot fast-moving.