Chasing Wild

Wild Bluffs #4

by Emma Kate

I’m the boy who left fifteen years ago,
and now I’m the man with no plans to stay.

I’m back in my hometown for one reason only—to coax the lyrics back into my head long enough to write my next chart-topping hit. But when Izzy Harper tells me how much I hurt her when I left, my songwriting takes a backseat to earning my ex-best friend’s forgiveness.

Being near her feels like coming home, and for the first time in over a year, the music flows again. When she admits she needs a date for her sister’s wedding—and a little help in the bedroom department—we make a deal to help each other out. No strings attached.

Only, somewhere between the teasing, the fake dating, and the moments that start to feel a little too real, I discover the song I’ve been chasing has been her all along.

But my music has always been what pulls me away, and Izzy still doesn’t believe I’ll stay—even if she’s the only one who can make my heart sing.

Chasing Wild is a small-town, rockstar romance filled with banter and open-door spice.

This is book 4 in the Wild Bluffs Series—but can be read as a standalone.

ADD IT TO YOUR TBR TODAY!

Genres: Fake Dating, Romance, Friends To Lovers

Paperback

About the author

My writing is a testament to my love for romcoms, sprinkled generously with the very tropes that make my heart race: sports, small towns, and sarcastic heroines.

There is nothing I enjoy more than weaving narratives about strong, intelligent women and the irresistible men they love. If you enjoy books that are real, smart, and endlessly entertaining, you're in the right place!

When I'm not building worlds or creating characters that stay with you long after the last page, you'll find me spending time with my family, watching sports, or enjoying my small, Colorado town.

For sneak peeks, laughs, and a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos of creativity, follow my journey via my newsletter (www.authoremmakate.com/goodreads-sign-up) or on Instagram @authoremmakate.

Reviews

[Emma Kate]

Hi friends,

I can't believe Chasing Wild has been out for six weeks now! The amount of love for Jaxon and Izzy is...well, honestly not that surprising. These two steal your heart from the first page, and I'm not even sorry about all the emotions you're going to feel while reading this one.

If you've read it already--let me know what you think! If it's still on your TBR shelf, let me tell you, there's never a bad time to read this one!

Happy reading!
EK

[Amity Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW!!

I was so excited to jump into this one. I absolutely love a rockstar romance and this one brought all the emotion!

second chance, childhood bestfriends, rockstar MMC, found family, fake dating, forgiveness, groveling

Izzy’s best friend leaves in the middle of jr year, changing her life and altering her. She has so much grief and anger for it.

When Jax returns years later, Izzy isn’t ready to move on. He is looking for a muse to help get his music back & she isn’t ready to forgive him. Slowly but surely, that starts to melt away, giving way for an arrangement, fake dating, and lots of groveling, banter, plus some hard conversations. I absolutely loved the emotions this book pulled and the way these characters had to fight to get back to their relationship. What a beautiful way to turn heartbreak into a heartfelt ending!!

Definitely recommend this one!

[Stacie Farrugia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Thank you so much for allowing me to have an ARC.

I hadn't read any of the other previous books but I honestly fell into an easy read with this story.

I love the characters and the easy banter between them all. There roots to Wild Bluff and true to family.

Izzy and Jaxon's story from the start captured me and I fell in love with Jaxon and was rooting for him to win Izzy back from the beginning. I mean who doesn't love a country singer?!

'Chase your wild'

[wrennnnxreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

Well, this was my first ARC & first Emma Kate novel so apologies if I get this wrong.

This series can be read altogether & as a standalone. I’m now going to go back & read the other releases in this series because I genuinely enjoyed this book. I honestly had no idea what to expect from this instalment of the Wild Bluffs series but wow!

It’s got everything you want in a small town romance - a close knit community where everyone knows everyone’s business & don’t take kindly to outsiders; strong family ties on the FMC side & witty banter between friends & family that makes you feel like you’re sitting in the living room with your own loved ones.

The story centres around two childhood best friends separated by one chasing their dreams, suddenly to be reunited when the MMC reluctantly returns to town. There’s loathing, tension, fake dating & so much lead up to the two main characters FINALLY realising their love for each other. It honestly left me wanting more in the best way. I am such a sucker for a rockstar & Jaxon ticked all the boxes for me. Broody, angsty but so charismatic at the same time. Izzy was the unsure yet strong, outgoing FMC who complemented Jaxon to perfection. I was left swooning over this second chance love story.

Thank you to Emma Kate for selecting me as one of the ARC readers. I will gladly do it for you again in the future!

** A trigger warning for those who have experienced the loss of a parent - this story centres around the death of Jaxon’s estranged father & his impending return to Wild Bluffs to deal with his estate. It’s heavy at times, so just be prepared for tears.

[Lindsay (LindsayTurnsThePage) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not sleep on Emma Kate and the Wild Bluff series! Chasing Wild is full of banter, spice and so many heartfelt moments in between. While it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting from the beginning to really get to know all of the side characters and their family dynamics.

Izzy and Jaxon are childhood best friends turned strangers, when he unexpectedly leaves town without a word at 17 years old to chase his dreams of becoming a country music star.

Fifteen years later, Jaxon finds himself with a serious case of writer's block and returns home to Wild Bluffs to confront his past and see if the music will return to him. After realizing how much he hurt Izzy and misses her friendship, he goes on an apology tour to win her back and realizes they can actually help one another out.

She needs a date for her sister's wedding. He needs to be in her presence to get the music flowing again. Fake dating ensues, coupled with some real spicy bedroom lessons and the lines quickly become blurred.

I absolutely loved seeing Izzy's story play out, as well as getting the banter from the whole Harper family, and Izzy's bestie, Becca. The will-he-stay/will-he-go push and pull had my nerves in knots, but I knew those two could pull through and make it work in the end.

Then we have the set up for the next series, featuring Becca as the FMC - I'm so excited for what's to come!

My rating: 4✨/ 2🌶

What to expect:
🏡 Small town
🎸Musician
💕 Childhood friends
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Fake dating
🔥 Spice coaching

Thank you so much to Emma Kate for having me on her ARC team and sharing this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Another fantastic Wild Bluffs book!! I highly anticipated this book because I felt that Izzy’s character ARC was really built up in the previous book.

Speaking of buildup… this book really builds up. It’s quite lengthy and I think it has more chapters than the other books. The tropes are childhood friends.-enemy ish to lovers. Again, this took a very long time and I would’ve liked it if there was a little less slow burn and more time with the romance.

Nevertheless, I think what the author was trying to do was heavily focus on the characters and the storyline in the relationship and their ARC individually and then as a couple. And I think she succeeded she built up a really beautiful story of love that needed to be repaired and a trust that needed to restart and just a lot of hurt that needed to be mended. This book definitely seemed to go a little deeper than the others which I think is great. I am a big fan of friends to lovers so this definitely scratch that. It’s for me. I love this series because it has family in it and a small town. It’s great to read about the other characters and their lives. The epilogue did make me sad though for some reason so I just want more Happiness from their lives.

[Rebecca Gulley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. I devoured this book! I absolutely loved reading Jaxon and Izzy’s story. These two go from best friends to not even being friends after Jaxon leaves without saying goodbye. But when his father passes away, Jaxon returns home to handle the house his dad left behind—along with all the memories he’s been trying to avoid.

When he runs into Izzy again, he’s determined to earn her friendship back. She needs a date (and a little extra help in a certain department), while he needs her to be his muse as he writes a song for the Lupus Foundation.

As they spend more time together, their fake dating turns into something real. I ate up every single bit of their story. And getting to revisit some of the couples from previous books? Yes, please!

I can’t wait to read the next book by this author.

Tropes & Vibes:

Rockstar Romance

Small Town

Fake Dating

Friends to Lovers

Great Banter

No Third-Act Breakup

[Shavon Stemmler · Rating 5 out of 5]

He left once before and she put herself back together. Now he’s back and he’s not planning to stay.

The way I devoured this book. I had the opportunity to read this as an ARC and I am so glad I was. This was a one sitting, couldn’t put down read.

15 years ago Jaxon left without a word to his best friend Izzy. Now he’s back to hopefully come out of a writing slump and determined to earn forgiveness. With Izzy around Jaxon finds himself able to write music again, something he hasn’t been able to do in over a year. Izzy agrees to help, but needs help herself. She needs a wedding date and some help in the bedroom. What starts out as a non complicated agreement quickly gets complicated by feelings no one expected. Will Jaxon stay? Will Izzy’s heart get broken again by the same man?

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy and Jaxon sent me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Their story was full of love and pain and finding your way back home. Having her best friend leave without saying a word destroyed Izzy but she moved on as best as she could. Jaxon never realized how badly he hurt her, he knew she was his heart but didn't realize he was also hers. When he comes back to town, he does all he can to gain her forgiveness and get his friend back. Their hearts always knew what they wanted, it just wasn't the right time.

[Jannie Krout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. I was in a little bit of a reading slump and this was the perfect book to get me out of this. Also thank you Emma Kate for the ARC Copy! This book is a part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.

I loved this so much, I actually had to pull my notes app out to write down how I was feeling throughout it because it was just so good. First, the banter between Iz and Jaxon- LOVE. Jaxon was undeniably dedicated to proving to Iz just how much she meant to him and that his plan of leaving fifteen years ago was not related to her. Especially when it felt that way, which of course if our best friends just up and leave without so much as a second glance, I think we'd all be feeling pretty pissed too. But he really worked to prove his worth to her.

Also, want to take a moment to say how much I love that there's a mens coffee gossip group. That is something I've never read before- but men gossip too so love that little tidbit! I enjoyed how stubborn and guarded Iz was because I think that most of us can relate to how she was feeling or the things she was saying throughout the book. This has all the feels, I laughed SO much and then unexpectedly cried towards the end. There is some really good spice in here too- the bathroom scene- where can one get a bathroom like that????

Finally, the unexpected character at the wedding- Dale. Ugh, don't we all have a Dale in the family that we loathe. I loved that Iz was just straightforward with him. I really enjoyed her character so much. The story between her and Jaxon was just so special. I don't always feel directly connected to characters unless i'm hooked from the very beginning. This was one of those books where I could not put it down from the second I opened it.

[Jayme Baum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Bluffs is one of my FAVORITE fictional small towns to visit and Izzy/Jaxon’s story was one I could not wait to get my hands on. I have loved this series, the town, the Harper family, the MMCs, etc.

Here’s what I LOVED:
- Continuity of characters throughout the series and evolutions of their own story lines even when they’re not the MCs
- Izzy recognizing her strength as a utility player
- Izzy’s development arc of beginning to trust and love herself and recognizing how worthy she is
- Jaxon’s Nashville home because WHEW
- Matt’s relationship to Jaxon’s family farm
- Jaxon’s thought and tenderness in helping Izzy learn what she likes and dislikes
- Becca being the realest of real besties
- As always, Harper family banter

Here’s what fell flat for me:
- Third act breakup didn’t really feel like that’s what it was but then Jaxon refers to their makeup and reconciliation
- Izzy comes into her own but feels like she just accepts defeat with Jax’s departure and loses her spark all over again
- musician god-like tendencies with how Jax acts and how people treat him. I LOVE when he’s thoughtful and sweet but hate his pop star/business side

Will I be the first in line for Becca and Conrad’s story?! ABSOLUTELY! Anything to keep me tied to the Wild Bluffs family. Thank you Emma Kate and team for the opportunity to be a part of your ARC team! I absolutely love your work!

[maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW ✨

Chasing wild was truly such a amazing and heartwarming read, I think Emma did a really great job and making the readers feel connected to the story and characters. the tropes are fake dating, childhood friends, small town (my all time fav), and rockstar romance! i was so excited when i found out that i was able to read this book a little earlier than the rest of the world and but now I’m super excited to see everyone else’s thoughts and annotations 💗


“talking to you every morning feels like the first day of light that hits the earth as the sun rises each morning. and last night? it was rain drops on the dry soil that is my life.”


OUT OCTOBER 29TH!!!

[Addie_bookbanter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a small town romance. It was fun to return to Wild Bluffs and catch up on all the tea surrounding Izzy and Jaxon. This emotional friends to lovers story captures the sweetness of their early friendship and the courage it takes to forgive and move forward after being hurt. I was undecided on him for awhile but he won me over in the end.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy & Jaxon's story has been my favorite so far! The history of their friendship, re-establishing their lives, and finding something new is one of my go-to story lines.

I'm so happy to have been on the ARC team for these last three books. Each story sharing its own unique experience among a small group of family & friends.

Thank you to Emma for the ARC

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been lucky enough to ARC read this book.
The journey I have been taken on I'd crazy! I have laughed and cried with the characters throughout, the spice is just the perfect amount for the vibes of this book. I'm actually a bit sad I've finished it so quickly, but I couldn't put it down.

[Amy Nero · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
ARC REVIEW-
When I first started reading this book, I struggled to get into it. However, I am so glad I pushed through because it was a fantastic read.

Her best friend left without a word. 15 years later he returns, a famous singer. They make a deal to fake date but end up falling in love.

I ended up being hooked on this book! Highly recommend!

[Kasey Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the final show … 🤍

Chasing Wild is the fourth and final book in the Wild Bluffs series. While it can be read as a complete stand alone, I always recommend starting with the first book in the series to avoid spoilers and to get a better understanding of the characters (present and previous). 
 
🎵 Small Town
🎵 Childhood Friends
🎵 Famous Musician
🎵 Fake Dating
🎵 Friends to Lovers
 
Jaxon Steele might be a household name as one of Nashville’s hottest country music superstars, but to Izzy Harper, the name brings pain and heartbreak. Fifteen years ago, Jaxon and Izzy were best friends. But that was before Jaxon up and left Wild Bluffs without so much as saying a single goodbye. When Jaxon returns home for the first time in fifteen years to regain some of his musical spark/inspiration, he isn’t exactly welcomed home with open arms - from the people of Wild Bluffs or his former BFF.  Writing music again might’ve been his initial goal, but making amends to Izzy becomes priority number one. Being around Izzy again just feels right, she feels like home. She’s everything Jaxon has been chasing and this time he’s not leaving without her.

I knew from the first chapter that this book was about to take me on an emotional roller coaster ride – spoiler alert: IT DID! I feel like Izzy was a very relatable character across the board. Being single in your 30’s, sometimes life can be hard to navigate when everyone else around seems to be in different places in their lives. Sometimes it can be hard not to compare yourself to your friends or family, in Izzy’s case, her sisters. As Izzy’s journey continued, she got to see what we as readers have always seen – a strong, beautiful and confident character who just needed to realize that’s whose she’s been all along. 

I really enjoyed Jaxon’s character, and I was really excited to learn more about him in this story. Leaving everything you know behind to peruse a dream that many don’t achieve shows how determined Jaxon is. He is a very humble character; despite the lifestyle he lives. I especially loved how patient and tender he is with Izzy. He recognized how much hurt he’s caused her, and while he makes it his mission to earn her forgiveness, he doesn’t force it upon her, nor does he rush it. Their journey from hurt to healing, not being friends to friends, and then eventually the leap to more than friends pulled at all my emotions. While Jaxon did actually leave Izzy, she was always with him in spirit, in all the lyrics and songs he wrote.

The epilogue was perfection, a quick life update of all our favorite Wild Bluffs couples.

I can’t wait to follow along on Emma’s next journey!

WILD AND FREE is officially here! Thank you so much to BookFunnel and of course author, Emma Kate, for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Amber Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

second chance
childhood bestfriends
Country rockstar MMC
found family
fake dating
forgiveness/healing
groveling
Sarcastic FMC

“I left for the music, I’m staying for the girl.”

“He talked about how proud he was of you all the time in the last few years,” she says finally. “But I know he’d be even more proud of you now. Now that you figured out how to chase your wild dreams without leaving your roots behind.”

“Chase your wild, little thing, and then come back home.”

This is the fourth book in the Wild Bluff series and I think it’s one of the best ones yet. Izzy is one of my favourite characters. She's the typical middle child. She's cautious and wants to ensure everyone feels welcome with jokes and small quips. (I can totally relate being the middle child). She's aware of how those around her function best, and despite her caring and generosity, doesn't really see herself as the smartest, prettiest or funniest compared to her siblings. Always self doubting. She's someone who puts everyone else ahead of herself, and struggles with all of the negative thoughts and social anxiety.
Jaxon was the perfect for her. Izzy and Jaxon are just everything they’re absolutely perfect together. This story starts off with Izzy and Jaxon being childhood best friends and Jaxon leaves without telling Izzy or ever responding to her as he begins his career to becoming the country star he's always dreamed of… without her in his life, she feels abandoned and forgotten.
When Jaxon has to return to his hometown he tries to avoid everyone but ends up at a bar running into Izzy. This man works hard to get her to forgive him, basically begging and groveling. As they find each other again and get to know the new versions of each other, you get to see Jaxon come to terms with his broken relationship with his father.
Leaving may have devastated Izzy and put her on a path she never saw for herself, but when he returns he was still the only man who knew her deep inside. Every action was about earning Izzy back, and also building her back up. The slow progress to forgiveness, friendship and love was so beautiful.
These characters were so real and raw. So much impact I found myself crying several times, the emotions!! Getting to watch Izzy begin to trust Jaxon again and help him deal with his broken relationship with his dad made it all come together perfectly. And I LOVE Izzy's sarcasm and the banter was perfection. I loved the banter between these two! This story had me laughing and crying and heartbroken not in order.
I loved that there were hard conversations, big emotions, and healthy boundaries, Seeing a realistic healthy relationship grow and blossom was everything I was hoping for from their story, and I can't wait to see what the author writes next. If you want a small town romance, this is perfect for you!

[Amanda Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOOKED.
Literally hooked right from the dang beginning. The pain, the banter, the anger. I felt every single bit of it.

Best friends since toddler-hood, Jaxon and Isabel were inseparable. They were the best friends that everyone thought would date.... but they didn't.. at least, not yet. It took YEARS for them to figure it out but it started with Jaxon breaking Izzy.

One day Jaxon just left, complete ghosting. Iz tried to reach out, tried to figure out what happened, but instead Jaxon kept ignoring her. Jaxon left to pursue his dream of becoming a musician, a very successful one at that..

"I used to think that goodbye was the end, but I see you in the sunrise again and again."

Well, 15 years later though... Jaxon is required to return home to Wild Bluffs and figure out how to write music again AND take care of his father's house that he hasn't stepped into since the day he left.


After returning, he runs into the one person who hated him with every fiber of her being, and let's be honest, the man deserved the hate. Izzy wasn't the same. She was still hurt and broken over what Jaxon did and let him know it, but after several days of him trying to get her to forgive him, he gives in and becomes his muse.

"Talking to you every morning feels like the first ray of light that hits the earth as the sun rises each morning. And last night? It was raindrops on the dry soil that is my life."

and UGH! muse she was. friends, turned enemies, turned lovers was truly just icing on the cake for this. Jaxon learned who he was, healed himself and Izzy at the same time. These two seriously fought like hell for each other and gave me all the feels that I wasn't ready for.

"She was always the something I couldn't name, and now she's everything I can't let go."

Literally 4.5 stars.
Spice is MINIMAL but when done, it's done well.

Honestly one of my fave ARCs I've read this year.

[Corrie Daratony · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

4⭐️

this was such a cute book! friends to strangers to friends to lovers?! Fake dating?! this book delivered in every aspect.

I really enjoyed Izzy as an FMC. I loved how sassy she was, how fiercely protective she is of her family and just how she holds herself. I think she was very relatable as a character, especially with how hard she is on herself and how she compares herself to her sisters. I feel like we don’t see enough of that in books and it was refreshing to be able to see parts of myself in her.

Izzy and Jaxon captured my heart. I LOVED THE YEARNING that Jaxon had to endure to regain Izzy’s trust and friendship.

“I’m also completely enchanted with Izzy. She hasn’t changed a bit, and at the same time, it’s like she’s a completely new person. It’s a little trippy, but in the best way.”

“It’s that she, even when she’s still mad at me, is breathtaking. In every way.”

Although a lot has changed between the two of them since they last saw each other, the one thing that remained constant was the love and admiration they had for one another. I think that’s what I love most about a friends to lovers story because you truly see that person in every aspect of their life, and fall in love with every part of them, flawed and all.

“Talking to you every morning feels like the first ray of light that hits the earth as the sun rises each morning. And last night? It was raindrops on the dry soil that is my life…It felt like some missing part of me was falling back into place.”

“And she gazes at me with a soft smile, and it feels like maybe, just maybe, we’re not pretending anymore”

AND THE MOMENT WHEN ITS NOT PRETEND ANYMORE HAD ME GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET!!!

“And I’m so far gone, it’s terrifying. She was always the something I couldn’t name, and now she’s everything I can’t let go.”

“Is it even called love when it’s so consuming that your life slowly recenters around someone who is unaware they’ve shifted your entire world?”

ughhhhhh my heart. I couldn’t ask for a better first book to read by Emma! Izzy and Jaxon were adorable and so bingeworthy 🥹 I couldn’t stop reading about their love.

“My life is wherever you are, Iz.”

“I’m not just a muse. I’m not just a lyric. I’m his home.”

Thank you Emma for this ARC 🩷 I can’t wait to go back and read the Wild Bluffs series that I missed 🤣 and patiently wait for your next project 🤪🤭

[Amber Greco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to finally read Izzy and Jaxon's story!

Jaxon is an international country star that left home to chase his dreams. In leaving, he left his best friend, Izzy, behind without a single word. Fifteen years later, the music is no longer flowing out of Jaxon like it used to and he is down to his last option to bring it back: go back to his hometown to reconnect his roots. This also means he will need to face Izzy and the house he grew up in that carries an additional weight since the passing of his father. Izzy wants nothing to do with Jaxon once he returns, but the more he stays around, the more he realizes that he wants Izzy to forgive him and to be in his life. One thing he didn't expect is to want Izzy as more than a friend.

There is a lot of banter between the Izzy and Jaxon that's very entertaining. But there is also a refreshing maturity in their relationship in that they acknowledge the past for what it is and they don't dwell on it. They both acknowledge that if they had changed their decisions from fifteen years ago, who knows if they would've ended up where they are today. Izzy is very protective over her heart, but there is a warm, fuzzy feeling of happiness that you feel while reading about how comfortably she is to just be herself around Jaxon. Another good feeling is having the option to chase your dream, but having the person you love, be there with you every step of the way. There are definitely times in life when you feel like it is you against the world. But, when you finally feel like you have that person in your corner and they decide to follow you or put in soo much effort to make a long-distance relationship successful --- I can't even describe it. It's wholesome. That person is home.

There were a few parts that the pacing slowed down for me and some parts that took me a minute to realize/adjust the setting. Like one chapter would start out on a date but then the next chapter was like the day after or two weeks later. So that was a little confusing at times but still very enjoyable!

I definitely recommend Chasing Wild to anyone that loves friends to lovers, small town romance, some lol belly laughs, and second chances!

I am very grateful to have received this as an ARC 🥰

[Tiffany ✨️ Bergamot Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy has been absolutely fine in the years since Jaxon disappeared and became a famous country music star. Sure, everyone makes sure not to mention him, and the town doesn't play his music when she's around. Yet, she's absolutely okay.

Until he shows up in her small town and lets her know he intends on staying a few weeks, earning her forgiveness, and getting back the friendship he lost. Except now they're all grown up with chemistry that neither of them saw coming.

*****

This is the fourth book in the Wild Bluff series and it's the best one yet. Izzy is one of my favourite characters. She's the typical middle child. She's cautious and wants to ensure everyone feels welcome with jokes and small quips. She's aware of how those around her function best, and despite her caring and generosity, doesn't really see herself as the smartest, prettiest or funniest compared to her siblings. She's someone who puts everyone else ahead of herself, and struggles with all of the negative thoughts and spiraling tangents that come with social anxiety.

Jaxon was the perfect anchor for her. Leaving may have devastated Izzy and put her on a path she never saw for herself, but within all of that and his return, he was able to see her for her. Every action was about earning Izzy back, and also building her back up. The slow progress to forgiveness, friendship and love was genuine and beautiful.

I loved that there were hard conversations, big emotions, and healthy boundaries, and through it all a third act breakup was off the table. Seeing a realistic healthy relationship grow and blossom was everything I was hoping from their story, and I can't wait to see what the author writes next.

*****

Thank you to the author, Emma Kate for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[chellyreadsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I'd be excited to read Chasing Wild - I was expecting a solid 4 star read but this book BLEW ME AWAY!!! I AM UNWELL AFTER READING THIS BOOK. Within the first 13%, I already knew it was a FIVE STAR READ. It felt like the author found my nonexistent Wattpad account and turned every fake story I’ve ever created in my head about a celebrity romance into this book. And I mean that in the best way possible!! I can't write at all but this book felt like what I would write if I could.

I need more books with a man groveling STAT. I give major props to Izzy for staying strong as long as she did and I'm glad she stuck it to him. He deserved to have to work hard for her. And I absolutely LOVED that EVERYONE, including Jaxon's security team, was Team Izzy. They didn't help him no matter how much he asked. It made for some hilarious and heartwarming moments - and again, HE DESERVED TO WORK FOR HER.

If I had to nitpick one thing it'd be that I felt like there should've been more important conversations throughout the book - more continuous dialogue about everything. It would've been amazing to see Jaxon actually work through his family issues. This is the part that still has me feeling most unwell because what happened between him and his dad destroyed me (Emma knows 😅). Izzy had pretty consistent growth but Jaxon's main focus was songwriting so a bit more development there would've made it even more perfect.

I haven't read books 2 and 3 yet but I CANNOT WAIT to go back and read them now. It just made me so warm and fuzzy inside having everyone from the previous books continuously show up in Chasing Wild. The ending of the epilogue summed up everything perfectly!

Thank you sooo much to Emma Kate for the arc in exchange for an honest review! I had the best time and can't wait for your billionaire series eek!!

[Jenn Ann H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Wild is book 4 in the Wild Bluffs series and I couldn’t think of a better way to close out this series. I flew through this read and was thoroughly entertained cover to cover. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with these characters.

Izzy, our FMC, is so so relatable for me. After getting glimpses of her in previous stories, I’ve been waiting to read her book. When Jaxon, Izzy’s best friend, left town 15 years ago without so much as a word or a look back, she vows to never be hurt like that again. But now, struggling from writers block, Jaxon is back in Wild Bluffs and determined to get Izzy’s forgiveness. I loved all of the ideas Jaxon came up with to try to win Izzy over. I think this book went deeper into the character’s feelings and really built up the relationship. There was groveling and meaningful conversations along the way. When Izzy needs a date for her sister’s wedding, she decides she can just fake date Jaxon…fake date a famous musician? YEAH RIGHT. They are so done for after that. I loved these two together! It was palpable how much they understood and cared for each other.

Seeing the rest of the Harper family again and all of the characters we have come to love really made this book. The whole family can banter so easily. Becca, Izzy’s friend and roommate, is the kind of friend we all need – encouraging, but willing to set you straight. I can’t wait to see more of her!

If you’re a fan of small towns, second chances, and (ex) friends to lovers, I highly recommend checking this one out!! And if you love the side characters just as much? Read all of their books too! I am so excited to see what comes next for Emma Kate and I will be first in line to read it! Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this eARC! All opinions are my own.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting patiently for this book and I was so excited when I got my ARC!! This is the last book in the Wild Bluffs Series, and I am sad to see it end.. 🥹

I loved this story that follows Izzy and Jaxon, we saw briefly in Wild and Free, which really had me giddy with what these two would do in their book! I wasn’t disappointed one bit, because the banter between these two was so intense but also funny!!

The beginning on the book, is where we understand why Izzy doesn’t have her best friend Jaxon around. The way Jaxon comes back into Izzy’s life is at a sad time, and also is quite hilarious! He tries all he can to get that trust back, it’s a rollercoaster ride, Izzy is a tough one to crack, but I don’t blame her for what happened.

Jaxon realizes that Izzy is his inspiration to why he writes songs, since he has had writers block and not knowing why. While Izzy is having a life crisis to why she can’t get that (in the bedroom spark)! So as their friendship slowly starts to heal, they both decide to help each other out! 😏🥵☺️

These two start getting real feelings, which is something they didn’t think would ever happen. But they will do whatever necessary to not let what happened back in high school, ruin what they’ve built today. This is a beautiful story of best friends than turn enemies, back into friends to lovers!💜💙

If you’re ready to experience their story, my advice is WHERE HAVE TOU BEEN!! You won’t be disappointed, you may just fall in love with them just like me!

⭐️4/5
🌶️2/5

I am sad to see this series end, but I am SO thankful to have experienced reading the ARCs and also the opportunity to share my love for all four books!🫶🏼

[Jennifer Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying this: I have been reading this series from the very beginning, and I have been in love since page 1 of book 1. Finishing this book was such a bittersweet experience because I NEVER want these stories to end but I’m so happy for these made up characters and their happy endings. I will ALWAYS be Emma Kate’s biggest fan, and I will always read her stories! I cannot wait to dive into the new series, and whatever else is coming for her. Emma definitely deserves to have the most success and her books will definitely become classics! Nowwwww to convince you all to read book 4(lol):

Man… okay… this book was quite literally my favorite one in the series. JT and Lila’s story runs a very close race though!

Watching “ice queen” Izzy start to thaw out with each gesture from Jaxon had me swooning. Jaxon slowly realizing how much Izzy had always meant to him was beautiful. The struggles in between became the little morsels of goodness to keep the story going.

I literally cried so hard at some of the parts of this story, but the growth that came from the grief was incredible. Jaxon was so well written. Being famous, but humble and kind and caring was a nice touch. Izzy being the supportive and loving person she was made her a great friend and lover. Her feelings of “brokenness” resonated in ways I can’t even admit to (even though I am) and her feelings of just wanting to be “enough” really made me feel like she could actually be a friend of mine.

I could literally go on and on about this book and never run out of things to say. It’s a must read. And then it’s a must buy for your bookshelf, as a trophy ya know. 5/5.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Wild Bluff series and one I couldn’t wait for! The YEARNING!! what a gem. While it’s part of a series, it absolutely stands strong as a standalone.

Izzy quickly became one of my favorite characters. She’s the quintessential middle child—cautious, kind, and always making sure everyone around her feels seen and comfortable with her little quips and warmth. Beneath all that lightness, though, is someone who struggles with social anxiety and self-doubt. She doesn’t always see her own worth, and that made her journey all the more relatable and heartfelt.

Then there’s Jaxon—her perfect anchor. His return after years apart was everything I wanted it to be: tender, patient, and full of determination to earn Izzy back and rebuild her confidence. Their slow progress from hurt to healing, from forgiveness to friendship to love, was genuine and beautiful. The banter between them? Perfection. The emotional conversations, the healthy boundaries, the way there was no unnecessary third-act breakup—it all made their relationship feel so refreshingly real.

I laughed out loud more times than I expected, cried toward the end, and maybe fanned myself a bit during that bathroom scene (where can I get a bathroom like that?!). And can we talk about Dale at the wedding—because don’t we all have a Dale we can’t stand? Izzy’s reaction to him had me cheering.

This story had it all—heart, humor, heat, and healing. I couldn’t put it down from the very first page. Emma Kate outdid herself with this one, and I can’t wait to see where she takes this series next!

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC received for honest review*

After finishing each book in this series, I’ve sworn that couple was my favourite…but this time is the real deal! These two have consumed me, heart and soul!

I’m always mindful when reviewing to try and avoid any spoilers, so this will mainly just be my thoughts on aspects of the book.

Izzy is an FMC that is relatable to everyone. Even if it’s not where you are at the moment, at some point we’ve had the thoughts/feelings she experiences. The imposter syndrome, feeling you are too much or not enough, like everyone else is leaving you behind, that you’ve not achieved what others have or uncomfortable in your own skin. For me, I think that made this story so much more heartfelt. It was easy to put myself in Izzy’s shoes.

Jaxon, oh he brought his A-game!! He shot straight into the MMC Hall of Fame! Despite being a country music superstar, he is so down-to-earth, kind, considerate…I genuinely would have forgotten he was a ridiculously famous music star if it wasn’t part of the story line! There’s no arrogance, not even the false kind that turns out not to be true, that is sometimes portrayed with these kind of characters (famous musician/sports personality/billionaire businessman etc).

The story was beautiful. It was giving me all the feels! So heart-warming with highs and lows and well-placed humour. It was exactly what I have come to expect from Emma Kate, so perfectly delivered.

Emma Kate has 1000% become an auto-read author for me. I am so excited to see what comes next!

[Lauren Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

Thank you to Emma Kate and Book Funnel for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book! Emma has been sending us Easter eggs in preparation for this one and I could not be more honored to be a part of the ARC Team again! We started from Forever Wild and now we’re here! I was so ready for Izzy and Jaxon’s story from the beginning!

Duel POV: Izzy and Jaxon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️ 🌶️

What an end to this series!

Childhood best friends that had a falling out and you don’t know why (UNTIL NOW). He goes off and follows his dream of becoming a musician and she creates her own company with her best friend. All is well until Mr. Famous is forced back to his hometown and must confront what he left behind in the past.

Ms. Kate gave us everything! All the contemporary romance, angst, golf fun, heart wrenching lyrics and your favorite characters are back!

Izzy and Jaxon make a deal to help each other and that turns into more than they initially thought. The man works HARD to get back in her good graces. What started as an attempt at earning forgiveness turns into a heart falling in love. A lot of groveling ensues but that just shows how much this man cares.

It’s a such an easy read that flows chapter to chapter. You can’t help but want to root for sweet Jaxon and all his apology ideas.

Definitely looking forward to Becca and Conrad in a new billionaire series!

Also, the banter 🤌🏻

Perfect for fans of the following tropes:

🎸Second Chance
🎸Friends to Lovers
🎸Fake Dating
🎸Rockstar
🎸Spicy Lessons
🎸Small Town
🎸No Third Act Break Up 🙌🏻
🎸Guaranteed HEA

Chasing Wild releases on October 29 so preorder your copy today! You won’t want to miss the conclusion of Wild Bluffs!

[Cara bunnypop_bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can guarantee an Emma Kate book will get me out of a slump, reading like my life depended on it and staying up till 2am because I can’t put the book down!
I will read whatever Emma writes 😍

Something about reading the books of the Wild Bluffs series makes you feel like you’re being wrapped in a warm hug by an old friend.
Chasing Wild was a fitting end to the series.

The story of our FMC Izzy and our MMC Jaxon is one that’s been a long time coming.
Izzy and Jaxon had a solid best friendship that got torn apart when he left without saying a word when they were younger.
I loved how we feel from Izzy all the emotions she’s dealt with and how she’s had to put herself back together. The town and towns people being ‘team Izzy’ was a highlight for me 😂
I loved hearing how Jaxon had never truly forgotten Izzy and seeing that reflected in his songs and other aspects (no spoilers 🤭)

Their reunion all these years later, the fake dating storyline and their ‘deals’ had me chuckling but at the same time I loved how they both supported the other and Jaxon’s dedication to help Izzy was commendable!

The letters at the end had me 😭😭

The epilogue gave a tiny glimpse of the future for the characters we’ve grown to love over the whole series.

I can’t recommend this series enough. They can be read as stand alones but read the whole series from start to finish for the full experience 😍

Thank you to the author for an ARC of the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5