Callie returns home after 10 years of living as an artist in New York City. but her returning home isn’t bc she wants to. however coming back home means being back in the same town with her 3 former best friends and the reasons she left in the first place. but Knox, Brax, and Jax aren’t going to let her go again.
i appreciated that it didn’t take long at all for the guys to go for Callie and make sure she knew what actually happened.
i also liked that someone called her out about her leaving town and her believing that the guys actually did what she thought.
thank you Rory Miles for an e-ARC of 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆 💙
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ MFMM, 1st person multi-POV 28 fmc / 28 mmc / 27 mmc / 27 mmc miscommunication, brothers, twins in the group, 2nd chance, friends to hate to lovers, small town, DP, group scenes, possessive mmcs, childhood friends, HEA, standalone safety: no manwhores, no OW drama, OM drama (fmc’s ex-boyfriend)
4.3 stars. This was so fun, actually. Even with all the heavier, emotional moments. I definitely got ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ vibes from a lot of the beginning when she was first back in town. And then the hurricane shots. Thank you TikTok for sharing that with the world so that Rory Miles could see and use that in her book. 👌🏼 much appreciated😂
*Reverse Harem *Contemporary *Multi-1st-PoV *Small Town Romance *Second Chances *Besties to Lovers *FMC running home *Ex-Drama *Brothers *Established Harem (3) *Standalone Something different from this author and it was a good read! 😀 3.5⭐️ It’s a sweet small town read with a heart warming story about best friends finding their happily ever after and themselves 🥰 Callie an artist by heart with a right wild streak lost herself for a little bit and after things go south with her ex forcing her to hightail it back home - you’re really drawn into her growth each step of the way as she builds herself back up! 👑 Her former best friends, eldest brother Knox and then twins Jax and Brad who have always been head over heels for their girl and now she’s back they are doing everything they can to assure her she’s it in some very swoonworthy ways 😍 the only thing for me was the ‘villain’ element in this was a bit flat with how that wrapped up (and that might be because I predominantly read dark romance and this is very sweet) but it didn’t quite have the danger I normally look for. Still a very good read for those who love sweet small town reads 😀
I actually devoured this one in one sitting! I couldn't put it down! I have recently been wanting more and more second chance romances and Chasing Callie was perfection! This one is on the lighter side, with a couple dark elements pertaining to the ex, but overall it was a pretty cozy read.
Callie ran back to Big Ridge from her ex and wasn't expecting to fall back in with Knox, Jax and Brax. It is a small town romance in an everyone knows everyone and their business small town. I loved their journey and would love to read more in this world!
I don’t know what it is about Rory Miles’ storytelling. It’s so easy to be consumed by her words. Chapter 1 and I was already all in.
In saying that, I enjoyed the storytelling but not sure if this was my favorite of her books. There were a few events that took me out of the story. I also felt that I didn’t connect with her characters like I usually do.
Still a good read, I read it quickly and will continue to read this author.
Chasing Callie is a small-town, reverse harem romance by Rory Miles, who is one of my favourite authors.
This was the first contemporary romance by Rory Miles I read (maybe it was the first she wrote? Not sure about that). I read lots of her paranormal and Omegaverse books and I adored them all.
Chasing Callie started really well. I practically flew through the first part of this book. Bringing the second chance and small-town romance trope together just is a classic that always works. Callie, the FMC, leaving her scumbag of an ex and going back to her hometown was written so relatable and I loved seeing her reconnect with the guys. But then the story somehow began to lose me. The characters stayed at the surface level to me. The guys all had different jobs, but their behaviour was pretty much the same. I couldn‘t relate to Callie‘s decisions anymore and it felt like she was purposefully stirring towards a catastrophe, which then never happened, because of a not so believable and very convenient plot twist…
This book was easy to read and I did have some good moments with it, but overall it took the easy road a little too often, to be anything special. I‘ll still read everything Rory Miles writes and she‘s still one of my favourites, but this one book, fell a bit flat for me. (Maybe my expectations were too high?)
Chasing Callie is book one in the Big Ridge Series. It is a why choose, small town, friends to lovers to enemies to lovers, second chance romance. The story is told in third person with multiple POV.
Callie is fleeing a bad situation when she finds herself back in her hometown. She thought she could avoid the three men who broke her heart, and caused her to leave home in the first place, but that proved impossible. When they each come face to face with Callie, the sparks re-ignite. Can she forgive? Can they atone?
I absolutely loved this story and its wonderful characters. Callie has been betrayed and put through the wringer when it comes to men. I really felt for her and her situations. Brothers, Jax, Brax, and Knox have all been through their own hard times while Callie has been away. I loved how these characters help to heal each other from their traumas, as well as how their individual relationships progress. I also really loved the town and the secondary characters.
This was a fantastic read that I really enjoyed. The writing, pace, and flow of the story were terrific, as were the characters, character development, relationship development, storytelling, storyline, plot, and world building.
If you love a great second chance romance with misunderstandings, emotion, spice, and, no choosing, then I'd definitely recommend this book.
Spoilers. Also on my one woman quest to continue to call out Arc readers a little bit. I get that it's a way to launch a book and to get names out there and get books out there but I honestly am about to stop reading books who only have arc reviews. Having only 5 star arc reviews and having nothing of note to actually say has to be harmful to this industry and it's honestly ridiculous as a reader. I want the truth not the "I got this early so here is my 5 star review of this perfect book"
Ya'll. I was down to give this a 2.5 and call her a day before the mechanic brother at the last page says "let's fill her up boys" during a three way with his brothers.....no. just. no.
Alright, let's dive in. This has smut after the 50 percent mark of the book and it's not bad. The book tries to have the overarching mean girl and dirt bag ex but it falls extremely flat and resolves in a way where the reader doesn't really get closure. We get nothing resolved and the mean girl who admittedly was shitty just gets murdered and no one cares. I mean that's pretty awful.
Then we have the romance. These people are 27 and 28 and every interaction they have is straight out of a high school book. They meet at fairs, at the lake house with beers with friends. Now I grew up in a town EXACTLY like the ones depicted in small town romances, I know there isn't a ton to do outside the bar but come on. They sound like teens not adults with any sort of life experience.
I am also gonna call bullshit on a Thai restaurant. I know this may seem silly but a place with a cute little diner, two bars in town, and everyone knows everyone, they don't have Thai and sure as hell don't eat there enough to keep it open. This is me picking I know but it just takes you out of the book when you add all these issues up.
Can we also talk about how Callie moves home and in 5 seconds is stealing and getting in bar fights? The guys start fighting and reverting back to acting like teenage boys and we are celebrating them? Why would you reverting back to the impulse driven idiots you were 10 years ago be healthy? She also hits a random girl? You are suspected of murder and have several legal issues happening with your art and your response is to hit someone? toxic af.
overall, I didn't come into this thinking it was going to be a huge plot driven book, still expected smut because of the RH but I guess it was set up with some some good tension and it didn't deliver on that AT ALL. No one cares they are together. Her parents just slip into the same basic conversation of ope well if you love them, and only Penelope cares in a super small town? No tension is just a missed opportunity.
I absolutely adored this book, the storyline was fascinating and kept me completely hooked until the very last word. The past traumatic relationship was haunting, yet really well written. My heart broke for her when I was reading it. Then there’s her childhood 3 best friends, those boys are F👏🏼I👏🏼N👏🏼E!! 🫦 I did love the banter between them and the longing … the possessiveness was perfection. There’s also the reason she fled her small town as a young girl, which she needs to face and overcome. The action and mysterious element had me on the edge of my chair. Overall a fantastic read.
This is a terrific why choose romance where MFC Callie has three men in her corner and in her bed. They are Knox, Brax and Jax, three brothers. Callie left town long ago with the brothers in her rear view. Now she's back having escaped an abusive situation. They are ready to claim her and won't let her run away again. This is a beautifully written story of healing and second chance romance. I really loved it.
Had a great time with this small town romance! The drama with the ex gave me anxiety at times so points for that 😆 the MMC’s were pretty nice and glad they all got their happy ending.
This was not what I expected. I should have seen the twist coming from a mile away I just didn’t expect it to play out like that and ultimately I didn’t like the twist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ok I am obsessed with this story. This is the perfect why choose 😍
Knox is the oldest of the Williams brothers. He’s the protector and thinks he has to deal with everything alone 🥺
Jax and Brax are twins 😍 Jax is the fun flirty one who’s always lighthearted. Brax is the calmness that you need and an absolute sweetheart.
I really liked Callie. She’s strong and owns her shit. We find out pretty early on why she left all those years ago and my heart broke for her.
From the moment Callie returned the guys were all in, refusing to let her run away again. It was sort of a slow burn mixed with burning desire, I mean they had been pining for Callie for 10 years. The guys were there for her and showed her how much they loved her.
There is no third act breakup, but there is drama from Callie’s ex. He’s fucking shit and he tries to ruin her life.
It’s been 10 years since the guys saw Callie and I’m pretty sure none of them had been with anyone else. The twins definitely hadn’t, I believe Knox had maybe tried dating other people but I’m not too sure.
Callie & Knox & Jax & Brax. It's a lot. Four childhood best friends. Love across all of them. Three brothers, one Callie. A video gets posted of teenage Callie, Brax, and Jax. Callie flees to New York City and doesn't return for 10 years. After issues cause her to move back home, she encounters her old friends who don't want to rekindle the friendship, but the love. The twin (Jax & Brax) have had their time with Callie in the past, and Knox was always just a breath away. This time, the three of them aren't letting her get away.
So this isn't normally my subgenre but I took a chance. It's so good. There is spice but it's not the focus. The love that exists and never left the four of these characters is so sweet and protective. I loved the flashbacks and how their history came out little by little. While miscommunication tore them apart 10 years ago, it wasn't a big part of the present day story so we didn't have to live with it for too long. Each of the 3 MMCs wanted it explained to Callie immediately so they could get on with their lives. Whatever your opinion is on reverse harem, this one just seemed practical because they all had so much healing to do together because all their hurts happened together. Give it is a shot.
This is my first Rory Miles book and it won't be my last. The story telling is strong, the characters are written well and their development or lack of it because of what they have been through makes me feel like they are my friends. The secondary characters - friends and foe - are easy to love and hate. Her writing brought out the full range of emotions in me and that's exactly what I'm looking for.
"This is one hell of a walk of shame."
I received a complimentary eARC and my review is voluntary. Thank you to the authors and The Author Agency.
Ugh I loved this one so much. It has most of my favorite tropes and I really liked each character.
The book is definitely a slow burn with the spice coming in at the middle, but it’s expected with the betrayals and the MC’s finding their way back to each other.
I do wish there was a bit more 1:1 with Callie and Brax. While Knox and Jax got their own scenes, his were shared. Still super hot scenes though! Twin sandwich, need I say more?😜
Honestly, Callie’s ex was a POS through and through. Same with Knox’s. 🥊
Even with the angsty, hurt/comfort moments throughout the book, it still had funny moments that had me cheesin’ hard. And Callie’s parents were seriously the best. Most books usually have toxic parents but I really loved that she had loving, supportive parents. The moment with her dad almost had me tear up, ngl.
The years of longing and hurt for these characters made them stronger together, that’s for sure.
If you’re thinking of reading it, do it. It’s cute and will definitely be read again at some point in the future.
Favorite Quotes:
Who in their right mind drinks black coffee? Devil worshippers, that’s who.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” “I don’t think Jesus was allowed to fuck.”
I already want to find the creator and demand fifty more years with her because the rest of our lives won’t be enough.
Tropes, etc: MFMM Small Town Second Chance Brothers In Harem Twins In Harem Childhood Crushes/Friends to lovers On the run FMC Abused FMC F*ck It Moments Years of longing
This book is about Callie fleeing NY and her current boyfriend by running back to her hometown, Big Ridge. The thing is Callie ran from Big Ridge 10 years ago. It seems Callie runs everytime she has a problem. Callie doesn't process emotions very well either, obviously. Callie didn't feel like she could trust anyone much in the beginning. Which is worse, what Callie's running from or the Williams' brothers breaking her heart again ?
Knox, Jax, and Brax Williams meant so much to Callie. These brothers also are the reason Callie ran to NYC. All these brothers want is the chance to set the record straight and not let Callie slip through their fingers again. Knox is the oldest and essentially the leader. Jax and Brax are twins. Jax is more light hearted and Brax is the quiet observer and more serious. Really none of these men's lives moved on until Callie came back home.
The book definitely has small town vibes along with best friends turned lovers. There were many sweet moments and memories throughout the book. There some bumps in the road, for sure. Callie also faced darkness with her ex. Callie's parents were kind, supportive, and sincere. I enjoyed the book and plot.
"Callie belongs in Big Ridge and like all those years ago, her place is with me and my brothers."
"The Ferris wheel comes to a stop, but I have the distinct feeling I’m still falling, and this time, the Williams brothers are waiting to catch me."
“Because you belong to all of us, Callie. Always have.”
Thanks to The Author Agency for providing me with an ARC.
I love Callie as a character. She is strong, snarky, and stands up for herself. Unfortunately, she has forgotten that and often doubts herself due to her abusive ex. Theo was the worst. He did a lot of damage to her confidence and self-worth.
Being back home in her hometown is reminding her of who she used to be. It is also bringing up the things that caused her to run 10 years ago. As the reader, we know what happened, through conversations with the guys, but Callie is so set on protecting herself that she doesn't want to listen to anything they have to say.
I want to say, I am a little disappointed in her. She grew up with these guys. She KNOWS them. I understand in the moment, feeling betrayed and running, but after she had some time to calm down, I feel like she would have realized something was not quite right. I am chalking it up to the fact she was young, only 18, but it is the one thing that bothered me. So many years were lost due to stubborness.
I love the small town vibes of Big Ridge. Callie has an army of people who love her, support her, want to have her back if she will let them. She is dead set on doing it on her own though. It takes strength to ask for help. I love her mom! She is so funny, and her dad is such a supportive presence.
I stressed with them, I laughed with them, I cheered them all on. I would love to see more books in this world, specifically about Bree, Lily, and Aspen.
What worked for me: the thing that I loved the most about Chasing Callie was how *real* the plot and characters were. I’ve never experienced any of the events that occur in Big Ridge, but while reading this book, I felt all of the emotions right along with the Callie and the Williams brothers. Speaking of Callie, she is a true, down-to-earth heroine. Despite all of the crappy things that happen to her and the people she cares about, she continues to push forward and live life authentically. I was also captivated by the love that she shares with Knox, Jax, and Brax. While physical intimacy is important to their relationship, their bond is so much more than that. Their love and care for each other is the kind of connection that we all deserve, no matter how many people are involved. 🫶🏻
What might not work for you: while the relationship that Callie shares with the Williams brothers isn’t strictly about spicy activities, that does play a significant role in their lives. In many books, spicy scenes can be skipped without taking anything away from the story; however, Chasing Callie is not one of those books. This is in no way a criticism of the author or of readers who may pass on this novel! I just want to make it clear that the spice in Chasing Callie plays such a significant role in the development of the relationships between Callie and the brothers that those scenes can’t be skipped without losing out on those relationship dynamics.
Why you will love this book… 🔥small town romance 🔥contemporary why choose 🔥fmc running from dangerous ex 🔥three brothers 🔥years of longing 🔥twin sandwich 🔥childhood crushes
I really enjoyed reading about Callie & the brothers she fell in love with when she was younger & the men she ran back to when everything went wrong.
I love the small town vibes of Big Ridge. Callie has an army of people who love her, support her, want to have her back if she will let them. She is dead set on doing it on her own though. It takes strength to ask for help.
This is the perfect why choose Knox is the oldest of the Williams brothers. He’s the protector and thinks he has to deal with everything alone. Jax and Brax are twins Jax is the fun flirty one who’s always lighthearted. Brax is the calmness that you need and an absolute sweetheart.
From the moment Callie returned the guys were all in, refusing to let her run away again. It was sort of a slow burn mixed with burning desire, I mean they had been pining for Callie for 10 years. The guys were there for her and showed her how much they loved her.
The emotional range in this story is wild in the best way: tension, turmoil, tenderness, and everything in between. It’s a full ride, and I was absolutely along for it.
If you love second chance romance, childhood friends, why choose dynamics, and small town vibes, you definitely don’t want to miss this one!
There are trigger warnings at the start of this book. I usually read them and then carry on reading the book much like I did with this one. However, it was difficult to read the first couple of chapters based on the subject matter alluded to in the trigger warnings. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to continue reading the book but I did. I think this is a testament to how well written this story is. Despite the difficult subject matter it was easy to read in writing style, chapter length etc.
The themes in the book were definitely written about sensitively and also realistically. It can be difficult to get this balance right but this story did.
I loved Callie and definitely related to her in some ways and was cheering for her throughout the book. I also loved the brothers and felt part of their story and like I was in their home town.
I really enjoyed the whole story even the difficult bits, it flowed well, had drama and romance (the why choose? trope is starting to become a favourite of mine) and an ending I was happy with! (No I'm not giving spoilers)
The story is quite fast paced and kept me captivated throughout. I read it in a day! I'll definitely read more from this author!
ARC Review Holy smokes — this book took me by surprise in the best way. I went into Chasing Callie completely blind, and as someone new to the Brothers Why Choose trope, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Turns out, I devoured this story. Rory Miles pulled me in from the very first chapter and didn’t let go.
The characters are what truly made this book shine for me. Each one has such a distinct personality, and even the side characters — especially Callie’s parents — had me snickering more than once. The emotional range in this story is wild in the best way: tension, turmoil, tenderness, and everything in between. It’s a full ride, and I was absolutely along for it.
I’m a slower reader because of my full‑time job, but I found myself picking this book up every spare moment I had. I just had to know what happened next. For my first Rory Miles novel, this was a fantastic introduction, and it definitely won’t be my last.
I’d love to see more stories come out of Big Ridge. Bree, in particular, feels like she’s waiting for her moment to break out of her shell, and I’d be first in line to read her story.
This book pulled me in immediately with the descriptions and the wording of the situation. From the very first chapter, I felt connected to the story and the female character (Callie) because of personal experiences (abusive ex) and that feeling only grew as the book went on. The chapters are a great length, making it easy to say “just one more” over and over again. It made it difficult to put the book down. The characters were a huge standout for me. Their personalities felt distinct and well-thought out. I really loved how easy it was to root for them and how naturally their relationship unfolded. The emotional depth was handled beautifully, particularly the way the FMC’s parents were written and how each character healed in their own way. Callie's parents' support added so much warmth to the story and highlighted the importance of healthy relationships, both romantic and with parents/family. Everything wrapped up in a really satisfying way. I wasn’t expecting the plot to go where it did with a certain pair of characters, but I loved how it all came together in the end. This was a heartfelt, well-rounded read that balanced emotion, character growth, and romance perfectly.
🔥small town romance 🔥contemporary why choose 🔥fmc running from dangerous ex 🔥three brothers 🔥years of longing 🔥twin sandwich 🔥childhood crushes
Our FMC, Callie, is a total freaking BAD*SS! She’s been through a great deal of trauma when it comes to men, but that doesn’t stop her from taking control of her life.
After reaching her breaking point and finally leaving an ab*sive relationship, Callie returns to her home town. She’s met with a mix of acceptance and resistance from people she’s known her whole life. But the people she’s most afraid to run into are the three men who were once her everything. Plot twist: they are all brothers.
Knox, Brax, and Jax do the best they can to hash things out, earn her forgiveness, and show her just how much they truly love her and need her in their lives… permanently.
Her abusive ex showing up full of anger and revenge… another plot twist. Like what?!?
This story is full of so much trauma, suspense, tension, drama, banter, forgiveness, LOVE!
I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more by Rory Miles❤️
This small town RH romance was the perfect book to dive into and entertain me for an afternoon. This book is told from multi POV and is a standalone with plenty of spicy moments.
Callie is forced back to her small town when her relationship doesn't just turn bad, it turns into a dumpster fire. Her abusive ex stole her art and put his name on it, giving her the motivation to final get away from him.
Broke, defeated, and tired, she knows she'll have to face the brothers that had her running from their hometown. And it doesn't take long before they hear she's back and they can't stay away.
There are so many great things in this book. I loved the relationship between Callie, Knox, Jax, and Brax. Getting glimpses of their past and friendship is really sweet. But I also loved how the brothers connected and how their own insecurities played out in the story. I loved how each character had to work on their issues.
There was a lot of drama and Callie's ex doesn't just go quietly away and neither does Knox's so be prepared. And be ready for the amazing sass that Callie can't help throwing out there. It had me laughing several times.
I am obsessed with this book! Brax, Jax, and Knox - I love every single one of them. Callie’s strong personality was one of my favorite parts of this story. Each brother had their own unique but connected relationship with Callie. The tension and emotion between all of them kept me pulled in from the beginning.
Brax, Jax, and Knox could command the room with just a single look but when it came to Callie, the amount of tenderness towards her had my entire heart. The level of protectiveness between these men was on another level. They always made sure Callie felt safe and comfortable with them and in general. The filth between all three of them was scorchingly hot - often times making me feel like I was intruding 🥵. Even though they fit together perfectly, I loved their individual personalities as well.
I was so appreciative of Callie as she fought hard to escape a traumatic past and find safety and trust in someone else again. She’s sassy, independent, and the perfect match for all three brothers. The journey to finding and loving herself again was beautiful. All three brothers were an amazing support system to Callie and loved her endlessly.
Chasing Callie by Rory Miles completely stole my heart and officially earned a spot as one of my top favorite small-town romance reads. From the first chapter, I was pulled into a town that felt alive, cozy, and full of heart—the kind of place you wish you could visit (or never leave).
Callie is such a relatable, well-written heroine, and her journey feels honest, emotional, and deeply satisfying. The romance is chef’s kiss—slow-burn perfection with undeniable chemistry, swoony moments, and just the right amount of tension to keep the pages flying. The emotional beats hit hard, the banter is charming, and the connection between the characters feels real and earned.
What truly sets this book apart is the warmth. The small-town setting, the side characters, the sense of belonging—it all wraps around you like a comfort read while still delivering plenty of depth and heart-fluttering moments. I laughed, I melted, and I absolutely did not want it to end.
If you love heartfelt romances, lovable characters, and small-town stories that stay with you long after the last page, Chasing Callie is a must-read. Rory Miles has officially landed on my auto-buy list. 💕📖
It had a lot of the ingredients that could’ve made it a delicious meal, but it turned into a disaster instead. Extremely unlikable FMC that you just had no sympathy or care for. Bland and predictable MMC‘s. An ex that was supposed to be the big bad villain that didn’t really show up till the end of the book. The FMC constantly doing stupid and predictable shit. The whole book was just so bad that I couldn’t even get into the sex scenes, which weren’t horrible. But because the rest was so bad I just couldn’t even enjoy it. It’s really sucks because it could’ve been good. Instead of just left me, frustrated, annoyed, and rolling my eyes.
Oh, and when her ex does finally come back into the picture 3/4 into the book he went from being this starving New York artist that seemed too stupid to live. I mean, that’s how he was portrayed in my opinion. The broke artist. But now all of a sudden, he drives a BMW and he’s like this criminal mastermind. The author did everything but give him a mustache to twirl while laughing and evil laugh to try and convince us that all of a sudden he was this huge evil bad ass genius. Again, eye rolls for days.
This is why I choose. 3 brothers and 2 of them are twins. This is a good read. It was my first book by the author and I plan on checking out more from them.
Callie moved away from home because something happened. She thought her childhood friends had something to do with it. She felt betrayed and never wanted to show her face in this small town again. What she didn't know was there was more to the story, but she didn't stick around long enough to find the rest out. After she moved away, she met a guy she thought she was in love with, but after a few years together, he started to change. He becomes emotionally abǔ$!vë. After she's betrayed by him, she returns to her hometown and the 3 men she left behind. The William boys had been in love with Callie for most of their lives and when Callie left, she took a part of them with her. It's not until she comes back that they feel like they can finally breathe. If only they could get her to listen to what really happened. Can they win back the love of their life?