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Unhinged Love #2
Relentless Chase
She learned early that if you apologized, then no one told you how you didn't belong or that taking space was a crime. But, she wanted more, even if the words were never spoken out loud.
Then he saw her. And wanted to show her where she belonged. Watched her, even if he wasn't supposed to. Because she could jeopardize the mission. A promise made to a brother before he took his last breath on their last op. But, Kane never let something go once he decided it was his. And she would be his.
After he caught her.
Relentless Chase. An Unhinged Love Dark Romance Novella Cinderella Coded Fairytale Retelling.
Would you run, even if it meant surrendering your heart to fear?
Then he saw her. And wanted to show her where she belonged. Watched her, even if he wasn't supposed to. Because she could jeopardize the mission. A promise made to a brother before he took his last breath on their last op. But, Kane never let something go once he decided it was his. And she would be his.
After he caught her.
Relentless Chase. An Unhinged Love Dark Romance Novella Cinderella Coded Fairytale Retelling.
Would you run, even if it meant surrendering your heart to fear?
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 9, 2026
I found this a hard one to rate. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t particularly enjoy it either.
For a book that only has a little over 120 pages, I felt confused a lot of the time. I haven’t read the first book in the series yet, and I definitely think that could be an added value, especially in clearing up Kane’s side of the whole backstory/plot.
Though it wasn’t just the story itself that left me confused, but also the structure of some of the sentences. Some sentences were quite difficult, and combined with the occasional typo and a couple of very repetitive statements (his lips twitch a lot, for example), it made it so that I didn’t have the most pleasant reading experience.
(I received this book as an ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
For a book that only has a little over 120 pages, I felt confused a lot of the time. I haven’t read the first book in the series yet, and I definitely think that could be an added value, especially in clearing up Kane’s side of the whole backstory/plot.
Though it wasn’t just the story itself that left me confused, but also the structure of some of the sentences. Some sentences were quite difficult, and combined with the occasional typo and a couple of very repetitive statements (his lips twitch a lot, for example), it made it so that I didn’t have the most pleasant reading experience.
(I received this book as an ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
August 11, 2026
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️
Let me begin by saying I absolutely LOVE and adore Ari St. Claire.
Her writing is incredible. She is incredible. This novella is still unmistakably hers.
It just didn’t hit me as hard as her other work.
And these three stars do not mean “I disliked this.”
These three stars mean:
ARI, BABE, WHERE IS THE REST OF THE BOOK?
I checked behind the acknowledgments. I refreshed my Kindle. I turned it upside down and shook it gently.
NO MORE PAGES APPEARED. 😭
RELENTLESS CHASE was a good, fast-paced story with slight Cinderella vibes and all the bones of something I could have loved.
The problem?
I could still see the bones.
I needed the muscle. The organs. The emotional circulatory system. PUT SOME SKIN ON HER, ARI.
Novellas are incredibly difficult for me to rate because they have so little room to accomplish everything a romance needs. The characters have to be introduced, the connection has to form, the conflict has to develop, someone usually makes at least one terrible decision, and then the entire relationship needs to reach a satisfying conclusion before I’ve finished my coffee.
That can work when the story itself is naturally small.
This story did not feel small.
It felt like a full-length novel had been placed in a hydraulic press.
There was so much happening in such a short amount of time that the pacing occasionally made me feel like I had arrived late and everyone else had already received the briefing.
The beginning jumped around enough that I was constantly trying to orient myself.
Wait, where are we?
How did we get here?
Who is emotionally pursuing whom?
Why am I running?
DO I NEED SHOES?
Once I understood the main direction, I could follow the story and recognize what it was trying to accomplish. The essential plot points were there, and the Cinderella influence added a familiar romantic quality.
But understanding the story and feeling fully immersed in it are two different things.
I understood.
I simply didn’t have enough time to CARE the way I wanted to.
That was my biggest issue with the main characters too. I didn’t dislike them. I barely knew them well enough to form a properly dramatic opinion.
And you know I LOVE forming dramatic opinions.
I wanted to understand their histories, motivations, fears, and all the tiny pieces that made them specifically right—or disastrously wrong—for one another.
Instead, I felt like I was watching their relationship through the window of a moving vehicle.
“Aw, they seem interesting—”
AND THEY’RE GONE.
The romance needed more room to develop. More conversations. More tension. More quiet moments where the characters revealed themselves without simultaneously advancing three different plot points.
Give me the yearning.
Give me the reason for the yearning.
Give me one scene that makes me clutch my chest and whisper, “Oh, these idiots are doomed.”
Then ruin my life.
There is a system.
Because the story moved so quickly, some emotional developments felt like conclusions I had been told rather than experiences I had been allowed to witness. I could see where the relationship was headed, but I needed more steps between the beginning and the payoff.
A romance cannot simply point toward emotional devastation and expect me to arrive there independently.
TAKE MY HAND.
WALK ME TO THE PAIN.
I WILL GO WILLINGLY.
The same applies to the supporting details and larger story. Several ideas were interesting enough that I immediately wanted them explored more deeply, but the novella format kept moving before they could fully settle.
Another fifty—or honestly, another hundred—pages could have transformed this.
Let the beginning breathe so the timeline and transitions feel clearer.
Let the characters exist together long enough for their connection to become undeniable.
Let the conflict develop enough weight that the resolution feels earned.
LET ME MOVE INTO THE STORY AND START RECEIVING MAIL.
Ari’s actual writing remains top-tier. That was never the problem. Her voice, storytelling instincts, and ability to create an intriguing premise were all present.
If anything, the strength of those elements made the short length more frustrating because I could see the potential for a richer, more emotionally satisfying book sitting beneath the compressed version.
I wanted more because Ari made me believe there was more worth having.
That is both a compliment and my official grievance.
RELENTLESS CHASE is still an entertaining choice for readers who enjoy quick romances, Cinderella-inspired stories, and novellas that move from the first beat to the last without slowing down.
If you prefer a fast read that delivers the central story without requiring a long commitment, the pacing may work much better for you.
I, however, am greedy.
I wanted history. Depth. Tension. Character development. Lingering glances with full medical consequences.
I wanted the director’s cut.
Three stars for a story with so much promise, writing that remains beautifully Ari, and characters I desperately wanted the opportunity to know better.
Ari St. Claire, I love you.
Please release the missing chapters.
I know you have them somewhere.
SPICE: 🌶️
Let me begin by saying I absolutely LOVE and adore Ari St. Claire.
Her writing is incredible. She is incredible. This novella is still unmistakably hers.
It just didn’t hit me as hard as her other work.
And these three stars do not mean “I disliked this.”
These three stars mean:
ARI, BABE, WHERE IS THE REST OF THE BOOK?
I checked behind the acknowledgments. I refreshed my Kindle. I turned it upside down and shook it gently.
NO MORE PAGES APPEARED. 😭
RELENTLESS CHASE was a good, fast-paced story with slight Cinderella vibes and all the bones of something I could have loved.
The problem?
I could still see the bones.
I needed the muscle. The organs. The emotional circulatory system. PUT SOME SKIN ON HER, ARI.
Novellas are incredibly difficult for me to rate because they have so little room to accomplish everything a romance needs. The characters have to be introduced, the connection has to form, the conflict has to develop, someone usually makes at least one terrible decision, and then the entire relationship needs to reach a satisfying conclusion before I’ve finished my coffee.
That can work when the story itself is naturally small.
This story did not feel small.
It felt like a full-length novel had been placed in a hydraulic press.
There was so much happening in such a short amount of time that the pacing occasionally made me feel like I had arrived late and everyone else had already received the briefing.
The beginning jumped around enough that I was constantly trying to orient myself.
Wait, where are we?
How did we get here?
Who is emotionally pursuing whom?
Why am I running?
DO I NEED SHOES?
Once I understood the main direction, I could follow the story and recognize what it was trying to accomplish. The essential plot points were there, and the Cinderella influence added a familiar romantic quality.
But understanding the story and feeling fully immersed in it are two different things.
I understood.
I simply didn’t have enough time to CARE the way I wanted to.
That was my biggest issue with the main characters too. I didn’t dislike them. I barely knew them well enough to form a properly dramatic opinion.
And you know I LOVE forming dramatic opinions.
I wanted to understand their histories, motivations, fears, and all the tiny pieces that made them specifically right—or disastrously wrong—for one another.
Instead, I felt like I was watching their relationship through the window of a moving vehicle.
“Aw, they seem interesting—”
AND THEY’RE GONE.
The romance needed more room to develop. More conversations. More tension. More quiet moments where the characters revealed themselves without simultaneously advancing three different plot points.
Give me the yearning.
Give me the reason for the yearning.
Give me one scene that makes me clutch my chest and whisper, “Oh, these idiots are doomed.”
Then ruin my life.
There is a system.
Because the story moved so quickly, some emotional developments felt like conclusions I had been told rather than experiences I had been allowed to witness. I could see where the relationship was headed, but I needed more steps between the beginning and the payoff.
A romance cannot simply point toward emotional devastation and expect me to arrive there independently.
TAKE MY HAND.
WALK ME TO THE PAIN.
I WILL GO WILLINGLY.
The same applies to the supporting details and larger story. Several ideas were interesting enough that I immediately wanted them explored more deeply, but the novella format kept moving before they could fully settle.
Another fifty—or honestly, another hundred—pages could have transformed this.
Let the beginning breathe so the timeline and transitions feel clearer.
Let the characters exist together long enough for their connection to become undeniable.
Let the conflict develop enough weight that the resolution feels earned.
LET ME MOVE INTO THE STORY AND START RECEIVING MAIL.
Ari’s actual writing remains top-tier. That was never the problem. Her voice, storytelling instincts, and ability to create an intriguing premise were all present.
If anything, the strength of those elements made the short length more frustrating because I could see the potential for a richer, more emotionally satisfying book sitting beneath the compressed version.
I wanted more because Ari made me believe there was more worth having.
That is both a compliment and my official grievance.
RELENTLESS CHASE is still an entertaining choice for readers who enjoy quick romances, Cinderella-inspired stories, and novellas that move from the first beat to the last without slowing down.
If you prefer a fast read that delivers the central story without requiring a long commitment, the pacing may work much better for you.
I, however, am greedy.
I wanted history. Depth. Tension. Character development. Lingering glances with full medical consequences.
I wanted the director’s cut.
Three stars for a story with so much promise, writing that remains beautifully Ari, and characters I desperately wanted the opportunity to know better.
Ari St. Claire, I love you.
Please release the missing chapters.
I know you have them somewhere.
August 16, 2026
I freaking LOVED this book!! Kane and Vivianne completely stole my heart and I was hooked on these two from the very beginning. 😍🔥
Vivianne broke my heart a little because she learned so early to make herself small, to apologize, to take up as little space as possible, and then Kane comes along and basically says NOPE, you belong right here with me. I absolutely loved watching him see her, really SEE her, and make her feel wanted and cherished.
And Kane!! 🥵 This man is UNHINGED in exactly the way I wanted him to be. The obsession, the possessiveness, the watching, the determination that once he decided Vivianne was his there was absolutely no going back… I ate it ALL up. The whole promise to his brother added another layer to everything and I loved the way his feelings for Vivianne completely tangled with his mission and everything he had sworn to do.
Their chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥 and I loved the dark, obsessive fairytale vibes of this Cinderella-coded retelling. Vivianne deserved someone who would fight for her, and Kane was absolutely THAT man.
I flew through this novella and honestly could have happily read so much more of Kane and Vivianne because I was nowhere near ready to let them go. Their story was intense, possessive, emotional and completely addictive.
Kane and Vivianne have officially taken up residence in my brain and I am not asking them to leave. 😂❤️
Vivianne broke my heart a little because she learned so early to make herself small, to apologize, to take up as little space as possible, and then Kane comes along and basically says NOPE, you belong right here with me. I absolutely loved watching him see her, really SEE her, and make her feel wanted and cherished.
And Kane!! 🥵 This man is UNHINGED in exactly the way I wanted him to be. The obsession, the possessiveness, the watching, the determination that once he decided Vivianne was his there was absolutely no going back… I ate it ALL up. The whole promise to his brother added another layer to everything and I loved the way his feelings for Vivianne completely tangled with his mission and everything he had sworn to do.
Their chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥 and I loved the dark, obsessive fairytale vibes of this Cinderella-coded retelling. Vivianne deserved someone who would fight for her, and Kane was absolutely THAT man.
I flew through this novella and honestly could have happily read so much more of Kane and Vivianne because I was nowhere near ready to let them go. Their story was intense, possessive, emotional and completely addictive.
Kane and Vivianne have officially taken up residence in my brain and I am not asking them to leave. 😂❤️
August 2, 2026
I absolutley loved Kane and Vivianne's characters and the way they connected so well with one another along with how spucy the book was!
Kane is an obsessed MMC who does an absolute amazing job at claiming his girl and reminding her just how seen she truly is. We all love an obsessed man who knows what he wants! Vivianne is the FMC who has experienced a lot of trauma and hurt leaving her constantly questioning herself. Once Vivianne meets Kane, she learns who she truly is again and learns to know what she really wants.
My favorite spicy scenes were definitely the chases in the woods and how detailed Ari made them! Lots of spice for sure!
The only things keeping it from a five star review for me were how short the book was(don't get me wrong, I love short books too) although, I felt that there was a lot more we didn't get to the storyline that could have been included to really pull for that fifth star. The book could have included more details and storyline involving the step-mom and step sisters to go along with the whole Cinderella Retelling and making the story even darker. Even without that little bit of the story feeling like it was missing, the book was still a really fast-paced read that kept me hooked and left wanting more as all of Ari's books do and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Kane is an obsessed MMC who does an absolute amazing job at claiming his girl and reminding her just how seen she truly is. We all love an obsessed man who knows what he wants! Vivianne is the FMC who has experienced a lot of trauma and hurt leaving her constantly questioning herself. Once Vivianne meets Kane, she learns who she truly is again and learns to know what she really wants.
My favorite spicy scenes were definitely the chases in the woods and how detailed Ari made them! Lots of spice for sure!
The only things keeping it from a five star review for me were how short the book was(don't get me wrong, I love short books too) although, I felt that there was a lot more we didn't get to the storyline that could have been included to really pull for that fifth star. The book could have included more details and storyline involving the step-mom and step sisters to go along with the whole Cinderella Retelling and making the story even darker. Even without that little bit of the story feeling like it was missing, the book was still a really fast-paced read that kept me hooked and left wanting more as all of Ari's books do and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
July 14, 2026
If you like fast paced, quick reads that hint at d@rkness, this is the book for you. I read this in one sitting.
This is a loose fairytale retelling with Ella being the damsel and Kane the hero. Ella likes to be chased and Kane is only too willing to indulge her. Ella first runs into (pun intended) Kane without knowing who he is. He remembers Ella from when he trained with her grandfather.
Kane takes it upon himself to save Ella from the man who wants to marry her. But does Ella want to be saved by him?
This is a loose fairytale retelling with Ella being the damsel and Kane the hero. Ella likes to be chased and Kane is only too willing to indulge her. Ella first runs into (pun intended) Kane without knowing who he is. He remembers Ella from when he trained with her grandfather.
Kane takes it upon himself to save Ella from the man who wants to marry her. But does Ella want to be saved by him?
August 18, 2026
This story gets 3 stars simply because I needed MORE. I feel like this would have been better as a full length book instead of a novella. In my opinion novellas are so hard to rate because of how fast paced they are. A lot happens in such a small amount of time. at the beginning of the story I was constantly confused with all the jumping around. I didn’t really love the main characters (only bc I didn’t feel like I knew them). The writing from Ari is always top tier, I just needed more from this.
August 2, 2026
You can run but he will catch you
+ Dark fairytale retelling
+ Chasing scenes 😏
+ Possessive MMC
+ Family drama
+ HFN
I loved this darkish fairytale retelling based on Cinderella. It was a short read but full of action, romance and drama. The MMC is super protective over the FMC and really helps fight all her demons.
It had an awesome storyline and the writing was well done. I look forward to reading more of these 🥰
+ Dark fairytale retelling
+ Chasing scenes 😏
+ Possessive MMC
+ Family drama
+ HFN
I loved this darkish fairytale retelling based on Cinderella. It was a short read but full of action, romance and drama. The MMC is super protective over the FMC and really helps fight all her demons.
It had an awesome storyline and the writing was well done. I look forward to reading more of these 🥰
Review of advance copy received from Author
There Comes a Time
Relentless Chase is Cinderella re-telling where Vivianne and Kane meet and sparks fly between them. This story is a little of the suspenseful and dark side of romance but very interesting. The loyalty Kane shows to his brother is well written and when his heart pulls him toward Vivianne a choice must be made. It was full of emotion and depth that kept me invested in reading this book until the very end. I really enjoyed it!
I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Relentless Chase is Cinderella re-telling where Vivianne and Kane meet and sparks fly between them. This story is a little of the suspenseful and dark side of romance but very interesting. The loyalty Kane shows to his brother is well written and when his heart pulls him toward Vivianne a choice must be made. It was full of emotion and depth that kept me invested in reading this book until the very end. I really enjoyed it!
I am voluntarily leaving this review.
July 14, 2026
Relentless Chase is book two of the Unhinged Love Series.
This is a bit of a Cinderella retelling in a modern setting. Kane sees Vivienne and knows instantly she is the one for him. The intensity between them is off the charts. They both have a bit of darkness inside them which draws them to each other. This was a fast paced read.
This is a bit of a Cinderella retelling in a modern setting. Kane sees Vivienne and knows instantly she is the one for him. The intensity between them is off the charts. They both have a bit of darkness inside them which draws them to each other. This was a fast paced read.
July 28, 2026
i love a fairytale type of re-telling
I love an obsessed MMC and Kane delivered on the obsession. I love the Cinderella angle, the evil step mom and step sister type of story line. But mostly i just loved how Kane gave Vivianne a place to be herself and find who she was again.
Thankful for the early opportunity to read.
I love an obsessed MMC and Kane delivered on the obsession. I love the Cinderella angle, the evil step mom and step sister type of story line. But mostly i just loved how Kane gave Vivianne a place to be herself and find who she was again.
Thankful for the early opportunity to read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
A fast paced Cinderella retelling. Though Kane is a better Prince Charming in my opinion. This is one of those stories where you get background with tasty bits of spice.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
A fast paced Cinderella retelling. Though Kane is a better Prince Charming in my opinion. This is one of those stories where you get background with tasty bits of spice.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Relentless Chase is pure shadow‑kissed obsession sharp, hungry, and impossible to outrun. It’s the kind of story where danger feels intimate and the connection feels like a beautiful mistake you make twice. Fast, fierce, and deliciously dark.
July 15, 2026
A classic fairytale retelling with twists. Vivianne is the beautiful damsel who has heartache and despair, Kane is the unsuspecting knight in shining armor. Their adventure awaits and will pull you in quickly. Be ready for ❤️🔥. Enjoy
July 29, 2026
A quick easy read with a splash of darkness, it’s a loose fairytale retelling, a great little read, and a great twist on the Cinderella storyline. Our mmc is a truly obsessed man and it is beautiful to watch the story play out. I couldn’t put it down and very much enjoyed every page.
July 29, 2026
fast read but amazing 🔥
I love a quick read that hits all the buckets! What makes this story great is the emotions you get to feel even though it’s only 150 pages! You get spice, suspense and a great HEA!
I love a quick read that hits all the buckets! What makes this story great is the emotions you get to feel even though it’s only 150 pages! You get spice, suspense and a great HEA!
July 31, 2026
Where are my retelling romance this is based on Cinderella. This is a short novella it has action, romance, and drama. We meet Vivianne and Kane. Kane is obsessive and protective. Once he sees Viviane she belongs to him. What happens next read to find out.
August 14, 2026
This was a great dark retelling of Cinderella. I loved the obsession Kade had over Vivienne. The way he looked at her and decided she was his. The way he protected her. I was pulled into this one in an instant and devoured it. This was a great read for being a novella.
September 14, 2026
Short spicy read. The way this man went after the one person who hurt her the most was spectacular. I can’t wait to see where this was going. It does move at a fast pace and a lot of time jumps. I’m excited to read the next book and see where this goes!
This is a free and honest ARC review
This is a free and honest ARC review
July 20, 2026
This is a fast read, a hint of Cinderella and a little darker twist.
The writing is good and the story is good
I will check out more form this author.
The writing is good and the story is good
I will check out more form this author.
August 1, 2026
A page turner with a fantastic storyline. I devoured every bit of this and I liked how everything unfolded then came together. This story is fast paced and addictive.
August 5, 2026
rtc 🖤
August 6, 2026
Good read.
July 19, 2026
ARC given by author. This is my honest review. This book was a good short story. I wish it elaborated more on things but it was still good enough that you understood the main points. Gives slight Cinderella vibes.
July 19, 2026
Arc review
Ariana knows how to take a tale as old as time and make it hers and make it hot!!
Ariana knows how to take a tale as old as time and make it hers and make it hot!!
July 13, 2026
This was a quick read, with elements of Cinderella, but different. A darker twist on the regular fairytale with drama, suspense and spice. It was so easy to fly through this read, I could have easily read more!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews