Chasing Sophia

by Gisell DeJesus

Dr. Emily Dawson has made a nice career for herself. She has a practice of her own in which she spends her free hours treating patients at Princeton's Center of Mental Health. It is at the center where she meets Sophia for the first time. Sophia enters Emily's life strictly as a patient. What begins as a simple diagnosis evaluation soon blossoms into a full fledged midlife crisis for the good doctor. Right from the very start Sophia begins to influence Emily into evaluating her very own well-being. To get a clearer thought at what she is certain is her exact life lived through another person, she asks about her everyday life, her sex life with her special man, and the power behind it. The more she questions, the more she is reminded of the words of Oscar Wilde: "Everything in the world is about sex, except sex; sex is about power." *standalone*

106 pages, Paperback

Published February 22, 2016

About the author

Hello! My name is Gisell and I reside in Pencil-Vania. I was born and raised in this state. I’ve worked as a hairstylist since 1999, but have a passion/borderline obsession with makeup, beauty products, wine and reading books. So I’ve decided to jump into the world of writing and I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them just for you.


My novels are out on Amazon

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had the pleasure of reading all of Gisell’s work and beta reading for two of her project including this one. I have to say that Chasing Sophia is probably my favorite by her.

The writing is darker and it has subtle hints of BDSM. It is not full blown BDSM so don’t be turned off by that. It literally has touches of it throughout the story. The story is mostly discovering oneself. It is learning how to take a chance and step outside your comfort zone and the safe path you’ve taken in life and move on to something new something exciting.

I especially loved how Gisell brought together different aspects of Sophia’s life and how it wasn’t just Emily searching for the answers for Sophia but also Emily searching for her own answers in her life. There were a couple things I didn’t quite understand in the beginning and at first I did think wow this totally came from left field but now finishing the story I understand why Gisell brought those elements to the story.

Overall, this is by far my favorite book by Gisell and I am so curious to see what she’ll be working on next.

Note: I received a copy in exchanged for an honest review. This does not influence my review in any shape or form.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super hot

Once again Gisell has done it again with her sexy reads. Chasing Sophia will probably be my most favorite from her. I recommend this book to everyone.

[Kounj Muzafar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It hooked me.

I couldn't stop reading. The story of Sophia, Emily tells us in a letter, which I would liked better if I knew more about the person who recieved and his thoughts about it. But then I assume, the letter was actually written to the reader.

As Emily tells us about her patient, it keeps getting exciting and I was damn curious. And the plot twist/revealations just left me shocked. Literally shocked.

It was dark and kept me on the edge of my seat.

I just didn't like the ending as much? But I think, this is how this story had to end.

Also, I would have liked it better, if there was dates, and encounters written transcriptions style for a more dramatic reading.

All on all it was an amazing experience.

[Innergoddess_Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so different from the authors previous books.It's a bit dark with an edge of BDSM.
Dr.Emily Dawson has been a psychiatrist for many years doubting herself and her ability to help others she's missing something in her life. Thats until Sophia enters her life as a patient. Emily soon becomes obsessed with trying to help Sophia and her dangerous path and self destruction in her bdsm life. As Emily tries to help Sophia she also finds what she's been missing in her life.

[Michelle Krystel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advance readers copy of this book and have decided to write a voluntary honest review. This happens to be my very first book by gisell. When she approached to read chasing Sophia I was nervous as I am with every new author to me. Cause I only write honest reviews. It turns out I didn't need to be nervous, because what I was expecting expecting from the book and what just finished reading let's just say gisell is an amazing writer. And I'm excited to see what other books she has written now. I truly can't wait. Chasing Sophia will mess with your head a bit and make you second guess. But this story needs to be read.

[Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about a dark and engaging story!

Damn Gisell, you took me to a level of dark I don't think I have ever experienced.

Dr. Emily Dawson has what every professional woman desires; the dream job she worked so hard to get. She is on top of her world and has worked hard to get where she is now. Then, one patient changes it all. All it took was the right person to show her that life isn't all about what you have, but who you have in your life that makes you truly happy and complete.

Sounds simple enough right? Well, it isn't. Getting inside Sophia's head wasn't hard for Dr. Dawson. She is good at what she does and is extremely professional. She has a gift and that honestly helped both Sophia and Emily. Sophia's character is like nothing I have ever met. Yes, she has her issues but it is how she deals with them and why she does it that captures the reader. I will say this book may not be for everyone but if you are looking for new and different this is the book for you.

One particular part of this book stuck with me and I hope you, the reader will get to experience it. Sophia's mother has one heck of a story to tell and I will admit, I was at the edge of my seat with my eyes bugging out of my head as I read it. HOT FREAKING DAMN! I wish I could go into detail but it's a poignant moment in the story.

The experience Emily had while treating Sophia was an eye opener. She realized that she was missing freedom. Emily wasn't free, she was chained to her job and her position. She wasn't living she was getting by in life. She was alone and lost. Thanks to Sophia's experience Emily opened her eyes. Its interesting to see how the patient became the Dr. and the Dr. the patient, but it worked. I totally dug the story line and wonder if Gisell will explore more of Emily and her new life. I hope we meet her again even if its in a short story, we need to know what ever becomes of her.

I truly hope you pick up the book and give it a chance. You might learn something new about yourself.

Happy Reading!

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

**** sometimes you need to take risks in life to obtain what you really want.

"Everything in the world is about sex,except sex; sex is about power."

Sophia smart, independent young girl with an addiction that's is stronger than her. Would she give it up and learn how to live without it ? Or will she will end in more trouble that she is? Meeting Emily Dawson may change a few things. Emily a doctor that loves to help her patients, but she may have her own secrets who will help her figure out what she has been looking for a long time. Not everyone knows how to handle their problems the same way, some may give up or some may push themselves to the extreme. Chasing Sophia will take your risks but who will win at the end?

Love Sophia she knows what she wants & she sure knows how to get it.

"Sorrow is knowledge; those that know the most must mourn the deepest; the tree of knowledge is not the tree of life.  "

Gisell DeJesus you did an amazing job writing "chasing Sophia" Love the story. Love the characters but Sophia was my favorite one: strong, looking for what she has lost long ago. Until she meet the one who would show her the meaning in love and live.

Most read!! 5 starts isn't enough to rate Chasing Sophia

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Gisell.
It was very intriguing. I had no idea what I was getting into. This wasn't a story I'm used to but I really liked it.

It wasn't your average romance book.
This book pushed comfort zones and I loved that. Everyone should step out of theirs every once in awhile. That's exactly what Emily did. I think Emily was a very good doctor and wanted to make sure Sophia was okay but at the same time she shouldn't have taken it as far as she did.
It worked out for her. I think Ken and her are a cute couple. It was fate for them I guess. Just what she needed.
While Emily was trying to help Sophia and do everything she can to make sure she's okay, they ended up helping each other.

I'm giving it 4 stars because I really prefer the longer storylines but I think this length was perfect for them.
I will be looking forward to reading more by Gisell.

[Nicole Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always amazing to me to see a person grow, especially an author. With authors, the more they write the more they find themselves and their voice and that's exactly how this book played out. I loved the power dynamic between Sophia and Dr. Dawson and I loved the witty banter Btwn Doc Dawson and Ken.

I love the underlying message in the book as well. Don't be afraid to take a chance and find yourself. The reward will be well worth it.

If you haven't done so already def one click this bad boy. You will not be disappointed.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Yourself

This book is about finding yourself. Emily is a psychiatrist that has spent her life for her career. Sophia is on a dangerous path with her BDSM tactics. Sophia ends up at a hospital that Emily works at and ends up being her patient. While trying to help Sophia, Emily becomes attached and does things that are borderline crossing the ethical line. If you are looking for a different book with a little BDSM then look no further.

[Lúthien Númenessë · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spanish:
Hace unos días tuve la oportunidad de leer por primera vez a Gisell DeJesus, y solo tengo una palabra; WOW (de acuerdo, una expresión) La verdad es que no era para nada lo que esperaba, sinceramente me dejé llevar por el título, pensé que sería un romance tranquilo, pero tras el segundo capítulo se volvió una novela 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.
Al principio no conseguía entender hacia dónde es que iban a ir las cosas, luego comienzan los recuerdos de la doctora Emily Dawson, quien narra la experiencia que tuvo con una paciente y cómo ella le cambió su perspectiva de la vida.
Sophia es una paciente peculiar, no solo por su historia, sino por la manera tan natural que habla de sus practicas SXLES, y como ella simplemente descubrió que eso era parte de ella, lo que llena de curiosidad a Emily y, desde que escucha aquella primera historia ya no puede dejar de pensar en ello, hasta que termina cayendo, lo cual la lleva a un recorrido de experiencias que la cambian, pero que también la ayudan a saber quién es y lo que realmente quiere
No se dejen engañar, es una historia cargada de erotismo y prácticas BDSM que les harán subir la temperatura, pero en el fondo es una novela que nos enseña cómo es que, muchas veces, lo que creemos saber de nosotros no es para nada la persona que en verdad somos

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English:
A few days ago I had the opportunity to read Gisell DeJesus author for the first time, and I only have one word; WOW (okay, it’s an expression) The truth is that it was not at all what I expected, I honestly got carried away by the title, I thought that It would be a quiet romance, but after the second chapter it became 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.
At first I couldn't understand where things were going to go, then the memories of Dr. Emily Dawson begin, who narrates the experience she had with a patient and how it changed her perspective on her life.
Sophia is a peculiar patient, not only because of her story, but because of the natural way she talks about her SXL practices, and how she simply discovered that this was part of her, which fills Emily with curiosity and, since she hears that first story she can't stop thinking about it, until she ends up falling, which takes her on a journey of experiences that change her, but that also help her to know who she is and what she really wants.
But hey!, it’s a story full of eroticism and BDSM practices that will make your temperature rise, but deep down it’s a novel that teaches us how, many times, what we think we know about ourselves is not the person that we really are at all.

[Corey Darkwater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chasing Sophia plunges the reader into Emily's psyche at exactly the point when her carefully constructed world is about to begin to fall apart. She is a psychiatrist, listening to other people's problems, not so good at listening to her own empty, predictable existence. And then there's Sophia, her new client: battered, mysterious, and refreshingly open about her habit of pursuing pain, sex, and power in all the wrong ways. I enjoyed the intimate, confessional tone of this novel, as if Emily was writing this book as a hopelessly verbose, heartfelt plea to someone who knows her inside out.

Emily begins to unravel Sophia's past while simultaneously beginning to unravel her own: her burnout, her isolation, her existence as a woman living a life of appearances but feeling as though she refuses to live within it. It's tense, emotionally rather than physically—conversations about_domSub relationships, consent, guilt, and when the lines between intellectual curiosity and obsession begin to blur. For me, some of the most compelling moments are when Emily comes to realize that not only is she inspecting Sophia's cravings for experience, but she has those cravings herself but has placed them aside for a lifetime of doing what a rational woman with her options is supposed to do.

This is definitely not a gentle novel – sex, morals, and power are all knotted up together, and Emily goes places that made me uncomfortable at least a few times. But this is also what makes it so engaging – this is a novel that is not going to provide any easy takes on sex, on mental illness, because instead, it lingers on the mess of what happens when a woman, one who has spent a long time keeping all of the stories of others together, finally lets her own fall apart. By the end of this, I felt like I’d witnessed Emily unravel as thoroughly as any of Sophia’s performances.

The Goods:
- Intimate, confessional tone that allows the reader to experience the unspooling of Emily’s life in middle age very explicitly
- Complex exploration of sex, power, and consent that isn't afraid of gray areas
- The tense, psychologically loaded relationship between doctor and patient that makes you want to keep reading to know who’s in charge

The Bads:
– Excessive concentration on the internal monologue and confession may seem too slow-paced if you favor plot-based storytelling.
- Emily’s transgressive acts and decisions might render her an unsympathetic character for some readers
- There is too much erotic and BDSM action, as well as emotional drama, for anyone seeking something lighter and more traditional in the romance genre.

I’d recommend Chasing Sophia to anyone who enjoys stories that probe the uncomfortable aspects of desire and identity. Chasing Sophia takes no prisoners: Emily's decisions are often wrong and sometimes disturbing, but this is why she sometimes feels so real. I think anyone who enjoys psychologically dense fiction that examines sexual desire, power, and midlife crises but does not necessarily offer any easy solutions will find Chasing Sophia to be definitely worth reading.

Every book hits differently for every reader.
I hope you enjoy reading my review.

- Corey

[The Caffeinated Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Sophia is such an intriguing read. The writing and way it is told fits perfectly to the story, and is something that I’ve never encountered before now.

Chasing Sophia is written in a way that the main character is writing this story like a letter to someone, but it feels like she is speaking to you, and we also get the same from another character, both written the same way. I read the synopsis, but I have to say that the author pleasantly surprised me with where this story wound up in the end.

This book is a shorter read but it is one of those ones that makes you think. It had my interest from the beginning, and it kept me connected the whole way through.

The main character is a psychologist and I have to say I really enjoyed this aspect of the story, seeing as I’ve always enjoyed psychology. It fascinated me for some reason. There is also a little bit of steam in it, but not in quite the way you might expect.

I really enjoyed Chasing Sophia. The writing and storytelling kept me interested and connected throughout the book, and it kept me engaged and trying to process and figure out as things are unfolding. The way it is written is also new to me but I quite enjoyed the writing style and getting to read something different.

I would absolutely recommend if you are looking for a quick read that will keep you connected and thinking throughout the story.

**Received a Review Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Christina Fender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily is a psychiatrist with her own firm and is very good at what she does. Sophia becomes a patient of Emily’s. Sophia’s family is concerned as she is an addict, so she starts seeing Emily. Emily becomes obsessed with Sophia’s story.

This was a very different book in how it was written. It took a bit to get going, but once it did hold onto your reading devices as you’re not going to want to put them down. This was a first read by this author for me and I can’t wait to see what we get next. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really was not sure what I was walking into with this one but it turned out to be such an awesome page turner for sure!! I can relate in some aspect but also just really enjoyed the story line and the relationships in this book. Gisell did an amazing job with it and I look forward to her coming out with more!!!

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book really sucked me in from start to finish! I was entranced and found myself wishing it wouldn't end!! I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen..I highly recommend this book!!

[Kristina Simkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

She does it again! Chasing Sophia is an entertaining steamy romance with a unique twist. This is an original story, I’ve never read anything quiet like it. One of my all time favorites from this author.

[K.M. Keeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The writing is dark, riddled with subtle bdsm. It was hot and intriguing. I would defiantly recommend this!

[Tonya Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, sexy psychological journey

Dr. Emily Dawson is a psychiatrist who is treating a patient names Sophia, who has lots of dark, lustful sexual desires. Dr. Dawson becomes almost obsessed with helping Sophia, in which she is pulled into a dark world of sexuality, which leads to self discovery for Emily. I loved the narrative aspect of this book, for me it allowed us to really see Sophia was Emily saw her, and how she was pulled in by her.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

This was really intriguing and I Highly Recommend this book. I could not put this down it was full of Suspense and kept me wanting more. I hope there will be another book in the near future ;)