Giving Chase

Havenwood, Book 1

By: Riley Hart

Narrated by: Kale Williams

Kellan:

I wasn't supposed to fall for my older brother's best friend. Unfortunately, that ship sailed when I was a teenager, even though Chase Hawthorne always treated me like nothing more than a younger sibling. Things were worse after my parents died. Chase was sweet and supportive, which only strengthened my feelings for him. But then he'd act like I couldn't take care of myself, and that part didn't go over well with me.

Yeah, I had a habit of screwing up. I'd always been the weird boy in our small town, but just like my big brother, he took overprotective to a new level. Until one night when I was 18 and Chase and I hooked up. It was a ding to the ego that he left town right afterward. Ridiculously, I'm still not over him.

Chase:

I betrayed my best friend, Griffin, the night I messed around with Kellan. So I ran - first to the marines, then into law enforcement. Ten years later, I'm back home, this time as a patrol officer rather than a troublemaker's son. Oh, and unable to keep my hands off Kellan Caine. There's always been something about him...the way he stands strong in who he is, even when he's standing alone. I'm trapped between someone I want more than anything and Griff, the guy who's like family to me. Yet the more time I spend with Kellan, the harder it becomes to deny there's something real between us.

With my dad stirring up trouble, and me going behind my best friend's back, everything's a mess. The more tangled the web gets, the more I realize I need Kellan. And that there might be something in the Hawthorne family history that'll make me lose both Kellan and Griffin for good.

©2020 Riley Hart (P)2020 Riley Hart

Loved it!

The “baby boy,” endearment was really weird and made me cringe every time. But I loved the book! And I really liked the narrator’s voice.

Good listen

I enjoyed the book and the narrator. I doubt it’ll go into my relisten folder, but I have no regrets about buying it. The story was cute and good enough to not be cookie cutter for the brother’s best friend troupe. I’d recommend this listen.

Loving Someone

The story was a journey for both Chase and Kellan ... and of course Griff as well... time was no barrier and love came naturally. The entire book represented overcoming the odds ... Chase being loved by a family other than his at an early age ... having a brother... a best friend... and the man who was and now is the love of his life. There were moments of sorrow, of confusion, of hurt, but in the end it was love. Love that transcended time from a place of uncertainty to a place where only dreams are made... a book worth reading and a story worth remembering. I won’t forget this story nor the journey ...

The reader’s voice

Very enjoyable love the main two characters and how they fought for each other. Also how the people of this small town really rally for their community.

Great Book

This book was a great read! I can’t wait to listen to the rest of the series:)

Absolutely Loved This!

What a fantastic start to a new series. I love a friends to lovers story because they usually include history from the past that gives that extra weight and connection to the characters, and I felt like this one did it very well. I fell in love with the Kellan’s character right away, he was so animated and tried to be tough but was also so vulnerable and humorous as well. He reminded me of someone I know so I adored him right away and Chase grew on me rather quickly as well, and I enjoyed listening to his struggle on not wanting to put his friendship with Griff in jeopardy but also feeling a pull to Kellan. The background story of the rare crimes in town and all the supporting characters was great as well, and just added to the lovestory. And as usual, Kale Williams does a great job narrating though I did find it funny how strong Kel’s accent is compared to his brother. Overall a great story and I look forward to the rest of this series.

Great read.

I loved everything about this book. The connection between the two guys was awesome. I am looking forward to reading more books by the author.

A Great Start for the Havenwood Series!

I thought this was a really good book well thought out plot, great character development with likeable and believable characters and the typical small town. The title couldn't possibly be more appropriate with Kellan, Griff's younger brother being the one giving chase to Griff's best friend, Chase! It seems like hopeless situation for poor Chase with Chase being afraid of loosing his best friend Griffin if he gets involved with Griff's younger brother, Chase runs for cover joining the Marines after an incident of going a little too far with Kellan! Needless to say Kellan is crushed and he and his friends pretty unforgiving when Chase returns years later, but the author does a great job of bringing them back together, you'll have to listen to the audio or read the book to see how and to find out what happened to Griff and Kellan's parents!

Couple of comments on two negative things I saw is some reviews:

One review I saw saw said they didn't like Chase's calling Kellan's Baby Boy but it seemed pretty natural to me as he was the baby of the Caine's family, and only Chase and Kellan's referred to himself as that in personal and private conversations, to me that was less freaky than butter cup or sweetie pie, besides I'm sure many people referred to their pets at one-time or another as baby boy or baby girl. I Think the Author's choice of baby boy worked great, nice change from the old sugary, syrupy sweet euphorisms you normally see.

Another reviewer had commented that they thought that Kellan was too feminine .... Hello, what? There are different types and ranges of gay, ever heard the word rainbow? I think both the Author and Narrator did an excellent job with Kellan's character and verbal context for the story.

Kellan and Chase

I loved this book so much. Riley really outdid herself with this one. This was my third time listening to Kale and I have to say he did an amazing job with it. The sexy times were hot as well and I so love this trope so of course I was going to listen to it. I can't wait to get into the rest of the series.

I can't, I just can't.... The narrator

First, I really identify with LGBTQ, I am a closeted masculine guy, I respect all men who are openñy gay, or, feminine, and all that... I like them, but this narrator for this book, OMG, Riley Hart has some really good books, I can't with this narrator, it makes the character too, IDK..... it almost makes it seem like that's the reason why Chase wouldn't get closer, ... I don't know what happens later, I was only able to listen for a while.... I never withdraw from books, I power through and give them a chance... I just can't enjoy it... I wanted Kel to be this masculine young closeted dude . and that's not who he was... and even if Riley Hart wanted to portray that, the narrator just doesn't make that happen,..... my respect to Kale Williams, he narrates well, his voice is pleasant, his articulation is excellent, but this book, this story....I just can't. I'd much rather a narrator that acts very straight, and it's funny because when he does the voice for Chase, he does much better and passes for more "masculine".. somewhat.... so I don't know, maybe Riley Hart wanted Kel be just be "that type" and that's ok... just not for me. I was looking for her usual closeted guy type-story, where they're both masculine... please don't send any hate, I don't mean any harm by this, I am gay myself, I get it, I have gay friends who are very feminine, I am closeted so I'm very careful what I do and where I go, I'm still working on it, I wish I can overcome all of this and come out some day, but Riley Hart's books are about these closeted men... I love them.. The narrator is not working for that in this one.