The Chase

Holt Lasher #1

by Jesse J. Thoma

What happens when the woman of your dreams lands in your swimming pool at the same time that buckshot riddles not only your back deck, but also your comfortable, orderly, safe life?

When bounty hunter Holt Lasher splashes into Isabelle Rochat’s swimming pool, Isabelle assumes the shotgun blast was meant for Holt. After all, who would want to shoot a corporate CPA when a bounty hunter is standing in front of her? The answer forces Holt and Isabelle on a perilous journey through an underworld of drugs and underhanded deals, from the Rhode Island House of Representatives to a methadone clinic. Compelled to protect Isabelle by a sense of duty and an attraction neither of them expected, can Holt catch the assailant in time, or will her commitment to the chase leave the idea of happily ever after impossible?

Genres: LGBT, Lesbian, Crime, Romance, Lesbian Romance, Thriller, Butch Femme

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2013

About the author

Jesse Thoma splits her professional time between graduate school and work. She is a project manager in a clinical research lab and spends a good amount of time in methadone clinics and prisons collecting data and talking to people. Jesse grew up in Northern California but headed east for college. She never looked back, although her baseball allegiance is still loyally with the San Francisco Giants. She has lived in New England for ten years and has finally learned to leave extra time in the morning to scrape snow off the car. Jesse is blissfully married and is happiest when she is out for a walk with her wife and their dog, pretending she still has the soccer skills she had as an eighteen-year-old, eating anything her wife bakes, or sitting at the computer to write a few lines. (from the publisher's website)

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It's a good, fast paced, quick read. The characters are likeable and it was nice to have a hot, superwoman-ish, main character with tattoos.
The first meeting between the two mains was great and their chemistry held up from beginning to the end. An accountant and a bounty hunter is not your typical pair and that made their relationship all the better.
The "bad" guy was a little too typical, but I like how the ending played out and how both mains were a part of it.
There is a book 2, which I'm looking forward to reading, but this book wrapped up things enough not to ruin it with a big cliffhanger.
If you are looking for a fun, quick paced read, with some romance and action, The Chase may be a good choice for you.

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty effing cool.

The initial meeting between Isabelle and Holt was sizzling and it only got hotter between them as the book progressed. I love the final outcome with the bad guy, how their plans went to shite and it was Isabelle who was there to save Holt.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book now.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brain on hold, enjoy the characters and don't look too hard at the plot.

Like watching an episode of the A-Team, with with the violence and sex turned up. Oh, yeah... pretty much everyone that's on the side of the angels is gay. What's not to like?

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this, a fun way of writing which means I never took the story that seriously. Good to see it’s the first in the series - noticed this is the third of Jesse J and all 5*s. She has sort of snuck up on me!

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure how to review this. I liked the premise and the beginning (I really liked the beginning) but then I was just confused, it was like super fast paced but no. I’m not doing a good job explaining this, but The thing I think I didn’t like it BUT I’m reading the next book.

[Justina Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The primary couple's initial meeting is a uniquely amusing yet action-packed scenario. I was definitely drawn into the dynamic events of this thoroughly gratifying book via an artfully droll and continuously exciting story. Since I read the second book first, inadvertently, I missed some of the potent elements underlying and permeating the close-knit relationship of Holt and Isabelle that I believed would have made my reading of book two even more enjoyable. Nevertheless this cohesive pair is clearly a compelling duo. Spectacularly entertaining!

Holt Lasher is flat out amazing. She has an incredible background, rich and peculiar parents, and a close group of extraordinary friends and coworkers. The intensity and thrill elements are certainly enhanced by Holt being a bounty hunter. Remarkably strong, agile, and impeccably honorable, she additionally has the most well-known and respected bail enforcement agency in Providence, Rhode Island. Plus her employees, though an unusual collection of men and women, are rather good at what they do, currently notably respectable, and astoundingly dedicated to Holt. Frankly, I truly think Holt is a super hero. Magnificent!

Isabelle Rochat is a very successful accountant. She is above and beyond meticulous and especially thorough. That proves to be a bit uncomfortable for one of her main clients. Right from the start, Isabelle is bombarded with a rapid series of events that is so not like her world of numbers and balance sheets. Furthermore, much to her consternation, she is unquestionably attracted to Holt who is in her own words beautiful in an androgynous, female Adonis kind of way. It seems Isabelle's world has been completely discombobulated on almost all fronts. Her stalwart inner core is certainly tested nearly to her limits. However, between Isabelle and Holt there is a counterbalance that adds an amazingly intriguing juxtaposition that places this story on an enchanted level all of its own. Beguilingly riotous!

Although it isn't necessary to read ‘Chase’ before ‘Pedal to the Medal’, there is a time continuum and cumulative character growth that supports reading Chase first. Best of all, Chase is where Holt and Isabelle first meet and soon thereafter become intimate. While I suggest reading these in order, grab the first one available and dive into the captivating world of Holt and her entourage. Superb!


NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Lucky Luc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit too far out for me. It’s the type of book where I think I liked it but I don’t know for sure. It was a little too campy action hero but I did find myself wanting to know what would happen next so I kept on. I enjoyed most of it but probably not on the repeat list.

[Cynthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what to say, this read like the exact same as a straight tough-male-PI type of story.
- insta-lust/love
- protagonists horny for each other all the time, who seem to always kiss in ways that should hurt...
- most honorable, most dedicated MC whom no one can beat, ever
- MC who, ofc, is beautiful in a tough way and whose reputation is one of a roguish lover whom all women want, but who, in truth, doesn't sleep around (she's the most honorable, remember)
- even her temper/anger is glorified/idealized/idolized
- she's constantly described as a superhero? for some reason that I can't fathom? for being a bounty hunter?
- soft, caring, worried-for-MC, gorgeous LI, who is single for some reason
- friends and family and colleagues completely dedicated to the MC
- completely evil bad guys with dumb minions
- plot with little logic or appeal or suspense
- etc
In summary, everything in this book is made to prop up the MC, and it was a hardship to get through it all.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and action packed- a good read, though I did find the relationship between the main characters so hot & cold (& quick to evolve) it was at times distracting from the actual plot.

[Christine Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, gripping storyline

Wow, what a gripping storyline. I loved the main characters their chemistry shined through the whole book, but the ordeal they had to withstand was gripping. I couldn't put it down definitely worth reading congratulations

[Allison L Clos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the characters in this book, I found it very enjoyable that there was a larger cast of characters beyond the main couple in a romance book that were interesting and worthwhile.

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great.

I really enjoyed The Chase. Lots of action. Lots of angels to figure out. I really enjoy Holt. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Subira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love a tattooed love interest.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great opening scene, enjoyable characters. Pacing was a little clunky at times, but the ending was excellent and made me want to run right to the next book in the series!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[♥Laddie♥ (Lee Lee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooh, baby, baby

Loved it. Loved, loved, loved it. When I started this book I wasn't sure JJT was going to pull it off but I hung in there and I'm so glad I did. There are parts of this book that are utterly crazy. Let's start with our sexy, butch bounty hunter's name; Holt Lasher. That name is fuckin' EPIC. It takes het romance's tradition of giving the hero an outlandishly ridiculous macho name and brings that tradition firmly into the realm of lesbian romance. Holt's name might as well have been Thunder Storm Stallion Jones. The dumb name is thoroughly made up for by how hot Holt is though. The first time she's described I think I melted.

Tattoos? Check.
Scruffy sex god hair? Check.
Badass muscled backed up by general badassness? Check and check.
Tight tees? Check.
Baggy jeans, ass kicking boots, and *swoon* boxers? All checks!
Tall? Check.
Swagger? So. Much. Swagger.

When the book opens up, Holt is chasing down a scrawny kid named Peanut who's one of her recurring bounties. The chase ends in accountant Isabelle Rochat's pool as the the two of them and Isabelle are being shot at in a drive-by. This get kind of crazy after that and that's when I started wondering if I'd be able to stick with the book. Isabelle comes off as completely off the wall and too quick to bitch smack people for no reason. I wasn't liking her. As the story progresses though, Isabelle comes into her own and I really enjoyed her and Holt together.

Actually, I enjoyed everyone in this book. I loved Holt's bounty hunting team. Moose, Jose, and Max were just plain old awesome. I can't wait to read Max's book because she's a firecracker of a hacker who really came into her own by the end of the book. And Jose and Moose, oh I loved them. Jose needs to ask Moose out dammit!! That needs to happen in Max's book. Also, I hope that in the next book there is more of little Superman. Just more of everyone please.

[Blu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great story, excellent pace and realistic scenarios. I found the beginning a little odd, stylistically, and the two characters' initial actions on their mutual attraction unrealistic. It settled down and I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions and action. In some ways this reminds me of Cari Hunter's Desolation Point and Snowbound.
Great read and well worth your time.

[J.L. Gaynor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the pacing to be a little erratic but the story itself was engaging. The bounty hunter-accountant love affair has its funny moments and some seriously outrageous ones but it's a fun ride.