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Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Book #Review: The Chase Is On ( Westmoreland 7) by Brenda Jackson

Book Title: The Chase Is On (Westmorelands 7)
Author:  Brenda JacksonWebsiteTwitterFacebook
Publisher: Silhouette Desire
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, African American Romance
Series/Standalone: Book 7
Format:  ebook, Mass Markey
Cost: $5.99
Pages: 192
How I got it: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: November 15, 2005
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Synopsis:
WHAT CHASE WESTMORELAND WANTED...

Something sure looked tempting, and Chase knew it wasn't on his restaurant's menu. His new neighbor Jessica Claiborne was as deliciously enticing as the confections she created--so enticing, Chase was finding it difficult to concentrate on anything but the curve of her lips.

CHASE WESTMORELAND GOT!

Jessica couldn't deny the heat that sparked every time Chase was near. But she had a secret, one that could destroy the desire she saw burning in his eyes. Yet if she wanted a chance with Chase, she was going to have to reveal the truth and withstand the heat that was bound to go beyond the kitchen.
Told from dual perspectives we have a sweet romance tempered by a secret. Several years ago, a family friend betrayed the Westmorelands and this has caused bad blood between them. Jessica is a transplant to Atlanta from California and she's opening up a sweet confectioners shop right in the same plaza as Chase's successful soul food restaurant.

The day they meet Chase puts his foot in his mouth because he accuses her of being inconsiderate when she had actually shown up to apologize for the inconvenience her moving in might have caused. And the sparks fly from there. Chase is attracted to the fiery woman who called him out and now he has to make it up to her. From the start, Chase lived up to his name and even though Jessica didn't exactly give him a hard time in seducing her into a relationship.

Much like the other men in his family Chase has decided based on a college heartbreak to never get married and have children. He plans to pass the restaurant on to his nieces and nephews and maybe later in life marry for convenience. Jessica has had a deadbeat father who causes her and her mother nothing but strife and ultimately cost them even more. She's determined never to marry because she believes way too many men are like her father and she doesn't need that drama in her life.  When the two meet their affair seems inevitable they are so attracted to each other. Brenda loves to write the hell out of a lovemaking scene, their scenes are scorchers and just make you love the consideration that goes into a good relationship.

I loved that they both went in with their eyes open to how it's going to end and along the way re-evaluated. Chase is unaware of Jessica's big secret and as they get to know each other Jessica's secret goes from a mission to a burden. She's conflicted on sharing with Chase and one day the secret comes out. Chase makes his assumptions and they split.

I loved that separately Chase made the right decisions and when he realized his haste might have cost him more than his pride went all out to make amends.  I loved Jessica and her family because she turned to them when she needed to be bolstered.  The Westmoreland clan as always is welcoming to the new women in their family members lives and also give Jessica a sense that ATL could be for her, and I just love how awesome they are.

This being a romance we know there is going to be a happy ending. It's the journey to the ending that makes these worth reading and I loved their journey. I loved how they courted and how they journeyed from friends into lovers. Chase uses his skills as a cook to woo her and she used her chocolates as a way to soften him up. Their mutual love of food was a great base for their relationship and friendship to grow on. Plus the fact that they both own successful shops.

Of course, I enjoyed this one and the little bit of a mystery it had with it. Another to add to the TBR if you haven't read it and want a hot man who can cook who is hell-bent on getting his delicious delight.
 ★★★★☆
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Happy Reading my loves, 

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