I met her through the wrong man’s eyes. Beauty in every sense of the word, a mouth of someone who gives zero fucks, and the body of a man’s wildest fantasy.
Fake—it’s the first thing I thought. Until she sent me a picture with a middle finger and the same beautiful eyes.
But she could never be mine.
And when I say that, I really mean it.
My position doesn’t pose for it and my past won’t allow … it.
What makes this harder than anything I’ve ever had to do is when she lines up in my path.
I veer out of the way but she crosses the line and she does it on purpose—to challenge me.
This woman doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into.
And apparently, I don’t either.
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Governor Wade is running for president. He has to be cautious at every turn. When his best friend Chase ends up drunk Wade invites him to stay over. Chase’s phone lights up with new messages from a dating app. Curious Wade opens the app. Now he becomes Chase.
Raegan is a party planner. She not only works for the elite but now for the Governor as well. Strong, independent woman with a sassy mouth.
The sexual tension between Wade and Raegan is explosive! Who will make the first move?
The cliffy will blow you away!!
Can’t wait for next installment, Bona Fide!!
This is Book #1 in the Illusive Duet. Hazel Grace has done a wonderful job of pulling me in and taking me on an intense and twisted ride. Wade was alpha, sexy, protective, stubborn, and confident. There were times that I wanted to knock him over the head though. lol. Reagan is beautiful, confident, sexy, strong, sassy! She is not afraid to speak her mind and I love that about her. They both like to have their way so the witty banter between Wade and Reagan was everything. There are secrets from both of their pasts that could get in the way. That cliffhanger ending was OMG WOW!! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
***ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.***
Catfish is book #1 in the Illusive Duet.
I enjoyed reading this book but I had a feeling that it dragged out. The main characters were interesting and the dialogues between them were what kept me turn pages.
I would definitely say “Catfish” had it’s pros and cons, and I can honestly see why readers would be drawn to it. I just didn’t love it or hate it. The plot was interesting and refreshing, but it dragged out and I was hoping to see more development between ‘Chase’/Reagan/Wade. About ½ half through the novel, it felt more like a chore to read and I was kind of over it already. There wasn’t a whole lot going on for about 70% through yet the banter between the leads were my favorite scenes that pulled me through to the end, but like I said, it was a drag. Nevertheless there is potential and I look forward to the sequel to see how it pars with this one.
I love this book just like I love all of Hazel’s books! I enjoyed the banter between Wade and Reagan. They both have secrets in their past and they are both alphas that like things to go their way. I love how Reagan stands up to anyone and speaks her mind. This is a cliffhanger so be ready to be left at the end of the book with wanting to throw your kindle and be mad at Hazel lol
Hold onto your hats – you are in for a bumpy ride. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Wade is falling in love. The catch – he is pretending to be someone he is not, but falling for Reagan was not supposed to be in the cards. Filled with characters you instantly fall in love with and surround them with a storyline filled with politics, family dysfunction and add in the connection found only through text messages and you have yourself a wonderful read.
This book takes you from one emotion to the next. Reagan and Wade will pull you in right from the start and doesn’t let go with an ending that will blow you mind and keep you wanting more. A slow burn with a whole lot of twist and turns you may not expect. Hazel Grace definitely knows how to keep you on the edge with every word she writes and I can’t wait to see what she has for book two.
Catfish is the first book in Illusive Duet #1. Now, where do I start? When I first read this author’s book [book:Siren|46259788], I knew she had this vivid potential to draw in her readers for first time but damn it, she’s addicting! Her portrayal of emotions is perfectly on point and every nook has been carefully finalized. Catfish was full of surprises and something I have not read or seen more in the writing world. Doubled with passion, intimacy, secrets, lies, pretense, hilarious moments and a sassy firecracker to attract our hot shot obsessive alpha male, this story will keep you on heels at all the times. It won’t let you stray away for even a minute.
I can’t give much about this book without spoiling it but all I’d say is you keep your patience till the end. It gets spicier with each turn of page. You’ll soon find yourself burning and greedy for more. More words. More of everything. Wade & our Bumblebee were pure fire. In enchanting Reagan, Wade finds himself in a situation that he can’t easily back out. May be it’s an addiction? Love? Lust? But what happens when the past returns in full swing and threatens to harm the only one whom you have come to love and care about. In this tantalizing journey of mysteries, seduction and arrogance, I lost myself completely and irrevocably. Wade had a command in him that was impossible to ignore and disobey but for that, we have our very own Reagan who chooses to defy this man at every stage and press his buttons in the loveliest manners. But is Wade really the man he claims to be? What lies beneath his secret alibi?
They soon find themselves in a tangle which will take only few truths, here and there to fix the massive trouble they are in! Releasing on 24th March, mark your calendars people; for you’re invited to the unending drama of a man who has fallen head over in heels for our sassy girl and isn’t ready to let her part just yet.
Romance and Politics isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I love it. I am apolitical junky. I love the dirtiness of politics and the complications that seem to happen when you throw in a romance and shake things up. I always think a pollical romance trope has so many ways to move the story around and change up the “typical”. Catfish does this with simply having Wade hide behind his best friend’s dating profile. You get a glimpse of the true man under his political veneer. Wade comes across as funny and engaging. Which really seems a complete 180 from his pollical persona.
Wade is a hard man and in book one we know he struggles with his family and has few true friends. But there is something about him the seems to warrant complete loyalty from what few friends he has. We do not learn the reasons in Book One. We do see that there is something there that effects all the relationships he is in.
Reagan is a hard nut to crack and boy does she have a type. She has a thing for men in power. She also has such amazing snark and sarcasm, I kind of want to be her best friend. Reagan also seems to have difficulty maintain close relationships. She owns an event planning business with her cousin, but she doesn’t seem to open about her life to her. She is good as what she does and seems able to handle any situation that is thrown as her. I love her and Wades interactions. They have an electrifying attraction to each other, and how others in the room aren’t sensing it and questioning it floors me. They can’t be that good at hiding it.
I have not yet decided how I feel about the story Catfish. I love a good anti-hero. I love a story of a girl skirting the edge of good trying to turn her life fully to the good. But there are so many open questions as the book ends on a huge cliff hanger. Not one-story line was resolved, and I am going to need book two in the Duet to have a full impression of the story. So far, I am engaged, I will absolutely be reading book two. But my full impression of the story can’t happen until I finish the story. I need resolution people!!
Catfish was a 3.75 out 5 stars read for me. It always is frustrating as a reader to not have any story lines resolved or at least one final moment of realization. Hopefully Book 2 gives me that.
Ohh…My…Geezus!! Catfish was an Amazing Read! This is my second book by this author and I’m in love! Catfish is book one in Grace’s Illusive Duet. And it will suck you in and leave you wreaked! This book is sexy and funny, it’s alluring and the slow burn will have you feverish! I fell in love with Wade from the start, you can’t help but be drawn to him. He’s got a dream and he’s not about to let anyone ruin it. He wasn’t expecting Reagan, and now he can’t help himself. He’s not who he says he is. She has no idea! It’s refreshing and comical to witness their encounters. You root for them, and they take chunks of you. Reagan has a past she’s beating herself up over every day. There are still some things we don’t know. Wade also has scars from his past and we’re left in the dark about that part of him. Everyone knows that a politician’s life is usually surrounded by scandals and while it’s all around them, Wade’s different. Wade is the ultimate triple threat, He’s mysterious, Hansome and Savage! He’s a grade A a>>hole and works hard to keep everyone out. Reagan is used to making sacrifices for her family and lives a life full of guilt. When these two cross paths all the oxygen is sucked from your lungs! They’re explosive! Right, when you think the secret is about to be revealed, your hearts racing and you’re griping your reader tighter…Grace delivers a soul-crushing blow! AHHHHH! I’m an epic mess right now! Still reeling from that sentence I know I read at least twenty times to be sure I got it right. I’m left both stunned and screaming! I loved this book so much! I’m dying for the second part of this duet! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
And Hazel Grace has done it again!! Catfish is FIRE and I couldn’t wait to read more of the baddie girl Reagan and Wade Fing Lockwood. This book had me laughing from the start. I mean the text messages between Reagan and Chase, need I say more. Reagan is a don’t give a F*** girl who is what she is and is unapologetic about it and she is seriously one of my favorite heroine’s I’ve read so far this year. Reagan is a ball buster and will not cower or bow to anyone and Wade wasn’t ready.
Wade Lockwood means business and will not let anything and anyone get in his way. What he wasn’t expecting a text message by chance and Reagan to bulldoze her way into his life.
I made myself take my time to read this book because I knew once it finished I would have to wait for book 2. With every page I became more intrigued, laughed, swooned and then almost had a heart attack with that curveball of a cliffhanger. Hazel Grace’s writing is real and ballsy and I am here for it! Anxiously waiting for book 2!
This is the first book in the Illusive Duet, and the story of Wade, and Reagan. Their story took me on a roller coaster of intrigue, twist, and turns, suspense, drama, and mystery. This was amazingly written, the characters have great chemistry, and I was sucked in the whole way through. This is a must read, and I look forward to reading book two.
This book was the first part of the Illusive duet and has me needing book two sooner than later!!!
Reagan is a party planner so that means she is off limits to Wade. Reagan is very feisty and strong, even with a vulnerability under it all.
Wade is a true alpha male. He is a very smart man that use want to be just like his father and make a difference in the world.
However, the chemistry between them is off the charts. The tension between these two will have you wanting more because you can’t wait to see if they give in to this tension. What will happen when truths are revealed?
Catfish is book one in the Illusive Duet. I could not put it down! I loved it alot.
I loved loved Wade Lockwood, the Ruthless, cocky sexy alpha Governer. Reagan Shelton- The best party planner was sassy and just awesome. I loved the push and pull between them. The sexual tension was scorching! Cannot wait for book two!
Catfish is the first book in the Illusive Duet series, a slow burn, yet thoroughly absorbing tale of 2 people who couldn’t be further apart but absolutely perfect for each other.
Wade’s not who he says he is, but he’s falling hard for Reagan. He can’t have her though, not with who he really is.
Reagan is my spirit animal. She’s sassy, bold, utterly amazing.
I now need the second book to show up, like yesterday!! This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but she’s now got a fan. This was an amazing book, definitely a must read!!
**I received an ARC of this book, but this is 100% my honest and voluntary review.
I don’t even know where to begin with this story! Hazel takes us on such a complex, twisted, kindle breaking, sexy ride with Catfish. WADE IS EVERYTHING… He is hot, protective, strong, stubborn, assured and yet there are many moments that I was screaming at him through my kindle! Reagan is everything and more! She is strong, assured and knows what she wants in life… and Wade isn’t it… or is he???? GAHHHH! These two!! This book!! That ending!! I can’t wait to see what is going to happen next!
How?!
I mean, how is this even possible?
I’ve read my fair share for books by Hazel Grace so, I thought that by now I would at least have
an inkling of what could be expecting me once I dived deep into “Catfish”.
Oh, but little old me was so wrong…
Firstly, let’s just get some things out of the way: I’d hate to repeat myself too much but since I
know it’s almost impossible, I’ll just embrace it.
Hey, maybe if you’re a first time reader, it’ll help you get a sense of what you’re about to get
yourself into.
Here’s some little-loose-bit-and-pieces-slash-keywords from a couple of my previous reviews:
* “beautiful and captivating writing style”
* “original ideas”
* “unique characters”
* “twisted/questionable morals”
* “unconventional relationships”
* “a somber ache”
* “every single second of palpable tension, impending doom, danger and pain, gut-wrenching
descriptions and excruciatingly honest exchanges.”
Are you conviced yet? Okay, let me expand on it, point by point, shall we?
Hazel Grace has indeed, in my opinion, a very specific and recognizable writing style and that
alone is able to get you immersed in the world she created: her first introduction of characters
let’s you know straight away some of their traits while giving a small sense of what you could
expect from them. And I do mean “small” – this lady right here was been knighted by yours truly
was one of the Queens of Plotwists.
That would lead us directly to some of the other points I mentioned above. All of the books I’ve
ever read by Hazel Grace – and I absolutley mean it when I say “all” – have refreshingly original
plots and, as you would expect, extraordinarily unparalleled characters. Even if you normally read
dark romance or alike and are generally comfortable surrounded by some “fuckedupness”, I can
almost certainly guarantee you that you’ll have some difficulty scouring your brain for similarities
to other fictional beings. Don’t think I need to go into too much detail about the “unconventional
relationships” item from the list above since I guess you’ve gathered by now that’s just a given,
taken the singularity of the intervenients. Still, if I could offer you an exemple of this exact
concept – while at the same time giving a book suggestion – I’d point you towards the Bases
Series.
Also yes, I said it – Fuckedupness: I believe I came up with that on my own; I might trademark it,
who knows? ;D
Regardless, I’ve yet to find a better word to describe in general terms what you could expect
from a book by Hazel Grace. And since I’ve started this, I might as well keep going: perfect
representation of the made-up expression used above, would be the Disorderly Duet. Quick
warning – prepare yourself.
Remember those “twisted/questionable morals”? Uh… yeah, Wyatt is king. I’d said you’ll feel like
kissing and slapping him at the same but that would only be the first level of that game, so I
don’t know; are you ready for the boss fights?
Ok, so we’ve reach the two most cryptical of all the elements cited – “a somber ache”/
“every single second of palpable tension, impending doom, danger and pain, gut-wrenching
descriptions and excruciatingly honest exchanges.”
Every story I’ve ever read had this uneasiness to it, some anxiety-inducing restlessness.
It’s this permanent fog of uncertainty, waiting for the other shoe to drop and everything go
sideways; anticipating that supposedly inevitable pain and suffering.
You’re kept on your toes at all times and white knuckling the edge of your seat, bracing for it all.
I’m sorry it got me this long to get here but I needed to get that all of my chest; I finished reading
“Catfish” last night and I myself, was left in this peculiar introspective state.
So, Wade and Reagan…
What to say?
There still so much to learn about both of them, and the plotwists are just getting started, and
obviously the cliffhanger is not even the one I was expecting it to be, and I won’t even try to
guess what the next book’s starting point is going to be, and…
Yeah, unknowns and just some of the reasons why Hazel Grace is a freaking genius.
She gaves us yet another badass woman to cheer for and another hot-asshole to swoon and
drool all over, but those are just some of the surface level, obvious actions to engage in.
There’s so much more to Wade than meets the eye and I genuinely felt his struggle – the battle
between what we worked and fought for his entire life and what his heart wants and absolutely
cannot get. My heart actually hurts for him. And I’m honestly terrified of Reagan’s reaction when
she finds out the truth.
And Reagan? She’s such a complex character.
She has so much on her plate already and I don’t think she realizes the full extent of her influence
and/or her part in all of this political world.
Also, I extremely curious about some of the characters already introduced and how they’re going
to develop.
Needless to stay that I’m beyond excited for book two and it can’t get here fast enough.
Wade and Reagan hooked me! There is so much going on that even with the slow burn of the story, I was intrigued and went from scared, to anxious, to aroused, to surprised. There are mysteries and secrets and so much more that I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for the conclusion.
This is the first part of a duet and is Wade and Reagan’s story. Reagan is Wade’s new party planner and is therefore off limits, however, the chemistry between them is explosive, and she challenges him at every turn which certainly keeps him on his toes. No spoilers though: this is a must read you will not be disappointed. This is a well written story which is thrilling and steamy as well as having drama and twists which all kept me totally enthralled throughout this addictive page turner. I cannot wait to read the 2nd book. I recommend for all.
Catfish by Hazel Grace is the First book in the Illusive Duet Series. This starts the story of Reagan and Wade. When reading this book be prepaid to not want to put it down. This book is a type of Catfish situation but one that wasn’t started really with bad intent as some real life ones are. This was a somewhat slow burn but the attraction was from the start. Wade also was the alpha male that I love to read about with the strong heroine that throws the hero on his toes. I cannot wait for the next installment.