In this steamy, addictive contemporary romance spinning off the New York Times bestselling Dream Man and Rock Chick series, Ryn Jansen must put her trust in the one man she wants — and the one man she can’t let herself have.
Ryn Jansen has no interest in taking a risk on Boone Sadler. Thanks to a long list of men who’ve done nothing but let her down, Ryn vows to stay far away from the caring, … vows to stay far away from the caring, protective commando. And when Boone confronts Ryn with evidence that her loved ones are conning her, Ryn is less than thrilled — with her family and Boone. But even as Boone proves he’s the kind of guy to meet her every need, she doesn’t trust him to stay when life gets hard . . .
Boone Sadler’s never been one to back down from a challenge. He’s determined to show the funny, sexy Ryn that the irresistible connection between them is worth exploring. But caring for Ryn’s heart and body becomes a matter of life and death when Ryn’s beloved niece and nephew are put in danger and dirty cops begin gunning for Ryn. Soon Boone realizes their romance is in danger of more than heartbreak — and to have any future together, they’ll have to put their trust in each other.
I have to say I liked this one much better than the first one goes in terms of the storyline. I still recommend all of them so far. I haven’t come across this type of story of Kristen’s in awhile that’s emotional but also has an HEA that you’ll love. Boone just doesn’t give up and him and Ryn are perfect.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
“I just want you all to know I’m picturing this sit-down of hotties in my head and burning it there so I can take it out and savor it later,” she announced. “And I’m not even sure which selections on the smorgasbord showed.” -Ryn
Seriously, this book brings back everyone. The Nightengale men, I mean Lee (just the thought makes it exciting!), the Hot Bunch (all yummy), Hawk and his crew (just badass hot!), Chaos (no explanation necessary!) including Tack (one of Katie’s all time favorites) and even Knight and his guys (which we haven’t heard from in a while). Are you getting that? All the hottest, baddest, alphahole, seriously hot KA men all in one book!!! And we could never and would never forget Ally, she’s there being her hysterical private investigator self keeping all these testosterone laden men in line.
Girl, can you imagine thinking about all your favorite KA Alpha men sitting around a table. We have always wanted, since the beginning, to be a part of this group. Move to Denver, work at Fortnums, get in some terrible trouble and need these men to help us.
Crap, this woman can write the best book boyfriend. No man, and I mean NO other man can compare to them. Some of them are close, yes, but they will never, not ever, be at the level of a Kristen Ashley Alpha Hero.
“You know, if we’re gonna take this slow, you’re gonna have to not be so hot”
“How am I gonna do that?”
“Not talk about fucking hard would be a start.”
“Rynnie, baby, you gotta know delayed gratification is the best kind.” – Ryn and Boone
They give the best over-bearing alpha, they give the best fuck-ups, and then they follow with the best grovel without groveling.
And they are sometimes so “normal” that it makes you laugh.
“Fried chicken, macaroni salad, potato salad, ambrosia salad, and don’t give me any shit about that, I dig the stuff. And a happy birthday cookie because whoever had the idea to put frosting on a huge-ass cookie is a saint.” – Boone
Combine that with a strong woman who has (of course) had loads of family crap thrown her way who just happens to be so awesome and beautiful that the newest KA alpha hottie, Boone, is just not going to let her get away.
“I need to be wanted,’ I told him. ‘I need to be loved. I need to be won. You have another woman. I’m already second runner-up. A man like you…with a man like you, I can’t , Boone. I can’t have and not have a man like you. It would tear me apart. I can’t have and maybe win and then maybe lose a man like you. That would destroy me. So I just can’t.” -Ryn
“So tear down the walls, Ryn, I want in, I’m getting in and we’re gonna see where this goes.” – Boone
This series is seriously freaking perfect. It is old-school KA and the only thing I would change is to make it longer. Why do her books have to end? Well, and it could have had a kidnapping. I kept waiting for the “bad” thing to happen to Ryn. I know that sounds so wrong, but I love when the KA alpha men have to save their women. Those moments are swoony and hot!
Only KA could write an entire series, well even more because Smithies girls make appearances in many books, about strippers and make you love them. Every time I read these books I think about Demi Moore in Striptease – god she is a badass!
But truthfully, this book isn’t just about a bunch of strippers and commandos. This book is about some of the strongest heroines you can read. Women that have been dragged through shit in life, but still work their asses off to take care of the people in their lives – even though those people don’t fucking deserve it. Their loyalty is beyond anything you see in most books and you wish you saw more of in real life. These women give THE BEST friendships!
This book is also about a bunch of hot ass alphas who will stop at nothing to protect and save these women who will not put their safety before anyone else.
“You’re safe and you’re going to stay safe.”
“A thousand years ago, knights embarking on quests made vows in voices that sounded like that. Leaders of revolutions made speeches in voices that sounded like that. Star crossed lovers made promises in voices that sounded like that.
Can’t you just hear the gravelly voice that makes you feel so safe, just ahhhhh.
“Love just happens. It just blooms. Then it’s yours to give. And you give it. The end. – Boone
“He had an awesome pad. He cooked great. He fucked amazing. He was beautiful. He complimented my outfits. He liked lots of ketchup on his onion rings. He did the work (albeit belatedly, he still did it) to get shit straight between us. He got uber pissed at the thought of his friends being mean to me. And he lost it when he thought he was falling down on the job of protecting me.” – Ryn
Sign me up! I’ll take me one of those!
Just a heads up, this series ties everyone, and I mean everyone together. They are written in so perfectly that when you finish this book you will be doing the same thing I’m doing right now, wondering which KA book you need to reread. I’m thinking it’s going to have to be Tack again. (Katie) I can never get my fill of that man. For Karen, it will always be Lee and the Rock Chicks. Her forever book boyfriend/husband.
We have said it before, and we’ll say it again. This woman can do no wrong in our mind. We will forever happily lose sleep because I can’t put her books down.
ARC kindly provided by NetGallery and in exchange for an honest review.
Dream Chaser is the second book in the Dream Team series and while I enjoyed the first book a lot, there was something about this one that drew me in immediately. I’m not sure if it was I knew the characters better or if the main characters in this one just had an effect on me. Regardless, it was a great read!
Kathryn, Ryn, to her friends has aspirations of having a home flipping business, but right now she’s making ends meet by working at Smithie’s as a dancer. While she’s trying to make the most of what she’s got, she’s got family members that have made her life anything but easy, including her Dad and her alcoholic brother. She’s got an adorable niece and nephew she would do anything for, but her brother’s ex doesn’t make it easy for her to see them. Add to that that she has had less than a great track record with guys, plus she’s submissive, and you’ve got the picture.
When Ryn meets Boone, she’s immediately drawn to him and to his Dom tendencies, however she is intimidated and she’s not all that thrilled with some information he provides to her. Boone is extremely protective and he’s loyal to a fault, not only to his boys, but also to those he’s close to. As their relationship develops, we see how difficulties in both their pasts have shaped them, but how supportive they are of one another, while also being both hot and sweet with one another.
I enjoyed the entire story that developed around these two and how they both evolved over the course of the story. They definitely had chemistry and it jumped off the page. Plus, it was great to see many familiar faces grace the pages as well! Looking forward to the next one in this series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I have enjoyed this series in part due to the same vibe and the cameos of the Rock Chicks, Dream Men, and Chaos. This is a newer set of commandos that work for Hawk and with the whole Hot Bunch. And these new women who work at Smithie’s are finding themselves in the middle of trouble similar to the Rock Chicks and finding love along the way with bossy commandos.
Sure the storylines are familiar. There are various antagonists, mysteries, kidnappings, deaths, threats, and action. But the closeness and bond between the characters give it more heart. I love how all of KA worlds just kind of crash over into this series.
This one is Boone and Ryn’s story. They have been set up by Lottie before but Ryn was resistant, so Boone moved on. Ryn likes to be independent and tends to take care of all those around her. But now Ryn is in need of help, and Boone has decided he will be her protector and finally claim her as his. He is bossy, intrusive, protective, possessive, and just like all the KA alphas. They have similar proclivities in the bedroom and have a fun rapport.
But Ryn is in the middle of a mess that began when she and the Dream Team were kidnapped before and there seems to be a ripple effect happening. So they all have to circle around Ryn, use their resources, and try to figure out how to take down the bad guys. And Ryn has other family dynamics issues going on, and her dream job is not really to dance for men. So she has plans for her future that she wants to be alive to partake in. And Boone has made it his mission to keep her safe and help her follow her dreams.
But he has his own set of demons he tries to keep locked down, and who knows what might trigger him. These two are both headstrong and a bit stubborn, but also truly care about others. Many times people take advantage of her kindness, and Boone is determined that will not keep happening. But the most important thing is to keep her alive until they can figure out how to settle the situation
This is a romantic suspense story with heat, humor, and a bunch of old friends. This series seems more like vintage KA and it makes it easier to sit down and get sucked back into the world. I am looking forward to more with Hattie and Axl and Pepper and Auggie.mysterieR
Is it possible for a stripper to find true love? Ryn doesn’t think so. She has given up on love, until Boone bursts into her life and changes everything.
Ryn has never had it easy and she has learned life isn’t fair and good things don’t happen to someone like her. She is resigned to her life as a stripper, although she has bigger plans, she isn’t sure she will ever be able to achieve them. Unfortunately, her family keeps interrupting her goals. Rye has a heart of gold and continually puts everyone else’s needs before her own. She is easy to like and I kept rooting for her hoping she would finally get a break.
Boone likes Ryn but at first, she won’t give him a chance. Boone works for Hawk as a commando. If you have read KA other books you know who Hawke is and if you haven’t, Hawk runs an underground security company. If you have a problem and no one else can get it done, Hawk can. All the guys who work for Hawk are tough, the best in the business and good looking alpha males.
I loved Boone. He has issues from his past, but so does Ryn. Boone is dominating, charming, sweet, protective and treats Ryn really well. Boone and Ryn are funny and snarky and I loved all their verbal foreplay. They are both into BDSM and once they get together, they have sizzling chemistry.
There are bad guys, dirty cops and Hawk and his commandos are doing everything they can to keep Ryn safe. This is a fun, entertaining, action packed story with lots of alpha males, dirty talk and sexy times. I enjoyed many of the characters from KA’s past books making appearances in this one. It was fun catching up with these entertaining characters. This is another wonderful Kristen Ashley story.
As a devoted Rock Chick fan I couldn’t wait for this series to continue. The Dream Team is just as hot and alpha as the Wild Bunch.
“When you’re not being bossy, invasive and sticking your nose into things that aren’t your business, you seem pretty awesome.”
Ryn and Boone are scorching hot. The whole Dom Sub thing is not my cup of tea but it wasn’t to overdone as to ruin the storyline for me.
“Part of what I get off on is that. I can take you out, and you’re gorgeous, and men are gonna look at you, and want you, but you’re mine.
There is some intrigue going on that put Ryn in danger. So many past favorites show up. Just like old times. I’m was so glad to be back in K.A.’s world for this amazing adventure.
Kristen Ashley is my queen, and I am one of her loyal rock chicks. I will always be a fan, no matter what I read or how I feel about it. As such, it pains me deeply to say that this book just did not do it for me. I did not enjoy the first book in this series, the Dream Team series, either so it may be that it is just this series. I have loved almost all of her other books. She has written so many fantastic book series, and I have loved them, including Dream Man, Colorado Mountain, Rock Chick, Unfinished Hero, Chaos, and my favorite, The Burg. Joe Callahan will always be it for me. I think this qualifies me as a Kristen Ashley expert.
I can’t put my finger on what I didn’t like about Dream Chaser, but it didn’t have that oomph for me that I loved in her earlier books. I couldn’t connect with the story or the characters. Her male protagonist was the typical KA alpha who takes immediate charge of the female’s life. I didn’t dislike him, but I didn’t love him either. You can see I’m truly struggling with this situation. I’m going to blame Covid19 for this since my mind couldn’t stay with the story. I gave the book 2 ½ stars rounded up to three because I will always love KA. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
I’m so happy that this spinoff is living up to everything I loved about the Rock Chick Series. Not only do we get the perfect spinoff, but we also get to see all the old crews from the Rock chicks and their hot bunch, to the Chaos crew and even mentions of Knight.
I’m a big fan of the group of girls that have your back, and the group of guys that will go all in to help protect. It makes for any drama that happens well worth it when you see all of them group together when one is in trouble. Plus there is always some form of funny antics going on with the woman.
I was a big fan of Ryn right from the start. I won’t lie and say I wasn’t worried about her and Boone when she turned him down in book one, but what that inevitably showed us was a woman who expected more and relayed that in one of the best ways I’ve seen in a book. I won’t say much more than that so you can experience it for yourself.
Ryn was just an all around likable heroine even if she had some baggage with her family. I respected her and I like how she communicated with Boone. Boone had a bit of a rough start with me but quickly turned that around. He has just as much baggage as Ryn has and like I mentioned above, it was that rough start that showed why Ryn initially turned him down and what she expected. It was so worth it.
I loved it and I want more!
Words cannot describe how much I loved Ryn and Boone! They were both, just so, flawed, but in ways that made them vulnerable, not hard. Ryn made me cry, she made me chortle, yes chortle, she made me want to be there just to hold her hand. So much strength, so aware, yet unaware, and such a hair-trigger reactor, yeah, I got Ryn. Boone, so clueless to women, really. He made some pretty rookie errors, but I guess growing up with only brothers contributed to his lack of woman awareness. Of course, once he was in, he was all in. And when he messed up, he did it pretty good, but his grovel was on point as well. This relationship struggled to get started, but once it did, these two’s attempt at taking it slow was laughable. One big problem, but then really, the story was all about these two. They were hot together, super duper, cant look away, squirming on your seat hot. They got each other on some very simple, yet important, levels. They connected, they grew together, they fell in love, and as much as Ryn thinks Boone is her hero, I’m sure he feels that about her as well
Bonus, besides our Dream Team girls and Hawk’s commandoes, we get all sorts of side characters in the story from other KA books. Hawk has some pretty good page time *swoon* and at just the mention of Knight (no appearance) my heart rate ticked up. Tack is there, being all mentoring and sweet, in his way, and other guys from Chaos are around a lot. Hank and Eddie are pivotal, and of course, the Rock Chicks have to be in a scene. And the mystery, the problem, it still isn’t solved, With Axl and Hattie up next, I think I’m going to need to invest in more tissues, because the glimpse we got, that ones going to be an emotional one
I’m a huge KA fan and love where she is taking this series. Her male characters are alphas and the females fierce and inspiring. There’s so much drama, suspense, and what the heck moments. Not to mention the hot and steamy scenes that have you fanning yourself. Each story continues on but you can start in the middle of a series and know what’s going on. Love Boone and Ryn so much and I know you will also.