The 8 Duets I Read in 2021

We've talked about my love of series, but another thing I enjoy are duets. Especially when they are well written, and there isn't too much time between release dates.

In years past I haven't read a lot of duets (duologies), but in 2021 I managed to read 8. Technically Chase by Kacey Shea could be considered a series, but the author considers it a duet, so I am too. Then there is the Bennett Duet. While Beni and Chantal's story is complete, I am still holding out hope for a novella or spin off featuring Miko. If you know, you know.  

Here are the 8 duets that I read in 2021.

Caught in Us {a review}

Yesterday I shared my review of Caught in the Chase by Kacey Shea. It is the first half of Alicia and Chase's duet, and you do need to read that prior to reading Caught in Us. After all we are picking up about 3 years later.

If you've read Caught in the Chase, then you know how it ended. You know we were left unfulfilled, and Alicia & Chase did not get their happily ever after. We know that Chase finally went to see Mav, they reconnected and forgiveness was given, and Chase also returned home. For Alicia we know that she ran to her dad's bedside after his medical crisis, returned to the community center to gather her belongings, and then went off to pursue her degree in London. We also know that Alicia wrote a letter to Chase before she left which she left at the house he had been staying.

So what happened next? Well they both went on with their lives. For the most part. Alicia went to London, and began her life there. But it was shortly after she arrived that she realized she was pregnant. Meanwhile Chase was assigned to a new fire station, and he started a teen program in his area. So that's awesome. Flash forward a bit and we are gearing up for Cam and Jill's wedding. Chase is the best man, and has many jobs to fulfill for Jill. Alicia has sent in her RSVP, and stated that she is attending the wedding. Alicia hasn't seen, nor spoken to, Jill or Callie since shortly after she left. She just cut all ties, and to say her friends are angry would be an understatement. And that is all I will say about the plot of the book. I'm cruel I know.

Caught in Us was unbelievably good. I could not put the book down, and I may have stayed up a bit too late while reading. Thank goodness for coffee, and three of my kids being at school. Other than what the teaser told me, I went into the book not knowing what would happen. I mean my fingers were crossed that there would be an HEA, but as I read, I wasn't so certain that was going to happen. Witnessing Alicia reconnect with Jill and Callie was wonderful. To have friends like that, who can forgive you, love you, and jump right back in with is so special. Those are the true friendships that so many of us long to have. Then there is the little piece of information that Alicia hasn't shared with many (Simon, Jill, Callie), and it needs to come out. This secret needs to be revealed. Chase and Alicia are also frequently surrounded by people drinking, and occasionally it finds them needing to find a meeting quickly, as it is just so overwhelming. But they work through it. I could not get enough of the book. I would have loved to have witnessed Chase reading what was in the box. To see his reaction, and how that all affected him.  I also really want to know if Chase ever said anything regarding the secret he revealed. I mean yes, it was briefly mentioned he told his dad, but waht about Cam? What happened with that? I'm not ready to say goodbye to Alicia and Chase, nor any of the other characters. They feel like friends, and I want to know what happens next in their lives.

This duet had me feeling so many emotions, and I loved every single minute of it. Please, go read Alicia and Chase's story. I think you'll like it a lot. If you do read it, send me a message on Facebook, or drop me an email, I'd love to chat about it with you.

Thank you for reading my thoughts,
 

Caught in the Chase {a review}

Caught in the Chase is the third book in the Caught series by Kacey Shea. In this book we focus specifically on Alicia and Chase.

If you read Caught in Flames or Caught in Lies, then you'll recognize both of them. But those are both standalone books, so you don't need to read them to read Caught in the Chase. Would it help with backstory? Probably.

Caught in the Chase features Alicia and Chase. Both of them have been through the wringer, and have hit rock bottom. For Alicia it is a letter that she received, and it has sent her spiraling. So much so that she gave up her sobriety and had way too much to drink at a local bar. It is there that she ran into Chase. They had a night together a while back, and the attraction is there. But Alicia feels guilty since she blames herself for what happened between Callie and Chase (Caught in Flames). Meanwhile Chase is out celebrating with his fellow firefighters. He leaves them though to help Alicia leave the bar and get home. Chase's rock bottom comes when he is at the bar with his buddies, and he has had way too much to drink. As he and Maverick leave to head home, Chase makes the choice to drive him and Maverick home versus getting an Uber. After all, he feels fine. It is then that everything changes in his life. Flash forward to the end of May. Alicia has accepted an internship working with teenagers, and Chase is having to serve 300 hours of community service. And where is he performing those hours? At the same community center Alicia is headed to. That, my friends, is where the story really picks up.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster! We have two characters who have been through so much, and both have issues with alcohol. Not only that but both of them have family issues that they need to work through. Alicia knows she has a problem, and has started AA, but she is choosing to forget that one night, and carry on as normal. No one knows she relapsed. Well no one but Chase. Chase is in denial about his alcohol addiction. He sees no problem with having a drink from time to time. Even after the accident. When they both ended up at the community center, I could not wait to see how these two would grow, how their relationship would blossom, and also see what the big moment is.  I loved this book! Yes it was difficult to read about their addictions, but at the same time they were working on it, they were both doing the best they could. Yes it hurt to see them build this relationship, only to then have it falter. Yes it was amazing to see how they both thrived at the community center. Yes I was bummed when the book ended. But friends it was all worth it. From the alcohol addiction, to recovery, to the family issues, to everything else that happened, it was worth it.

By the way, Caught in the Chase is the first part in a duet. You are not getting your HEA in this book my friends. So be sure to grab Caught in Us when it releases on May 20, 2021. 

Thank you for reading my thoughts,