I did end up finishing this. It was ok at times. The chapters listed as The others were really confusing. I feel like there were 7 different stories. Boring at times. Not memorable characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book. The plot was really intriguing. Who doesn’t dream of meeting their favorite rockstar and having a whirlwind romance? It was like a very well written contemporary romance with some thriller and mystery sprinkled in. The stalker was pretty original, every time I thought I figured it out I was wrong. It was a little slow to start out but it kept me interested and towards the end I couldn’t put it down. I will definitely be recommending this book to others.

Summary in Brief

Sammy is a strong, independent single mother. Gabe is a famous musician. Their paths cross and they find themselves intertwined in each other’s lives—but there are some sinister undertones at play.

Genre + Plot

Tropes: Celebrity Romance, Strangers to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Single Mom/Dad, Insta Lust, Blackmail/Stalker, Miscommunication

I was excited for this one! And although it didn’t completely knock it out of the park for me, it was still an enjoyable read for the most part. I was intrigued by the premise of an older single mother running (literally) into a famous musician and their love story taking off from there. It’s kismet. She also owns a brewery, which I love. Both Sammy and Gabe are older single parents and click right away. I did get the vibe that it was a little insta-lusty between them, but they formed a fast friendship.

What turned me off was how Gabe handled things after the event, which is the main plot point of the book. He basically slut-shamed Sammy and immediately blamed her. I get that he’s in the entertainment business and has been burned in the past, but I didn’t like how he handled conflict with her. Then Sammy’s like, “Oh, la-di-da, it’s fine—he deals with crazy people all the time, so it’s okay.” Like... I don’t think it is, girl!

After that event, the book definitely took a turn I wasn’t expecting based on the synopsis. It’s not a direction I particularly liked. I enjoy getting the warm fuzzies when I’m reading a romance novel, and although this book started out that way, it quickly shifted into more of a thriller vibe—which might have been the author’s intention. I just think she tried to do too much: too much romance and too much thriller. You’ve got to pick one and let the other be a less intense subplot.

As the book continues, we get chapters from “the others”—the people responsible for the stalking and blackmail—and that kind of ruins the love story. I was too stressed to care about them falling in love. Also, I got super annoyed when they tried to hook up out in the open again. Like, y’all gotta keep that stuff private for the time being.

Then everything comes crashing down and, of course, Gabe blames Sammy for literally everything and takes no responsibility. He doesn’t even hear her out. Doesn’t respond to her. At this point, I’m like, Sammy girl, go get a new man because this one actually sucks. When the climax happens with “the others,” and it was honestly pretty scary. And like I said before, it just wasn’t at the level a side plot in a romance novel should be. It was so over the top and intense—it completely overshadowed the romance. I didn’t get those great romance novel vibes at all. By the end, I was just mad because Gabe sucks and Sammy deserves so much better.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this had a fun premise, and although it started out promising with the celebrity romance and secret relationship angle, it quickly took a dark turn and never quite recaptured that happy romance feel.

Started off strange but was fun I guess.... Although it definitely had some cringe aspects. Around 40%, it stopped being so entertaining and became tiring, which made me lose interest.

We are introduced to Sammy, the co-owner of a series of brewery/restaurants, and Gabe, a world-known music star, who also happens to have a restaurant side business

The two, quite literally bump into each other, and while Sammy is tending to Gabes wounds back at her brewery/restaurant, not only does she find out that he is her favourite music star (and crush), but she also agrees to help Gabe redesign his outdoor dining area at his restaurant.

What follows is a story of fear, growth, second chance love and the complexities of embarking on a new relationship later in life, when life has already somewhat jaded you. Alongside this, there is also a thriller subplot of mystery and danger.

The story had a smooth, steady pace and I found there were several chapters that ended with a baited hook, reeling you in with a suggestion of the danger ahead.

There were a few chapters, mostly those headed 'Others', where I found myself confused initially. It wasn't clear whether I was reading from the pov of Claudia, Oscar, or the mystery character.

Overall, I found Intoxicating Pursuit to be a breath of fresh air when comparing it to most of the other second chance romance books available. This had a lot to do with the addition of the thriller subplot.

The characters of Sammy and Gabe, grew and developed throughout the book, battling and overcoming issues of trust and guilt, facing crippling anxiety and learning ways by which to manage it

I would absolutely recommend this book and I will going on to read anything else Miss Bloom has published, with excited anticipation.

4 ⭐️ read

I received and ARC copy of this book from NetGalley!

It was an enjoyable read, but I didn't find myself loving it. I appreciated the writing style and the transitions between Sammy and 'The Others,' as well as the suspense it created. However, the story didn't fully engage me. Additionally, the relationship between Sammy and Gabe felt a bit rushed. While I did enjoy the book and like the way it was written, it hasn't become a new favorite for me.

3.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed the thriller vibes to this book. I thought the story was well written and i loved the main characters. I thought it was easy to read and flowing!
The authors writting style was easy and fun to read.

I did get slightly bored in the middle where it felt a struggle to pick it back up but it did get better again!

I would definitley read more from this author and thank you so much to netgalley for the arc!

Loved this book. My first book from this author. Made me a total fan of this book. would read this again and again.

This plot was intriguing and I really wanted to in love it, and while I enjoyed it I can't say it was everything I hoped for structurally I found myself confused which is a me problem. This book will likely be a five star for someone, the writing was quite good

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

DNF at 40%

I don’t know if this book just wasn’t for me, but I didn’t get pulled into the story like I wanted to. The plot line is intriguing and I really wanted to love this, but found the structure confusing with chapters labeled as ‘The Others’ being POV of side characters without providing much to the story. I definitely think there is promise and potential in this book, and some are going to truly love it. It just was not for me.

The novel centers on the unexpected relationship between the protagonists, whose worlds collide amidst a backdrop of fame and suburban life. As their bond deepens, they must confront external threats that test their trust and commitment. The presence of a stalker adds a layer of tension, compelling the characters to navigate their feelings while ensuring their safety. Intoxicating Pursuit offers a compelling mix of romance and suspense, making it a suitable read for fans of emotionally charged narratives with a touch of danger.

Sammy owns a brewery. Gabe is a well-known rock star. Their paths cross, sparks fly, and soon they’re navigating a whirlwind of romance, secrets, and a mounting sense of danger.

This book aims to be both a romance and a suspenseful, stalker-style thriller — but the two genres don’t quite balance. The tone often veers into melodrama, and the plot sometimes reads like a soap opera that’s lost its footing.

One of the more confusing elements was the structure. Chapters were often labeled “The Others” when shifting to perspectives outside of Sammy and Gabe, but this vague heading grouped all side characters together in a way that muddied the narrative. Important characters were introduced quickly and without much context, and the eventual villain felt more like a twist created through omission than a reveal earned by story development.

That said, I did appreciate a few things: the main characters are in their 40s, they have older children, and the story explores middle-aged anxieties, trust issues, and fame. The celebrity romance angle had promise. But ultimately, the further I read, the more the book seemed to struggle with its identity. The melodrama overshadowed the emotional resonance, and the genre mix never fully came together for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Review

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book for my review.

Given this is a debut novel, there are some good components to appreciate, like detailed and vivid descriptions and major features in a romance/ mystery, like a spark between the leads, a variety of suspects, and an interesting celebrity romance aspect. With that being said, the meet- cute between the leads, business owner and single- mom Sammy and famous musician Gabe, was very awkward and clunky, and a great deal of their dialogue continued to be odd, with unrealistic phrasing and expressions that had me cringing.

Also, Gabe was very untrustworthy of Sammy at multiple points, accusing her of being a mastermind behind the problems they were facing. She stood up for herself but he didn’t deserve second chances. Sometimes this read like a how-to on owning a brewery and running a business, but Sammy was hands- off with the issues she faced and came across as irresponsible.

I rarely ever DNF books so I powered through with this one. It mostly reminded me of a Lifetme-esque movie but the author has potential; I would likely give her next novel a read.

A sweet debut with a fun celeb-meets-single-mom romance, a dash of mystery, and some swoony feet-kicking moments. While a few scenes and overdone descriptions slowed things down, the twisty ending kept me hooked. I’m excited to see what this author writes next!

This book was cute and definitely did not expect the ending. There were some things that I felt could have been excluded as they didn't add much to the plot of the story (descriptions of things that didn't add to the story were a bit much at times).
As this was a debut from the author, I can already tell the writing will improve and will definitely be reading more from them!

Loved this book—the tantalizing hook delivers in every way! The complex cast of characters in settings of fabulous rock concerts and romantic vineyards lure you into the story from the start and hold you to the finish. Intoxicating Pursuit was exciting, heartwarming, and fun!

I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for this arc. "Intoxicating Pursuit" by Missy Bloom is a truly captivating read that draws you in from the very first page. Bloom masterfully weaves a narrative filled with intrigue, passion, and unexpected twists that keep you guessing until the very end. The characters are richly developed and relatable, making their journey feel deeply personal and engaging. Whether you're a fan of romance, mystery, or simply a well-told story, this book offers a delightful escape. I highly recommend it.

Missy Bloom has absolutely outdone herself with Intoxicating Pursuit. This book was everything I hoped it would be—and so much more. I dove in expecting a heartfelt romance with a splash of suspense, but what I got was an emotionally rich, slow-burning thrill ride that had me hooked from page one.

Sammy McCallum is a refreshingly real protagonist—flawed, funny, and fiercely protective of her daughter and her dreams. Watching her cross paths with her longtime musical crush, Gabe Walker, was pure joy. Their chemistry sizzles, but it’s the deeper connection they forge that makes this story so compelling. Gabe is more than just a rockstar heartthrob; he's grounded, generous, and full of surprises.

The North Carolina setting was vivid and cozy at first glance, yet Missy Bloom laced it with just enough mystery to keep me on edge. I 1000% thought I had the mystery figured out... and then BAM! That twist hit me like a freight train. I genuinely didn’t see it coming—and I love when a book pulls the rug out from under me like that.

Between Sammy’s personal struggles—balancing motherhood, running her business, and learning to put herself first—and the growing danger lurking in the background, the tension builds masterfully. By the time everything unraveled, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

If you’re looking for a romantic suspense novel with a heart, a twist you won’t see coming, and characters you’ll want to root for long after the last page, Intoxicating Pursuit is an absolute must-read.

When I first started this book, I was hooked. I loved that it was a romance between a celebrity and a single mom who didn't need a man's support. It had just enough spice, along with what I love to call "feet-kicking" moments. However, some chapters left me a little lost— felt like a few weren't necessary to the story or made it hard to follow who was speaking. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect and loved that it kept me guessing. Overall, I did like it!