Chasing Chaos (Entanglement Series #3)

Daphne Saito, a beautiful and talented Hollywood screenwriter, might look like she has the perfect life, but on the inside she’s lost. She’s wandered from one meaningless relationship to the next—and now, just as she breaks up with her longtime boyfriend, Dan—she finds herself facing someone new, someone she could fall in love with. But Daphne, still traumatized by an accident involving her best friend, Greta, five years earlier, is afraid to love. Harm has always come to those close to her. 

Over five life-changing days, Daphne lets her guard down and steps toward this new love. But trouble is never far behind. Dan, angry at Daphne’s departure, has targeted an innocent young woman, someone close to Daphne’s new love, as part of a plan for revenge. And an enigmatic woman from Daphne’s past returns with revenge plans of her own. Danger is on the horizon for all of Daphne’s friends—and for her.

*May Contain Spoilers*

It's been a few months since I've read a book that made me lose all track of time like this one did in. Chasing Chaos, by Katie Rose Guest Pryal, is a whirlwind of bad luck, boyfriends, and blame. Daphne may have a big heart and lots of love, but she doesn't believe it's anything she deserves. 

Daphne has not had an easy life. She's hiding some deep scars when it comes to her family life and growing up. Readers will definitely understand her fear of being loved or cared for. She believes that if her father couldn't love her, then how could anyone else? Daphne is a wandering soul who blames herself for every bad thing that happens to the people around her. She's beautiful and intelligent and a gifted writer but she only sees the bad in herself. A sympathetic and empathetic connection will be sparked between readers and her character, but I'm not sure how strong that connection will become. I feel some readers will completely take Daphne's side and support her through her crazy plan, that (thankfully) doesn't go off the deep end. But I feel that other readers will think Daphne's become a little too unhinged. I was definitely annoyed when she thought running and staying away from everyone she loved would keep them safe. Unless you're being targeted by the mob, I don't think that's necessary. 

The other characters definitely helped build a repertoire between the cast and the reader. Sandy was funny and sweet. Greta was a tough workaholic with a big heart. Carrie was by far the most naive while Miranda was razor sharp around the edges. And Marlon, the love interest. Handyman meets carpenter meets artist. He's careful, thoughtful, and loving. Though a bit hot-headed where his family is concerned. 

The plot of Chasing Chaos is exactly what it sounds like. It seems to Daphne that Chaos has always dictated her life and now she's the cause of someone's death. When her best friend, Greta, announces she's getting married, Daphne has three days to put together a wedding. And, holy mackerel, can a lot happen in three days. As the novel progresses, each character and situation sets up perfectly, like a line of dominoes. Then the day of the wedding arrives and Greta walks down the aisle, as they all fall into each other, creating a mess that will take more than a broom to clean up.

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups