Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet is the first story in her sci-fi romance series Endeavor. It's full of action and adventure and the story starts with a bang to keep you on your toes from the beginning to the end!

Tess Bailey has known lots of hardship in her twenty six years and it's led her to her current position – captain of the star ship Endeavor and its small crew. They pride themselves on being Nightchasers, Robin Hood-esque thieves who steal from the rich and powerful to help the less fortunate. Tess tries to stay out of the limelight but when her crew steals a lab and the powerful vaccines inside it she's forced to make some quick decisions when the military government will stop at nothing to get them back.

Landing on an out of the way Sector with a ship that barely survives a trip through dark matter, Tess seeks out someone who can repair her ship and make it space worthy again. She meets Shade Ganavan, clearly a space rogue but the guy who can get the job done without asking too many questions. Of course Shade has as many secrets as she does, but that doesn't stop them from acting on a mutual attraction for a sexy fling while she's in space dock. But can she trust the smooth talker or will it end with her and her crew in even deeper trouble?

I loved the action packed start to this series and settled in for a fun and exciting ride! Tess has a crew of five – Jaxon, her best friend, and the man who helped her survive a stint in a prison colony, Miko and her grandmother Shiori, and Fiona, their resident biologist who all joined Tess when they escaped from the prison. They've been together for five years when this story starts and have gotten into all kinds of scrapes but always made it through. This time though, they may have stolen the one thing that won't be ignored by the higher ups. The story is told in first person point of view by Tess and third person point of view by Shade in alternating chapters which is a unique way to write the story but makes it clear that it's Tess's to tell.

Tess is special, and the reader learns more about her as the story progresses and some surprisingly revelations are made. Shade and Tess get to know each other a little bit better as he works on repairs to her ship, leading to some sexy love scenes. But things aren't always what they seem, and the crew is forced to make more snap decisions and some harrowing and action packed scenes ensue. I don't want to give away too many details except to say that Shade and Tess come to an understanding (we'll call it a happy for now ending for them) and the story is clearly not over for the Endeavor crew. The worldbuilding is really interesting and if you're a fan of Star Trek or Star Wars type science fiction stories, you'll definitely be interested in this one! I can't wait to continue the series!

This review has been posted at Harlequin Junkie and feedback updated with the link. It has been posted at Amazon and Barnes and Noble and will be posted at Goodreads when the blog link goes live.

Less romance, more intrigue. Not a big fan of this, but I love the author overall, so I'm going to give the next one a shot to see if the world building (as opposed to the romance building) gets better.

My Review: The last few years Amanda Bouchet has been one of my favorite authors, I am obsessed with her fantasy romance series Kingmaker Chronicles. I have to admit though that I was a little hesitant when it came to this book, I am not really comfortable in the Sci-fi genre yet and I wasn't sure how her writing would translate from high fantasy to Sci-fi. I shouldn't have been worried though, I really ended up enjoying this one. Even with different settings in space, I was still able to picture so much of the descriptions. I also fell in love with the characters, but let's all admit that Bonk steals the show. I really appreciated how the love of books and reading was drawn into the story, it was a little extra icing on the cake. I also like how the relationship struggles to unfold with so many doubts and opposing sides. I am looking forward to the next book!



My Rating: I was pleasantly surprised with this book, though I shouldn't have been with my love of her other books. I enjoyed the story, the characters, the banter back and forth, and of course Bonk. I give it a rating of Four Paws!

DNF @ 23%

I wanted so desperately to love Nightchaser as all of the plot pieces are ones that I enjoy reading in a story, and yet it was so slow-moving that it was a struggle to maintain interest in continuing reading after the explosive action that started the story disappeared so abruptly. There was such potential with a fun, ragtag crew, the sci-fi worldbuilding of planet-to-planet travel, and a seemingly strong heroine who captains their ship that I tried my best, but eventually I petered out in hoping it would grab me when the action (or forward moving of the plot) never reappeared. Sadly, at this point, I believe its the author's way of telling a story that doesn't mix well with what I like as her other series fell flat for me too, but I had wanted to give her another chance. And that's okay as some readers simply aren't for some authors, even if I wish that weren't the case.

This book could have been written in anytime frame. As a science fiction book it fails for me as a reader, as too many twenty first century terms are used. It is as if the author wrote a book and the decided the setting. I could go on but that would be mean, and I know the author has talent as I’ve read her other books.


P.S. The cover is horrid.

Nightchaser is quite the ride! I was shocked with how fast I read this book, but then again, I couldn't put it down! We start off with Tess on the run after stealing a lab the government definitely wants. We just don't know why. Things turn bad fast when her secret is exposed and she's not sure who to trust!

I love the world created in Nightchaser. There are different districts and it's clear every one has their own way of living. I think this is the only thing a bit lacking for me in this book, I would've love more details on how this world works. Hopefully we'll get more of that in the next book!
Tess hasn't had an easy life, but made it against all odds. Now she's determined to help the people who need help the most. There are sick children and she needs to get them medication. Her ship being damaged is an issue though. It's going to cost a lot and take away the precious time they really can't spare.

Tess and her crew find a space where they can hopefully have their ship repared and that's when things get fun. I love reading about Tess discovering things she doesn't know. Like cats. That part was so much fun for me. As a fan of cats, I'm all in having them appear in books! Bonk is by far my favorite character.

Nightchaser is a good first book for this series. A lot is going on, but it's not too fast paced. I love that the author chose to take time for the ship to be fixed and Tess to start discovering whole new sides of life. Learning to trust, finding out more about her past, how can she help the people who need her the most? Can she avoid being caught by the military and do all of this?

Shade made this book so much fun. He's so funny, but sweet at the same time. I have to say I kept wondering if Tess really could trust him though! You'll have to read Nightchaser to find out though, haha. The few chapters we get from his POV were perfect and really were a great part of this book. There weren't many, but just enough to give us more of an idea about who he is!

And the bookstore!!! I could live there myself. I loved that besides Tess loving books there were other characters who did as well. Love of books is something I love seeing in other stories! The romance isn't rushed or too much, but fits the story just right.

Besides the humor and romance, we get a lot of action. I loved seeing this all play out and I really can't wait to see how Tess continues fighting for what's right. Nightchaser doesn't end in a major cliffhanger, but definitely in a way that leaves you wanting more!

Fantastic start to a new series. I wasn't sure what to expect after loving the previous series so much, but Amanda Bouchet did not dissapoint. PSA: do not start reading late at night unless you do not want to get any sleep because you will not be able to out this one down.

4.5 stars

I finished Amanda Bouchet’s galactic romance Nightchaser several nights ago, and I continue marveling at it, at the worlds Bouchet dreamed up and how badass her characters are as they almost die/laugh in the face of danger/otherwise survive. If spaceships, space renegades, and sex are your cup of tea then you’re in luck, because Nightchaser has them all, packed into a wildly inventive story that offers a whip-fast thrill akin to taking off in a really fast roller coaster.

The book opens pretty dramatically: Captain Tess Bailey and the rest of her Endeavor crew are hiding out from the Dark Watch—the galactic “police force” which operates under the orders of the dictatorial Overlord—because they’ve just stolen something big. It’s a laboratory, which they’ve attached to the side of the ship. The Dark Watch isn’t happy about that, and it’s up to Bailey and her crew to see if they can survive the Dark Watch’s efforts to get it back.

This tense episode is over pretty quickly, but it sets up the questions that drive the rest of the book: what’s in the lab and why is the Dark Watch going to such lengths to get it back? And who is the real Tess “Bailey”? How did she come to be Captain and what are her ultimate aims?

With Nightchaser, Bouchet offers us an escape that feels cinematic: the detail is brilliant, the story is action-packed, the characters, particularly Tess, have a messwithmeatyourownrisk vibe that I love. These aren’t shrinking violets; I just know that there’s going to be a lot of setting the world(s) on fire in future books of this trilogy, and I’m. here. for. it. But make no mistake about it: Tess and company are up against a formidable set of opponents, and the coming confrontations promise to be difficult (and enthralling).

Though there were a few moments when I felt like the book had almost a bit too much going on—lots of strands were introduced here, and will, no doubt, be picked back up in later books—I can’t wait to see where the series is going next and what the pay-off will be.

Nightchaser is another explosive read from Amanda Bouchet. “So say we all.”*

*This phrase is from Battlestar Galactica and not Nightchaser, but it seemed fitting. (Or maybe BG is just the only other space thing I've really enjoyed, so it was just a convenient comparison.)
**I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.

Thank you @sourcebookscasa @netgalley and @amandabouchetauthor for my free copy of Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet the first installment in the Endeavor Series.

In this Robin Hood in space adventure, Captain Tess Bailey is on the run. She has a bounty on her head and a ship in disrepair. As she tries to figure out how to get out of this predicament she meets Shade Ganavan a sexy arrogant man who might be the answer to her prayers or her ruin. Will they give in to the chemistry between them or let the distrust brew?

I really enjoyed this one. I love the authors storytelling abilities. The story building was well developed and I was instantly engrossed. I thought it was well balanced between the sci fi and the romance that I was satisfied with the pace and story. The characters were also interesting and I’m really interested in how their stories will play out. I can’t wait to see how this adventure plays out. Bouchet has created a world that I a can’t wait to return to.
I definitely recommend this one !

Captain Tess Bailey is a thief and a rebel--and now she is a rebel with a cause that readers can get behind. Her latest haul, which she thought to be something of a panacea previously only available to the super rich, turns out to be something much worse. Something that the government intended for nefarious and horrible purposes, to be used against those very underprivileged people whom Tess had wanted to help. Now, with the aid of her band of quirky characters, Tess must do her illegal best to set things to rights. Bouchet's talent for memorable and entertaining characters is strong, and fans of her Kingmaker Chronicles fantasy trilogy will have no problem at all adjusting to her switch to the sci-fi genre.

Tess Bailey is the captain of the spaceship Endeavour, a ship she stole with the help of her entire crew when they all managed to break out of prison in the middle of a riot. They’re all wanted criminals with a price on their heads but instead of laying low they all chose to join the rebellion against the oppressive Overseer who put them in prison in the first place. They spend their time stealing supplies like food and medicine from the rich to help people who are desperately in need and they do it without expecting anything in return.

When a close encounter with the Overseer’s military leaves them with a badly damaged ship they are forced to take refuge on a planet where they have no existing connections. It’s imperative to keep their identity safe and get the repairs completed as quickly as possible but with the Dark Watch hot on their tails and a huge price on their heads escape might not be as easy as they thought.

I’m a huge fan of Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles so she’s already on my auto-buy list and I was incredibly excited to read Nightchaser, the first book in her new sci-fi romance series. Let’s just say we’re off to a fabulous start and I’m now desperately waiting for the rest of the series, so no pressure Amanda!

I really liked Tess and her whole crew, they all brought different skills to the table and combined they make a pretty good team. Tess is hiding some huge secrets but her crew are like her family and she will do whatever she has to in order to protect them. Tess is a pretty fierce character but she had some vulnerable moments too that made her very easy to relate to and of course I always feel like I could be friends with a woman who loves both books and cats!

They meet Shade when they land on planet and employ him to carry out repairs on their ship but he has his own secrets and they’re ones that could destroy everything Tess cares about. I was glad that we got parts of the story from his POV as well as from Tess’s because seeing his thoughts and feelings made his actions much easier to understand. I don’t want to give too much away about the story but Amanda Bouchet definitely excels at writing slow burn romances and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here. Nightchaser is a brilliant start to a series that I’m excited to continue reading.

Tess Bailey is the captain of the spaceship Endeavour, a ship she stole with the help of her entire crew when they all managed to break out of prison in the middle of a riot. They’re all wanted criminals with a price on their heads but instead of laying low they all chose to join the rebellion against the oppressive Overseer who put them in prison in the first place. They spend their time stealing supplies like food and medicine from the rich to help people who are desperately in need and they do it without expecting anything in return.

When a close encounter with the Overseer’s military leaves them with a badly damaged ship they are forced to take refuge on a planet where they have no existing connections. It’s imperative to keep their identity safe and get the repairs completed as quickly as possible but with the Dark Watch hot on their tails and a huge price on their heads escape might not be as easy as they thought.

I’m a huge fan of Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles so she’s already on my auto-buy list and I was incredibly excited to read Nightchaser, the first book in her new sci-fi romance series. Let’s just say we’re off to a fabulous start and I’m now desperately waiting for the rest of the series, so no pressure Amanda!

I really liked Tess and her whole crew, they all brought different skills to the table and combined they make a pretty good team. Tess is hiding some huge secrets but her crew are like her family and she will do whatever she has to in order to protect them. Tess is a pretty fierce character but she had some vulnerable moments too that made her very easy to relate to and of course I always feel like I could be friends with a woman who loves both books and cats!

They meet Shade when they land on planet and employ him to carry out repairs on their ship but he has his own secrets and they’re ones that could destroy everything Tess cares about. I was glad that we got parts of the story from his POV as well as from Tess’s because seeing his thoughts and feelings made his actions much easier to understand. I don’t want to give too much away about the story but Amanda Bouchet definitely excels at writing slow burn romances and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here. Nightchaser is a brilliant start to a series that I’m excited to continue reading.

It’s been a while since I read a really good science fiction romance and Nightchaser was an excellent one to pick to get back into the genre.

Quintessa Novalight, aka Tess Bailey, is on the run for her life… which is nothing new. Being the rebel daughter of the Overseer of an evil empire gets you into that kind of trouble on the regular.

This time, though, it’s do or die. With a stolen lab of literal super-soldier serum on her cargo ship and a Dark Watch cruiser shooting holes in the ship, she takes a suicide run into a black hole… and nobody is more shocked than Tess when she and her crew emerge alive on the other side.

Seeking repairs, she finds one Shade Ganavan, owner of an unusual space repair shop. Shade is Tess’s love interest, and a man with the worst kind of conflict. His innate sense of honour makes him sympathize with the rebels, but the price on her head is the biggest ever offered - and he’s a bounty hunter with a pressing need for cash.

I’m hoping this is only the first in a series, because Tess and Shade and the crew of the Endeavour (and assorted friends) have a long way to go to get close to parity in their long fight, especially now the ruthless Overseer knows his rebel daughter is alive after all.

This reminded me a little of Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s Liaden Universe series, just as well written and engaging, with a healthy dose of sex and romance mixed in with great worldbuilding. I’ll definitely be along for the ride for the rest of the series. Five stars!

Dang, Amanda Bouchet knows how to kick you in the pants from page one! Nightchaser is a fast-paced and intense space adventure that made me laugh, cry, and gasp. Tess Bailey and her crew of mismatched rebels are running through the galaxy away from the evil Overseer and his henchmen.

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again, Amanda Bouchet is a first-class world builder. I thought it would be hard to read this book without comparing it to Star Trek or Star Wars or any of the other space movies/books I’ve watched and read. There was no comparison because Ms. Bouchet created a unique story with one of my new favorite heroines.

Tess: she has secrets and she’s tough, but what surprised me was her ability to be vulnerable and trust, even after all she’s been through. I’ve read plenty of hardcore heroines in my time, but Tess stands apart, and not just because she’s tall and statuesque. Her soft heart is right under the surface of her tough core, which gives her character immediate depth.

I was on the fence with Shade, our hero, at first. Let me tell you though, there is something inherently sexy about a man who loves a strong woman. Being in his head helped us understand his motivations, although sometimes I wanted him to be a little bit more of a mystery. I didn’t like knowing everything about him, but I am sure there will be more character development in the next book!

The only thing that kept me from a full five star read was I think the mix of third and first person made the book a little stilted, it took me a while to get used to. I also wish there had been just a few more chapters at the end. This book was high octane, but I wanted a little more about where the series arc and the next book will take us.

Overall, you can’t go wrong when you pick up an Amanda Bouchet novel. The sci-fi/space setting is refreshing. I flew through this book and can’t wait for the next one!

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

It is always good to discover a new author to read. This one is that for me with it also being in a category I do adore. Captain Tess will intrigue you along with catching your attention with this one. It also has injected in it drama with the thrills to keep you on your toes and on the edge. Shade is easy on the eyes with also having us follow him to see what is up his sleeve so to speak. The story will keep your attention with its elements that are needed to do that. Even though a sci-fi I tend to forget that with being into the characters. I will look for more from this author in the future.

Action packed, adventurous, sexy fun! What an exciting and fresh story with an amazing cast of characters. An excellent introduction to a new series, I can't wait for more!

I loved Tess, Shade, Tess’s crew, and the entire cast of characters introduced. They were all so fantastic! Tess is so strong and determined and I loved her kick ass, stand on her own, take on life at full force personality. She's got a wonderful crew with their own stories and very distinct personalities and I really liked the family they've formed. Shade was fantastic! He’s cocky and sexy and a bit challenging and had a great vibe. He and Tess meeting was awesome! It was flirty, bantering fun at its best. I liked learning about him and understanding the predicament he was in. Shade and Tess had such a great attraction and I loved that pull in the midst of everything that was going on.

I felt so sucked into this exciting adventure with these determined and slightly broken characters and I was on the edge of my seat learning all the details. Set in the future, I loved all the technology and intricacies introduced about the time period. There's a lot happening, a lot of action and drama and some serious heart-stopping moments. It had this thrilling build as everything unfolded and developed, and Shade and Tess came together.

I am truly excited for more in this series. There's definitely an HEA for Tess and Shade but the overall storyline continues and I can't wait to see where it all goes!

The world is divided into 18 sectors. All of it is ruled by the Overseer, who is a harsh ruler. Tess and her crew rebel by stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Tess keeps her true identity a secret. If it became known, she'd be the most wanted person in the universe.

There wasn't much action. The story was slow moving. Much of it took place in one location where Tess and Shade each contemplated what they were going to do next. A lot of time was spent explaining the backstory that got the characters where they are now. They all had complicated pasts. Tess and Shade were the only characters I grew to care about. They had significantly more page time than anyone else.

Most of the book focused on the romance between Shade and Tess. Their relationship isn't enough to keep the story afloat. I liked both of them but wasn't feeling the chemistry. I didn't find their interactions particularly interesting nor could I understand why they were so fascinated with each other. Things got off to a rocky start since both were keeping secrets from each other.

It didn't end on a cliffhanger, but all of the issues were not resolved. I probably will read the next one, but I'm not dying to get my hands on it.

I truly loved everything about NIGHTCHASER.

I love a badass female and Tess definitely fit the bill. She started out as a huge mystery, but I loved unraveling her story in NIGHTCHASER. Shade was also mysterious and a bit cocky, but in a sexy confident way. I really enjoyed Tess and Shade together. It took awhile for them to get past their dance of mistrust, but their personalities and chemistry really worked.

The other characters in NIGHTCHASER were just as strong as the main characters. Tess' crew all meshed well and brought a ton to the story. I enjoyed learning everything that was revealed about them.

The Endeavor world is complex, but what we have gotten so far has been well built. There was plenty of danger involved in NIGHTCHASER and their were plenty of times that I was left on the edge of my seat.

NIGHTCHASER introduces the Endeavor series with a bang and I hope that STARBREAKER lives up to it. Unfortunately we have to wait until April 2020 to find out.


* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Having been such a fan of The Kingmaker Chronicles, I couldn't request this new work fast enough once it appeared on NetGalley. The beginning chapters are action packed, and I found myself immediately drawn into this wild space adventure. After meeting the likely hero, (went into the book without reading the synopsis) I was giddy with the early banter and chemistry between Tess and Shade.

"I might not have the metal you need for a few days, sugar."
"You might not have a tongue if you call me 'sugar' again."

Despite the beginning, the book stalls around the half way point and never really recovers. In a series, I tend to enjoy the buildup and slow burning romance. This relationship is too hurried and lacks intensity. The action that is prevalent in the beginning becomes almost nonexistent. For all her roughness, Tess continues to make mistakes and lacks the intelligence she seems to exude prior to the story's beginning. Overall, it feels more like a stand-alone than book one of a trilogy.

Regardless of my mixed feelings, I will read the follow-up installment. I admire this author's previous works and have enough investment to continue on with the second book. I will reserve my recommendation/discouragement until the end of future books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my advanced review copy.

I started off 2018 reading an Amanda Bouchet book and have started off 2019 reading an Amanda Bouchet book - both were gloriously enjoyable reads and I hope I'm able to start of 2020 in the same way.

My word does Amanda know how to write steamy romance and I love the fact that her writing specifies that everything is consensual, the LI seeks consent from Tess before doing anything with her which just makes him all the more appealing. There were open and honest conversations about safe sex, protection and birth control - a very female choice driven novel.

Before reading this book I saw a review which mentioned that this was Star Wars meets Robin Hood and after reading the book I can say I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys kickass heroines, passionate and protective love interests and a crew which is the family you choose.

*thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.