Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Always Red
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.isabelleronin.com/
CITY: Winnipeg
STATE: MB
COUNTRY: Canada
NATIONALITY: Canadian
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Female.
ADDRESS
CAREER AVOCATIONS:
Spending time at the beach, bookstores, karaoke parties, and cafes.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Isabelle Ronin obtained her big break as a writer through the popular fiction site, Wattpad, after one of her works gained enough popularity to amass hundreds of millions of readers. At the time, Ronin was a student in college, writing and posting her story online for enjoyment. The amount of attention Ronin’s story received led to publishers contacting her, and her story migrated from online to print.
Chasing Red
Chasing Red is the book that launched Ronin’s literary career, and is the first in a series. The book stars protagonist Caleb Lockhart, a young man from a rich family. On top of his family’s financial success and eagerness to cater to his needs and whims, Caleb enjoys a great deal of popularity at his university campus. There he dallies with numerous girls, has a multitude of friends, and plays basketball. However, he isn’t entirely happy with his life and all of his success.
Everything changes for him in an instant when, during a night time romp at one of the local clubs, Caleb encounters a gorgeous young woman in an eye catching red dress. He immediately nicknames her “Red,” and approaches her to try and get to know her better. He soon learns that “Red” is actually named Veronica Strafford, and she is unlike any girl he has ever known before. She isn’t wooed by his wealth or his status, and she is deeply independent. She has come to the club as a rare treat to herself, and has no intention of indulging in Caleb or his charms.
Caleb finds himself at a loss on how to get into Veronica’s good graces, until he learns that she is essentially indigent. Viewing this as an opening, Caleb offers Veronica a room at his apartment. Veronica accepts, and despite her intentions toward the contrary, soon finds herself developing an interest in Caleb that is assured to be mutual. However, their individual problems may stand in the way of their happiness. Caleb’s rosy life has been somewhat smudged by his parents’ marital issues; his father cheated, leading Calen to take romance and relationships extremely seriously. Veronica grew up in a slightly similar boat, having had to deal with a cheating father who abused both Veronica and her mother. Veronica’s past makes it difficult for her to get closer to Caleb. While Caleb is able to sympathize with Veronica, he has no idea how to get past her defenses.
Meanwhile, Caleb must also deal with a slighted former friend with benefits who developed feelings for him and wants to deepen their relationship. Her scheming threatens to push Veronica and Caleb further apart. One Kirkus Reviews contributor said: “The romance is well developed, and readers will swoon over Caleb, who’s a spirited and fun-loving optimist.” On the Harlequin Junkie blog, one reviewer remarked: “For those who love drama and young love, Chasing Red, might be a good pick for you.” Foreword Reviews writer Claire Foster commented: “Chasing Red’s characters are its selling point, and Ronin has a marvelous hand with dialogue and characterization.”
Always Red
Always Red is the continuation of Chasing Red, and follows Veronica and Caleb once more as they try to navigate a relationship with each other. Veronica ends things with Caleb seemingly for good after suspecting him of betraying her. However, the separation proves to be unbearable for Veronica, so she seeks to bring Caleb back into her life. She misses how safe she felt with him, and how right their relationship felt now that she is stuck living without him. However, earning him back will be easier said than done. First, she must find where Caleb has disappeared to.
Once Veronica is able to track Caleb down, she finds he has become a much different person than the man she came to know and deeply love. He pushes her away, forcing her to try and figure out how to get him to let her back into his life. Eventually the two are able to restore what they had, but they are soon forced to face further difficulties from those around them. An old antagonist resurfaces, determined to break the two apart again for good. What’s more is she’s eager to do this by any means necessary, even if her methods costs one half of the couple their life. One Publishers Weekly reviewer wrote: “Ronin’s heady romance is a fulfilling sequel to her debut novel, Chasing Red.” Booklist contributor Stephanie Flores felt that the book “is as steamy and addicting as the first.” A writer on the Harlequin Junkie blog called Always Red “overall, a good read for those who enjoy the New Adult genre.” Shana Creaney, a contributor to the Foreword Reviews website, remarked: “Ronin’s is a series that holds fast to the notion of true love and the classic ideal of a man swooping in to rescue a damsel in distress as its cornerstones.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, November 1, 2017, Stephanie Flores, review of Always Red, p. 27.
Publishers Weekly, July 17, 2017, review of Chasing Red, p. 204; September 11, 2017, review of Always Red, p. 50.
ONLINE
CBC News, http://www.cbc.ca/ (February 14, 2017), “Feeling the love: Winnipeg author’s romance novel read 130M times online.”
Foreword Reviews, https://www.forewordreviews.com/ (February 20, 2018), Claire Foster, review of Chasing Red; (February 20, 2018), Shana Creaney, review of Always Red.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (September 12, 2017), review of Chasing Red; (October 4, 2017), review of Always Red.
Isabelle Ronin Website, https://www.isabelleronin.com (March 28, 2018), author profile.
Literary Llama, http://www.theliteraryllama.com/ (November 30, 2017), review of Chasing Red.
Isabelle Ronin is a Filipino Canadian writer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her Wattpad story, Chasing Red, has garnered over 150 million reads and was one of the most-read stories of 2016. As a result of the story’s immense popularity online, several major publishers around the world have acquired the rights to Chasing Red.
When she’s not writing, Isabelle can be found hanging out in bookstores, cafes, and whenever possible, the beach. You can follow her and read her stories on Wattpad. https://www.wattpad.com/isabelleronin
Feeling the love: Winnipeg author's romance novel read 130M times online
‘I’m speechless,’ says Chasing Red author Isabelle Ronin, whose book will be published this fall
CBC News Posted: Feb 14, 2017 7:55 PM CT Last Updated: Feb 14, 2017 7:55 PM CT
A Winnipeg author said she has no idea how her online novel was read 130 million times, and she's at a loss for words knowing physical copies of her book will be available on store shelves this fall.
Isabelle Ronin found out recently her romance novel Chasing Red will be published, after being hosted on the online user-generated storytelling site Wattpad.
A counter on the e-book's Wattpad page showed it had been read 131 million times as of Tuesday.
Chasing Red, a hugely popular e-book, will be published this fall. (Courtesy Isabelle Ronin)
"I'm speechless … it's crazy," Ronin said of the book's success.
Chasing Red is about a straight-laced college student who gets kicked out of her apartment and finds the only person willing to help her is the school jock.
"Crazy things happen after that," said Ronin.
The young author finished writing the novel exactly one year ago, on Valentine's Day 2016. She wrote it while juggling college classes and a part-time job.
Ronin said she'd post a chapter at a time and get feedback as she was writing the novel on Wattpad, an app and website that lets authors post and share their work for free.
"It's a great way for writers and readers to interact," she said. "It's like having a thousand editors at the same time."
She said the immediate feedback from readers pushed her to keep writing and finish the story.
The first volume of Chasing Red will be on bookshelves in September, with a second volume to follow in November.
IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU!
My name is Isabelle and I'm a lover of belly laughs and snorts and I eat fries and tofu a lot and I'm in love with kind, compassionate people and you can usually find me in bookstores, coffee shops, karaoke parties or at the beach when it's not frozen solid and I'm Filipino Canadian.
Always Red
Publishers Weekly. 264.37 (Sept. 11, 2017): p50.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Always Red
Isabelle Ronin. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $15.99 trade paper (384p) ISBN 978-1-49265848-1
Ronin's heady romance is a fulfilling sequel to her debut novel, Chasing Red. Veronica Strafford sets out to reclaim the love of her life, Caleb Lockhart, whom she left brokenhearted after his supposed friends lied to her and claimed that he couldn't be trusted. Once they reconcile, their relationship is stronger than ever. Readers will appreciate the usually skeptical Veronica's newfound strength and self-esteem. Caleb is as loveable and dedicated as ever, though his cruel former friends--still intent on ruining his life and relationship--will push him to his limits with their lies and attempted manipulation of both him and Veronica. With the backing of spirited, loyal friends, Caleb and Veronica defy the ex-friends' nastiness together, strengthening their connection. Ronin is adept at characterization; the lovers, both of whom are in their early 20s, grow more mature but are still youthful. A satisfying balance between moments of tension and moments of calm, along with a hint of mystery, a bit of action, and a couple of subplots--which are nice setups for sequels--will win Ronin many dedicated readers. (Nov.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Always Red." Publishers Weekly, 11 Sept. 2017, p. 50. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A505634911/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=4a27bc37. Accessed 20 Feb. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A505634911
Always Red
Stephanie Flores
Booklist. 114.5 (Nov. 1, 2017): p27.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
Always Red.
By Isabelle Ronin.
Nov. 2017. 384p. Sourcebooks/Casablanca, paper, $15.99 (9781492658481).
Ronin's sequel to Chasing Red (2017) picks up with Veronica breaking up with Celeb because she is certain that he spent the night with Beatrice-Rose. But Veronica soon realizes that she can't live without Celeb. He brings her love and security, emotions she has never felt before because of her abusive father. As they rekindle their love, both find themselves wanting to be together forever. But Beatrice-Rose is determined to end Celeb and Veronica's relationship. Her schemes not only test their love but ultimately put them in life-threatening danger. Ronin's suspenseful romance dramatizes the struggle to overcome trust issues regardless of the risks involved. The second installment in the Chasing Red series is as steamy and addicting as the first.--Stephanie Flores
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Flores, Stephanie. "Always Red." Booklist, 1 Nov. 2017, p. 27. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A515382977/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=2a073650. Accessed 20 Feb. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A515382977
Chasing Red
Publishers Weekly. 264.29 (July 17, 2017): p204.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Chasing Red
Isabelle Ronin. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $15.99 trade paper (400p) ISBN 978-1-49265845-0
Ronin's debut features an appealing hero but an annoying heroine. Veronica Strafford needs a place to stay, and Caleb Lockhart offers her one. She accepts, and they start to feel a mutual attraction, but his playboy reputation stirs up the trust issues she developed after watching her now-deceased mother pine after her unfaithful and emotionally abusive father. Caleb's father was also unfaithful to his mother, and Caleb has vowed never to dishonor a relationship, which is why he's never been in one before. Her determination to stay shielded collides with Caleb's goal of winning her over, and she ignores his efforts to prove that she's the only one for him, instead being fooled by jealous so-called friends who scheme to destroy their relationship. The romance is well developed, and readers will swoon over Caleb, who's a spirited and fun-loving optimist, but Veronica's constant wallowing in self-pity and refusal to change her mind in the face of evidence will leave a sour aftertaste to an otherwise sweet novel. This volume offers no romantic resolution, but a sequel is planned. (Sept.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Chasing Red." Publishers Weekly, 17 July 2017, p. 204. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A498996948/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=6d1e4a7c. Accessed 20 Feb. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A498996948
REVIEW: Always Red by Isabelle Ronin
PostedOctober 4th, 2017 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog / 2 comments
Always Red by Isabelle Ronin is the conclusion to Chasing Red and picks right up where that book left off…which means, you need to read that book first. It’s a continuation.
Chasing Red was all about Caleb going after Veronica. He invited her into his home when she needed a place, but also invited her into his heart. Veronica has insecurities and trust issues and at the end of Chasing Red, she lets them get in the way of her relationship with Caleb. Always Red picks up with Veronica realizing that she might have lost Caleb forever and her journey to getting him back.
Veronica has her work cut out for her. She really hurt Caleb and then he disappeared for a bit. She’s found him, but he’s very distant and not acting like himself. But Veronica is on a mission to make things right. There are still people trying to tear Veronica and Caleb apart and if they are going to survive they will have to trust each other and trust in their love for each other. It’s obvious that they love each other, but will it be enough?
The dramatic flair the first book had, is still present in the story. I will say that I did enjoy this story much more than the first one. The characters showed some growth and the conclusion was satisfying. I enjoyed the secondary characters quite a bit. Damon, especially. Overall, a good read for those who enjoy the New Adult genre.
Book Info:
Publication: November 7th 2017 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Red #2
THE RIVETING CONCLUSION TO RED AND CALEB’S EPIC STORY
Veronica “Red” Strafford’s painful past has made trusting Caleb Lockhart difficult. But Red might have pushed Caleb away one too many times…
I want you to fight for me. Just as I fought for you. But you wouldn’t.
I stood there, staring after him, tears pouring down my face.
REVIEW: Chasing Red by Isabelle Ronin
Posted September 12th, 2017 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, New Adult, Review / 2 comments
Chasing Red by Isabelle Ronin is a New Adult romance that requires patience to get through all the drama. It’s a college romance for those who enjoy that type of setting and has a hero who is more than he appears. I was surprised how much I ended up enjoying the hero, but he’s not without his faults. I will warn readers that this story will end in a cliffhanger, so be prepared for that.
When Veronica meets Caleb for the first time it’s in a night club. She’s there to get drunk and let loose, for once in her life. When Caleb spots her out on the dance floor, he can’t pick his jaw up from the ground fast enough. He calls her Red, because of the tempting dress she was wearing and when he offers to take her someplace so she can forget, she turns him down, which is a first for Caleb.
Caleb Lockhart is the campus man-whore. He knows he looks good and is spoiled, when it comes to female attention. He’s also very wealthy, but we learn that money doesn’t equate happiness, through his eyes. But because he has money he can offer Red a place to stay, since she’s homeless. I’m not quite sure if the offer was in Red’s best interests, because he comes off as obsessed. At first, I thought it was a challenge to him, since she turned him down, but you can tell he cares about her, even though she keeps her distance.
Red is an emotionally damaged virgin with trust issues. This is shown through the book. There is no trust what so ever between Caleb and Red. Red doesn’t even trust Caleb an inch, and it might just cost her in the end. Of course, Caleb’s reputation proceeds him and it makes trust difficult.
Caleb is blind when it comes to his best friend, who used to be a bed buddy. Why do men think they can still be best friends with a woman after they use them for sex off and on. The girl ended up falling in love with him, but does Caleb realize this….NO! I’ve seen this play out in way too many books and it never has a good ending and it plays out exactly how you think it will in this book, as well. I think Caleb and Red had enough going on in the story to do without this unnecessary drama, but it is what it is.
I liked how the author used dual point of views with this story, because I needed to see what Caleb thought, as well as Red. It’s clear that they have one heck of a road ahead of them filled with many bumps along the way, and I’m curious how it’s going to work out between them. For those who love drama and young love, Chasing Red, might be a good pick for you.
Book Info:
Publication: September 5th 2017 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Red #1
They said she was going to be my ruin…
Then let her ruin me.
Caleb Lockhart has everything—wealth, adoration, a brilliant future. Until a chance encounter with a siren in a red dress changes everything. Until he meets the woman he dubs Red.
Veronica Strafford’s past makes it hard for her to trust anyone. Now, kicked out of her apartment, she reluctantly accepts Caleb’s offer for a place to stay.
Caleb feels intensely drawn to Veronica. And, for the first time in his life, he really wants something—someone. Too bad Veronica’s heart might just be the one thing Caleb can’t win.
Always Red
Isabelle Ronin
Sourcebooks (Nov 7, 2017)
Softcover $15.99 (384pp)
978-1-4926-5848-1
Ronin’s is a series that holds fast to the notion of true love and the classic ideal of a rescuer.
Always Red hinges on the idea of love conquering all and being worth any cost.
Veronica, called Red, has just had a devastating argument with her love interest, Caleb. After falsely accusing him of cheating on her, she discovers that she is willing to wait, fight, and earn Caleb’s trust and affection back. She now knows that she loves him. Up until now, it has been Caleb who does as much for Red, citing his immediate and unrelenting sense of rightness in their relationship.
Red and Caleb face problems of differing upbringings, social class, and opportunities. Caleb is rich and spoiled. Red has come from a turbulent and lonely life. He is used to getting what he wants, and she is used to keeping people at arm’s length. Their conflicts hinge heavily on these differences, and quirks in their interactions are sometimes uncomfortable.
Caleb is presented as a romantic but is sometimes controlling, though his easily piqued temper is often forgiven after continuous apologies. Red, who has an abusive father, notes the similarities between Caleb and her father but brushes them aside. Such concerns aren’t addressed in depth, and the leads don’t grow beyond them.
The story follows much-loved genre conventions, with problems quickly solved, misunderstandings that abound, and situations that reach quite dramatic heights. This is no bad thing; Always Red is, simply put, a romance novel that fits a niche. Its story is reassuring; there is never a question that Red and Caleb will wind up together. It finishes what it starts. Ronin’s is a series that holds fast to the notion of true love and the classic ideal of a man swooping in to rescue a damsel in distress as its cornerstones.
Reviewed by Shana Creaney
November/December 2017
Chasing Red
Isabelle Ronin
Sourcebooks (Sep 5, 2017)
Softcover $15.99 (400pp)
978-1-4926-5845-0
Is there anything better than an odd couple? Chasing Red, a hot new romance by Canadian author Isabelle Ronin, throws together two unlikely people and lets their passion develop at a tantalizing pace. This vivacious novel is a fun, addictive read.
Caleb Lockhart is, in a word, spoiled. He’s a college basketball star, king of campus, and surrounded by adoring coeds. His wealthy family provides everything he needs, from a sleek condo to a new car.
When he meets feisty, earthy Veronica at a club, he’s totally unprepared to romance her. She’s his opposite in every way: hardworking, self-sufficient, sharp, and from the working class. Temporarily homeless, she needs a place to stay, which gives Caleb his chance.
He’s pretty awkward, and he knows it, but Veronica—or “Red,” as he calls her—is endlessly patient. She has to be: Caleb’s generosity keeps her off the street. While Veronica tries to figure out her next step, the two evolve past Caleb’s juvenile pickup lines to form a meaningful connection.
Although there are more serious implications of their relationship, Caleb and Veronica are sweet, young, and light with each other. Their banter sounds true to life. “Live-in service” feels a bit contrived, especially without the added dimension of a 50 Shades-esque bondage relationship, but the romance’s gears turn quickly enough to move past its ungainly plot points. Chasing Red’s characters are its selling point, and Ronin has a marvelous hand with dialogue and characterization.
Chasing Red is a perfectly sweet romance, with just the right amount of spice.
Reviewed by Claire Foster
September/October 2017
REVIEW: Chasing Red by Isabelle Ronin
December 1, 2017
SYNOPSIS: They said she was going to be my ruin...Then let her ruin me.
Caleb Lockhart has everything—wealth, adoration, a brilliant future. Until a chance encounter with a siren in a red dress changes everything. Until he meets the woman he dubs Red.
Veronica Strafford's past makes it hard for her to trust anyone. Now, kicked out of her apartment, she reluctantly accepts Caleb's offer for a place to stay.
Caleb feels intensely drawn to Veronica. And, for the first time in his life, he really wants something—someone. Too bad Veronica's heart might just be the one thing Caleb can't win.
GENRE: Romance, New Adult
SERIES: Red #1
RATING: ★☆☆☆☆ / 1 Star
REVIEW: This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have a hard time writing reviews for books that I give a one star rating. Not because I can't find the words, no, it's the exact opposite. I have to make sure that I edit. With books that I don't like, it's hard not to give spoilers because I want to give examples at every turn and pinpoint exactly where I think it went wrong. So, let's just see if I can bullet point this and move on quickly.
Chasing Red felt like the written equivalent of an actor rubbing their stomach and saying "mmmm" to indicate that something tastes good. Maybe that sounds harsh but it's oh so true.
The writing was choppy and unimaginative.
The same exact sexual innuendo over and over, which was neither organic in the conversation or effective in the way I assumed it was meant to be.
Chapter after chapter sounded manufactured, like there were thematic checkpoints, a list of things that the author was checking off.
These characters were just dull and uninteresting.
Page 206 is where I officially downgraded it to one star. Up until that point it was just an uninspiring book that maybe wasn't for me. And then I read page 206 and started actively disliking the story. In a nutshell and without giving too many spoilers, Caleb tells Veronica that he's "so proud of her" about something that, in my opinion, he has no right to be proud about let alone voice.
After that it was all downhill, the story just got worse and worse.
I'll leave it at that. I really don't need to expound any more, I think I've pretty much stated why I disliked the book and won't continue the series. BUT I know there are those romance readers who actually like all the things that I dislike (to each there own!), so if all my criticisms are actually positives... shop away and happy reading!