ARC Review + Tour: Close to You by Kristen Proby

“…there wasn’t much conflict in this story but I enjoyed the main couple because I genuinely liked the characters and I think this is a cute and sweet romance”
~ Under the Covers

There were a few things I knew immediately going in I would like.  First, I had already fallen for this group of women in the first book.  I think they’re awesome.  And second, the premise of one of those women having had a crush on one of her best friends’ brother her whole life.  Now, she’s divorced and he’s back home after suffering an injury while in the military that basically forced him out.

Now onto what I really enjoyed.  Landon is going straight for the girl.  Ah but I love that.  No heroes who think they heroine is too good for them here.  He’s always wanted her and now he finally sees his chance.  They used to be so close and he misses that closeness and friendship as well.  But now he wants that, plus to explore all the desires he held back forever.  Catnip for me.  And I think the author did this very well.

So we established that I loved the concept and how these two slowly grow into their new relationship.  But then I also had a few bumps here that I found a bit harder to deal with and they are the reason why my rating isn’t higher.

I think the issues with the accident Landon suffered and the fact that he couldn’t fly anymore could’ve been addressed a little deeper.  In a way I feel it was brushed aside as something he easily got over when in reality I would imagine that would be a little harder for him to adapt and come to terms with.  He had literally just come home and was trying to figure out what to do with his life after his world had been turned upside down.  I wanted to go a little deeper there and felt it was kind of superficial.

And then there is drama thrown towards the end of this book that, to me, felt unnecessary to put the characters through at that point.  I don’t think it added anything to the story because it didn’t really cause a conflict, and it’s a harsh thing to put them through for no reason.  This may be just my personal take on this, but I found it irritatingly unnecessary.

That being said, there wasn’t much conflict in this story but I enjoyed the main couple because I genuinely liked the characters and I think this is a cute and sweet romance.  As with the previous book, I enjoyed the whole set of women and every bit of them we see only leaves me anxious to see their own stories and who they will end up with.  But in the end I was hoping for a little bit more.

 

EXCERPT

~Landon~

“Oh, sweet Jesus, don’t ever stop doing that.”

I grin and watch as I knead her feet. Upon closer inspection, I see that they’re callused, and despite being nicely painted, they’re a bit of a mess.

“I hate my feet,” she murmurs softly. “They’re rough and callused and horrible.”

“I don’t mind,” I reply honestly. “But you should spoil yourself sometimes and go get one of those froofroo pedicures.”

“I do. But I wear shoes that are bad for me, and I hate socks, so this is what I’m stuck with.” Her eyes slit open to watch me as she shrugs. “I don’t care. My shoes rock.”

.“I’ll rub your feet for you anytime you want.”

She grins softly and I want to pull her in my lap and hold on tight. I want to kiss her madly and lay her back on this couch and uncover her body, inch by inch, discovering what makes her moan and what makes her sigh.

I want to do all of the things I’ve fantasized about for longer than I can remember.

Instead, I sigh and pat her ankle, then stand. “I’d better go.”

She stands with me and follows me to the door. “Thank you for dinner. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes.” I turn to her and push her blond hair back over her ear. Scoot is winding his way through my legs, purring. “I did. Thank you for today.”

Before she can push me away, I lean in and press my lips to her forehead, breathing her in, and wanting to stay.

“Are you going to get that last house?”

“If you promise to visit.” I pull back and see her bite her lip, then firm her shoulders.

“I’ll visit.”

I nod and leave her before I do something stupid like scoop her up and take her up to her bedroom to spend the rest of the weekend with her.

She’s not ready for that. I’m not sure I’m ready for that, which shocks the fuck out of me because I’ve never had a problem with carrying a willing woman off to a bed to have my way with her.

But this is Cami, and a fun romp on a mattress isn’t the only thing I want with her. Not that I really know what I want with her.

I do know that she deserves more than a weekend in bed, and the thought of someone else giving it to her makes me crazy.

[about-author author=”Kristen Proby”]

 

What did you think of our review?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

 ♡ Don’t want to miss any of our posts? ♡ 
Follow Under the Covers: Facebook | Twitter | Tsu | GoodReads | Email