kidisitor's review
4.0
This is the first book in the Ryder series. Each book features a different brother, and is written by a different author. Alongside Laurelin Paige, Kayti McGee and JD Hawkins are each taking on a brother. :) This one features Nick Ryder. After losing his childhood to the boy band him and his brothers were part of, he is now a 2o something hot solo artist. He's had a teenage crush on 'good girl' actress Natalia Lowen and when he ends up getting pretty close to her one night, he knows he is going to turn his fantasy into real life. If only he can convince her of his plan. She's attracted to the young man, but fear of what the public will say if she starts dating a man who is not only 13 years her junior, but also a rock star with a rep for jumping from bed to bed, keeps her from allowing this thing between them to be more than just 'casual' sex. He's going to have his work cut out for him if he wants to make this girl a permanent fixture in his life. It's a fun ride as we watch the couple trying to hook up all the while keeping things out of the media.
The characters are both lovable and they have a believable vibe... even if they are both pop culture icons. Even though he is much younger, he is more mature and doesn't act his age. In fact, most of the time, she acts younger than him. (Not immature, just not the thirty-something she is.) She has some insecurities that don't help their situation. Both are good people with kind hearts... even if he is a rock god, he doesn't have that cockiness about him. Confident, yes. Both like to get a little dirty! ;) The sexual content is pretty hot! (Meant for mature readers.)
The story flows smoothly. It reads quickly and easily. There are a lot of poetic-like words spoken between the characters (particularly near the end.) No major twist. There is the big break up before the grand gesture. It also gives us some sneak peeks into the other brothers personalities... well at least one of them. We don't see too much of the third brother in this book, but that in itself explains part of his character. It was a fun read and I look forward to reading about the other brothers as they find love.
The characters are both lovable and they have a believable vibe... even if they are both pop culture icons. Even though he is much younger, he is more mature and doesn't act his age. In fact, most of the time, she acts younger than him. (Not immature, just not the thirty-something she is.) She has some insecurities that don't help their situation. Both are good people with kind hearts... even if he is a rock god, he doesn't have that cockiness about him. Confident, yes. Both like to get a little dirty! ;) The sexual content is pretty hot! (Meant for mature readers.)
The story flows smoothly. It reads quickly and easily. There are a lot of poetic-like words spoken between the characters (particularly near the end.) No major twist. There is the big break up before the grand gesture. It also gives us some sneak peeks into the other brothers personalities... well at least one of them. We don't see too much of the third brother in this book, but that in itself explains part of his character. It was a fun read and I look forward to reading about the other brothers as they find love.
stephaniek219's review
5.0
As a HUGE fan of the Fixed Universe, I really expected to love this story, but knew that Hudson Pierce would forever be Fixed at the top of my list. Now having finished, it's a really Close call! ( <-see what I did there? š) I could no sooner pick a favorite between Close and Fixed than I could pick my favorite child. But one thing is for certain - Close is a TOP read of 2018.
This is a much different take on the Rock Star hero - although young, Nick is mature & respectful. Natalia is older, but has held on to a straight laced good girl image while harbouring an inner dirty girl.
The banter between the two, the well developed characters, and the chemistry make this story one that I devoured, and will definitely be one of my re reads! I look forward to Close being turned Audio!
Oh, and I adore Laurelin Page's theme of Close - not only the title of the book, but demonstrated both physically and emotionally throughout the whole thing..l
This is a much different take on the Rock Star hero - although young, Nick is mature & respectful. Natalia is older, but has held on to a straight laced good girl image while harbouring an inner dirty girl.
The banter between the two, the well developed characters, and the chemistry make this story one that I devoured, and will definitely be one of my re reads! I look forward to Close being turned Audio!
Oh, and I adore Laurelin Page's theme of Close - not only the title of the book, but demonstrated both physically and emotionally throughout the whole thing..l
kara_hildebrand's review
5.0
Close is the first book in the Ryder Brothers series by the talented Laurelin Paige. Each brother gets his own book written by a different author! I love this idea. Want by Kayti McGee and More by J.D. Hawkins. I have never read anything by Kayti or J.D. so I'm very excited to get my hands on these. I've been a fan of Laurelin's for a very long time. She writes always sexy heroes and heroines and I have to say Nick and Natalie are a few of my favorites. Sexy younger rockstar, older good girl, America's Sweetheart actress. An unlikely couple, but from their first encounter the chemistry is off the charts. So maybe Nick fantasized about Natalia over the years. But now he knows the woman. She's fun, sexy, smart and dedicated to her career. Natalia needs no strings sex in her life and the younger rock god is just who she needs. They have fun in and out of the bedroom, but what happens when emotions get involved. Will Natalia run scared? Will Nick let her go? I loved this story! Nick and Natalia are so great together. I love how mature and adult he is. I never once thought, oh my he's so young. He never had a problem talking about his feelings and I love that in a man. He also has a very filthy mouth! Overall I laughed, had to fan myself, was cheering for her and smiled a lot. I can't wait to see what Kayti has in store for us!
God, I could write a whole song about her mouth. I could have the whole thing composed tonight if I just stayed here kissing her, nothing but kissing her.
"We're all jealous because you have the chance to touch his penis. With your vagina. And we're all going to think you're lame if you don't."
I'm putting myself on the line, inviting her to change paths in our relationship, and there's every chance she'll break my heart. But the risk is worth it. Because the reward is getting her.
God, I could write a whole song about her mouth. I could have the whole thing composed tonight if I just stayed here kissing her, nothing but kissing her.
"We're all jealous because you have the chance to touch his penis. With your vagina. And we're all going to think you're lame if you don't."
I'm putting myself on the line, inviting her to change paths in our relationship, and there's every chance she'll break my heart. But the risk is worth it. Because the reward is getting her.
smatthew459's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
wineanlatenightreads's review
5.0
Close
What a great May December love story. This story just brought all the feels about not jumping to conclusions about what the other person wants. You just never know. And though their were times the story ran a little slow for me it was still a good romance book.
What a great May December love story. This story just brought all the feels about not jumping to conclusions about what the other person wants. You just never know. And though their were times the story ran a little slow for me it was still a good romance book.
csharp0710's review
5.0
Older woman, younger man romance and itās hot! Love that trope and Laurelin nailed it with this one! Sheās an actress and heās a rockstar. Take a chance on Nick Ryder!
daisybox's review
3.0
It was refreshing to read a rock star / actress story without the classic bitchy ex, manipulative manager or the psycho groupie !
bookscrazy87's review
5.0
Absolutely loved every second. Love the characters and storyline. I love Laurelin Paige's books they never disapoint and always amazing. I want to read it again. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
bookaddictreviews's review
5.0
Natalia Lowen is an actress who has spent her career maintaining the status of Americaās Sweetheart. Nick Ryder was 1/3 of the Ryder Brothers, a band he was in with his older brothers, but now he is on is own and making a career for himself, living the Rockstar life.
Their worlds collide at a club and the connection between the two was truly lust at first sight. However, Natalia didnāt want to have the bad girl image, she couldnāt be seen as a bad girl, and getting caught with a man 13 years younger than her would give her just that image.
I absolutely loved Nick! He is right up there with Hudson, Donovan and Weston for me when it comes to the men written by Laurelin. He may be young, but he is such an old soul. He is a romantic and boy did he make me swoon. I also loved Natalia. You could really feel her struggles when it came to wanting to maintain her āgood girlā image, but wanting to give in to her true feelings and her wants.
The secondary characters in this story were also fantastic. Hadley was amazing, not just a ālife designerā but also an amazing friend to Natalia. Rowen was just hilarious (seriously, that girl should have her own crazy story!). I canāt wait to read the other books in this series about Jake and Jonas, plus also get more of Nick and Natalia along the way!
Definitely a must read of 2018 and another fantastic story from Laurelin!
Their worlds collide at a club and the connection between the two was truly lust at first sight. However, Natalia didnāt want to have the bad girl image, she couldnāt be seen as a bad girl, and getting caught with a man 13 years younger than her would give her just that image.
I absolutely loved Nick! He is right up there with Hudson, Donovan and Weston for me when it comes to the men written by Laurelin. He may be young, but he is such an old soul. He is a romantic and boy did he make me swoon. I also loved Natalia. You could really feel her struggles when it came to wanting to maintain her āgood girlā image, but wanting to give in to her true feelings and her wants.
The secondary characters in this story were also fantastic. Hadley was amazing, not just a ālife designerā but also an amazing friend to Natalia. Rowen was just hilarious (seriously, that girl should have her own crazy story!). I canāt wait to read the other books in this series about Jake and Jonas, plus also get more of Nick and Natalia along the way!
Definitely a must read of 2018 and another fantastic story from Laurelin!
reading_rainy's review
4.0
Iām gonna go with 3.5 stars rounded up for Nickās overall sweetness. Nick has to be the most sensitive alpha (ish) hero Iāve read in a long time. He is twenty-three and has been in a band since his early teens. Heās lived quite a life in those 23 years.
Natalia (36) has molded her acting career and now sheās an expert at keeping everyone at a distance. Sheās Hollywoodās good girl...but the moment she meets Nick she wants to be a little bad.
I had mixed emotions reading this. Nat is obnoxiously immature for being thirty-six. She canāt make up her mind and waffles back and forth on her ārelationshipā with Nick. They started out as simply a fling, but they both eventually want more. I disliked how the author tries to make Nick a white-knight kind of hero, but then slips in every now and then how heās had āmuch kinkier sex with other womenā or āthe threesomes heās enjoyed in the pastā. It was like she was struggling with making him a bad boy, but also a good boy? It didnāt fit his overall attitude throughout the story. Nick has been half in love with Nat since he was a young man, watching her movies, and dreaming of what it would be like to be with her.
Nick felt SO MUCH love for Nat before she was even willing to admit she liked him. She just kept pushing him away. And she It wasnāt until the end of the story, that they finally became a couple. Thank goodness for the epilogue.
Natalia (36) has molded her acting career and now sheās an expert at keeping everyone at a distance. Sheās Hollywoodās good girl...but the moment she meets Nick she wants to be a little bad.
I had mixed emotions reading this. Nat is obnoxiously immature for being thirty-six. She canāt make up her mind and waffles back and forth on her ārelationshipā with Nick. They started out as simply a fling, but they both eventually want more. I disliked how the author tries to make Nick a white-knight kind of hero, but then slips in every now and then how heās had āmuch kinkier sex with other womenā or āthe threesomes heās enjoyed in the pastā. It was like she was struggling with making him a bad boy, but also a good boy? It didnāt fit his overall attitude throughout the story. Nick has been half in love with Nat since he was a young man, watching her movies, and dreaming of what it would be like to be with her.
Nick felt SO MUCH love for Nat before she was even willing to admit she liked him. She just kept pushing him away. And she