Gena Showalter

After being released from prison, and determined to stay out of trouble, Jase Hollister returns home to Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma where his plans to live a nice, simple life are thwarted by the arrival of hot-blooded Southern beauty and down-on-her-luck waitress Brook Lynn Dillon. Original.

The Closer You Come

Briar's Reviews

Back in my youth, I devoured Gena Showalter books like no tomorrow. Quite literally, during the summer months I would binge books by her and a few other authors. I couldn't put their books down! Then, one day I strayed away.

I bought this book when it came out, but it hung around on my shelf until now. The time was right - I was craving some romance in my life and that book was right there! 

Personally, I would rather stick to Gena's paranormal romances, but that's just me! I did not enjoy this book as much as I wanted to, but that's because I found a few little flaws that are my romance novel deal breakers.

This book follows Jase, a man recently released from prison, and Brook Lynn, a woman working her butt off to support herself and her flaky sister. Jase isn't looking for a relationship, and is quite happy just living his best life with his two buddies Beck and West. After a tough youth, Brook Lynn is helping take care of her and her younger adult sister so they can have a good life. Oh, and did I mention Jase slept with Jessie Kay, Brook Lynn's sister? Yep, it's a little messy! After some partying, the two of them are acquainted and don't get along at first. Jase throws Brook Lynn in the pool and kills her hearing aids (yes, visibility in a book! OMG I'm so proud!). Chemistry begins to grow, and they look like a very interesting pair...

I found the beginning of this book to be very hit and miss. Brook Lynn was innocent and then not and the innocent, rinse and repeat. Jase was a jerk, then not, then a jerk, rinse and repeat. Jessie Kay seemed like the worst sister in the universe and I couldn't understand by Brook Lynn would stick around. I couldn't quite find the consistency and it annoyed me. At the same time, I can see why Gena chose that method but it bored me in ways I hoped it wouldn't. I think their sort of relationship is just not the type I want my my romance reads - which is totally cool. 

I also really did not enjoy the strange plot with Jase and his ex. It felt very... stalker-y. It's not intended to be in any way, but it sat with me the wrong way. He was hung up on his ex and then he wasn't, and then he wanted to be a family man and then didn't. It just felt... cold and weird.

Plus, the back stories were just depressing. It felt like no one had anything good happen in their life until the happy ending.

The book was written very well, and for how long it was it went by fairly fast. The level of sweetness, sexiness and overall fun was absolutely delightful! Brook Lynn being Jase's assistant was amusing and led to many funny to dos. The boys Jase lives with are quite the duo and the our leads were quite real and relatable. I would have marked this more of a New Adult novel and not an Adult due to the kinda gossip-y, YA-like nature of it (minus the sexier scenes of course). 

Overall, for me this book was not a winner but it will definitely be loved by other book lovers. There are certain tropes I truly enjoy and certain tropes I stay clear of. This book had a few that I just didn't like. I'd highly recommend this if you love dramatic romances, if you love Gena or if you just want to spice up your life!

One out of five stars.

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance


  

 
  
    Summary
  
 
Brook Lynn Dillon is a woman that hasn't had the best of luck in life. She has been responsible for her sister. She works two jobs, in hopes of saving enough to take over a jewely shop in their small town. Brook Lynn, has had to look after her sister constantly, always getting into trouble and Brook Lynn tends to get too frustrated at times with her. But when her latest endeavor has her in bed with one of the latest bachelors of the town...Jase Hollister. Jase Hollister, a ex con, has come to with his two close friends, to make a fresh start and after ten years behind bars, is looking for some peace and quiet after all the torment and suffering he has head to deal with since he was a teenager. When he meets Brook Lynn, he is drawn to her, because she despises him and he doesn't know what to make of her complex nature. The chemistry between Brook and Jase is fiery hot, but Brook Lynn is a commitment gal. When she realizes that is not Jase, she reluctantly agrees to a temporary fling, but soon learns that life is never that simple. But there is a secret in Jase's past, a secret that destroy everything they hold dear.
 
  
    Plot and Story Line
  
 
The Closer You Come is the first novel in the latest series from Gena Showalter. Now I resisted picking up this one, since I wasn't sure how this author would handle the change in genres. But I am pleased to say how impressed I was with how well done this one was written. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did, but I honestly wanted more of this story. From the beginning scene, I was drawn into the story instantly. It was a bit different, considering our heroine finds the hero in bed with her sister....awkward much? But we soon see how much chemistry these two have, and man did they have chemistry. It was quite a battle seeing Jase and Brook Lynn work through their issues. Jase on one hand, is struggling with his past and trying to decide if he can trust Brook Lynn with his secret. Brook Lynn, is dedicated and hard working but has issues with trust and letting herself go and opening herself up. The issues these both struggle with internally, are heartfelt and my heart ached for both of them but most especially Jace. He has had a rough time of it and has been betrayed by just about everyone in his life, including his closest friends. There is such great character development that we see evolve in this story which really added much more enjoyment for the reader. Both main characters are quite unique in their own personalities and it was so fun to see what a match these two were for each other. For most of the story they are connecting on a emotional intimate level they don't see themselves until they are so drawn into their bond, there is no return. We see depth and a solid romance that is tested in a few brutal ways. It was quite interesting to see the intricate ways these two finally come together,

  “You are pleasure to my pain, hope to my fear. You are everything I’ve ever needed but didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to have.” 

The romance that forms between these two is slow and steady, it didn't seem too rushed at all which I was extremly glad about. But I also was happy to see some development between Brook Lynn's sister Jessie Kay and West. I am definitely looking forward to see what developments I will see in the next couple of books. The story of The Closer You Come is vibrant in emotion and has a sexy love appeal that I craved more of. I was glad to see that Gena Showalter hasn't lost her touch and I felt it so easy to connect with this story in ways I didn't see coming my way. There is thrills and danger, mystery and emotion, and a sexy gem to bring a tear to your eye.
 
  
    Narration
  
 
I had quite a fun time with this narrator, I had listened to her before and really enjoyed her in previous listenings. So I was quite interested at first to see how she would do with this one. I was fully satisfied with how she opens up the story and brings it to life.
 
  
    The Cover
  
 
I LOVE this cover...the artists and publisher did a great job in portrayed the perfect match for the story!!
 
  
    Overall View
  
 
The Closer You Come is a stunning tale that Showalter gives us....a story that portrays the healing power of love and the twist of fate that binds two people together in a stimulating romance guaranteed to stay with you for a long while. ROMANCE AT ITS CORE!!


  


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