Close To You by Kristen Proby

Close To You by Kristen Proby
Release Date - August 9, 2016

Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 320 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

**small spoiler about side plot included below**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the second novel in her sizzling Fusion series.

Camilla, “Cami,” LaRue was five years old when she first fell in love with Landon Palazzo. Everyone told her the puppy love would fade—they clearly never met Landon. When he left after graduation without a backward glance, she was heartbroken. But Cami grew up, moved on, and became part-owner of wildly popular restaurant Seduction. She has everything she could want...or so she thinks.

After spending the last 12 years as a Navy fighter pilot, Landon returns to Portland to take over the family construction business. When he catches a glimpse of little Cami LaRue, he realizes she’s not so little any more. He always had a soft spot for his little sister’s best friend, but nothing is soft now when he’s around the gorgeous restauranteur.

Landon isn’t going to pass up the chance to make the girl-next-door his. She’s never been one for romance, but he’s just the one to change her mind. Will seduction be just the name of her restaurant or will Cami let him get close enough to fulfill all her fantasies?

Friends to more is one of my favourite romance tropes. It, for me, feels the most believable. Close To You combines that trope with some sparky chemistry to create a highly enjoyable romance read that will have you reaching for a glass of wine while you speed through the pages.

This, like the first novel, reminds me of Sex and the City.  A group of gorgeous women who love each other and support each other combined with their search for love. It wasn't surprising that I loved the friendship part of this story because that was always my favourite part of Sex and the City, too. The bond between these women is the heart of not just this novel but the series, and any guy that they get involved with has to accept this. Their friendship is the stuff of #friendshipgoals and is what made me continue with the series after the first book.

There is a side plot with Cami that involves a cat she accidentally takes in. It provides lots of humour, and the author managed to make the cat's personality shine through. It was a nice background story that allowed for some character insight.

Part of the charm of a romance novel is the familiar path the story arcs take. We, as readers, come to expect certain elements whenever we are reading this particular genre. The couple will meet and fall in love, an obstacle tears the couple apart, a grand gesture reunites them and the book typically ends on a happily ever after. It is a tried and tested formula and it remains popular because it works. The obstacle included in this book felt, like the relationship, right for these characters. It made sense that these characters would feel they way they do, and react the way they did. Sometimes these obstacles can feel forced, and present only because the genre demands they exist, but they felt warranted in this case.

My issue with the first book was that the relationship did feel believable to me. There was a forced feel to their interaction, and it felt sped up to accommodate the story the author wanted to tell. This novel did not have that problem. It felt as if Cami had crushed on Landon forever, and that Landon came to fall in love with her too. The history that exists between these two characters was palpable in the writing and that it an easy story to invest in. The foundation that was built for them rang true, and therefore the romance didn't feel rushed; it felt inevitable.

Another sexy addition to the Fusion series that is filled with amazing female friendships, and a believable romance with some hot chemistry. If romance novels are a favourite of yours, this series should be added to your list, particularly if you enjoy wine, food, and a Sex and the City vibe.

Listen To Me by Kristen Proby

Listen To Me by Kristen Proby
Release Date - April 12, 2015

Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new series, five best friends open a hot new restaurant, but one of them gets much more than she bargained for when a sexy former rock star walks through the doors—and into her heart.

Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy...exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.

Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.

Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?

Five best friends. A hot restaurant. Lots of romance. This series immediately caught my eye with its promise of a friendship focused story. While there were certain elements that just didn't work for me, but this ended up being an enjoyable read that has me curious enough to check out the companion novels to come.

There is a Sex and the City vibe to this novel. A group of friends who would do anything for each other. 5 very different, but compelling women who are as gorgeous as they are fabulous. Those missing Carrie Bradshaw and the gang will instantly feel at home with these characters. There is something special about the chemistry and bond between these women. I hope future novels have much more of them interacting together.

The romance, sadly, is the only element that I didn't connect with. The story takes place over an longer period of time than what the pacing indicates. It feels rapid and continuous, but we're told that time jumps are happening without really feeling them. It makes the relationship feel super sped up, when in actually it has taken months to unfold. This disconnect made it so that I wasn't invested in the relationship or its outcome. I wanted more insight into their connection and what made them attracted to each other than just the physical. It's a case of where I liked both of the characters on their own, but I am not so sure I liked them together.

The obstacle that Addie and Jake have to overcome is, predictably, past events and relationships. Kristen Proby writes a woman with her walls up very well. Addie has been hurt before, and has gone into protection mode. Jake is struggling with his own issues, and each of these serves to throw obstacles in the path of their romance. This novel absolutely follows a typical romance trajectory but it's done in such a sweet way. I would have enjoyed it more if I was more invested in the romance, but I predict those who are will devour every page of this story.

The main element of a romance novel is, obviously, the romance. It's the core of the story. While I may not have become fully invested in this particular romance, I did love the set up for the next book, the friendship between the women, and the Sex and the City vibe of the entire series. It's a fun and light read for when you're looking for something to pair with a great glass of wine.