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jlperidot's review
5.0
The Close-Up is a story about a TV producer and a camguy turned relationship expert. But it’s a far cry from that gross manipulative “seduction” stuff that arced up about a decade ago. No no, Simon Rutler — this book’s leading lad — is all about empathy, consideration, and non-toxic masculinity. Think like that bit in 22 Jump Street where Channing Tatum’s character gets woke, but this guy is self-possessed and confident instead of goofy. This steamy contemporary novel had me smiling from start to finish. The FMC is strong and witty, the MMC is thoughtful and considerate, and their encounters are awkward and hilarious and just so heart-warming. I wish someone would make movie out of this novel, seriously. It's such a great read
tightlyunraveled's review
5.0
I absolutely adore this book! Let me list a few reasons why.
(1) Naomi is a woman who knows what she wants and is driven to chase after her goals. I am. All. For. That! But she's also a bit of a mess (I say this lovingly) and this leads to a very chaotic meet-cute... if we can call it that. If you've read it, you'll know why I'm not sure "cute" is the right word. 😂
(2) The synopsis isn't lying. Simon *is* perfect! He's a relationship therapist so he's very aware of how to listen to and interact with people. And when he slips up, he owns his mistakes and *apologizes*. He also respects the boundaries Naomi sets and is patient as they navigate their way through their evolving relationship. Basically, he's the deluxe book boyfriend package.
(3) The chemistry!!! There's virtually no awkwardness between them when they talk and they encourage each other to try new things. The f*ck-it list, anyone? 😉 They just fall so effortlessly into friendship you know, without a doubt, they're meant for each other. Not to mention, there is some pretty intense sexual tension...
CN: open-door romance
(1) Naomi is a woman who knows what she wants and is driven to chase after her goals. I am. All. For. That! But she's also a bit of a mess (I say this lovingly) and this leads to a very chaotic meet-cute... if we can call it that. If you've read it, you'll know why I'm not sure "cute" is the right word. 😂
(2) The synopsis isn't lying. Simon *is* perfect! He's a relationship therapist so he's very aware of how to listen to and interact with people. And when he slips up, he owns his mistakes and *apologizes*. He also respects the boundaries Naomi sets and is patient as they navigate their way through their evolving relationship. Basically, he's the deluxe book boyfriend package.
(3) The chemistry!!! There's virtually no awkwardness between them when they talk and they encourage each other to try new things. The f*ck-it list, anyone? 😉 They just fall so effortlessly into friendship you know, without a doubt, they're meant for each other. Not to mention, there is some pretty intense sexual tension...
CN: open-door romance
booknookcrook's review against another edition
3.0
I look for representation in rom-coms so I check in on Sarah from time to time. I’ve struggled with her writing style so it’s been touch and go. I’ve finished a few and DNF’ed a few. Because of this, I stopped checking in. However, I recently stumbled upon this and was surprised to see I’ve missed out on several of her books, so I decided to give this a try.
Good news is I finished the book. Not so good news is, I still struggled with her writing style. I felt like this was rushed through. She didn’t take enough time to set the scenes and there was too much dialogue. I’d love to see more internal dialogue and especially both POVs.
One thing that was definitely lackluster was the spice. For the H to be a former sex cam guy, the sex scenes were pretty tame. I was a bit disappointed.
There is not enough Filipina representation so I will continue to check in.
Good news is I finished the book. Not so good news is, I still struggled with her writing style. I felt like this was rushed through. She didn’t take enough time to set the scenes and there was too much dialogue. I’d love to see more internal dialogue and especially both POVs.
One thing that was definitely lackluster was the spice. For the H to be a former sex cam guy, the sex scenes were pretty tame. I was a bit disappointed.
There is not enough Filipina representation so I will continue to check in.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fun, steamy, sex positive, slow burn, friends to lovers romance. Set in San Francisco, Naomi has sworn off men after her she discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her. When she runs into Simon, a man from her past one night in a bar she doesn't make a great impression. Fast forward and these two end up working closely together as Naomi's boss assigns her to do a series of webisodes featuring Simon, a former cam star turned psychologist who now works with men to help them reform their ways.
I loved these characters and their story. Full of laughs and heart, this was trademark Sarah Smith charm and I was there for all of it!! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!
I loved these characters and their story. Full of laughs and heart, this was trademark Sarah Smith charm and I was there for all of it!! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!
danidsfavereads's review
4.0
This was super cute and steamy. I really enjoyed how the main characters actually talked through problems instead of just making too much drama.
natvaquero's review
4.0
This is the first book I have read from Sarah Smith and it started off very promising and overall I enjoyed the book. There were some parts that just dragged on and a certain man and women come between them that felt unnecessary. However, I loved the friendship devolved between Naomi and Simon prior to them admitting their feelings. I also really enjoyed Simon's character and how self-aware and emotionally mature his character was throughout the book, he was a breath of fresh air.
bandherbooks's review
2.0
So, this had a lot of potential and then a whole lot of tiny things that just irked me. Simon Rutler was a perfect specimen, almost too perfect, and not being in his POV was a bit of a struggle for me.
Naomi was fine, if childish at times, and I really appreciated how horny this was, but whew there's a lot of second hand embarrassment that I personally struggled with.
What I did like was discussing Simon's sex work. He was a cam guy, he's known as the Pussy Whisperer. He's now a couples' therapist, a famous one. He's not embarrassed by his sex work, but he's had relationships end because of it when it comes time to meet the parents if you will. Naomi used to masturbate to him A LOT. I feel this was handled well, but I'm not an expert on these things. These two were SO HORNY for each other, and that was fun to read.
What really irked me was the continuous "we are PROFESSIONAL and I'm the MOST professional" and then ope, we are not being professional at all. We are being friends. Who see each other's parents/grandparents, who go to weddings together, who mutually masturbate together. It got a bit tiring and like, please friends, just bang already.
There's also a dangling plot point about Naomi's boss, who would be FURIOUS if she found out they were dating/end Naomi's career over it, and this is why they cannot bone - but then they do and they are dating, and just...nothing? Never mentioned again.
Anyway, the narrator was good, I reviewed for Library Journal s0 thank you for the advance copy.
Naomi was fine, if childish at times, and I really appreciated how horny this was, but whew there's a lot of second hand embarrassment that I personally struggled with.
What I did like was discussing Simon's sex work. He was a cam guy, he's known as the Pussy Whisperer. He's now a couples' therapist, a famous one. He's not embarrassed by his sex work, but he's had relationships end because of it when it comes time to meet the parents if you will. Naomi used to masturbate to him A LOT. I feel this was handled well, but I'm not an expert on these things. These two were SO HORNY for each other, and that was fun to read.
What really irked me was the continuous "we are PROFESSIONAL and I'm the MOST professional" and then ope, we are not being professional at all. We are being friends. Who see each other's parents/grandparents, who go to weddings together, who mutually masturbate together. It got a bit tiring and like, please friends, just bang already.
There's also a dangling plot point about Naomi's boss, who would be FURIOUS if she found out they were dating/end Naomi's career over it, and this is why they cannot bone - but then they do and they are dating, and just...nothing? Never mentioned again.
Anyway, the narrator was good, I reviewed for Library Journal s0 thank you for the advance copy.