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readwithkiekie's review against another edition
4.0
This is by far not the best romance book I've ever read by Gena Showalter has a way with writing male characters with a dark past and women lost on their way to finding something. I loved the relationship between these two, I just wished Brook Lynn wasn't so self righteous. Calling herself a slut for things that are natural to women. I want to read about girls empowering themselves, not making themselves feel worthless.
dame_with_a_case's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alwaysbooking's review against another edition
4.0
There are a couple of things in the beginning that made me unsure if I could continue with the book. However the further I continued to read the more I enjoyed the book. I liked how all the men in this house are "tortured" because of their past. It really brought them closer for their bromance...It made me more understanding of why they do what they do.
I really enjoyed the fact that Brook Lynn was just a big of a fighter as Jase. She's a take no prisoners kind of lady she doesn't take crap from anyone including Jase. I like it when the heroine is just as tough as the hero.
The opening scene were Jase and Brook Lynn meet is not my favorite scene in the book matter of fact it almost made me wish the story was about her and another one of the bad boys. However I had faith in Gena Showalter's writing style that she would make it all alright. She made it more manageable and sort of ok by the end. Poor Jase is so tortured by his past I instantly also wanted to fix him and his roomies. Just like the harem of women stopping by daily....
I recommend that if what almost stopped me in the beginning is stopping you to keep reading!! It's well worth it..
I really enjoyed the fact that Brook Lynn was just a big of a fighter as Jase. She's a take no prisoners kind of lady she doesn't take crap from anyone including Jase. I like it when the heroine is just as tough as the hero.
The opening scene were Jase and Brook Lynn meet is not my favorite scene in the book matter of fact it almost made me wish the story was about her and another one of the bad boys. However I had faith in Gena Showalter's writing style that she would make it all alright. She made it more manageable and sort of ok by the end. Poor Jase is so tortured by his past I instantly also wanted to fix him and his roomies. Just like the harem of women stopping by daily....
I recommend that if what almost stopped me in the beginning is stopping you to keep reading!! It's well worth it..
lectorliber04's review against another edition
4.0
Having read the prequel to this series and having a few doubts and misgivings after I finished it I read The Closer You Come and well... I was pleasantly surprised. Jase, West and Beck have made Strawberry Valley their home. Bad boys with a dark past attempting to start anew in a small town. Their tortured past lives is something they can't hide from nor ignore. The house the three friends bought is a metaphor of their lives which Jase described best: 'Bits and pieces fixed up, the rest a crumbling wreck'
Jase is an ex convict with all that it implies. However, Brook Lynn is intimidated by the hardness and coldness he wears as a means to protect himself. I liked Jase a lot. I liked Brook Lynn even more. And what a nice twist! Brook Lynn has a disability. That a heroine wears hearing aids is refreshing. That a heroe is so broken and traumatised that he has PTSD episodes makes for a more believable read.
Jessie Kay, Brook's sister I can't stand and dislike with passion. Yes, she has suffered a loss, yes, she blames herself for it but at some point she needed to stop behaving like an immature slut. I just can't understand Jessie Kay's disregard for her sister. It is Brook Lynn who has kept them afloat, who had to drag Jessie back home after getting so drunk one has to wonder how many guys entertained themselves with a very willing Jessie. How many times did Jessie spent the night away from home without even bothering to call her sister? Like most young people Jessie finds the solution to her pain in alcohol, sex and drugs. In the end hurt is spreading beyond ourselves. Her selfishness, immaturity and lack of self respect irked me a lot. Brook Lynn excuses her sister's appalling behaviour way too many times. Jessie Kay grow up already! I really wish Jessie would get a much needed wake up call but apparently it won't happen if the end of the book is any indication.
What's up with Harlow Glass other than not having two coins to rub together? She intrigues me and can't wait to learn more about her past. Is Daphne going to get her own happy ending?
Humans are not perfect. We fall, stay down, pick ourselves up or not, keep on doing the same things over and over again until we either come to an epiphany and find a better path or stay in hell with no hope of ever getting out. Brook Lynn and Jase's story is about risking our hearts for the elusive happiness with all crave. Jase's struggles were heartbreaking. So many kids end up like him because of one mistake! He was contrite and most certainly payed his dues in his own flesh. Ms. Showalter did a fabulous job depicting not only the traumas of his ten years in prison but of his struggles to believe in himself and the love offered to him. West and Beck are going to get their story of course. Like Jase both have chosen to protect their heart in a destructive manner. Thank Ms. Showalter for writing a truly amazing story.
Jase is an ex convict with all that it implies. However, Brook Lynn is intimidated by the hardness and coldness he wears as a means to protect himself. I liked Jase a lot. I liked Brook Lynn even more. And what a nice twist! Brook Lynn has a disability. That a heroine wears hearing aids is refreshing. That a heroe is so broken and traumatised that he has PTSD episodes makes for a more believable read.
Jessie Kay, Brook's sister I can't stand and dislike with passion. Yes, she has suffered a loss, yes, she blames herself for it but at some point she needed to stop behaving like an immature slut. I just can't understand Jessie Kay's disregard for her sister. It is Brook Lynn who has kept them afloat, who had to drag Jessie back home after getting so drunk one has to wonder how many guys entertained themselves with a very willing Jessie. How many times did Jessie spent the night away from home without even bothering to call her sister? Like most young people Jessie finds the solution to her pain in alcohol, sex and drugs. In the end hurt is spreading beyond ourselves. Her selfishness, immaturity and lack of self respect irked me a lot. Brook Lynn excuses her sister's appalling behaviour way too many times. Jessie Kay grow up already! I really wish Jessie would get a much needed wake up call but apparently it won't happen if the end of the book is any indication.
What's up with Harlow Glass other than not having two coins to rub together? She intrigues me and can't wait to learn more about her past. Is Daphne going to get her own happy ending?
Humans are not perfect. We fall, stay down, pick ourselves up or not, keep on doing the same things over and over again until we either come to an epiphany and find a better path or stay in hell with no hope of ever getting out. Brook Lynn and Jase's story is about risking our hearts for the elusive happiness with all crave. Jase's struggles were heartbreaking. So many kids end up like him because of one mistake! He was contrite and most certainly payed his dues in his own flesh. Ms. Showalter did a fabulous job depicting not only the traumas of his ten years in prison but of his struggles to believe in himself and the love offered to him. West and Beck are going to get their story of course. Like Jase both have chosen to protect their heart in a destructive manner. Thank Ms. Showalter for writing a truly amazing story.
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. not my favorite Gena book but I'm enjoying the characters now. took a while but everyone has grown on me. looking forward to the other boys finding their HEA
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
The first in The Original Heartbreakers series from Gena Showalter. I’ve absolutely adored her paranormal series so I was excited to try her contemporary but just a little wary because some authors don’t do well when transitioning between genres. What I loved about this story was it was not a billionaire, it was not a biker, it felt a lot more relatable with a hero/heroine who were very down to earth. Jase has been recently released from prison and is trying hard to live in real life even though he did a lot of growing up behind bars. His two best friends are helping to support him but they can never fully understand what he went through. Brook Lynn has spent years being the dependable one, supporting her older sister and keeping their small family together. When circumstances through her and Jase together they can’t deny the feelings they have for each other but there’s something holding them each back. I loved the introduction to the series, to life in small town Oklahoma, and am excited for what Ms. Showalter has next in the series. Can’t wait to continue!
angels_gp17's review against another edition
4.0
Gena Showalter is well know for her paranormal romances. I love her Lords of the Underworld series, but I’m also glad I picked up her contemporary romance to try. I feel in love with Strawberry Valley and it's characters.
Jase Hollister has been out of prison for six months and is now trying to make a life for himself. His two best friends or bothers, have all come to Strawberry Valley to start fresh. All Jase wants is peace, quiet, and solitude. He bears some major scars from his time in prison and his past; before prison. He dons’t show this on the outside, but inside you see he’s scared and scarred.
Brook Lynn Dillon has lived in Strawberry Valley her entire life. Brook Lynn and her sister, Jessie Kay, have struggled to survive. Their past was wonderful until tragidy struck their family. Brook Lynn has and is working herself hard to support herself and her sister ,who is a loose party girl and besides all that she was treated unkind as a kid for her hearing ads.
To say Jase and Brook Lynn don’t have a good first meeting is an understatement and to make it worse he’s bedded her sister. As time moves on and they get to know each other, the chemistry between them sizzles. They both have issues and Jase doesn’t make it easy for anyone to get close.
These two where a lot of fun. The slow build in their romance was enduring and the sexual tension was off the charts. When these two finally get together, oh my, do the sparks fly. They had to work through their issues and fight for each other. Jase and Brook Lynn have some good exchanges which where funny and enjoyable to hear and that “to do” list was a great addition to the story. I had a taste of this “to do” list concept in the novella and loved it so much, I was hopping it would show up in the other books and it did.
I really like the small town feel of Strawberry Valley and the characters were so reminiscent of what people go through in life. All the different trials, issues, and tribulations. Life is not easy. It has it’s good moments and it’s bad. We must learn to deal, move on, and fight for those we love.
Audio Narration: Savannah Richards was wonderful. Her narration was enjoyable and she brought out each character, handling the different voices and genders splendidly. She also brought the slow burning romance alive and the emotional issues to life.
I’m hooked! I had a lot of fun with The Closer You Come. It’s sweet, emotional, fun, and sexy with a little bit of suspense. I plan on picking up the next book in audiobook for this series.
Rated: 4 Stars
Jase Hollister has been out of prison for six months and is now trying to make a life for himself. His two best friends or bothers, have all come to Strawberry Valley to start fresh. All Jase wants is peace, quiet, and solitude. He bears some major scars from his time in prison and his past; before prison. He dons’t show this on the outside, but inside you see he’s scared and scarred.
Brook Lynn Dillon has lived in Strawberry Valley her entire life. Brook Lynn and her sister, Jessie Kay, have struggled to survive. Their past was wonderful until tragidy struck their family. Brook Lynn has and is working herself hard to support herself and her sister ,who is a loose party girl and besides all that she was treated unkind as a kid for her hearing ads.
To say Jase and Brook Lynn don’t have a good first meeting is an understatement and to make it worse he’s bedded her sister. As time moves on and they get to know each other, the chemistry between them sizzles. They both have issues and Jase doesn’t make it easy for anyone to get close.
These two where a lot of fun. The slow build in their romance was enduring and the sexual tension was off the charts. When these two finally get together, oh my, do the sparks fly. They had to work through their issues and fight for each other. Jase and Brook Lynn have some good exchanges which where funny and enjoyable to hear and that “to do” list was a great addition to the story. I had a taste of this “to do” list concept in the novella and loved it so much, I was hopping it would show up in the other books and it did.
I really like the small town feel of Strawberry Valley and the characters were so reminiscent of what people go through in life. All the different trials, issues, and tribulations. Life is not easy. It has it’s good moments and it’s bad. We must learn to deal, move on, and fight for those we love.
Audio Narration: Savannah Richards was wonderful. Her narration was enjoyable and she brought out each character, handling the different voices and genders splendidly. She also brought the slow burning romance alive and the emotional issues to life.
I’m hooked! I had a lot of fun with The Closer You Come. It’s sweet, emotional, fun, and sexy with a little bit of suspense. I plan on picking up the next book in audiobook for this series.
Rated: 4 Stars
nighteyes82's review against another edition
1.0
I don't know if I liked this book or not.
some stuff annoyed me. can't say if it was just the story or the writing style.
I don't want to read the next books but I kind of want to know what happens with West... grrr
some stuff annoyed me. can't say if it was just the story or the writing style.
I don't want to read the next books but I kind of want to know what happens with West... grrr
jaimejustreadsromance's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this story. I wasn’t a real big fan of the direction it took at one point in the last 1/4 of the story. I felt it was unnecessary to the plot and perhaps just added for some extra drama but I do appreciate how it was handled. I totally fell for Jase and I adored Brook Lyn and her casseroles. I loved the instant connection they shared but the slow burn of their relationship developing into more. I can’t wait to read about Beck and West. I’m actually super stoked to read more about West.
I really enjoyed this story. I wasn’t a real big fan of the direction it took at one point in the last 1/4 of the story. I felt it was unnecessary to the plot and perhaps just added for some extra drama but I do appreciate how it was handled. I totally fell for Jase and I adored Brook Lyn and her casseroles. I loved the instant connection they shared but the slow burn of their relationship developing into more. I can’t wait to read about Beck and West. I’m actually super stoked to read more about West.