The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter
Series: Original Heartbreaker, #1
Contemporary Romance
March, 30 2015
HQN Books
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: Don’t make me count to three!
The Closer You Come is the first book in Showalter’s Original Heartbreaker series. When I read the prequel novella, The One You Want, I was instantly hooked on the premise of three bad boys who all settle in a small town in order to try to move forward from a daunting past. Small town southern romances are the best because of the gossipy nature of the residents, the instant camaraderie,, and the “we protect our own” vibe that often exists. Well written with Showalter’s trademark humor, passionate erotic love scenes, and occasional ridiculous situations, there is a somber undertone that takes note as you watch the main protagonists try to do the right thing even as they struggle under the weight of their pasts and external conflicts.
Jase Hollister spent nine years in prison; garnering himself a longer sentence by not ratting out his friends. Not only did he lose his freedom but also his first love. Prison was not kind to him and some things happened that will break your heart. He comes to Strawberry Valley, OK to try to settle down and give his friends the closure they need from the guilt they feel. Not looking for conflict of any kind, he is shocked when an extremely appealing young woman slams into his bedroom, looking for her sister. Hijinks ensue and he ends up taking control of the situation by tossing her into a pool. When she comes out of the water, looking like a playboy centerfold, Jase is a goner.
“Damn. I picked the wrong sister.”
Brook Lynn Dillon just wanted to find her sister and get her to work. She doesn’t care who Jessie Kay sleeps with but when it places more stress and work on her shoulders, Brook will drag her out of any bed and bar for yet another ‘Come to Jesus’ talk. Brook and Jessie have been on their own since their parents died and their uncle conned them out of their inheritance. As Jessie did everything to ensure Brook was cared for growing up, Brook is now returning the favor but is tired of working multiple jobs to support herself and her now wild older sister. She’s tired of being the responsible one. She’s ready to start living for tomorrow instead of day to day. Though a part of her is ashamed of how she bursts in on Jase, another part of her doesn’t feel too bad once she gets an eyeful of him.
“oh wow…WOW”
From their first meeting. Brook and Jase have a strong attraction to one another that only gets stronger and hotter as they get to know one another. Jace is the perfect alpha hero-strong, gorgeous, protective, tortured, and a bit of a jerk in the beginning. Willing to sacrifice himself for those he cares about. Brook is as loyal as they come with a strong dose of work ethic, fun, sass, and intelligence. They are a good match if they can get out of their own way. Neither feel they are in the position for a relationship and this creates miscommunication and assumptions between them.
Showalter builds their slow burning romance, efficiently showcasing Jase and Brook’s individual issues without minimising the damage they have both suffered at the hands of others. What I really enjoyed is while we may feel sorry for Jase and Brook, they don’t feel sorry for themselves. They persevere in spite of everything that has happened to them. Jase feels shame and horror over his incarceration and thinks Brook won’t want an ex con. Brook has issues with him sleeping with her sister, her disability, and literally has so much on her plate she doesn’t know if she’s scratching her watch or winding her butt. There is a lot of push and pull in their romance, especially on Jase’s end, and it gets tedious. He wants her, but he’s not good enough for her, so he pushes her away. He wants her, but he’s not good enough for her, so he pushes her away. Lather, rinse, and repeat.
Despite their personal issues, these two have no problems with their chemistry and have some of the best sexually charged dialogue. Fun banter with a side of raunchy, the giggles flow as Brook and Jase dance around one another with some unusual proposals and suggestive sexting.
Guess what? U missed out, Jase Hollister. U could have had ALL this.
It’s a treasure, & I don’t go around giving it away 4 free. But U blew it. Blew. It. So. Hard.
Guess what else? I still owe U a nite & UR gonna get it whether U want it or not. I’M LEGALLY BOUND, REMEMBER?? So the next time we R 2gether I’m going 2 start by running my fingers down UR chest, all the way to UR zipper…
And then?
I will lean in sooooo close…
AND THEN? Tell me, Angel. I have 2 know.
And then I will whisper “I have a headache. Maybe we can try again tomorrow.”
A strong cast of secondary characters add layers to the storyline and help build towards the next two books. Hilarious and intriguing in their own right, we see old friends (Kenna and Dean from the prequel) along with Beck and Wade, the other two heartbreakers. We learn more about Beck and Wade and how they each chose to deal with the situation that put Jase in prison. I am looking forward to reading their stories. Jessie Kay fleshes out well, going from an albatross around Brook’s to a much more complex personality who has understandable reasons for her actions. Showalter always does well with building families within her books, regardless if blood or not, and the strength of the relationships in here is a testament to her skill.
Two subplots add melodrama and suspense to the story though I honestly felt one of them was completely unnecessary. It does nothing for the story except add conflict where none was needed.
Showalter offers up yet another a yummy dish of guilty pleasure her fans are sure to love in her newest venture into contemporary romance. Sexy men and women, strong romances, and just enough craziness to keep the story from becoming too serious. I look forward to Beck’s story, The Hotter You Burn, which is set to release June 18, 2015 from HQN Books.
RATING: B-
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