Everyone wants to get close to a rock star.The bright lights.The music.Those talented fingers strumming… a guitar.Everyone wants to bang a rock star. So why do I keep running from the one who wants me? I’m America’s Sweetheart.I have a reputation.He’s a boy-band icon turned rock god.I’m vanilla.He’s every flavor of bad.And he’s much, much too young for me.If I end up in Nick Ryder’s bed, my … too young for me.
If I end up in Nick Ryder’s bed, my career and I will both be screwed.
…but that’s only if I’m caught.
more
Great entertaining read. Loved the characters and the story line. Can’t wait to read the next Ryder Boy book.
Close is a fast paced, sweet celebrity romance that will sweep you off your feet and keep you smiling. The writing flows easily and the storyline is entertaining. Who doesn’t love celebrities?
Natalia is considered America’s Sweetheart. She’s an actress who has had some past high profile relationships in the industry that has left her wanting nothing more than to be out of the spotlight when it comes to her personal life. However, routine run in’s with a famous rocker provides her a chance to have some fun, as long as it’s hidden and no feeling are attached. Plus, the famous Nick Ryder is thirteen years younger than she is so there is no way that anything can happen. Until it does…
Here’s what I like about Nick and Natalia. They are both famous in their own industry and they are both very strong people who know what they want in life. The problem is that they may not fully understand what the other wants in their life. Their path to figure that out is extremely sexy, mostly fun and a tiny bit angsty.
I had a lot of fun with these two and I look forward to the rest of the books in the series and the other brother’s of Nick’s band fining love.
The Sexy Rocker and the Bombshell…4.5 stars!
Laurelin Paige did a wonderful job with Nick and Natalia’s story. I appreciated that the author did a slow boil when it came to their romance. It starts out in a hot sexy flirtation then just boils over. She writes in passion, sexual tension and lots of emotion. I admit some parts annoyed me with Natalia constantly referring to the hot sexy rocker as a “boy” but I imagine it was her way of handling the age gap between her and Nick. I was rooting for Natalia to grab for happiness and love by following her heart.
Nick Ryder is sexy, hot, and unapologetically alpha male. I loved this story and I can’t wait for the next installment. Close is the first book in a multi-authored contemporary series about the Ryder Brothers and Want by Kayti McGee is the next book. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
This book was awesome! I devoured each page as if I have been starved from these words that I didn’t even know existed! I adore Nick, he’s romantic, charming and sweet. The epilogue was unique and I loved that too!
“That’s what we are together –the perfect song.”
I was so excited when I heard that Laurelin Paige was kicking off the Ryder Brothers Series with Close.
One Rock Star
One Hollywood actress
= A great storyline
Natalia has a very successful career and the best friends one could ask. However, she is tired to always get it wrong as far as her love life is concerned. Her former lovers were interested in the actress, her image and what they could get out the relationship.
One night out with her friends, one decision to seize the day, one incredible and irresistible encounter was all it took to turn Natalia’s world upside down.
Honestly, who can resist the one and only NICK RYDER? He is sexy, filthy and romantic at the same time.
“In person, Nick Ryder is a charismatic hottie. In concert, Nick Ryder is a rock god, sex sparking from him with every note.”
When he meets Natalia the insta-connection is there and Nick is determined to explore this further. It is not that easy though, Natalia is much older than him and cannot see a future with him at all. Can Nick Ryder change her mind and make her his?
“This life is your story. No one gets to say how it’s written but you.”
I freaking love Nick- I love how he loves hard, how he will do anything to get the girl and how he makes my heart beat… His song OMG *BIG SWOON alert.
““When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
Both are characters you root for from the very first page for so many reasons but also to show that age difference is just a detail as it is LOVE that matters.
Steamy romance!!!!
Close is a very hot and steamy book filled with plenty of dirty and sexy times. If you are looking for a fast-paced read with a super hot rock star hero and a sexy Hollywood actress who can’t get enough of each other, then this is definitely the book for you.
Nick and Natalia’s chemistry was out of this world. There were several times where I fanned myself while reading Close as Nick is a very naughty man which peaked my interest immediately. He also had a romantic side which gave me all the feels. Natalia is the perfect lover for Nick as she loved every moment of his naughty side. I loved their story and they were a match made in heaven. I’m so glad Laurelin Paige wrote this fun, light-hearted and entertaining book. The ending was so sweet and heartwarming.
Always love me a fun rockstar book! Nick Ryder was everything a woman could want..young, hot, sexy, gorgeous, funny and really sweet and romantic. Let’s not forget his musical talents here! He sets his sights on an older actress, Natalia, who is considered a ‘Good Girl’ by the press and of course, voted the Most Beautiful Woman of the Year. But he can see she’s much more that, he’s been secretly worshipping her from afar for years . He’s determined to make her his, and the chase is on but can this 36 year old woman be caught and kept by a 23 year old rocker with an iffy reputation?
This was a fun, romantic ride that is worth taking with Nick and Natalie. I’m glad I did, you will be too. Loved it, easy to read, fast, yummy and whew, steamy! The age difference with her being the older one was different and added something to the story for me. Another great book by Laurelin Page..go girl!
It’s a fun, sexy and flirty taboo story. I loved the older woman/younger man storyline. It will suck you in with its steamy and sizzling chemistry. I loved the characters and captivating story that keeps you turning the page and panty and wanting more. It’s an entertaining read and look forward to reading more.
This was an absolutely phenomenal book! The heat and chemistry between Natalia and Nick was as hot as molten lava throughout this book! I often found myself wanting to get closer to this fabulous couple, so I too could experience everything they were experiencing.
There is so much more I want to say about this title but I feel that doing so will take away all that there is to discover about this couple and their journeys to self-discovery and love.
Having read nearly every single book by Laurelin Paige, I can honestly say that this may be one of the best books that she has ever written. I still want more from this new, amazing couple that she has created!
As Always, Happy Reading!
“5/5 Beaming Brains!”
Well I’m in love with this novel!!! I just finished this and I feel like I could read again!
Natalia is America’s sweetheart, the movie star who is 36, going through a recent break up. She doesn’t color outside of the the lines. So when her best friends drag her to a club to cheer her up, she have no clue she’s walking a tight rope.
Nick is a former boy band, now singing his own music. At the tender age of 23, he has been around world.
Sparks fly from the first dance, to secret rendevu meetings, it only gets hotter the more they fight it.
I flew these pages with easy. The storyline was so strong a effortless to breeze through.
I highly recommend this novel to fall in love when you least expect it.
Laurelin has been one of my favorites to read since her very first book. Though I hadn’t had time in my schedule to read many of her books lately when this one crossed my email I jumped at the chance! I’m so so so so darn glad I did! I love NICK so much I wish I could read this one all over again!!!!!!
I don’t want to talk about the plot cause frankly you can go read that in the synopsis and figure out what the book was about. Let’s talk about the characters. Nick! HE IS FREAKING AMAZING!!!!!! I loved him so much. Now he’s young, but he’s led a very different life from the rest of the world. Brought up to be a young star in a family run boy band he’s been used and abused by a fickle industry. He’s really an old soul in a young body, and boy what a body! And lets talk about how hot and sexy he is…. But he isn’t your typical rock star, he literally has a heart of gold and he’s so sweet and sexy….
And then we have the heroine Natalia, who is older and wiser, but yet she’s still so inexperienced in some areas of life. She’s been jaded by the movie industry, ruined by the press, and has worked very very hard to show that good girl image that makes her America’s Sweetheart! But when she and Nick get together she realizes just how little of the world she’s really experienced…. She’s super sweet and sexy, but she’s got a ton of flaws… I loved that she wasn’t the perfect persona of an actress. She got a lot of self doubt and a lot of anxiety about that image she works so hard to keep up.
Now together their chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS HOT!!!!! From the minute these two meet I feel like I was squirming in my seat beginning to end! I literally couldn’t put the book down and felt at times like I needed a cold shower! It was seriously one of the hottest books I’ve read in a long time without feeling cliche and overdone. Laurelin blended the perfect amount of sexy and sweet in this book and I cannot tell you how much I really enjoyed this story as it unfolded. My only complaint is I wished that we’d gotten a little deeper into his family dynamic, I felt a little like that was glossed over and then never really flushed out. But that was the only part that I could complain about…. I mean after all Nick took her to Disney World on a date and that made him the man of my dreams!!!!!
Get this book and read it, I promise that you will NOT be sorry you did… The sexual tension leaps off the pages and the relationship between Nick and Natalia doesn’t disappoint in any way shape or form!
I received a copy and voluntarily left a review and all opinions are my own.
Having only read one book by Laurelin Paige, yes I am late to the fan club, and having absolutely loved Dirty Sexy Player and being impatient to read the sequel, I decided to open Close and indulge in the first book in the Ryder Brothers series. Little did I know that it was going to be so hot and angsty with an age difference that would leave me dreaming about a sexy, much younger rock star hero! Nick and Natalie take readers along on a bumpy ride filled with secret trysts, papparazi, and a ageless love.
Natalia Lowen is known as America’s Sweetheart which is a title she has worked hard for and earned in her acting career. Little did she know that a little bump and grind, chiseled abs, and decadent sex could put it all in jeopardy. I loved that Natalia has a good head on her shoulders and knows what she is after in her career but I adored seeing Nick stop her heart and body in her tracks and show her what is really important…finding desire and a love like no other.
Nick Ryder is one scrumptious former boy band member turned rock star that I loved getting cozy with and wanted to do so more with every page! From the moment he is introduced you can tell that he is wise beyond his years and way more experienced that Natalia…if you know what I mean. I enjoyed getting to see him act out all his fantasies that he has had about Natalia since he was an adolescent and she starred in all his filthiest thoughts. They had my temperature rising to scorching levels from their first encounter in the nightclub with no hope of squelching the fire.
Laurelin Paiges shows her readers that love has no age limit and that when you get a chance to grasp at happiness, do it with both hands and hold on tight! I highly recommend Close for a love story among the rich and famous that will leave stars in your eyes and a fire burning in your soul. Laurelin Paige is quickly carving out room for herself on my list of favorite authors. I cannot wait to see what she writes for us next and to experience more of the Ryder brothers from others authors that I have grown to love.
Close by Laurelin Paige is the first book in the ‘Ryder Brothers’ three part series. Each book is written by a different author, in this case, Kayti McGee and JD Hawkins with Want and More respectively.
In Close, we have a HAWT sex god of a rock star, Nick Ryder who falls for Natalia Lowen, a Hollywood movie star who is a few years older than him. Nick is never bothered by this fact, he’s very grown up for a man in his early twenties but Natalia is still unsure of herself after a decade of reinventing her image after a romantic debacle years earlier. She’s not sure she can be Nick’s ‘good girl’. He’s a rock star and they are always ‘bad’.
Nick’s got a filthy mouth and boy, does he know how to use it. It’s now wonder Natalia falls under his spell. She tried hard to resist but this guy would make a iceberg melt with his lines.I wanted to push Natalia out of the way and ‘cougar’ him myself lol.
Loved this book and Nick Ryder!!!
Okay ladies, let’s be honest. What woman in her thirties(which I happen to be) wouldn’t want to have a fun no-strings fling with a super hot and sexy 23-year old singer? If you’re raising your hand, you need to get the heck outta here! The sparks and insta-chemistry between Nick and Natalia is majorly hot. Not to mention how swoon-worthy Nick is. He’s sweet, kind, a little kinky and dominating in the bedroom(yummmmm), he’s confident, thoughtful, and he clearly adores Natalia. One of my favorite things about this book is that Nick is the aggressor while she is more cautious and reserved. When Nat finally realizes just how deep her feelings have developed for Nick, she doesn’t know what to do. He pushes her to admit she loves him, but she pushes him away. I know I wasn’t the only one yelling in their head “Natalia, you crazy woman!!!” But of course they get there HEA. Now we just need more Nick and Nat!
Book Review: 4,5 Stars
Sexy AF, romantic and just what I needed—I’m sure you need Nick Ryder in your life, too.
Close brings the story of Natalia, a 36 known actress and Nick Ryder, a 23 rock star. Their whole relationship can be resumed in one single word: HOT-AS-HELL! Well, these are three words, but you know what I mean. Their first encounter was hot, and with every encounter, things got hotter and hotter, and despite Natalie tried her best to keep things casual, Nick made it very difficult with his dirty mouth and his sweet behavior.
Ok, let’s be honest, I wouldn’t have been able to resist as much as she did LOL Younger men are my weakness and I felt totally and utterly and completely related to Natalie and I LOVED IT!! I loved her relationship with Nick, he is the perfect sex rock, sex god and romance god, and Natalie just had to accept their attraction and that they could have a beautiful HEA.
If you like to read age-gap romances, with awesome characters, the sexiest scenes, and a sweet HEA, you’re gonna love Close. 100% recommended.
: CLOSE by Laurelin Paige is the first instalment in the multi-authored contemporary, adult RYDER BROTHERS erotic, romance trilogy focusing on the members of the former boy band the Ryder Brothers. This is twenty-three year old, singer Nick Ryder, and thirty-six year old, actress Natalia Lowen’s story line.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Nick and Natalia) CLOSE follows the building relationship between twenty-three year old, singer Nick Ryder, and thirty-six year old, actress Natalia Lowen. Natalie Lowen is a successful Hollywood actress who has struggled to keep her good-girl image but meeting bad boy, rock star Nick Ryder forces Natalia to reconsider what it is she wants in life, including a potential disaster in the making, if her reputation takes a hit while dating a man thirteen years her junior. What ensues is the building love and romance between Nick and Natalia, and the fall-out as Natalia is unable to open her heart to a future with the man that she loves.
Natalia Lowen doesn’t do relationships, and is all about protecting her good-girl reputation. Reputation and impressions are everything in Hollywood, and Natalia refuses to allow anyone to destroy her hard-fought battle with perfection and the persona she has developed for public consumption. Nick Ryder’s reputation precedes his introduction to our story line heroine but Nick has fantasized about Natalia since a young boy, a fantasy that is about to come true as Nick embarks on a seduction of Hollywood’s ‘princess’.
The relationship between Nick and Natalia is one of immediate attraction but Natalia struggles with paparazzi, public perception, and maintaining her good-girl image. Falling in love with Nick Ryder was never on the horizon but the knowledge of potential disaster forces Nat to walk away in spite of their love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.
We are introduced to Natalia’s best friends: her life coach Hadley, and fellow actress Rowan. Nick’s brothers are but a blip of the radar, and we have yet to be introduced to the Ryder siblings.
The world building follows Nick and Natalia as they struggle to maintain a relationship while Nick heads out on tour. From texting to phone calls, last minute flights and clandestine dinners, we are up front and center with our story line couple.
CLOSE is a story of trust and relationships; perception and love. Natalia’s inability to allow herself the freedom to love is complicated by their difference in age, a difference that she believes will destroy her good girl image. The character driven premise is entertaining and enchanting ; the characters are animated and colorful; the romance is seductive and provocative. CLOSE is a great introduction to the Ryder Brother’s but there are definite similarities to a real-life boy band and their significant others, including the names.
“Close Ain’t Close Enough” for Nick & Natalia!
Nick was everything in this book! I loved him! The perfect mix for me of rocker bad boy, bossy in the bedroom, but with a mature (because he’s 23) heart of gold who knows what he wants & fights for it. I enjoyed the journey Natalia took – she has lived for her career as an actress & she has the image of a good girl, but she has to realize who she really is. This book made me feel all kinds of emotions – heat from Nick & Natalia’s first meeting & beyond, heart & happiness from them falling in the love, laughter because of Natalia’s friends Hadley & Rowan, heartbreak from decisions that were made, but at the end an ultimate happy ending. I definitely recommend this book!
4.5 ROCKING STARS!!
If you’re in the mood to devour some really gorgeous writing from beginning to end, then “Close” is the book for you. The story is entertaining, captivating, scorching hot, moving and heartwarming. You’ll be wanting more of this great couple!
When I started reading “Close”, I knew I was going to be hook to Nick Ryder’s story, because regardless his reputation as a bad boy, he had a sweet side, one I love seen since the moment he was face to face with Natalia. Nick has had a crush on the beautiful actress since he was a teenager, but their connection is more than real the moment they met.
In addition, is refreshing to read stories in which the age difference is reverse (older girl, younger man). I really loved and enjoyed this amazing and flawless story!! Laurelin Paige is just BRILLIANT!
Sometimes you just need a little push from your best friends, which is what our heroine, Natalia, got from her life coach, Hadley and her other BFF, Rowen. I definitely pictured Kate Hudson as our older, America’s sweetheart actress who feels a romantic connection with rock heartthrob, Nick Ryder, when they “dirty dance” at a nightclub. In a bit of a role reversal, Natalia is willing to enjoy engage in a secret, sex-only relationship with Nick, who readily agrees since she’s been his dream catch from the time he was a young, i.e. before he and his brothers hit it big as a top boy band. The friends with benefits arrangement takes an interesting turn when they end up talking on the phone and texting/sexting in between their hook-ups since he’s currently on a concert tour. Because they both grew up in the celebrity spotlight, they share a lot in common despite their age difference. Each feels emotionally equal in the relationship, but Natalia continues to get hung-up over their age difference. I absolutely loved that Nick understood Natalia’s fears (maybe even better than she did) and figured out a way to overcome them and win her heart. The chemistry between these two sky-ed off the charts!
“Close” by Laurelin Paige is a sweet romance book which every romantic soul should read. I love books written by this author, because she’s giving me lots of good emotions and I’m spending really good time with these books.
Laurelin Paige is also well known from the cooperation with other great authors.
This time with Kayti McGee and JD Hawkins, she created new hot and spicy series about The Ryder Brothers.
Each part is a standalone novel about one of three Brothers.
Here comes the story about Nick Ryder and Natalia Loven.
Natalia is a famous Hollywood actress. She’s independent and successful woman. Some time ago, she’s ended her long term relationship. When handsome, younger and hot Nick Ryder appears on her radar, she doesn’t even consider closer relation with him. She has been working really long for her reputation and good name in Hollywood, that’s way it is risky to start hanging out with someone like Nick Ryder.
Nick is famous as well, but he is a rock star which every girl want and dream about.
He is good looking young man with his abs and strong muscles and melting down smile. He is very confident,cocky and dominant rock star, but deep down he’s got very tender soul.
He is a man who doesn’t take easy No for an answer. If he can’t have something, he wants it even more. He knows that he can have Natalie only for one night, but is it enough for him? He never chaised a woman in his life. But right now he started to wonder if he should.
They meet in the club where from the very first moment, sparkles went through them. At first Natalie doesn’t think much of her connection with Nick and treats it more like a fling. It doesn’t cross her mind that relationship with 13 year old man, can become serious.
This story is unique under few circumstances.
Usually in romantic stories we have characters representing alpha male and an unknown girl like a cinderella from a story tale. In this case, we have two celebrities, two famous people, who know that their action (behavior)will make a front page of the news. What people will think about them, knowing that there is a huge age difference between them.
There are many reasons why they’re not supposed to be together, but their chemistry is too strong to resist and they constantly think about each other. They’re relation growing slowly and they’re spending really good time with each other. Natalie discover new sensual experiences with Nick.
But what a good girl as Natalie will do when the feelings started to show up on the surface? Is she going to run from Nick’s arms or submit to him?
This book is hot and steamy. As always Laurelin can heat the temperature on the highest level. From the very first moment you could feel sparks flying on every page between characters. Laurelin knows how to melt us down with those feelings. She knows how to create romantic world with hot scenes and good storyline.
I also absolutely love friendship between Natalia, Rowan and Hadley. Everytime, when they met for the girls night, there was soo much fun and humor.
I really enjoy spending time with Natalie and Nick, so if you looking for the sweet and emotional story with angst and desire, you definitely have to read this book.
Huge thanks to the author Laurelin Paige and Candy Kane for an ARC.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.