From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kylie Scott comes a new story in her Stage Dive series¿When a stalker gets too close to plus-size model Mae Cooper, it’s time to hire some muscle.Enter former military man turned executive protection officer Ziggy Thayer. Having spent years guarding billionaires, royalty, and rock n roll greats, he’s seen it all. From lavish parties through to … to every kind of excess.There’s no reason some Instagram stylista should throw him off his game. Even if she does have the most dangerous curves he’s ever seen…Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.
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Novellas are always a bit hard for me. I usually don’t mind them if they are part of a world I’ve already read, which this is. But. These are kind of side-side-characters. Both felt really new and I think I just needed more time with them, overall.
Closer still carries all the things you expect from Scott stories. Mainly, quirky characters and a light humor sewn throughout. And, I can’t love enough that she’s taken to writing about larger women who exude confidence in their own skin. Mae excelled at that!
Here’s my thing…
This needed to be a full novel for me to TOTALLY LOVE the story. I needed more. I still adored a lot of it, but I NEEDED MORE TIME. Blame it on these being such intriguing characters!
There will never be any hesitation from me when it comes to delving back into the world of The Stage Dive crew. This time around the story centres around plus sized Instagram model, Mae Cooper and ex military – now turned executive protection officer, Ziggy Thayer.
Mae has been receiving unwanted attention from a stalker but her ties to The Stage Dive wives mean they hook her up with the best in the personal protection business. If Mae is honest she feels quite silly at the fuss made at keeping her safe, but at the same breath she’s so grateful to the sense of calm she has being in Ziggy’s company.
Ziggy is a consummate professional and her attempts at engaging him conversation initially fall flat. She’s highly aware of the cliché of falling for her bodyguard but her feelings aren’t as one sided as she thinks. Their chemistry is palpable but his desire takes a backseat to dealing with the danger at hand.
I really enjoyed the suspense from not only the stalker plot but also that of the progression of Mae and Ziggy’s relationship. Admittedly I would have loved to have seen more of them as a couple, but overall it was a enjoyable read. I would remiss to mention the appearance of fan favourite Mal, he is just as amazing as we all remember him and these novella’s wouldn’t be the same without him.
Thank you to Inkslinger and the author for an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Closer
A Stage Dive Novella
By: Kylie Scott
*REVIEW*
I’m not familiar with Kylie Scott, but after reading Closer, I definitely want to read more about Stage Dive. This is a fast entertaining story that I read in one setting. Mae is a plus size model in need of a bodyguard. Ziggie is hired, and he’s the stoic almost brooding type. Can he resist Mae? She’s beautiful, intelligent and relatable. She’s a much better description of the average woman than I normally read, and I found that refreshing. I liked everything about this story and the characters. It’s well written, fun, sexy and engrossing. Another great addition to the 100 Dark Nights Collection!
I always love a great bodyguard romance and this did not disappoint in the least! Great chemistry, great words, and OMG did these two flip my switch! I have not read the Stage Dive series yet but boy am I about to go back and binge on this series based upon this book! I can’t wait!
4 Stars
Closer may be a novella in the Stage Dive series, but you don’t have to have read any of the titles to enjoy this hot, steamy and suspenseful romance.
Mae is a curvy supermodel, who is witty, snarky and sassy. She has a tendency to blurt out whatever comes to mind, and is relatable with insecurities and vulnerabilities every woman seems to suffer with.
Ziggy is an incredibly tempting and sexy hero. Underneath his stoic, aloof and serious demeanour is a sweet and protective man.
I quite enjoyed this fast paced romance, with a hint of intrigue and suspense, my only complaint that I wanted to see more of this pair.
Mae Cooper works in a profession where you spend a lot of time in the public eye. Ziggy Thayer may be ex-military but once a soldier always a soldier. Even though this may be marked as a standalone as soon as I started meeting people in our couple’s world I knew that I was going to be hooked.
First we meet Lena so that means having to check out Lead. Then we have a couple from Lick. Then I’m continuing on and along comes some characters from Play. That’s when I came to the decision that there’s no way this could be considered a standalone because I just want to get to know everyone. And the characters from Stage Dive keep on coming so I raise my hands in surrender and admit defeat. This story has gotten me hooked into the Stage Dive world that this author has created. I’m just going to have to start at the beginning and work my way through each book until I get back to this one.
One thing about this particular book that I liked was how the author “humanized” the model. She shows that they’re humans just like you or me. They’re not what you see in an ad or on the runway. You can’t make assumptions based on looks alone. Being in the limelight can be tough especially when you don’t know what others will think about them. With Ziggy the author shows that he may be big and buff, like maybe a weight lifter, but he has a heart and can come to care for someone whose not pencil thin and have the dumb blond thing going on. Her story seems so believable from beginning to end. And I only have one thing left to say – give me more.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
It’s always a delight to read anything written by Kylie Scott. It is an extra bonus when her latest novella is set in the Stage Dive world and we get to re-visit some of our favorite rockers and yes that includes the one of a kind percussionists that doles out dating advice while parenting his puppy. Alas, the Stage Dive members are not the stars of this novella but one of their security team agents, Ziggy Thayer, has been hired to protect their neighbor, plus size super- model Mae Cooper. While Ziggy is all kinds of hot and can rock a suit, he is also good at his job. He’s her to protect Mae.
Mae has a stalker who has been sending bloody gifts that are raising all kinds of warning flags. The stalker has escalated from threatening letters to threatening gifts. Ziggy believes this is only the beginning and wants to find the person behind the threats. Although He loves protecting Mae but would rather put his hands on her a different way. She has won his heart with her down to earth personality and great sense of humor. Why anyone would want to hurt this beautiful soul is beyond him but he knows there are all kinds of crazies in the world. It’s his job to neutralize the crazy.
Mae and Ziggy are dancing around what they really want to do with each other. When the threat is finally eliminated… watch out because these two are going to bring down the house.
Once again Kylie Scott wrote a delightful novella and created fun-loving, likable characters that make the Stage Dive world even more delightful. She added her special blend of snarky humor and sarcasm while also maintaining a sexy romance. I loved it!
Closer is a fun, fast paced novella that will keep the reader fully engaged and entertained.
Mae and Ziggy’s story was kinda cute and enjoyable. Protecting a model should have been an easy task for Ziggy but yet staying professional with a woman like her was a challenge. More meet the eyes, something deeper than he expected, attracted to her for sure but this mission stirred than something more.
As they should remain professional and also keeping things not on a deeper level, the more they spend time together, the more they wanted to cross that line.
The characters were likable and I liked how Mae managed to push his buttons and break all the walls he built.
The blurb was great and I was this part that got me to read their story. However in spite of some cameos that almost stole the show, it took a little time to really feel the connection between them, leaving little time to strengthen each piece. I really appreciated this last part, as they finally see each other, letting go and trust their hearts.
It was nonetheless a good addition to the series!
Mae is at a loss when she receives a package that was hand delivered to her apartment building that contains, well lets just say it’s not something you can order on Amazon and leave it at that. Thankfully she lives in the same building as some of the Stage Dive families and she is friends with Lena who right away calls Sam so he can get security on her because she isn’t going to let some crazy stalker get close to Mae if she has anything to say about it.
I loved the chemistry between Ziggy and Mae, which you feel as soon as they lay eyes on one another. Mae is a beautiful woman, hence why she is a model but she does have her insecurities especially after her ex publicly humiliated her, but I seriously loved the way she handles him..lets just say he definitely got what was coming to him. Okay, lets get back to Ziggy and Mae who definitely try to keep things as professional as possible and in all honesty that probably adds to the sexual tension that surrounds them.
This was not only a great addition to the Stage Dive Series but also to the 1,001 Dark Nights Series as well. This book can be read as a standalone and is written with the intention of giving lovers of the Stage Dive Series a bonus read on a couple we may not have had otherwise, while the 1,001 Dark Nights Series gives us a peek into different authors worlds and hopefully entices you enough to fall in love, and I really think Ziggy and Mae will do just that. Welcome to the crazy wonderful world of Stage Dive I hope you love them as much as I do.
Happy Reading!!!
Whoo hoo another new Kylie Scott book! Love her and this story!
Kylie has become a fast favorite of mine, Lies was the first book by her and absolutely loved it, so when I saw this, I knew I had to grab it and devour it, and just as I expected.. It was amazing. So far for me, this author has not disappointed, and I don’t believe she will as I dive deeper into her collection. This book is a novella, so it was a short and quick read, and I was left wanting more, of course!
This gem focuses around Mae and Ziggy, Mae is a plus-sized model and has curves to die for, she beautiful and has a stalker and she needs protection and Ziggy, an ex-Military man is the best man for the job, or is he? When he’s meant to be watching her, watching over, he can’t seem to keep his attention on the job… His attention is still on her, but for many different reasons… He’s losing sight on why he is watching her every move, that he needs to be alert and ready for this stalker. Will he be able to pull himself together and do his job? But will his desire for this beautiful woman cloud his judgment… And if he acts on the way he feels, will that ultimately put him and his heart at risk?
I loved loved loved this read. Kylie is the queen when it comes to mixing up heat and suspense and she did just that with Closer. She weaved together her words, and developed characters you can’t help but fall in love with from page one. The author is master at her craft and the more books by her I read, the more and more I fall in love with her way with words. You cannot go wrong with this book. It was short, yet held more than I expected, and I loved it. It kept me on my toes and even kept me second-guessing what was to come.
Once again, Kylie has earned 5 solid stars!
Kylie Scott and her men are just dangerous in a way where you want to be bad with them. We have Mae who is a model at the top of her game and somebody is determined to make her his. Then we have Ziggy who is so opposite from her but wants her no matter what. I loved that it started as a job but somewhere along the way Ziggy is getting feelings he shouldn’t have of her. All in all for a Stage Dive novella this one short and cute bringing everybody back Kylie Scott style.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
3.5 stars
Closer, by Kylie Scott, is a cute little entry into the Stage Dive Series. A quick read, Closer introduces us to Mae Cooper, a plus-size model who has moved into an apartment building inhabited by a few of the Stage Dive members. When someone sends her a cow’s heart with a knife embedded in it, Lena Farris, Jimmy’s wife and a photographer who works with Mae, insists on Mae hiring one of the bodyguards that works with the band. Enter Ziggy Thayer.
Ziggy is the textbook version of the hot, stoic bodyguard and Mae is smitten immediately. Ziggy is too, he just hides it better as things get heated between them, while the stalker steps up their terrorizing of Mae.
Like I said, this is a quick read with some cute moments as Mae and Ziggy fall in love. There are cameos of all the Stage Dive characters to include Sam and Martha. For me, these are the best moments of the book as I can never get enough of them, especially Mal. The romance is sweet and sexy, but truthfully not anything that I haven’t seen before. Mae is adorable (the book is told from her first person POV). She’s kind of clumsy and talks a lot and a character that’s fun to read about. Of course, there’s the mystery of Mae’s stalker, but that takes a backseat to the growing sexual tension between Ziggy and Mae.
Overall, if you’re a fan of the Stage Dive series, I’d definitely recommend you read Closer.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Social Butterfly PR.
Readers are once again brought into the delicious world of the Stage Dive series with its rock stars, their significant others, as well as a few new additions who are making this series even richer. From the first page to the last this is a novella that’s a quick read, one that kept me on the edge of my seat but wasn’t too over-the-top when it came to the drama. Told from the viewpoint of plus-sized model Mae, readers will find themselves holding on for dear life as danger comes ever closer to her while her bodyguard Ziggy grows ever closer to her too.
Mae Cooper lives in the same building as the Stage Dive family which makes her part of their family too, especially when she needs help the most as a stalker has started sending her troubling “gifts”. Enter Ziggy Thayer, the strong and stoic bodyguard whose actions here speak louder than words. Though he wants to keep things professional between them, as he wants to be a success in his business, it’s not long before the connection between them becomes too combustible to ignore and as danger comes closer he ends up putting his heart and his life on the line to keep her safe.
This was an entertaining read with a very likable heroine, one who was easy to relate to. She’s a plus-sized model with insecurities that all of us feel, a bit feisty as she says what she means, which made me like her all the more. When it came to Ziggy though, he was much more of a mystery. Quiet and commanding I found him a sexy hero with a sensual vibe surrounding him which made his interactions with Mae extra sizzling. With the POV of this novella strictly coming from Mae though meant readers never get a complete picture of Ziggy. While I liked him I never felt like I got to know him fully. I also enjoyed reuniting with many of the members of Stage Dive as they’re a fun-loving and supportive group. I especially enjoyed seeing Mal Ericson who’s always good for a laugh and who is still my favorite character in this series. I’m also looking forward to the future with the presence of Adam, a protege of the band, and Ziggy’s brother Bon. They both tempted me fully and I hope they’ll both take center stage soon. Ms. Scott continues to shine with a novella that was short in length but long on entertainment and I recommend it to those wanting a bit of afternoon delight.
I love this book so much!
From the first chapter I was invested in the story and couldn’t stop reading it until I finished the last page.
I love the characters, each one with their own story, thoughts , insecurities and feelings.Each one with a spark to be discovered by the other half and love will always play an unexpected role when the time comes.
It’s a short story but I need so much more of their time together.
Sexy Bodyguard + Gorgeous Plus Size Model + Stalker = Recipe for Disaster or the start of something magical?
When up and coming model Mae finds herself at the mercy of a stalker, it pays to have friends in high places. Lena Ferris (wife of Jimmy Ferris, Lead Singer of Stage Dive and all round sexy beast) insists that Mae get herself some close protection – enter Ziggy Thayer (love the name), close protection working for Stage Dive. Ziggy is the strong, silent type who doesn’t get distracted and is extremely professional. So his unexpected attraction to the curvaceous model is some unsettling.
The underlying chemistry between these two is so explosive I’m surprised my kindle didn’t spontaneously combust. A great Stage dive novella, I loved catching up with the crew. And Mal, still as funny as ever ROFL!!!
This was my second book by Kylie Scott. While only a novella, it was equally as good as her full length novel, Lies. This book is in the middle of a series, but is written to be a standalone. Mae & Ziggy were fun to read about, and I can’t wait to read more about the other characters in the rest of the series.
Oh i have missed Kylie Scott’s Dive Bar series and this novella and it was like a family reunion <3
If you haven't read this series before then this is a great introduction for you.
Kylie Scott delivered a fantastic read with Mae and Ziggy's story. I loved these two, they will have you completely amused and captivated, devouring this in one sitting. Kylie has seriously delivered on her trademark wit and steam.
Ziggy will make you swoon and dazzed with his hotness. Its a real struggle to toe the professional line as he is Mae's bodyguard.
I now have the urge to go back and read more Stage Dive and Mal again
Where can I find my Ziggy?
Closer is a hot exciting little read. Mae needs a bodyguard and Ziggy is just the man for the job. Ex marine he knows his job and does it well. But when the job is over his main focus is the woman he was protecting. Great fast paced read. With a little bit of the Stage Dive guys and gals along for the ride. Check it out!
*Review by Michelle
Where can I find my Ziggy?
Closer is a hot exciting little read. Mae needs a bodyguard and Ziggy is just the man for the job. Ex marine he knows his job and does it well. But when the job is over his main focus is the woman he was protecting. Great fast paced read. With a little bit of the Stage Dive guys and gals along for the ride. Check it out!