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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4.5 stars for – Closer – A Stage Dive novella by Kylie Scott. Fans of the series will love this addition as we get a check in with the entire band but rest assured this can be read as a complete stand alone. This is also part of the 1001 Dark Nights series of books so while the story may be short it packs one heck of a punch.
Mae Cooper is a plus-size model with a stalker. When she starts to receive sketchy things in the mail a serious need arises for a bodyguard. The only problem with that is she never expected him to be so attractive and can’t stop rambling every time she talks to him.
Ziggy Thayer is ex-military and takes his job as a bodyguard very seriously. Working as Mae’s personal protection is not something he can fail at especially when she is in danger. The only problem is he finds himself watching her more and more when he should be watching for danger.
I loved this addition to one of my favorite series. It was short sweet and quite funny too. With a sassy heroine and sexy hero that will make you swoon it’s definitely one I recommend you read.
Damn that was hot. And for a novella Kylie Scott managed to pull off the slow burn to perfection. I really love these 1001 nights novellas. They are the perfect way to discover a new author or series or just the perfect little cherry on top of a much loved series.
And although I adore Kylie Scott’s writing I am only about half way through the stage dive series as I keep getting pulled away from them and since I know I will love them I can save them for book slumps. But I read the blurb for this one and I really had to read it right now.
Mae was awesome. I loved that she was a plus sized model with her own lingerie line. And despite the drama she had going on she wasn’t a drama queen or a victim about it all. She just pulled up her pretty lace panties and got on with living her life without being stupid about it.
But damn was Ziggy hot. I loved that he was so stoic and professional until he could let his guard down. And once he did he was all in for Mae. There’s just something so sweet about the strong silent type being so emotionally open that works.
I really loved the story and it was a perfect length. Enough depth and story-line without any unnecessary information or drama. The perfect read for a lazy Sunday.
OMFG, do I love Kylie Scott’s writing!!!!
I so missed her brilliant humor and way of making me drool over every male lead character! No Lie!
Closer just brought me to my extreme happy place and I mean the Stage Dive Family! God yes!!! I can now die a happy death with Ziggy making my knees weak, my mouth slack jaw and my stomach sore from laughing my butt off!
Good god worth every delectable one liner!!!!!
Loving a quick short story to bring us back into the Stage Dive universe! The great part about these novellas is that while it includes the original story universe, these are their own stories with the focus on different characters whose lives intertwine with those from Stage Dive. In this story, we have Mae, who is a model and lives in the same building as the Stage Dive members, finding out that she has a stalker/secret admirer who sends her creepy packages. Needing protection, she is introduced to Ziggy, a former marine, who becomes her personal security. While Mae thinks he’s the hottest man she’s ever seen, Ziggy is determined to keep his composure and professionalism despite his potential feelings toward Mae. But the more the pair spends time together and gets to know each other, the more they are attracted. When Mae’s stalker strikes in person, Ziggy is there to protect her no matter what. Wishing these stories were longer but still love going back to this group of characters and adding a few more to the mix!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I have missed the Stage Dive series, if you haven’t read them don’t worry this can be read as a standalone.
Mae is a plus size model who is need of protection from her stalker. Ziggy was in the military and now does personal security and is assigned to Mae. Ziggy is doesn’t get attached to clients and doesn’t let feelings get in the way. But when these two met sparks fly and neither one of them can help it. These two when they were finally able to give in to their attraction made the pages sizzle.
If you are looking for a fast read that will pull you in from page one look no further. I enjoyed being back in this world. I would love more of Mae and Ziggy.
4.5
Closer a novella set in Kylie Scott’s fabulous Stage Dive universe takes readers on a quick read with lots of steam and suspense!
When famous plus-size model Mae Cooper is faced with a stalker set on terrorizing her, Stage Dive friends come to the rescue and call on their security team for reinforcements. The minute bodyguard Ziggy Thayer walked through the door of Mae’s apartment Mae and readers alike were goners! Tall dark and handsome with a limit on his word count this hero was a great off set to the laid back charm of Mae. The attraction between Mae and Ziggy was hot and added a nice layer to this work. This couple was very well matched and were enhanced by their differences. Cameos from beloved Stage Dive characters were a bonus and lots of fun.
Ms. Scott did a great job of covering a lot of territory in the limited space of a Novella with Closer. Her wit and banter were prominently present as well as her skill at zeroing on more serious moments with impeccable timing. This writer thinks out of the traditional romance book formula on a regular basis and brings beauty in all its forms to the pages with confidence. Kylie Scott’s Closer shows great stories can come in small packages!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*
I always love trips back into one of my favorite fictional worlds, the Stage Dive series, especially as I’m always hoping for some time with my favorite book boyfriend Mal. This was a short and sweet trip into that world. While I liked Mae, I needed a little more from Ziggy. There was the one little scene we got where Mae got to kind of overhear a conversation between Ziggy and someone else about her, I just needed a little more from his side. But it was also very nice having a story about a plus-sized girl, and having her not only feel sexy about herself, but having others around her see that as well.
There was a tiny bit with my funny Mal, maybe a little over the top Mal, but all the characters were fun to be back with. It was also fun getting to see a little more of Lena out in the world besides being just with the band members. A short, fun read, hopefully if you’re new to the series, it’ll tempt you to pick up the other books, and I promise you won’t be disappointed that you did.
I’ll never say no to more from the Stage Dive gang and this spinoff was a very cute, fast read. Closer deals with a friend of Lena’s and her brush with a stalker and the very sexy bodyguard sent to protect her. While there are cameos from the entire Stage Dive crew, Closer deals primarily with two separate characters.
First things first, Kylie writes fantastic heroines and Mae was no exception- clever, feisty, curvy, with a bright humor that left me smiling. I was quickly drawn into the story and enjoyed getting to know Mae. I loved her interactions with Ziggy, especially early on. The easy, fast-paced writing style of the author worked well in this novella, keeping the tempo and story upbeat, even when Mae was facing a scary situation. Unfortunately, the relationship between Ziggy and Mae moved just a tad too fast for me and it felt like the getting to know Ziggy and Mae and Ziggy as a couple steps were skipped right over. While I understand the time limits the shorter books imposed, the switch from stoic, quiet Ziggy to a man who was bantering and readily open with his feelings left me thinking I missed a page or ten, definitely not my norm when reading this author. That said, once things developed Mae and Ziggy were an adorable couple and Closer was a fun little read revisiting one of my favorite fictional bands.
*eARC received via Author’s PA. The author and publisher had no influence over this review*
I received a copy for review purposes on Stephanie’s Book Reports.
I always love a chance to spend more time with the Stage Dive crew, especially Mal. I like that the crew is expanding Mae and Ziggy are great characters. Mae is so strong trying to live her life while being stalked and harassed. I like the sass she gives to Ziggy while he’s guarding her. Mal will always be my favorite but I think Ziggy is up there on the list. I love how he’s strong and straight faced but you get the emotion from his when it involves Mae.
3.75 stars-CLOSER by Kylie Scott is instalment 4.6 in the author’s contemporary, adult STAGE DIVE rock romance series focusing in the members of the rock band Stage Dive, and the latest addition to the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights. This is security specialist (aka executive protection officer) and former military man Ziggy Thayer, and model Mae Cooper’s story line. CLOSER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from first person point of view (Mae Cooper) CLOSER follows the building relationship between security specialist (aka executive protection officer) and former military man Ziggy Thayer, and model Mae Cooper. Mae Cooper has a stalker whose ‘gifts’ have become more menacing and threatening. Living in the same secure building as the members of the band Stage Dive, at the suggestion of Lena Ferris, Mae is about to face her future in the guise of a personal bodyguard. Enter executive protection officer Ziggy Thayer, and the man with whom Mae will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Mae and Ziggy, and the potential fall-out as Mae’s past collides with her present and her future.
Ziggy Thayer doesn’t do relationships but falling for a client could mean the end of his career. Trying to keep their relationship professional Ziggy fails miserably as his attraction to Mae grows with each encounter. Mae Cooper suspects someone from her past is desperate to destroy her life but ‘living’ with Ziggy Thayer gives Mae the opportunity to explore something new, something she is hoping will turn into her happily ever after.
The relationship between Mae and Ziggy is one of immediate attraction but Mae doesn’t think she needs protection as Ziggy goes above and beyond to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The secondary and supporting characters included cameo appearances by some of the members of the rock band Stage Dive, as well we their significant others. CLOSER does not focus on the band but on their extended group of friends and acquaintances.
CLOSER is a quick read; a story of betrayal and obsession; of second chances and falling in love. The premise is fast paced and engaging; the characters are colorful and energetic; the romance is seductive but I struggled with the lack of palpable sexual attraction-I didn’t feel the raw and intense desire that I have come to expect from Kylie Scott.
I CANNOT express how amazing it was to be back in Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series. They’re one of my absolute favorite rock bands and Mal is in my TOP FIVE of fave book boyfriends of all time!!
What I love even more about CLOSER is the fact that Scott broadens the scope of the Stage Dive family, allowing readers to see beyond the celebrity band members and focus more behind the scenes to the people who matter to either the guys or their girls.
Mae Cooper is no stranger to the rockers who live in the same building as her, and her friendship with Lena, Jimmy’s wife, puts her in close proximity with these successful musicians, but her up and coming modeling career also puts her in the crosshairs of a stalker whose actions suggest that his a loose cannon willing to do just about anything to get the object of his infatuation.
Crossing a professional line is not something people head into lightly, so it’s understandable that Mae Cooper and her bodyguard, Ziggy Thayer, spend more time fighting their feelings for each other than they do giving into their obvious mutual attraction and the sexual tension that always surrounds them.
Mae and Ziggy’s story is a falling for the bodyguard romance story that not only brings readers back to the lives of their beloved Stage Dive members but also introduces us to a couple who absolutely fits in with David, Mal, Jimmy, and Ben and their leading ladies. And while CLOSER was perhaps too quick of a read, anytime I can hang out with Mal and witness his crazy antics is fine by me.
4 Poison Apples
3.75 stars. Closer is a really cute read! This is Mae and Ziggy’s story. Mae is a plus sized model (think Ashley Graham) who has a stalker. Ziggy is hired to be her round-the-clock protection. As they spend time together, they find themselves attracted and enjoying each other’s company. This gradually turns into them falling for each other.
I really enjoyed this book. The only reason I am not rating it 4 stars is because it took me a little too long to feel any chemistry between the couple. Especially with Ziggy calling Mae “Miss” all that time. Still, the story is cute and enjoyable. Mae is down to earth and easy to love. Ziggy was protective and sweet. I thought they were a great match and really liked them together, once their relationship turned romantic. I enjoyed seeing the other Stage Dive characters too.
Overall, this was an entertaining, fun and sweet novella and a great addition to the Stage Dive series!
C’est toujours un plaisir de retrouver l’univers des Stage Dive d’autant plus que nous avons la possibilité de revoir les couples phares de cette saga tout en découvrant un nouvelle très sympathique avec de nouveaux personnages.
Mae Cooper est une jeune femme en poupe qui va découvrir un des pires revers de la célébrité car elle va recevoir un cadeau ensanglanté qui fait froid dans le dos. Avec cette menace qui pèse sur son dos , elle va donc engager sur les conseils de Lena , la femme de Jimmy, un garde du corps. Habituée aux podiums, elle n’est pourtant pas cette célébrité écervelée qui ne pense qu’au succès. Si elle dégage une excellente confiance en elle quand elle défile, on va vite constater que la maladresse fait partie de sa vie de tous les jours.Vivant dans le même immeuble que certains membres des Stage Dive, elle va pouvoir compter sur leur soutien. L’amitié avec Lena est très importante car elle pourra parler librement de certains sujets. Lena est au courant pour son ex petit ami et elle a envie que son amie soit enfin heureuse mais Mae n’a pas l’amour en tête pour le moment.
Quand Ziggy Thayer va entrer dans sa vie, elle va être un peu bousculée dans le sens où elle sera un peu troublée en sa présence. Elle sentira une tension mais pas de nature négative car il saura susciter en elles des émotions qu’elle s’était refusée de ressentir à nouveau. Ziggy parle peu mais quand il parle ce n’est pas pour ne rien dire. Il est très professionnel et il a à coeur de mener à bien sa mission. Il est évident en lien avec Sam que nous avions rencontré dans la nouvelle sur lui et Martha et il a monté une entreprise florissante. Il saura aussi mettre tout en place pour assurer la sécurité de sa cliente et chercher qui pourrait lui en vouloir au point de lui envoyer des colis sordides.
Bref, une nouvelle qui est fraîche , divertissante, sympathique et agréable à lire. J’ai adoré avoir des nouvelles de nos précédents héros et revoir notamment Mal, Jimmy , David et Ben. Kylie Scott a su nous proposer une histoire qui nous permet de nous replonger dans une ambiance sympathique et qui nous fait passer un agréable moment de lecture.
I swear Kylie Scott couldn’t write a bad book (or novella) if she tried… She certainly didn’t start with Closer!!! I’ve not read many of the stories that are part of the 1001 Dark Nights collection, but I have really missed being able to reread Kylie Scott’s books on a regular bases, as I did prior to starting up a blog. So I quickly jumped on board to promote this newest addition to her catalog and found myself completely captivated by her latest hero–a stoic, retired marine–and the bombshell, plus-size heroine!
As a faithful and long-time reader, I truly enjoyed Closer… It’s a novella set in the Stage Dive world and we get to look back on characters that I have long loved as well as introduce new ones. In this case, primarily Ziggy and Mae. These characters were fun and unique! The story is quick-paced and can easily be finished in one sitting. If you’ve never read the other books in the Stage Dive series–you are TOTS missing out!–but you can read this as a standalone and still find yourself laughing over Mals antics and the customary witty and tongue in cheek humor that I have come to adore with Kylie Scott’s writing. Mae’s response to Ziggy, her new bodyguard, was priceless! I usually love dual POV romances, yet there is something about the way Kylie Scott writes her single POV stories that I find captures my heart and my mind immediately leaving me helpless to put them down until I’ve read the entire book. If you need a fun fast read, Closer is an excellent choice. Of course, for longtime readers such as myself, it just left me jonesing for the chance to read the other books that came before it… hopefully, I can make that happen soon!
This was an action-packed, interesting read! While I’ve read other books from Kylie Scott, I haven’t read any of the Stage Dive series (they’ve been on my TBR list forever). I enjoyed this book and never felt lost. Mae is living her life and doing what she does best, which puts her in the spotlight. When she starts receiving disturbing items, she’s made to use a bodyguard. And hello! Mr. Hotness. I liked Mae’s fierceness and her unwillingness to cower. She knows she can’t stop living her life and it doesn’t hurt that the bodyguard is a sexy beast of a man. I was quickly lost in this book and was captivated by Mae and Ziggy’s story. The attraction is immediate and is a nice, slow burn.
So… I don’t exactly think you have to read the other books in this series to read and understand this novella. However, Closer is referred to as book 4.6 of the Stage Dive series. I haven’t read any of them. So while I wasn’t confused or lost at all, I definitely felt like I was missing inside joke or stories. That’s more my fault though for not realizing I was jumping in the middle of a series. I didn’t remove any stars due to this and I’m only mentioning it because I think people will enjoy it more if you know the entire group. I like the main and secondary characters and would love to read the previous books and might just dive (hehe) in.
The best part of this novella is Mae. As a curvaceous woman myself, I do love reading about a full figure woman drawing attention and being glamorized. We don’t see it enough and I just loved the sexy way Kylie Scott portrayed Mae. I would have loved this book as a full novel. I think Miss Scott could have really developed the storyline and suspenseful feeling a bit more. It was a great story but I would have loved more of it. I think the more could have added a depth to it that was so close. I think I needed Ziggy to add something to the story. His POV was so very needed. His side. I didn’t feel a connection with him but I really love bodyguard stories and I loved Mae.
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
I am a huge fan of Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series, so when I saw she was doing another novella spin-off, I knew I had to read it.
Closer was the story of Mae, a model who started receiving some serious threats. In comes Ziggy, personal security and all-around brooding and mysterious alpha man.
Remember this is a novella, so the story is compact, making the two main characters more insta-love than might be normal in a full-length novel. That did not bother me at all. Kylie does a great job of building some serious chemistry and tension in the limited chapters. I instantly fell in love with Mae’s loud and unfiltered personality. I especially loved how she rambled and fumbled all over herself when it came to Ziggy.
Ziggy is precisely what I think of when I think of bodyguard. Tall, dark, brooding, quiet and deadly. When the two finally come together, it’s a perfect example of them as a couple.
The only reason I can’t give this a five-star review is that I was really confused by the ex-boyfriend showing at the end. It didn’t feel like it was needed and honestly was awkward. Mae’s speech seemed out of place, and I get the need for her to have some closure, but it didn’t feel like it fit.
Kylie wraps up the novella perfectly, and I was happy to get some cameos from our favorite Stage Dive characters. Four stars for this steamy tension-filled novella!
AHHH! There is nothing I love more than going back into the Stage Dive world and the 1001 series is perfect for that. We get little glimpses of our favorite rockers, their spouses and the extended band family (Hello Sam!) to hit the spot.This story was sexy and full of delicious suspense but a small part of me wishes there could have been a deeper connection between them amidst the delicious suspense!
Overall this story was full of sass with an amazing heroine. Her inner voice and snark had me wanting my very own Mae. I loved her wit and her self confidence. Ziggy on the other hand was deliciously stoic. I loved the sizzling tension and secret glances between them. While the sexytimes were hot, I did feel somewhat disconnected from them at times as I would have loved to feel more of an emotional connection. Granted, this is a novella so I went in expecting a hot and sexy story, which this story more than delivered on. 4 stars! ~Ratula
4.5 short and fun stars!
This is a super short read that packs a punch. Funny, sexy and romantic with a kickass heroine, loads of chemistry and a quick but fantastically developed love story, I loved this one so much!
This novella is a spin-off from the Stage Dive series. The hero is connected to the band’s security detail, and yes, the entire Stage Dive crew to appear – including a fabulous all-in scene that had me laughing out loud and drowning in nostalgic love. Having said that, this book can also stand alone.
Mae Cooper is a model and small-time celebrity. She lives in the same building as some of the Stage Dive crew, and is good friends with Lena (Jimmy’s wife), and she’s also just become the target of a creepy stalker. Her team bring in Ziggy Thayer, ex-military man-now security expert, to guard her, his presence putting her at ease and making her feel safe, but also riling up her hormones and setting the stage for epic sexual tension and chemistry as they battle their oh-so-obvious attraction in an effort to remain professional.
“I didn’t know if it was the immaculate black suit, general air of badassery, or his stone-faced expression. But whatever it was, he needed to cease and desist with the hotness immediately.”
I love these characters so much. Mae, in particular, is absolutely fantastic. The story is written entirely from her POV and she is funny, strong and feisty, but with the same vulnerable streak that we all have. She’s matter of fact, relatable and so much fun, and OMG I just adore her! Ziggy seems to be her complete opposite. Silent and serious, he is committed to his job, but he does show signs of sweetness which just melted me. And when things finally shift between them… holy hot damn!
“I’m not here to get paid, Mae. I’m here because of you.”
Things develop quickly – which they kind of have to in a novella – but I thought it moved at a great pace. The build-up is there, the banter, the accidental flirtation and the heated looks, and I was feeling it all with them, and I loved watching it finally culminate into the romance I was hoping for. Not that we see a lot of it (due to the length of the book), but I love that Scott spent time setting the scene and building them up for it, which made their big moment all the more epic.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Sweetness, you can do whatever you want with me.”
The stalker storyline brings some drama, but it doesn’t overshadow the story and is resolved really well, leaving plenty of time for us to focus on the love story, which I loved!
I wish this book was longer than it was, because I could have read SO much more about these two. But what we get is absolutely fantastic, and loved every moment of this one.
A nice intro for newbies, a fun addition for existing fans
Part of the Stage Dive universe, this can easily be read as a standalone, but with the whole Stage Dive crew making appearances, you’ll get a little something extra out of it if you’re up to date on the series.
I adore this author and the Stage Dive books, so it’s not too surprising that I love this latest story. Mae is exactly the strong and smart a$$ (if occasionally vulnerable) heroine that I love, while Ziggy is perfect as the swoony, sexy, ex Marine who plays the literal hero. I always welcome the chance to touch base with the band members and their families (and laugh at Mal!), while band protege Adam and new character Bon (Ziggy’s brother) both get appearances as well.
A fast, engaging read (I read it through in one sitting), with great characters, and plenty of laughs, plus suspense, feels, and yes, a little heat, this is a nice intro for newbies and a fun addition to the series for existing fans. Keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll get stories for Adam and Bon at some point, lol. 5 stars