Bossy billionaire. Sunshine-y innkeeper. Showdown time. Auburn Campbell loves Beachcrest Inn. Working there saved her sanity as a teenager and got her back on her feet after a controlling relationship. So when Trey Xavier shows up, threatening to demolish Beachcrest, she’s ready to fight. Nothing riles her up like a hot guy in an expensive suit on a power trip–in the worst and best ways.Trey … best ways.
Trey screwed up. And now he needs this land deal or he’ll lose his business. He built his company from scratch so he could take care of his family the way his dad never did. But it would be a lot easier for Trey to stand his ground if Auburn didn’t tempt him so badly. He hasn’t wanted anyone like this in a long time. Maybe ever.
After a few days of summer sun, Auburn and Trey are both losing their heads–and maybe their hearts, too. Except they’re both out of practice at losing.
Only one thing’s certain: The Fourth of July in Tierney Bay will have plenty of fireworks this year.
Praise for So Close
“A beautifully written slow burn romance, jam-packed with sexual tension, snappy dialogue, and a cast of clever and charming characters. Get ready to fall in love with Trey and Auburn!” –Karen Booth, Author of Tempted by Scandal
“I loved this book. I loved the story line. I loved the characters. I loved the chemistry. I loved the friendships and family love. … The entire thing was fantastic.” –Andrea, Avid Reader
“So Close is a feel good romance brimming with heart, humor, drama, and romance. I loved watching these two go toe-to-toe and try to fight the sparks …” –Misty, Red’s Romance Reviews
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Four and a half stars.
Serena Bell’s So Close is the first in the new Tierney Bay series, and is about Auburn Campbell and Trey Xavier. She’s managed the Beachcrest Inn in Tierney Bay for several years, and loved it for much longer. Carl, the current owner, would love for her to be the next owner. But his grandson, one Trey Xavier, needs the property to be sold.
Auburn convinces Trey to give her a week to change his mind. Naturally that week gives them the chance to see how all those antagonistic sparks really are sparks of a different kind of fire, and that Beachcrest magic is pretty powerful stuff.
Serena Bell’s characters aren’t perfect by any means, but they end up relating beautifully. So Close is full of heart and plenty of heat, and is a fabulous start to an enticing series. Can’t wait for more!
A solid start to what looks to be a great series–yay!
I really enjoyed Auburn and Trey’s story. I liked the deal that Auburn made with him to give the inn and her custom-made schedule a week (even though he had no intention of changing his mind about the sale–grrrrrr) and how many cute and sweet (not to mention occasionally sexy) moments that came from it.
Actually, there were a lot of sexy moments in this one, come to think of it. Not that I’m complaining… 😉
Ms Bell did a great job of putting Auburn and Trey’s goals in clear opposition here–I have to admit that there were points when I honestly couldn’t see how she would possibly get them to a satisfying HEA. She did, of course, and it was believable (romance community FTW!) and didn’t make me hate Trey forever, even though at times I was worried that I might have to.
(Actually, that was another thing that I really liked–how the (not so) “grand gesture” was handled. It was different, but exactly what was needed here–plus, both of them acted like grownups and no one had to truly grovel to get them to that HEA…even if one of them might have kinda deserved to, I’m still glad it didn’t come down to that.)
Tierney Bay sounds like just the kind of place I’d love to visit (or move, really!) and we get just enough of a look at Auburn’s several siblings (oh, and Trey’s sister…obviously she needs an HEA too) to whet our appetites for their books. (Assuming they’ll all have books. Surely they will?)
Write fast, please, Ms Bell! 🙂
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
In this new Tierney Bay series from Serena Bell, Auburn Campbell wants to save the Beachcrest Inn, a place that means a whole lot to her. Standing in her way is Trey Xavier, a guy from the city who is threatening to take down the Inn for a major land development deal. But Auburn needs to convince Trey that tearing down the Beachcrest Inn isn’t the way to go.
Both characters have some past histories that color their world and they’ll need to get through those feelings. It’s a frenemies to lovers story that brings a whole lot of emotion to the table. Trey has a lot of layers and Auburn is going to have to get through them if she wants to save the Inn and potentially have a relationship with Trey. First she has to convince him that the Beachcrest Inn in the magical Tierney Bay is worth much more than just money.
There’s a hot spark between these two characters that helps bring Auburn and Trey together, and things do move fast between them — a first kiss changes everything. There’s a lot of steam along with hurdles for them to jump if they are to be together. It’s a great start to the Tierney Bay series. Looking forward to more!
A complimentary copy was provided for review.
4* Frenemy Stars
This was my first read by Serena Bell and I so enjoyed the story of Auburn and Trey. It is a slow burn enemy to lover’s romance set in a beautiful small community called Beachcrest. The chemistry between the two of them was palpable. The authors writing is engaging and her characters likeable and interesting. I am looking forward to reading the next story in the Tierney Bay Series.
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So Close combines some of my favorite romance tropes. It has the feel of a small-town romance, and we also get some enemies to lovers fun with Auburn and Trey going toe to toe over the Beachcrest Inn. Plus, it’s kinda-sorta a second chance romance. Not in the traditional sense because these two haven’t been a couple before, but they’ve both been burned by love and neither is really willing to try again, and they both deserve a second chance at love. There is an ex-wife, but thankfully, that’s not where the angst comes from. In fact, she doesn’t even make an appearance. Nope, this is all Auburn and Trey, and whether they’re in a battle of wills or tearing each other’s clothes off, and they do plenty of both, they’re fabulous together. Trey has such a tough exterior, but he’s all heart on the inside, and Auburn is exactly what he needs to learn to let his softer side show. In the same turn, he’s just the guy to help Auburn trust men again, or at least one man. These two just fit perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle. Neither of them is perfect, by any means. They both have their flaws, but they’re perfect for each other. This is one completely engaging read from start to finish. It’s got plenty of heart, well-timed wit, and a couple sexy enough to burn up the pages. And to think, this is just the start of the series! I can’t wait to see what’s next for Tierney Bay.
First book in the new Tierney Bay series and it was a great start. Loved this enemies to lovers’ romance. Auburn and Trey were so good together. It was so much fun watching them move from enemies to something so real and fulfilling. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
So Close is the first book in Serena Bell’s new Tierney Bay Series. Auburn is a hard working hotel manager. Trey a self made businessman home to take care of family business and make a major business deal. The attraction between Trey and Auburn is strong from the first time they meet. Even with all the attraction, each on still wants to not want to the other. The well written characters, that compliment each other perfectly, makes So Close a very enjoyable and easy read.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was the perfect book for a cold winter night. I love the setting a small community called Beachcrest during the summer, and each character in this book was spot on. Trey and Auburn first meet at a bar when he proposition her and she cuts him down. Only to later to discover he is part owner of the inn she loves and works for. When she makes a deal with Trey to just spend time at the Inn and discover why he needs to keep the way it is instead of selling, she doesn’t know that it will never happen. Trey has a secret and a past that keeps him moving forward. I loved the back story for both of them
As always, Serena Bell’s newest romance has plenty of heart, plenty of steaminess, and strong MCs who know what they want and are willing to go after it. After almost losing her identity to a controlling boyfriend, Auburn is back at the Oregon seaside inn that was her employer and second home throughout HS and college, trying to get her life back on track and reclaim her dreams. She’s always dreamed of eventually buying the inn from her surrogate dad once he retires but after he suffers a heart attack, she’s in for quite a shock when his wealthy, arrogant grandson shows up and reveals that not only is he the majority owner of the inn, he has already arranged to sell it to a development company.
Trey learned a long time ago that the only way to protect those he loves is to make a lot of money. Now he’s in a bind. He needs to sell the inn to buy enough time to save his own company and prevent 150 employees from losing their jobs, but to do so, he’ll have to ignore his grandfather’s wishes and crush Auburn’s hopes, in spite of the very inconvenient attraction and admiration he’s felt for her from the moment he saw her. Auburn will need every bit of her strength and smarts to fight him and to get the means to buy the inn.
This was a lovely romance. Auburn and Trey were combustible together with chemistry in spades. The setting was gorgeous and made me want to immediately book a long weekend at the Beachcrest Inn. Looking forward to more stories set in Tierney Bay, most likely featuring Auburn’s siblings.
I received an ARC from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
What a great start to a new series! Loved Trey and Auburn as well as their families. Can’t wait for the next story!
After a bad break-up Auburn Campbell packed her things and left New York feeling it was time to return home and be close to family while she healed her broken heart. She also had a dream she hoped to realize while she was there too. She has always wanted to take over the Beachcrest from her boss and mentor Carl, he’s nearing retirement and she wants to ensure his life’s work goes on, and also keep him in his home.
But there is a rich, and very gorgeous, businessman named Trey Xavier standing in her way… he wants to come in and tear down his uncle Carl’s Beachcrest to build multi-million dollar beachfront condos. Auburn is determined to not let him get his way… which means she has a fight on her hands, one she is determined to win!
So Close is a feel good romance brimming with heart, humor, drama, and romance. This was quite the pairing, both had an agenda, and weren’t going to let anyone or anything get in their way. But neither of them planned on feelings, sparks, or love to enter their little battle. Their connection was instant, but with their fight over the Beachcrest and their aversion to relationships they fought hard to maintain their enemy status and keep love out. I loved watching these two go toe-to-toe and try to fight the sparks, they kept me thoroughly entertained. Highly recommend you get your hands on this one, what you find between the page promises to leave you heart singing it’s praises!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
I feel like I just finished watching a Hallmark movie when I finished this book. I say this in the best way possible because I loved this book. I loved the story line. I loved the characters. I loved the chemistry. I loved the friendships and family love. It was all around slow burn romance. The amount of angst and slow burn was fantastic. I absolutely loved the sexy moments that happened in this book. Serena Bell knows how to keep you coming back for more. The entire thing was fantastic. I had a hard time putting this book down.
Love this new series by Serena Bell. It’s got it all…humor, a few quirky characters and a super satisfying HEA. Looking forward to more!