If Kristen Proby writes it, I will most definitely read it. And, there's something really special about her Fusion series that I'm loving. Check out my review and an excerpt from CLOSE TO YOU, the second book in the series. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end!
Close to You (Fusion #2), by Kristen Proby
Publish Date: August 9, 2016
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4.5 STARS
(Synopsis) Camilla, “Cami,” LaRue was five years old when she first fell in love with Landon Palazzo. Everyone told her the puppy love would fade—they clearly never met Landon. When he left after graduation without a backward glance, she was heartbroken. But Cami grew up, moved on, and became part-owner of wildly popular restaurant Seduction. She has everything she could want...or so she thinks.
After spending the last 12 years as a Navy fighter pilot, Landon returns to Portland to take over the family construction business. When he catches a glimpse of little Cami LaRue, he realizes she’s not so little any more. He always had a soft spot for his little sister’s best friend, but nothing is soft now when he’s around the gorgeous restauranteur.
Landon isn’t going to pass up the chance to make the girl-next-door his. She’s never been one for romance, but he’s just the one to change her mind. Will seduction be just the name of her restaurant or will Cami let him get close enough to fulfill all her fantasies?
Close To You is wonderful in every way. Not just because Cami and Landon are awesome or because I'm still totally digging the concept of a book about five BFFs who own a restaurant. I loved it mostly because it was a classic friends to lovers trope which is probably my absolute favorite one of them all.
All of Cami's friends are well aware of her childhood crush turned adulthood crush on friend Mia's big brother Landon. But, when Landon is discharged from the Navy and sent home after being injured overseas, he's in a definite funk and not happy to see anyone - not even her. After an embarrassing meeting with him, Cami decides she's done pining for someone who obviously doesn't want her back.
What delighted me the most was, it was at that moment that Landon decided to act on HIS childhood crush turned adulthood crush on HER.
I love this stuff! Boys are so silly - it sometimes takes them losing what was always in front of them to realize how much they wanted it to begin with. Now Landon has some work to do, which is good because it gives him something to focus on other than the fact that he can never fly an airplane again.
In the background of Landon's and Cami's dance around one another is the running of Seduction, and in Close to You, the girls are expanding. We get to see Addison and Jake and what the couple from book 1 is up to. Mia is still hell on wheels in the kitchen, Kat is still a sweet wine snob and Riley continues to come up with awesome marketing ideas to keep the butts in the seats. The girls work so well together, and that's the best part about the series as a whole. They're the best of friends, unconditionally.
Close to You ended up with an unexpected emotional angle that tugged the tears from my eyes, but ultimately made it one of the best books by Kristen Proby that I've ever read. Kat's story comes next in the Fusion series, and I can't wait to see what it brings.
~Landon~
“Oh, sweet Jesus, don’t ever stop doing that.”
I grin and watch as I knead her feet. Upon closer inspection, I see that they’re callused, and despite being nicely painted, they’re a bit of a mess.
“I hate my feet,” she murmurs softly. “They’re rough and callused and horrible.”
“I don’t mind,” I reply honestly. “But you should spoil yourself sometimes and go get one of those froofroo pedicures.”
“I do. But I wear shoes that are bad for me, and I hate socks, so this is what I’m stuck with.” Her eyes slit open to watch me as she shrugs. “I don’t care. My shoes rock.”
“I’ll rub your feet for you anytime you want.”
She grins softly and I want to pull her in my lap and hold on tight. I want to kiss her madly and lay her back on this couch and uncover her body, inch by inch, discovering what makes her moan and what makes her sigh.
I want to do all of the things I’ve fantasized about for longer than I can remember.
Instead, I sigh and pat her ankle, then stand. “I’d better go.”
She stands with me and follows me to the door. “Thank you for dinner. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes.” I turn to her and push her blond hair back over her ear. Scoot is winding his way through my legs, purring. “I did. Thank you for today.”
Before she can push me away, I lean in and press my lips to her forehead, breathing her in, and wanting to stay.
“Are you going to get that last house?”
“If you promise to visit.” I pull back and see her bite her lip, then firm her shoulders.
“I’ll visit.”
I nod and leave her before I do something stupid like scoop her up and take her up to her bedroom to spend the rest of the weekend with her.
She’s not ready for that. I’m not sure I’m ready for that, which shocks the fuck out of me because I’ve never had a problem with carrying a willing woman off to a bed to have my way with her.
But this is Cami, and a fun romp on a mattress isn’t the only thing I want with her. Not that I really know what I want with her.
I do know that she deserves more than a weekend in bed, and the thought of someone else giving it to her makes me crazy.
Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.
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