The Close-Up, an all-new moving second-chance novella set in the Hollywood Renaissance/HOOPS world from New York Times bestselling author Kennedy Ryan and 1,001 Dark Nights is available now!
I met Nazareth Armstrong when I was eighteen years old. From the beginning, my brother warned me to stay away from him. Told Naz to stay away from me.
Our hearts didn’t listen.
I shared one magical night under the stars with my brother’s rival, thinking it was the start of a once-in-a-lifetime something. But one awful moment ended it all.
Years later when we meet again, we’ve both pursued our dreams, lived a little, found success…but never found love. What began as a tiny flame when we were young now threatens to consume us. I’m more drawn to Naz than ever, but his complicated history with my brother makes whatever this could be…nearly impossible.
But Naz accepts impossible as a dare.
Through his clever maneuvering and dogged determination, I find myself on a yacht with him and his friends cruising through the Mediterranean. It’s a whirlwind set ablaze. Away from reality, surrendering to the tender heat of his touch, I forget that everything could burn.
*This is the love story of Takira, who first appears in Reel, book 1 of the Hollywood Renaissance series. Characters from the HOOPS series also make appearances, but you do not have to read any of those books to enjoy this one.
**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.**
4.5 ‘Pure sorcery’ Stars!
ARC provided via Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.
A crossover between two of Kennedy Ryan’s most beloved series? Count me in! The Close-Up is a forbidden / second-chance romance and trust me when I say you don’t want to miss reading this delicious novella. While you fall in love with this new couple, you’ll also be able to catch up with many of your favorite characters, so what is not to love, am I right?
So, as I mentioned, The Close-Up is a crossover short story between Ryan’s Hoops and Hollywood Renaissance series. Takira Fletcher and Nazareth Armstrong meet as 18 year olds and they share a very beautiful (and forbidden) connection during one night. Circumstances stop them from meeting again. Twelve years pass, they reunite again, both having found success and their chemistry is still there. Naz is determined to pursue Kira, even though the past is still very much between them. Will their connection be enough this time?
She glows.
In a world that feels gray, she’s a burst of color, and she shines.
You probably know by now that Kennedy Ryan is one of my top favorite authors. The woman sure knows how to write unique, powerful love stories. While this one is much shorter, The Close-Up continues having all the aspects we love about Ryan’s creations and I am pretty sure any fan of the two series will be happy with this novella and having more moments with some of our favorite characters. Naz and Kira literally have the most burning chemistry, I mean, this story is STEAMY. And I am here for it! I loved the reunion of this couple and reading how they finally find happiness together.
I’m putty in his hands, and he’s putty in mine, and with every touch, we mold each other into exactly what the other needs, while never losing ourselves.
Therefore, I am rating The Close-Up with 4.5 STARS because I am always happy to get more of Kennedy Ryan’s writing and having a new couple to love. The connection between Takira and Naz was so intense and so hawt! I really enjoyed this novella and getting more scenes with the characters from Hoops and Hollywood Renaissance. Be sure to check this short story, guys!
Grab your copy today, exclusively on Amazon!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3a9gD87
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/theCloseUp
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3nRG2Jl
Audible: https://adbl.co/3AE4iWV
Keep reading for a look inside The Close-Up!
Naz has abandoned his cabin completely and has spent every night over the last week with me. Why front? He brought me here, and we can’t get enough of each other. I’m glad we’re on this yacht with a bunch of couples who also can’t get enough of each other because we’d be pretty obnoxious otherwise.
He’s rich as hell and could shower me with material things. And he does. At every port, I find some keepsake from the local shops he’s left for me in the room—an ankle bracelet, clips for my hair, diamond earrings. There has been no shortage of gifts, but the real gift has been his attention. The way he cares. The man bathes me. He wraps my hair up at night. He washes my face. I don’t know what this is, but I feel spoiled. Doted on. Adored. At first I was like…is this cringe? Is it weird? But then I recalled all those times when I didn’t feel valued in a relationship. All those times a guy disrespected me by looking at other women all night. All those times I didn’t feel this almost embarrassing amount of single-minded focus from a man who’s determined I’ll know how much he enjoys me. How much he likes me. Cherishes me, even. He’s constantly pulling me onto his lap. We sneak away from the group anytime the mood strikes us. Last night at dinner, he fed me from his plate.
From his plate.
Who am I right now?
I’m that girl, living out a fantasy on a half-a-billion dollar yacht floating on dreams along the coast of Italy. Forget Black girl magic. This is pure sorcery, and if it’s a spell, we’re both under it.
A USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Kennedy Ryan and her writings have been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, Cosmo, TIME, O Mag and many others. A RITA® Award winner, Kennedy writes empowered women from all walks of life and centers those who have found themselves perennially on the margins of traditional storytelling.
Her Hoops Series (Long Shot, Block Shot and Hook Shot) and All the King’s Men Series (The Kingmaker, The Rebel King and Queen Move) have been optioned for television.
An autism mom, Kennedy co-founded LIFT 4 Autism, an annual charitable initiative, and has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for autism families. She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son.
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