2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Okay, but Could Have Been Better, March 8, 2007
This review is from: Close to You (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
This book had a great premise, but it felt as if it was about 50 or 75 pages too long; too much waffling between the Secret Service Agent Cat and Second Lady's brother Aidan. Yes, it's tough to love someone in such a dangerous profession, but if you let them go then you worry and have no relationship with them at all. AND you have to imagine them with someone else, having kids with that person and so on.
Few writers would earn 4 stars from me with these criticisms, but Ms. Shay is such an excellent writer. No one can create families with sibling relationships so true-to-life: funny, sweet, petty spats, taking criticism from them that you wouldn't take from anyone else. I liked the Second Lady and Vice President so much I plan to go back and read that book.
Aidan's indecision and moping around about Cat had me impatient with him, just as his brothers were. As Liam said, "My mate DIED. If I could get back just one hour with Kitty I would" or words to that effect. Life is short, so go for it already, Aidan!
Cat's and brother Luke's Polish heritage and use of that language for endearments was charming. It reminded me of Nora Roberts' Stanislavski siblings. By the way, those were Intimate Moments: Luring a Lady, Convincing Alex, and so on, in case you're interested.
I look forward to books about Aidan and Bailey's siblings as well as Cat's sisters. The sexual tension between Cat and Aidan is well done, but I just didn't enjoy this book as much as previous Shay stories.
And because Cat was bound to her duty as a Secret Service agent and protecting her reputation, there weren't as many love scenes as Shay usually includes. Understandable, but just a warning for those who long for that connection between the lead characters. Her fire fighter books, "Nothing More To Lose" and "After the Fire" are both, excuse the pun, HOT. Buy "Close to You" used. I'll trade mine in for Clay and Bailey's story, or Cat's brother Luke's story.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved The Secret Service Story Line, January 16, 2010
This review is from: Close to You (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
I loved this series by Shay. I found out that Berekely isn't going to publish the other two books in this series to finish it because they didnt feel this book made enough money for them. What about what the readers want? I have emailed Berkely about their poor decision and asked them to please consider at least finishing this series. If you like Shay's books and this series why don't you write to Berkely too.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as her others, September 14, 2007
This review is from: Close to You (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
I have read all 3 of Shay's firefighter series. I read Someone to Believe In (the 1st in this series) and then read Promises to keep to get a background on Luke and Cat. I liked all of those books a lot. I would have liked this one except for the main characters and their lack of chemistry. There wasn't much character development of Cat in Promises, but Luke was such a great character and his family, as a whole, was interesting to read about. Cat in Close To You was a major disappointment for me. She came off as a cold B^&*@. I wish there would have been more development of her, showing her with her family more and how she was before she turned cold and unlikeable. I might have understood her stand-offishness better. Her constant rejection of Aidan and constant putting her job 1st was a turn-off. I truly could not see what he would see in her. Which brings me to Aidan. I really liked him in Someone to Believe In. He was so charming. In this one, he was pathetic. Chasing after Cat, when she kept rejecting him, lowered my respect and adoration of his character for me. I don't know why his brothers kept urging him to pursue her when she made it clear she didn't want any relationship with him. He's a good guy and not young - 40 years old! I was disappointed in his character when he turned into a sap. The girl says no repeatedly, he should go with that. Their relationship was only based on sex anyway. There was no build up of their relationship beyond that. It made it hard for me to believe in them as a couple. Aidan deserved a better match for him.
On the positive side, the story itself was good. Suspenseful and emotional concerning Bailey and the VP (sorry forgot his name), and Tim the secret service agent.
All and all, not bad, just not as good as I had hoped, since I was so looking forward to Aidan's story.
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