Customer Reviews

Too Close to Touch

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WOW!

I started reading this morning and I can't think of a better word to describe how I felt when I closed the last page of this latest book from Georgia Beers this afternoon. I certainly enjoyed her earlier books - 'Thy Neighbors Wife' and 'Turning the Page' - but in 'Too Close to Touch' Beers shows an incredible leap in maturity as a writer. Her earlier books were very good, but this one is incredible.

A brief synopsis... The new boss (Gretchen) and her executive assistant (Kylie) come from very diffferent backgrounds and have a very different approach to life. At 47 and 37, they are both a little older as main characters go. Both are pretty short too -- a point the author mentions throughout the book. They have chemistry from the moment they meet, but both try very hard to respect the invisible line between them due to their working relationship. Little by little, things begin to change and barriers are harder to ignore. We all know it's a romance, but it's watching their relationship ebb and flow that makes this book great.

Much in the style of Radclyffe, Beers does a fantastic job giving these characters history and dimensionality. They have families and pasts. They have friends outside of work. They have lives outside of their fledgling relationship. This type of 3-D view of the characters allows the reader to feel their pains and joys much more acutely than might be possible otherwise.

The tag line "a modern day romance" seems especially appropriate for this book as well. It's becoming more and more common to see women in high-level corporate jobs... and it's really nice to see books written about women who could actually be real. As I read about Gretchen, I was reminded of a friend who holds a similar position at work. It was almost as if Beers used her as a model for this character. I almost expect to see Gretchen and Kylie enter our local bar together.

Three cheers for Beers!

WOW!

In her third novel, Georgia Beers delivers an immensely satisfying story in "a modern day romance," "Too Close to Touch." Warm-hearted Kylie O'Brien seems an unlikely match for tough gal Gretchen Kaiser, but the chemistry between them is undeniable, and the reader becomes readily invested in their future.

Gretchen starts a new job as a Regional Sales Manager at a company that needs her expertise. She relocates from Poughkeepsie to far upstate, Rochester, New York. She does so willingly in hopes of putting some distance between her and her family, among other reasons. On her first Saturday night out, she finds the Black Widow bar, and surprises herself by having a great time with the local lesbians. An overachiever who prides herself on improving the performance of a failing sales force, Gretchen has the reputation of Cruella de Ville, which is fine with her since she's more interested in the bottom line than winning a popularity contest.

There are key ingredients lacking in Gretchen's personal life, but she compensates for it in her professional life, as if achieving one's goals is all that matters. What the woman lacks in height, she more than makes up for in personality. Gretchen competes with the `big boys,' and wins in a man's corporate world by exuding strong leadership and managerial skills. She also happens to be drop-dead gorgeous, and has a well-hidden mushy side beneath her cool exterior. Gretchen has no trouble finding dates, and she prefers casual sex because she's not looking to settle down. Until she meets Kylie. . .

In the love department, Kylie is the complete opposite of Gretchen. She can't get into one-night stands, but rather searches for her one true love. Intelligent, competent, and equipped with excellent social skills, Kylie is an asset to Gretchen as her executive administrative assistant. Kylie knows just what to do and what to say. She is well-liked by all who know her and loved by many. Her attraction to Gretchen may be physical at first, but Kylie finds there's more to her feelings than meets the eye. However, their professional affiliation puts a damper on any chance of a relationship between the two. Kylie turns heads and has on occasion broken hearts with her endearing, bubbly, and charismatic personality.

Kylie's best friend Mick is hot! She's big, in a muscular way. She's butch, and she's jealous of Gretchen for capturing Kylie's heart. Mick loves Kylie, pays her the most adoring compliments, can fix anything, and exudes sex appeal. She's a femme's dream (or worst nightmare) come true. Beers creates an appealing character readers can empathize with on many levels. And Mick adds to the existing conflict between Gretchen and Kylie, resulting in an intriguing triangle with Kylie in the middle.

Beers knows how to generate sexual tension so taut it could be cut with a knife. For example, Kylie says to Gretchen, "Either kiss me right now or stop whatever it is you're doing with your thumb, because it's driving me crazy" (p. 139). Up to that point, the reader is praying Kylie would say that.

What makes "Too Close to Touch" memorable for me is how effective Georgia Beers is in demonstrating the power play between a boss and her subordinates, and especially, how under the right circumstances, and with the right woman, a tough, reserved, private control freak can let go and let a caring and loving woman take charge. Gretchen goes through an enormous growth curve when she figures out what's important in life and she learns that lesson in the last place she expects to, from her father.

Beers weaves a tale of yearning, love, lust, and conflict resolution. She has constructed a believable plot, with strong characters in a charming setting in this well-written and carefully edited book. It's obvious that Beers cares deeply about her characters from the way she portrays their strengths and weaknesses. Readers can't help falling in love with them, too. If you enjoy a romance that leaves you happy and completely sated, don't miss "Too Close to Touch." I look forward to Georgia Beers' next novel "Fresh Tracks" due in November 2006.

Gretchen Kaiser is an executive with a new job and a new assistant, Kylie O'Brien. Both women are aware of a mutual attraction, but both women are well aware of the inappropriateness of that attraction.

The author has written an excellent book about an all-too common issue in the workplace. How these two women handle the problems are the meat of this book.

Beers has created two very likable and believable characters that readers will root for them to be together. But she has not shirked the ramifications of what would happen if they have a relationship and (a) someone else found out about it or (b) one of them decides to break it off.

Beers has also written the perfect ending for this book. She has made Gretchen's final decision believable by allowing the reader to glimpse into the thought process that she goes through to come to her decision.

There is even a sub-plot about Kylie and her best friend, Mick, and what happens when a best friend falls in love with her best friend. The reader will ache for Mick.

Overall, a very interesting book with very interesting characters and a plot line seldom seen within the genre.

Kylie O'Brien is the proverbial wholesome girl next door. If any reader doesn't have a crush on her after fifty pages, I'd be surprised. She is sharp, sweet, sexy, and pure. Kylie's new boss, Gretchen Kaiser, is a human dynamo---a high powered executive who takes no corporate prisoners.

The chemistry between the two protagonists is complicated. The result is a fascinating look not just at the underlying makeup of the characters themselves, but also at many of the problems we all must face in a romantic relationship. I think Georgia Beers successfully expresses more insight into her characters with each book. In this one, she does an excellent job of dealing with the difficult issues of trust and intimacy, weaving them seamlessly into a captivating romance.

Another plus for this book is that the women are in no way stereotypical. If you're weary, as I am, of characters that fit the same old worn out descriptions in book after book, you'll like this one. These women are mature, realistic people, and they have a realistic outlook. It's a refreshing change from the old formula. Way to go, Ms. Beers.

Georgia Beers has writen another romantic book that pulls at your heartstrings! I loved Too Close to Touch. This book was a very easy and pure pleasure read! This book brings a lot to the table. How far can a person in power push that ethical envelope even if love and happiness for both parties is on the line? The characters in this book are very real and believable. Gretchen Kaiser is a workaholic that runs a very tight ship. She expects and demands hardwork from all of her employees. She expects them to do more than just pull their own weight. Love is not part of Gretchen's business plan. Enter Kylie O'Brien, a hard-working, knowledgeable, dependable, and genuinely friendly assistant. Not mention that she is beautiful! Kylie, in time finds that love may be hard to achieve especially if it is her boss that she "wants". Gretchen has her own issues to deal with before she can really "Live Life". Will these two wonderful women be able to find the love that each one of them deserves in eachother or will ethics and don't forget jealous friends keep them apart? This book has it all: humor, love, lust, family, friendship, and sex! We can't forget the sex...
Beers has created a truly romantic and sexy book that will defiantly stay in my collection to read again. It is well worth the read. Enjoy!
To Ms. Beers, thank you for sharing your writing talent with the rest of us. I look forward to reading your next book.

Too Close To Touch is about a woman who has dedicated her life to trying to please "Daddy" and lost herself in the process. In becoming successful in her career, she has bottled up her emotions until she doesn't have any, except anger. Others have summarized the story, so I won't repeat that. Instead, let me tell you why you might want to read it.

Beers has created a pleasant romance that follows the traditional pattern - women meet, women conflict, women see if they can work it out. What makes this book interesting is the development of the character of Gretchen. Anyone who has ever tried to please a difficult success driven parent can relate to how she is handling her life. The question in the book is whether or not she can finally overcome that need to find fulfillment in her own life that her father never had. It isn't an easy struggle and that's what makes the book appealing. There are no simple solutions for Gretchen. She fights her emotions in a very real way and makes mistakes along the way that hurt Kylie. There are times when the way that Gretchen expresses these new emotions seem unacceptable until you realize what a struggle she is going through and the role that each experience is playing in the process. Often Gretchen is reacting in the only way she knows how. There are times when Kylie just can't deal with this woman, even though she realizes she loves her. Beers doesn't tie the story up neatly at the end either. She leaves some questions open, which is appropriate for her character. Gretchen herself becomes an open question looking for a lot of answers. This is a very satisfying and thought provoking book to read.

I enjoyed this author's previous novels 'Turning the Page' and `Thy Neighbor's Wife' so much that I eagerly awaited her next novel.

The writing is terrific and beautifully descriptive. The dialogue and the people are so realistic it was like watching a movie. Scenes with the lover's family members are especially dear.

From the publisher's website - Life gets complicated when love turns out to be nothing like you expected - and the woman you want is too close to touch.
Gretchen Kaiser is a workaholic corporate honcho with issues - she's got daddy issues, she's got female-executive-in-a-man's-world issues, and she's got one night stand issues. What she doesn't have are love issues. She isn't looking for it, she doesn't feel she needs it, and she doesn't expect to find it...certainly not right under her nose. Kylie O'Brien is the kind of girl who believes in true love and is willing to wait until it shows up at her door. Her best friend Mick would sweep her off her feet given the chance, but Mick doesn't make Kylie feel the way true love should. And now Kylie has to worry about her new boss - Gretchen Kaiser's icy reserve makes life as her administrative assistant a challenge. It doesn't matter one damn bit that Gretchen is extremely attractive with a voice as rich and smooth as melted chocolate. It absolutely doesn't...

Kylie O'Brien, executive administrative assistant extraordinaire, has a new boss, namely one Gretchen Kaiser, corporate dynamite. Things do not go well after her new boss joins the company. It seems Gretchen's reputation has preceeded her and Kylie's not at all sure people will survive the onslaught.

Time flies by as the two women settle into their respective roles. However, it's not long before Kylie is forced to acknowledge that her feelings for Gretchen have changed. Changed how? And what will she do with these feelings when an old friend of her boss appears? Just exactly who is this `friend' and what do they mean to Gretchen? What would she do if Gretchen were to even have feelings for Kylie? After all, a relationship between an employee and their boss is out of the question. Isn't it?

As if things weren't bad enough, complicating the mix is a secret admirer of Kylie's... an admirer who would do anything to gain Kylie's affections...an admirer holding something against Kylie's boss. What could they possibly know? And how far are they willing to go to sabotage any chance Kylie and Gretchen might have?

While both women try to figure things out, a family tragedy hits Gretchen. Kylie desperately wants to be there for Gretchen. But in trying to stand strong, will Gretchen allow her to do so? Or will she turn her away once again?

Georgia Beers has certainly entertained and enthralled an appreciative audience with her previous books, Turning the Page and Thy Neighbor's Wife, as well as with stories placed in two anthologies, The Milk of Human Kindness and Stolen Moments: Erotic Interludes 2. Her newest offering, Too Close To Touch definitely provides the reader with a bit of drama, a bit of heartbreak and the strength that comes from loving someone. Georgia's soon to be released book, Fresh Tracks, due out in November 2006, is sure to have readers sitting on the edge of their seats!

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised by her deft handling of character and plot. She really got everything she could emotionally out of the situation, and I agree with other reviewers who said that the sexual tension was built up deliciously, and handled well.

The characters had good chemistry, a rich family life, friends...they were 3-dimensional. I also like that we got a sort of epilogue in the last chapter where loose ends were tied up, but where we also got a glimpse of how the future of these characters will work out. It was cute.

It wasn't perfect. It was interesting to read about characters in their 40s, but it was a bit frustrating to have them dithering like teenagers at points rather than acting like adults. There were some contrivances and cliches, and the ending was headed to "happily ever after" but wasn't quite there. But perhaps some of these weaknesses were strengths, showing that actions and reactions are universal, and don't fade with maturity.

I was pleased with the overall quality, and I'm considering looking up other efforts by this author on the strength of this outing.

Book came fast and really was a great read! The first Georgia Beers book that i have read, though wont be the last!