| Title | : | Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1938127285 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781938127281 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 |
| Publication | : | First published November 27, 2012 |
| Awards | : | Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (RT Award) Contemporary Romance (2014) |
Movie star Smith Sullivan can't afford any distractions. He's staking his entire reputation on his new film…but he can't stop thinking about Valentina Landon and the fire he sees smoldering just beneath the surface of her cool exterior.
Valentina isn't averse to sensual pleasure, or even to the idea of finding true love, but as a Hollywood business manager she's watched too many smart women fall for actors…only to be torn apart when the fairy tale comes to its inevitable end.
But when intense weeks together on set turn their heated attraction into red-hot flames of passion, Smith knows he has to find a way to convince Valentina to let him get a little bit closer. Close enough to completely steal her heart…the way she's stolen his from the beginning.
Come A Little Bit Closer (San Francisco Sullivans, #7; The Sullivans, #7) Reviews
-
Posted on
Under the Covers
If I could marry into this family, I would and I don’t think I would fuss about which Sullivan brother I would get. Any one of them would do it for me. But SMITH SULLIVAN? Oh yes, please. I’ll have that.
Bella Andre has been on a roll with cranking out these amazingly, sweet, funny, and sexy Sullivan books but with COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER, she takes a little bit of a different route. Yes, the sex scenes are still creative and panty-melting and you’ve still got your to-die-for Sullivan hero, but Andre seems to have peeled the extra packaging away to really focus on the romance. The romance is especially strong in this book because of the way Andre approaches it.
I wondered who Smith would be with because he is a movie star – he has the presence and the good looks to boot! I think most women would simply fawn over him, but this is where Valentina enters the picture and readers are introduced to a heroine who is strong and sexy and very much NOT a fan girl over The Smith Sullivan. Smith finds this intriguing and it creates for an interesting dynamic when we learn that Val is Smith’s co-star’s older sister.
Andre takes time to explore Smith’s screenplay called Gravity by giving readers a glimpse into the character’s stories. Jo and Graham are great characters as well and the progression of their love story only adds to the romance in this book. I thought it also nicely complemented Smith and Val’s blooming relationship as well.
What I loved most about this book is the fact that even seven books in, we get to see all of the past couples with whom we’ve fallen in love with already. Andre has a special talent for weaving updates on past couple’s lives into Smith and Val’s story so that it gives readers a chance to see what’s going on with the others without taking away from the couple of this book. That’s a hard task to accomplish, but Andre manages it with ease, not once, but multiple times in this book!
Lori aka Naughty’s book is up next and I am very eager to see who the chatty sweetheart will end up with! I wonder if how he will measure up against the Sullivan brothers!
COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER is book rife with romance. It’s sweet, it’s funny and it’s sexy. I can always guarantee a good read when I see the name Bella Andre on the cover. This is definitely a Top Pick!
Read my alternate review for
Fresh Fiction -
Çerez gibi yuttum bitirdim🥰
-
This is book #7 in the Sullivan family series by Bella Andre. Once again Ms. Andre brings us a light-hearted and sexy romance that had me enjoying the story from start to finish. This is my go to series when I am craving a little less intensity to my romances. I love these books because they just make me feel good; but they also have a bit of spice thrown in!
This installment is about the second oldest sibling in the family of eight brothers and sisters. Smith Sullivan is a movie star who is starting to crave what a lot of his other siblings have..that is; true love with their soul mates. He feels tired of all the one night stands with fans that are star struck by him; but never really wanting to find out who the real Smith is. He is currently acting and producing a film that he has written, and the actress whom he has chosen to be by his side has an older sister who is also her manager. Valentina is fierce when it comes to protecting her sister, and she is like a guard dog who won't quit. She is worried that Smith will put the moves on her sister; but what she fails to realize is that Smith only has eyes for her--not her sister! Of course, Valentina is also extremely attracted to Smith; but she has a policy of never, ever dating actors. She has seen her mother flirt and date actors, and that has turned Valentina right off of any man in that profession.
Smith is determined to pursue Valentina, as he feels a major connection between the two of them. He strongly suspects that she may be his "one and only" and he is not willing to walk away from trying to see where they can go with their attraction. Will he eventually break down her walls? Or will Valentina be able to hold her walls up high and not let him through?
I loved how Smith pursued Valentina. When they finally gave in to their major attraction, they were both on fire. This was one of those stories that had a ton of spice to it that I loved. I also loved how each book in this series includes the whole Sullivan family and how close they are. At the core of each Sullivan is the importance of family connections, and that makes these books so much richer to me! As long as Bella Andre keeps putting out stories about the Sullivan family; I will keep reading them. I just thoroughly enjoy each and every story! -
AUDIOBOOK.
This is a very enjoyable, sexy series and Smith Sullivan's story will not disappoint you if you are a fan of this series. He is the "Brad Pitt" of the extremely successful Sullivan siblings and he falls in love with his costar's sister. I was actually reading
Reckless by S.C. Stephens at the same time I was listening to this and there were a lot of similarities in the storyline. Where Kellan of Reckless is a bad, bad boy, Smith is the "golden boy", but both have to deal with the limelight and all the bad that goes with it. The last few stories I have listened to as audiobooks and they are so smooth and sweet.
This one was so, so sweet and sugary that I could feel cavities forming in my mouth. I find these stories very overdramatic, over exaggerated; almost fairytale like with how the Sullivan's are so perfect. That being said I find myself melting and smiling simultaneously throughout the stories. I am glad to see the series is continuing after the 8 Sullivan siblings because they are comfort reads for me when I want to get away from all the angst I tend to gravitate too. -
Although this feels like blasphemy, I have to give this book 2.5 stars.
I am huge fan of Bella Andre and an even bigger fan of her Sullivan Series. I have reread several of her books and have considered them my favorites. That said, this one fell flat for me. I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out why. The only thing I can come up with is the hero and heroine just didn’t move me; there just wasn’t enough pull and/or chemistry to keep me drawn in. Because 90% of the book was inner dialogue I never really felt their connection.
This story focused on the second oldest Sullivan sibling, Smith. For some reason, he seemed a bit weak and/or unconvincing…dare I say milk toast? Although, I loved his tenderness in regards to his family, he was a little too gentlemanly for my taste. I wanted him to fight harder and maybe be a little more demanding in regards to our heroine. Now for our heroine, Valentina…I just couldn’t take it. Not only was there too much protesting and too much denying what was obvious, I just never felt connected to her. She was wound so tight that we never got to see who she really was underneath once she let go (by that time the book was over).
I will say there were moments that had me smiling but I realized afterwards they were moments involving the other siblings from past books. The only highlights for me were Jake & Sophie’s cameo and brief moments with Nicola & Marcus. These moments are the reason for the ½ star.
Will I read the next book in the series? Most likely. I am invested in the Sullivan clan and want to know what is happening with my favorite couples but I do feel like the series hasn’t wowed me since Book 4, Jake & Sophie’s story (a favorite along with Book 2, Marcus & Nicola’s story). Maybe Lori’s story will get me back on track with the Sullivans. -
Seriyi ilk okuyuşumda daha çok sevmistim sanırım 🤔
Elimde ponponlarla heyecanla beklemiyor olsam da 8.kardeş Lori'nin de hikayesini okumak isterdim (niye çıkartmadılar ki 🤔) -
Review posted:
Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B+
Smith Sullivan is in the middle of writing, directing and starring in a movie that has all the makings for being his next big block buster. He cast an up and coming actress, Tatiana Landon, to be his leading lady and along with Tatiana comes her sister/manager Valentina. Val is very protective of her sister and keeps a close eye on her at the movie set. Even though Val wants to keep a low profile, she catches Smith’s eye and he makes it known that he wants to get to know her better but that’s going to be a problem. Valentina has watched her mom jump from movie star to movie star after her dad’s death and Val wants nothing to do with anyone who’s in the Hollywood spotlight. Smith can’t avoid the spotlight and she won’t even consider dating him. Luckily, Smith doesn’t let it dissuade him and he sets out to woo her.
I found Smith to be very charming and sweet. He’s completely slammed, heading up everything related to his movie, but he finds time to leave little gifts for Val, things that just let her know that he’s thinking about her. Smith loves acting and writing but isn’t your typical Hollywood heartthrob. He lived the wild life years ago, a different woman in his bed every night, but he’s ready for a change and wants to find someone who will stick. He knows that person is Valentina and just by being himself, the way he is around his siblings and how he handles fame, should be enough to prove that he’s not like the actors Val compares him to. That did get a little frustrating to me, Val’s strong belief that they can’t work as a couple and she wouldn’t want a long term relationship with Smith. In her mind, sex was all good and fine with him, but she did not want to date someone in his line of work. He did everything right, proving that he’s one of the good guys, and she finally does come around to see it, it just took a little while to get there.
So even though he’d heard Valentina’s reasons loud and clear, and even though he couldn’t deny that his life came chock full of spotlights, Smith refused to give up. Not when something told him that she might very well be the one…and that if he didn’t fight like hell for her, he’d never stop cursing himself for a fool.
“How about this? I won’t kiss you again until you ask me to.”
She barely hesitated before saying, “I’m not going to ask you to kiss me again.”
“Yes,” he said softly, “you will.”
Smith is one sexy man. He wants Val in his life and in his bed and once he gets her there, he does everything in his power to keep her there. Their scenes in the bedroom (or in the kitchen…or movie set trailer) hit all the emotional ranges from sweet and loving to down-right fast and naughty. I also liked seeing their relationship strengthen through various dates they go on and seeing Val get to know Smith’s family.
An interesting dynamic that happens is Smith having to shoot love scenes and a full out movie romance with Tatiana, while Val is on the set. I liked how Bella Andre included various scenes from the movie that they’re shooting between the movie’s hero and heroine and how the relationship between not only Val and Smith progressed but between them and Tatiana as well. It was an interesting element to their relationship, a hard element for Val at times, but it was just one more thing for them to deal with and something that ended up helping to strengthen their relationship.
As always, I love getting updates on the other Sullivan siblings and we finally get to meet Sophie and Jake’s twins! I’d still love to get that scene from Sophie and Jake’s POV, but getting it through Smith’s eyes was almost as good. The last single Sullivan, Lori, is having some angst in her life. We don’t yet know what exactly is going on, but her heart seems to be in a painful spot and I can’t wait to meet the man that’s at the center of it all.
Come A Little Bit Closer is a solid addition to the addicting Sullivan series. Smith stole the show and I loved seeing him romance Val and make her realize that taking a chance on him and them as a couple will be worth everything in the long run. It’s impossible to resist any Sullivan and Smith is no exception. -
After six books, Bella Andre is still able to give us another fantastic romance in her Sullivan's series. Smith is the one sibling I have been dying to read about since I started this series. Not just because he's the hot Hollywood actor in the clan but because he's just so damn irresistible. He's devastatingly handsome but that's not what makes you absolutely love the guy. He's passionate, hardworking, caring and a damn good son and brother to his 7 siblings. He's sweet, charming and I loved watching him romance the pants out of Val. The amount of love that oozes out if each one of these Sullivan's make them so desirable. I've said it before and I'll say it again….I WANT TO BE IN THIS FAMILY!! I loved seeing the rest of the Sullivan siblings, and I always love hearing how well everyone else is doing. All the marriages, engagements, and babies makes my ovaries over flow with so much joy and happiness.
If you're a fan of this series, this is another one to add to your favorites. This whole series is just love.love.love. -
I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas so I can open my presents! I can't wait for Smith's story!
-
Posted on
Buried Under Romance
This was an amazing read. Absolutely amazing. Smith and Valentine are seemingly perfect characters,yet they are not just pretty faces, but genuine people yearning for companionship and love.
Smith Sullivan, second oldest of the Sullivan siblings, is a world famous actor. He is immensely handsome, yet also kind and caring towards others, especially his family. He doesn't put on airs, nor is he acting for more fame and fortune. Smith is driven, but he is not jaded from being in the entertainment business for so long. Instead, he really loves his job and has great dedication towards it. While he is aware of his seductive skills, he chooses to seek more than just a sexual relationship with Valentina, once he sees what a gem she is.
Valentina is the manager of her younger sister Tatiana, fellow co-star of Smith Sullivan. She hides her killer looks behind professionalism, yet cannot deny her palpable attraction to Smith. She is very sweet, as she was touched by the emotions in Smith's movie, and even sent flowers to Marcus and Nicola (From This Moment On, Sullivans #2). She acts tough and plays the protective mother to Tatiana, but needs comforting just as much. She is wary of actors due to her mother's flippancy in dating them, but couldn't help falling for Smith, emotionally and physically. I especially liked how she fell - upon seeing Smith's devotion to his wonderful family, caring that she desires above all else.
Once in the bedroom, their love is hot and sexy, exploding like fireworks. Afterwards, their love is like the sweetest candy in the world, a savory flavor that melts right off the pages. From Smith's pursuit of Valentina to her futile efforts to succumb to his gentle seduction, there is just so much love in that I want to engrain their words to each other.
The secondary characters are wonderful as well, from the assiduous Mary Sullivan who advises Smith to never let go of "the one," to Lori Sullivan who quickly becomes a great friend to Valentina, and even the talented Tatiana, all have been carefully crafted and fitted to perfection in their roles. I love how Smith's interaction with his mother shows how much he values his family, and how Tatiana cares equally for her sister's happiness as the other way around.
The only issue I have upon finishing this book is that it left me unable to stop smiling, for that's how much I loved this book. If you have a romantic bone in your body, I urge you to pick up this book straight away, and bring a pot of honey while you read. -
This was the first time I read a romance involving an actor. It was refreshing and interesting to read about the film industry. I also really enjoyed the story in third person POV, which I prefer above all others. There were more than enough descriptions to paint a clear picture of everything and everyone, and the inner workings of the hero/heroine contributed to well-fleshed out character development. What I was missing was the conflict, which there was none to speak of, and allowing the story to unfold through dialogue, rather than having the characters have a lot of thoughts about each other. Overall a feel-good read that is full of nice people and low on drama.
-
3.5 very contemporary romance stars.
-
Başından sonuna kadar klasik bir Bella Andre kalemiydi. Eğlenceliydi, seksiydi. :))
Bu aileye, hangi erkek olduğu önemli değil :D, girmek istememe neden oluyor her kitabında yazar.
Gerçi ben karışık okuyorum seriyi. Okumadıklarım da var ama yine de şimdiye kadar en sevdiğim Marcus'tu :)) -
CLICK HERE TO READ MY FULL REVIEW AT READING, EATING AND DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF
THE FAMILY:
I am in love with the Sullivans. The Sullivans are a large, one-of-a-kind family that’s made up of 8 magnificent and unique siblings.
Chase – Photographer (The Look of Love)
Marcus – Winery (From This Moment On)
Gabe – Firefighter (Can’t Help Falling in Love)
Sophie (Nice) – Librarian (I Only Have Eyes For You)
Zach – Auto Shop Chain (If You Were Mine)
Ryan – Professional Baseball Player (Let Me Be The One)
Smith – Actor (Come A Little Bit Closer)
Lori (Naughty) – Choreographer (TBA)
THE SERIES:
If you are looking for something SWEET and SEXY then The Sullivans companion series by Bella Andre is absolutely perfect for you. Each novel in the companion series is unique, just like the siblings. However, there is one thing that all of the novels have in common: THEY ARE ALL AMAZING!
I’m obsessed with this series. As soon as a new novel is released, I drop everything else so I can get my Sullivan fix.
COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER:
Come A Little Bit Closer by Bella Andre might be my favorite Sullivan's novel yet.
Smith Sullivan is a famous actor. He has everything a man could want in life, except for someone share it with. He has plenty of willing women at his disposal but Smith isn't looking for a one-night stand; he's looking for "the one". After meeting his new co-star's sister, Valentina Landon, he thinks he may have found her. Now he just has to convince her that he's the one because it seems that Valentina is the only woman in the world who doesn't want to date Smith Sullivan!
I've been waiting to get my hands on Smith's story. He's been one of my favorite Sullivans from the beginning. I had extremely high expectations going into this novel and Bella Andre didn't disappoint. Honestly, I have zero complaints about this novel. Come A Little Bit Closer was a fabulous, beautifully written story. Bella Andre incorporated Smith's screenplay Gravity into the story line so it was like reading two love stories in one! I was entranced by Smith and Valentina's story, as well as by Jo and Graham's story. And like all of Bella Andre's novels, Come A Little Bit Closer was the perfect blend of sweet and sexy!
Smith Sullivan, is dreamy! *sigh* He's the complete package: gorgeous, genuine, caring, family-oriented, driven, and successful. Valentina is also very likable. Every girl who reads this novel will want to be Valentina. I mean, who doesn't want the fairy tale ending with a super sexy celebrity?
I gave Come A Little Bit Closer (The Sullivans #7) by Bella Andre 4 STARS. I strongly recommend every single novel in this adult companion series, starting with The Look of Love.
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING -
I love Smith and I couldn’t wait to read his book. This book did not disappoint. Smith was great, so sexy and sweet. I loved how he didn’t try to deny his feelings for Valentina, and kept on pursuing her even though she made it difficult for him.
I really liked Valentina, and I loved how she didn’t just fall into bed with the sexy movie star. I can just imagine how difficult if must be for a normal person trying to have a relationship with a superstar, especially a movie star who has to do love scenes with other actresses.
I loved the romance between Smith and Valentina.
This was a wonderful book, which I will definitely be reading again and again. -
Novel received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaway
This is #7 in "The Sullivans" series by Bella Andre. Although I haven't read any of the others, I fell in love with the Sullivan family and will definitely make room for more Sullivans in my future!
This novel was about Smith Sullivan as he works on producing, directing and starring in a film that he also wrote. Bella Andre writes so that the reader is entirely vested in these characters. I truly cared about what happened to Smith and the rest of his family. I knew that he would fall in love and everything would turn out fine, but the novel kept me engrossed until the final page. Now I want to know what happens with another Sullivan sibling, Lori! -
🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (9/16/2020)! 🎁
-
Well, I now have a new favorite book in the Sullivan series, and it's this one! Smith Sullivan is the perfect man! Although he's a complete alpha male, he also has a poetic, sensitive side that he isn't afraid to show. Plus, I can't even begin to describe how well this man knows his way around the bedroom, since I only have 196, 789 characters left for this review, so I will do it with two words - GOOD LORD!!
As I got caught up in Smith and Valentina's growing relationship, I also got caught up in the movie Smith was making. After reading the scenes described in the beginning of a few chapters, I'm kind of sad that it's not a real film. I would love to see it!
I would highly recommend this book to everyone. If you're just starting the Sullivan series, just know that each book gets better and better, and when you get to this one, be prepared to be blown away. -
Which brings us to the last book of this series. This is about Smith – Hollywood actor, skirt-chaser, drop dead gorgeous, second to the oldest of the Sullivan bunch. As per usual, little drama, sweet romance and sex. Again, if it’s angst you’re after, you’ll never find it in this book.
Maybe I’m losing my mind. I can’t believe I’m actually looking for angst. I guess I figured something out about my taste in Romance; maybe I need a hint of bitterness in all the sweetness. And maybe I do need a little bit of angst to be affected by a book. Because I swear, I read this series a little too fast and with very little empathy to the characters. I couldn’t find it in me, unfortunately. I need some waves to rock the love boat. Because otherwise, we remain floating above a still water…and what’s the fun in that? -
February 25, 2014 update: I'm so excited that COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER has just been released in paperback from Harlequin MIRA! To celebrate, I'm having a $50 gift card contest! All you have to do to enter is post a pic on both your FB page & my FB page of yourself with the paperback at Target, B&N, Walmart, the grocery store, the drug store, or wherever you find Smith's story! I'll pick a winner on March 12th! <3 Bella
#Amazon paperback link:
http://amzn.to/18r9mfq
#Barnes & Noble paperback link:
http://bit.ly/1gA8Hax
#Booksamillion paperback link:
http://bit.ly/1hPRGyt
#Walmart paperback link:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/27624008 -
Another great Sullivan book. I've been so excited about Smith's story, I was worried that I had set my expectations too high. Bella Andre did not disappoint however, and spun yet another sexy romantic love story. Looking forward to Lori's story - even though I'll be sad that the Sullivan saga is over. -
I don't know why I read Bella Andre. Time to stop. This is painfully formulaic, the hero is godlike, the heroine is mostly dull, humorless, and skittish (the justification given for this is absurd, absolutely stupid.) One minute...to be fair, the hero is also sort of dull and humorless. Forget what I said! Perfect match!
-
I could not handle reading the book from start to finish. It was so borring. Valentina and Smith did not catch my attention. Or maybe I had too much expectation for Smith. Failed.
-
Keşke Tatiana'nın da hikayesi olsaydı.
-
1.5 :lukewarm, flowery, skirtin around the issue scenes passin 4sex. I dint like Val&the plot was borin.
Pg2 divests this lil gem after a woman givs him her phone # &offers 2do anything he wants2: “But 36 was a long wy from those erly, wild yrs…&he was tired of wakin up next2 naked women whose names he dint rmbr,who had nvr made him laugh, whose families he’d nvr met.”
W/o even gettin 2no him we no all about his slutty ways. Right after women giv him ther phone #s V cums up&he asks if she or Tatiana needs anything. She c’s the#s in his hand&looks disgusted, which I liked. I thought it was way2 soon 2b noticin her&wantin her. I was hopin they’d ease in2 it or not like each other at 1st. I dint expect 2cum in2 it wher they’re alredy attracted. It was so hard 2get in2 ther attraction &y they liked each other bcuz they met off the pgs. We shud hav seen ther 1st meetin insted of bein told about it.
On set aftr a scene is ovr he givs her sis a kiss on the 4hed. Does his costar hav 2b her sis? That’s twisted. &I cud only dread wher it was goin2go in the romance department. &her sis likes him! V imm drags him off 2his trailer&tells him not2 seduce her sis. He’s insulted at his honor bein in?. He thinks Tatiana is butiful&that V isn’t as obv. butiful as her sis&a man had2 look deeper. He thought her eyes a duller green than T’s but they’re hazel insted. He thinks sum1 is mor butiful, esp. a fam. member. He says he duznt want T&it’s clear ther’s an unspoken “I want u.”
She goes2his house 4a meetin&a woman answers the door. V thinks he’s havin an orgy&continues 2think it even aftr Nicola&Marcus, his bro, kiss. It’s only wen Smith congratulates their engagement that she givs up her orgy theory. Wth is wrong w/her? That’s disgusting. &Nicola says the 1st night she&Marcus were 2gethr he only gav her a lil kiss even tho she begged 4mor. Who talks like that 2the guy’s brother? That’s sik.
“..it hit him that this was the 1st time in his life he’d evr experienced sumthin this warm, this sweet, w/a woman. Heck, now that he thought about it, this was act. the 2nd time he’d tried 2put this puzzle 2gthr. The last time it sat unfinished, the woman he’d mistakenly brought home had thought it wud b sexy 2swipe it off on2 the floor so that he cud do her on top of the coffee table. A while later, wen the woman had gone 2the bathroom 2straighten her hair&clothes b4 he sent her home, he’d imm picked up the pieces. Doin a woman he’d picked up at a Hollywood event on top of his coffee table was sumthin a movie star did.”
Wut a nice memory. That’s the same puzzle so that must hav ben recent. Who wants him 2hav a memory like this wen we’re tryin2 warm up 2him& Valentina? &“do” her? That’s such a crude way2 refer 2sex. &it’s even sicker bcuz it’s the puzzle his niece gav him&him&Valentina r workin on it. &doin a puzzle seems out of character4both of them.
T’s agent, who’s conveniently gay,is talkin2her &she repeats Smith puttin his hands up her skirt&Smith walks up&hears it. Thought it was gonna b a bigger deal but he dint even say anything. Wut a waste.
He cums 2her trailer&asks her out 4a date. She says she duznt date actors &he says “me either.” He’s undaunted wen she says she duznt want any1 in the business. He says wen he’s w/her he can b a director, screenwriter or producer which was cute bcuz he has a lot of titles. &he sed he’s also a son, brother &friend&he hopes 2b a father 1day2. She turns him down agin&he’s frustrated. She duznt want Tatiana 2b uncomfortable bcuz she thinks they hav sumthin goin on, bcuz he’s goin2b shootin a luv scene w/Tatiana—just wut I was afraid of, this is so twisted 2hav her sis his on-screen luv interest—&she thinks it’ll b impossible2 watch him tuch &kiss another woman. As usual she misses the point—it’s ur sister 4Pete’s sake! Do u want 2touch sum1 that tuched ur sis, even 4a movie?
The script was my least fav part.&the fact it was written like a story ¬ a script just bothered me mor. A script has lines, dialogues &directions, not sentences like this. This is a story in a story. &it rly turned me off of him that he wrote it.
“He’d grown mor&mor hollow, w/mor 1-night stands&wilder parties w/acquaintances &colleagues that ment nothin, in the hrs that wer left btwn women that dint matter…”
He goes 2the corner wher he crashed in2 her evry day—like The Man Who Can’t Be moved—ignorin calls from famly, for months. He finally c’s her in a coffee shop&she’s pregnant. He’s sick that he kickd her&cud’ve lost her baby. He wants 2tak care of her&c she duznt hurt agin&offers her1 of his apartments he’s rentin out, creepy &unrealistic,&her attitude is such a freakin turnoff. She’s crude&abrasive. I can’t beleve he wrote this crap. &baby bump? I can’t stand that phrase. It sounds so trashy.
The script was the worst part 4me, added 2the fact it was pg upon pg of italics. W/stupid words like booties &she tells Graham she asked not2no the gender&his eyes cloud ovr&he says it’s a girl. How wud he no the gender? That’s so stupid. He also gets her a new stroller &newborn baby seat. It’s just gross 2me, donning gifts on a yung pregnant stranger. She goes2his office&says it’s Jo, she duznt hav an appntmnt but he’ll c her. She tells him she can’t accept the gifts&then goes in2 labor so he arranges 4his private car 2b waitin downstairs &carries her in2 the hospital &it’s just all so disgusting 2me.
Smith givs her tickets 2Alcatraz &she invites him 2go—as if she’d tak his tickets ¬—&I liked wen at the table he says Tatiana told him she’s writin a script &she says no. She duznt want him 2c it. He says u love 2say no 2me, don’t u? He’s teasin but he’s frustrated &I liked that line. I also liked that she had the idea about the women on the island, that they might hav ben unhappily married &fallen in luv w/the prisoners &they both knew they cudn’t b 2gethr.
4dessert she opens a box&ther’s 2cupcakes, 1w/a frosting pic of Smith in jail bhind bars w/a cute&pleadin look on his face,&the other a cartoon V holdin the key 2/his cell w/1 finger,eyes wicked. That was a hot idea.
The sex was completely disappointing as I feared it wud b. More about the 4play&kissin &the sex itself only lasted a few lines. It was basically a few strokes &then they spun out of control 2gthr. Vry hot stuff. It’s so annoyin wen authors use empty, flowery phrases. &it’s even weirder bcuz u wud expect an author that talks about orgies &“doin” women on coffee tables wud b mor candid w/the MCs but it was so tame&lame, lukewarm w/no details. &4sum reason she’s caught on the word sweet. Sweet kisses, the sweet pull of his mouth on her, the sweetness of bein 2gthr, sweetness changed 2sexy, sweetness of his touch, they wer sweet 2gether, a wave of sweet sensation… it was just way 2much. Who wants the word sweet used so much? It isn’t sexy, it’s way 2tame. Oh&the word soft. Her soft curves, soft hips, soft body. Jeeze, some synonyms wud b great.
She goes 2the spa w/Tatiana &runs in2 Vicki, Smith’s soon 2b sister-in-law &Lori &Sophie, his sisters. Lori is the only other Sullivan that’s single beside Smith,&she asks Valentia if she’s fallin in luv like the rest of the Sullivan’s. Valentina, in a rly annying character trait, says she needs 2lie, figure out how 2tell a convincing lie, &“only wut came out insted was” &she tells them there’s a guy who’s interested but since she knows it isn’t gonna work out she’s ben tryin not2 encourage him. Y wud she say that? Lori asks if the guy is cute &V, like a lil bashful girl blushes &says yes. Lori says ur totally sleepin w/him, right? By Valentina’s reaction Lori can tell the answer’s yes&the sex is awesome. Y not lie, bcuz she’s talkin2 his sisters &wen they find out Valentina &Smith r2gthr they’re goin2no she was talkin about him, &wut sisters want2no or talk about their bro’s sex life?
A few days pass since she was at his house &as she’s leavin set 1day Smith cums up &gets in her car. He wants her 2go Christmas shoppin 4the crew, an excuse 2b w/her. She says they aren’t a good idea &he thinks “She was right. The 2of them weren’t a good idea. They were a great idea.” He holds her hand &says “I missed u the past 2nights. Badly.” He takes her 2this eclectic shop wher they buy every1 gifts &they finally get 2the floor he’s ben impatiently waitin4, the 5th floor sellin lingerie. He asks wut her fav class was&it’s physics. He says “”I alwys enjoyed anything wher I cud get up in front of the class &mak a fool of myself. Actin. Dancin. Glee club. The rest of the time I was on a soccer field or tryin2 hit a home run or tryin2 dunk a basketball. But if I’d known a girl like u was in the lab, physics wud hav def shot straight 2the top of my list.” She goes 2kiss him but his phone rings &there’s a prob on set. “I enjoyed spendin the afternoon w/u, Valentina. So much that it will make missin u 2night even harder.” She begs “Don’t miss me, Smith. Please don’t.” “Wud u b happier knowin that I’m waiting 4u 2come 2me insted?” Then he says “I shud warn u now that I’m no good at waitin. Esp not wen every single voice in my head is tellin me2 take wut I know is alredy mine.”
She finds a puzzle of Alcatraz at the shop &gets it4 Smith, &he’s alredy arranged 4all of the lingerie 2b packaged up 4her. The next day she goes in2 the screening room, where he’s sitting in the dark watchin scenes from the movie. She says him&Tatiana r perfect 2gethr &he says “Our characters r perfect 2gethr. But they aren’t real. U. Me. We’re wut’s real, Valentina. How much longer r u goin2 make me wait 4u?” She says the lingerie is beautiful. “I can’t possibly deny that, or lie 2u by sayin that I’m goin2 tak it bak 2the store. But the fact that I can’t resist wearin the beautiful things u bought 4me doesn’t change anything.” Idl her&I rly don’t like that she went 2c him knowin she was goin2 keep the gift from sum1 she plans not 2b with. It isn’t right 2accept his gift wen she doesn’t plan 2b w/him. &I expected him 2get mad that she’s still sayin she won’t b w/him. The next line sed he looked as if he was havin trouble breathin &I flipped the pg expectin him 2b mad but insted it was: “The storm gathered in even closer as he finally choked out, “Ur wearin them?”
That was completely not the reaction I thought he was goin2 hav. I dint think she was wearin them at that moment at all. &then she’s like, 4the 10th time, Oh God. Grow up&act like a woman &quit goin Oh God every time u say sumthin. Handle the situation &quit worryin if u sed sumthin, how u sed it&wantin 2run awy from the situation.
They’re havin sex agin&it’s lukewarm. Idc about the sex scenes bcuz they hav nothin 2offer in the way of heat.
“Ther mouths collided just as fiercly as the rest of them,the pull&thrust of his body aginst—&in2—hers a mirror of the way ther tungs wer strokin, slidin 2gthr.”
We no he’s goin in2 her body. We get that. We don’t need it clarified.
At the Christmas party on set she givs him the puzzle&he nos wut she’s tryin2 tell him bcuz everything changed 4them ther. He says “I luv it, Valentina.” 1word. All he wanted was 2change 1word. 2change it 2 u. She walks awy but he nos she herd wut he dint say.
Lori, his sister, cums 2set &says she’s ben dyin 4an update on the guy she duznt want2 encurage but she’s havin sex w/&asks or has he given up yet? Smith, in that way that’s overused, walks up&hears it. I think that’s happened 3 times. His dark eyes r on V the entire time. T cums up &Smith &V hav a chance 2look at each other. She shoots him a look that says I’ll explain wut Lori sed later, ok? Just don’t do or say anything we’re goin2 regret. Please, can we sav this 4wen it’s just the 2of us? He’s frustrated, another fav word, but I liked that he maks up a story that files she asked him 4r in his office so they cud b alone.
He locks the door bhind them &interrupts her explanation &says “Strip.” “&from his sure knowledge that she was not only goin2 obey his sensual command…but was goin2 absolutely luv every single sec of it.
So sure, in fact, that he dint wait 4her 2start takin off her clothes b4 he bgan 2remuv his own.” She can barely swallow wen he reached 4his belt&she tells him they’re goin 2b lookin 4him on set soon. “Then we’ll hav2mak this quick, won’t we?”
Graham gives Jo the apartment by a park, he brings nutritious dinners every night, just wut a new mom needed, &they become friends. She falls asleep after dinner, the baby girl—cuz somehow Graham knew the gender—&he gets a bottle of breast milk &feeds the baby. Make me freakin gag. He also tells the baby he luvs her&he won’t let any1 hurt her. Evr. Not creepy in the least that a stranger is in luv w/sum1 else’s baby—I just can’t get ovr the plot of this script, not romantic 2me in the least—&Jo hears it. She goes up 2him &kisses him, which means that Tatiana &Smith r kissin. Valentina felt the way I expected her2&the sex scene finally got here &she was sick about it&wanted 2leave. Her nails bit in2 her palms as she watches them kissin&them touchin each other &him kissin her sister’s skin. Wen it’s ovr him&Tatiana hug—he’d made it easy 4her by sayin they were goin2b playin Twister which was nice—but he c’s that Valentina is hurt &betrayed.
Her&her sister go2her trailer &as I knew a rly long time, Tatiana alredy knew about them. She tells her she walked in on Smith&her kissin in the screenin room&nos they had sex in the chair. They talk&her sis convinces Valentina 2giv Smith a chance, so wen he comes she’s sayin he dint hurt her, she did it2 herself. It was 2 fast a turnaround after she watched him hav a sex scene w/her sister, kissin her&her body, that’s way 2much 2get ovr. So it was the wrong time 4them 2hav sex, like rly wrong. I dint even want 2read the sex scene &was gettin tired of them havin sex so much, 1of the 1st times I’ve evr felt that way. Mostly bcuz of wut just happened w/him &her sister &it bein2 soon 4them 2touch, &bcuz the sex scenes suck. They rly do. They’re boring &it wud b almost as fulfilling if they just held hands. Other authors have made holdin hands &kissin sexier than this author’s sex scenes. It takes a tame author w/a way of skirtin around wut’s goin on2 mak the woman givin the man oral sex not even b hot.
After mini golf wher they tied—boring—she taks him home w/her 2the apartment she shares w/Ta. V asks if it’s ok if she has her bf ovr, &T says yeah, she’ll just need earplugs. Ew. Who talks about that w/her sis?! Gosh this is gross. The assistant calls her&tells Val a lot of ppl want her script. “She laughed as she danced around the room w/her sister, pullin him in so they were a happy, wiggling 3some.” Do u rly think it’s a good idea 2b usin the word 3some? Esp after he’s had sex w/Val & a sex scene w/Tatiana?
The next morn T has her look 4a “missin” earring so she can talk 2Smith, shows him a headline that he’s w/both sisters in a luv triangle. Tatiana puts her hand on his arm &a lil less tuchin btwn those 2wud b nice. Val walks in&he shows it 2her, she’s furious &her hands r cold, colder than they were outside at Alcatraz—I gess fury cools u down insted of heatin u up…--&wen they go outside ther’s paparazzi. Sum1 says he’s livin the dream by bangin 2 hot sisters &he punches the camera it hits the man’s jaw. &Val—4the millionth time—thinks Oh, God. Wth is wrong w/her? Ur an adult, get yr crap 2gthr &quit actin like a lil girl. He says “Ur right. I’m no good 4u. My life is no good 4u.” She’s afraid bcuz now it seems he’s the1 givin up. On the movie set ther r mor paparazzi. She nos she needs 2say sumthin &opens her mouth “but fear had them cloggin in her throat.” The hope in his eyes dies. Way 2go. I was so sik of her inability 2say the rite thing—or anything at all . How hard is it 2tell him u want 2b w/him? Ur a grown, supposedly mature woman. Use ur words.
He calls a quit2 shootin cuz his sis Sophie's in labor about 2hav twins. Val goes w/him. There we lern Sophie had a 1-night stand w/Jake, who’s a family friend she’s liked since she was a girl&got pregnant from it. Sounds like this whole series is messed up. Paparazzi cum in the hospital &r takin pics. Val goes 2handle the, says please leave, can’t he spend a few hrs w/his family? They don’t listen—no surprise there—so she offers 2giv them wutevr they want if they’ll leave. They ask ?s that seem unrealistic 2me—convenient more like. They ask if it’s true Smith has ben datin her& her sister, she says no. “Then who is he rly with?” She says just her. They ask how long she’s ben w/Smith,&she answers 4wks. They ask if they wer dating in secret&if her sister knew. Very on-the-nose questions they had the insight 2ask…They ask if he luvs her &she says Idk &then if she’s in luv w/him&she starts cryin &says yes, she luvs him. Wut a baby. &they leave, just like that. &wud any1 hav a guess wut happens next? Smith is right there of course, bcuz 4about the 4th time Smith walked up on a conversation. Everything is so convenient.
Tatiana is movin onto another movie w/o Val there 4the 1st time, Val&Smith r goin2b shootin the Alcatraz movie next year. It finally ends w/them engaged on Christmas, his brother’s marriage &them havin sex 4the millionth time in the laundry room at the wedding,&the whole book ends as a setup 4Lori’s book, a pet peeve of mine wen the main characters don’t get the final scene.
The word sweet drove me crazy as almost 400pgs were full of everything bein called sweet. I noticed it thruout the book&only started 2keep track now.
204 No, it was the sweet promise in his eyes..
229 .still shakin not only w/lust, but also w/sweet emotion..
231 Graham’s gentleness had ben so evident. So sweet.
235 ..hearin the sweet words..
271 He was cute&young&sweet.
284 He wud’ve smiled at the sweetness of her comment..
287 It had ben perfect.&so sweet.
290 Just the potent &oh-so-sweet pleasur.
320 there had nvr ben sweeter words spoken..
221 such a pure, sweet smile..
324 ..the vry, vry sweet knowledge that Valentina luvd him.
325 “That’s so sweet.”
328 His kiss was full of passion, but also sumthin so soft&sweet..
332 Smith took her mouth in a kiss so soft, so sweet..
333 as amazing as it had felt 2hear Smith say “I luv u,” it was not only a million times btr 2say it 2him…it was also easy. Sweet.
340 His mouth found hers then, at once gentle &firm, sweet &passionate..
344 “Wasn’t it so sweet..?”
It was. So sweet..
345 The kiss they shared after his proposal was sweet,&cud hav so easily turned in2 sumthin sweeter..
370 “Look at how sweet that is.”
372 ..makin sweet luv 2her..
Sweet. Sweet. Sweet. We don’t want sweet. We want sexy, hot. An editor shud hav 4bade her from usin the word sweet agin.
&she used the phrase “hart of harts” 3 times. Idl the phrase, but rly bcuz Valentina used it then Smith. Wut man says in his hart of harts? He sounds like a woman&then wen Jo sed it I cudnt tak it. Y do authors hav ther characters talk the same? it’s like a mono-personality.
The MC that annoyed &bored in equal measures. She analyzed ther relationship until almost the vry end figurin it out&needin help&comparin herself now 2who she had ben, marveling that she realized wut luv was&how 2get it, that she was w/an actor, I was just so sick&tired of her hangup over bein w/an actor. The whole bk she spent makin judgments about him based on his career,&lettin herself b vulnerable &showin her sensual side where b4 she held bak, it made 4 rly boring readin. I just wanted it 2b ovr alredy ¬ hav2 hear about it nemore. &the cover looks as lukewarm &stilted as ever &they in no way represent the main characters. &the pic is so misleading. It looks like a beach novel, so I saved it months 2read ovr the summer. They went2 Alcatraz, which duznt hav a beach&it was Nov or Dec—can’t b sure bcuz thers no sense of time in this bk—so ther wasn’t a tiki torch or a lapping sea on the sandy shoreline... -
4.5 stars
The couple: Smith and Valentina
Romance genre: contemporary
Series: Sullivans (San Francisco Sullivans)
Length: 260 pages
Plot: Smith is a world-famous actor and now he's a writer and director. He's working on his new project, something very special to him, and he's hired a young actress, Tatiana, to play opposite his lead. But she comes with her sister/manager, Valentina. Valentina seems to be the only woman in existence who is immune to his charms. He's not immune to hers, though. He can't seem to convince her that they could have something good together. Will she lose her chance at love because she can't let go of the past?
Commentary: Valentina's not a fan of love, and as in many stories, it's a direct result of her mother's lifestyle. I just want to shake all these parents - what kind of damage are you doing to your kids, and you don't even notice? And at the end of the story, the mother is so astounded that the girls watched and learned bad lessons about love from her. So ridiculous and self-absorbed. Anyways, she doesn't believe that love lasts in the Hollywood arena. She's seen her mother go through so many actors and knows that there's always another one waiting in the wings. She's scared that Smith will be the one for her but she won't be enough for him, not when he could have anyone he wanted. But he wants her, and that's tough for her to understand.
This is a pretty steamy book for this series, but there's one sex scene that just broke me - and Valentina.
Previous book in the series:
Let Me Be the One
Next book in the series:
Always on My Mind -
Bu seri efsane 👏🏻👏🏻😍😍
-
Kitty's review posted on
Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
5 Stars
Well, Bella Andre did it again. Her quick witted, exquisite writing brought another of the Sullivan’s to life making you fall in love, cry and hope for an HEA for Smith.
I absolutely loved all six books that have been written. Of course, who couldn’t fall in love with any one of the Sullivan men? But Smith, dear lord … what a romantic, what a wonderful human being. How can you not fall in love with him?
Smith Sullivan is an actor and working on the biggest production of his career. He’s actor, producer and screen-writer on “Gravity” a story about what love is really supposed to be like – unconditional and unable to control – just like gravity pulling two people to each other. His co-star, Tatiana Landon, is wonderful. Perfect for the part and unbelievably talented. But, it’s not her that he’s interested in. It’s her sister and business manager, Valentina.
Valentina is wary of all actors. She’s vowed never to become involved with one and to never let her sister become infatuated either. She’s had enough of actor’s being paraded in her life. Since her father’s death, her mom dated nothing but actors and she knew they couldn’t be trusted. If and when she’s ready, she wants a man that is going to be truthful, trust-worthy and loving. So, she can’t understand her explosive attraction to Smith Sullivan – he’s an actor – one of the best in the business – she can’t trust him to be telling her the truth; she can’t trust him to not be acting when he’s with her; she can’t trust him to be faithful; she can’t trust him to not just throw her aside and her being one of his movie-making flings; but, most of all, she doesn’t want the spotlight and everything that comes with being an actor’s love interest.
This book was so full of love and romance that your heart could do nothing but become fuller. Your heart breaks for Smith as he is pushed away by Valentina and then comes back together when she finally say’s yes – but only for one night. Smith is so persistent throughout the book. I don’t know if I know of anyone who would just keep trying and trying to win the love of a woman. He did everything in his power to get her to love him. And, what a romantic! He would leave notes, flowers and pictures that he knew would mean something to her, on her desk; he would make sure that she had breakfast waiting in her trailer, made sure that she had everything she needed, as he took care of all the problems on the set; helped her sister Tatiana through her first love scene; and, took care of the Sullivan crew – always being there for them whenever they needed him, especially his Sophie. He knows that “Gravity” is the biggest movie of his life and that he can’t do anything to mess it up but, he also knows that Valentina is the love of his life and won’t do anything that will push her away.
Finally, everything comes to a head when he has to do a “love” scene with Tatiana. It’s a closed set but Valentina will be there to support her sister. He try’s to convince her that it is “just acting” but she doesn’t want to hear it – no one knows that they are seeing each other – she can’t say a word without everyone finding out – how is she going to make it through this scene when all she wants to do is hear Smith say those words to her, feel his hands on her body and his kisses on her lips. She finally admits her feelings to Tatiana who laughs at her and told her that she could see it in the way they look at each other and convinces her that it’s time to come clean with everyone. It’s time to pay the piper, and pay they do – with the one thing that has her frightened beyond belief – her biggest fear – the Paparazzi!
And, all the Sullivan’s are back. Sophie has the twins (oh, I so cried during this part of the book); Gabe and Megan are finally married; Marcus and Nicola are planning their wedding. Mary is still being the stall-worth matriarch of the family and Lori is feeling sorry for herself, but why? I guess we will find out in the Spring of 2013 when the much anticipated 8th book of the series is released. “Always on my Mind”, Lori (Naughty) Sullivan’s story.
As I said before, I have adored all of the books in the Sullivan Series, but Bella Andre outdid herself with “Come a Little Bit Closer”. I fell head-over-heals in love with Smith. I mean, all the other Sullivan’s were hot and romantic and sexy as hell, but nothing could compare with the way she wrote Smith’s story. I felt like I was on Alcatraz with him and Valentina, I felt the love he had for her, I felt him pouring himself into everything he did for her. When they finally admitted their feelings to each other, I felt like Smith was saying “I love you” to me. It was that realistic. Her writing was crisp, sexy and hot. She brought the word “love” to a new level and “romance” to unbelievable heights.
Review copy provided for an honest review. -
Yet another Sullivan bites the dust... but what beautiful dust it is. This story, Smith's story is the one I have been waiting for, and finally I have read it.
Smith is the 2nd eldest of the Sullivan clan, and probably the highest profile of all the kids. He is a world famous actor, and now screenwriter and director of his new film, "Gravity". He has put in a massive amount of time making sure he has the right cast and crew. His leading lady, Tatiana Landon, comes with glowing references and years of experience, but really needs that one movie to propel her into the famous world. Although Smith adores Tatiana, it is her older sister, Valentina that has Smith's interest piqued.... It is just a shame she wants nothing to do with him!
Valentina, ( Val ) Landon has been around actors and the film set for a number of years as Tatiana's manager, so seeing hot Hollywood actors is just part of the job.... Until Smith Sullivan sets his sights on her. Smith can gave any woman he wants and every day she watches him collect names and phone numbers of faceless women, but he is drawn to her and when Smith wants something he normally gets it. After a number of turn downs she relents and goes out on a tour with him to Alcatraz, it is there his smooth moves become to much for Val to turn down anymore, so she gives him 1 night. She never realized how much that one night would change her life and perception of Smith Sullivan, he is no longer the hot Hollywood actor, but a man with so much love, it is very evident in his dealings with his family.
Yet again the rest of the Sullivan family play a role in this story ( which I absolutely adore), it is this interaction that Valentina shares with Smith's sister's, Lori and Sophie that wakes her up, that Smith is not all about sex, he is about finding the one.... and he is certain that Val is it! As long as he can talk her into being more than just a sexual partner, but a lover for life.
Val has watched her mother, go through men like undies, and most if them were actor's that made it clear she was also a good choice, so she believes all actors are like that. But Smith nakes her see that they aren't all the same, and out of the filming set's he is just a man that is missing his puzzle piece.
He just has to get Val to take that chance on him, so they can show their love affair off to the world. He doesn't want to hide anymore..... -
For this review and more Live Read and Breathe
So this last book so far in the Sullivan's. Book 8 - Lori's will be out in March. WooHoo!
In this book it was about our beautiful Smith who has a heart of gold and was just misunderstood until he found his one and only.
The only person who really got to see Smith's true colors was his Mama so it was so beautiful for Valentina to be able to open him up and allow him to love her. But the journey was not an easy one because of Valentina's baggage Smith had to work really hard to be able to get into her heart. Which was a first for our Smith to have to work for a relationship. But in reality the good relationships do take work but as Smith says then the love part is simple.
Smith and Valentina have a sizzling chemistry together with so much passion that it bridges into a very loving and solid union between the two. They balance each other out so much. The two of them bring out each others strengths and together they are outstanding as a couple and on fire as individuals.
It was so great to see almost all of the Sullivan's being happy and in love. Thankfully this series is not done. In the whole I thought this series was GREAT! My only recommendation would be to read them over a bit of time instead of back to back. When you read them close together some of the formulas of the relationships are very similar but I think if they were spaced then you would appreciate the Sullivan's so much more.
Each and every story was great but out of the 7 - Sofie's story (book 4) was definitely my favorite there is just something about it that sits well in my heart.
