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New Release Review! TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey (A Romancing the Clarksons / 1001 Dark Nights novella)

From New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey comes TOO CLOSE TO CALL, a novella in her Romancing the Clarksons Series published by 1001 Dark Nights! Grab your copy today!

About TOO CLOSE TO CALL:

All-American wide receiver Kyler Tate’s life is about to change. A fairytale college career skyrocketed him to the NFL draft. Adoration and opportunity are thrown in his direction wherever he goes, thanks to being chosen in the first round by the Los Angeles Rage.
None of the accolades mean anything, though, without his high school sweetheart, Bree Justice, by his side. Four years ago, she walked away from Kyler, choosing a quiet life over the flash and notoriety his career would someday bring.

Now he’s back in their Indiana hometown, refusing to leave for Los Angeles without her. Demanding she give their life together a shot. Her heart never stopped bleeding for the love of her life, but Bree’s decision was final. Too bad their wild attraction has only been amplified by their separation, and Kyler won’t quit until Bree is wearing his ring.

 

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Excerpt:

“Bree.” Her blood snapped with electricity at the sound of her name, said in that low drawl. Kyler stepped to the forefront of the crowd. The green eyes that still graced her dreams zeroed in, raking over her like they couldn’t help it.

Heaven above, four years looked incredible on him. Extra inches had been added everywhere. His height. The athletic breadth of his shoulders. The corded biceps that tested the stitching of his T-shirt sleeves. Even his thighs, which were wrapped up in faded denim, were exploding with muscle; thighs she’d spent a good portion of her youth perched on since Kyler never allowed her to sit anywhere but his lap, no matter where they were or whether it was appropriate. “Hello.”

“Hello,” she whispered. “You’re in town.”

His slow nod was so familiar a ripple moved through her. “Here for the week. Can I get you that coffee?”

“No.” She flushed over her own abruptness. “I meant to say, I can’t stay. I’m going to be late for an appointment.”

“Fine. I’ll walk you out.”

His expression dared her to say no. Challenged her. And for the first time since Kyler left, sexual awareness danced in her middle, sending a swift tremble down the length of her legs. Because her body hadn’t forgotten what often lay on the other side of those challenges. “Fine,” she breathed. “Suit yourself.”

For all his sexual energy, Kyler was a gentleman, straight down to the soles of his feet. So Bree wasn’t one bit surprised when his long gait ate up the distance between them. He reached over her head to push open the glass door, sending his scent crashing into her senses, the combination so familiar, Bree’s nipples tightened until she winced. Grassy fields and Nautica Blue aftershave.

Their gazes clashed, but Bree couldn’t decide if he’d worn the scent on purpose. His steady eyes gave nothing away. Before hers could betray her curiosity, Bree turned and passed through the door Kyler held open. And hell if it wasn’t the longest walk in history, his presence behind her looming larger than a mountain. Every eyeball in the diner was sure to be on them and the attention made Bree twitchy, her fingers yanking on the strings of her hoodie.

She needed to get this reunion over with as soon as possible. Being around Kyler would only make her wonder what might have been. That kind of thinking was pointless. Destructive.

Back in high school, the writing had been on the wall when it came to Kyler. Everyone knew he’d been destined for greatness. That he would shake off Bloomfield and put his name in the history books. She’d been selfish to stay with him for so long, absorbing his love and attention, all the while knowing she’d wave good-bye to him someday. The decision was a painful one, but it had been made and now she would stick to it.

Review:

Too Close to Call is a sweet second chance romance. It’s #3.5 in the Romancing the Clarksons series, but since there isn’t a single Clarkson to be seen here (unless I missed them? I was really trying to keep an eye out, though…) I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it absolutely works as a standalone.

Too Close has a very short time frame–making it perfect for a novella–which gives Kyler’s “I’m here to talk her into marrying me before I have to leave again” agenda special urgency.

Which makes his hesitancy to talk to her about a relationship that goes beyond friendship? Kind of confusing.

Still, this book has plenty of hot, steamy moments and Kyler and Bree clearly have an abundance of chemistry, which makes this a quick, fun summer read. Their lack of communication gets frustrating at times (Just talk to her, already! was a common refrain for both this reader and Kyler’s mom…) but seriously, everything is made better by an absolutely adorkable epilogue, which made every aggravating moment before that fade to black.

Belmont’s. Book. Is. Next. Woot!

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

 

 

About Tessa Bailey:

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eight years and four-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

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Tessa Bailey’s TOO CLOSE TO CALL – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

June 14th

All Romance Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Booked All Night – Review & Excerpt

For the Love of Bookends – Review

Gi’s Spot Reviews – Review & Excerpt

My Book Filled Life – Review & Excerpt

Naughty Girls and Their Books – Review & Excerpt

That’s What I’m Talking About – Review & Excerpt

Whatever You Can Still Betray – Excerpt

June 15th

Booknerd1107 – Review & Excerpt

Happily Ever After Book Reviews – Review

I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt

JordansBookReviews – Excerpt

Literary Misfit – Excerpt

Mama Likes to Read Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Read-Love-Blog – Excerpt

The Readdicts – Review & Excerpt

June 16th

Books,Dreams,Life – Excerpt

Four Chicks Flipping Pages – Review

Lightning City Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

My Girlfriends Couch – Review & Excerpt

Ramblings From This Chick – Review & Excerpt

Reese’s Reviews – Review & Excerpt

TBQ’s Book Palace – Review

Wickedcoolflight – Review & Excerpt

June 17th

Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt

Booklovers For Life – Review & Excerpt

Caroline Jane Reads – Excerpt

Dog-Eared Daydreams – Review

Mary @ USA Today’s Happy Ever After – Review

Nicole’s Book Musings – Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

June 18th

A crazy vermonters book reviews – Review

Bad boys and bedtime stories book blog – Review

Bridget’s Book Bungalow – Review

Drunk On a Book – Review & Excerpt

Love Notes Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Readers Retreats – Excerpt

June19th

A Taste of Sin – Excerpt

Bobo’s Book Bank – Review & Excerpt

Bookishly Yours – Review

Coffee Books Life – Review & Excerpt

I’m A Book Shark – Excerpt

JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt

Novel Addiction – Review

Oh My Growing TBR – Review & Excerpt

Romance Reviews and More – Review & Excerpt

June 20th

Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt

Book Reader Chronicles – Review & Excerpt

Dirty Girl Romance – Review

Nice Ladies, Naughty Books – Review

Pardon My Blurb – Review & Excerpt

Total Book Geek – Review & Excerpt

Vi3tbabe – Review & Excerpt

June 21st

Alpha Book Club – Review

Bookaliciousbabes blog – Review & Excerpt

Crystal’s Chaotic Confessions – Excerpt

Feel the Book – Review & Excerpt

Jax’s Book Magic – Excerpt

Kimmy Loves to Read – Review & Excerpt

Literary Gossip – Review & Excerpt

Nose Stuck in a Book – Review & Excerpt

The Romance Reviews – Review

June 22nd

A small girl, her man and her books – Review & Excerpt

kimberlyfaye reads – Review

Lover of Big Books Cannot Lie – Review & Excerpt

Nightbird Novels – Review

OMGReads – Review & Excerpt

Pretty Sassy Cool – Review & Excerpt

Sweet Red Reads – Review & Excerpt

The BookWhisperer – Review

June 23rd

ageordielass honest blog on reviews – Review

Brittany’s Book Blog – Excerpt

G & T’s Indie Café – Excerpt

Kris & Vik Book Therapy Cafe – Review & Excerpt

Pink Lace & Silver Buckles Book Blog – Review

Those Crazy Book Chicks – Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

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