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The Closer You Come
(The Original Heartbreakers #1)
by
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter introduces the Original Heartbreakers, where three not-quite-reformed bad boys are about to meet the women who will bring them to their knees.
Just released from prison, Jase Hollister has a dark and twisted past. And now, he has only one goal: stay out of trouble. Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, sounds like the perfect place fo ...more
Just released from prison, Jase Hollister has a dark and twisted past. And now, he has only one goal: stay out of trouble. Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, sounds like the perfect place fo ...more
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Mass Market Paperback, 434 pages
Published
March 31st 2015
by HQN Books
(first published 2015)
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Elaine
The One You Want is listed as 0.5, so a prequel. It is available for free on Kindle today.
Community Reviews
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Start your review of The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers, #1)
![Carol [Goodreads Addict]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1551124421p2/10717098.jpg)
RATING: 4.5 STARS
The Closer You Come is book one in The Original Heartbreakers series by Gena Showalter. Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin and Gena Showalter for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
Gena Showalter is well known for her paranormal romances. Although I have some of them on my reading wish list, I have not read anything by her yet. I am glad, now, though, so that I wasn’t tempted to compare. I went into this book with an open mind as to what to expect, and I ...more
The Closer You Come is book one in The Original Heartbreakers series by Gena Showalter. Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin and Gena Showalter for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
Gena Showalter is well known for her paranormal romances. Although I have some of them on my reading wish list, I have not read anything by her yet. I am glad, now, though, so that I wasn’t tempted to compare. I went into this book with an open mind as to what to expect, and I ...more


"You gotta love a man who builds a zombie-apocalypse bunker just for you."
Blurb: Just released from prison, Jase Hollister has a dark and twisted past. And now, he has only one goal: stay out of trouble. Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, sounds like the perfect place for him and his two brothers-by-circumstance to settle down and live a nice, simple life. But model citizen isn’t exactly this rugged bachelor’s default setting—especially when it comes to a certain hot-blooded Southern beaut ...more

2.5-3 Stars


When I saw that Gena was coming out with a brand new contemporary romance series, I was thrilled! I loved Catch a Mate and I've been dying for her to write more in this genre. Having read both of her PNR series, I already knew I love the snarky and humor characters she creates and the synopsis sounded right up my alley. Three ba ...more

Once wasn't going to be enough. He realized that now. He wanted her countless times in countless ways. Underneath him. On top of him. Beside him...

When I saw that Gena was coming out with a brand new contemporary romance series, I was thrilled! I loved Catch a Mate and I've been dying for her to write more in this genre. Having read both of her PNR series, I already knew I love the snarky and humor characters she creates and the synopsis sounded right up my alley. Three ba ...more

The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter
First book in The Original Heartbreaker series. Contemporary romance.
Brook Lynn is determined to be successful but so many factors beyond her control continue to undermine her efforts. Having Jase as a protector is nice but she wants to earn her pay legitimately.
Jase survived his time in prison by getting strong and protecting his chosen brothers. He can’t resist Brook Lynn so puts her to cleaning and cooking. The attraction between the two is explosive an ...more
First book in The Original Heartbreaker series. Contemporary romance.
Brook Lynn is determined to be successful but so many factors beyond her control continue to undermine her efforts. Having Jase as a protector is nice but she wants to earn her pay legitimately.
Jase survived his time in prison by getting strong and protecting his chosen brothers. He can’t resist Brook Lynn so puts her to cleaning and cooking. The attraction between the two is explosive an ...more

"You’ve wrecked me, angel, broken me and put me back together again. I will never be the same—I don’t want to be the same.” -Jase
***
I am desperately hooked on Gena Showalter`s writing and her introduction to "The Original Heartbreakers"-series that takes place in Strawberry Valley in Oklahoma."The Closer You Come" shows us how you can make piece with your past and look forward to the future,and take a chance to the happiness of love fate has presented you.Watching the hero Jase Hollister who jus ...more
***
I am desperately hooked on Gena Showalter`s writing and her introduction to "The Original Heartbreakers"-series that takes place in Strawberry Valley in Oklahoma."The Closer You Come" shows us how you can make piece with your past and look forward to the future,and take a chance to the happiness of love fate has presented you.Watching the hero Jase Hollister who jus ...more


THE CLOSER YOU COME by Gena Showalter is the first full novel in her ORIGINAL HEARTBREAKERS series, and while I really liked the prequel novella, this one was a bit more disappointing. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it but the main characters weren't my favorites and I found the plot not that intriguing.
"You are pleasure to my pain, hope to my fear. You are everything I've ever needed but didn't think I'd be lucky enough to have."Jase Hollister was just released from a nine years sentence. He ...more


Blerg. You set up such a raw gritty premise like this and yet it completely derails to the ground with the writing & transparently thin plot.
The issues I had:
You have an ex-con released from prison for a hardcore crime with serious abandonment and rage issues who morphs into an obsessive lovesick teenager following the girl of his dreams around town. -__- Seriously? SMH. Never mind the extreme insta-lust-love, this guy is so hung up and going mine mine MINE! just after their first awkward a ...more

I don't like books where the hero has slept with a sibling. It is rare I'll read one and in this case when the heroine meets the hero, he is literally zipping up his pants from screwing her sister. :/
...more

1 - "Let's do this again never." Star.
DNF
If having a selfish asshole for a sister wasn't bad enough, then getting involved with a guy that bounced said sister on and off his cock in the space of an hour at the start of the book, pretty much nailed the coffin shut on this story for me.
I still like the series in general, so hope the next book(s) don't follow in the same vein.
The over use of the phrases man meat & lady meat got pretty annoying too.
...more
DNF
If having a selfish asshole for a sister wasn't bad enough, then getting involved with a guy that bounced said sister on and off his cock in the space of an hour at the start of the book, pretty much nailed the coffin shut on this story for me.
I still like the series in general, so hope the next book(s) don't follow in the same vein.
The over use of the phrases man meat & lady meat got pretty annoying too.


I really loved 'The One You Want', a prequel novella to this series so I had high expectations for this book. The story started off brilliantly with an interesting premise (Except for the awkward moment when Jase and Brook Lynn first met.), but why, oh why! Who would have thought it would end up being a disaster?! It left me unimpressed and disappointed!
The story dragged a bit, particularly in the middle. I was so frustrated with Jase that he couldn’t make up his mind whether to welcome Brook Ly ...more
The story dragged a bit, particularly in the middle. I was so frustrated with Jase that he couldn’t make up his mind whether to welcome Brook Ly ...more

I think I prefer Showalters PNR work and need to stick to that. This just didn't do it for me :(
*ARC provided by the publisher ...more
*ARC provided by the publisher ...more

Gena Showalter is well know for her paranormal romances. I love her Lords of the Underworld series, but I’m also glad I picked up her contemporary romance to try. I feel in love with Strawberry Valley and it's characters.
Jase Hollister has been out of prison for six months and is now trying to make a life for himself. His two best friends or bothers, have all come to Strawberry Valley to start fresh. All Jase wants is peace, quiet, and solitude. He bears some major scars from his time in prison ...more
Jase Hollister has been out of prison for six months and is now trying to make a life for himself. His two best friends or bothers, have all come to Strawberry Valley to start fresh. All Jase wants is peace, quiet, and solitude. He bears some major scars from his time in prison ...more

Dec 07, 2014
ZARIA (Sheldon Cooper lover)
added it
DNF
“Hello. I am armed.” She waved the sanitizer in his face. “The world is going to spiral into a zombie apocalypse one day...unless we get proactive and do something. It’s called germ warfare. Look it up. I’m doing my part.”
“That’s not what germ— Never mind. You fear zombies?”
“Fear? No. That’s Kenna. I’m actually looking forward to battling the undead. I plan to collect their heads like trophies.”
Why was that so damn sexy?
Hint: everything about her was sexy. Even the fact that she was clearly a ...more

Back in my youth, I devoured Gena Showalter books like no tomorrow. Quite literally, during the summer months I would binge books by her and a few other authors. I couldn't put their books down! Then, one day I strayed away.
I bought this book when it came out, but it hung around on my shelf until now. The time was right - I was craving some romance in my life and that book was right there!
Personally, I would rather stick to Gena's paranormal romances, but that's just me! I did not enjoy this bo ...more
I bought this book when it came out, but it hung around on my shelf until now. The time was right - I was craving some romance in my life and that book was right there!
Personally, I would rather stick to Gena's paranormal romances, but that's just me! I did not enjoy this bo ...more

4.5 stars
My first Gena Showalter experience was thru her paranormal romance series Lords of the Underworld(which I HIGHLY recommend). In the first installment to her new contemporary romance series, The Original Heartbreakers(which I HIGHLY recommend also), we are introduced to the enigmatic newcomer Jase Hollister and hometown no bullshitter Brook Lynn Dillon. Their connection wasn't immediate due to how they met(under a circumstance that was awkward) but as the days go by and opportunities com ...more
My first Gena Showalter experience was thru her paranormal romance series Lords of the Underworld(which I HIGHLY recommend). In the first installment to her new contemporary romance series, The Original Heartbreakers(which I HIGHLY recommend also), we are introduced to the enigmatic newcomer Jase Hollister and hometown no bullshitter Brook Lynn Dillon. Their connection wasn't immediate due to how they met(under a circumstance that was awkward) but as the days go by and opportunities com ...more

Brook Lynn Dillon is used to being responsible, although that doesn’t mean life has been easy. She’s broke and has no time for fun, not like her sister. Until she meets the dangerous Jase, who is temptation personified but she knows she should resist him, especially once he becomes her employer. But resistance is futile and soon both are succumbing to their sizzling desire. However what will happen when Brook Lynn finds out the secret Jase has been too afraid to tell her?
Jase Hollister has jus
...more
Can a sane and sensible young woman quench the raging inferno of an ex-con looking to stay out of the trouble that always seems to find him? The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter has the answer and a whole lot more!
Scarred emotionally from is past, Jase is part of a trio who buy a farm where peace and quiet may finally sooth his pain. His path to finding and lusting for Brook is filled with conquests and easy sex, but she is different, very different and change is what he is looking for.
Brook’s ...more
Scarred emotionally from is past, Jase is part of a trio who buy a farm where peace and quiet may finally sooth his pain. His path to finding and lusting for Brook is filled with conquests and easy sex, but she is different, very different and change is what he is looking for.
Brook’s ...more

3.5/4 I liked this one

I don't know if I liked it because it's been ages since I last read a romance book, or because it was actually good, but I definitely liked it.
Cute, fun characters, with a lot of chemistry. It's what I want in all my romance books.
What gave it an extra 0.5 stars was the unexpectedness of the plot. Yes, predictable if you read the blurb, but if you don't, well, it was unexpected. And nice.
Well done, author! I like you.

I'll try the next books of this series, maybe I'll get l ...more

I don't know if I liked it because it's been ages since I last read a romance book, or because it was actually good, but I definitely liked it.
Cute, fun characters, with a lot of chemistry. It's what I want in all my romance books.
What gave it an extra 0.5 stars was the unexpectedness of the plot. Yes, predictable if you read the blurb, but if you don't, well, it was unexpected. And nice.
Well done, author! I like you.

I'll try the next books of this series, maybe I'll get l ...more

Review posted on Got Fiction? book blog
I raved a week or two ago about the prequel novella to this series, and can I say I loved this book more! If you want one of the best heroes of the year, this book is it. Not to mention this is probably the hottest Showalter book out there.
That being said, I won't spoil what it is, but there's a part right at the beginning of the book that might be hard for you. BUT, while it is something I normally would drop a book for, Showalter made it work, made it be ...more
I raved a week or two ago about the prequel novella to this series, and can I say I loved this book more! If you want one of the best heroes of the year, this book is it. Not to mention this is probably the hottest Showalter book out there.
That being said, I won't spoil what it is, but there's a part right at the beginning of the book that might be hard for you. BUT, while it is something I normally would drop a book for, Showalter made it work, made it be ...more

2.5 stars *sigh* I just don't know what happened here. I will admit that I wanted to DNF it a dozen times, but then Showalter would give us a tiny hint of something sinister and I just had to know what the hell that was all going to be about. And I mean seriously tiny hints, like "There was a man." Super vague, but you know it wouldn't be mentioned if it wasn't going to be important later on. I called it. Totally called it. We've seen this villain a bajillion times and if it's not one of your fi
...more

3.5 stars
I loved Gena's Zombie YA series, so I was eager to finally read one of her other many books.
I really liked Brook Lynn and Jase. They're both so passionate and it definitely makes for some excellent UST. There are a lot of great secondary characters and I can't wait to see who are the stars of the companion books.
The only reason I didn't rate it higher is that the 2 part conflict was finally revealed when the book was almost over. Yes, there were hints about things, but nothing was act ...more
I loved Gena's Zombie YA series, so I was eager to finally read one of her other many books.
I really liked Brook Lynn and Jase. They're both so passionate and it definitely makes for some excellent UST. There are a lot of great secondary characters and I can't wait to see who are the stars of the companion books.
The only reason I didn't rate it higher is that the 2 part conflict was finally revealed when the book was almost over. Yes, there were hints about things, but nothing was act ...more

Oct 21, 2015
Maya
marked it as no-just-no
Well, let's just say having sex with your sister is a line I will never cross!
Also, H finds out near the end of the story that he has a kid with OW and his constant 'I want her, can't have her but also can't live without her' is getting old real fast! ...more
Also, H finds out near the end of the story that he has a kid with OW and his constant 'I want her, can't have her but also can't live without her' is getting old real fast! ...more

"THE CLOSER YOU COME is a promising start to the Original Heartbreakers series!"
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction ...more
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction ...more

2 ½ stars. Parts were enjoyable, but I skimmed parts toward the end.
All the characters are damaged or tortured by their past, which I don’t mind. But I was tired of so much of that angst being the basis for conflicts. I think it was overused. The couple is hot for each other but they frequently leave or stay away from each other. Here’s an example: They’re kissing and hot for each other. Then all of a sudden she says she should go because her sister needs her. He says I don’t want you to go. Sh ...more
All the characters are damaged or tortured by their past, which I don’t mind. But I was tired of so much of that angst being the basis for conflicts. I think it was overused. The couple is hot for each other but they frequently leave or stay away from each other. Here’s an example: They’re kissing and hot for each other. Then all of a sudden she says she should go because her sister needs her. He says I don’t want you to go. Sh ...more

This is by far not the best romance book I've ever read by Gena Showalter has a way with writing male characters with a dark past and women lost on their way to finding something. I loved the relationship between these two, I just wished Brook Lynn wasn't so self righteous. Calling herself a slut for things that are natural to women. I want to read about girls empowering themselves, not making themselves feel worthless.
...more

H slept with the h's sister.
...more

Oct 21, 2015
Deserie williams
marked it as just-not-for-me-stay-away-hell-no
Self note: H/h meet while he just banged h's sister. cant read when sisters have had same cock ! yuck! I hope he at least used condoms!
...more

I am being generous giving this 2 stars. Because I didn't hate it. Mostly. I liked some of it even. This was my first book by the author, and the plot sounded interesting from the short blurb, and hey it was only $2, so I grabbed it. It started off with a decent writing style, and the heroine seemed interesting at first.
So what went wrong? The premise of this series is that we have these 3 friends/former foster brothers with issues: a former drug addict, a sex addict, and the main hero of this f ...more
So what went wrong? The premise of this series is that we have these 3 friends/former foster brothers with issues: a former drug addict, a sex addict, and the main hero of this f ...more
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Gena Showalter Fans: The Closer You Come/The Secret Fling (Heartbreakers #1) | 1 | 52 | Apr 17, 2014 07:20AM |
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family an
...more
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