Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Playing with Fire #4

Closer to the Edge

Rate this book
The fourth and final book in the USA Today best selling Playing With Fire series from Tara Sivec.

Cole Vargas has battled the demons that have plagued his nightmares, but winning the heart of the woman he destroyed is going to be the fight of his life.

When Cole returns home wounded from his latest mission, his only thoughts are of the woman who still owns his heart and getting strong enough to stand on his own two feet in front of her, to beg for her forgiveness.

Olivia Lafierre had her own nightmares to deal with since Cole said good-bye to her. Broken and alone, she lost everything the day Cole left and is still paying the price for loving him.

When the two are thrown together before either are ready, secrets will be revealed, friends will become enemies and past mistakes will push them...closer to the edge.

299 pages, ebook

First published September 20, 2014

68 people are currently reading
2913 people want to read

About the author

T.E. Sivec

10 books221 followers
Pen name of Tara Sivec

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,004 (49%)
4 stars
739 (36%)
3 stars
227 (11%)
2 stars
40 (1%)
1 star
17 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
Profile Image for Kim Bailey.
Author 6 books608 followers
May 3, 2015
5 Stars

This final book in the Playing With Fire series is stunning. There's not much I can say without giving too many spoilers. But I will tell you that it is an incredibly emotional and absolutely heartbreaking story. There is a touch of mystery and suspense like the rest of the series. And of course there's some romance and a few steamy scenes. But don't be fooled!!! It will kick your ass ... or your heart.

Can be read as stand alone, but is so much better if the series is read in order.
A Beautiful Lie (Playing with Fire, #1) by T.E. Sivec Because of You (Playing with Fire, #2) by T.E. Sivec Worn Me Down (Playing with Fire, #3) by T.E. Sivec Closer to the Edge (Playing with Fire, #4) by T.E. Sivec
Profile Image for Sofia Lazaridou.
2,846 reviews136 followers
March 29, 2015
OMG THE TITLE! CLOSER TO THE EDGE! ANOTHER MARS SONG!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLqHD... ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME? BECAUSE YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!

I don't remember one moment I tried to forget
I lost myself yet I'm better not sad
Now I'm closer to the edge

It was a a thousand to one and a million to two
Time to go down in flames and I'm taking you
Closer to the edge

No I'm not saying I'm sorry
One day, maybe we'll meet again
No I'm not saying I'm sorry
One day, maybe we'll meet again
No, no, no, no

Can you imagine a time when the truth ran free
A birth of a song, a death of a dream
Closer to the edge
This never ending story, paid for with pride and faith
We all fall short of glory, lost in ourself

No I'm not saying I'm sorry
One day, maybe we'll meet again
No I'm not saying I'm sorry
One day, maybe we'll meet again
No, no, no, no

No, no, no, no
I will never forget
No, no
I will never regret
No, no
I will live my life
No, no, no, no
I will never forget
No, no
I will never regret
No, no
I will live my life

No I'm not saying I'm sorry
One day, maybe we'll meet again
No, no
No, I'm not saying I'm sorry
One day, maybe we'll meet again
No, no, no, no

Closer to the edge
Closer to the edge
No, no, no, no
Closer to the edge
Closer to the edge
No, no, no, no

Closer to the edge




Unfortunately Closer to the edge is the final book in the playing with fire series. The book was emotional and I shed a couple of tears. I loved the yellow door and I I ever get the chance to see one I will be reminded of Cole and Olivia. I am sad to watch the series ending. One day I will get the whole series in hardback format because these books deserve to be in my library. Cole and Olivia's story were very moving as Parker and Garret's was.



Profile Image for Michelle Finkle.
492 reviews27 followers
February 16, 2015
4.25 Stars! This was a fantastic conclusion to this series and my favorite overall. What I loved about this story is how Tara very creatively brought the circumstances of the past into the present day telling of the story without a lot of back and forth. I wouldn't call this a second chance love story but an unfinished one that unraveled very nicely. It contained all my favorite components including that gut wrenching feeling as I was reading and longing for the truth to be relieved. This series had great plot twists and suspenseful pivotal moments. I think Tara excels at this type of genre where romance is paired with mystery and suspense, action and alphas, with moments of steam and butterflies while being kept on the edge of your seat. I'd love to see more like this from her in the future.
Profile Image for Nancy❤The❤Bookaholic.
1,169 reviews141 followers
October 26, 2014
description
~~3.5 YELLOW-DOOR HEARTS~~

This story is about Cole & Olivia. Why don't I remember Cole or Olivia from the other books? I guess it's either been too long or they didn't make a lasting impression on me. :/ I thought it would come rushing back once I stated reading but only little bits and piece seeped through.

Cole's family is beyond dysfunctional. I couldn't deal with a family like Cole's. Caroline is cray cray. He's trying to win Olivia back. He up and left her without a word to seek revenge in the Dominican after being gone for a year. This isn't anything like Tara's Chocolate Lover's series but still a good read.
Profile Image for ~Steph K~.
418 reviews149 followers
October 2, 2014
This was definitely my favorite book of the series - I could not put it down, and read it in one day! Cole and Liv had a beautiful life together before he left her unexpectedly to take revenge on the man who killed his two friends. What happened to her while he was away broke her down. Now he's back, and he wants to fix all the mistakes and hurt he made and caused her - but he needs her help to heal too.

I loved watching these two connect back together, trying to pick up the pieces - and learn with Cole all that Liv went through while he was away - and there was so much. Holy cow, the twist and turns - I didn't see some of that coming at all. Absolutely adored Liv and Cole - and was captivated by this book. Great series!
Profile Image for Witchy Richey's Booktastic Reviews.
1,100 reviews66 followers
September 22, 2014
Fabulous 5 stars!

Great ending to a great series.

Cole and Olivia had everything. A wonderful relationship full of love but underlying guilt broke it all apart. Cole went away leaving Liv broken and alone. Add a somewhat nutso family into the mix and Olivia has been through hell the past year.

Now Cole must try to put the relationship back together, to mend the heart he broke. Secrets and revelations will create more heartache than Cole ever thought he would have to mend.

This was another great book by Tara Sivec. I love her books that make me laugh out load but I also love that she can take on a more serious series and rock it fabulously. Closer to the Edge is a read you should not miss.

Sent from my iPad
2,076 reviews24 followers
January 17, 2016
Well how the hell do I follow this?

I was almost going to give this a 2 rating cause I couldn't believe that Tara Sivec was doing "that" but she turned it round and I have to admit the adrenaline was pumping as fast as I was turning the pages.

Quite a story, one of hope and one of new beginnings and at times incredibly sad......but does this story of Cole and Olivia have a happy ending or does it have a happy beginning?

Does Liv become his "yellow door"

read it and see - you wont be disappointed.

Profile Image for Rachel.
219 reviews
January 3, 2015
Nice end to a great quartet!

This book stars Olivia, who was Parker's nurse when she was in the hospital in the first book (the same hospital that Cole's parents run). The two of them hit it off and actually grew to be best friends. And our male lead goes to Cole, another SEAL from the team. Both have come from troubled pasts, but found their way to each other. Olivia never knew who her dad was, and her mother was an addict who overdoed right when Olivia turned 18. She spent her whole life taking care of her mother and that's the reason she decided to become a nurse. Cole comes from a very well off family that disapproved of his choice to join the navy right out of high school. He joined with his two best friends who were killed in the previous book on the last mission they went on. After their deaths, Cole decided to retire from the SEALS. Parker set the two of them up, and eventually, with a lot of pursuing on Cole's part, they got together and have been inseparable since. Things were going great between them until the day that Cole gets a call from his former boss. He tells him that he's got a lead on the group relating to the incident that killed his best friends. Not one to let a grudge like this go, he tells Olivia that he's going back under and to not wait for him since he isn't coming back.

Olivia went through a lot trying to get over Cole. She loses her job at the hospital and Garrett pulls a lot of strings to get her a job as a home health care aide. She gets her first assignment and when she arrives at the house finds none other than Cole. Apparently he was wounded on the last mission and underwent a lot of surgery. He had the plan of winning Olivia back but wanted to be able to get back on his knees and beg. She was hurt even more knowing he was back and didn't come for her.

A lot of stuff happened while he was gone and Olivia decides to fill him in. She found out she was pregnant not too long after Cole left. Freaking out, she found her inner strength and decided that she could raise this child on her own. Olivia made it to 7 months when she had complications that caused her to lose the baby and to almost lose her life. She thought that she did it to herself because she wouldn't slow down with working and wasn't taking care of herself. It turns out, that someone intentionally did it to her. Olivia thought that it was Cole's mother since it seems like she had it out for her from the beginning. Cole's mom wrote Olivia a check for $10,000 to "take care of the baby" and even have a little extra for whatever she wanted. When Olivia lost the baby, they found a certain drug in her system that Cole's mom spun around and made it look like she stole. After losing her baby, she lost her job. It took Olivia a long time to recover both physically and mentally from all of this.

Cole on the other hand is finding out more and more secrets about his family. When he gets back from this tour, he finds that his dad has retired from the hospital. According to the story that was told, he retired so that he could spend more time with his family. His mother told him it was because his dad became schizophrenic and needed to be institutionalized. It turns out that all of that was a lie. His dad retired because he was just done with their family and wanted to go be with the mistress he has had for years. And the crazy one, turned out to be his adoptive sister Caroline. Cole's parents noticed her obsession with Cole from a young age and tried to hide it from him and everyone else while trying to get her the help he needed. Any girl that Cole was ever with or brought home was bribed or driven away by his parents because they knew what their daughter was capable of doing. Olivia was the first girl that he brought home that wouldn't back down that easily.

Cole and Olivia get back together after Cole pours his heart out to Olivia and they fall into their old ways. Things are going great between them until Cole's mother plays dirty to break them up. She lies to Cole and spins the story about how Olivia lost the baby and he actually believes her. He goes to her and says some really nasty things and then takes off. He shows up on Parker and Garrett's doorstep completely wasted. Parker, being the tough cookie she is, whips his ass and shows him the truth. When Parker takes Cole back to apologize, they find blood and Olivia missing.

Going into a blind panic, Cole and Garrett call in the cavalry to help find her. They conclude that Caroline was the one that took Olivia and was also the one that terminated her pregnancy. They figure out that Caroline took Olivia to the house that Cole was building for them. Cole's mother makes in there first and finds Caroline holding a knife to Olivia. Cole's mother pulls out a gun and tells Caroline to put the knife down. In the toughest decision of her life, Cole's mother pulls the trigger when Caroline really goes after Olivia. At this moment, Cole pulls up and hears the gun shot. Running as fast as he can and ignoring all the pain in his knee he finds Olivia alive and well and his sister dead.

Despite all of this, Olivia decides that she doesn't want Cole back. She found it in her heart to forgive him once, but she can't do it again. She doesn't want to open herself up like that again because she knew she wouldn't be able to survive it. They actually go about 6 months without any contact until Cole starts sending her little gifts every day. Olivia decides that she needs to get away and Parker, with her sister in law Gwen take Olivia to Napa Valley to see Layla's concert. While there, listening to one of Layla's songs, Olivia realizes that she will never love anyone else the way that she does Cole. She starts to take off to run back to him, when all of a sudden he was there. They kiss, they make up and all is well.

The book flashes forward, showing all four women with all four of their navy SEALS together with all of their children. Despite thinking that Olivia would never be able to have children again, her a Cole were blessed with two twin girls.

And they all live happily ever after!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Shanna.
625 reviews49 followers
December 28, 2020
So it took me something like 6 years to get to the end of this series, I just lost my reading mojo and life got in the way. But this book is how I know that Tara Save is the queen, this one was far more emotional and complicated than the previous books in this series, but at its heart after Cole carried all those emotions and feelings, I don't think his HEA would've ever come easy. At the same time Olivia was just the most perfect person in the world for him, I couldn't believe how incredibly strong she was and how that strength was so easily to translate into her role and her profession. I think Olivia is one of those heroines that make us want to be better, the fact that she went through all of those things with Cole and without Cole, but still saw him as her one and only shows how amazing love can be when we find the right the person. I loved this series, and I regret taking so long to finish it.
Profile Image for Kylie.
1,098 reviews10 followers
March 3, 2018
But I mean seriously!

Can Tara write anything that sucks?
This one caught me by surprise, that’s for sure. I was totally ready for the suspense, I was not ready for the emotional roller coaster that accompanied said suspense. Tara will break your heart so hard in this book.
I’m having trouble even expressing the way I feel about this book. It’s a strange type of euphoria. There were many times I was terrified during this book, I mean things have to work out the way I want them too, right? RIGHT?
Sweet baby Jesus. I can’t tell you whether or not things work out the way I hoped. But I can tell you, that you absolutely need to read this series. I recommend reading them in order, because there are semi-large spoilers if done any other way. But I promise it’s worth it.

#teamtara
Profile Image for Up All Night Book Addict.
1,240 reviews279 followers
March 2, 2021
I read this book way back when. Like in 2014 maybe? Basically, a long time ago. However I hadn't marked it as read or wrote a review for it. So, I dove back into it and devoured it for the second time.

For fans of this author, if you haven't read this series, I really do suggest reading it. It's completely different from what you would expect from her, and it's everything!

From the heartbreak, the beautiful reunion, to the next heartbreak, this book is a roller coaster of ups and downs that I know I couldn't have relished more. This book is more of a third chance romance than a second chance romance with a suspenseful undertone. I couldn't have asked for more.

I'm not really sure what else I want to say about this book. It was yet another one that I can't speak highly enough of.
Profile Image for Pam.
1,681 reviews54 followers
November 16, 2018
It’s been 4 years since I’ve read the first three books in the series. I’m not sure if that has to do with how I feel, but I just did not connect with this one. Although there were some twists, I found the story to be somewhat predictable. Overall I did enjoy the story though. And I liked Cole and Olivia.
Profile Image for ☆Laura☆.
4,638 reviews53 followers
February 4, 2022
Olivia sufrio mucho y aun así siguió siendo buena persona.

Cole me decepcionó cuando creyó a una persona que no vio por el en lugar de creerle a la persona que siempre estuvo para él
Profile Image for Lisbeth .
5,510 reviews
September 6, 2024
Lectura simple y predecible. La narración pudo haber sido mejor, ya que en ciertos momentos se pierde el hilo de la historia.
109 reviews
December 11, 2016
This book was really good, and I loved the heroine was so strong in the face of some truly heartbreaking events that would have broken a weaker person. As for the hero, ugh I wanted to slap his selfish ass. The first time he left her while it was wrong, I could have understood somewhat. When he did it the second time due to some familial interference was when I wanted her to leave him for good. The way he left her and the reason why made me want to slap the hell out of him. In a way I wish that she would have never forgiven him but I did like that she didnt make it easy for him and that she took some time to heal. I really liked it and was happy that they got a surprise HEA, just wish that I had read the series from the beginning.

Profile Image for Melanie.
121 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2015
Another good book from this series.Cole and Olivia were great together,Cole had to go away to get peace and revenge for his two close friends he lost,Olivia did understand this once she knew the facts but it didn't make the terrible things she had to go through alone any easier.it was nice to see the others from the previous books in this book.Lovely ending and the bonus scene was funny and a good way to introduce Lucky,Hoss and Zues who will be in the CageVec series,which I will read when released.
Profile Image for Laz the Sailor.
1,761 reviews80 followers
May 8, 2016
This may be the worst of the series. All angst all the time. And so very similar to the earlier books. Can two people have more terrible things happen to them, caused by people they love and trust? It became so tiresome.

Per the previews included in the bundle, there will be 3 more in the same style, and I can't decide whether to read them. If they are as good as the 3rd book, then I'm all for it. If they are more like the first or last, then I'm not.
Profile Image for Jenny••Steamy Reads Blog••.
987 reviews1,966 followers
February 14, 2015
This was my favorite of the series. It was fast pace and kept you so hooked I couldn't wait to see what happened. It's gut wrenching and heart warming. Tear you apart and put you back together!!! Loved this series!!!!!
Profile Image for Caroline.
439 reviews21 followers
May 29, 2016
wow!! this was for me the best book in the series. Cole and Olivia was great. They had a past and was hoping they had a future to. the story took its twists and turns like the other books but this one was better. I even cried during this book it was so emotional but it was great. xx
Profile Image for Tracy Tackett.
1,131 reviews55 followers
September 27, 2014
Another great one from Tara!!!! A very sweet, emotional story. Sad to see this series end!
1,848 reviews6 followers
December 19, 2014
I'm at a loss for words. This is a beautiful, gut-wrenching story that will stay with you for a while after finishing it. Kudos to Tara Sivec - you never disappoint.
Profile Image for Shierly.
635 reviews6 followers
September 23, 2014
My eyes are puffy and my head is aching from too much crying! What a story...thanks Tara you nver fail...you made me cry and laugh with your books!
Profile Image for Joy Reads.
109 reviews28 followers
January 25, 2018
This book was just not for me. I enjoyed the rest in this series, so maybe it's me? Maybe I'm just less willing to believe the unbelievable than I was when I read the others.

This is a story of Olivia and Cole. Cole leaves Olivia to go back to a warzone to find the man responsible for the lives of his friends. Of course, he doesn't discuss any of this with Olivia, because then there would be less conflict. The story begins when he comes home and attempts to win Olivia back.

While Cole was gone, Olivia's life fell apart. She was alone, lost her job, lost her career, and lost so much more. It's not just that she lost everything, it is also the fact Cole's family was involved in every aspect of her losses.

There was just a lot in this that was not believable. Cole's family was so fucked up. () Then there were aspects that as a feminist, just upset me. Even the end made me roll my eyes.

This started out well for me, but quickly went downhill until I just skimmed it wanting to see how it ended. It was nice seeing the couples from the previous books, though.
13 reviews
April 14, 2023
3 and 1/2 stars✨
This book was extremely heart wrenching, angst filled burning book,below listed are likes and dislikes-

SPOILER FREE LIKES-

What I LIKED in the book-
✨Less separation,(I've read books with decades of separation between H and h, but it was nice to only suffer from less separation)
✨Strong as hell h, I Stan this woman, she has been through a LOT.
✨The supporting characters were amazing, (Parker and garett you guys are awesome!)
✨It was never indicated that the H was fucking around while they were separated, it was kinda nice, but a confirmation that he was devoted would have been appreciated.
✨ Mother's love has been depicted heart wrenchingly,
✨h made the H work for her forgiveness , she knew she needed to heal on her own.

🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥

🪓SPOILER ALERT🪓

What I HATED-
🪓How easy it seemed for the H to just drop the h like a hot potato, I mean yes you just lost your friend, but that doesn't mean you shatter the heart of the one person you are supposed to love with your entire being!
🪓H broke her heart two fucking times, are you serious right now?????, He was so eager to believe his bitch of a family.
🪓and don't even get me started on Caroline, she should be grateful she is dead already or else I would have been waiting on her doorstep.
Profile Image for Shelley.
1,137 reviews10 followers
December 26, 2017
Wow this story is Cole and Olivias. This story was heart wrenching and so emotional that it will bring tears to your eyes. These characters are amazing and I was in awe of Olivia's strength. Yes Cole made me mad but you can't really blame him when he has so many people around him who just lie to him and have his entire life. This is one of those books you wont put down and it is so worth it.
Profile Image for Books and Me.
160 reviews12 followers
December 19, 2021
Este es uno de los libros más intensos que he leído emocionalmente hablando. Vas de un extremo a otro, con drama, dolor, tristeza, furia, amor, pasión, traición...

Fue casi horrible, pero las sorpresas y los giros fueron inesperados, definitivamente necesarios para ajustar las cosas y dar un mejor rumbo a la trama de Olivia y Cole.
July 17, 2022
I think that this book was my favorite from the series. I did not read this when it originally came out because of the cover, but when I saw it on Amazon, I restarted the series.

I like that the series continued having Parker and Garrett still involved, but the main focus was on the characters of Olivia and Cole.

This had some twists and turns (kinda saw this one coming), family drama, couples drama, and a breakup or two in the mix.
Profile Image for Tameka.
2,219 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2017
This story pulls at you heart strings more than one way. Cole who left the one person who could sooth all his demons to correct a wrong find to him and his fallen brothers now has to face the woman he broke in more ways than one.

They both have fences to mend before they can move forward.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.