Review: Close to You (Fusion #2) by Kristen Proby

Title: Close to You

Series: Fusion #2 

Author: Kristen Proby

Release date: August 9, 2016

Cliffhanger: No

Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

Camilla, “Cami,” LaRue was five years old when she first fell in love with Landon Palazzo. Everyone told her the puppy love would fade—they clearly never met Landon. When he left after graduation without a backward glance, she was heartbroken. But Cami grew up, moved on, and became part-owner of wildly popular restaurant Seduction. She has everything she could want...or so she thinks. 

After spending the last 12 years as a Navy fighter pilot, Landon returns to Portland to take over the family construction business. When he catches a glimpse of little Cami LaRue, he realizes she’s not so little any more. He always had a soft spot for his little sister’s best friend, but nothing is soft now when he’s around the gorgeous restauranteur.

Landon isn’t going to pass up the chance to make the girl-next-door his. She’s never been one for romance, but he’s just the one to change her mind. Will seduction be just the name of her restaurant or will Cami let him get close enough to fulfill all her fantasies?

I just looked at Kristen Proby's backlist, and it appears that this is my twelfth book that I've read by her. This author used to be one of my go-to authors. I knew what to expect and I was just fine with that. She writes light, steamy, and feel-good stories about groups of friends that will put a cheesy grin on your face.

I'm not sure if the formula has lost some of its shine, or if my tastes have simply changed, but the last few books of hers I've read haven't had that wow factor like they used to. Regardless of that fact, I still found the story to be a fun and frothy romance with loads of sweetness. If that's what you're in the mood for, this will be right up your alley.

Cami has known Landon ever since they were kids. They grew up together and she developed a major crush on him that evolved into what she thought was unrequited love. Little did she know, her best friend's brother had deeper feelings for her as well. He was just better at hiding them.

I was a young girl being raised by elderly parents, my siblings already out of the house, and this boy would smile at me, and I felt like I was home.

I liked that the feelings were originally two-sided but never pursued. Landon was a little older than her and felt that she needed time to grow up some. But before he had a chance to make his feelings known, she was married to someone else and he was away in the Navy. They both always regretted that they were never given a chance to see what could have happened between them. She was the girl-next-door who got away, and he was the love of her life whom no one could ever compare.

Now Landon is back in town to start over after being discharged from service and they quickly discover that their feelings have never died down in all their time apart. Supported by their friends, they decide to explore a romantic relationship and see where it goes. The attraction between them flared quick and bright. They had a type of chemistry that was deep seated, one that had been nourished through years of unfulfilled feelings for each other. And when they came together, you could really feel their passionate connection.

I want to kiss her madly and lay her back on this couch and uncover her body, inch by inch, discovering what makes her moan and what makes her sigh.

My reasoning for giving this an average rating was simply that there seemed to be absolutely no conflict at all in the plot. Even when they faced a tragic moment at one point, there never was a struggle or an excess of difficulty. They seemed to move from one phase of the relationship to the next with no bumps or setbacks. Which in my opinion, led to the story falling flat. However, if you're looking for a quick and entertaining read that's drama free, this could be the right book for you.

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