The Secret Fling (Original Heartbreakers Book 1)

The Closer You Come by Gena ShowalterFirst 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 and their relationship struggles through many obstacles.A multitude of changing events fly through this book from previous lovers, jealous friends, and a mysterious stalker from Jase’s history. Then more complications with Brook Lynn’s hearing aids and a old girlfriend with a child.I liked Brook Lynn’s determination and friendliness. She keeps on going regardless of the hits.The bad boy brothers have troubled pasts, but I was amused by their hitting on every woman they crossed paths with. I look forward to them finding that special woman that’s takes them off the single market.

OK so I've read the newest book,Can't Hardly Breathe, in this series first and it was amazing so I bought all three of the full length books and started reading them in order. I love Gena Showalter and any series she's ever written and the newest installment of this one so I figured I'd absolutely love them all. Unfortunately I was wrong and so glad I read her newest book first otherwise I'm not sure if I'd go on with the series. I had three major problems with this book that I just could not let go of and they'll all be in the next two upcoming books as well but since I bought them I will read them but I'm more interested in the characters in her newest book and their stories.Spoiler 1) He slept with her sister! Yes it was before he met Brook Lynn(literally minutes),she walks into the bedroom after they just got done, and Jase thinks it was bad sex but still! I just couldn't get over her being with a guy her sister slept with,still wanted and kept calling Brook Lynn's future brother in law. Of course he ends up with Brook Lynn but I just can't be ok with him having slept with his wife's sister no matter the circumstances. In real life I'd assume she'd always be wondering if one or the other was thinking about what happened and wanting a repeat or just feel so self-conscious and awkward with it wondering if she was getting compared to her sister no matter if he said the sex was a mistake and bad and she said it was weird, she still chased after him wanting a repeat and to marry him! Them together is just not something you can take back ever! They saw each other naked,touched each other and he was inside her! Yuck no thanks!Spoiler 2) The sister Jessie Kay slept with both Jase and Beck (not in that order) and she's going to end up with West! So the third full length book in the series is about them and I already have a major problem with it! Now she's not only slept with her sisters husband but also her future husbands best friends! Again not something you can take back and he to me would have the same issues with it I imagine Brook Lynn to have! I also didn't care for Jessie Kay at all,I know she grows up in the other books but still, and she's with a guy I really like!Spoiler 3) Jase's ex comes back into the picture at the end of the book,yeah we saw that coming so no big deal except she brings his 9 year old daughter with that he never even knew about! I understand that happens in real life but i just hated to see it in the book. Maybe if it happened at the beginning or the middle so we had time to get used to it and Brook Lynn and Jase had time to work it out instead of it being a huge deal and then everything ok the next minute it would have been ok. Like I said I'll read the next books and just hope I can get over it all enough when it comes to Jessie Kay and Wests turn. As long as Becks book doesn't involve much of Jessie Kay I'm sure I'll love it and it'll hopefully be what I need to get rid of some of my anger towards her before it's time for her book lol

I have long been a fan of Gena's and her writing, of course we all know how fantastic her paranormal romance novels are, I adore her Lords Of The Underworld series, so when I got the chance to join up to the blog tour for The Closer You Come to read and write a review I jumped at the chance. I was extremely intrigued to see how well she could pull of writing a contemporary romance and let me just say she aced it!I made sure to read the prequel novella first The One You Want which helped to familiarise myself with the couple Kenna and Dane who appeared in this book a few times, Kenna was Brooke Lynn's best-friend and I really enjoyed their story, Jase also appeared towards the end of the novella so I had already been introduced to his character and because of this I was really interested to discover why he'd spent the last nine years in prison.I picked up The Closer You Come with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the story, characters and the wonder that is Gena's writing, I knew I was going to enjoy this, she has a way of writing in any genre it seems and just nailing it, the story of Brooke Lynn and Jase's romance made for an intense and thrilling read, the devastating history of Jase's childhood and incarceration was so sad and heartbreaking, knowing that because of all he'd been through he thought that he wasn't worthy of anything good in his life, not even the chance to find happiness and someone to love and have them love him in return, believing that no one would ever be able to see beyond the fact that he was an ex-con, that was before Brooke Lynn entered his life, as much as he tried to fight it Jace found himself falling for her hard, and she for him.But of course their way to a happily ever after was never going to be smooth sailing, with misunderstandings, disagreements and self preservation aplenty throughout, Jace and Brooke Lynn sure do have their work cut out for them, add in a cast of fun and interesting supporting characters and you have yourself a delightfully, entertaining read that will leave you wanting more.I'm anxiously awaiting the next couple of books which will focus on Jase's two best-friends West and Brent and also Brooke Lynn's sister Jessie Kay, I'm pretty sure their stories will be as captivating as this one was.I would recommend this book to everyone who likes their contemporary romances hot and steamy, hard to put down and with a plot that will be sure to keep you on your toes.

Always a good read. Gena never fails to tell a good story. Bought this from an American supplier, took a little longer than from this country as you would expect. Very good condition.

Beautiful romance another hit for Gena

love it