So this was clearly a case of its me not you. I normally enjoy Alexa Riley's books but this one was just ok for me. They provided everything that I've come to expect and usually love with their insta love stories but this book was just ok for me. Even though it didn't blow me away like the other please don't let my review stop you from one clicking.

Super short, fast paced story that kicks off a new series from this author. I really enjoyed the story and it was fun to see Ryan and Paige from His Alone again (Penny is their daughter). As is common with this author there is insta-love when Penny's new bodyguard Ivan meets her. He will do anything to protect her and when she's ready he plans on making her his. Penny is just as smitten with Ivan but she's starting her life. Could she have possibly met the one at such a young age??

I really did enjoy the story. The only thing that bothered me was the age of Penny. I wish she had been graduating college rather than high school!! Overall though a very enjoyable read and one I would recommend.

Stay Close hits many of Alexa Riley's trademark tropes: barely legal virgin heroine, love and lust at first sight, completely smitten hero, accelerated courtship, and instant HEA. For me, this is one of Riley's better books since it tones down the hero's possessiveness and focuses more on his desire to protect the heroine. But never fear, I think Stay Close will please many diehard Riley fans with its sweet but steamy romance.

The heroine is Penelope (Penny), daughter of Paige and Captain from the For Her series. I haven't read their book and it's not necessary since Stay Close (book #1 in the For You series) works as a standalone. Penny is very much the heart of her family. Her twin sister, Pandora, is a bit more brash and provides comic relief. But Penny has a tender heart and her parents pull out all the stops to protect her, along with Pandora.

Paige and Captain work for a security firm and take their daughters' safety incredibly seriously. When trusted family friend and security expert Ivan is hired as Penny's bodyguard, there are instant sparks between them.

Ivan escaped a dark criminal past and bleak existence in Russia. He has no family, so when he falls for Penny, it's like he's feeling the warmth of the sun for the first time. She gives him hope and causes him to embrace his emotions--all brand-new experiences for him.

Likewise, Ivan's presence in Penny's life is an abrupt change for her as well. Used to being the backbone of her family, Penny now finds herself in love with a man who has pledged himself to her, body and soul. She no longer has to worry about taking care of everyone else all the time. Rather, Ivan is here to lighten that load. Now, it's Penny's turn to be taken care of.

I really enjoyed this book. Yes, insta-love typically isn't my thing, but Ivan's so darn swoon worthy. I found him to be one of the most likable Riley heroes because he's not creepy or stalkerish. And even though the relationship moves lightning fast in true Alexa Riley form, I appreciated that the couple doesn't automatically start popping out babies straightaway, for once! I also really enjoyed Penny's close relationship with her twin as well as their parents.

Overall, Stay Close left me with a pretty feel-good impression. As I mentioned, many of the Riley trademarks are there, but are more toned-down in this book--while retaining that guaranteed HEA that Riley never fails to deliver.

Stay Close is a novella that gives you what you expect from Alexa Riley: short, sappy, instant love! If you don't like that kind of thing, this isn't the book for you. But, if you are like me, you gobble up AR books and you will love this!

Penelope is the daughter of Ryan and Paige from His Alone. She has a twin sister, Pandora, that she is very close to as well. She has grown up seeing the love between her parents and she can't wait to have that kind of affection. She is the kind, caring sister. She is soft and thoughtful where Pandora is a bit more like her mom! Penelope is 18 and finishing her last year of high school when her parents bring Ivan in to be her new guard. Its love at first sight!

Ivan had a tough childhood and feels that he isn't deserving of Penelope. But, he loves her and goes all alpha! These two have a super fast courtship and their relationship moves at light speed. There is no hidden danger or threat in this story; the entire plot is around the development of the relationship between Penelope and Ivan.

Short, sweet, and over the top have become the keystone of Alexa Riley and Stay Close is no different! It was neat to see the kids of characters I loved in the past, and am looking forward to Pandora and (hopefully) Henry's books as well!
Link live on 7/13/17

I  really am starting to love with this author and her books. They always have fantastic characters which you totally get and even better chemistry between them. You also get a great storyline in each book and they are always well written and enjoyable to read. Another go to author for me. I really can't wait for more from her too totally recommend

I'm a big fan of Riley and her new series was wonderful. But as much as I enjoy the full length novels, i began reading Riley's novellas first. And this was a sterling example of her mastery of the genre. Loved, loved

I first noticed Alexa Riley through Amazon and am glad she has branched out to publish with Harlequin. I can now recommend her books for purchase for patrons who don't shop at Amazon often. Her heroes are old-school alpha and lots of reads love that. She writes big, passionate, wish fulfillment stories that readers seem to love.

Alex Riley should have their own subgenre called alexariley. We would have contemporary, historical, paranormal, and alexariley. This author duo writes romances that are their own niche and readers can’t get enough of their older, uber-alpha heroes falling in love at first sight and going totally hot stalker-caveman over young, innocent heroines. I never thought these types of stories would be my jam, but I find I really enjoy them, because they are pure escapism. 

Stay Close features a damaged, lonely Russian bodyguard, Ivan, who falls for his eighteen-year old, sweet-as-can-be client, Paige. Both fall fast and hard for the other, but they worry whether or not Paige’s parents will approve since they hired Ivan. Paige is very sweet with Ivan, who has had a difficult life and has never had anyone love and care for him. They make an endearing couple. Readers of Riley’s book will recognize Paige and her twin sister, because their parents are the protagonists from His Alone.

Stay Close is pure Alex Riley goodness, and I can’t wait to see what they write next.

I loved this short, sweet sexy story, it's Alexa Riley, what's not to love!

I love the interactions between the twins, and the family. I love IVAN, he is EVERYTHING.

the story is perfect before bed read, its a quick one hand read with a plot.

Hello INSTALOVE! its my jam, I love stories that are like thing. so simple no drama just cheesy love story. I can not wait for the next one in the series.

Things you can expect from an Alexa Riley romance: hard-hitting attraction between our two leads, plenty of sexy times, and a couple so dedicated to one another you might end up feeling a little faint.

Ivan and Penelope certainly tick off all the boxes in this book. Penny might be young, but she knows she and Ivan are meant for one another the first time she lays eyes on him. With his past, Ivan doesn't think he's good enough and tries to stay away. Kinda. Mostly there are a lot of smoldering looks and Ivan's iron-hard control being shredded.

He's it for her and she's it for him and the rest, as they say, is history. Sexy, sexy history. With a side order of explaining to Penny's parents how their romance happened. Let's face it, that's always fun in an awkward, uncomfortable sort of way.

Now I'm imagining all the way's Pandora's going to fall after her declaration that she wasn't going to do that love thing. Yeah, right. Just you wait, Pandora!

Definitely one of my new faves by Alexa Riley!!! Totally loved it!

I love this book. It hit so many of my favorite hot buttons. Insta-love and insta-lust, check. Sexy, dark, tortured hero that only the heroine can help, check. Revisiting old favorite characters, and seeing the "next generation" find love, check. Swoony pet names in foreign languages, check, check, check! AR books almost always make me delightfully happy, and this was one of my favorites. This is the first of a spin-off series from their full length book series, For Her. 

Penelope Justice is the heroine of our story, and she's one of the twin daughters of Captain and Paige from His Alone (which I also LOVED). Penelope is 18, and almost done with high school. She's sweet, and caring, and a great cook. She's constantly mother hen-ing her twin, and even her parents. They all count on her to be the heart of their family. She's also a bit of a troublemaker, constantly trying to give the slip to the security guards that her parents insist she have at all times. But, then comes the one she never wants to run from.

Ivan has had a hard, dangerous life. Growing up in Russia, an orphan, he did whatever he could to get by and make money. That, unfortunately, led down some dark paths, including the underground Russian mafia. Once he had enough and wanted out, he found someone to help him. That someone happened to be an employee of an American company Osbourne Corp. In return for their help, he helped them with whatever they needed done overseas, where he was still living. His contact for those jobs was Paige Justice. When he decided to move on from that work, Paige called in a favor to have him come to the states, and work as Penelope's security guard. As soon as he sets eyes on Penelope, he knows he's done for. 

There was so much attraction and tension between Penelope and Ivan it was crackling off the page. Especially for such a short book, their connection was electric. I loved the way they were with each other from the start. I also loved how Pandora, Penny's twin, always knew just what she was thinking, and sometimes tried to talk her out of it. I loved how Ivan felt he wasn't good enough for her, but wasn't willing to let her go, regardless. I really enjoyed all their interactions.

There was so much to love in such a short story. I love getting to see old favorites, and see how things are going in the future. Alexa Riley always has fabulous epilogues (another one of my favorite things!), and seeing into the future this way, with stories about former character's kids, is kind of an extension of that. I really loved everything about this, and I can't wait to read about Pandora, and also the twins' cousin Henry, the son of Mallory and Oz from Everything For Her! If you loved the For Her series, you will love this book too!

5 smoldering stars

Once again these 2 ladies we know as Alexa Riley have written another freaking fantastic instant love story.

Stay Close is simply a great book. It's a typical Alexa Riley story.  Guy sees girl and he is instantly in love and will do any and every thing to keep her. He becomes a caveman and needs to make sure his women is safe.

Penelope's folks run a security company and know what can happen so they hire Ivan to protect her.  She has always snuck away from the others, but not Ivan.

I can't say enough about Stay Close except just go get it, it's GREAT.

Thanks for writing more instant love stories with over the top alpha males! I love love love!!!

An enjoyable read though and I definitely think you all should read it and experience it for yourself

4 stars

I will post my review closer to the release date.I really enjoyed this.Thank you.

He was having sex with his charge while she was still in HS!!!! Wildly inappropriateness aside,  there should have been angst and longing till she graduated.  The romance just moved too fast.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

ARC received for review

Remember Captain and Paige from His Alone (For Her, #2) by Alexa Riley. It's one of their twins turn to fall.

Penelope/Penny loves to take care of her parents and sister and is a pro at escaping her body guards. Then they hire Ivan to guard her...and it's pure Alexa Riley insta-love and hot bedroom times. I really wanted more story..her to get kidnapped and Ivan rescue her...what debt is he repaying to Paige. On the plus side there are two epilogues, plus so much good stuff but I don't do spoilers.

Can't wait for her sister, Pandora, and their cousin, Henry to get their own HEAs.

Personal issue that I hope they fix...no is Russian is nyet, not net.

4.5 Stars!

This is the first book in the For You series and it follows the story of Ivan & Penelope. Penelope is the daughter of Paige and Captain Ryan. Growing up Penelope and her twin sister Pandora had bodyguards due to their parents work at Osbourne Corp. At the age of 18 Penelope gets a new bodyguard by the name of Ivan. And this sexy Russian decides then and there that he's going to do a lot more than protect this girl. He is going to own her...

"She is mine. I feel it deep down in a place I didn't even know was there."

This book was much shorter than the For Her books and I finished it in less than an hour. Nonetheless it was jam packed with sweetness and AR alpha goodness. Slight pushing away from the hero but it doesn't last very long. AR fans will not be disappointed!

I'm really excited for this series, I'm pretty sure Paige and Ryan's other daughter Pandora and Mallory and Oz's son Henry will get books as well! Super stoked!!! :)

ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is just delicious not that I expect anything less than smuttastic brilliance from the lovely Alexa Riley.

Everything about this hit the right spot.
Ivan is the perfect broken alpha man to get your heart swooning. Hes nothing but an absolute sweetheart through out this short story and there is nothing to dislike about him. 
I loved Penelope. What a little diamond she was. I expected a little immaturity but nope she was a brilliant heroine. Super sweet and loving and most definitely the light to Ivan's dark. 

As per with this author, the story is super faced paced and packs a wicked punch. A fast sensual sweet story.  Nothing felt rushed or Ill timed. Written seamlessly to  perfection there isn't one thing I disliked about it. Also a massive bonus is that there is zero angst init. no unnecessary drama just a sweet short love story. 
I can't gush enough about this story I thoroughly enjoyed it and that epilogue was positively gush worthy!. 

I kindly received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.