I forgot I had this book on my TBR until now, and now that I’ve read this book…I’m glad I forgot about it for so long.

The writing is simplistic and basic. The plot is thin with no buildup and the main characters are two dimensional. Ally is a weak woman who believes she is in love with Henry from the beginning and thinks she can save him. This is a poor man’s version of Fifty Shades of Grey. I couldn’t imagine reading the sequel to this book and finding it enjoyable.

*ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for an honest review.*

Okay, so before I get into this review I need to confess something major. Yes, I've committed a reading crime. I accepted this ARC forever ago (okay last year, months ago, possibly in June or July). Then today I sign into NetGalley to see if I was behind on any reviews and low and behold I saw this book and I started to freak out!

Why did you freak out Alaina? Oh well.. super awkward.. I finished this book last year but totally forgot about writing the review and marking it as wanting to read/currently reading/read on Goodreads. Yes, I know I suck so much right guys but I'm coming clean and writing this review right now!

Closer was such an interesting book. I instantly liked Ally's character and once I got to know Henry a little bit better I definitely was hooked on him too. They meet in such an innocent way (casually bumping into each other on accident) at a tulip festival. I didn't know such festivals existed but it sounded beautiful and colorful. Too bad I'm not a big fan of flowers.

Now there is romance in this book; However, it's kind of predictable.... in a good way. I don't really have any problems with the flow or growth of their relationship. I think it's because I have blinders on sometimes when it comes to romance in books. I saw no flaws with their love and I was one hundred percent on board of the love train.

Other than romance, there's so much that can suck you in. Mystery, Suspense, Darkness, and even more! Trust me, it's so freaking good. It's like a good slow burn of a book. Not a slow burn kind of romance. No a slow burn kind of read.

Overall, very enjoyable. I love that I got a chance to read a book from a new author and from a new series. I can't wait for the second and third book. I want them all!

A most unusual romance with darkness. Not all is what it seems with a disturbing denouement. This is not for everyone.

I have to DNF this book due to unexpected personal issues. I don't DNF ever but I don't think I should push myself reading this. As stated in the blurb,there might be triggering points and believe it. I don't mind reading this kind of books and have actually read many others with the same plot and all those stuffs. And in my defence, I was okay, when I requested this book. Maybe I'll try picking this one again when I'm feeling better.

I think some will like this plot and would find it interesting because I would too. it's the typical Guy-billionaire and girl-fell-in-love-instantly, you know what I mean. If you liked 50 Shades of Gray, you might find this one interesting though having read almost 70 % of the book, I can say that the characters are bit off and under-developed. But I didn't finish it though, so I don't know.

Also, it would be better if the writing style changes a bit in the next books because it's like I was being told of what happening not really showing.

Meet Henry Pearce aka Christian Grey minus his shrink. Meet Ally aka Ana minus her brain. Beauty salon, ivory tower, jet-setting, expensively stacked wardrobe, and the “old friend” – this book is so full of Fifty Shades, it’s not funny. Now, if you’re eager to grab your digital copy of Closer, I suggest you hold your horses for a moment.

Main characters (MCs).

Henry and Ally are shallow, underdeveloped characters and their actions and dialogues incoherent. The “love conquers all” myth is so ingrained in Ally that she endures continuous physical and mental abuse by her newly-wed husband because she knows she’s destined to “save” him.
Multiple times did I want to shake her and scream: "He needs professional counseling, for goodness’ sake, not a lovesick girl who is too easily impressed by his flashy facade!" (Sports car, tailored suits, and a physique to die for, of course.)
And Henry, successful multi-millionaire and CEO that he is, wants to know from Ally, “When did you start to like me?” Besides his appalling abusive behavior, this fishing-for-compliments moment was definitely one of his lowest.

Storyline.

The level of suspense is meager throughout the book because M. C. Vann fully reveals the MCs’ backstories in the first two chapters. Unfortunately, it’s all tell, no show, which makes it one big boring info dump. I would’ve liked to put two and two together myself to stay engaged in the story but instead, the explanation for every character’s action/motivation was presented on a silver platter.

Style.

For me, the writing style of this book is a major issue. Besides obvious grammar mistakes (which I hope they’ll fix before officially publishing), the words, sentences, and trains of thought are too simplistic and trite to make for an enjoyable read. Also, the story doesn’t flow because of its “tell all, show nothing” writing style. Ally’s internal reflections read very much like analytical business reports and Henry’s mood swings from bossy to childish to desperate to insane. It was impossible for me to warm up to either of them.

Despite my many issues with this ARC, I do believe that the idea can be transformed into an enjoyable story if the author teams up with a professional, experienced editor and properly polishes Closer before moving on to Book Two. Otherwise, this trilogy is destined to end up on the read-this-story-twenty-times-before pile, forgotten the minute the last digital page has been turned.

This is not my book. I enjoy romance novels and I love the whole meeting and getting to know one another, but this was too cheesy. I had a really hard time with their awkward conversations, and the beginning is one awkward conversation after another.

While billionaire playboy falls for working girl is already unbelievable, this story somehow made it even more so. There were too many descriptions of EVERYTHING. This just wasn't it for me.

I was not a fan of this book at all. I found the characters ridiculous - on their second meeting the main character says that her love interest always knows how she feels without her saying anything and then in the next meeting is upset that he can;t understand her.

Too similar to 50 Shades of Grey. Underdeveloped characters, lacking chemistry, shoddy writing.

I like dark romance. What I like even better than dark romance, is a dark romance that is written right. A book that draws you in and makes you go “What the heck did I read.” That is exactly what Closer did for me. When I was done reading the book, I felt that I had been through the wringer. Believe me, it’s a good thing that I felt that way. I haven’t gotten that into a book in a while.

Closer’s plot seemed to be simple. Ally is on vacation with her friends when Henry walks into her. What happens after seems to be something out of a fairytale. Ally cannot believe that Henry is interested in her. She does have some reservations about how fast the relationship is moving. But Henry sweeps them aside. He maintains his mystery status until the night of their wedding. That is when a huge twist is revealed. That huge twist took me by surprise. It knocked me for a loop because I did not see it coming. The simple plot became twisted with one shocking revelation after another.

Closer doesn’t seem like it will fit into the dark romance genre when you first start reading it. It actually seems like it is a regular romance. But like I said above, the twist is what changes everything. After that twist, the romance becomes completely dark.

Ally drove me nuts during the first half of the book. She was so indecisive that I wanted to shake her and yell “Make a decision, will you“. Her feelings for Henry were part of that indecisiveness. She wanted him. Then she didn’t want him. Then she got mad because he wasn’t texting her. Drove. Me. Crazy. The song “I Hate You/I Love You” reminded me of their relationship.



Ally earned my pity after they got married. I was a little perturbed that she didn’t know key details about certain important and key events. I also couldn’t believe that she (or her sister or brother) didn’t have any clue who Henry was. That one detail blew my mind. But it didn’t excuse Henry’s behavior to her. Nope, it didn’t.

I loved Henry, at first. He was so suave and debonair. He also seemed to like Ally and seemed to fall head over heels for her. My love for him turned to disbelief and horror when he revealed to Ally why he married her. I had a “What the hell” moment. I was as crushed and confused as Ally was. I did dislike him for a while in the book. That was until he explained why he was doing what he was doing to her. Then, believe it or not, I felt bad for him. But there is more going on and you need to read the book to find out what it is!!

The sex scene didn’t do it for me. I couldn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to because of what was going on at the time. Not that it wasn’t good, it was. I couldn’t get into it knowing why Henry was treating Ally the way he did.

The end of the book was a surprise for me. I wasn’t ready for the last bombshell that Henry dropped on Ally. But, I also wasn’t ready for Ally’s bombshell. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen in book 2!!

4 stars

My Summary of Closer:

Closer is a dark romance that will have you alternately crying and raging at the book. I can’t even begin to describe how I felt while reading this book because my emotions ran the gauntlet. I wouldn’t recommend this book for anyone under the age of 18, though. There are some scenes, later in the book, that is more suited for mature readers.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Sex, violence, and language

I would like to thank M.C. Vann and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Closer

All opinions expressed in this review of Closer are mine and I was not compensated in any way for this review.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

I don't think I can provide an objective review as I, unfortunately, could not finish the book. The subject matter triggered my PTSD. So if you also have this disorder, you might want to steer clear.

While it doesn't start at the greatest speed it does pick up and reveal a intriguing plot that keeps you wanting more. I hope to see squeal or possibly more.

This book starts off a little slow then it does pick up. It made me happy, sad and angry. The characters are flawed and unpredictable. I didn't like that the ending kept me hanging. I experienced a full range of emotions, from being touched and happy to becoming angry. I was worried for the main characters, I was skeptic and I was hopeful. Suspense happened, and I was caught up in it.

oh wow. this is probably one of the best books I've read. This is a dark read, with elements of abuse and lots of hatred and angst in. but its also one of those books that you read and think what on earth would I do?
certainly, the actions that Henry decides to pursue are extreme to say the least.
and Ally is perfectly cast and described.
I couldn't put this down.
towards the middle you can clearly see what has happened to cause this, but still need to keep reading to see when that reality hits.
be warned, it does end in a cliffhanger that leaves you desperate for the next

The first half was a little slow for me, but the second half was totally shocking! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I liked the development of the characters. I hope there will be a sequel to see how the story continues.

I don't like to leave bad reviews, but this book just wasn't for me. Ally just made weird choices that drove me nuts! She'd push Henry away and decide he wasn't for her, then get mad that he didn't call? I hoped it would get better, and I've never not finished a book before, but I just couldn't take it. This was a dnf for me.

I find this book very heavy going, and didn't get past the first fifty pages. It's awkward andrea with bad grammar but could be better with tight editing.

I just couldn't get into this book. The characters seemed immature along with the writing.

'Closer' By M. C. Vann is book One in the " Closer Trilogy" . This starts the story of Ally and Henry.
Ally accidental meet Henry at a flower show and then later back in her home town.
Ally is a complete opposite of Henry. Where is a innocent working girl and Henry is any but that. Ally knows she should stay away from Henry but that doesn't stop her from getting closer to him.
This book starts off a little slow for me but it does pick up. Also note that this book ends so that the next book can pick up where this seem to leave us.
Overall liked the book and hope to see the other book out soon.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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3.5 ✨
This was an interesting story. It started out a bit slow for me... a slow romance and then half way through the plot twists and pulls you in deep and leaves you wondering and questioning at the end. Knowing there was going to be a twist is what kept me reading and I'm glad I did!