Sometimes when you really enjoy an author's debut book, one is disappointed by the next one, it's happened to me so many times. However, in this case, I enjoyed this action-packed thriller as much as her first book. In this story, agent Stephanie Maddox must decide whether or not to expose what she knows or protect her son. Karen Cleveland weaves a great story, she makes you sympathize with and really like the characters and want things to go their way. I love how she ends each chapter making you have to continue on. If you like suspense/thrillers, don't miss this one that comes out May 2019.

It is not a good sign if it takes me ten days to read a “thriller”. Needless to say, I was not thrilled with this second effort by Karen Cleveland . In comparison to her debut, NEED TO KNOW, this book is a polar opposite, as reflected in my rating.

KEEP YOU CLOSE has an intriguing story arc but it fell flat, in large part because the characters were flat and one dimensional. The fast paced action of thrillers keeps the reader enthralled. However, the incessant internal dialogue of the narrator not only slowed the pace but became quite annoying.

Additionally, the numerous characters and events became confusing because of the writing style; there are A LOT of flashbacks that are introduced then dropped, only to be mentioned again briefly, forgotten, then mentioned again.... by which time this reader had forgotten, and worse, lost interest due to this convoluted writing style.

I was less than enthralled as the storyline plodded along with event after event occurring in protagonist Step’s life which she had no control over nor power to overcome. In the end, she never overcame the conflict. Without a conflict resolution, the story arc did not resolve satisfactorily. It is disappointing when the protagonist is not victorious; indeed, Steph is utterly defeated by political machinations. Not a satisfying denouement.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 2nd book by Karen Cleveland that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed. Every single sentence she writes carries the action. There is not a lot of "extra" fluff and I appreciate that in a fast paced thriller. This story revolves around Steph's professional and personal life and as the story unfolds, the two become extremely intertwined. There are a lot of twists, turns, deaths, and surprises that I do not want to spoil for other readers. However, if you are looking for a fast paced thriller, this is the book for you.

Great premise, good read.

The beginning of the story quickly pulled me in. I liked the writing but there was quite a bit of dialogue used to propel the story forward. There is also a bit too much inner monologue.

There were twists and surprises. The character count rose a bit too high for me (gets too confusing). The conclusion was surprising and quite good.

I liked Steph and was rooting for her. I would read more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy in exchange for a review.

I have to give this one 2.5/5. This is the first book I've read by this author. This is also my go to genre. I have to say, I was disappointed. It started out strong and than just fizzled. I found it really hard to like the main character. For an FBI agent, she seemed the opposite of strong. She felt weak, disorganized, a total mess. I was initally drawn into the story but it just didn't pan out.

Thank you #netgalley and #randomhouse-ballantine for the eARC.

AMAZING! From the very beginning of this novel I knew it was going to suck me in... wow Karen Cleveland did a fantastic job at writing this and really capturing your attention for the long haul. I cannot wait to read more from her!

Really fast read - definitely kept me up to late. As a parent of a teenager, it was interesting for me to reflect on what I know (or think I know) about my child's whereabouts, friends and personality. And I though one defitnitely has to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy KEEP YOU CLOSE, I have a feeling that the scenario is more real that we want to believe.

Stephanie Maddox works her dream job policing power and exposing corruption within the FBI. Getting here has taken her nearly two decades of hard work, laser-focus, and personal sacrifices—the most important, she fears, being a close relationship with her teenage son, Zachary. A single parent, Steph’s missed a lot of school events, birthdays, and vacations with her boy—but the truth is, she would move heaven and earth for him, including protecting him from an explosive secret in her past. It just never occurred to her that Zachary would keep secrets of his own.

Well... I didn't know what to think of this one, it wasn't bad but it wasn't the best but I've ever read either. The plot and ending just kind of fell flat for me.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #CloserThanYouThink
Pub Date: 28 May 2019

Second great thriller by this author. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading there was a surprising twist. And the ending, Wow! Sometimes a mother will do just about anything to protect her children . I gave it only 4 stars because there seemed to be so many characters it was hard to keep them straight, and I had to keep flipping back in the book to remind myself who they were.

I confess I haven't read anything by this author before, so nothing to compare it to like other reviewers who feel this one doesn't live up to her previous book.

I must say as far as a thriller, it got me didn't see this one coming. So that's a plus. The characters though were a bit one dimensional, and was a bit hard to believe in some of the twists.

All in all, a decent read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Ballantine Books

Another thriller that didn’t exactly thrill. The book has a decent plot and the writing is pretty good, it just all falls short in the thrill department. The characters feel far away and there’s just nothing standout about this book.

In this propulsive thriller, FBI agent Steph Maddox must untangle a web of deceit when her 17-year-old son is accused of plotting to murder government officials.

Steph's determination to protect her son at all costs takes her deep into a conspiracy much more nefarious than she ever could have imagined, making her ultimately choose between her duty to her country or her duty to her son.

It's a fine premise, but it doesn't break any new ground and the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Thrillers are a dime a dozen, so when I sit down to read one, I want it to really stand out above the rest. This one does not.

The prose is extremely fast-paced and plot-driven, with lots of dialogue. While this makes for a quick and easy read, there's very little character development aside from some cliche flashbacks to Steph's past that establish her as a Strong Woman.

And the plot itself is pretty convoluted. There are twists, mostly for the sake of there being twists. The Russians are somehow involved, lending a topical element.

I was initially intrigued by the idea of a mother questioning if she really knows her son and being put into a difficult position of wondering what he might be capable of, but none of this is really explored with any nuance. And frustratingly, Steph's character arc ultimately puts her in the same position of weakness that she worked so hard to overcome.

If you love thrillers and don't have very high standards for them as long as they hold you're attention, you'll probably enjoy this just fine. Just don't expect much else.

Another fascinating read from Karen Cleveland. Spies, agents, elected officials, Russians - who to trust. And when they come after her son, Special Supervisory Agent Steph Maddox has to unravel several plots to keep herself and her son safe. Unfortunately not as implausible as once thought. An interesting, fast-paced read that will keep you alert and awake until you've finished!

Many thanks to NetGalley, and Random House for the ARC.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it. It was my first time reading anything from this author

Sadly disappointed in this one. I was really, really looking forward to this as I LOVED Need to Know but this just fell a little flat for me. I was engaged at the beginning but after about 30% it started to feel a little repetitive and by the end everything felt a little rushed and confusing. I was really hoping to love this one.

I absolutely loved the author’s first book and could not wait for this to be released. It fell really flat though. The book was written in the same fast paced, dialougve driven style as her first however there was no character development at all and I kept having to look back to see who certain characters were. The narrator’s internal monologue was super repetitive . And the plot was super unbelievable. Steph’s discovery of what was in her son’s room and her actions following (including leaving her kid home alone considering everything that was going on - hello?!) seemed like something no mother would ever do. The whole thing was a big convoluted mess. I have to wonder if the book was rushed due to the success of her first book. It really felt so.

First book by Karen Cleveland for me can’t wait to read more books by her.Tense chilling an edge of your seat thriller a mother’s horrifying choice so multi layered characters that come alive a terrific read.
#netgalley #ballentinebooks.

I was a huge fan of Need to Know so I was so excited to read this book and maybe my expectations were too high but it fell flat for me. It seemed very repetitive and parts were very predictable. There seemed to be endless half-finished conversations between Stephanie and Zachary. I wanted them to just set aside 5 minutes to have one real, honest conversation that would save them hours if future confusion and they didn’t.

A fascinating, fast-paced novel with some terrific twists and a huge cliffhanger. Can’t wait for the next installment!

I was once again amazed by Karen Cleveland's quality of writing. Her previous novel, "Need to Know", set a high level of expectations, and I have to say she managed to live up to it and more so.
This is the story of a mother's live for her child, and her willingness to go as far as needed to save him. There is a strong bond between the two.of them, and the reader will find himself rooting for then. I strongly recommend this nivel to any person that loves domestic thrillers and exhilarating drama.