I really wanted to like this but and for some of it I did really enjoy and was laughing! But for the rest of it I was just cringing or getting second-hand embarrassment.

I loved loved loved Simon and his sex positive attitude and how he was teaching men to look after their woman and making relationships work! I wish he was real! I loved him and Naomi together.

I didn’t love Naomi as much but I could relate to her and her fear of commitment and I did really feel sorry for her Naomi and Simon were perfect together.

If there was any trigger warnings for this book, it would be vomit. The amount of times it was mentioned and how detailed it was, was just a little concerning. I really did not need to know the textures.

Overall this was a funny and cute read. I wish it did have the scene where he had a spa day with Harper and Naomi…

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me read this arc with my honest review

This was such a fun, steamy, sex positive, slow burn, friends to lovers romance. Set in San Francisco, Naomi has sworn off men after her she discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her. When she runs into Simon, a man from her past one night in a bar she doesn't make a great impression. Fast forward and these two end up working closely together as Naomi's boss assigns her to do a series of webisodes featuring Simon, a former cam star turned psychologist who now works with men to help them reform their ways.

I loved these characters and their story. Full of laughs and heart, this was trademark Sarah Smith charm and I was there for all of it!! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!

This was so much fun. Inside this darling cover you will find much to enjoy.

One of my favorite aspects was the communication levels. You know how I despise stories that drag on a conflict simply because the characters don't communicate. Smith did a fantastic job in having the hard conversations very soon after the conflict. I loved that!

Also, there is steam galore!!! It was HOT! The sex positivity was on point and so so good!

Thank you Carina Press for the advanced readers copy. This book is available now.

Sarah Smith continues to write super enjoyable contemporary romance that keep me coming back for more.

Naomi works for a high end lifestyle website and is looking for her big break when her editor assigns Naomi a story on the male therapist whose seminars are responsible for saving her marriage. Turns out the therapist is Simon Rutler, not only the guy Naomi hit on (and maybe threw up on, a little) last night but also the subject of her college-aged fantasies. As the two of them are thrown together to produce a web series on Simon’s therapy practice, they can’t deny their chemistry but Naomi isn’t willing to close the lines of professionalism.

These two are hot together. The sex positivity of this book is off the charts and super appreciated. The first half of the book is so compelling I couldn’t put it down. My biggest complaint with this book is that Naomi keeps doing the same thing over and over and over again, creating the same conflict and making her seem one dimensional. Simon is a saint for how he worships her. For someone involved with a therapist, Naomi surely needs to speak to one of her own.

Content warnings: Infidelity in the past

Thanks to Carina and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

Why is this my first read by this author and how quickly can I attack her backlist?

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘-𝗨𝗣 is a sex-positive, funny, steamy, slow-burn that will melt you heart and destroy your panties.

First off, a meet cute that involves vomit is always gunna be funny. And I am absolutely, unequivocally, 100% behind the back story on why the female lead, Naomi, seems to vaguely recognize Simon. It's so good.

Naomi is smart, funny, and so likable! I loved her character. She is perfectly wonderful. And talk about cinnamon-roll hero with a pure heart and a filthy mind! Simon is just—gaaahhhh! Book Boyfriend hall of fame for sure.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘-𝗨𝗣 is a very, very, slow burn. But you will never lose interest with the slower pacing because thus author give us about a boatload of chemistry and sexually charged breadcrumbs to keep this book engaging and make the hot and steamy payoff that much better.

This book has laughs, sweet friendships, wonderful family relationships, a bit of loss and sadness, and lots of freaking healthy communication. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘-𝗨𝗣 also has a very positive representation of clinical therapy, both personal and couples therapy.

I loved this book! Definitely put it at the top of your tbr while I go stalk Sarah Smith's past titles.

I really enjoyed The Close-Up! I went in with no idea what to expect and really just enjoyed going along for the ride. I was pleasantly surprised at how steamy and sex positive it was!

I also loved the aspects of Simon’s job as a relationship therapist. There were a few times I really wanted to yell at Naomi - but also realize without conflict there wouldn’t be much of a story.

Thank you to Carina Press and Netgalley for the free review copy!

This book!! That's it. That's the review.
Just kidding. I have too much gushing to do.

I loved this book. I loved the cover & title, I loved the premise, I loved the sex positivity, and I LOVED Simon! Simon went from being a cam guy in college to being a sought after relationship therapist. He was such a fun and educational charcater to read. I think it's such a shame we don't get his POV because he's the kind of character who's serves his voice to be heard!

I really liked the seminars and that Naomi eventually participated here and there. I think that's a seminar I would sit through just because it's interesting and there always ways to improve yourself as a partner!

I will say I didn't *love* Naomi, only because she was so wishy washy. She has a man who understands women, relationships, commitment, communication... And she somehow found a way to miscommunicate and question him? I just wanted to shake her and tell her to get it together.

I already know this will be a hit and it's out now so go grab it!! 🥰
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BLURB:
Simon Rutler is the perfect man.
Handsome, kind and smart—Simon is amazing. Naomi Ellorza-Hays might be fresh out of a bad relationship and determined to stay single, but Simon is testing her newfound relationship ban. Good thing they’re working together. Simon may be perfect, but he’s also off-limits.

There’s just one small—well, big—problem.
Simon works as a relationship therapist, specializing in helping men better support their partners. But Naomi can’t stop thinking about how she was first introduced to Simon…as the camguy she watched in college. Filming him for her new docuseries suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.

Their relationship is…complicated.
Determined to stay professional, Naomi refuses to give in to their sizzling chemistry—until she does, and even then, it’s strictly no strings attached. Until it’s not. And Naomi realizes that maybe things between her and Simon aren’t so complicated after all.

When Naomi's boss assigns her to create a web series about a popular relationship therapist, she has no idea he'll turn out to be the cam guy she watched in college (not to mention the cute guy whose shoes she threw up on the night before). Simon is incredibly charming and kind, and seems really into Naomi, but she tells him they need to keep things professional for the sake of her job. Of course, this does not go as planned, as they become closer friends and things get complicated.

For the most part, I really enjoyed this. Naomi and Simon have crackling chemistry, in addition to being very compatible friends. The middle could have used a little editing, as it felt like they kept having the same conflict over and over (possibly true to real life, but I got the idea after the first couple of times). For a very smart and savvy woman, Naomi also comes off super clueless sometimes. She berates a man for letting a female friend flirt with him in front of his girlfriend, and then turns around and does the *exact same thing* with Simon in the next scene.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

When Naomi is given the task of working on a series based on Simon, a relationship therapist, there are definitely sparks between the two. Can they keep things strictly professional? ⁣⁣
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Oh man, this book was Sweet. And I mean Sweet, with a capital S ❤️ But don't get me wrong, it was also Steamy. And that too, with a capital S! 🔥 There were a lot of funny moments peppered throughout the book and with Sarah Smith's signature writing style, I was turning the pages at rapid speed. If you're a romcom lover, this one needs to be added to your list!

Great read, the story of Simon and Naomi. They meet in a bar just after she finds out her boyfriend was cheating on her. Their paths cross again, but do they have a chance at being together.
A fun read - I would have liked to have seen something from Simon's POV

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Sarah Smith for providing me with an ARC of this book.
I was hooked from the beginning! The story kept me engaged the whole time and I loved Simon and Naomi and their chemistry and the whole time I was hoping they would get together. The spice was also very good.
I'm so glad they got their happy ending
I highly recommend reading this!

The Close-Up
By Sara Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was hooked the moment Naomi did something on her f*** it list. Lol which that moment led her to perfect Simon. Such a funny and cute story I love the way there romance grew. And I love how Sarah makes the embarrassing moments funny and amazing at the same time. It was such a fun read. I highly recommend it and it's out now!

This was a well-written, entertaining book. It was fun and held my interest. I wanted to find out what was going to happen next and didn't want it to end. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

I was so excited to get this ARC. Ms. Smith is one of my all time favorite authors so I was definitely blessed to get this copy. The story was about Naomi who was an editor/ producer of a website called Dash. Her boss wanted her to do a new series about a marriage therapist, Simon, who has a series of seminars to help men with their relationships. Naomi known Simon through his college webcam videos depicting him having sex. Really hot sex. She recently had a horrible break up and was in a relationship ban. Their meet cute was her throwing up on him after her awful breakup at a local bar. Now working together they had to navigate being friends while being attracted to each other. Their relationship was sweet, considerate, and really sexy. I really liked Simon as he wasn’t just a sexy guy, but he was a really great person. I liked them as a couple and how they were able to work it out was precious. The epilogue was a cute surprise. Overall, I absolutely loved this story. I cannot gush enough how adorable it was. Again, grab your copy. It was a wonderful ride.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book by Sarah Smith that I read and more than enjoying it, it kept me glued until the end
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Naomi comes from a close-knit family of Filipino descents, especially her cousin Harper who, after learning that her boyfriend cheated on her, decides that the best way to get through this bad time is to push her to flirt with a handsome stranger at the bar afterward of a few drinks
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Simon is handsome, caring, and the chemistry between them is inevitable, but the day after embarrassing herself in front of him, she discovers that his next job assignment is the couples therapist who is the talk of all the men trying to save their relationships, the same Simon.
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Determined to get the long-awaited promotion, she decides to maintain the professional treatment between the two and agree that things remain as a friendship, but while it happens and they go out with other people, that same friendship begins to change between them, causing them to open up their most vulnerable side and start to get more deep
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The book goes right into the story of the two, how they meet and the chemistry between them, I turned page after page and I read it in just one day
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I really liked the relationship between them but I didn't like the unnecessary anguish of them going out with other people or the many times she repeated the reasons why she couldn't take a step towards him or the many reasons why she can let get into a relationship again, the book is written from one point of view which contributed to the angst which i'm not a big fan of, but I loved the ending and the secondary characters, they were really great
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Thanks to Sarah Smith and Carina press and Carina Adores for give me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion I really enjoyed reading it

I really liked this friends to lovers romance! It was hard to put down once I started reading, it was so good. I love a book that hooks you from page 1.
Different premise than the usual, and the main characters have chemistry that jumps off the page. Lots of well written steamy scenes too! On top of that it had really funny moments that kept me entertained. I really liked this book and highly recommend it, 4.5 stars.

Blurb:
“Simon Rutler is the perfect man. Handsome, kind and smart—Simon is amazing. Naomi Ellorza-Hays might be fresh out of a bad relationship and determined to stay single, but Simon is testing her newfound relationship ban. Good thing they’re working together. Simon may be perfect, but he’s also off-limits.
There’s just one small—well, big—problem.
Simon works as a relationship therapist, specializing in helping men better support their partners. But Naomi can’t stop thinking about how she was first introduced to Simon…as the camguy she watched in college. Filming him for her new docuseries suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.
Their relationship is…complicated.
Determined to stay professional, Naomi refuses to give in to their sizzling chemistry—until she does, and even then, it’s strictly no strings attached. Until it’s not. And Naomi realizes that maybe things between her and Simon aren’t so complicated after all.”

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Close-Up is the first book in the I Heart SF series by Sarah Smith. A contemporary romance that is sure to take your breath away. A well-written, fast-paced read that pulled me in from the beginning and left me wanting more. I can't wait to read more in the series.

I am a huge fan of sarah smith. Her writing is fantastic. She writes a great steamy romance. I can always count on Sarah for 🌶 🥵 🍆 . This book grabbed my attention from page one and didn’t let go. It was riveting, engaging, hysterical and romantic! I devoured it.

Simon seemed too perfect to be true but that is what captivated me about him. Naomis meddling friend Hannah is to thank for them connecting. I loved that she kept putting sex toys in naomi’s bags to remind her to let go and be herself. I love that sarah did this. It showed that we need not judge a person by how they pleasure themself. At times naomi drove me nuts with her self doubt but I think that’s what makes her so relatable because as we date and get to know people we have this inner dialogue and naomi’s character played that dialogue out in her head just as many of us do.

I cannot wait for book 2 in this series. Hopefully it’s about Hannah 🤞🏻. If you haven’t read anything by sarah this is a great book to start with.

Thank you Carina Press and @netgalley of this book. This was a laugh out loud rom com. There was so many steamy scenes between Simon and Naomi, their chemistry was off the charts!

I love the family dynamics from both Naomi and Simon's family. Simon seemed like an amazing guy and I thought he was so patient with Naomi with her wavering.

When Naomi Ellorza-Hays meets Simon Rutler for the first time, she can’t deny her attraction to him. Yet when she finds out on the second meeting, that she will be filming him for her new docuseries, and that she had a crush on him back in college, she sees only complications. Having left a bad relationship, Naomi decides that it is best to just be friends. However, Simon is everything good – handsome, kind and smart, working as a relationship therapist, helping men to better support their partners. So as Naomi and Simon spend together filming, she begins to wonder if their relationship is actually complicated.
This was such an easy to read story, with the relationship development between Naomi and Simon, so engaging. Simon might seem too good to be true, but I thought he was just relaxed and easy-going and at ease with himself. However, Naomi’s past has made her who she is, and it was Simon’s personality that held her rebuild her self-confidence. There were several hilarious scenes in the book, that cooled the sizzle that emanated from the book, and helped to make this story all the more realistic. I loved it and so look forward to reading more by Sarah Smith.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores. All thoughts and opinions are my own.