Stay Close (For You)

Love this series. The characters are just so passionate. Now I have to try to patiently wait for Pan and Henry's story. Ivan was just so intense. I wish they were longer! Love novellas, but them as a book would have been amazing! Thank You!

It was great to meet Penelope, daughter of Captain and Paige from His Alone. Penelope is in need of a new bodyguard since she keeps slipping from each one assigned to her. Ivan has been working with Ryan and Paige for years since they helped him escape his past life in Russia. He agrees to be her bodyguard and upon meeting her knows he needs more. I loved their chemistry and their story. I really hope we get to read about Pandora (Penelope's twin) and also Henry (Oz and Mallory from Everything for Her).

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

The queens of short stories have created another cute read. Stay Close is your typically AR short story. It's the story of Penelope Justice. A twin daughter of Ryan and Paige from His Alone (For Her series #2). Since they were brought up in this book, I'm hopeful we'll get stories about her sister Pandora and their cousin Henry next.

Paige and Ivan's love happened as quickly as her parents. There's only a brief hiccuping these characters and their relationship but they were able to overcome over come that pretty quickly.

While I enjoyed this book I'm left wanting more. I wanted more of Ivan's story. How did he became involved with Ryan and Paige? What secrets lied between these 3 characters?

Both girls have been guarded their entire life but we weren't given any element of a threat or why they needed guards. I felt that it was missing any sort of drama or suspense.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

Stay Close can absolutely be read as a standalone. Even though it is a spin-off of another series, you will not be lost. Although, I'm not sure why you don't want to read all the AR books in the world! I certainly can't get enough of them.

Penny is the daughter of Captain and Paige, who we first meet in the For Her Series. It was certainly great to get a bit more of their epic love and seeing how strong it still is. Being a twin of course brings a special bond and Penny's bond with her sister is no different. However, the two of them definitely have their own personalities. Penny is considered the softer one with a bigger heart. One that everyone seems to want to shield. So when a big bad Russian named Ivan shows up, everyone thinks she should stay away. Yes, he's her bodyguard but it should be left at that.

Ivan has grown up on the streets and has done a lot of stuff that he would like to forget. Life has made him rough and he's resigned to the fact that he is emotionally cut off and will forever be alone. Until he locks his eyes on Penny. From that very first moment, he knew she was his.

So in typical AR form, we get the over the top sweetness. Penny is the shy virgin and Ivan is the strong, assertive male. The one thing that was missing for me was the alpha tendencies that we normally get in an AR book. This one was a bit tamer. Sure, he made sure she ate and she has him wrapped about her finger even while he might be telling her what to do but it's never bossy and full blown alpha that I've come to love.

I know I'm in the minority here and don't let my rating fool you, I did really enjoy this book. I just didn't connect enough to give that good and tingling vibe that I normally get. This is clearly a case of  "it's not you, it's me" so make sure you grab this one up and gobble it down. If you are a fan of AR already or just like over the top sweetness with instalove, then get this book!

How can this be such a pretty story? Sweetness pours out of it like molasses, and love between Penelope and Ivan only becomes better when they share their sensual passion.

i love this lovely romance between a Russian bodybuard and the soft-hearted young woman he has to protect. With double POV and an intimate writing style, this novella is a delicious gift for tose of us who look for a hero in disguise. Ivan is a man with a very hard past, lonely and direct, respectful of his new job. Yet he falls in love and lays his heart and his life for Penelope, all light, generosity and sweetness.

It was a delight to witness their awareness of each other, how they gravitated towards touch and understanding until they gave in and made love in such tender, heated ways. A bodyguard with a Russian accent and black tattoos is such a temptation, but this author made the man perfect. His words of devotion and his pledge to protect the love of his life made him so endearing. And he also knew how to pleasure his woman!

It's also exciting to recognise the little clues that connect the story to the For Her series of novels. It's a great idea to expand those characters with stories about their families. I'm completely hooked to this style of smut romance that is so thoughtful, sexy and well written.

(I'm happy to share my honest opinion about this arc)

Just like the author’s previous novellas, Stay Close possesses the unmistakable elements of being one smoldering, hot romance between an alpha-male hero and a virgin heroine but what made this couple stand out was their character backgrounds.

Ivan was nothing like Penelope. He had such a rough upbringing. To survive, he was forced into a dangerous lifestyle which lead him to be a part of the Russian mafia. Penelope, on the other hand, was raised in a loving and caring family – The Justice Family whom we’ve met in His Alone. What was interesting about this was how Alexa Riley detailed their differences.

She was the light in his darkness and when Ivan says something along the lines of“…my past does not seem so dirty because I’ve been training for this. For her.” you knew that he was meant to be hers despite everything.

The falling in love part was never an issue really. What I was stressing over is how Penelope’s parents would react to this unlikely pairing. I won’t give it away but I tell you this – Alexa played that out all too perfectly.

If you asked me to choose one book of Alexa Riley’s that I wished was a full-length novel than Stay Close would be it. This is how much of an impression Ivan and Penelope made. If you are an Alexa Riley fan, one click this book and fall in love with this great couple just like I did.

I read the previous series before beginning this one, so I was familiar with the parents and personality of Penelope thanks to the epilogue in that book. The last series was also my first Alexa Riley reads, so I am unfamiliar with the quick novella books they do. I was hoping to connect with the characters more, but it was really hard to in such a quick read. I felt as though I could understand and connect with Ivan more than Penelope since we got a lot of his backstory in this one. I could even see how he could love her right away - after all, that's the norm for the men in these books. But I didn't find Penelope loving him that quickly as believable. I mean she's only 18, still in high school (which was a bit weird when Ivan seemed to be a lot older than her), and she's always been the type to like a guy and then move on when he finally liked her back and he wasn't a challenge any longer.

The book was short and sweet and they were an adorable couple. The epilogue was nice, just wish we had more time to connect with the characters in this one.

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.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.

Has anyone checked on the Alexa Riley duo lately? I’m beginning to think they’ve been kidnapped by aliens and replaced…I say this because this was sweet. Real sweet. And tame. And I almost fell asleep while reading it. There was no OTT craziness. No alpha heavy-handedness. The sex scenes were practically gentle and tame. The only thing that had any similarity to the crazy shenanigans I am used to is the fact Ivan saw her and fell in love with one look.

Let’s talk about Ivan. He was a pussycat in more ways than one. From the moment he first saw her, he basically just handed her his jingle jangles. Instead of the usual “You are mine, no matter what”, he was all “If it pleases you”. So very sweet, and so not what I expected. My main problem with him was his profession. After the Russian Mob ran into difficulties he became a paid informant for Paige and Ryan (the couple from His Alone and Penelope’s parents). Usually, when I think of an informant, I’m picturing a weasely little guy with no morals or loyalty whatsoever. Not exactly my idea of alpha hero material but again, he was extremely sweet, which may have made up for this…maybe.

Penelope was your typical super nice, takes care of everybody A/R heroine. At least she wasn’t downtrodden or taken advantage of. Her family knew what a gem she was and treated her accordingly.

The big surprise with Stay Close was the fact that there were no surprises, no suspense, no bad guys or horrid relatives doing mean things, no anything really besides Ivan and Penelope falling in love with each other. A little teeny tiny bit of push and pull on Ivan’s part was the only bump in the road here. Good Lord even her parents basically rolled over and showed their bellies. I have to admit, I was a tad bit bored.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

You love Captain and Paige story from His Alone? You need to know the love stories of their children. And naturally, no one is doing instalove like Alexa Riley.

The heroine, Penelope is a sweet and quiet one of the twin sisters. But they both like to make some trouble, and for their safety their parents employ bodyguards. Ivan is the new one for Penelope. At first sight he admires her, but his dark past does not allow him to get close to someone so sweet and innocent. She has a different opinion on this.

Standard Alexa Riley. Alpha hero, innocent girl, growing obsession, hot scenes and insta love. I enjoyed it, but sometimes I'm missing the moment of surprise. But it still doesn't bother me enough to not reach for another story from this two.

This is a short novella, fast to read and hot as hell. If you are looking for something like this you will surely be satisfied.

Oh Alexa Riley you awesome writing duo, you sure know how to write a fantastic romance with instalove with red hot chemistry.

Penelope and Pandora are the 18 year old twin daughters of Paige and Captain Ryan from “His Alone”. Penny is the sensitive twin who wants to make others happy and is a mad cook. After she escapes from her last bodyguard her parents hire Ivan to become her new bodyguard and their attraction to each other is electric. Their relationship moves at warp speed but what a great story this is for a novella.

This was a beautiful love story between Ivan and Penelope, of how love happens when least expected. It was great to meet Captain and Paige’s children and to see how they are doing. This was a great addition to the 'For You' series.
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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.

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.

This book was awesome Ms Riley never fails to deliver. Penelope was a young girl with the world in front of her but she always felt something was missing. Her family was different then others so she had bodyguards. But she always eluded them until her parents found Ivan and she realized she did not want to escape him no she wanted him to catch her.
Ivan was a man that grew up on the streets of Russia doing what it took to survive. Then one day he got the chance to change his fate and he took it then he found a new job. And found his destiny. I loved these characters and the chemistry between them was scorching. I loved how he fell for her and she him. Now I want Pandora's story and cannot wait. I recommend this story to all lovers of insta love you will not be disappointed.

Stay Close is the story of sweet, innocent Penny (the daughter of Captain and Paige from His Alone) and her super hot buff Russian bodyguard Ivan. Penny and her twin Pandora are very close, but total opposites. Penny is super trusting, loves to cook and take care of everyone while Pandora is more jaded of the two.
This book takes off right away with the instalove, which is part of the reason I love reading Alexa Riley. Ivan is a total badass, a Russian orphan with no one close in his lonely life. I love how tender and sweet he is with Penny right away. He’s got no problem being a little whipped lol.
This book is more a novella with no real drama to speak of. It’s a short, super sweet read which I always love coming from Alexa Riley. If this is your kind of quick read, you won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait for Pandora’s story.

You love Captain and Paige story from His Alone? You need to know the love stories of their children. And naturally, no one is doing instalove like Alexa Riley.

The heroine, Penelope is a sweet and quiet one of the twin sisters. But they both like to make some trouble, and for their safety their parents employ bodyguards. Ivan is the new one for Penelope. At first sight he admires her, but his dark past does not allow him to get close to someone so sweet and innocent. She has a different opinion on this.

Standard Alexa Riley. Alpha hero, innocent girl, growing obsession, hot scenes and insta love. I enjoyed it, but sometimes I'm missing the moment of surprise. But it still doesn't bother me enough to not reach for another story from this two.

This is a short novella, fast to read and hot as hell. If you are looking for something like this you will surely be satisfied.

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!!!

I have been reading Alexa Riley from the beginning. I loved her books in the beginning...taking the fall, thief, mistress auctions. There was conflict...stuff that kept the story moving. The last 6 or 7 books it just seems all the same, just change the names and scenery. Giving 4 stars based on my love for the books in the beginning. I hope you ladies keep writing, just would like more plot please. Give the characters some sort of conflict to deal with.

Another beautiful story by AR with a sweet fast-paced plot and of course with the AR characters we've been used.. really what's not to love??

It was a very touching story, Ivan and Penny are a couple with a great chemistry, the whole book was filled with lot's of kind of feelings from the sugary, happy emotions from their scenes 'till Ivan's sad background..we also got a glimpse from Paige's and Captain's (whoever read the series will understand what I'm saying).

It's impossible not to fall in love with both of them, I certainly recommend it and I can't wait to read their next amazing story!!

"ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review!"

I really like this series and this latest addition to it is no exception. Though it might not be my favorite, I did find it to be a very satisfying read. As always, Ivan was the perfect Alexa Riley hero, meaning the type of hero I wished was in EVERY book. You know a series and book is good when you are already counting down to the release of the secondary characters' books and you aren't even half way through the current book. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one in the series.
*** ARC provided by the Author in return for an honest review***

Love this series. The characters are just so passionate. Now I have to try to patiently wait for Pan and Henry's story. Ivan was just so intense. I wish they were longer! Love novellas, but them as a book would have been amazing! Thank You!

Once I starting reading Pen and Ivan book I couldn't put it down . Pen always escapes from her bodyguards but once her parents tell her Ivan is her new bodyguard she knows she wouldn't dare to escape from him and he's memorizing eyes . Ivan and Pen chemistry is blazing from the moment they make eye contact. I loved how protective Ivan was with Pen. Alexa Riley are always my to go authors when I need a insist steamy love story !