Atlas Rivers, a thrill-seeker accustomed to the adrenaline rush of extreme sports, finds himself grounded by a devastating accident, forced to return to Navesink Bank. Only to find a woman had moved herself into his home in some scheme set up by his siblings.
AJ had landed in Navesink Bank with the hope that this would finally be her chance to settle down, to put down roots, to stop running. When she saw an ad for a house rental, something inside her screamed that it was too good to be true. But she couldn’t afford to question it further, signing the papers, and moving in.
Only to come home one day to find a man asleep on her couch.
Both parties are determined to find a way to make the situation work, and Atlas and AJ come to an agreement. She gets to stay. In exchange for helping him recover.
As Atlas and AJ navigate the uncharted waters of their newfound connection, they discover that healing can be found in the most unexpected places. But as the shadows of AJ's past loom closer, Atlas must reconcile his lifelong drive to explore, and his growing desire to suddenly stay in one place…
Jessica Gadziala is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in rural New Jersey with her parrots, dogs, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants. A lifelong dreamer, she’s been writing stories since childhood and published her first book in 2015. When not at her desk, she’s usually feeding backyard birds, rewatching crime dramas, period pieces, and 90s supernatural TV shows, or adding to her towering stacks of unread books.
"He always found something about everyone he encountered to comment on, gush about. It was actually a trait I was trying hard to implement into my life. Because, I mean, who didn’t love a genuine compliment? And you never knew, your kind words could turn someone’s awful day right around."
This quote roughly describes the character of Atlas. A man who behaves like he doesn't care about anything and anyone, but in reality is the opposite of it. The main character of this wonderful romantic but also traumatic story.
Maybe traumatic isn't the right term, but so many terrible things have happened in the past of the main characters, simply have to be described as tragic and terrible traumatic.
When two people meet who couldn't be more different you always think, oh come on, the author is exaggerating. But I have so many examples from my own family that I really believe it. It really is true that opposite characters attract each other.
In this case, an adrenaline junkie who uses extreme sports as a therapy and an incredibly traumatized young woman who has absolutely no idea about any kind of sport, but a lot of knowledge about becoming invisible at any cost.
I love this book. It's a raw, brutal and emotional story, that isn't so unusual in our world, that happens every day and no one can't or don't want to help.
Ok, no more spoilers. Read this beautiful love story ❤️ If you like action-packed romances, you'll love this book.
Keep You Close is the fourth book in the Rivers Brothers series by Jessica Gadziala. You know when you’re waiting for that final character in a series to get his/her book and it feels like only 3/4 of a story has been told? You’re anxious for the ending and know you’re missing something important. That is how I have felt without having Atlas’s story. It’s been like the worse cliffhanger ever! But we finally have Atlas’ story and it was well worth the wait!
I fell in love with Atlas in his siblings’ books. He is the sexy, carefree brother who has roamed around traveling, living life, taking risks and never putting down roots. A bad skiing accident brings him home to recover where he discovers the beautiful AJ living in his home.
AJ has a past she’s running from, so it’s important she not leave a paper trail and stay as hidden as possible. That’s why she jumped on the opportunity to rent the ranch style home from Kingston Rivers without asking much questions.
Atlas and AJ are so cute together! Their relationship progressed slowly even though it was obvious they were attracted to each other. They became friends first and formed a bond where they trusted and cared about the other person. They both had some healing to do and together they were able to accomplish this.
Another great book set in the Navesink Bank world by JG. So glad we finally got this book!
All the freaking swoons for this sweet as pie couple who more than earned their HEA.
Atlas is the adrenalin junkie always rushing for his next high.
AJ is sweet but lives with anxiety that, on times is crippling.
They live two very different lives, and yet when together they share so much in common, it is easy to see how they just fit like they were always meant to be.
I love how their journey starts with a huge whoops moment that almost had Atlas getting brained via a frying pan. HILARIOUS. But I also felt for AJ I'm that moment. From then on, their sweet budding chemistry slowly built until the tension was to much, and temptation too ripe. He gave her the safety to be adventurous and she gave him the home he needed to belong. It was sweet in all the ways romance should be.
The side characters, as always, are chefs kiss perfection. I adore the family dynamics. Everything they went through to get to this point in life.. sighsss. It is everything.
I'm so glad Jessie jumped back into this series.
This for sure is best read by reading the series and knowing the characters and their backgrounds. But can be read as a standalone. I advise heavy against though bahaha.
Something was missing. The FMC was missing depthful characterization for me. I couldn't connect with her for some reason at all. Also, Atlas's POV came across as a woman writing as a man. It didn't feel authentic to how a man actually thought. I didn't find them well matched, and chemistry is a dealbreaker for me. I love opposites attract, but this wasn't that.
It was an easy read, though, and that's why I stuck with it.
OK je n'ai pas lu les livres des frères Rivers dans l'ordre (surprise surprise xD) parce que le résumé du livre d'Atlas me tentait beaucoup et je n'ai pas été déçu =)
J'ai beaucoup aimé leur romance très slowburn à cause des blessures d'Atlas et du passé d'AJ mais j'ai bien aimé les voir apprendre à se connaitre et toute l'intrigue horrible avec l'ex d'AJ (OMG le stress !!)
Bref, une romance mignonne que j'ai lu avec plaisir ! Forcément, je suis hyper curieuse pour Peyton et Sugar maintenant x)
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A cute romance that I read with pleasure
OK I didn't read the Rivers brothers' books in order (surprise surprise xD) because the summary of Atlas' book really tempted me too much and I wasn't disappointed =)
I really liked their very slowburn romance because of Atlas' injuries and AJ's past but I really liked seeing them get to know each other and the whole plot /b> horrible with AJ's ex (OMG the stress !!)
In short, a cute romance that I read with pleasure ! Obviously, I'm super curious about Peyton and Sugar now x)
Of the Rivers brothers, Atlas is the one who is always off on some daredevil extreme sports adventure. Although he finally bought a house, his wanderlust meant that he was never there. When skiing down one of the most dangerous mountains in the world results in a whole lot of broken bones, he travels home in a couple of casts and a whole lot of pain to convalesce. Having crashed out on his sofa, utterly exhausted from his trip, he’s rudely awakened by a terrified woman wielding a frying pan demanding to know what he's doing in HER house. Turns out, it might have been advisable to alert his brothers to his return, since they’d arranged for somebody to rent out his house for cheap basically so she would keep things turning over and deter burglars who had previously ransacked the place.
And so it starts! The Rivers family is an extremely loyal and likeable bunch of former criminals, and it’s a pleasure and privilege to witness Atlas’ fall into the breach. As with most Jessica Gadziala stories, there is conflict, danger, bravery and love, so hold onto your hats – this is a fantastic ride!
This is Atlas' story. He comes home badly injured from his extreme sports skiing accident to find some one in his home. She's quiet, quite skittish and holds him to ransom with a frying pan (he can't actually move anyway). AJ calls Kingston, his brother, who rented her the house and he comes to find Atlas hostage and badly injured. Atlas has mixed feelings about being home and having to settle in one place for a few months while his many injuries heal. He finally starts to realise what he has and AJ learns to opens up about her life and what's she's running from. Great story and such likeable characters, with a brilliant supporting cast from the Mallicks to all of Atlas' siblings
This isn’t breaking new ground, but what it does, it does well. Getting another chance to visit Navesink Bank ‘verse and see the Rivers brothers living their HEAs, was the comfort-cozy-on-a rainy-day kind of read I needed. Of course it wouldn’t be a JG book without an FMC in danger and some on page physical abuse by a villain, so beware of that. It also deals with forced proximity and helping the MMC recover from Injuries sustained in skiing accident but tbh it’s what I expect from her books so I was prepared. However always check for content warnings, because the violence may be more than others may be prepared for.
OTOH, I enjoyed myself and I’ll definitely check out whatever JG has in store next.
Once again, loving the variety of MFCs from this author. This one cries,
“And when I panicked, I cried. It was a frustrating but unavoidable part of the process. I cried when I was frustrated as well. And angry. Hell, I cried if I needed to make a phone call I was nervous about. I just… cried a lot.”
In the context of her life, and the constant stalking and abuse, it made perfect sense. And it was really great watching her learn to move past it.
The MMC is an adrenaline junky and sports guy. I liked the set up of the story of him getting injured and having to sit still to recover. He was more thoughtful than I expected but it seemed like part of him growing up and moving to the next stage in life.
Loved these two lots! Atlas is all go-go-go to soak up all the experiences he can, but when he's forced to slow down, he discovers the greatest adventure of all is family.
AJ has been limited by a lot of things in her life, and longs for adventure.
The way they meet, the friendship they build, the discovery / rediscovery of family - all made me smile. I enjoyed how they opened up to each other, & with Atlas, how he opened himself up to his family.
There's a thread of suspense, an adorable dog, lots of 🔥🔥🔥 once those gates are opened... and the perfect look into the future for this amazing couple!
Why were they the cutest? I swear I smiled through this whole book.
Atlas has been the brother who didn't want to settle in one place and wanted all the adventure. That was his life until one accident sent him home to heal from his injuries.
AJ has been renting a place in Navesink Bank trying to keep off the radar. After Atlas accident she finds out she's renting his house.
Atlas & AJ had the sweetest story. After waiting so long for Atlas' story I was so happy with the way it went.
"And fall in love with the woman you didn't even know you were looking for."
Atlas is the last of the Rivers family not involved in a relationship. He travels from place to place documenting his adventures for all to see and very rarely goes home. That is until he is severely hurt and forced home to recover. Once he gets home, he is in for a surprise 😮. We meet AJ.... she is sweet, reserved and has so much love for her dog. They have a slow burn that grows and a little bit of action but a perfect story for someone who is always on the move. AJ and Atlas are perfect together and teach each other the things they were missing in life. I adore these 2!
It was so much fun to revisit some great past characters, the Rivers family. Atlas, ever the adventurer, was forced too lay low and heal from a horrific accident while skiing. Meanwhile because he was away from home so much, Kingston rented out his home. AJ rented his house and had her first real home. She was escaping from an abusive husband but he keeps finding her. In a showdown when he finds AJ once again, her dog wins and Joss suffers an injury which leads to his demise.
Abusive husband aside this was very enjoyable and at times suspenseful story.
I remember reading about Kingston, Nixon and rush. Waiting and searching for Atlas's book. I thought maybe I missed it, or he was part of another series. Then I saw the Facebook post and realized he hadn't been written yet. I am beyond thrilled with this book. He was well worth the wait and I can't wait to read it again. He was everything i wanted him to be and more. Aj was perfect for him and reading their friendship turned to love was something amazing. I hope tucker and ellie get a book! They seem adorable. Can't wait for the next jessica book to come out !!
Atlas shrugged. Atlas fell down a mountain and then couldn't shrug. Atlas finds his way to his empty house - well, sort of -- and then, well then Atlas finds home. Finally.
Another well-written book by Jessica Gadziala with a perfect blend of past characters meddling in current hero's life and heroine in danger. And dogs. Can't forget the dogs. If you enjoy fast-moving stories with characters you want to live with, this book is for you, too! Great book!
Atlas, being always on the go, is gutted when he gets hurt and had to go home to recuperate. AJ has been living in Atlas' house and has just started to settle into the town when she finds a man on her sofa. I loved Atlas' attitude to AJ and Samson being in his life, despite his injury he tries to care for her too. As the last in the Rivers Brothers books its great to see the others and the Malicks. With the reunion with his family, Atlas realises what he's been missing by travelling all the time, but can he be happy at home? A wonderful story about love, tightening of the family bonds, found family and the loyalty of dogs!
If this women ever stops writing I will take a whole day and wear black to mourn the occasion. Sweet,hot all the things if you know you know. If you don't know pick up the first book in the series and plan on being useless . These make great beach reads and late night feels reads lol.
I’d forgotten how much I love this writer. She builds the characters and story with believable details not over the top ones. I read at least 3 books a day but while reading hers it’s easy to remember the other characters storyline because they are so memorable.
Thrill seeker Atlas Rivers travels all over the world to ski the most dangerous slopes, all in training for taking on the Swiss Wall. Since childhood he has always been seeking that rush and cannot stay in one place to long. His social media is at its highest of views from his videos. He thinks he is sitting on top of the world until a collision on that mountain changes his whole life.
I do believe this is now my favorite of J. Gadziala's books on the Rivers Brothers. Atlas and AJ are great together. I loved that the rest of the "family" made an appearance in this story. I do believe I may have to go back and reread the other Rivers Brothers stories.
Keep You Close is the fourth book in the Rivers Brothers series by Jessica Gadziala. Atlas is the last brother in this series to find his HEA. Such a great book. Loved jumping back into the world of the Rivers brothers!
The details about AJ's effort to escape Joss were mesmerizing and so incredibly detailed. The same could be said for Atlas' skin accident. I enjoyed every moment of this book and it was a great way to close off the series.
Atlas and AJ will have you ALL up in your feels! We've been waiting for Atlas's story, and JG did not disappoint. Friendship that turns into so much more.. slow burn, a woman in trouble and characters that you'll instantly fall for in a book world that always feels like coming home. SO GOOD!
Atlas finally settles down after meeting AJ. It's A bit of a roller coaster but it is a sweet and fun read. Its the conclusion so you get a glimpse of everyone at the end.
I’ve been waiting for this book for a long time. Atlas and MJ’s story was sweet with a lot of spice. No that the Rivers books are all done I guess I’ll have to leave okay forward to whatever this author comes up with next.
A J and Atlas's story .A J works with dogs and is hiding a fear ,Atlas is the free spirit adrenalin junkie who ends up having a serious fall .He heard home to find a guest and her furry friend in his home .This was another great story from Jessica
I love the books about this Jersey town and all the different ways it webs out in connections. Love the spin offs 😁 cant say much more except get it, read it and keep going.