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Come Close: A Romance Novella
A second-chance, later-in-life romance...
After years toiling in Hollywood, fortysomething Amaya Ellis is finally directing her first feature film in her hometown, unexpectedly reuniting her with Kyrie Tate, her high school sweetheart, whom she hasn't seen in decades. He wasn't just the one. He was the standard.
But ambitions, dreams, and the world got in the way and their relationship fell apart. They lost touch. Moved on. Or so they thought.
As fate brings them together, they relive their own movie of their past love, and find themselves creating a new story.
After years toiling in Hollywood, fortysomething Amaya Ellis is finally directing her first feature film in her hometown, unexpectedly reuniting her with Kyrie Tate, her high school sweetheart, whom she hasn't seen in decades. He wasn't just the one. He was the standard.
But ambitions, dreams, and the world got in the way and their relationship fell apart. They lost touch. Moved on. Or so they thought.
As fate brings them together, they relive their own movie of their past love, and find themselves creating a new story.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2025
About the author
Felicia Pride
15 books6 followersFelicia Pride is a writer, literacy advocate, and hip-hop baby. Shes the author of the forthcoming books: The Message: 100 Life Lessons from Hip-Hops Greatest Songs (Thunders Mouth Press, October 2007); Everybody Hates First Girlfriends (Simon & Schuster, September 2007), a chapter book in the book series based on the award-winning television show Everybody Hates Chris; and coauthor of the young adult anthology Hallway Diaries (Harlequin/Kimani Tru, September 2007).
Felicia is also the book blogger for AOL Black Voices book blog, More than Words, a frequent contributor to Publishers Weekly and the managing editor of Mosaic literary magazine. Shes also the founder of BackList (www.thebacklist.net), an organization dedicated to keeping books in style. Her writing about hip-hop, books, publishing, and pop culture has appeared in various publications including VIBE, PopMatters, and the Baltimore City Paper. As a literacy advocate, Felicia has been an invited speaker at various publishing and literary panels. She also conducts publishing workshops to empower emerging writers and serves on the board for the Literary Freedom Project. She has a M.A. in writing and publishing from Emerson College.
Visit her online at www.feliciapride.com. "
Felicia is also the book blogger for AOL Black Voices book blog, More than Words, a frequent contributor to Publishers Weekly and the managing editor of Mosaic literary magazine. Shes also the founder of BackList (www.thebacklist.net), an organization dedicated to keeping books in style. Her writing about hip-hop, books, publishing, and pop culture has appeared in various publications including VIBE, PopMatters, and the Baltimore City Paper. As a literacy advocate, Felicia has been an invited speaker at various publishing and literary panels. She also conducts publishing workshops to empower emerging writers and serves on the board for the Literary Freedom Project. She has a M.A. in writing and publishing from Emerson College.
Visit her online at www.feliciapride.com. "
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 25, 2025
4.8 Stars
The story was good. It was obvious the author had a screen writing background experience. The book sounded like a television show, or a movie. The characters were likable, and the plot was pretty good. The pacing in the story slowed a good bit at the end, but the story was a solid read. 4.85 stars.
The story was good. It was obvious the author had a screen writing background experience. The book sounded like a television show, or a movie. The characters were likable, and the plot was pretty good. The pacing in the story slowed a good bit at the end, but the story was a solid read. 4.85 stars.
July 4, 2025
just ok
This novella was just ok. I like the overall theme and plot of the book. I wanted more romance elements. Overall just ok for me.
This novella was just ok. I like the overall theme and plot of the book. I wanted more romance elements. Overall just ok for me.
March 27, 2026
4⭐️
A second chance romance and Fate. I’m here for it!
Amaya and Kyrie were college sweethearts and through a love story that played out in real life 20 years ago, they’re reconnecting on a movie set while revisiting that same story.
I loved the flashbacks and learning about them in college. It made me believe in them in the present day. I wish the ending didn’t come to such an abrupt stop like it did. I would absolutely read a full novel on these two though.
•Strong FMC
•MCs are over 40
•He falls first and hard
A second chance romance and Fate. I’m here for it!
Amaya and Kyrie were college sweethearts and through a love story that played out in real life 20 years ago, they’re reconnecting on a movie set while revisiting that same story.
I loved the flashbacks and learning about them in college. It made me believe in them in the present day. I wish the ending didn’t come to such an abrupt stop like it did. I would absolutely read a full novel on these two though.
•Strong FMC
•MCs are over 40
•He falls first and hard
April 9, 2026
3.5. This was cute. I liked the plot and the switching of timelines. Feels like there was more focus on the film production and I wanted more of the romance but this was really good overall.
September 22, 2025
Amaya is at the top of her game after years of making a name for herself as one of Hollywood’s in-demand directors. She’s landed a multi-million dollar film deal, and while she’s on cloud 9 about the professional accomplishment, she’s dreading her return home to Baltimore, where he is.
Kyrie never forgot her- in fact, he’s followed her career every step of the way, wishing he’d had the courage to pursue his dreams like Amaya. Sure, he’s found love again and is running one of the most successful contracting businesses in the city- it’s nothing without her.
Two aching hearts in the same city are bound to find each other, right?
This was an engaging, fun novella that held my attention and even made me shed a tear. If you enjoy a 2nd chance, mature romance, add this to your list.
Kyrie never forgot her- in fact, he’s followed her career every step of the way, wishing he’d had the courage to pursue his dreams like Amaya. Sure, he’s found love again and is running one of the most successful contracting businesses in the city- it’s nothing without her.
Two aching hearts in the same city are bound to find each other, right?
This was an engaging, fun novella that held my attention and even made me shed a tear. If you enjoy a 2nd chance, mature romance, add this to your list.
July 13, 2025
Can we have this on film?
I don't usually like novellas, because they're often too short to fully immerse me in the world. Felicia wrote this so beautifully that 20% in, I knew I'd love it. Your heart will break for Amaya and Kyrie. You'll love, laugh, and grow with them. Even with such a short time to do so, the author handles flashback scenes in a way that doesn't feel rushed. It's clear that Felicia knows how to build a world. Now I'm on a mission to convince her (no, she doesn't know me lol) to give us this universe on film. I know it would be beautiful.
I don't usually like novellas, because they're often too short to fully immerse me in the world. Felicia wrote this so beautifully that 20% in, I knew I'd love it. Your heart will break for Amaya and Kyrie. You'll love, laugh, and grow with them. Even with such a short time to do so, the author handles flashback scenes in a way that doesn't feel rushed. It's clear that Felicia knows how to build a world. Now I'm on a mission to convince her (no, she doesn't know me lol) to give us this universe on film. I know it would be beautiful.
August 1, 2025
Come Close was a nice quick palate cleanser. I always enjoy the second-chance romance trope. That said, this novella felt more like a screenplay than a novel which isn’t a bad thing especially given the author’s screenwriting background. I just found myself wishing for more depth and a stronger romantic arc. I want to swoon more. This story could have benefited from being a full-length novel or even better, a movie.
August 12, 2025
This novella started out slow. A lot of the 109 pages talked about the protagonist struggle to arrive in her current stage of her career. When the past and the present merged, is when the book took off. I found myself smiling at the novella, talking to the novella, and doing a little shimmy dance in my seat. It is a good read that could have been a great read.
July 28, 2025
Loved this.
I thought I would be disappointed since it was so short but I am happy I finally read this! It was BEAUTIFUL!! I am a sucker for a happy ending! ❤️🥹
I thought I would be disappointed since it was so short but I am happy I finally read this! It was BEAUTIFUL!! I am a sucker for a happy ending! ❤️🥹
August 16, 2025
Winner
This book was well written and thought out. It grabbed my attention and kept it throughout the entire read. Need more of her work.
This book was well written and thought out. It grabbed my attention and kept it throughout the entire read. Need more of her work.
April 3, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up
April 29, 2026
This was a cute novella! I enjoyed the back story of the two characters and how they managed to jump from the past to the present so effortlessly.
June 21, 2026
It could’ve been good like it had good potential but a lot of it just felt really rushed and thrown together.
April 23, 2026
How Felicia Pride could get so much yearning and a well built out story in a book that's just 115 pages is besides me. I read this book in one sitting and couldn't stop smiling at the pages. My only complaint is that the book wasn't long enough, I need more of Amaya and Kyries love story!
Come Close is a cute second chance romance that takes place on a Movie production set between Amaya and Kyrie. These two are college lovers whose relationship ended after Amaya decided to move to Hollywood to pursue her career and Kyrie didn't follow behind her. There is a lot of resentment on Amaya's part for Kyrie and Kyrie just wants his second chance. I love the fact that these characters are grown and well seasoned and have lived full lives before reconnecting. There were moments of frustration at Amaya for how she oscillated between her feelings for Kyrie, but my good sis got it together.
This is such a cute book with all the makings of a Rom com and I can see the authors directorial background in the way the book scenes are written. She immerses you fully in the pages. Definitely a five star read for me!
Come Close is a cute second chance romance that takes place on a Movie production set between Amaya and Kyrie. These two are college lovers whose relationship ended after Amaya decided to move to Hollywood to pursue her career and Kyrie didn't follow behind her. There is a lot of resentment on Amaya's part for Kyrie and Kyrie just wants his second chance. I love the fact that these characters are grown and well seasoned and have lived full lives before reconnecting. There were moments of frustration at Amaya for how she oscillated between her feelings for Kyrie, but my good sis got it together.
This is such a cute book with all the makings of a Rom com and I can see the authors directorial background in the way the book scenes are written. She immerses you fully in the pages. Definitely a five star read for me!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews