Hold Me Tight: Smut Emotional Romance Novella

Dirty Elite Academy #1

by Kate J. Blake, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

Kylie
We met on our first day of school. He defended me when other boys started laughing at me. He fought with them, saying it was inappropriate to talk to a lady like that. He was a real gentleman, even at the age of six. I fell in love right away.
But I knew he'd never love me back. That's why I agreed to move abroad. Too bad, it didn't help me to forget about him.

Tyler
I tried to kiss her, but she rejected me. I started dating other girls, but she never got jealous. I hated myself for not being able to stop loving her. Even after almost a year without her, I still missed her.
My father always told you can have whatever the f*ck you want if you're powerful enough. It's time to check if it's she finally returns home. I'll do anything to make her love me back. And there's no way I'll ever let her go again. "Hold Me Tight" is a new adult romance novella with a beautiful Happily Ever After.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Novella, Contemporary, High School, Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Audible Audio

First published January 2, 2021

About the author

Kate J. Blake writes spicy romance novellas for naughty readers who love hot heroes and happily-ever-afters.

Originally from Ukraine, Kate currently resides in Southern California, enjoying the warm weather all year round.

Kate used to work as a stylist, and loves everything about fashion. She's a fan of online shopping, and buys tons of useless stuff, trying to convince her husband that she possibly can't live without all of that.

Kate reads 100+ books a year, but still orders many more titles than she could ever possibly read. She loves binge-watching romance TV shows and always misses her writing deadlines.

Kate has visited 30+ countries, and is not planning to stop travelling any time soon. You can find out more about her trips through her social media accounts.

Reviews

[bookgalbrock 🐝✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hold Me Tight

Tyler and Kylie are best friends.
Tyler and Kylie are also madly in love with one another.
And both Tyler and Kylie are afraid to ruin their 12 year friendship.

star rating: 2.75/5 stars

After a year away in Africa Kylie returns to California determined to tell Tyler how she feels. While Tyler is planning to woo Kylie and sweep her off her feet upon her return.
The only thing that seems to be holding them up is their fears and preconceived notions.

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

Kylie Thomson has been in love with her best friend since she was a little girl and but she is now a young woman on the cusp of starting her life and after living in Africa for the past year she thought that her feelings would have changed but if the past twelve months have taught her anything it that the saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. She is returning to the man she loves but has no idea how she truly feels about her, can she tell him how much she loves him or is she destined to watch him find love with another?

Tyler Parish fell in love with his next door neighbour and best friend Kylie Thompson the day he met her but over the years that followed he tried to bury how he truly felt, so when she announced that she and her mother would be living in Africa for the next year he thought that his obsession would die but it only grew. Now with her imminent return he has to show her where his heart truly lies and that the rumours that she has heard are just that rumours. Will Tyler get his chance at forever with the person he was always meant to love or has he missed his chance?

This was a totally new author for me and wasn’t sure what to expect but what I got was a deliciously steamy read with two young adults that found what they wanted when they were too young and tried to hide their true feelings. I loved the characters and the story immensely, I cannot wait to read more. 4.3* Read.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler Parish and Kylie Thompson have been friends since they were young when he stood up for her against the other boys. She fell in love with her hero that day. When her scientist mom got a job offer that made them have to move to Africa for a year, it broke Kylie’s heart to be away from him. But he promised to stay in touch, and he got up very early every day to communicate with her and reassure her.

That year being separated and away from each other lets Tyler and Kylie realize that maybe there is more than friendship between them. They have not talked above what it is they really feel. But Kylie is coming home now. Who will have the courage to tell the other the truth? Are they ready to admit everything? Or will fear of losing a friendship keep them silent about wanting forever?

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/25/2021)! 🎁

[Just Love books · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Kylie it was love at first sight even at the young age of six, but the moment Tyler stood up for her against some mean bullies, she knew there was something about this boy, but she never felt like she would be enough for him.

••

Tyler has always loved Kylie but after being rejected he tried his best to push her out of him heart and mind, going so far as to fall into the arms of countless other women. But alas nothing seems to have work, now with Kylie back Tyler has decided to finally go after what he wants and get Kylie to love him back.

••

This was a cute short read by an author that I am quickly coming to love.  I am a huge fan of the unrequited love trope and Blake has done a brilliant job in packing this short read with one heck of a second chance romance. Both Tyler and Kylie were really easy to love and relate to, which made rooting for them super easy. My only real draw back was the number of internal monologues, I felt like there were to many and slowed the book down, but this was not anything to major.

••

Hold Me Tight is a cute and steamy romance that will have you eating this book in less than a day.

[Kylie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really loved this short , best friends to lovers novella . I loved the characters, their friendship and their journey to finally admitting their feelings for one another .
Only thing I wished was that it was a full length novel.
There was SO much potential for this to have been full length. I felt rushed and wanting so much more of Kylie and Tyler. It Would have been such an amazing , swoon worthy , slow burn read !
But, I’ll accept it as a novella. Lol
Will definitely read the rest or series as it’s released!
4🌟

Kylie
-We met on our first day of school. He defended me when other boys started laughing at me. He fought with them, saying that it's not appropriate to talk to a lady like that. He was a real gentleman, even at the age of six. I fell in love right away.

But I knew he'd never love me back. That's why I agreed to move abroad. Too bad, it didn't help me to forget about him.

Tyler
- tried to kiss her, but she rejected me. I started dating other girls, but she never got jealous. I hated myself for not being able to stop loving her. Even after almost a year without her, I still missed her.

My father always told me: you can have whatever the f*ck you want if you're powerful enough. It's time to check if it's true: today she finally comes back home. I'll do anything to make her love me back. And there's no way I'll ever let her go again.

“Hold Me Tight" is a new adult standalone novella with a beautiful HEA and no cliffhanger.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well gosh darn that was spicier than I’m used to 😆 but overall a cute story. We all know I love a happy ending/epilogue.

[ReadonReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler and Kylie have been friends since they were young but a year away from each other brings out the realization that they both have serious feelings for each other. They have both been hiding feelings, secrets, and lies to keep feelings at bay so as not to get hurt, but now that Kylie is back home there is no more containing feelings. This cute novella is such a great read with angst and steam the author states it’s a short insta love story and that’s exactly what we get and j enjoyed every second. It was a refresher of a read and can’t wait to see more from the author.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this type of trope of best friends into something more. This is a sweet young love story of unrequited intense love from both sides. Enjoy all the inner dialogue and being told from both POV. Wonderful ending for this novella.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

[Vanessa Lawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story about first love and misunderstandings... alot of misunderstandings.

It was enjoyable to read even though I wanted to reach through my kindle and slap some sense into Kylie and Tyler at times.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for Sweet Treats Book Blog.

[SaDonna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kylie and Tyler childhood best friends that are in love with each other but afraid to admit their feelings to each other. Shows you sometimes just need to let people know how you feel. It is hard to take a chance especially with your heart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Innergoddess_Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great start to Kate J Blake’s new Dirty Elite series . I enjoyed Tyler and Kylies romance . What a sweet best friends to lovers quick read and very steamy . Can’t wait to see what else the author will bring with this series .

[Karen Sedgman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed Hold Me Tight, this story was about Kylie & Tyler's sexy best friends to lovers journey! Fantastic ending! Looking forward to reading more of these short novella's in this Dirty Elite Academy Series!

[Sarah Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝐊𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐈'𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐨 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞.” — 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉. 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞.

As always, Kate gave us a sweet, best friends-to-lovers romance with an assured HEA.
I never fail to fall in love with her characters and storyline. Even though this was a novella, I can totally see this as a full-blown book and that was my only let down — that I wanted more ( but is that a let down, really? 🤣)
An amazing start to her new series! That's all that I can say.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a great read. The love story between two best friends Tyler & Kylie will have you hooked from start to finish. I would have loved for it to be a longer novel but it was still such a good book. It made me want to know kore about their love story.

[mahra ☾ (arosio’s version)]

One of the worst books written ever. It’s like a fourth grader who has only read one wattpad book wrote this :)

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the heat is HOT, and the physical chemistry is captivating so be careful you may just get burned all the heat coming off these pages. There were some "oh no" "oh wow" " what the what" moments and add in uncanny mishaps, and shenanigans the good kind that makes you keep turning the pages till last page has been turned. These two started out as best friends and it evolved into loved when they went high school but when she left him to go to school abroad in Africa. He was devastated because he didn’t understand the real reasoning behind why she left him in that way. Tyler played the part of a playboy really well but in reality, he was waiting for her and she was still waiting on him and it is then that he puts 100% effort into going after what/who in this case he wants but will it be that easy and is there a HEA for the two of them?

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold Me Tight by Kate J. Blake is the first book in the new series Dirty Elite Academy. Kylie and Tyler have been best friends since grade school. But they are both secretly in love with each other. Before Tyler can confess his love, Kylie's mom gets a new job and they are transferred to Africa for a year. Tyler has waited a year for Kylie to come home and now that she is here he is determined to claim her once and for all. Kylie is also determined to tell Tyler how she feels and she hopes this won't ruin their friendship. This was a great story full of drama, jealousy, angst and finally a HEA! Looking forward to more.

[Christine F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hold Me Tight”—Kate Blake [5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️] I really enjoyed this new steamy little novella which is the first book in the Dirty Elite Academy series. Kylie and Tyler have been best friends since they were kids, and over the years they started to develop feelings for each other, but they never expressed it as they were fearful they would lose their friendship. Tyler tried dating other girls to get his mind off Kylie, but the problem was is that they weren’t Kylie and his mind always went back to her that she’s the only one he wants. Kylie had to move abroad for a year with her mother, but that didn’t help her forget him, it only made her want Tyler even more when she returned. Tyler is anxiously awaiting for her to return home, and he’s determined to make her his, but who is going to admit how they feel first and will they finally give into their feelings for each other after all this time? I flew through this book in an hour and I absolutely loved the sweet storyline and the love these two characters had for each other. I would definitely recommend checking this out 🥰👍🏼📚

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this quick story about Tyler and Kylie. They were best friends since they were six, they share a birthday and are neighbors. When they turn 15 his feelings for her start to change and do do hers, but they are afraid to ruin their friendship is they make a mistake. After a year in Africa, Kylie comes home and wants to tell Tyler how she feels, but it's scared. Great HEA in the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jamanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Kate has done it again with Tyler and kylies story. It maybe short but it packs a mighty punch. Friends who have been in live with each other for years. Who is the first to admit their feelings??? Read the awesome story to find out but be warned it gets steamy!!!!

[colelovesreading_nz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this book!!! I want more, more, more!!! *screams with delight*
Kylie and Tyler’s story is magical. Everything about it is sweet and swoon worthy, hot and delicious.
What a great way to start the Dirty Elite Academy. I can’t wait for more.
I highly recommend this.

[Letitia Bennion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

It's a quick little read, a friends to lovers story. Tyler and Kylie have been in love with each other, but neither know it. The back and forth was nice, I even liked that Tyler showed so much control and caring.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler & Kylie had an entertaining, fun read. And a new author for me. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Babel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young love is sweet and full of misunderstandings in this short story that's ideal for a quick indulgence.

It's got hot friends-to-lovers romance and a happy epilogue. I liked the double POV, the long-standing friendship that's withstood time and trials, and how deluded Kylie and Tyler were about each other's feelings.

It's a bit melodramatic in the characters' reactions, I suppose due to their age and rushed situation, and the inner dialogues tend to go round the same things, but in general it is entertaining and light. The Tuscany Nights novels by this author are a good place to go from here.

[Katherine Kant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was waiting for this series impatiently! I'm so glad the first book is so good! It has everything I love: sweetness, passion, romance and true feelings. I can't wait for the rest of the series!

[Mish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am looking forward from this series & author but

I love a good high school bff love story with unrequited love .And this story delivers on that a hero who love the heroin whole heartedly .I just wish that the writing in story, was more like Christmas thief author other book. In this read the internal dialogue was so repetitive with to much look slow drawn out responses with the outer dialogue. I hope the next book in the series have more a dialogue read with chemistry and banter cause they was supposed to be bff for ten year but came off as friends for a year. It became frustrating to read the flow of the story was hard to follow sometimes. I know this is more of a erotic read but it could have been better the lack of opportunity to have chemistry between the character. But I really like author and concept of the story. She impressed me prior so looking forward to the next book in the series

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold Me Tight is Book 1 of Dirty Elite Academy. It's a short and steamy, friends-to-lovers, opposites-attract, OTT, curvy girl gets her billionaire best friend high school romance. Kylie is an 18 year old smart and curvy girl. Tyler is her hunky billionaire best friend who is a swimmer. They have been best friends since they were 6 years old. Both are secretly in love with each other but have been afraid to tell the other. When Kylie returns home after being in Africa for a year with her mom, she's determined to tell Tyler how she feels. He is not letting her get away again. I wanted to slap these two multiple times but had to remind myself they were 18. They were both so stubborn and quick to jump to conclusions before talking. They had such great chemistry, and we got a great HEA after a lot of drama. I'm a sucker for a good friend to lovers romance, and this did not disappoint.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I am happy to have 'found' the author. I just love stories like this one. Deliciously heartbreaking, the book lets you cheer for Kylie and Tyler until the last chapter. I kept thinking: "Just talk to each other!" But then the book would not be half as delightful and it would be over far too quickly!
The book was very well written and I kind of devoured it. I really recommend it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gebby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 starsss

baca buku ini, berasa baca karangan alexa riley, erotic, insta-love, possessive hero. hero dan heroine ini tetanggan, dan juga satu sekolah dari kecil. mereka sama-sama suka, tapi misunderstanding aja antar keduanya, merasa one side love. mereka terpisah 1 tahun (karena mama hero pindah kerja), abis itu ketemu lagi, situasi membuat mereka jadi cerita perasaan masing-masing dan jadi dehhh..