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Closer to You
Taking risks has never felt so right...
Penelope Lucas was much too serious. She works too hard at pleasing everyone but herself. On a whim, she finally decides to go out with some friends for a night on the town to let loose. When she sets eyes on the unforgettable man standing across the room, she throws caution to the wind and decides to live a little.
Gabriel Turner was not your typical guy. In fact, he was so far from the average guy, he sometimes wondered himself when and where he had gotten lost. Work was too hard and life was too short. He needed something, or someone, to force him out of his stuffy, shark infested world.
While visiting the nation's capital to decide if he will move his company headquarters, little does Gabriel know that his life is on a collision course with the one person who will make him want everything he once thought he would never have.
What starts as a night of letting go of inhibitions and taking risks, quickly becomes a love that neither is willing to let go of. No matter the cost.
Penelope Lucas was much too serious. She works too hard at pleasing everyone but herself. On a whim, she finally decides to go out with some friends for a night on the town to let loose. When she sets eyes on the unforgettable man standing across the room, she throws caution to the wind and decides to live a little.
Gabriel Turner was not your typical guy. In fact, he was so far from the average guy, he sometimes wondered himself when and where he had gotten lost. Work was too hard and life was too short. He needed something, or someone, to force him out of his stuffy, shark infested world.
While visiting the nation's capital to decide if he will move his company headquarters, little does Gabriel know that his life is on a collision course with the one person who will make him want everything he once thought he would never have.
What starts as a night of letting go of inhibitions and taking risks, quickly becomes a love that neither is willing to let go of. No matter the cost.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2015
82 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Reana Malori
89 books388 followersThe characters I write will not be perfect. None of us are. They will make mistakes. All of the hero's will have redeeming qualities, but on the outset, you may not be their biggest fan. My heroine's will be the kind of women you want to hang out with. They're the women next door, down the street and around the corner. They are the ladies you would want to spend time with on a Saturday night drinking a martini.
I have been an avid reader of romance novels since the age of 14 and know what appeals to me as reader. My goal is, and will always be, to provide that same experience for the women and men who read my novellas and short stories.
I’m a former Marine and served for 8 years, so strong military men will always be a favorite topic of mine. I will continue to write stories with military heroes’ front and center. I’m also a fan of Alpha-males and strong women who love with everything they have.
I have been an avid reader of romance novels since the age of 14 and know what appeals to me as reader. My goal is, and will always be, to provide that same experience for the women and men who read my novellas and short stories.
I’m a former Marine and served for 8 years, so strong military men will always be a favorite topic of mine. I will continue to write stories with military heroes’ front and center. I’m also a fan of Alpha-males and strong women who love with everything they have.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 4, 2015
I have yet to read a bad story by this author. The stories may be short reads but they tick all the boxes for me.
This is Penelope and Gabriel's story. They meet in a club and are attracted to each other. Penelope runs off the before Gabriel gets the chance to tell her how he really feels about her. But fate allows them to meet up again but its in the workplace in the middle of a hostile takeover.
What I love about this author is that her men are always strong and but they never disrespect or demean the women they love. Yes they may hurt them with their actions without meaning to but they are always loving and respectful. I love the romantic dialogue between this couple!
I enjoyed the read!
This is Penelope and Gabriel's story. They meet in a club and are attracted to each other. Penelope runs off the before Gabriel gets the chance to tell her how he really feels about her. But fate allows them to meet up again but its in the workplace in the middle of a hostile takeover.
What I love about this author is that her men are always strong and but they never disrespect or demean the women they love. Yes they may hurt them with their actions without meaning to but they are always loving and respectful. I love the romantic dialogue between this couple!
I enjoyed the read!
July 5, 2025
Marvelous
This is really very enjoyable . The couple is compelling and very loveable. Gabriel is a CEO of the company he is absolutely sexy and good-looking. Penelope is a paralegal at her firm who tries to please everyone even in her personal life. This will have you engage from the beginning. Their romance is captivating and it tells a beautiful story which will warm your heart. I enjoyed the feel of their romantic chemistry and sizzling hot passion. The characters are awesome and their sexyness just burns up the pages. Penelope is independent and funny and is the kind of person you can identify with. I really enjoy this type of romance it gives me such a pleasurable experience that I definitely enjoy reading. This couple romantic relationship is delicious and I want to read it more than once. It's a great love affair that makes you smile. I really enjoyed this story so much I didn't want it to end. It really is a quite beautiful story I would have enjoyed it to be longer but as always good things must come to a end. The story is worth more than five stars to me. Happy Reading
This is really very enjoyable . The couple is compelling and very loveable. Gabriel is a CEO of the company he is absolutely sexy and good-looking. Penelope is a paralegal at her firm who tries to please everyone even in her personal life. This will have you engage from the beginning. Their romance is captivating and it tells a beautiful story which will warm your heart. I enjoyed the feel of their romantic chemistry and sizzling hot passion. The characters are awesome and their sexyness just burns up the pages. Penelope is independent and funny and is the kind of person you can identify with. I really enjoy this type of romance it gives me such a pleasurable experience that I definitely enjoy reading. This couple romantic relationship is delicious and I want to read it more than once. It's a great love affair that makes you smile. I really enjoyed this story so much I didn't want it to end. It really is a quite beautiful story I would have enjoyed it to be longer but as always good things must come to a end. The story is worth more than five stars to me. Happy Reading
March 19, 2025
Great story! 👍
This was a great book, and the characters were very entertaining and believable. The storyline was interesting and drew you in, and you wanted to keep reading. The chemistry between Gabriel and Penelope was smoking hot 🔥. I highly recommend this book to my fellow romance readers. You will not be disappointed.
This was a great book, and the characters were very entertaining and believable. The storyline was interesting and drew you in, and you wanted to keep reading. The chemistry between Gabriel and Penelope was smoking hot 🔥. I highly recommend this book to my fellow romance readers. You will not be disappointed.
May 27, 2020
Solid Story
I always enjoy books by this author. Gabriel was an interesting alpha male but not too overbearing. Penelope was strong yet vulnerable. Their story was sweet and direct without any unrealistic barriers to their HEA.
I always enjoy books by this author. Gabriel was an interesting alpha male but not too overbearing. Penelope was strong yet vulnerable. Their story was sweet and direct without any unrealistic barriers to their HEA.
July 24, 2019
3.5 stars
September 27, 2019
Fantastic Book
I enjoyed reading this book so much! I couldn't put my kindle down! I enjoyed the storyline and the chemistry between Penelope and Gabriel! Fantastic book!
I enjoyed reading this book so much! I couldn't put my kindle down! I enjoyed the storyline and the chemistry between Penelope and Gabriel! Fantastic book!
December 10, 2019
Brilliant
Another great read from this author. Good storytelling real characters that are believable. I just enjoyed the way the story flowed. All round great entertainment for me.
Another great read from this author. Good storytelling real characters that are believable. I just enjoyed the way the story flowed. All round great entertainment for me.
January 1, 2020
Loved it!
I really loved this story. Score one for the curvy girls. Gabriel saw who he wanted and made sure he got her.
I really loved this story. Score one for the curvy girls. Gabriel saw who he wanted and made sure he got her.
March 4, 2022
Office Romance
This is a perfect entry into the office romance trope. A little sizzle, a little drama, a lotta swoony alpha. Gabriel is such a book boyfriend!
This is a perfect entry into the office romance trope. A little sizzle, a little drama, a lotta swoony alpha. Gabriel is such a book boyfriend!
June 29, 2023
EXCELLENT
I’m really digging reading this author.This is the second book of hers I’ve read and enjoyed as much as the first book. It was short but good. Check it out.
I’m really digging reading this author.This is the second book of hers I’ve read and enjoyed as much as the first book. It was short but good. Check it out.
March 3, 2024
Slow and Boring
There was no heat from either person. I only kept reading because I the story was good. It just had absolutely NO fire!
There was no heat from either person. I only kept reading because I the story was good. It just had absolutely NO fire!
February 8, 2025
Nice Read!
I loved this book! Strong woman, Strong man. Neither one afraid to show each other their true feelings. Not a lot of outside drama.loved it.
I loved this book! Strong woman, Strong man. Neither one afraid to show each other their true feelings. Not a lot of outside drama.loved it.
May 5, 2025
Good
I love the office romance one.. It be so good cause they have to keep it on the low and no one can find out
I love the office romance one.. It be so good cause they have to keep it on the low and no one can find out
December 2, 2024
Mind Blown!
It was mind blowing from the moment Gabriel and Penelope met and spent the night together. Penelope thought it was just to be one night, but they met again and the train did not stop rolling.
It was mind blowing from the moment Gabriel and Penelope met and spent the night together. Penelope thought it was just to be one night, but they met again and the train did not stop rolling.
April 13, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Closer to You. I could relate to Penelope in the fact she always puts everyone and everything above herself, always doing things for others, and in turn, leaving no time for her to do anything just for her.
Gabriel is always the strong, take no prisoners, ruthless, astute executive and just wanted a night to be the real Gabriel, no pretenses, no game faces, just Gabriel. Then he sees Penelope and knows he must meet her.
The connection felt genuine and not forced, and the sex… well, that was…off the charts hot! I enjoyed the storyline and felt the conversations flowed easily. The hurdles they had felt real and kept you wrapped up in their story, their wants, needs, and desires in life.
The only thing I would have loved to of had more of, was a little more detail at the end before the Epilogue. I would have loved to read about the revelation. What revelation you ask…. Well you just have to get this to find out! You won’t be disappointed, trust me. I have really enjoyed everything I have read from Reana Malori and look forward to reading many more.
Gabriel is always the strong, take no prisoners, ruthless, astute executive and just wanted a night to be the real Gabriel, no pretenses, no game faces, just Gabriel. Then he sees Penelope and knows he must meet her.
The connection felt genuine and not forced, and the sex… well, that was…off the charts hot! I enjoyed the storyline and felt the conversations flowed easily. The hurdles they had felt real and kept you wrapped up in their story, their wants, needs, and desires in life.
The only thing I would have loved to of had more of, was a little more detail at the end before the Epilogue. I would have loved to read about the revelation. What revelation you ask…. Well you just have to get this to find out! You won’t be disappointed, trust me. I have really enjoyed everything I have read from Reana Malori and look forward to reading many more.
April 7, 2015
Penelope works her heart out to the point that she doesn't spend time for herself, or with her friends. When her friends finally talk her into going out, she is floor by the totally hot guy she meets at this bar.
Gabriel wants just one night to be himself. Not the mega wealthy businessman that everyone wants a piece of. He won't mind if that hot chick across the bar uses him though. Uses him in the hot, messy and sweaty way.
They share one hot night of together and Penelope leaves thinking that is what would be best. When fate throws them together when they least expect it, there is no way Gabriel will let her go.
I could see this as a movie of the week on Lifetime. It played in my head as one. I would watch it that is for sure.
Gabriel wants just one night to be himself. Not the mega wealthy businessman that everyone wants a piece of. He won't mind if that hot chick across the bar uses him though. Uses him in the hot, messy and sweaty way.
They share one hot night of together and Penelope leaves thinking that is what would be best. When fate throws them together when they least expect it, there is no way Gabriel will let her go.
I could see this as a movie of the week on Lifetime. It played in my head as one. I would watch it that is for sure.
April 15, 2015
All work and no play makes Penelope very stressed out. All she wants to do is take some time for herself but it seems the universe has other plans. Finally taking a needed break she decides to let loose and enjoy and do things out of character. Enter Gabriel, he is sex on a stick and wants to be seen as just Gabriel and not CEO billionaire or dollar signs. Both need something to shake up their worlds and the Universe and fate are about to answer. This was a fast paced easy read that is sure to keep you entertained. I enjoyed the look at office politics and found humor when the one night stand comes back to bite you. The characters were great, the sex was hot and the chase was a lot of fun. An excellent read with a happy ending.
April 20, 2015
While the chemistry between Gabriel and Penelope was scorching, I have two issues with the book. The first issue is that the book is so very short and I believe that the length of the book is what contributed to the second issue of the book....poor story development/insta-love. I am a huge fan of IR romance books but I am beginning to wonder if the authors are just lazy or don't have any concept of story and plot development. What is really frustrating is that Reana Malori had a great plot just waiting to be fully explored, and then---happily ever after, let me wrap this up in a quick little bow.....nothin'. I do love Reana Malori's writing style and she creates some wonderful characters, but your fans need and deserve more.
April 19, 2015
Closer to You was a delightful book to read. This story of the romance between paralegal Penelope Lucas and billionaire Gabriel Turner was intriguing, but not overly deep. I was confused about what happened to her mother since after the initial chapter of the book she was not mentioned again, until the very end. I was especially glad to read about the friendship between Penelope, Rosalind and Crystal. Professional women of color are often portrayed cut throat and selfish and these women were portrayed as loving friends. I love this authors works.
December 20, 2020
Penelope, a hardworking paralegal, decides to take a walk on the wild side one evening while out with friends and meeting Gabriel Turner. The attraction is instantaneous on both sides. Neither can stop thinking of the other and imagine the surprise when Penelope arrives as work to find out that Gabriel is actually GT Banks, a successful businessman in town to take over her company. Really enjoyed this pairing and watching this couple navigate a work merger and their personal lives.
June 15, 2015
Linda Christiani
I truly enjoyed this story of a man who couldn't believe he had found what he didn't think he could ever have true love and omg great sex loved this story!
I truly enjoyed this story of a man who couldn't believe he had found what he didn't think he could ever have true love and omg great sex loved this story!
June 15, 2015
It's ok
They fell in love because the sex was apparently the greatest either one of them had ever had...that was what I got from this book...eh.
They fell in love because the sex was apparently the greatest either one of them had ever had...that was what I got from this book...eh.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews