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For You #1

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A former Russian mafia soldier is hired to protect a friend’s young daughter, but he knows he’ll do more than keep her safe–he’ll make her his. Forever.

If she were to simply whisper my name, I would be at her feet, begging to touch what I shouldn’t, taste what doesn’t belong to me, run my hands along with the sweet innocence she taunts me with.

Penelope Justice is eighteen, old enough to graduate high school but—according to her parents—not old enough to live without 24/7 security. The practice has made her an expert at ditching her bodyguards. One look at Ivan and she never wants to run again.

I’ve been hired to protect her.

I can’t help but think that perhaps someone should have protected her from me.

Ivan steals the breath right out of her lungs, something no boy has ever done. Then again, he’s far from a boy. This man, this man who looks like he could kill someone with the flick of a wrist, is everything. He is her future.

I can’t let her go and I won’t give her up. I’ve done bad things in my life, and I don’t deserve her. But I can’t do the honorable thing.

I’ve never been noble, and I’m not starting now.

80 pages, ebook

First published July 17, 2017

298 people are currently reading
1687 people want to read

About the author

Alexa Riley

284 books16.2k followers
Alexa Riley is two sassy friends who got together and wrote some dirty books. They are both married moms of two who love football, donuts, and obsessed book heroes.

They specialize in insta-love, over-the-top, sweet, and cheesy love stories that don’t take all year to read. If you want something SAFE, short, and always with a happily ever after, then Alexa Riley is for you!

Feel free to follow us each on twitter @smut_sasshole & @SassNSmut

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5 stars
1,032 (29%)
4 stars
1,066 (30%)
3 stars
957 (27%)
2 stars
330 (9%)
1 star
111 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews131 followers
July 21, 2017
You don't read Alexa Riley for plot and intrigue but when it comes to fast, hot, and sugary sweet romance with smoking-hot sexy times, you can trust these two ladies to give you their best. :D
Profile Image for Sophia Triad.
2,241 reviews3,765 followers
July 21, 2017
Ivan:
1. Far from a boy
2. That beast was all man, maybe even something more.
3. Dark and deadly
4. His confidence is sexy


Some of Penny's descriptions about Ivan, not mine.

"Not this one, Penny." Her sister's advice.

But Penny has already made her choice.
Alexa Riley has created another interesting male specimen and since I am a sucker for bodyguard stories, I loved the book...
Profile Image for ♡Tonya♡.
2,062 reviews568 followers
December 28, 2017
**FREE RIGHT NOW!!** (AS OF12/28/17)

IT'S LIVE!

**ARC RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**
4.5 stars

Totally loved this story. It was nice to revisit Paige and Ryan in this story about their daughter Penelope. Once again, they give us sweet, sexy and safe!

I love both Ivan and Penelope.

Ivan was dark. He started his life in an orphanage and soon was living on the streets of Russia. He wasn't proud of what he had done because deep down, he longed for what he never had his whole life - love, family, stability. He was swoon worthy. No mention of a sexual past at all.

I adored Penelope. She was young (18) but she was soft and kind. She was just what Ivan needed. I thought she was a great heroine. She could read Ivan and treated him with such love and compassion. They were perfect together.

-no cheating
-no ow/om drama whatsoever
-steamy (but not until later in the book)
-Ivan attempted to push her away but it lasted about a day
-no violence of any kind
-good epilogue. I am always thrilled with Alexa Riley's epilogues but this one was a little on the vague side. Not in the way of the other characters because that was understandable. I mean about their children. Not many details are given. The epilogue was good but could have been more
Profile Image for ♥ WishfulMiss ♥ .
1,433 reviews115 followers
July 22, 2017
This was an okay read. Ivan and Penny were cute and I liked that it was a little lengthier than AR usually does (novella wise). Definitely interested in finding out what happens with Pandora next.

Only gripe I have is that I didn't really connect with either character enough to find them memorable. Yes they were adorable together and AR still writes crazy OTT hot smexy times but I don't see myself pulling this one out to re-read any time soon.

Will say that AR doesn't disappoint with the swoon-worthy Hero. He might be silent and brooding 95 percent of the time, but when he does say something, it's the best sweetness :)

Favorite Line:
Every time we connect there is love - love of our bodies, love of our spirits, love of our souls.
Profile Image for Gi's Spot Reviews.
1,144 reviews1,366 followers
July 17, 2017
Yay!!!! We all wanted more of the For Her world, right?! Well, we got our wish, with this For You series, featuring the For Her babies, that aren't babies any longer!
And what a better way to start than with the 'heart' of the Captain and Paige's family - who I was so excited to got one more glimpse of, they get better and better, and even more kickass! -, one of their twin girls, Penelope!
Stay Close was all that sugary sweet smuttiness and Ivan and Penelope were the perfect match in every way, she truly was everything sweet and soft that he thought his hard and broken would never have, but longed for. I loved his hidden fragility and the tenderness in which Penny lightened his world! Love at first sight at its finest!
Now bring on Pandora's story!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

“If you want me, krasotu, I will forever be yours.” He says it so simply, as if I can have ownership over him. He leans into my hand.
“I want you,” I tell him. “All of you.”


“I know that I’ve never experienced love before and that the feelings I have now for you are unlike anything I’ve felt before. My soul was bound to yours the first time we touched. If that is love, then I love you, Penelope. But it feels like more than that. More than one word.”



ARC kindly provided by the author for an honest review
Profile Image for Hana ♡.
347 reviews199 followers
June 16, 2017
4.5 Stars!

This is the first book in the For You series and it follows the story of Ivan & Penelope. Penelope is the daughter of Paige and Captain Ryan. Growing up, Penelope and her twin sister Pandora had bodyguards due to their parents work at Osbourne Corp. At the age of 18 Penelope gets a new bodyguard by the name of Ivan. And this sexy Russian decides then and there that he's going to do a lot more than protect this girl. He is going to own her...

"She is mine. I feel it deep down in a place I didn't even know was there."



This book was much shorter than the For Her books and I finished it in less than an hour. Nonetheless it was jam packed with sweetness and AR alpha goodness. Slight pushing away from the hero but it doesn't last very long. AR fans will not be disappointed!



I'm really excited for this series, I'm pretty sure Paige and Ryan's other daughter Pandora and Mallory and Oz's son Henry will get books as well! Super stoked!!! :)

ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,512 reviews86 followers
June 17, 2017
ARC received for review

Remember Captain and Paige from His Alone (For Her, #2) by Alexa Riley . It's one of their twins turn to fall.

Penelope/Penny loves to take care of her parents and sister and is a pro at escaping her body guards. Then they hire Ivan to guard her...and it's pure Alexa Riley insta-love and hot bedroom times. I really wanted more story..her to get kidnapped and Ivan rescue her...what debt is he repaying to Paige. On the plus side there are two epilogues, plus so much good stuff but I don't do spoilers.

Can't wait for her sister, Pandora, and their cousin, Henry to get their own HEAs.

Personal issue that I hope they fix...no is Russian is nyet, not net.
Profile Image for Jayme.
430 reviews465 followers
August 1, 2017
3,5 stars. You loved 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.

“Before Penelope, I wouldn’t have dared ruin something so perfect and pure, but my desire for her is outweighing any honor I held.”


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.


***
ARC kindly provided for an honest review. Thank you!

Profile Image for trestitia ⵊⵊⵊ deamorski.
1,539 reviews448 followers
August 12, 2017
Dişi FMArsal, ama Riley'nin iyi yanı lafı uzatmıyor 600 sayfa ve kızlar sözlü olarak da yollu. Çirkef ya da mal değiller.
Bi de sevişgen hallerin kalitesi var tabi askaxhagshslclflvdf

Bi de şöyle bişi var, Riley niye erkek karakterleri konuşma özürlü bir çocuk gibi yazıyor anlamıyorum.

Yüksek Lisans konum gibi oldu kadınlar okumadan duramıyorum help.

Yetmiş küsür sayfa olduğuna bakmayın laf kalabalığı. Ama SEVDİM napabilirim. Da işte keşke daha çok sahne yazsanız ya klişe yazın aynı şeyleri tekrar edin de yazın. Herkes sizi erken boşalma problemi olan pussy alfalarınız için okuyor.

Ellerinde dövmesi olan rus çam yarması guardian angel nerden bulunur enter
xoxo
iko
Profile Image for Alex ♈.
1,568 reviews1,405 followers
December 18, 2018
I desperately needed a safe sexy read.
Well, who delivers it better than AR? 😉

It was of course safe, but too short on the sexy side.

I know, it's unethical and shallow, but I wanted less mental battle, more fu sex.
Yep, my inner slut wasn't quite satisfied.

As to the plot itself, ok I guess.
Looking forward to her sister's story, the girl is more my caliber.

Google knows everything:
"beauty" translated from russian to English is "krasota and not "krasotu".
Correct me, if I'm wrong.

Profile Image for Missy's Book Obsession.
184 reviews125 followers
September 8, 2017
This was a great start to the series. I really enjoyed Ivan and the way he was towards penny. This was a sweet and short romance. Can't wait to to read Pandora's story next.
Profile Image for Maria....
429 reviews168 followers
August 4, 2017
" 3,5 My Beauty Stars"

This was a sweet and hot short book!

I really enjoyed Ivan and Penelope. They were so right for each other. Penelope was the soft, sweet, innocent part that was missing from Ivan's life. And Ivan was the strong protector that would keep Penelope's heart safe and cherish it forever and ever until the end of time. (A bit dramatic here...:/)

Anyway, the best part of this book was the fact that Penelope actually had a great family who loved her. It wasn't another lost girl without a soul in the world to care about her. That's refreshing from this author to have once in a while. I loved how close the family was and how they slowly accepted Ivan as a part of it, since he didn't have a family of his own.

P.S. Can't wait for Pandora's book! She was a badass, not the normal AR's heroine, sweet and weak and in need of her own protector to save her. Hope she is as badass in her book too! Please AR don't change her!
Profile Image for *TANYA*.
1,002 reviews429 followers
March 25, 2018
Eh, it was okay!!! Super short but still entertaining.
Profile Image for Cami.
1,662 reviews76 followers
July 2, 2019
I didn’t realize before I started this that it is more of a short story. I did enjoy it but you will want to keep in mind that because it is a short book, it doesn’t have the character development that other full books have. That said, it was still a cute read.

For being as short as it is I still was able to get into the story and the characters.

These characters are polar opposites and this book is absolutely the epitome of insta-love!!

OH....I almost forgot.....it is super EROTIC!
Profile Image for Jenny.
3,160 reviews558 followers
July 18, 2017
When I read this type of book I expect breeding, lots and lots of babies and lots of steamy scenes. This book had neither! Very disappointing read from my favorite author. Are we sure Alexa Riley wrote this?
Profile Image for DeeReads.
2,284 reviews
April 26, 2019
Enjoyable read! This was Ryan (Captain) and Paige's 18 year old twin daughter's Penelope story. Penelope was the girly twin to her sassy sister Pandora but still she was able to outsmart all of her previous bodyguards until she falls for her new Russian bodyguard, Ivan. There story was quick and sweet but exciting all the same. Paige was still clever to bring Ivan onboard and she had a major hand in selecting Ivan for the light of her family: Penelope.

Pandora's story is next in Hold Tight!


3.5 staying close stars!
Profile Image for Lacey (laceybooklovers).
2,144 reviews12k followers
June 19, 2017
Not my favorite Alexa Riley, but still full of AR goodness – an OTT alpha hero obsessed with his heroine. Review to come!

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Profile Image for *CJ*.
5,097 reviews624 followers
July 18, 2017
"Stay Close" is the story of Penelope and Evan.
When Ivan is hired as a bodyguard for Penelope Justice, the innocent and naughty one of twin daughters of Paige and Ryan, he never expects to be floored by her wit and charm and falls for her instantly.
It's the same insta-love plot, but this time with a backstory.
It was wonderful to see Paige and Ryan again, having their HEA and their twins.
Pandora and Penelope have a sweet sister bond- and I can't wait to read more about the former. I hope we get books on Miles's offsprings too.
The main couple was OTT in love, and there's nothing not to love about a devoted hero. Loved the wedding scene at the end!
Safe
3.5/5
Profile Image for CC.
1,781 reviews236 followers
September 2, 2017
Short and sweet. Insta everything. Very young heroine not sure how old the hero is, but not young.
Profile Image for Viri.
1,307 reviews460 followers
October 27, 2018
Es una decepción cuando quieres un libro típico de AR y te encuentras con esto... sin palabras.

Aburrido a más no poder, ni las escenas hot estuvieron buenas.

Obviamente no voy a leer el 2
Profile Image for TJ *Book Twins Reviews*.
1,183 reviews2,604 followers
July 23, 2017
Wow! I didn't see this coming. Ivan and Penelope are so flipping sweet and too stinking cute!

When you read the dynamic duo of OTT insta-everything you know what to expect, right? Hot and steamy with a side of insta-love and a smidge of alpha bad-ass behavior. You get most of that in Stay Close, but Ivan is broken, lonely, and so sweet. I adore his character!

Here's the breakdown: Paige and Captain hire Ivan as a bodyguard for their 18 year old daughter Penelope. Penelope is bubbly, caring, and a genuine sweetheart. She's the opposite of her twin and parents. Her bubbly personality and caring demeanor instantly attracts everyone around her, including Ivan.

What I enjoyed: Well that cat's already out of the bag. Ivan's character was the winner for me. His backstory and personal struggle endeared him to me.

I also liked Penelope's character. Her relationship with her sister and parents is really sweet. I loved the way she reacted to Ivan and wanted to make him happy. It totally fit her character.

I had one small little snafu with the timeline of events. I just couldn't wrap my head around Paige having 18 year old twins. It's totally me, but there you go.

Overall, this super quick and super sweet story is sure to hit the spot with fans of A.R. I'd definitely recommend it.




For more of my reviews:
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Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
July 17, 2017
3.5 stars


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.
Profile Image for Romance_reader.
233 reviews
August 17, 2017
Now this is how a mafia romance should be written. With the goon, soon to be ex mafia and willing to mend his ways and follow the light and make room in his life for a wife and family. I could respect this man and also the fact that he was so willing to commit - from the absolute beginning. It was insta-love between the h and the H and the ending (which perhaps, came too soon) was quite satisfying. Decent read.
Profile Image for Beatrice.
1,245 reviews1,729 followers
June 6, 2021
Such a fun and sexy read. The audiobook is good and fast paced. If you are in the mood for something quick to read and take your reading slump away, I recommend it. It's a bodyguard romance. Lots of sexy times!
Profile Image for Elaine.
142 reviews5 followers
July 17, 2017
It was perfect as always but I wanted a little more...

Before reading: Fuck, until july? That's too much😭
728 reviews71 followers
July 20, 2017
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 bat shit 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.

Rating: 3 Sweet, Gentle and Way Too Tame Stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

EDGY Reviews
Profile Image for Shayna.
1,812 reviews615 followers
July 16, 2017
stay close ig pic

STAY CLOSE was a quick and sexy read, full of AR's signature alpha-licious heroes, insta-love connections, and sweet happily ever afters. If I'm looking for a quick getaway from reality, the love stories of the dynamic duo that make up Alexa Riley, is always my first stop! Sometimes as a romance reader, I need a little 'over the top' love story, and Alexa Riley BRINGS IT each and every time. I'm excited to see what the girls will do with this new series, and I'm excited for everyone else to be enamored with this down and dirty, sweet and sexy romance.

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