Book Club: The Close Up

By Kennedy Ryan

Set in the dynamic worlds of professional basketball and entertainment, two of Kennedy Ryan’s most critically-acclaimed series-Hollywood Renaissance and HOOPs-collide in this tale of forbidden romance.

I met Nazareth Armstrong when I was eighteen years old. From the beginning, my brother warned me to stay away from him. Told Naz to stay away from me.

Our hearts didn’t listen.

I shared one magical night under the stars with my brother’s rival, thinking it was the start of a once-in-a-lifetime something.

But one awful moment ended it all.

Years later when we meet again, we’ve both pursued our dreams, lived a little, found success…but never found love. What began as a tiny flame when we were young now threatens to consume us. I’m more drawn to Naz than ever, but his complicated history with my brother makes whatever this could be…nearly impossible.

But Naz accepts impossible as a dare.

Through his clever maneuvering and dogged determination, I find myself on a yacht with him and his friends cruising through the Mediterranean. It’s a whirlwind set ablaze. Away from reality, surrendering to the tender heat of his touch, I forget that everything could burn.

Our Review

What makes this story stand out is its emotional maturity. This is not a rushed reunion. Both characters have lived, grown, and found success, yet still carry the weight of what happened between them. When they reconnect, the chemistry is immediate, but it is grounded in real conflict. The tension between desire and loyalty, especially with her brother in the middle, adds depth and keeps the story anchored in something real.

Ryan’s writing brings both heat and intention. The Mediterranean setting and luxury backdrop add a sense of escape, but the core of the story remains focused on vulnerability and connection. The Close-Up is a confident and emotionally satisfying novella that shows second chances can be just as powerful as first love.