A new job. A new city. A three-month internship that will start Olivia Roth on the path to her dreams. Olivia has her life plan all mapped out, that is until she meets the most intriguing man having a cigarette.

Soon Olivia is looking forward to those daily chats, and when a night out turns into a night of hot sex, Olivia is hooked. But when morning comes, and they both realize the truth, things get complicated.

Can Olivia let go of her life plan and open her heart to a known womanizer? Or will she head back to Texas with a broken heart?



I'll be honest and say the first half of this book had me struggling. The ad nauseam OW hanging on the hero, or the continuous mentions of his "OW" distracted me A LOT. The title alone told me he was a WOMANIZER, I didn't need it shoved in my face over and over again. That said, after the 60% point we finally got off the OW train, and the book picked up for me.

I adored both of these characters. Olivia was just a sweetheart. Funny and honest. You really won't be able to help but fall in love with her. Callan was sexy and surprisingly sweet. I expected more resistance from him than I got. Really the relationship in this book was pretty smooth sailing. No angst at all aside from a little from Olivia's brother. These two were just really perfect for each other in every way. The sex scenes were hot. Thier conversations and banter cute. Easy peasy...as they say.

So even though I struggled a bit at the beginning to get into this one, I did end up really enjoying it by the end. So two thumbs up from yours truly.

This is book 5 in a series of about 11 or 12, I believe. I am so tempted to write a review on each book.   However,  I feel like I would not be doing it justice without reaching close to the last book in the series.

 

There's so much going on,  I honestly don't know where to start.  On to the next one!

 

#ReadingKeepsMeSane #BookClubGroupies  

Drama, Drama and complete craziness. I am absolutely speechless.  Who goes through this to get even with someone. Really!

 

I'll be damned if I am about to knowingly share a man with another woman.  Especially NOT MY AUNT!

 

Speechless!

隣にいるのに、遠い [Tonari ni Iru no ni Tooi] by Masara Minase
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read on January 18, 2014

I liked the art but the story messes with my Yaoifangirl mind. I mean there's a total role reversal of rescuing the damsel here. I love feisty Ukes but a Seme that needs saving from his Uke?

This Uke is not only feisty but forward as well. He has no qualms asking to be fuq by his Seme.

And, and, and... it's his first time with a guy too. (#／。＼#)

So okay, it has a refreshing twist from the norms of Yaoihood. Just that I am quite a bit of a conservative Yaoifangirl. I tend to love the 'Regular Yaoi' formula bit too much.





BOOK DETAILS:

Title: 隣にいるのに、遠い Tonari ni Iru no ni Tooi
Associated Names: 咫尺天涯的距离 / 近在咫尺卻達在天涯 / 隣にいるのに、遠い / You're Right by My Side, yet So Far Away
Author: Masara Minase
Publication Date: 2008
Type: Manga
Genre: Yaoi, Boys Love, Contemporary, Romance, School Life
Tags/Keywords: Best Friends, Childhood Friend/s, Confession, Drunk, Friends Become Lovers, Popular Male Lead, Possessive Lover/s, Post-Secondary School, Student/s, Womanizer/s, Gay for You

Description:
Nagisa's good friend, Igarashi Taiga, is the popular guy at their university. After being compared to Taiga as a lover, Nagisa keeps wondering and questions Taiga, who demonstrates his skills with a hot kiss...

What will come after that?




* Reviewed on January 18th, 2014

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View all my reviews

Predictable and poorly written

I'm sorry to say that I found the characters rather flat and cookie-cutter.

Of *course* Isabelle is gorgeous, yet humble and down-to-earth. Of *course* Mitch jumps into bed with every woman who offers, yet only has to meet Isabelle to see the error of his ways and change his life around over night.

From their first meeting, the reader can pretty much guess where this is going: there will be some of the usual misunderstandings and twists, then Isabelle and Mitch will live happily ever after. The increasingly threatening letters that Isabelle gets from time to time could've added some interest, but this plot was used with a heavy hand and little creativity. Are we really supposed to believe that they were sent by Isabelle's dead Ex? This red herring just doesn't work.

Also, it doesn't seem believable that a mother who's protrayed as perfectly loving and caring would NOT involve the police when she gets letters such as these - they do not threaten her son, no, but surely, any danger to Isabelle is a danger to him as well?

I love a good romance, and I don't expect stellar writing, but this just bored me.