This book reminded me of the movie Hitch, which I enjoy. Simon and Naomi instantly hit it off, but are keeping their relationship professional. Although in the preview you can see it going toward a friendship. This book seems like its going to be a sweet romance and I can't wait to get a hold of the rest of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the preview download.

I am excited to read more of this story! In the short preview i was already enthralled in the everything from the meet cute to the awkward situations. I can already tell this is going to be a favorite!

These 5 chapters are making me want more!! I can already feel that the characters’ witty banter and amazing chemistry will be one for the books.

I’m also extremely pleased to see an own-voices book with Filipino representation! So many authors nowadays say their character is x ethnicity and never really elaborate on that and how it has shaped the character. Smith is Filipino-Caucasian and integrates it into her stories. I was happy to see that there was stuff relating to Filipino culture within the first 5 chapters when it has taken other authors maybe half the book.

Smith has amazing writing - it’s not simplistic and keeps readers engaged. I’m excited to read the rest of the book when it comes out!!

I was hooked straight away! There's only 5 chapters but I'm already so invested in all the characters and their relationships. I laughed out loud so many times and need to read the rest immediately! Simon really is the perfect man, I love the chemistry and banter between him Naomi. So excited for the release!

the first five chapters got me so hooked! i cannot wait until the book gets published! the story picked up immediately and at the end of chapter 5 got me wanting more. im excited to read the rest and continue the journey with these characters.

Been reading more and more books from Carina Press so when I saw the preview available for this one, I jumped on it. The first few chapters are very cute, and entertaining enough that I'm definitely going to give it a go when it's published.

The Close-Up seems like its going to be a steamy, funny romance!! Very sex-positive and the author uses the interview series in the story to challenge common bare minimum relationship standards while also explaining why people should be doing and expecting better. At times, the flirty dialogue can feel very basic, I would have liked to see more flirtation through actions and longer interactions. Simon says that he is attracted to Naomi but I don't really *feel* it yet. This preview alone is very fast-paced, I am curious to how the rest of the book will go!

Really enjoyed reading the first few chapters of this book via Netgalley. Unusual and interesting premise, and both main characters are well-rounded and realistic - plus their chemistry is already smoking on the (virtual) page. My only disappointment was that I had to stop reading; very intrigued to see where this will go…

What an intriguing preview!! I'll definitely be getting this one when it gets published in April because I absolutely need to see where Simon and Naomi end up!

Following a break up, Naomi decides to drown her feelings with her cousin at a dive bar. Alcohol gives her the courage to waltz up to a stranger and flirt with them. Even in her drunken state, a few words from the man has her realizing she's flirting with the cam-guy she fantasized about in her college years.

While Simon is interested in her, Naomi tells herself that it can't go further, especially when he becomes her newest and biggest assignment at work. These first few chapters give us their budding friendship, but will they give into the forbidden romance? I'm excited to find out!

Sarah Smith does it again, and this is only 5 chapters. In that short period of time, the characters were already pretty well developed and I love the friendship being built between Naomi and Simon. The other books of Sarah's I've read have been enemies to lovers so this is a fun change and I am loving it. I enjoy how human all of these characters are with either being messy or awkward cause that makes the whole story more relatable. I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of this book cause if it is anything like the first 5 chapters this will be going up to be one of my favorites!

This book was so, so funny already. I have heard nothing but good reviews about this author and can't wait to dive further into my first read by her, The Close-Up. Naomi is already such an interesting protagonist and the premise of this is nothing like I've ever encountered! The pacing is already amazing and will leave you hooked by the first sentence. Can't wait for more!

I found the concept of The Close-Up to be very interesting and unique, a fresh read that explores the idea of men helping other men with their relationships and becoming more vulnerable, in a positive light. In the first five chapters, I was intrigued by Simon’s mindset and how he interacted with Naomi, and conversely how Naomi interacted with him given her history of watching him in college. Although, I feel like the storyline progressed too fast, as they went from meeting for the first time to an interview to being one week into a holiday. Overall, I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops with all the obvious tension happening already and what mischief Harper might cause.

The first few chapters of The Close-Up were a lot of fun. I can tell this relationship is going to have a lot of really enjoyable banter and I really appreciate romance novels that normalize sex-work in a way that doesn't villainize the sex-worker. However, I really struggled to get into the story. I'm not sure if maybe I just wasn't in the right mindset, but I just couldn't quite connect. That said, I will absolutely be willing to pick this back up for a second chance once the full novel is out and see where the story leads. I think it has a lot of potential and I might be better able to connect after a few more chapters.

Pros: I am a new reader to the romance genre, so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to sample a book. I'm still learning the subgenres and tropes and figuring out my favorites.

Cons: I didn't really connect with these first few chapters, so I don't know that I'll seek out the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the opportunity to sample this book!

Started out cute enough, but I couldn’t get fully invested during this preview. I loved the camming storyline, but all the dialogues felt a little amateur-ish. I’m not opposed to instant attraction especially when there’s a backstory to consider but I felt like something was just… missing. Maybe the whole interview part was progressing too fast for me and the attraction between the, felt secondary.
I would probably still read it when it comes out.
3.5 stars for the preview

I can’t wait to read the full story of The Close Up. I was immediately drawn in to the charecters and their attraction and to the will they, won’t they story line. I’m excited to see how the rest of the love story plays out.

I enjoyed this early sneak peak of “The Close Up”. The first 5 chapters flew by and I am eagerly waiting until April to read the rest. The hero and heroine have an interesting meet up and connection and I am curious how the story will develop. I have been a fan of Sarah Smith’s other novels and it looks like this one will be another favorite.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity too read this sneak peak of “The Close Up”!

I thought this was the full book and now I have to wait until April! I cannot! Oooooo this setup is *spicy* I just know Simon is going to be delicious when Naomi gives him the green light. Pre-ordering this one!

It's rare to find a book with an opening line that really shocks you, but this one certainly did.

Naomi and Simon drunkenly meet in a bar after she discovers her long term boyfriend has been cheating on her. Thus ensues both an exchanging of numbers and projectile vomiting. The next morning Naomi is assigned an interview with none other than Simon, the man she hit on at a bar and then realized was her internet crush throughout her college years. As they work together in close proximity, their chemistry sky rockets.

Sarah Smith manages to write dialogue that is funny and fresh without feeling cheesy or cringeworthy. Naomi and Simon are both characters to root for. This feels like the perfect light, funny romantic comedy everyone needs right now.

This book had me hooked from the first line. Even though it's only five chapters that were released I honestly read all of it in about an hour and a half I could not put it down. The banter and chemistry between Simon and Naomi is so funny and flirty I just loved all of it. I'm so excited for the book to come out in April I can't wait to buy it and read the rest of it.