This book was just amazing, a gothic thriller with mystery and romance - literally the perfect mix. The characters are all morally grey and slightly unhinged, you think you know they're motivations for something then there's another fun twist. I just loved that as a reader you're constantly kept on your toes from the very first page, Sylvia Day throws you into the chaos of the Black family and you never truly know what is going on because there are so many secrets.

One of the biggest thing I enjoyed is the multiple POV's which always you to get a real insight into characters heads yet they are all, to some degree, an unreliable narrator which makes the whole book more intriguing because everything is a mystery even to the characters themselves. Overall I really really enjoyed this, especially the relationship between Kane and Lily, they're both just badass, a power-couple (especially Lily) and I can't wait till book 2.

I tried multiple times to read this title. But it just did not work for me. I ended up finally giving and deciding this book was not for me.
There are multiple points of view. I was confused at time who was and who. the pages were crowded with characters and I wasn't sure who I was suppose to be paying attention to. I just really struggled with this title and gave up at about 41%.
All the world building and back story made the story feel slow and clunky.
I have enjoyed the author in the past this one was just not for me.

Sylvia Day brings us the story of Lily and Kane. Kane is a man who commands all those around him. He seems to not care about anything or anyone around him while everyone is clamoring to be seen by him. What is most noticeable is his obsession with Lily. He has his penthouse filled with her things and her portrait as the only personal item in his bedroom. It is decorated in her style and all things have her monogram just waiting for their owner to come walking through their doors ready to welcome her home. The problem is that Lily died six years ago, or so he thought until he sees her across the street When he brings his Lily home with him, it upsets the already fragile family dynamics. All the players are setting up their tactics with victory in mind. You are introduced to his mother, his brothers, and sister-in-law who all work for the family company in some capacity. As each power player makes their move to gain the upper hand, we start to see how it all unravels... or do we?

Sylvia Day brings us this story that is the first part of the Blacklist duology. We meet Kane and see him in his environment with all those wanting to be around him. We then meet another version of Kane when Lily comes back into the picture. We get to meet all the other players in this story and see how they interact with each other. Ms. Day keeps you guessing as you add another piece to the puzzle rooting for one person then another after reading some more. You also get glimpses from the couple Ms. Day made most famous: Eva and Gideon Cross. It is like seeing old friends again and catching up with them. You keep wanting to turn the page until you have reached the past page and realize that there is so much more left to their story, but you have to wait for the next part in this series. I look forward to seeing how their story ends and hoping to visit with Eva and Gideon as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Rōnin House for this privilege.

Sadly this is so not what I expected or wanted. I LOVED the Crossfire books and assumed this would be similar. Never assume, right? This was just weird and twisted. And let’s not even discuss the sister in law and her obsession. Nope.

I tried. But I just can’t.

I have been waiting for this book from so many years and after all this time, it came here to serve and it did!! I loved the whole ones of this book. The gothic, mysterious and thriller elements kept me on the Ashe of my seat throughout my entire read. There were so many questions that I want the answers of but left after that ending had me gasped. I can’t wait enough to read the next instalment already. Overall I really enjoyed it, so it’s a full 5 stars read for me

Sylvia Day wrote one of my all time favorite series. So when I got the ARC for this I was beyond excited… until I started reading. I think the intention to write a romantic thriller was the intention but this failed miserably. I made myself finish when this should have been a DNF. The characters were so flat. The story was confusing and disjointed. Overall, don’t waist your time.

Wow, wow, wow!
Couldn’t get enough of this book.
I would have read it faster but I didn’t want it to end and wanted to savor each chapter.
Such an interesting and complex story in the best way. Very different from the Crossfire series but I enjoyed it a lot. Can’t wait to read Too Far!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sylvia Day, and Rōnin House for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for a honest review!

When I saw this book and saw the author, I had to jump on it. I love Sylvia Day's books. Like a lot of other people, I was in love with The Crossfire Series. I did go into this book knowing that this was a different series. I feel this is an important thing that her readers need to remember.

This book did start slow for me and to be honest the multiple point of views I didn't like but as I got deeper into the book I actually liked the different point of views. Once Lily's point of view picked up, I could not put the book down. Obsession, rage, seduction and family drama are all in this book. I also loved the cameos by Gideon and Eva Cross. That had my Crossfire heart going!! I can't wait to read Too Far and hope to get an ARC of that one also!!!

This was not really my cup of tea. From what I've heard, Sylvia Day is quite the author in the romance community, and I'm sure for some people this will be just what they like and need from a book. I personally thought there were too many POVs to keep track of, and that there wasn't enough plot and drive for me to want to keep picking up the book again and again.

So Close is set to be published on March 28, 2023. Thank you to Rōnin House, NetGalley and the author for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*BOOK REVIEW:

▫️Star rate: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
▫️Spicyness: 🌶🌶🌶

This book is mind-boggling, twisted, sexy, mind-blowing, and a freaking page-turner. I'm at a loss for words. Every page just makes you so curious. It was confusing to me at first, but holy hell! There are a lot of revelations, secrets, and WTH moments, and my mind is just stunned.

This is my first time reading a book with multiple POVs. It's challenging yet very interesting. Reading different POVs of the characters makes this book super unique. 

My favorite couple, Gideon and Eva Cross, also have a small cameo in the story, which makes me so happy!

Sylvia never disappoints. She never does. I can't wait for this story to be release because, I swear, it will blow your mind and leave you with so many questions. I promise!

I was SO excited about this book by Sylvia Day! I was even more excited to see glimpses of the crossfire characters. However, this book felt SO DIFFERENT. It was a little all over the place and very slow. I struggled to care about any of the characters.

I'm still new to Sylvia Day's catalog, but this was absolutely a great & quick read. Very good recommendation for fans of Sierra Simone

Reading this story almost made me get out the spreadsheets to keep everyone lined with the one who this story is centered around, Kane Black. Lily, Kane’s dead wife back from the dead (supposedly), Kane’s mother and then his sister-in-law Amy. Having back Lily, Kane is coming alive himself again and seemingly not seeming what the women in his life are doing not only to his company, but to him. With everything at stake, Ms. Day has thrown more plot twists and suspense to keep this reader on her toes.

Kane Black is a widow, he lost his wife Lily but is still married in his mind. He was gutted until one day he sees a woman in Manhattan that just blows him away. He decides to move on. Meanwhile his mother and sister are not happy because each woman believes they are owed something since Lily's death. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for allowing me to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!

This book has been long awaited, but I would say it’s been worth the wait. As someone who is a fan of her other series, I had high expectations with this one. Overall, it did not disappoint and I found myself thoroughly enjoying this book. This book had such a great amount of drama 🎭 spice 🌶️ mystery 🕵️‍♀️ and by the end it left me with wanting to know more! I enjoyed the writing style, the different. POV, and the way she was descriptive of the world and the characters. Would recommend to those who are fans are Sylvia Day. Will be looking forward to the next installment.

I had a hard time finishing this book. I’ve put it down three or is it four times. Just to pick it up knowing I had this review to go. I didn’t want to hate it because I really loved the Crossfire series and gave reread it tons of times. But … yeah I hated it.
It was too wordy. Hated the characters being … what’s the word? Maybe , shallow. Onedimensional. .

Thank you Netgalley and ronin house for receiving the ARC.

When I saw this by chance I knew I had to jump on it. Sylvia Day Crossfire series had me hooked a decade ago and I had no idea this one was already years in the making. Finding out this was in the same world had me excited quite a bit!
Until I started this. I love a good mystery/thriller book, but I just could not get into this I am very sad to say.
It had too many POV’s and we didn’t even get Kane’s POV. Unfortunately I had to DNF this about halfway.

4.5 Stars

This is not your typical romance....

That's what Sylvia said and that's what I was a bit worried about. Also the blurb worried me - so as a romance lover - I was a bit scared to start reading. But I was also super excited to get something new from Sylvia, because I was such a huge Crossfire fan.

And then I started reading.
At first I thought. Okay. The writing is kinda beautiful but also a bit weird. She uses soo many big words. I gave up googling them after a couple.
And then ... it gets weirder. We get multiple POVs. The butler. The mom. The sister in law. The ex-dead-wife.
But we don't get to hear Kane Black's POV.
And I guess that's the thing. The not-so-typical-romance thing. We're not supposed to know if we should love him as our hero.
Because nobody knows what happened to his wife six years ago.
And we only get to hear all the others talk about him and what they think.
Which is a super way of building up the mystery and to confuse the reader even more.
I can't say I love-love-loved the book. Especially coming after Gideon Cross. I'm a romance girl. I want to love the hero.
But I also didn't hate it. Not at all. I still tried to love Kane and hoped that he's the good or rather the not-so-bad bad guy in this book!

Maybe to wrap the book all up into an explainable vision for you ...
Imagine ... if you will ... an 8 to 12 episode Netflix show in a beautiful setting in New York City with the most stunning buildings and offices and apartments and furniture. Living and working there is the cast of this book. Again extremely beautiful and intriguing people. The Husband. The ex-dead Wife. The Mother. The Sister-in-law. The Butler. And the two younger brothers and sister. And of course the Gideon and Eva Cross cameos.
And then imagine yourself watching the first episode.
40 minutes of beautiful scenery and people and script and words and just everything.
But. By the end of the first episode you are not one bit closer to uncovering any mysteries or any anything basically. You're just as confused as you were going in. And the same will happen with every single episode. You're not guessing anything. You're not understanding a thing. You're confused. And you will be until the last second of the last episode. And maybe even longer - because there will be a second book. So I imagine any Netflix show will have a cliffhanging season finale too.
But. Through all those confusing hours and through all the gymnastics your brain is doing while watching.... you still love it all. So much. Kinda. No idea why though. You should hate it. Nobody is telling you anything. Not the truth anyway. But still. You're fascinated.
The end.
Any more questions?
😂

I think Sylvia created an amazing world here.
I might not love it like I would have loved an amazing and sweet romance, but I appreciate it and I cherish it and I will probably never forget it.
I can tell you that we don't have a super cliffhanging cliffy. But there's SO much more left to uncover and to unmystify. Just a lot more to tell. Can't wait to read TOO FAR in October!

And if this does not appear on Netflix anytime soon - I don't know what's wrong with people!

Please read this book. Even if you might be mad at Sylivia for letting us wait for so many years. Even if you might want to stop somewhere along the first chapters. It's worth it. Somehow. Kind of. No idea why. But try it. 😁

With - SO CLOSE - Sylvia Day created such a beautifully written and mysterious and sexy and weird and exciting and suspenseful and complicated and confusing world - you won't know what's what for most of it - and that's just the most amazing place to be while reading a book! Run to your nearest bookseller before it's all sold out!

I would like to say a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Rōnin House, for choosing me to read this ARC copy of So Close, by Sylvia Day. When I read a book I really try to give 100% truthful feedback, in as constructive a way as possible. The following is my honest review after completing this book.

This is the second book I have read by Sylvia Day, and I saw her trying to break away from her normal genre here. I also appreciate that doing so normally takes some practice and fine tuning. The book started out slow but promising and unfortunately just got more and more jumbled and chaotic as it went along. It had so much potential, and I wanted to love this one, but I just really felt like it needed a little bit more as far as a clearly planned out storyline. All in all, I did think the book was an alright read with better than average writing, so I would read more from this author in the future.

I am not sure how I fell about this book. All the different perspectives kept me confused but by the end I was deeply invested and look forward to the next book to see how it all turns out.