READ AUGUST 2016

Sidney Halston writes a fabulous, gut wrenching, all the feels kind of book with Pull Me Close. Katherine and Nick weave a beautiful story about acceptance, and forging on through the fire. Highly recommended, and I'm excited for more from this series.

*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*

Pull Me Close has been on my netgalley TBR for quite a while! I saw it on a deal on Audible and decided to download the audiobook and give it a listen.

The story follows main characters Katherine and Nick. They get off on a very wrong foot when Nick mistakes Katherine for just another random girl passed out from drink or drugs and is worried about his nightclub’s reputation.

The story was quite rapid in the way that it unfolded. It’s very character driven focussing heavily on Katherine’s anxiety. Nick was not a likeable character in the beginning with more than a few preconceived notions about Katherine.

The audio book was easy to listen to with the dual POV and one of our favourite narrators Joe Arden.

This is the first book in Sidney’s Panic series with the next book being called Make Me Stay.

This took me by surprise. I have read a few books by this author and I've enjoyed all of them. It was such an emotional read. Absolutely recommended.

Could have been really good- just too much word filler- could read every 5th paragraph and feel like I missed nothing at all.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up Pull Me Close by Sidney Halston; I knew it was a new series, I knew it revolved around a nightclub in Miami and that was about all I knew. I figured it would be fun and entertaining given the setting, but it was so much more. This book was deep, it was dark at times, it deals with some pretty serious issues, it is sexy and most of all it doesn’t downplay what depression, social anxiety, and PTSD can do to a person’s life. I know you are probably thinking, that this sounds like a real downer of a read, but in all honesty it wasn’t, yes there were times that were heavy but there were fun times and sexy times as well.

Katherine suffers from severe anxiety, PTSD, and depression all brought on by an incident when she was a freshman in college. She rarely leaves her apartment anymore, but she goes to a well known Miami nightclub Panic for her sister’s engagement party where she is overwhelmed and ends up passing out and ends up in the owners’ office. While one of the owners, Matt is calm and collected and obviously worried about her, his twin brother Nico seems angry and disgusted with her. She is puzzled when she wakes up in her bed with Nico sitting beside her reading a book and holding her cat; so begins this strange and twisted love story.

There were so many things about Pull Me Close that I appreciated; Ms. Halston did a fantastic job of describing the mental illnesses the heroine has and she didn’t sugar coat that anyone with these inflictions has to fight every day to deal with them. It was a slow process for this heroine and I liked that she showed sometimes there were steps forward followed by many, many steps back. Katherine despite her issues was a strong woman and she was determined to get better which is a big part of the battle and while I think Nico was a bit of motivation for her, she understood that she couldn’t let him be part of her healing. I give Nico a lot of credit for encouraging her and helping her though a lot of tough times, most people wouldn’t have been so understanding but I think with Nico’s experience of having people he thought were friends desert him in his time of need he was determined to stand by Katherine. That’s not to say they didn’t have some problems or any arguments, but for the most part they worked together to get Katherine back into the real world.

I enjoyed the pacing of the relationship in this book and felt it was perfect for this couple and in all honesty when they did finally become intimate, Nico taking control from Katherine was probably exactly what she needed given her need to control EVERY LITTLE THING in her life. The sexy times were hot and raunchy and Nico has a very dirty mouth and despite Katherine’s protest at times he ignores her and goes with it because Nico loves pushing her out of her comfort zone.

Pull Me Close was not only a gut wrenching, poignant and sexy romance; Ms. Halston gave us a respectful look into the life of those with social anxiety and how it affects their lives and relationships and she does it brilliantly.

PTSD is not an easy topic. Sidney Halston took this tough subject and made it something that should be discussed, should not be hidden, and should be something considered serious. I have huge respect for Sidney Halston and her grace in handling PTSD.

Katherine has PTSD. It is debilitating for her. She is a character that I wanted to protect, coddle, and support. As I got to know her better I realized that is exactly what she didn’t need. She needed someone to stand up to her, push her, and accept her for what she has to offer. This is where Nico comes in.

Nico has been burned from his past relationship with a drug addict. What he doesn’t need is another needy, lying woman which is exactly what he thinks Katherine is. Until he trusts his gut and follows his heart. He learns that there is more to her then meets his eyes. First impressions are not always correct. While I think Nico is great, perfect, wonderful for Katherine I also think Katherine is all that and more for Nico. He needs someone to love him as he is also.

I have to mention that there are two earth shattering world events mentioned in this story. Both these events are true, well known, and horrific. Yet, in this story they are not made light of, they are used to show how some events can affect people in horrible ways and how these same people can overcome their fears to be able to live “normal” lives again.


This is not an easy read but it is a worthwhile and wonderful read. This story is real, truthful, and heartbreaking. It is also uplifting to see how people who struggle can get the help they need to be able to live again.

Heartfelt and passionate. Loved the connection between Nico and Katherine. Katherine has horrible PTSD and has major difficulty leaving her apartment; it debilitates her. Nico is a club owner who has some stuff in his past that has jaded him. Katherine and Nico don't get off to the best start because Nico thinks she's a druggie and he's not for any of that, but there's a draw between them. Loved how Nico is there for Katherine; I don't agree with sex being the incentive to heal though. It felt like Nico was too pompous; felt he was God's gift. He has his sweetheart moments though, and he is good for Katherine. His description isn't my type, but I do like his dominance. I'm not too keen on his friends; joking about bridesmaids going after your man if you don't get over your traumas, felt like a jerk thing to say to me. I liked Katherine. She's sassy and honest. She's dealing with something a lot of people don't understand, and I appreciate her strength working to overcome the PTSD. The romance is sexy and intense; not fully my type of thing, but I'm not going to deny those two are combustible together. Entertaining story all the way through! Looking forward to checking out the rest of the series.

Great story! Really well plotted, and I enjoy all of Sidney Halstons books. Would highly recommend to fans of the genre.

Katherine and Nico's story is one that possesses all of the element that make a Contemporary Romance great!
In Nico, readers are presented with a strong, self-sufficient, business owner. Who is doing all he can to right the wrongs of his criminal father. While struggling to cope with the implosion of his personal relationship. As a result of his former fiance's refusal to seek help for her growing drug and alcohol addiction.

While in his leading lady, Katherine. Readers discover a woman trapped within her home and within her mind. A woman who so wants to be a part of life. To have some semblance of normalcy; that she is willing to risk the onset of her severe PTSD to do so.
A risk that puts her and Nico on a shared path to a united destiny.
While putting readers on an emotionally charged path to a wonderful romance.
But that path is not one clear of more than its fair share of obstacles.

One of the most evident, and at times most frustrating?
Nico.
He is not perfect.
He is a man haunted, shaped, and consumed by his past.
Which is why he seems to paint both Katherine and her problems with such a wide and judgement filled brush for the first few chapters of the read.
But...
Much to his credit, he soon does take the time to get to know both Katherine and her problems.
Resulting in both Katherine and the reader discovering a much more likable Nico.

Things progress with both the story and Katherine's work in coping with and changing her PTSD related behaviors, at nothing less than lightening speed.
A fact that, can prove quite disconcerting to the reader at times.
But then again the prospect of having a gorgeous man as the reward for all of your efforts can really serve to inspire a girl to great achievement.

The supporting cast in this read is very limited.
This helps to focus attention on both the relationship and the effect of Katherine's illness on its dynamic.
And of course, this would not be a true Sydney Halston read without panty-melting sex.
With just a smattering of Nico-styled dominance for flavor.

This is a great read on all counts. Spotlighting the very real mental health issue that is PTSD. In a very well expressed and relatable way. In combination with a very readable love story/family drama.

Reviewer's Note:
Pull Me Close is the first book in a related series. It may be read as a standalone. Or as part of its intended series.


Actual Rating 4.5

I have not had a chance to read this book, Once I have gotten a chance to read it I will edit this review to reflect my thoughts and feeling on the book.

Pull Me Close is the first book in the new Panic series by Sidney Halston. I thought the author did an amazing job of creating deep characters will also writing a very sexy love story.

I loved how the author handled the issue of PTSD and made it relatable to everyone.

I look forward to reading more in the Panic series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Loved this book! It was so captivating and seductive! Pull Me Close is the first novel I have ever read by Sidney Halston, and it will not be the last. I absolutely loved it from beginning to end. I did not want the story to end!! So beautiful!! A definite must-read!!

PULL ME CLOSE - Sidney Halston

#1 The Panic romance series

OVERCOMING THE ODDS - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Katherine has severe panic attacks. When she tries to go to an engagement party for her half sister, she has a major one and passes out. When Nick (the owner of the club) finds her, he's more annoyed than anything because he's had enough problems and doesn't want another one. But they click somehow, and as they get to know each other better, they realize that they have more things in common than they expected. This book follows the progress of their relationship and, in conjunction with that, the progress of Katherine's PTSD and her attempt at recovery.

Writing - 4 stars - Halston got my attention right from the start with Katherine's overwhelming panic attack. It was exciting, but without any set-up, it was a little hard to feel empathy with her. Nick's reaction was pretty negative, which wasn't surprising considering his past history. All that being said, I was soon involved in the personalities of the main characters, getting to know them better and understanding their quirks and their connection.

Format - 4 stars - I really liked the chapter headings, listing various stages of a panic attack and its physical effects on the body. Then the chapter would be loosely based on that particular stage. It was fascinating, even just reading the table of contents! In addition, I always like the format of going back-and-forth between the main characters' points of view. That way I can really get inside the characters' heads and understand them from the inside out.

Characters - 4 stars - At first glance, Katherine seems like a one-dimensional character, with her personality completely taken over by her illness. But as we get to know her, we discover that she's intelligent and funny, very likeable. I wanted her to succeed in overcoming her problems, but I still found her frustrating and so limited. Every time she'd made a step forward, then she'd seem to hold herself back from progressing any further. Nick is a responsible guy who tries to do the right thing for everyone else at all times, taking on the burdens of everyone else's problems. Which implies that he's attracted to Katherine because of her PTSD. But it definitely seems as though there's more to their relationship than that, despite his frustration with her very real issues.

Title - 4 stars - Sweet title, mentioned more than once as something that Katherine asked of Nico (pull me close and don't let go) and something that Nico offered to do for her. But, besides that, it also describes Nico's comment about their relationship too--sometimes Katherine pulls him close and sometimes she pushes him away (when she feels he's asking too much of him). Excellent title.

Cover - 5 stars - This is a gorgeous cover of jewel tones, drawing the eye right to it even when it's included on a page full of covers.

Overview - 4 stars - Overall, a very interesting book. As always, I enjoyed the romance, even though it built slowly as Nico and Katherine got to know each other and grew their relationship. But it made sense that they'd go slowly despite Nico's usual quick-and-dirty personality. But, underlying the typical romance, it was also fascinating to learn more about PTSD and phobias. Through this book we could easily see both sides of the situation. Katherine could share with us her feelings and worries in an understandable manner, even though it might seem frustrating. And we could relate to Nico's feelings and worry about her, and his difficulty in understanding the depth of her problem.

Wow. This book deals with some very serious life situations and it was absolutely great. Well written, perfectly paced, deeply emotional. Nico threw me at first, but was very supportive. Katherine, wow, loved her.

http://kimmyloves2read.blogspot.com/2016/10/blog-tour-5-star-review-giveaway-pull.html

I shall begin with the not serious stuff. OMG that teaser in the end! I have to read the second book (Matts story) as soon as review copies are available. I loved the book so much that even the slightest teaser made me wanna beg for the second book. I don't want it to be such a heavy read as this one was, but I hope it will be as moving and captivating as Pull me close. I hope it comes out soon.

I loved this book. I cried and I was worried that maybe the happy ending wouldn't happen in this book. It came close to not happening. I was hoping the author would pull a dramatic move, but I never thought of that. Some might find it over the top, but in the end, it worked. Both Nick and Katherine had to understand what the other had gone through to understand completely what the other felt.

I must admit I didn't like Nick when I first met him, but he quickly grew on me once he explained the events of his past that made him act the way he did. I felt sad for what Katherine had gone through and I believe that the author did an excellent job at writing her character and giving the reader a complete image of what she is going through. I wanted to see a little more of Nicks side and what he had gone through. He mentions them once to Katherine and that was it.

I loved the secondary characters and especially Matt. Each new character Katherine met had a different and very interesting personality. The book made me cry a little and got me very worried about what was going to happen next and if everything was going to be ok. I felt a lot of things during this journey and I hope plenty of people will get the chance to feel them too. I liked that Katherine wasn't miraculously healed once she met Nick. This made the whole situation more believable for me. It might have felt that Nick was offering more to this relationship, but after everything, I realized that Katherine was offering him a steady and happy place which was exactly what he needed. The book is added to my list of nominations for the top 10 books of 2016. I loved it and I hope the readers will fall for Nick and Katherine as much I loved them.

I really liked the chemistry between Katherine and Nico in this book. I enjoyed reading how he wanted to help her overcome her fears but finally realized that he couldn't "cure" her, but only help her cope. I've never personally known anyone with Anxiety issues, or... maybe I have but they haven't said they have anxiety, so I don't know what she was going through. I enjoyed being able to read about their story from both sides and being able to feel their emotions they had.

Sidney Halston has become one of my favorite authors. If it weren't for NetGalley, I never would have discovered her! Halston tackles some tough issues in this book superbly. I loved Nick and Katherine from the minute she entered Panic.

Katherine has a panic attack at Club Panic and it changes her life. Gathering her courage she sets out to changes Nico's opinion of her. He finally sees her courage and helps her overcome her fears.

This was a very quick read for me... The setting of a Miami nightclub for our hero Nico is a perfect choice because it juxtaposed the mental illness our heroine Katie feels so perfectly. I think portraying mental illness in a romance is a difficult task to undertake, but I think the author did a great job of portraying Katie's experience even if the wrap up for her treatment/healing was short changed. I can't wait to read "June" and Matt's story.