Movie stars and women who avoid them

Setting: San Francisco, contemporary
Genre: Romance
Narration: Eva Kaminsky provides her usual performance. Average vocal range, not great with male voices.
Now for the story. This is third person, from Smith and Valentina's points of view. Smith Sullivan is a famous, hunky movie star. All those Sullivan men are gorgeous, but he is probably the best-looking of the lot. He is in SF to produce, direct, and act in a movie. Valentina Landon is the older sister and watchdog for her little sister, Tatiana, who is playing the female lead in the movie. Tatiana is 21, and not an air-head. Anyway, Smith is very attracted to Valentina, more based on her personality because she downplays her looks, wanting to appear professional. She is attracted to Smith because he turns out to be down to earth, and he actually has a personality of his own rather than one based on the character he portrays in the movie. However, she will not date anyone in the film industry. But he works his charms, she goes out with him anyway, then etc. It's a lovely little love story.
What bothered me about it? It's the movie they are filming. When have you, while watching a movie, known what the characters were thinking and feeling? Every time, because it is shown to you by action and dialogue (if it's a good film). In this case, the author doesn't show the dialogue and action so much as tell it. She tells you what the characters being played by Smith and Tatiana are thinking and feeling. I believe the "real" people should experience internal thoughts and feelings based on the action and dialogue being filmed.
Worth the credit if you are listening to the series.

This is my last review of The Sullivans. I read #8, Lori's story, on my iPad. I found it less compelling than the others, as though Ms Andre was getting tired.
I also read #9, the beginning of the Seattle Sullivans. I liked it a lot. I don't know how much interaction there is between the two families, so you may be able to read those as a different series. There are only 4 or 5 of the Seattle family. Apparently, #10 is the story of the parents of the 8 SF Sullivans. I believe all of them are on audio, but if I get them, it will be a while.

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A little cheesy but still great

This is another great addition to the Sullivan series as we follow Smith Sullivan's journey to find true love. It has Bella Andre's characteristic upbeat feel that will make you smile as well as steam up your glasses. The underlying plot of a woman who doesn't want to get involved with an actor, is strong enough to carry the story, but there are several spots in the book where the dialog is just cheesy enough to warrant an eye roll. That said you can't help but fall in love with the characters and wish your family was as perfectly imperfect as the Sullivans. Eva Kaminsky continues to do a good job as narrator, though I do wish she would try some other technique for a male voice than to lower it to a whisper. I find that running the story on 1.25x speed is just right for not changing the inflections, but keeping things moving along. If you want an author who is nearly as funny and can create interesting characters like Nora Roberts, but with 3x the steam, Bella Andre is a sure bet.

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Love this narrator, Love this family!

Come a Little Bit Closer is the 7th book in The Sullivans series by Bella Andre. Anyone that follows my reviews knows I absolutely love this series and this book did not disappoint. I listen to this story in audio format and really enjoy Eva Kaminsky's interpretation of this family.

Valentina Landon has spent her life protecting her sister. It came naturally to her as a child and has carried over into their adult life. Their mother was around, but always seemed to be looking for love in every movie star that she could find. Therefore, her girls weren't always a priority. Now, that her sister is a movie star Val is always there to protect her and help out in any way. Good thing she is immune to movie stars or she could find herself swept away by these handsome, superficial co-stars. She's found herself on the set of the new Smith Sullivan movie and is prepared to behave the way she does on every set - professional, friendly, yet distant. That is until Smith takes an interest in her and she finds herself unable to fight the spark. Could Smith really be different than the rest?

Smith Sullivan is the movie star of the family. Yet, he's so much more. He has never let fame and stardom get in the way of his values and upbringing, even though it pulls at him every chance he gets. Now, he's trying his hand at directing his very own movie and his reputation is resting on it. So, why is it that Valentina is on his mind more often than this movie? She is so different than any other woman he has ever met and she doesn't like movie stars. Can he convince her that he is interested in more than a partner for the length of the movie and that putting up with his very public life is worth it all?

Who would've guessed that Smith Sullivan is the mushy one of all the Sullivans? His romantic side was so sweet. Poor Valentina didn't stand a chance. Valentina was strong, yet not bitchy. I loved how she loved and protected her sister, but never resented her. Thank you Ms. Andre for yet another great Sullivan story.

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2 people found this helpful

Still Love The Sullivans

What did you love best about Come a Little Bit Closer: The Sullivans, Book 7?

Its just a sweet story. This is one of my favorites.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Come a Little Bit Closer: The Sullivans, Book 7?

When he met the babies in the hospital.

What about Eva Kaminsky’s performance did you like?

Very enjoyable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes.

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Come a little bit closer

I totally recommend the whole series they all keep your entries until the end making you want to buy the next book so that you can find out how it continues

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Smith's story

Any additional comments?

I have listened to all the Sullivan books and this is another sticky sweet loving story. Smith is another hot Sullivan sibling. He's a huge movie star, He falls hard for Valentina and she for him, they just can't keep there hands of each other. There is no big dram's in this book just a lot of sex and should i - shouldn't i let myself fall in love stuff. Another easy and pleasant listen with Eva Kaminsky great narration.

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1 person found this helpful

Lovin this series

Love me some Sullivan’s been a great series, looking forward to the next one... I enjoy family series and this is a great one

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Come a Little Closer

This book is a little confusing compared the test of Bella Andre's books. I kind of lost interest on this book after the first couples of chapters. Also it's hard to flow when it's the filming story and it's the actual story of this book. I find the story of this book kinda boring. I hope the next story is more fun and interesting.

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A perfect tale for a movie star

Valentina had Smith form the start. In this seventh novel, we get to see her come to that realization and struggle what it means. Of course Valentina has a lovely sister who is Smith co-star and a dozen years younger than he. This novel is not about jealousy though. This story is told with another story playing out. It is in an interesting juxtaposition which befits the main character's story.

The female love interest is a particularity strong. There were a number of places where Andre could have made it trite, but she averted it from happening. Kaminsky turns in another strong narration. The Sullivans continue to be great listens. Thumbs up.

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3 people found this helpful

my favorite Sullivan book

my favorite Sullivan book. A different way of looking at and dealing with fame. Both female and male leads have very strong characters and there is not the repetition that the author has used in other books in the series. There is also a plot and not just the love story. Bringing in other members of the Sullivan family also adds to the interest.

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