The Close-Up: A Hollywood Renaissance Novella

Written by Kennedy Ryan

Narrated by Marissa Hampton and Winston James

Set in the dynamic worlds of professional basketball and entertainment, two of Kennedy Ryan’s most critically-acclaimed series—HOOPs and Hollywood Renaissance—collide in this tale of forbidden romance.

I met Nazareth Armstrong when I was eighteen years old. From the beginning, my brother warned me to stay away from him. Told Naz to stay away from me.

Our hearts didn’t listen.

I shared one magical night under the stars with my brother's rival, thinking it was the start of a once-in-a-lifetime something. But one awful moment ended it all.

Years later when we meet again, we’ve both pursued our dreams, lived a little, found success…but never found love. What began as a tiny flame when we were young now threatens to consume us. I’m more drawn to Naz than ever, but his complicated history with my brother makes whatever this could be…nearly impossible.

But Naz accepts impossible as a dare.

Through his clever maneuvering and dogged determination, I find myself on a yacht with him and his friends cruising through the Mediterranean. It’s a whirlwind set ablaze. Away from reality, surrendering to the tender heat of his touch, I forget that everything could burn.

*This is the love story of Takira, who first appears in Reel, book 1 of the Hollywood Renaissance series. Characters from the HOOPS series also make appearances, but you do not have to read any of those books to enjoy this one.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Aug 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781713569800

Kennedy Ryan

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Ryan writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. An EBONY Power 100 Honoree, Kennedy and her writings have been featured in NPR, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Glamour, Cosmo, TIME, and many others. Kennedy is an executive producer for her Skyland series, which is currently in development for television at Peacock. The co-founder of LiFT 4 Autism, an annual charitable book auction, Kennedy has a passion for raising Autism awareness. She is a wife to her “lifetime lover” and mother to an extraordinary son.

Reviews for The Close-Up

[JJ · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I didn’t like the female narration she had a weird lisp. Please stop hiring people with lisp. It would have been okay if this was duet narration but it was painful and irritating because she read the spicy scenes. The spicy scenes were meh. Not a fan of random contraptions in the bedroom. This was the bottom of my list of reads for 2025

[NiTasha Woods · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet story of reconnecting with childhood crush. A few spicy scenes with great narration.

[KW · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After listening to Reel, it was exciting to see that Takerra received a story and to get closure on Desi Blue. IYKYK! The love between Takerra and Naz was beautiful from start to finish. They were the perfect ying to each others yang. This was one of those stories where you just know if circumstances hadn’t intervened that would’ve been together long ago. Naz proved that in his pursuance of Takerra. The way he supported and loved her through it all was swoon worthy! And that good, hot nasty seggs was the cherry on top. The secondary story with Cliff was heartmelting to see at the turnout which will make you fall in love with everyone in the end.