With Every Breath by JH Croix {a review}

The world is filled with people learning to live with the scars in their hearts.

With Every Breath is the sixth book in the Light My Fire series from author JH Croix. This entire series is set in the town of Willow Brook, Alaska. Each book focuses on a different hot shot firefighter, and each book is absolutely wonderful.

With Every Breath is a small town romance where Jonah and Alice are neighbors. This proximity leads perfectly into a relationship, especially with Jonah's Grandma pushing things along. Gotta love those little nudges.

My rating for With Every Breath:

The Light My Fire series has been one that I have fully enjoyed. From the setting, to the storylines, to the characters, it's all been so good. Some have hit harder than others, and had me tearing up a time or two. But that's what happens when a story tugs on those heartstrings.

With Every Breath was no different. I was immediately drawn in. Alice made quite the first impression on Jonah, and all those attending Grandma Bea's wedding. Also, what a way to start a story. I definitely chuckled when I read that.

Jonah and Alice were both very likable characters, and I loved how quickly they were enveloped by the community. Yes Alice was raised in this community, but she moved away for college. It wasn't until this opportunity arose that she made the decision to come home. Jonah may not have grown up here in Willow Brook, but he has connections to the town. Now that he's had a change in professions, and is a hot shot firefighter, he's finding his footing. Jonah's Grandma Bea is a hoot, and clearly loved by everyone. That woman is a scene stealer, and I am absolutely here for it.

The relationship between Alice and Jonah started as friendship, but slowly that began to shift. Feelings were being felt, kisses were shared, and soon our couple was navigating this new found relationship. It definitely wasn't without it's rollercoaster moments that is for certain. 

The situation with Alice's former place of employment had me on edge waiting to see what would happen. How would that situation affect Alice's current employment? Would it cause an issue between her and Jonah? Then there's Jonah's trauma that he is still healing from, and I was worried that the situation** he experienced would take place in our little Alaskan town. Honestly I was preparing myself for it, all while crossing my fingers that it wouldn't happen. 

Jonah and Alice are delightful characters, and I enjoyed so much of their story. From their relationship, to the friendships they built outside of that, to just their community it self, all of that has me smiling. 

I also enjoyed getting to see the setup for the next book. All It Takes will be the seventh book in the series, and we will get to see how Tiffany and Wes find their happily ever after. I'm sure it will not be drama free, and chances are high that there will be emotional moments.

If you're like me, and enjoy small town romances that feature a firefighter, then run and download this one immediately (or any others in the series)! Jonah and Alice are a couple of great characters, and I think you'll enjoy their story.

Happy Reading,
Laura

**Trigger warning for discussion of tragic events at a school.

Combust by Laramie Briscoe {cover reveal}

 

Laramie Briscoe has revealed the cover for Combust!

Combust is the second book in the Bradford Station series, and features the story of a single dad falling for the nanny. This nanny also happens to be his best friend's sister. So if those tropes speak to you, go preorder this book! It will be available on June 24, 2022. 

The heat is on.

Situated on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, this town is nothing like you've ever experienced. Hot guys, the women they love, and a town worth saving. Bradford, TN is the epicenter of the next great romance dynasty.

Firefighters, family, and community...

Cameron Hines

I take my job very seriously. Both of them. I'm a Lieutenant at Bradford Station Company One, and I'm a single dad to a little girl who completely brightens my world.

It's not easy, holding it all together, but I do my best. Honestly, I wouldn't be doing as well as I am without my best friend's sister. Natalie treats my daughter like her own, and watches her for me without complaint. 

Things are status quo until one day I see her in a different light. She quits being the babysitter, and becomes a woman. One I'll do anything for. 

When her brother finds out all bets are off, and I have to answer for my indiscretions. He and I are sent out on a mission to find a lost child in the woods. We have to bury the hatchet and do our jobs, but when the worst happens, we have to make a decision that neither of us ever imagined. 

Preorder your copy today on Amazon, Apple Books, Nook, Kobo, or Google Play!

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Laramie Briscoe

Laramie Briscoe is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of over 30 books, with sales of over half a million copies.

Since self-publishing her first book in May of 2013, Laramie has appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling E-books Lists on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Her books have been known to make readers laugh and cry. They are guaranteed to be emotional, steamy reads.

When she's not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on Netflix. Married to her high school sweetheart, Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband.
 

Connect with Laramie

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Want Text Updates? Text LARAMIE to 88202

Fall for Me by JH Croix {a review}

JH Croix has just released Fall for Me. Fall for Me is the latest addition to the Light My Fire series that is set in a small Alaskan town, and features a swoon-worthy romance with a firefighter. Archer & Phoebe’s story is perfect for readers who love: Marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, slow burn, broody secret billionaire, small town gossip, emotional romance with a dash of angst, plenty of steam and swoon, and a hero with a protective streak a mile wide.

I have read all of the books in this series, and have enjoyed them all. So I had high expectations with Fall for Me. This book, while good, hit different than the others. It was almost as though JH Croix was playing it too safe. Fall for Me had the potential to hit a lot harder, and be an emotionally intense story. Especially given the secret that Archer is holding on to.

Before I jump into my thoughts, I do want to add that there is a content warning for this book. It has to do with Archer's childhood, as well as something that happened to his cousin. So while I will not specifically name that action, I do want you to know that information is mentioned within the book.

All in all, I enjoyed the story. From the two friends being reunited, to the marriage of convenience, to it being a small town romance, that was all wonderful. I was here for it. Then there is the secret that Archer has been holding for about 20 years. When that was revealed, my jaw dropped. It wasn't what I was expecting. At least not based on the flashbacks we had witnessed. Then everything else unfolded, and I was all in. I wanted more details about all of it.

The relationship between Archer and Phoebe was so good. I felt the spark, the chemistry, the attraction. So while their relationship may have started as fake, it quickly morphed into reality. These two have a foundation of friendship, and now that they have been reunited, this relationship can blossom. Phoebe did irritate me every time she mentioned the money that Archer (and his family) have. You could tell she was uncomfortable, but it also came off as a bit envious. In a way she was judging Archer for something that is out of his control. He can't help it that his family is well to do, just like Phoebe cannot control her family's financials. I do wish that we would have been able to see Phoebe out in the field, and witness Archer's reaction to that. We know she's a badass female character who loves her job, so it would have been nice to witness that.

I went back in forth in my head about the rating. Part of me was thinking 3.5, the other said 4, so as of right now it's a 4. The main thing that had me wanting to rate this book as a 3.5 was the ending. It just didn't feel finished. It felt rushed. It left me with questions. (The biggest one was what happened with Clint?) But I decided to stay with my original thoughts (4⭐️) because the story is pretty darn good. I just wish the ending wasn't what it was.

I have absolutely enjoyed this series, and I know we for certain have one more book to come in Keep Me Close. I'm excited to see what happens with Chase and Hallie. 

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Fall for Me. I hope that you'll take time to read this story, and fall for the characters and the community.

Laura

Problem: My ex is marrying my ex-bestie.

Plan A: Burn the church down?

Plan B: Fake marry my friend.

I haven’t seen Archer since fifth grade. When he shows up in our small hometown and offers to marry me, I don’t ask many questions. I get to salvage my shredded pride and do him a favor.

I only need one thing from him—sell the deal when my ex comes back to town to marry my ex-bestie. Now I’m fake-married to a totally hot guy who needs a wife for *reasons*.

I’m way too cynical to fall for anyone, but Archer’s hard to resist. He keeps telling me we’re just faking it, but trust me when I tell you, there are some things we are not faking.

This was never supposed to be real. Until he whispers, fall for me.

Grab Your Copy Here: 

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Meet J.H. Croix

USA Today Bestselling Author J. H. Croix lives in a small town in the historical farmlands of Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs. 

Croix writes steamy contemporary romance with sassy women and rugged alpha men who aren't afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small-towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing. 

Take a walk on the wild side of romance with her bestselling novels!

Connect with J.H. Croix

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Thank you to JH Croix, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Fall for Me.

Up in Smoke by Kate Meader {a review}

 

Are you ready for a new firefighter romance series from Kate Meader? If so, go grab Up in Smoke NOW! Up in Smoke is the first in the brand new Hot in Chicago Rookies series about firefighters navigating the trials of new jobs and sizzling romances as they find their place in the world and the love of a lifetime.

First things first, I love that Abby has followed her dreams and became a firefighter. Yes she's following in her mom's footsteps, but she's doing this on her own, and proving that just because her father is who he is, he isn't helping her one bit. Abby has earned her position at Station 6 because of her qualifications.

Then there is that meet cute between Roman and Abby at the diner. Absolutely loved that, and absolutely saw what was going to happen next. It didn't matter one bit that I predicted it, the story still captivated me. From Abby finding her footing at the firehouse, to learning the ropes, to creating friendships, to going out on calls, I loved it all. The moments of tension, at work, between Abby and Roman had me coming back for more. I had to see how all of this was going to work out.

When they finally got together I was curious as to how it would affect their work, or if it would at all. I also was wondering what Abby's dad was going to say when he found out. I wasn't expecting it to all be revealed the way it was. But it was probably the best way for it to be revealed for the shock/drama factor.

Speaking of drama, I fulled expected Roman's ex to bring more to the table in that department. So I was a bit disappointed by her role in the story.

BUT, the moment of conflict between Roman and Abby was top notch. I never want to see characters in agony, but the way Kate Meader laid this all out was perfection. It just made the reunion all the sweeter. I could go on, but I don't want to accidentally spoil anything.

This was a great kick off to the new series, and I am so glad that I read it. Cannot wait to read the next book in the series, and witness Abby & Roman as side characters. Plus the next book is about Jude, and I am so ready for his story to be told! Now I just hope that Kate releases it sooner than December! (wishful thinking)

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Up in Smoke. If you are a fan of firefighter romances set in the workplace, that is also a bit of an age gap, as well as forbidden, then you need to check out this book!

Laura

Cover: Lori Jackson Design

Lives are on the line at Engine 6 … and so are hearts.

 

Newly-minted firefighter Abby Sullivan is exactly where she wants to be: Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 6, the station where her mom blazed a trail as one of the first female firefighters in the city. The first to fall in the line of duty, too. All Abby wants is to succeed, but that’s a tough proposition when people only see a feel-good story, a token woman failing at a man’s job, or the princess in need of protection. And the man tasked with watching her six? 

 

Lieutenant Roman Rossi, the one person she can’t let close. 

 

Having the daughter of his boss and nemesis under his wing shouldn’t be a problem for Roman—he’s a professional and can treat her like any other firefighter rookie. Except she happens to be the gorgeous woman he once shared a slice of cherry pie with, followed by the hottest, sweetest, most pulse-pounding kiss of his life. He didn’t know her name but he had planned to find out.

 

Now Roman knows exactly who Abby is: a threat to his self-control more dangerous than a five-alarm blaze. Lust has no place in the firehouse, and a distraction like Abby with her electric blue eyes, waves of flame-red hair, and freckles Roman wants to map with his tongue, is one he can ill afford. 

 

Because one wrong move … and it could all go up in smoke.

 

Grab Your Copy Here:

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Meet Kate Meader 

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, fire hose, or hockey stick, and she’s there. 

Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with big-hearted guys and strong heroines - and heroes - who can match their men quip for quip.

Connect with Kate Meader 

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Thank you to Kate Meader, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Up in Smoke.

Rookie by Laramie Briscoe {a review}

 Rookie by Laramie Briscoe is now live! This is the first book in the new Bradford Station series, and if you like firefighter romances, check out Rookie.

As the story begins we find Hayden stranded on the side of the road. She has a flat, and has been struggling to get the lug nuts removed. It just so happens that Danny is driving down this same road, and he spots her vehicle, which then leads him to stop and assist. It is right then and there that Danny learns he's playing with fire. Hayden tells him who her father is, and Danny knows the Chief does not want the guys dating his daughters. Danny rushes to leave, only to reconnect with Hayden a few days later at the bank. It is then that their potential relationship begins to form. A date is had, and they agree to secrecy even though it doesn't 100% mesh with Danny's ideals. Will Danny's busy schedule allow them much time together? Can these two keep their relationship under wraps? What happens if the Chief finds out? How does that affect Danny's career? 

The premise for Rookie sounds so amazing. Small town romance featuring a rookie firefighter and the chief's daughter? What's not to love?! Seriously.

The base of the story was good. Danny and Hayden piqued my curiosity, and I did like the secret dating storyline. I loved their meet cute, and even their next meet up after that. When the Chief introduced Danny and Hayden that day, I had to chuckle since these two already had met. They had even had a date or two at that point. But again, that wasn't information that Hayden's dad knew. There were a couple of scenes where Hayden went into protector mode, and I absolutely loved that. I loved seeing her in that role. Danny's devotion to his family was something I appreciated about him. No matter how tired he was from working at the station, he still jumped in at his family's business where he could. Was he burning the candle at both ends? Oh absolutely. But that didn't matter to him. Making sure his family knew they could count on him was what mattered.

Now there were a few aspects that I struggled with. It seemed that bits of the story were just forgotten. Or the parts that I had wanted elaborated on were simply glossed over like they didn't matter. Ultimately I'm left with more questions than I have answers. Knowing that Rookie didn't end on a cliffhanger, and I still have these unanswered storylines, I'm left wanting, and I don't like that. If it were a cliffhanger, then I would understand. But it's not. So...

On Goodreads I hid my questions under the spoiler feature. I'm hesitant to share them here because I don't want to share any spoilers. But I also know knowledge is a good thing. So it's a double edged sword in a way. I'm going to share a few of what I see as unanswered storylines, or why were these parts put into the story.

• What was the purpose of telling us about that "club" that Danny went to? How did that work into the story? That just doesn't make sense to me.
• What is the issue with Danny's last name, and why does the town exactly shun his family?
• What happened with the little old lady who came in to the bank? Did she ever come back?
• Then there was that tidbit about Hayden's mom that was revealed...did she ever talk to the Chief about that?
• What happened at city hall when Hayden said what she did to the person she did? What ever came from that?
• The entire fire scene. That was a major event, and yet it felt so minor in the book. How many days did that take to extinguish? How were the injured rescued? WHAT HAPPENED? Also did the entire city need to evacuate or just selected areas?

So as you can see I have questions. I don't have closure. I feel like the book wasn't complete. In my mind it needs to go back through for finessing.

Did I enjoy the story? For the most part I did. Again, the basics of the story were good. I did give the book 3 stars on Goodreads. My 3 star rating means I enjoyed the book, but it was missing something or it didn't give me what I wanted. There was so much potential for this book. For me though it fell a bit flat.

You know me though, I still recommend the book. Just because my takeaway was less than desired, doesn't mean you'll have the same experience. There are many on Goodreads who opted to give it 5 stars. I just didn't feel the same. So take my thoughts for what they are, but don't let it cloud your thoughts on the book.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Rookie. I appreciate it. Let me know if you end up reading the book. I'd love to talk about it with you.

Laura 

Cover Designer: Cover Couture
Photographer: Jeanne Woodfin

The heat is on.

Situated on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, this town is nothing like you've ever experienced. Hot guys, the women they love, and a town worth saving. Bradford, TN is the epicenter of the next great romance dynasty.

Firefighters, family, and community...

Danny Ramirez

As a Probationary Firefighter, I'm doing everything I can to impress the members of my company. Knowing I'm the first in my family to be educated makes me proud, and gives me hope for the future.

I hold myself to a higher standard than anyone else, especially with a southern small-town breathing down my neck. One night, on a dark mountain road, I help the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life change a flat tire.

What I don't know, is she's the youngest daughter of my Chief. His number one rule? Don't date his daughters.

I try to stay away from her, try like hell, but when a forest fire threatens our town, and the guys in my company. I know I can't let her walk away from me. Not without a fight.

Download today!

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Audible: coming soon

Add to your Goodreads TBR!

Meet Laramie Briscoe

Laramie Briscoe is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of over 30 books, with sales of over half a million copies.

Since self-publishing her first book in May of 2013, Laramie has appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling E-books Lists on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Her books have been known to make readers laugh and cry. They are guaranteed to be emotional, steamy reads.

When she's not writing alpha males who seriously love their women, she loves spending time with friends, reading, and marathoning shows on Netflix. Married to her high school sweetheart, Laramie lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband.
 

Connect with Laramie

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | TikTok | BookBub | Patreon | Newsletter

Want Text Updates? Text LARAMIE to 88202

Thank you to Laramie Briscoe, and Grey's Promotions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Rookie.

Ignited by SE Rose & Sierra Hill {a review}

Reader friends, I don't know if you're ready for Ignited. SE Rose and Sierra Hill have created this beautiful book that is filled with love, loss, heartache, and trauma.

Ignited takes you on Nick's journey from what happened overseas, to leaving the military and coming home, to his struggle with PTSD. Now this book isn't only about Nick. He does have a love interest. Becca is a pediatric nurse who has a huge heart. She is full of love, compassion, and understanding. Becca also has the ability to see Nick for who he is. She sees the pain, the heartache, the trauma, and longs to walk him through that battlefield. These two start off as friends, but eventually their story takes a turn, and these friends become lovers. But of course a love story is never that simple. Our characters can not simply have their happily ever after without a bit of hardship thrown in. It is in that moment that my heart really went out to Nick. Oh who am I kidding, throughout the book his story tugged at my heartstrings.

My heart and head aren't really here with me --I left them overseas. It's been hell, and I have a long road ahead of me.

Maybe it was everything Nick had been through. Maybe it was the trauma he was still dealing with. Maybe it was just him in general. Nick drew me in, and had my attention throughout the book. It's as though I was waiting for the moment when it was all going to go up in flames (so to speak). Nick's PTSD was going to get to that point, unless he reached out for help. Quite frankly I wanted to see how he was going to deal with it all. What steps was he going to take to work towards healing, and what coping skills he was going to find to work through future events.

Half the time, I feel like a bomb ready to detonate, but the second I'm in Becca's presence, I'm better.

Becca was a breath of fresh air. She wasn't this perfect character who never had any issues. But while she dealt with her stuff, she was also noticing things with Nick. She could see him for who he was, and what he was struggling with. I had to laugh when Becca said this:

"Stop making fun of me. You're not being very nice. And you just ruined the whole Captain America vibe you had going on."

That little line showed had me smiling, and it showed another side to Becca. In addition to all that was happening with Nick, she also had her career. We saw her go through the emotional aspects of her job, and the highs and lows she experienced each and every day. Then we also witnessed her jumping in when needed later on. Becca isn't a woman who will sit on the sidelines and let others perform a task she is capable of. She is an amazing woman who loves hard.

Nick, I know whatever you went through must have been really hard. I'm sure I can't imagine it. But I wanted to bring you here, to see this, because even when you're in a really dark head space, there is still beauty you can see in the world, if you are just willing to look around you.

The scene that hit me hardest though was when Nick and Bianca spoke on the phone. That caused tears to fall. The emotions were strong in that scene, and I felt them all.

"Remember how you and Juan wanted to take that hike and watch the sunrise? You were going to have a guys' trip, remember?" 

 

"Yes, I remember. Sunrise Cliffs; its name is Sunrise Cliffs." 

 

"Go do it."

After that scene, when Nick was talking to Tyler and Liam about everything, the emotions were still strong. Here was Nick talking to his siblings, and they made it known they were by his side. They would take this journey with him. It wasn't just them though, it was Callie and Becca speaking up too. With everything Nick had been through, he had found a support system here at home. He found his team that would walk beside him, and support him however they could. Yes, Liam and Tyler are his brothers, but that doesn't diminish the bond that they have. And in that moment, that bond was extremely strong. 

Nick, no matter what happened to you. Let yourself be happy; let yourself be loved.

Absolutely loved this book, and I look forward to reading more in this series. These characters, that SE Rose and Sierra Hill have created, have won a spot in my heart, and I'm not ready to let them go. Now that being said, I need to go back and read Burned. I need to see how Ty and Callie's relationship started, and the hurdles they faced in their path toward forever.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Ignited. Hopefully I haven't spoiled anything for you. I think I've been fairly vague about the happenings of the story. If you are someone who enjoys reading firefighter romances, or stories of past military members, then I hope you'll  give Ignited a read. This small town, friends to lovers romance will grab your heart. Or at least that was the case for me.

Laura 

Cover Design: Y'all That Graphic

My world was dark and cold...until she ignited a spark.

When I left to serve in the military, I had a plan for my life. I saw a future with a wife and kids and all the things my parents have together. But that was before I saw the horrors of combat.

Now I’m back in my small-town working alongside my brother as a firefighter. I’m slowly learning to live again with one very big complication. It comes in the form of a small, feisty, attractive woman who just happens to be the best friend of my brother’s girlfriend. And as fate would have it, she’s also my new neighbor.

Becca Carmichael drives me crazy with her absolute perfection. She’s all I ever wanted before I left to serve. And now, she’s everything I can’t allow myself to have.I’ve tried to keep my distance, because I know I’m not what she needs.

But a spark ignited between us the moment we met and it turned into a burning desire that is getting harder to douse each day.

She needs to stay away from me, but I’m not sure I can stay away from her.

One Click NOW!

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Read Callie and Tyler's story now!

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About the Authors

USA Today & International Bestselling romance author, S.E. Rose lives near Washington D.C. with her family. When she's not wrangling her cats or keeping up with her kids, she's plotting her next story. She loves all things wine, coffee, and cats. In her non-existent free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, binging on her favorite shows, and reading, especially if it's a good mystery or comedy.

Connect with S.E. Rose

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SIERRA HILL wrote and published her first contemporary new adult romance in 2014 and has since published over thirty novels. She is a 2020 RONE Award-Winning author of Game Changer, as well as award-winning college sports series, Courting Love, and the twice award-finalist erotic ménage serial, Reckless – The Smoky Mountain Trio.

Sierra lives in the Seattle area with her husband of twenty-five years and their rescued German Shepherd. When not writing, she enjoys baking, reading, and traveling to see her favorite alternative rock band, Pearl Jam.

Connect with Sierra

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Thank you to Sierra Hill, SE Rose, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with a review copy of Ignited.

Just a Kiss by Samantha Lind {a review}

Just a Kiss is the fourth book in Samantha Lind's Lyrics and Love series. If you are a fan of friends to lovers romances, then prepare yourself for Allison and Lee's story. 

As the story begins we are 10 years in the past. Allison, Lee, and their friends are all in high school and are preparing for the prom. Lee ends up asking Allison to attend with him, and that gets the ball rolling. Even then you could feel the attraction between them. At the prom they share a kiss that is etched into their memories. Jump forward to present day. Allison and Lee are both single. Lee doesn't do relationships, and is perfectly content finding someone just for the night. That is until he makes a move on Allison. He's finally taking his shot, and he is determined not to mess it up. After an amazing night together, they decide to enter a friends with benefits relationship. Which isn't usual for either of them. So what happens when feelings are caught? Can their friendship survive what happens?

He kisses me deeply. So deep I practically feel it down to my soul. He kisses me in a way that no man, other than when he was seventeen years old, has kissed me.

This was a pretty good friends to lovers story. I liked how it all played out. From their kiss at prom, to them reconnecting 10 years later, to everything that unfolded with their FWB relationship. A minor complaint I have is that I would have preferred for the story to be a bit more involved versus being a quick (short) read. I don't feel as though I got to know the characters that well.

I liked how open Lee was about not wanting anything permanent. He knew what he wanted, and he had it in his head that he wasn't worth a happily ever after. Yet here was Allison trying to convince him otherwise.

"I'm a one-night kind of guy, Allison. You know that. If I was dancing all up on you, it would get people talking and thinking about something else." 

When the moment of conflict happened I was curious as to how they would find their way back to each other. Wit how set in his ways Lee was, I wasn't certain what would happen. How it played out was good. I liked that Lindsay (Allison's best friend) inserted her into the situation and said what she did. Lindsay spoke her truth, and left it for Lee to figure out how to proceed. Now here's the thing...I feel like Samantha Lind could have used Lee's profession as a firefighter in their reunion. I just feel that going that route might have had a bit more of a dramatic feel to it all. Make him realize how quickly his person could have been taken from him. But she didn't go that route. She could have even used both their careers (firefighter & nurse) to bring them back together. It just felt like a lost opportunity. Yes the way it went down was FINE, I just wanted something more elaborate.

"Some woman is going to rock your world one of these days, and you're going to fall head over heels in love with her, and I can't wait to watch. It's always the ones that protest the most that fall the hardest."

I may have struggled with the fact that Just a Kiss was a shorter story (105 pages), but ultimately it still was a catchy friends to lovers story. Also, this book has me wanting to read Rumor Going 'Round so that I can find out how Lindsay and Tucker came to be!

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Just a Kiss.

Laura

 

Cover Design: Oh So Novel
Cover Image via Deposit Photos

It all started with just a kiss.

The first was ten years ago in high school.

Our second was in a bar on the dance floor.

We agreed to keep things casual.

But we were like a fire burning behind closed doors.

Those sparks had me wanting more.

When I took a shot in the dark and asked for more, it brought us to the ultimate crossroads.

Do we do things right, with just a kiss goodbye?

Or do we do things right, with a kiss goodnight?

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Meet Samantha Lind

Samantha Lind is a contemporary romance author. Having spent the first 27 years of her life in Alaska, she now calls Iowa home where she lives with her husband and two sons. 

She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, watching hockey (Go Knights Go!), and listening to country music.

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Thank you to Samantha Lind, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of The Final Period.