Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Book Review: Kissing Lessons by Stefanie London

Title: Kissing Lessons
Author: Stefanie London
Genre: Contemporary; Romance
Publication Date: November 9, 2020
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
TW: Emotional Abuse

Welcome to Kissing Creek, where everything has a romance-themed pun for a name and love is lurking around every corner...

Audrey Miller doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after, so she is definitely living in the wrong town. But she’s never getting out of Kissing Creek, because playing pseudo-mom for her younger siblings doesn’t leave time for much else. She’ll do anything to make sure they don’t end up stuck like she is, working as a barista in a college town, serving Pink Passion mochas with Chocolate Smooch donuts.

Then Ronan Walsh, a new young professor and walking cliché, right down to the elbow patches on his blazer, steps in for a coffee and into her life. She knows his type—intelligent and charming, yet sweet as a cinnamon roll, the sort of man she’s inevitably attracted to but is always out of her league. So why does someone like him have any interest in a worker bee with no future?

Her bland-as-oatmeal existence has nothing to offer, but Ronan’s temporary teaching position is only a stepping stone on his way to somewhere else. He isn’t here to put down roots, Audrey’s roots are firmly planted—neither of them is looking for love. And maybe that’s just perfect.

But in a small town called Kissing Creek, sometimes love can be impossible to avoid..

*A Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this. This is my honest and unbiased review*

Rating


Hello Fellow Reader,

I was ready for a quick and quirky romance but once again I was surprised at what I got. This book covers a lot themes such as grief, sacrifice, self-confidence and abuse. First of all Audrey was great, having become a surrogate mother to her younger siblings, sacrificing her time, money and education to make sure her siblings get the life they deserve. My heart hurt for her.

Secondly, the relationship between Audrey and Ronan felt so authentic. While attraction was immediate it took a while for the relationship to start, so the two were able to get to know each other. Third, like most romances there was a fight that split the couple up, however the reasoning for this in Kissing Lessons was realistic and something I can see happening to a non-fictional couple.

I also really loved the side characters and their support of Audrey, telling her the hard to deal truths and supporting her decision. While I loved the book, the ending did feel rushed and I was a bit disappointed that London seemed to gloss over a certain confrontation. While I'm not typically interested in romances that have a age gap, this one was only by 8 years which isn't so bad.

Overall, a surprisingly emotionally dense romance must read.

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