Happy Friday, and we have a great set of stories to review today. Story of a Kiss is a great anthology of thirteen stories featuring best friends who fall for each other, old flames that find themselves in each other’s company again after years apart, and summer loves that reignite. Kristen has come out of blogging retirement to help me review this fantastic anthology, so let’s get started!
Heather: I enjoyed all of the stories in this set, which is a rare occasion for me with anthologies. So many of them left me wanting full novels featuring the characters I’d just began to get a taste of in the limited space that I’d gotten to know them in. My favorite stories featured best friends who grew up together and hid their feelings for each other, only to get together later on. Hunter in Maybe Now by Kelly Lincoln left me swooning, and Jess and Ben’s relationship in Missed Kisses by Kate Dehart have me wishing for an entire book devoted to those characters.
Kristen: I found myself thinking the same thing! That I wanted all of these stories to continue. Leslie Kung, the author of At Long Last, is a friend of mine and I thought I was going to do her a favor by me pulling out of blogging retirement so I could support a friend. But I was so so wrong – that favor was ALL hers and I enjoyed every minute! All the stories stacked up to such an entertaining read! Heather, what was your favorite one?
Heather: It’s actually hard to pick just one here. For me, it’s a tie between Sha Renée’s Forbidden Kisses and Jaye Cox’s Love in Photographs. The impossible odds against Layla and Ethan’s relationship since it’s against the Navy’s rules is a heavy weight, but they find a very positive, uplifting way around it. And the trauma that Claire had suffered in a car accident still couldn’t keep her heart from knowing that he’s so very special to her.
Kristen: I actually started the book with Leslie’s story, At Long Last, which I really enjoyed. Partly because there was so much build up for this kiss between Tommy and Janny. However, some of the more, ahem, racy stories were right up my “lemon” loving alley. Never Regret by Taylor Sullivan was such a great story about a lady who hired a male prostitute to finally claim her virginal glory. The crazy situation and sweetness between Maggie and James really made me want more!
Heather: There’s really something for everyone in this anthology–from young adult to adult, from contemporary to the sci-fi Wrong Time by Emma Marie Leigh. Love is shown in many ways, from a simple, innocent kiss to much more.
Kristen: Each story had completely different themes which were so fun. Lighthearted and serious stories to one with a sci-fi sort of time travel to friendship turning to love, as well as adult and high school romances. And the hotness! Forbidden Kisses by Sha Renee was SMOKING HOT! And the humor of Left Swipe Chronicles by Judy Pardo made me wake up my hubs while I was stifling laughter in bed.
Heather: Ah, the Left Swipe Chronicles was such a fun, well-developed story for the space it had. I’d definitely read an entire book by Judy Pardo, but I’m sure my sides would hurt from laughing at time–which isn’t a bad thing.
Kristen: All in all, it was a great anthology that will really make you beg for more! I’m going to have to spend time adding all these great authors to my Facebook updates so I don’t miss anything at all!!
Thank you, Heather, for taking the plunge with me on this book and letting me post again on the Bookworms. I <3 you guys. Happy reading all!
Heather: It was great having you back, Kristen, and thanks for the wonderful recommendation. My to be read pile just got heavier, as well as my Facebook likes with new authors to follow!
Bottom line, definitely check out this anthology of thirteen romantic stories centered around first loves and first kisses. You’ll be sure to find several stories to enjoy and new authors to be keep on your radar! We give this one a 4.5 out of 5. Entertaining, sexy, definitely not boring, and wildly emotional at times. Check it out.
Giveaway
Since we really liked this anthology, Heather decided to do a giveaway. Enter the Rafflecopter widget below for your chance to win one of two Kindle copies of the Story of a Kiss Anthology. Winners must be able to be gifted the book through Amazon.com.
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Thank you so much!
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