I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Published by Good House Publishing on February 1, 2016
Pages: 437
Format: eBook
Source: Author
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***********Thirteen new and never before seen short stories!***********
There will be a thousand kisses in a lifetime but only a handful trapped forever in your heart. This Valentine's day, join The Story of a Kiss anthology as we take you into the lives of thirteen couples. From a very first kiss of a high-school prom queen, to a kiss that travels the width of time. Kisses of redemption, heartache, discovery, and so much more.
Thirteen authors.
Thirteen kisses you'll never forget.
Taylor Sullivan- Never Regret
At twenty-four, Margaret Andrews is still a virgin and sick of it. After a year on the top dating site in America, and a late night episode of HUNG on HBO, she's decided to take matters into her own hands and hires a professional.Kelly Lincoln- Maybe now
When Hunter finally reveals his feelings for his best friend, Ava, their moment is destroyed by a tragedy. Now adults, a chance meeting could be the perfect opportunity for a kiss ten years in the making.Kathryn L. James- Crazy Beautiful Kiss
Calista and Colin shared a sizzling kiss…one she couldn’t forget and one he didn’t remember. When their paths cross again, an innocent weekend in paradise becomes unforgettable.Sha Renée- Forbidden Kisses
Ethan is a Navy Officer. Layla is Enlisted. According to rules, any personal relationship between them is prohibited. But can military regulations separate lovers who are destined to be together?Leslie Kung- At Long Last
Janny and Tom grew up together, but right before their friendship could turn into a budding romance, life and gravity pulled them apart. When the friends reconnected, their chemistry was undeniable--but tragedy put distance between them again. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to finally fall in love.Emma Marie Leigh- Wrong time
Jo Stevens is an archaeology graduate student on the opportunity of a lifetime- an excavation in Pompeii. When her group discovers a basement, everything Jo knows is rocked. Rules are broken. Lines are crossed. Jo unearths everything she's ever wanted. She's just in the wrong time.Louisa Blackwood- Can’t Let Go
Josephine “Joe” Burke has been running since the night her mother died, choosing solitude over dreams. Forced to return to her hometown and her old flame, she can feel her defenses crumbling. Can she let go of the haunting history holding her back?Polly J. Brown- Ever Be
Evangeline’s life revolved around the water until she nearly drowned. Six weeks later, she returns to the beach to confront her fears, and Gregory Owen, the surfer who saved her life.Jaye Cox- Love in Photographs
When her heart remembers but her head doesn't, will one photograph change everything? Claire didn't need her memories when everything within her knew she loved him.Brandy Ayers- Fighting Faith
At nineteen, Jasper, the love of Faith’s life, shattered her heart. Now, ten years later, they’re forced together once more. Can she hold onto the last few remaining pieces of her heart?Kate DeHart- Missed Kisses
Struggling with the recent death of her mother, Jess finds solace in her best friend Ben. Years of sweet memories cause their feelings to grow, until he does the one thing that could tear them apart.
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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