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Welcome to Kissing Springs: The Sunshine Season #2
Sunshine & Saddles
USA Today Bestselling Author, Kristin Lee, brings you an emotionally charged romance where the characters are torn between loyalty and love.
Sometimes in order to heal—you need to saddle up and ride the one you want. With a mega successful private jet business, Maverick dreaded returning to this one horse town. But duty, and devotion to his brother’s memory will keep him here. He works twenty hours a day, leaving no time for “saddling up” or finding that one woman. Jessica lost her high school sweetheart . Drowning in her own sorrow, she can’t seem to find the strength to even look at another man. When Maverick comes out of his hole, he runs into…her. They not only share a dance—they also share the pain of losing his brother and her long time boyfriend. She’s been in his thoughts since she was just a brace faced teenager hanging out with his brother, nearly ten years younger. But even then Maverick could feel the current flowing between them. The blush on her face when she caught him staring or the time she looked at him with doe-eyes when his fingers grazed her bare arm, was the reason his visits were short to Kissing Springs. He tries to stay away and be loyal to his brother.
He knows it's wrong to want her.
To dream of her in his bed. He wants her to push him away—tell him it's forbidden.
What happens when she doesn’t? Will he fly away on his private jet or will he give her a leg up and into the saddle?
Claim your copy of Sunshine & Saddles today. Welcome to Kissing Springs, the Romance Capital of the South. In this collection of steamy summer romances set in Kissing Springs, nine authors bring you standalone stories from single dads to second chances, ex-military to sports romance. By the end of three seasons there will be 27 books in total from the authors in the Kissing Springs small town collection.
Sometimes in order to heal—you need to saddle up and ride the one you want. With a mega successful private jet business, Maverick dreaded returning to this one horse town. But duty, and devotion to his brother’s memory will keep him here. He works twenty hours a day, leaving no time for “saddling up” or finding that one woman. Jessica lost her high school sweetheart . Drowning in her own sorrow, she can’t seem to find the strength to even look at another man. When Maverick comes out of his hole, he runs into…her. They not only share a dance—they also share the pain of losing his brother and her long time boyfriend. She’s been in his thoughts since she was just a brace faced teenager hanging out with his brother, nearly ten years younger. But even then Maverick could feel the current flowing between them. The blush on her face when she caught him staring or the time she looked at him with doe-eyes when his fingers grazed her bare arm, was the reason his visits were short to Kissing Springs. He tries to stay away and be loyal to his brother.
He knows it's wrong to want her.
To dream of her in his bed. He wants her to push him away—tell him it's forbidden.
What happens when she doesn’t? Will he fly away on his private jet or will he give her a leg up and into the saddle?
Claim your copy of Sunshine & Saddles today. Welcome to Kissing Springs, the Romance Capital of the South. In this collection of steamy summer romances set in Kissing Springs, nine authors bring you standalone stories from single dads to second chances, ex-military to sports romance. By the end of three seasons there will be 27 books in total from the authors in the Kissing Springs small town collection.
- GenresWesternsContemporary
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2023
56 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
April 8, 2025
It’s been almost 2 years since Jessica lost her high school sweetheart of 5 years, Mark, to a drunk driver. Her life has been on hold while she’s been grieving. Maverick, Mark’s older brother, has moved back to town to help with the family farm and his father who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Jessica and Maverick are attracted to one another, but know it’s forbidden. Can they kept things platonic or give in to what maybe the best relationship either have had?
Author Kristin Lee does it again. She knows how to pull at your heart strings and has you rooting for an assumingely unlikely couple. There is plenty of chemistry and spice when Jessica and Maverick get together. In spite of the chemistry the couple have plenty of hurdles to deal with both emotionally and mentally. Their grief from the loss of Mark and Mr. B’s Alzheimer are two topic that just may have you a bit teary eyed. (They were for me.) If you like spicy romance with an age gap, boyfriend’s brother’s, small town, and found families this is for you.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.
Author Kristin Lee does it again. She knows how to pull at your heart strings and has you rooting for an assumingely unlikely couple. There is plenty of chemistry and spice when Jessica and Maverick get together. In spite of the chemistry the couple have plenty of hurdles to deal with both emotionally and mentally. Their grief from the loss of Mark and Mr. B’s Alzheimer are two topic that just may have you a bit teary eyed. (They were for me.) If you like spicy romance with an age gap, boyfriend’s brother’s, small town, and found families this is for you.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.
July 4, 2023
A forbidden small town romance? Say no more, I’m in!
Let me tell you the angst in this book served! It just makes you want to read faster for that reward you are hoping for at the end of the book.
This book gives heartbreak and spice that you feel like you are experiencing all the feelings yourself. I absolutely loved this book and am so excited for Beau and Vanessa’s story.
Favorite quotes:
“It means you’re not a risk. You’re the reward.”
“That’s my good girl.”
“I knew deep in my soul that I would never be happy with anyone else. My heart ached for you. I knew you were everything I was ever going to need the first time I laid eyes on you.”
This is for you if you like:
* Billionaire romance
* Small town
* Age gap
* Forbidden romance
* Found family
* Spice
* Love after loss
This is hand down a must read for the summer!
August 11, 2023
Kristin Lee is a wonderful author and has made her way onto one of my favourites!! Sunshine & Saddles is an incredible book, I absolutely loved Jessica & Maverick’s story. For Maverick it was love at first sight seven years ago when he met Jessica, but Jessica was dating his little brother Mark. Mark has now been gone for two years, Maverick has moved home to run the family farm as well as his aviation company. Can Jessica and Maverick over come their grief from Iosing Mark? Will they be able to start living their lives? Will they be able to get through judgment from the small town they live in and start a live together? To find out be sure to pick up Sunshine & Saddles by Kristin Lee!! Lots of twists, turns and steamy scenes as well!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Happy reading!! 😁
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Happy reading!! 😁
June 8, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: billionaire/small town
Spice: 🥵yes
Series: welcome to Kissing Springs, book 1
Thoughts - the weight of everything that had happened and how they were still trapped by it all really came across for me. I’m still not convinced that Maverick MMC could have tried a little harder at the start because he was mixed message central 😂 special mention to what happens during the storm, you know the part but your laughing, loving and left heart broken all in a few paragraphs. Definitely recommend if you’re after a story that focuses on love after loss and everything that comes along with that and living in a small town.
Plot - it’s been two years since Jessica lost Mark and she’s ready to move on despite almost everything keeping her stagnant in her grief. She wants to date and hopefully meet someone new except the only person who seems to make her feel like she’s living again is Marks older brother, who she absolutely can not have feelings for… or can she.
* Small town
* Second chance
* Love after loss
* Found family
* Forbidden love
“I’ll never be able to have dessert again because nothing could be sweeter than your taste in my mouth,”
*ARC
Genre: billionaire/small town
Spice: 🥵yes
Series: welcome to Kissing Springs, book 1
Thoughts - the weight of everything that had happened and how they were still trapped by it all really came across for me. I’m still not convinced that Maverick MMC could have tried a little harder at the start because he was mixed message central 😂 special mention to what happens during the storm, you know the part but your laughing, loving and left heart broken all in a few paragraphs. Definitely recommend if you’re after a story that focuses on love after loss and everything that comes along with that and living in a small town.
Plot - it’s been two years since Jessica lost Mark and she’s ready to move on despite almost everything keeping her stagnant in her grief. She wants to date and hopefully meet someone new except the only person who seems to make her feel like she’s living again is Marks older brother, who she absolutely can not have feelings for… or can she.
* Small town
* Second chance
* Love after loss
* Found family
* Forbidden love
“I’ll never be able to have dessert again because nothing could be sweeter than your taste in my mouth,”
*ARC
July 8, 2023
Sunshine & Saddles is a steamy, age-gap, second chance, curvy girl and ex-boyfriend's brother romance. Jessica is a young curvy girl reeling from the loss of her high-school sweetheart (who she was with for 5 years), Mark, to an accident. The story starts 2 years after his death. Maverick is the older, hunky billionaire brother of Mark. He is 7 years older than Jessica and had feelings for her the first time he met her but knew he couldn't have her as she was in love with Mark. He purposely stayed away from the family due to guilt over these feelings. He has returned home due to family obligations now. Jessica has always had some attraction to Maverick, too. They both fight their feelings for a while due to guilt and family obligations but finally come together in a great HEA. The chemistry between them was off the charts. The sexy scenes were hot 🔥🥵. I really loved, though, that the author still honored her relationship with Mark in the past as her first love and that part of her life. I cried over the angst at times but loved these characters and their love so much. It was nice to see how the two relationships were so different, and that one really could not happen without the other. I really loved it and need to read Vanessa and Beau's story next. I definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2023
A great contemporary romance that had me on an emotional roller coaster with characters who could be your friend and you root for them and I couldn't put the book down and really didn't want it to end when I got there. I loved the undeniable attraction and steamy chemistry between Jessica and Maverick and was hoping for their HEA. This is the first book I have read by Kristen Lee but I look forward to more from this gifted author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 8, 2023
First off the dedication at the beginning had me tearing up. The book begins with Jessica out tanning, and Maverick her ex’s (who has sadly passed away) older brother showing up asking about sunscreen. This book was absolutely amazing. The way it’s detailed, had me able to picture everything. It felt as if I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. I loved this book so much! This is a second chance romance book. It has a bit of spice in it too.
June 16, 2023
Sunshine & Saddles was so good. It touched on some really difficult subjects such as death/grief. You could feel the struggle Jessica and Maverick felt throughout the story, while they were trying to navigate their feelings for each other and their grief for Mark. They also had to deal with the feelings of family members and others in their small town. I loved how Kristin Lee made you feel their heartbreak, and confusion. Overall, I really loved this story and thought it was so well written. If you are looking for a contemporary romance, that makes you feel all the feels definitely check this one out!
June 13, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This has to be the best book Kristin has written yet! The chemistry, the angst all of it was balanced and perfection. I want more HEA’s of this couple. They need as many happily ever after they can have! They’ve been so much but a true testament of what love and family can do for your heart. Even at your lowest someone is there to give you hope even when you least expect it. Definitely a tearjerker as most of her books but the happiest tears I’ve shed for a book in a long time.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This has to be the best book Kristin has written yet! The chemistry, the angst all of it was balanced and perfection. I want more HEA’s of this couple. They need as many happily ever after they can have! They’ve been so much but a true testament of what love and family can do for your heart. Even at your lowest someone is there to give you hope even when you least expect it. Definitely a tearjerker as most of her books but the happiest tears I’ve shed for a book in a long time.
June 19, 2023
Maverick & Jessica totally tugged on my heartstrings throughout this book!! I loved how they were able to have their own relationship while honoring their loved ones.
This is the first book by this author and it totally did not disappoint. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one!
This is the first book by this author and it totally did not disappoint. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one!
July 8, 2023
Sunshine and Saddles… a beautiful story about true love, Heartbreak, grief and gilt. The struggles and the rewards. This book just hit me right in the feels. Absolutely loved it. Fast paced, spicy and emotional. Just everything you want in a book. Wonderful writing by a great author.
July 8, 2023
Once again Kristin blew me away. She always keeps me locked in right away. It took me a day and half to read this one and that was only because I had to sleep. This is book two but able to be read as a standalone.
June 17, 2023
Wow I loved this book! It’s such an emotional read of how two grieving people belong together, how they fight their connection and attraction to each other. I devoured this book and I really can’t wait to read the next book.
It shows us that love conquers all no matter the circumstances. This book deals with losing a loved one, grieving, finding love again and Alzheimers disease but it’s written about with respect and so beautifully. A big applaud to Kristin!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It shows us that love conquers all no matter the circumstances. This book deals with losing a loved one, grieving, finding love again and Alzheimers disease but it’s written about with respect and so beautifully. A big applaud to Kristin!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 1, 2023
This book will touch your heart from page 1, make you laugh, cry and need a cold shower. Loved the hot and wild ride and can't wait to read more of Kristina books.
September 6, 2023
Sunshine & Saddles
This was my first book by Kristin Lee, but it won't be my last!!! I really enjoyed this "forbidden" small town romance & I need more Kissing Springs! Next time I'll remember the kleenex! Thank you for this ARC!!!
This was my first book by Kristin Lee, but it won't be my last!!! I really enjoyed this "forbidden" small town romance & I need more Kissing Springs! Next time I'll remember the kleenex! Thank you for this ARC!!!
September 22, 2023
If I wasn’t so busy while reading this it would have been done the first day I started it. It was such a fun love story. I really liked the characters and Kristin’s writing style. This was my first book of hers and I’m excited to read more! This was a feel good romance with a happy ending and sometimes you just need that!
May 16, 2025
New beginnings can be rewarding when you take the chance. But will the chance ever happen when all you can think about is the past?
Maverick Bourne is the constantly working, family loving, handsome older brother everyone knows and loves. Jessica Drew is the woman filled with sunshine, ambition and never ending adventurous dreams. While it’s a long and twisting road with a few road bumps on the way, there’s some sunshine that peeks through and makes it worth the ride.
Not to mention, that these two are also historically tied together by one thing, Mark. Maverick's younger brother and Jessica’s boyfriend.
But when tragedy strikes, will they find solace in each other and act on the feelings that are slowly brewing to the top after 7 years of being in each others lives? Or will they let the past stand in the way of the possible future?
This is definitely a small town romance, where gossip and rumors happen and everyone knows everything. You also see Axel and Ali from Secret Santa and they are the best of friends with Maverick and Jessica and I love seeing it. Their relationships with each other; bestfriends, coworkers, and their families (especially the bond they have with Mark & Mavericks parents) are so relatable I found myself laughing along and crying when they did. I found myself happy and smiling when they reached milestones or when Bandit crossed the finish line at races; sad when Jessica felt sad and so on. It felt like I was there with them, living some parts of their lives.
Sunshine and Saddles is part of a series but can be read as a standalone and I believe it now sits as one of my favorite reads of the year. I love the feelings and the story that Kristin brings to life on the pages from beginning to end.
Here’s to finding your way through the dark and tough times, new beginnings and because “sometimes you have to saddle up and ride the one you want.” 🐴💜
Maverick Bourne is the constantly working, family loving, handsome older brother everyone knows and loves. Jessica Drew is the woman filled with sunshine, ambition and never ending adventurous dreams. While it’s a long and twisting road with a few road bumps on the way, there’s some sunshine that peeks through and makes it worth the ride.
Not to mention, that these two are also historically tied together by one thing, Mark. Maverick's younger brother and Jessica’s boyfriend.
But when tragedy strikes, will they find solace in each other and act on the feelings that are slowly brewing to the top after 7 years of being in each others lives? Or will they let the past stand in the way of the possible future?
This is definitely a small town romance, where gossip and rumors happen and everyone knows everything. You also see Axel and Ali from Secret Santa and they are the best of friends with Maverick and Jessica and I love seeing it. Their relationships with each other; bestfriends, coworkers, and their families (especially the bond they have with Mark & Mavericks parents) are so relatable I found myself laughing along and crying when they did. I found myself happy and smiling when they reached milestones or when Bandit crossed the finish line at races; sad when Jessica felt sad and so on. It felt like I was there with them, living some parts of their lives.
Sunshine and Saddles is part of a series but can be read as a standalone and I believe it now sits as one of my favorite reads of the year. I love the feelings and the story that Kristin brings to life on the pages from beginning to end.
Here’s to finding your way through the dark and tough times, new beginnings and because “sometimes you have to saddle up and ride the one you want.” 🐴💜
February 22, 2024
I am so into my small-town romances lately. They give me everything I need, this one especially. Angst, yes please, there is nothing that will connect me to a couple more than angst. My heart literally hurts for them knowing it’ll pay off in the end.
What I truly loved was sometimes in these kinds of books the first relationship gets trashed on to make the second one seem better and KL did not do this. She respected the love that Jessica and Mark shared while letting us see the difference with Maverick. This is my first book by the author and I was really impressed. So impressed that I just changed my rating to 5 stars. So impressed that I’m immediately going to Amazon because I need Beau and Vanessa’s story. The little hints we got throughout this book already has me invested.
I read an arc and this is my honest opinion.
What I truly loved was sometimes in these kinds of books the first relationship gets trashed on to make the second one seem better and KL did not do this. She respected the love that Jessica and Mark shared while letting us see the difference with Maverick. This is my first book by the author and I was really impressed. So impressed that I just changed my rating to 5 stars. So impressed that I’m immediately going to Amazon because I need Beau and Vanessa’s story. The little hints we got throughout this book already has me invested.
I read an arc and this is my honest opinion.
January 12, 2024
New beginnings
Firsts and new beginnings is what makes this story stand out. Maverick and Jessica have many things in common, including his brother. Can the two of them move beyond her having been his brother's girlfriend before his death? How will Maverick's father's declining mental status effect everything they know?
Firsts and new beginnings is what makes this story stand out. Maverick and Jessica have many things in common, including his brother. Can the two of them move beyond her having been his brother's girlfriend before his death? How will Maverick's father's declining mental status effect everything they know?
June 23, 2023
Jessica used to love Sundays. A day reserved just for them and his family. Now she hated Sundays and especially the upcoming Sunday. The anniversary of the loss of all her dreams. It had been two years, but she couldn't move on.
Mark Bourne had consumed the last seven years of her life. The five years they had dated and the two years since an accident that took his life way too soon. He had been her world. Her high school sweetheart. He had been voted 'best smile' while she was voted 'class clown'. He had been her best friend.
But the looks of pity from the people in their small town and the property he had left her wouldn't let her move on. She was determined to find the woman she had been before Mark died so she gathers everything she needs for a day lazing by the lake and heads for the Gator.
She pulls out her tablet and starts reading a romance feeling encouraged that even through the hurdles they find their way. But then she realizes she never experienced half the things in the book even though she had had a man who loved her.
She hears someone splashing through the water and turns to see a man walking towards her. She only sees the shadow of a man with broad shoulders through the blinding sunlight but recognizes his voice immediately. Maverick. Mark's older brother. And the sound of his deep voice sends shivers through her veins just as it has since she met him seven years ago.
Maverick moved away to follow his dreams of aviation now owning his own private luxury charter planes with clients around the world only returning home when it couldn't be avoided. In truth, he had fell in love with Jessica the first time he saw her without even speaking a word to her, but when she was introduced as his brother's girlfriend he knew the only thing he could do was avoid being near her. His family meant too much to him and he loved his brother.
He would never break that trust even though it killed him to stay away. But now Mark wasn't around. Would she think he was worth the gossip?
I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are absolutely amazing. Jessica had always felt a zing the rare times that Maverick was home, but since he always came up with excuses that he was needed for a work emergency when she was at his parent's for dinner she thought he hated her. She wanted to move forward with her life, but Maverick was forbidden.
Maverick had his own billion-dollar empire along with his family owning a huge farm where they raised show horses and race horses. He knew that he could no longer stay away from home since his parents needed him more than ever now, but it was becoming harder to avoid Jessica.
This book is action-packed and smoking hot, but be prepared to get out those Kleenex. There are many tear-jerker moments throughout this book as they deal with the death of a beloved member of the family & community, deal with their forbidden feelings for each other and his father's deteriorating health.
I so loved her baseball romances, but this book has to be my favorite to date. I can't wait to read Beau's story! Highly recommend anything written by Kristin Lee. You won't be disappointed.
Mark Bourne had consumed the last seven years of her life. The five years they had dated and the two years since an accident that took his life way too soon. He had been her world. Her high school sweetheart. He had been voted 'best smile' while she was voted 'class clown'. He had been her best friend.
But the looks of pity from the people in their small town and the property he had left her wouldn't let her move on. She was determined to find the woman she had been before Mark died so she gathers everything she needs for a day lazing by the lake and heads for the Gator.
She pulls out her tablet and starts reading a romance feeling encouraged that even through the hurdles they find their way. But then she realizes she never experienced half the things in the book even though she had had a man who loved her.
She hears someone splashing through the water and turns to see a man walking towards her. She only sees the shadow of a man with broad shoulders through the blinding sunlight but recognizes his voice immediately. Maverick. Mark's older brother. And the sound of his deep voice sends shivers through her veins just as it has since she met him seven years ago.
Maverick moved away to follow his dreams of aviation now owning his own private luxury charter planes with clients around the world only returning home when it couldn't be avoided. In truth, he had fell in love with Jessica the first time he saw her without even speaking a word to her, but when she was introduced as his brother's girlfriend he knew the only thing he could do was avoid being near her. His family meant too much to him and he loved his brother.
He would never break that trust even though it killed him to stay away. But now Mark wasn't around. Would she think he was worth the gossip?
I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are absolutely amazing. Jessica had always felt a zing the rare times that Maverick was home, but since he always came up with excuses that he was needed for a work emergency when she was at his parent's for dinner she thought he hated her. She wanted to move forward with her life, but Maverick was forbidden.
Maverick had his own billion-dollar empire along with his family owning a huge farm where they raised show horses and race horses. He knew that he could no longer stay away from home since his parents needed him more than ever now, but it was becoming harder to avoid Jessica.
This book is action-packed and smoking hot, but be prepared to get out those Kleenex. There are many tear-jerker moments throughout this book as they deal with the death of a beloved member of the family & community, deal with their forbidden feelings for each other and his father's deteriorating health.
I so loved her baseball romances, but this book has to be my favorite to date. I can't wait to read Beau's story! Highly recommend anything written by Kristin Lee. You won't be disappointed.
March 27, 2025
Young love can be new and exciting until life gets involved, and you start to see that life is moving faster than the both of you. Keeping up with each other and having time for each other is not as easy as it used to be. Not to mention, forging your own identity at the same time and all the time praying, will they be here for me this time or notice I was here for them this time? Did they even notice? I didn't show up this time. After seven years together, missionary vanilla was not so exciting anymore, especially when your friends were talking about earth-shattering multiple O’s.
However, none of that was cause for some a-hole to plow him down with his car while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Mark deserved better. He was a great friend/boyfriend, great son, good brother, hard worker, good friend, great boss, and so much more. But it's been two years, and he has left her so much even though they were not married. He left her property and a home. Every day she still thinks about giving it back to the family so she can finally move on.
Just about that time when she starts to feel any facsimile of normal, the anniversary day of his death is there in front of them again, or Mark’s birthday. This year both Emma and Maverick are home for the Anniversary Celebration of Life. She was just grateful she wasn’t in charge of anything Maverick was. Beau was working but was sent a video message. But it was Emma’s message that truly helped her start to see that it was time to see that Mark—no, she needed to see him in her rearview mirror for her daily life but never in her heart.
There would always be a special place there for him. You see, she said, they all needed to see Mark as the truly flawed human being he was and not the one everyone has immortalized in their heads. But she was not dead; she was alive, and Mark would want her to live and be amongst their friends. But when Maverick rows right up to her property, where she is sunbathing, and asks to borrow the sunscreen and then asks if she would like him to apply it to her back, she says yes. Meet-cute 2.0. Smoldering looks and subtle touches are what spark the embers that have been there for years.
At least for Maverick, the sexy old by 9 years. Billionaire. And Mark’s older brother. Is that ever truly a problem when one is dead and one is very much alive?
However, none of that was cause for some a-hole to plow him down with his car while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Mark deserved better. He was a great friend/boyfriend, great son, good brother, hard worker, good friend, great boss, and so much more. But it's been two years, and he has left her so much even though they were not married. He left her property and a home. Every day she still thinks about giving it back to the family so she can finally move on.
Just about that time when she starts to feel any facsimile of normal, the anniversary day of his death is there in front of them again, or Mark’s birthday. This year both Emma and Maverick are home for the Anniversary Celebration of Life. She was just grateful she wasn’t in charge of anything Maverick was. Beau was working but was sent a video message. But it was Emma’s message that truly helped her start to see that it was time to see that Mark—no, she needed to see him in her rearview mirror for her daily life but never in her heart.
There would always be a special place there for him. You see, she said, they all needed to see Mark as the truly flawed human being he was and not the one everyone has immortalized in their heads. But she was not dead; she was alive, and Mark would want her to live and be amongst their friends. But when Maverick rows right up to her property, where she is sunbathing, and asks to borrow the sunscreen and then asks if she would like him to apply it to her back, she says yes. Meet-cute 2.0. Smoldering looks and subtle touches are what spark the embers that have been there for years.
At least for Maverick, the sexy old by 9 years. Billionaire. And Mark’s older brother. Is that ever truly a problem when one is dead and one is very much alive?
June 13, 2023
Loved this! I couldn’t put it down!
This is a romance novel full of emotion where the two main characters need to choose between loyalty to a loved one lost or their own happiness. Lee does another fantastic job bringing readers more than just a steamy romance novel (don’t worry there’s still plenty of steam).
Jessie is a fun loving girl trying to get her old self back after the lost of her high school sweetheart. I loved watching as her confidence slowly returned and she once again found her voice. Jessie was a character that was realistic. She had hopes, dreams and fears just like everyone else.
Maverick is a quiet, handsome, hardworking billionaire rancher and private plane company owner. He is dedicated to his family, but his secret love for his brothers gf keeps him away more than he would like. Lee once again creates the most wonderful book boyfriend for her readers. Mav is a great male MC to follow throughout the story. He is kind, learning to be in touch with his emotions and not hide from what he wants. He was also a total hottie!
I enjoyed reading about her relationships with Mr. & Mrs. B throughout the story. The found family she had with them was so heartwarming. I also loved, although very emotional; the true love and loyalty Mrs. B had for her husband regardless of his progressing Alzheimer’s. Her character was a great example of a strong, loving and compassionate wife and mother.
I loved all the components of this romance and it gave me the HEA I was hoping Mav and Jessie would get. I love Lee’s writing use of dual POVs and how her stories always end leaving me feeling complete. I can’t wait to read more from this amazing author!
This is a romance novel full of emotion where the two main characters need to choose between loyalty to a loved one lost or their own happiness. Lee does another fantastic job bringing readers more than just a steamy romance novel (don’t worry there’s still plenty of steam).
Jessie is a fun loving girl trying to get her old self back after the lost of her high school sweetheart. I loved watching as her confidence slowly returned and she once again found her voice. Jessie was a character that was realistic. She had hopes, dreams and fears just like everyone else.
Maverick is a quiet, handsome, hardworking billionaire rancher and private plane company owner. He is dedicated to his family, but his secret love for his brothers gf keeps him away more than he would like. Lee once again creates the most wonderful book boyfriend for her readers. Mav is a great male MC to follow throughout the story. He is kind, learning to be in touch with his emotions and not hide from what he wants. He was also a total hottie!
I enjoyed reading about her relationships with Mr. & Mrs. B throughout the story. The found family she had with them was so heartwarming. I also loved, although very emotional; the true love and loyalty Mrs. B had for her husband regardless of his progressing Alzheimer’s. Her character was a great example of a strong, loving and compassionate wife and mother.
I loved all the components of this romance and it gave me the HEA I was hoping Mav and Jessie would get. I love Lee’s writing use of dual POVs and how her stories always end leaving me feeling complete. I can’t wait to read more from this amazing author!
June 12, 2023
The author has created such an emotional characters. It was such a twist of fate that Jessica lost her highschool sweetheart and all their plans crumbled down. Drowned in an evocative memories, and loss of loved one, she meets Maverick, Mark’s brother.
Jessica is such a sweetheart, all she wanted to be happy with Mark but destiny had something else in attic for them. While, Maverick give a vibe like Damon (from Vampire Diaries) though he is concealing a secret behind his inevitable loyalty towards his brother. He is a billionaire with a private jet business. He returns home as his father is suffering from Alzheimer and his family is going through such a loss.
Now, Maverick has lost his younger brother and Jessica has lost her boyfriend. She must start over her life but what will happen when from sharing a dance to pain of losing the person who meant the world to them, the circumstances will bring them together and they will grow fondness for each other? I loved Maverick’s mother and Emma and Carson were good too.
There were some amusing moments. The romance is forbidden and swoon-worthy. I adored the characters. It’s plot driven and some elements were characters driven. I loved the multiple pov, family dynamics, and mental Rep. I loved the characters back story, their feelings for each other, and the character development and chemistry throughout the book. I loved the ending.
Tropes:
•Steamy
•Forbidden love
•Small Town
•Multiple POV
•Swoon-worthy
•Age-gap
•Found Family
•Forced Proximity
•Boyfriend’s Brother
Jessica is such a sweetheart, all she wanted to be happy with Mark but destiny had something else in attic for them. While, Maverick give a vibe like Damon (from Vampire Diaries) though he is concealing a secret behind his inevitable loyalty towards his brother. He is a billionaire with a private jet business. He returns home as his father is suffering from Alzheimer and his family is going through such a loss.
Now, Maverick has lost his younger brother and Jessica has lost her boyfriend. She must start over her life but what will happen when from sharing a dance to pain of losing the person who meant the world to them, the circumstances will bring them together and they will grow fondness for each other? I loved Maverick’s mother and Emma and Carson were good too.
There were some amusing moments. The romance is forbidden and swoon-worthy. I adored the characters. It’s plot driven and some elements were characters driven. I loved the multiple pov, family dynamics, and mental Rep. I loved the characters back story, their feelings for each other, and the character development and chemistry throughout the book. I loved the ending.
Tropes:
•Steamy
•Forbidden love
•Small Town
•Multiple POV
•Swoon-worthy
•Age-gap
•Found Family
•Forced Proximity
•Boyfriend’s Brother
June 16, 2023
Second-chance-at-love heart-wrenching story.
Welcome to Kissing Springs!!! Nine Authors, 27 books and more romance tropes than you can shake a stick at. And with Kristen Lee’s forbidden, younger-brother’s-girlfriend, second-chance-at-love heart-wrenching story, you’ll fall in love with the series straight off the bat.
SUNSHINE AND SADDLES is book 2, the sunshine season, and it was everything that I love in a sweet and light romance with a side of spicy loving.
Jessica has suffered a huge and unexpected loss with the passing of her high school sweetheart, fiancé Mark and at times her grief was overwhelming. Ms Lee does a great job in communicating Jessica’s feelings, as well as those of Mark’s family. His older brother Maverick hasn’t been around much while building his luxury private jet business and with the chemistry and tension between them, we soon got to see why!!!!
While it’s been two years since the family lost Mark, who’s to say what the time limit is when it’s time to move on from the loss of a loved one??? Not only is the guilt in betraying Mark’s memory an issue for them both, but Maverick carries a stoic honour about him in considering Jessica off-limits because she’d been his brother’s fiancé. While I personally know too many ladies who have dated first one brother then another, it’s not an issue in my mind obviously, I still absolutely loved the whole feel of this book. It’s packed full of emotion!
It’s a beautiful story, even if the writing execution felt a little choppy at times. 4-second-chance-romance-Stars 🐎💛✦
Welcome to Kissing Springs!!! Nine Authors, 27 books and more romance tropes than you can shake a stick at. And with Kristen Lee’s forbidden, younger-brother’s-girlfriend, second-chance-at-love heart-wrenching story, you’ll fall in love with the series straight off the bat.
SUNSHINE AND SADDLES is book 2, the sunshine season, and it was everything that I love in a sweet and light romance with a side of spicy loving.
Jessica has suffered a huge and unexpected loss with the passing of her high school sweetheart, fiancé Mark and at times her grief was overwhelming. Ms Lee does a great job in communicating Jessica’s feelings, as well as those of Mark’s family. His older brother Maverick hasn’t been around much while building his luxury private jet business and with the chemistry and tension between them, we soon got to see why!!!!
While it’s been two years since the family lost Mark, who’s to say what the time limit is when it’s time to move on from the loss of a loved one??? Not only is the guilt in betraying Mark’s memory an issue for them both, but Maverick carries a stoic honour about him in considering Jessica off-limits because she’d been his brother’s fiancé. While I personally know too many ladies who have dated first one brother then another, it’s not an issue in my mind obviously, I still absolutely loved the whole feel of this book. It’s packed full of emotion!
It’s a beautiful story, even if the writing execution felt a little choppy at times. 4-second-chance-romance-Stars 🐎💛✦
June 11, 2023
Kissing Springs truly needs to be real place to go to.
Remembering Jessie from Secret Santa, it was great to get her story. Poor thing was too young to have a tragedy make her stop living her life to it’s fullest. Maverick was a good brother. That said, feelings cannot be helped. The two fighting with the past trying to live in the present to have a life that is more can’t be easy. Guilt is a hard feeling to get over. Not matter how long it has been. Take that away and the two together we like horny teenagers and it was great. Now the BF needs to be talked into having a fire pit so that scene can be played out. 😉
This was not my favorite of Kristin’s. The writing felt off and incomplete. Though both Jessie and Mav had good qualities as MC’s, both made me want to root for them to live and be happy, there was no connection was made to either. There was also a way the characters would not finish their sentences then the other would finish it with the worst thoughts in their own mind. Maybe that is where the disconnect is for me. No one talked to each other. Both held things against the other that was not the other’s fault or doing. There was also a feeling that some of the sub stories were fighting to be the main plot, like the story of Beau and Vanessa or the one of Greg and Bibi.
Quick side note, not a fan of Bobbi Jo. Don’t care about what we found out later, she is the worst.
Remembering Jessie from Secret Santa, it was great to get her story. Poor thing was too young to have a tragedy make her stop living her life to it’s fullest. Maverick was a good brother. That said, feelings cannot be helped. The two fighting with the past trying to live in the present to have a life that is more can’t be easy. Guilt is a hard feeling to get over. Not matter how long it has been. Take that away and the two together we like horny teenagers and it was great. Now the BF needs to be talked into having a fire pit so that scene can be played out. 😉
This was not my favorite of Kristin’s. The writing felt off and incomplete. Though both Jessie and Mav had good qualities as MC’s, both made me want to root for them to live and be happy, there was no connection was made to either. There was also a way the characters would not finish their sentences then the other would finish it with the worst thoughts in their own mind. Maybe that is where the disconnect is for me. No one talked to each other. Both held things against the other that was not the other’s fault or doing. There was also a feeling that some of the sub stories were fighting to be the main plot, like the story of Beau and Vanessa or the one of Greg and Bibi.
Quick side note, not a fan of Bobbi Jo. Don’t care about what we found out later, she is the worst.
June 28, 2023
This was my first time reading anything from Kristen, and I’m definitely hooked!
I loved Maverick & Jessica’s love story, it was emotional, romantic, and spicy. It really pulls at your heart strings. Kristen did a phenomenal job at portraying these characters, you can feel the pain both Maverick and Jessica are feeling. They’re both struggling with their loyalty to his dead brother, who was also Jessica’s boyfriend, and what they feel for each other. Maverick has been in love with Jessica for years, and when he realized she was with his brother he stayed away from everyone, including his family. But it’s been 2 years since Mark died and they can’t deny how they feel any longer.
There was so much I loved about this story, the love and devotion Mrs. B had for her husband who was struggling with Alzheimer’s, and the way Jessica fit right in with Maverick’s family. She became a member of their family years prior, and even after Mark died, nothing changed.
This was such a beautiful story and was written perfectly. I had tears in my eyes during the part of the Celebration of Marks life and when Jessica gave her speech. I had tears at the times when Mr. B was with Jessica and included her in his will and when he agreed for to be his caregiver, and I especially had tears during Maverick’s proposal.
I’m excited to check out this author’s other books and I really can’t wait for Beau and Vanessa’s story!
I loved Maverick & Jessica’s love story, it was emotional, romantic, and spicy. It really pulls at your heart strings. Kristen did a phenomenal job at portraying these characters, you can feel the pain both Maverick and Jessica are feeling. They’re both struggling with their loyalty to his dead brother, who was also Jessica’s boyfriend, and what they feel for each other. Maverick has been in love with Jessica for years, and when he realized she was with his brother he stayed away from everyone, including his family. But it’s been 2 years since Mark died and they can’t deny how they feel any longer.
There was so much I loved about this story, the love and devotion Mrs. B had for her husband who was struggling with Alzheimer’s, and the way Jessica fit right in with Maverick’s family. She became a member of their family years prior, and even after Mark died, nothing changed.
This was such a beautiful story and was written perfectly. I had tears in my eyes during the part of the Celebration of Marks life and when Jessica gave her speech. I had tears at the times when Mr. B was with Jessica and included her in his will and when he agreed for to be his caregiver, and I especially had tears during Maverick’s proposal.
I’m excited to check out this author’s other books and I really can’t wait for Beau and Vanessa’s story!
June 13, 2023
◦•●◉✿𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚎 & 𝚂𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚜✿◉●•◦
𝚋𝚢 𝙺𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗 𝙻𝚎𝚎
☀️☀️☀️☀️
4/5
❗️I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily❗️
Jessica lost her long time love Mark tragically, who she was with for five years. Jessica finds herself lost in her pain, and even after two years, she can’t bring herself, to even look at another man.
Maverick is Mark’s older brother. Maverick has tried to stay away from his small hometown as much as he could, but when loyalty to his brother brings him back home. He’s always found Jessica attractive, but she is off limits.
Jessica wants to start dating and move forward in life, but the only man that seems to get her heart racing is Maverick. She doesn’t want to betray Mark and what they had….
Both Maverick and Jessica try to fight their attraction to each other, out of their loyalty to Mark. However, when they do get together, it isn’t without many bumps along the way. This book kept me had me binge reading because it was so addictive.
Includes
- Billionaire/small town romance
- Forbidden romance
- Age gap
- Second chance
- Found family
- Steamy
- HEA
𝚋𝚢 𝙺𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗 𝙻𝚎𝚎
☀️☀️☀️☀️
4/5
❗️I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily❗️
Jessica lost her long time love Mark tragically, who she was with for five years. Jessica finds herself lost in her pain, and even after two years, she can’t bring herself, to even look at another man.
Maverick is Mark’s older brother. Maverick has tried to stay away from his small hometown as much as he could, but when loyalty to his brother brings him back home. He’s always found Jessica attractive, but she is off limits.
Jessica wants to start dating and move forward in life, but the only man that seems to get her heart racing is Maverick. She doesn’t want to betray Mark and what they had….
Both Maverick and Jessica try to fight their attraction to each other, out of their loyalty to Mark. However, when they do get together, it isn’t without many bumps along the way. This book kept me had me binge reading because it was so addictive.
Includes
- Billionaire/small town romance
- Forbidden romance
- Age gap
- Second chance
- Found family
- Steamy
- HEA
August 4, 2023
This was a DNF for me and I do not do that lightly. I always try to finish a book. But I had to DNF at 50%.
There was no chemistry between the characters, there were continuity issues, I was constantly wondering what day it was in the story. The characters were very annoying and very self-deprecating to a point where I was just constantly rolling my eyes. I didn't care about the characters and I wasn't invested in them at all. The writing was also poor and there were a lot of mistakes.
I liked the Kentucky derby part, since the male main character had a horse in the derby but it was one chapter and the horse race itself was like one paragraph. The author didn't even draw it out or make me sweat about whether that horse won or not. There was no drama with that, and I wanted it. Definitely not enough Kentucky derby!
At one point, the main female character actually said she made up the word "grumble" because it sounded like a cross between a mumble and a growl, when in actuality, grumble, the word, already exists. I nearly threw my phone, that was the last straw for me with this book. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this book.
There was no chemistry between the characters, there were continuity issues, I was constantly wondering what day it was in the story. The characters were very annoying and very self-deprecating to a point where I was just constantly rolling my eyes. I didn't care about the characters and I wasn't invested in them at all. The writing was also poor and there were a lot of mistakes.
I liked the Kentucky derby part, since the male main character had a horse in the derby but it was one chapter and the horse race itself was like one paragraph. The author didn't even draw it out or make me sweat about whether that horse won or not. There was no drama with that, and I wanted it. Definitely not enough Kentucky derby!
At one point, the main female character actually said she made up the word "grumble" because it sounded like a cross between a mumble and a growl, when in actuality, grumble, the word, already exists. I nearly threw my phone, that was the last straw for me with this book. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this book.
June 14, 2023
Sunshine & Saddles by Kristin Lee
Jessica & Maverick 💛
Oh this book! Pulls out all the stops and makes you feel all the fells! Kristin's books are amazing so I really had no doubt! But boy did she take me on a rollercoaster ride!!
Love after loss, (ex) Boyfriend's older brother, grief, Alzheimers, age gap, second chance, small town romance. It's real life stuff! Its raw and emotional and so freaking good! There's tension and angst. I loved the push and pull. Oh and all that spice! Maverick is 🥵🤤🫠 He's strong, hardworking, fine all hell but also so conflicted and warring with whats the "right" thing to do! Jessica is strong, tired of being sad, ready to live life to the fullest and love again. These two are absolutely perfect for eachother and when they finally let go of all the guilt, grief and worries their love story and growth is absolutely beautiful! Def a book I'd recommend and one I can't wait to have on my shelf! 🤎☀️
Jessica & Maverick 💛
Oh this book! Pulls out all the stops and makes you feel all the fells! Kristin's books are amazing so I really had no doubt! But boy did she take me on a rollercoaster ride!!
Love after loss, (ex) Boyfriend's older brother, grief, Alzheimers, age gap, second chance, small town romance. It's real life stuff! Its raw and emotional and so freaking good! There's tension and angst. I loved the push and pull. Oh and all that spice! Maverick is 🥵🤤🫠 He's strong, hardworking, fine all hell but also so conflicted and warring with whats the "right" thing to do! Jessica is strong, tired of being sad, ready to live life to the fullest and love again. These two are absolutely perfect for eachother and when they finally let go of all the guilt, grief and worries their love story and growth is absolutely beautiful! Def a book I'd recommend and one I can't wait to have on my shelf! 🤎☀️
June 22, 2023
This was such a wholesome book! The characters and what they go thru are so relatable. Jessica and Mavetick go thru the steps of grieving and have the most respect for their family as they figure out how to be together. You see, she was dating his younger brother, and Maverick had to hide his feelings for her.
This is his chance, and everything falls into place for them. Jessica and Maverick can't hide their feelings for long, though. These two have no problems acting on the passion, but they still worry about how people will take the news.
Besides the romance and the horse racing, this book brings us real emotions and real issues that affect families every day. I enjoyed this book so much and the only bad thing I have is with the first time they touch and what Maverick said to her. Some of it was hot and then it got kinda cheesy and not believable anymore. He got better obviously lol.
This is his chance, and everything falls into place for them. Jessica and Maverick can't hide their feelings for long, though. These two have no problems acting on the passion, but they still worry about how people will take the news.
Besides the romance and the horse racing, this book brings us real emotions and real issues that affect families every day. I enjoyed this book so much and the only bad thing I have is with the first time they touch and what Maverick said to her. Some of it was hot and then it got kinda cheesy and not believable anymore. He got better obviously lol.
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