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Bluebonnet Creek #0

Kiss Me First

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I fell for Katherine Adams the moment she moved to my small town.

My life has always revolved around three F’s – family, friends and football. But when she showed up, I had to think about expanding my list.

Seeing her for the first time was like getting hit in the head by a football. I'd know because that's exactly what happened. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was mine.

Unfortunately, my feelings are one-sided, and Katherine is doing everything in her power to avoid me.

But I'm not a quitter. When I want something, I fight for it. And if I have to fight to make Katherine a part of my life, that’s exactly what I’ll do.

The rules are simple - I’ll do everything I can to show her how good we could be together, but she has to make the first move. She has to kiss me first. But once she does, all bets are off.

342 pages, Paperback

Published April 19, 2023

949 people are currently reading
5255 people want to read

About the author

Anna B. Doe

39 books1,938 followers
Anna B. Doe is an Amazon Top 30, USA Today and international bestselling author of new adult sports romance. She grew up near Zagreb, capital of Croatia where she still lives. She fell in love with reading at an early age, and she knew she wanted to be an author. 
She writes real-life romance, filled with angst and banter. Her characters are flawed and relatable. If you love big groups of friends with strong, sassy heroines and sexy heroes who're obsessed with them, Anna's books are perfect for you.
When she's not writing her newest book you can find her reading, binge-watching TV shows or listening to music on long walks with her dog. She's addicted to coffee and can't wait for her next adventure.

She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
Profile Image for Fairuz ᥫ᭡..
507 reviews1,248 followers
January 27, 2025
Okay, I wanted to love this because Emmett and Kate sounded like a dream team, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. 😕 This was my second Anna B. Doe book, and I was hyped after reading Miguel and Becky’s story in January 2024. But alas, while this was cute, it fell short of the high bar I had set for it.


Image


Emmett Santiago is all kinds of sweet—like, the guy FALLS FIRST, and we love that energy. 💕 Kate, on the other hand, is cautious, guarded, and juggling so much responsibility as she mothers her little sister (ugh, their mom deserves an award for Worst Parent of the Year 🙄). I did appreciate Kate’s protectiveness toward her sister, but the whole “parentified teenager” vibe wasn’t my thing. Still, their slow-burn, insta-love (yes, that’s a thing somehow) romance was adorable. 🏈💞

Now, the small-town Texas setting gave all the cozy, Friday Night Lights feels, and Emmett’s commitment to Kate? Chef’s kiss. But… can we talk about how some of the characters felt like a mash-up of high school and college personalities? It was like they had too much freedom to still be in high school but acted so immature. Pick a lane, please. 😅

And don't get me started on the "not like other girls" trope. Like, come on, Kate—you don’t need to dunk on other girls to be special. 😑

Also, Becky as the sidekick friend was great! 🫶 I loved that she wasn’t just there to hype Kate up but had her own presence in the story. But the overall pacing was a bit off, and some storylines felt unresolved (a classic prequel problem).

So, while it wasn’t a total loss—cute moments, sweet characters, and small-town vibes—it didn’t blow me away. I might give Blairwood University series a shot because college settings usually fix these high school hiccups, but let’s just say my expectations are realistic this time. 😅

Tropes:
✧ Insta-love but make it cute 💘
✧ Small-town romance 🌻
✧ Guy falls first 🥰
✧ Slow-burn-ish 🔥
✧ Protective sibling bond 💕

CW:
- Neglectful parent
- Themes of responsibility
- Teenage angst

Will I remember this one in a year? Probably not. But it wasn’t a waste of time either. 💫

Image credits: Pinterest
Profile Image for ⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven•.
1,575 reviews295 followers
March 14, 2021
What an awesome Full-length book as the Series Prequel!

5 -Forever starts Now- Stars⭐
A Swoony Slowburn Southern Small-Town Sports Romance with Plenty of Sexy tension, Friendships, Care, Falling in Love, a dash of Mystery & the Good ol' HEA.
Emmett & Katherine are characters we saw so in love in the 1st two books in series. I had a feeling that we may get their book, & I'm happy it was such a pleasant surprise! We see how they got together before College. There's so much more than what meets the eye with these two. DEVOURED this in 6hrs!

Emmett; Southern Charm, Understanding, A total Sweetheart; is the Team Linebacker & the golden boy in their Small Texas Town. His parents & friends (especially two besties- Becky & Miguel) are Awesome.
Katherine; Loyal, Witty, Caring, City Coolness; is The Californian Girl who came to this small town with her 13yr old sis Penelope (Whom K's Very protective of) to their aunt's home. K's Very complex with Truths Which are slowly Revealed.
Kat, Em & his friends are high-school Juniors. Em & Kat share a class!

From the moment Em saw Kat, he was a goner but it Isn't until They *literally* Crash into eachother in the school hallways, does she notice him. Their attraction Sizzles but she resists it (Responsibility Reasons), Though he's determined to Make her kiss him first...Then make her his (He calls her Kitty!). And With patience, Smile by Smile he breaks her walls! Plus, he's so sweet with her Little sis! *Swoon*
I love the efforts Becky put to make Kat welcome in their group from The start! B's the best❤. Her bickering with Miguel is fun, I KNEW they'll get together!

There's Mean girls, The Meet, Spark, Becky+Kat Friends, Lunch together, Banters, Penny's issues, Em cares, (Who's Bradley?), Team Bonding, Tour, Jealousy, Practice, Pep-Rally, Clinché Cute, The Pull fight, Kiss me First, Em meets Penny (with Kate), Good sis, The Farce, Patience, Swim, Clearing the Air, Free period fun, Weekend Plans, The Fair (Non-Date Date!), She kissed him 1st & he kissed her back *yay!*, School together...

When she finally lets him in, It's Heartwarming & Gorgeous! The Swoony-meter multiply 10❤. There were Kate's Fears & Insecurities but Em's Sweetness Ends them before they become problematic. I loved how Em sees his future with Kat💙. The extent of his feelings may scare her at first, but it feels right & She reciprocates soon!

There's Swimming Lessons, Meeting Parents, Gf+Bf, Her mom's here(?!), Penny's Past Hurt, Em's feelings😍, Won Game, Homecoming Date, (Bitchy mom & Rose!), Seeing stars, I love yous *Yay!!*, First times & Making love, Mommy Troubles & Betrayal (?!), Dog Passport, Daddy Truths, Em's the Swooniest, Cue HEA!

Those last few scenes were so edgy, That revelation towards the end...I had a feeling & I was right❤. Afterwards, Seeing Em & Kat Happy made me sooo Happy! I Loved the Epilogue & Bonus Epilogue where we see them & their families.

“I love you, and there is nothing that will stand in my way. Not now, not tomorrow or in a year. You’re my endgame. My once in a lifetime....There is nothing that could ever compare to a future with you. And I’m going to try my damnedest to make that future a reality. You and me, Kitty.”
“You and me.”


__My "Side-Characters" Musings__
I hope Miguel & Becky gets a story (Their story can't end like this...Break up?!). And Penny's The Sweetest. Maybe Nico's book too?
Then, There are 3 People I hated here: Rose (Mean girl gang leader), John (His sort-of Angry teammate), Her Mom (Seriously?). Why? You'll find out! But without them, Em+Kat's love wouldn't have become stronger.
So excited for more in this series!
**ARC Received for a Honest Review.**
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Profile Image for ABookLover73.
375 reviews210 followers
April 5, 2021
FIVE KISS STARS for Katherine and Emmett 💛🖤💛🖤!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

ADORABLE!!!

Sometimes it happens that from too much reading I start to forget the second characters, especially if I don't read the books of a series at once.

This happened with this book, that is, the characters.

As much as I loved the first two books from "Blairwood University" series, I still can’t remember Kate and Emmett as second characters from those two books.

But either way, it didn’t diminish my desire to read.

On the contrary, I enjoyed reading their story even more, as if meeting them for the first time.

Anna has once again proven that she is very good at authorial waters because she has embarked on writing a genre that is not at all easy to write, especially if you aren't a native speaker of a place, in her case Texas.

"Kiss Me First" is a high school sports romance with the insta-attraction trope which will arouse many emotions in you once you start reading it.

Katherine is a female character that I loved from the very beginning, and her protective attitude towards her younger sister is invaluable.

Emmett is a male character that I expected to be full of himself, but he immediately showed that he is far from it and that he is actually good and will do anything for the people he loves.

Katherine and Emmett's connection can be felt from the first moment they meet, and it grows more and more over time.

If you're looking for a high school romance and you also love Anna's writing style, then this the book for you!!!

Highly recommended!!!

P.S. Can't wait to read "Kiss To Defy"!!!
Profile Image for Anna Doe.
Author 39 books1,938 followers
Read
March 12, 2021
💛🏈 𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 🏈💛
𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐭.



Kiss Me First, a mature YA, coming-of-age sports romance is now live and FREE with Kindle Unlimited! ➜ https://books2read.com/u/mdnV0Z

TBR: https://bit.ly/K_M_F
Vote most anticipated March romance: http://bit.ly/3sBCQCv
Cover Design: Qamber Designs
Cover Photo: Lindee Robinson Photography





Blurb:
Katherine Adams never thought she’d end up in a small town in Texas, but when things start to go south, it’s the perfect place to escape to.

Emmett Santiago, Bluebonnet’s golden boy, never imagined he’d fall so quickly, but one glance at Kate and he’s a goner.

Moving in with Katherine’s aunt her junior year of high school is the safest choice for her sister, and Katherine plans to do everything she can to make Bluebonnet their home. That most definitely doesn’t include flirting with a certain boy, no matter how charming his smile is.

Katherine might not believe in love, but Emmett is determined to win her over. When the sparks start to fly, who’ll be the one to make the first move?


About Kiss Me First:
💛 insta-attraction
🏈 small-town romance
💛 high school romance
🏈 coming of age
💛 sports romance
🏈 FULL length story



Excerpt:
“Never danced a two-step?”
I turn to the side so I can look at him. “You did?”
“You can’t be born in Texas and not know how to two-step.”
“Well, I wasn’t born in Texas. What I was born with, however, are two left feet. I’d most likely tangle and fall on my ass.”
Emmett laughs, the soft rumble of his chest vibrating against my back. “We’ll make a true southerner out of you one of these days. Besides, didn’t I already tell you?” Emmett’s fingers brush against my cheek. “I’ll never let you fall.”

Grab on sale for $2.99 or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
https://books2read.com/u/mdnV0Z
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UK: https://amzn.to/2XyOOyG
AU: http://amzn.to/3oGB0xL
CA: https://amzn.to/39s499H



Get your binge on!
Blairwood University series is FREE with Kindle Unlimited.
Kiss Me First ➜ https://books2read.com/u/mdnV0Z
Kiss To Conquer ➜ https://books2read.com/u/3G20Vd
Kiss To Forget ➜ https://books2read.com/u/3Lgzk1
Profile Image for Anna Theurer (Anna's Bookshelf).
771 reviews60 followers
February 27, 2021
This author is a complete master when it comes to writing YA/NA romances. She expertly captures the essence of high school with all of its trials and tribulations of forming friendships, crushes, and first love. KMF is a relatively fast paced romance that has some amazing, likable characters that are so easy to relate to.

Adorably charming, I completely fell in love with Emmett. While he is a popular football player, he is not conceited and is down to earth. It was refreshing to have a hero that is genuinely a nice guy. He could have been a player, but he is really sweet, loving ,and treats Kate well. He is essentially the perfect boyfriend.

Katherine “Kate” is a little more complex and impossible not to love. She is kindhearted and loves her sister fiercely. She is protective and not always trusting as she attempts to navigate and adapt to small town life in a new school. Frequently uprooted, she is reluctant to get close to people, but with Emmett and a some spectacular secondary characters, can she let down her guard? Can she find joy and forge friendships in this new town?

Let’s talk secondary characters because there were several that contributed greatly to the story and hope that they get their own books. Becky is quite the firecracker and seriously, everyone needs a Becky in their life. Penny is amazing and I shall leave it at that because you just need to read the book to get what I am saying.

There are several things that I liked about this novel. I already mentioned the characters, but I really identified with several aspects of this book. The overall story is engaging and I also enjoyed some of the subplots as well. I especially liked the small town Texas setting. This book flows at a great pace and is relatively low on angst. It does have that perfect combination of humor, swoon worthy moments, and drama. Overall, if you are looking for a well written and entertaining high school romance or you have enjoyed this author’s previous works, then you will love this book!

I voluntarily read an early version of this book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Amy [Book Addict Reviews].
2,650 reviews178 followers
March 7, 2021
Emmett and Katherine aren’t new characters if you’re read the Blairwood University series.
However, when they were first introduced, they were already together and now we finally get to see their story and their relationship grow.

Emmett is a star football player in his hometown, however, he is down to earth and charmer and far from being the arrogant, cocky football star. Katherine is new to town and moved to have a better life for her sister. The moment Katherine and Emmett meet there is a connection between the two of them. Katherine’s focus is to take care of her sister and school, not to date and have fun. However, she can only resist Emmett’s charms for so long.

Kiss Me First is full of swoon, sweetness and it’s just a beautiful love story. From the main characters to the secondary characters you’ll be falling in love. I loved getting their story and learning more about this couple who were previously just secondary characters.

If you’re looking for a small town, sports romance this is one to check out.
Profile Image for SCBookAddict.
645 reviews52 followers
March 1, 2021
Prepare to swoon with this one!
Kiss Me First is a prequel to the Blairwood University Series and Anna B. Doe once again gave me the perfect story where I didn't want to leave!

Emmett Santiago is the town's golden boy. He's a football star and in top of that, he's sweet and charming.

Katherine Adams is the new girl at school. She's moved in with her aunt for her sister to have a better life. She's not here to play but remember that charming football player? He's going to prove she can have both fun and take care of her sister.

Besides the main characters, prepare to fall in love with a few of the side characters as well. I really hope Anna plans to return to Bluebonnet in the near future!
Profile Image for maddy.
231 reviews53 followers
December 25, 2021
Easy 5 stars!

Young Love (childhood or teens) is one of my favorite tropes, it could be a second-chance or love-that-stood-the-test-of-time, but main YA? Idk, I have a short fuse for YA cuz of their petty, childish drama.😬
So.. I'm happy that this book did not test my patience.😊

Yep there's HS drama but not OTT and it didn't distract me from Emmett and Kate's cute, heart-fluttering, little cat and mouse chase as they slowly changed their relationship from friends to lovers.

H/h are endearing and mature, not the annoying and impulsive characters that are common in YAs. They have real life problems here and yet, they remained full of life and hope. There's family drama but the book's main focus are the MCs.


H:

“I’m not letting go, Kitty.” . .

“Why do you keep calling me that?” Kate asks after a moment.

“What?”

“Kitty.”

“It suits you.” I shrug. . .

“I don’t even like cats.”

“Well, you’re like one. All hissing on the outside, but when someone finds the right spot to scratch, you start to purr.”
😹


〰️〰️

Safe?
▪️ Some OW drama.
▪️ Blindness, side character.
▪️ Attempted suicide, side character.
▪️ Parental neglect (h's).

▪️ H/h faithful at first sight. ❤️
▪️ Virgin h, H not a man-ho.
▪️ Explicit scenes H/h only.

〰️
Profile Image for Come_read_with_me_.
867 reviews22 followers
March 7, 2021
OH MY AHHHHHH!!! This book gave me all the feels.

Anna B Doe is the queen of romance! I mean seriously, she is right up there with Colleen Hoover. Anna takes romance and angst and mixes them together to make absolute perfection. This book had me smiling to myself, holding onto my chair with the tension, and my heart swoon with love towards Emmett and Kate!

Emmett is the golden boy, he has charm oozing off him. Everyone loves him, even Kate can't avoid her feelings towards him. Emmett and Kate have their struggles however their determination and loyalty to each other and their family had me jumping for joy. I was rooting for them from their very first encounter!

I genuinely can't find one fault in this entire book. The characters, the secondary characters, the pace, the writing, the storyline. Everything was absolutely perfect! This book is just so tender and sweet. I genuinely couldn't put it down!

I love Anna B Doe's books, if you haven't read any of her books yet, I highly recommend you change that RIGHT now! AHHH Pre-ordering this right now!!

Thank you to the author for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Cat Nunez.
1,050 reviews83 followers
March 11, 2021
Kiss me first is the prequel to the Blairwood Series and it’s about Emmett and Katherine and how they met. We read a bit about them in Kiss to Conquer and they looked so cute together so I totally needed their story.

Emmett is a football player that lives in a small town where everyone knows each other and when he sees a new face he’s determined to found out who she is, and when he meets Katherine he’s infatuated with her.

Katherine and her sister Penny moved in with their aunt after some problems and she’s used to moving all the time so she has trouble having friends because she knows they’re all temporary. So at first she always kept to herself and in the low, but that changes when she meets Becky, Emmett’s BFF since childhood. Becky was amazing, she never gave up on Kate and she always tried to get her out of her comfort zone, besides I loved her relationship with Miguel, especially their banter.

Emmett was wonderful too, he had some great friends and I loved how much he cared for Katherine and Penny. It was cute seeing him pin after “Kitty” and try to caught her attention.

This is such a good and sweet story and they were perfect together. I enjoyed their interactions from the beginning and despite some problems they got their HEA as we can read at the end and in Kiss to Conquer. I hope we can get Becky and Miguel’s story in the future because they were awesome too and I loved their mouse and cat game.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Profile Image for Caro.
178 reviews41 followers
March 12, 2021
"Kiss Me First" is the prequel to the Blairwood University Series, telling us about how Emmett and Katherine met. We got to know them a bit in "Kiss to Conquer", and it was so much fun to learn more about their relationship. They're both likeable characters. Katherine has her struggles to deal with. Despite everything, she will always be there to take care of her sister. But moving a lot, it's hard for her to make friends. It was great to see her connection with Becky and how much Emmett cared for her and Penny. Everybody needs a Becky in their life, trust me. And Emmett, he's such a sweetheart, and I think everyone wants one of their own now. The author did a great job capturing High School's struggles, creating human characters and a storyline that's so enjoyable to read. It was such a sweet story, an ideal read when you're looking for something fun and not too heavy with characters you can relate to. It really has everything.

[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.]
Profile Image for Love is in the books.
1,552 reviews39 followers
August 22, 2021


Ciao readers!
Come stanno andando le vostre vacanze?

Oggi vi parlo di Baciami per prima di Anna B. Doe edito Heartbeat Edizioni.

Pur essendo il quarto volume della serie, è in realtà il prequel perché i fatti narrati sono antecedenti a Un bacio per conquistarti e Un bacio per dimenticarti, rispettivamente le storie di Hayden e Nixon (le recensioni di entrambi i volumi sono sul Blog!).

Facciamo qualche passo indietro e dalla Blairwood University arriviamo alla Bluebonnet Creek High, dove scopriamo finalmente come è nata la storia d’amore fra Emmett e Katherine, personaggi già conosciuti.

Kate Adams si è appena trasferita in Texas per vivere a casa di sua zia, scelta sofferta ma la più appropriata per il suo bene e quello di sua sorella, Penny.
La Bluebonnet Creek High sarà la sua nuova scuola, pronta per ricominciare da zero.

È lì che incontrerà Emmett Santiago, il Linebacker della squadra di football amato da tutte le ragazze.
Dal primo sguardo scambiato per caso, Emmett e Kate non riusciranno più a fare a meno l’uno dell’altra. Emmett non vuole farsi sfuggire la nuova ragazza della California di cui è rimasto folgorato, ma non sarà facile far breccia nel cuore di Kate, dove il suo cuore distrutto oscilla fra timore e diffidenza.
Ecco che tra i due inizierà una tremenda sfida: chi cederà per primo?







«Aspetterò che sia tu a baciarmi per prima».
«Io…» Premo un dito sulle sue labbra, zittendola.
«Ma quando lo farai, dovrai aspettarti di tutto».




Emmett è un personaggio che mi ha sorpresa: mi aspettavo un ragazzino adulatore e sicuro di sé, invece si è rivelato simpatico, divertente, con la battuta sempre pronta ma, soprattutto, un ragazzo d’oro.
Gentile, altruista, disponibile, di una dolcezza incredibile.

Il football è il suo grande amore: Emmett è bravo, anzi bravissimo, talentuoso e forte; un componente essenziale nella squadra grazie alla sua costanza e agilità.

Sexy, carismatico, impossibile resistere al suo sorriso e i suoi occhi scuri penetranti.

Un personaggio positivo, che riesce sempre a strapparti una risata, capace di farti vedere anche un piccolo spiraglio di luce in un tunnel di oscurità e tristezza.

Kate, invece, è completamente il suo opposto. Cocciuta, testarda a non finire, le sue decisioni sono quelle e nessuno riesce a farle cambiare idea.
Un passato complicato che ancora oggi la tormenta, a causa del quale non riesce a lasciarsi andare.
Già dall’inizio, infatti, i suoi atteggiamenti e i suoi comportamenti mostrano un’enorme diffidenza nel genere umano, un distacco che cerca di mantenere con le persone – anche se l’incontro con Emmett distruggerà ogni suo proposito.
D’altro canto, imparerete a conoscerla e capirete che queste mura erette sono motivo di cose troppo difficili da affrontare, impossibili da dimenticare e che ha paura di rivivere.

Adorerete il suo lato protettivo, premuroso; una sorella maggiore con i fiocchi, perfetta.







«Non c’è mai stata nessuna in grado di farmi impazzire come te.
È così dal primo momento che ti ho vista».
«Emmett…»
«La parte peggiore?» m’interrompe.
«Non voglio che finisca».




Emmett e Kate si piacciono fin da subito: un colpo di fulmine immediato che non lascia scampo a entrambi.
Mi piace come l’autrice abbia impostato la loro conoscenza, a piccoli passi e senza accelerare, grazie a un Emmett comprensivo, paziente, adorabile e una Kate particolare, timorosa e che sfugge di continuo.

Pagina dopo pagina vedrete nascere un sentimento sempre più forte, dove la fiducia prenderà il sopravvento: di solito, in questo tipo di storie, assistiamo al cambiamento del personaggio maschile che parte dall’essere superficiale fino ad arrivare all’innamoramento.
Ecco, Emmett è diverso. Lui fa sul serio fin dall’inizio, non ha intenzione di prendere in giro nessuno; è una persona speciale, con dei valori, che sa prendersi cura degli altri, la persona giusta per la piccola Kate ma, soprattutto, con sua sorella Penelope!
Penso che le personalità dei protagonisti si incastrino alla perfezione, l’autrice non avrebbe potuto fare di meglio!
Il tutto, contornato dalla presenza dei personaggi secondari, principalmente Miguel e Becky, che io ho amato alla follia.







Adoro stare tra le sue braccia in questo modo.
È confortante, sicuro.
Mi fa capire cosa significa davvero sentirsi a casa.



La scrittura della B. Doe è eccezionale perché riesce a essere semplice, lineare e pulita, senza cadere mai nella banalità. Il libro si legge rapidamente, non sono presenti periodi composti da frasi troppo lunghe; le descrizioni sono essenziali e si alternano con dialoghi frizzanti, ma anche confessioni profonde e sofferenti.
In questo volume passiamo al genere Young Adult, ciò si evince anche nei momenti di intimità che sono meno espliciti, sensuali al punto giusto e dolci da morire.

Devo ammettere che fra tutti i volumi letti fino a ora, è stato quello che ho preferito di meno.
I personaggi mi sono piaciuti molto, è la storia che non mi ha preso al cento per cento.

Detto questo, adoro questa serie e sono dispiaciuta del fatto che manca solo un volume per terminarla.
Non mi resta che attendere la storia di Zane – personaggio che mi ha incuriosito dalla prima pagina – così da poter ritornare alla mia cara e ormai amata Blairwood University! 
 



 
Profile Image for Athanasia ♥︎ .
388 reviews28 followers
January 20, 2024
I....NEED A THERAPY SESSION AND WTF THESE TWO HAVE.

Kiss me first was everything I hoped for, and perhaps I was not ready for it. Emmett and Kate's story is essentially the story of two childhood sweethearts and how they found their way to each other. However, this wouldn't be an Anna D. Boe book if it were not filled with drama. The internal monologues of the characters were beautiful, with Kate's insecurities and Emmett's determination, the narrative is an amazing depiction of opposites attracting. The story was almost nostalgic of first love innocense. 

NOW EXCUSE ME WHILE I AM HIDDING TO CRY MY HEART OUT KNOWING I WILL NEVER HAVE THIS.


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Contemporary Romance🗽🤠🇺🇸
Sports Romance 🏈🏆💪🏻
Virgin FMC 🌮💦👅
YA🌠 🎇 🎆
Miscommunication😵‍💫⚠️
Angst😐😑😬
Learning intimacy💁👌😍
Mitual pinning ❤️‍🩹💔
Slow burn 🕯🪔 🧯
Miscommunication😵‍💫
Emotional and verbal abuse💥🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Bullying 😒😤🤦
Parental abuse ☠️☠️☠️
HEA🔔👰🏼🌠
Profile Image for Fiction Vixen.
289 reviews7 followers
October 10, 2021
Anna is an author who knows what she wants and makes sure she delivers it. And I can not stress on how good this book was. Oh my God. She painted a picture of the whole world, the small town of Texas; I could exactly picture how it would have been. It was so easy to picture the characters, the way they would speak, everything. And I am a sucker for small town romances.
This book had me hooked from the beginning till the very end. I mean till "The End". 🏈💛

Emmett, ah. He was a sweetheart. The way he loves Kate, the way he calls her kitty, assures her that he would protect her and Penny was so heartwarming. His love for them was so sweet. I have no words for him. I love him, and wish I could keep him to myself.
Katherine, she was a strong girl. She knew what she needed and she stood up to what she thought was right. She is so protective of Penny (sometimes a lot) I was a little annoyed when she tried to become overprotective, but I get why she does that. Her relationship with Emmett is mind blowing. Their chemistry, the way it was written was so freaking amazing.
Kate and Emmett's relationship with Becky and Miguel was so cute. I wanna read their story so badly!!!
I hated Rose, everyone will as soon as you read about her. I can assure you of that.

Overall, I can just tell that this is a pretty fucking amazing prequel and you have gotta read it. It's swoon worthy, heart wrenching, funny and emotional at times. But damn it is such a good book. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.
Finally, I would love to thank Anna B Doe, to have provided me with this beautiful ARC. I loved it!! 😭❤️
Profile Image for Mia.
2,863 reviews1,049 followers
August 24, 2021
3.5 stars

Sure it's insta-love but guy falls first so it's allowed plus romance between Emmett and Katherine is adorable slow-burn romance.
I liked all side characters I would love Miguel and Becky book. Anyways soon as I started reading I clicked with Doe's writing.
I’m planning on just to slowly binge reading the rest of the series because I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Daisy Delfin.
1,481 reviews178 followers
September 25, 2021

Pages: 338
My rating: 3

I thought that this book is going to be a na because the series is called Blairwood University. But this is a Prequel to the University series and the MCs are still in highschool. It’s kind of instaluv at least for Emmett but Kitty also feels drawn to him from the beginning. It’s an okay book but not one of the best I have read.
Profile Image for Lammie.
734 reviews37 followers
October 1, 2023
4⭐️

This book was really good and nothing like I would normally read ☺️.

I thought being a prequel to a university series this would be the same but these characters are in grade 11. All the characters are super sweet except for Kates mom.



Profile Image for Madalina.
330 reviews8 followers
March 11, 2021
4.5 stars

Kiss Me First tells the story of Katherine Adams and Emmett Santiago. Katherine is new in Bluebonnet, and she sure left an impression on Emmett, when they first met. Since Emmett didn’t know her, he thought about her constantly until they met again on their first day of school. From here on Emmett started to pursue Katherine, which was a little bit reluctant in starting something with Emmett, due to his status, as a popular boy and such.

This story was a sweet one, a genuine friend to lovers’ story, where everything had its place, it wasn’t fast paced, but neither so slow. It was a perfect way and pace to show how Emmett and Katherine’s story started and how it was built into something more. Emmett for sure is a guy who knows what he wants.

I liked the interaction between Emmett and Penny, Katherine’s sister. And loved how protective Katherine was of her sister. It was a nice story, it had funny moments, but also heartbreaking ones *cue tears*. Katherine really did have a hard life, with her mother not being very present in their life, and not knowing anything about her father. I was expecting somehow the twist at the end, but it still surprised me. There is not so much drama around the characters, but there are some things happening which will twist your heart. Anna sure has a way in her stories to keep you captivated, and she knows how to write such lovely stories.
Profile Image for Bookiechick  Reviews.
725 reviews24 followers
March 6, 2021
Actual rating 4.5

I love coming back to the world of Blairwood!
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This time we follow Emmett and Kate. I gotta say this one stole my heart and I never would have thought that any couple would have taken that spot from Callie and Hayden, but Emmett, he certainly did!
.
He’s certainly a charmer but I loved his deeper side also. He’s charismatic and I enjoyed seeing more to him in this story. Kate was his opposite in every way, yet she balanced him out and was what he needed in every way also. They complimented each other well and their chemistry was undeniable. I loved their character progression and growth especially Kate. She has this way about her that to me, came across very innocent and pure but she has been through her share of trials and that quiet strength was great to see. At least to me she was but I could have been reading an entirely different situation, and maybe it’s just me coming off of some very heavy and twisted reads so it may have warped my view but that was the feeling I got from her.
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I love coming back to the world of Blairwood. I can’t wait to see if Anna has more in store for us in this world. It’s very well written and developed and it’s always a melancholy feeling when I get to the end of the books but I’d love more! I understand this is a prequel of sorts to the Blairwood University Series? So I’m interested to see which direction Anna goes from here.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20k reviews257 followers
March 11, 2021
This is Katherine and Emmett’s story. Kate is kind-hearted and loves her sister deeply as well as being very protective of her, and she and her sister move in with her aunt to have a better life for her sister, and Kate finds herself trying to adapt and navigate her way around small-town living. Emmett is sweet and loving and is the town’s golden boy and popular football player, and from the moment he sees Kate on their first day of school, he instantly knows she is the one for him, now he just needs to convince her of the fact. There are amazing secondary characters in this story. This is a beautifully written story which is fast paced, and has drama, friendships, romance, and is a humorous, fun, and entertaining read. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Nic_key_reads .
518 reviews13 followers
March 3, 2021
Im going to start out by saying Anna is the Queen of YA romance. This story did not only flow extremely well...it was so incredibly written!

Kiss Me First is the prequel to her Blairwood University series. We meet Emmett in her first book of the series and knew he has a long term girlfriend. Well this is their story!!

Before he was the charmer of Blairwood University Emmett was the sweet, charming football player from Bluebonnet Creek, Texas.
He has his family, friends, and of course the sport he loves to play. Then he meets our beautiful heroine Kate. The rest is history 😉. Just kidding....there were some hoops to get through and some secrets along the way.

Emmett and Kate's story is adorable! You'll fall head over in love with them right from the start. Emmett is a open book were Kate has walls built that Emmett is determined to break down. I didnt realize how much I needed to know their story until this book.

Kiss Me First has got to be one of the cutest and most beautiful love stories I've ever read. Reading it you can picture it as a Lifetime or Hallmark movie.

The characters. Their friendships. Their family. Everything about this story will draw you right in. Keeping my fingers cross that we will get more from these characters. I have a few I need more from 😉
Profile Image for Leggere Romanticamente.
1,934 reviews301 followers
August 6, 2021
4.5 stelline

La recensione di Laura sul blog --> https://www.leggereromanticamente.com...

Il protagonista maschile è sicuramente il perno di questo romanzo, inguaribile ottimista, deciso, premuroso, non potrete far altro che innamorarvi di lui. È un treno in corsa che non ha nessuna intenzione di rallentare con la sua Kitty, perché quando il cuore decide non si ha altra scelta che seguirlo.
Una storia dolce e tenera che ci dimostra che quando incontri la persona giusta, te lo senti dentro e tutto il resto, in un modo o nell’altro, poi si aggiusta. La Doe è una conferma, super consigliato.
Profile Image for Rina | booksofthemuggleborn.
719 reviews50 followers
October 7, 2024
My Rating: 5 stars!

**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**

Lé siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. 😍😍😍

This is just what I needed — a good ol’ wholesome and heart-filled romance story! This may be a prequel in the Blairwood University series and set in Bluebonnet but it gave just as much (if not more) feels as the other books already released. Ugh. I am officially calling Emmett my new favourite hero of this series! As much as I love a bad boy as the next chick, there’s something so special about a young well-mannered, sweet and caring gentleman!

I wholeheartedly believed Emmett whenever he set his mind to something or whenever he made a vow to Kate. He’s a straight-up good guy! There’s just nothing else to say. He’s one of those one in million guys any girl would kill to find… and it just so happens Kate managed to snag him without even trying! Dagnammit! 😄

What I truly love about this series is the groups of characters Doe creates to enhance her stories, and this book was no exception. I don’t think there was a single secondary character who wasn’t a friend or family member of Emmett’s who I didn’t like. They bring such contrast and dynamic to the group and their relationship with not only Emmett but Kate as well. I have to be honest there’s a couple of characters I’m actually hoping would one day get their own book, just so I can see what they’ve gotten up to since the time here. They’re just as developed as the protagonists with side stories of their own that I found just as entertaining to read through.

Whilst Emmett brings in the loyalty, openness, and trusty country boy charm to this story, Kate on the other hand is the new girl and comes off as someone who’s a little guarded and skeptical of trusting people (and rightfully so) — that is until Emmett (along with his best friends) brings her out of her shell and starts getting her to really open up and give Bluebonnet a chance.

There’s nothing to hate about either one of the lead characters. Kate may have her little hang ups but there’s a reason for it, but it no way makes her a disagreeable person. It’s the exact opposite, really, and it’s what makes her human and so relatable.

One thing that constantly popped into my head about this book is it has a lot of heart. I was almost taken aback by how much these characters are willing to go and beyond for those they love. Call it a cliché but this is definitely one of those “love conquers all” type of stories and I was digging it! ❤

It’s a coming of age, young adult romance that had me teary-eyed practically from start to finish. Doe has successfully gotten me invested in not only Emmett and Kate’s blossoming love story but their own personal stories as well. It evoked such emotion out of me. Ugh. I can’t say enough positive things about this book. I even reread it right after the first time because I was nowhere near ready to close the book (excuse the pun) on Bluebonnet.

Besides the slow-ish burn (but luckily not cruel) romance, you’ll find out the reasons behind Kate and her sister’s move to Bluebonnet. It’s unsuspecting, gave this story more dimension, and keeps you second-guessing the direction in which the story will head. Told from both Emmett and Kate’s points of view, the storytelling is very well-paced and had me hooked with the gradual development of their relationship. With high school drama, family struggles, secret crushes, and new friendships, it honestly gave me such nostalgia. Ahh youth. Hehe.

-Young Adult Fiction
-Small Town
-Sports Romance
-Contemporary
-Instant Attraction

There’s so many romance subgenres/ tropes within this storyline yet they all work so well together. Even if you’re not a huge fan of sports (football) in your romance reads, this will still hold your attention. All the relationships in this book whether they were purely platonic or romantic, were believable and developed quite organically in my opinion. It didn’t feel forced or written in to pad the story. There’s hilarious banter, a little fire between our hero/ heroine, and honest to goodness moments throughout that’ll have you happy sighing.

*singsong voice* Loved it! It’s one of those books you can read over and over again and not get tired of. One of the best small town, teen romances I’ve read in such a long time. I would absolutely recommend not only this book but the rest of the books in this series. Such a great insight to a couple who were not necessarily in the foreground of the Blairwood University series but were always a couple that held my interest because of how easy-going and happy they always seemed within the group. So chuffed we got to see Emmett and Kate’s story. Well deserved and beautifully told!

If you’re looking for a feel good, lighthearted read, you have got to add this one to your reading list. You’ll sure giggle, swoon, tear up, and possibly hold your breath on more than one occasion reading through it. Amazing world-building where you truly feel transported to small town living, a tightknit community, and fresh country air! 😉

**Full review on my blog: https://booksofthemuggleborn.wordpres...
Profile Image for Amanda Davanzati.
684 reviews21 followers
March 1, 2021
Kiss Me First was sweet and adorable! This is a book you will want to read for ALL THE FEELS! This book will draw you in with how heart warming it is. Kate is a tough girl to crack her wall down, but she is the type who cares whole heartedly for the ones she loves. Emmett is the guy all the girls swoon for. He is honesty and wears his heart on his sleeve. I know I am swooning hard over Emmett. The two together balance each other out. This is honestly a sweet southern romance that will have you feel like you are in a Hallmark movie. I adore this book and these characters!

I knew I was gonna fall in love with this series and it just grows more and more with each set of characters! I can’t wait to see what is in store for more from Blairwood University!! I definitely recommend this book for all!
Profile Image for Heather Kerby.
697 reviews6 followers
February 17, 2021
Emmet and Grace take us all the way back to High School, and the wonderful feeling of first love. Emmet sees Grace and it is like lightning strikes, and he is smitten. Doe does a wonderful job of writing a love story that is made to transcend time, and last a lifetime. Her attention to detail, and ability to give us a three-D picture of each character dragged me in and kept me turning the page until the very end.
Profile Image for Adanna.
921 reviews
March 12, 2021
From the moment the two bump into each other, golden-boy Emmett is smitten with Kate, who is new to town. Even though she initially fights the pull between them, Emmett is patient and willing to wait for Kate. Their attraction only grows the more that they get to know each other.

Emmett has to be one of the sweetest and most kind book boyfriends. Whether it is his interactions with Kate’s younger sister or helping Kate deal with her mother, Emmett’s charming, genuine good guy persona shines through.

Kate hasn't had a charmed life like Emmett. I felt for her. She takes on adult responsibilities as a teenager. Emmett helps her see that she doesn't have to do everything alone anymore. The wonderful residents of Bluebonnet Creek are there for Kate and her sister.

You don't want to miss this heartwarming, feel-good story of first love. It will remind you why your first love is so special. Don't forget about the bonus epilogue! It's the perfect glimpse into Kate & Emmett’s future.

I received an early copy of this book. This voluntary review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Andréa.
813 reviews
July 16, 2022
3.5 stars Sweetness overload

My first book by Anna B. Doe and I really enjoyed it.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a YA high school contemporary book and I’m glad this is the one I took the plunge back with.

I appreciated Emmett’s commitment and that contrary to a lot of similar books, football wasn’t the only thing in his life. He was really sweet towards Kate and they made a cute couple.

Kate was a really lovable character. And her love and protectiveness for her sister was endearing. She was really cautious for all things Emmett but I’m glad he grew on her.

The side characters were nice but overall, while I enjoyed the story, some things were left a bit up in the air and I would have liked some closure there seeing as this cast of characters won’t be the main focus of the next books. There were also some repetition and contradiction that slowed me down.
Profile Image for Vanitiromance.
540 reviews46 followers
August 11, 2021
Non sapevo all’inizio di questa lettura di imbattermi in uno young adult, solitamente leggo prima la sinossi e poi se mi piace decido di iniziare una nuova storia, ma se l’autrice è Anna B. Doe mi fido di quello che andrò a leggere, soprattutto dopo aver adorato i suoi primi due romanzi new adult della serie Blairwood University, di cui ho apprezzato la sensibilità e la trasparenza della sua scrittura. Con Baciami per prima Anna B. Doe ci racconta il prequel delle due storie ambientate alla Blairwood University e più precisamente inizia dal tempo del liceo alla Bluebonnet Creek High School, dove Katherine e Emmett si conoscono. Devo dire che non ricordavo questi due personaggi nei precedenti libri, quindi mi sono subito catapultata con curiosità tra i corridoi e gli armadietti della scuola assaporando con un po’ di nostalgia quegli anni in cui il suono della campanella ti riportava al dovere dopo aver fantasticato con occhi sognanti sui ragazzi più belli e gettonati della scuola.

Ecco, non è proprio iniziata così la loro storia. Katherine ed Emmett sono stati sin dall’inizio un po’ come il peperoncino e la crema al limone. Lei schiva, riservata. Lui romantico, espansivo. Lei che si nasconde. Lui che è il ragazzo più famoso della scuola. Ma a Emmett gli è bastato uno solo sguardo per vedere oltre la rigida barriera di gelo della ragazza appena arrivata. Lui è il tipico ragazzo che si sofferma sui dettagli, catturandone l’essenza e nello sguardo di Katherine ha visto confusione, sospetto e forse desiderio di iniziare una nuova vita.

“Qualsiasi cosa stia succedendo tra noi, è vera. Non è un’infatuazione, né un bisogno di cambiamento, è lei. C’è qualcosa di lei che mi attrae. Ovviamente, c’è la sua bellezza, ma anche altro. Non so cosa sia, ma voglio scoprirlo. Scoprire lei.”

Dimenticate i ragazzi belli e dannati, perché Emmett è bellissimo ma anche sensibile e con un cuore enorme. Dimenticate le battute pungenti e gli sguardi da brivido, perché Emmett sa usare le parole più tenere per colpire al cuore. I suoi sorrisi profumano della terra del profondo Sud del Texas, dove la bellezza della natura fa da cornice a una vita fatta di cose semplici. Un ragazzo meraviglioso che poco si addice alla fama di miglior giocatore di Football della scuola o almeno a quelli che normalmente vengono raccontati nei romance.

Anche Katherine rimane un po’ spiazzata nel conoscerlo, per lei potrebbe essere l’ennesimo ragazzo da mordi e fuggi, perché non c’è spazio nella sua vita per qualcosa di per sempre. Ha deciso un giorno, di lasciare la California per rifugiarsi in Texas da una zia che ha accolto lei e sua sorella nel calore di un abbraccio, un gesto così semplice ma che a lei è sempre mancato. Una ragazza che è dovuta crescere in fretta prendendo le redini della sua vita e di una sorella che non riusciva a crescere nel modo più confortevole, limitando in questo modo la sua adolescenza e la spensieratezza dei suoi anni.

“La mia vita è stata sconvolta troppe volte perché io possa permettermi di credere che duri per sempre. Possono toglierti il tappeto da sotto i piedi in un battito di ciglia, per questo è meglio non accomodarsi troppo.”

Ma Katherine non sa quanto può essere paziente un ragazzo come Emmett, lui che è vissuto prendendo spunto ogni giorno dall’amore di una famiglia che lo ha circondato di quell’affetto primario per crescere e imparare ad amare. Lui attende quel bacio che desidera ricevere dalla ragazza che lo attrae in modo inconsapevole, vuole che sia lei a decidere se il calore delle sue braccia potrà riempire quel freddo glaciale che si porta dentro. Una storia d’amore che nasce piano, nel modo più confidente. Ogni passo è cadenzato dalla scoperta di amore, amicizie ritrovate e di affetto. Una storia che si sviluppa senza drammi ma che sa di rinascita da una vita in cui si cresce senza un amore familiare e per cui rimane difficile non essere schivi o poco fiduciosi verso quei sentimenti che potrebbero svanire come un battito di ciglia.
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