Ginger Kisses

by Courtney Clark Michaels

Single mum Hilary Whitlock might be a science whiz, but the formula for lasting love has escaped her. Not that this bothers her – until she’s forced to attend the wedding between her ex-husband and her half-sister on Valentine’s Day in her hometown. When her colleague Jeremy offers his services as her fake date for the wedding weekend, she gratefully accepts. Sure, Jeremy’s reputation is more wham-bam than thank you ma’am, but all she needs is a friend to sit beside, and maybe to fetch her a wine or six while she avoids the gossip and pitying looks from her family. He’s the ideal solution.

Jeremy Hart is the perfect one-night boyfriend. Just ask the slew of beneficial friends he’s been keeping company with since his last serious relationship came to a screaming halt two years ago. He’s more than happy to put his good looks and charisma to use, helping a friend out of a difficult situation. But by the time Jeremy and Hilary get to Wānaka, suddenly his role as Hilary’s faux-beau starts to feel a little more real… and sharing a bed isn’t helping his libido get the message that this situation with his boss is only temporary!

One bed. One wedding. One weekend that might change everything. Ginger Kisses is a steamy small-town novella that proves changing one variable is enough to create chemistry in the most unlikely of places.

Genres: Romance, Novella

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2023

About the author

Writer of modern, diverse fairytales with a South Pacific twist.

Reviews

[Romantically Inclined Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, short, and sweet. Hits the spot perfectly if you want a novella to perk you back up after some disappointing reads.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to Lovers -
This is a beautifully written story about Hilary and Jeremy who were very good friends and they embarked on an act of subterfuge to keep her family from harassing her after her divorce. However, what started out as a fake relationship, soon turned into a reality neither one of them ever expected and they found themselves on a path towards a life of happiness. I really enjoyed reading this book and you won’t be disappointed with it.

I received a copy of this book free and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, steamy, well-written story about Hillary, S single mum having to attend her ex husband's wedding to her step sister. Her best friend steps up as her date and let the chemistry commence.

Really cute and I was glad it didn't over drama the step sibling shacking up with her ex.

Plus always love to see gingers represented!

[Sarah Brenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was so sweet and steamy! And set in one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand! I loved it, ate it up with a spoon, and wanted more.

With her half-sister marrying her ex-husband, single mum Hilary needs something to make this wedding weekend in Wānaka a little less awkward. Enter Jeremy, her friend and coworker (whose recent dating life is the reason they can’t go to half the cafes and restaurants near the office). He’s happy to provide a distraction as Hilary’s fake boyfriend, and Hilary takes him up on the offer. And there’s ONLY ONE BED!

Jeremy and Hilary are so open and honest with each other. Their chemistry is great, as is the spice! You don’t need to read the Pacific Passions series to read this novella—it stands alone and is a great entry point into the series. If you like competent STEM heroines, charismatic bi heroes, and friends discovering that maybe there’s something more than friendship between them, all set in a beautiful place, check this book out!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Amount of spice: 🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes/Themes:
❤ Fake Dating
❤ Age Gap (she’s older)
❤ Friends to Lovers
❤ Bi MMC
❤ Single Parent
❤ Set in New Zealand

I was so excited to read this when I found out it was set in Aotearoa because I hardly ever get to read romances set in NZ. It almost made me feel a little homesick to hear all the place names and the language again but I loved it. There were a bunch of really fun tropes (some of my faves) and a whole lot of diverse characters. I’m also a total sucker for a ginger man so I might have a little bias here. I adored Hilary, she was tough, funny, so kind and an amazing role model for her daughter and she might be in the running for one of my favourite FMCs this year.

It’s quick, it’s sexy and it's an incredibly easy read. I will definitely be picking up more books written by Courtney.

I would recommend this if you love a friends to lovers trope with a sprinkling of fake dating and a whole lot of fun.

[Rebekah Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this friendship/workmates to more narrative. I really loved Jeremy in particular - he is so charming and I had a similar issue to Hillary when thinking about that wink 😉

A beautiful setting of Wānaka, an area I am familiar with, I was instantly transported there and can tell you that the stars for a late night tryst are indeed as romantic as Clark Michaels described.

It's a novella but Clark Michaels still develops her characters and back stories and doesn't skimp on those intimate moments - this book packs a punch serving up exactly what you need.

It was great visiting Clare and Manu again from Book Two - like catching up with old friends.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend's to lovers trope about Hilary, a single mom and lab manager working at a fertility clinic. She has been friends with Jeremy, a team leader at the same clinic and her subordinate, for around two years. When her ex husband, Paul and her half sister, Nina invite her to their Valentine's Day wedding, she is obligated to attend with her daughter, Grace and she needs a plus one. Jeremy volunteers.
As they hang out together and share a room, they realise that there is a strong attraction between them. Jeremy helps her navigate the pitfalls of the wedding week and he also helps her to feel attractive, wanted and loved.
It's a steamy, charming story with likeable main characters.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, entertaining read. I really enjoyed it. Jeremy likes variety since his last love hurt him. Hilary needs a fake date for her sister’s wedding. Her sister Nina is marrying Hilary’s ex. Every thing works out great until things get serious between her and Jeremy. Hilary’s daughter Grace and her friend Clare like the idea of them getting together. I like the way Jeremy and Clare get Hilary to see herself as someone special. I would recommend this book.

[Ashleigh (A Page Once Turned) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet novella set in New Zealand.

I really enjoyed this story. There was decent plot and it didn't feel like insta love. You truly felt Hilary and Jeremy's friendship and believed how it could have developed.

I gave hints of vibes from 'The proposal' which I loved.

I loved how Hilary was the older one, she knew who she was and was very set in her routine with her daughter, Grace.

I will absolutely be reading more by Courtney

[Kimberley Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Novella

Ginger Kisses is a sweet and steamy, friends to lovers, fake relationship, older woman and younger man romance novella that takes place in New Zealand. For a novella, there is a lot of mature discussion and emotional work, which was nice to read. The book accomplishes what it set out to do with humor and sexiness and kindness. I really enjoyed it a lot.

[Alexandria Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Super cute little novella! For 98 pages it didn’t feel like it was insta love, even had a nice plot!

Deducted the half ⭐️ because we discovered a new ick in the pet name “sugar” - and it’s used A LOT.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turns out, I don't hate novellas. This was short but still had enough in there to make it interesting. The characters came with a backstory and the conflict of the book made sense even with the short page count. A sweet fun read.

3.75 STARS OUT OF 5.

[Haydee Russell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish, main character annoying!

[Heather Flippence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this short story. Good details that made me care about the characters. Good spicy descriptions.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8⭐️ 1/2 🌶️

FM, Hilary & Jeremy, short , cute

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little novella, nice to see Aoteoroa as a setting.

[concrete · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and sweet. and spicy

[Dahné "anotherbookchick" · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 so round up NZ Author

Short fake dating novella

I love how although this is a MF relationship different sexual orientations are discussed and present in this book.

If you're in NZ you'll recognize some of the places and foods and themes which is always fun!

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure how this ended up on my TBR but I read it because it was short. It was …. Fine.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.