It's In His Kiss: A 1960s MM Romance

by C.M. Daniels

Mick

I never thought love was in the cards for me, since the whole world has always told me it's wrong to fancy men. Except now I know it's possible, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Until I find that for myself, one night stands are great - they scratch an itch. After copious quantities of gin, having one with Michael seemed like a great idea. It wasn’t.

Now I can't get him out of my head and my heart races whenever I see him. It was just one night, and he’s my friend. He’s mature and sophisticated and wouldn’t want me as anything more. So why is kissing him again all I can think about?

Michael

Having a one night stand with the much younger man I've been quietly falling in love with for the last year was a terrible idea. I convinced myself it was my only chance to be with Mick, and what I needed to finally move on with my life. But I woke up even more besotted with him and now I know exactly what I'm missing out on.

What’s worse is I keep bumping into him everywhere. How am I supposed to mend my poor bruised heart when the only man I want is right in front of me, and yet completely out of reach?

It’s In His Kiss is the second standalone novel in the 1960s MM romance series Kissing In Dagenham. CM Daniels brings Swinging London to life again in this spicy age-gap romance featuring found family, and a soundtrack of American Soul and British Beat music.

Genres: Historical

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2026

About the author

CM Daniels is exactly who you expect her to be: a disaster bisexual with former-gifted-child syndrome who writes because she gets more sense from her characters than anyone in her real life. She lives in London with two cats, a guinea pig, a stick insect, a husband and a teenager. Sometimes, she misses the quiet, but she loves the chaos if she’s honest with herself.

She hates talking about herself in the third person, doesn’t everyone?

As yet another thirsty middle-aged lady writing MM romance, she strives to write stories that reflect the real lived experience of men who loved men throughout history.

She is mainly focused on telling stories from the 20th century. This is because it maddens and saddens her that people in living memory were persecuted for who they love. She is fully aware that in some countries, it is still illegal to be LGBTQ+ and this makes her head and heart hurt.

She always gives her characters an HEA because they deserve it.

Reviews

[Jen (Fae_Princess_in_Space) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good series; I love the way CM Daniels writes and I’m totally here for the 1960s Mod culture!

Set in 1960’s London, it follows Mick (Tommy’s best friend from book 1), who finds himself hopelessly smitten with older Mod Michael after a one night stand. Michael has been hurt before and cannot understand how young, beautiful Mick can have fallen for someone like him… but when Mick finds himself in trouble, Michael is more than happy to take him in and look after him.

Both Michael and Mick (yep, they’re both called Michael ha!) are such wonderful characters, and I absolutely adored seeing cameos from all of the gang from book one! It was interesting to see the difference that age played in the dynamics of gay culture of the time, with Michael’s friends embodying a different type of queer culture to Mick’s younger friends.

I also loved wandering around London with the characters and experiencing the culture along with them; the music, food and art exhibitions. This is one of the reasons I adore historical fiction, just immersing myself in that time period!

The reason this loses a star for me is my one dreaded trope… miscommunication. So much of the conflict in this book revolves around Mick and Michael just not talking about what they are to each other; in fact the explosive third act breakup hinges entirely on the fact that both believes that the other doesn’t love him. ONE CONVERSATION COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS! I just didn’t buy that these two could have been in such close proximity for the amount of time they were and not had the discussion about their actual feelings… but as always this is a ME PROBLEM so if you like miscommunication you’re gonna love this 💕

Overall a sweet book and another excellent addition to CM Daniels’ catalogue!

Read It’s In His Kiss For:
✨ MM 1960s historical romance
✨ Set in London
✨ Age gap (26 x 38)
✨ Only one bed
✨ Friends to lovers
✨ Found family
✨ Helping a guy in distress
✨ Plenty of Eric & Tommy content
✨ They’re both called Michael!!

Thanks to the author for an ARC! It’s available on 30th April 💕

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man! I love Mick and Michael. Gosh CM Daniels has become an auto read author for me - I will read anything she writes 🫠🫠🫠! These stories are sooooo romantic and transportive and these characters have depth and layers and are absolutely the very best. I’m rambling because I do not know how to encompass how wonderful this story is into a coherent review. Infinity stars for this story, actually for the first book too.

I was waiting for Mick’s story and it was everything I wanted for Mick. A forever love, a beautiful found family and all the joy his big heart could handle.

Michael is perfect for him. That man has been poorly done by and he deserves Mick, once Mick gets out of his own way 😂.

If you want age gap, pining, a clueless Mick catching some clues eventually, sweet swoon this is the historical romance for you. As an additional benefit please expect a fully fleshed out found family you almost feel a part of. I expect the Frankie’s or Alan and Jane around any moment. On that note I loveeeeeeed seeing Tommy and Eric again. I love them that is all.

I have been living in 1960s London for the past 3 days and I do not want to leave.

CM Daniels please may I have some more 🥰

[Fabigail Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author. Swinging London! Carnaby Street! Mods! Maximum R & B! And true love under adverse circumstances, with a lengthy epilogue to show us the HEA lasts a lifetime. She's a fantastic storyteller and I was so excited to see this pop up as a KU recommendation.

Unfortunately, the book made it to Amazon with some uncorrected errors in the text. I mentioned this in a previous version of this review. The author quickly got in touch with me, and our email correspondence began. Within a couple of hours, the errors had been corrected. The author was so gracious, so receptive to feedback, that I now admire her as a person as well as a writer.

One note on the story: I wanted more about Patrick, Mick's brother. Maybe we'll see him in a future book. I will live in hope. And he doesn't have to be a main character. One of the things I like about this author is that her characters don't live in a homogeneous world of happy gay male couples, with a token woman who is either a villain or an eccentric old lady. This is a fully realized world with straight couples that feel like real people, irritating gay people who are somehow still your friends, and family members (like Patrick) with complicated feelings.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s in His Kiss by C. M. Daniels is set in 1960s UK and follows Michael and Mick, two men trying to find love in a time when being together was considered a crime. Mick, who appeared in the first book, really broke my heart at times, while Michael has loved him from the very beginning. I also loved that every chapter is named after songs from that era — it suits the story perfectly..
C M Daniels takes me back to my youth with her writing, the fashion Mods and Rockers, Carnaby Street the sayings.
Thank you C M Daniels your writing is precious to me ..

[NATHALIE PILON · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
ARC Review:
Another lovely MM romance from CM Daniels!
Mick and Michael are sweet together, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop as they worked through their fears and tentativeness.
The 3rd act conflict felt rushed through, the resolution too easily earned. Nonetheless, this was a great read and I look forward to more from this author!

[Pauline Devaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited waiting for this book after reading And Then He Kissed Me because I loved it so much.
It did not disappoint!! Mick and Michael’s story was just wonderful, they suit each other perfectly and when they finally got around to admitting it I was cheering. I had to put the book down at one point….no spoilers… because I needed a break, the writing was that good. Catching up with Tommy and Eric was a bonus and the epilogue was the icing on the cake! 1960s UK was my youth and this is such an authentic retelling of that time, a real walk down memory lane for me.
I have my fingers firmly crossed for more from this wonderful author!

[Kiki Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored And Then He Kissed Me and its follow up stories that gave us more of the swinging 60s love story between working class Tommy and posh Eric.
Mick is their charismatic red-haired friend who has a flirtatious friendship with older, sophisticated hairstylist Michael. One night at their favorite club, a few too many G&Ts has Mick escorting Michael home. A little music and a little dancing takes their relationship to a new level. Here’s the thing: Michael already has a thing for Mick, and Mick is realizing how amazing, attractive, and irresistible Michael is.
There’s the thrill of being young and handsome and well dressed walking down Carnaby Street like you owned the world coupled with the realization that the world will never accept your true self. Even though it’s decades past, this part feels sadly still relatable.
I love the cinematic way CM writes. The throb of the music at a mod club, the joy of a Hockney exhibit, and a heartbreaking rain-soaked journey across London.
I enjoyed the found families both men had, Michael’s friends who were old enough to remember having to speak in code, and Mick’s Cherry Tree Gang who, in one of my fave scenes, hilariously critique Mick’s behavior.
Both lovely MCs had a fear of abandonment and sense of not being worthy of love. That leads to a misunderstanding, a hurtful confrontation, and brief separation, but is happily resolved. Their connection is real, sexy, and honest.
There are so many reasons to love this book: a dizzying tour through the Tate… Stylish men in sharp suits and ties (or cravats in Michael’s case)…Tomato soup and tea as a love language…
But most of all, this: it’s an unforgettable love story with characters you won’t soon forget.
And that ending? Perfection.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s in His Kiss is the author’s second novel and takes place in the same universe as the first. It can be read as a standalone novel, but it’s recommended to read the previous one first.

Set in the UK in the 1960s, it tells the story of Michael and Mick. We already met Mick in the previous book, as he is Tommy’s best friend. He broke my heart at a certain point in the book,poor thing.

On any given night, in a world where two men loving each other is a crime, they find ways to enjoy and experience love. Mick frequents a bar where, a year ago, he met Michael, a man a few years older than him, but with whom he has a friendly relationship.

Michael has been in love with him from the very beginning. But his age(he’s not that old, no matter how much he insists) keeps him from saying anything. They hang out with the same group of friends, so for Michael, it’s a constant pining and yearning for Mick.

Even though everything changes in a single night, it’s still a slow burn, one that picks up speed at a certain point because of something that happens, and it broke my heart.

I loved their story.

I don't know if we'll see the guys again, but I'm here for whatever comes next

[Polina · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review :

This book was really good. It's a spin-off of a first book that I also recommend reading because it's also good.
It was a truly touching story that tackled an important subject: the psychology of relationships, but also some toxic aspects of mm relationships.
There were a few awkward moments that weren't necessarily needed in the text, and some miscommunications regarding their feelings that were a bit annoying, but they did contribute to the plot.
Overall, it's a very good read, touching at times, especially the scene where Mickey isn't accepted by his parents and is struggling, but Michael is there to support him. That was really good, and the 1960s setting added something extra.

I highly recommend this book.

[Logan Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

CM Daniels writes such immersive and incredible stories. Once again, I am left in awe. Michael and Mick's story was so engaging, heartfelt, sweet, and lovely. First, Michael is a DOLL. I absolutely adored him and had a lot of fun reading his POV. But Mick - OH MY GOD, MICK. Mick has my whole heart. I'll avoid spoiling anything here, but my heart shattered for him at one point in the novel, and Michael was the perfect friend, lover, and caretaker for him. Mick and Michael are just wonderful together, and I was thrilled for both of them when they got their HEA. If you like sweetness, swoon, British-isms, historical romance, found family, and caretaking, then this romance is for you!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this follow-up up! I kinda liked the first one a little better only because the author really set the scene with all the clothes and music. But that was already established so she did not need to do it all again even though we still got some of it. I loved Michael and Mick. We got to see a softer side of Mick in his story. I loved how sassy Micheal was! I wish we could have seen some glimpse of how's Mick situation ended with his family in the future. His brother seemed okay with it so maybe they stayed in touch? Idk? I guess I was hopeful for Mick in that regard. I cant imagine having that happen or doing it to my child. I look forward to other stories this author writes!

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mick and Michael find love in England in the 60s when being was still illegal.

It’s a sweet little historical romance with so many references to music, fashion and the likes. Super deeply researched.

It’s a low stakes, Low angst, even when there should be some angst little queer story.

Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to arc read this novel

[Jana Lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved a lot about this book!
The premises and how the city is deacribed was lovely. I adored all the main characters and their vibe.
This book is almost all about the relationships between the characters. There isn't that much going on outside of it and I found that a little bit boring.