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Sweetest Kisses #0.6
A Kiss for Luck
Game designer Sadie Delacourt has moved to the peaceful, bucolic town of Damson Valley for a fresh start where she can keep an eye on a recently divorced sister and her small nephew. Sadie plans to focus on her business and her family, until handsome neighbor Gideon Granville turns his focus on Sadie. When Sadie learns where Gideon has been aiming his snooping skills, she’s ready to delete him from her plans entirely—though Gideon is all that stands between her and the trouble she thought she’d left behind her.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2014
92 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
190 books2,917 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
April 15, 2015
3.5 stars
This month’s prompt for the TBR Challenge was to read a contemporary romance. As is obvious, I don’t read them very often, but this is a challenge after all, and I like to rise to it if I can. I didn’t completely wimp out on this one, but I confess that I’ve taken a bit of a short cut. In my defence, I did start a couple of other contemporaries, but didn’t make it past the first few chapters because they just didn’t grab me. Or more likely, I wasn’t in the mood – I have to be in the right frame of mind to read a contemporary and for various reasons – not least of which was being unwell – I just wasn’t.
Rooting around through my Kindle revealed this, one of the novellas in Grace Burrowes’ Sweetest Kisses series set in the fictional Damson Valley in rural Maryland. I’m a huge fan of her historicals, and had wondered how her very distinctive writing style would translate to contemporaries, and as this is a novella, I was able to zip through it quickly.
It’s a sweet story in which the two protagonists – a game designer and a lawyer-turned-investigator – meet when they become neighbours. It’s quite a packed story and while to my historically attuned sensibilities, the relationship seems a bit rushed, it’s quite possible that in contemporary terms, that isn’t the case – I don’t read enough of them to be able to know what the norm is, to be honest.
What I can say is that many of Ms Burrowes’ trademarks are very much in evidence. Unusual names (some of them recycled – Trenton, MacKenzie, Winters), the hero and heroine calling each other by last names and full names, bonding over lemonade and other foodstuffs, very well written familial and relationships and friendships and, best of all, the high degree of honesty and intimacy between the two protagonists. The only problem with the latter is that I’d normally expect it to develop over a longer time; at their very first meeting, Sadie verbalises her assessment of Gideon as likeable, self-sufficient and observant, but unacquainted with the state of his own emotions. It seems that one of Sadie’s ‘problems’ is her excessive bluntness, and we learn later that she’s the child of a pair of alcoholics which led her to more or less bringing up her younger sister. But both these things –Sadie’s bluntness and Gideon’s emotional sterility are not really explored or followed up.
The author’s background as a family law practitioner is put to good use in the story, as Sadie and her sister Jay-Jay have moved to Damson Valley in order to get Jay-Jay and her young son away from her abusive ex. When we learn Gideon is considering taking a case that would involve tracking down a child he’s being told has been deliberately kept from his father, it’s fairly obvious where the conflict in the story is going to come from, but seeing it all work out and watching Gideon interact with his friends, the Knightley brothers (who are the heroes of the three full-length novels in the series) was interesting enough to keep me reading.
I may go on to read one or more of the novels when I’m in the mood – the author’s writing style is very recognisable - again, I’m not sure how it works in the context of a contemporary, but it was one of the things I most enjoyed about the story. Both Sadie and Gideon are decent people, although if I’m honest Gideon is probably too good to be true (which is a common trait in all her heroes!) and there are some really lovely, tender moments between them.
Ultimately, I was a little disappointed that the characterisation of the principals wasn't deeper and the their issues weren't more fully explored, as that is the sort of emotional depth I've come to expect from Ms Burrowes, but I suspect the lack was more due to the limitations imposed by the shorter format than anything else.
This month’s prompt for the TBR Challenge was to read a contemporary romance. As is obvious, I don’t read them very often, but this is a challenge after all, and I like to rise to it if I can. I didn’t completely wimp out on this one, but I confess that I’ve taken a bit of a short cut. In my defence, I did start a couple of other contemporaries, but didn’t make it past the first few chapters because they just didn’t grab me. Or more likely, I wasn’t in the mood – I have to be in the right frame of mind to read a contemporary and for various reasons – not least of which was being unwell – I just wasn’t.
Rooting around through my Kindle revealed this, one of the novellas in Grace Burrowes’ Sweetest Kisses series set in the fictional Damson Valley in rural Maryland. I’m a huge fan of her historicals, and had wondered how her very distinctive writing style would translate to contemporaries, and as this is a novella, I was able to zip through it quickly.
It’s a sweet story in which the two protagonists – a game designer and a lawyer-turned-investigator – meet when they become neighbours. It’s quite a packed story and while to my historically attuned sensibilities, the relationship seems a bit rushed, it’s quite possible that in contemporary terms, that isn’t the case – I don’t read enough of them to be able to know what the norm is, to be honest.
What I can say is that many of Ms Burrowes’ trademarks are very much in evidence. Unusual names (some of them recycled – Trenton, MacKenzie, Winters), the hero and heroine calling each other by last names and full names, bonding over lemonade and other foodstuffs, very well written familial and relationships and friendships and, best of all, the high degree of honesty and intimacy between the two protagonists. The only problem with the latter is that I’d normally expect it to develop over a longer time; at their very first meeting, Sadie verbalises her assessment of Gideon as likeable, self-sufficient and observant, but unacquainted with the state of his own emotions. It seems that one of Sadie’s ‘problems’ is her excessive bluntness, and we learn later that she’s the child of a pair of alcoholics which led her to more or less bringing up her younger sister. But both these things –Sadie’s bluntness and Gideon’s emotional sterility are not really explored or followed up.
The author’s background as a family law practitioner is put to good use in the story, as Sadie and her sister Jay-Jay have moved to Damson Valley in order to get Jay-Jay and her young son away from her abusive ex. When we learn Gideon is considering taking a case that would involve tracking down a child he’s being told has been deliberately kept from his father, it’s fairly obvious where the conflict in the story is going to come from, but seeing it all work out and watching Gideon interact with his friends, the Knightley brothers (who are the heroes of the three full-length novels in the series) was interesting enough to keep me reading.
I may go on to read one or more of the novels when I’m in the mood – the author’s writing style is very recognisable - again, I’m not sure how it works in the context of a contemporary, but it was one of the things I most enjoyed about the story. Both Sadie and Gideon are decent people, although if I’m honest Gideon is probably too good to be true (which is a common trait in all her heroes!) and there are some really lovely, tender moments between them.
Ultimately, I was a little disappointed that the characterisation of the principals wasn't deeper and the their issues weren't more fully explored, as that is the sort of emotional depth I've come to expect from Ms Burrowes, but I suspect the lack was more due to the limitations imposed by the shorter format than anything else.
June 1, 2015
Cute, sweet and low-steam.
Both Gideon and Sadie are complicated and unique people. I thought their story of coming together was refreshing, confusing and rushed. Refreshing because they were new people to me - didn't feel cut out and pasted from other stories. Confusing in that I had a hard time relating to what was being said, narratively and between them. Rushed speaks for itself I think - a classic case of insta-love.
I enjoyed little nuggets like this:
"Gideon had a killer smile. Not much teeth to it, but a slow, spreding mirth that turned up his lips, lit his eyes, and sent handsome careening closer to wicked. That smile overtook his features like sunshine chasing off a gloomy morning, and gave Sadie all manner of ideas about avatars and angels."
And found my brain stuttering around passages like this:
"Whatever they stumbled into, they'd stumbled into it together. A whole new class of game, all the flowers double blooms, all the demons popping out in twos, and each trapdoor presenting a new hazard that of distance or ill will between Sadie and Gideon."
Some of the awkward phrasing and typos kept me from getting wrapped up in the story...mostly because I was trying to figure out what was being said about Sadie and Gideon.
I will continue on with the series however, as I can't pass up a series description like this:
A contemporary romance series centered around children who are desperate for loving families, and the men and women who give their lives to helping those children.
Both Gideon and Sadie are complicated and unique people. I thought their story of coming together was refreshing, confusing and rushed. Refreshing because they were new people to me - didn't feel cut out and pasted from other stories. Confusing in that I had a hard time relating to what was being said, narratively and between them. Rushed speaks for itself I think - a classic case of insta-love.
I enjoyed little nuggets like this:
"Gideon had a killer smile. Not much teeth to it, but a slow, spreding mirth that turned up his lips, lit his eyes, and sent handsome careening closer to wicked. That smile overtook his features like sunshine chasing off a gloomy morning, and gave Sadie all manner of ideas about avatars and angels."
And found my brain stuttering around passages like this:
"Whatever they stumbled into, they'd stumbled into it together. A whole new class of game, all the flowers double blooms, all the demons popping out in twos, and each trapdoor presenting a new hazard that of distance or ill will between Sadie and Gideon."
Some of the awkward phrasing and typos kept me from getting wrapped up in the story...mostly because I was trying to figure out what was being said about Sadie and Gideon.
I will continue on with the series however, as I can't pass up a series description like this:
A contemporary romance series centered around children who are desperate for loving families, and the men and women who give their lives to helping those children.
January 21, 2015
A Kiss for Luck by Grace Burrowes is a 2014 Sourcebooks/Casablanca publication.
This short story/novella is a contemporary romance, as opposed the historical novels the author is known for.
After a horrendous family trial involving her sister's very nasty divorce from a dangerous man, Sadie has decided to settle into the benign Damson Valley area to be close by her sister and nephew. She never expected to begin a relationship with her neighbor, Gideon, and his pack of friends.
As the saying goes, “It's a small world”. Indeed, what are the odds that Gideon would somehow be the one person that stands in the way of the peace Sadie's sister has finally found? This naturally causes the budding romance to come to a sudden and screeching halt. Will Gideon fulfill his work obligations or will he risk his job to keep Sadie and her family safe?
While this is not the best work from this author, it's not a total loss. I do confess to being a big fan of Grace Burrowes and so I want to like all her books. So, I worked at seeing the positives in this one, even if was a little weak.
The first name/ last name trademark with this author backfired a little in this one as I had a hard time initially keeping track of who was who. Once I got that sorted out though, I thought the story was pretty good, if just a bit rushed through. I loved “Baby” and the shout out to adopt older, larger, and black dogs who often are hard to place in homes. I also ended up with a serious craving for chocolate brownies! 3 stars
This short story/novella is a contemporary romance, as opposed the historical novels the author is known for.
After a horrendous family trial involving her sister's very nasty divorce from a dangerous man, Sadie has decided to settle into the benign Damson Valley area to be close by her sister and nephew. She never expected to begin a relationship with her neighbor, Gideon, and his pack of friends.
As the saying goes, “It's a small world”. Indeed, what are the odds that Gideon would somehow be the one person that stands in the way of the peace Sadie's sister has finally found? This naturally causes the budding romance to come to a sudden and screeching halt. Will Gideon fulfill his work obligations or will he risk his job to keep Sadie and her family safe?
While this is not the best work from this author, it's not a total loss. I do confess to being a big fan of Grace Burrowes and so I want to like all her books. So, I worked at seeing the positives in this one, even if was a little weak.
The first name/ last name trademark with this author backfired a little in this one as I had a hard time initially keeping track of who was who. Once I got that sorted out though, I thought the story was pretty good, if just a bit rushed through. I loved “Baby” and the shout out to adopt older, larger, and black dogs who often are hard to place in homes. I also ended up with a serious craving for chocolate brownies! 3 stars
July 11, 2017
DNF 5%
Did not go very far. The writing is strange and a little confusing. Overwrought similes. It is free right now (06/15/2017) and you can decide for yourself.
Did not go very far. The writing is strange and a little confusing. Overwrought similes. It is free right now (06/15/2017) and you can decide for yourself.
April 17, 2019
Franchement, je me suis ennuyée. L'intrigue est intéressante. Les personnages sont mignons, attendrissants mais je n'ai rien ressenti en lisant ce livre. Il n'y a pas d'alchimie, pas d'étincelles.....
November 15, 2016
I have no idea what I just read, it was confusing at times, and romance should not feel confusing. I was all what? Also it was way too rushed. Sure some books can be novellas and short stories, but this was a Book crammed into a novella, and it did not work.'
It was about Sadie who was forgettable.
Gideon who, oh sometimes the book confused me who was talking, but srsl Gideon, check what you are doing.
They liked brownies, did it, lived happily ever after and I was all, what happebed?
Did not work.
It was about Sadie who was forgettable.
Gideon who, oh sometimes the book confused me who was talking, but srsl Gideon, check what you are doing.
They liked brownies, did it, lived happily ever after and I was all, what happebed?
Did not work.
August 20, 2020
Fast read. Cute story. Introduced a bunch of characters that are obviously what the rest of the series is about.
August 29, 2016
Every author has flops, and I'm really grateful to Grace Burrowes that I've read almost everything she's written, loved it all, and not found anything less than really good -- till now. But A Kiss for Luck is not Great Burrowes - it'd be pretty good for anyone else, but I expect more from GB!
One of her trademarks is a high degree of intimate honesty between H & h, and this novella is no exception. Normally, though, it's achieved after they have grown to know each other a little. Here, perhaps because of the compressed novella format, it's sprung on us at such an early point in the relationship that it feels completely unnatural. In chapter 1, having only just met Gideon, Sadie drops into the conversation, à propos of nothing, “You’re not at ease with garden-variety friendship. You’re self-sufficient to a fault, and yet everybody likes you. You have excellent people-radar but are at sea in relationships. You’re observant, even hypervigilant, and yet your own emotional landscape is terra incognito to you. Adult Child of an Alcoholic, or ACOA.” I don't know if this is why GB tells us Sadie has some personality issues (to account for her almost aggressive bluntness) - but if so, the idea isn't fully worked through, and sort of sits out there with nowhere to go.
It's a very busy story - Gideon's backstory, Sadie's, her sister's, "setting-up the next books" scenes with the Knightley brothers (confusingly called Peckham in all the advance blurb info for them), and a bit of a plot about a wicked brother-in-law. There isn't much tension in the relationship - Gideon and Sadie "click" as soon as they meet - and very little in the plot. If I were being completely unfair, I would also say that I got slightly bored of GB's use of chocolate brownies as means of establishing a relationship - drool over them, and you're automatically a friend of fellow-droolers.
Incidentally, there are three fairly substantial trailers for the next three books, so this story takes up only about 2/3 of the Kindle edition.
Anyway, of course I finished the book, and there were some lovely moments - as you'd expect with Grace Burrowes - and acute observation. And I shall be looking out eagerly for the next three books, all of which shaped up well from the excerpts. Overall, though, I don't think the novella format has worked well in this instance, so I found the story a bit disappointing.
One of her trademarks is a high degree of intimate honesty between H & h, and this novella is no exception. Normally, though, it's achieved after they have grown to know each other a little. Here, perhaps because of the compressed novella format, it's sprung on us at such an early point in the relationship that it feels completely unnatural. In chapter 1, having only just met Gideon, Sadie drops into the conversation, à propos of nothing, “You’re not at ease with garden-variety friendship. You’re self-sufficient to a fault, and yet everybody likes you. You have excellent people-radar but are at sea in relationships. You’re observant, even hypervigilant, and yet your own emotional landscape is terra incognito to you. Adult Child of an Alcoholic, or ACOA.” I don't know if this is why GB tells us Sadie has some personality issues (to account for her almost aggressive bluntness) - but if so, the idea isn't fully worked through, and sort of sits out there with nowhere to go.
It's a very busy story - Gideon's backstory, Sadie's, her sister's, "setting-up the next books" scenes with the Knightley brothers (confusingly called Peckham in all the advance blurb info for them), and a bit of a plot about a wicked brother-in-law. There isn't much tension in the relationship - Gideon and Sadie "click" as soon as they meet - and very little in the plot. If I were being completely unfair, I would also say that I got slightly bored of GB's use of chocolate brownies as means of establishing a relationship - drool over them, and you're automatically a friend of fellow-droolers.
Incidentally, there are three fairly substantial trailers for the next three books, so this story takes up only about 2/3 of the Kindle edition.
Anyway, of course I finished the book, and there were some lovely moments - as you'd expect with Grace Burrowes - and acute observation. And I shall be looking out eagerly for the next three books, all of which shaped up well from the excerpts. Overall, though, I don't think the novella format has worked well in this instance, so I found the story a bit disappointing.
January 5, 2019
A Kiss for Luck had a lot of the Grace Burrowes elements that I really enjoy, but for whatever reason, it didn't really do it for me. I think I wanted a more developed story - the plot was pretty heavy for a novella. I think I would have also liked Jay Jay to have been more involved in the situation/conversations about her life, and her romance with Finn could have been more developed. Sadie and Gideon were both interesting characters and I think more time could have been spent developing their story too. I guess my main issue was that the story needed to be a novel or simplified to suit the novella format. Oh well. I'm still looking forward to When a Duchess Says I Do in the spring.
December 10, 2014
The Grace Burrowes elements are all here--the characters calling each other by first & last names (or just last names), drinking lemonade, savoring chocolate, making meals together, psychoanalyzing each other as foreplay, bringing in secondary characters as backup in the event of conflict--and, while it sure works in certain circumstances (see, e.g., Lady Sophie, and the rest of the early Windham novels), it only feels like so much reheated hash here, particularly when it's redone as a contemporary.
Sadie isn't a very likable heroine, and Gideon is far too good to be true as a Hero With a Capital H. The rest of the crew will (obviously) have their opportunities to tell their own stories. It's just too bad that it already feels like I've read this all before.
Sadie isn't a very likable heroine, and Gideon is far too good to be true as a Hero With a Capital H. The rest of the crew will (obviously) have their opportunities to tell their own stories. It's just too bad that it already feels like I've read this all before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2015
Grace Burrowes’ first contemporary series, Sweetest Kisses, has all the good things I’ve come to love about her stories and writing: too-good-to-be-true heroes, a stubborn damsel in distress, the cozy and intimate details of domestic life, and a seemingly insurmountable conflict.
This is a novella, so a lot must be packed into a short format, but I think it works here. Though I would have liked more from Gideon’s point of view–he seems kind of flat to me–Sadie and Gideon’s love story is a comfortable and sweet one, born of understanding and honor.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1E3W4yQ
This is a novella, so a lot must be packed into a short format, but I think it works here. Though I would have liked more from Gideon’s point of view–he seems kind of flat to me–Sadie and Gideon’s love story is a comfortable and sweet one, born of understanding and honor.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1E3W4yQ
December 14, 2018
Was glad this book was a short read, found it incredibly hard to get into, the writter seems to be lead astray at times and the characters hard to follow.
Nothing in the title relates to the book at all.
If you can make it to the end of chapter 5 it does improve but unfortunately not to save the read from anything more then 2 stars.
Nothing in the title relates to the book at all.
If you can make it to the end of chapter 5 it does improve but unfortunately not to save the read from anything more then 2 stars.
December 31, 2016
Super short, previews to other books make up the rest of the e-book.
July 19, 2021
I know Grace Burrowes as a historical romance writer and love her books, so I gave this one a try. Granted that it's a novella so I didn't expect as much depth as usual, but I feel like it tends to jump around, like one minute they're talking about something and then I turn the page and somehow they've moved on to something else and I feel like I missed part of the conversation.
I also thought the way the dialogue was written was not very natural. It wasn't stilted but it seemed to be almost as if they could read each other's minds, and since they'd just met, they didn't know each other well enough for that.
I also felt like there was so much oversharing. Gideon notices that she invited him, a man she just met, into her apartment, and that it's not exactly the safest thing to do. She also opens up to him too easily, given her experience with her sister and her sister's ex. I would have expected her to be more wary and distrustful of men, but she wasn't. And, I would like to state that one doesn't get over a phobia of big dogs that easily. I too was bitten and to this day, even if I know the dog is properly trained and docile, I don't want it anywhere near me. Not so much scared of it as I just don't trust it.
Of course I knew right away who Gideon's client was. The plot was very predictable. She is the damsel in distress and Gideon is the knight in shining armour riding to the rescue. That's not my kind of story.
I also thought the way the dialogue was written was not very natural. It wasn't stilted but it seemed to be almost as if they could read each other's minds, and since they'd just met, they didn't know each other well enough for that.
I also felt like there was so much oversharing. Gideon notices that she invited him, a man she just met, into her apartment, and that it's not exactly the safest thing to do. She also opens up to him too easily, given her experience with her sister and her sister's ex. I would have expected her to be more wary and distrustful of men, but she wasn't. And, I would like to state that one doesn't get over a phobia of big dogs that easily. I too was bitten and to this day, even if I know the dog is properly trained and docile, I don't want it anywhere near me. Not so much scared of it as I just don't trust it.
Of course I knew right away who Gideon's client was. The plot was very predictable. She is the damsel in distress and Gideon is the knight in shining armour riding to the rescue. That's not my kind of story.
November 28, 2024
I purchased this book way back in 2015, and I finally got around to reading it. I'm sad that this book is no longer in existence, since I liked it a lot. I loved the characters of Gideon and Sadie, and was hoping to find a book about Finn Willmott and Sadie's sister Jay-Jay and her son Sam. Oh well, no such luck. One can only hope that a book will show up with them in it one day soon. Meanwhile I console myself with the three books of the Knightley brothers.
I love the way this author writes. She has a unique way of presenting different personalities that makes them very three-dimensional and realistic. I also enjoy the dialogue she writes; it is never stiff and awkward, except when the character is stiff and awkward; it always seems natural for each character.
The author mostly writes lovely Regency romance novels which I also enjoy very much.
I love the way this author writes. She has a unique way of presenting different personalities that makes them very three-dimensional and realistic. I also enjoy the dialogue she writes; it is never stiff and awkward, except when the character is stiff and awkward; it always seems natural for each character.
The author mostly writes lovely Regency romance novels which I also enjoy very much.
February 19, 2018
Weirdly Written
I was not a super fan of the novella the stirring was weird and hard to follow at times. The story it’s self was unique and had lots of potential. Unfortunately the story fell short.
I was not a super fan of the novella the stirring was weird and hard to follow at times. The story it’s self was unique and had lots of potential. Unfortunately the story fell short.
January 4, 2019
Grace Burrowes never disappoints! A superb novella! (“Superb” seems like a very fitting/British adjective to use!) A great starter to another wonderful series. Love Grace’s characters and the way she tells a story. Captures your attention from cover to cover.
August 18, 2019
Not quite my thing but a nice enough story, I suppose. Something confuses me though: One moment the dog is at Sadie's feet and the next the dog is at her sister's...? (It clearly says '... Baby at her feet ...' and then 'When do you think we'll get Baby back?')
May 7, 2017
Beautiful words. Wonderful story. Five stars.
May 25, 2017
A sweet romance but too short.
February 26, 2021
I had read the three other books in this series a few years ago and loved them so was happy to find this online. Nice introduction to the others - I may just have to re-read them soon.
December 6, 2021
A divorce gone wrong and spousal abuse bring neighbors together in this novella.
Read
June 28, 2023DNF @19%
September 22, 2025
Short and sweet
The books are good but when you become completely absorbed in them, the book is over. So if you're looking for a book."short," Grace Burrows is your girl!
The books are good but when you become completely absorbed in them, the book is over. So if you're looking for a book."short," Grace Burrows is your girl!
March 15, 2017
Sweet Story!! I love it so much!!
May 14, 2015
Author: Grace Burrowes
First published: 2014
Length: 2901 kindle locations
Setting: Smalltown contemporary, Damson Valley between Washington and Baltimore.
Sex: Explicit, infrequent.
Heroine: Computer games designer and tester.
Hero: ex-lawyer now PI.
Includes: Excerpts from A Single Kiss, The First Kiss , Kiss Me Hello
I wasn't going to read it. Certainly not straight after a rather poor showing in Kiss and Tell.
But it was free on Amazon. I couldn't resist.
And I was very pleasantly surprised.
A heartwarming story of joy and courage, strength and belief. The MCs are slightly off-kilter (particularly Sadie who has trouble relating to people after a disrupted childhood) and as such the dialogue has a tendency to be stilted, but it's a voice that worked for me in a story that I enjoyed. Albeit a voice Burrrowes has used in the past; Sadie reminded me of Mary Fran (and possibly others).
But, ultimately, I really enjoyed it.
HOWEVER... All Blacks?!? Unless that's a US sports team, Burrowes appeared to have tried to make a clever rugby reference and completely stuffed it. The All Blacks are the NZers, Aussies have the Wallabies, The Springboks are in South Africa. England's Rugby team (and given Gideon is English and not Scottish like Dunstan or Welsh like Finn I assume that is his team) wear a Red Rose but don't seem to have a popular nickname.
Sweetest Kisses series:
Novella Kiss and Tell - Jane DeLuca and Dunstan Cromarty
Novella A Kiss for Luck - Sadie Delacourt and Gideon Granville
Book 1 A Single Kiss - Hannah Stark and Trent Knightley
Book 2 The First Kiss - James Knightley and Vera Waltham
Book 3 Kiss Me Hello - Sidonie Lindstrom and Mackenzie Knightley
References:
Author's website: http://graceburrowes.com/books/contem...
(ISBN ...)
-CR-
First published: 2014
Length: 2901 kindle locations
Setting: Smalltown contemporary, Damson Valley between Washington and Baltimore.
Sex: Explicit, infrequent.
Heroine: Computer games designer and tester.
Hero: ex-lawyer now PI.
Includes: Excerpts from A Single Kiss, The First Kiss , Kiss Me Hello
I wasn't going to read it. Certainly not straight after a rather poor showing in Kiss and Tell.
But it was free on Amazon. I couldn't resist.
And I was very pleasantly surprised.
A heartwarming story of joy and courage, strength and belief. The MCs are slightly off-kilter (particularly Sadie who has trouble relating to people after a disrupted childhood) and as such the dialogue has a tendency to be stilted, but it's a voice that worked for me in a story that I enjoyed. Albeit a voice Burrrowes has used in the past; Sadie reminded me of Mary Fran (and possibly others).
But, ultimately, I really enjoyed it.
HOWEVER... All Blacks?!? Unless that's a US sports team, Burrowes appeared to have tried to make a clever rugby reference and completely stuffed it. The All Blacks are the NZers, Aussies have the Wallabies, The Springboks are in South Africa. England's Rugby team (and given Gideon is English and not Scottish like Dunstan or Welsh like Finn I assume that is his team) wear a Red Rose but don't seem to have a popular nickname.
Sweetest Kisses series:
Novella Kiss and Tell - Jane DeLuca and Dunstan Cromarty
Novella A Kiss for Luck - Sadie Delacourt and Gideon Granville
Book 1 A Single Kiss - Hannah Stark and Trent Knightley
Book 2 The First Kiss - James Knightley and Vera Waltham
Book 3 Kiss Me Hello - Sidonie Lindstrom and Mackenzie Knightley
References:
Author's website: http://graceburrowes.com/books/contem...
(ISBN ...)
-CR-
January 1, 2015
This little gem is free, or at least it was at the time I reviewed it. This is another prequel to Ms. Burrowes newest series, a contemporary grouping called Sweetest Kisses. While the main novels are about the Knightley brothers, the first two novellas are about supporting characters. A taste, if you will, of the goodies to come!
I have loved the historical novels by this author. Some say I'm her number one fangirl. That could certainly be true!
In this story, Sadie is working hard to protect her sister and her nephew. They've had a very hard couple years and this is a new start for everyone. Gideon has moved into the apartment complex while his elderly farmhouse is getting a face-lift. Living with him is his very LARGE dog, Baby. Gideon is an investigator and he's looking for the young son of a client. We know where the lines are going to cross long before our characters do, and it kept me on tenterhooks. One of the best parts of this author's "tricks" is that she has her characters ACT LIKE ADULTS. They don't keep secrets, they work together...family is everything. I do love that. While she uses this "trope" in every book she writes, whether it is this new contemporary series, or her many historicals, this never gets old with me.
There is a love scene in this book that was truly one of the most beautiful ones I've ever read. And there are no "f" words...or that horrible "c" word either. It's hotter than heck, and beautifully erotic, with no "bad" words. Whew...almost melted my iPad.
While we can worry if things will work out, we also know they will. One of the reasons why I read this author. Her foray into contemporary romance is a brilliant one. And the teaser she shares of the third book in the series, Kiss Me Hello, has me panting to get my hands on it. Mack is an attorney AND a farrier. Can't get any better than that!
I'm reviewing the first novel in the series, A Single Kiss, tomorrow. Please come by and check it out!
I have loved the historical novels by this author. Some say I'm her number one fangirl. That could certainly be true!
In this story, Sadie is working hard to protect her sister and her nephew. They've had a very hard couple years and this is a new start for everyone. Gideon has moved into the apartment complex while his elderly farmhouse is getting a face-lift. Living with him is his very LARGE dog, Baby. Gideon is an investigator and he's looking for the young son of a client. We know where the lines are going to cross long before our characters do, and it kept me on tenterhooks. One of the best parts of this author's "tricks" is that she has her characters ACT LIKE ADULTS. They don't keep secrets, they work together...family is everything. I do love that. While she uses this "trope" in every book she writes, whether it is this new contemporary series, or her many historicals, this never gets old with me.
There is a love scene in this book that was truly one of the most beautiful ones I've ever read. And there are no "f" words...or that horrible "c" word either. It's hotter than heck, and beautifully erotic, with no "bad" words. Whew...almost melted my iPad.
While we can worry if things will work out, we also know they will. One of the reasons why I read this author. Her foray into contemporary romance is a brilliant one. And the teaser she shares of the third book in the series, Kiss Me Hello, has me panting to get my hands on it. Mack is an attorney AND a farrier. Can't get any better than that!
I'm reviewing the first novel in the series, A Single Kiss, tomorrow. Please come by and check it out!
February 26, 2024
The couple: Gideon and Sadie
Romance trope: neighbors
Series: Sweetest Kisses
Length: 148 pages
Plot: Sadie is new in town, having recently moved. She's a game designer and helps to support her sister, who recently went through a terrible divorce with an abusive man, and her nephew. She meets her new neighbor, Gideon, and there is an instant attraction. But Gideon has a secret and it will directly affect Sadie; she'll have to decide if it's something she can live with.
Commentary: I read this author mostly for her historicals, which I love. But this was a sweet contemporary with a hero who didn't run away from his feelings or feel the need to dominate or be a jerk because of his own shortcomings. This was a short read and the twist wasn't really a surprise, but it provided the tiny bit of conflict needed to move the plot along. I enjoyed this and would read others in the series.
Previous book in the series: Kiss and Tell
Next book in the series: A Single Kiss
Romance trope: neighbors
Series: Sweetest Kisses
Length: 148 pages
Plot: Sadie is new in town, having recently moved. She's a game designer and helps to support her sister, who recently went through a terrible divorce with an abusive man, and her nephew. She meets her new neighbor, Gideon, and there is an instant attraction. But Gideon has a secret and it will directly affect Sadie; she'll have to decide if it's something she can live with.
Commentary: I read this author mostly for her historicals, which I love. But this was a sweet contemporary with a hero who didn't run away from his feelings or feel the need to dominate or be a jerk because of his own shortcomings. This was a short read and the twist wasn't really a surprise, but it provided the tiny bit of conflict needed to move the plot along. I enjoyed this and would read others in the series.
Previous book in the series: Kiss and Tell
Next book in the series: A Single Kiss
December 7, 2014
The second novella installment of Grace Burrowes's new contemporary series, where the stage is set for the subsequent stories.
Sadie's trying to help her sister hide from an abusive ex-husband when she meets Gideon Granville and his large dog, Baby. Sadie's naturally wary, and while she's drawn to Gideon, she's reluctant to get involved -- there's just too much going on her life. Gideon's attracted to Sadie as well, but he's decided that they'll be just friends -- a relationship is just too risky. However their hearts have different plans, and they fall for each other, with Gideon and his friends saving the day when Sadie's sister in danger.
It's a slow and sweet love story. There's no angst or drama, just two people discovering how deeply they care about each other.
Loved the corn-maze date, and loved Gideon's Peace and Plenty farmhouse.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
Sadie's trying to help her sister hide from an abusive ex-husband when she meets Gideon Granville and his large dog, Baby. Sadie's naturally wary, and while she's drawn to Gideon, she's reluctant to get involved -- there's just too much going on her life. Gideon's attracted to Sadie as well, but he's decided that they'll be just friends -- a relationship is just too risky. However their hearts have different plans, and they fall for each other, with Gideon and his friends saving the day when Sadie's sister in danger.
It's a slow and sweet love story. There's no angst or drama, just two people discovering how deeply they care about each other.
Loved the corn-maze date, and loved Gideon's Peace and Plenty farmhouse.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
April 6, 2015
This was an engaging and easy read. Sadie and Gideon start off with a meet-cute (his big dog introduces the new neighbours) but the story gains a lot of depth from Sadie's sister's situation (that alliterates!) - an ex who's trouble for the sister and their young son, settling in idyllic Damson Valley. There's an unbelievably large supporting cast of hot guys (sequel bait!) and some exciting suspense as their stories intertwine unexpectedly. Let's just say that Gideon's a P.I. with a new client who rings some alarm bells. . . .
This is a sexy and quick-paced novella which avoids some of the tired and hackneyed elements you might see in short romance. The course of true love may run a little smooth in and around the craters of the more serious plot concerns, but I found Burrowes' storytelling to be more than up to the task of keeping me interested all the way to the finish!
This is a sexy and quick-paced novella which avoids some of the tired and hackneyed elements you might see in short romance. The course of true love may run a little smooth in and around the craters of the more serious plot concerns, but I found Burrowes' storytelling to be more than up to the task of keeping me interested all the way to the finish!
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