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The Kisses #1.5

Kisses From Jack

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Finally, kisses from the billionaire's point of view...

Jack Saunders wanted one last hurrah before taking the mantle of DS Oil & Gas, the billion-dollar company that his father founded. His friend, Owen, let him borrow his mansion on a tropical island so that he could throw a final party before "marrying" the business that would dominate the rest of his life. He brought his secretary, Brandy, hoping that he could kindle a relationship that would last through the long days and nights of running a company. However, while the party was great, the gold digging woman he brought was not, and Jack resigned himself to a lifetime of loneliness.

That was until he took a walk down the beach and met her. A woman who didn't recognize him from the tabloids and only saw him, the man behind the money. Of all the women Jack had ever met, there was nobody like Emma LaRue. With one pretend marriage ceremony, she would change his life forever, and become the only one he ever wanted to give his saltwater kisses to.

This novella is the first half of Saltwater Kisses written from Jack's point-of-view, with a few bonus scenes thrown in as well. It contains the first half of Saltwater Kisses as a sample and also throws in the cast of all the Kisses books in an ensemble that is sure to make any of Krista Lakes' fans happy!

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2014

184 people are currently reading
616 people want to read

About the author

Krista Lakes

89 books885 followers
Krista Lakes is a writer of romances that leave you feeling good and always have a happily ever after. She has two boys and a husband that keep her busy, not to mention two cats and a dog.

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5 stars
338 (37%)
4 stars
273 (30%)
3 stars
220 (24%)
2 stars
40 (4%)
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31 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Krista Lakes.
Author 89 books885 followers
October 10, 2014
Oh, Jack :)

When I wrote Saltwater Kisses, I had no idea that it would go to the Top 100 in the kindle store for a month. I mean, I hoped it would, but every book is kind of like a lottery ticket. The first day it hit the list, I sat on the computer hitting refresh every 5 minutes just to make sure it was real and not a glitch. Even then, I kept expecting an email from Amazon saying it was all a mistake. Well, over a year later and it's still going strong!

When I was writing Saltwater, I really, really wanted to add in some things from Jack's viewpoint, but I didn't want to "Head hop". There are some authors that can switch characters so flawlessly that I don't have to even read the heading at the beginning of the chapter to know that the voice has changed, but I wasn't sure I was one of them. Plus, I wasn't sure that it was the right choice for Saltwater Kisses to have two voices. (I'm going to go ahead and say that Top 100 status means I made the right choice!) So, I kept the entire book in first person.

But Jack's thoughts kept popping out at me.

So, as a bonus to fans, I re-wrote the first half of Saltwater Kisses from Jack's point of view.
It has Brandy, the secretary that took the photos and forced Emma to move to NY. It has the party (which means I got to bring in Owen, Robbie, Noah, Logan, and Aiden!) Rachel and Dean got to get in on the fun. (Oh how I love the brother/sister/boss/assistant relationship those two have going on!) It was a BLAST to get to go through all the current Kisses books and bring it all together :)

Yes, in reading it, you will see a lot of repeats from other books. That's the danger of doing the same story from another point of view (all the dialogue and actions have to match!) but hopefully, I changed it up enough that it feels familiar rather than repeated.

I hope you all enjoy this short novella from Jack. Thank you for reading!
Profile Image for crashqueen73.
1,263 reviews12 followers
November 26, 2014
DNF this one. I read the first two chapters (out of 10) and decided that I just couldn't do it. There were just too many things that irked me.
I do not enjoy NA books very often mainly because the writing style often feels immature to me- but that is just my experience and I try to avoid them.
I think because this book was about a billionaire, I made the assumption that it would not be NA. I was wrong.
The first chapter suggested that a billionaire, a handsome man named Jack, was to take over his father's multi- billion dollar company which would leave him no time for romance. He would be married to the job so he was having a "bachelor party" as such.
His secretary was intolerant of him (even though at work she really wanted him)- WHAT THE? He's handsome, super rich and the secretary can't stand him (she's just there for the money)? Wouldn't she be doing everything she could to stay in his pants? Didn't make sense to me.
Not only does Jack make moronic choices in men, he eats Pop Tarts and plays Halo. My boys grew out of that game at eight.
Don't like immature/ dumb main characters. DNF. 1 star because I did not like it.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews101 followers
May 26, 2018
Beautiful

He goes for a boys week at his friends place, but brings the woman he is seeing. What a mistake, she wants the money, he doesn't want to get married. Jack is walking along the beach trying to get away from Brandy, she blew it. He meets Emma on the beach when she saved a man's life. He sees happiness before taking over his dad's company. She doesn't know who he is, she's a Vet Tech from Iowa. Love is in the air.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,005 reviews
February 25, 2019
I think I might have read this one too soon. For some reason I thought it was the prequel to the series. "Kisses From Jack" was a nice short read. A good glimpse at what is to come or what has already came with "Salt Water Kisses." I think I might get hooked on this series.
2,205 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2020
Great prelude

This story is told from by both Jack and Emma. The first half is told by Jack and the second half is by Emma.

Then of course you need to read book #1 to finish this wonderful story!!
6 reviews
May 21, 2017
Good story

The story was well written and shared the man's perspective of the love story. It was very enjoyable and am interested in reading more from the series.
Profile Image for Quinn Fforde.
3,295 reviews15 followers
July 31, 2017
As a companion, this was good and added details that would have helped the first book.
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,353 reviews46 followers
January 20, 2019
What a wonderful twist to have the hero’s point of view. A follow up from Saltwater Kisses which I highly recommend reading first.
Profile Image for Bette Hansen.
5,073 reviews40 followers
October 7, 2020
Good read

This was a good short story telling Jack and Emma's beginning story from Jack's point of view. Quick read I recommend if you enjoyed Saltwater Kisses.
176 reviews
October 12, 2020
I like it...

Really enjoyed Jack's side of the story. Now getting ready to read the next book in this series. I would recommend this author I like it.
235 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2024
Vacation Romance

This is a short story. It is the retelling of how Jack meet Emma and about there vacation romance told from Jack's point of view.
Profile Image for Jaime Fertal.
334 reviews9 followers
July 29, 2016
Jack is just a man who wants to find love and not gold diggers that see him as a ATM and a money ticket. When he meets Emma he can see almost right away that she has no idea who he is and his company. Emma makes Jack happy which is something he hasnt been in a long time, of course he knows what they have will only last on the Island but he wants it to last so much longer. But the day he lives he will find out that in a way he will get his wish.

What I enjoyed most about Kisses From Jack is watching him fall for Emma, watching him let himself be just normal around her, and let his guard down alot more then he has with others, especially woman. Watching him show emotion which is something he doesnt do. Seeing him go to take charge and make sure that Emma will be safe when the magazine is released with their wedding photos on it.

This is another amazing Krista Lakes book, this story is from Jack's point of view which I totally loved getting in his head and hearing his thoughts and feelings when it comes to Emma. If you like stories with CEO and a girl just from Iowa who doesnt have much in the form of money, having this amazing meeting that there is instant chemistry between the two, a love story. If you like stories like this, then Kisses From Jack is a must!!
1,021 reviews16 followers
April 10, 2016


I received a copy of this novella from the author for an honest review. It came along with the first book, so it was great to immediately read the first half of book 1 from Jack's point of view. This book is told entirely from his pov except for one part is from Izzy (Izzy/Noah have their own book). It covers Jack and Emma's time on the island and definitely filled in a few holes about what was going on with Jack at the time. It also introduced his friends and the heroes for the future books in the series. I love dual pov's so I was excited, but also a little disappointed with Jack. I think I stuck my head in the sand about him being on the island with his secretary. In Emma's book, he says she's flirting with the pool boy, etc. and I took that as they were not involved. Nope. Jack sees Brandy for the opportunist she is and kicks her to the curb. Aaaand that afternoon meets Emma. Ew. Not much time in between. I don't regret reading this at all and encourage you to if you've read book 1/Emma's pov. I just feel a little let down Jack was more of a manwhore than I personally wanted. Still a good and quick read and perfect companion to read after book 1.
Profile Image for Marina (Living In Our Own Story).
568 reviews9 followers
October 15, 2014
Saltwater Kisses was the first book I read by Krista Lakes and I fell in love with her writing and Jack and Emma. So of course I loved the chance to read the story from Jack's POV.

This is a short novella that gives Jack's perspective on everything that happens on the island. From the moment he arrives on the island till the moment he leaves. The book also includes the first half of Saltwater Kisses so it is a great steal ;)

I really enjoyed reading Jack's POV. I find it even more interesting than Saltwater Kisses and I loved that book :) Additionally there some really hot scenes that would melt your panties :)

I wish actually that Kisses from Jack covered the whole Saltwater Kisses. I would love to read his thoughts and feelings when Emma moves to NY and leaves him later on. I think that could be an amazing story so I hope Krista Lakes adds that at some point :)

If you loved Saltwater Kisses, this one is definitely for you. And if you haven't read the Kisses series yet, then you should rectify that :)
1,923 reviews7 followers
August 1, 2016
I received this Novella for an honest review.

This is a great short story. I believe it does what it is meant to do, ie. introduce you to the many people in Jack's life and get you to want to read the entire series. I know i want to read what happens between Emma and Jack. The end of this short read gives you a synopsis of all the other books in the series.

Jack is going to be the CEO of his father's company sooner than he planned. He realizes that he will be "married" to this job forever and all his hopes of having a family will go away. He is tired of having women only be there because he has money In fact he isn't sure if his friends are his or there because of his money.

Emma is a small town girl who won an all expense trip to the island. She has simple plans for herself but she too does not see herself getting married though she truly wants it.

Emma and Jack meet by chance and both are surprised at how much two people from completely different backgrounds can have so much in common.

Profile Image for Maggie Chatterton.
Author 7 books37 followers
January 9, 2015
Kisses from Jack is the first half of Saltwater Kisses told within Jack Saunders' point of view. It introduces you to the other billionaires from the series and gives a fresh new take on some situations from Saltwater Kisses . I actually enjoyed reading the book in third person. It felt a bit more detailed than Saltwater Kisses which was amazing - always a sucker for details.
I did notice a few errors in the book. Like Brandy's name was, at one point, spelled as Brandi by mistake. There were words with typos in them. Like where it is supposed to say he it says me. It probably could have had another proofread before publication to catch those little mistakes that are actually rather easy to make.

Profile Image for Tami Talbert.
455 reviews17 followers
February 1, 2015
I had forgotten how much I loved Saltwater Kisses after having read a "sea" of stories since then. But Kisses From Jack brought back to my heart the wonderful love and romance which began one of my most favorite book series since I started on my journey into the Indy author world. So thank you Krista Lakes for sharing with us this wonderfully sweet and romantic snipit from the "hero's" POV. Though this does not tell the complete story, it truly gives us insight into Jack's thoughts and feelings sharing with us the love and affection he had developed for Emma during the early time they spent together just as she had always felt for him. For anyone who has read Saltwater Kisses, I would DEFINITELY recommend Kisses From Jack. You will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for DCT.
1,036 reviews2 followers
October 14, 2014
I always enjoy a story when the author comes back and gives the reader an alternative POV, and in this sweet story, we get the see the beginning of the story from Jack's vantage point. In the original story, Emma saw Jack being completely confident and secure; when in his reality, he was nervous, vulnerable and completely taken by the demure and engaging Emma LaRue. The author gave us a few bonus scenes, along with a glimpse of the other books in the series. This was a nice reading break from the emotionally charged and intense book I just completed, so thanks Krista for a sweet addition to this series.
484 reviews3 followers
February 5, 2015
I just finished re-reading "Kisses from Jack". I am re-reading the whole "Kisses" series I really enjoyed them the first time.
"Kisses from Jack", is "Saltwater Kisses" from Jacks point of view. Whereas "Saltwater Kisses" was from Emma's point of view. I really enjoyed reading the book from Jacks POV. I showed more of what he was going thru in his life, before, and during his life with Emma. The characters are again really thought out and scenes are all really well written. Makes me wish I could go to that same beach!!

Krista, I really enjoy your books

Thanks for reading my review.
875 reviews4 followers
August 4, 2016
I received this book free as an ARC for my honest review.

This is a POV book from Jack Saunders from the Saltwater Kisses book, not often does an author write from the other side. Jack Saunders is having one last vacation escape before taking over DS oil & Gas, he meets Emma La Rue while taking a walk on the beach. This is a short novel that is written to show everything that happened on the island from Jack’s POV and l have to say it was well written, so much that although l enjoyed reading Saltwater Kisses l actually enjoyed Kisses from Jack even more.
1,441 reviews2 followers
October 12, 2014
JACK'S POINT OF VIEW?

Yeah for the first 10 chapters about Saltwater Kisses. Nothing after they arrived to New York or their future together. I didn't like Saltwater Kisses because it didn't reflect any time past their 1 hour daily dinners together. The rest of Kisses from Jack was the first 10 chapters of SK and synopsis of the other Kisses stories in the series. This should book should have been free since it read like an advertisement for Krista's other stories.
Profile Image for Eileen Carter.
2,064 reviews9 followers
December 11, 2014
The other side if the love affair

usually you only get one side if a love story. but Krista lakes allowed us to see the other side if this love affair from Jack's view point. It was eye opening the differences between Emma and Jack's views of how their love affair happened. seeing the struggles that Jack had even though he was the billionaire. definitely recommend you read both books. You won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Netta Overhulser .
549 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2015
Jack's POV

You must read Saltwater Kisses first, it's in Emma's POV but filled in some of the blanks. This book begins a few days before Jack and Emma meet, but gives great background information for the entire series. For that alone, it's a must read. This book is a really short read as it only covers up to the point when Jack leaves for New York. Adding this short read and background information I'm definitely hooked on the series now.
945 reviews7 followers
July 31, 2016
This novella is the first half of Saltwater Kisses, but from Jack's point of view.

I really liked Saltwater Kisses - and seeing Jack's side of the story added nicely to the plot I enjoyed so much the first time around.

I would have liked to have seen the entire book from his POV since there were a lot of things that happened when they got back to New York that I would have enjoyed seeing his take on.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
888 reviews5 followers
October 15, 2014
I recommend reading Saltwater Kisses first to truly appreciate this story. it is about Emma and Jack's love story. Kisses from Jack is written from Jack's point of view. I liked reading the man's viewpoint for a change. I often times wonder what the man is thinking when I read a book. This was very refreshing to read.
I have loved all the books in this series. Krista Lakes tells a good story!
Profile Image for Elaine.
2,123 reviews10 followers
July 10, 2015
I do enjoy books written from the other persons point of view. However, this particular one only covered half the previous book so I was disappointed. That being said the part covered was enjoyable.

People who enjoy reading Elizabeth Lennox, Ruth Cardello, Melody Anne, Clare Connelly will likely enjoy this series.
Profile Image for Tara.
316 reviews6 followers
December 13, 2020
Kisses From Jack provided Jack's POV that was missing from Saltwater Kisses, the first book in this series. Both books were the exact same story and characters. In this one, Jack's POV didn't even span the entire length of the original story. It stopped after the beach vacation. This was not helpful in putting the pieces together.
Profile Image for donna.
946 reviews
October 20, 2014
I like reading books that are linked together through the differentt viewpoints of the characters, it gives you a chance to see what was going on in the other person's head. Definitely a plus in my book...
Profile Image for Tammy.
3,824 reviews16 followers
October 17, 2014
Cute little novella from Jack's point of view from Saltwater Kisses. Jack tells how he met Emma and found her fascinating because she knew nothing of his wealth and fame. Love reading the other POV.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews

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