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Last Kiss
Billy O’Reilly, a farm boy in rural Iowa, has been secretly dating Lisa Wells, the popular, wealthy daughter of the president of the local college. It’s a complicated people of HER class don’t associate with people of HIS class. Her controlling father does not approve of the relationship, her “real” boyfriend is growing suspicious, and her troubled stepbrother is adding to the drama by stirring up trouble. Billy’s life is thrown into turmoil when Lisa breaks up with him and then is found murdered the next morning. A series of circumstantial evidence points directly to Billy who, along with his best friend, Windy, launches his own investigation to clear his name and find out what really happened to the girl he loved. This gritty, fast-paced teen mystery will appeal to both reluctant and dedicated readers.
- GenresYoung AdultMystery
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
About the author
Jon Ripslinger
18 books24 followersAfter Jon Ripslinger retired as a public high school English teacher, he began a career as an author. He has published many young adult novels and truly enjoys writing books for teens. He has also published numerous short stories in Woman’s World magazine.
Jon and his wife, Colette, live in Iowa. They are the proud parents of six children, and they have thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
When not working writing, Jon enjoys the outdoors, especially fishing. He waits patiently for the next “big one” to strike.
Jon and his wife, Colette, live in Iowa. They are the proud parents of six children, and they have thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
When not working writing, Jon enjoys the outdoors, especially fishing. He waits patiently for the next “big one” to strike.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 10, 2012
Last Kiss
This isn’t a romance novel, despite the title and dreamy cover. It’s an odd YA mysteryish novel.
I’m still not sure how I feel about this book. I have a feeling it’s going to be a book that I read several times, but I’m not positive I like it.
I was drawn to Last Kiss because of the blurb mentioned that the main character is a farm kid. There simply aren’t enough novels, especially YA novels that focus on farming. Although farming’s a very minor part of the story, it was nice to read about it.
Characters
The main character, Billy, is a sweet guy who is dealing with a lot. He’s a good guy, but a little dumb, and on more than one occasion I felt a need to swat him upside the head. By biggest issue with Billy is that it felt like the author never fully fleshed him out. One minute he’s a sweet farm kid who loves his dog and seems to have a good head on his shoulders, the next his temper seems just a bit to close to bubbling over. He’s a bit to inconsistent for my taste, something that started a few pages into the novel.
Windy and Billy have been friends forever. The author doesn’t hesitate to show that Windy has a thing for Billy. Billy’s just confused. I think I would have like Windy, but other than to show her attraction to Billy, and that she’s very loyal, the author never fleshed her out enough for me to know her.
With the exception of the sheriff and Lisa the rest of the characters are shadows that flit in and out of the story.
Plot
I liked the plot. Although there were moments when the plot felt forced, as did the actions of the characters, I enjoyed the questions the popped out and how focused Billy was on perusing leads and trying to clear his name. Not once does Last Kiss lose it’s forward momentum or gets bogged down with a secondary storyline.
Writing
I am jealous of Ripslinger’s writing style. He’s a master at using a minimal number of words to paint a lovely picture and did a marvelous job with his action scenes. The only time his writing irritated me was towards the end of the book when he kept using the word march, which simply didn’t fit the way I pictured the scene.
Ending
I love the ending. The world was at peace.
This isn’t a romance novel, despite the title and dreamy cover. It’s an odd YA mysteryish novel.
I’m still not sure how I feel about this book. I have a feeling it’s going to be a book that I read several times, but I’m not positive I like it.
I was drawn to Last Kiss because of the blurb mentioned that the main character is a farm kid. There simply aren’t enough novels, especially YA novels that focus on farming. Although farming’s a very minor part of the story, it was nice to read about it.
Characters
The main character, Billy, is a sweet guy who is dealing with a lot. He’s a good guy, but a little dumb, and on more than one occasion I felt a need to swat him upside the head. By biggest issue with Billy is that it felt like the author never fully fleshed him out. One minute he’s a sweet farm kid who loves his dog and seems to have a good head on his shoulders, the next his temper seems just a bit to close to bubbling over. He’s a bit to inconsistent for my taste, something that started a few pages into the novel.
Windy and Billy have been friends forever. The author doesn’t hesitate to show that Windy has a thing for Billy. Billy’s just confused. I think I would have like Windy, but other than to show her attraction to Billy, and that she’s very loyal, the author never fleshed her out enough for me to know her.
With the exception of the sheriff and Lisa the rest of the characters are shadows that flit in and out of the story.
Plot
I liked the plot. Although there were moments when the plot felt forced, as did the actions of the characters, I enjoyed the questions the popped out and how focused Billy was on perusing leads and trying to clear his name. Not once does Last Kiss lose it’s forward momentum or gets bogged down with a secondary storyline.
Writing
I am jealous of Ripslinger’s writing style. He’s a master at using a minimal number of words to paint a lovely picture and did a marvelous job with his action scenes. The only time his writing irritated me was towards the end of the book when he kept using the word march, which simply didn’t fit the way I pictured the scene.
Ending
I love the ending. The world was at peace.
July 12, 2026
This was my favorite book in middle/high school. Read it several times!
October 29, 2008
look up your damn facts before you write a book, idiot. the kid in this book would have been arrested so many times before the end that it's not even funny. i had a hard time relating to his emotional attatchment to the slightly bitchy teenager, and the murderer was REALLY obvious. i am really bad at guessing the culprit, but this time i was spot on. i don't recommend this to anyone. also, the kid broke into the house and stole something that was later used as evidence. which means that since the evidence was obtained without a search warrant, it wouldn't be valid. also, the policeman investigating the case had a history with the kid's parents. which means that any taskforce in the world wouldn't let him be in charge of the case because he was too emotionally involved. he was threatening the kid with jail, which is called HARASSMENT, even if the bullying is done by a police officer. so overall, i, who know nothing about the legal system (and i mean NOTHING) knew more than this guy who wrote an entire book making up whatever he wanted to about it. i realize that the book is "fiction" but it's not supposed to be "fantasy."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2011
Billy had a big crush on Lisa, but he's a country boy on a farm and she's a rich daddy's girl. Although she's been flirting with him and inviting him into her room at night, her father has warned Billy to stay away from his daughter.
Then she ends up murdered. Worse yet, she ends up murdered right after Billy snuck into her house to make love to her one last time. Now it looks like he's going to be framed for a murder he didn't commit.
This was a fast read, a good read. I liked the murder mystery plot. Just as soon as the main character thinks he's got it all figured out, some new information comes into the equation that changes everything. And the supporting character of Windy, Billy's friend who happens to have a crush on him, is an added bonus to the book. I'd recommend it! The funny thing about this book is, I picked it up in the library and it looks like a brand new book. Only to find the stamp inside says the library has had it since Dec. 2007. I can't believe no one has read this book!
Then she ends up murdered. Worse yet, she ends up murdered right after Billy snuck into her house to make love to her one last time. Now it looks like he's going to be framed for a murder he didn't commit.
This was a fast read, a good read. I liked the murder mystery plot. Just as soon as the main character thinks he's got it all figured out, some new information comes into the equation that changes everything. And the supporting character of Windy, Billy's friend who happens to have a crush on him, is an added bonus to the book. I'd recommend it! The funny thing about this book is, I picked it up in the library and it looks like a brand new book. Only to find the stamp inside says the library has had it since Dec. 2007. I can't believe no one has read this book!
December 29, 2009
Last Kiss had an interesting premise and was very well written. I enjoyed the characters, especially Billy. He was very smart and likable, it wasn't hard to warm up to his personality. The negative aspect occurred when I reached the middle of the book, I got a little bored and kept putting it down. Fortunately, towards the end it took a turn for the better. The shocking twist was crazy, I would of never expected the outcome of Lisa's murder. Overall, it was an okay read, it's light yet dramatic. The summary just didn't live up to my expectations, I wanted more romance with Lisa and Billy, but I didn't get it.
December 7, 2009
A classic Romeo and Juliet type tale where the unsuitable farm boy is in love with the higher class beautiful rich girl whose father doesn't approve. Then when Lisa is found dead, the finger is pointed at Billy who was the last one with her.
This book was pretty good. The plot was fairly predictable but has some unexpected twists at the end that keeps it somewhat new.
This book was pretty good. The plot was fairly predictable but has some unexpected twists at the end that keeps it somewhat new.
February 19, 2010
Not my favorite of Ripslinger's but still a good, quick read. Fairly predictable, but, like all of his books, great for reluctant readers of both genders! Ripslinger's characters are "real" and remind me of my students! The parents he creates? Human...and all too real, also!
August 23, 2008
Not a bad mystery, but the ending is somewhat predicatable and saccharine.
August 24, 2008
Great book! Well written and very easy to read.
September 1, 2008
This book was freakin' amazing.
I always believed he didn't kill her, and I'm glad I was right.
The story is well put together and has a great plot. I loved it!
I always believed he didn't kill her, and I'm glad I was right.
The story is well put together and has a great plot. I loved it!
September 11, 2008
i really enjoyed this book. i never wanted 2 put it down because i always wanted 2 know what was going 2 happen next.
July 24, 2012
i dont like the name it makes it look like a love story..but theres murder and suspense and its such a great book!
Currently Reading
August 1, 2012it is a very hard book to put down once you start i havent finshed it yet but i found hard to get ack to work after i had started reading it.
this book has just gotten very interesting.
this book has just gotten very interesting.
January 16, 2013
Such a heart felt story.
July 2, 2013
Loved it. It had romance, murder, mystery, twists and turns, etc. It was an easy read, I finished it in one day but I still loved it.
October 23, 2013
I love how it was a mystery yet also a journey of Billy finding his feelings.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews