Last First Kiss

Brightwater #1

by Lia Riley

A kiss is only the beginning...

Pinterest Perfect. Or so Annie Carson’s life appears on her popular blog. Reality is... messier. Especially when it lands her back in one-cow town, Brightwater, California, and back in the path of the gorgeous six-foot-four reason she left. Sawyer Kane may fill out those wranglers, but she won’t be distracted from her task. Annie just needs the summer to spruce up and sell her family’s farm so she and her young son can start a new life in the big city. Simple, easy, perfect.

Sawyer has always regretted letting the first girl he loved slip away. He won’t make the same mistake twice, but can he convince beautiful, wary Annie to trust her heart again when she’s been given every reason not to? And as a single kiss turns to so much more, can Annie give up her idea of perfect for a forever that’s blissfully real.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, New Adult, Second Chance, Audiobook

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2015

About the author

Lia Riley is a contemporary romance author. USA Today describes her as "refreshing" and RT Book Reviews calls her books "sizzling and heartfelt." She loves the beach, fresh flowers, foggy redwood forests and a perfect pour over coffee. She is 25% sarcastic, 54% optimistic, and 122% bad at math (good thing she writes happy endings for a living). She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

Visit her at www.liariley.com to learn more.

Reviews

[Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @74% - I swear, I've done my best, but I must surrender.

So very meh. Look, my 2-stars rating makes me feel as if I was kicking a puppy, because there's nothing really awful in this book, and yet it was a complete miss for me. Let's see what we have, okay?

✔ a non-raging male-lead, Sawyer, perfect if nice cowboys sheriffs who want to take charge of everything are your thing (definitely not mine : I might suffer from the opposite of uniform fantasies - I can't help, cops, firemen and the likes rub me the wrong way). Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that he's controlling, no, he is nice, but if I like nice guys (I really do), the fact is... he never made my heart beat faster ... or something. I'm sorry Sawyer, it's not you, it's me.

✔ an heroine who reminds me of my mum. Kind of : she gives names to birds, loves cooking... See, I love my mum, but let's say that it didn't help my involvement in the love-story. Ugh. Yes, it's as unsettling as it seems.

✔ a ... slow romance (not to be confused with a slow-burn, because there's no such thing as a burn in this book, but everything is tedious at bests)

✔ Annie's blog entries bored me to death.

✔ I... don't care. Like, at all. Actually, I only kept going because I wanted to know how the sex scenes were. Yep. That level of disinterest. they weren't worth it

✔ Cliché sayings everywhere. I know, I know, we find a great deal of them in the romance genre and if the story pulls me in I don't mind that much but... Sigh. Ladies, I need to ask : was there A moment in your life when you thought that "your ovaries were going to explode"? I don't mean another sentence expressing your excitement, no, THAT SENTENCE. Because, frankly? I see it everywhere and I never, ever, thought this - but perhaps it's only an English saying? It doesn't even make any sense, scientific wise (yes, it bugs me so much that I'm asking every fucking person I know. My boyfriend just laughed. Sigh)

More generally, I fought the urge to roll my eyes so many times (I didn't always win). But come on. How in the world am I supposed to react to this :
● "So good, Annie, God, you're sweet," he rasped in her ear. "How fucking sweet?"
The shiver that ran through his body entered hers. "Must be all that agave."
● "The tip of his shaft pierced the water, long, thick and every each a man" REALLY? I laughed so hard at that
● "Miss Carson." Sawyer's mouth crooked as he ran a thumb under a chin. "You're under arrest for being too damn cute." Never heard this before.

I can enjoy cheese sometimes. I really can. For this I need to feel something, though.

✔ The stereotypes playing in this sentence made me cringe : "He stepped forward, clearly meaning business. No way could she refuse without making a scene. She took a hesitant bite, careful for it not to be too-much, she didn't want to look like a pig". 1)Saying no isn't making a scene, thank you very much and 2)God forbid a woman eat a lot. Ugh.

I don't hate this book. I just - oh, boy.



I'm such a kill-joy.

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Geri Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 cute stars!

This was a cute, quirky second-chance romance set in a small town with a legendary family feud.

Annie Sawyer's life is falling apart. She's going to back to her small hometown a divorced single mother. On the upside, her career as a mommy blogger is still going strong despite the personal setbacks. Now she's back in Brightwater trying to sell her family farm. Opposition comes in the form of the Kane's matriarch who owns the spread next door and Sawyer Kane, the boy who broke Annie's heart many years ago. Except that he's not a boy anymore.

Sawyer Kane is the town sheriff of Brightwater and between keeping the peace in Brightwater and reeling in his grandmother's schemes, he has his hands full. But Annie, or the one who got away, is back. And Sawyer thinks that this might be his chance to set the record straight about what happened years ago.

I enjoyed this book particularly the way Sawyer wooed Annie by doing little things for her around the farmhouse. Sawyer was adorably sweet to Annie. His complex relationship with his grandmother was also well done. I know she's a crotchety character but I love Grandma Kane. I think she's hilarious.

I also liked how the town with the Kane-Sawyer rivalry was written. It added another layer to the story and the little bits and pieces of legend about the rivalry sprinkled throughout the book appealed to me. I love small town settings. A few of the side characters stood out most especially Edie. I hope we're getting her book next.

My only gripe was really Annie. I understood her struggles and yet, I couldn't fully connect with her. Her desire to put on the perfect façade and be this earth mother with her all-natural, all-homemade became a drag for me. Like I said, there's nothing wrong with her but because of personal bias, I just couldn't connect fully with her.

Overall, a wonderful book to start the series as I am already invested with some of the characters in this book. And oh, let me just say, I enjoyed Lia Riley's writing very much. She's a new to me author and definitely one worth looking out for.


ARC provided by the author via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle (Love at First Page) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars

This was so freaking adorable, and exactly what I needed! I loved the lighthearted and simple yet swoony romance. So many wonderful, falling-in-love moments with none of the unnecessary drama. This story is about two people finding each other once again, discovering all the ways they fit together and fighting for them. It's a second chance romance done right. And cowboys... *dreamy sigh*

Sawyer and Annie complement each other perfectly - he's guarded and serious but wonderfully gentle, and Annie has this huge spirit and genuine warmth. Though he blew it years ago, Sawyer is determined to prove to Annie that what they have is the forever kind of love and that he plans to never let her go. A sheriff and a mommy blogger - who knew?! Their love story just made me so happy.

Onto Archer's book, about which I've heard nothing but amazing things!

This review can also be found at Love at First Page.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

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Last First Kiss by Lia Riley was a fun, quirky, sweet romance read!!! If you are a fan of second chances and finding yourself, then this book might be for you.



Sawyer Kane regrets one moment in his life was when he broke the girl next door's heart. Fast forward to several years later, Annie Carson is back at her family's home in Brightwater with her son Atticus. Recently divorced and a single mom, Annie tries to pick up the pieces of her life as she starts anew. She hopes with her mommy blog, she will be able to gain revenue with ads and sponsorship. While back home in Brightwater, she is reunited with the boy who broke her heart. Sawyer tries his best to make amends for his past by helping out Annie with her family's land and home. Slowly, Sawyer reminds Annie of her former self. The little girl who was fearless and not afraid to jump. So will be the reason for Annie and Atticus to settle down in Brightwater?

Last First Kiss was the first book that I had read from Lia Riley and definitely won't be my last. I found myself liking this sweet charming story of Sawyer and Annie. There is nothing like a sweet love story of two people rekindling their friendship and finding love.

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Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages:http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly... Lia Riley

[Lia Riley]

If you enjoyed LAST FIRST KISS, don't miss out on the FREE bonus prologue. It's in Sawyer's point of view and gives more details on the night he and Annie's friendship ended: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/pmaub






What does Last First Kiss deliver? A hunky sheriff, a 150-year-old family feud, honeycomb foreplay, blanket fort sex, cliff jumping, a (slightly nutty) chicken-killing grandma and a second chance at first love. This is a contemporary ADULT romance :)

You are invited to join my Lia Riley Reader Group on Facebook, It's a non-spoilery place to hang out, get release news hot of the press, have fun book chatting, ask questions and maybe--just maybe--indulge in a little eye candy from time to time. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/88687...


Stay current with new releases and sales by signing up for my newsletter: http://liariley.us7.list-manage.com/s....

Brightwater Reading Order:
Last First Kiss #1
Right Wrong Guy #2
Best Worst Mistake #3

[Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think Montagues vs Capulets in a ranch and um, without the double suicide at the end, and you have Last First Kiss.

Of course, unlike Romeo and Juliet, LFK is a real love story with characters that are fucking fantastic and a small town Sheriff who may just take your breath away. It is the story of Annie Carson and Sawyer Kane, and how their love might just finish the 150 year old feud between their families.

Annie Carson is recently divorced and her son, Atticus, is an adorable little boy who is sensitive to his surroundings. However, with no choice but to come back to her home in Brightwater, Annie puts on her big girl panties and settles into the house of her childhood, a house she hates more than anything. More so now, when its rickety and old and a small gust of wind could make it topple over. Her mommy blog is doing quite well but that’s only because she chooses to show the internet the picture-perfect Annie Carson. And of course to make her life a different kind of hell is the fact that most of Brightwater is under the influence of Grandma Kane, who hates all Carsons. And Sawyer Kane, the town sheriff whom she’s tried very hard to forget.



One of the first things I learnt about Annie is that she was miserable in Brightwater. Obviously, if she had any other option to go elsewhere instead of going to Brightwater she would, but her reasons for why she hated the place were all legit and it just about broke my heart with just how sad she was in there. To add to that, she had a troll trolling her blog, a son who was adapting very slowly and the most delicious distraction in the form of Sawyer Kane. In spite of her daily efforts to try to forget everything negative about the place and adjust to small town life again, Annie was most definitely not happy and that bothered me, like, a lot. She was a good, strong character and  wonderful mother, but she wasn’t happy. Obviously the entire scene seemed to change once Sawyer entered the picture.

Sawyer, the one who had broken her heart. Sawyer, who had let her go once before. Sawyer, who wasn’t giving up without a fight this time.

As far as heroes in Adult Contemporaries go, Sawyer wasn’t someone who would catch hold of your attention and keep it there. I daresay, this book would have been completely different had it been completely in his POV. But what attracted me most to him, was the fact that he took responsibility. He was the quintessential good boy and somehow, I liked that. I liked his gentle personality, and I liked his soft words. He was not exactly we’d call a “Alpha Hero” but I liked that. I liked that he covertly helped Annie without taking credit. I liked that he was beyond adorable with Atticus. I like that he knew how to deal with Grandma Kane when no one else could.

But more than anything else, I loved that he loved Annie with a single-minded intensity, and went seriously above and beyond to get her back.



Annie and sawyer were nothing less than explosive when they were together. They had this kind of familiarity between them, that only comes from love that spans years and years. This wasn’t a type of romance where they were only getting to know each other…no, Annie and Sawyer already had inside jokes and shared looks and hot touches. They knew each other, in the best sense of the word romantically and I think it worked in their favour perfectly. Last First Kiss is high on the romance and low on angst…which is new from Lia Riley because man, does that woman rule the tear ducts. And obviously, it’s Lia Riley so there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to storytelling. Her dialogues, her banter, her way of keeping you hooked to the book even when everything seems hopeless is pure gold and Last First Kiss turned out to be a spectacular start to a fun series!

WHEN DOES THE NEXT BOOK RELEASE BECAUSE I NEED IT, LIKE, YESTERDAY.



*I was provided a free ecopy of this book in exchange of an honest review. This did not in any way, however, influence the content of this review.*

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a light and fluffy contemporary romance and that's exactly what I got with Last First Kiss.

Annie is a recently divorced single mom who's returning to the town she grew up in to fix up her family home and sell it to provide a better life for her son. Her family has always been a little off and never really welcome in the town of Brightwater, so even though she gets a little nostalgic when she returns, she knows that it's not a place that she could happily raise her son.

Sawyer was born and raised in Brightwater and will live there until the day he dies. He's perfectly happy being the town sheriff and living the bachelor life with his dog... Or at least that's what he thought until Annie shows back up.

Annie and Sawyer have history, and not a great one at that. They were friends growing up, even though they weren't supposed to be thanks to a 150 year old feud between their families, but all that ended one night when Annie thought Sawyer betrayed her and she took off without a backward glance. Now that Annie's back, Sawyer wants the chance to explain what happened on that ill-fated night and maybe get a chance to finally tell her how he feels about her.

Sawyer was probably the sweetest hero I've read about in a long time. He has always wanted Annie and as soon as she shows back up he does everything he can to prove that he can be the man for her. Unfortunately there are a lot of obstacles in their way, Annie's need to put the town in her rearview as fast as possible being one of them.

It was great watching these two rekindle their childhood love... And even cuter watching Sawyer with Annie's son, Atticus. Of course the fun banter and sexy times between the two definitely made it a book worth reading, however, I wish we got more at the end. And I really, really wish we got to see Ruby, Sawyer's ex, get her comeuppance.

Last First Kiss was the first book I've read by Lia Riley but it definitely won't be my last. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!

*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[KathyAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet and charming story of second chance love in a small town setting. I was in the mood for something light and easy and this hit the spot. Low on the drama, easy on the heart, high on the feel good factor!
Annie is now a single mom and finds herself back in her hometown of Brightwater to settle family business. She is a mommy blogger and is a tad bit of a helicopter mom. In the blogger world she is the perfect mom, but in reality she is a mess. While in Brightwater she runs into the young man that broke her heart back in high school, Sawyer. And, he sees this as his second chance to fix what went wrong all those years ago. But, Annie definitely has some trust issues, so he has his work cut out for him to win her back.
Sawyer is now the town sheriff and is in general just a really great guy. There really isn't anything not to like about him. He is very patient, great with her son Atticus and devoted to his family.
I loved the scheming Grandma Kane and her somewhat complicated relationship with Sawyer. I love grandmas in stories in general. I don't know why really, it just always makes me smile. Grandmas can and will do anything they want. :)
There was also a bit of a Sawyer/Kane family feud that added some extra layers of complications between these two. But, it wouldn't be a small town if there wasn't some kind of feuding going on, right??
This is a very well written story, a quick and easy read and one I would recommend to those who are fans of small town romance and love a good 'ole HEA.

ARC was provided by the publisher thru Edelweiss


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[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy in exchange for an honest opinion this does not influence my opinion in any shape or form.

After finishing Last First Kiss I’ve come to the conclusion that I have a thing for Sawyers. Every time I read a book with a guy named Sawyer I already know I’m going to add him to my long list of book boyfriends named Sawyer, Sawyer Kane was no exception.

Last First Kiss has just the right amount of fluff, sex appeal, learning to love oneself again and the idea that sometimes we don’t get things right the first time so sometimes a second chance is worth it.

Our Story
Last First Kiss is told in third person point of view. It tells the story of Annie whose back in Bridgewater fixing up the family farm Five Diamonds to sell and move to San Francisco. She’s recently divorced and lost. She’s lost herself in the mommy role (something we can all relate to a time or two, I know I certainly can ) and is insecure her ex husband wasn’t exactly prince charming (hello he is the ex husband). And in comes Sawyer Kane the boy who she may or may not have had a relationship with back in high school. The one she thought betrayed her and made her out to look like a fool.

The story has a bit of instalove and I had a couple times when I thought it was just too much. I think I would’ve loved to have had more background story like their friendship so that I could honestly believe they always loved each other but never had their chance.

One of my favorite things about the story was that it focuses on blogging! Annie is a mommy blogger who is making money trying to support herself and her son. She’s putting up this whole charade of being the perfect mother. She tried to showcase this persona about being the perfect mother, the perfect recipes, the always doing something with her son but never really portraying herself as a real mother. One who gets frustrated, who is borderline tired, who forgets to eat a meal here and there. The real image of a mother she’s always had this charade going on but when she’s with Sawyer the charade is gone. She shares her strengths, weakness and shows who she truly is. I loved that about this book.

Our Characters
Annie like I mentioned is the mommy blogger who is making a pretty decent amount of money with her blog. She’s also insecure her husband pretty much ran off with whatever had two legs. Not to mention, she’s lost herself in the mommy role. She’s focused on her son not caring about letting herself go or even remembering the fact that she’s a woman and mother. I could definitely relate to that I get lost in the mommy role and during reading Last First Kiss I went actually did my hair and threw on some make up just to remember I’m not just a mommy. I felt that much of a connection with Annie. I loved seeing her come out of her mommy mode and into her own skin.

Sawyer was just sweet and so romantic and patient. He didn’t force Annie to do anything she didn’t want nor did he demand answers right away he waited. I definitely found him swoonworthy.

Overall
This is definitely a quick fluffy sweet second chance romance novel. One about discovering who you are and learning to take a chance because who knows you may just end up with your happily ever after.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love second chance romances, low angst and ornery secondary characters and Last First Kiss delivered. Annie Carson returns home to her family’s farm after a divorce that has shaken her to the core. She and her young son are preparing the home for sale. She plans to use the summer to get her life in order before moving on. She has a plan, but being home brings back memories and of course, there is the sexy neighbor Sawyer Kane to deal with. He is the reason she left Brightwater the first time but can he be the reason she stays?

Annie is a blogger who has a popular website for Mommies. Her blog shares recipes, how to make homemade-dye for Easter eggs and daily parenting issues. However, her life is not as rosy as the image portrayed on her blog. I liked Annie even with her self-doubt and insecurities. We do see her slowly transform throughout the novel and I enjoyed seeing her go from insecure to downright sassy.

Sawyer Kane has had his share of difficulties but Brightwater is in his blood from the land to the town he protects as local sheriff. His biggest regret in life was not holding on to Annie Carson. She is back in town and he is determined to woo her and her son. Sawyer is sweet and downright sexy. The man knows how to work with his hands from building to cooking and I liked him from the start.

The romance was slow building with tender kisses, conversation and a little heat. I adore second chance romances. Their friendship and history added believability and sweetness.

Secondary characters have me curious. We meet a few newcomers and oodles of Kane’s. Eden Bankcroft-Kew has just opened up a coffee and cupcake shop and Archer Kane is moon-struck. The possibilities for future stories and romances have me excited. Kane's grandmother the DON of Brightwater was an absolute hoot. Eden and Archer’s story will be featured in Right Wrong Guy the next novel.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Ami]

DNF at 65%

I wonder if it's the 'chemistry' between the author's writing style (I couldn't finish her New Adult book either, I tried the sample and didn't even make it) -- but I found this story to be a tedious task to read. Neither the characters nor the romance dazzled or inspired me. I found Annie's blog as boring (maybe because I'm not a Mom??). On top of that, a couple of things irked me early on -- maybe it wasn't significant, probably didn't bother anyone else, but it stood out for me...

1) The grandma; I found what she did towards Annie's chicken as viciously mean. I hated her on first sight, I didn't care if she redeemed herself later on, I couldn't find it in me to forgive her ... and 2) I found the Nurse's attitude about "blue should be for boys and pink should be for girls, and a boy who request pink bandage needed to best scolded and worth rolling her eyes" was completely rude!

Not sure I'm interested enough with book #2 of this series, maybe I should chalk it up as 'this author might not be for me' column *shrugs*

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m headed to Brightwater, and I may not come back. If you’re looking for me, I’ve probably been arrested by the sexy cowboy/sheriff and I have no regrets. Because cowboy + sheriff + handcuffs...

Tell my kids I love them.

Annie Carson’s goal when she heads back home to Brightwater is to get the family farm ready for sale. Then, take the money and start her new life and not look back.

Sawyer Kane’s goal when he finds out that Annie is back in town is to find a way to make her stay. Years have passed since her heart and trust were broken, but Sawyer’s not going to let that happen again.

Convincing her to stay is no simple task. But when the end result may be better than the perfect future she has in mind, does Annie have it in her to fall?

SAWYER KANE. Aside from having one of the sexiest names in the history of, like, EVER, he’s a Southern charmer, a guy that knows what he wants, and can totally bring it when he needs to use his *ahem* masculine wiles to show Annie what could be... Oh my, anyone else getting hot?

I loved this story. It was a simple, second chance romance, with a dash of forbidden love and a whole lot of witty, playful banter. It’s easy to relate to Annie, who is living a series of capture-able moments for her blog, and who is finding real life to be much harder than she expected. Been there. She’s not perfect – as a mother, as a daughter, physically or mentally. Been there, too. Scratch that...am there.

And yet, for all her imperfectness, Annie is funny and smart, she’s determined to make the best decisions, even if she has to make the wrong ones first to recognise the right ones, and she’s attracted the attention of the law...the very sexy law, mind you. (Haven’t been there, but I’d like to be!)

I’m excited for this new series from Lia Riley. It’s different from her amazing Off The Map series (which remains one of my all-time favorites), but it’s still chock-full of that something that she brings to her books. The *something* that keeps me coming back for more, and probably always will. At the very least, I’ll be back for Archer’s story. Perhaps I can read it from my jail cell in Brightwater? ~ Beth, 4.5 stars

~~~

Well, shit. It looks like I just added another book boyfriend to my (rather extensive) collection. Sawyer Kane is positively swoonworthy. Rugged and hot and a lethally sexy combination of cowboy and cop. It just so happens that my boyfriend collection was missing a cowboy/cop and now I am complete. Welcome to the family, Sawyer!

This is an adorable, sweet, second chance romance. Sawyer Kane and Annabelle (Annie) Carson didn’t exactly date in high school, but they woulda/shoulda/coulda. It was a heartbreaking misunderstanding that tore them apart.

Ten years later, Annie is recently divorced and has moved back to her hometown with her five year old son. Sawyer is still there doing his sexy cowboy/cop thing and being completely awesome in general. It doesn’t take long for the two to reconnect and once the swooning begins, it doesn’t let up for pretty much the entire rest of the book.

I loved Annie, and identified with her insecurities. I admired her bravery and pluck, even when she wasn’t sure of herself. I loved how Sawyer patiently dealt with Annie’s insecurities and stayed the course for her. I loved the way he stepped outside of his comfort zone and opened his heart to Annie’s son, Atticus. I loved that he’s a dog person. I loved the tender way he handled Annie, and that he didn’t play games and was always honest and up front. Together these two are just incredibly cute – playful, loving and sexy.

This book was a simple, quick read. Simply sweet, simply swoony, and simply wonderful. ~ Shelly, 4 stars

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindy's Thoughts:

Last First Kiss is the first story that I've read by Lia Riley. My co-blogger, Mikki, really enjoyed her Off the Map Series, and I was really excited to get the opportunity to read a story by her. Myself and Mikki tend to have similar taste in books, so for the most part if she enjoys a book, I usually will as well.

First Kiss an adorable, sweet, and heartwarming story about a second chance at love. Annie is recently divorced, and has a five year old son. She was devastated when her husband, Gregor, left her for a much younger woman. Annie's father is getting ready to sell the family ranch in Brightwater, California. So, Annie offers to fix it up and get it ready to be put on the market. Afterwards, she plans on moving to San Francisco, so that she can be close to her sister, Claire.

While she's in Brightwater, she runs in to her first crush; sexy, attentive, and caring, Sawyer Kane, sheriff of Brightwater. Sawyer has always regretted the way things ended with Annie. Now is his second chance to be reunited with the one woman he could never get out of his mind. Will Sawyer be able to convince Anne to change her plans and stay in Brightwater?

I loved Last First Kiss. The romance was perfectly paced. Sawyer became Annie's friend, and also embraced her son. He didn't want to rush her, and was a very patient man. The attraction between these two characters was there from the very beginning, but it grew in intensity as these two got to know one another all over again, and rediscover the feelings that they once had for one another as teenagers.

I loved Annie. She was very likeable as well as relatable. She ran her own blog, and we even get short little excerpts from it that help guide the story. Annie put her son first, and I could relate to her, being a mother myself. She was the kind of person that was friendly, caring, and put her own needs last. Sawyer was a top notch "nice" guy. He loved the town of Brightwater, and enjoyed being of service. He was very giving, without expecting anything in return. Sawyer was a gentleman. He was gallant, and knew how to treat a woman. He also had a very sexy, take charge personality when it came to intimacy.

This story was hopeful and light-hearted. The more I read, the more that I didn't want to put the book down. It just kept getting better and better. It was such a feel-good story, with all of the awesome 'feels' that I enjoy reading in a romance!

Rating:

I give, Last First Kiss, by Lia Riley, 4 Light-Hearted, Swoon-worthy Devotion, Sweet Adoration Filled Stars! I'm looking forward to reading, Right Wrong Guy, next! This will be Sawyer's younger brother Archer's story.


*To Read More Book Reviews, Visit A Bookish Escape at http://www.abookishescape.com

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You’re the best man I’ve ever known. Will ever know. You fix all my broken pieces, and what you put back together feels better than the way things were before. Stronger. Sturdier. A little worn, but hey, that’s the fashion. You…you repurpose me”

Last First Kiss follows the story of Annie and Sawyer. Annie Carson’s life is no stranger to making an appearance on her blog. In fact, it’s quiet popular. The reality though, isn’t as exciting. Her life is a mess and she finds herself returning home while trying to put the pieces back together. She isn’t home for very long, before she starts to remember all the reasons she left in the first place. Number one reason, would fall to none other than, Sawyer Kane. But, she’s not falling for his games this time. She’s got a goal and is determined to make that goal a reality, so that she can more on to bigger and better things. Sounds easy enough, right? But time has passed and things may not be how they seem…. Sawyer has always regretted the way things ended with Annie. He let her go once, and has vowed to not repeat the same mistake. The problem is that Annie doesn’t trust him as far as she can throw him. So, how in the world will he convince her to take a chance? Annie has been hurt and is afraid to give her heart away again. All it takes is one kiss. One kiss has the power to change everything that Annie knows.

I was so excited when I heard that Lia Riley was writing an adult contemporary romance. As a fan of her previous works, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. Last First Kiss was a sweet, quick read. I loved that the romance between Annie and Sawyer had a forbidden quality to it. Their families had been in a feud for such a long time, that any type of relationship between the two of them, certainly would be frowned upon. But Sawyer and Annie shared real chemistry. I could feel it, the moment the two of them were on the same page together. I couldn’t wait to hear more and to find out what happened, why they went their separate ways.

Last First Kiss is a refreshing, light read. I loved the writing and enjoyed getting lost in the story. This book had it all: fun characters, a crazy grandma that was set in her ways, an ongoing family feud, and a sweet journey to that second chance at love. Yes, there was some drama, but it was on the light side. Last First Kiss is a great start to this series. I’m really looking forward to seeing where the story will go next. If you’re looking for a sweet, swoony read that’s light on the drama, I highly recommend checking out Annie and Sawyer’s story.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review*

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my main reasons for picking up Lia Riley's latest, Last First Kiss, is Megan Erickson. She recommended it on her Twitter and after reading the summary, I knew this was a book I wanted to read. It sounded like one of those sweet and charming books that's bound to put a smile on your face when you finish it. Turns out, I was right!

After a messy divorce, Annie, a mommy blogger, along with her son are back on her family's farm. Being back brews up all sorts of memories, especially those related to her relationship and its ugly ending with Sawyer. Of course, all the emotions ensued a charming and romantic second chance romance! Both Annie and Sawyer were lovely characters. Annie, especially, was a headstrong woman, who worked hard to achieve her dreams and to keep her son safe. She was also a complete sweetheart and wasn't one to hold a grudge. Sawyer, too, was a sweet man who was willing to work to win back the woman he loves. I loved all the wooing on Sawyer's part so much. Seriously, is there anything more romantic than a man actually making a full on effort to try to get back someone he loves? I don't think so! Annie and Sawyer's relationship was adorable as you can gather. There are some lovely moments between the two of them that had me sighing in happiness. They did have a few obstacles in their path, mostly in the form of Sawyer's crazy old grandmother, the rivalry between their two families and Annie being offered a lucrative job in another town, but they were written in a non-dramtic way in my opinion.

The two things I unfortunately struggled with in Last First Kiss, was their reason for breaking up in the first place and Annie afraid of being honest in her blog posts about what it's like to be a single mom. I personally thought the reasons for them going separate ways in high school was so silly and could have easily been avoided had they communicated with each other. They were teenagers though, so I'm giving them a pass. And like I said, I didn't really get Annie's fears of not wanting to express the struggles of being a single mom to her readers. That being said, none of those things detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I still enjoyed the light and fluffy romance and I'm looking forward to read more from the series so I can meet the other Kane brothers! Edie, a coffee shop owner that Annie befriends in this book and Sawyer's brother, Archer's story is next and I can't wait to read it!

Last First Kiss was a delightful romance novel that I recommend to readers looking for a quick and fluffy love story!

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet 3.5stars second chance romance.

I must say this series is very enjoyable. Yes, I’ve read them out of order, but luckily it didn’t really influence the storyline.

The Carson’s and Kane’s has had a very long feud, one that had influenced Annie and Sawyer’s lives when they were young. Just when they were on the brink of seeing whether the friendship they had could be more, this feud ruined their chance.

Ten years later, Annie is back in Brightwater with her very adorable son, Atticus, hoping to sell off their family farm, and to move closer to her sister. She’s trying to make a successful living with her Mommy blog and trying to be the perfect mother, but most of the time feeling like she’s failing herself and her son. Also her ex-husband did quite a number on her self-esteem, and she somehow lost the Annie she was when she was young. But then she crosses paths with the very sexy Sawyer, the boy who broke her heart, and leaving Brightwater just got a whole lot more difficult.

Sawyer has never forgotten the young Annie. The girl he let slip through his fingers. And after the horrible experience with his ex-fiancé, he just knows that Annie has always been the one for him. He just needs to convince her that they belong together, and that Brightwater is her home.

This was a sweet romance that I enjoyed. I really liked Sawyer and Annie. Atticus was so cute and adorable.

There’s just something about small town romances that I like. The secondary characters are always so wonderful, and the romance just hits that sweet spot exactly right.

[A.J. Pine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sawyer Kane is going to ruin it for all other men out there. He is my favorite kind of romance hero. He says what he means, doesn't play games, and fixes gutters with his shirt off.

But this isn't Sawyer's book alone. I adore Annie. She's the exact heroine I needed in my life right now. She's not just figuring out who she is in her former and now current relationship with Brightwater's Sheriff Sawyer Kane. She's rediscovering herself, re-imagining herself (as a professional and as a single mom), and learning how to let happiness back in when it's been gone for so long.

I think the best part about this book is that we don't have to say good-bye to Sawyer, Annie, and Atticus. They're waiting for us in books two and three.

I adore the Kane brothers. Can't wait to see what Archer has in store for us next!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enchanting and addictive story about second chance love, the anchoring roots of home, and discovering where you belong. Last First Kiss is an incredible start to the Brightwater series, and I absolutely loved every moment. Refreshing, smart, funny, and oh-so-sexy...and don't even get me started on Sawyer. *swoon*

On a personal note, as a former Mommy blogger who struggled to find her place in the world and balance it with the joys of motherhood, I so related to Annie's journey. Her story is universal, one I think so many of us can find ourselves in, and her blog truly made this an unforgettable reading experience for me. I so wish Musings of a Mighty Mama was a real blog...not only because her posts were a true delight, but I could so use some of Annie's tips!

[Megan Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Lia's writing. I related to Annie on a level that really surprised me and Sawyer was everything, truly everything I want in a hero.

This was sexy and swoony and I can't wait to read more of Brightwater.

[Melissa West · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much love!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Last First Kiss. Lia Riley has another hit on her hands with this one. It’s a perfectly woven sweet, and sensual story of two people who should never have looked twice at one another but found love anyway.

Brightwater is known for one big thing, the Kane-Carson feud. Think Hatfields & McCoys and you’ve essentially get the gist. For generations the two families haven’t cared for each other but that just makes for a Romeo & Juliet story between Sawyer Kane and Annie Carson. They’ve known each other since they were kids and there’s always been something there however they never got to truly act on it. When Annie gets of out Brightwater she finds love elsewhere but it doesn’t end well and ends up back in her hometown and in the arms of Sawyer before she knows it.

I absolutely loved Annie. She’s stronger and braver than she realizes, loves like it’s going out of style and raises her son to be himself. She’s what I want to be when I finally grow up. Sure, she puts on a small front for her blog but who doesn’t? Even with our book blogs we still present a person who seems better than the true us and that’s okay. We want people to see the best parts of us, not the bad. When Annie realizes that it’s okay to show the bad though? Loved it. Her growth from meek, in the world of Brightwater, to someone who can speak her mind to the likes of Sawyer’s curmudgeonly grandmother is a joy to see. She finally realizes that it’s okay to be who she is in the small town of Brightwater and as long as she has the love of her son and Sawyer she doesn’t have to care what others think.

And then there’s Sawyer. Oh, Sawyer. I’ve said numerous times on Twitter that he’s ruined me and I stand by that whole-heartedly. I’ve never been drawn to the good guy. Not in real life and not in entertainment. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but he’s never really been for me. And throw in the fact that he’s a modern day cowboy? Pulling double-duty to make me less interested in him. However Lia wrote him in this wonderful way that I wish he were real and I could borrow him from Annie for a night or two. Or forever. Who knows? Sawyer was a complete delight. He didn’t have as much growth as Annie but he really didn’t need it. He always knew that Annie was the girl for him but felt like it would never happen because she left and was content in never coming back. But after ten long years she’s back in Brightwater and he’s there to see her through anything. The way that he cares for her and her son stole my heart. He knew from day one they were a packaged deal and he was okay with that. And the things he says to her about being a mother? Men around the world need to take notes.

Brightwater is full of lively secondary characters as well. From Grandma Kane and her meddling ways to Archer, Sawyer’s brother, and Edie, a recent transplant to the area. Each bring a facet to Last First Kiss that would be missed if they weren’t there. Grandma Kane’s love for the feud made for interesting conversation between her and Sawyer. She obviously loves her grandson but she really needed to just leave well enough alone. I cannot wait for Archer’s book because he’s definitely the kind of guy I adore. He’s an unashamed ladies’ man, so of course he needs to be tied down. And Edie? I loved her so much. The way she and Annie became friends and were able to bond over the simple things. She was there when Annie needed a friend and I loved it.

Last First Kiss warms the heart and brings hope that love will win out.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am ALWAYS game for a second chance romance set in a small Western town! I love the vibe of these novels and they just make me REALLY happy. Last First Kiss was no exception. I completely fell for these characters and the anticipation of Sawyer and Annie getting together nearly drove me mad! I loved those two together so much and I just wanted Annie to throw caution to the wind and jump into his arms like she did off the cliffs so long ago.

However, things aren't so easy for Annie. Having returned to Brightwater with her 5 year old son, Atticus after her divorce, Annie is only there temporarily to get her family's farm taken care of and sold off so she can move on to San Francisco and start fresh. She certainly didn't account for Sawyer Kane to saunter back into her life. Coming face to face with the boy turned ALLLL man who broke her heart and humiliated her when she was younger, is no easy task for Annie. Yet, the chemistry that once existed between them is definitely still there.

I do understand Annie's hesitancy. She's already undergone a huge life change and she has constructed a plan- a way to get back on track. Sawyer is making her feel things she hasn't felt in a long time and is making her question her decision to leave Brightwater. Having once fled the small town because of prejudices against her and her family, she is afraid to let the place that once hurt her heal her.

Not only did I love Annie's blossoming relationship with Sawyer, but I loved seeing the interactions between Sawyer and Atticus. There was one scene in particular that moved me and I definitely got a little teary-eyed! I loved little Atticus. He is so adorable and I love that he marches to the beat of his own drum. Even though Sawyer is a little awkward around kids, he has already proven he will be a great father figure to Atticus.

We briefly met Sawyer's younger brother, Archer, who is known as a playboy, and I am excited to get his book next! He has his sights set on Edie, a new-to-town coffee shop owner. She instantly befriends Annie and I liked seeing their friendship develop, especially since Annie needed a new friend who didn't know of her family's history. I also really liked Annie's older sister, Claire, and I have to admit I'd like to see her with Wilder, Sawyer's eldest brother. Even though I haven't met him yet, I'm already shipping those two!

All in all, I thought this was a cute romance and I loved rooting for Sawyer and Annie the entire time. Sawyer is a winner and one hell of a guy. I loved how Riley wrote his character- he wasn't afraid to be honest and open with his feelings, but he was still 100% man too. And good Lord can he kiss! Definitely pick this one up if you're in the mood for a feel good, sexy second chance romance!

*Received a copy of this book via Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When her father dies, Annie Carson moves back to her hometown after being gone and out in the world for ten years. In those years she married an older man, had a son named Atticus, and eventually gets divorced. She has also become a popular blogger talking about being a super-mom and also life as a single mom. Her father leaves her his sprawling and dilapidated farm, and Annie decides to fix it up and sell it. She just doesn't realize how much work that will take.

Moving back home means running back into her former boyfriend Sawyer. Years ago in high school she was humiliated by him at a party and hasn't spoken to him since. Sawyer is now the town's sheriff and can't believe the free-spirited Annie is back in town. Sawyer may be a more mature adult now, but his grandmother still thinks he is a boy. She is a little on the mean side, and thinks Annie and her late-father are totally kooky. If she had her say, Sawyer would not be allowed within twenty-feet of Annie. Thankfully, Sawyer can stand-up to her and tries his best to woo Annie again.

This is the first book in a new series from Lia Riley. I tried one of this author's new adults recently and didn't care for it, but this book has a different tone. It's deeply rooted in a small town and I enjoyed the atmosphere. Annie lives in a big farm house that needs a lot of work and I could picture it pretty well. She has big plans to fix it up, but the extent of the work is something she didn't plan for. She is very head strong and wants to be the perfect mother. Being a mother has kind of taken over her life, as it tends to do. She had thrown away her vintage dresses and shoes and now looks down to see herself wearing sweats and stained t-shirts. Not only does she need to work on the house, but she needs to establish her own life again.

Her kid didn't annoy me too much in this one (as sometimes kids do) but the one frustration I had with this book is that sometimes Annie acted a little too perfect. And she looked to people for sympathy. Kind of like an "oh gee poor me" attitude - and that got on my nerves. I'm all for her being overwhelmed with her life - I expected that. But her "too perfect" act was a little much.

I love a small town sheriff and Sawyer fit that role nicely. He was kind and patient and knew how to handle his grandmother who always had a lot to say. His courtship with Annie was slow, but they had nice chemistry together. Again, I think Annie tried to put on her perfect act with Sawyer and I would have liked her so much better had she just been more genuine.

I think I'll try the next book in this series - I liked the voice in this book, just wasn't a big fan of Annie. But it's a cute small town and I think with the set up of two supporting characters, the next book could be fun

Grade: C+

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

See more of my reviews on my blog Thoughts At One In The Morning.

My Thoughts:

MY HEART.

Seriously. My heart! This book pulled at my heartstrings and gave me heart flutters. I anticipated it being all sweet and cute and everything, but I didn't realize how much.

Watching the relationship between Annie and Sawyer develop is nothing short of beautiful. I loved seeing events unfold, how they handled themselves. The setting was perfection, and it added to everything in the best way. It was great to see their love build slowly over time, not just happening in a snap. There's so much charm to the story--not just the romance between Annie and Sawyer, but also the people of the town and Annie's son, Atticus. They all stole my heart!

Last First Kiss was such a gorgeous story. I laughed (THE COW), I teared up (Sawyer with Atticus and the puppies), and I fell in love along with them (with each and every kiss). Second chance romances always tug at the heart, and this one was no exception. This is the first book by Lia Riley that I've read and it most certainly will not be the last! Highly recommended!

My Rating: Very Good

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was strongly recommended to me by a friend, and I liked the title. I'm not sure I even read the blurb before starting it to fill in time between library holds. The thing is...this book isn't bad. I'm not sure why I didn't like it. I just didn't. I've tried to pinpoint different issues, but it isn't anything specific. I sort of liked the heroine OK. She is the kind of woman who reacts to life rather than making it for herself. That annoyed me but didn't make me hate her. The hero is pretty one note, central casting popular high school guy turned small town sheriff. There is a plot moppet but he wasn't too cute or annoying. I wish this book had some more salt. It was like slow cooked oatmeal with no seasoning or toppings. Perfectly edible but who would want to?

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei)]

ARC provided by Avon Romance via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Saly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars
This was a decent small-town contemporary. Heroine returns to the town she hates to fix up her family home to sell and get a decent nest-egg for a fresh start for herself and her son. The hero always had a thing for her but a misunderstanding drove the heroine away and now the hero spies a second chance. The hero was a nice decent guy while the heroine had hidden her real identity for being a mom. The heroine could be wish-washy but the hero was great.

[Irisheyz77 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Ticket to Anywhere




Place(s) Traveled To: Brightwater, California

First Line(s): Dear readers, There were so many sweet by worried comments following my divorce announcement.

LAST FIRST KISS by Lia Riley is the first book in a new series that is set in the small town of Brightwater, California. This book involves Annie Carson who has returned home for the first time since high school graduation to heal from her divorce and to prepare the family farm for sale. While home she meets back up with Sawyer, who is her neighbor, her first love, and also her family's enemy. The two families have been feuding since before most people can remember and so that doesn't make things easy for this Romeo and Juliet couple. Especially since Sawyer is a big part of why Annie left home in the first place.

When Annie lived in Brightwater she was a bit of a wild child and often the source of town gossip but over the years she's grown up, married, had a child, and started a popular mommy's blog to chronicle her perfect life. Only her life isn't perfect and she's struggling to keep it all together. She most definitely doesn't need the added complication of Sawyer coming back into her life and she struggles with him wanting to start fresh.

I liked the chemistry between Sawyer and Annie and I adored how Sawyer interacted with Annie's son. I often don't like kids in books and LAST FIRST KISS wasn't an exception to this but it could have been worse. I did think that LAST FIRST KISS was a bit more awkward than it should have been. The dialogue scenes were a bit cringe worthy at times and it didn't feel like real people were talking.

In terms of steaminess, LAST FIRST KISS is a bit cool and vanilla and there was a crazy escalation to the HEA which ended up being overly cutesy for my tastes. I also thought that all the blog entries were a distraction and I could have done without them. I think by the end of the book I started to skip them all together. Overall, LAST FIRST KISS was just a meh read for me and while I'll probably read the other books in the series I don't think I'll be rushing out to do so.

 

Add Catching Cameron by Julie Brannagh to Goodreads. (Click here for my review.)

Add Imaginary Lines by Allison Parr to Goodreads. (Click here for my review.)

This review was originally posted on Ticket to Anywhere

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly don't know where to start with this review. I read Last First Kiss some time ago and have really struggled to put my thoughts into words. Don't get me wrong it isn't that I didn't like the story, in fact I loved it. The thing is Annie is such a realistic and relatable character, I don't feel as if I can do her or the story justice with my words alone. The story encompasses the theme of identity in a way all women and especially mothers will relate to.

Growing up in a small town as the outsider, her free-spirited artistic family classed as Kooky by the local popular crowd. All Annie has ever craved is to be loved and accepted for who she is. With a hundred year old feud to contend with and childhood cruelty; Annie escapes to college following the final blow to her self-esteem in the form of her only friend, Sawyer.

Growing up without a mother and an absentee father has left Annie longing for a relationship filed with affection and belonging. Overwhelmed when an older, sophisticated man takes an interest in her. Escalating quickly to marriage and parenthood; however, the dream is quickly crushed due to the narcissistic nature of said older man :(

Annie is a wonderfully strong, independent woman struggling to come to terms with the dysfunctional relationships in her life. Questioning her judgement, she pours herself into motherhood and in turn her parenting/lifestyle blog. Again, another completely relatable aspect for me, Annie uses blogging as an outlet and as a way to relate to her peers when she is unable to do so in real life. Although, and again I am sure we are all a little guilty of this, Annie's online persona only shows a small part (generally the good bits) of the person she is as opposed to the warts and all variety people get in the real world ;)

It is so easy to lose sight of yourself and even in taking pride in your appearance when every waking moment is taken up with providing for your child while simultaneously navigating all the crap that daily life tends to throw at you. Loss of self-esteem is a really difficult thing to alter and ultimately it is only something that can be achieved by yourself. No-one else can do it for you. Although, once regained is something that is highly valued.

The story is told in third person narrative allowing the reader to gain much-needed perspective from all sides. Looking at family relationships and how fate takes you to where you should be. The narrative brings alive the idea that divine providence exists to step in when required to pave the way to your own personal happily ever after. Lia cleverly lays the foundations for the other storied due in the Brightwater series. The use of a social media persona within the narrative reflects todays society perfectly especially how easy it is to measure your self-worth as a direct reflection of the online presence you have.

Sawyer is swoon-worthingly old-fashioned where courtship is concerned. He has never really recovered from Annie and although he tried to move on, events left him a little distant. He has accepted his life lacks the type of loving relationship he craves but he values himself to highly to accept anything less. See what I mean utterly swoony :) Determined to make the most of the opportunity when Annie returns to her family home in order to sell it.

Annie and Sawyer are absolutely perfect for each other. Although past incidents on both sides cloud their judgement, the journey to a long-lasting, fulfilling relationship is beautiful to follow and provides a deep sense of hope for the future.

I really hope we get to see more of Annie and Sawyer in the rest of the series ♥

[Chu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A single mom and a blogger, Annie Carson just needs to do one thing back at Brightwater series and she needs to do it fast. No need to wander around and get nostalgic with her not-so-stellar past with the citizens of the small town.

Her blog might be popular with all her Pinterest perfect post, but in reality, it might not be that perfect at all. Every day was a struggle, and she has been getting through. Then here comes the six-foot-four gorgeous man from her past, the reason why she left town in the first place. No matter how sexy he might be, there was no way she was going to let him distract her from her task. She needs the money to start fresh in the big city.

Sawyer was the perfect cowboy. He’s charming and kind and sweet and has always regretted his actions when he allowed the girl who meant too much to him to simply slip away. Now she’s back and he was going to get his second chance. He wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice, but can he make her stay? Can he make her trust him again?

Sawyer and Annie are easy to like, most especially Sawyer. I love the fact that he knows what he wants and he will do anything to get it, plus, he won’t settle for anything else. He gambled his heart, the whole of it at risk of being broken. As for Annie, she’s hardworking, imperfect, which makes a bunch of readers relate to her character, and is trying her best to be a great mom to her child.

I enjoyed reading this book, not just because the characters are easily relatable, but the playful banters, the secondary characters and let’s not mention the second chance romance is simply makes this book one interesting read!


Review originally posted on my blog

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