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Trying Not to Kiss You
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Expected 17 Nov 26NYT and USA Today bestselling author Kaylee Ryan brings you a new standalone series set in a small town, surrounding four sisters. Trying Not to Kiss You is a small-town, friends-to-lovers, secret-relationship romance. Leighton Dixon Turner has always been a part of my life. I never thought twice about him until now. Volunteering to help him launch his new agricultural mechanic shop seemed harmless enough. But I wasnt prepared to spend every day with the guy Ive known most of my life and start seeing him in a way I never have before. The quiet steadiness of him. The way he listens like he actually hears me. Something has definitely shifted. And when the tension finally snaps, I make him an offer I really hope he doesnt refuse. Friends with benefits. I know a guy like Dixon doesn't do forever. But Ill take whatever hes willing to give. Because its a whole lot better than pretending theres nothing between us and trying not to kiss him every time he gets too close. Dixon Leighton was always there the little sister who tagged along. Looking back, I cant remember a time she wasnt. But somewhere between rebuilding engines and building my business, I realize shes all grown up. Wanting Leighton and letting myself have her are two different things. Ive seen firsthand what happens when you build your world around someone and lose them. My father never recovered, and Ive spent years making sure that never happens to me. Then Leighton happens. And if I cant bring myself to love her the way she deserves, Ill lose her anyway.
Audible Audio
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Kaylee Ryan
121 books6,598 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has earned the affectionate title of “Queen of Swoon” from her devoted readers. With over sixty romance novels to her name, Kaylee has built a beloved catalog of heartfelt stories that celebrate love in all its tender, emotional, and undeniably swoony forms. Her signature blend of charm, chemistry, and genuine happily-ever-afters has captivated readers around the world.
When she’s not crafting new love stories or dreaming up her next unforgettable couple, Kaylee can usually be found with a book in hand, fueling her creativity as a lifelong reader. She cherishes the time spent with her family and friends, embracing the moments that inspire the heart of her stories.
When she’s not crafting new love stories or dreaming up her next unforgettable couple, Kaylee can usually be found with a book in hand, fueling her creativity as a lifelong reader. She cherishes the time spent with her family and friends, embracing the moments that inspire the heart of her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Trying Not to Kiss You (Moran Sisters, Book 3) by Kaylee Ryan
Narrated by Grayson Owens and Andi Arndt
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
Kaylee Ryan just keeps getting better and better with every book in the Moran Sisters series!
First, we fell in love with Ellison and Copeland in Trying Not to Love You, then Baylor and Macklin stole our hearts in Trying Not to Need You. Now, in book three, we get Leighton and Dixon, and let me tell you, these two have chemistry off the charts and enough willpower to drive you absolutely crazy!
Leighton is the second youngest of the Moran sisters. She's the quiet one, the one who will do anything for anybody, always putting everyone else's needs before her own. Dixon Turner has always been part of the family circle. He's the trusted best friend, close to Leighton's brothers-in-law and one of her older sisters. They've known each other practically their entire lives, but neither has ever looked at the other as anything more than a friend.
That all starts to change when Leighton volunteers to help Dixon get his new agricultural mechanic shop up and running. Suddenly, they're spending every day together, and those feelings neither expected begin to grow into something neither can ignore.
And let me tell you, the will-they-or-won't-they tension is definitely there!
What really got to me about this story was Dixon. Here's a man who has witnessed a loss so devastating that he's convinced himself love isn't worth the risk. He's seen what losing the person you love can do to someone, and he's determined never to put himself in that position. He doesn't believe he can give Leighton the forever she deserves, even though his feelings for her are becoming impossible to deny.
And Leighton? Oh, my heart! She's willing to take whatever Dixon can give her, even if that means accepting something less than the forever she secretly wants. Watching these two navigate their feelings, their fears, and their undeniable chemistry had me completely invested.
Fair warning: I cried a couple of times during this book! There are some truly emotional moments, especially when you begin to understand the depth of Dixon's fears. But that ending? Oh my goodness, it was so incredibly sweet and absolutely worth every tear!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Grayson Owens and Andi Arndt, and I highly recommend experiencing this story in audio. They did a wonderful job bringing Leighton and Dixon's emotions, chemistry, and heartfelt moments to life.
Kaylee Ryan has a way of making you fall in love not only with the main characters but with the entire family. Every book makes me more attached to the Moran sisters, and I love getting to catch up with the couples from the previous stories.
Five huge stars from me!
If you love small-town romance, friends-to-lovers, emotional backstories, sizzling chemistry, and a hero who's terrified of love but can't help falling anyway, you need to read this one!
Now I'm impatiently waiting for book four because I cannot wait to see what's in store for Cortland and Bowen!
Kaylee Ryan, please keep these amazing stories coming! ❤️
Narrated by Grayson Owens and Andi Arndt
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
Kaylee Ryan just keeps getting better and better with every book in the Moran Sisters series!
First, we fell in love with Ellison and Copeland in Trying Not to Love You, then Baylor and Macklin stole our hearts in Trying Not to Need You. Now, in book three, we get Leighton and Dixon, and let me tell you, these two have chemistry off the charts and enough willpower to drive you absolutely crazy!
Leighton is the second youngest of the Moran sisters. She's the quiet one, the one who will do anything for anybody, always putting everyone else's needs before her own. Dixon Turner has always been part of the family circle. He's the trusted best friend, close to Leighton's brothers-in-law and one of her older sisters. They've known each other practically their entire lives, but neither has ever looked at the other as anything more than a friend.
That all starts to change when Leighton volunteers to help Dixon get his new agricultural mechanic shop up and running. Suddenly, they're spending every day together, and those feelings neither expected begin to grow into something neither can ignore.
And let me tell you, the will-they-or-won't-they tension is definitely there!
What really got to me about this story was Dixon. Here's a man who has witnessed a loss so devastating that he's convinced himself love isn't worth the risk. He's seen what losing the person you love can do to someone, and he's determined never to put himself in that position. He doesn't believe he can give Leighton the forever she deserves, even though his feelings for her are becoming impossible to deny.
And Leighton? Oh, my heart! She's willing to take whatever Dixon can give her, even if that means accepting something less than the forever she secretly wants. Watching these two navigate their feelings, their fears, and their undeniable chemistry had me completely invested.
Fair warning: I cried a couple of times during this book! There are some truly emotional moments, especially when you begin to understand the depth of Dixon's fears. But that ending? Oh my goodness, it was so incredibly sweet and absolutely worth every tear!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Grayson Owens and Andi Arndt, and I highly recommend experiencing this story in audio. They did a wonderful job bringing Leighton and Dixon's emotions, chemistry, and heartfelt moments to life.
Kaylee Ryan has a way of making you fall in love not only with the main characters but with the entire family. Every book makes me more attached to the Moran sisters, and I love getting to catch up with the couples from the previous stories.
Five huge stars from me!
If you love small-town romance, friends-to-lovers, emotional backstories, sizzling chemistry, and a hero who's terrified of love but can't help falling anyway, you need to read this one!
Now I'm impatiently waiting for book four because I cannot wait to see what's in store for Cortland and Bowen!
Kaylee Ryan, please keep these amazing stories coming! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Back to Magnolia Ridge, TN. Leighton and Dixon was not on my Moran Sisters bingo card. Reading their friendship turn into something more gave me the warm fuzzies. The touches? My heart. Dixon taking care of Leighton and her bestie after a night out drinking? Love it.
Trying Not To Kiss You reminded me how much I enjoy a friends to lovers romance. There is something comforting about seeing two friends get that spark and fall in love. That moment when the lightbulb turns on and they notice that person. Those moments just bring a smile to my face.
For Leighton and Dixon, their friendship and close proximity brought lots of moments of slow realization of their feelings. When they were babysitting Leighton’s niece and nephew? Swoon!
Andi Arndt narrates as Leighton and the other female characters. Greyson Owens narrates as Dixon and the other male characters. I just love Andi Arndt! She does an amazing job narrating though her narration of Grandma Ruby might be my favorite in the book. There was something soothing about her voice as Grandma Ruby. Greyson Owens is fairly new to me. Man, he is just a great fit for Dixon. When you hear some of *those* moments will have you fanning yourself.
Trying Not to Kiss you will have you fall in love with friends to lovers. Leighton and Dixon will leave you smiling and your heart full of joy.
Thank you Kaylee Ryan for the advance reader copy. I reviewed advance copies (ARC & ALC) of this book freely and voluntarily. I received no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Trying Not To Kiss You reminded me how much I enjoy a friends to lovers romance. There is something comforting about seeing two friends get that spark and fall in love. That moment when the lightbulb turns on and they notice that person. Those moments just bring a smile to my face.
For Leighton and Dixon, their friendship and close proximity brought lots of moments of slow realization of their feelings. When they were babysitting Leighton’s niece and nephew? Swoon!
Andi Arndt narrates as Leighton and the other female characters. Greyson Owens narrates as Dixon and the other male characters. I just love Andi Arndt! She does an amazing job narrating though her narration of Grandma Ruby might be my favorite in the book. There was something soothing about her voice as Grandma Ruby. Greyson Owens is fairly new to me. Man, he is just a great fit for Dixon. When you hear some of *those* moments will have you fanning yourself.
Trying Not to Kiss you will have you fall in love with friends to lovers. Leighton and Dixon will leave you smiling and your heart full of joy.
Thank you Kaylee Ryan for the advance reader copy. I reviewed advance copies (ARC & ALC) of this book freely and voluntarily. I received no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I spent years being afraid to love. And then one day, there you were. A woman who had been standing in front of me all along."
I swear each book gets better and better in this series! They have all been phenomenal and Leighton and Dixon were no exception. Years of being around each other as friends and found family never looking at the other anyway except friend/family until one day BAM...the attraction is there!
Leighton has had nothing but examples of forever love around her all of her life while Dixon has not. He lived with seeing his father live with a broken heart after his mom passed too young and he vowed to never love. He lives by that motto until the day Leighton sneaks into his heart without him even knowing. The best part is she doesn't even push herself of her feelings on him. She spends time with him and is just herself, Leighton Moran.
More review to come.....
I swear each book gets better and better in this series! They have all been phenomenal and Leighton and Dixon were no exception. Years of being around each other as friends and found family never looking at the other anyway except friend/family until one day BAM...the attraction is there!
Leighton has had nothing but examples of forever love around her all of her life while Dixon has not. He lived with seeing his father live with a broken heart after his mom passed too young and he vowed to never love. He lives by that motto until the day Leighton sneaks into his heart without him even knowing. The best part is she doesn't even push herself of her feelings on him. She spends time with him and is just herself, Leighton Moran.
More review to come.....
Review of advance copy received from Author
It’s no secret that I love the Moran Sisters, and this third installment did not disappoint! Trying Not to Kiss You by Kaylee Ryan was such a joy to read. There’s something so sweet about watching two people who grew up together see each other in a whole new light and fall in love.
Leighton is so easy to adore. She’s sweet and a little shy, and I loved watching her connection with Dixon grow. But Dixon? OMG, this man has my heart! He’s closed himself off out of fear of getting hurt, yet he falls head over heels for Leighton, and watching that unfold was my favorite part.
He’s sweet, hot, and protective of the people he loves, and Leighton brings out such a tender side of him. Watching him open his heart and let her in made their love story all the more satisfying. Another wonderful addition to a series I already love!
Leighton is so easy to adore. She’s sweet and a little shy, and I loved watching her connection with Dixon grow. But Dixon? OMG, this man has my heart! He’s closed himself off out of fear of getting hurt, yet he falls head over heels for Leighton, and watching that unfold was my favorite part.
He’s sweet, hot, and protective of the people he loves, and Leighton brings out such a tender side of him. Watching him open his heart and let her in made their love story all the more satisfying. Another wonderful addition to a series I already love!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Can the Moran Sisters Adopt me Please?!
Trying not to Kiss You is my favorite book in the Moran Sisters Series so far!
It may have something to do with being married to a Diesel Mechanic...or the fact that I loved how Leighton and Dixon's story fell into place!
This was all around a heartwarming wholesome love story that had me kicking my feet!!!
If you are looking for a sweet love story you need to check this out!
Trying not to Kiss You is my favorite book in the Moran Sisters Series so far!
It may have something to do with being married to a Diesel Mechanic...or the fact that I loved how Leighton and Dixon's story fell into place!
This was all around a heartwarming wholesome love story that had me kicking my feet!!!
If you are looking for a sweet love story you need to check this out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was duet narrated and they did exceptional! He’s definitely not ever gonna settle down… she needs a relationship of convenience.. well they both do… the way she builds this story, the feeling, the spice cause why not with no strings….. this was great! I ate this up and finished it quick!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews