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Beach Kingdom #1
Mouth to Mouth
A man with a prison record has no place around a fresh faced college student. Tell that to Rory Prince. He should stay the hell away from Olive Cunningham. There’s one small problem, though. She won’t stop almost getting killed—and with this too-smart, too-sweet girl holding his heart in her hands, Rory is powerless to do anything but keep saving her.
Homeschooled from a young age, Olive is now out on her own and discovering the world, one milkshake flavor at a time. Until recently, she has experienced life through books. She’s walked in a million sets of shoes while flipping pages—enough to know that Rory gives her once-in-a-lifetime feelings. If only he would stop trying to protect her…from himself.
Homeschooled from a young age, Olive is now out on her own and discovering the world, one milkshake flavor at a time. Until recently, she has experienced life through books. She’s walked in a million sets of shoes while flipping pages—enough to know that Rory gives her once-in-a-lifetime feelings. If only he would stop trying to protect her…from himself.
158 pages, ebook
First published November 12, 2018
1256 people are currently reading
5755 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Bailey
110 books67.1k followersNew York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 741 reviews
May 2, 2021
this bitch needs to see a gynaecologist ASAP her panties get wet like every chapter. the guy literally just breathes on her and she’s like HEEEEELP 😩💦 MY PUSSY’S GONE CRAZY 😫😫 💦
November 21, 2018
➳When an unexpected attraction and connection takes place between two very different characters, Tessa Bailey brings a new romance filled with anticipated angst in an enchanting world that you do not want to miss out on...
➳So when Tessa sends you an unexpected book and it arrives in your inbox, there is no denying that you go out of your mind with craziness as to why you have been a luck duckling to read this surprise release that will have every single one of you knocked on your knees with wanting more. Rory and Olive have become one of those couples that show you the unexpected part of two individuals whom are totally the opposite in every retrospective, but share a common interest of attraction and emotional grasp. Something in which Tessa knows how to perfectly acquire in a romance novel.
➳Olive, a dedicated Stony Brook University student enhancing a relationship with the bad boy style that is Rory, emerges herself to wanting more from Rory. While he doesn't feel like he truly should belong to her. Their attraction towards each other is a no brainer, and there is also no denying that one truly will fall head over heels with Rory and Olive. Their story goes up and down, because their emotions are the one contributing factor that makes Rory decline the love that Rory has towards him.
➳With this surprise release, I recommend getting on it! Tessa is an author that you never want to miss out on, and I am surprised that I have just encountered upon her books **cough cough** I regret it one hundred percent... But it is never too late to admit your mistakes, and I will for sure be enamored with her future writing. Thank you to Tessa for writing such an incredible romance that has captivated my heart in every way and will captivate the mind and emotions of all her readers!
➳ARC kindly provided by my favorite author in exchange for an honest review...
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2ROYFeN
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2qHyT0C
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2DiX4ux
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2ALLQMJ
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2PAkYrg
➳Follow Me On:
Blog ♕ Instagram ♕ Facebook ♕ Twitter
➳So when Tessa sends you an unexpected book and it arrives in your inbox, there is no denying that you go out of your mind with craziness as to why you have been a luck duckling to read this surprise release that will have every single one of you knocked on your knees with wanting more. Rory and Olive have become one of those couples that show you the unexpected part of two individuals whom are totally the opposite in every retrospective, but share a common interest of attraction and emotional grasp. Something in which Tessa knows how to perfectly acquire in a romance novel.
➳Olive, a dedicated Stony Brook University student enhancing a relationship with the bad boy style that is Rory, emerges herself to wanting more from Rory. While he doesn't feel like he truly should belong to her. Their attraction towards each other is a no brainer, and there is also no denying that one truly will fall head over heels with Rory and Olive. Their story goes up and down, because their emotions are the one contributing factor that makes Rory decline the love that Rory has towards him.
➳With this surprise release, I recommend getting on it! Tessa is an author that you never want to miss out on, and I am surprised that I have just encountered upon her books **cough cough** I regret it one hundred percent... But it is never too late to admit your mistakes, and I will for sure be enamored with her future writing. Thank you to Tessa for writing such an incredible romance that has captivated my heart in every way and will captivate the mind and emotions of all her readers!
➳ARC kindly provided by my favorite author in exchange for an honest review...
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2ROYFeN
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2qHyT0C
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2DiX4ux
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2ALLQMJ
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2PAkYrg
➳Follow Me On:
Blog ♕ Instagram ♕ Facebook ♕ Twitter
November 17, 2018
4 STARS
Two things that are typically a lady-boner killer for me in books:
1. Insta-love
2. Virginal, sweet and innocent heroine
Two things that this books had:
1. Insta-love
2. Virginal, sweet and innocent heroine
I'm pretty sure that only Tessa Bailey is capable of throwing that at me and making me love it. I'm questioning my entire existence right now because of how much I loved it. Not that I'm going to be binging on insta-anything immediately after. But, if Tessa Bailey writes it? You best believe I'll be reading it.
Mouth to Mouth is a New Adult romance that's a deliciously fast paced read. It's your steryotypical bad boy falling for the good girl trope, but with a Tessa Bailey twist on it. What does that mean? It means that while the heroine is most definitely a good girl, she's also quirky, spunky, and witty. And the bad boy? A dirty talking god. What else do you expect?
Olive and Rory come from two entirely different worlds. A home schooled book worm that's out in the real world for the first time on her own meets a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks with a prison record under his belt doesn't exactly make sense on paper. But when Rory saves the beauty with her nose stuck in her book from getting hit by a car, both their worlds get tilted on their axis. Olive is sweet and innocent. A college student out on her own for the first time ever. Rory is no good for her, but he also can't keep away from her. He's drawn into her orbit. And when he saves her life for the second time, all bets are off.
This was such a fun and sexy romance full of Tessa's signature dirty talk and hot as sin scenes. It also have two incredibly endearing characters that you can't help but fall for. Both Olive and Rory have their own demons of self worth that they're fighting, but you root for the the entire way.
It also sets the scene for the other Prince brothers and man oh man does it sound delicious. Especially the MM one. I can't wait!
If you enjoy a sweet and sexy light-hearted romance, this one is not to be missed!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
He was so fucking deep in love with her, he was never going to reach the bottom. The rest of his life would consist of sinking, down, down, down, further into love with this girl. Olive. His Olive.
Two things that are typically a lady-boner killer for me in books:
1. Insta-love
2. Virginal, sweet and innocent heroine
Two things that this books had:
1. Insta-love
2. Virginal, sweet and innocent heroine
I'm pretty sure that only Tessa Bailey is capable of throwing that at me and making me love it. I'm questioning my entire existence right now because of how much I loved it. Not that I'm going to be binging on insta-anything immediately after. But, if Tessa Bailey writes it? You best believe I'll be reading it.
Mouth to Mouth is a New Adult romance that's a deliciously fast paced read. It's your steryotypical bad boy falling for the good girl trope, but with a Tessa Bailey twist on it. What does that mean? It means that while the heroine is most definitely a good girl, she's also quirky, spunky, and witty. And the bad boy? A dirty talking god. What else do you expect?
Olive and Rory come from two entirely different worlds. A home schooled book worm that's out in the real world for the first time on her own meets a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks with a prison record under his belt doesn't exactly make sense on paper. But when Rory saves the beauty with her nose stuck in her book from getting hit by a car, both their worlds get tilted on their axis. Olive is sweet and innocent. A college student out on her own for the first time ever. Rory is no good for her, but he also can't keep away from her. He's drawn into her orbit. And when he saves her life for the second time, all bets are off.
This was such a fun and sexy romance full of Tessa's signature dirty talk and hot as sin scenes. It also have two incredibly endearing characters that you can't help but fall for. Both Olive and Rory have their own demons of self worth that they're fighting, but you root for the the entire way.
It also sets the scene for the other Prince brothers and man oh man does it sound delicious. Especially the MM one. I can't wait!
If you enjoy a sweet and sexy light-hearted romance, this one is not to be missed!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
February 23, 2019
4.5 stars
There's nothing like a Tessa Bailey book to get you out of a book funk! The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is because we didn't get an epilogue. I loved these two so much I really, really needed an epilogue. A five/ten years later one or a honeymoon one! Just thinking of a honeymoon with these two makes my brain go:
Every Tessa Bailey book just seems to set the bar just that bit higher. Loved Olive and Rory. A short but quite three dimensional love at first sight story that really got me out of a terrible book funk and made me wanna read non stop again.
P.S.
23/2/19
If Tessa Bailey ever decides to write PNR and especially about wolves, true mates and all, I would just hand her everything valuable I have and hug the sh*t out of her! I think she would really rock the genre.
There's nothing like a Tessa Bailey book to get you out of a book funk! The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is because we didn't get an epilogue. I loved these two so much I really, really needed an epilogue. A five/ten years later one or a honeymoon one! Just thinking of a honeymoon with these two makes my brain go:
Every Tessa Bailey book just seems to set the bar just that bit higher. Loved Olive and Rory. A short but quite three dimensional love at first sight story that really got me out of a terrible book funk and made me wanna read non stop again.
P.S.
23/2/19
If Tessa Bailey ever decides to write PNR and especially about wolves, true mates and all, I would just hand her everything valuable I have and hug the sh*t out of her! I think she would really rock the genre.
November 15, 2018
This was a quick, sweet, and sexy little read. I adored the heroine. I loved Rory. My only complaint, I wanted an epilogue.
November 18, 2018
2.5 meh stars
- too much pushing away
- cliche. I’ve had my fill of inexperienced, sheltered, naive, virginal heroines paired with older, very experienced & worldly heroes...blah
- h did most of the chasing of the H when he tried to keep distance
- h was “smart” but a ditzy idiot. Almost gets killed and has to be saved by H ...3 TIMES!
- NO EPILOGUE - hfn
* Big props though for a totally obsessed hero!
- too much pushing away
- cliche. I’ve had my fill of inexperienced, sheltered, naive, virginal heroines paired with older, very experienced & worldly heroes...blah
- h did most of the chasing of the H when he tried to keep distance
- h was “smart” but a ditzy idiot. Almost gets killed and has to be saved by H ...3 TIMES!
- NO EPILOGUE - hfn
* Big props though for a totally obsessed hero!
April 25, 2020
Rory and olive met while olive was walking and stearing at her phone. Rory saved her life. Hey she would of been hit by a bus. Then she goes to the beach since she knows Rory is a lifeguard there. She wants to see if he is working . Plus he never called her. Next thing she almost drowns. Rory saves her. This was a great book. He is older then her and believes in love at first sight. He has a bad past. She had a terrible childhood. They both think there not good for each other
December 12, 2022
This was cute! I loved how the hero kept saving the h. Their connection was swoony. It would have been 5-stars if he’d been a little less sad sack “I’m not good enough” and a little more “like it or love it” bulldozer. I did love how protective and jealous/possessive he was. So good👌🏻 And he did have good alpha energy at the end. She was too cute, innocent and vulnerable. 😍
Besides the hero letting her go too easily TWICE, I was also side-eyeing that the manwhore who works as a bartender and lifeguard had ZERO girls trying to get his attention. No past flings trying to take another ride? Really?? 👀😐 Make it make sense. I would have liked to see him confront his past.
Bottom Line? I was happily surprised to find a book by this author that fits my taste. I wish I could find more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- no OW drama
- a little OM drama
- no dubcon
- h is an 18 yr old virgin
- H is a 24 yr old manwhore
- no intimacies with OP on page
- condoms used - no discussion
- no long separation (2 weeks?)
Besides the hero letting her go too easily TWICE, I was also side-eyeing that the manwhore who works as a bartender and lifeguard had ZERO girls trying to get his attention. No past flings trying to take another ride? Really?? 👀😐 Make it make sense. I would have liked to see him confront his past.
Bottom Line? I was happily surprised to find a book by this author that fits my taste. I wish I could find more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- no OW drama
- a little OM drama
- no dubcon
- h is an 18 yr old virgin
- H is a 24 yr old manwhore
- no intimacies with OP on page
- condoms used - no discussion
- no long separation (2 weeks?)
November 12, 2018
“I don’t want to be her villain.”
Mouth to Mouth is just another example of how Tessa Bailey can DO NO WRONG! Exquisitely written, flawlessly filthy, and undeniably romantic! Rory and Olive are in a league of their own! I’m absolutely powerless when it comes to this woman’s writing. While I’m in her world, nothing else matters and nothing else exists for me. It’s vivid. It’s sexy. It’s unforgettable. I couldn’t look away…not even for a second.
This new adult romance with a delicious erotic undertone gave me all the feels and all the tingles. I had butterflies in my stomach for days! Smiling, blushing, laughing, and even tearing up a bit…book one in Tessa’s new Beach Kingdom series, gives us a brand new batch of characters to fall head over heels for. We have a Tessa Bailey signature alpha hero with a bad boy edge and a sweet, innocent, and smart heroine who becomes his world. These two together are EVERYTHING! She tames his wildness and he opens her eyes to sexy adventures. There is heartbreak. There is growth. There is so much love packed into this novel. If you haven’t discovered the greatness that is Tessa Bailey, this book right here is the PERFECT place to start!
Mouth to Mouth is just another example of how Tessa Bailey can DO NO WRONG! Exquisitely written, flawlessly filthy, and undeniably romantic! Rory and Olive are in a league of their own! I’m absolutely powerless when it comes to this woman’s writing. While I’m in her world, nothing else matters and nothing else exists for me. It’s vivid. It’s sexy. It’s unforgettable. I couldn’t look away…not even for a second.
This new adult romance with a delicious erotic undertone gave me all the feels and all the tingles. I had butterflies in my stomach for days! Smiling, blushing, laughing, and even tearing up a bit…book one in Tessa’s new Beach Kingdom series, gives us a brand new batch of characters to fall head over heels for. We have a Tessa Bailey signature alpha hero with a bad boy edge and a sweet, innocent, and smart heroine who becomes his world. These two together are EVERYTHING! She tames his wildness and he opens her eyes to sexy adventures. There is heartbreak. There is growth. There is so much love packed into this novel. If you haven’t discovered the greatness that is Tessa Bailey, this book right here is the PERFECT place to start!
November 12, 2018
“You look shaken up, sunbeam. We should probably get you a coffee and my number.”
It might not be my usual cup of tea, but once in a while, I love returning to stories that capture the innocence, the euphoria, that incomparable wild rush of a first love, and as always, Tessa Bailey takes a familiar premise—bad boy meets good girl—and rockets it into an unputdownable tale of yearning love. A whirlwind romance set on the sandy shores of Long Beach, New York, this story is the perfect portrayal of the sweet naivety and rapturous abandon of youth, where every emotion is amplified, every declaration is exaggeratedly sentimental, and a chance encounter between two strangers quickly spirals into a heated love affair of the everlasting kind. This is a read-in-one-sitting kind of book that I'd want to lose myself in on any given day.
Continue reading this review...
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November 22, 2018
Hmmm, started off good but then I just didn't like it anymore. I liked the characters but I wasn't feeling the story at all. :(
November 17, 2018
3.5-4 'She is breathing' Stars!
Of course, I am going to read anything that queen Tessa Bailey writes. And a surprise release that we were not expecting? Oh yeah, I am all over that! So, Mouth to Mouth is a little bit different from what I've read before by Tessa. This is a shorter story and this is an insta-love story. I enjoyed this type of pieces in the past and, obviously, if Tessa writes one it's going to be a journey!
Rory and Olive come from different worlds. Rory is an ex-con and Olive is an innocent teen starting a new period in her life. These two meet and sparks start flying. But Rory believes he is not good enough for beautiful Olive. Both characters have events in their lives that affect their relationship but when lust, connection and love are in the way? Nobody is stopping anything from happening.
So, for what it is (an insta-love verah sexy story), Mouth to Mouth was a great read. Is it my favorite by Tessa? No, it is not. I enjoyed it but I would have loved to read more about these characters and have an epilogue to wrap everything up. Still, it was an entertaining read and super sexy so I am not complaining! I am definitely curious about the rest of the characters, so I am glad this is becoming a series. Fans of Tessa and insta-love stories, check this one out!
Of course, I am going to read anything that queen Tessa Bailey writes. And a surprise release that we were not expecting? Oh yeah, I am all over that! So, Mouth to Mouth is a little bit different from what I've read before by Tessa. This is a shorter story and this is an insta-love story. I enjoyed this type of pieces in the past and, obviously, if Tessa writes one it's going to be a journey!
Rory and Olive come from different worlds. Rory is an ex-con and Olive is an innocent teen starting a new period in her life. These two meet and sparks start flying. But Rory believes he is not good enough for beautiful Olive. Both characters have events in their lives that affect their relationship but when lust, connection and love are in the way? Nobody is stopping anything from happening.
So, for what it is (an insta-love verah sexy story), Mouth to Mouth was a great read. Is it my favorite by Tessa? No, it is not. I enjoyed it but I would have loved to read more about these characters and have an epilogue to wrap everything up. Still, it was an entertaining read and super sexy so I am not complaining! I am definitely curious about the rest of the characters, so I am glad this is becoming a series. Fans of Tessa and insta-love stories, check this one out!
October 27, 2025
Alright
I wish that Tessa Bailey would have gone more into the actual storyline. It was good, but it needed more meat
I wish that Tessa Bailey would have gone more into the actual storyline. It was good, but it needed more meat
June 25, 2024
3 / 5 ⭐️ ⭐⭐
3 / 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Spicy chapters on Audible: 6, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18
Rory (MMC) and Olive (FMC)
I'm on a mission to read every single TB book that she's ever published, which is how I found myself reading this one from 2018.
Mouth to Mouth is an insta-love story about Rory, bartender, and lifeguard who saves former YouTuber star Olive on multiple occasions (from getting run over, from drowning, etc.) and ends up falling for her. Olive is a college student and is attracted to Rory from the moment she sees him. Rori has a complex for being an ex convict an believes that he's not good enough for Olive, so he will work to improve himself in the name of love.
Pros:
- This story is short, so it becomes an easy quick read.
- There are plenty of Spicy scenes, and the MMC has a dirty mouth 🔥
Cons:
- The character development and emotional connection between MC's is lacking
- The third act breakup is totally meh 😕
Imo, it's easy to see how much better TB's writing has become in the past few years if you compare this book to any of her most recent ones.
Some of the scenes in certain chapters feel clunky and unnatural, as well as the way the MC's feelings seem to go from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds.
I didn't hate reading this book, but I found my brain deviating from the story on more than one occasion since it didn't seem to get my full attention and I kind of struggled to finish it. I'm of the opinion that life's too short to read books that aren't fully enjoyable.
Happy reading! 📚
3 / 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Spicy chapters on Audible: 6, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18
Rory (MMC) and Olive (FMC)
I'm on a mission to read every single TB book that she's ever published, which is how I found myself reading this one from 2018.
Mouth to Mouth is an insta-love story about Rory, bartender, and lifeguard who saves former YouTuber star Olive on multiple occasions (from getting run over, from drowning, etc.) and ends up falling for her. Olive is a college student and is attracted to Rory from the moment she sees him. Rori has a complex for being an ex convict an believes that he's not good enough for Olive, so he will work to improve himself in the name of love.
Pros:
- This story is short, so it becomes an easy quick read.
- There are plenty of Spicy scenes, and the MMC has a dirty mouth 🔥
Cons:
- The character development and emotional connection between MC's is lacking
- The third act breakup is totally meh 😕
Imo, it's easy to see how much better TB's writing has become in the past few years if you compare this book to any of her most recent ones.
Some of the scenes in certain chapters feel clunky and unnatural, as well as the way the MC's feelings seem to go from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds.
I didn't hate reading this book, but I found my brain deviating from the story on more than one occasion since it didn't seem to get my full attention and I kind of struggled to finish it. I'm of the opinion that life's too short to read books that aren't fully enjoyable.
Happy reading! 📚
November 7, 2018
4.5 stars! This is definitely Tessa Bailey's sweetest, most adorable book yet! But not to worry, it still has all of Tessa's dirty, sexy goodness inside. If you love New Adult, beachy romances, a heroine who grows into herself, and a hero head over heels in love, you need this book in your life!
Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.
April 1, 2019
After this series, I am OFFICIALLY a Tessa Bailey fan!
Bloody hell..this woman can write!
Bloody hell..this woman can write!
December 4, 2018
I know some people were complaining that they felt like the heroine was chasing the hero. However, it didn’t really feel like she was chasing him at all. At the very beginning of the book he walks away after they have a connection but the heroine doesn’t go chasing after him or anything. Even after the second time they meet and he tries not to pursue anything with her she still doesn’t chase after him, they just happen to see each other again by chance. He wasn’t a jerk about why he was trying not to pursue her. He just felt like he wasn’t good enough for her.
I think the hero was actually pretty obsessed with the heroin and I love how descriptive the author is about how affectionate he was. Like the wanting to constantly touch her and grabbing her hand to kiss her wrists. Little details like that made me swoon.
I love books were the author is really descriptive in the physical part of the the relationship. Not just sex but little things like holding hands, kissing her hand, etc etc it just makes me swoon!
I liked the book a lot just wish it was longer!!!!
November 12, 2018
Rory is a bad bad boy with a short fuse. Olive is a young, smart sweetheart newly out on her own and living in Long Beach. When they meet Rory May save Olive a time or two, or three, but in the end Olive does a little saving of Rory too.
Mouth to Mouth is quick, steamy, and even fun. Rory is alpha AF, and Olive is quirky and sweet. I love them together and this was the perfect read for a little romance and little steam!
Mouth to Mouth is quick, steamy, and even fun. Rory is alpha AF, and Olive is quirky and sweet. I love them together and this was the perfect read for a little romance and little steam!
August 27, 2019
:::
Overall Rating :: 1 star
Series :: Book one of the Beach Kingdom series.
Hero/Heroine :: Rory/Olive
POV :: Alternating.
Cliffhanger :: Nope.
HEA ::
:::
I'm a bit disappointed with this one, unfortunately. Tessa Bailey is typically a win with me, but Mouth to Mouth felt different, less composed. A bit rushed, even. Typically, there's build-up between her characters, ramping up the sexual tension, letting them get to know one another without falling head first into a bed. Okay, well, that can happen. But the build-up is still there. Her books often have this anticipatory feeling - sure the inevitability of the hero and heroine getting together is there, but the story and plot bind it all. Unfortunately, Mouth to Mouth was lacking that depth.
My biggest gripe? I'm not a huge fan of romance novels that seem to take place over the course of a few days. The two-week chunk of time that actually passed, these two weren't even together. I mean, there are people I've known for years and years and years, and I wonder sometimes if I even like them. I just can't always buy the insta-love trope. In this case, I just wasn't convinced that Rory and Olive were meant to be.
Two other things that irked me a bit. One, Rory's age. Or the so-called age gap here. Okay, she's eighteen. That is young. But he's only twenty-four. Twenty-four! Are we really trying to convince ourselves that twenty-four is worldly? I feel like him being in prison should be a factor for his view of the world, but he felt more immature than hardened. The other thing? How many times, I wonder, did Olive's thighs "smack together" during the course of this book? I don't care how turned on I've been, I've never needed to close my legs with such urgency. But hey, maybe I'm missing out.
Overall Rating :: 1 star
Series :: Book one of the Beach Kingdom series.
Hero/Heroine :: Rory/Olive
POV :: Alternating.
Cliffhanger :: Nope.
HEA ::
:::
I'm a bit disappointed with this one, unfortunately. Tessa Bailey is typically a win with me, but Mouth to Mouth felt different, less composed. A bit rushed, even. Typically, there's build-up between her characters, ramping up the sexual tension, letting them get to know one another without falling head first into a bed. Okay, well, that can happen. But the build-up is still there. Her books often have this anticipatory feeling - sure the inevitability of the hero and heroine getting together is there, but the story and plot bind it all. Unfortunately, Mouth to Mouth was lacking that depth.
My biggest gripe? I'm not a huge fan of romance novels that seem to take place over the course of a few days. The two-week chunk of time that actually passed, these two weren't even together. I mean, there are people I've known for years and years and years, and I wonder sometimes if I even like them. I just can't always buy the insta-love trope. In this case, I just wasn't convinced that Rory and Olive were meant to be.
Two other things that irked me a bit. One, Rory's age. Or the so-called age gap here. Okay, she's eighteen. That is young. But he's only twenty-four. Twenty-four! Are we really trying to convince ourselves that twenty-four is worldly? I feel like him being in prison should be a factor for his view of the world, but he felt more immature than hardened. The other thing? How many times, I wonder, did Olive's thighs "smack together" during the course of this book? I don't care how turned on I've been, I've never needed to close my legs with such urgency. But hey, maybe I'm missing out.
July 17, 2019
This is cute and very well-written. Further, I like what Bailey has done with the self-hating hero. He has cause enough and the external input to believe it, but with a caring heart and enough wisdom to reevaluate when shown his error. I found that unbelievably engaging. Olive's background is a bit thin and I didn't really buy the details so I had to rewrite them to fit the premise. But that worked out okay and I kind of liked her mix of assertiveness and naivete because both were earned.
Still, I'm giving this up at about 75%, though with some reluctance. Two things feed into that. The first is that it's very steamy and with a crude-language kicker. Four sex scenes and they aren't small. Indeed, their mutual attraction is what drives their connection (though at least the emotional connection feels earned-enough, as well). Second, I really like where they are right now and my spidey-senses are tingling for a dark moment. I really don't want a dark moment. And even if it doesn't happen, I still like where they are and I'm ready to be done.
So yeah. A good enough story that I'll give it three stars even though I'm dnf'ing. The plot is thin and only really works because I was engaged with the characters.
A note about Steamy and Crude: This is very steamy. Also crude. As I mentioned above. It's enough that I'd characterize it as erotica, though that's stretching it a bit.
Still, I'm giving this up at about 75%, though with some reluctance. Two things feed into that. The first is that it's very steamy and with a crude-language kicker. Four sex scenes and they aren't small. Indeed, their mutual attraction is what drives their connection (though at least the emotional connection feels earned-enough, as well). Second, I really like where they are right now and my spidey-senses are tingling for a dark moment. I really don't want a dark moment. And even if it doesn't happen, I still like where they are and I'm ready to be done.
So yeah. A good enough story that I'll give it three stars even though I'm dnf'ing. The plot is thin and only really works because I was engaged with the characters.
A note about Steamy and Crude: This is very steamy. Also crude. As I mentioned above. It's enough that I'd characterize it as erotica, though that's stretching it a bit.
not-appealing
December 1, 2018Inexperienced virgin heroine with an experienced older man... Sounds like not my cuppa at all!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 4, 2019
I liked this "good girl virgin and bad boy ex-con" story. Except the MCs came off as very immature. The H is 24 years old and the h is 18. And boy, was it obvious she was only 18. Half of the time the H is making up reasons they can't get together, then once they do, the h starts inventing stupid excuses for why they can't stay together. The in between parts were sexy and romantic. The MCs were damaged and had difficult pasts, they were very good together. But the pages of indecision, insecurities, and excuses got on my nerves.
I'd say this is a worthwhile read, it you are prepared for a few head shaking moments.
I'd say this is a worthwhile read, it you are prepared for a few head shaking moments.
November 30, 2018
I'll call this one an anomaly because Tessa Bailey has always been a win for me but this one wasn't...
The insta-love made me roll my eyes. The caveman attitude from Rory made me cringe. The angst wasn't really worth 'angsting' about...
I was bored pretty quickly...
But this is a first with this author so I'm not letting go this series. And as one of the brothers is gay, I'm sensing a MM book here so YEAH!!
The insta-love made me roll my eyes. The caveman attitude from Rory made me cringe. The angst wasn't really worth 'angsting' about...
I was bored pretty quickly...
But this is a first with this author so I'm not letting go this series. And as one of the brothers is gay, I'm sensing a MM book here so YEAH!!
December 22, 2018
Every now and then I read a Tessa Bailey book and it just fucking does it for me. And honestly I can't even tell you why. I think it's the hero being all obsessive and possessive. Or maybe it's the heroine being all quirky and unique. Or the secondary characters being so well developed but not taking away from the story. Or maybe it's just everything all mixed together just right.
Whatever it is this book just worked. I loved Rory so much and Olive was so perfect for him. But in the interest of full disclosure there were a few things in this story that normally would piss me off but due to the circumstances they were completely understandable and made the story better.
So yeah I love Tessa Bailey. She writes the hottest dirty talkers and I can't get enough of them.
Whatever it is this book just worked. I loved Rory so much and Olive was so perfect for him. But in the interest of full disclosure there were a few things in this story that normally would piss me off but due to the circumstances they were completely understandable and made the story better.
So yeah I love Tessa Bailey. She writes the hottest dirty talkers and I can't get enough of them.
not-interested
November 16, 2018Because of reasons...🤦🏻♀️🙄
👇👇👇
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
👇👇👇
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November 27, 2018
Tessa Bailey is one of my favourite authors, i will always love something by her.
October 22, 2019
Love these quick books. As always I love TB’s Heroes. Once they find THE ONE, they are GONE for her.
I didn’t like the way Olive hurt Rory toward the end, tho I get why she did it. Just made me mad enuf at her to take off a star...
I didn’t like the way Olive hurt Rory toward the end, tho I get why she did it. Just made me mad enuf at her to take off a star...
November 14, 2018
What can I say that I haven't said before about a Tessa Bailey book? I devoured this in one day and was left smiling like a goon. The Queen of Dirty Talk delivered once again another rough and gruff alpha male *swoon* and the sweetest heroine.
Now to get Tessa Bailey to write faster...
Now to get Tessa Bailey to write faster...
December 16, 2018
Rating: 4 Stars
Steam: 6 out of 10
Triggers:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
July 5, 2019
Easy enough to read but not super brilliant. I am just not a fan of super young women in these kinds of books. I did love the relationship between the brothers though.
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