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Kiss and Tell #1
His Forbidden Kiss
“Being reckless is okay from time to time.”
A stolen kiss puts that theory to the test…
When Taylor Thompson finds out the man she's casually dating is going to propose at the Valentine's Day gala, she literally hides in a closet! That’s where Royce Knox, her date's older—and to her mind, sexier—brother finds her. In a panic, she kisses him—causing chaos between her family and his, and in the tech company they co-founded.
Royce can't help himself—he kisses her back. After his brother catches them, though, he has some explaining to do. It doesn’t help that he and his brother are also competing to be CEO. Royce never gives in to unruly emotions—until Taylor. And now he must choose between the company he loves and the woman setting him on fire…
A stolen kiss puts that theory to the test…
When Taylor Thompson finds out the man she's casually dating is going to propose at the Valentine's Day gala, she literally hides in a closet! That’s where Royce Knox, her date's older—and to her mind, sexier—brother finds her. In a panic, she kisses him—causing chaos between her family and his, and in the tech company they co-founded.
Royce can't help himself—he kisses her back. After his brother catches them, though, he has some explaining to do. It doesn’t help that he and his brother are also competing to be CEO. Royce never gives in to unruly emotions—until Taylor. And now he must choose between the company he loves and the woman setting him on fire…
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2020
30 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Lemmon
202 books1,915 followersJessica Lemmon is a former job-hopper who resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dogs. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing emotionally-charged stories, she spends her time drawing, drinking coffee, and laughing with friends. Her motto is Read for fun, and she believes we should all do more of what makes us happy.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 29, 2020
This is a serious page-turner. It is also a very sweet story.
Taylor Thompson and Royce Knox seem to have their whole lives decided and planned out for them since before they were born. Their fathers were friends and started a company together. They were friends as well, if somewhat distant. Until one kiss inside a closed closet changes everything, and what follows... what follows is definitely worth reading. It's also sexy. If you know Jessica Lemmon's books, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Sometimes we can't see what's in front of us until someone else points it out, and this is what I feel this story was about: being too focused on everyone else and on pleasing everyone else but neglecting how you feel. Getting to the end of the story and getting that happily-ever-after was important for me on this one.
Taylor and Royce show us it's not easy to veer off the path laid out for us, but also that it can be changed by a single moment, a single (forbidden?) kiss. In the best possible way.
Taylor Thompson and Royce Knox seem to have their whole lives decided and planned out for them since before they were born. Their fathers were friends and started a company together. They were friends as well, if somewhat distant. Until one kiss inside a closed closet changes everything, and what follows... what follows is definitely worth reading. It's also sexy. If you know Jessica Lemmon's books, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Sometimes we can't see what's in front of us until someone else points it out, and this is what I feel this story was about: being too focused on everyone else and on pleasing everyone else but neglecting how you feel. Getting to the end of the story and getting that happily-ever-after was important for me on this one.
Taylor and Royce show us it's not easy to veer off the path laid out for us, but also that it can be changed by a single moment, a single (forbidden?) kiss. In the best possible way.
March 5, 2020
His Forbidden Kiss by Jessica Lemmon is an engaging and sexy romance for two people thwarted by family and circumstances who finally get to have their chance at something special.
Taylor Thompson never expected to be running away from a possible marriage proposal. But run she does when she realizes her date to the Valentine’s Day Gala, long time family friend Bran whom she has no real romantic interest in plans to propose at the ball. Hiding in a closet is so cliche, but it’s her only escape and when Bran’s older brother Royce Knox finds her, she pulls him into her escape hatch -thus casting the die in a new and intriguing direction.
Taylor’s always been attracted to Royce but her father had warned her off (and him too) and in the dark with emotions high, she goes with her first instinct and kisses him, a kiss that he immediately warms to. Naturally, they get caught – by Bran. But while making amends is something they both have to do to get back on Bran’s good side, it doesn’t change the fundamental new awareness they have of each other.
The Knox and Thompson families have worked together for years, and Taylor, Bran and Royce all have key positions in their shared tech company, making the situation fraught with tension. But can Taylor and Royce find their way to a partnership all their own?
I really enjoyed this story! It’s got a crackerjack start, and it’s made clear quickly that Bran is proposing for his own reasons and not because he’s in love with Taylor, making their short lived dating relationship one that is easily resolved. It does make for some stress between the two brothers though Royce can honestly say that it was Taylor who made the first move, and a good part of the story is the two brothers getting back on track.
Taylor is quick to apologize to Bran for how things went down and their friendship is repaired quickly. That leaves Royce and Taylor to figure out what is happening between them. Now that Taylor’s father has passed away, Taylor is free to act on her attraction to Royce (and vice versa) leading to some sexy scenes and the realization for Royce that his workaholic life is no longer satisfying.
The shared business and its challenges, the family dynamics with siblings and parents, and Taylor and Royce’s growing feelings for each other all come into play making for a well rounded story with some intriguing secondary characters as possible partners for the other Knox siblings Bran, and sister Gia. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable romance with a delightful couple and I look forward to reading more in the series!
This review also appears at Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-hi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
Taylor Thompson never expected to be running away from a possible marriage proposal. But run she does when she realizes her date to the Valentine’s Day Gala, long time family friend Bran whom she has no real romantic interest in plans to propose at the ball. Hiding in a closet is so cliche, but it’s her only escape and when Bran’s older brother Royce Knox finds her, she pulls him into her escape hatch -thus casting the die in a new and intriguing direction.
Taylor’s always been attracted to Royce but her father had warned her off (and him too) and in the dark with emotions high, she goes with her first instinct and kisses him, a kiss that he immediately warms to. Naturally, they get caught – by Bran. But while making amends is something they both have to do to get back on Bran’s good side, it doesn’t change the fundamental new awareness they have of each other.
The Knox and Thompson families have worked together for years, and Taylor, Bran and Royce all have key positions in their shared tech company, making the situation fraught with tension. But can Taylor and Royce find their way to a partnership all their own?
I really enjoyed this story! It’s got a crackerjack start, and it’s made clear quickly that Bran is proposing for his own reasons and not because he’s in love with Taylor, making their short lived dating relationship one that is easily resolved. It does make for some stress between the two brothers though Royce can honestly say that it was Taylor who made the first move, and a good part of the story is the two brothers getting back on track.
Taylor is quick to apologize to Bran for how things went down and their friendship is repaired quickly. That leaves Royce and Taylor to figure out what is happening between them. Now that Taylor’s father has passed away, Taylor is free to act on her attraction to Royce (and vice versa) leading to some sexy scenes and the realization for Royce that his workaholic life is no longer satisfying.
The shared business and its challenges, the family dynamics with siblings and parents, and Taylor and Royce’s growing feelings for each other all come into play making for a well rounded story with some intriguing secondary characters as possible partners for the other Knox siblings Bran, and sister Gia. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable romance with a delightful couple and I look forward to reading more in the series!
This review also appears at Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-hi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
March 7, 2020
Taylor and Royce set the pages on fire in this incredible start to a new series! I love the Knox siblings, and can’t wait for their stories. Especially after reading this one, which was so good!
February 12, 2020
I liked this book a lot.
I liked Royce and Taylor and how one stolen kiss will lead to many passionate nights. There relationship involves business and pleasure in the family owned company their fathers built and had both of them in key positions within the company, as well as Royce's sister and brother. The two brother's are both in contention for the CEO and will it come between them and their relationship with Taylor. Who will come out on top in the business as the CEO. Will Royce put business first or will he give Taylor what she wants... A home and family of her own.
This is a great start to a new series by Jessica Lemmon and as always she makes her readers want more...
I liked Royce and Taylor and how one stolen kiss will lead to many passionate nights. There relationship involves business and pleasure in the family owned company their fathers built and had both of them in key positions within the company, as well as Royce's sister and brother. The two brother's are both in contention for the CEO and will it come between them and their relationship with Taylor. Who will come out on top in the business as the CEO. Will Royce put business first or will he give Taylor what she wants... A home and family of her own.
This is a great start to a new series by Jessica Lemmon and as always she makes her readers want more...
October 2, 2021
Taylor terkejut mengetahui Bran akan melamarnya. Dia melarikan diri di gala valentine, dan bersembunyi di ruangan penyimpanan. Tapi Royce Knoxx, kakak Bran, menemukannya dan malah ikut terjebak dalam ruangan yang sama. Alih-alih menenangkan Taylor, mereka berdua malah berciuman di ruangan sempit itu.
Bagi Royce, perusahaan yang didirikan oleh ayahnya dan ayah Taylor adalah yang utama. Tapi ciuman Taylor malam itu membangkitkan sesuatu yang baru dalam dirinya. Ketika Taylor datang menyerahkan diri padanya, Royce tidak bisa menolaknya.
Taylor sendiri sudah lama menyukai Royce. Meski ayahnya melarangnya mendekati Royce. Menjalin hubungan dengan Royce adalah salah satu impiannya. Dia tahu Royce belum memiliki bayangan akan masa depan sebagai keluarga. Taylor bermaksud memberikan kelonggaran untuk Royce, tetapi Royce malah memutuskan hubungan mereka. Sayangnya setelah itu, Taylor mendapati dirinya hamil.
Setelah sekian lama akhirnya membaca HQ kembali. Ceritanya ringan dan lumayan menghibur.
Bagi Royce, perusahaan yang didirikan oleh ayahnya dan ayah Taylor adalah yang utama. Tapi ciuman Taylor malam itu membangkitkan sesuatu yang baru dalam dirinya. Ketika Taylor datang menyerahkan diri padanya, Royce tidak bisa menolaknya.
Taylor sendiri sudah lama menyukai Royce. Meski ayahnya melarangnya mendekati Royce. Menjalin hubungan dengan Royce adalah salah satu impiannya. Dia tahu Royce belum memiliki bayangan akan masa depan sebagai keluarga. Taylor bermaksud memberikan kelonggaran untuk Royce, tetapi Royce malah memutuskan hubungan mereka. Sayangnya setelah itu, Taylor mendapati dirinya hamil.
Setelah sekian lama akhirnya membaca HQ kembali. Ceritanya ringan dan lumayan menghibur.
January 22, 2020
Love it
June 28, 2020
Once you start you want be able to stop..
I finished this book within 24 hours! Yes it was that good! I have never finished a book this soon!
This is the fourth book I have read by Jessica Lemmon and I will admit she is now my new favorite author, )well in the romance genre since I have loved reading James Patterson mystery novels for well over ten years.) I really don’t want to give the story away so believe me when I say this book is beyond worth your time.
I finished this book within 24 hours! Yes it was that good! I have never finished a book this soon!
This is the fourth book I have read by Jessica Lemmon and I will admit she is now my new favorite author, )well in the romance genre since I have loved reading James Patterson mystery novels for well over ten years.) I really don’t want to give the story away so believe me when I say this book is beyond worth your time.
January 21, 2020
Love it
Read
February 1, 2020Categories
Sagas, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Kiss And Tell
Sagas, Contemporary Romance
Miniseries
Kiss And Tell
March 13, 2020
Here I go!!! Another sucker for these romance novels!!!! It was a short read but too good.
Royce and Taylor were forbidden from the start, but when Taylor took that man in and showed him what her was missing? There was no coming back. Their connection is amazing, the sex is a win win, Royce fighting his feelings, Taylor giving him his space, and all of them coming together towards the end.
The cool thing about this is that Royce and Taylor together with Royce's younger brother and little sister Bran and Gia all work for a huge tech company build by their father and Taylor's dad. I liked how that all worked.
The relationship they all had and how they all somehow come together was so sweet, its a family, they are all always look after each other, and I loved that!
Royce and Taylor were forbidden from the start, but when Taylor took that man in and showed him what her was missing? There was no coming back. Their connection is amazing, the sex is a win win, Royce fighting his feelings, Taylor giving him his space, and all of them coming together towards the end.
The cool thing about this is that Royce and Taylor together with Royce's younger brother and little sister Bran and Gia all work for a huge tech company build by their father and Taylor's dad. I liked how that all worked.
The relationship they all had and how they all somehow come together was so sweet, its a family, they are all always look after each other, and I loved that!
March 19, 2020
Taylor is running from a proposal she doesn't want when she ends up locked in a closet..while trying to get out Royce opens the door and she pulls him in to the closet. That is when she lays on one heck of a liplock. The thing is his brother Bran was the one about to propose. They have all grown up together as their fathers have run their company together for years. Taylor has lost her dad, who always told her to stay away from Royce. Because of this kiss they start a torrid affair. They can not get enough of each other, but as with other relationships there are lots of ups and downs. Can Royce loosen up and figure out that he can run the company his father gave to him and have a love life? Will Taylor make him see that they are good together and deserve this happiness? This was such a great book that was a page turner! A must read.. The first in a series..Looking forward to Bran's story next!
April 21, 2020
This book was a little all-over-the-place for me. I really liked the first part, but once the romance entered the work space I felt very anxious for the characters. The heroine’s characterization was kind of uneven. I liked the hero’s family dynamic, but I didn’t find his brother at all charming. I think this is good escapist fiction if you don’t think about the company too much.
December 12, 2022
Engaging story involving a couple who had feelings for each other when they were younger but were persuaded to ignore them. Loved watching them explore what was once forbidden and take it to the next level.
August 14, 2025
I’m not sure how this got 5 stars! It’s a huge dud! There is absolutely no chemistry between these two! No romance, no heat. It’s like reading a news story of what happened in their “lives”.
Writing sex scenes with more explicit words but not actual feeling or passion.
Boring!
Writing sex scenes with more explicit words but not actual feeling or passion.
Boring!
October 3, 2021
as vezes tudo que a gente precisa é de um romance de banca pra esquecer das coisas, sabe. É gostosinho de ler e até dei risadas. Entao, valeu a pena pra mim ;)
April 14, 2023
2.5/5🌟
Read
March 10, 2020I wasn't engaged by the writing style or the MCs, and the premise didn't feel overly original (in that it didn't bring something new to the table to keep me invested in what was happening). This was a DNF for me.
October 9, 2022
I loved Lemmon’s Billionaire series so I had to try this series. The writing and voice in this series didn’t grab me the way Billionaires did but aren’t weak by any means. My biggest issue with this book was that the romance didn’t feel all that forbidden to me. Yeah she kinda dated his brother for a bit, yeah her father (who recently passed away) didn’t approve of him but overall this didn’t feel very forbidden to me, there were no stakes as far as what would happen if their relationship was revealed.
This is a secret workplace romance set in a tech company that has a small plot point that I didn’t care for at the end that I will flag with a spoiler warning. The sexual chemistry is pretty strong and the workaholic CEO learns to delegate and make times for other things in his life.
Spoiler: so there’s an accidental pregnancy at the end that causes some drama and forces the male main character to deal with a lot of things in a not at all supportive way. There’s also little to no discussion about abortion being an option so it was really not a good turn of events for me. The rest of the book being as well written as it is it what saved the book from getting a lower ranking.
This is a secret workplace romance set in a tech company that has a small plot point that I didn’t care for at the end that I will flag with a spoiler warning. The sexual chemistry is pretty strong and the workaholic CEO learns to delegate and make times for other things in his life.
Spoiler: so there’s an accidental pregnancy at the end that causes some drama and forces the male main character to deal with a lot of things in a not at all supportive way. There’s also little to no discussion about abortion being an option so it was really not a good turn of events for me. The rest of the book being as well written as it is it what saved the book from getting a lower ranking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2020
Overall an ok read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews