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Bonus Kisses
Free-spirited black sheep, Taz Boran, has worked tirelessly as a nurse bringing efficient medical care to Africa for the past eight years. But when her sister Nicky is told she doesn't have long to live, she immediately flies home to small-town Eminence, Missouri. Unfortunately, taking care of Nicky means being around her husband, Rafe; the one man Taz could never forget. Rafe is not only her brother-in-law but also took over the family veterinary clinic from her dad. As Taz becomes Nicky's home health care nurse—working closely with Rafe to make her sister comfortable—their latent attraction comes sizzling back to the surface. They won’t betray Nicky, but if her dying wish is to see them get the happy ending they always deserved, can they really keep fighting what’s meant to be?
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2020
28 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Freya Barker
81 books1,906 followersUSA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Driven to make her books about 'real' people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.
Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
Driven to make her books about 'real' people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.
Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
December 19, 2020
nice one, this.
H - Rafe
h - Taz
ow - his wife - Nicky - the heroine's sister (both are usually triggers for me but its not an issue in this case)
because Rafe was an orphan, he had always wanted a family of his own
he REALLY wanted to settle down with a wife and kids - preferably in a small town
9 years ago he met Nicky and her parents (in a small town)
Nicky was a stable stay-at-home kind of girl - just what he was looking for
her parents are the ones he wished he had as a kid
so they start seeing each other
then he meets the h, Taz
the TOTAL opposite of her sister, she represented everything he didn't want and couldn't handle at the time
I adored this version of the h - she sounded absolutely amazing
she scared the crap out of him because he was drawn to her in a way that would upset all his plans
Nicky was stability and Taz was going places, so he pushed for marriage when Nicky fell pregnant
he was getting his family after-all
although the Hxh addressed their mutual (explosive) attraction they don't act on it
they're talking about how Nicky is what he needs and right at the end of this chat, they hug each other
which is when her mother (damn cow) walks in
cruel nasty things are said and Taz leaves town
She breaks all ties with her family but through a good friend is kept up to date with their lives
she travels and has a fulfilling enough life, a career she loves and is skilled at
has "brief sexual" flings but no lasting relationships because no one compares to Rafe
BUT she's also not hankering after him like her world has come to a standstill
she visits them again when Nicky and Rafe have their 2nd child
she and Nicky have no hard feelings towards each other, they love each other to BITS
the negativity is all the mother's doing (damn cow)
then Nicky tells her that she's (Nicky) been having an affair and shes not sure if Rafe is the father of her son
Taz is furious, tells her how she doesnt deserve Rafe
and of course Rafe walks in and overhears her
he promptly kicks her out and neither ow or h come clean about why the h said what she did
now Nicky is dying and asks for Taz to come home to look after her
while Rafe loves his wife as the mother of his children, they don't have a romantic relationship now
it felt to me like he's been in limbo for the past 9 years, actually
he has always felt a certain disconnect with her but stuck it out until she had another affair
he's been celibate for more than a year and has moved out of the main bedroom
he filed for divorce once they agreed that they weren't meant to be, but they never got around to finalizing it because she fell ill
throughout the story they have very little to do with each other, really
a few moments here and there but nothing deep or meaningful like couples who chose to marry for love
it's rather bittersweet and full of guilt:
her, because all these years she knew how he felt about the h and because she had 2 affairs
him, because he was never really "present" in their marriage and felt that she deserved better than him
so the h moves in with them and takes care of her dying sister
the Hxh have hectic chemistry from the get go
hect..tic...
but the h is loyal to her sister - loving and caring and giving;
she is adamantly against a relationship with the H
the H wants nothing else but to be close to her
nothing happens until the ow dies
also, they still need to get to know each other now
when they do get together its wonderfully risque and I enjoyed their connection very much
love the h:
the blurb refers to the h as a "free-spirited black sheep"
the H's inner dialogue too: "opinionated, stubborn, irreverent, uncontrolled, disruptive, yet brightly exciting"
only, to me, she doesnt come across like that now, which is as it should be, considering that her sister is dying and the situation is tense
but even afterwards, she seems quiet and serious
letting her mother (damn cow) get away with all kinds of crap,
not standing up for herself in other situations
so I feel she's not only matured but has become a bit of a watered down version of her younger self as well
she takes a lot of flack from her mother (damn cow) and only stands up to her when defending the H
- so I wish that was different even though she is still fun loving,
just not quite how I expected and how her friends speak about a younger her
this doesn't affect my enjoyment of the book at all
I love how he seems to have a whole new lease on life now
loved watching them grow as a couple and as individuals
H - Rafe
h - Taz
ow - his wife - Nicky - the heroine's sister (both are usually triggers for me but its not an issue in this case)
because Rafe was an orphan, he had always wanted a family of his own
he REALLY wanted to settle down with a wife and kids - preferably in a small town
9 years ago he met Nicky and her parents (in a small town)
Nicky was a stable stay-at-home kind of girl - just what he was looking for
her parents are the ones he wished he had as a kid
so they start seeing each other
then he meets the h, Taz
the TOTAL opposite of her sister, she represented everything he didn't want and couldn't handle at the time
I adored this version of the h - she sounded absolutely amazing
she scared the crap out of him because he was drawn to her in a way that would upset all his plans
Nicky was stability and Taz was going places, so he pushed for marriage when Nicky fell pregnant
he was getting his family after-all
although the Hxh addressed their mutual (explosive) attraction they don't act on it
they're talking about how Nicky is what he needs and right at the end of this chat, they hug each other
which is when her mother (damn cow) walks in
cruel nasty things are said and Taz leaves town
She breaks all ties with her family but through a good friend is kept up to date with their lives
she travels and has a fulfilling enough life, a career she loves and is skilled at
has "brief sexual" flings but no lasting relationships because no one compares to Rafe
BUT she's also not hankering after him like her world has come to a standstill
she visits them again when Nicky and Rafe have their 2nd child
she and Nicky have no hard feelings towards each other, they love each other to BITS
the negativity is all the mother's doing (damn cow)
then Nicky tells her that she's (Nicky) been having an affair and shes not sure if Rafe is the father of her son
Taz is furious, tells her how she doesnt deserve Rafe
and of course Rafe walks in and overhears her
he promptly kicks her out and neither ow or h come clean about why the h said what she did
now Nicky is dying and asks for Taz to come home to look after her
while Rafe loves his wife as the mother of his children, they don't have a romantic relationship now
it felt to me like he's been in limbo for the past 9 years, actually
he has always felt a certain disconnect with her but stuck it out until she had another affair
he's been celibate for more than a year and has moved out of the main bedroom
he filed for divorce once they agreed that they weren't meant to be, but they never got around to finalizing it because she fell ill
throughout the story they have very little to do with each other, really
a few moments here and there but nothing deep or meaningful like couples who chose to marry for love
it's rather bittersweet and full of guilt:
her, because all these years she knew how he felt about the h and because she had 2 affairs
him, because he was never really "present" in their marriage and felt that she deserved better than him
so the h moves in with them and takes care of her dying sister
the Hxh have hectic chemistry from the get go
hect..tic...
but the h is loyal to her sister - loving and caring and giving;
she is adamantly against a relationship with the H
the H wants nothing else but to be close to her
nothing happens until the ow dies
also, they still need to get to know each other now
when they do get together its wonderfully risque and I enjoyed their connection very much
love the h:
the blurb refers to the h as a "free-spirited black sheep"
the H's inner dialogue too: "opinionated, stubborn, irreverent, uncontrolled, disruptive, yet brightly exciting"
only, to me, she doesnt come across like that now, which is as it should be, considering that her sister is dying and the situation is tense
but even afterwards, she seems quiet and serious
letting her mother (damn cow) get away with all kinds of crap,
not standing up for herself in other situations
so I feel she's not only matured but has become a bit of a watered down version of her younger self as well
she takes a lot of flack from her mother (damn cow) and only stands up to her when defending the H
- so I wish that was different even though she is still fun loving,
just not quite how I expected and how her friends speak about a younger her
this doesn't affect my enjoyment of the book at all
I love how he seems to have a whole new lease on life now
loved watching them grow as a couple and as individuals
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
BONUS KISSES by Freya Barker is a contemporary romance/Women’s fiction by an author I have come to always look forward to reading. Not only is the reader emotionally involved in this small town second chance love story, but the entire family dynamic is rocked to its core as secrets are revealed.
Natasha “Taz” Boran has been working as a nurse for nine years in Africa with Doctors Without Borders. Taz is the adventurous younger sister, but there are also personal reasons for her running across the world to work away from her small-town upbringing. Veronica “Nicky” Boran was always the perfect older sister, but now she does not have long to live and all she wants is Taz to come home.
Taz agrees to take care of her sister and her two children. With that comes the problem of being around Rafe, Nicky’s husband and the reason for her leaving. As Taz cares for Nicky, secrets are revealed and Taz learns that Nicky knows and wants Taz to get what she gave up nine years ago.
When Nicky dies, Taz not only has to deal with her grief, but two young children who have lost their mother, her own mother who believes the worst of her, a father with Parkinson’s disease and the ever-increasing return attraction to the one man she ever truly loved.
Freya Barker is masterful at taking this story plotline, which could have been a disaster and written a beautiful, emotional, heartbreaking, healing and redemptive love story not only between the hero and heroine, but the entire extended family. My emotions were all over the place while reading this book. Each character, big and small is written realistically and takes the story into small subplots that give you the small town feel. Small town gossip, strained family dynamics and a love story delayed all make for a story I could not put down. (Make sure you have tissues close by.)
I highly recommend this beautiful love story!
BONUS KISSES by Freya Barker is a contemporary romance/Women’s fiction by an author I have come to always look forward to reading. Not only is the reader emotionally involved in this small town second chance love story, but the entire family dynamic is rocked to its core as secrets are revealed.
Natasha “Taz” Boran has been working as a nurse for nine years in Africa with Doctors Without Borders. Taz is the adventurous younger sister, but there are also personal reasons for her running across the world to work away from her small-town upbringing. Veronica “Nicky” Boran was always the perfect older sister, but now she does not have long to live and all she wants is Taz to come home.
Taz agrees to take care of her sister and her two children. With that comes the problem of being around Rafe, Nicky’s husband and the reason for her leaving. As Taz cares for Nicky, secrets are revealed and Taz learns that Nicky knows and wants Taz to get what she gave up nine years ago.
When Nicky dies, Taz not only has to deal with her grief, but two young children who have lost their mother, her own mother who believes the worst of her, a father with Parkinson’s disease and the ever-increasing return attraction to the one man she ever truly loved.
Freya Barker is masterful at taking this story plotline, which could have been a disaster and written a beautiful, emotional, heartbreaking, healing and redemptive love story not only between the hero and heroine, but the entire extended family. My emotions were all over the place while reading this book. Each character, big and small is written realistically and takes the story into small subplots that give you the small town feel. Small town gossip, strained family dynamics and a love story delayed all make for a story I could not put down. (Make sure you have tissues close by.)
I highly recommend this beautiful love story!
Read
October 24, 2022I must be shallow but so depressing. SO DEPRESSING! I would say I lost the will to live, but I'm afraid I'll curse myself. Even at the 40% mark...
November 15, 2020
Bonus Kisses is heart wrenching, emotional, and beautiful. I went through all the emotions with Taz and Rafe's love story. Freya Barker has a way with bringing a real and raw love story that always manages to captivate me. From the whole family dynamic, the friends, the small town, the kids, Taz's life experience, Rafe's sad back story, these are all the things that made this book an incredible read.
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December 4, 2020Don't listen to me, listen to some of the feedback Bonus Kisses has received!
Bonus Kisses is one of the most moving romances I have ever had the pleasure to read.
~ Britt, The Hatters Book Blog
Ms. Barker has brought me to my knees with this book. Many dimensions bring us a beautifully heartwarming tale of second chances.
~ Pam, Ripe For Reader Blog
I have mad respect for Freya Barker. She was able to incorporate something so incredibly personal into a masterpiece filled with emotion.
~ BookBub review
Ms. Barker has hit another home run with this story. She has an uncanny talent for writing characters that speak to you, that often you can identify with, or make you think of people you know. ~ BookBub review
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KLQ9G1N
All other sales channels: https://books2read.com/u/meeWXg
Bonus Kisses is one of the most moving romances I have ever had the pleasure to read.
~ Britt, The Hatters Book Blog
Ms. Barker has brought me to my knees with this book. Many dimensions bring us a beautifully heartwarming tale of second chances.
~ Pam, Ripe For Reader Blog
I have mad respect for Freya Barker. She was able to incorporate something so incredibly personal into a masterpiece filled with emotion.
~ BookBub review
Ms. Barker has hit another home run with this story. She has an uncanny talent for writing characters that speak to you, that often you can identify with, or make you think of people you know. ~ BookBub review
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KLQ9G1N
All other sales channels: https://books2read.com/u/meeWXg
December 7, 2020
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a beautiful and emotional second chance romance.
Lots of emotions while reading Taz and Rafe’s story and Freya Barker did an amazing job at writing this book.
Love Taz so much. Her love for her family and her sister was beautiful.
I fell in love with the characters in this book. It made me cry, laugh and got mad when they were judging Taz.
To Freya Barker, Thank you for writing this beautiful book. You did an amazing job.
What a beautiful and emotional second chance romance.
Lots of emotions while reading Taz and Rafe’s story and Freya Barker did an amazing job at writing this book.
Love Taz so much. Her love for her family and her sister was beautiful.
I fell in love with the characters in this book. It made me cry, laugh and got mad when they were judging Taz.
To Freya Barker, Thank you for writing this beautiful book. You did an amazing job.
December 7, 2020
Let me start this review by saying that when it comes to books, I am known to be a bit black hearted. What I mean by that is, books don’t make me cry... very often. My friends will be brought to tears and wrecked over a story and while I’ll love and adore the same story, rarely does one bring me to tears. Now, with that said, with just her foreword, Freya Barker already had me in tears with Bonus Kisses. She shares a very personal and touching story and then the dedication literally sent me into sobbing mode and I hadn’t even started the first actual page. Immediately though when I did start reading, I was sucked into the story of Taz, Rafe and Nicky. I looked down and I was on page 5 and I knew it was going to be a book I read from start to finish in one evening and that’s exactly what I did. I did have to take a break about 25% of the way through because I was once again sobbing. After a glass of water and a few deep breaths, I dove right back in. Three hours later and I closed this book and I was no longer crying and I left the story at the end feeling peaceful and content.
I don’t want to give away any parts of the story but if you are a fan of Freya as I am, and have ready a lot of her books, here are a few things that I did notice that were different with Bonus Kisses. Normally, Freya is very physically descriptive of her characters, especially her male characters. I didn’t get that with Rafe. The descriptions were more emotional descriptions and the personality descriptions were off the charts. So this had me trying to figure out what he looked like on my own. Now Taz was described more physically but I had a hard time picturing her overall, I couldn’t quite nail down her hair color in my head. However, this did not stop me from enjoying the story, just a observation that is different from Freya’s normal style of writing.
This story check all the boxes for me. In fact, I may even have to start using “bonus kiss” in my own life because it is such a beautiful sentiment.
~Heidi💜
I don’t want to give away any parts of the story but if you are a fan of Freya as I am, and have ready a lot of her books, here are a few things that I did notice that were different with Bonus Kisses. Normally, Freya is very physically descriptive of her characters, especially her male characters. I didn’t get that with Rafe. The descriptions were more emotional descriptions and the personality descriptions were off the charts. So this had me trying to figure out what he looked like on my own. Now Taz was described more physically but I had a hard time picturing her overall, I couldn’t quite nail down her hair color in my head. However, this did not stop me from enjoying the story, just a observation that is different from Freya’s normal style of writing.
This story check all the boxes for me. In fact, I may even have to start using “bonus kiss” in my own life because it is such a beautiful sentiment.
~Heidi💜
November 4, 2020
Wow! So heartbreaking,heartwarming and swoony! A lot happens here. Taz has been estranged from her family for years. Taz comes home to take care of her sister. Rafe and Taz have to deal with their unresolved and misguided hurt. Great love and family story. A word of warning, you’re going to cry.
November 20, 2020
I gave this book 5 stars. It deserves 10 at least!
Circumstances caused Taz to run away and avoid her family for the next 9 years. But her sister’s sudden fatal illness causes her to come back and face everything she was so desperately trying to avoid. Her parents’ disappointment, her small town nosey neighbors and especially the love of her life; aka her sister’s husband.
I spent the first 25% of this book crying my eyes out. And the rest falling in love with Taz, Rafe, Sophie, Spencer and everyone in between. This book is about death and life, and making the most of the time we have with each other.
Bonus Kisses Freya! This is your best book yet!
Circumstances caused Taz to run away and avoid her family for the next 9 years. But her sister’s sudden fatal illness causes her to come back and face everything she was so desperately trying to avoid. Her parents’ disappointment, her small town nosey neighbors and especially the love of her life; aka her sister’s husband.
I spent the first 25% of this book crying my eyes out. And the rest falling in love with Taz, Rafe, Sophie, Spencer and everyone in between. This book is about death and life, and making the most of the time we have with each other.
Bonus Kisses Freya! This is your best book yet!
November 18, 2020
Be ready to be overwhelmed; It is beautiful. This book is wonderful in SO many ways: the story inspired me; you can feel the emotions pouring through it´s pages. The characters are human (that´s something else I love in Freya´s books: all her characters are completely real, everyone has it´s unique way of living, no one is perfect, as happens in real life); And mostly, there is always a way to be happy. A choice. Forgiveness. A new beginning. Life doesn’t always turns out the way you planned, but even so, it can be amazing!
December 7, 2020
When you find yourself full of emotion when reading, and you’ve not made it passed the prologue, then you have some indication as to just how good a book is going to be.
Bonus Kisses is everything and so much more. A story that starts with a family reuniting after too many years apart and with not enough words being spoken, to a family that breaks but rebuilds itself , to be stronger than ever.
A book that shows that not everything is always as it seems & people don’t know exactly what they think they do.
Taz and Rafe’s story will take you through highs and lows and fill your heart and mind with so many feels, that when you get to the end you know you’ve touched deeply
Bonus Kisses is everything and so much more. A story that starts with a family reuniting after too many years apart and with not enough words being spoken, to a family that breaks but rebuilds itself , to be stronger than ever.
A book that shows that not everything is always as it seems & people don’t know exactly what they think they do.
Taz and Rafe’s story will take you through highs and lows and fill your heart and mind with so many feels, that when you get to the end you know you’ve touched deeply
December 7, 2020
This story will tear you apart and then slowly put you back together. A beautiful second chance love story.
Taz left years ago now she’s back to help her sister.
“Look after them. The kids, Rafe, they need you. Even Mom and Dad. You’re the strongest person I know, the only person I would trust.
You gonna need lots of tissues for this one. A absolutely amazing must read as only Ms. Barker can deliver.
Taz left years ago now she’s back to help her sister.
“Look after them. The kids, Rafe, they need you. Even Mom and Dad. You’re the strongest person I know, the only person I would trust.
You gonna need lots of tissues for this one. A absolutely amazing must read as only Ms. Barker can deliver.
November 23, 2020
I have to say I didn’t know what I was going into with this one. Freya told us it was a little different from her other books.
Boyyyyo she wasn’t kidding.
A Heartbreakingly beautiful story of two people who loved each other but sacrificed for others.
Years of misunderstandings with those close to them.
But tragedy bringing them together.
Another beautifully written novel by our Freya.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ another 5 star read
Boyyyyo she wasn’t kidding.
A Heartbreakingly beautiful story of two people who loved each other but sacrificed for others.
Years of misunderstandings with those close to them.
But tragedy bringing them together.
Another beautifully written novel by our Freya.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ another 5 star read
nope-nope-nope
December 7, 2020Sister double dipping 🤢 Never can do it
November 9, 2020
Freya Barker is a masterful at pulling the reader into the story, whether she is writing romantic suspense, women's fiction, or contemporary romance. Bonus Kisses shows Ms. Barker's commitment to her characters and her readers. Emotions run deep in this second chance romance, as well they should. Grief, regret, guilt, love, and forgiveness all play a part in this family drama Family members are those people who can cut us the deepest and Taz knows all too well how much pain family can inflict. Set in a small town, the cast of locals adds to the flavor of story as adding support to Taz, who finds she still has friends among the locals, as well as people who are alway out to stir up trouble, even though she's been gone for years.
Taz has been working abroad as a nurse for nine years in Africa with Doctors Without Borders. Far away from her family: a mother who always saw her as a troublemaker, a father who loves her independence, and a sister (Nicky) who had a "perfect" life and marriage to the man Taz was drawn to, Rafe. Called home by her sister, who she found out was dying, Taz returns, much to her mother's dismay. Her sister's dying wish is to have Taz be the one to take care of her in her last days, and to make amends with the estranged sister she once was close to. The small town Secrets and truths are revealed and relationships are tested, fortified and changed.
This book hits the reader in the emotions and pulls at the heartstrings hard. Ms. Barker is a master at pulling out emotions in her readers and putting her characters through the wringer before giving them the lives they deserve. The title is reflective of the extra kisses given by Taz to those she loves, each and every one showing the love she has for that person. Heartbreaking and heartfelt this story will stick with the reader long after the last page is turned. Get comfy and keep tissues handy while you read this beautiful story.
Taz has been working abroad as a nurse for nine years in Africa with Doctors Without Borders. Far away from her family: a mother who always saw her as a troublemaker, a father who loves her independence, and a sister (Nicky) who had a "perfect" life and marriage to the man Taz was drawn to, Rafe. Called home by her sister, who she found out was dying, Taz returns, much to her mother's dismay. Her sister's dying wish is to have Taz be the one to take care of her in her last days, and to make amends with the estranged sister she once was close to. The small town Secrets and truths are revealed and relationships are tested, fortified and changed.
This book hits the reader in the emotions and pulls at the heartstrings hard. Ms. Barker is a master at pulling out emotions in her readers and putting her characters through the wringer before giving them the lives they deserve. The title is reflective of the extra kisses given by Taz to those she loves, each and every one showing the love she has for that person. Heartbreaking and heartfelt this story will stick with the reader long after the last page is turned. Get comfy and keep tissues handy while you read this beautiful story.
November 16, 2020
This book very nearly broke my heart at the onset, then healed it the deeper I got and the more I fell in love with the characters. Thank you Freya, for this inspirational love story! Rafe, Taz, Sofie, Spencer, Nicky, Ed.... what a amazing cast of characters and personalities! You hit this one out of the Ball field, Woman!
December 4, 2020
I’m processing my emotions and thoughts as I write this. I actually finished reading a few days ago, but couldn’t put to words what I was feeling/thinking; honestly, I’m still trying to figure out how I can do justice to this story with my words. So, I think I’ll just keep it pretty raw.
I cried, legit bawled through 60% of this book. Breaks...I had to stop reading and put my nook to the side and focus on something else. The story will kick you right in the heart and while you are down, it’s going to kick you a bit more. Even though that happens, you are going to get back up and dive back in.
Bonus Kisses is by far Ms. Barker’s finest. It is getting my tear rating: 10 ugly cry tears.
Well done!!
I cried, legit bawled through 60% of this book. Breaks...I had to stop reading and put my nook to the side and focus on something else. The story will kick you right in the heart and while you are down, it’s going to kick you a bit more. Even though that happens, you are going to get back up and dive back in.
Bonus Kisses is by far Ms. Barker’s finest. It is getting my tear rating: 10 ugly cry tears.
Well done!!
November 8, 2020
Bonus kisses
I love the meaning of bonus kisses. Read the dedication at the beginning of the story. Very sweet. Makes me want to implement bonus kisses into my own family.
Taz has been away from her family for 9 years. In 9 years, she has only visited them once and that visit didn’t end so well. Because of this, she doesn’t know her niece and nephew.
Now she’s back home because her sister is dying. Sad, right?
But it gets worse.
This story pulled at my heartstrings and made me tear up several times.
Yes, this story has a romance storyline. One you will enjoy. BUT, we have to go through a lot of heartbreak to get there. That’s your warning. You will tear up like me - I didn’t cry though. You might.
Great story!
I love the meaning of bonus kisses. Read the dedication at the beginning of the story. Very sweet. Makes me want to implement bonus kisses into my own family.
Taz has been away from her family for 9 years. In 9 years, she has only visited them once and that visit didn’t end so well. Because of this, she doesn’t know her niece and nephew.
Now she’s back home because her sister is dying. Sad, right?
But it gets worse.
This story pulled at my heartstrings and made me tear up several times.
Yes, this story has a romance storyline. One you will enjoy. BUT, we have to go through a lot of heartbreak to get there. That’s your warning. You will tear up like me - I didn’t cry though. You might.
Great story!
maybe
December 7, 2020I love Freya Barker but the whole ‘two sisters loving one man’ thing never works for me and is a sure fire way for me to DNF. I think I’m really going to have to be in the right mood to tolerate this.
December 3, 2020
I knew the minute I read the author’s note at the beginning of this book that I was going to love this story but I didn’t have a clue how much it was going to completely own my heart.
Taz and Rafe had history together that goes beyond their relationships with Nicky, Rafe’s wife and Taz’s sister. I was worried that this would skeeve me out and I would end up hating what was promising to be amazing. What I failed to consider is that Ms. Barker is known for her strong alpha heroes and Rafe, despite his marriage, ended up being a wonderful hero whose heart was truly owned by only one woman.
Everything about this story regarding Taz and Rafe, the children, parents and even the community pulled me in and had me turning pages. Of course, the scenes with Nicky stirred every emotion within me leaving me heart broken but feeling honored that I was able to be a part of it all. Such is the talent of this author.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Taz and Rafe had history together that goes beyond their relationships with Nicky, Rafe’s wife and Taz’s sister. I was worried that this would skeeve me out and I would end up hating what was promising to be amazing. What I failed to consider is that Ms. Barker is known for her strong alpha heroes and Rafe, despite his marriage, ended up being a wonderful hero whose heart was truly owned by only one woman.
Everything about this story regarding Taz and Rafe, the children, parents and even the community pulled me in and had me turning pages. Of course, the scenes with Nicky stirred every emotion within me leaving me heart broken but feeling honored that I was able to be a part of it all. Such is the talent of this author.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
February 6, 2021
This storyline is a testament to this author’s talent since I’m not a fan of switching partners, particularly between siblings.
Plain and simple, Rafe marries the older sister he met first but is in love with the younger sister. Their attraction is electric, but the news of her sister’s pregnancy douses any thoughts of walking down the aisle with Taz.
There is no option for her to stay in her small town with daily reminders of what she lost, so she leaves (and works as a nurse in Africa) for nine years, with one brief, but explosive visit in between. She’s summoned back home by her dying sister and tasked to take care of Rafe and their two children. She arrives, and the past—at least between them, becomes unimportant.
Not so for Rafe, who blames her for her sister’s long ago meltdown, nor Taz’s mother who thinks she tried to steal her sister’s fiancé. There’s more to that story and it’s slowly revealed.
After the death of her sister, the family settles into a routine, but the sexual tension between Rafe and Taz permeates the air. It’s only a matter of time before the inevitable happens.
Not everyone is happy with their budding relationship and it is awkward as hell given their background story. I was invested in how they were going to navigate trying to be a couple, just mere months after the death of her sister.
The heroine’s mother and even her best friend, Kathleen displayed a very invasive nosiness and it put Taz on the spot, and on edge waiting to be judged. They both failed to understand that Taz could opt to tell them her life decisions and feelings, as a courtesy, but was not required to do so.
Highly Recommended: Read It!
Plain and simple, Rafe marries the older sister he met first but is in love with the younger sister. Their attraction is electric, but the news of her sister’s pregnancy douses any thoughts of walking down the aisle with Taz.
There is no option for her to stay in her small town with daily reminders of what she lost, so she leaves (and works as a nurse in Africa) for nine years, with one brief, but explosive visit in between. She’s summoned back home by her dying sister and tasked to take care of Rafe and their two children. She arrives, and the past—at least between them, becomes unimportant.
Not so for Rafe, who blames her for her sister’s long ago meltdown, nor Taz’s mother who thinks she tried to steal her sister’s fiancé. There’s more to that story and it’s slowly revealed.
After the death of her sister, the family settles into a routine, but the sexual tension between Rafe and Taz permeates the air. It’s only a matter of time before the inevitable happens.
Not everyone is happy with their budding relationship and it is awkward as hell given their background story. I was invested in how they were going to navigate trying to be a couple, just mere months after the death of her sister.
The heroine’s mother and even her best friend, Kathleen displayed a very invasive nosiness and it put Taz on the spot, and on edge waiting to be judged. They both failed to understand that Taz could opt to tell them her life decisions and feelings, as a courtesy, but was not required to do so.
Highly Recommended: Read It!
October 23, 2022
4 solid stars
I really liked this one it was surprisingly low angst given the plot. The drama was mostly from outside sources and not between the MCS, mainly the h's mother🙄 that woman was a piece of work.
I do wish it had prologue starting in the past and then it jumped to the present. That way you could experiance everything that went down on page instead of the h mentioning it in passing. That's really my only complaint. Solid 4 star read for me
I really liked this one it was surprisingly low angst given the plot. The drama was mostly from outside sources and not between the MCS, mainly the h's mother🙄 that woman was a piece of work.
I do wish it had prologue starting in the past and then it jumped to the present. That way you could experiance everything that went down on page instead of the h mentioning it in passing. That's really my only complaint. Solid 4 star read for me
December 6, 2020
Bonus Kisses by Freya Barker
Reading the author’s introduction to the story and what “Bonus Kisses” mean to her let me know the frame of mind she was in while writing. Though her book does not recreate her situation the two situations are linked in love…and kisses. This is a romance that encompasses love, loss, grief, understanding, misunderstanding, and so much more. It was a book I began, became immersed in, and found myself caring about deeply. It was what I needed to read and I have to thank the author for writing it.
What I liked:
* Taz: wonderful, strong, unique, healer, kind, caring, intuitive, daughter, sister, nurse, aunt, friend and so much more. I liked her.
* Rafe: strong, intelligent, veterinarian, orphaned young, raised in the foster system, had a dream of the perfect life, father, husband, widow, friend, tries to do what is right. I liked him.
* Nicky: Didn’t see enough of her but liked the fact that she valued family, wanted to make things right and was a good mother. Mixed feelings about her.
* The family issues dealt with…not easy, clarification came with communication, healing can take place if desired.
* Spencer and Sofie: siblings that had a lot to deal with. I liked their part in the story and how they interacted with one another and those around them
* The small-town vibe – including the busybody gossips and how they were handled
* The various supporting characters: Kathleen, Meredith, and Lisa
* The way things finally came together for Taz both romantically and with her family.
* All of it except…
What I didn’t like:
* Being reminded that bad diseases exist, people and their families have to deal with these diseases, etc
* Having to say goodbye to the group – wouldn’t mind having another story set in this small town.
Did I enjoy this book? Definitely
Would I read more by this author? Without a doubt!
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Reading the author’s introduction to the story and what “Bonus Kisses” mean to her let me know the frame of mind she was in while writing. Though her book does not recreate her situation the two situations are linked in love…and kisses. This is a romance that encompasses love, loss, grief, understanding, misunderstanding, and so much more. It was a book I began, became immersed in, and found myself caring about deeply. It was what I needed to read and I have to thank the author for writing it.
What I liked:
* Taz: wonderful, strong, unique, healer, kind, caring, intuitive, daughter, sister, nurse, aunt, friend and so much more. I liked her.
* Rafe: strong, intelligent, veterinarian, orphaned young, raised in the foster system, had a dream of the perfect life, father, husband, widow, friend, tries to do what is right. I liked him.
* Nicky: Didn’t see enough of her but liked the fact that she valued family, wanted to make things right and was a good mother. Mixed feelings about her.
* The family issues dealt with…not easy, clarification came with communication, healing can take place if desired.
* Spencer and Sofie: siblings that had a lot to deal with. I liked their part in the story and how they interacted with one another and those around them
* The small-town vibe – including the busybody gossips and how they were handled
* The various supporting characters: Kathleen, Meredith, and Lisa
* The way things finally came together for Taz both romantically and with her family.
* All of it except…
What I didn’t like:
* Being reminded that bad diseases exist, people and their families have to deal with these diseases, etc
* Having to say goodbye to the group – wouldn’t mind having another story set in this small town.
Did I enjoy this book? Definitely
Would I read more by this author? Without a doubt!
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
December 1, 2020
This book was so good that I couldn't put it down. Taz has avoided going home to her family for years but when her sister Nicky tells her that she is dying Taz comes back home to Eminence Missouri so that she can take care of her sister till the end. The reason Taz has been away for so long is that she is in love with Rafe who is her sister Nicky's husband and honoured her sisters marriage by staying away but know she has got to work with Rafe to take care of Nicky and fight there attraction get again but where will it all end. The characters and storyline pulled you in right from the first page and there are many twists and turns along with emotional situations that had me in tears. This is the first book that I have read by Freya Barker but definitely not the last and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
December 4, 2020
I wish I had more stars. Ms. Barker at her best. So much more than a love story, Bonus Kisses is for anyone who lives or has lived with regret, hurt, and grief. It’s a story of redemption and forgiveness and love. Superb storytelling by the queen of real people romance. Yes, you will cry. For all the right reasons.
December 1, 2020
Rafe and Taz’s story is fantastic. It pulls at your heartstrings from the beginning and never lets go. I laughed and ugly cried. The secondary characters were an integral part of the story. This is one of the best second chance love stories that I’ve ever read. I would give it more than five stars if I could. I highly recommend this book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 23, 2020
To say that this story is emotional and touching is an understatement. Bonus kisses will have you with tears in your eyes one minute, anger and love in another minute.Taz is a very strong women, i just loved her character after all she has gone through in the past and now coming home to a sister that is dying, a mother and father who always judge her, and not to mention small town gossips she survives them all with one mans help. Rafes character has made mistakes but hes not letting Taz cope on her own. I love that in him he really stuck up for her when it couned and beyond.
Theres is a love that has been nine years in the waiting, and i just have to say that i loved the bonus kisses that were given out... exceptional.
A story that is really worth reading and for some of you readers i really reccomend tissues.
Theres is a love that has been nine years in the waiting, and i just have to say that i loved the bonus kisses that were given out... exceptional.
A story that is really worth reading and for some of you readers i really reccomend tissues.
November 25, 2020
This isn't a happy book. That being said, this may be one of the best this author has written. Rafe and Taz have secretly loved each other for ten years, but he married her sister. Sister is dying, Taz comes home to take care and be with her and take care of her niece and nephew. It seemed everybody had ill feelings toward Taz, just because she is and was different. Her parents especially her mom I couldn't warm up to. Rafe, Taz and the kids do wind up together in the end and that is a beautiful thing.
November 27, 2020
Oh my goodness! I don't even know where the begin!
This was such an amazing story! i loved the characters, how the interacted and everything that was portrayed in this book!
Rafe and Taz's story is so heart wrenching and amazing! All the feelings you will get reading this book is completely worth the boxes of tissues you will need!
A great read! will definitely be reading this again! Great job!
This was such an amazing story! i loved the characters, how the interacted and everything that was portrayed in this book!
Rafe and Taz's story is so heart wrenching and amazing! All the feelings you will get reading this book is completely worth the boxes of tissues you will need!
A great read! will definitely be reading this again! Great job!
November 28, 2020
Well crafted at times sad story well worth a read. The author can always be counted on to write interesting well written stories. Knowing that this story was going to start sad and for me confronting due to the content i was confident Freya would produce a story worth reading. I have pre purchased my own copy but was fortunate to have an early preview
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