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One kiss ignites chemistry and passion they can't ignore, but is this only a summer fling?

Neighbors. Best friends. It was only a crush Beth harbored for Jacob until she was eighteen. Until London.

Neighbors. Best friends. That was all Jacob thought of her until London. Until she kissed him and stole his heart.

It's funny what Geometry class and a shared backyard wall can bring about. With a two-year age difference, Beth and Jacob were firmly in the Friend Zone during high school, but a pre-college trip to London will change their lives forever.

Kissed is the first of five books in the My Once and Future Love Revisited series exploring Beth and Jacob's relationship with all its joys, flaws, and heartache. New Adult Contemporary Romance saga.

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First published November 3, 2013

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About the author

Carla Krae

49 books209 followers
Carla Krae heard "write what you know" early. For her, that means Southern California and music with a bonus side of nerddom.

Lead singer with an accent? Check!

Bass player who loves books? Check!

Even a pianist who wears glasses.

Fall in love with Carla's heroes as they make romance work with their normal-life lady loves and reach some very hot HEAs.

Debuting in 2011, Carla Krae lives in California with five crazy cats and a tech guy.

Carla has been a bestselling author on Amazon.

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5 stars
155 (26%)
4 stars
156 (26%)
3 stars
167 (28%)
2 stars
64 (10%)
1 star
45 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Profile Image for Maaike.
160 reviews
January 6, 2024
i couldn’t - for the life of me - connect to the characters. it seemed as though beth loves jacob a lot more than he loves her. + the whole emphasis on their age difference and him treating her like a child did not sit right with me 🙃

this wasn’t for me.
Profile Image for CeCe.
3,612 reviews109 followers
July 7, 2016
Did not work me. I tried to connect but couldn't. The heroine always appeared to be chasing the hero. Even when they kissed, she was the one 'chasing' him. I love stories where the nerdy girl grows up to be a swan that the hero finally notices, but in this story, I felt the heroine would always love the hero more than the other way around.
He liked her as a friend and even in his POV he did not seem that into her outside of friendship. She was the one always trying to make sure they talked, etc. He seemed to care less except for the one visit. Maybe later he showed he liked her more, but I got tired of her chasing him.

You may love it and perceive the characters differently than me. The writing did not flow for me either.
Profile Image for Hasina.
111 reviews
July 18, 2023
embarrassed how fast i read this but!! it’s a series and holds nothing of substance
Profile Image for Heather.
258 reviews48 followers
April 17, 2014
This book was addicting. Loved the banter between Beth and Jake. This book was all angst. My favorite kind of book! Friends to lover's. The hot-but-aloof England transplant moves next door to shy-but-funny, bookworm Beth. Tutoring ensues, and gradually blossoms into a heady High School friendship, where their two year age difference is only one of the obstacles preventing their relationship from flourishing.

I loved the characters!! The punk rock/English accent combo made Jake irresistible to me. He was protective of Beth, but his unawareness of Beth's feelings for him made the story more believable and real. Beth stood her ground and I liked that about her. She overthinks about everything, and it made her relatable.

Beth and Jake's conversations were written as if they were spoken. I never felt that their dialogue was cheesy or over-the-top.

When it becomes necessary for the story to separate two characters, I like the time to lapse quickly, so I can get to the part where they reunite almost immediately. When done properly, nothing is lost in the storyline or character development. I was happy this was the case with this book. I loved that the brief hiatus allowed for late-bloomer Beth to come into her own a bit more before her and Jake became reaquainted.

A few dislikes I have did not detract from my 5-star rating. The fact that I'm giving constructive criticism at all is a testament to how much I liked this book, believe it or not.

The first criticism I have is the cover. I think if Jake is this punk rocker with eclectic hairsryles, he shouldn't be on the cover like some regular Joe. C'mon now. The story is so much better than this bland cover.

I agree with some of the reviews that the POV is hard to follow at times. The story is told in third person POV, mostly through Beth's perspective but some parts are from Jake's. Because there is no chapter separation inbetween POV changes and not necessarily consistency, it was a little confusing. Again, I fucking loved this story, so this is a minor detail to me. I would re-read a few sentences and then it would make sense.

I wish the book wouldn't have started with what I'm assuming to be the present time, before going back to when they first met in High School. This did nothing for the story, as the first book ends kind of abruptly when Beth is about to be a college freshman. I don't like knowing how the characters end up when I'm not invested in them yet, and this almost stopped me from reading the rest of the book. BUT..... I am glad I didn't give it up, because I LOVED IT!!!

I know it seems like I'm being hyper-critical, but it's only because this story, the author's intruiging writing, and how I felt everything the characters were experiencing, were THAT good!!!! And I would be furious if those few flaws would have kept me from reading it!!!
Profile Image for N.N. Heaven.
Author 6 books2,130 followers
August 5, 2015
Meet Beth and Jacob. He’s two years older than her and neighbors. She’s a freshman in high school and he’s a junior. She immediately develops a crush on him and he sees her as a best friend and a little sister.

Flash forward to Beth’s high school graduation. Jacob’s moved to London and she’s in L.A. She misses him and concocts a way for her to visit him in London. She convinces Jacob’s mum to let her tag along and even pays for part of the ticket.

Once in London, everything changes. Hot kisses confuse their relationship and Beth’s insecurities cause rifts between them. Will she give into her feelings and fall in love or will she run as far away as possible to avoid a broken heart?

I loved the relationship between Beth and Jacob. Jacob is on his way to living his dream of a rock musician but he’s a real stand-up guy. The author does a brilliant job of alternating the point of view so the reader connects with both Beth and Jacob. We feel what Jacob feels, in total guy-speak too. Impressive for a female author.

This story is a quick read and is filled with plenty of sexual tension. While I don’t mind hot new adult romance, the second half of the book is nothing but hot kisses and Beth’s insecurities.

Speaking of Beth’s insecurities, I found myself rolling my eyes quite a bit towards the end of this book. She’s known Jacob for years and they are best friends. She should have faith in him and know he’s going to be there for her. I recognize she was a shy gal in high school but she’s an adult now and should bask in Jacob’s affection for her.

All in all, this was an excellent first book in a series and I can’t wait to read more from Carla Krae!

If you like rock fiction, new adult and/or contemporary romance, pick up this book right now! Trust me, Jacob will make you swoon.

Favorite Character:

Beth. I can totally relate to her angst about having a crush on an older guy who just wants to be friends. She’s nerdy but in a good way. I loved how she grew into her own without losing herself in Jacob. She’s feisty and keeps him on his toes.

Favorite Quote:

He reached for her hand. “This scares me, too, you know. We go down in flames, I lose you for good.” (Jacob)



My Rating: 4 stars
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews69 followers
February 13, 2021
⚓⚓ONE TUMULTUOUS WHIRLWIND⚓⚓
Busting bloomers boo! Carla delivers one helluva turbulent rollercoaster with this heart pounding, pulse racing, gut-wretching, nailbiting dynamo, dishing out some fervent facts, harsh lessons and ruthless drive, hooking you from the start and holding steady until the end, propelling this jewel to new heights. Jumping hurdles and swinging hoops, attentive to the trying struggles and challenging triumphs, exposing the dramatic twists and stunning turns unfolding, noting the impish quirks and defying bents, hurling this jewel into the eye of the tempest, blowing it into a frenzy with mind-blowing results, wrapping this puppy up sleek, shiny and tight. Escapades and mayhem descend in a flurry of misfortune and mishaps, sketchy lines and blurred barriers solidify as limitations are amplified and tested, secrets are shared, revelations are disclosed and vows are pledged, stirring up dust and watching it swirl, propelling this bad boy to life brilliantly. The attraction and chemistry ignites with such intoxicating intensity, exploding with boundless emotions and infinite affection, drawing our characters closer, uniting them to one another perfectly. The characters, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Fabulous job Carla, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
Profile Image for Angela.
461 reviews10 followers
June 26, 2014
If you have ever crushed on someone and then put into the "friend zone" you will totally relate to this story.

I'm a sucker for a "first love" story. This has everything you would want: A slow build, that only a crush can do. A super cute, British accent, older boy next door. A friendship, fun tension, and great showing of awkward teenage years.

Beth is a high school freshman. She is small, awkward and smart. So smart she is in upper level math which makes her a bigger target for douche bag bullies but it also puts her in class with Jacob, the boy next door. Cue the tutoring sessions.

What I really love about Beth is that even though she is picked on, she isn't a doormat. She understands logically, if she doesn't respond to her bullies, they will lose their power over her. And, even though she crushes on Jacob, she doesn't let him use his wiles on her. I really love this about her and part of the reason Jacob likes her too.

This story covers a lot of time, from Beth's freshman year in high school through the summer before leaving for college. The time movement was pretty flawless and it worked for me. The only weird part (for me) was that it takes place in the 1990's and I couldn't understand why. There didn't seem to be a reason for it. The story would work with present day too.

This is a 5 part book series which for me: I'm curious to see where it's going but it ended in a way that made me feel satisfied. Not a HEA but it did end on a high note for their relationship.

FREE on Amazon - This is a perfect summer read and I definitely recommend to anyone who wants the nostalgia of reliving their first crush.

Profile Image for Michelle.
7 reviews
May 15, 2015
Who among us hasn't crushed on the older, out of our league "bad" boy? A who's been there can relate to Beth's story. Her experiences and feelings for Jake brought me right back to that time and the heady yet scary feeling of first love. I love that the relationship developed over years and had a realistic feel through all the ups and downs. This wasn't a story of insta-love--no, in fact it was just the opposite. When they first meet, Jake views geeky, younger bookworm Beth as almost a kid sister and refers to her as squirt. Beth is shy and doesn't have many friends, but slowly gains confidence when she begins to tutor Jake and spend time with him. Over the years as both Beth and Jake mature, they can begin to relate to each other on a deeper level. When Jake moves away to England for college, Beth begins to find her own identity, while always carrying a torch for Jake. Sometimes it seems like she has to fight to maintain her friendship with Jake and compete with his busy schedule, but she never gives up on the relationship. When Beth surprises Jake with a visit after graduating from high school, Jake sees how much she has grown and changed and begins to see her in a whole new light. I love the how believable that relationship was and it made me nostalgic for that fluttery feeling of a first crush. To see that realized and to see these friends-to-lovers find a happy ending was truly enjoyable. Fun escapism at its best! *Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for ☆Joycedale☆.
928 reviews38 followers
June 24, 2015
I just adored Jacob. We don't find out how he is with other girls but with Beth he's a sweetheart. Their friendship is really unusual with her being a almost completely friendless nerdy freshman that gets pick on and him being a punk rocker and one of the most popular guys in school.
I think every girl has had that one guy best friend that they've secretly crushed on for years without ever being noticed. But what if one day he does notice you? That's the beginning to this series and I loved it.
Even after being separated for 2 yrs when Jacob leaves for college in London Beth never loses her feelings for him. When she decides to accompany his mom on a visit and surprise him the summer before she starts college she couldn't have imagined the way it would turn out. But when her trip is cut short and she heads home Jacob shows how much she means to him even if he hadn't realized it all along.
This story was just adorable and I couldn't put it down, finishing it in just hours. I love the way Jacob is protective of Beth and the playfulness of their friendship.
My only issue's with it was during their high school years the time line would jump around without warning. Also the constant switching of the pov took some getting used to as it mostly would just happen suddenly.

I was given an ebook from the author through Nerdy Girl in exchange for a honest opinion. Thank you.

This review can also be found on my page The Fiction Fanatics
Profile Image for Laura Nelson (Tangents and Tissues).
777 reviews73 followers
June 7, 2015
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. It’s the first series of four novellas regarding the blossoming relationship between best friends Beth Lawson and Jake Lindsey.

We meet Beth at the beginning of the book aged just 14 and Jake recently moved back to L.A. aged 16 from London, England. Beth is your typical nerd and Jake the burgeoning rock star and through a series of events they become unlikely best friends. I felt all the emotion as Beth starts to develop a crush on Jake but he just continues to see her as a friend/sister and you as a reader have to ‘watch’ as she struggles to contain her emotions as Jake goes on dates etc - unrequited love at its best. This instalment covers 4 years and it’s only when Jake moves back to London to attend university and Beth goes to visit does the relationship change after one kiss *sighs* and Jake gets an awakening of sorts.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, angsty read and thought it was very well written and the story flowed perfectly with dual POVs.

It doesn’t have a cliffhanger ending in the strictest sense but you get the feeling this young couple are going to have challenging times ahead before they get their HEA and I can’t wait to enjoy the rest of the ride with them.
Profile Image for Amber Swinford.
61 reviews9 followers
May 20, 2015
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*

I'll admit, best friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. Throw in a sexy British accent and bad boy attitude, and the result is pretty freaking steamy.

I loved the characters and found them to be reasonably and believably developed. And I may have fallen more than a little in love with Jake.

The one thing that detracted from the story was the wonky timeline. The first part of the book, where the groundwork is laid, was a bit confusing as timing went. It also felt very much like the author was trying to quickly lay out the history between the characters and couldn't decide how best to do it or the rate at which to move time.

I also was not a big fan of the ending. I felt like it really left us hanging, and not in a good way. In a "did part of the book get cut off", looking for torn our pages kind of way.

That being said, I'll likely pick up the next installment in the series.
Profile Image for Alyssa.
114 reviews
May 18, 2015
KISSED was such a feel-good read that kept me turning the page until I finally finished it in one sitting. With the steady pace and entertaining banter between two best friends, it was impossible to put it down. Both Beth and Jacob were so lovable, it was easy to cheer for their relationship as they explored things once Beth joined Jacob for a visit in London. When the rest of the series is out, I will definitely be diving into their story again to see where their lives take them.
Profile Image for Rachel.
800 reviews8 followers
July 6, 2017
*SAME REVIEW FOR ALL FOUR BOOOKS*
This box set has 4 out of the 5 books in this series. Overall I did enjoy the storyline and the two main characters, although I felt like it was almost too much up and down struggles at times. The writing style really frustrated me at times, but I considered myself “invested” in the story, so I stuck it out. I wish this would have had the last book included so I could see how the characters ended up after watching so much drama unfold over the years in these 4 books. Outside of this series, I haven’t read anything else by this author to see if the writing style carries over. I will eventually read the last installment once it’s released since I did mention I was invested. I purchased this while it was on sale so it was worth it for me, but I doubt I would pay full price for it if I’m being honest.
2,200 reviews
May 11, 2019
This is the first book in the series and it's a really good start. This story is about Jacob and Beth. There is a two year age difference between them and they are neighbors. So this hot little romance all starts as friends and moves to more. This is a really good transition from one to the other and not an easy road. Jacob graduated and moves from LA to London. It's a struggle with Jacob's busy schedule but Beth manages to keep in touch. She surprises Jacob but coming to London two years later, after she graduated high school, with Jacob's Mom for a visit. When these two characters are one another, how they have grown up and how they have changed......both of them want out of the friend zone. Is it worth the risk? Maybe and ir all starts with a kiss.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for Joyce Black.
1,053 reviews7 followers
May 18, 2019
A very detailed description of the main male and main female characters from high school entry through to university entry. Through some of this, I became bogged down with too much detail at this point. However, with more novels to read in the series about this couple, mayhap some of the minute detailing is required groundwork for the balance of the story. Time will tell. Good story and characterizations thus far. On to book two in this five-book series

I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to this author.
Profile Image for Mary Brannian.
1,068 reviews19 followers
May 1, 2021
Kissed...


"She was sweet, innocent, not afraid to bust his balls, and the only part of this new school he wouldn’t trade. His best friend, and he’d protect what they had with his dying breath." - Jake

Beth and Jake were neighbors, growing up together. But a gargantuan two year age gap separated them, and Beth despaired having Jake EVER seeing her as more than a friend... Flying across the globe to England, Beth is hopeful Jake will finally see her as a woman....


Captivating from the start, Kissed is a fun and fascinating read!
69 reviews
March 27, 2025
Beth is nerdy enough Jacob super knap en 2 jaar ouder. Toch zijn ze besties. Beth heeft jarenlang een crush op hem, hij ziet haar niet staan. Jacob verhuist naar Londen, zij bezoekt hem en de vonk slaat over. Op zich snapte ik de storyline wel. Van nerdy naar knap en sexy. Hij die realiseert “its been her all along”. Maar vond hem een cringey karakter, haar irritant. Plus ze gaan long distance doen? Ik weet niet. Allemaal beetje onrealistisch. Wel leuk dat het zich afspeelt in de 90s (?) of 00s.
Profile Image for Courtney.
1,312 reviews195 followers
August 22, 2017
this is a 5 book series of these two characters.
I won't continue this Series.
Couldn't connect with the characters, couldn't tell who was who half the time. The sex scene was a 'next day' type, there wasn't much affection, way more fighting. The girl is a follower, and let's the guy walk over her. In some books I like that type of build up, but the way this author writes I just go bored fast.
The synopsis makes the book sound way different.
10.8k reviews125 followers
May 25, 2019
This is the 3rd book I've read written by Carla Krae; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Bewaji.
1,597 reviews5 followers
December 16, 2021
Good Old Fashioned Romance…

Jacob and Bethie have been together, but not together, since High School…They were friends, study buddies, but Beth had a crush on Jacob. Fast forward and they have gone to the next level. So I guess we have to wait for the next book to know what’s going to happen to this newly minted lovers. Oh, by the way, Jacob is a musician or budding rockstar. So, we shall see….
472 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2024
Took a bit for me to get into it. Just as I was getting attached to the characters, it was time to start book 2. Book one left off on a cliffhanger with the mom needing unknown treatment, the brother is mentioned rarely but his character seems important and the budding relationship. Not sure when I will be able to get to book 2. Just not sure where the story is going to have a total of 5 books.
16.6k reviews155 followers
September 27, 2020
They were best friends and shared a back fence. She also had a crush on him which seemed to change when they were on a trip to London. They share a kiss. Is this kiss the start of something? Is it just for the summer? Can more be the result? See if it is just a summer fling

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5 reviews
July 19, 2023
I didn’t like it. There’s one thing that really got my attention and was very minuscule in the book but it heavily irritated me. The main female character’s mom asked her if she wanted Midol (a medicine taken for menstrual cramps) and the MFC goes “eww”. Periods aren’t gross so I’m not sure why that was included. Where’s the feminism fr
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sue MacKenzie.
1,679 reviews15 followers
November 23, 2025
What starts as neighbours and helping with school work, turns in to a long-term friendship.
But when he leaves to chase his dreams, neither was expecting how much they would miss each other.
When Beth finally gives in and goes to visit, they finally give in to their hearts.
But young love can work, when these two finally open themselves up to each other properly.
Profile Image for Haz.
1,016 reviews8 followers
May 11, 2019
This story was ok it tells the story of Beth and Jacob and how they go from friends to lovers and hopsicle along the way

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,624 reviews
May 11, 2019
Sometimes you love a book sometime you don't. The idea was cute but the way it was developed didn't appeal to me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,738 reviews10 followers
September 6, 2023
3.5 Beth & Jason pt1

This very much reads as YA, which it is as Beth is an inexperienced & sheltered 18 year old. I can see the potential as we follow them through their lives and the other books, hopefully Beth grows in confidence and learns her worth.
Profile Image for Lis Molina.
391 reviews7 followers
June 10, 2024
No sé porque pero sentí que los protagonistas actuaban como niños, algunos diálogos me parecieron ridículos, y el final es desastroso. Lo bueno es que los capítulos son cortos y el libro se lee rápido
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