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It Started With A Kiss
Can one kiss change your life forever?
When two strangers meet in a bar and share a scorching, once-in-a-lifetime kiss, they never expect to see each other again. Until days later when Skye walks into Gemma’s Surrey vineyard. For once, Gemma is lost for words.
When they start working together, they agree nothing can happen. Business comes first.
But such simmering sexual tension can only be contained for so long before the lid finally blows off…
Join Gemma and Skye as they fight their growing attraction in this glorious, slow-burn romantic comedy set in a sun-drenched UK vineyard. Queen of British sapphic romance Clare Lydon does it again with this gorgeous summer page-turner!
When two strangers meet in a bar and share a scorching, once-in-a-lifetime kiss, they never expect to see each other again. Until days later when Skye walks into Gemma’s Surrey vineyard. For once, Gemma is lost for words.
When they start working together, they agree nothing can happen. Business comes first.
But such simmering sexual tension can only be contained for so long before the lid finally blows off…
Join Gemma and Skye as they fight their growing attraction in this glorious, slow-burn romantic comedy set in a sun-drenched UK vineyard. Queen of British sapphic romance Clare Lydon does it again with this gorgeous summer page-turner!
294 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2022
299 people are currently reading
3218 people want to read
About the author
Clare Lydon
41 books1,564 followersClare Lydon is a London-based writer of contemporary lesbian romance. She's a No.1 best-seller on lesbian fiction charts around the globe with five full-length novels to her name, as well as writing the All I Want series, set to continue throughout 2016. If you love romantic comedies, prepare to fall head over heels in love.
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
June 20, 2022
One kiss to lovers.
This is the kind of book where you'd totally love the parts where the main characters are together. I call them the good parts. That's when Skye and Gemma shared their first kiss at the bar when they were complete strangers and even when Skye ends up being Gemma's employee at the vineyard she runs with her sister later on. The easy banter is something Clare Lydon does so well that it made the story incredibly enjoyable and I became so engaged with the romantic development.
But the self-imposed workplace romance rules by Gemma is another story though. It didn't help when Gemma tried explaining the reasons behind those rules and it just felt like they wasted so much time being apart.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is the kind of book where you'd totally love the parts where the main characters are together. I call them the good parts. That's when Skye and Gemma shared their first kiss at the bar when they were complete strangers and even when Skye ends up being Gemma's employee at the vineyard she runs with her sister later on. The easy banter is something Clare Lydon does so well that it made the story incredibly enjoyable and I became so engaged with the romantic development.
But the self-imposed workplace romance rules by Gemma is another story though. It didn't help when Gemma tried explaining the reasons behind those rules and it just felt like they wasted so much time being apart.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2023
2.5 stars, reluctantly rounded up...
*Cracks knuckles* Let’s see if I can still write a review… 😆
[To preface this one: I may be critiquing it a little extra hard, what with it landing in the middle of my ‘screw romance books (and books in general)’ hiatus and being the first unfortunate, papery soul that I picked up to try and get back into reading. I’ve also come, I think, to a point where the overly predictable and overly/needlessly dramatic romance plots kind of infuriate me. So if you’re still down with the endless ‘will they, won’t they?’ and the only hurdles in a romance being stubbornness or idiocy, you’ll probably be okay with this one, and I’m probably just old and crotchety. 🧓
Now that I’ve undermined my own opinion enough, let’s get to it!]
We’ll start with the good bits:
* Clare Lydon writes well ✔ technically speaking. I can definitely appreciate not running into a lot of the common writing mishaps and poor grammar that a lot of lesfic suffers just by the nature of it being jam-packed with indie and self-published authors (no shade to them, it's just the reality that with less editing and the like come more errors).
* I liked the inclusion of some wholesome family dynamics and personal growth of at least some characters (I’m looking at you, Sky).
Ah darn, I ran out of nice things to say… 🤔
Alas, we come to the things that annoyed me: (And, oh, how they did annoy me!)
* **THE WINE PUNS!!** 🍷🍷🍷 Good grief, the WINE PUNS! We get it, it’s a vineyard, they make wine. That does NOT give you the right to make a cork-popping remark during a sex scene right before you slip it in…It doesn’t. That is NEVER OKAY. N-E-V-E-R ❌🙅♀️
* Now, in neither the bad nor the good column, really, the narration for the audiobook was…just okay? Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad, it didn’t really detract from the story. I do think, however, that it exacerbated some issues that were already present in the writing; namely, the next point in the bad column…
* Hang on, which one are you again? Maybe it’s just me, but these characters felt pretty dull, one-dimensional, and (perhaps as a consequence of them oh so coincidentally having the same thoughts and feelings about one another) annoyingly similar. I had a hard time keeping straight who was who and why I should care. 😕
* Folks, please tell me: Does anyone in the real, adult world actually pine over a kiss for months?💋 Like, ladies, really, it was a great kiss. Cool. And?
* I know I’ve said it before. I know I’ll say it again if I keep reading these books. REAL ROMANCE OBSTACLES, PLEASE!!!🙏 If there’s one thing that annoys me above all else, it’s contrived obstacles borne of women being dumb and stubborn and nothing else. Sure, there was the family “trauma”, but that part of it really didn’t land for me, honestly, so it felt like it was one woman making a fool of herself over and over while the other was just being dumb and unreasonable.
* Enough with the endless will they, won’t they? A little bit of back and forth? Sure, I’m all for it – gotta have that drama, but that constant “I want to” “We can’t” “But I know you want to, too” “Well, yeah, but we can’t!”…Damn, does that get tired fast without some external conflict.
* Speaking of external conflict, where was it? I’m all for romance plots, but a bit more meat to the story goes a helluva long way.
TLDR: Based on my own experience with this book, I wouldn’t recommend it. That said, as mentioned in my disclaimer at the top, I’m probably just old and cranky. If you just want drama 🥱, wine 🍷, candle smoke 🚭, and lots of really cheesy dialogue 🧀 and wine puns 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 (okay, I did not mean to make a wine and cheese reference, that was entirely unintentional, but we’ll roll with it), this book may well be for you! 👍🥳
*Cracks knuckles* Let’s see if I can still write a review… 😆
[To preface this one: I may be critiquing it a little extra hard, what with it landing in the middle of my ‘screw romance books (and books in general)’ hiatus and being the first unfortunate, papery soul that I picked up to try and get back into reading. I’ve also come, I think, to a point where the overly predictable and overly/needlessly dramatic romance plots kind of infuriate me. So if you’re still down with the endless ‘will they, won’t they?’ and the only hurdles in a romance being stubbornness or idiocy, you’ll probably be okay with this one, and I’m probably just old and crotchety. 🧓
Now that I’ve undermined my own opinion enough, let’s get to it!]
We’ll start with the good bits:
* Clare Lydon writes well ✔ technically speaking. I can definitely appreciate not running into a lot of the common writing mishaps and poor grammar that a lot of lesfic suffers just by the nature of it being jam-packed with indie and self-published authors (no shade to them, it's just the reality that with less editing and the like come more errors).
* I liked the inclusion of some wholesome family dynamics and personal growth of at least some characters (I’m looking at you, Sky).
Ah darn, I ran out of nice things to say… 🤔
Alas, we come to the things that annoyed me: (And, oh, how they did annoy me!)
* **THE WINE PUNS!!** 🍷🍷🍷 Good grief, the WINE PUNS! We get it, it’s a vineyard, they make wine. That does NOT give you the right to make a cork-popping remark during a sex scene right before you slip it in…It doesn’t. That is NEVER OKAY. N-E-V-E-R ❌🙅♀️
* Now, in neither the bad nor the good column, really, the narration for the audiobook was…just okay? Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad, it didn’t really detract from the story. I do think, however, that it exacerbated some issues that were already present in the writing; namely, the next point in the bad column…
* Hang on, which one are you again? Maybe it’s just me, but these characters felt pretty dull, one-dimensional, and (perhaps as a consequence of them oh so coincidentally having the same thoughts and feelings about one another) annoyingly similar. I had a hard time keeping straight who was who and why I should care. 😕
* Folks, please tell me: Does anyone in the real, adult world actually pine over a kiss for months?💋 Like, ladies, really, it was a great kiss. Cool. And?
* I know I’ve said it before. I know I’ll say it again if I keep reading these books. REAL ROMANCE OBSTACLES, PLEASE!!!🙏 If there’s one thing that annoys me above all else, it’s contrived obstacles borne of women being dumb and stubborn and nothing else. Sure, there was the family “trauma”, but that part of it really didn’t land for me, honestly, so it felt like it was one woman making a fool of herself over and over while the other was just being dumb and unreasonable.
* Enough with the endless will they, won’t they? A little bit of back and forth? Sure, I’m all for it – gotta have that drama, but that constant “I want to” “We can’t” “But I know you want to, too” “Well, yeah, but we can’t!”…Damn, does that get tired fast without some external conflict.
* Speaking of external conflict, where was it? I’m all for romance plots, but a bit more meat to the story goes a helluva long way.
TLDR: Based on my own experience with this book, I wouldn’t recommend it. That said, as mentioned in my disclaimer at the top, I’m probably just old and cranky. If you just want drama 🥱, wine 🍷, candle smoke 🚭, and lots of really cheesy dialogue 🧀 and wine puns 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 (okay, I did not mean to make a wine and cheese reference, that was entirely unintentional, but we’ll roll with it), this book may well be for you! 👍🥳
June 15, 2022
Skye has never told a stranger at a bar she was beautiful and kissed her. But it’s not every day you find out your cheating ex-wife is getting married, and your boss expects you to plan her wedding. Skye finds herself drowning her sorrows and chatting up a beautiful woman, so why not just plant one on those luscious lips.
Gemma doesn’t go around kissing strangers. She doesn’t act without thinking. But she’s away from home, Skye is gorgeous and for once, Gemma wants to do something unexpected. And why shouldn’t she step out of her comfort zone just this once. They will never see each other again.
Both women return to their lives but that kiss lingers is the back of their minds. Fate brings them back into each others orbit and soon Skye finds herself taking a job at the winery Gemma owns with her sister. They agree nothing will happen. It was a one off and they are keeping it professional.
This book is now my favorite from Clare Lydon. I was immediately drawn into the story and knew I needed to experience these two women finding their happily ever after. Gemma and Skye have instant physical chemistry but their emotional connection is just as strong once they start getting to know each other. Both women have a lot of scars and the journey to allowing someone to help heal their dented hearts is well worth it.
Clare Lydon is an exceptional author. She writes such witty dialogue and really connects beautifully with her characters. She made it very easy for me to fall for Gemma and Skye. They are flawed and both imperfect but are perfect for each other. Sit back, grab a glass and marvel at the talent that is Clare Lydon. This book is like a fine wine that I know I will be appreciating years from now.
An ARC was received from the author for an honest review.
Gemma doesn’t go around kissing strangers. She doesn’t act without thinking. But she’s away from home, Skye is gorgeous and for once, Gemma wants to do something unexpected. And why shouldn’t she step out of her comfort zone just this once. They will never see each other again.
Both women return to their lives but that kiss lingers is the back of their minds. Fate brings them back into each others orbit and soon Skye finds herself taking a job at the winery Gemma owns with her sister. They agree nothing will happen. It was a one off and they are keeping it professional.
This book is now my favorite from Clare Lydon. I was immediately drawn into the story and knew I needed to experience these two women finding their happily ever after. Gemma and Skye have instant physical chemistry but their emotional connection is just as strong once they start getting to know each other. Both women have a lot of scars and the journey to allowing someone to help heal their dented hearts is well worth it.
Clare Lydon is an exceptional author. She writes such witty dialogue and really connects beautifully with her characters. She made it very easy for me to fall for Gemma and Skye. They are flawed and both imperfect but are perfect for each other. Sit back, grab a glass and marvel at the talent that is Clare Lydon. This book is like a fine wine that I know I will be appreciating years from now.
An ARC was received from the author for an honest review.
June 25, 2022
Another winner by Clare Lydon
The more I read Clare Lydon’s books, the more I love her style. Maybe because in a sea of US-based books, her novels are an island of British awesomeness, of a place I can relate to. So when I read that It Started With A Kiss was about women loving women in a vineyard in Surrey, I dropped everything else to read it.
Two strangers meet in a bar and shared a passionate kiss expecting not to see each other again but when they accidentally meet again and start working together, Skye and Gemma decide not to act on their mutual attraction. But neither woman can control their strong feelings for each other…
This is a slow-burn workplace romance set in a lovely vineyard in the Southeast English county of Surrey. As I mentioned above, I’ve loved the setting of this book, from the beaches in Cornwall to a vineyard in Surrey. Ms. Lydon describes the beauty of both places perfectly and even though Britain isn’t a famous wine producer, it has improved throughout the years and I’m happy to see that this book reflects that.
Both main characters are fleshed out very well, so much so, that Gemma sometimes got on my nerves, but that’s because she sounds very realistic in her doubts and fears. At a point, I was expecting the plot to go in a melodramatic direction but the author knows where to add a touch of humour to balance the tone of the story perfectly. As a matter of fact, there’s quite a bit of humour in this book, the laugh-out-loud as well as the smile-in-your-face kind, sprinkled with emotional moments and lots of sexual tension. That’s Clare Lydon’s formula in a nutshell and this novel will make her readers happy once again.
If you are looking for a quintessentially British rom-com with all the feels, this one is for you. 5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The more I read Clare Lydon’s books, the more I love her style. Maybe because in a sea of US-based books, her novels are an island of British awesomeness, of a place I can relate to. So when I read that It Started With A Kiss was about women loving women in a vineyard in Surrey, I dropped everything else to read it.
Two strangers meet in a bar and shared a passionate kiss expecting not to see each other again but when they accidentally meet again and start working together, Skye and Gemma decide not to act on their mutual attraction. But neither woman can control their strong feelings for each other…
This is a slow-burn workplace romance set in a lovely vineyard in the Southeast English county of Surrey. As I mentioned above, I’ve loved the setting of this book, from the beaches in Cornwall to a vineyard in Surrey. Ms. Lydon describes the beauty of both places perfectly and even though Britain isn’t a famous wine producer, it has improved throughout the years and I’m happy to see that this book reflects that.
Both main characters are fleshed out very well, so much so, that Gemma sometimes got on my nerves, but that’s because she sounds very realistic in her doubts and fears. At a point, I was expecting the plot to go in a melodramatic direction but the author knows where to add a touch of humour to balance the tone of the story perfectly. As a matter of fact, there’s quite a bit of humour in this book, the laugh-out-loud as well as the smile-in-your-face kind, sprinkled with emotional moments and lots of sexual tension. That’s Clare Lydon’s formula in a nutshell and this novel will make her readers happy once again.
If you are looking for a quintessentially British rom-com with all the feels, this one is for you. 5 stars.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2022
Clare Lydon has written another romance streaked with comedy, a touch of angst, glorious wine and eventual sizzle featuring Skye and Gemma. A tantalizing attraction between the two starts with a kiss between strangers and continues when Skye becomes marketing manager for the winery co-owned by Gemma and her sister Martha. No fraternizing allowed but do grape vines count as witnesses? Is the fraternizing rule followed by everyone? A HEA seems inevitable but not without some ups and downs, recognition of true feelings and verbal declarations of love.
A little gem of a summer time read with a nifty storyline and supporting cast and lots of wine.
A little gem of a summer time read with a nifty storyline and supporting cast and lots of wine.
January 3, 2023
Dmg at 70% I can’t write a proper review so here’s a spoiler filled rant.
I was fine with this book until about 40% even though it has basically no plot, way too much info about fucking vineyards and the most infuriating 40 year olds ever. You’re telling me they’re double my age and I’m supposed to believe it when they act like they’re HALF my age.
There’s basically no plot to this book. It was so DULL AND BORING. It’s filled with air. And very shit characters let’s be honest. Trashy exes to make us pity the protagonists and even that didn’t lead to any good angst at all. Tbh there was no angst it really was so extremely paper thin and avoidable if Gemma just wasn’t such a stubborn loser.
Here’s my issue. Skye literally moved to a completely different place and admits it was mainly to be with a woman she kissed while drunk?????? BECAUSE IT WAS A GOOD KISS????????? I get that the book is called “it started with a kiss” but I really didn’t like what it started lmao.
Skye also pushes Gemma into a “relationship” after Gemma tried to establish rules and boundaries before she even offered her the job. But Gemma isn’t blameless either because as soon as she establishes she’d boundaries they both make a joke about it and completely disrespects whatever importance they were supposed to hold. Then Gemma doesn’t reinforce her own boundaries and proceeds to flirt with Skye and LEAD HER ON. then gets upset and thinks she doesn’t mean anything to her when Skye tries to go on a date. Which ok Skye that was very childish on your part too.
And Skye literally manipulating Gemma into a relationship and giving her an ULTIMATUM???? not to mention reinforcing Gemma’s fear of a relationship that blurs lines with someone she works with and proving her right by threatening to quit if she doesn’t fuck Skye??? IN WHAT WORLD IS THAT OKAY???? Somehow the author tries to convince you this is fine because Gemma seemingly wants Skye too. BUT THATS A BIG RED FLAG. not what I wanted to see in a book featuring two ADULT women. They also had ZERO chemistry imo. I wasn’t feeling it.
The writing was also very childish and boring, and would fit right into a fanfic and not something that was supposed to be something akin to Chick-lit. This definitely wasn’t a romcom since there wasn’t a single joke in sight. Not even a bad one that made me think I was supposed to laugh.
This had so much information about vineyards I couldn’t be fucked to sit through it. AND it bothered me so much that her sister was just fucking a business related guy and didn’t tell Gemma??? Uhhhhhhhhhh.
I have so many issues with this book this wasn’t even half of it. Don’t even get me started on what I found out happens in the last 40 pages of the book. I give up.
I was fine with this book until about 40% even though it has basically no plot, way too much info about fucking vineyards and the most infuriating 40 year olds ever. You’re telling me they’re double my age and I’m supposed to believe it when they act like they’re HALF my age.
There’s basically no plot to this book. It was so DULL AND BORING. It’s filled with air. And very shit characters let’s be honest. Trashy exes to make us pity the protagonists and even that didn’t lead to any good angst at all. Tbh there was no angst it really was so extremely paper thin and avoidable if Gemma just wasn’t such a stubborn loser.
Here’s my issue. Skye literally moved to a completely different place and admits it was mainly to be with a woman she kissed while drunk?????? BECAUSE IT WAS A GOOD KISS????????? I get that the book is called “it started with a kiss” but I really didn’t like what it started lmao.
Skye also pushes Gemma into a “relationship” after Gemma tried to establish rules and boundaries before she even offered her the job. But Gemma isn’t blameless either because as soon as she establishes she’d boundaries they both make a joke about it and completely disrespects whatever importance they were supposed to hold. Then Gemma doesn’t reinforce her own boundaries and proceeds to flirt with Skye and LEAD HER ON. then gets upset and thinks she doesn’t mean anything to her when Skye tries to go on a date. Which ok Skye that was very childish on your part too.
And Skye literally manipulating Gemma into a relationship and giving her an ULTIMATUM???? not to mention reinforcing Gemma’s fear of a relationship that blurs lines with someone she works with and proving her right by threatening to quit if she doesn’t fuck Skye??? IN WHAT WORLD IS THAT OKAY???? Somehow the author tries to convince you this is fine because Gemma seemingly wants Skye too. BUT THATS A BIG RED FLAG. not what I wanted to see in a book featuring two ADULT women. They also had ZERO chemistry imo. I wasn’t feeling it.
The writing was also very childish and boring, and would fit right into a fanfic and not something that was supposed to be something akin to Chick-lit. This definitely wasn’t a romcom since there wasn’t a single joke in sight. Not even a bad one that made me think I was supposed to laugh.
This had so much information about vineyards I couldn’t be fucked to sit through it. AND it bothered me so much that her sister was just fucking a business related guy and didn’t tell Gemma??? Uhhhhhhhhhh.
I have so many issues with this book this wasn’t even half of it. Don’t even get me started on what I found out happens in the last 40 pages of the book. I give up.
November 14, 2023
It’s a little too will they, won’t they for me, but overall it’s a sweet book.
Gemma is way more hesitant than Skye, even though you’d expect Skye to be more hesitant with her past.
I like the setting and all the vineyard talk and wine mentions, even for a non-drinker like myself it’s a good setting of the scene.
I just don’t get all the hesitancy in this book, I don’t like that much. Also, it’s all a bit too good to be true you know? Bit too rom-commy, it’s comfy and overall a fun read, but you need to be in a mindset to enjoy it. Or at least I do.
Gemma is way more hesitant than Skye, even though you’d expect Skye to be more hesitant with her past.
I like the setting and all the vineyard talk and wine mentions, even for a non-drinker like myself it’s a good setting of the scene.
I just don’t get all the hesitancy in this book, I don’t like that much. Also, it’s all a bit too good to be true you know? Bit too rom-commy, it’s comfy and overall a fun read, but you need to be in a mindset to enjoy it. Or at least I do.
May 17, 2023
I enjoyed this lighthearted book by Clare Lydon. Lately I’ve been requesting my library buy indie queer books and this is one they Boston Public Library approved. It’s so easy to request for the library to buy books and it helps authors and other readers—my library has a simple online form!
June 25, 2024
It Started With A Kiss is quite a slow, sapphic, romance .. but I didn’t mind all the build up too much, because it made me grow to care for the main characters, Gemma and Skye, quite a bit. On the other hand, I have to be honest say I did feel bored at times though. The slowness did build up the tension between the two women though. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it had been written from a first-person perspective / maybe dual between Gemma and Skye.
I head-cannoned them as Emily Blunt (with her dark hair) and Cara Delevingne (with her platinum blonde hair) in my head and it really worked for the two characters 😅🥰
It does pretty much start with a bang - Gemma and Skye have a hot and heavy moment where they passionately kiss - but it slows right down after that on the romance front. I do want to try more WLW romances out though, hopefully I will find one that I gel with even more - I’d give more of Clare Lydon’s work a chance!
3.4 Stars
I head-cannoned them as Emily Blunt (with her dark hair) and Cara Delevingne (with her platinum blonde hair) in my head and it really worked for the two characters 😅🥰
It does pretty much start with a bang - Gemma and Skye have a hot and heavy moment where they passionately kiss - but it slows right down after that on the romance front. I do want to try more WLW romances out though, hopefully I will find one that I gel with even more - I’d give more of Clare Lydon’s work a chance!
3.4 Stars
June 14, 2022
Ok, so.. This took me a while to get into. But, boy I suddenly have the need to move to Cornwall. Just by reading this I could smell the sea, hear the waves crashing and feel the wind on my face. I thought I could hear the seagulls too. Ok so they were flying over my home but I still felt as if I was on the beach. Everything I felt came from Lydon's words.
When I get to this point I always struggle with how much of the book I should reveal, to tempt you to read it. Without giving you the whole book. We all see Books differently. But this one is sure to frustrate you but also make you laugh. I don't mean a gentle laugh but a full belly laugh. I found it funny because I could relate to it. That's what Lydon does best. She makes it real.
The title actually somes up this book. One night they meet in a bar, too much to drink. Make out then go their separate ways. Is it fate? Who knows.
Sometimes we just get the urge to move on, that occasionally takes on geography. Do we move to our safe place? Family? Whatever the reasons it takes guts and a little luck.
There are a few hilarious scenes. In a supermarket, in a bar, and who throws up in a newspaper? Also, I didn't know that a bottle of fizzy wine could be so romantic. And I'm talking bottle not the drinking.
It's hard when you've been hurt to stand up and trust again. But a little faith and determination can get you there. That's what this book is about. With a lot of humour added along the way.
Enjoy!
When I get to this point I always struggle with how much of the book I should reveal, to tempt you to read it. Without giving you the whole book. We all see Books differently. But this one is sure to frustrate you but also make you laugh. I don't mean a gentle laugh but a full belly laugh. I found it funny because I could relate to it. That's what Lydon does best. She makes it real.
The title actually somes up this book. One night they meet in a bar, too much to drink. Make out then go their separate ways. Is it fate? Who knows.
Sometimes we just get the urge to move on, that occasionally takes on geography. Do we move to our safe place? Family? Whatever the reasons it takes guts and a little luck.
There are a few hilarious scenes. In a supermarket, in a bar, and who throws up in a newspaper? Also, I didn't know that a bottle of fizzy wine could be so romantic. And I'm talking bottle not the drinking.
It's hard when you've been hurt to stand up and trust again. But a little faith and determination can get you there. That's what this book is about. With a lot of humour added along the way.
Enjoy!
July 11, 2022
Great banters between Skye and Gemma, some angst and a self-imposed no fraternizing rules which Gemma carried out to a T and irritates the hell out of me. Wonderfully written and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
June 16, 2022
‘It started With A Kiss’ by Clare Lydon is a smile-inducing sapphic romance, with passion, sexual tension, and the author’s trademark British humour. Gemma and Skye meet in a bar in Cornwall and share the most amazing kiss either have ever experienced. But the strangers part, never expecting to see each other again. When they later end up working together, both agree that business and pleasure don’t mix well. But can they keep to their promise? With an attraction this strong it’s going to be a tall order.
I loved the connection between Skye and Gemma. It was intense, powerful and hot. Their chemistry was off the scale. But Gemma especially was determined that they could not let their feelings progress to the next level as long as they were working together. It caused tension between them – and not always of the sexual variety.
As ever, Clare Lydon writes characters we can identify with. I could see where Gemma was coming from, but I so wanted her to change her mind. Skye was a woman dealing with hurt, but ready to find a way out of it. They were the right people at the right time for each other. They just had to get to the point that they could see that. This was a passionate, romantic, feel-good story. I loved it.
I was given this ARC to review.
I loved the connection between Skye and Gemma. It was intense, powerful and hot. Their chemistry was off the scale. But Gemma especially was determined that they could not let their feelings progress to the next level as long as they were working together. It caused tension between them – and not always of the sexual variety.
As ever, Clare Lydon writes characters we can identify with. I could see where Gemma was coming from, but I so wanted her to change her mind. Skye was a woman dealing with hurt, but ready to find a way out of it. They were the right people at the right time for each other. They just had to get to the point that they could see that. This was a passionate, romantic, feel-good story. I loved it.
I was given this ARC to review.
June 19, 2022
I really like Clare Lydon's books, as they typically feature great characters with fantastic chemistry. Although I liked this book, there were a few aspects that didn't resonate with me. Although Gemma and Skye have amazing chemistry from their first meeting, it sizzles out pretty quickly when Gemma keeps herself away from Skye with pretty unrealistic reasons and thoughts. It made the book feel a tad too messy for me, which was a shame because both characters separately were lovely. Due to this, I didn't engage with the romance.
However, I really liked the exploration of family, as well as the vineyard setting. I have a soft spot for books where a character packs up and starts again, which is exactly what Skye does within this book.
Many thanks to Clare Lydon for providing me a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
However, I really liked the exploration of family, as well as the vineyard setting. I have a soft spot for books where a character packs up and starts again, which is exactly what Skye does within this book.
Many thanks to Clare Lydon for providing me a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2022
The best way to start!
Skye and Gemma share a kiss in a bar, then a week later, to Gemma’s surprise, Skye is at her vineyard. Skye wasn’t planning on hanging around but when an opportunity presents itself, she starts working with Gemma. Agreeing they can’t let anything develop between them, Gemma and Skye find themselves fighting their feelings until they have no choice but to agree something has brought them together for a reason.
This was so cute and had me falling in love with Gemma and Skye from the moment they met. That initial tension between them was exciting, then it was driving everything they were doing, choices they were making, and wreaking havoc with their emotions, which made for such an emotional but very fun story. As usual, Clare has managed to incorporate her wonderful style of rom-com into this story. Gemma and Skye fought against their feelings so hard it was frustrating at times but it did provide all the moments of light relief needed as they danced around trying to work out what one another intended and missed the mark whilst getting caught up in one another constantly.
The story was simple in its set up, fate definitely playing a big part in Gemma and Skye’s meeting, then meeting again, and the opportunity for them to start working together. Then adding depth and complexity were their emotions. Each of them was coming at the need to fight their feelings from a different angle, which put them in similar circumstances but gave them different experiences to draw on when making choices that were going to affect their whole lives.
I just love a story where most of it is down to fate, feelings get in the way to cause angst and emotional connection for the reader to the character. It was so easy to relate to both Gemma and Skye, then to get lost in that flight of fancy moments that magical moments can happen that just change everything. I really enjoyed the story and hope we’ll run into Gemma and Skye again in future stories.
Skye and Gemma share a kiss in a bar, then a week later, to Gemma’s surprise, Skye is at her vineyard. Skye wasn’t planning on hanging around but when an opportunity presents itself, she starts working with Gemma. Agreeing they can’t let anything develop between them, Gemma and Skye find themselves fighting their feelings until they have no choice but to agree something has brought them together for a reason.
This was so cute and had me falling in love with Gemma and Skye from the moment they met. That initial tension between them was exciting, then it was driving everything they were doing, choices they were making, and wreaking havoc with their emotions, which made for such an emotional but very fun story. As usual, Clare has managed to incorporate her wonderful style of rom-com into this story. Gemma and Skye fought against their feelings so hard it was frustrating at times but it did provide all the moments of light relief needed as they danced around trying to work out what one another intended and missed the mark whilst getting caught up in one another constantly.
The story was simple in its set up, fate definitely playing a big part in Gemma and Skye’s meeting, then meeting again, and the opportunity for them to start working together. Then adding depth and complexity were their emotions. Each of them was coming at the need to fight their feelings from a different angle, which put them in similar circumstances but gave them different experiences to draw on when making choices that were going to affect their whole lives.
I just love a story where most of it is down to fate, feelings get in the way to cause angst and emotional connection for the reader to the character. It was so easy to relate to both Gemma and Skye, then to get lost in that flight of fancy moments that magical moments can happen that just change everything. I really enjoyed the story and hope we’ll run into Gemma and Skye again in future stories.
July 22, 2022
These are supposed to be 30-40 year old women? I’m expected to believe that??!!
Skye and Gemma meet each other at a pub, get drunk and have this amazing first kiss loaded with chemistry and part ways since they’re from different cities.
Skye is getting ready to make some major life decisions after her ex wife is getting married at the place she works at and is tasked to plan and execute the wedding.
Some opportunities arise where her family lives and she’s takes that as a sign to move away and get a new job farther from her past. She then stumbles upon Gemma’s vineyard which is in need of some help spreading the word about their product. While they agree they shouldn’t pursue their relationship despite their chemistry the whole story ended up being a childish interaction between them two.
While Gemma is infuriating because she doesn’t want to relive what she went through with her parents by getting into a relationship with her employee, and frequently being hot and cold, Skye is also in the blame. She practically bullies Gemma and uses emotional manipulation to force her into an ultimatum. She could just have respected her decision like an adult but she couldn’t go the high road. I DNF’d at 79% cause frankly I couldn’t care any less how this panned out when I don’t like these characters.
Skye and Gemma meet each other at a pub, get drunk and have this amazing first kiss loaded with chemistry and part ways since they’re from different cities.
Skye is getting ready to make some major life decisions after her ex wife is getting married at the place she works at and is tasked to plan and execute the wedding.
Some opportunities arise where her family lives and she’s takes that as a sign to move away and get a new job farther from her past. She then stumbles upon Gemma’s vineyard which is in need of some help spreading the word about their product. While they agree they shouldn’t pursue their relationship despite their chemistry the whole story ended up being a childish interaction between them two.
While Gemma is infuriating because she doesn’t want to relive what she went through with her parents by getting into a relationship with her employee, and frequently being hot and cold, Skye is also in the blame. She practically bullies Gemma and uses emotional manipulation to force her into an ultimatum. She could just have respected her decision like an adult but she couldn’t go the high road. I DNF’d at 79% cause frankly I couldn’t care any less how this panned out when I don’t like these characters.
July 16, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
It Started With A Kiss is the first novel I read by Clare Lydon, and I found it to be enjoyable!
I was scrolling through my kindle when I saw this novel; as soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read it! I read it in one sitting/ stayed up late reading it.
Two strangers meet in a bar and share a hot asf kiss? Yes, please!!
Skye just found out about her ex-wife’s recent engagement and is asked to plan it at the same place they were married. Skye no longer feels comfortable at her place of work because she constantly runs into her ex-wife. One night at the bar, she talks with the bartender when the most beautiful woman walks in. They start chatting, one thing leads to the next, and they share the hottest kiss either of them has ever had.
They had fantastic chemistry! But, sadly, the night ended, and they had to go their separate ways thinking of nothing but their kiss.
Skye decides to visit her friend and brother as a way to get away from her ex. Her friend takes her to a wine tasting event, where she sees Gemma, the woman that kissed her in the bar. Skye finds out they’re hiring and decides to apply and move towns to start working at Gemma’s vineyard.
This novel is the sweetest!! I really loved the small town and vineyard vibes. It gave me hallmark movie vibes! I loved their banter and interactions throughout the novel. Skye and Gemma are the cutest!
** spoilers ahead**
Overall, I liked it. It’s a pretty quick and cute read! If you enjoy small-town vibes, close proximity, lots of chemistry and tension, then this is the book for you!
It Started With A Kiss is the first novel I read by Clare Lydon, and I found it to be enjoyable!
I was scrolling through my kindle when I saw this novel; as soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read it! I read it in one sitting/ stayed up late reading it.
Two strangers meet in a bar and share a hot asf kiss? Yes, please!!
Skye just found out about her ex-wife’s recent engagement and is asked to plan it at the same place they were married. Skye no longer feels comfortable at her place of work because she constantly runs into her ex-wife. One night at the bar, she talks with the bartender when the most beautiful woman walks in. They start chatting, one thing leads to the next, and they share the hottest kiss either of them has ever had.
“I’ve never met a stranger in a bar, told her she was one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen, and then kissed her.”...“You, by the way, are the most beautiful women I’ve ever met.”
They had fantastic chemistry! But, sadly, the night ended, and they had to go their separate ways thinking of nothing but their kiss.
Skye decides to visit her friend and brother as a way to get away from her ex. Her friend takes her to a wine tasting event, where she sees Gemma, the woman that kissed her in the bar. Skye finds out they’re hiring and decides to apply and move towns to start working at Gemma’s vineyard.
This novel is the sweetest!! I really loved the small town and vineyard vibes. It gave me hallmark movie vibes! I loved their banter and interactions throughout the novel. Skye and Gemma are the cutest!
** spoilers ahead**
Overall, I liked it. It’s a pretty quick and cute read! If you enjoy small-town vibes, close proximity, lots of chemistry and tension, then this is the book for you!
October 2, 2023
really tried to like it. both the story and characters were boring and the relationship toxic. one was manipulative and the other an avoidant doormat that ended up having to apologize for… being unsure after being manipulated and rushed into a relationship she probably didnt really want. she seriously looked like a fool trying to uphold her boundaries and failing miserably, constantly sending mixed signals but never following tru.
August 2, 2022
Probably a 2.75, had so much potential yet they execution was so very boring for me. The majority of the middle of this book was dull and repetitive and way more informational about vineyards than a rom com book plot. Also the little bits of miscommunication was so easily avoidable and made sense for it. Just not my cup of tea.
June 18, 2022
If you’re looking for a super sweet sizzling sapphic romance with little angst and lots of fizz then this is the one for you!
August 24, 2025
lesbians deserve boring romance books too! (all i got from this)
June 14, 2022
Amazing
They don’t call her the Queen of British sapphic romance for nothing, this is yet another fantastic read from Clare Lydon. A perfect romantic comedy to read while enjoying the summer. A great plot, excellent dialogue and great MCs, what else could one wish for.
They don’t call her the Queen of British sapphic romance for nothing, this is yet another fantastic read from Clare Lydon. A perfect romantic comedy to read while enjoying the summer. A great plot, excellent dialogue and great MCs, what else could one wish for.
October 4, 2022
An excellent tale from the totally safe and infallible Clare Lydon. Enjoyed this one - it really is a ‘slow burn’ romance as stated on the cover. Recommended. (My 16th CL Book!)
February 1, 2023
4.5 stars
I had so much fun reading this book! Definitely one of the cutest romance books I've ever read. There's not a lot of plot, but the dialogue and the characters made up for that :)
I had so much fun reading this book! Definitely one of the cutest romance books I've ever read. There's not a lot of plot, but the dialogue and the characters made up for that :)
March 28, 2025
dit was wel vermakelijk om te luisteren :) alleen een beetje awkward toen ik in de bus zat en het ineens smutty werd
June 12, 2022
You are never going to be disappointed with any of Ms Lydon’s books and this is no exception. It is well written, with good MC and dialogue. Storyline is interesting with two strangers meeting in a bar and randomly kissing. Thinking that’s it, they move on with their lives only to meet again in a work situation. No relationships allowed at work, but can they resist each other. You will have to read the book. Some aghast, but in keeping with the story. Would recommend, a really good read.
July 25, 2022
how about, instead of telling me how absolutely vagina soaking, ass clenching, life shattering, the kiss was, you bloody well show me .
that about sums up this disappointing read that i thought was going to fill the void that is a reading slump with extra trimmings. alas i was wrong.
that about sums up this disappointing read that i thought was going to fill the void that is a reading slump with extra trimmings. alas i was wrong.
January 2, 2023
Toxic ex-es and lying sisters
It was all sizzling but the formation of the final part wasn't how I wished it to be. I loved the drama though, needed more angst to really give the kick for me.
It was all sizzling but the formation of the final part wasn't how I wished it to be. I loved the drama though, needed more angst to really give the kick for me.
October 22, 2024
RECENSIONE A CURA DI HIKARU
Skye lavora in un grande hotel in Cornovaglia, la sua ex moglie anche. Anzi, è stato a causa sua se Skye si è trasferita lì. Ma adesso che la sua ex ha deciso di riposarsi, proprio nel loro hotel dove pochi anni prima stavano festeggiando il loro matrimonio, forse è venuto il momento di cercare un nuovo inizio. Soprattutto dopo aver incontrato in un bar un’affascinante sconosciuta che le ha regalato un bacio indimenticabile.
Gemma ha un’azienda vinicola nel Surrey, che gestisce con la sorella, eredità dei nonni. Ha da poco chiuso l’ennesima storia sbagliata con una ragazza che sta rovinando la reputazione della loro azienda. Gemma ha sempre saputo che bisogna tenere affari e piacere separati e ora ne ha avuto la conferma. Non che possa succedere qualcosa con qualcuno a breve; non dopo il viaggio in Cornovaglia, non dopo quel bar, quelle labbra, quel bacio.
Sia Skye che Gemma sono sicure che il loro bacio rubato rimarrà un piccolo, folle, meraviglioso ricordo.
Finché Skye non torna per il compleanno del fratello nella sua città d’origine e non visita un bellissimo vigneto locale…
Continua sul nostro blog!
Skye lavora in un grande hotel in Cornovaglia, la sua ex moglie anche. Anzi, è stato a causa sua se Skye si è trasferita lì. Ma adesso che la sua ex ha deciso di riposarsi, proprio nel loro hotel dove pochi anni prima stavano festeggiando il loro matrimonio, forse è venuto il momento di cercare un nuovo inizio. Soprattutto dopo aver incontrato in un bar un’affascinante sconosciuta che le ha regalato un bacio indimenticabile.
Gemma ha un’azienda vinicola nel Surrey, che gestisce con la sorella, eredità dei nonni. Ha da poco chiuso l’ennesima storia sbagliata con una ragazza che sta rovinando la reputazione della loro azienda. Gemma ha sempre saputo che bisogna tenere affari e piacere separati e ora ne ha avuto la conferma. Non che possa succedere qualcosa con qualcuno a breve; non dopo il viaggio in Cornovaglia, non dopo quel bar, quelle labbra, quel bacio.
Sia Skye che Gemma sono sicure che il loro bacio rubato rimarrà un piccolo, folle, meraviglioso ricordo.
Finché Skye non torna per il compleanno del fratello nella sua città d’origine e non visita un bellissimo vigneto locale…
Continua sul nostro blog!
April 6, 2023
I really like that the main characters are 40-ish, and the premise is cute and the vineyard setting was nice.
A little too coercive and forceful with the kiss the second time. (Consent 101: If someone says no, even if you know they want to kiss you, you should respect that no and wait until they're ready to actually say yes on their own.)
I also just think Skye is pretty unreasonable in general, and I found the misunderstanding/conflict to be annoying and childish
A little too coercive and forceful with the kiss the second time. (Consent 101: If someone says no, even if you know they want to kiss you, you should respect that no and wait until they're ready to actually say yes on their own.)
I also just think Skye is pretty unreasonable in general, and I found the misunderstanding/conflict to be annoying and childish
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