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Love and Kisses
A fun and feisty new novel from master storyteller Jean Ure – with a gorgeous new cover look to appeal to all girls who love real-life stories. Thirteen-year-old Tamsin has never had a boyfriend, and she's starting to feel left behind. Even her ten-year-old sister has a boyfriend, so surely it must be her turn soon! When Tamsin meets Alex, she just can't stop thinking about him, and she’s thrilled when he asks her out on a date. But he’s sixteen and has already left school. Before she knows it, Tamsin is lying about her age and going behind her parents back… but for how long can she keep up the pretence? A charming story about the innocence of first love – and learning to do the right thing.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
18 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Jean Ure
265 books119 followersProlific English children and young adult author.
Had her first book published while still in high school, then studied theater at Webber-Douglas in London. Her most well-known work is the Point Crime novel Dance with Death. Others include Plague 99, After the Plague (previously "Come Lucky April"), Big Tom, Family Fan Club and Shrinking Violet, as well as the fantasy The Wizard In the Woods.
Today, Ure is very popular with British female teenage readers with novels such as Shrinking Violet, Family Fan Club and Passion Flower.
Ure has also translated Danish writer Sven Hassel's WWII novels to English.
Had her first book published while still in high school, then studied theater at Webber-Douglas in London. Her most well-known work is the Point Crime novel Dance with Death. Others include Plague 99, After the Plague (previously "Come Lucky April"), Big Tom, Family Fan Club and Shrinking Violet, as well as the fantasy The Wizard In the Woods.
Today, Ure is very popular with British female teenage readers with novels such as Shrinking Violet, Family Fan Club and Passion Flower.
Ure has also translated Danish writer Sven Hassel's WWII novels to English.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 28, 2021
Fun fact : this was the first book over 200 pages & without pictures) I ever voluntarily asked to buy. The first step of my reading journey.
I was probably 9 when I read it(don't hold me to this, I can't assure you 100% that I was 9), and the romance made me feel all fluttery on the inside so honestly, it was a 3-star book. Solid good book, but not something I would actively recommend. That is, if you trust 9-year-old Shay's very very flawed judgement. But then again, I always have been somewhat of an old soul, so my judgement may have been better than I give myself credit for.
But just for sentimental purposes, & the fact that I remember most of the story (which says something about its memorability), I say, 4 stars. 🌟
I was probably 9 when I read it(don't hold me to this, I can't assure you 100% that I was 9), and the romance made me feel all fluttery on the inside so honestly, it was a 3-star book. Solid good book, but not something I would actively recommend. That is, if you trust 9-year-old Shay's very very flawed judgement. But then again, I always have been somewhat of an old soul, so my judgement may have been better than I give myself credit for.
But just for sentimental purposes, & the fact that I remember most of the story (which says something about its memorability), I say, 4 stars. 🌟
February 23, 2012
*SPOILERS* Love and Kisses is a simple look at first love from the point of view of 13 year old Tamsin. When she spots a boy smiling at her while working on a construction site, her heart and her imagination goes into overdrive. She lies to him, telling him she is almost 16 because he is 17, and he believes her. She sneaks around behind her parents backs, meeting him for innocent coffee and kisses.
But it all comes out, and she's sent to stay with her dismal Aunties for the summer to stay away from him. Here she learns some family history, about a great Aunt who was in a similar situation, and ended up marrying her love. But she wasn't happy, and the age difference became too much. Finally, Tamsin confesses her age, and Alex says they can't be together.
It was kind of cute in a way, although the main character had a much younger voice than I anticipated. I judged entirely from the cover, snatching this one off the shelf when I was limited to five minutes in the library (absolute torture, I say!) So I'd recommend it for very early teens.
But it all comes out, and she's sent to stay with her dismal Aunties for the summer to stay away from him. Here she learns some family history, about a great Aunt who was in a similar situation, and ended up marrying her love. But she wasn't happy, and the age difference became too much. Finally, Tamsin confesses her age, and Alex says they can't be together.
It was kind of cute in a way, although the main character had a much younger voice than I anticipated. I judged entirely from the cover, snatching this one off the shelf when I was limited to five minutes in the library (absolute torture, I say!) So I'd recommend it for very early teens.
August 9, 2022
This book follows 13 year old Tamsin and her ‘first love’ experience. She meets 17 year old Alex, a Polish boy working on a building site, and lies about her age in order to date him.
On the whole, the plot did not personally appeal to me whatsoever. It felt weird to be reading all of the descriptions about their romantic interactions - I’m sure as a child reading this I was captivated, but now it just feels uncomfortable. There is a brief hint of subplot exploring Tamsin’s resentment towards her parents’ eccentric career choices but apart from that nothing of interest happens and the story is centred around how in love she is with Alex despite the fact they barely talk about anything of significance because of the language barrier. There’s also a casual use of the r-slur three chapters in, which really shows the age of the book.
The only redeeming qualities are that everyone around Tamsin disapproves openly of her relationship and tries to limit her contact with Alex, and that Tamsin admits in a passage at the end that it was wrong to deceive Alex and that the age gap was something to be concerned about. I think this was a good and necessary message to put out at the end, particularly because this book was aimed at young girls.
There is one bizarre storyline I should mention where Tamsin is staying at her aunts’ house and starts seeing a ghost on the landing. She believes this is one of her recently deceased great aunts, that was also in a dodgy age gap relationship, reaching out to her to try and warn her not to make the same mistakes she did. The whole thing felt very out of place and amounted to nothing, which I think is a good indicator of how weak the plot was.
It’s pretty clear by now that I disliked almost everything about this book. Sends a decent message at the end, but overall it’s a waste of time.
On the whole, the plot did not personally appeal to me whatsoever. It felt weird to be reading all of the descriptions about their romantic interactions - I’m sure as a child reading this I was captivated, but now it just feels uncomfortable. There is a brief hint of subplot exploring Tamsin’s resentment towards her parents’ eccentric career choices but apart from that nothing of interest happens and the story is centred around how in love she is with Alex despite the fact they barely talk about anything of significance because of the language barrier. There’s also a casual use of the r-slur three chapters in, which really shows the age of the book.
The only redeeming qualities are that everyone around Tamsin disapproves openly of her relationship and tries to limit her contact with Alex, and that Tamsin admits in a passage at the end that it was wrong to deceive Alex and that the age gap was something to be concerned about. I think this was a good and necessary message to put out at the end, particularly because this book was aimed at young girls.
There is one bizarre storyline I should mention where Tamsin is staying at her aunts’ house and starts seeing a ghost on the landing. She believes this is one of her recently deceased great aunts, that was also in a dodgy age gap relationship, reaching out to her to try and warn her not to make the same mistakes she did. The whole thing felt very out of place and amounted to nothing, which I think is a good indicator of how weak the plot was.
It’s pretty clear by now that I disliked almost everything about this book. Sends a decent message at the end, but overall it’s a waste of time.
April 16, 2022
I bought this I have been reading some Jean Ure recently and needed something easy to get over the finish line of the end term!
In this book, Tamsin and her friend Katie are feeling pretty bored and don't fancy their chances getting boyfriends until Tamsin ends up dating a guy who is much older than her...
As usual, Jean Ure tackles important subjects for teenagers and pre-teens such as first relationships, honesty and family history... I loved how Tamsin's family are thespians and when she and her sister Ellie had to stay with their Aunties.
An excellent read which tackles subjects every young girl/boy need to be aware of.
In this book, Tamsin and her friend Katie are feeling pretty bored and don't fancy their chances getting boyfriends until Tamsin ends up dating a guy who is much older than her...
As usual, Jean Ure tackles important subjects for teenagers and pre-teens such as first relationships, honesty and family history... I loved how Tamsin's family are thespians and when she and her sister Ellie had to stay with their Aunties.
An excellent read which tackles subjects every young girl/boy need to be aware of.
March 9, 2025
I read this book about a year ago and I still remember what happened apart from the end so the main character (Tasmin) bumps into alex and he gives her a wink on the building site on the way to the sleepover with katie and then the next day she bumps into him and they end up going on a date and I remember one thing vividly it saying that his rough hands touched mine of the building site or something like that and they end up going on a double date then further in the story katie tells Tasmins parents about her lying . Xoxo Abbie (fav book of all time .)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2017
http://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/20...
16/20 - Ah, la première romance, qu'est ce que c'est compliqué (et à nous ça nous permet de passer un moment agréable avec les personnages !)
16/20 - Ah, la première romance, qu'est ce que c'est compliqué (et à nous ça nous permet de passer un moment agréable avec les personnages !)
October 9, 2023
I loved this book it about a girl who fall for a guy way older than her and lies about her age they start dating and she forgets about her best friend and her grades get worse but she does realise that in the but does she make the right choice read it to find out. I loved this it’s so fun to read not much spice , and once you start you can stop it’s an amazing book Jean Ure outdid herself again
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2017
Great book.
February 16, 2018
i adore it
August 16, 2019
A brilliant book I loved the romance between Alex and Tamsin but I did not like the fact she lied to her parents and lied about her age I really enjoyed this book and thought the ending was sad
October 4, 2023
It's really nice I love it but the end is quite sad and the middle is quite scary .
November 10, 2024
Spicy for a book that’s meant to be for 11+ (on the back of the book). If I was main character, the book wouldn’t have happened. All together, amazing storyline and definitely gonna be a re-read
April 12, 2015
reading log
In this third book that I started to read is about a girl that is not that cool. Her and her best friend never had too many boyfriend. (there is going to be a quote) One day they were walking by and suddenly they saw aboy. They both got suddenly in love with that boy. So everyday after school they went to check where he worked. He was usually never there. One day he found our main character and he aked her out.
They go to Starbucks. When they go they chat for about an hour. He walked her ome and they had a nice chat. After he asks her for another date. (there is going to be a quote). Her best friend then asks her if she could come along. Tamsin did not want to affend her by saying no. So she just why did her best friend want to come along. At the end she was not going to come.
In her second date he gave her a kiss in the cheek. (there is going to be a quote here). Tamsin thought that, that was super romantic. Then they sat down and they atrted to talk. She started to think about a boy in her class that looks like her date. Tamsin said that the boy in her class would never be as ronatic as her date. And then she started to think that maybe the boy in her class would go perfectly with her best friend.
And when there date finally finished he walked her home again. (there is going to be a quote) And then they are finallya couple. And that is the end for this week. I think that the quote of this book is love can take over anything. So love is not a bad thing it is a good thing. There is no problem on being in love.
After the coffee Tamsin and Alex went to walk by the lake and the walked there until Tamsin had to go home. Tamsin had wished that someone from school had seen her but no one did. Then they walked a bit more before they arrived to their final destination. In that moment he asked her for another date. When they arrived they were talking a bit before she could actually go to her house. Finally when she went to her house and all her family was asking her a lot of question.
When Tamsin told to her best friend the good news of course her best friend wanted to come along. Tamsin did everything possible to change the subject but her best fiend did not want to change subjects. Tamsin's best friend did everything just so that she can go with her. Finally the bell rang and Tamsin could not have been happier. Tamsin did not like to make her friend sad so she did not like to tell her no. But this time she wanted to be alone with Alex and she did not want anyone else to be with them.
The moral of the story this story is to always do the right thing. As Tamsin here tries to do the right thing but she sometimes does the wrong thing. She is lying to her family about her new boyfriend. She is lying to her friend about Tamsin not wanting her friend to come along. She is trying to do the right thing for her and not like for other people. But she thinks that she is doing the right thing for everyone.
The problem that Tamsin has is that she is trying to do the right thing for everyone. She does not know how to make everyone she cares about happy. She thinks that she is but she is lying to a her family and also to her only friend. Right the only person that is happy is Tamsin and her boyfriend because at these few days she is only thinking about them. she does not concentrate about school anymore and that is sad. She is also forgetting to do her homework which she never forgot.
In this part of the book Tamsin's parents found out about Alex. They told her that she will never see Alex an she was mad. Her parents got her before they get married so when she was fighting with her mother she mentioned that she was just a mistake witch made her mother mad. Her mother also thought of quitting her job of being an actress. Then Tamsin's father and sister got mad at her because she said stuff that she shouldn't have to her mother. So that was the fight between Tamsin and her mother for a simple boy that way to old for her anyway.
During there summer vacation Tamsin and her sister had to spend the summer with their aunts. Tamsin hated that fact because he had to stay away from Alex. Then when she went there then something strange happened. She saw a girl and she knew who it was. It one of her aunts but they never saw that aunt because she ran away from a boy she loved. In the same case the aunt loved a boy but her father didn't want her with him so she ran away with him and that was a tragedy. it is exactly like the story of Tamsin. Ohh sorry, Tamsin is planning to run away with Alex.
During the summer vacation her sister did nothing but annoy Tamsin. The worst part is that Tamsin had to share a room with her so please. Tamsin thought that it was the worst summer ever. Although she is not allowed to talk to Alex but she still does. Of course Tamsin's little sister knows that she still talks to him. She keeps on threatening her. She keeps on telling Tamsin that if she did not do as she likes then she is going to tell their parents.
In this third book that I started to read is about a girl that is not that cool. Her and her best friend never had too many boyfriend. (there is going to be a quote) One day they were walking by and suddenly they saw aboy. They both got suddenly in love with that boy. So everyday after school they went to check where he worked. He was usually never there. One day he found our main character and he aked her out.
They go to Starbucks. When they go they chat for about an hour. He walked her ome and they had a nice chat. After he asks her for another date. (there is going to be a quote). Her best friend then asks her if she could come along. Tamsin did not want to affend her by saying no. So she just why did her best friend want to come along. At the end she was not going to come.
In her second date he gave her a kiss in the cheek. (there is going to be a quote here). Tamsin thought that, that was super romantic. Then they sat down and they atrted to talk. She started to think about a boy in her class that looks like her date. Tamsin said that the boy in her class would never be as ronatic as her date. And then she started to think that maybe the boy in her class would go perfectly with her best friend.
And when there date finally finished he walked her home again. (there is going to be a quote) And then they are finallya couple. And that is the end for this week. I think that the quote of this book is love can take over anything. So love is not a bad thing it is a good thing. There is no problem on being in love.
After the coffee Tamsin and Alex went to walk by the lake and the walked there until Tamsin had to go home. Tamsin had wished that someone from school had seen her but no one did. Then they walked a bit more before they arrived to their final destination. In that moment he asked her for another date. When they arrived they were talking a bit before she could actually go to her house. Finally when she went to her house and all her family was asking her a lot of question.
When Tamsin told to her best friend the good news of course her best friend wanted to come along. Tamsin did everything possible to change the subject but her best fiend did not want to change subjects. Tamsin's best friend did everything just so that she can go with her. Finally the bell rang and Tamsin could not have been happier. Tamsin did not like to make her friend sad so she did not like to tell her no. But this time she wanted to be alone with Alex and she did not want anyone else to be with them.
The moral of the story this story is to always do the right thing. As Tamsin here tries to do the right thing but she sometimes does the wrong thing. She is lying to her family about her new boyfriend. She is lying to her friend about Tamsin not wanting her friend to come along. She is trying to do the right thing for her and not like for other people. But she thinks that she is doing the right thing for everyone.
The problem that Tamsin has is that she is trying to do the right thing for everyone. She does not know how to make everyone she cares about happy. She thinks that she is but she is lying to a her family and also to her only friend. Right the only person that is happy is Tamsin and her boyfriend because at these few days she is only thinking about them. she does not concentrate about school anymore and that is sad. She is also forgetting to do her homework which she never forgot.
In this part of the book Tamsin's parents found out about Alex. They told her that she will never see Alex an she was mad. Her parents got her before they get married so when she was fighting with her mother she mentioned that she was just a mistake witch made her mother mad. Her mother also thought of quitting her job of being an actress. Then Tamsin's father and sister got mad at her because she said stuff that she shouldn't have to her mother. So that was the fight between Tamsin and her mother for a simple boy that way to old for her anyway.
During there summer vacation Tamsin and her sister had to spend the summer with their aunts. Tamsin hated that fact because he had to stay away from Alex. Then when she went there then something strange happened. She saw a girl and she knew who it was. It one of her aunts but they never saw that aunt because she ran away from a boy she loved. In the same case the aunt loved a boy but her father didn't want her with him so she ran away with him and that was a tragedy. it is exactly like the story of Tamsin. Ohh sorry, Tamsin is planning to run away with Alex.
During the summer vacation her sister did nothing but annoy Tamsin. The worst part is that Tamsin had to share a room with her so please. Tamsin thought that it was the worst summer ever. Although she is not allowed to talk to Alex but she still does. Of course Tamsin's little sister knows that she still talks to him. She keeps on threatening her. She keeps on telling Tamsin that if she did not do as she likes then she is going to tell their parents.
June 4, 2012
It's a great book my *mum* bought me because I told her I like romance novels.. I prefer more.. you know ones than this but it's still super.
I've read it twice now and I actually cried at the end. The only thing I can say bad things on is-
1.) It's a bit outta-there because how would she get to Spain without a passport or something without showing him she was THIRTEEN and he was SEVENTEEN! Kinda... sick, but I loved Alex very much.
2.) Worst ending ever. Ever. Ever. I thought like ten years later they could meet and get married or something. When I finished it I felt like ripping it in half, but I settled for crying and throwing the book across the room. Arrrrrrrrgh!
Give it a go, it won't disappoint.
~Naomi x
I've read it twice now and I actually cried at the end. The only thing I can say bad things on is-
1.) It's a bit outta-there because how would she get to Spain without a passport or something without showing him she was THIRTEEN and he was SEVENTEEN! Kinda... sick, but I loved Alex very much.
2.) Worst ending ever. Ever. Ever. I thought like ten years later they could meet and get married or something. When I finished it I felt like ripping it in half, but I settled for crying and throwing the book across the room. Arrrrrrrrgh!
Give it a go, it won't disappoint.
~Naomi x
November 15, 2020
I remember reading this book and thinking how misleading the cover art is. It was one of the first books I read while I was learning to speak English.
I first looked at this book and thought it would be an easy read but it was much more. The cover art was just so frustrating. I think I really connected to the story because it was simple and realistic. It's a great book for younger readers who aren't really into reading.
---
(Note from 2019)
Whilst I remember enjoying this book a lot, for what it was - looking back at it now, the plot was kind of, well, I don't really know how to describe it.
I first looked at this book and thought it would be an easy read but it was much more. The cover art was just so frustrating. I think I really connected to the story because it was simple and realistic. It's a great book for younger readers who aren't really into reading.
---
(Note from 2019)
Whilst I remember enjoying this book a lot, for what it was - looking back at it now, the plot was kind of, well, I don't really know how to describe it.
March 7, 2016
Books that you start and finish in a couple of days are good books as it means that they keep your interest and this is one of those books :D
Whilst reading this book I felt as if it really reflected what a thirteen year old might be thinking and feeling in a situation like this which made the story more realistic.
I feel like this book would be perfect for a pre-teen or teenage girl between the ages of 11-16 but I'm 20 and I sill enjoyed it! :D I only say this because of the ages of the characters and the themes it covers such as family, friendships and first loves which may be more likely to appeal to this age group. It is a good read :)
Whilst reading this book I felt as if it really reflected what a thirteen year old might be thinking and feeling in a situation like this which made the story more realistic.
I feel like this book would be perfect for a pre-teen or teenage girl between the ages of 11-16 but I'm 20 and I sill enjoyed it! :D I only say this because of the ages of the characters and the themes it covers such as family, friendships and first loves which may be more likely to appeal to this age group. It is a good read :)
May 5, 2010
About How a girl whos 13 has a boyfriend whos 17
Currently reading
December 14, 2009this book is sick wat kind of 13yr old goes out wif a 17yr old omg i wod clap dis girls batty if i was her mom
April 27, 2010
This is a very good and interesting book. This book hasn't taught me anything but i would recommend it to people whom loves reading love stories.
January 8, 2011
Beautiful story about your First love <3
Read
March 9, 2011Romantic and goooooooood
October 22, 2012
I thought this book was really interesting and different from most of the books i've read before. It really hooked me, and i never wanted to put the book down!
February 11, 2014
Was a fantastic book!
Told you to do the right thing in life:)
Told you to do the right thing in life:)
Want to read
May 15, 2014This book was so good!!!!
October 7, 2010
Loved this book a lot :)
October 31, 2011
AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!! i loved this book so much i found it very interesting
Read
March 23, 2013Nicee
November 16, 2012
I read it and finished it today and it was FANTASTIC!!! I want to keep reading Jane Ure's books!
April 10, 2013
Amazing story about a first love!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews