Customer Reviews

The Kissing Game (Loveswept)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It should be noted this was originally published in the 90's, so buyer be aware it's not a new work. A very fast read, in fact it felt more like a 200 page novel than 275 or so pages that it actually was.

In the kissing game our heroine (poor, struggling with several jobs including being a P.I.) finds herself with a very wealthy client who wants her to track down a person who used to vacation on the island. This person is likely linked to her first kiss, a boy who she loved but disappeared. Along for the ride is Simon, her best friend's brother whom she's loved forever but he's a bed jumping commitment-phobe so she's steered clear romantically.

The reason for only 3 stars is that to me it was just OK. There's no real intrigue, danger, or suspense in the novel. The characters are predictable in a so-so plot that just didn't light my fire. The whole "hero who bed jumps because he is afraid of commitment and then realizes he's more afraid of loosing his lady love so acts" plot line is a tired one for me. That said it had it's moments where I was very entertained, and some detail that S.B. delivers that kept me page flipping to the end.

I don't consider it bad, it just wasn't great for me.

The Kissing Game is a quick, easy and amusing friends to lovers romance that I enjoyed way more then I expected to. Written in 96, its one of Brockmann's earlier category romances and the 2nd from her Sunset Key Trilogy. Although it could easily be read as a stand alone too.

For the most part this is your straight up contemporary romance, there isn't any suspense and it's not a totally original story either. However Brockmann gives us relatable and amusing characters along with a tropical setting and enough of her own unique ideas and quirks that you can't help but enjoy the ride. She also doesn't fall too far into the usual clichés required from a serial romance which gives this a somewhat original feeling. With a couple of steamy love scenes (I don't think they ever actually made it into a bed) and an unforgettable, sigh worthy ending this gave me everything I could possibly want in a romance.

We first met Simon and Frankie in KISS AND TELL as the womanizing brother and private investigator best friend of Leila Hunt. Despite Simon's introduction as a complete man-whore I liked his character and could tell that as soon as he stopped playing games there would be more to him then initially believed. Frankie also piqued my interest as the bumbling wannabe P.I, speaking her mind, having adventures and refusing to take crap from anyone. These two have been friends since childhood, essentially growing up together and although in recent years they'd started to "notice" each other it hadn't ever crossed their minds to act on this growing attraction.

When Frankie gets hired for her first real case -looking for the missing heir to a Sunset Key estate, she quickly gets in over her head and through some hilarious circumstances asks Simon to act as her assistant. Initially Simon, an antiques dealer is only after his own interests wanting to sell the furniture from the property. However when the missing heir turns out to be Frankie's long lost first love a new emotion reveals itself to Simon, that of jealousy. Suddenly he's seeing Frankie in a whole new light. When she unexpectedly returns what was up until then an innocent game of flirting, everything changes, leaving Simon feeling another emotion for the first time, love. Frankie is of course aware of Simon's reputation so she tries to keep her heart out of the deal while he tries to prove that he's changed.

The case leads the couple to Boston with some movie worthy scenes involving the hotel concierge and Simon finding and telling Frankie how he feels before she falls for the missing heir. The ending here was fantastic, just when you think its all neatly wrapped up theres a couple of great twists. I especially liked the very moving fake diary entries.

Anybody who has a couple of hours to spare and enjoys a romantic read will appreciate this book. The characters Simon and Frankie who were earlier introduced in the companion book "Kiss and Tell" are reintroduced in this story.

As I read the story, I felt like I was visiting an old friend who I hadn't seen in years or like I was slipping my feet into the most comfortable of shoes. It reminded me of why I read Ms. Brockmann's books. (And as this book was originally published in 1996, I recognized her earlier writing style).

In these times of uncertainty, this book will return you to the romantic, classic story which so many authors have neglected in the last several years.

Although I liked Simon, I had trouble siding with him at first because he was a womanizer. In the end, though I couldn't help but root for him to get the girl. The book was well written and very humorous in places. I'll be reading more from this author (already have - 'Stand in Groom' is great, BTW). There was some drama and were some emotional moments/subject matter, but all in all this was an uplifting read.

Frankie is finally figuring out what she wants to do with her life. She loves living on Sunshine Key, and now she is the Key's own private investigator. Now all she needs is taking on her first important case. She has a fast timetable with a huge bonus as a possibility if she meets the timetable and Simon is acting as her assistant.

If only Simon wasn't so infuriating. Ok well it is more that she has had a crush on him, like most women who come in contact with him, for years. And he happens to be her best friend's brother.

The main problem seems to be that Simon didn't realize that Frankie is now an adult and not the little pest that ran around with his sister. Well and that he has a love `em and leave `em reputation that Frankie refuses to be a part of. Now suddenly Frankie is looking for the boy from her past, which she had a huge crush on. Will Simon realize what is before his eyes before it is too late? And if so can he convince Frankie that he is a changed man.

I recommend reading The Kissing Game the same way I did, in the Florida Keys next to the ocean on a sunny day. Reading it this way I could imagine that I might just see Frankie or Simon walking by. This is the second story in the Sunrise Key Trilogy and just as fun as the first one. I love how these two characters interact as well as how they each try to protect their hearts to the point they may lose the one thing they really want, love. As with most everything Ms. Brockmann writes I think The Kissing Game is a winner.

Note: This series was originally published by Loveswept, these books are reprints.


Tanya
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The closest to a romance book I've ever gotten is Janet Evanovich books and some old Jackie Collins. I usually read the newest bestsellers and tend to steer clear of romance. I finally thought it was time to read one to see what I thought. This was a great book to start out with. I read it in one day; it is a really fast read. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. It was nice to not have to think at all about a book and just enjoy it for what it is. I don't give it 5 stars because I felt that some of the lines were a little too cheesy. Still a great story.

I got much more than I had expected from one of Brockmanns early works. I'll be reading this again. This book is well written and unique and also very moving. I love brothers friends, friends brothers and stepbrother themes. I'm glad I got it.

It has been a long time for me to read a romance but this was good fast light read!