Photo credits: FWStudio (pexels), Henry & Co (pexels) Edited by Vaishali Title: Kiss Me Series: Milwaukee Men at Work #1 Author: L.iz Lincoln Publisher: SGD Press Year of Publication: 2015-2019 Format: E-book (kindle app) Genre/Themes: NA contemporary romance, novella, adult fiction, Review... ➜ POC (Iranian/Egyptian) hero with a twin ➜ Interracial relationship ➜ Pizza boy hero/student heroine ➜ sci-fi/ DC superhero-loving protagonists After browsing through the bookish blogosphere trying to pin down this book's online presence and coming up with slim takings, I naturally (but bafflingly) assumed that I'd be the only reader with a review to publish for Liz Lincoln's Kiss Me despite its 2019 publication date. The title is actually the origin of misdirection, which I later found out was the reason my search came up short. From what I gather, Kiss Me was originally published as Fresh, Fast and Hot under an alternative pen name. It met with an overhaul somewhere along its publication timeline. As it is, I know this as Kiss me by Liz Lincoln. Other readers know it as FFH by Eliza Madison so the above is just a quick elaboration and an informative FYI for readers who found themselves in a similar mix-up. It's completely not lost on me that I have an 'on the fence' relationship with novellas but I triumphantly did my best to suspend my expectations with Kiss Me and I think I enjoyed it more for that very reason. As a novella, this read is much swifter-moving with minimal plot and maximum steam so a nuanced piece of romance literature this is not and a smutty erotic romance this definitely is. Rerouting from the usual killer kingpins, dashing tycoons and swaggering athletes, I also love the more 'down to earth' roles that seem fewer and farther between. A pizza boy hero and a work-hard student who orders more baked goods than her stomach can handle just to lure a pizza-toting fantasy man to her door. Her logic might sound flawed but It's actually flawless when the feeling is very mutual. We're all hip to hip with emotionally inept heroes chased by the love interest fated to make an honest man out of them but Kiss Me reverses the roles with a relationship-resistant heroine and a hero who's clearly interested in much more than sating her digestive needs. I love the diversity in this romance; not just with the versatility of an everyday leading man with an everyday job but also one with a blended heritage. Even though this novella has a Becca-only POV, there are a great many signs and signals that Tariq is besotted with her. Liz Lincoln’s hero was just wonderfully disposed and good-natured. He had a general well-intentioned air about him and It truly was far from a hardship to like him. I did like Becca but as is the case with characters who are emotionally underdeveloped with attachment issues, she was more self-involved, evidenced by her insensitivity towards Tariq's feelings. And on that note, Becca's reasons for keeping Tariq at an arm's length were understandable but a bit debatable, and the more she felt discouraged by the idea of an actual relationship, the less I understood her stance on keeping things as casual as casual could get. Poor Tariq took what he could get, and I was proud of him for letting it be known that he was more than just a biblical pastime. There are times for pleasure and there are times for pain but I really struggle with scenes that aim to discuss sober subject matter but are also otherwise (inextricably) saturated with sexual intent. In my humble opinion, the two go hand in hand as companionably as two mutually exclusive opposites. As an example, when Tariq explains a past incident that involves his brother, both he and Becca were clearly aroused with a swift endgame to end the conversation. Sex seems to be the articulacy with which they lean into without qualm, and while I don't have an issue with that, it's also not a terrifying prospect to explore other parts of a relationship. The smut scenes are a very thorough, non-silent party and while I'm truly pro-steam because I believe that smut scenes are an overlooked artistry in and of themselves), those scenes are given the strokes of a heavy hand. I caution readers who prefer more plot nuance than glorious indecency that this is definitely the opposite. And for readers who want something short, fun with ample heat and light of heart but still maintains a down-to-earth believable likeness of the ensuing storyline, this will without a doubt measure up to that very wish. A social care student who spends her time hard at work if not a social butterfly and an always-amused hero who shares her appreciation for all things DC comic occupy this first opening novella in the Milwaukee Men at Work series. Pizza is this edible matchmaker that brings them together but it’s a (completely pizza-unrelated) pull that keeps them coming back for more. Weighted looks, lingering touches and a flood of heat is what takes this romance hostage when a chance to enjoy what literally greets one at their own doorstep propositions more than just a promise of a man endowed with a tasty snack. Kiss me is an early-doors romance with an open-door conclusion for a couple who’ve only just begun. I gave this book 3.5 stars -Content Warning: Mentions drinking, smoking, drugs, addiction. Mentions suicide. Mentions sexual assault. Briefly describes a prior car accident with casualties. Mentions self medicating, a past overdose and multiple bedroom scenes. --------------------------------------- M Y R A T I N G S Y S T E M: ★ - 1 star: I did not like the book ★★ - 2 stars: The book was okay ★★★ - 3 stars: It was a good, solid read ★★★★ - 4 stars: A great book ★★★★★ - 5: A phenomenal read --------------------------------------- I love interacting with fellow readers, reviewers, bloggers and writers. Hearing about reader opinion is the fuel to my reader appetite, so get in touch and comment below! SHARE ON FACEBOOK L E A V E A C O M M E N T A N D L E T' S T A L K A B O U T |
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