Review: Just A Kiss by Denise Hunter

Just A Kiss Author - Denise Hunter Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars Would I Recommend:Yes

Back Cover...

Watching the love of his life falling for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances he’s adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. He has nightmares and mood swings, and his unwavering independence keeps him from accepting help from anyone, including her. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on with the two in such close proximity, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into unchartered territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his corded arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

What I Loved...

Part of the reason I am such a huge fan or romance novels is not just happy endings but the angst and rollercoaster emotions an author can take you through before getting said happy ending. Just A Kiss is a wonderful example of that. I could literally feel the chemistry between characters Paige and Riley. Lots of emotion (not just attraction) pent up behind a wall that was ready to explode. That always makes for a reader invested and wanting to turn a page. And I was. Denise did not disappoint.

What I Liked...

This was my first book with an amputee. I was pleased how Denise conveyed the depth of such a tragedy but it didn't weight down the rest of the book. A good blend of heavy and light reading.

Other...

I'm not a big fan of the cover. It's nicely done, but I'm just a little over covers with couples posed in this way.

My one issue: I was a little irritated that the communication level between Paige and Riley at times seemed a bit immature. It wasn't a real big deal just a bit of a nuisance.

Overall, I really enjoyed Just A Kiss by Denise Hunter and I do suggest you pick it up. Be sure to pick up and read the others in the series first.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Revell Book Publishers. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.