The First Kiss

December 22, 2014
In the slow-going second Sweetest Kisses contemporary (after A Single Kiss), single mom Vera Waltham, a famous pianist, gets a new chance at love. When Vera meets James Knightley, her divorce attorney’s good-looking brother, she tries to keep a safe distance from his charms. Two marriages that left much to be desired have undermined Vera’s confidence, and a recent slew of anonymous threats is keeping her on edge. Although James is bewitched by her beauty, it’s hard to understand why he falls head over heels for her so quickly, especially since she continues to rebuff him. As James comes to the rescue time and again when Vera calls, a staid and somewhat strange relationship builds; Vera keeps things strictly platonic, while James, until now the hottest “booty call of the year,” meekly waits for her advances. All the characters engage in nonstop picture-perfect behavior: constant meals cooked from scratch, textbook dialogue, and unreal family dynamics. This installment falls far short of its charming predecessor. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Agency.

February 15, 2015

[Complex, compelling characters with difficult pasts and plenty of issues to work through are highlights of Burrowes's engaging trilogy that features an idyllic rural small-town Maryland setting and makes good use of Burrowes's family law expertise. The first book in the series, A Single Kiss (Jan. 2015), was reviewed in LJ 12/14.]

With his lady-killer reputation and flirtatious nature, it's unlikely, according to his siblings, that perpetually single business attorney James Knightley will fall victim to love. Widowed, then divorced concert pianist Vera Waltham and her young daughter, Twyla, have moved to the area, and to James, she's a kindred spirit. However, convincing Vera, who is currently plagued by mysterious acts of vandalism and a difficult, abusive ex, to take a chance on him--and on love--is another matter entirely. VERDICT An abundance of musical references add a lyrical, soul-stirring layer to this tender, insightful romance that brings a suspicion-prone, perfectly matched pair together. Including another pint-sized charmer to the mix and seamlessly keeping fans up-to-date on continuing characters, this sophomore series installment is sure to resonate with music and romance fans alike.

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