So. its Monday morning. I’m between novels and looking for something interesting…different to try on for size. My next anticipated read is Ward’s Blood Truth (ugh, one more week) so in the meanwhile, I need something quick and easy and I’m in the mood to have a little fun. Timing is impeccable because Angela’s new releases post was just what I needed. Not really sure what I’m looking for, I let my eyes do the choosin’ and they land on Forbidden Kiss’ cover. Salt -n-pepper beard- yep, gruff-yet-buff dude- un hunh, Piercing eyes and a light dusting of chest hair peaking from unbuttoned and cuffed dress shirt- sure! Though, let’s be honest, Kelli Callahan had me at the Salt-n-Pepper. So right away, I’m like, oook. heroine is definitely going to be the December to his May. And it is going to camp -TF out. Doable. Annnnd I was right. C-A-M-P.

It started out so innocent. I saw my best friend’s father at an art show, and I knew the woman hitting on him wasn’t looking for love. I thought I could do him a favor. That’s what I told myself and I think I even believed it. I was just going to walk up, pretend to be his date, and then we would laugh about it after she was gone.
You know what they say about the best-laid plans…
One night of make-believe that never should have happened.
It ignited a spark inside both of us.
We tried to fight it until we made a mistake,
And one forbidden kiss led to so much more.
Sometimes, you don’t know that you’re about to cause a scandal until you’re right in the middle of it.

Right off- I’m kind of eye rolling because I hate these trendy non-blurb blurbs (why are authors still doing these?- ugh, gear grinds) and I really don’t usually dig “My best friend’s” anything– romance. It all drives me crazy because I can never, ever get over grown people tip toeing around siblings and the build up to the inevitable “I CAN’T LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOUR SISTER/BROTHER IS MY BEST FRIENDDDD WHYYYY” scene that always makes me gag. But like I said, eyes are wide open here, its going to be campy trope and I’ve decided to indulge.

And boyyyyy was I not ready. The sheer “OMG” of this book will never be lost on me. When I wasn’t snickering at the un-ironic ironies, and overwrought dramatics of literally- everyone, I was amused by how freaking earnest, hero, Bryant was- in all things. And when Bryant wasn’t blowing me over with his earnestness– because obvi- he’s really trying to smolder here- Taylor, is peak ingénue. Seriously, if her eyes got any wider or her innocence any more pronounced, she’d leak sugar and spice with every breath. And if I were to possibly forget how innocent and untried she was, well, she was kind enough to remind me, over and over…

“I don’t want to lose my virginity in a car”

“How do you feel about losing you virginity in a kitchen?”

“I wasn’t scared of losing my virginity, but the experience was still a mystery, and that left some lingering anxiety in my head.”

“I had heard enough girls talk about losing their virginity…”

“You’re not going to take my virginity in the living room?”

For the love of all things Smexy! Dude. Bryant! Take her virginity already! Hell, after the 11th reference to her virginity, I was ready to suit up and take this deflowering business into my own hands. Sheesh! And for perspective- I’m no virginal heroine hater- the exact opposite actually, but this was overkill. Like, whew.

There wasn’t much plot, mainly Bryant and Taylor almost having a lot of sex and then having a lot of sex (the I CANT LOVE YOU, I HAVE TO LET YOU GO scene) and then a flattish love declaration, at least flat for an insta-ish love story anyway. Ergo, today isn’t Wistful/Wanton. It’s just Wanton- which by the way- totally works for me.

Taylor kissed the bottom of my shaft and licked her way back to the head. “If you keep saying things like that, I’m going to come before you ever do.” I balled my fists and quivered. “You’ve made me come several times already…”

She slid her tongue down to my balls and stroked my shaft several times before her tongue started massaging the bottom again. “You’re not done either—and if you tease me too much, I’ll get my revenge before you get to come again.”

I flashed her the wickedest grin I could muster. “I wouldn’t want that…” She matched my wicked grin with one of her own—and kept eye contact as her mouth opened wide, so the head of my cock could slide across her lips.

I turned back towards him, and I already knew he was going to kiss me before I saw him moving towards me. Bryant’s lips crashed into mine—devoured them—and it made every single complication fade away for a moment. I felt his hand on my left breast. He gave it a gentle squeeze, and the nipple turned into a hard nub against his touch. His hand drifted down my dress—and I felt the fire start to sizzle inside me again. Bryant made it to my thigh and started to slide his hand underneath the fabric. I knew I needed to stop him, but I just couldn’t make myself do it. His hand went further than it had at the auction—so close to my panties that it made me squirm—then he moved his hand to my inner thigh, and before I could snap myself back to reality, I felt his finger gently caressing my pussy through my panties.

“We shouldn’t do this…” My body tensed up, and I broke the seal that our lips had formed.

“Do you want me to stop?” His finger found my clit and started to slowly make circles around the tight bundle of nerves.

“No…” I shuddered and leaned against his shoulder. I was trapped in the pleasure—it destroyed every barrier I tried to put up between us.

Barrier-smerrier.

The tears returned when I started driving to Benson Estate. I was beaten down, destroyed, and my sanity was barely hanging on by a thread. It was going to get worse before I ever got a chance to heal. The memories I had with Bryant flashed through my head like an anguish-filled montage while I drove. I hated every bit of what I had to do, but it was the only path in front of me that made sense. Deep down, I knew it was the right decision, even if it tore me apart to think about it.

Sksksks…Sorry, in the face of Taylor’s anguish, I kind of giggled. Its all fun and games freaking off with your best friend’s pops until you guys break up and now you wish you would have just ended your virginity in the living room like you preferred in the first place. Ha!

Ehh, all in all, it was a fast read that entertained with its absurdity. There was some manufactured suspense (which was weirdly placed) but if you are into light, dramatic, insta-silly story lines then I actually do recommend it. Forbidden Kisses was written well, despite it’s camp aspects. The over the topness of it all felt intentional, so I had fun enough with it. I suspect most will too, if they are interested enough to give it a read. Pure escapism and frankly, isn’t that what we love books for anyway?

Grade: C+

Forbidden Kiss is a Kindle Unlimited title and available now!