Kissing My Brother’s Bride by Molly McLain
The Kissing Games #1
Contemporary Romance
June 1, 2023- Self-Published
ARC
Review by Angela
I side-eyed the title of this book when I first saw it, and then after realizing it was part of a series, by different authors, revolving around a wedding gone bad, I read the blurb multiple times to see if it would be something I would enjoy. I REALLY wanted to dive into the rest of the series with all their different tropes and shared characters, so I went ahead and gave it a try.
Despite the title, this isn’t a cheating romance. Let me repeat, there is no cheating. When the book opens it introduces Audrey, her boyfriend (soon-to-be fiancee) Linc, and her BFF/his brother Liam. The dynamics of their relationship are messy. Linc is addicted to his job and when running late on their first date, asked his brother to stand in for him until he could make it, and Liam and Audrey form a bond that has lasted them through his unrequited love and the two-and-a-half years of her relationship with his workaholic brother. But now it’s wedding time and everyone is in Florida…. except for Linc.
I was prepared for some uncomfortable scenes, especially since this is a romance about a woman being left at the alter by one brother and turning to the other for comfort. But there wasn’t any. Right from the beginning I could sense that Audrey and Liam should have been the couple all along. This author does a good job of showing their already close, caring relationship and the concern Liam has for Audrey’s well-being. Of course, as the series title suggests, there is a kiss between them that finally steers their relationship from BFFs to lovers, but the process does take time. Okay, a month or so, but still not right away. Audrey has a tragedy in her backstory that led her to stay with Linc despite the differences in their personalities and what they want their future to look like. I’ll let you discover the reasons for yourself.
I will say that I did enjoy Liam and Audrey, the care they have for each other, and the thoughtfulness they give to what others will think of them seeing each other after the ending of her relationship with Linc. This is definitely not my favorite trope, but I do think it works here.
There is quite a bit of setup for the rest of the series. I’ve read the blurbs for all the books, which feature so many beloved romance tropes that I am giddy. Enemies to lovers, marriage in trouble, and unrequited love to name a few. I’m in the middle of the next book, Kissing the Rival, and enjoying it quite a bit. The chemistry is off the charts between Charlie and Spencer and I think I’m almost to the part where they finally give in and rip each other’s clothes off. I’ll let you know.
In the meantime, Kissing My Brother’s Bride is a sweet, sexy romance that kicks off the Kissing Games series really well. I’m already looking forward to reading each book in the series when they release.
Final grade- B
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