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Fiction. Literature. Romance. Christian Fiction. HTML: Riley Callahan has plans to finally reveal his secret feelings for his best friend (who just happens to be his brother's ex). But tragedy strikes and derails his plans. Watching the love of his life fall 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 Riley is 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. 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 with the money needed to save it. As the weeks wear on, Paige's feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his 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? Full-length Contemporary Romance Includes Discussion Questions for Book Clubs Part of the Summer Harbor series Book One: Falling Like Snowflakes Book Two: The Goodbye Bride Book Three: Just a Kiss .… (more)
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Paige still regards him as her best friend but 40 percent into the book her feelings begin to change. She only confided in Lucy and Eden about her growing feelings. He loved her but she did not know and and she loved him but he did not know it. This kept me in suspense on wondering who would be the one to make the first move toward getting together.
I believe this last story has to be my favorite of all the three but I enjoyed them all. A little sad that this is the last we will hear from the Callahan clan. I'm looking forward to reading any future books Denise will write. I'm sure they will be good. She writes likeable characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me an ARC for me to read and review. This book is due to be released on September 6, 2016.
Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Series: Summer Harbor #3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Just A Kiss" by Denise Hunter
My Thoughts......
"Just A Kiss" was the third beautifully written 'Summer Harbor Series' featuring Riley Callahan and Paige Warren. I loved
yourself how this author brings it all out to the readers. With Riley and Paige being friends very early on was definitely a plus for these two main characters. Add to that all the help from the secondary characters....[Beau, Zac, Aunt Trudy, Lucy] to name a few it seemed to be help all around that was there all was needed was to be asked. I found the characters for the most part well developed, portrayed, believable that help gives the reader a well told story. I felt that this was quite a touching story after all was said and done. This is a standalone read but I wished that I had read the first two series to have found out what all had happened earlier in the stories of the rest of the Callahan brothers.
This ARC was given by the publisher and NetGallery in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
After a tour in Afghanistan Riley comes home to face some challenges. What happened to him in Afghanistan? I loved his character so much. He is a strong and fit man with perhaps a bit of stubbornness to go along with his moody attitude. I loved when he discovers he will be staying with Paige for awhile. Can two best friends live together after Riley ran off to the Marines and left the one girl he loved?
Paige is a sweet and caring person. She has a big heart and wants to take care of everyone. I loved her devotion to caring for animals at the shelter. Her warmth and compassion was so well written that I wanted to be her friend. The author writes a very emotional journey between two people trying to find their way in life. The chemistry is undeniable between them as they try to overcome situations that keep them apart. I loved how the author writes Riley's character with some inner struggles that shine a light on a difficult subject many veterans face . The story is an emotional roller coaster as the characters rely on their faith to find happiness. Have you ever struggled with something and knew the only answer was to trust God?
Thank you for a story that is filled with hope, budding romances and learning to trust again. The author has provided discussion questions at the end that I highly recommend you read. The book has left me with hope that past hurts can be forgiven and sometimes a simple kiss can bring a lifetime of happiness.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.
This story is about Riley Callahn who has loved Paige since a teenager
This was another great story by Denise Hunter. The romance and relationships between the characters in this story was intense, but also heartwarming. I could easily take a trip to Summer Harbor again sometime. Enjoy!
Riley returns from his time in the military a broken man, one leg short. Though he’s been in love with Paige for years, he no longer feels worthy of winning her heart and determines to simply maintain their platonic friendship status. Yet, weeks of recovery complicate Riley’s plans, forcing him into inconveniently close quarters with Paige. Of course, this time together pushes both of them to face their feelings for one another, as well as deal with their persistent and hindering insecurities, and sets them on a perfectly paced trajectory for sweet (albeit frustrating, at times) romance and hopeful healing.
Just a Kiss will please any reader of contemporary romance looking for a heartwarming read full of authentic, lovable characters, swoon-worthy moments, and encouraging spiritual themes. I really could not read this book fast enough - it’s an excellent romance for Riley and Paige (and, finally, Aunt Trudy and Sheriff Colton, too). I loved all of it and easily recommend it, right along with the previous two Summer Harbor novels.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of Just a Kiss and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
No. Really though. Denise Hunter did such a great job with this book. She knows how to create these wonderful alpha-males who are not at all jerks, and the women are strong while holding onto their femininity. She has added quirky characters like the opinionated, outspoken aunt, who I love.
The story is heartbreaking at times, but it is a must for romance lovers who like a good clean tearjerker. The story is a beautiful example of how love can withstand, transform, heal, and is worth holding onto.
This was my least favorite of the series. I just never
The final installment in Denise Hunter's heartwarming Summer Harbor series, Just a Kiss is a sweet yet realistic romance between two longtime friends.
Riley Callahan is finally planning on telling his best gal pal Paige Warren he is in love with her when he returns from his tour in
Despite his plans to tell Paige how he feels about her, Riley no longer feels like he is capable of taking care of the woman he loves. His daily struggles to accomplish everyday tasks is taking a toll on him and he does not want to be a burden to any woman, including Paige. Frustrated and angry over his circumstances, Riley is barely getting through each day and his nights are plagued by recurring nightmares of the IED attack. Getting his prosthesis bolsters his flagging confidence, but it does not take much to send him plunging back into despair. Instead of facing his problems, Riley makes another impetuous decision that shatters their burgeoning romance.
Paige is no stranger to heartbreak or betrayal but Riley's friendship is the one thing she can always count on no matter what. Hurt by his decision to join the Marines, she has faithfully kept in touch with him during his deployment and she is eager for him to return home. Dismayed yet not surprised by the changes in him, she is a little hover-y as he adjusts to his new circumstances. Paige has complete confidence he will emerge stronger than ever, but she cannot help but be concerned over his lack of progress in some areas. Her sudden awareness of Riley as a man rather than just as a friend takes her off guard and initially, she keeps her feelings to herself since she is afraid to lose their friendship. But when it becomes apparent to her that Riley is attracted to her as well, Paige is ready to take their relationship to the next level. She is completely stunned when Riley pulls away from her just as their romance is beginning and Paige is thoroughly brokenhearted by his shocking announcement.
The relationship between Paige and Riley is slow growing but their longstanding friendship provides a firm foundation for their fledgling romance. Both Paige and Riley have plenty of emotional baggage from traumatic events in their lives and neither of them have worked through these issues. Due to her somewhat dysfunctional childhood, Paige longs for family and although she is very close to the Callahan's, she never quite feels like she fits in. She has a giving heart and she is sometimes just a bit too trusting of people who have hurt her in the past. Riley's feelings of inadequacy due to his war injury cause him to back away from relationships. He is also struggling to find a new career since he is convinced he cannot return to his previous job as a lobsterman. However, his biggest problem is his refusal to get treatment for his PTSD and his underlying depression. Reverting to past behavior, Riley runs from his troubles instead of facing them head on and only time will tell whether his kneejerk reaction will help or hinder him in the long run.
With a gentle undercurrent of faith and a realistic storyline, Just a Kiss is a moving story of healing and love that is fast-paced and engaging with a wonderful cast of characters. Denise Hunter saved the best for last and this highly anticipated romance is an emotional conclusion to the Summer Harbor series. Riley and Paige have to overcome some seemingly insurmountable obstacles but this just makes their romance that much more believable. Longtime fans will be delighted with the outcome of a storyline that has played out in all three books while newcomers will find it very easy to jump right in with this installment. A beautiful end to a fabulous series that I highly recommend.