The Kiss That Counted

by Karin Kallmaker

Paperback, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

813

Publication

Bella Books (2008), 256 pages

Description

Don't miss this Lammy Award Winner!!! CJ Roshe knows she can never relax her vigilance, especially when her grip on her secrets begins to slip. Contact with the good-hearted Karita Hanssen leaves CJ wishing for impossible things--friends, roots, a lover who knows her real name. With a life cheerfully balanced between all the things that she loves, Karita gives freely of her time and affection. She isn't looking for more until something in CJ's eyes suggests that there could be feelings deeper, stronger--and more dangerous--than any she has ever felt. CJ is committed to only tonight with her body and certainly no tomorrows when it comes to her heart. Karita has always lived for today while she waits for tomorrow to happen. One kiss couldn't change all that--unless it's the kiss that counted. Golden Crown and Lambda Literary award-winning author Karin Kallmaker's tale of two women, two outlooks and two futures trying to become one adds to her long list of best-selling and critically acclaimed lesbian romance novels.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Jemology
Goodreads has been pushing this book at me ever since I joined. I love the cover but somehow the blurb is so vague, it doesn't really stand out from the rest of the 1001 lesfic romances out there. Boy, was I surprised at the actual premise and even more so at the execution.

CJ is very good at
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convincing people to part with their money--willingly. She's parlayed this talent into a very successful real estate career. But CJ has a past so dark that whereever she goes, she is constantly looking over her shoulder and scoping out the nearest exits. A traffic violation results in her doing community service at a battered women's shelter. There she meets kind-hearted volunteer Karita. Sparks fly and they share a spectacular parting kiss. Firmly convinced of her own incorrigibility, CJ is afraid of tainting the lily-white Karita with her dark past--a past that may catch up to her anytime. Karita meanwhile has had her share of past heartache, and CJ feels just a little bit too much like her old flame--rich, successful, entitled. And so they dance around their attraction and have dalliances with others--but all the while obssessing over THAT kiss.

There are so many things I love about the book. The tight plotting makes for a fast page-turner. I don't remember the last time I finished a book in 1 day. I'm a slow reader, but this was impossible to put down.
There are a number of characters in the book--all well-rounded and relatable and believable individuals of all stripes. The story is much more than a romance. Its also a tale of great friendships ( benefits ;) ) and redemption. There is angst (lots of it, yey!) and hurt/comfort. It's a study of great contrasts: How different the present CJ is from the old one; how different she perceives she is from Karita; how much she stands to lose if the past catches up with her. There is a lot of psychoanalyzing going around--that irritated me somewhat at first, not knowing what went before, but fortunately, the leads were able to overcome all that overthinking.

How does an author weave so many elements successfully--fairly complex plot, well-rounded characterizations, engaging dialogue, lots of psychoanalyzing(!), lovely sex, cuddly pets, even llamas, together in just 200 pages? Fantastic writing and editing!

5 stars
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LibraryThing member amcheri
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I did find it very predictable and easy to figure out. BUT I liked the ending quite a bit. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could. I rounded down because of the predictability. And a little because an Escort is a Ford, not a Subaru.

Awards

Lambda Literary Award (Nominee — 2009)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2008

Physical description

256 p.; 5.43 inches

ISBN

1594931313 / 9781594931314

Barcode

10857
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