The Kiss Reviews

• Absolutely breathtaking historical romance!

  
  By A1K01YFQZAKSTO on 2008-02-27
  Georgiana Wilde is the fun-loving, list-making steward's daughter. She grew up with the heir to the estate and his cousin, who she has secretly loved her entire life. But when an accident separates the three of them, she gives up her dreams. The story begins on her wedding night to the heir, her best friend, but there's a great twist at the end of the chapter.
  
  The hero, Quinn Fortesque, has had to make his way in life never expecting to become the next Marquis of Elesmere. The last thing he wants to do is return to the estate where he spent many years after his parents died and where his life took a dramatic turn for the worse. But when he goes to Penrose, and meets the circle of ladies staying there, he comes face to face with his childhood friend who has developed into a dynamic force at the estate. Since I don't want to give any spoilers, I can only add that there are a couple of surprising, wonderful layers to this story that were brilliantly handled.
  
  This was an amazing love story. I had read the first book in the series, A Dangerous Beauty, and fell in love with all the characters. I wondered if this second book would be able to stand up to the other one. Now, I think I like this one even better. This one can be read without reading the other book first. There are some fun glimpses of the other book's characters in this one. As soon as I was done with The Kiss, I immediately wanted to reread it - a sure sign that it goes in the keeper pile. I think what I liked about the way this story is told is that there is terrific depth to the characters, and the fast-paced plot unfolds in an unpredictable way. I stayed up all night to finish it. The passion between the two main characters is very steamy, there's great humor in the dialogue, and lots of poignancy throughout. I hope the next one in the series comes out soon. This is a great series so far.
  
  

• One of the best unrequited love stories I've ever read

  
  By A1LHP3YOSM7NND on 2008-02-28
  Feisty, hard-working, and strong-willed Georgiane has always loved Quinn, her childhood friend who was sent away because of a tragic accident that disabled her. When fate brings Quinn back to the estate, Georgiane struggles to keep hidden the secret and unrequited love she has always had for Quinn, whom she believed was lost to her forever. Quinn also harbors secrets and hurts, and a determination to never trust another woman with his heart. There's a wonderful secondary cast of characters to keep the plot from drowning in melancholy, and plenty of unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing how Quinn and Georgiane would move beyond their guarded hearts and incorrect assumptions to be together.
  
  

• Book 2 of the Widow's Club.

  
  By A2BZCHIDR5FTYA on 2008-03-14
  As a child Georgiana Wilde had been close friends with Quinn and Anthony Fortesque. As Georgiana grew up, she secretly loved Quinn. After an accident, Georgiana's leg was disfigured and Quinn was sent away to boarding school. Georgiana had not seen Quinn since the day he married another woman and broke her heart. But now Quinn was a widow with a nine-year-old daughter, Fairleigh, and had returned to Penrose on estate business.
  
  Georgiana had married Anthony, the Marquis of Ellesmere, much to Anthony's mother's anger and dismay. Gwendolyn Fortesque thought Georgiana too common for her precious Anthony! Georgiana was the steward's daughter and disfigured trash. Anthony did not care what his mother thought. He loved Georgiana. However, Anthony died in Georgiana's arms...on their wedding night.
  
  Quinn became the new Marquis of Ellesmere. It was not a title he wanted. Gwendolyn was demanding that Quinn investigate and annul Anthony and Georgiana's marriage. The maids had not seen any blood on the sheets of the newlyweds. Georgiana still resided on Penrose, but does not use the Marchioness of Ellesmere title by choice. Quinn hoped to deal with the matter quickly and leave. He would like nothing more than to turn the entire estate over to Georgiana and leave, forgetting again the painful memories of his former life. Yet her beauty and bravery enticed him. Quinn forced himself not to respond to the urges he has had due to the surprising feelings after one kiss.
  
  
  **** Author Sophia Nash has yet to write a book that I do not enjoy. There are several secondary characters; many are part of the Widows Club (a.k.a. the Barely Bereaving Beauties'). It consists of four widows, most young, and they are all residing at Penrose, invited by Georgiana. These ladies and Fairleigh combine to make a witty addition to the story, at times downright hilarious. Luc and Rosa, from a previous story, are secondary characters too. If you have not read their tale, you will not be left adrift at all. Fans of Regency Romance will NOT be disappointed with this story. There are many road blocks for the main couple to over come and a few surprises along the way. Recommended! ****
  
  Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
  
  
  

• interesting historical romance

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2008-02-26
  In Cornwall as children Quinn Fortesque, Anthony Fortesque and Georgiana Wilde were best friends. One day Quinn left to marry someone else without warning and a heartbroken Georgiana wedded Anthony although she dreamed of being the wife of Quinn. On their wedding night, Anthony tragically died.
  
  Quinn comes home to Penrose allegedly to inspect his estate, but instead he plans to uncover the root cause of a potential scandal that impacts his and Georgiana's family. Georgiana expects he will dispossess her leaving her with no place to go. However, Quinn has come home not because he loathes Georgiana, but because he loves her and always has. Obtaining assistance from a merry widows group and his daughter, Quinn begins his campaign to win his beloved's heart unaware he already has it as he always did.
  
  This is an interesting historical romance starring two obstinate likable protagonists who have a second chance at love if they take that opportunity. The story line is fast-paced once the lead couple sees each other for the first time in fifteen years and never slows down. Although somewhat typical of the sub-genre, Sophia Nash's strong characters especially the Wilde and Fortesque families make this a strong tale that will send new fans seeking the author's previous work (see A DANGEROUS BEAUTY).
  
  Harriet Klausner
  
  
  

• Absolutely Fantastic!

  
  By A2S7B2XIJWJ2R6 on 2008-03-13
  Fifteen years ago, Georgiana Wilde, Anthony Fortesque, and Quinn Fortesque were the best of childhood friends, until a tragic accident left Georgiana brutally injured and Quinn wrongly banished from his family estate. Years later, Georgiana is now the widow of her childhood friend, Anthony, the Marquis of Ellesmere. And Quinn Fortesque, the man Georgiana has passionately loved her entire life, is back and the new Marquis.
  Quinn has no desire to return to the family estate in Cornwall or to the childhood memories he'd rather not recall. However, he must return to settle estate business and the mystery of Georgiana's marriage to Anthony. In the process, Quinn remembers the young girl he left behind and must now reconcile himself with the beautiful, passionate woman Georgiana has become. And it all started with just one, simple kiss!
  Sophia Nash's The Kiss is a breathtaking story of three childhood friends who become adults caught in a tenuous love triangle. The plot is intricate and refreshingly unique. The characters are deep, abiding, and richly three dimensional. Most importantly, Sophia Nash's writing style breathes life into her hero and heroine. You feel Georgiana's unrequited longing for Quinn, and your soul cries out for Quinn as he struggles with a past he is determined not to face. The Kiss is a pleasure to read, and read again. I can not recommend this book enough; it's absolute perfection!
  
  
  
• Didn't care for it much
  By A3I9XGR10XVXPT on 2008-05-13
  I have read all of Ms Nash's previous books, and I had really liked one of her older Signets, so I ordered this one -- to my regret. I got about halfway through and gave up. I didn't feel emotionally engaged in the story -- it was all just too familiar sounding. I really gave up, though, because it seemed to me that the prose, if not purple, was definitely verging on the fuchsia, with touches of the itsy-poo in the passages about children, and the characters' dialogue was much too modern-sounding. The book also suffers from sequelitis, a condition in which characters from previous books are dragged in for no particular reason, flounce around for a while, and then leave without having done anything important. I did think the heroine's little lists were amusing. I wouldn't call it a wallbanger, but I would only recommend this one to readers who want an undemanding fast light read and haven't read very many regencies as yet.
  
  
• Touching and Wonderful!
  By A1R48YO4NJHPNP on 2008-03-25
  This story was really beautiful and lovely and eloquently written with very well defined main characters. I was very moved and it truly resonated with me personally. I would have felt better if I could have given it 4 and 1/2 stars but we can't here. So I stuck with 4 since her preceding book was more of a 5 star for me. But it was awfully close. Because others have gone into more decription of the story I won't do that. No need. It IS a romance book so as readers we knew the hero and the heroine would get together somehow but the journey to get them to that point was a nice one and you really wanted them to as well. I appreciate the idea of old friends and hidden feelings over time for a book. The interesting thing is and what rang true for me is this so often happens even today. You care about a friend and over time your feelings develop for them and you just can't believe they could feel anything other than friendship for them and you never tell them. Like in this story the other person perhaps returns the feelings ,but, misreads you as well. Years go by and you see each other from time to time and experience a great loss when they go back to their life again. The feelings just get renewed with each visit until one day you are reunited in life and the feelings starting jumping out everywhere and you just don't know if you can stand being near them believing they couldn't possibly feel the same when in actuality they do. Georgiana and Quinn were just that couple and I was just on the edge waiting for them to finally come together. It was Ms. Nash's writing that kept me in that state. Along the way we get to know them as people and they come to life off the pages. We are enraptured with their story and we care for them and want them to work everything out keeping them apart. I admit I cried at the end because I became so emotionally involved. It was that beautiful of a story...very touching, very emotional, and very moving. Georgiana was the perfect heroine and Quinn was an amazing hero. It wasn't a hard read or a long grueling read, no boredome either. But it was a very pleasant and enjoyable read. I highly recommend it to any historical romance readers. You will be smiling when it's over and wanting more.
  
  
• Terrific Reading
  By A3BI26MC5S4QFW on 2008-04-07
  I was really excited when I read the blurb for this book and looked forward to reading it. It was wonderful and I really enjoyed it a great deal. Great reading for a quite spring weekend.
  
  
• Loved it!
  By A24CHAHVQYBFUZ on 2008-05-16
  Sophia Nash's latest novel was a witty tale that warmed my heart. Quinn was the ultimate sexy tortured hero. Georgiana was an independent, intelligent, and funny heroine. It made me laugh (a lot) and cry at the same time. There were unexpected twists and tension galore. It had it all... you'll love it!
  
  
• 2nd book of the Widows Club series
  By A18FUHNBP90IB4 on 2008-04-22
  This was a very well written emotional historical romance novel. Georgiana was married for a day because her husband died (in a funny in warped way!). Her deceased husband Anthony and his cousin Quinn where the close of friends. Now that Anthony is death the title goes to Quinn. Georgiana has always loved Quinn so now that he has returned - it's nothing but heartache . This was quite a roller coaster - Enjoy!
  
  I would also suggest A Dangerous Beauty, Never Trust a Scoundrel , Every Night I'm Yours (Zebra Historical Romance),To Bed a Beauty (Courtship Wars, Book 2) and Let Sleeping Rogues Lie
  
  

• Three Nights of Sin
• A Dangerous Beauty
• Desperately Seeking A Duke (Heiress Brides)
• A Lady's Secret
• The Duke of Shadows