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The First Last Kiss

by Ali Harris (Goodreads Author)

4.19 of 5 stars 4.19 · rating details · 210 ratings · 77 reviews

How do you hold on to a love that is slowly slipping away from you?
Can you let go of the past when you know what is in the future?
And how do you cope when you know that every kiss is a countdown to goodbye?

This is the story of a love affair, of Ryan and Molly and how they fell in love and were torn apart. The first time Molly kissed Ryan, she knew they'd be together foreve...more

Paperback, 496 pages

Published January 17th 2013 by Simon & Schuster

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Mar 23, 2013 Jennifer Kyle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

4 1/2 First Last Kiss Stars

description

“Kiss till you can't kiss any more, kiss on the street in front of everyone, kiss as if each one were the last.”

This story is a well written, realistic, slowly told love story. Be warned that the last 30 percent turns into a full blown sob fest. Think Fault in Our Stars by John Greene story line and ending.

The story goes from present to past but the past story line doesn’t flow chronologically. I found this slightly confusing as I was constantly trying to figure out w...more

15 likes · like · see review

Mar 25, 2013 Marta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, inspiring-and-beautiful, sobfest, life-altering, heartbreakingly-beautiful, emotionally-draining, thought-provoking

Imagine. It strikes me what a beautiful word it is, full of hope, possibility and belief.

I'm writing this review with a huge lump in my throat. The story is so beautiful that I just want to break down and cry all over again. It's the most beautiful and most meaningful book I've read in a very long time and it will stick with me forever. I cleared up a space in my heart for this book and I know it's one that I will always want to reread, even 10, 20 or 30 years from now.

This is the story of Moll...more

18 likes · like · see review

Apr 19, 2013 Ananda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-releases, chick-lit, books-i-own, my-rrrc-2013-books, read-in-2013, book-hoarder-challenge, sakam-knigi-books

HOLY MOLLY!(no pun intended:))
WHAT A BOOK!!!

I loved it! Every single page of it! Seriously, I was expecting an emotional book, but this..this is..OMG, I have no words to describe how good, emotional and moving this book is.
I heard great comments about it and many of my friends here on GR have already read it and enjoyed it, but I had no idea I will devour this book in just a bit more than 24 hours.

This is a moving story about a couple, Ryan and Molly, who have been on and off for a long time, 6...more

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Jan 27, 2013 C rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review comes with a warning… I LOVED this book, so it might get a bit gushy in parts, you have been warned!

“Do kisses fade like Polaroids if you don’t pay attention to them?”
This is the beautifully written story of two people, Molly and Ryan, and their journey together over the course of twenty years told through Molly’s memories of kisses they share, and also the kisses they don’t share. Both main characters are very likable, even though they are so different. Molly isn’t your typical girl...more This review comes with a warning… I LOVED this book, so it might get a bit gushy in parts, you have been warned!

“Do kisses fade like Polaroids if you don’t pay attention to them?”
This is the beautifully written story of two people, Molly and Ryan, and their journey together over the course of twenty years told through Molly’s memories of kisses they share, and also the kisses they don’t share. Both main characters are very likable, even though they are so different. Molly isn’t your typical girly girl; she loves her Converse and dislikes public displays of affection. Ryan is the typical lads’ lad, good at football, but much more likely to cry and slushy movies than she is! I think it is because they are so different that I found it so easy to like them.

The book isn’t written in chronological order. The chapters are interspersed with Molly’s kiss memories and the tale of her packing up a house somewhere in the year 2012, but each chapter rewinds to a different period in her life and a different memory of her and Ryan. I think that this structure gives the book a great pace. I found myself uttering the immortal lines ‘one more chapter’ because I had to find out what happened after the memory that I had just read. I think that fact that it is told in the first person also makes the book very easy to read, but it will make you fall in love with Molly and our Hero Ryan! You become so easily invested in the characters you will definitely find yourself experiencing the highs and lows of their lives right alongside them.

For me the book had a definite turning point about two thirds of the way through. The first part lets you into the lives of Molly and Ryan. You get to know them and the host of supporting characters, all of whom are so well developed they will begin to feel like your own friends and family. There is plenty of fun and frolics, as one would expect from a couple in their twenties, but then the last part of the story takes you deeper into the emotions of the young couple. I enjoyed both parts equally and I thought it was really cleverly written that there was such a turning point to the story similar to a turning point that one might experience in the course of everyday life.

I so enjoyed reading Ali Harris’s second novel, it is as full of wonderful description and well-crafted writing as her Miracle on Regent Street, but I found it so hard to review without giving away any of the major events of the story! All I can say is that you will laugh, you will cry but I have complete faith that you will enjoy every single page of this delicious fictional journey over twenty years, two hearts and countless memorable kisses!(less)

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Apr 14, 2013 Bella Scotia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apologies for the length of this. It's split into two parts. The first part has no spoilers but the second part does (I give fair warning where you should stop reading if you haven't read the book)

This is a hard one to rate because I feel like it took forever to get going and if I'm being honest the constant to-ing and fro-ing through time is quite frustrating to begin with. The story begins with Molly packing up her home to move elsewhere. Her circumstances are very ambiguous and she starts to...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 19, 2013 Aurora Puig navarro rated it 5 of 5 stars

Stunning, just gorgeous. That's all I can say about this book. I absolutely loved it from the first to the last page it was awesome. If you are looking for a romantic read, totally recommended.
One of the best books I've ever read. Such a wonderful and moving love story... Love the way the chapters were settled.
Warning! You will need a big box of tissues towards the end!

1 like · like · see review

Mar 19, 2013 Emma Klieve rated it 5 of 5 stars

I think this book may have had a huge impact on me. I didn't stop crying for the last 150 pages.

I disagree with the comment on the front about Cecilia Ahern. It's completely different to Cecilia Aherns style which in my opinion is quite "magical". However, I still loved this book - its hard to say more about this without ruining the book for someone else. This book is real and for me personally it was a cautionary tale. I am guilty of taking things for granted and of other things which if I men...more

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Jan 22, 2013 Jennifer Joyce rated it 5 of 5 stars

The First Last Kiss is told in snippets, rewinding and fast forwarding through Molly Carter and Ryan Cooper's stormy relationship as well as showing Molly in the present day as she packs up her home in preparation of a big move. We don’t know where Molly and Ryan stand or how their relationship has developed over the years since they got together but there are teasing clues to keep you turning the pages to find out what happens with them. I wasn’t sure how the book would work to begin with, flip...more The First Last Kiss is told in snippets, rewinding and fast forwarding through Molly Carter and Ryan Cooper's stormy relationship as well as showing Molly in the present day as she packs up her home in preparation of a big move. We don’t know where Molly and Ryan stand or how their relationship has developed over the years since they got together but there are teasing clues to keep you turning the pages to find out what happens with them. I wasn’t sure how the book would work to begin with, flipping backwards and forwards through the years and events. I thought it might prove to be confusing and difficult to keep up with but it did work and there were no problems at all with the mixed up scenes. In fact, I quite liked the formula. It felt fresh and kept me guessing as to what would happen next or how Molly ended up in certain situations.

I loved the relationship between Molly and Ryan. They're quite different in personality and their outlook on life but they seemed like a lovely, genuine couple who meant the world to each other so it was a joy to be allowed into their lives and see them grow. Their relationship wasn’t perfect, which only made it seem more real.

As well as his relationship with Molly, I also loved how close Ryan was to his mother. Jackie is a big character and in real life would probably be quite hard to take but I thought she was fantastic in The First Last Kiss and was clearly very loving and loyal. Molly didn’t have the same closeness with her own parents but there are some touching moments between them once Molly has left her teenage angst behind.

For me, one of the most complex characters was Molly’s best friend, Casey. My feelings switched from feeling sorry for the fellow outcast to feeling frustrated and even angry with her for the duration of the book. She could be fiercely loyal yet scatty or needy and immature so you never really know what you’re going to get when Casey is around.

There are amusing and light moments in The First Last Kiss, particularly the banter between Molly and Ryan and Ryan’s grandmother, Nanny Door, is a lot of fun but you should be warned that a box of tissues may come in handy along the way too. The First Last Kiss is an emotional rollercoaster of a read and is gut wrenchingly touching and heart breaking at times. I read chunks of the book with a lump in my throat and an ache in my chest but I was compelled to see it through to the end and I’m glad I did because the book is beautiful and thought provoking. The story of Molly and Ryan will remain with me for a long time.(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

This is chicklit. It’s not the really fluffy chicklit. But it’s good. It’s a love story told over the years and through all the real life trials and tribulations.

This doesn’t have the big will they or won’t they moments culminating in the dramatic reconciliation at the end. Instead it moves backwards and forwards throughout the course of their relationship. The moves are seemingly random and although once or twice it moved back in time when I wanted to know what happened NOW it worked really, re...more This is chicklit. It’s not the really fluffy chicklit. But it’s good. It’s a love story told over the years and through all the real life trials and tribulations.

This doesn’t have the big will they or won’t they moments culminating in the dramatic reconciliation at the end. Instead it moves backwards and forwards throughout the course of their relationship. The moves are seemingly random and although once or twice it moved back in time when I wanted to know what happened NOW it worked really, really well. The way songs and films are seamlessly mentioned help to realise just when each bit is set. When I saw her speak Ali Harris said this was written in chronological order and she then sat with a friend and worked out the best order for the book – I can’t imagine that it would work anywhere near as well as it does in any other order than it’s in. If it had started at the beginning and ended at the end I don’t think it would have drawn me in anywhere near as much as it did. Starting towards the end and then going in and out of the story at different points working back towards the end is what definitely made it work.

When I was reading this book I saw on a tweet from someone saying they were reading this book and that it was book in the freezer time (referencing the episode of Friends where Joey is reading Little Women and gets to the part where Beth is dying and puts the book in the freezer to stop it happening). I was a bit surprised by that because it was a little bit sad but it wasn’t that bad. But then I got further on in the book and suddenly realised that yup, it’d turned into a real tearjerker and a book in the freezer might be a good idea. At the same time I didn’t want to put it down and I actually read a little less than half of it in one hit – having planned to only read for half an hour or so I was still under my duvet reading a few hours later. It wasn’t depressing though, just sad at times in a way that was brilliantly handled.

Well, well worth the read. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much – I think it was probably last spring if not before. Just make sure you have someone ready to hug you at certain parts.

(review appeared originally on my blog http://writerinawheelchair.co.uk/2013...(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 25, 2013 Nicola rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is going to be a difficult review to write as I don't want to ruin the story if you are considering reading this book. I would certainly recommend you do so, as it is beautifully written and stirs every emotion.

Childhood sweethearts Molly and Ryan are wonderful, endearing, loveable characters. Whilst I worked out quite early on the route the story was taking, it totally absorbed me and I felt their happiness and their sorrow. Their journey is romantic and heartwarming with moments that made...more

5 likes · like · see review

Feb 23, 2013 Cátia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, read-2013, cried-my-heart-out

HOW... DO... YOU... WORDS?!

*deep breathes 135454 times to regain composure*

Ali Harris, I want to bake you cupcakes.

How many kisses do we waste, brush away, throw away, and then, when they are no longer there, how many times do we wish that we could relive them all a hundredfold?

You find this book right? And then you're like "Oh, let me read the blurb see what is about", and it kind of feels like an okay book and your life is busy and stressed so you pick it up and start reading because you hav...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 15, 2013 Barbara Elsborg rated it 2 of 5 stars

I wish I'd known the 'thing' before I bought this, I really do. It's not the sort of story I like to read. I thought the blurb on the back - about being torn apart - and the future holding something they couldn't have predicted meant a break up but it didn't. The truth slowly dawned on me which I suspect was the author's intention.
I wasn't keen on the flitting back and forward and all over the place that went on constantly through the book. The hiccups spoiled the flow for me. I thought the boo...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Book-shelf Shelf rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really don't know how to write a review about this book, there is so much to say, but i don't want to give anything away.
It is like reading a diary for me personally, but a diary i never wrote. Ali has got in our heads and written the thoughts, fears, laughter and tears. This is a book that has made me laugh and cry ( Like Mia, I don't cry... At all). It is a book that will stay in me for the rest of my life (I cant actually put it on a shelf as re-reading some of it is especial).

But it is al...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Megan Readinginthesunshine rated it 5 of 5 stars

The First Last Kiss opens with Molly packing up her house in Essex, ready to move to somewhere new. As Molly puts items into the boxes, she re-lives her memories of the items and her life with Ryan, her first love. This is the story of Molly and Ryan, charted through their kisses. Each kiss comes with a memory, a time and a place in their lives, but soon Molly begins to realise just how important and valuable each and every kiss is. Molly takes the reader on a beautiful and moving journey of tru...more The First Last Kiss opens with Molly packing up her house in Essex, ready to move to somewhere new. As Molly puts items into the boxes, she re-lives her memories of the items and her life with Ryan, her first love. This is the story of Molly and Ryan, charted through their kisses. Each kiss comes with a memory, a time and a place in their lives, but soon Molly begins to realise just how important and valuable each and every kiss is. Molly takes the reader on a beautiful and moving journey of true love, life, and how memories can last a lifetime…

“Think about how often we kiss to celebrate the new: new job, new baby, new house, newly married couple. So many kisses to revel in, so many ‘new’ things. But shouldn’t every kiss be a celebration? Old or new, snatched or savoured. We should be throwing a party for every one.”

I LOVED this book! I think one thing I liked most about the story was that it was very real. It portrayed a real life between two people, a real relationship with real feelings and realistic scenarios. The love that Ryan and Molly had for each other was true to life, it was genuine and had strong emotion behind it at all times.

I enjoyed delving into Molly’s memories and re-living important moments of her life with her. I will say that at the start this can become a bit confusing because the story does jump about a bit in the timeline, covering Molly’s time as a teenager, her first jobs, and the various stages of her relationship with Ryan. If you find yourself having trouble with keeping up, please persevere because it is a brilliant, emotional story that everyone should read!

The characters in this story are fantastically written. There is the perfect blend of personalities woven into the book and it makes the story that much more enjoyable, adding a bit of fun and humour to the book along with the serious parts. Casey and Mia were brilliant as Molly’s best friends. The friendship that Molly has with them is very realistic and relatable, and I enjoyed reading about their nights out and holidays together! Nanny Door is just spectacular, she made me smile and laugh, and provided light-heartedness where it was needed – I only wish she could have featured a bit more! Ryan was wonderfully portrayed as a kind man who cares so much about his family and friends, even if he does have a cheeky side! It was such a pleasure to read about him and I really felt that I knew both him and Molly on a personal level after I had finished the story. I went on such a journey with them and it was lovely to have an insight into their life.

This is not just a chick-lit book – it is SO much more than that! The First Kiss is one of the most moving stories that I have read recently. Molly was a likeable character from the start, I warmed to her instantly and my heart reached out to her as she went over her kisses, her memories, both the good times and the bad times. At some points I laughed with her as she and Ryan had fun together, and other times I wanted to reach out and hug her.

I will warn you all now – This is a book where tissues are essential! I was fine until the last half of the book and the tears started flowing. By the end I was a blubbering wreck! The First Last Kiss moved me so much, I’m sure that one way or another most of us will be able to relate to the story in some way. Long after I had finished reading, the book and the characters stayed with me.

The First Last Kiss is a captivating story documenting the many kisses that occur in life, from the first kiss, passionate kisses, apologetic kisses, greeting kisses and I’ve-missed-you kisses. I finished this book wanting to run and kiss everyone that I hold dear to me. This beautiful book not only tells a story, but it is a moving reminder of how important it is to love, and to be loved – to cherish those around you and to never waste a moment. A truly enchanting book.(less)

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May 11, 2013 Amy Henefer rated it 5 of 5 stars

what can I say about this book? it was in one word amazing.
From the very first pages it sucked me in like when I read me before you last year. I have already started to re-read it. One of the things I loved about this story was that it jumped from different times to the relationship of ryan and molly, right from where they meet as teenagers to the present day where they are apart.
The relationship between the two main characters feels so real you almost feel what they are feeling. Ali Harris is s...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Christine Harris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-completed-books

I've just finished this book and I can not rate it highly enough - it literally had me in floods of tears for the last 100 or so pages. Then when I had finally finished it I went and woke my husband up just to have a kiss with him and to tell him I loved him. It really is a beautiful and thought provoking love story. It's written so well I am convinced that it must of been a true story, whilst it was probably not a true story for Ali Harris I can imagine it is a true story for lots of other coup...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Abbey Liddle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourite-chick-lit-reads

Title: The First Last Kiss
Author: Ali Harris
Publisher: Simon&Schuster
Publication Date: 17th January 2013

How do you hold on to a love that is slowly slipping away from you? Can you let go of the past when you know what is in the future? And how do you cope when you know that every kiss is a countdown to goodbye?

This is the story of a love affair, of Ryan and Molly and how they fell in love and were torn apart. The first time Molly kissed Ryan, she knew they'd be together forever. Six years an...more

1 like · like · see review

May 18, 2013 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow!:'( must say I've spent the last couple of hours in tears. I started this book today and was hooked! The beautiful timeless classic realistic love story with a twist so tragic it pretty much rips your heart out!!!
Well for starters; I thought it would just be the usual love story - I never get tired of reading those sort of books- But this one? Left me needing to finish the book. But after about 70% through the book took a twist I didnt forsee; and the two beautiful characters Molly and Ryan...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just finished this book and had to write a review immediately.
I don't want to give any 'spoilers' but like other reviews before I can say that this is the story of Molly and Ryan's relationship from their disastrous first kiss to their final one. It's told through the use of past and present tenses and although this changing between dates got slight confusing sometimes it didn't at all detract from their tale.
Molly, Ryan and all of the other characters were written in such a way that i really f...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Kirsty (overflowing library) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: uk-author

An interesting book which was a really heartfelt read.

The story is told by Molly as she packs up her house to move away telling the story of the love affair between her and Ryan the boy she loved since she was a teenager but is not longer with her. It is told in flashbacks which flit back and forth and slowly build up the whole story over the course of the book for the reader. I must say it was quite confusing to start with trying to slot all the bits of the story together and construct your ow...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Beckie Stevenson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book, which is why I've given it the 4 stars. The only reason I haven't given it 5 is because I had to keep flicking back to check the dates to try and figure out what part of Molly's life we were now reading about. I found it especially confusing at the beginning when we had the present day chapters but once I kept a mental log of when the main events in Molly's life happened I managed to keep up.

I enjoyed the story of Molly and Ryan, but still can't figure out if I liked the input...more

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Apr 19, 2013 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A sad book and if you like sad, chic lit books you will love this book. I liked the book, but didn't love it i think mainly because it jumped around between different times and events so often, it drove me nuts trying to work out where i was up to all the time. There was some good writing though in parts and of course as the story did progress i was drawn along especially with the 'photo' journal which i thought was lovely. I think if you are a chic lit fan through and through you will adore thi...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Jessica (Jess Hearts Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ali Harris’s debut novel Miracle on Regent Street is one of my all-time favourite chick-lit books so when I heard about The First Last Kiss I was incredibly excited to read a new book from her and had very high expectations. Although I didn’t love The First Last Kiss quite as much as Miracle on Regent Street it was still an exceptional read in its own right.

The book alternates between chapters from present day to the past with snippets about the different kinds of kisses in between. The chapters...more Ali Harris’s debut novel Miracle on Regent Street is one of my all-time favourite chick-lit books so when I heard about The First Last Kiss I was incredibly excited to read a new book from her and had very high expectations. Although I didn’t love The First Last Kiss quite as much as Miracle on Regent Street it was still an exceptional read in its own right.

The book alternates between chapters from present day to the past with snippets about the different kinds of kisses in between. The chapters told in the present take place during a day counting down the hours until Molly’s big move, without Ryan. We know from the start that Ryan isn’t in Molly’s life anymore but we’re not told why and as the story goes on in these chapters you get clues as to what has happened to come between this amazing couple.

The chapters told in the past tense are told at different times during Molly and Ryan’s relationship so one minute we’ll be reading about them falling in love as teenagers the next as a married couple going through a hard time. It’s as though we are given puzzle pieces that we put together as the book goes on - the big picture being Molly and Ryan’s love story. Although I really like the idea of the book being told this way and found it very unique I did get confused at times trying to remember what had happened on the timeline and where exactly we were in the story. I enjoyed the snippets on the different kinds of kisses and really loved how they fit into the plot as the relevance is made clear towards the end of the novel.

The romance in this book was absolutely beautifully written and very realistic which was refreshing to read. Ryan and Molly have arguments, tough times in their relationship, and are far from a perfect couple, yet they still have this epic love story. I loved how their romance wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine and how they had to put effort and compromise into their relationship to make it work. Ali Harris has created a love story that people will relate to and yet it still has that fairy tale feel to it.

I had a love/hate relationship with the characters in this book. Again they are entirely realistic and can be quite hard to like at times when their bad sides show. Younger Molly really frustrated me at times but she grows a lot throughout the book and by the end I loved her. My favourite characters throughout were Ryan and Mia, Ryan is such a loveable hero as he’s just such an all-round good guy and Mia was always such a fantastic friend to Molly.

The First Last Kiss kept me guessing as to where it was going to go and although the last few chapters were really heart-breaking to read the ending has a beautiful hopeful message. The First Last Kiss was a rollercoaster of emotions to read and will stay with me for a long time to come. Ali Harris is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors and I can’t recommend her books highly enough.(less)

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Jan 26, 2013 Sharon Goodwin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have to be honest right from the start and say I absolutely loved Ali Harris’ second novel. Her debut, Miracle on Regent Street was a ‘keeper’ for me so The First Last Kiss had a lot to live up to. It surpassed her debut for me. This review is going to be hard to write!

To begin with I loved the structure. We start on 5 January 2012 … moving day for Molly. This on its own is a very poignant scene. She’s watching a DVD and this connects with the structure as we’re taken through the journey of Mo...more I have to be honest right from the start and say I absolutely loved Ali Harris’ second novel. Her debut, Miracle on Regent Street was a ‘keeper’ for me so The First Last Kiss had a lot to live up to. It surpassed her debut for me. This review is going to be hard to write!

To begin with I loved the structure. We start on 5 January 2012 … moving day for Molly. This on its own is a very poignant scene. She’s watching a DVD and this connects with the structure as we’re taken through the journey of Molly and Ryan’s love by rewinding, fast forwarding and play. Timelines like this are full of intrigue as sometimes we know the outcome but not how the characters arrived at that place and Harris uses this structure to drop subtle clues as to what may be coming. I made assumptions too … 29th May 2007 springs to mind … and I was totally wrong. This is a very ambiguous part of the story at the time it is read but actually, when it’s fitted into the whole, you realise what and why the scene is a part of. Items being packed up during the move cause flashbacks and the different ways we use kisses are interjected at relevant points (for example The Welcome Kiss, The Snatched Kiss).

The characters are fabulous. Molly’s best friends Mia and Casey and her own family and Ryan’s give the story much colour and depth. Molly’s career, and the way she uses the camera are also an integral part of the story. It’s obvious to the reader that Harris is knowledgeable about the way a magazine operates.

Molly and Ryan’s love affair is not perfect and therefore mirrors real life. The reader spends time with them together and time with them apart. We get to experience life in London, Leigh-on-Sea, New York and Australia. Different parenting styles, childhood perceptions plus teenage angst are all a part of this story as well.

I’ve experienced the most high of emotions reading this … and the lowest. At times I was reluctant to pick up the book and carry on because I knew what was coming but it’s a compulsion, you have to pick it up because the story becomes a part of your life. That’s how real it all feels.

It’s hard to say too much otherwise I will be giving the plot away! Harris deals with the situations with so much realism that you can’t help but be affected by them. This truly is a love story that will live with you for a long time after you’ve turned that final page. This book should come with a warning * tissues required *

The First Last Kiss would make an amazing movie!

I would like to thank the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.(less)

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Nov 09, 2012 LaDawn rated it 5 of 5 stars

This books wins the prize for the biggest and best surprise of the year. Ali Harris has matured as a novelist and it shows in this, her, second novel. The characters are not cliches, although Ryan is a wee bit too perfect even if he does leave his socks laying about. Molly is perfectly imperfect. You want to hate her but you can't. You find yourself falling in love with her just like Ryan did. When they finally sort it all out you wonder where will the story go. I won't give it away here but let...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Claire Allan rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. If I were to choose three words to describe this book they would be promising, frustrating and disappointing.
I have no doubt Ali Harris is a beautiful writer and some of the scenes in the book did bring me to tears but after reading countless reviews of the novel I had very high expectations indeed.
Unfortunately the book fell short for me.
I found the skipping between time frames very frustrating - especially towards the end when the book had gathered some momentum. (The slip back in time at that...more

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May 10, 2013 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

loved this book, very heartwarming and also very sad (only book to ever make me cry!)

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Jan 30, 2013 Deirdre Tyrrell rated it 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book. The best love story that I have ever read. I loved all the references to fashion, music etc through the years. I am the same age as Ryan & felt that I could have been reading about myself & my friends at times. The story felt very real, no fantasy, just a normal up down relationship between two people & their family & friends.
Initially I found the jumping through the years slightly annoying, but I can't tell you enough to stick with the story as you...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Adriana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, 4-star

This is the story of the narrator, Molly, and the love of her life, Ryan.

This book came dangerously close to getting a mere 3 star rating due to Molly's incessant whining about what her 15 year old self would have thought about her life choices in her 20s. I think it's fair to say that most of our 15 year old selves would be horrified at how our lives turned out. I get that the author was trying to make a point, but Molly kept harping on it. As I approached the halfway point in the book, and had...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Maxine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: uk, europe, chick-lit

OK, so I thought I would pretty much HATE this book, being chick-lit and all. I picked it up on a whim from the library.

I loved it. I devoured it in a single day (and I was at work for most of the day, too!)

I was a great story, it made me cry (a LOT, by the way - I cried for the whole last hour I spent reading this book) and it's well written enough that I didn't want to put it down. There were some key themes in there that tied into my own life so strongly that I found it both terrifying and r...more

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Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

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Contemporary

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Romance

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About Ali Harris

Ali is a magazine journalist who has worked in the world of glossy magazines for ten years.

She grew up in deepest darkest Norfolk, where she spent her formative years dreaming of the bright lights of the big city. At 18 she swapped sheep for show tunes and moved to London to do a degree in performing arts. After three years of 'studying' (read: doing jazz hands) she became.... a waitress. In her s...more

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Quotes from The First Last Kiss

“I think it’s more about learning that in life it begins and ends with you. I mean, yes we all need love and seek support from others, but we need to find it from within first. We’re all stronger than we give ourselves credit for. We can cope with more than we think. Survive the worst and, somehow, still find a way to smile.” — 6 people liked it

“We kiss to say hello, to stave off silences, to show how much we’ve missed someone, to show we’re glad to be with them. We kiss to stop arguments or to interrupt a conversation we no longer want to have. We also use kisses when we want to pretend that everything is all right. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately. But it turns out that some things just can’t be kissed better.” — 5 people liked it

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The First Last Kiss

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