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Kissing Katie
Seeking peace while he decides between prestigious job offers, burned-out lawyer Matt Powell rents his boyhood vacation home at the Jersey shore on a nostalgic whim. However, discovering the lovely widow next door is his childhood best friend, Katie Vanburen, complicates everything. His old love for her hits hard, but this time around his feelings are anything but innocent. It’s decision time: the high-profile career he’s earned—or a life he never dreamed possible loving his girl next door.
Twenty years ago, Matt broke Katie's teenaged heart when he vanished from her life after his parents’ divorce. She grew up, buried her childish dreams, and moved on. New dreams shattered with her unfaithful husband’s death, but now she’s a successful website designer and owns her beloved shore house. She’s delighted to renew their friendship, but unready to trust her heart again—even if Matt's kisses tempt her beyond reason. But can her cracking defenses hold when Matt argues his case for love so eloquently, in bed and out?
Twenty years ago, Matt broke Katie's teenaged heart when he vanished from her life after his parents’ divorce. She grew up, buried her childish dreams, and moved on. New dreams shattered with her unfaithful husband’s death, but now she’s a successful website designer and owns her beloved shore house. She’s delighted to renew their friendship, but unready to trust her heart again—even if Matt's kisses tempt her beyond reason. But can her cracking defenses hold when Matt argues his case for love so eloquently, in bed and out?
196 pages, ebook
First published December 6, 2014
About the author
Babette James
13 books97 followersAuthor of sweetly scorching romance, a reader, and a lover of morning coffee. She lives in New Jersey with her wonderfully patient husband and extremely spoiled cats. A teacher, she loves encouraging new readers and writers as they discover their growing abilities. Her class cheers when it’s time for their spelling test! When not dreaming up stories, she enjoys playing with new bread recipes and dabbling with paints.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 4, 2015
Kissing Katie is a sweet story of childhood friendship turning into mature love. I love how Matt is returning to the one place he was happy as a child - the Jersey shore - to think about the next chapter of his life, not realizing that his childhood friend was back next door. The author creates a pleasing view into the lives of a woman who is not really mourning the loss of her husband as much as the loss of love, and the hope of love. Matt turns out to be the one to give her hope in love again.
Katie as the heroine's name is Kissing Katie a perfect fit for her. Katie is a sweet hometown girl and her name just reflects her light, sweet personality so well. But the author also creates a complex character that has layers to her grief over the loss of her husband and her happiness. I was able to feel the pain and the happiness that Katie is feeling conveyed through the words. The author uses a good balance of dialog and what I call "mind speak", where we hear the thoughts of the characters, to give us insight into the thoughts and feelings of both Matt and Katie. We are able to feel the struggles Matt faces over choices with his career, and with reconciling his teenage feelings for Katie with his adult feelings towards her. We mourn with Katie as the truth of her husband's actions are exposed and shake her tenuous balance between the past and the future. The author paints a great picture of the emotions felt by both characters in this book.
The small town Katie lives in and Matt visits is depicted in such a wonderful light it makes the reader yearn for simpler times when a walk on the boardwalk and an ice cream cone fulfilled our days. I really enjoyed this visit to the Jersey Shore and getting to know Matt and Katie in Kissing Katie.
Disclosure: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Katie as the heroine's name is Kissing Katie a perfect fit for her. Katie is a sweet hometown girl and her name just reflects her light, sweet personality so well. But the author also creates a complex character that has layers to her grief over the loss of her husband and her happiness. I was able to feel the pain and the happiness that Katie is feeling conveyed through the words. The author uses a good balance of dialog and what I call "mind speak", where we hear the thoughts of the characters, to give us insight into the thoughts and feelings of both Matt and Katie. We are able to feel the struggles Matt faces over choices with his career, and with reconciling his teenage feelings for Katie with his adult feelings towards her. We mourn with Katie as the truth of her husband's actions are exposed and shake her tenuous balance between the past and the future. The author paints a great picture of the emotions felt by both characters in this book.
The small town Katie lives in and Matt visits is depicted in such a wonderful light it makes the reader yearn for simpler times when a walk on the boardwalk and an ice cream cone fulfilled our days. I really enjoyed this visit to the Jersey Shore and getting to know Matt and Katie in Kissing Katie.
Disclosure: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2015
**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**Matt decided he needed a break from his current life, so he quit his job and decided to take a vacation in the home his grandparents used to own on the Jersey Coast. The only thing missing is his old best friend Katie from when he was a kid. After he gets himself reacquainted with his grandparents' old home and heads to the beach, the neighbor runs to him and gives him a hug. It turns out to be Katie and she's all grown up. Katie, now widowed, lives in her childhood home on the Jersey Coast. She likes how her life is finally settling down. When her new Summer neighbor turns out to be Matt, her old friend, her childhood crush comes back in full force. Is she really healed from her husband's death to fully move on?I really liked Matt. He's coming off from being a workaholic, is learning to find himself and enjoy a simpler time in his life. He's very determined in what he wants, including convincing Katie she's ready for a grown-up relationship with him. Katie is ok. For having already been a widow for so many years, I didn't understand why she wasn't read yet (I'm a widow and have been for 2.5yrs and don't think I'd have so much conflict). Overall not a bad story. A nice and easy contemporary. No real conflict. However, the only problem I had was that I felt that time-frame for the relationship and the intensity level just didn't work much for me. Overall, not bad book.
January 26, 2015
this is the story of Matt who goes to the place he used to spend his summer holidays when he was a child - it used to be his gandparents place but is now a rental home. He hasn't been back in years since his parents divorced.
He sees the place next door is looking well cared for - it used to belong to his childhood crush Katie.
After looking round the old place he decides to go for a walk - but is seen by the woman next door - who happens to be his long lost friend.
After catching up on old times and years lost he finds out that she is a widow living alone.
They go for walks, reminise on old times and Matt realises this is not the girl he once knew - she has now grown into a fully fledged woman who he is now falling head over heels for.
As they share days and evenings together it is obvious they are becoming close and Matt moves in for a kiss- only to be kissed right back
Just as the relationship gets deeper Katie pulls away from him - fully aware that she has been hurt in the past and Matt then finds out that after her husband's death Katie found out he was cheating on her.
After then realising that not all men are the same Katie falls for Matt and they end up engaged - 2 childhood friends becoming real grown up sweethearts together for ever
This is a true feel good book - a romance that blossoms with reading every page - a book I read in one sitting and didn't want to put down
He sees the place next door is looking well cared for - it used to belong to his childhood crush Katie.
After looking round the old place he decides to go for a walk - but is seen by the woman next door - who happens to be his long lost friend.
After catching up on old times and years lost he finds out that she is a widow living alone.
They go for walks, reminise on old times and Matt realises this is not the girl he once knew - she has now grown into a fully fledged woman who he is now falling head over heels for.
As they share days and evenings together it is obvious they are becoming close and Matt moves in for a kiss- only to be kissed right back
Just as the relationship gets deeper Katie pulls away from him - fully aware that she has been hurt in the past and Matt then finds out that after her husband's death Katie found out he was cheating on her.
After then realising that not all men are the same Katie falls for Matt and they end up engaged - 2 childhood friends becoming real grown up sweethearts together for ever
This is a true feel good book - a romance that blossoms with reading every page - a book I read in one sitting and didn't want to put down
May 31, 2015
KISSING KATIE, is the perfect balance of sexy and sweet. Katie Vanburen and Matt Powell once spent summer after summer together in scenic Lavallette, NJ, but the friends lost touch after Matt’s parents divorced.
Years later, Matt rents the beach house that once belonged to his grandparents, noting that the house next door appears to be occupied by new owners. He is caught off guard when a beautiful woman runs over from the neighbor’s yard and throws her arms around him. It’s his long-lost Katie, all grown up. A widow whose deceased husband’s memory is soiled by a history of cheating, Katie has had a hard time moving on. Matt, a high-powered lawyer with huge offers from three different firms, isn’t sure he’ll be able to devote time and attention to a serious relationship…but soon he knows he has to try. Once he kisses Katie, he knows he can’t bear to be separated from her again.
This super sweet romance put me right at the Jersey shore. James’s setting descriptions are immersive, and her love story is heartfelt. My favorite are scenes that include changing weather. These fine brush strokes reflect not only the romantic elements of this book but the playfulness of the characters who are rediscovering their youth. Matt and Katie felt more like real people than characters to me, and I really enjoyed spending time with them. This is the perfect, relaxing beach read for the summer!
Years later, Matt rents the beach house that once belonged to his grandparents, noting that the house next door appears to be occupied by new owners. He is caught off guard when a beautiful woman runs over from the neighbor’s yard and throws her arms around him. It’s his long-lost Katie, all grown up. A widow whose deceased husband’s memory is soiled by a history of cheating, Katie has had a hard time moving on. Matt, a high-powered lawyer with huge offers from three different firms, isn’t sure he’ll be able to devote time and attention to a serious relationship…but soon he knows he has to try. Once he kisses Katie, he knows he can’t bear to be separated from her again.
This super sweet romance put me right at the Jersey shore. James’s setting descriptions are immersive, and her love story is heartfelt. My favorite are scenes that include changing weather. These fine brush strokes reflect not only the romantic elements of this book but the playfulness of the characters who are rediscovering their youth. Matt and Katie felt more like real people than characters to me, and I really enjoyed spending time with them. This is the perfect, relaxing beach read for the summer!
March 31, 2015
This friends to lovers romance is the story of Matt and Katie. Summertime neighbours as children, they lost touch when Matt's parents split up and Matt stopped coming to his grandparent's home. Now back for a few weeks as a renter to decide between several job offers, he discovers Katie is still his next door neighbour - but grown up now into a sexy beautiful woman. With feelings of old combined with new, is there a future possible between them?
What a lovely story! I was particularly entranced by the setting detail in the first chapter - the sights and smells of the beach setting were so vivid that it was easy to picture and added to the delight of Matt reliving his childhood memories and finding his old friend Kate still there. I loved how their romance progressed, with a new sexual attraction as adults combined with good memories of their friendship. Though Kate is wary of starting something with Matt, knowing he will be gone in a few weeks, he is charming and persuasive and the resulting love scenes are tender and steamy. Family plays a big role in the story, and affects their choices and decisions, adding some tension into the mix. Overall it was a pure delight to read. 5 stars!
What a lovely story! I was particularly entranced by the setting detail in the first chapter - the sights and smells of the beach setting were so vivid that it was easy to picture and added to the delight of Matt reliving his childhood memories and finding his old friend Kate still there. I loved how their romance progressed, with a new sexual attraction as adults combined with good memories of their friendship. Though Kate is wary of starting something with Matt, knowing he will be gone in a few weeks, he is charming and persuasive and the resulting love scenes are tender and steamy. Family plays a big role in the story, and affects their choices and decisions, adding some tension into the mix. Overall it was a pure delight to read. 5 stars!
May 5, 2015
REVIEW: KISSING KATIE BY BABETTE JAMES
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Katie-G...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kissi...?
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
Kissing Katie (His Girl Next Door, #1) by Babette James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My Review
Kissing Katie is one of those stories that is both sweet and romantic. Ms. James takes a theme that has been done many times before and gives it a fresh spin. After years apart an unexpected reunion leaves two friends pondering whether they should take the next step into love. What stuck out most in my mind while reading this story is that it never too late to come home. Babette James' Kissing Katie is a well written story. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
(www.goodreads.com/review/list/2555691...)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Katie-G...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kissi...?
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
Kissing Katie (His Girl Next Door, #1) by Babette James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My Review
Kissing Katie is one of those stories that is both sweet and romantic. Ms. James takes a theme that has been done many times before and gives it a fresh spin. After years apart an unexpected reunion leaves two friends pondering whether they should take the next step into love. What stuck out most in my mind while reading this story is that it never too late to come home. Babette James' Kissing Katie is a well written story. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
(www.goodreads.com/review/list/2555691...)
June 18, 2015
This author is new to me but judging from this book I will be reading a lot more from her. I really enjoyed this one and I found the author's writing style very pleasing. The pace of the story is good and I felt the connection between the characters immediately. This author has a great storytelling voice. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
In this book, Matt Powell returns to the small beach town he stayed in with his parents as a kid. It's a time in his life where a change is needed and some quiet downtime is exactly what he needs. He can't believe it when he finds his childhood friend, Katie Vanburen, still living next door. They haven't been in touch in many years but the strong pull toward her is still there, only now Katie is all grown up and so are the feelings Matt has.
This is a book I definitely recommend to everyone. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, Matt Powell returns to the small beach town he stayed in with his parents as a kid. It's a time in his life where a change is needed and some quiet downtime is exactly what he needs. He can't believe it when he finds his childhood friend, Katie Vanburen, still living next door. They haven't been in touch in many years but the strong pull toward her is still there, only now Katie is all grown up and so are the feelings Matt has.
This is a book I definitely recommend to everyone. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2015
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This is the first I have read from Babette James and have to say it was sweet and funny. I loved that even though they have not seen each other for years Katie and Matt easily pick up where they left off. Their relationship is unique and so carefree. The love they had is still there and seeing how mature they are now is just icing on the cake. Matt is all about working and Katie is exactly what he needs right now. Together these two are so comfortable round each other and the passion that explodes between is hot. They might have been young at the time but the separation Babette put between them just made that love combustible. Kissing Katie might be sweet, romantic but the bond between these two is hotter than ever. Definitely an author worth keeping up with judging from her romance in this book.
This is the first I have read from Babette James and have to say it was sweet and funny. I loved that even though they have not seen each other for years Katie and Matt easily pick up where they left off. Their relationship is unique and so carefree. The love they had is still there and seeing how mature they are now is just icing on the cake. Matt is all about working and Katie is exactly what he needs right now. Together these two are so comfortable round each other and the passion that explodes between is hot. They might have been young at the time but the separation Babette put between them just made that love combustible. Kissing Katie might be sweet, romantic but the bond between these two is hotter than ever. Definitely an author worth keeping up with judging from her romance in this book.
May 5, 2015
Kissing Katie is one of those stories that is both sweet and romantic. Ms. James takes a theme that has been done many times before and gives it a fresh spin. After years apart an unexpected reunion leaves two friends pondering whether they should take the next step into love. What stuck out most in my mind while reading this story is that it never too late to come home. Babette James' Kissing Katie is a well written story. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2016
4.5/5.0
Matt and Katie are wonderfully fleshed out and completely human characters.
Read full review in the 2015 March issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Matt and Katie are wonderfully fleshed out and completely human characters.
Read full review in the 2015 March issue of InD’tale Magazine.
May 12, 2015
**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**
Matt decided he needed a break from his current life, so he quit his job and decided to take a vacation in the home his grandparents used to own on the Jersey Coast. The only thing missing is his old best friend Katie from when he was a kid. After he gets himself reacquainted with his grandparents' old home and heads to the beach, the neighbor runs to him and gives him a hug. It turns out to be Katie and she's all grown up. Katie, now widowed, lives in her childhood home on the Jersey Coast. She likes how her life is finally settling down. When her new Summer neighbor turns out to be Matt, her old friend, her childhood crush comes back in full force. Is she really healed from her husband's death to fully move on?
I really liked Matt. He's coming off from being a workaholic, is learning to find himself and enjoy a simpler time in his life. He's very determined in what he wants, including convincing Katie she's ready for a grown-up relationship with him. Katie is ok. For having already been a widow for so many years, I didn't understand why she wasn't read yet (I'm a widow and have been for 2.5yrs and don't think I'd have so much conflict).
Overall not a bad story. A nice and easy contemporary. No real conflict. However, the only problem I had was that I felt that time-frame for the relationship and the intensity level just didn't work much for me. Overall, not bad book.
Matt decided he needed a break from his current life, so he quit his job and decided to take a vacation in the home his grandparents used to own on the Jersey Coast. The only thing missing is his old best friend Katie from when he was a kid. After he gets himself reacquainted with his grandparents' old home and heads to the beach, the neighbor runs to him and gives him a hug. It turns out to be Katie and she's all grown up. Katie, now widowed, lives in her childhood home on the Jersey Coast. She likes how her life is finally settling down. When her new Summer neighbor turns out to be Matt, her old friend, her childhood crush comes back in full force. Is she really healed from her husband's death to fully move on?
I really liked Matt. He's coming off from being a workaholic, is learning to find himself and enjoy a simpler time in his life. He's very determined in what he wants, including convincing Katie she's ready for a grown-up relationship with him. Katie is ok. For having already been a widow for so many years, I didn't understand why she wasn't read yet (I'm a widow and have been for 2.5yrs and don't think I'd have so much conflict).
Overall not a bad story. A nice and easy contemporary. No real conflict. However, the only problem I had was that I felt that time-frame for the relationship and the intensity level just didn't work much for me. Overall, not bad book.
May 30, 2015
4.5 STARS
"Kissing Katie" is a sweet romance filled with childhood memories, second chances, heartache and an abundance of love. Matt and Katie were childhood best friends but grew apart when Matt moved away. They have found each other again but will it last? Katie is a widow and is still struggling with the loss of her husband. I found Katie to be a bit frustrating at times. I understood her actions but didn’t necessarily agree. These actions, however, proved that she's a kind and caring individual that never wants to hurt those she loves - but at what cost? Matt is a strong, sexy guy that knows what he wants and is determined to get it. I liked Matt - his dedication to Katie and his willingness to do whatever it takes is admirable. Together, they were terrific! I enjoyed the scenes of them reliving their childhood games and antics. Many scenes were filled with laughter and brought back my own childhood memories. Ms. James does a wonderful job of bringing the reader into each scene with her descriptions - both physically and emotionally. I found myself smiling and laughing and then getting a bit teary eyed too. As summer starts, this is a perfect beach read! (received a free copy from the author for an honest review)
"Kissing Katie" is a sweet romance filled with childhood memories, second chances, heartache and an abundance of love. Matt and Katie were childhood best friends but grew apart when Matt moved away. They have found each other again but will it last? Katie is a widow and is still struggling with the loss of her husband. I found Katie to be a bit frustrating at times. I understood her actions but didn’t necessarily agree. These actions, however, proved that she's a kind and caring individual that never wants to hurt those she loves - but at what cost? Matt is a strong, sexy guy that knows what he wants and is determined to get it. I liked Matt - his dedication to Katie and his willingness to do whatever it takes is admirable. Together, they were terrific! I enjoyed the scenes of them reliving their childhood games and antics. Many scenes were filled with laughter and brought back my own childhood memories. Ms. James does a wonderful job of bringing the reader into each scene with her descriptions - both physically and emotionally. I found myself smiling and laughing and then getting a bit teary eyed too. As summer starts, this is a perfect beach read! (received a free copy from the author for an honest review)
June 5, 2015
A childhood friends to lovers romance with a beautiful backdrop and lovely prose. Ms. James has a lyrical writing style that brings the scenes to life on the page. After years of workaholic behavior, Matt has quit his job at a law firm and while deciding which partnership he should choose next, is lucky enough to rent the summer home where he used to spend time with his grandparents on the Jersey shore. He is stunned to discover Katie, his childhood best friend, lives next door. Now widowed, Katie lives here full-time as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life after the death of her philandering husband. The two reconnect and sparks fly. This is a nice little summer romance, a perfect beach read.
June 10, 2015
Kissing Katie was a little slow to start and hold my interest but once Matt and Katie reconnected and started overcoming their obstacles I was hooked. I enjoyed how Katie had to grow and help some secrets that could go multiply ways in Matt's mind until they were revealed. I also enjoyed how Matt was struggling to figure out what was important in life and had the strength to step away when it might affect his integrity.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2015
This is a great story of childhood friendship that after years of distance brings them back together and sparks ignite at their first meeting. They go through ups and downs and finally with great communicating they figure out they are both headed down the same path. Lighthearted, with just enough sass to keep you turning pages. Looking forward to reading more from Ms. James.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews