One Holiday Kiss

Shattered Cove

by A.M. Kusi

Amara Evans is an outgoing social butterfly, but no one ever really gets close enough to know the real her—no one but her best friend Lyric that is.

Lyric Graham is the opposite of Amara in almost every way. He’s shy, and because of his speech impediment, he doesn’t like to talk much.

Good thing Amara has no trouble speaking for both of them.

After an innocent game of spin the bottle with friends turns into a sinful night of pleasure in a winter cabin, can Lyric find the words to tell his best friend he’s been in love with her all this time?

Or will one holiday kiss have lasting damage?

If you like a swoony protective hero who doesn’t say much, but means what he says and takes charge in the bedroom, you’ll love this Shattered Cove friends to lovers short story.

Download and start reading One Holiday Kiss right now!

***No cheating. HEA guaranteed. ***

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Christmas, Holiday, Novella, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

63 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2021

About the author

A. M. Kusi is a wife-and-husband romance author team. Our novels feature diverse characters, are spicy, socially relevant, emotional, and always have a happy ending.

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Reviews

[Vaishali • [V.L. Book Reviews] · Rating 2 out of 5]

R A T I N G: 1.5/2 stars to One Holiday Kiss ★ ★

Uncharacteristically, I morphed into a brief Christmas novella-reading glutton this past December so I decided to do my best to champion the change and encourage a bit of fictional season reading instead. A.M. Kusi's One Holiday Kiss was a part of that very short list of Christmas-themed reads. But I have to disappoint and confess that this Shattered Cove short story was unfortunately the least liked by me. 54 pages is short. Very short. But short can still be eventful with smart storytelling, and in the case of One Holiday Kiss, it was far too underdeveloped to reassure and connect with.

Very little takes place in this Shattered cove romance, and if I summed up what did happen bar one or two raunchy bedroom scenes and the barest bones of a whirlwind friends to lovers after a bottle spin, I'd have nothing to sum up. There weren’t any other textures besides the very cliche basics and ultimately, the romance just didn't have the space to flourish. Review writing is a massive energy vacuum for me so I'm begrudgingly going to switch up my usual essay-style reviews for a short and succinct list of likes and dislikes for this one:

W H A T_I_L I K E D:

➜ The cover is lovely and seasonally appropriately but I’m going to follow this up with con because, while the cover is theme-sensitive, the story really isn’t. There’s no real air given to Christmas besides a fleeting family gathering. No trademarks of the tradition to be seen, unless I’m absentmindedly overlooking some details.

➜ Speech impediment representation - the hero, Lyric, has a stutter. I speak for myself here but I haven’t read from a male MC with this specific type of impediment so I found it very refreshing. There were also some realistic notes about social anxiety surrounding that.

➜ I'm always a supporter for and of interracial relationships and multicultural couple partnerships so I'm happy to inform that there is that too.

W H A T_I_D I D N' T_L I K E :

➜ The characterisation takes a bit of a leave with this story; it’s barely there and really quite flat. There's also little to no development in addition. Understandable for a novella of this size but the entire read comes off as a fleet-footed teaser that doesn't really accommodate the space for a felt connection. But it was Lyric's characterisation that was most baffling; he's said to be this sweet, kind and loving best friend but who also assumes the role of a hot-blooded Dom in the bedroom? It was really hard to buy this, especially without the page length to necessitate it. The supporting characters are also very cliche and flat; they all have a predictable role and a predictable purpose and it's very to easy to clue in to why they're there.

➜ Ultimately, everything transpires too fast. From friends to mind-bending, earth-shattering orgasms to forever sweethearts in the space of a breath was a bit too surreal for me. Clearly, the authors let us know that Amara and Lyric have a long history of friendship (but we, as the reader, aren't present for that so suffice it to say we only have the present day and the present word to rely on) but they seem to fall in love in the space of a minute. Everything developed too fast and feelings form in the style of a riptide after their cabin kiss. There really was no in between.

➜ For an adult-inspired romance (with that very audience in mind), the rest of the story sans the sex scenes reads very YA (perhaps because the characters are under 20?), and as opposed to the intimate scenes satisfying a racy requirement, the smut felt odd to read about. Like it was included for the mien of pleasure, for the purpose to round off all romance novel demands with the risque factor. I believe it was intended to forge a stronger connection between Amara and Lyric but I could have gone without them in space of better intimacy between them. It’s no use professing a shared and similar history when It’s not as well produced (and felt) on page.

C O N T E N T_W A R N I N G: Swearing and two descriptive bedroom scenes.

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Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @TheVicarious1
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts

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[Melany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. I loved the representation of the MMC with a stutter and the biracial FMC. The friends to lovers trope is one of my favorite. While this is a short read, it was lasting. I wish they had their own full novels. Loved every bit of it!

[Paige]

DNF at 47%

Not loving the writing style.

12/28/22

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

The miscommunication in here as the “problem” was silly, in what world would a man whose been flirting with (1) singular girl ask you (a stranger to both him and everyone there) if you would mind him hooking up with a random girl?

Also, maybe I’m wrong and please feel free to correct me or inform me, I thought it a little off that his stammer would drastically go down when they were intimate? I don’t believe it disappeared entirely but compared to some of the conversations and dialogue it was less.

Quick read, not upset. Writing style not my favorite by had some good moments.

[RomanceReader1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

😍 MUST READ

New to me authors and I really enjoyed this story.

This is one of those stories where I wish it was longer!
I wanted more of Amara and Lyric. It was such a sweet story that almost didn’t happen because of Lyric’s lack of attention!! 🤣🤣

A misunderstanding almost ruined everything!

[Janessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a short story, the character development and conflicts are necessarily not as deep as a full novel, but I enjoyed getting to know the characters all the same and felt like I had a good picture and understanding of them even from the relatively fewer glimpses I got and I would have gladly read a longer version of their story to get to know them better. :)

[Victoria Rebecca Hawkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amara Evans is an outgoing social butterfly, but no one ever really gets close enough to know the real her—no one but her best friend Lyric that is. Lyric Graham is the opposite of Amara in almost every way. He’s shy, and because of his speech impediment, he doesn’t like to talk much. Good thing Amara has no trouble speaking for both of them. After an innocent game of spin the bottle with friends turns into a sinful night of pleasure in a winter cabin, can Lyric find the words to tell his best friend he’s been in love with her all this time? Or will one holiday kiss have lasting damage?

One Holiday Kiss was a beautifully written short story and the characters were fabulous. I love how the book was put together and it seemed to play out as a real life scenario in my head. A. M Kusi is a fabulous author and can't wait to read more of her book in the future.

[Lyrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, and fairly spicy for a 50 page novella, friends to lovers holiday novella. It's more winter-vibes than Christmas-vibes so you could read this anytime. There is a small miscommunication I could have done without, but it is resolved quickly. I loathe conflict in stories this short. Bonus points because the MMC is name Lyric.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lifetime movie rated R!

Short, kinda sweet with heat. Picture a short lifetime movie with sex. No real connection with any of the Characters as again this is a very, very short friends to lovers read! Free read

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot holiday romance

I loved this so much. Friends to lovers. Steamy steamy sex scenes. So perfect. Biracial characters. Foster care and adoption. Everything about this novella is perfect. I cannot wait to read more in this series.

[Kayla (Dream.Write.Read) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 Stars

[Brandy Nicole Naylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED this novella. Wish it would have lasted longer longer, but I AM HERE for everything this husband/wife team has to release!!!

[Stephanie Jynelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends to lovers

Great story with more spice than any hallmark channel love story could tell. Such a great family group. Blood makes you related, love and support make you family. This short and well written.

[Susan Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific shifter and human romance

Amara has trouble trusting people since entering the foster care system. Lyric live Amara since he sat across from her in school. But she only want him as her BFF.
Can he chance her mind.

The characters are emotional, stubborn, and loyal. This fast paced holiday romance is a charming short story about friendship turning into life changing love. I love that the are so believable for a shifter story. This is a new author for me and I'll have to keep her on my wish list. Highly recommended.

bookwormsuzy

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little short but nice

LOVE that love doesnt "fix Lyric". He still has the speech impediment at the end.
Race wasn't an issue, no super unbelievable a-hole characters or homewreckers.
Great little short holiday story.
Nice steam, nice character introductions for such a short story.
The "fear of people leaving if you love them" trope gets a bit old, especially when Amara thinks it about people she's known for a while and have never let her down - but I understand there has to be tension. Other than that - solid little story.

[Jeraca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super sweet. I loved seeing the previous characters in the Shattered Cove series, but I loved seeing the young love bloom between Amara and Lyric! I don't normally like the friends to lovers genre, but this was just so sweet and exciting that I was sucked into this very short story. I could have done with a bit more, but it was perfect just the way it is!

I'm looking forward to the next installment by A.M. Kusi!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really - no condom use in a contemporary? Even with the "justification" of 'we're only doing this once and I want to feel you'?

I also feel that this got way too quickly into "coming on command".

*And* there's an utterly pointless third act diversion, where the lead couple have a falling out, for no reason I can figure that couldn't have been solved by someone just Saying Something, and that seemed to exist just so there could be 'tension'.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short story of long-term true friends becoming romantic. It's quick, sexy, and emotionally gratifying.

The humor, love and acceptance these two share is beautiful and nuanced, as they cope with complexities around adoption, race, and disability.

Some of the dirty talk was cliche, but I'm willing to consider it could be Lyric's first time speaking up during sex. Overall, the chemistry is scorching.

[Čitaj, Selma · Rating 5 out of 5]

60 stranica ljubavi. netko je napisao da je ovo kratka priča sa seksom bez ikakve povezanosti među likova, ali bas naprotiv, povezanost je velika. Lyric je povučen i šutljiv jer muca, a Amara je njegova najbolja prijateljica. oni odlaze na izlet zajedno s nekoliko njenih prijatelja i tamo se sve zakuha i zapetlja, sve dok se najzad ne raspetlja po načelu da ljubav pobjeđuje. dodatan bonus je sto je knjiga friends to lovers plota i sto je kratka. 🤍📖🛷❄️☕️🎅🏾

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Holiday Kiss by A.M. Kusi was a three-point-five-star rating, one I ended up rounding down to a three-star rating. It was a sweet read, and I certainly had a smile on my face with the way things played out, but it was a bit too quick and easy for me. When it comes to friends-to-lovers I prefer for things to progress without a sudden flick of a switch, which is why I rounded this one down. I liked it, but the change was a wee bit too sudden for me. It was certainly a sweet read, though.

[Readingshadowwolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwww my cold little heart feels so warm, this was such a cute and quick read with some steam. I loved how Lyric and Amara interacted with each and how precious their friendship was and how that developed into a budding romance. I wish there was more as they were so sweet together and I wanted to see more of their life together.

[Annemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amara and Lyric head to as cabin for a vacation with a few of her friends. While there they play spin the bottle and when they have to kiss....sparks fly. Later when they head to their rooms, they kiss some more and agree they want more and spend the night together. Liked the ending, but was hoping for a true proposal.

[Will Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It hit all the high points: lots of hot spices in the bedroom, a little sexual angst, a dash of misunderstanding, and a plot that moves right along. The characters are well developed and likable and the editing is clean. Good job for bringing so much together in a short story.

[Genevieve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet read

Lyric and Amara’s story started with promise.

“He was safe. He was reliable. He looked out for her. And she loved him—as a friend.”

There were hints of both characters, I’d have loved to have been shown more of their history. Less telling.

Didn’t overly enjoy word choice in places. Needed a little more consideration.

[Maria Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75⭐
This was a very short book, a standalone, I started it today and I finished it today. So beautiful, I loved the story and that was the first novel from this authors.
I can't say anything more, very cute, perfect for a hot summer day. It has a lot of spicy but we can't have a book with only smut. Oh we can, but ok.
Over all, I loved this so much.

[Kelly Ferrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Holiday Kiss. (Short Story) by A.M. Kusi.
A short quick read .. Amara and Lyric have been best friends for a number of years … bonding over their earlier lives … adoption! They know each other more than any other person in the world know them. Their trust in one another is unbreakable … but can one holiday together end what they have together!
Good quick short read.

[Mary Fazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

love these quick juicy reads

Lyric is the best friend of Ammra and knows all her past. She trust him with everything. He has loved her a long time and on this holiday they collide. Then a misunderstanding happens and everything falls apart. Will they ever figure out they both love each other and it was just a misunderstanding?

[Gloria Umali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this novella. I felt the story and spice were well balanced. I do think it didn't really connect to the Christmas theme much, aside from it taking place in the winter and having a family get-together at the end. I really would've liked it to be a little longer, but I think that's because I enjoyed the writing style, not because I felt that anything was missing.

[Butterbean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The transition from friends to lovers was hot, but I wish that the shake-up wasn't from a miscommunication. They were supposed to be such good friends that Amara should have known what would be out of character of Lyric and just asked questions. I wish that the author went another route to shake things up.

[Treasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense chemistry

This is a great story to start the Christmas season books. This book follows the best friend’s lyric and Amara. One holiday kiss leads to them discovering that they are prefect for each other but will Amara over come her fears and allow lyric to love her as he has always wanted to ?