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Just a Kiss (Summer Harbor, #3)

Denise Hunter

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Why we're reading this: I've been a fan of Denise Hunter for a while now, just saw my pre-order has downloaded to my Kindle.
Yay!…more
[close] I've been a fan of Denise Hunter for a while now, just saw my pre-order has downloaded to my Kindle.
Yay! :)

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What are you currently reading?

What are you currently reading?
By Jessica · 4 posts · 20 views

last updated May 12, 2016 09:24PM

What Members Thought

Sep 15, 2016 Iola rated it liked it

This is the third and final novel in the Summer Harbor trilogy, and features one of my favourite romance tropes: friends to lovers (although, as is proper for Christian romance, it’s actually friends to more-than-friends). It’s the story of Riley, who has recently returned from service in the Middle East, service which has left him with issues.

But there were also some more awkward parts, like the implication that oysters weren’t shellfish (when the speaker is a lobsterman and therefore should kn This is the third and final novel in the Summer Harbor trilogy, and features one of my favourite romance tropes: friends to lovers (although, as is proper for Christian romance, it’s actually friends to more-than-friends). It’s the story of Riley, who has recently returned from service in the Middle East, service which has left him with issues.

But there were also some more awkward parts, like the implication that oysters weren’t shellfish (when the speaker is a lobsterman and therefore should know better, and he’s talking to someone who is allergic to shellfish). Or the suggestion that amputees can do anything these days—look at "that Olympic runner" (referring to the South African currently awaiting sentencing on a murder charge. Yes, amputees sure can do anything). A reference to the Paralympics would have been more timely and appropriate.

But what of the novel? Well, it was good but the ending was more cliché that I’d have liked, the Christian content was sporadic (I get that Riley may well have been having a crisis of faith due to his injury, but he actually made no reference to having any faith at all, ever). There were a couple of references to him having PTSD which didn’t entirely fit but came across as a half-fledged idea, never fully executed. I liked seeing more of the relationship between Miss Trudy and Sheriff Colton, and that would have been a highlight if the author hadn’t effectively given away the ending in her introductory Author Note.

After the first two books in the series, I was genuinely expecting Just a Kiss to be a five-star read for me. But there were too many not-quite-right aspects for my taste. It was good, but not great and not as good as I hoped it would be. Riley’s injury gave Hunter a great opportunity to delve into the physical and mental health issues facing returned servicemen and women, and it didn’t deliver. A solid read, but not something I'll re-read.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. ...more

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Oct 04, 2016 Rissi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, most-anticipated, review, 2016

‘Just a Kiss’: A Marine, a Best Friend and A Kiss

STORY: He should have never run away. Yet that’s exactly what Riley Callahan did. Driven by the pain of unrequited love, Riley enlists in the Marine Corp to escape the happiness of his brother Beau and Riley's best friend, Paige. Now, Riley returns home to Summer Harbor, Maine, only this time, he’s not the man he once was. He’s returning missing part of himself, physically and emotionally. Beau is engaged to another, and Paige is still as beautifu ‘Just a Kiss’: A Marine, a Best Friend and A Kiss

STORY: He should have never run away. Yet that’s exactly what Riley Callahan did. Driven by the pain of unrequited love, Riley enlists in the Marine Corp to escape the happiness of his brother Beau and Riley's best friend, Paige. Now, Riley returns home to Summer Harbor, Maine, only this time, he’s not the man he once was. He’s returning missing part of himself, physically and emotionally. Beau is engaged to another, and Paige is still as beautiful as ever; and she’s making it her mission to help Riley.

REVIEW: As this novel edged closer to its release, the only book I had read of the trilogy was Falling Like Snowflakes. Needless to say, I made time to read The Goodbye Bride, and remedy the oversight. Though these books can be read as standalones, the reader gets so much more out of out of the book when read in their proper order. This novel, the final Summer Harbor, is magical.

It's impossible to pick a favorite in this series, because each one becomes the new favorite. Such was the case here. When reading ‘Bride,’ I wasn’t sure this novel could surpass it. Happily it keeps pace with its companion and either met its high standard or perhaps, surpassed it. The characters of this novel are teeming with authenticity, are real, and still find a way to seek joy. Even amidst the emotion and challenges of the story, there is a stable point that guides the story to only good results and happy smiles.

In particular I found Riley’s journey interesting. Perhaps it was the wounded soldier angle or the distance he places between himself and Paige, either way, he’s a noble, worthy and wonderful hero. Similarly, Paige doesn’t let Riley run rough shot over her or the importance of her emotional input towards his recovery. Their interactions are fraught with tension and stolen memories from long ago which keeps their time together brimming with unfulfilled love and longing.

Aficionados of the contemporary romcom genre will adore the journey Riley and Paige (how fabulous are these characters names!?) take. Those of you who’ve read Denise’s novels won’t want to miss Just a Kiss. It's a heartwarming story of finding hope when you feel everything is falling apart.

Sincere thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes. ...more

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Sep 06, 2016 Heidi rated it really liked it

Just a Kiss is the third book in Denise Hunter's Summer Harbor series. I've really enjoyed these fictional Callahan brothers and the women they love, and while I eagerly anticipated Paige and Riley's story, I didn't want the series to end. While the publisher and the author advertise this title as a stand alone, I highly recommend readers enjoy the previous books in the series first. There's a plot thread between Aunt Trudy and Sheriff Colton that is introduced in the first book and resolved in ...more

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Oct 23, 2017 Rebekah Millet rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Oh, there's nothing like Denise Hunter's books! Just a Kiss is the last in the Summer Harbor series, but could be read as a stand alone. This romance between a sweet woman who runs a pet shelter, and a Marine, was one of the dearest and rawest books I've read in a while. And did I mention they've been best friends forever? That little complication made their story all the more enjoyable to read. And did I also mention the sizzling chemistry? It's ALL there. A must read for anyone who loves Chris ...more

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Sep 17, 2016 Angela Suzanne rated it liked it

Shelves: romance, net-galley

Denise Hunter pushes the boundary of what is acceptable in Christian fiction in romance. This book is no different. An unmarried man stays with an unmarried woman and doesn't raise many questions from the characters except from the unmarried man because he is in love with the woman he is forced to stay with and doesn't want her to know. There are also numerous make-out sessions that made the romance more steamy. The scene with Paige's mom seemed forced and that it was included and orchestrated s ...more

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Oct 22, 2016 Andrea Boyd rated it really liked it

I love Denise Hunter's writing. And although this was not my favorite of hers, it is still a great read. ...more

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Oct 20, 2016 Winnie marked it as to-read

Shelves: default

I have read several of Denise Hunter's books and have loved them all. I love her style of writing and her realistic characters. Just a Kiss drew me in quickly and kept my interest throughout the book. The story line flowed seamlessly and kept me guessing at the outcome. The main characters, Paige and Riley were three-dimensional and very realistic and relatable, although they had human flaws and problems. I enjoyed their journey toward trusting and having faith in each other and trusting God in ...more

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