Welcome to my tour stop with JustRead Publicity Tours! Read my
review of this cozy Christmas read and enter the giveaway below...
First Kiss at Christmas
(The Off Season #5)
By Lee Tobin McClain
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 352 Pages
October 26, 2021 by HQN
Summary
At 25 years old, preschool teacher Kayla Harris is embarrassed to admit she's never been kissed. When Tony DiNunzio and his grieving nephew show up in her classroom, she can't help being drawn to both of them. If only her insecurities-and his guilt over his sister's death-would stop standing in their way.
As Christmas approaches, can these three come together to form a family... not just for the holidays, but forever?
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My Review
FIRST KISS AT CHRISTMAS is a story about firsts and second chances. It's about a little boy who saw his mother die and the people who care about him. It's about a woman who's never been kissed, a man who is trying to find redemption and care for his nephew, and a woman who is ready for a new start. The story is full of small-town charm and holiday festivities, making it an overall heartwarming read.
I thought that Tony, Kayla and Sylvie were all good characters. Jax was adorable as was Paddington. The story was relatable in parts and the characters overall likable. I liked the idea of a character finding herself and letting go of the past. I also liked the theme of letting go and starting new. I really liked the friendships in this story and how characters were there for each other. I think my favorite aspect was the small-town feel and how friendly and welcoming the town was to these characters. The romance was sweet with some spark. There was also plenty holiday cheer which I loved. Of course, it had a heartwarming ending.
I did struggle with feeling totally immersed in this book. There are two main storylines, so I felt a bit like I was going back and forth. It also didn't really feel like a romance per se because of the second storyline and also because of the heavier subject matter. To me this read more like women's fiction with elements of romance. This isn't a bad thing, but it made for a longer read and one that I wasn't completely invested in even though I liked the characters and could empathize with what they were going through. There also was a weird mix of different aspects, like drug use, people living together, drinking, mean girls, and then sweet parts and inspirational moments. Plus lots of drama with characters reacting in extreme ways. I think the combination didn't quite work for me.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a bit of a difficult read, but overall, a sweet story that left me feeling cozy and ready for the Christmas season.
Content: References to murder, drug use, innuendo, drinking, child abduction.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through JustRead Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Other Books in the Series
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About the Author
Lee Tobin McClain is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels. A professor-turned-writer, she finds inspiration in her beautiful and brilliant daughter, her goofy goldendoodle, and her aptly named cat, Trouble. Learn more about her books at www.leetobinmcclain.com.
Tour Schedule
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Tour-Wide Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a copy of the first four books in The Off Season series, a Christmas ornament, and a $10 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked above. Giveaway began at midnight October 26, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 2, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
Full tour schedule linked above. Giveaway began at midnight October 26, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 2, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
Have you read any of the other books in this series? Are you a fan of this genre and books from authors such as Debbie Macomber?
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