Author: Linda Kage
Genre: New Adult Contemp. Romance
Publication Date: August 15, 2013
Published by Author
Format: Ebook and Paperback
Review Tour Sponsored by:
Copy Provided by Author
Book Blurb:
I don’t care what my cousin says; I am not the queen of impossible relationships. I mean, just because my last boyfriend tried to kill me and left a bit of a scar on my neck, then forced me to move across the country and legally change my name to Reese Randall to escape him, does not mean—Oh, who am I kidding? For a freshman in college, I have to have the worst dating track record ever.
It’s no wonder love is the last thing on my mind when Mason Lowe enters my life. But the chemistry between us is like bam! Our connection defies logic. And he’s just so freaking hot. Being around him makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before. I even like bickering with him. He could be my soul mate...except for one teeny tiny glitch.
He's a gigolo.
Boy, do I know how to pick them.
Reviewers Note: Price of A Kiss is a New Adult Contemporary Romance written by Linda Kage. I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review through Tasty Book Tours.
Adorably Sexy and Fun with A Bit of Drama and Lots of Swoon Worthy Romance!
The Review:
I LOVED this book! I'm a huge fan of New Adult romances and all the goodness that comes with the telling of young love and difficult circumstances, but throw in a twist, such as the hero being a gigolo, and you’ve got a winner! This is my second book by Linda Kage and I am convinced I need to go through her entire book list and read each one of her works immediately! Price of A Kiss is a well written, fantastic story with amazing characters and lots of butterfly-fluttering moments.
Story...
This book opens up with a Prologue in our hero, Mason Lowe’s, POV. He’s eighteen, living with his mom and disabled younger sister and though his family is suffering a bit of hardship, he’s looking forward to all the possibilities life has to offer. When his older, snooty, wealthy neighbor who also happens to be his landlady approaches him and delivers some shocking news with an offer he’s hard pressed to refuse, his life changes in an instant.
Two years later...
Reese Randall is running from a past that haunts her at every turn. After a horrific act of violence sends her into hiding, she’s excited to start a new life, make new friends and shed the traumatic events that sent her into a tailspin. On her first day of college, she’s instantly taken with the impressively handsome Mason, who exudes an unfamiliar confidence she’s never seen in a guy before. But when her cousin Eva tells her he’s a gigolo, she knows he’s off limits, which is just as well since she’s not sure she wants to get involved again.
Told from Reese’s POV, these two are thrown together by an act of fate and we all know when fate steps in, no one can resist its plan... no matter how much it might hurt.
Characters...
There were a lot of wonderful characters in this book. From Mason and Reese, to the beautiful and intelligent Sara, to the overprotective and cheeky Eva, I loved them all.
Reese...
Reese Randall is a fantastic heroine! I absolutely loved her. She escaped a four year abusive relationship that ended in a most ghastly act of violence and this could have, and would have, crippled most people. And even though she was still scared and watched her step, she was only scared of her ex, not men as a whole. She didn’t back down from a fight, she didn’t give up on life and all the beautiful things it offered. She stood her ground, didn’t shy away from people or circumstances and she went after what she wanted. She placed the blame of those tragic events on the person they belonged and didn’t make herself or others suffer because of it.
She was quirky and fun and she had no mouth filter, saying exactly what she meant and asked questions, even when the topic was a hard one. This, in my opinion, made her exceptional and a perfect soul mate for Mason, whose own complicated past could very well get in the way of any future relationship. Reese was open minded, accepting and graceful. She was courageous and brave and I wish more female characters were like her!
Mason...
Mason Lowe was a perfect example of how desperation and a lack of security can lead you to do things you never thought imaginable. How a life of poverty and struggling can force your hand to the extreme. He was young and naive to fully understand what that ostentatious offer would do to him, to understand the label and shame it would bestow upon him. And the cost he’d have to pay, the sacrifices he’d have to make were unimaginable. His innocence was lost in a noble effort to save his family but he quickly learned that respect and love don't go hand in hand when you're owned and how easy it is to become a plaything to others when they think they are privileged and owed something they have no right to. Though his circumstances were of his own making and he chose that path, my heart still ached for him. What might have started out as a sweet, eventually turned into a sour, especially when he decides he wants out and others won't let him.
When he sees Reese, you think it's hate at first sight, but this is obviously a ruse. He’s immediately attracted to her but knows his life is not easy nor will be any kind of relationship. He tries to stay away but he’s pulled to her and his need overwhelms his indifference. I loved Mason and all his swoon-worthy seductiveness. He was charming, dangerous and alluring and though it was hard to see how this relationship would work, considering what he did, the author brilliantly brings them together in a way that will melt your heart and have you cheering for them to make it!
The Wrap Up:
Reese and Mason were scorching hot together and all the flirty, fun moments mixed with the intensity of their situation made for a sublime read! This is a stand alone book with a delightful ending that totally satisfied. Price of a Kiss was just a really fantastic, gratifying read with a perfect HEA! I loved it.
Quote Spotlight...
His sense of responsibility toward his family was everything to him. Everything. He didn't care if his obligations made him do things that caused him to feel trapped or had him feeling dirty until he hated a part of himself. He wasn't going to stop taking care of Dawn and Sarah in the only way he knew how. He had sold his soul to ensure every bill his mother forgot to pay was taken care of, even the fricking babysitter's bill.
Told from Reese’s POV, these two are thrown together by an act of fate and we all know when fate steps in, no one can resist its plan... no matter how much it might hurt.
Characters...
There were a lot of wonderful characters in this book. From Mason and Reese, to the beautiful and intelligent Sara, to the overprotective and cheeky Eva, I loved them all.
Reese...
Reese Randall is a fantastic heroine! I absolutely loved her. She escaped a four year abusive relationship that ended in a most ghastly act of violence and this could have, and would have, crippled most people. And even though she was still scared and watched her step, she was only scared of her ex, not men as a whole. She didn’t back down from a fight, she didn’t give up on life and all the beautiful things it offered. She stood her ground, didn’t shy away from people or circumstances and she went after what she wanted. She placed the blame of those tragic events on the person they belonged and didn’t make herself or others suffer because of it.
Quote Spotlight...
“You’re the warm sun that shines when everything else is dark,” he went on, lifting his hands to rest them on the wall on either side of my face. “A smile and a hug in a roomful of disapproval. You’re…” Wincing, he pressed his forehead against mine. “You’re everything.”
She was quirky and fun and she had no mouth filter, saying exactly what she meant and asked questions, even when the topic was a hard one. This, in my opinion, made her exceptional and a perfect soul mate for Mason, whose own complicated past could very well get in the way of any future relationship. Reese was open minded, accepting and graceful. She was courageous and brave and I wish more female characters were like her!
Mason...
Mason Lowe was a perfect example of how desperation and a lack of security can lead you to do things you never thought imaginable. How a life of poverty and struggling can force your hand to the extreme. He was young and naive to fully understand what that ostentatious offer would do to him, to understand the label and shame it would bestow upon him. And the cost he’d have to pay, the sacrifices he’d have to make were unimaginable. His innocence was lost in a noble effort to save his family but he quickly learned that respect and love don't go hand in hand when you're owned and how easy it is to become a plaything to others when they think they are privileged and owed something they have no right to. Though his circumstances were of his own making and he chose that path, my heart still ached for him. What might have started out as a sweet, eventually turned into a sour, especially when he decides he wants out and others won't let him.
Quote Spotlight...
“Every woman treats me that way, Reese. I’m not a person to them. I’m just…a good time or something vile to be avoided at all costs. And then you came along and you…you hugged me. You are the first person who sees me, Mason, not sex for sale.”
When he sees Reese, you think it's hate at first sight, but this is obviously a ruse. He’s immediately attracted to her but knows his life is not easy nor will be any kind of relationship. He tries to stay away but he’s pulled to her and his need overwhelms his indifference. I loved Mason and all his swoon-worthy seductiveness. He was charming, dangerous and alluring and though it was hard to see how this relationship would work, considering what he did, the author brilliantly brings them together in a way that will melt your heart and have you cheering for them to make it!
Quote Spotlight...
“See, your laugh is exactly what's keeping me away, woman. I just want to kiss those lips and hoard that sound all to myself.”
The Wrap Up:
Reese and Mason were scorching hot together and all the flirty, fun moments mixed with the intensity of their situation made for a sublime read! This is a stand alone book with a delightful ending that totally satisfied. Price of a Kiss was just a really fantastic, gratifying read with a perfect HEA! I loved it.
Thanks for having me Lisa! :) LOVED this one.
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! Thanks so much for the wonderful review. I'm so glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely welcome! I loved this read so much and I've been spreading the word to all my friends. And those that have read it, have loved it too! Can't wait to gobble up more of your work. Thanks for stopping by Linda!
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