Forever in a Kiss (Kissed by the Bay #7) by Susan Hatler

Claire Davenport is a hopeless romantic who shared her first kiss with Alex Murphy during a game of Spin the Bottle. Only Alex never pursued her after their kissing session and Claire regrets not telling him about her crush. At twenty-seven, no boyfriends have captured her heart in the same way. Still, she hasn’t given up on finding the one. Unfortunately, Forever Designs, her boutique wedding dress business, is accumulating more bills than invoices so love has to take a backseat for now.

When a famous model books Claire to design her wedding dress, she jumps at the opportunity only to find out the client is her childhood best friend and rival, Missy Peters. Claire and Missy’s friendship imploded when Missy stole Claire’s high school boyfriend. To save her business, Claire has no choice, but to work with Missy. To Claire’s surprise, the best man turns out to be Alex Murphy. Gone is the skinny boy with the awkward-but-endearing kisses. Alex is now a sexy scientist, who for some reason seems determined to stop the wedding, which Claire can’t let happen.

Now, Claire must design the perfect dress for demanding Missy, while at the same time countering Alex’s attempts to break up the bride and groom. Can Claire convince Alex to give Missy and her fiancé a chance, and that true love is possible? And can she do it without him breaking her heart all over again?

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Susan Hatler's books make me happy.  I know exactly what I'm going to get every time I open one of her books.  She has a way of writing characters, dialogue and settings that feel natural and easy.  Love.

All the books in this series somehow include the legend of the bay in a small coastal town and I also love that.  It connects the stories in a small way and adds a bit of the magical.

Claire is a fun character, a romantic at heart who believes in true love.  She has never forgotten her first kiss with Alex (way back when!) so running into him, in her own wedding dress shop of all places, makes her heart pitter patter.  Alex swears he doesn't believe in forever love.  He is actively trying to stop a wedding and Claire is determined to save it.  It makes for some fun, sparky moments.  Claire and Alex begin to spend time together and learn more about each other.  The build up was great and I loved the easy way the story progressed.  Like I said before, Susan Hatler has that way about her writing.  It makes me happy.

This book is on KU if you have that!

Content:  kissing, mention of cheating

-I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

All About That Kiss (Kissed by the Bay #6) by Susan Hatler

City girl Janine Wilson’s career is taking off but the same can’t be said about her love life. No matter—as manager of the Inn at Blue Moon Bay, Janine’s in charge of throwing a huge party to celebrate the Inn’s recent expansion and doesn’t have time for distractions. Unfortunately, two big ones suddenly show up: her thrill-seeking incompatible ex, Cody, who refuses to accept their breakup, and Cody’s handsome and charming best friend, Texas cowboy Jackson Davis.

Reluctantly, Janine agrees to meet Cody for one last dinner because Cody says he has a huge business opportunity for the Inn. But when Cody takes her on a boat ride to show her his great idea, Jackson is at the helm. Janine has been trying to resist her attraction to Jackson because they have no common interests, not to mention he’s her ex’s best friend. Once they stop on a deserted island, though, Janine doesn’t expect the sparks that fly between them, the spontaneous kiss they share, or what Cody does after witnessing said kiss.

Janine was convinced she needed a sophisticated man who shared the same interests as her. Now that she’s been stranded on a deserted island with Jackson, will she discover he’s everything she never knew she really wanted?

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This was such a fun book!  It's no secret that I love reading Susan Hatler's books and I was really excited to read Janine's story.  She made some strong appearances in The Sweetest Kiss (Book #4) (along with Jackson!) and I knew her story was going to be a good one.

I think I would like to be friends with Janine.  She is my kind of girl.  I really bonded with her over the whole "camping" experience.  I love her desire to prove herself that translated into hard work and concern for her job. 

Jackson- so loyal and kind.  How can you not love him?  There were so many charged moments between Janine and Jackson- yummy kissing, undeniable attraction and of course, plenty of misunderstanding.  Even in their worst moments, I still loved them both.

This was another fabulous addition in this Kissed by the Bay series and one of favorites.  I loved this one.

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

The Sweetest Kiss (Kissed by the Bay #4) by Susan Hatler

Megan Wallace wants three things: to make a living as an artist, to fulfill a promise she made her grandmother to visit the Boboli Gardens in Italy, and—oh yeah— for her best friend Brian Watts to fall in love with her. When the local library hosts an art competition, in which the winner will receive a one-year contract to paint in Florence, Italy, Megan sets out to make all her dreams come true.

Since Brian is a talented woodworker, Megan plans to ask him to make the custom frames for her paintings. She’s crushed to discover he’s already partnered up with Chelsea Chambers, Megan’s rival since art school. Megan is even more devastated when Chelsea sets her sights on Brian romantically.

The stakes are high and there can only be one winner. When the contest judges praise Chelsea’s classic style, Megan wonders if she should forego her own surreal painting style for one that’s more traditional. Brian urges her to be true to her talent. He also gives her reason to believe that maybe he feels more than friendship for her after all.

Will Megan have to give up her vision in order to win the contest? And if she wins, will she have to say goodbye to the love of her life?

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I love reading books by Susan Hatler.  She's one of my favorites because her books are so easy to settle in with.  Every time I pick up one of her books, I know I'm going get romance, yes, but fun dialogue and characters full of personality as well.

This series is set in a magical place to me.  I LOVE the whole legend of the bay and how it is incorporated into every book.  I also love seeing people from past books making an appearance in this book.  It feels like a community of friends and family continuing in each story and I never really have to say goodbye to anyone.

I liked Megan.  She had dreams but also insecurities about her ability to actually fulfill those dreams.  Her vulnerability helped me to connect with her and her unrequited love left me rooting for her.  I loved the first kiss and I loved the second kiss almost as much.  :)  The ending was sweet and I think that's where I fell in love with Brian too.

Content:  kissing, drinking alcohol

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

A Christmas Kiss (Kissed by the Bay, #5) by Susan Hatler

Harper Avery is a jaded divorce attorney who loves helping her clients move on to better things. After all, they’ve struggled enough being in an unhappy marriage. When one client’s soon-to-be ex-husband suddenly says he wants a second chance with his wife, Harper’s dubious, certain that her client is just going to get hurt again.

Despite his career as a divorce attorney, Gabriel Hart still believes that love can work miracles. Sure, there are no guarantees, but he totally supports his client’s efforts to reconcile with his wife—even if it means Gabriel has to go head-to-head with Harper to keep her from ruining the couple’s chances.

With the holidays approaching, husband and wife set out to see if they can work through their issues, while Harper decides to spend the long Christmas weekend at her friend’s cabin in Lake Tahoe. Only when she gets there, someone is already occupying her last-minute rental—Gabriel Hart. Both refuse to give up their holiday retreat. Will their adversarial working relationship make for a stressful weekend? Or will the magic of Christmas sprinkle them with a love that can beat the odds?

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This book is overflowing with all that is sweet and romantic in the perfect wintery Christmas setting - Lake Tahoe!  (I love Lake Tahoe!  I actually prefer it in the summer though- I'm a girl that doesn't like to be cold.)

I think Gabriel is perfectly named for the angel that he is.  He stole the show with his thoughtfulness and kindness in this book.  I just loved him.  Harper is a bit more jaded then Gabriel and has a harder time letting go and allowing herself to feel.  Opposites definitely attract in this case!

This is a short story so it's over before you know it but I felt like I had all the arch and elements need to be fully invested.  This was a fun diversion and the perfect romantic story for the holiday season.  Grab a cup of hot chocolate, your favorite snuggy blanket and settle in for a fun, romantic treat!

Content:  Clean

- I received a copy of this book from the author.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Just One Kiss (Kissed By the Bay #3) by Susan Hatler (It's Release Day!!)

Charlie Rockwell’s divorce from her rock star ex left her with a broken heart, a mansion on the bluffs in her hometown of Blue Moon Bay, and an empty back account. Now, Charlie has to generate enough income to keep the house she loves.

When producers of the soap opera, Just One Love, offer to rent Charlie’s house for a sizable fee, Charlie’s tempted. Only she wants nothing to do with the spotlight or dating someone famous again, and the show’s sexy star, Luke Montgomery, has her in his sights. Reluctantly, Charlie agrees to rent her home and vows to stay out of Luke’s way.

Unexpectedly, as filming progresses, Charlie witnesses Luke’s sweet side. She also remembers her college theater days and love of acting. During an on-set emergency, she’s asked to stand-in during a scene, and her undeniable chemistry with Luke impresses the producers enough that they want Charlie full-time.

Can Charlie finally have the career she’s dreamed about? And will Luke break her heart, or will he be everything he seems and what she always wanted?

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Happy release day to Just One Kiss!!

I was SO looking forward to this book.  After reading the previous books, I just KNEW Charlie's story was going to be good.  Charlie and Luke.  Luke and Charlie.  LOVE.

BUT.  The road to love is rarely easy.  Up and down.  Give and take.  Misunderstanding.  And kisses.  Don't forget the kisses.  It's what makes up a great love story!

One of the things I love about this book is that it really makes me feel like I'm Charlie's friend.  I'm right there with her through every thought and every action.  The dialogue is familiar and easy.  I was rooting for Charlie before the book ever even started and I loved getting to know her.  This book was so much fun!

Susan Hatler is one of my favorites.  Her books sit right in my happy, comfortable place.  I really love reading her books.  They are the perfect romantic escape.

This is the third book in this series.  It can stand alone, but you will feel more connection to all the secondary characters if you read the books in order, I think.

Content:  Clean!  Yay!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Perfect Kiss (Kissed by the Bay #2) by Susan Hatler

Olivia Lane wants to become the premiere event planner for Blue Moon Bay’s rich and famous. But first she has to impress Greta von Strand—millionaire and bestselling author of Men: Who Needs Them?—by pulling off a two-week luxury getaway for women. The retreat’s all about getting women to embrace their independence by nurturing themselves and each other, and Olivia, who’s never been lucky-in-love herself, is looking forward to it.

The retreat and Olivia’s goals hit a roadblock, however, when sweet-talking firefighter, Brody Mitchell, and his smoking hot friends take up residence at the mansion next door. Now, she must successfully keep Greta and the other women away from their male neighbors, fight her attraction to Brody, and pull off the retreat of a lifetime in one fell swoop.

It’s a battle of the sexes she’s determined to win, otherwise she could lose everything—including her heart.

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Reading books by Susan Hatler is a bit like hanging out with an old friend.  I've never actually met Susan, but her books are like friends to me; her writing style familiar.  I love the moment of anticipation when I get to settle in with a new novel written by Susan just for me.  ;)

This is the second book in the Kissed by the Bay series.  The books are independent of each other but you will find characters from the first book in the second.  They will be more familiar to you if you read the books in order, but you surely do not need to.

Men:  Who Needs Them?  This totally makes me laugh because all these women are at a retreat that revolves around a book titled Men: Who Needs Them and yet most all of them are all gooey eyed, weak kneed women who need those men in their lives.  Said women are very, very good at finding reasons (or excuses) to have said men around while still maintaining they don't need them.  It's so funny.

Olivia is trying so desperately to find success in her new business.  She has so much riding on the retreat she has planned and things just keep going awry.  Poor Olivia.  But, you can't feel too bad for her for too long because one of her distractions is the smoking hot, all man next door who doesn't keep his attraction to her a secret.  Yeah.  Who needs that?!  

I loved the sparks going every which way in this book.  I loved coming full circle to the end.  This was a fun book that gave me goosies and made me smile.  I am loving this series!  Can't wait to see what comes next!  

Content:  clean

Every Little Kiss (Kissed by the Bay Book 1) by Susan Hatler

When Wendy Watts left Blue Moon Bay, she vowed never to return to the small coastal town where her parents had abandoned her and her brother. Now she’s a successful Realtor, and a workaholic who stays away from complicated emotions—until her grandmother dies, leaving Wendy the Inn at Blue Moon Bay and mandating that if Wendy sells it, she must put it on the market herself “in person.”

As soon as Wendy arrives in Blue Moon Bay, bad memories, the inn’s poor condition, and her brother’s pleas to keep the inn overwhelm her. Then she meets a sexy laid-back stranger on the beach, and Wendy does something she never does . . . she opens up and confides her problems to him. Since Max Huntington’s only in town for one night, Wendy spontaneously kisses him, hoping to be distracted from her troubles for just one evening.

But when Wendy begins the painstaking process of fixing up the inn in order to sell it, Max tells her he’s staying on longer. He’s enchanted by the charming inn and even more with the kisses they shared on the beach. He wants to help her with the repairs, and she reluctantly accepts his offer.

Although she’s determined to remain detached from the allure of her inn, Blue Moon Bay and Max, every repair, every stroll on the beach, and every moment spent with Max, draws her in and reminds her of the local legend she’d believed as a child: that being kissed by the bay under a blue moon will lead to love that lasts forever.

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Well, it's the start of something new from one of my all time fav's, Susan Hatler!  The Kissed by the Bay Series has begun and it's going to be a fun ride.  I already love the setting- it sings to my heart.

Wendy left her home of Blue Moon Bay and vowed never to return, she left behind a group of people she really hurt.  Wendy was trying to escape and avoid dealing with the issues she faced there.  She was determined to build a successful career and a new life far away from her old one.  The process of Wendy's healing was a good one and I enjoyed watching her realize that in leaving her home, family and friends, she was dealing out the same hurts that had been dealt to her.

I think everyone needs a Max in their life.  Seriously, he is the knight on the white horse named Patience.  I liked that Max knew what he wanted.  He was steady and sure and so very kind.

This was such a sweet story.  It was more than just a romance (although the kissing was great!).  It was about reconnecting, forgiving, and loving.  I really enjoyed it!  I can't wait for the next book in the series, The Perfect Kiss, set to come out in November.  I'm really "over the blue moon" about Susan and this series!