KISS THIS – THE McCALLAN SERIES #1 by HADLEY QUINN

Review by Jenny & Gitte

Jenny:  Well, I have to say Gitte, I really did enjoy Kiss This. We wanted something with romance, emotion, sizzling chemistry, a bit of mystery, a good storyline and characters that we could relate to, connect with and love…something to  escape into for a while and didn’t this one just fit the bill!

“Your eyes,” he answered
He pressed his cheek to hers and whispered. “Because I can see your beautiful soul every time I look into them. I can’t even fucking comprehend how much they pull me in.” – Teague

Told in differing viewpoints I found this book touching, witty, sexy and an all-round enjoyable read. There were secrets aplenty which were revealed intermittently throughout the book, making me anticipate each one as it came to light.

I revelled in the banter, little quips and one liner’s and sarcastic wit between Camryn and Teague, and the secondary characters charmed me and leant so much to the story as well.

“Hmmm, well, I’m probably your typical guy. I like sports, cars and motorcycles, food, music and I especially like being a conceited asshole.” – Teague

Camryn and Teague really did make me smile one minute and have me reaching for the fan the next! Yup, these two completely sizzled and the sex scenes, yes they were hot, but they were interspersed with a humour, emotion and romance that completely melted me.

“Teague was the comfortable gentility that she needed; he had the patience and the tenderness that fit her perfectly.”

Yeah so Gitte, that scene in the rain….whoa!!! Hot!!!  How did you feel about Kiss This?

Gitte: I LOVED this book.’ Kiss This’ has pretty much everything that keeps you reading not wanting to put it down. I was addicted from the start and fell in LOVE! It had fab characters; it was funny, sexy and emotional. An almost pretty perfect package…which leads me nicely onto Teague. I’m in love….again. Teague has now been added to the never-ending list of book boyfriends.

Anyway, back to the story.  I thought this Author wrote a blinder; she had me all teary one minute then feeling warm and fuzzy the next. All the characters played a part and there was not one of them that got on my nerves or felt superfluous to the story.

Our main characters Teague and Camryn were bloody brilliant. Sarcastic humour, sensual and hot chemistry, both had heartbreak and emotional baggage that made them wary of relationships and the intentions of the other.

The way they meet; the build-up well I was hooked.

“…you ran those hundred yards to catch up with me? – Camryn

“I sprinted them. Fiercely. With determination. And passion.” – Teague

So yes, an absolutely bloody brilliant read that should be inhaled word for word. It had so many secrets and drama; but the fun banter and passion more than made up the difference. Oh and YES….the scene in the rain….HOT!!!!

Jenny:  We meet Camryn our feisty, sexy, funny, heroine who really was so refreshing. Although still suffering over the loss of the love of her life, she is making an attempt to move on but has vowed to never kiss a man again unless she is in love with him.  Although dealing with past heartbreak and having family issues that weight her down, Camryn was far from a simpering heroine. This girl could give anyone a run for their money. I found her completely honest, sexy, she spoke her mind, said how she felt and was so fierce and loyal as well.

“You know nothing about my fears,” – Camryn

And then there’s Teague. What can I say about Teague? I absolutely loved this guy!   There was so much to this man.  He was witty, loyal to a fault, patient, kind, tender with a beautiful heart, who could also be so fiery, possessive, secretive and oh so very cocky! His cockiness was endearing though because he possessed the ability to laugh at himself.  Yup! I really LOVED him!

“Oh, and Camryn?” he said….”I don’t have a six-pack,” he smiled, shaking his head. “For you I have an eight-pack.”

I loved how he laid himself bare for Camryn. This woman really did bring him to his knees.

“This beautiful woman had become his entire world.”

Cam and Teague were drawn by some force. They both saw something in each other that could heal, they saw someone they could love and theirs was a connection you felt from the first moment they met. Theirs wasn’t an easy road and at there was a time there when facing their pasts had me in tears. These two were both somewhat damaged, had not been afforded the nurturing and family support and had suffered loss and heartache. Could they indeed give each other the love and happiness they both craved?

“It was a mutual surrendering of a little bit of body and a whole lot of soul…and it was only a first kiss.”

After going through so much in their pasts, trust was always going to be an issue for both but especially for Teague. He had deep rooted fears which caused him to mistrust many and trust very few. He had issues to deal with and secrets to carry, sharing them with Camryn was always going to be hard for Teague but little by little he learned to trust.

“Please can I just hold you for a minute?” he hardly whispered.

I loved this story. It had everything I could have wanted in a read and I was completely, drawn into and immersed in the story from the start.  So why not 5.0 star rating?  Well, there were a couple of instances I felt the story was a little drawn out and certain areas were somewhat repetitive, but as you can tell, this didn’t impact on my overall enjoyment of the story. I loved spending time with Camryn and Teague.

“You scare me, too,” he replied softly, taking her face in his hands. “But…I think if we face our fears together…it’ll be okay”

Watching their relationship grow and seeing them learn from each other, these two damaged people who found love when they least expected it completely captivated me.  I loved their humor, their sarcastic banter, I shared their heartbreak and I shared their joy.  I loved their journey and really, I just adored them!  Can’t wait for Jay’s book in 2014!!! I will definitely be picking that one up! Did you just adore Cam and Teague too Gitte?

Gitte: Yes I really did Jenny. I absolutely loved Camryn; she was such a strong heroine. She was indeed feisty and protective, honest to a fault with proper backbone, she had a fab sense of humour and she loved with passion and heart. I found her character so refreshing and my kind of girl!

She’s not had an easy life and has been through absolute heartbreak of the worst kind. She is understandably hesitant and scared to let go which results in her making the rule of no kiss until she finds love.

“Camryn promised herself she wouldn’t kiss another man unless she was in love with him. She’d held firm to that rule and never had cause to waver from it. The desire hadn’t even entered a single part of her. Until now.”

Camryn and Teague have that tangible chemistry that had me riveted from the start where it all begins with a bet.

“New Year’s it is. You’ll be kissing me at midnight and you’ll never want to stop.” – Teague

“I’m betting you won’t even last until then.” – Camryn

Yay, time for my thoughts on Teague. I loved this guy. He was charmingly cocky. He was lush; absolutely gorgeous and so very sexy. He was spot on funny and passionately protective with a heart of pure gold. He was not a bastard; if anything he was the opposite and he was written so well that his decency and kindness sold him…helped by all the other yummy attributes of course! Oh and Teague has the gift of the gab. The things this guy comes out with…so sexy, romantic and smooth.

“Well I’m not like most guys.” – Teague

“No you’re not.” – Camryn

Yeah I agree with no hesitation Camryn!!!

No doubt; our Camryn and Teague carried so many open wounds from their past which still played out in the present making them feel as if they don’t really belong. Between them they carry the inability to fully trust another person, both carry heavy secrets and having always had to look after themselves they are fiercely independent.

“There’s not much of me to even have, Teague. You’ll learn that soon enough.” – Camryn

“Now that sounds like another challenge.” – Teague

“It’s not meant to be. It’s a disclaimer.” – Camryn

“Don’t we all come with one? I’ve got issues, too. I don’t let people get close to me, either. I’d rather keep my shit in the closet without feeling obligated to share just because I’ve been with a girl for more than a day.” – Teague

As I said earlier the connection between these two is intense; it’s as if they see beyond each other’s barriers and find a way to heal, pulling each other out of the past into the present ~ together. There’s no way they can voluntarily be kept apart.

“Did you get lost along the way?” – Camryn

“Nope. But if I ever do, I’ll always find my way back to you.”

Seriously loved this story and the journey Camryn and Teague took us on through the brilliant writing of this Author. This is without any doubt a must read for 2013!! Oh and YES Bring on Jay’s book I cannot wait!

4.5 Stars

Arc provided by author for an honest review

THE McCALLAN  SERIES by HADLEY QUINN
Each book can be read as a standalone

KISS THIS – BOOK ONE
Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon AU

TAME THIS – BOOK TWO
Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon AU

ONLY THIS – BOOK THEE
Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon AU