Series: Crush #3
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: August 25, 2015 by Penguin Random House/Flirt
Format: e-ARC
Source: NetGalley
Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon
Synopsis
Like most of the residents of her dead-end beach town, Felicity Daniels doesn’t know what she wants from her future. Instead of college, she’s waiting tables at the local grille where she’s more likely to run into the guy who was the love of her life—until one decision changed everything. Now as this year’s tourist season kicks in to high gear, Felicity realizes that whatever she wants isn't going to be found here.
Mason Hayes is the quintessential Summer Boy: hot, impulsive, and born without strings attached. While in town helping with the family fishing charter, he plans to have a little fun—and hopefully get over a certain girl. He’s never had a long-term relationship, but when he meets Felicity, he wonders if he’s found the girl who could change that.
With her heart still in repair, Felicity’s happy to have a distraction like Mason, but her best friend thinks he could also be her ticket out of this town. What’s the harm in using him to escape more than just her boredom? After all, he is just a Summer Boy, and they never stick around. But after one kiss, Felicity wonders if only one summer with Mason will ever really be enough.
My Thoughts
I became a fan of Renita Pizzitola's writing after reading (and loving) Just a Little Crush last year. The second book in this companion series, Just a Little Flirt, solidified that. And now, with Just a Little Kiss, I'm convinced that Pizzitola Just Can't Miss. :)
At 19, Felicity feels like her life is stalled in her small hometown. She yearns for more and is also desperate to escape the inevitable run-in's with her ex. But change doesn't come easy for Felicity. To avoid messy entanglements she keeps things simple: no life-altering decisions and definitely no relationships. When it comes to guys she sticks to the summer boys who are temporary distractions. But what if there is more out there for her, beyond her small town?
Just because I was interested in Mason, didn't mean I had to lose
myself in the process. The rules were in place for a reason. To keep
myself from getting hurt and avoid hurting others in the process.
Keep things light, simple, fun. - Felicity
Mason is in town for the summer, helping his uncle on his charter boat. It's just the distraction he needs from his own life. Getting over his unrequited love for best friend Brinley hasn't been easy but he's ready to move on. Meeting Felicity has him considering that a summer fling just might be the real thing.
"If you think you're going to be able to hide behind some ridiculous
rules you have for yourself and never plan to let go, then this is
probably a waste of our time." My lips returned to her jaw as I slowly
made my way to her ear, and my free hand lowered down her thigh.
"Because if there's one thing I can promise you, it's that you're about
to lose all control." - Mason
I loved watching the relationship between Felicity and Mason unfold. They both had been hurt in the past but one was willing to take a chance while the other was determined to avoid another possible heartbreak. I loved as they slowly found their way and navigated this new relationship. It was easy to pull for Felicity and hope for so much more for her. And Mason was completely charming and so patient with Felicity and her doubts and fears. I mentioned in review of the two previous books in the series how gifted Pizzitola is with dialogue and it's still evident here. I loved the banter between Mason and Felicity and the way they used humor to lighten a mood or get to know each other better. I was truly pulling for these two and their road was not without its bumps along the way. They both made mistakes and seeing them each hurt because of it was heart breaking. Mason and Felicity and their story felt completely realistic and I loved every minute of it.
But what I never expected to happen while running away from
my problems, was finding my solution. My answer. My Felicity.
Because I knew, hands down, without question that there
was no one in this world more perfect for me than this girl
right here. - Mason
Pizzitola writes that kind of New Adult that I love. Characters that are never cookie cutter, story lines that are completely believable without unnecessary drama, and sweet/swoony romance. She strikes the perfect balance between character development, plot and romance. I hope this series continues because as long as Renita keeps writing it I'll keep reading it.
Just a Little Kiss is the third in the Crush companion series but can easily be read as a stand-alone.
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Random House/Flirt
in exchange for an honest review.
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