Kissing Games

This is my first time reading this author and I really enjoyed her writing style. This looks like its the second book in the series but it reads as a stand alone. At times my heart broke for Sloan. her father is a piece of work, and she never talks to her mom and she is such a lonely woman. She is the town do-gooder because she is wanting to make friends but its so hard for her to get close to others. Ryan has an amazing family but he knows he is only in town temporarily so he feels lonely too and is missing baseball. I love that when he and Sloane become friends he really listens to and supports her, even as he helps her find some friends. I loved Sloane a lot and I adored Ryan but they both had to learn to compromise and that love is so precious. They both had some growing up to do and I loved watching them learn how real relationships work and that compromise is not always easy but that its worth it for someone you love. This was a light romance with lots of humor and great characters I really liked and a plot that kept me interested until the last page. Its also a story about two loners who find each other and help each other get out of their own heads and out into the world even if sometimes love is a risk. I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Sloane and Ryan’s friends to lovers story in Kissing Games by Stefanie London, book two in her Kissing Creek series, was an amazing, sizzling, emotional and humorous tale. Ms. London is a definite go-to for small town reads; understanding the quirkiness of its residents. When the golden boy of Kissing Creek returns home to sulk after a baseball career-pausing injury, Ryan, he never anticipated the problem keeping him awake at night was the noises from his parents’ bedroom and the antics caused by the steamy book his mother was reading for her book club. Deciding to complain to quirky librarian Sloane, these two have an unusual meeting between a trespassing llama, magnetic attraction, and off the charts chemistry. This caused an undeniable tension between them right off the bat, with underlying exchanges of sarcasm and irritation. Their banter was hysterical and entertaining even the stereotypes they had about each other; which they quickly set straight as they got closer thanks to being paired together to decorate a float for the town’s Halloween parade. This was a story of two people finding somewhere to belong; Sloane who was looking for somewhere to belong after spending all of her life going places in search of a home, and Ryan, for a life outside baseball, which had always been his whole life. It was sad how she felt like she didn't fit in with anyone or anywhere, always being left out. Ryan is fully committed to returning to his baseball career, while Sloane wants to set down roots with someone who won’t put her second. It was heartwarming how they found in each other a friend, a lover, and a home, as well as being at a point where they needed to open their eyes and find alternates paths to have what they want while still wanting each other. Ms. London wrote a fun, emotional, and sizzling romance that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with emotions, sizzling chemistry, clever banter, laugh out loud scenes, and charming characters giving Sloane and Ryan a chance at love and forever. I highly recommend Kissing Games to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I absolutely LOVED Kissing Games, the second book in her Kissing Creek series! I loved every moment on every page of Kissing Games and could not put it down. I was pleased that each book in the series is a standalone and that I did not have to have read the first books in her series to enjoy Kissing. Stefanie London did not disappoint her readers with Kissing Games and has once again delivered a wonderful love story filled with everything that I love in love story. Who doesn't love hot sexy men, who make you swoon, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another, and wonderful characters? One of my favorite parts of the book is how she incorporates the picture on the cover of the book into the love story. Stefanie London has once again shown that she in an amazing storyteller. I really enjoy how she writes her stories in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love knowing what the main characters are thinking and feeling. My favorite moments in Kissing Games are the lighter moments where I found myself smiling and laughing out loud. I also love the parts that pull at my heartstrings and cause me to sigh, as I read the heartbreaking moments. Kissing Games is filled with such moments, and with so much more. Kissing Games is a love at first sight love story between Ryan Bower, pitcher for the professional baseball team the Toronto Blizzards and Sloane Rickman, librarian, and coordinator of the Believe in Your Shelf book club. Ryan has returned home to Kissing Creek to rest and rehab his injured ACL. Ryan’s mother, Gaye is reading the current book club selection, Stormy Pleasures. Ryan is frustrated by his parents trying out the positions detailed in the book. Ryan heads to the library, is immediately smitten with the quirky, dinosaur loving librarian, Sloane. Sloane informs Ryan that all the library’s copies of Stormy Pleasures have been checked out by the book club members. Sloane ends up lending Ryan her copy of the book. As Ryan spends time with Sloane, discussing the book, and helping her build a float for Halloween parade, things quickly heat up between them. Sloane is not interested in a long-term romance with Ryan, since his places a higher priority on his job than he does on those he loves which does not sit well with Sloane. Growing up Sloane was constantly moving because of her mother’s job, that eventually ended with the divorce of her parents. Sloane has fallen in love with Kissing Creek and is putting down roots, but Ryan is not interested in settling in his hometown. They each admit their true feeling for one another. Ryan returns to Toronto, but soon realizes that he misses Sloane. I love all the little surprises the Ryan does for Sloane, especially helping her find a new friend, Trudy. I love the heart-to-heart conversation that Sloane has with her father, where helps her resolve some of the issues from her childhood. I love Sloane and Ryan’s love story, and how Ryan’s grand gesture proves to Sloane that he wants her to be part of his life. My favorite line is when Ryan tells Sloane that “you’re everything I had no idea I wanted”. I love that changes that Sloane makes in her life to be able to embrace Ryan and the Bowers. Stefanie London creates such wonderful and memorable characters and has once again done this in Kissing Games. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Kissing Games, the characters feel like family and friends. I enjoy all the interactions with the Bowers, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. I loved the bittersweet and poignant moments, that I have come to love and expect in a Stefanie London love story. Kissing Games was a wonderful love story. I highly recommend this love at first sight love store. Looking forward to reading the first book as well as reading the next love book in the series.