First Kiss at Christmas: A Holiday Romance Novel

First Kiss at Christmas, by Lee Tobin McClain, book five in The Off Season series, is a wonderful, sweet romance that tugs at the heartstrings. Tony DeNunzio a military veteran, who blames himself for his sister's drug-related death, is now caring for his four-year-old traumatized and orphaned nephew, Jax. They are the latest occupants of Victory Cottage, a place for healing and new beginnings. After a run-in with early childhood teacher, Kayla Harris, at a point when his patience is wearing thin and his nephew is acting out, makes him wonder if Pleasant Shores is the right place for him and his traumatized nephew. Maybe he should just go back home and take the social work job waiting for him at the VA, but Jax needs time to heal from a tragedy and seems to connect with the sweet school teacher.The year is drawing to a close, and Kayla has little time left to achieve the resolution she made at the beginning of the year, to finally get her first kiss. With few prospects in their small coastal town she believes she will never get that kiss. As Kayla welcomes Jax into her classroom and his uncle volunteers with the preschoolers, she realizes there's so much more to the man than his stoic, protective outer shell. Maybe this newcomer is the answer to her prayers. I loved watching Kayla and Tony overcome their emotional baggage from the past and find their way to one another and to building a family with Jax. With small-town charm and endearing, secondary characters, this beautiful, inspiring, feel-good story with a dash of suspense, filled full of redemption, love, forgiveness and second chances, is the perfect reminder of the true spirit of the holidays. I totally enjoyed and highly recommend First Kiss at Christmas to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This is part of a series and reading it made me want to go back and find the other books I have missed. Kayla Harris is a preschool teacher who has never been kissed. No, not kidding! Twenty five and never been kissed! She encounters Tony DiNunzio when he enrolls his nephew in her class. The little boy is precocious and suffering from being recently orphaned and in some ways is a center of the story. Kayla and Toni become allies in helping his nephew succeed and overcome fears and then they become friends and then…well, it’s predictable, but so much fun getting there. The story was entertaining and well-written, with just a hint of mystery and a lot of clean romance. My favorite scenes were at the holiday dance when Kayla reminded me of Cinderella, complete with an evil stepsister (actually just a former classmate) who has set her sights on Tony. The dialogue between Kayla and Tony is realistic, setting a tone of humor as well as a deep need to be understood and accepted. The themes of acceptance, forgiving others and yourself and looking forward to a brighter future are all uplifting and just what is needed for the upcoming holiday. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

A beautiful story of an uncle who is now guardian of Jax a young four year old boy. Kayla would be his teacher. An learning of what was best for this little boy at home or at school. Trust, dreams are made to be a family at Christmas when it all began. To celebrate with the first kiss, the first of many things. It was very well written , with a lot of tender movements, trying to do your best to be a father and by being open about the boy’s past Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion