PRICE OF A KISS
by Linda Kage
Publisher: Self-Published (August 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Format: eBook (373 pages)
Source: Free book from author for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5 stars)
I don’t care what my cousin says; I am not the queen of impossible relationships. I mean, just because my last boyfriend tried to kill me and left a bit of a scar on my neck, then forced me to move across the country and legally change my name to Reese Randall to escape him, does not mean—
Oh, who am I kidding? For a freshman in college, I have to have the worst dating track record ever.
It’s no wonder love is the last thing on my mind when Mason Lowe enters my life. But the chemistry between us is like bam! Our connection defies logic. And he’s just so freaking hot. Being around him makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before. I even like bickering with him. He could be my soul mate…except for one teeny tiny glitch.
He’s a gigolo.
Boy, do I know how to pick them.
At A Glance
Loved the beginning and kept my interest but the ending was cheesy and anti-climactic.
The Good
I have to admit, I missed a chance to be on Price of a Kiss‘s blog tour so I totally wrote the author and asked if she would be willing to offer me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Linda wrote back right away and I can tell you she is one of the sweetest, most humble authors I have ever talked to. And I am so happy I took the chance and asked her for a copy because Price of a Kiss ended up being a sweet, funny romance that kept a smile on my face.
I just fell in love with this concept right away. An ex-boyfriend with killing tendencies and a yummy gigolo. Never seen something like this before. I loved learning about Mason and how he became a gigolo. The fear of the ex-boyfriend possibly finding Reese gave the whole story amazing tension. The writing flowed well and the dialogue was funny but also heartfelt.
I totally loved Reese’s sense of humor. She had a dorky personality and she embraced that fact. I could easily see myself being friends with her. She had a rough past, one with abuse, but she was amazingly resilient. She had her fears but she fought them. I loved how she embraced Mason. She had her doubts, but she realized her prejudices were silly and befriended him with open arms. I really admired her because even I would have held some things Mason did against him. Not because he was a gigolo, I was totally cool with that, but near the end of the novel he made a mistake and I would have ended the relationship because of it. But Reese had a huge heart and saw Mason as the broken man he was and fixed him.
Mason got on my nerves in the beginning but he ended up being pretty charming and sweet. He had a lot of depth to him. But he also had a lot of self-disgust and anger. He hated what he was, what he had to do. But why he became a gigolo was pretty honorable. Mason had his flaws but he always tired to do what he felt was best. I think he just needed that someone special to love him no matter what, and Reese gave him that.
Price of a Kiss really is a cute story with a whole bunch of emotions behind it. I felt like I was put on an emotional rollercoaster but that’s what made it so exciting and intense. Even the side characters brought a lot to this book. Mason’s sister was AMAZING and I loved to hate Eva, Reese’s cousin.
The Bad
Mason got on my damn nerves sometimes. The whole martyr thing just got under my skin. He would say things like (not actual quotes): “I can’t be with you because you are too good for me. I don’t want to taint you. I’m doing this for you.” Come on! He made so many excuses for not being with Reese it was ridiculous. This guy could give any girl a complex.
The ending was so anti-climactic. And it got a little gooey, as in cheesy. The storyline for the ex-boyfriend who tried to kill Reese really fizzled out. I was expecting more on that front.
The Snuggly
I have to admit, I was expecting more sex. It starts off kinda hot (and a little creepy) and we get one full steamy sex scene near the end, but that’s it.The middle gave us almost no sexy time. However, Mason and Reese are just the cutest together. They clicked perfectly and were both a little dorky.
Final Thoughts
If the ending was more exciting, Price of a Kiss would have been a 4 star book for sure. It’s just such a fun, interesting read. Something different too. I would read more on Mason and Reese if a book 2 came out. Very recommended.
“If you love someone enough, you can make them invincible. Like your feelings for them are so strong they work as a magical shield, protecting them from all harm and pain.”
“You’re the warm sun that shines when everything else is dark,” he went on, lifting his hands to rest them on the wall on either side of my face. “A smile and a hug in a roomful of disapproval. You’re…” Wincing, he pressed his forehead against mine. “You’re everything.”
“See, your laugh is exactly what’s keeping me away, woman. I just want to kiss those lips and hoard that sound all to myself.”
“So, you don’t give out freebies? Like ever?” That just sounded so bizarre to me. I would’ve thought a gigolo would be a complete man-whore, even off the clock.
But when his jaw went dead still as he stopped chewing and he said, “Are you…asking for one?”
Elisa
Ah, that sounds cute. I like it when a romantic couple are dorky together 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I agree, dorky couples are the cutest.
Trish Hannon
Sounds like a very cute read and fun! Even reading the synopsis makes me smile 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Hope you get a chance to read it.
Braine TS
an ex bf like that and a gigolo? Quite a mix of characters there. That mason sounds so melodramatic I think he’ll make me want to thump my reader. Fun review here, Jennifer, the author would appreciate your thoughts even if you missed the tour.
Jennifer Bielman
🙂 Thanks girl. Yeah, Mason could be melodramatic at time.
Giselle
Whoa this concept definitely has me intrigued as soon as I read it, too! Killing tendencies especially – I mean hello I’m the biggest Dexter fan! 😀 But I love how this is a cute, romantic read with the ex-bf and everything. It sounds like just what I look for when I’m in need of a change of pace from my generally darker reads! Plus any MC with an awesome sense of humor is someone I’ll enjoy as a narrator! Great review, Jennifer!
Jennifer Bielman
Hells yeah, Dexter is the Sh*t! How did you like the final? I was a little disappointed.
kimbacaffeinate
Despite how cute Mason and Reese are the cheesy ending has me thinking I will skip this one, loved your review and yes we need more sexy time…LOL
Jennifer Bielman
hehe, yeah, if you are not into the cheese, maybe skip it.
Berls
I’m on the fence with this one. The concept is great and I do like happy stories, but I think Mason would be an extremely frustrating character for me. And an anti-climatic ending is so frustrating. Great review!
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, I’m not sure what some people will think of this one. You have to love the characters to be okay with what this book lacked.
Mia
Haven’t heard about this one, but I may give this one a shot during some downtime. Was the lack of sex a distraction or was it just something you noticed by the end of the book? I ask because some authors are amazing at building sexual tension between 2 characters and somehow can get away with only writing a sex scene or two. But then there are other authors that completely miss the mark and you end up feeling frustrated and disappointed with the lack of sex. Just curious!
Awesome review as always, Jennifer!
Mia @ The Muses Circle
Jennifer Bielman
It wasn’t a distraction at all, I just think I was in the mood for a more sexy book. Plus, with the concept, I did expect more.
Jaclyn Canada
I am really glad you liked this one, it does sound unique. Reese seems like an adorkable character that would be relatable. Mason seems like a character that would definitely have some depth, just not sure how I would feel at all being in that real-world situation. Excellent review! Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks girl. I really did love the characters at the end.
Chene Sterckx
What a great review Jennifer 🙂 The ending part sucks but I am intrigued about the completely different and refreshing story line. I agree sometimes the over resistance thing can be OTT but at least it adds to the story. I loved your quotes out of the book 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Happy you enjoyed the quotes, sometimes I suck at picking them out.