Title: Every Kiss
Author: Tasha Ivey
Synopsis
After witnessing Makenna’s journey to find herself again, Callie is reminded of her own struggles with love. No, Wes wasn’t always the easy going guy that he is today. He was moody and unpredictable in the worst of ways, and she was certain to call him out on it every chance she got. Looking back, she’s amazed at how much their lives have changed since they met.
Before tragedy shook them to the very core of their lives. Before her dream career began. And before Wes wasn’t a broody jerk with a closet full of personalities.
Yes, just four years ago, everything was different…
Makenna and Shane are just a couple of lovesick college students, and Callie is doing her best to keep up with the demands of her junior year. Life is boring, and she is totally fine with that. But boring flies right out the window the day Makenna cons Callie into helping with Shane’s brother’s birthday party. She expects a gangly pimple-faced teenager, but Wes is far from it. He is temperamental and opinionated, but he is also incredibly hot and thoroughly enjoys pushing her buttons. And she pushes his right back.
Even though their undeniable attraction draws them to one another, Wes is clear with Callie about one thing. Relationships are off limits. Friendship is all he has to offer, unless of course, Callie is willing to add a few benefits to that. He works hard to keep the reasons for his aversion hidden, but secrets have a way of making themselves known sometimes, no matter how deep you bury them.
Two of those secrets hold the key to unlocking Wes’ fears of the ultimate betrayal. And the other secret has Callie falling even deeper than she ever dreamed.
But she’s unsure of one thing . . . is she enough to save him from himself?
Excerpt
“I don’t think we’ve met before. Name’s Jake. You?”
I turn to the mountain of man approaching me. Whoa. Talk about sex on a stick. With a face, body, and voice like that, this guy isn’t melting hearts when he walks into a room . . . he’s melting panties. “Pleased to meet you, Jake.” I hold out my hand to shake his. “I’m Callie.”
He lifts my hand to brush his lips across my knuckles before releasing my hand. “The pleasure is all mine, gorgeous.” Yep. Definitely panty-melting. “Wes and I have been best friends since we were playing Kiss Chase in first grade. We’d take turns helping each other corner the girl we wanted to kiss. How do you know him?”
“Really, I don’t. I just met him this afternoon. His brother is dating my best friend, Makenna.”
“Oh, yeah? I saw him with her earlier. Cute girl. So, which lucky guy are you here with?”
I open my mouth to answer, but I’m silenced by the appearance of Wes at my side.
“She’s here with me,” he says with a slight chill in his voice. His words stun me, and I can’t figure out what the hell to say to that.
Jake belly laughs and punches Wes’ shoulder. “Oh, man. Does Allison know that? Because I have a feeling she doesn’t like to share. She certainly doesn’t look too pleased with you right now.”
I whip my head in the direction of Jake’s gaze and see Allison perched on a bar stool, glaring in our direction. Her too-pink lips are tightly pursed, and she’s shooting daggers at him. At me. I’m not sure which.
“I don’t mean ‘with me’ in that way,” Wes says, shaking his head. “I mean she’s off limits to you. She’s off limits to all of the assholes here. You make sure and remember that.” He points his finger at his chest.
I clamp my hand around his wrist. “Excuse me. Can I talk to you for a second? In private?”
He jerks his head toward the stairs and stalks over to Allison. “Be right back,” I hear him grumble. He follows me across the room, occasionally grabbing my shoulders to steer me around the crush of bodies or a staggering drunk. I hear his footsteps following mine up the stairs, and I’m thrown into the sudden realization of what this looks like to everyone watching. If the cat calls and whistles are any indication, I’d almost bet the rumor mill is already circulating. Great.
I turn down the corridor toward my room, but he grabs my elbow and pulls me into his instead. Shutting the door behind us, he sits at the edge of his bed and looks up at me, waiting.
“What the hell was that down there, Wes? I’m with you? I appreciate your help and all, but I don’t need you cock-blocking for me.” I feel my pulse firing rapidly in my chest, but I can’t figure out if it’s because I’m angry at him or if it’s because I’m alone with him. In his bedroom.
Review
"I know exactly how you feel because it's there in every kiss."
Tasha Ivey had me hooked in the Prologue, Callie and Wes were in Every Breath so I knew how their story ended. But, I was not anticipating the journey the author took me on. It is kind of funny. I knew how it ended and yet I found myself reading into the late night and white knuckling my Kindle.
The author has done another great job at giving us an original and unique story line. I was surprised to see the troubles that faced Callie and Wes in the beginning of their relationship. After reading Every Breath, I thought that Callie and Wes had a normal start. Boy, was I wrong.
This book took me on a ride that I wasn't expecting and I absolutely loved it. Wesley, this man was infuriating. I wanted to jump right into my Kindle and slap some sense into him. I also wanted to hug him and tell him how wonderful he was. In the end I was in love with him, I am so glad he found Callie.
Callie, I loved her spunk in Every Breath and was pleasantly surprised to see that she was like this all along. She is one hell of a fighter and I'm so glad to see she never gave up.
I made a FB post when I was about 80% into this book. It said, "So, I'm reading a book which is the second in a series. I know how it ends. Yet, I find myself white knuckling my Kindle and cursing the author for taking me on this journey with her. That my friends is great writing." I still feel this way today writing this review. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful this story is. It is funny, sweet and intense. I recommend this series to everyone. Every Kiss is just as good, if not better than Every Breath. I am so glad that Tasha Ivey is writing more of this series and can't wait for the next book.
I give this book 5 Tiffany Blue Stars!! (You'll get this reference after reading) ~Jen
About the author...
Tasha Ivey is a literature fanatic, whose love for the written word fostered her development into the writer she has become. A lover of an extremely erratic mixture of literature, she has been influenced by authors from Jane Austen and E.M. Forster to Charlaine Harris and Alyson Noel. But her biggest influence and literary hero? Nicholas Sparks. Aside from writing, since she doesn't have anything other than a shriveled up prune on the left side of her brain, she prefers to spend her time being creative in other ways like painting, cake decorating, and various types of crafts. That is, if the constant voices streaming through her head allow her to stop making up stories for a while. Lucky for her, she has a huge supportive family, including her amazing husband and two kids, who doesn't complain too much when she hangs out with her characters more than she does with them. Sophie, the dog, however . . . she does complain. A lot.
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