Review: Atypical Historical Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 6, 2014
I loved this novella.  It's rather short; the story actually ends at about 83%.  It's completely different from the usual formulary historical romance novella, but in a wonderful way.  The book tells the story of a love that develops and grows from friendship into love over a period of about fifteen years.In the beginning of the book we meet Gillian, who is preparing to leave her home after her father has died. Through Gillian's reminiscing we meet Chad, and learn about his relationship with Gillian.  During her ruminations, Gillian thinks of four significant instances over the years all of which surround a single kiss.  Chad and Gillian become friends as children...ages 13 and 9 respectively.  The reader is made privy to the circumstances surrounding how the two meet and become friends.  It is at this age the two share their first kiss.Fast forward approximately five years.  Chad has now inherited his father's Earldom and will be heading off to London to take his place in society.  There is a very poignant scene as the two say goodbye to each other, and the second kiss occurs.  From there we jump ahead approximately another five years...and so on and so forth, until we get to the fifth kiss.The telling of the story of each kiss is always accompanied by a snippet of the events that occurred, during the time period surrounding the kiss. It is through these ruminations of Gillian's that we get to know Chad, as he doesn't actually make an appearance until the very end of the story.  But for me it was enough; I felt like I knew what kind of person Chad really was.On some level, "The Five Kisses" is Chad's coming of age story; it reveals the trials he has to endure while trying to find himself as he grows from young adult into manhood.  In the end, all Chad had to do to find himself was return home to Gillian...sigh!I do think the ending could've been a bit more romantic... I thought the point where Chad realizes he loves Gillian was a bit abrupt.  Nevertheless, IMO this book is excellently done.  Overall it is a very sweet, very poignant story; it made me cry at times.  I was very happy when Gillian finally got her HEA with Chad.  BTW this is a clean romance.