Review: LOVED IT!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 30, 2012
4.75 StarsI'll admit I was really nervous about reading and reviewing this book. Not because I thought it would be bad but I really, really, really loved the last book in this series (Just For Fun) so I worried if I'd like this one as much and also because I wondered how Erin was going to deal with Kevin's faith and still write the hot and steamy sex scenes we've all come to expect and enjoy. Let me state flat out, that she delivered big time on both counts and there was no reason for my concern. On top of that she brought to light that while so many people "talk the talk" of faith, very few "walk the walk" and live their faith day in and day out without being preachy or condescending to others. Erin Nicholas has managed to write a book about a man who pledged to himself and God to be a better man, stuck by those beliefs even while being teased by well meaning friends, helped those friends and others unselfishly and without expecting anything in return, and then reaches out to help his half brother he just found out about AND reconnect with the woman who is still his wife despite the fact they he thought their marriage had been annulled 14 years ago and yet, he still maintains his faith.Right about now some of you are thinking, "Yeah right, no man is that good" but you'd be wrong. From book one (Just Right), Kevin Campbell has been there holding steadfast, offering help, advice, and just being there for anyone who needs him. Kevin is the epitome of a good, solid Christian man. Now, that's not to say he's not a man because he proves how much a man he is over and over in this book! I've admired Kevin from the beginning of this series, despite everything he's maintained his friendship with his wild friends and watched those friends fall in love and some even marry. He's never judged, he might have made some suggestions from time and time but he didn't judge. Kevin had somewhat of a wild past but for the past eight years he's lived a pure life; no drinking, no sex, and for the most part no swearing. When he's informed by a social worker that he's still married, he knows he has to get to the bottom of it and since he's moving back to his hometown to take temporary custody of his half-brother, confronting his "wife" won't be difficult.Eve Donnelly (Campbell) is shocked when her not so ex-husband confronts her at her restaurant but she's even more shocked by her reaction to him (I'm pretty sure he was a little shocked as well). When she finds out that Kevin is a devout Christian, she is concerned what is reaction will be when he finds out she's lost her faith. However, she realizes that he needs her help and since she's never really given up on the fact that he's "the one" for her, she decides to help him with his brother, Drew. Since Drew's Mom worked for her, she already knows him and she decides that the more she's around, the easier it will be to make Kevin realize they belong together.It's hard to me to decide what I liked best about this story because there were so many great parts. I love that Kevin was so unsure about so much, it made him seem more human, but it was gut wrenching when he messed up and beat himself up over it. He so wants to be perfect and when he realizes he's not, it's hard to watch. Eve's loss of faith, which I can really and truly understand, was difficult because deep down, I don't think she wanted to be disconnected from her church but so many bad things that happened to her she related to the church and her minister father. Then there is Drew, a precocious and brilliant ten year old boy whose life is turned upside down yet he manages to console and counsel both Kevin and Eve. He is truly a remarkable character and I hope we get to see more of him in the future. I can't deny that I enjoyed every minute spent with the gang from the first four books because they are always entertaining but what I loved most is that they let Kevin know how much they appreciate him and how much they admire him for his convictions in this book. They've teased him for years, but it's pretty apparent they did so with love and they are there to support him when he really needs it. I'd be wrong to not mention Pastor Bryan and say that I wish there were more men of the cloth out there like him.I know many of you are wondering about the love scenes because well this is an Erin Nicholas book and Kevin is a devout Christian, but remember these two are MARRIED. While they may have been apart for the last 14 years, they have no problem making up for lost time. Whew, do they ever make up! Suffice it to say that although Kevin has been celibate for 8 years, he hasn't forgotten anything and Eve, well she's learned a thing or two or three since their last time together.I often wonder how some authors manage to get it right time and time again, but Erin Nicholas has done it once again. Just A Kiss contains characters both old and new blending together seamlessly to create an outstanding cast, superior dialog that is both witty and at times heart breaking, and a message that no matter what your faith; living it day in and day out will make the world a better place. How can anyone not want to try and live that message?Review copy provided for an honest review.