Once Upon a Kiss (Book Club Belles Society)
Fresina (Miss Molly Robbins Designs Seduction, 2014) tries her hand at a Pride and Prejudice remake in this fun historical tale. Justina Penny is a member of her quiet English village’s Book Club Belles. She has just read a brand-new, scandalous romance entitled Pride and Prejudice, and she can’t believe her sister and friends do not see the appeal of Wickham. Of course, Justina is a mischievous minx, who tried to resolve the question of nuptials on a family vacation by jumping nearly naked into the bed of the man of her choice. But the wrong man was in the bed! She planned to never ever see Darius Wainwright again, and he cannot believe it when he finds the same wild girl stealing apples from the estate he inherited. Darius takes a kiss as payment. He and she are then drawn together despite gossiping villagers and interfering family. Feisty dialogue and strong-willed characters make for funny romantic antics and a winning love story as Fresina freshens up a classic plot. --Amy Alessio