"You made me believe in love at first kiss." - Carina Rose, Once Upon A Kiss
Can we talk about this cover? I mean, who doesn't want to be the character on the cover of this book! Big beach hat, soft sand, clear blue water and a nice tan... ah, now that's what dreams are made of! Add in a handsome, loyal, loving man and you've got the fairy tale right there!
Before saying too much more, I do want to say thank you to author Carina Rose and RRR Promotion as I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading Once Upon A Kiss! I didn't realize this was Carina Rose's first book until after I'd completed the book and wanted to read a little more about this author. She is a skilled writer who's able to transport you to this tropical paradise with a dreamy man and clear blue ocean water at the drop of her pen/fingers on her keyboard. After reading Once Upon A Kiss, I am so tempted to find a resort and make a reservation for the dead of winter! What a nice relief that would be!
This book starts off with Lacey going off on a solo vacation that was originally meant to be spent with her lying, cheating ex-boyfriend.
With a push from her friends, Lacey decided to step out of her comfort zone and go on this trip on her own. She never expected to run into Kevin, the cheating ex she left at home. Not a full day into her tropical resort vacation and bam! She sees Kevin with the girl he cheated on her with, living it up at the resort, but Lacey also meets Drew. You know early on that Drew is a good guy with the way he was so willing to help Lacey in a tough situation. Not that he was really complaining, though ;)
During the course of the next few days, Drew gallantly offers to act as Lacey's boyfriend to keep Kevin away.
One of my favorite scenes of the book is when Kevin approaches Lacey as he and his "girlfriend" are checking out of the hotel after a few days. He tells Lacey that she can drop the charade because he's leaving and she doesn't have to keep pretending with Drew. He also says a few more hurtful, snide comments to Lacey and Drew literally has to be pulled back from his friend Ethan before he decks Kevin in the face. I don't often condone violence, but Drew standing up for Lacey and threatening to hurt that lying, cheating, jerk made me have to fan my face a little!
Lacey has happily accepted Drew's willingness to be her fake boyfriend, but has a hard time now deciphering if Drew is really acting or is truly interested in her.
The longer time goes on, Drew and Lacey continue to spend their time inseparable at Spero (the resort). As the trip occurs in December, a little before Christmas, they are even able to be a part of a big Christmas party the resort does for kids in orphanages in the local village who wouldn't receive any presents without the donations of the resort owners and hotel guests.
This was a really sweet part of the book. I loved that Lacey and Drew were on the same page with how they felt about these kids and wanting to help them have a great Christmas. I mean, how could you not fall in love with a man who selects 20 angels off of a paper angel tree and then happily goes shopping with you to buy all sorts of gifts for them?
I loved that there was common theme, throughout the book, of giving and charity and helping others. I loved that they had that in common and just the hope and encouragement it shares. Maybe it'll even motivate readers to want to go and be a part of something to help others in their community!
Anyway, the story continues on.
The nagging question hangs over their heads about what happens when the trip is done. Will they go home after a fun vacation fling? Maybe a one night stand? Will they try something as difficult as a long distance relationship? I'm not going to answer this question for you because I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I do think you should check out the book and find out how it ends! Throughout the last half of the book, I was waffling myself on what I thought the final answer would be. Would Lacey be willing to let down all of her fears and insecurities to truly accept and be happy with a man like Drew? Is Drew as ready to settle down as he may think he is?
If you're interested, below is the link for Once Upon A Time!
Happy reading, friends!!
