Book Review: With This Kiss by Bella Riley

With This Kiss

By Bella Riley 

Release Date: March 1, 2012

Summary: Love can find you when you least expect it . . . Fireworks. That's what innkeeper Rebecca Campbell wants. And no matter how close their friendship, she and her former fianc never shared that. Now, with a broken engagement behind her and a promise she's vowed to keep, Rebecca is determined to make a new life for herself in Emerald Lake. She just never expected sparks to fly this quickly . . . Coming home and falling for his little brother's girl wasn't Sean Murphy's plan. Rebecca's sweet smile and kind heart make Sean feel at home-something he's never felt before. But a secret lingers between them, and no matter how powerful their attraction, Sean can't give his heart to a woman he can't trust. Or can he? As the days pass, Rebecca and Sean find it harder and harder to deny their desire. And they are in beautiful Emerald Lake, the perfect place for falling in love...


Review: Bella Riley's books are just so gosh darn cute! In With This Kiss, we follow the journey of Rebecca, who is Andi's best friend (from Home Sweet Home). Rebecca was supposed to be marrying Stu, her best friend from college, but they realize they never really loved each other, so the wedding is off and Stu runs away. Now, Rebecca is left by herself to tell everyone the news while wishing she could have the firework-romance she's always longed for. Sean, Stu's older brother, didn't hear about the cancelation and showed up to the inn Rebecca worked at for the wedding. Fortunately for Sean and Rebecca, with one look at each other, they were both gone. 

Sean is such a hard, non-emotional man, harboring a secret of his mother's from 20 years ago that has ruined any chance of trust for any woman in his life. Meeting Rebecca is surely a change in what he's grown comfortable with in his life and he has no idea how to deal with his new feelings. I love how Rebecca is so honest and not afraid to say what she thinks. She wears her heart on her sleeve and I admire her courage and loyalty to everyone in her life, even to those who have hurt her. Rebecca's strength and honesty did get her in trouble at times, but it's what made Sean fall for her even harder. Sean and Rebecca's attraction was undeniable, so it was so fun watching them deal with the feelings that they were fighting hard against. 

I absolutely loved the setting of the novel, taking place at an inn in Emerald Lake. Everything about it is quant and serene; it's a place where anyone would love to stay to just get away from everything in the world. It fit Rebecca's personality perfectly and was the perfect place for Sean to go to next after he sold his business. After reading this book, I wished I could check into a room at Emerald Lake and wait for the dark and mysterious stranger to move in down the hall. It worked for Rebecca, so why not me? If you're in the mood for a feel-good, cute romance, then check out any of Bella Riley's books! You're bound to be left with a smile on your face :)