First Kiss [Mass Market Paperback]

FIRST KISS is the second book that I have read in this series of books by Marilyn Pappano. The general theme that ties these novels together is that they take place in the small town of Bethlehem, New York, where everyone knows everyone. In this novel, Multimillionaire Tom Flynn meets the gorgeous and successful Holly McBride, who also is known by the town to have a tarnished reputation.

Tom has just turned 40, and he's achieved most of the goals on his "to do" list, including becoming a multi-millionaire. The only two goals left to reach are "get married" and "fall in love". When he sees Holly at his small private birthday gathering with best friends Ross and Maggie, he decides that Holly is going to be the one. Now, if only Holly will cooperate.

Holly's philosophy has always been love them and leave them. Never getting closer to a man than a healthy sexual relationship, she has dated and bedded nearly every man in town. Tom has been one man that has eluded her, and she has an itch to get him into bed too. Unfortunately, she soon finds out that Tom wants more than just sex, and she is not very pleased with this turn of events.

As Tom and Holly do their little dance of love and enticement, the rest of the town watches in anticipation. In the meantime, Holly is dealing with her restaurant business and a new girl that she's hired out of pity, Bree. Bree is more than any employer can handle, but Holly keeps her on for some reason. Holly also is dealing with an alcoholic mother who keeps reappearing into her life at the wrong moments. Both of them, though, agree - there is something about Bree that they can't quite make out, and they wonder if they have met her before.

FIRST KISS was yet another enjoyable romance by Marilyn Pappano. Her style is reminiscent of the series by Debbie Macomber, where each novel continues on with the stories of the people living in this particular town. However, where Macomber's novels failed to spark anything in me, the Pappano novels I highly recommend. They each are self-contained, but can be even more enjoyable if read in chronological order, so as to slowly get to know the people of Bethlehem, New York and the ties that bind them to each other. I have not been following this advice; nevertheless, the books are just as enjoyable read out of order as they are in order. Thumbs up for FIRST KISS!

Many of us know someone who has sacrificed their personal life for their work or who believes that marriage will never be for them again. Here is a chance to meet two people who learn how to make up for lost time. With a quick wish, Holly gets more than she bargains for in Tom. A quick fun read, a great beach, bathtub or any other time for "relaxing without stress" book.