21 Stolen Kisses by Lauren Blakely Genres: City & Town Life, Contemporary, Fiction, Friendship, General, Lifestyles, Love & Romance, New Adult, Romance, Social Issues, Young Adult
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA Publication Date: May 26th 2015
Pages: 272
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When I first met him I resisted.
Like any forbidden love, I told myself he was a crush, and it would pass.
That was a lie. It never faded.And I never expected he would fall for me just as hard.
There were so many reasons that should have kept us apart, least of all, the decade that separated us. Growing up in New York City, I learned early on that love is a double-edged sword. Love broke up my parents, love took away my friends, and love — the big, intense, never-been-like-this-before love — landed me in therapy. Now I’m heading to college, and it’s time to give love a clean slate again. But, can I really start over when he’s still in my life Because the one man I’ve always wanted, is also the only guy I absolutely can’t have…And he wants me just as fiercely.
Can I settle for anything less than the love of my life?
I am a huge Lauren Blakely fan and this book surprised me. In a good way. In a way that had me shaking my head, discussing with my husband and continuing late into the night. You might ask why…that’s an easy answer. This book is a departure from Lauren’s other books. We usually get dominant alphas with headstrong heroines and blistering hot sex. In 21 Stolen Kisses, Lauren dives into the New Adult genre and tackles a relationship between an older guy and a younger girl. How young you ask….17 and he is 25. I wasn’t sure how this story would go but I an tell you that I loved it.
The story of Kennedy and Noah isn’t just about sex, this is actually a love story. Both of these people are looking for real love since both have pasts that have warped their perceptions of normal relationships. The more you read the more you understand why they were attracted to each other. Over the course of the book, they fall in love deeply over a shared love of Broadway musicals. They meet secretly because they are worried about other’s perceptions of their relationship and the potential fallout.
I love that Lauren Blakely didn’t make this easy for Kennedy and Noah and the reader could feel it every step of the way. A relationship with this age gap and all the issues from their past and present would be almost impossible to hold together. Their story took my breath multiple times and made my heart hurt. But the ride was worth it. This was a beautiful love story and a journey of self discovery for both Kennedy and Noah. I loved this book and applaud Lauren Blakely for writing their story.
This unconventional, almost quirky kind of love story between Kennedy and Noah is told in alternating POV’s with descriptions of those stolen kisses placed lovingly between chapters. This is a couple who, despite their age difference, are completely perfect for one another. Their shared love of Broadway musicals and the songs that capture each other’s moods had me falling for them in a most unexpected way. Having to meet secretly, never knowing when they could see each other. Surviving not one but two breakups along the way, Kennedy and Noah only felt alive when they could be in each other’s presence. Their clandestine meetings often felt pained. All they wanted was the freedom to be together and not care who knew.
This book is not about the seduction of a younger girl and the passion shared between them. On the contrary it’s the joyful union of two souls who are desperate to find that path that will let them love each other without any guilt or shame. I loved that it wasn’t about sex or physical intimacy. Kennedy and Noah loved each other’s minds and the sweet gestures that showed their commitment to each other. Stolen texts, heartwarming pictures sent late at night. They had a bond that refused to be broken.
Their journey is not an easy one and at times I did not know where the storyline would lead or if I would be satisfied at the conclusion. The extremely well written characters drew me in from the start and I honestly loved that it wasn’t obvious how it would all turn out. I was happily held captive by the author’s words and Kennedy’s and Noah’s actions at the end spoke louder than I thought possible.
It is a wonderful and unique book that I am honored to have been able to read. Lauren Blakely continues to floor me with her talent and she will always be a go-to author for me.
I highly recommend you reading 21 Stolen Kisses. It will warm your heart and make you smile.
