Jack & Grace are both going through some rough things when they are brought together for a second chance at love! I enjoyed the small town atmosphere. The main characters were very well developed and I see more books in this series in the future. Which I will definitely look forward to. Annie Rains is a new author to me, but I will be reading more of her books.

“I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.”

Forbidden Kisses by Annie Rains......This was a sweet loving book. I love books that take place in small towns. I really enjoyed seeing the story play out for Grace and Jack. I can't wait to read more in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

Annie Rains returns with the first in a new series, and the angst and drama are perfect for readers who can deal with the ups and downs of a messy family situation. See, Grace was once part of a large blended family, until her mother made several bad choices and broke the family apart. Her divorce not only effected Grace, but removed her from the large and boisterous Sawyer family, and a budding crush on her step-brother Jack. Still in the same town, Jack has been running the family business and he and his brothers, Noah and Sam, have never really recovered or lost the anger they feel when thinking about Grace and her mother. Unfortunately for Grace, she’s never forgotten the Sawyers, or her attraction to Jack. But, the situation is sticky. Like flypaper sticky. And it will only get more complicated when Grace has to find a new job that will allow her to support her now ill, mother.

Jack has hit a crossroad in the business, while things were running well, they were really good, but now little things are starting to fall apart, and he needs an office manager. So much so that as he’s interviewing a potential candidate in the local coffee shop, Grace overhears the interview and decides to throw her hat into the ring. Imagine her surprise when she sees that it is Jack, her former step-brother, from the family her mother betrayed, doing the hiring.

From here, you can almost guess the plot: hidden / forbidden attraction still strong, revisited anger over events long passed and plenty of tension as Jack and Grace work toward a ‘new normal’ and allow the relationship to grow. And that would be simple if only Grace hadn’t insisted on ‘secrets and lies”. Lies to those she claims to care for, lies to hide their relationship, lies to herself about just how much Jack means to her. It was a TON of lies. And still, Jack is there – a bit too patient, a bit too unwilling to allow her to guide the path of the relationship and not taking charge and just discussing all of the resentment, betrayals, anger and oh so much baggage that comes with years apart. Secondary characters bring plenty of the small-town feel, while adding their own special sauce to the mix of drama and unacknowledged emotions, angers and hurts. Oh there is drama, enough to fill wheelbarrows with old unresolved issues but the thing is – you can actually see it as possible and probable. We’ve all known people who take forever to deal with hurts and snubs, hiding that hurt behind anger, strong statements and brash acts until the actual ‘forgiving’ moments have them so tied in knots that things never proceed smoothly. There are bumps, holes and a few steps backward along the road forward, but the connection between Grace and Jack is so palpable, and they both were more victims in the family rift than actual participants, that the desire for the relationship and a second chance with a new outlook is strong. Different from the first books I’ve read from Annie Rains, the characters bring you to this story and reveal their secrets carefully, first to readers and then to one another as the story progresses.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=”http://wp.me/p3OmRo-8Z4”> <a>I am, Indeed </a>

Jack and Grace had such an interesting dynamic from the beginning. Old flame that never had the chance to burn, lots of emotional baggage between their families and present day complications. I loved watching them forgive each other and fall in love, and everyone on both sides of the divide begin to heal. Looking forward to watching Jack's brothers find love in their own stories!

I made it to chapter 7 but could not go on, This book is so boring and monotonous and slow. Stronger tension between the characters would have been something to keep it going, just not the book for me.

Title: Forbidden Kisses
Series: Blushing Bay #1
Author: Annie Rains
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Second Chance Romance
Publication Date: April 11, 2017
Cliff Hanger: No

4 Stars

*This story is for mature audiences only. Contains scenes intended for adults 18+

Synopsis:
For years, Jack Sawyer’s family has been running their upscale seafood business like a finely tuned machine. But every machine breaks down eventually, and suddenly Jack needs a new office manager, a new kayak launch, and a new lease on life. Then Grace Donner shows up again. She’s smart, motivated, and perfect for the manager position, but if she’s anything like her mom, she can’t be trusted. And Jack has never been able to trust himself around Grace.

Grace hasn’t seen her former stepbrothers since their parents’ messy divorce, but she never forgot them—especially Jack. She misses being part of the big rambunctious Sawyer clan, and if there’s an opportunity to set things right, she means to do it. But she can’t ignore Jack’s irresistibly kissable lips, or the searing way he looks at her when he thinks she’s not looking. Their chemistry is more explosive than ever. And if the Sawyers can forgive and forget, anything is possible.

My Thoughts:
I am a fan of this author and enjoyed her Hero’s Welcome series, so I was excited she is starting the Blushing Bay series. This is going to be a series about the 3 Sawyer brothers, Jack, Noah and Sam. This story is about Jack and Grace.

Now I was a little hesitant about the whole stepbrother – stepsister love, but this is such a sweet and sad story about forbidden love, lost chances, second chances and a whole lot of forgiveness. When Grace’s mother married Jack’s father, life was good. Grace had a ready made family with 3 brothers and great father until her mother made a terrible life altering choice that causes the family to break apart. The Sawyer family is bitter and wants nothing to do with Grace and her mother.

Fast forward and Grace needs a job. Grace is taking care of her mother, as she now is ill and Grace is the sole provider. She just was fired from a lousy waitressing job at a bar because the boss was looking for more from Grace than just an employee, if you know what I mean. She is having coffee at the local coffee house and overhears a man interviewing for an office secretary/manager. Once he concludes the interview she turns around and tells the gentleman that she has the qualifications that she’s looking for. She couldn’t believe her eyes, it was Jack, the stepbrother that she had a crush on years before.

You guessed it Grace got the job and so much more! Now I am not going to give anymore away. There is so much that goes on in this story. The chemistry is palpable! No adult language content or overt sex scenes, but just enough heat to keep you sated, sweet heat. Good character development. I enjoyed the secondary characters and the buildup of the possible characters in the next book in the series. There are secrets, there is some angst between the characters and there are some funny scenes that made me enjoy this story that much more.

This is a good start to a new series! I highly recommend this second chance romance and I look forward to more in this series!

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

What an amazing new book by Annie Rains! It’s a second chance at love novel which is one of my favorites kinds of romance. Leave it to Rains to put a twist on it and make it her own. I loved everything about it….the romance, the characters, and I loved the setting, a coastal town in North Carolina!

I love when a title really tells me what the gist of the story is, and this one was perfect. Jack and Grace have a history, some parts of it were good, and some parts were really bad. Not because of her actions but those of her mother, Tammy. It left Grace losing the only family she has ever known and the boy she loved. She has spent the years since trying to stay clear of the Sawyer family. Her dreams were also squashed when her mother developed Parkinson’s Disease. She needs a job desperately to care for her. Fate steps in, and she finds herself as the office manager at the Sawyer’s successful seafood business, thanks to Jack. The two try to deny their feelings for one another, but it doesn’t last. Neither wants their relationship to be public, more so on Grace’s part. She needs this job, and she’s making progress with all the Sawyer men. She’s missed them desperately, and she thinks she has found a way to make amends for her mother’s awful decisions. What will happen when all the secrets come out, will she still be able to hold on to her family and most importantly, Jack?

I adored both Grace and Jack. Each has their own issues they have to deal with. Grace has trust issues due to the her mother and the Sawyer family. She felt like she was blamed for her mother’s actions. She is strong and has an amazing sense of forgiveness. Her mother’s decisions have caused many of her issues, yet she loves her and takes care of her. I love that Jack made up his mind that he wanted Grace, and he was determined to break down her wall of defenses to get her. Although, he isn’t perfect either. He has a forgiving heart too, even though it takes him a bit longer to act on it.

The chemistry between them was electric! As always, Rains knows how to write a sex scene that is both steamy and shows the love between her characters. With each touch and word spoken, I knew it wasn’t just a sexual connection between Grace and Jack but a connection made in their hearts.

I loved the reoccurring theme of forgiveness and second chances. It wasn’t just about Grace and Jack, but it was about the two of their families finally having some closure. While it was a long road to forgiveness, it was well worth the ride. As always, I loved her secondary characters and how she makes them a huge part of the story which only adds to it and sets up her future novels.

I have been a fan of Annie Rains since I read her first A Hero’s Welcome book. I was hooked from then. She writes romances that are full of depth both in the story itself and her characters. Because of that, she makes me feel like I’m a huge part of each book. These characters are my friends and family. Each time I read her books, I feel like I’m returning home. I definitely can’t wait to return Blushing Bay.

On a personal note, this book is very dear to my heart because of the light she has shed on Parkinson’s Disease. Thank you for that dedication at the end of your book, Annie. My grandmother lived for many years with it. While it is a devastating disease, there is always hope! So, again, thank you!!!!

***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
***Copy provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review***

I’m a sucker for stepbrother-type fictional romances, so when I came across this one, I did not hesitate and I was pleasantly not disappointed. This was an easy read with likable characters with major chemistry, an interesting plot and laugh out moments. Loved it!

Awesome contemporary romance. Jack has been working with his family fishing company for most of his life. His father and brothers all pull together. Suddenly, Grace his former step-sister applies for a job at the company. Due to the fact neither really considered themselves siblings there was always an attraction even as teens. Unfortunately, his dad divorced her mom after several years due to severe problems. Grace has been struggling to care for her mother who now has Parkinson's. Jack's family can't stand her mother or forgive her so where does that leave Jack and Grace? The author did a great job bringing the bits in throughout the story to keep the readers interest. I received a complementary copy of this book via Netgalley and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by this author.

Grace Donner is desperate to find a job to help take care of her mom. The small town she lives in has very few options . She is both eager and reluctant to accept a job offer that has landed in her lap. The biggest problem is the person who is doing the hiring.

Jack Sawyer needs to fill the position his aunt vacated with her retirement. He finds himself being approached by the one person he never expected and probably the one person he should keep at a distance. The problem is now that he's got her back in his life, he can't seem to stay away from her.

I loved this book. It's a little bit of a second chance romance and little bit taboo. The dynamics of the characters had me intrigued and the writing of the book had me hooked right away. I loved how the characters were built and the insight given into their respective roles.

I have read other books by this author and loved every one. I look forward to reading more of her works.

Sweet second chance romance between ex-step siblings that is not as taboo as it may sound. They were family for a short while when they were teens but have avoided each other for the last 15 years after her mother's action caused ended in divorce. There is no denying the chemistry between the two, but years of resentment from Jack's family takes it toll on their relationship. I understand both sides, but I think Grace could have been more patient and understanding with Jack. Overall an enjoyable read and I fell in love with Jack's family. I have been sucked into the world of Blushing Bay and am looking forward to Sam Sawyer's story.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.

I love Annie Rains stories, there is that small town romance charm always present and her characters are always memorable and unique for each book. That small town charm and family bond are still very much present in Forbidden Kisses while both Jack and Grace are great characters. The introduction of a slew of secondary characters is gearing me up that this is a start of great series. The plot is in itself interesting but I think the keeping secrets was a bit too much that it appears contrived sometimes that it appears unnecessary to move the story forward. Nevertheless, Forbidden Kisses is still very much engaging and entertaining and it will definitely make readers interested in picking up the next book in the series.

Jack Sawyer advertises for someone to run the office of the family fishing business; Sawyer Seafood Company to free up his time to finally put into practice the business idea he and his late friend dreamed about. When his former step-sister overhears him interviewing for the office manager position and offers herself as a candidate, he's torn between helping her out and not offending his family. Against his better judgement, Jack gives the job to Grace knowing she's perfect for the job but her appointment will not be well received by his brothers and father.

Desperate times makes for desperate measures and Grace is quick to offer herself for a job vacancy she overhears in the Blushing Bay café. It isn't until she sees the interviewer that she realises it is her former step-brother. Still, she needs the job and hopes he will offer her the opportunity even though it won't be easy. Only the position isn't as difficult to handle as re-emerged feelings for her first crush and the one responsible for her first kiss.

Realistic protagonists...warts an' all! I didn't agree with some of the actions and decisions Jack and Grace made, however, that made them, flaws and all more endearing and likeable. These are characters you could be friends with in real life, their issues making them relatable. Ms Rains centred them in wonderful, homely setting which adds to the overall feel and appeal of this novel.

Second chance and forgiveness are the strong themes running through this novel. The protagonists are victims of their parent's bitter divorce which left them estranged for many years. It's heart-warming when the two families begin to forgive and forget what pulled them apart so that they can all find peace in the future.

Forbidden Kisses is a delightful, romantic foundation to what promises to be a wonderful series. I'm looking forward to catching up with the other Sawyer brothers along with Abbey and Krista in future novels. This was my first Annie Rains novel and thoroughly enjoyed the warm, community spirit of the Blushing Bay setting.

***arc generously received courtesy of Loveswept via NetGalley***

3.5 STARS

"Forbidden Kisses" by Annie Rains. This is book one of a new series for Ms. Rains and I think it's off to a good start. For the most part, I liked the main characters - Grace and Jack. Simply put, Jack was a sweetheart and wore his heart on his sleeve. He was struggling with a big loss yet still reached out to help those that needed it. Grace, overall was a good person, but she did irk me a bit throughout. The choices and decisions she made at times didn't sit well with me, however, these choices, of course, added to the plot. The story itself is one of forgiveness and dealing with the past but also of hope and love and family. There are several secondary characters that added to the story as well. I am looking forward to Noah and Sam's stories, hopefully coming up next. Ms. Rains' writing style is fluid and a delight to read. "Forbidden Kisses" should not be forbidden in you are itching to read a story that will have you cheering from the sidelines for our couple to make it to the finish line. (received copy for honest review)

Grace use to be part of Sawyer’s family, but when her mom betrayed them, it was something that could not be forgiven. Grace and Jack were step-siblings, but felt they were attracted to each other, which led them to a kiss. Years later Grace and Jack meet again in a situation, were Grace needs a new job and Jack needs an office assistant. Jack knows it’s not the best idea to hire Grace, but still gives her the job. Since Grace and Jack met they still feel attraction between them and to see where it goes, they decided to keep it as a secret. Secrets are not so easy to hide, what happens if it all comes out?

I really enjoyed the small town setting and the romance between Grace and Jack. There was a great set of characters and I can’t wait to read more about the secondary characters as well. I think the pacing in the book was great and gave a good foundation for the next book in the series. I had a great time reading it.

When I first saw the blurb for this book I rolled my eyes and groaned. Oh no, not another stepbrother romance. As someone who grew up with a blended family I was pretty grossed out. Until very early on when the relationship between Jack and Grace was clarified. Once that pesky thing was out of the way, for me, Forbidden Kisses really gets going.
Grace’s mom Tammy did a horrible, horrible thing that from the perspective of the Sawyer men was unforgivable. Her behavior cost Grace the only real family she’s ever had, which makes life more than a little tricky when she gets a job working for her former family. And former crush.
Once Jack and Grace started spending time together I feel like I had this big smile on my face the whole time. They were funny, steamy and full of chemistry it jumped off the virtual page.
While I understood Jack’s beef with Tammy, I wanted to strangle him for not at least trying to get over it. People change sometimes and if it means being with the woman you love…duh. Overall I loved them and I loved the Sawyer brothers, especially Noah. But now I am so curious to know Sam and Abby’s story!

Okay, so Grace might not exactly be the poster child for a sweet, loveable heroine. But I liked her and understood why she did the things she did ( yeah, that's vague but no spoilers here). Jack is a good guy, maybe a little misguided considering how he lets Grace make all the rules, but he's not about to lose the girl again after 15 years without her.
I was hesitant to read Forbidden Kisses after reading about the step-sibling angle, but there was no potential iciness to the read, at least in my opinion.
While I did enjoy this book...3.75 stars...I am looking forward to Sam and Noah's stories...and their leading ladies.

I loved Annie Rains Welcome Series so I was thrilled to see that Forbidden Kisses again takes place in North Carolina. Forbidden Kisses has a different feel and type of characters but it still has Annie Rains’ wonderful style of writing. I do not go in for step-sibling stories as a rule but this one only touches that aspect. This story takes place in the present with Jack and Grace’s parents’ bad marriage as just the backstory of how these two met. Daughters can be so much better than their mothers!

There is subtle drama with Jack’s brothers providing subplots. However, it is the peeling back of a character’s layers while slowly building the relationship between them that makes for this to be an intriguing and entertaining read. Friendship builds, amends are made and love is found; what a perfect story for an uplifting read.

This was a great start to The Blushing Bay series.

Grace and Jack were once step-siblings but after their parents' marriage imploded, they had no contact with each other and there was bad blood between the families. Fast forward 15 years and Grace is in need of a job and Jack is in need of a new office manager. There was an attraction between them as teenagers but with all that has transpired between their families it seems like any kind of relationship would never work.

There were definitely parts of this story that the two main characters were so frustrating but once they got it together, I loved them as a couple. Both Jack and Grace have been through a tremendous amount of grief but they have so many amazing people in their lives and are great together. I really liked all of the characters introduced in this story and am looking forward to where this series goes.

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

A quaint story set in a small fisherman town, with Grace taking care of her mother. She needs a new job after her old boss tried to make a pass at her. Jack needs a new office manager, he just happens to be her ex-brother-in-law. The two have always had a connection and while they try to stay apart they find the connection is still there.

While the ex-brother and sister situation is a little weird the connection was good, and the other characters were entertaining enough to make me look forward to the next book in the series.