3.5 Stars

Grace Donner thought her life was perfect growing up in the Sawyer clan. Yes, she may be harboring a minor crush on her stepbrother Jack but where’s the harm in that? Fast forward fifteen years and Grace is really down on her luck. When a position opens up in the Sawyer family business, she is hard-pressed to say no...even after what went down between the families all those years ago.

Since losing his best friend in a boating accident a few months ago, Jack Sawyer has not been the same. Unable to find joy in the thing he loved the most, fishing, Jack has been drifting along through life... that is until Grace comes crashing back into his life.

Grace is juggling not having a job and being able to pay for her mom’s meds to working for a family that truly thinks her mom is the scum of the earth. There were so many points in this book that I felt truly sorry for Grace. It is the classic case of judging someone based on the sins of others.

Jack was so very frustrating in much of the second half of the book. Seriously? You've got quite the grudge going there, Mr. Sawyer. Now, Ms. Bennet did a nice job of giving the readers insight as to why Jack and the Sawyer clan were so angry for such a long time. Each side had their reasons but I was still irked for some of the book.

The chemistry between Jack and Grace was instant, but fifteen years of buildup will do that to a relationship. While it was expected that they would ultimately find love with each other, Ms. Bennett keeps the romance sweet and the sparks flying.

Jack looked at her again. “I’m excited about you, too. That feeling when we dragged the fish on board doesn’t even compare to how I feel every time you walk into the room.”

Grace’s breath caught in her chest. Oh, God, she wanted to kiss him right now. Wanted it nearly as much as she wanted her next breath.

Leaning in, Jack read her mind and kissed her.

Now how cute is that! I also really enjoyed the secondary characters in the novel, mainly the relationships that Grace developed with two local women, Krista and Abby. The women are all independent with struggles of their own but can still meet for bagels in the morning to discuss any juicy news. I was not as much a fan of Jack’s brothers because they were extremely grumpy for much of the book. However, I warmed to them enough that I think I would enjoy future books about them.

This is not one of those books that has many unexpected plot twists, so if that’s your cup of tea, I would steer away. It’s a quick read, perfect for a sunny day at the beach (or maybe even on a boat if you are like the Donner family).

~ Megan

Will also post on the blog tomorrow.

Annie Rains does it again!

This was one book I didn't want to put down, which is definitely something I needed. I loved both of the characters, Jack and Grace.

Jack had his own set of problems, but it only contributed to how much I liked him. He wasn't just a guy who wanted something different. He has had numerous tragedies strike, and he's still kicking. He still goes after what he wants.

And Grace. Oh, I loved her, every aspect. My heart went out to her at various points throughout the book. She handles her mother's illness with grace (pardon the pun :-P ), and she went after what she wanted. I loved the way she inserted herself into a situation where she was unsure. It made her all the more likable.

Annie Rains' writing and style is just what I needed after the rough weeks I've had. It was light and fluffy, and there was no shortness of cute. Forbidden Kisses tugged at my heartstrings and unraveled a good story about making amends from the past. Besides, the ex-stepbrother (is that a trope) really made me interested!

I’ve been looking forward to the Blushing Bay series since hearing about it shortly after I’d finished up the Hero’s Welcome series. And if Forbidden Kisses is any indication, it looks to be another sweeping, emotionally charged series – exactly how I love them.

I loved Jack and his siblings, there’s interesting stories there that I’m wanting to read about. The world building put me right there without having to stretch my imagination. The descriptions and people are vivid and interesting. And by my avoidance of one character you’ll know where I’m heading with this.

I really wish I could have liked and connected with Grace. I simply did not. I found her to be selfish, too eager to blame others for the consequences of her own actions, and the lies that she wanted told… I just couldn’t get behind her as a match for Jack. I wanted to, but I never found anything that I would call redeeming about Grace. I feel badly about that, but it is my reaction to this particular main character. And it happens sometimes where a story is great and interesting, but one person within that world just isn’t likable because of their actions. That reaction of mine to Grace certainly doesn’t apply to the rest of the characters (well maybe Tammy a bit) or this ongoing series. Forbidden Kisses is an interesting story, starts off a new series that seems to be full of intriguing people that I want to know more about. So I’ll definitely be following Blushing Bay.

I certainly enjoyed the rest of this story, simply not the way one character behaved. So, I’d say to any reader that enjoys Romance and series – give this one a try, not everyone will react to Grace as I did. You’ll miss an otherwise interesting story if you don’t read it for yourself and form your own opinion.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This is the first book that I have read by Annie Raines, but it won't be my last. Forbidden Kisses was a great second chance, ex stepbrother relationship. Normally I am not a fan of the stepbrother sub genre, but this one fit and I really enjoyed the story. It was very heartfelt, and I appreciated that Parkinson's disease was actually discussed as part of the plot. The characters were very realistic to me, and it is another small town book where it sounds like we will have more stories from, and I'm ok with that. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this for an honest review! Very enjoyable.

When I read Annie Rains' books my mind and heart get so involved in the story I end up inhaling them, every word and moment held dear in my heart, and at the end, I wish I had had the sense to savor the story because I don't want to leave the characters behind. I absolutely love her style of writing and the way it captures my mind.
Forbidden Kisses is a sweet yet passionate romance story, just the way I like them. There's lots of fun, adoration, love, and desire mixed with the perfect amount of challenges, difficulties, and confusion without drowning in angst and despair.
Jack Sawyer was a delightful character with strong convictions, dedication to his loved ones, and kindness to strangers. Despite the losses in his life, he was willing and able to open his heart to love and possibilities of a new direction for the future.
I admired Grace Donner and her survival instincts, her spunk, and her determination. She is stubborn to the bone, but she has no ill will towards anyone, her intentions are pure. She is used to managing her life alone, and the new friends, the new family of heart, the new feelings inside her and around her amazes her constantly. As a daughter of parents who both have been diagnosed with Parkinson's, I felt her worry, pain, and concern for her mother, and could easily imagine the challenges they were facing.
Grace and Jack has an uphill road ahead of them, not only because of the family feud and the resistance from his brothers but also their own hesitation to be vulnerable, to trust, to have faith in them.
​Together Jack and Grace were combustible, the passion and admiration are palpable. I loved how they encouraged each other, how they light up in each other's presence, you could feel the devotion and excitement they had for each other.
When I started the book I was a fool to think I would just read an hour and continue later on. The story pulled me in, the characters charmed my mind, and I felt their indecisions and the turmoils in their hearts. Forbidden Kisses is a fantastic, emotional, and addictive read!
~ Five Spoons

I was a fan of Annie Rains from her first book and I really enjoyed her first series, Hero's Welcome. When I saw Forbidden Kisses, the first book in her new series, Blushing Bay, I couldn't wait to read it. Rains writes a wonderfully sweet romance..every time!

Forbidden Kisses toed the line of a trope I'm not into. I avoid books where the main characters fall for their step-siblings. Honestly, it just kinda weirds me out. But Forbidden Kisses, from the blurb, didn't sound like it was a full blown "fall for your sibling" plot. And it wasn't. The two main characters, which by the way, this book was in 3rd POV (not my fav), where step-siblings for like five years. Now, years later, they fall for each other. So, it really wasn't so off putting.

I loved the supporting cast. They all felt dynamic and complex in their own rights. I can't wait to read more from this series. If you are looking for a sweet romance, then Forbidden Kisses would be a good pick!

Review by Amber for Love Romance Books

Grace and Jake have a history together, but not one you would expect. They used to be ex-siblings, but it ended badly between Grace's mom and Jake's dad, and they haven't seen each other for fifteen years.

Grace is desperate for a job when she hears the man in the booth behind her interviewing people for an office manager position for the family business. She works up the courage to turn around and face the man, offering herself for the position...then she realizes that man is Jake!

Jake had a crush on Grace when they were teenagers, but it never went anywhere since they were step-siblings at the time. Well, it didn't go anywhere except for one clandestine kiss, which has stuck in his mind for over a decade. He knows that hiring Grace will cause drama in the family but she needs a job and he needs someone that needs minimal training. Grace had worked in their office as a teenager and used to know it inside and out, so he impulsively offers her the job. Now he just needs to figure out how to work with her without wanting her. Then again, maybe caving in to the attraction fifteen years in the making isn't a bad idea either. It certainly would be a lot easier than resisting her, though it could potentially cause problems at work. Dilemmas, dilemmas...

I would give this book 3 stars. It was a cute, quick read, with fun characters. I'd like to read Noah and Krista's story next. I was asked by the author for an honest review.

I don't know if I want to classify this as enemies to lovers or second chances. I guess it qualifies as both since Grace and Jack were step-siblings who were attracted to each other about 15 years ago when their parents were married and then never spoke because Grace's mom sold off personal belonings of Jack's mom because 1)she had a shopping problem and 2)it was hard to live with all her things and not be jealous. Naturally, the Sawyer family had a HUGE problem with Grace's mom and by proxy, Grace.

This moved kind of slow for me and I didn't really care for Grace all that much. One minute she was quiet and had her feelings hurt, the next she was bossy and keeping secrets. It was all a bit much. I did like Jack and his family! Jack was sweet and caring. Sam and Noah were interesting and I'd be tempted to read Sam's book.

*thanks to Tasty Book Tours for sharing a copy of this with me*

A very unemployed Grace Donner eavesdrops on a job interview at the local coffee shop. Unaware,  it was her former crush and stepbrother Jack Sawyer.

Jack, realizing Grace is qualified and in need of a job, offers her a position in his families seafood business.

Starting a romantic relationship begins a feud in between the two families again.

A great romantic read, with a combustive attraction between Grace and Jack.

5 Stars !

I received this ARC through Netgalley for Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept for a honest review.

Jack and Grace have a complicated, tempestuous, forbidden relationship. Family brought them together, but lies and betrayal tore them apart. Wrecking more than family ties, breaking hearts along the way. What seems black and white, has many shades of gray. A long ago marriage between their parents ended badly, leaving Grace caught in the middle. Now older and wiser Grace seeks to make amends. Will Jack be receptive to her olive branch? Full of heart-aching curve balls, Ms. Rains mixed taboo with a story that is heartwarming and true. Forbidden Kisses is a hard road to forgiveness but it's a journey that is well written and worthy of the travel.

She stopped his breath for a moment, held it hostage in his chest.

I picked up Forbidden Kisses for a couple of reasons—small town romance, second chances, sweet romance. I expected Annie Rains to deliver, as she has in previous books, a feel good love story with charming secondary characters and a good foundation for a new series.

And she did. To an extent.

I truly wish I could say that I loved this book. I certainly enjoyed it enough to finish, enough to want to revisit the town of Blushing Bay, enough to smile at the thought of a happily ever after between Jack and Grace.

But… (And isn’t there always a but?) I found it difficult at times to warm to Grace. I liked her resilience, the way she loved her mother despite all she’d put Grace through. I even liked her determination to make amends. It’s just that… it came across a little too pushy. I kept wanting her to explain herself to Jack—and the rest of the Sawyer men—because honestly, I think that could have made this is very different, very enjoyable book.

Don’t misunderstand me, it was enjoyable. I liked the friendship between Grace, Krista and Abby (and Joey, who deserves a medal for being a good brother), just as I liked the set-up for Noah and Sam’s books—they both have serious swoony potential. I’m just not a fan of unnecessary drama—in the form of secrets that don’t need to be kept—and because of that, this one lacked some of the emotional punch I was hoping for.

Still, there’s enough here to make me glad I gave Ms. Rains’ new series a chance—and to ensure I’ll be picking up more of her work in the future.

”I want you here for all the important moments in my life. Our lives.”

~ 3.5 STARS ~

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

You’re my daughter. I have stretch marks to prove it. That means you owe me.

Life’s a chain of things you wish you could forget.


My Review:

I’ve never read a book quite like this before. The main characters had been step-siblings for a time, over fifteen years ago, until her mother’s heinous behaviors resulted in them being kicked out and forever tainted in their small town. It could have been icky, but it wasn’t. However, that not the end of mother’s selfish and atrocious antics, yet Grace stood by her, paid the bills, and cared for her mother when her Parkinson’s Disease became more debilitating. I honestly don’t see myself ever being that charitable. The premise was rather unique, the characters were endearing and appealing, and the storyline was entertaining, well-paced and comfortably balanced with alternating hits of angst, levity, steam, and heart-squeezes. This was my first Anne Rains experience and I look forward to many return trips to Blushing Bay.

I really enjoyed this one and I can't wait to read more in this series. This is a good small town romance centered around a fishing family. Jack Sawyer has been working in the office of his family's fishing business even though that's not really what he wants to be doing. Now he needs a new office manager and he can't believe it when Grace Donner applies for the job. Grace and Jack were step siblings for about a minute many years ago. Even then he was attracted to Grace, now even more. The history between the two families isn't good and Jack's not sure if Grace will be accepted by the rest of his family. Grace has always felt bad about the way things ended between her Mom and the Sawyers. Normally she'd never want this job but she's desperate. Will they be able to put the past behind them and move forward? She hopes so and she'll do whatever she can to set things right.

An excellent read that I recommend to everyone.

3 stars from me...

Call me crazy, but I am not a fan of step sibling romances. Even if their parents are now divorced. To see, it is a little creepy. I always seem to think there is something odd about it. Maybe because at one time they were family. Because of this, it was hard for me to like this book.


Jack and Grace meet up again after their parent's messy divorce and Jack offers Grace a job. Knowing his family will be upset because of their bitter feelings towards her mom, Jack still does it anyways. Jack and Grace then fall into a secret relationship, that know one can know about. I though when Jack's dad found out it was going to be a bigger deal, but it wasn't for him.

Having previously read and enjoyed the four titles in Annie Rains' Hero's Welcome series, I was excited for the first book in her new series. Unfortunately it held few of the aspects I appreciated in the previous books and instead offered up a predictable tale with a heroine who was hard to like.

Grace and Jack were once briefly step-siblings and even as teenagers there was plenty of chemistry. But their parent's acrimonious divorce, after Grace's mother callously sold off many of the deceased former matriarch's belongings to support her own shopping habit, fractured the family and Grace has had no contact with the Sawyer clan over the past 15 years. With her mother now suffering from Parkinson's Disease, Grace is in need of a job to support them both and pay for medical expenses. That job comes in the form of Jack and the Sawyer family business. Naturally, the old feelings are still there and the two of them find it impossible to ignore the connection they've always had.

I found Grace a difficult character to pull for. While she was resourceful and independent (almost to a fault), I also found her to be pushy and demanding. Within days of starting her new job she was pushing Jack into taking part in a fishing tournament that she had already registered for (without asking him first). She was expecting to use a boat that belonged to his family, expected he and his brother to be the crew and do all the work, and totally disregarded his reason for not wanting to take part. When that fell apart and she was injured while trying to put together another team, she blamed Jack for her accident (i.e., if he had done what she wanted she wouldn't have got hurt). Many of her actions and reactions were so unreasonable that I often found myself wanting Jack to tell her to take a hike. The relationship often felt one-sided, with Jack doing all the giving and compromising.

The main conflict in their story was Jack's animosity toward Grace's mother. His feelings seemed completely justified considering that her mother had sold jewelry (and even a boat!) that had belonged to his mother. Things that were sentimental and could not be replaced. Obviously his family didn't have any warm and fuzzy feelings for her. But Grace was constantly upset that Jack wouldn't set all that aside and be BFF's with her mom. The mom in question had been selfish and greedy in the past and now seemed only mildly (and unconvincingly) remorseful. Grace's expectations seemed unreasonable and she too often told Jack there could be no future for them if he couldn't forgive her mother. Again, it was up to Jack to do all the compromising.

Jack was likable enough and I enjoyed the rest of his family, but between my issues with Grace and the general predictability of the story this one missed the mark.

2.5 - "I hate secrets. No good ever comes from them." Stars.

I am usually a huge fan of this authors work, but for quite a few reasons Forbidden Kisses hit all the wrong notes with me. I was expecting to be on the fence about the whole ex step-sibling aspect of the story but to be honest it didn’t even figure because of everything else that was going on. But, what I disliked the most was all the lies that Grace told, and expected others to as well, in trying to keep her relationship with Jack a secret from those that they were both supposed to care about. I found myself disliking her and her actions more and more as the story progressed.

"I’ve missed you over the years..."

Jack went from sweetly endearing to a bit of a wimp with the way he let her push him around and keep things from his family. Sad day for me as I was expecting to love this book as much as I did the books in the author’s Hero’s Welcome series but nothing between these two characters really gelled or felt relevant enough to be connected to their sneaky behaviour. On the plus it was still well written, I just didn't enjoy the story-line. The author as expected set up the other Sawyer brothers well enough that I am interested in reading Sam and Noah’s books when they are available.

Don’t let my review deter you, I just found it all drama, with no real depth or feeling of importance to the plot especially in relation to the bits that caused the drama, and the secrets and lies just went on far too long for me to have any real sympathy for the people I feel I should have.

ARC provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

Annie Rains has set the scene for another wonderful series. She has introduced us to the town of Blushing Bay, a small fishing community. The town resembles many small towns the world over - low job opportunities, gossipy, residents connected in various ways. In this case, Grace Donner ends up accepting a job with the stepfamily that hasn't had anything to do with her since her mom & their dad divorced 15 years ago. This brought her into close contact with Jack, the step brother that she had a crush on throughout school. Can they learn to trust each other? Will they act on their feelings? Will the rest of the family accept her?

I really enjoyed this story. It engages all of my emotions. I had sympathy for young Grace losing her "family"due to something her mother did. I felt disgust with both Pete & Tammy. They shouldn't have let their situation affect the kids. I felt the pain of young Tristan having a father that treated him that way. I felt admiration for Tammy dealing with Parkinson's & realizing it was time to stop depending on her daughter so much. This story is about second chances & new beginnings. Each character had to learn to trust again & realize when they needed to step outside themselves to support the other. I can't wait for the next book!

Jack and Grace were step-brother and step-sister for a little while when they were kids. They both wanted more and even shared a kiss, knowing that it was wrong and couldn't become more. When Grace's mom destroyed her marriage to Jack's dad, she also destroyed the relationship Grace had with Jack and his brothers. Grace's mom is now sick and she needs money for her medicine, but she got fired from her job and has no prospects. . . until she overhears a job interview and places herself in the path of a new career and Jack.
Jack can't seem to get Grace out of his mind after she throws herself into the interview process. He knows she can do the job; in fact, she helped his aunt when she was a teenager. Even knowing how his brothers and dad will react, he hires her. Soon enough, they can't resist one another.
Agreeing, begrudgingly on his part, to keep things quiet, they begin seeing each other late at night. When he finds out why she wanted to compete in a fishing tournament he gets angry and they don't talk for awhile. It broke my heart to see how everyone knew they were meant to be together, but because of the past, they were kept apart.
Jack doesn't believe he can ever forgive Tammy, Grace's mom, and Grace doesn't believe she should have to choose between her mom and the man she has always loved. Can love truly conquer all? Will Jack realize that he loves Grace enough to work past his anger towards Tammy? I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I need to find out what happens with Sam, Noah, Abby, Krista, Pete and Tammy.
I received an ARC, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

An easy contemporary romance that will pull at your heart. Book 1 in the Blushing bay series.
Grace needs a job, overhearing someone behind her interviewing women for an office manager position she bravely turns to the man and as the words come out of her mouth, she recognizes someone from her past. Jack Sawyer. Stepbrother and young love. Jack's father and her mother were married for a brief period during which time her mother did some pretty unforgivable things. In the eyes of the Sawyer brothers, Noah, Sam and Jack and their father Pete, the Donner's do not exist.
Grace needs the job to care for her mother who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's and is getting worse and Grace is her primary caregiver and all around fix it gal.
Jack does hire her, much to the brothers chagrin but they readily accept Grace, she's good at what she does and while starting the new job she and Jack also start the relationship that was inevitable.
But boy did they have their bumps and skids. Grace's two best friends are also close to the brothers, Abby is married but separated from Sam and Krista and Noah have some weird kind of relationship thing going on.... I'm sure we'll see these two stories unfold in future books.
As expected in most of these book tropes the proverbial crap hits the fan and Jack blows a nut. He leaves Grace with the words "I'm done." Pretty open ended yes, and so we have to read what exactly he's done with. And is he really done.
There's a lot going on in this first book, but Annie writes so well it's easy to follow the characters and storyline. I enjoyed the book. I'd class it YA but it's an all around good book, light and a good beach read for anyone.
Great story Annie! I loved it.

**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for a fair review**

Jack and Grace were once step-siblings who felt something more for each other. They acted on their attraction and kissed at 15 before Grace's mother committed the ultimate betrayal and their two families were split up. Grace is now taking care of her mother who suffers from Parkinson's Disease and requires constant care. Jack and his family have never forgiven her mother for stealing and selling off their mother's possessions and spending the money on herself. Her selfishness knew no bounds and Grace felt abandoned by the Sawyer family when they left her alone for years after the marriage dissolution. Grace is now looking for a job and Jack and his family are looking for an office assistant. Even though Jack thinks it is a bad idea, he gives Grace the job and so their journey begins again.

Grace seemed to understand the way the Sawyer family felt about her mother, but would turn around and get upset that they couldn't get past it and forgive her mother since she has changed. The Sawyer family didn't owe her mother anything, especially in light of all that she stole. Grace was able to forgive and forget but they didn't have to do that. She seemed to lose sight of that several times during this book. Setting up Jack to have dinner with her mother unbeknownst to him was just plain low. She then acted like a toddler when he didn't apologize to her about it. She owed him some respect and showed little in that instance. Yes, he could have been a little less cold to her mother, but he didn't have to do that. Her mother did some horrible things and Grace could not sugarcoat that.

When Grace's mother asks her to try and mend the rift between the families, she comes up with a hair-brained scheme to get a boat back named after their mother, Beatrice, that her mother stole and sold. Her mother claimed not to know who she sold it to but, lo and behold, she knew who it was and gave Grace the name. How Grace thought that would be okay was just plain dumb at times. She needed to stop giving her mother an out and quit giving excuses that the Sawyer family did not have to accept. When she gets an idea to enter a fishing tournament and get Jack and her former step-brother, Noah, to be her crew she was trying to get the funds to buy back the boat. Instead of owning up to this, she decides to hide it from everyone.

jack and Grace decide to have try a relationship but she wants it to be kept a secret from everyone until after the fishing tournament. This does not go well since secrets have a way of coming out at the worst times. When their relationship and Grace's secret are revealed at almost the same time, the end result was not a good one. Her friends taking the initiative and stepping up was admirable but led to another disaster. I did like how Jack stepped up and made some changes without trying to take any credit for it. Grace didn't need to know what he was doing or his motives since she was unwilling to put anyone before her mother, which was admirable but not necessary. She played a martyr throughout this book and it got old by the end. I was glad her mother called her out on it and had hoped Jack would do it sooner. You will have to read the book to see if this couple was able to overcome all of their obstacles. The ending was nice and it seemed to fit these two. I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.