The Sweetest Kiss was an enjoyable read. I like the story and the characters of Megan and Brian.

**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed the book.**

A wonderfully sweet romance about a long awaited love, that once recognized is threatened by life's obstacles. There is a lively cast of characters who'll draw you in until you find yourself heavily invested in each of their HEA's. There's a lot of chemistry going on throughout the story and that's not just with Brian and Megan. This truly a story to be read and enjoyed for its simple message of everlasting love.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Feel-good contemporary romance. Maybe I'd have enjoyed it more if I'd read the others in the series first? Just fell a little flat for me, and I felt like Megan acted younger than her age which was off-putting. I liked the premise, but the whole thing lacked chemistry for me.

I really liked this book!
I have had it in my shelf for awhile and when I finally got the chance to read it.
I could not put it down, It had a little bit of everythign in it.
I was not inlove with having a megan having to feel like her world was not working out.
I like super happy books that dont have to much drama and this was pretty high up there.

This was my first read by Susan Hatler & I enjoyed it. The story of Brian & Megan was sweet but a bit angsty as well & a whole lot of laugh out loud humour. The long time friendship between them has also been a long time of unknown love. They've both been in love with the other but kept putting their friendship first. Now that they've finally found each other there's a new wrinkle, a painting contest with the winner living in Italy for a year painting & learning. Of course Megan is entered & with some last minute help from Brian she's got a good chance at winning, only if she does win she loses Brian in the process. This book had me saying aw...at the sweetness of Brian's affection & jealousy towards Megan, as well as laughing out loud at the antics that happened when you least expect them & the sadness when Megan thought that Brian was done with their relationship because he didn't do long distance. I once again started a series 4 books in so now I need to go back & find the others to see how they wound up where they did. Definitely recommend.

Reviewing for NetGalley; this is my honest review.
Short and sweet. Well worth it. Friends to lovers (but clean), lovers triangle, you name it. Fun read.

This was another sweet romance from Susan Hatler, not a lot of fire or passion, just sweet, a case of best friends discovering true love with each other.

As I have read other books in the series, I was familiar with many of the characters. The women in the book are all great friends, with the exception of Chelsea of course, but she is the villain of the piece, so that makes sense. The men in the story are also good people.

I liked the relationship between Megan and Brian and felt their relationship was real, if not intensely passionate. I think maybe the passion was supposed to be happening behind the scenes? Brian does seem a little closed off at one point, and while his past is a factor, I think he shut down too much all things considered.

I was able to relate to Megan and her insecurities and financial troubles. She was real to me and I was able to understand her motivations. I would have liked to have seen more of Wendy, Charlie and Olivia in this story, though I understand they were here simply as supporting characters. Olivia’s character felt very flat for me, which was so different from Olivia’s own story, I feel like she got lost in this storyline.

All in all, I did enjoy this book, just as I enjoy pretty much all of Susan Hatler’s work. I can’t wait for the next!

A painter who works in a dress shop wants to win a competition that will have her living in Italy for a year. She’s got a crush on a long-time friend, but if she starts something with him it’ll be over when—if—she leaves for Italy. There’s an obnoxious rich competitor for both the contest and the boy.
This was an enjoyable read. Other than all the lack of communication which seems to be required in this genre, it flowed smoothly. I liked the characters, especially hot mess Megan, but c’mon, there’s such a thing as being TOO clueless.
This was my favorite moment. If the whole book could have been like this. . .
“Janine, didn’t you say you wanted to look at that other dress? The one in the back? I’ll go get it for you . . .” Surely she could see I was pleading for help!
“No, I’ve changed my mind.” Janine gave me a goofy grin. Then she pursed her mouth, wrapped her arms around her body, and pantomimed what I can only describe as a solo standing make-out session.
My face heated as I stared at her in horror. Brian followed the direction of my gaze over his shoulder. Janine quickly straightened, pretending to examine her dress box.
Part of a series, and not the first, but it didn’t seem to matter.

The Sweetest Kiss is the 4th book in a series. I didn't realize this until after I had finished it, but it worked just find as a stand alone. I thought this was going to be a sweet romance novel, but it wasn't very romancy, if you get what I mean.

The book follows Megan Wallace. She wants to travel to Italy to fulfill a promise she made to her Aunt Bea. But when an unexpected medical expense comes up, all the money she has saved needs to be used for that. Then the local library hosts a contest - and the winner will receive a contract to work for one year in Italy at a gallery. Megan is an artist first, but a web designer and dress shop worker second - but that's what she has to do to make ends meet.

Megan is also in love with her friends brother, Brian. The two have been close over the years but she is always hesitant to tell him how she feels. He is a talented woodworker and she wants him to make the frames for her pieces in the contest, but has has already paired up with another contestant! After Megan finds someone else to work with her, Brian seems very jealous.

The two end up kissing under the blue moon - a legend in town that means good things or bad things depending on who you are. What will it mean for Megan and Brian? Will Megan win the contest and fulfill her dreams of visiting Boboli Gardens? Find out when you read The Sweetest Kiss.

I liked this book, the only downside is I thought it would be more "romantic". It was a very cute story with likeable characters and a quick read. I will definitely keep an eye out for some of the other books in this series to find out more about some of Megan's friend's who were mentioned in this book.

I received a free e-copy of this book from Netgalley in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

THE SWEETEST KISS. # 4 in the Kissed by the Bay series by Susan Hatler
You meet Megan, a loser where men are concern, you chuckle with her, as the last guy, even asked to be reimbursed for the coffee he spent on her.She wanted a sauve man from Italy, along with the art, she loved. She enters a competition, the prize 1 yea r in Florence, Italy to paint at the arts gallery. Brian who she has known for ever wants to work with her for the competition. Telling her she has never dated anyone that deserved her. Even at the last minute, he knew her heart, and what she really wanted to enter. Could that be the same Brian that makes her tingle. If she won, what about Brian he had abandonment issues. He won't date long distance, did she win a prize only to lose Brain and love. Enjoyable, amusing of how love works, who have been friends. Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

This is the first book from this author I have read. I must say that I was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The book had a steady pace anfeel rushed. The author took her time telling the story. The story had an eclectic group of characters. Each character was unique in their own way. You can easily picture them and see a few new stories that could be created using some of their stories. The story was deep and emotional. Megan was a very artistic woman who had a hard time deciding on what the right thing to do for her heart was. She has some struggles with some decisions and Aunt Bea seems to be her guide. The story had some funny moments that broke up the seriousness so that it didn't overdue it. Overall this story is a definite 5 stars. It was well written and had some things that people can relate to. I loved the characters and the story that was told. Definitely looking forward to adding this author to my must reads list. If you haven't read it you should. Happy reading!!

While romance is not a genre that I reach for all that often, Susan Hatler's books have become a go to for me. When I need something that reads quickly, has fun characters, and is sweet while being clean, this is my author.

This story, however was slightly disappointing. I found Megan's internal dialogue more juvenile than Hatler's normal characters, and not in a good way. She seemed too caught up on issues common to a fifteen-year-old, not a twenty-seven-year-old. And I get that these problems and struggles still follow us through our lives (I'm around Megan's age in the story and can relate), but I found it rather off-putting when she didn't seem to learn from the issues she was having.

The romance in this was also a bit odd for me. I didn't feel any spark between Megan and Brian. And usually the romance aspect is really sweet, so I was upset to find it lacking here. It was nice that they had known each other for so long and were already friends, but I found it difficult to believe that he would have treated her like a sister for so long and then suddenly expressed his feelings. It just didn't fit.

The art aspect of the story was interesting. It was nice to hear about Megan's paintings and in some ways I wish this had been more of an involved part of the novel. The only thing I didn't like about this part of the story was the obvious "mean girl" Chelsea. Her character was very one-dimensional.

Overall this was enjoyable but not up to Hatler's normal standard of feel good romance. It had sweet and cute moments, and I still recommend the series, this one just wasn't my favorite. I am looking forward to reading more (and hoping that two certain characters get their own story soon).

Loved it! Such a cute story about friends turning to lovers! I am quickly becoming a new fan of this author. The characters are relatable, there is great chemistry, humor, romance, and a happily ever after. Everything I like in a book. I would definitely recommend reading this book!

This was a fun romance to read. Sometimes I do not enjoy a book from a series as the author builds momentum with each title. To really 'get' those stories, you need to read from the beginning.

However, this one is fine to read as a stand alone title.

I love how the protagonist has to let go of her fears to find the success she so desperately wanted. The community sounds like a magical place you'd want to visit.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

This is the 4th book in the "Kissed by the Bay" series that follows the legend of the star-crossed lovers.

In this installment, Megan Wallace enters an art contest in which the grand prize is a trip to live and paint in Italy for one year. The only drawback would be leaving Brian, her best friend's brother and her secret crush. Brian has abandonment issues and has declared that he will not ever leave Blue Moon Bay. Can these star-crossed lovers overcome these challenges?

Megan and Brian are so cute together that you can't help but fall in love with them. Susan Hatler has created believable characters, so much so that you laugh with them, cheer them on and want to smack them when they are behaving ridiculous. A lovely read.

Susan Hatler is one of my go to authors. I also tend to read her books again and again.
The Sweetest Kiss in the 4th book in the Kissed by the Bay series. It's a stand alone, but better if you have read the other books.
I like that this story mixes up the story line a bit. It was nice to have locals fall in love. I liked both characters. Yeah, the are both a little too into what they need. Aren't we all.
One thing that makes me laugh is that the 'rare' blue moon happens really often in this little town.

Rating: 5 Stars
Content: Clean
Source: Netgalley
I received an ARC. My opinion is my own.

I absolutely loved this book! A clean love story that was very swoony! Loved the Hero and Heroine. Will definitely read more from this author 😊

Let me start out by saying that The Sweetest Kiss is book 5 of the series set in Blue Moon Bay. This book does work as a stand alone novel. Megan has always dreamed about being an artist. When an art contest arises she decides to go for it and go against her school rival. Each artist has to pair with a woodworker. She decides to ask her longtime friend and crush to help her. She is crushed when she finds out he is teaming up with her rival. This is a really nice feel good book and I highly recommend it.

Sweet and lovely story about best friends and the unexpected love they share. This is my first Susan Hatler book and I really enjoyed her style of writing as well as the story itself. Her clean, descriptive narrative worked well with both character development and my ability to "see" Megan's paintings. Even though this is the fourth book in the series, I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything...although I will definitely go back and read the earlier books about Megan's friends.
Megan and Brian are my favorite kinds of heroes/heroines...friends who become lovers (although, there's nothing beyond kissing in that department). While fiery beginnings are great to read also, there's nothing like a boy next door confessing his love for his best friend. To me, that's romance at its best!

This was a quick enjoyable read that re-introduced characters from the previous series, letting you see where their life has taken them since you last read about them.The Sweetest Kiss takes us into the present day happenings in Megan"s life and her desperate attempt to move her life forward and achieve the goals she made a long time again.We also see how she navigates her attraction to Brian,deal with forces that would rather see her fail, and the subsequent fallout and conclusions in her personal and professional life.I found Megan to be a likable neurotic who had moments of lucid thoughts, while Brian appeared to be the silent,patient, intense type that pursues his desires from the sidelines.The disparities in their individual personalities would lead you to believe that they are too different to possibly work, but the author somehow achieves that.The supporting characters add realism to the story and makes it more palatable.The lack of sexual content makes this a chaste read that is suitable for all ages.Loved this book, along with all the others in the series,and am happy to provide this review courtesy of Netgalley.