The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March

Contemporary small town romance. 14th in the series. Can be read on its own.
These stories are always heart fulfilling. Emily March is a master storyteller.

I worried in the beginning. Here was the intro to the hero.
“The hot blonde went gooey. They always did. It was one of the perks of owning a dog with a broken back.”
Ok, instant turn off.
But Caitlin recognized his line of BS quickly and the conversation turned genuine.

Later:
I felt so bad for him, trying to avoid the pain pills on his own. Would sharing have helped? Caitlin wouldn’t have left the pills in the medicine cabinet if she knew.
I know he doesn’t trust doctors, but aren’t there better options every year?
The supporting hand came from a surprising person. It was touching.

Canned dog food Saturday. Hahaha. My sister does that with her dog too.

An adorable phrase:
“A flower bomb had gone off in her hallway.”

Loved it. Will always prioritize Emily March and a new release. Feel good romance.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I also purchased a paperback copy.

Welcome to Eternity Springs, where broken hearts go to heal!!!! This is the story of Caitlin and Josh and boy does Josh have skeletons in his closet! Is Caitlin the woman who can make him whole again ?
I absolutely love this series and I have read every book there is, I love to return over and over and catch up with the townspeople and the matriarch Celeste! You can read these books as standalone but I'm positive once you start you will want to drive in and read all the books
I can't wait till the next book in this series

Caitlin is home for a wedding and she realizes that she needs to make a change in her life, she likes her job but it isn't what she wants to do forever. Josh loves this town and he has everything that he needs, he has his own business and a place to call home. A chance meeting between the two of them brings a lot of problems. Caitlin realizes that he is the one and that one day she will marry him but Josh only wants casual, he has found and lost love and he can't do that again. Caitlin keeps on pushing and Josh gets scared of ends it with her but she can't give up on him. Josh knows that he can't go through life been scared of messing up again but the accident has taken him down the road to addiction again and it never ends well. Will Caitlin accept everything about him, his past and his demons? Is she strong enough to be there for him? She will do just about anything for him but he needs to be honest about his past and what the future holds for them? A good read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

Caitlin Timberlake had done well in a NYC design firm but wants to return to her Colorado roots and start a family. Returning for a friend's wedding is an ideal time to evaluate that plan, especially after she meets Josh Tarkington and asks him to be her plus one for the wedding. The sparks fly, but Josh is reluctant to have any kind of relationship because of his past.

The First Kiss of Spring is part of the Eternity Springs series of romance novels. Even without reading the other ones in this series, this novel works because it plays off the common romance novel tropes.

Caitlin and Josh meet cute and are forced to spend some time together before she makes her impulsive decision to invite him to her friend's wedding. There's even the adorable pet, Josh's paralyzed dog Penny. Josh is a pessimist when it comes to his future, luck, and relationships.

I love the Eternity Springs series by March, so I was excited to receive an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Caitlin is moving back to Eternity Springs from New York where she wants to open her own business, completely different from being a designer in the big city. She meets Josh at a wedding in a nearby town, not knowing he lived in Eternity Springs. Sparks fly, and then...she finds out Josh hasn't been entirely open about his life - who he really is and what he's been through. Will she stick by him, or will it be too much for her?

Thoroughly enjoyed Caitlin and Josh's story, and I'm ready for more from Eternity Springs!

It had been a long time since I had read a book in this series, and decided to give this one a try.
The main characters, are Josh Tarkington and Caitlin Timberlake. They meet when the gondola they were on got stuck, giving them a chance to chat. That encounter makes Caitlin re-think her life. After that meeting, she decides make changes in her life need to be made , and maybe pursue a relationship with Josh. Josh is not only hiding secrets ,but is also dealing with a tragedy that changed him forever.
The story is a bit on the heavy side. Dealing with all sorts of abuse . A reminder that our experiences in life whether as a child or an adult, will affect us for the rest of our lives.
Was it my favorite in the series, no, but was it worth reading, yes.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

This is not only my first Eternity Springs novel, it is also the first time I have read a work by Emily March. And let me say that it is a true shame that I never had the pleasure of meeting the quirky and sweet residents of Eternity Springs. You really feel like you are part of that close knit community where everyone knows everyone's business and shares not only each other's happiness but also pain and problems.

Caitlin Timberlake has had enough of her career and life in New York City. It wasn't her dream to be a textile designer and live the big city life, it was her mother's. She has finally had enough and wants to leave her fast paced life and move back to her hometown of Eternity Springs. But first she has to be a bridesmaid at her friend's wedding and so goes to Telluride. With dreams and plans of a small town life along with a husband and kids, she meets a super sexy man who is the proud owner of a dachshund who is half paralysed. It's not only Josh Tarkington's looks which melt her heart but also his care and attention to his dog. The chemistry between Josh and Caitlin is mutual and intense. But that all comes to a pause when they discover that Josh is the mechanic in Eternity Springs and knows her whole family.

Josh has a secret past. A past that only a small number of people are privy to. He has left his old life and self behind and started up a whole new life in Eternity Springs. And even though Caitlin is just about as perfect as anyone can get, he is determined to keep things simple and casual believing that he is cursed and not wanting to bring her down with him. But with Caitlin moving back, can they honestly keep apart?

If you are looking for a romance that is not only sweet but hits on real feelings, doubts and problems, then this is definitely perfect for you. Granted, there are many times where Josh's past seems to be too out there, but the way he has dealt with his issues and is still trying to deal with them, will tug at your heartstrings.

I can't finish this review without saying something about Celeste! That woman is like a real life angel! Everybody needs a Celeste in their life!

I'm not gonna lie - I was totally sucked in by this cover. I just love the look of the colorful house in a small town Colorado setting... the whole thing is just appealing. I have not read any of Eternity Springs books, and I have not previously read Emily March. So I was trying something new here. And I'm glad I did! I want to move to Eternity Springs now... and I definitely need Celeste working her matchmaking magic to set me up.

<i>Side note - while I didn't feel lost without having read the earlier books in the series, there is a ton of character crossover and maybe some spoilers for previous books. There was probably also some world building having to do with the town as the series has progressed. So you may want to start at the beginning instead of jumping in at Book 14 like me.</i>

Caitlin Timberlake is a member of one of the founding families of Eternity Springs, and the youngest child of the Timberlake clan. Caitlin's mother has pushed her toward a big career designing textiles in New York City, and she is good at her job. But lately Caitlin has felt the itch to come home and be closer to family and maybe settle down in the process. All of these things definitely resonated with me. Caitlin was a likable heroine and her determination was admirable. I especially liked that she decided on our hero and was going after him gung-ho. I hate wishy washy heroines, and Caitlin was definitely not that.

Josh Tarkington is hiding out in Eternity Springs - hiding from his past, his demons, and from the possibility of love. There are journal entries from Josh interspersed throughout the chapters and I was a bit surprised by them... the tragic nature didn't seem to fit with the idyllic cover and setting of the story. But they will quickly sink their hooks into you and have you sympathizing with Josh and wanting to heal him with a hug. I applauded that he was able to escape his past and make a life for himself in Eternity Springs, and I was definitely sympathetic when those old demons started haunting him. And how can you not love a guy who has a doggie in a wheelchair?

So there is a definite meet cute moment between our couple in a gondola in Telluride... and it definitely made my sweet tooth ache. I thought that it was setting the tone for a sweet and sappy romance, but that is not really what you got. Instead we had a flawed hero and determined heroine set in a town where everyone has their issues, but seemingly maintains a positive outlook. Celeste seems to be the fairy godmother of Eternity Springs, a town matriarch if you will, and everyone goes to her for advice and comfort. All of the characters are church-going favorable individuals that left an overall content feeling to the reader. There was a little bit of steam but it did not overpower the story. I would maybe classify this one along the lines of a feel-good or sentimental or maybe even inspirational romance. It's a series that I will be more likely to pick up in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, St. Martin's Press.

Some people have secrets in Eternity Springs. Caitlin’s father Mac is keeping a secret from his children and everyone else except his wife of years. Josh Tarkington has secrets about his past life that impact everything he does but he is reluctant to divulge/discuss them. In the story, Josh and Caitlin meet when a gondola ride gets stuck leaving them together until they are rescued, and for Caitlin, at least, it is love at first sight. When she moves to Eternity Springs, where Josh owns and runs an auto repair shop, sparks begin to fly. However, Josh is very reluctant to let their relationship grow, and, when pressed by her, he tells Caitlin some of the reasons why, though he holds back on the most important reasons, which is his big secret. In addition, Caitlin’s father dislikes Josh, and does everything he can to break the couple up and fix Caitlin up with a young lawyer he has taken on in his law practice before retiring, though Caitlin, totally stricken with Josh, wants no part of this—and tells the lawyer, from the get-go. As the story moves along, Mac mellows some about Josh largely due to Caitlin’s efforts to change her father’s opinion of Josh. The relationship between the pair grows and matures, as the couple go through some interesting, to say the least, experiences. Meanwhile, Caitlin and her siblings notice something strange going on with their parents, but, each time their parents are confronted, they shrug off the questions with comments that really have little to do with what is really going on, keeping their children wondering about what exactly is going on. Can these townsfolk survive the events leading them to an end, where everything resolves itself and things go back to normal?

I have read all the other books in this series, and, after reading this one, have decided this is my least favorite. For me, the story just did not cut it. I found the Josh-Caitlin relationship interesting to watch, but a bit overdone. Yes, there was chemistry between the duo, but a lot of the story was just not realistic for me and dragged on. I also found it interesting that, in Eternity Springs, at least, everyone and thing turns out perfectly for everyone; everyone has total success in all their endeavors; no big roadblocks crop up. The ending was also obvious from the start, with few big red herrings or twists and turns to make me wonder if things would eventually turn out okay in Eternity Springs. Still, the writing was well done (This author, in my opinion, writes very well, and I enjoy her writing.), and the characters were well developed and somewhat realistic (as long as you realize this is a book where all things end well, and not as they often do in the life most of us know). I think anyone who enjoys this series will enjoy this book, if he/she does not go into it expecting great and wonderful things or an exciting story that will rivet a reader, who will not be able to put the book down. It did provide another glimpse into the lives of the citizens of Eternity Springs and especially into the town’s above-and-beyond guru/patron, Celeste, who makes every doubt, question and/or struggle into some sort of epic fight with a fantastic outcome. No one can out maneuver Celeste for her wisdom and/or actions. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Really, really enjoyed this story. When I first started reading this book, I thought oh this is going to be a cute story. Wow was I off the mark. This hard hitting story was not only cute, sweet, seriously heartbreaking & sexy. The real life problems brought to life have pulled at the heart strings & the tear ducts. The life that Josh lived had been rough at a young age & filled with devastating loss as a child & an adult. Caitlin lived a charmed life in comparison to Josh but that in no way took away from her character. She was strong, sweet, smart, loving & dedicated to living the best life she could. I loved the chemistry & compatibly of Josh & Caitlin. This book was very well written both in topic & feelings it brought forth. Definitely recommend.

4.5 Stars
Caitlin Timberlake realises that her encounter with Josh Tarkington was a sign that she needed to make a major life change. So she packs up her things and moves to Eternity Springs, opens a day care, and sets her cap for the town's mechanic. t Josh is hiding a well of secrets that would ruin him, and his relationship with everyone in Eternity Springs especially Caitlin
This is the fourteenth book in the series & was another well written very enjoyable read. It is a story that takes you through a whole gamut of emotions & at times is heart wrenching. I found myself totally caught up in the story, which is unusual for me as a contemporary romance isn’t my favourite but I was engrossed in it. I look forward to more books from the author

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Josh and Caitlyn 's relationship started off hot and it most definitely stayed steamy. This story is typically about friends with benefits and then someone falls in love. Can you guess who fell first.?

Springtime is a time for new beginnings and Eternity Springs is the place where Josh is looking for a fresh start. The First Kiss of Spring is a small town love story about love, forgiveness, and courage. We have Caitlyn a small town girl turned city girl who comes to visit a small town in Colorado when she meets this smoldering hot man named Josh and his adorable crippled dog. Their first meeting finds them trapped on a gondola, in midair of course, and they hit it off in a major way. Caitlyn invites Josh as her plus one to her college friend's wedding and the story takes off. Caitlyn thinks Josh is the one, but Josh feels differently. Caitlyn is on a mission to prove to Josh that love exists and he should believe in it. With a tight knit community to throw is some gossip, an overprotective father, and a troubled past, Josh and Caitlyn crawl through the muck to come up unscathed on the other side.

Josh was sweet and he had that super hero complex to him with a dash of broodiness, if that's a word. Josh has this weird thing about fate having it out for him and that is why he refuses to get involved in a committed relationship. I really felt for Josh, his past, and his relationship with his mother. I like Joshua because his character had depth and his journal entries really gave me a peep into his previous life. Caitlyn on the other hand was very straightforward with what she wanted. She already foresaw that Josh was the one and she took whatever little that he gave her. Caitlyn was strong, determined, and sometimes a pushover with her family. I was so glad when she finally stood up to her family, especially her dad. The pacing was great, the writing was on point, and the chemistry between the characters was ever so present.

While I did enjoy this book very much, there were some things that grinded my gears though. First off, this book was crowded with characters. I'm guessing that this book is part of a series. I did not read the other books, so I was a little lost with the side characters and there were a lot of characters. Second, it lacked details. The author told me instead of showing me . Nothing annoys me more than the author telling me instead of showing. I am very visual type of reader and i need visuals. This style of writing is new to me so I am a little bias. I do not like the fact that she just says they kissed or made love. I needed a build-up and some of the scenes are not even written out, it's just "a" did this and "b" discussed this. This type of writing takes me out of the story.


Nevertheless, The first kiss of spring is a joy to read on a lazy afternoon, with a nice dose of heat to keep you entertained. I definitely recommend this story.

Josh Tarkington’s journal entries reveal a deeply troubled individual with a painful past. Caitlin’s family doesn’t trust him, and I could understand their reluctance to support their daughter’s plans to marry the man. It will take most of the book for Josh to even trust himself.

Just as a side note, I hope the guy has bought himself a really good health insurance plan, because it is obvious that he is going to need it!

An emotional return to the Eternity Springs series.
With the author’s signature take on life in the mountain town, humour, friendship, family and love abound and redeems.

I look forward to reading the next book with anticipation.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. On the positive side, it was well written and had a lovely romance between the two characters but was a little more heavy than I was expecting. I think there will be a lot of people who enjoy it.

Haven't read any of the others in the series, but this can stand alone. It's a cute story of a local girl moving home and meeting a newcomer in town with lots of secrets. Accidents, family, and locals seem to keep getting in the way. Small details about the realities of starting a day care business or operating a one man garage business while injured were ignored. But it's a satisfying happily ever after for everyone that counts.

This latest entry in the Eternity Springs series revisited lots of familiar faces while also giving Caitlin Timberlake a chance at romance. Once again, Emily March has created a heartwarming story that immediately pulled me into the romance of Josh and Caitlin. This one actually featured occasional journal entries from Josh that hinted at his troubled upbringing which inevitably caused problems with Caitlin and his life in general. There are some difficult issues mentioned in the book, however, I believe the author handled them well. Sadly, the issues are straight from reality but that didn't detract at all from the story, if anything it made the story more realistic which isn't always the case in a romance novel.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March is the 14th (yes 14!) book of her Eternity Springs series. It can be read as a stand alone. This is the first book I have ever read by Emily March and what a delight!
Caitlin Timberlake meets Josh Tarkington at a weekend weeding in Telliride- not far from her home town. While she lives in NYC now, she is thinking of moving back as well as a career change. Once she finds out that Josh currently lives in Eternity Springs, she becomes more determine to head home.
Josh is battling demons and is JUST getting his feet back under him. The last thing he wants is for a woman to lay siege on him. But his attraction for Caitlin to too strong. As they start seeing more of each other, Josh begins to dream again until he disaster hits.
I LOVED this book. Ms. March writes in such a way that paints a picture but allows the reader to expand on the picture and use their imagination. The Journal entries never point to what is going on until she wants you to know and connect the dots. Once the dots are connected however, your heart just swells!! Seamlessly written with feeling, I can't wait to dive into another Emily March book.

I love Eternity Springs, Colorado. It just feels so good to visit there! I have always enjoyed Emily's books and this is no exception. Caitlin and Josh are great together! I so loved that Josh was 'damaged' and not the 'all-American boy' and working to better himself. This was a great story and I highly recommend it!

I have read all the books in this series and I think this is my favorite. I really like Josh and Caitlin. Josh is trying so hard to be a good person. He had fought addiction early in his life and was doing a pretty good job until his accident. He is too ashamed to tell anyone his history and so there was no one to support him. Caitlin really wants to help Josh, but he keeps pushing her away. She knows that Josh is the one for her, but will he ever realize they are supposed to be together? On top of her problems with Josh, something is going on with her parents. Caitlin is trying to start a new business, help Josh with his injuries and find out what is going on with her dad. Will it work out? Can Celeste work her magic?