Sadly, I didn't connect with this book and therefore I could not finish it. I'm rather sad over it also. I really love Renee and her stories. I'm sure the next one will be better for me.

This story follows Penny, a college student majoring in dance, and Gavin, a fifth year English and Engineering dual major. Both take part in a psych study where they are blindfolded and must kiss another person. What follows is the next fourteen years of their lives displaying a friendship and love that is utterly baffling and irritating. Even now that I have finished the book, I am struggling with my feelings on it because I enjoyed reading it so much that I didn’t stop until I was done, but it’s been awhile since I was this frustrated with the characters and their choices. Even when I thought FOR SURE I knew what was going to happen 90% of the way through, the author took me for a loop. I legitimately started complaining out loud. This is definitely a book for those that love angsty reads! I really enjoyed the present point of views being mixed with the past, which is not something I usually enjoy. I was fully invested both in how they are now, as well as how they came to be. The only thing that bothered me was at times, we would be reading Penny’s point of view, and suddenly there would be a paragraph where it was coming from Gavin, which was difficult to understand and caused me to go back and re-read to figure out what was happening. It seemed just like a mistake that hadn’t been corrected in editing yet. Overall this is a 4.75 star book that I am just rounding up to a 5. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Buckle up, friends. You realize it's 2 a.m. here on the East Coast, right? I finished this book almost an hour ago, but can't sleep... So now, you all are going to be the lucky recipients of a Goodreads rant/review, because my feelings are *ALL* over the map here.

First, the good...well, to me, the great and super important... Spotify playlist! However, heads up ~ the original playlist has some songs that are no longer playable, they are greyed out. I did, of course, make a new playlist because I need to completely submerse myself in the experience. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy... And an aural treat to enjoy!

Second, thank you to Netgalley for sending me this ARC to review prior to release day. The publisher has noted that this is not a completely proofed/edited copy and is subject to change so we should not quote passages without checking with them first. Which is good that they threw that in... I applaud it when they own the fact, knowing that there are still some places that needed to be polished up before the big release. But, I'm sad because I can't quote any larger passages in my review...*kicks rocks*

Now, for my actual review. This is touchy because I was fully engaged in this book. I did reaction updates here on goodreads... But in the essence of my rules about NO spoilers, I'm going to be rather cryptic about this.

I'd like you all to try a "fun" exercise with me. Imagine you have a panel of meters that indicate your feelings. This is my game, so my meter has the following meters; love, hate, smut, frustration, and angst. Yep, frustration and angst have their own meters and when you read the book you'll understand why. The meters go from 0-10, right? For me, I started reading and started turning the angst knob, just a little at first, but it was on, right from the beginning. But we add more characters, so let's turn on some new knobs...like frustration. Turn it up to 8... Leave it there. 55% of the book, I'm ready to check myself into a chocolate rehab, (is that a thing? Judging by the wrappers I had piled up, should have been...) Which cracks up both of my already turned on meters, oh look?!? Frustration, it's maxed out. It kicked on a new meter, usually this only comes on in extreme situations. It's the #wine meter. Luckily, I came prepared. Pink Moscato saved the day. (When the wine meter is activated, it comes standard, usually with Kleenex and Manny) Tears...oh yeah, I called for Manny.

Whew, that was difficult to explain! Now, I think you all understand... I felt alllll of the feels. I was mad, sad, and real pissed, did I mention I was mad yet? Gah. There were parts of this book I really, truly loved... It was very well-written. The side characters are used in such a way that you care about them... They add to the story, rather than detract. However, I got a bit fired up, obviously, even though I am deliberately being obtuse...I always have a problem with huge time jumps... I understand that things can't always be tied up in a bow *wink*, but ... Hmph, enough about that. And uh, the ending... Uh, what? Wow. Pretty abrupt.

So...here you go, my long winded thoughts about my latest read. 4 stars.

➳ Rate: 4,5 / 5 stars

I didn't realize how much I had missed Renée's words until I picked up this book. She is one of my Angst Queens and with this book she reminded me of exactly why. Blind Kiss was everything my angst addict heart could have asked for and more. This book was truly beyond words amazing and I both loved and hated it because ugh the emotions it pulled from me oh my gosh.

After two days I am still a mess over this book and I'm having a hard time putting all my thoughts and emotions together eloquently... This book was angst through and through. Gavin and Penny's story is the true depiction of time never being right. Something is always in their way, whether it's Penny's fault, Gavin's or something that is completely out of their both of their hands. Both characters have their faults, and made their fair share of mistakes and bad decisions that impacted the way their relationship developed.

Blind Kiss had a lot of similarities with All Your Perfects and at the same time it was a lot different. The similarities... from the different time lines to the meet cute to the way that I was giddy to see how their story was going to develop to the heartbreak their present brought me and just watching them make mistakes or simply not doing anything to change their unhappiness. It broke my heart. Penny was a very difficult character, I adored her but I also hated her because she just did not know what she really wanted and wasn't capable of making a decision or taking action on anything. That was extremely disappointing. Thank God someone made that decision for her, otherwise she would have stayed unhappy her whole life. Gavin, while he too had his own faults and his own baggage, was amazing and I felt so much for him. Despite it being unbearable to be around the love of his life and watching her be married and have a kid with someone else, he put his heartbreak aside and was there for her and her son through most of their lives.

Nothing about Blind Kiss or in Blind Kiss was easy. There are a lot of things I wish had been different for my sake and the characters. Despite that I still can't help but love this story and these characters with all their imperfections. This book was nothing but emotion and heartbreak and I just loved it. It portrayed loss, grief, longing and love beautifully.

Now the ending... well I wanted more so much more for these two. After the whole roller coaster of emotions we and they were put through, I wanted more of them finally together. What we got wasn't nearly enough. The epilogue while it was very sweet and stuff, had me wanting more, so much more and honestly I was extremely disappointed with it. My reaction was "That's it?". Gavin and Penny deserved another epilogue, a longer one with them together and f***ing happy. I needed that, my heart needed that. And that is mainly the reason why I am rating this a 4,5 stars instead of a full 5. They deserved a better ending, one that was just more.

I'm not sure if I've ever read a book so frustrating before. Seriously, this one messed me up. I finished it days ago and I don't know if I loved it or hated it. I have no idea how I felt about the story or the characters. Renee Carlino is one hell of a writer, though and she sure did make me feel. I felt so many emotions while reading this story. Not all of them were good, but they were all strong and powerful and that says a lot about this story! It's not very often that a story effects me this much.

Gavin and Penny meet in college after they were asked to participate in a psych study that posed the question, “Can you have sexual chemistry without knowing what the other person looks like?” When it came to the two of them, the answer was an astounding yes. They become fast friends after that blind kiss, but you can tell there is so much there, simmering just below the surface. During the college years of Penny and Gavin, it seemed like they never could get it together. That maybe friendship was all that would ever be between them.

Fast forward 14 years later and Penny and Gavin are still best friends. But their lives are still on totally different tracts. No matter how in-sync they may be, things were never easy for them. This story is told from the past and present and we get both Penny and Gavin's pov. It stressed me out. It was the timing. The timing was never right. And I loved to hate it and hated to love reading about these soulmates, these two people who couldn't be together, but couldn't be apart, and could never get their shit together at the same time.

I honestly spent days pondering on how to rate this book. There were moments I was sure I was going to rate it on the low side because I was so ragey. Then other moments I knew it had to be a 4 or 5 because the writing was THAT GOOD and it effected me so much. So a 4 it is. If you are a lover of angst, you need this book in your life. Period.

This couple has an undeniable connection and their friendship and love is beyond. When I was reading their story, all I could think of was this Beau Tapin quote:
One day, whether you are 14, 28, or 65, you will stumble upon someone who will start a fire in you that cannot die. However, the saddest, most awful truth you will ever come to find- is they are not always with whom we spend our lives.
It always makes me cry and this book had me in tears all the way through. I feel like is review is kind of all over the place, and I'm not really clear on if I'm recommending this book, but I AM. Renee Carlino is an amazing storyteller and this book is a journey. Some people might hate it, but I think most who read it will love it and appreciate it no matter how many times they wanted to throw their kindle ;)

i hate to say it, i normally either love or like books from this author but this did not work for me *at all* and i really struggled to finish it.

i hated the characters. they were both absolutely awful. i didn't like the story - i loved the idea of it, the blindfolded kiss sounded fabulous.

i am not normally a fan of the long separation and second chance romance but sometimes it can work really well. in this case, the long separation wasn't because of something that happened with the two main characters, but rather because they kept skirting around each other and making stupid decisions, she ends up marrying someone else and they stay 'friends' for 14 years. that really did not work for me at all, mainly because i could not understand the characters and their choices, ever. not to mention they both constantly made choices that hurt other people - each other and other relationships - on purpose.

i like angst and feelings as much as the next person, but i have to like the characters, understand their situations and choices in order to feel all the feelings.

on top of that, the writing was not my jam, it's been a bit since i've read a book by this author but it didn't feel up to her normal par. there were a few moments i liked, a few moments where i thought okay, i can get behind this, but they were few and far between. i would say the characters ruined this book for me, ultimately.

i'm sorry netgalley and renee carlino. i hate disliking books. i don't want to hate on something, especially by an author i've previously liked. but this just didn't work for me.

I loved parts of this book including the chemistry between the two main characters, but it was also frustrating to not see them together. The supporting characters were also good and it had some very well written parts that surely packed quite an emotional punch. I'm so torn on how I feel about this and I need some more time to think it through but overall, if you want to really FEEL all the feels when you're reading, you should absolutely pick up this book.

Renée is my boo. I love her. Many of her previous titles have been some of my favorite reads ever (See: Before We Were Strangers, Swear on This Life, Wish You Were Here). Blind Kiss though? While I did breeze right through it, I think my own personal hype got the best of me.

I loved the premise: strangers who share a blindfolded kiss. I loved this scene and Renee did a fantastic job portraying their hesitation, their chemistry and their resulting surprise of the whole situation.

Beyond that initial meeting though, I felt like Penny took and took and took and Gavin just let it happen over and over. I don't know if you'd call their relationship codependent, but I think maybe yes? They were a mess that couldn't get their shit together. I could see how much they cared for one another but Penny was such an ass and so selfish. I felt bad for Gavin for most of the story.

I'm a sucker for dialogue. When characters really dish it out, go back and forth, have deep, revealing conversations. And there is a lot of dialogue in Blind Kiss, however, I think it might have been too much. Or, there isn't enough emotional introspection on Gavin or Penny's part to really balance it out or give it more meaning.

And maybe I blew through it so quickly because it was paced too quickly? I know I felt really unresolved about the ending. The turnaround from Gavin going to France and then back at the Subway years later occurs in the blink of an eye. What even happened? Maybe I'm focused on Gavin too much? It's more Penny's story, I suppose. And I can see her growth over time, but...I wanted more for their relationship I guess.

I did't really dislike it, I have more of an unresolved feeling about it. I wanted to love it, the premise was great and it had some enjoyable moments, but Blind Kiss wouldn't be my go to Renée Carlino recommendation. Have you read it? What did you think?

(link provided to be live on release day 8/14)

The Blind Kiss combines some of the most beloved tropes in Romance but gives them some unexpected, refreshing twists and wraps it all up in one one of the most intriguing and addicting structures in a Romance novel that I’ve read.

The story begins with an explosive scene between our two protagonists, Gavin a tattooed car-mechanic/guitarist and Penny a wealthy, once aspiring dancer now stay-at-home mom who could not be more different from each other yet clearly share a magnetic pull and a long history. After this gripping opening scene Carlino splits the narrative into a dual timeline, one taking place 14 years ago to when Penny and Gavin first met in college and one starting a few months before the opening scene. This structure, of giving you a glimpse into the story but leaving you with a lot of questions and then rewinding to show us how the characters got to that point is something that I have more commonly come across in mystery/thrillers but that works very well in The Blind Kiss to create a gripping, compulsively readable story.

In the first timeline, Penny and Gavin are both students in college who agree to participate in a Senior student’s thesis study investigating whether or not people can feel attraction to someone they haven’t seen. Participants are asked to chat with each other while blindfolded and then kiss.

The premise of the Blind Kiss study is a cute hook, but more than the central point of the story, the study feels like more of a gimmick to bring together an opposites-attract couple than anything else and does not feature a significant role in the rest of the book (I will insert a small, researcher originated rant here and point out that as a social science study this study had no control group and only five, then three data points as well as interference from the person carrying out the study, no waiver form and privacy for the subjects participating in the study, it was enough to make my economist heart cry but this is beyond the scope of this review and I understand that liberties are taken for the sake of fiction). While it would be a bit of a stretch to say that Penny and Gavin have “scientifically -proven” chemistry the kiss leaves them both breathless and infatuated. Gavin is eager to pursue this budding relationship. Penny who is focused on finishing her senior year and training for her nascent dance career is more hesitate but cannot dely their mutual attraction. A deep intimate friendship develops between them and their lives become more and more entangled.

We flash forward to the second timeline and discover that Penny and Gavin have remained close friends into their adulthood yet Penny is married to someone else and Gavin has continued a serial monogamist pattern. Despite their two very different lives the tension of their unfulfilled relationship continues to pull the two together in one of the longest and heartachiest buildups I have ever read.

With these two characters Carlino has created the ultimate contemporary soulmate story filled with a hefty scoop of opposites attract, can’t get the timing right but can’t keep you out of my head angsty goodness. Seriously if any of these things are your romance catnip pick this one up right away because this has enough angst to make Alisha Rai and Nicholas Sparks jealous.

There are two particular areas that particularly stood out to me as I was reading this book. The first is the excellent character development. Gavin in particular, undeniably has bad boy appeal with his tattooed, car-fixing and guitar playing, especially contrasted with career and then family focused Penny. He is fun, flakey and has a dash of manic pixie dream boy with a tender side which is a fun twist on a generally female character trope. Penny to has hidden vulnerabilities and flaws which change as she grows older and adopts the roles of mother and wife. The other characters are where the book especially shines. For the first half of the book they generally take the back seat to Penny and Gavin’s relationship and then Big Things happen around the middle of the book and it brings out layers in each character making each a fully complex character. Penny’s mother, initially presented as an unlikable and obsessive pageant mom became one of my favorite characters by the end of the book.

The second was the very real will-they-won’t they back and forth throughout the book. Romance readers (myself included) often take comfort in a guaranteed HEA or HFN. The fun comes in going along for the ride and seeing how the conflicts will be resolved into a happy ending. This is the first romance book that I read where I genuinely was baffled at how these webs of conflict, relationships and emotion were going to be worked out, and I mean this in the best way possible because Carlino manages to pull it off in a way that feels both realistic and emotionally satisfying. You will read until the last page then let out a breath you did not know you were holding in.

Overall, this is a very solid romance read with enough familiar elements to keep readers looking for their favorite tropes happy but enough novelty in its structure and character development to keep even veteran romance readers hooked. Romance tropes are quite personal and this book is not quite my cup of tea since angst is not my favorite and there was angst a-plenty in this book but even so I found many things to engage with and enjoy. I would definitely recommend this to fans of angsty romances, opposites attract, soulmates and slow builds.

My 4 star review is up on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36622744-blind-kiss?ac=1&from_search=true

It will be posted on blog and social media upon release date and links will be updated at that time.

4 stars
Penny and Gavin met during a social experiment in college and it changed their lives. She was a sweet and serious dance student with no social life. He was funny, confident, cocky, and impulsive. One meeting and they were friends. And although he pushed for more, she wanted to keep him. And with his track record of being distractible and going through girls quickly, friendship seemed like the safest bet. But off and on they each wanted more, but the timing never seemed right.

They were each other's constants for fourteen years yet not really stable. They circled between the friendship zone and just out of reach for more. They were often not on the same page with various other relationships interfering. They held back. They pushed each other away. They were distracted and had bad timing. They had fears of real relationships, but had intimacy that no other person could match.

They are best friends and soul mates who for fourteen years have only shared a couple kisses. And as the years go by, their lives continue to circle each other, but they seem stuck in a state where neither of them is truly happy, but they feel powerless to fix it. But some big changes are about to occur, that could have a big impact. But these two seem to have the worst timing.

I have to preface this by saying I am not an angst lover usually. And their relationship really was frustrating, and oh so angsty and dramatic. This book made me tense and anxious. I wanted to shake sense into these two. I wanted to get rid of side characters that were in the way. I wanted to throw my kindle. They both made choices that made me cringe. I just wanted to scream "No!" and "Don't do it!" There was one plot device used a few times that I felt was overdone, and I wondered why these people never seemed to learn. But they did have plenty of opportunities for character growth and self discovery.

It is told in both points of view and in present and flashbacks so the story is unraveled slowly and provides some mystery. But even though it was not an easy book to read due to the angst, I found myself oddly fascinated by their relationship. And I hated that I had to put it down and wait til the next day to finish it and see how it all turned out. I was actually getting worried as the page count was getting close to the end. The end felt a bit rushed after all that drama and time invested in these two, and I would have liked another epilogue maybe. But I am still thinking of these two today so they did touch me and I did feel like I went on a long, emotional, turbulent journey with them.

"—I was scared we would become exploding stars if we gave in to each other."

Blind Kiss was my introduction to Renee Carlino. I was too intrigued by the synopsis to not give it a try. The romantic in me couldn't resist the idea of a blind kiss with a stranger who ends up being 'the one'. So, I kinda set myself up by going into the story with stars in my eyes expecting the story to play out like a fairy tale... wrong.

Yeah, I know I'm silly for feeling that way. But you see, the author tells the story in dual POV alternating between past/present. She put me inside the heads of the younger versions of Gavin and Penny from that first kiss and then I couldn't get out, even when I wanted to. She put me through an emotional wringer and I went back and forth from wanting to cry one moment and ready to throw my Kindle against the wall the next.

If I was watching this at a movie theater it would probably be rated PG which is a little sweeter than I'm used to reading. I really enjoyed the connection between Gavin and Penny, their sweetness and their witty banter were endearing. But I have to say, the excruciatingly long fourteen-year slow burn was torture. I was ready to head to a fireworks stand to buy something to light a fire under them to get the BOOM! I was waiting for. I was exhausted by the time I turned the last page, feeling every one of those 14 years.

I love Renee Carlino’s writing. She knows how to write angsty romance and how the characters get together. My only gripe with her is that we don’t see the characters together for long (most of the time it’s in the epilogue). I wish we get to see how the relationship falls into place. Was it the right match? Would they struggle? Would they run off the sunset in the happily ever after?

About Blind Kiss, this is the story of Penny and Gavin. They meet their senior year in college as part of a psychology experiment where they blind kiss each other and discover they have a sizzling chemistry.

However Penny wanted to focus on her school work so she didn’t wanted to get into a relationship with Gavin. So they become best friends.

The story is told through a series of flashbacks from when they were in college into present time.

This book was angsty. You knew the characters were meant to be together but every possible obstacle pop up from unexpected pregnancy, death of a parent, other relationships.

Characters: Gavin was an interesting hero. He wanted what’s best for Penny but he wasn’t available when she needed him the most. I was angry at him for remaining in a relationship when he could have been with Penny.

Penny for the most part was a passive character. She was infuriating. She didn’t actively take action towards her life. She just let things happen.

Plot: Much of the story is told through flashbacks and present time. A lot of the secrets get revealed throughout the story although they were predictable. This story is angsty.

Romance: I really wanted the characters to get together from the getgo. But boy do we have to go through a series of obstacles to get there. I wished we had an extended epilogue to hear from the characters.

What I feel? I really love Renee Carlino’s story. They bring the right mix of angst and love. This story didn’t disappoint. If you want an angsty romance, then pick this book up!

This review will be posted on What to Read Next Blog on August 18, 2018.

I have struggled with what to say about this book. I enjoyed it, but at the same time I kind of didn't enjoy it. It had some really great parts. 

The premise of this book is great. I really loved the idea of the blind kiss and its profoundness. However, I wasn't a fan of how everything played out afterward.

This isn't a second chance romance. I would call it a million missed opportunities romance, to the point I was getting bored with the push and pull after a while.

I think my discord with this book had a lot to do with the characters. I just wasn't invested in Penny or Gavin. Their character development wasn't very strong. I couldn't really feel their connection. Maybe it was because this book was more dialogue driven. A lot of times getting to know characters and feeling chemistry falls in the inner monologue of the story, which was minimal in this one.

This book didn't feel like a Carlino book. If anything, it felt like a CoHo book. Now, I am not saying that in a negative way. I am just saying the slow burn and how the book was written felt more like CoHo's writing on some level. I love both authors. They are great with words and stories. 

Overall, this isn't a bad book. It is pretty good. It definitely isn't one of my favorites of Carlino's, that is for sure. I can see many loving it. I am just hanging out in the middle. I liked it, but I didn't love it.

So much of life comes down to timing. Being in the right place at the right time. How one moment, one decision, can change the entire trajectory of your life. In Blind Kiss, Renee Carlino gives readers an enduring and emotional love story that spans decades.

I'm not going to lie. The angst in this book is off the charts. It will not be everyone's cup of tea and there will be times when your heart cries out and you may want to throw your kindle/book across the room. Penny and Gavin don't share an easy love story and it's not a light and fluffy tale. There is loss, pain, heartache, and grief, but there's also joy, healing, forgiveness, and love. These two characters are both flawed and broken in their own ways. Meeting by chance in a psychology experiment their senior year in college and forging a friendship that blurs the lines over and over again through the years. The story is told in dual POV and switches back and forth between the past and present.

I really can't say that I truly loved either Gavin or Penny. Both had so much baggage to work through and mistakes were made on both sides. They hurt and they loved each other repeatedly, but through it all, their chemistry and connection never waned. I honestly don't know who I hurt for more - Gavin, Penny, or Liam. All were selfish and selfless at different times, but I did appreciate that everyone matured throughout the book. I wasn't totally comfortable with Penny's relationship with Gavin over the years. Though my patience was eventually rewarded in the end, I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed and abrupt. I would have loved a little more after enduring such a heart-stomping journey. This isn't my favorite Renee Carlino book, but readers looking for an angsty and emotional love story will devour Blind Kiss.

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

This was my first book by Renee Carlino, I was intrigued and interested in the blurb - I enjoyed the story but it was angst overload in my case.

Penny and Gavin's story is an emotional rollercoaster, told from both viewpoints and goes back in time to when they first met to present day. It frustrated the hell out of me, both with the choices they made and the way the story played out.

Their first meeting was at high school and they were taking part in a scientific experience, having a blind kiss, which was hot and you could really feel their connection. From then on they became best friends, always there for each other. But Gavin felt very protective of Penny and wanted things from her he had never wanted from other girls before, he wanted to take it further, but agreed to just keeping it in the friend zone. Penny didn't have many friends, so she was frightened to take things further in case it didn't work out, so she kept Gavin as a friend only, even though she wanted more.

This went on for fourteen years!!! It was really painful to read at times, their decisions to keep from each other and not venture from the friend path. As I said, too much angst for me, I don't mind a bit but this was angst overload!! The last few chapters really ripped at my heart, I was begging for them to make different decisions, thank goodness for the epilogue which went far enough for me to be happy with the ending.

This book kinda tore at my heart.

What starts as a science project with a "blind kiss" becomes a lifelong friendship for Gavin and Penny. But that was the thing, she friend zoned him from the beginning because she didn't want to mess up the great relationship they had. But even with their lives taking different paths, they were always there for each other. Their bond was so strong. Gavin was pretty much clear of his intentions from the beginning, but backed off, accepting any part of Penny he could get. My heart broke for him.

I loved going from past to present and it took a while for a few things to be revealed. There were some tearjerker moments for sure!

As always, Renee Carlino delivers an epic love story that gives you all the feels! One word that definitely describes this unique storyline is"realistic".

I also love that her books are standalones.... no cliffhangers, trilogies, etc....... just one great book that takes you to another place!

Blind Kiss is a very angsty, emotional rollercoaster of a novel. A unique sort of love triangle that I felt compelled to know more about. The hero of this book really is what kept it alive for me. I wanted to see his struggles, understand his pains, and relish in his joyfulness. Unfortunately, the heroine was who I never once connected to even though I made strides in understanding her. She’s a complex woman with complicated entanglements and a very strict sense of right and wrong that at times I’ll admit I couldn’t get on board with. What’s interesting though is that I found her journey to be something inspiring by the end. It was at the end where I found myself needing to see even more past it. To know. Because getting there was turbulent as all get out. Carlino held nothing back in the story of these two friends and the sea of emotions in which they swam. A few times I did think there was too much angst, too many roadblocks for my personal tastes. They held me back from feeling the heart of heroine and really connecting fully to her and to the story. The writing of Renee Carlino is as always as thoughtful as it is wistful though; full of longing and exquisite pain coupled with bright spots of beauty.

Looking for angst? This book will deliver in spades!

F%#$!!
For the love.
*Pulls at hair*
*shakes head*
*runs around screaming*
*hides under covers and hugs knees*

Oh glorious angst!
I feel like I crossed the finish line after running a full marathon - the full 26.2 miles - of chasing a carrot dangling in front of my face. My face tear stained. My eyes puffy. My heart sewn together after being tortuously torn apart for the better part of 4-5 hours.

Damn you Renee for bringing all the feels. Again.
Damn you for digging a hollow hole into my chest that I didn't know could exist.
Damn you for creating a beautiful story about the role of friendship when it comes to romantic love; for sharing two characters that pushed the limits and took it to very edge.

Penny and Gavin meet during a college student-run psychology experiment designed to study the reaction of two strangers after sharing a blindfolded kiss. Their initial chemistry: off-the-charts. How their easy friendship and love develop after that fateful kiss encompass this book.

Penny is stunning, strong, and loyal to a fault. She's a bright and young aspiring dancer. But when her dance dream gets threatened by an unexpected injury, it sparks the beginning of a very long journey of self-discovery and love.

Gavin is smart and handsome and even more loyal.
He's funny, brave, wise, and reluctantly respectful of Penny's wishes, but willing to take and keep anything she will give him. Even if it is just friendship.

But everyone saw beneath the surface. The enormous, deep, soul connecting love beneath their exerior facade of friendship. They weren't fooling anyone. Except themselves.
Their palpable connection extended beyond the pages, like a Brillo pad scraping a smooth surface: obvious, rough, tragic.
Yet they continue to deny. Deny what was so blatantly obvious. Black and white.
Despite the longing looks and close hugs.
Despite the songs and the cuddles.
Despite the hottest blind kiss in history.

“We’ll talk on the phone or email or something, okay?” “Okay,” I told him.
He swallowed nervously. Looking up at me from the car window, he said, “I wish it were you, Penny.” That was my bow. He knew I needed it, good or bad—no matter what feelings it shook loose from our long and complicated history together.

I SCREAMED at them.
WAKE THE @#$%@ UP!!!
But that's always easier said looking from the outside, in.
It's true what they say: the value of destination is in the journey. And their journey spanned over a decade; some heart-wrenching push-pull years that I lived in for a few hundred pages that my mind forced forward to devour. When my eyes finally won the battle over my brain, the feeling of longing seeped into my dreams, lurking in the shadows, with my kindle stuck to my forehead. I wake up in a haze, but eager to continue reading Gavin and Penny's story, determined and praying and hoping they will find acknowledge their love.

Read this book.
It will give you the greatest appreciation of the value of love and friendships in your life.

5 BRILLIANTLY ANGST-RIDDEN STARS!!
A top read of 2018!

I was given an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What could I possibly say about this amazing story in order to give it justice. This was an AWSOME 5 star that kept me reading for hours on out.

Penny and Gavin met in a rather unconditional way. Blind Kiss was the experiment. Where they were both blindfolded and had to kiss. They became best friends through out the years with up and downs. It was never their time.

This was an highly angsty story that started 14 years ago and went on to the present. Beautifully written with a storyline that made me sad because it was never their time. I was left smiling at the end though.

I loved the colourful characters that stood out. They were uniquely created for this story. This is a must read.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I highly recommend this story.

This is not your typical romance.
It all begins with a kiss. A blind one.
With time it forms into a friendship, one filled with longing and "what ifs".

This story is an exploration of the consequences of bad timing and poor communication, weathering those mistakes and continuing to maintain a deep connection beyond friendship.

I loved the beginning of this story, how randomly the H and h come together, and the odd path they take after. Early on, the H, Gavin, seems so smitten, and incredibly impulsive in a scary way (that tattoo!!), that I actually thought something was wrong with him. With time, it is clear this isn't the case, he is just overwhelmed with his connection to Penny, the woman he met via a kiss. Despite approaching stalkerish status, Gavin eventually settles into a friendship with Penny.

There are moments where I thought Penny and Gavin would take things to the next level, as the attraction between them is mutual. But Gavin's inability to stay single for a period of time actually has long term complications, which I'll avoid getting into.

Told from alternative POVs and various timelines, we learn of the highs and lows the H and h face over the years. For the most part, Gavin is there for Penny, whenever she needs him - whether it be during a case of low drinking tolerance, or babysitting duties. This connection complicated her own personal love life (but again, I won't get into that). However, there are two times his isn't there for her and sadly that changes everything.

"I wish it were you, Penny."

There is a good amount of angst in this story to wade thru. At times it made sense, and at others I wanted the characters to think before making personal sacrifices over happiness. I appreciated them wanting to take responsibility of their actions, but also felt these decisions were impulsive and not well thought out. Which ended up backfiring for them down the road.

The path Penny and Gavin take in their relationship is far from normal, and I wish the story had expanded the ending, but overall, its a sweet story soulmates and the rough journey they take to a HEA.