3.5***

Grace and Sawyer are a perfect example of opposites attract. He is this rigid, former Marine, stuck to his rules and she is this free spirited, heart in her eyes, artist. But together they balance each other out. Their journey was a short one although special. They were cute and tried to fight their feelings. I think if the book were a little longer, more depth and chemistry could have been found. However, after getting to know Bill, Lottie, the other veterans, Sawyer's brothers, and the adorable Violet, a good base has been set for future stories I would love to read.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

Bring dogs into a story and I’m generally a goner and that was certainly the case with Just One Kiss. Golden retriever Bert, who seemed to be almost untrainable at times, certainly stole my heart. The human characters in this story are pretty special too. I loved freelance photographer Grace, who oozes love for Violet, her best friend’s autistic daughter. Her patience and care for Violet shines through but she is just as caring of others in her community. Celebrity dog trainer Sawyer Rivera comes across as a bit of a jerk when he first appears on the page but he redeems himself pretty quickly and it’s soon apparent that this guy is not only good looking but also generous. I loved that he worked with a local veterans group to get his new dog training facility constructed. I also loved the setting on an island in Puget Sound, Washington.
This was a quick read but also an enjoyable one.

I have read several of Traci Hall's books but always written as a team with another author, this was the first time I have read a book just written by this author. This was a fun and lighthearted read, one that doesn't take a lot of deep thinking to keep you guessing what will happen next. Sometimes its nice just to read a simple book like that, because I read so many suspense thrillers its nice to turn to a book that is easy to read without a darkness too it. I am going through so much in my life at the present time, so I needed a quick read that I could just get lost in for a couple hours. I would recommend this book to those looking for a lighthearted read.

I received a copy of a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and am under no obligation to leave a favorable review, all opinions expressed here are my own.

I love this fun romance novel! Just One Kiss by Traci Hall brings together two very opposite and quite attracted people. First, Sawyer who is on a mission to change his public image ruins Grace's photo on the beach. His out of control, over boisterous dog makes it difficult to get the shot that she wants of this bird she's been watching for weeks so that she can photograph the exact moment the eggs hatch. Of course this wild dog and his handsome owner ruin her shot, and later she finds out that she is scheduled to work for him as a temporary receptionist /secretary in just a couple days. Sparks fly and no matter how they keep it professional, you know there has to be an opportunity for those sparks to lead to a kiss.... eventually.

Grace is a fun woman with a high sense of integrity who grew up in a commune. She is genuine and seems like someone I want for a best friend! Sawyer is opening a new dog obedience training camp to beef up his image and hopefully get the television network to approve his show! He seems to have some shallow sides, but is a good person. Opposites can really make things work or can make things impossible, depends on how things go! I felt that this novel was well written with defined characters, plenty of side characters that make me want to know more about their stories, and the cutest dogs who steal your heart. I really think this book should have come with pictures of all the dogs!

Thank you to NetGalley for this temporary, digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy. I requested to read this book. My opinions are my own.

I received an advanced copy of this ebook, from the publisher through netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. I really enjoyed this slow simmering romance between boss and employee. This book is set in Kingston, Washington. It is enjoyable, I absolutely adored Violet's character having Autism representation. I adored every character pretty much. I would highly recommend reading this book to anyone and everyone. This ebook is in stores now for $2.97 (USD).

The blurb intrigued me but once I got to the meaty parts of the story I lost interest and couldn't figure out why the characters should end up together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book received from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a huge fan of opposites attract romances. I liked this one but not as much as I wanted to. It was a nice story but it just didn’t enough spark for me.I needed spencer and grace to have more chemistry. There just wasn’t any combustion with them. . Aside from that this was a satisfying read. The story is easy to read and is very smooth flowing. I was looking for more passion in the writing and between both spencer and grace, so that left me a bit disappointed.

Grace is working towards a full-time career as a photographer but until that happens she finds herself accepting temporary jobs to ensure that she doesn’t lose the house she inherited from her grandmother. Her childhood was less than conventional which makes the home that much more important to her and how she finds herself working for Sawyer.

Sawyer has recently moved to town after a bitter and public end to his last relationship. He is opening a training centre for service dogs and he has a plan both for his life and his career and any deviations are not acceptable. They are wrong for each other for so many reasons, but his heart isn’t listening to his head.

This is a heartwarming story about a man who lost part of himself due to the success of his career and a woman with a huge heart who will do anything for those she cares about. The combination of animals, children and relatable characters make this an enjoyable story.

I have read several books over the years by Traci Hall. Her characters are likable with some difficulties in their lives, some more than others. Such is the case for Grace and Sawyer in Just One Kiss. One needs money to keep a family home and one needs positive PR. They meet and clash. It does not end there as they two have numerous occasions together.

This opposites attraction is also a next door neighbor, living in a small town story that would be perfect for a Hallmark movie. The drama and angst are not too strong even with Grace who needs to keep her grandmother’s home. The characters are not perfect but can be charming, loyal, and helpful. It is an enjoyable afternoon read where you hope a home and a career are saved while love is grasped in both hands.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you are looking for a light and quick read to help you get out of your reading slump, Just One Kiss is perfect. Based on the opposites attract trope, it is a clean romance with unique characters. It also features rescue dogs, service dogs, an autistic child, and a few veterans with with Post Tramautic Stress Disorder who are given a chance to feel useful and appreciated.

Grace Sheldon, a freelance photographer, who grew up in a communce with her free-spirited parents inherits a lovely house overlooking a beautiful beach. Her grandmother would like this house to be asafety net for her children, should they ever need a roof over their heads. The only problem and this is something Grace didn't know, there is also a substantial debt of unpaid taxes that Grace needs to pay. Otherwise, the bank is going to foreclose on the property. Grace has a month to come up with the money or lose the house of her dreams. She takes up a temp job of setting up an office for a new business in the town, although her paychecks are nowhere close to what she owes.

Sawyer Rivera is a celebrity dog trainer who needs to keep a low profile for a few months. His ex-girlfriend has been dragging his name in the press and he might lose all his contracts, unless she gets tired of spreading lies about him. Sawyer decides to go back to what he does the best and open a dog training camp. He also employs homeless veterans who have fallen on hard times and are in need of honest employment and a square meal. He even takes up a rescue dog without having met him (he is that confident in his training system). Lovable, but undoubtfully naughty Bert would melt anyone's heart. Unfortunately, Bert also manages to break Grace's expensive photo camera and this is how our protagonists meet.

There is a spark, of course, and there is undeniable difference of lifestyle, attitudes, and dispositions. Grace is independent and has been raised to feel suspicious of any kind of rules or authorites, while Sawyer, an ex-marine, believes in discipline and getting things done systematically.
Can Grace and Sawyer find things in common and let their differences bring the best in them? Can they appreciate how kind-hearted and generous both of them are ? and can Grace save her grandmother's home?

I realy enjoyed this romantic escape into sunshine, walks on the beach, training service dogs (I didn't know that dogs can help people on the autism spectrum regulate their emotions), and a bit of drama. I guess I won't spoil your enjoyment of the story if I say that there is a HEA (although I'd say a HFN would be more realistic given the timeframe). Traci Hall clearly knows how to write an entertaining and sweet romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Just One Kiss is Traci Hall’s newest release and standalone contemporary, small-town, opposites attract romance. It’s a sweet romance with just a touch of heat (fade to black scenes), so if you’re looking for steamy, this book won’t be what you’re looking for. If you’re a sweet with heat romance fan, though, I think you’ll enjoy this story.

NICUnurse’s Rating: Let’s talk characters for a moment because I think they truly make this story entertaining. Grace is quirky, fun, creative, and a “what you see is what you get kind of woman.” She has no hidden agendas, and she isn’t looking for a white knight, thank you very much. When she quite literally tumbles into Sawyer, he leaves the impression that he’s a big jerk. And for most of the book, he vacillates between a decent guy and that jerk she just met. These two couldn’t be more opposite if they tried. But there’s unmistakable chemistry between them, too. So what happens when Grace is no longer Sawyer’s employee? Well, that’s when the story really gets good.

I have to be honest. There were several times in this book that I felt the story dragged a bit (mostly in the first half of the story), and it was easy to skim. For me, it didn’t seem to hit its stride with the plot until about halfway through. I also would have liked to see a bit more plot and character development where Sawyer’s little brother was concerned. That twist seemed to come out of nowhere and fade into nowhere, which left me feeling like there was a missed opportunity to bring in some more drama. Sawyer always spoke about having a great relationship with his brothers, so what happened to make his youngest brother do such a thing? Perhaps that was the springboard to another story as him as the hero. But even so, a bit more detail would have been a great bridge to that. Or maybe I just missed something…?

With all of that said, this book was still an entertaining read for me. And since I’m always willing to give authors another chance to be my next 5-star read, I’m honestly looking forward to this author’s next book. Or I might check out her impressive backlist. Or both! Despite the times I felt like something was missing, I can’t help but think this book would translate well into a Hallmark type movie.

With that in mind, I give Just One Kiss by Traci Hall 3.5 out of 5 stars!

This is a contemporary romance in which opposites attract!

Grace Sheldon spent her childhood living on a commune with her parents, only moving to live with her grandmother to attend school when she was sixteen. Now she's inherited her grandmother's home but she never dreamt the tax bill would be so huge and the bank is threatening to foreclose on her. She's a free-spirited, freelance photographer but also takes on other jobs to help pay the bills. She's going to work as an office assistant at a soon to open dog training facility for a month and is shocked to discover that her new boss is her new next door neighbour and, although he has a bouncy, out of control dog, he's a plan first operator!

This is a fun story, with plenty of laughs and some great characters- both human and canine. It includes a young girl struggling with autism, a group of ex-military vets who are in need of a second chance, a horrific ex-girlfriend, interfering brothers and dreams in a delightful story that's one to put a smile on your face despite what's happening in your world. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and have no hesitation in recommending it.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for my copy which I voluntarily read and have honestly reviewed.

What to say about this book?!
I loved, loved the begining of this book, and after few chapters I was lost and so sorry for saying this I was bord.
The story line is beautiful, dogs, gorgeus guy, beautiful girl, good friends... But this was soooo poorly executed.
I just got the vibe that the author wanted quickly to finish this book.
This just didn't work for me. And I expected much more.
I am heart broken to say that this is only 2.5 stars. And the cover isn't adequate....

Releases on January 11, 2021
4/5
Thank you to #Netgalley and #entangledpublishing for providing me with this eARC for my honest review.

This was such a cute story. I love the way that grace was completely independent and no matter what tried to figure out every way she could to save her house on her own. Yes, this was a cute rom-com with a hot guy and dogs but it was great to read a book that the female character wanted to depend on herself and not the guy she was falling in love with. Sawyer and Grace's love story was a great one as well. They met because of a cute silly dog that wanted to play and after that, it was all history. I love romances when they put animals in as main parts it makes me love them that much more.

This was such a nice, clean romance.
I felt for Grace. She was doing all she could to not loose the house her grandmother had left her. I admire her in that she didn't want a hand out, and she didn't look for an easy way to solve her financial woes. The financial struggles she was having were indeed her struggles and by God she was going to see them through no matter the outcome.
Sawyer at first was just determined to get his reputation back on track after his ex destroyed him publicly. He learns a lot of valuable lessons and actually grows as a person. He just wants to get his dog training camp off the ground, and running.
Grace was like sunlight to him. Her personality and sweetness was just what he needed to be come a better man.
Their story was really sweet. I applaud Traci Hall on this really great book.

I’m super bummed I was really looking forward to this one. I really feel like this could have been written a little better. For me it felt rushed and thrown together

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for a copy this book. This was a sweet forced proximity office romance. This book is light hearted and fun. The dogs really stole the show in this book and they sounded so cute.

Super sweet and predictable story. If you are a dog lover, then you will like this book. Sawyer is a famous dog trainer who has moved to the East Coast to start up a new office and start again. His last relationship ended in pure drama and he wants to get away from it all.

There he meets Grace, his neighbor and also new hire, She is a sweet girl who is in dent up to her eyeballs and low on work.

This is a story about opposites attracting, crazy exes and love when you didn't expect it.

Free spirited Grace is in a real pickle. She needs to raise some money quickly. Sawyer is in Kingston for a reset and to salvage his reputation. This is an overall sweet story. The escapades with Bert, the dog, are hilarious. The characters are emotionally vulnerable and offer opportunities for becoming better human beings. I love that Grace is able to solve her own problems and not rely on a man to do so for her.

Thank you NetGalley, Entangled and Traci Hall for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
In this opposite-attract romance readers are introduced to Grace and Sawyer. Grace is a fun and free spirited photographer who never takes things too seriously and knows how to let loose. Sawyer is a rule following, closed off ex-military man who does not have time for games. Grace has been working extra jobs to make ends meet and winds up working as a temp for Sawyer whose ex has smeared his name. Their connection wasn’t instan’t and their slow burn romance leaves you reading faster just hoping they get there!
Was this cheesy at times? Yes. Was it a little unrealistic at times? Yes. Did the ending leave me wanting? Yes. BUT! Was this a solid romance read that left me satisfied and ready for my next book? YES! And that’s a win in my book!