I received a copy of this story through NetGalley from Tule Publishing for an honest review (thank you!). This was a fairly quick read told from Elizabeth and Jeremy's points of view. I'm a fan of dual views as I get more out of a story and the character's motivations and emotions.

Jeremy has practically become a recluse over the years. He doesn't seem to have fully come to terms with his past. He was betrayed by a gold digger and dealt with it by turning to alcohol. As a recovering alcoholic, he feels shame and not opening up to Elizabeth with this side of his life creates conflict and misunderstandings. Elizabeth also has battled anorexia and similarly continues to struggle with her image and confidence. Although she battles this everyday similar to Jeremy, she seems to be the light to his darkness. He begins to heal and climb out of this secluded life he's developed as their relationship grows.

I really enjoyed Elizabeth's family - particularly her sisters and brother. I hope we see more of the Desmond family.

This can be read as a standalone, but I did stumble a smidge with several established characters from his inner circle of friends. This book is one of (4?) written by different authors with intertwining characters in the same world - the Summer in New York series. I read Patty Blount's His Kiss about Elena's sister, Kara, which comes out at the same time as this and part of the current summer series. Along with Elena, several other characters are featured in another set of books released together written by the authors - Christmas in New York. In this book, Jeremy's sister & brother-in-law Jade/Ben are from A Light in the Window (book 3 of that series). I hope this helps tie them together as I had to do a little research since the current summer series is not linked to each other on Goodreads.

I'm going to go back and read Jade/Ben's story as I believe the backstory for Jeremy's alcohol addiction and intervention after a breakup and accident are included (at least I think they are included). The author did a great job of catching the reader up, but I like to read these types of series in order - plus Jade and Ben (and the other friends from the Christmas series) sound really interesting!

I liked this one more than I expected to. Good well developed characters and pleasant plot.

His Kiss by Jolyse Barnett is the second story in the multi-authored Summer in New York series from Tule Publishing. Fans of the Christmas in New York series will remember Jeremy Engel, younger brother of Jade Engel and close friend of Ben Stephens from the third book, A Light in the Window, and I'm glad he finally gets his story told here. Both he and Elizabeth Desmond have had their struggles--he with alcohol addiction and she with an eating disorder--but Jeremy can't help but focus on the most glaring thing that makes them different: their family backgrounds. Jeremy has already experienced what it's like to be with a girl who grew up with a family that had money and with Elizabeth coming from a very rich family of her own, Jeremy is afraid that he won't be considered good enough to be with someone like her.

These two lead characters definitely had their challenges in the book but I was pleasantly surprised with the route the story took a time or two because it certainly wasn't what I was expecting. I'm the kind of reader who appreciates those unexpected moments so definite kudos to the author for those. It was also nice to have Jade and Ben in prominent supporting roles as well as appearances from the rest of the characters from the original series, though Kara Larsen and Reid Bennett, the lead characters from the first book of this spin-off series, weren't around. This was a touching story about finding love, discovering hope, and seeking redemption and that when we find that missing piece that fits perfectly in our lives, fighting to keep what you have will be more than worth it in the end. His Kiss gets four stars out of five. ♥

Loved Jeremy and Elizabeth! Both had issues and were keeping secrets from each other; both had been burned in the past. The couple managed to move past their challenges and love each other. Quick, really great romance with an HEA that I gobbled up in one sitting.

Book two in the Summer in New York brings us a sweet passionate couple who have both fought addictions and bring out the best in one another.

"It's unrealistic to expect the man of your dreams to walk through your front door and whisk you away.

Following a nasty break-up with his gold-digging fiancé, author Jeremy Engel has fought alcoholism and has become somewhat of a recluse. Until he meets Elizabeth Desmond, a lady with a heart of gold who has moved to the Adirondacks to open her business and has fought her own addiction. And with an instant chemistry, it doesn't take long for Jeremy to realise Elizabeth is working his way into his heart.

"I just want to right here, right now, with you."

Considering the heavier subject matter covered, Jolyse Barnett has brought her reader an easy-read, fairly steamy romance with loveable characters. I have to confess I expected a little more given to the struggles Elizabeth was still facing, but I loved her quiet temerity, strength and understanding of Jeremy's own struggle and would love to see more from her family in the future.

Whilst easily a standalone read, it is linked to A Light in the Window, the third in the Christmas in New York series. Granted having read it made it easy for me to relate to all the secondary characters, but for readers who haven't, Jolyse Barnett does a superb job of filling the reader in.

Isn’t it ironic how the events of our past can continue to color how we see new people in our present? Jeremy hit bottom and he clawed his way out of that madness, yet he still believes that a woman who was born into a wealthy family can never see him as an equal partner in a relationship. He can thank his former witch of a fiance for that but her actions stuck longer than she did.

Elizabeth has her own demons to battle. Her struggles with anorexia have left her in an almost constant conflict with her self-confidence and her image of herself. Just because she was part of a family with money does not mean that Elizabeth won’t make her own way in life. She has opened her shop in Lake Placid and works toward its and her success every day.

When Jeremy and Elizabeth meet again the attraction is obvious. So are Jeremy’s demons of self-worth. Elizabeth recognizes the battles he has fought, and is still fighting – as is she. Her understanding will be a solid rock for him, if he will get past the belief that simply because her family is wealthy means that he is not good enough for her. As if she’d ever believe that.

His Kiss is a wonderful story of two people who have their own inner demons to fight each and every single day – and they accept each other as they are. Of course, nothing runs smoothly in fiction nor in real life, there are issues they had to sort, fix and overcome. But ultimately the love they had for each other was stronger than their demons. That’s part of what loving someone does, you fight together and you win.

I would recommend His Kiss for anyone who enjoys a very touching love story. No one is perfect, every deals with what life tosses at us differently but Elizabeth and Jeremy found each other and in doing that they found what life could be when the one you love truly has your back.

*I received an e-ARC of His Kiss from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

This is a story that shows how people and events of our past stay with us and can affect how we live the rest of our lives. Jeremy struggled with an addiction after his former rich girl bit** of a fiance dumped him. He did beat it but it is an everyday battle to stay on track. He still has trouble believing that he can be a partner to a woman born into wealth...even though he has a successful career.

Elizabeth battles her own issues as she struggles with anorexia brought on by trying to be all her former ass of a boyfriend felt she should be. She has issues with her self-confidence and her self-image. She comes from money but really wants to make it on her own,

When Jeremy and Elizabeth initially meet there is an attraction but they end up going there separate ways and don't even exchange names. They eventually meet again the attraction is obvious but both are insecure in starting a new relationship. .

This is a wonderful story of two people who fight an everyday battle with their own demons within and an emotional story of love conquering those demons. .

This book is well worth the read and I highly recommend it.

ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Kitty Angel's 5 Star review:

Wow … powerful and interesting …. watching Jeremy and Elizabeth fight the demons from the past was a fun and wild ride. Not without some bumps in the road, though.

I adored watching Jeremy and Elizabeth become the people that they knew that they could be. Both of them fighting addictions caused by past loves and keeping themselves ahead of the game was just amazing. And, when the past comes back to haunt them, it’s, surprisingly, Elizabeth that stands her ground and shows everyone just what true love is all about.
Jeremy was wonderful. He knew what he had to do to keep ahead of his alcoholism and was doing it just fine until Elizabeth. She showed him how to live life again, how to let people back in and how to trust again. His family could not have been happier. And, Elizabeth knew just about everything there was to know about him exact the truth about why he fell into the bottle. When she finds out everything, will it be the end?

As for Elizabeth, she knew enough about addictions that she could stand beside Jeremy and support him no matter what. But, will he accept the part her family had in bringing hardship to his family? And, there’s a part of him that he’s holding back from her …. will she ever be able to get through to him enough to get him to realize that money, her family, nothing, will stop her from loving him?

I just fell in love with both of these characters enough that, since Jolyse Barnett is a new-to-me author, I went and bought more of her books. I was thrilled with her style of writing, with how her characters may have had flaws but pushed through to become whole again and just the way she gave me the HEA that I was waiting for. She incorporates family and friends … she shows you the bad with the good … she wrote characters that we all could relate to in one way or another. I love strong woman and the men who stand beside them. And, even though she wrote Elizabeth with a few flaws, she shows her strength in the end and had me smiling and cheering her on. In fact, I was cheering for both Jeremy and Elizabeth for overcoming the past, their addictions and finding love with just one kiss.

4 heartfelt stars

His Kiss was a very good read.

The story will pull on your heartstrings and you find yourself totally immersed in the lives of Elizabeth and Jeremy.
It was an emotional and heartfelt love story, loved seeing them fall in love and put the pain from their pasts behind them.

Thank you Tule Publishing via Netgalley for the advance copy.

This. Story. Wow, it will break your heart a little, but after all the turmoil, it will put it back together again, and make you believe in a little better tomorrow.
The chemistry Elizabeth and Jeremy have, is off the charts. It is like a fairy tale, the sizzle between them palpable and obvious for all to see. They are so perfect together, they make each other to believe there's a new hope and future for them, too.
But they have obstacles, some serious obstacles. They see and recognize in each other's eyes the broken soul. She is struggling with an eating disorder, he is recovering alcoholic, but that is not all they have to face and overcome. There's the secrets, his career, and her family's past that is entwined into his family's past, there's his broken heart from a past relationship, and how it will effect in their relationship and future. Their feelings for each other are so real, raw, and fragile. Every step they take forward, they have another wall they have to climb over. Is love enough, or are there too many obstacles, too much drama, and tragedy, can they survive?
Summer in New York series has left me breathless with the first two installments. The stories are raw, make you think, and touch your heart with the serious issues that have been brought up in the mix of the beautiful love stories. I can't wait to read the next one...
~ Five Spoons

You know the expression of being born with a silver spoon in your mouth? Well that is the way Elizabeth was born, but it also came with guilt because of something in her family's history. That silver spoon also caused her to have some personal issues on what she felt she should be like physically so there were eating issues that would haunt her forever. So she decided to leave the big city and settle by her grandparents opening her own store.

Jeremy had a hidden past too, that of guilt and remorse. Because one night he was riding his motorcycle while drunk and had a major crash. Through the struggles he decided to write and became a best selling author but no one knew that except his close family and friends.

While they both came from different worlds and had individual problems, they each were the lifeline each other needed to make themselves complete. They just had to learn to trust each other and allow their relationship to grow.

This book is part of a summer series called Summer in New York and a continuation of Jolyse's Light in the Window from Christmas. It was one interesting to read as it dealt with things that so many people have but never will admit to others.

3.5 Learning to Cope Truthfully Stars * * * 1/2

This is the second installment of another series, Summer in New York. The subjects covered are extremely worthwhile in this romance.

You have the male character recovering and working the AA program for the last three years. Although it is never specifically named, he does carry 3 coins in his pocket and I felt it was implied. The man experienced pain and heartache which pushed him over the edge resulting in a motorcycle accident. Instead of using the medication to fight the pain, he substituted booze. This started his issues. It took a family intervention to set him straight and now he is on a very solid path.

He has become an hit best selling author and has figured out what works for him. He is living that "one day at a time" and has no room for any distractions.

However, distraction does present itself in the form of a beautiful woman who is in a similar place. She comes from wealth and a fiercely competitive family. She grew up loved and cared for; hit all of her targets in school and went off to Harvard. There she encountered life like nothing she had experienced...and she developed an eating disorder. It took therapy and understanding the whys of what she did... but she too, has turned things around.

These two meet, connect and then have the romance they always had hoped for....We wait and see them struggle with talking about their issues...for addiction isn't the only thing which could cause them pain....

This romance had its ups and downs but over all it was strong showing the need for honesty to others and yourself. Commendable.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

It’s hard to write a romance story about two damaged people and have it remain romantic. But in this story the author does it in a way that works out really well.

They were from very different backgrounds and they had more in common than they didn’t.

Elizabeth Desmond and Jeremy Engel both battle addictions. Jeremy is a recovering alcoholic and Elizabeth battles an eating disorder. Both are total opposites. She is rich and he grew up struggling for everything he had.

When Elizabeth met Jeremy at the hotel where her grandparents celebrated their anniversary, she knew he was something special. But she was afraid of getting involved with someone after her last relationship. She wanted more than just someone to merge bank accounts with. Elizabeth dreamed of a relationship like her parents had; romantic, exciting and fun.

Jeremy had no idea the woman he found on the beach staring up at the stars would change his life. Prior to meeting her, he was pretty much a recluse. He didn’t socialize very often and never had anyone come to his house. Would she be the one to finally help him get over the girl who broke his heart?

He was her missing piece. All she had to do was convince him he deserved her, not just for the summer or a year, but for a lifetime of love.

Enjoyed how the characters understood addiction and how they helped each other.
It was hard to stop reading.

This story covers some serious issues affecting many people’s lives either directly or indirectly. These issues are dealt with in a sympathetic but not pitying manner, making it clear that the pressures which can lead to such problems are different for different people and that there really is no cure from them. However, don’t assume that makes it a boring or too sad tale, it is anything but! Superbly written it is an engaging story which encourages people to be honest about any medical issues and shows love really can help.

Jeremy Engel is now a reclusive but very successful comic book author. In the past a horrendous motorbike accident left him in severe pain and, determined not to be reliant on painkillers, he drank too often and became an alcoholic. He’s a member of AA and has avoided alcohol for more than four years but acknowledges that it would only take one drink for all that to be ruined. He goes for a solitary walk on the beach near the hotel where he’s meeting with his family and finds a young lady sat alone enjoying the tranquility. She’s Elizabeth and has recently started her own sports shop and online store. She has a history of trying to control her life and appearance by obsessive calorie counting and taking excessive exercise. This is something she still struggles with when worried or stressed in anyway.

The two talk, share an explosive kiss but then go their separate ways without exchanging any contact details or even their full names. Neither can stop thinking about the other. When a further chance encounter occurs will they be able to resist each other? Can they be honest about their issues? Can love find a way for them to be together?

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley too,
for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There are several things that almost guarantee that I will love a book. Up there near the top are character names that appeal to me. I'm an old fashioned girl so when my hero is named Jeremy and the love of his life is Elizabeth my heartbeat ramps up right away. Throw in that Jeremy's sister Jade and best friend Ben featured in Christmas Light, an earlier Jolyse Barnett book which I happened to love and I'm pretty much in my happy place. Did I mention that I loved this book too? I have a thing for characters with real life flaws to deal with, but who struggle to the top of the heap in spite of themselves. Both Elizabeth and Jeremy are flawed. He's a recovered alcoholic and she's got body image issues yet both are successful in their own fields. Jeremy is a bestselling author and Elizabeth is a successful sportswear retailer. Outside of their work both are reluctant to get involved with anybody. They've both got bundles of insecurity to deal with and each fears risking their heart in case it gets broken. Despite this, both of them feel drawn to each other and it's not long before they each realise that the other is their soulmate.
This is a good story which you'll rip through. I found myself up at 2.30am finishing it snd I'm sure I'm not alone. As a great summer, winter or any other time of the year read this book is worth picking up.

Was a quick read that kept me wounding what was gonna happen next. Love the writing and the characters .

Jeremy feels like he's alone but he knows that this is the way life has to be he need to focus on his writing all the while trying to keep everyone at arms length. He's at his sisters wedding when he knows he needs to take a walk, what he doesn't expect is running into a girl who could change his mind about a lot of ways he's thinking. Elizabeth has a few secrets of her own and she is ready to take a break from worrying her family and ready to take the next big step and is all to happy now that her shop is open. The only problem is she never thought she would run into the guy who caught her eye and she has not stopped thing about. They both have huge secrets only problem is will they both be able to look past those and see what else is a head for them.
I have to say out of all the New York books this is my favorite hands down. You still get all the fun characters of the past books but the storyline is strong and lean heavily on Elizabeth and Jeremy's story. The story is well written and gets to the heart of the matter and gets a mazing story told in just a short time. The book is a page turner and leaves you wanting more to the very end. You really can not go wrong with this book or this series. It may have some tough things dealt with but the story is fun and light hearted as well, it was nice not to have a book with so much drama but a book that could be very much realistic. I really can't say there was anything about this book I didn't like.

Jeremy has finally gotten his life together but has no desire to venture into a new relationship. Elizabeth is determined to make her own way, despite her family's money. When these two share a kiss on the beach and then part, neither can forget the other. When Elizabeth opens her shop in the town close to Jeremy's home, they meet again and both try to take the relationship one step at a time. Both Jeremy and Elizabeth have a been through a lot that will continue to shape their future and the author does a great job describing their struggles and continuing recovery and adding the ups and downs of a relationship into the mix. The story was good, the writing was good, but I felt the relationship between the characters needs a bit of something more. It is a good story about two damaged people finding their HEA.
Part of the Summer in New York series, this was a quick read that stands alone. While we revisit other characters from previous stories, it is not necessary to have read them all.

His Kiss is one of the stories in the Summer in New York series. Jolyse Barnett has two perfectly matched imperfect characters in Jeremy and Elizabeth. I loved the strength we get to see in Elizabeth.

I'm enjoying the Summer in New York and look forward to the third book in the series.

Jeremy Engel had some tough years, but he is winning his battle with alcoholism and has built a new life and great career for himself. Elizabeth Desmond has had her own past struggles, and she has overcome them and opened an athletic store. When the two meet, they are strongly attracted to one another. After their first meeting ends on a not so great note, they don't expect to see one another again. A surprise encounter has them deciding to get to know one another and explore the attraction. They are both leery of letting someone close to them, and feel that their pasts may be too much for a romantic partner to deal with. As they open up and honestly share their histories, they both start to hope for more together. There are still things they don't know about one another, and as those aspects of their lives start to come into the open, they have to decide if they will continue to move forward together.

This was a good contemporary romance. I liked the storyline and enjoyed the characters. Jeremy and Elizabeth had both overcome much, and they both dealt well with their struggles on a daily basis. I liked the two of them together and thought that they were stronger as a couple. I'm looking forward to reading more by the author. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

What a beautiful book i loved how Jolyse brings us this amazing stories and her characters omg they are on point and then some, the story line is second to none and the romance wow wow,

look no further than this book its everything you want and need in a romance.

I loved this book and the series that goes with it! I would recommend this book and the whole series!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley/Tule Publishing for an honest review. "His Kiss" by Jolyse Barnett is book two in the "Summer in New York". This is Jeremy Engel and Elizabeth Desmond's story.

Jeremy and Elizabeth meet when they both were on a getaway and share a kiss. They did not give each other their names, but neither one can forget the kiss or the attraction between them. One day Jeremy walks into Elizabeth's new store.

Jeremy and Elizabeth start dating. Will they be able to take a chance on love? They come from different backgrounds and they each are dealing with addictions of their own.

The author did a great job of incorporating two difficult addictions into a love story. Jeremy and Elizabeth both of their characters show that people can change. They also show that it's not an easy task, but not to give up.

This is a sweet romance and the chemistry between them was hot. There were some unexpected twist and turns in the story too. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next book in this series.
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Summer in New York series ...

Book 1: His Touch by Patty Blount
Excellent start to a series. It was fun and heartwarming, well written and relatable. Nothing over the top, just simple romance.

Book 2: His Kiss by Jolyse Barnett
Really well written story of struggle and growth and perseverance and love .... This series keeps getting better and better..

Book 3: His Love by Jennifer Gracen
Another excellent read in this series. Well written with endearing characters and an engaging story-line. The story is passionate with just enough drama to keep you hooked.

Three excellent authors, each with their own unique style, have managed to write three stories, all with a central theme, but not connected in a way that they could not be read as standalones. So pick any of these quick reads or pick all three. You will not be disappointed!

ARCs provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley

A sweet, contemporary romance that will warm your heart, a smile on your face and leave you wanting more. Great read!

I already sent in my review for this title. I emailed NetGalley and they said they’re having problems with titles appearing to need feedback when it’s already been sent.