Just A Kiss by Denise Hunter

Book Description

Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are ruined when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life falling for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances he’s adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. He has nightmares and mood swings, and his unwavering independence keeps him from accepting help from anyone, including her. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on with the two in such close proximity, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into unchartered territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his corded arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

My Review

Another wonderful ending to a wonderful series! The Summer Harbour series couldn't have ended better. I did find it interesting in the introduction that this book was written as a stand alone but is still apart of the series. Good news for anyone starting from this book for sure!

Riley's story is sort of heartbreaking and sweet. He's loved Riley for so long but having to deal with her dating his brother, it became too much and he enlisted in the military forces to escape, runaway. Now he's back but a little less for wear. After an IED leaves him an amputee, he was prepared to relax in the comfort of his own apartment, but turns out his family and friend Paige already have everything planned out and it's not what he was expecting; not thrilled would be to say the least of Riley's reaction. 

Paige has been in love with a Callahun brother before and it was hard getting over the first one, but why now are feelings stirring for her best friend Riley? Or have they always been there? Paige is a sweet character, I loved her throughout the series! 

The chemistry between them is no longer deniable! But the constant back and forth, not talking (JUST TALK ALREADY) I found myself screaming at them a few times to just talk! I loved every word of it!

Fill with faith, hope, and love you can't get a better book than this. :) 

I give this book a 4 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of BookLook Bloggers program.

5 Love Languages (Singles Edition) by Gary Chapman

Simple ways to strengthen any relationship

With more than 10 million copies sold, The 5 Love Languages® continues to transform relationships worldwide. And though originally written for married couples, its concepts have proven applicable to families, friends, and even coworkers.

The premise is simple: Each person gives and receives love in a certain language, and speaking it will strengthen that relationship. For singles, that means you can:

• Understand yourself and others better
• Grow closer to family, friends, and others you care about
• Gain courage to express your emotions and affection
• Discover the missing ingredient in past relationships
• Date more successfully
  and more

Whether you want to be closer to your parents, reach out more to your friends, or give dating another try, The 5 Love Languages®: Singles Edition will give you the confidence you need to connect with others in a meaningful way.  

"Nothing has more potential for enhancing one's sense of well-being than effectively loving and being loved. This book is designed to help you do both of these things effectively." — Gary Chapman

Includes a quiz to help you learn your love language, plus a section on the pros and cons of online dating.

My Review

I've always heard such great things about Gary Chapman and his Love Language books, but this is the first time I've been able to read his works. And it couldn't have come at a better time!

Seeing as I'm a single young woman, I was excited to see a "Singles Edition."  I liked the idea that this would relate to me more than one that gear towards to the married stage of life. Though the message of love is the same, the stories are more relatable because they're about singles; even single mom's.

Everyone one has their own love language. What does this mean? We each have a way that we feel loved by friends and family and those around us. For me, there were so many insightful things to consume I had to take breaks between most of the chapters simply to digest, review and reflect.

Relationships with friends and family or coworkers, whether strained or almost non-existent, Gary Chapman goes through some scenarios and resolutions to paint a portrait of love, to encourage those like myself that it can work/help. If we just try and don't give up hope. We want those around us to feel loved.  

Gary Chapman's 5 Love Language's hit home on a very deep personal level. Not a word of it wasted. Now I just have to find courage to work on speaking the love languages in the relationships in my life.

I've taken the Love Quiz before but unless you read the whole book you don't truly understand their meanings!

I'll share one of my top 3 languages:

• Quality Time

I really can't rave enough about this book; I'm even curious to read the other books just to gain more knowledge on how to love other types of people!

I give this book a 5 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Moody Publishers Bloggers Review program.