Story: 8 / 10
Characters: 7
Setting: 7.5
Prose: 5 ( )

Ok, I would rate this one probably 3.75. I know, that's sort of picky, right?

Here's the deal... I loved the characters of Brooklyn and Jessica - particularly when they're together. But there were a couple of things that kept yanking me out of the book: The group of friends speak in such a similar way (ie word choice, speech patterns and cadence) that without diaglogue tags, it would be tough to tell them apart when they're chatting as a unit. There were a couple of times when this carried over onto the nearly 40 year old Jessica, too. The other thing that was distracting was the sudden POV changes between Brooklyn and Jess. There were several times when I had to backtrack a paragraph or so to figure out who's head I was in because I thought I missed something. Once I figured out that this was going to keep happening, it didn't bother me as much but if you're someone who has a tough time with that sort of thing, be prepared.

I didn't notice either of these issues too much in the second half of the book. Brooklyn is dealing with more serious issues and we get to see a more mature, serious side of her - which I loved.

All in all, I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet romance, mixed with a lot of witty humor and some pretty serious story arcs. I couldn't help but love the couple at the center of the story and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. ( )

This is higher than I otherwise might have rated it because the dialogue was genuinely witty and real, and they made a pretty cute couple. I'm helpless in the face of that. B also has a more solid reason than the average heroine to fear commitment--and that storyline was woven in nicely.

I have to roll my eyes at stuff like being trapped in an elevator together--come on, the two have great chemistry, there's no real reason for contrived meetings. But just seeing them bounce off each other is worth it. They're business rivals, but almost never antagonistic, despite the blurb--and it's a very believable growth of a relationship.

Do people really do the fictional SHUT IT DOWN thing so blatantly IRL? I ask because I can get hurt every day of the year and still want to commit ten minutes ago.

IDK. Really three stars. Good characters elevate it. More series like this. ( )

This is probably now one of my top 10 lesfics ever, and I say that despite the fairly tame (but somehow still well written) sex scenes. It features:

- Some of the best communication I've ever seen in a romance
- Queer found family
- Plenty of time, space, and control given to someone who describes herself as "emotionally unavailable" after a childhood of trauma

4.5 stars rounded up to 5, solely for the wildly inconsistent narration. At times it shifts from Brooklyn to Jessica and back again in a few sentences. I consider myself adept at determining who's being referenced by "she" and "her" in lesfic, but this was a bit much.

Also, content warning for foster home trauma and alcoholism. Some of the scenes from the subplot with Brooklyn's birth mother and Brooklyn's descriptions of her childhood were difficult for me to read, and I'm not even adopted. ( )

Brayden is one of the most fun authors ever. Her characters are chilled out, supportive women and her dialogue usually a lot of fun.



Kiss the Girl is the first of the SoHo Loft Romances. The series follows the lives and romances of a group of four girls who first meet in college and form a friendship that lasts much beyond.

Read the full review @https://www.bestlesficreviews.com/2019/01/kiss-girl-by-melissa-brayden.html ( )