BOOKWORM REVIEW: Kissing Games by Evie Alexander
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥.5
Charlie Hamilton is a hot mess. His bodyguard gigs are dwindling because his clients think he is too attractive. The woman he wants just broke ties with him because she is pregnant...with her husband. He has been avoiding any and all calls from his family.
When his friend Rory invites him to help out with a film shooting gone wrong at Rory's castle in Kinloch, Charlie thought it would be a nice break from his messy life. Until he met Valentina Valverde.
Valentina is a struggling actress whose IMDB resume is based on her looks and physique. This leads her to be distrusting of people, and it is all for the best -- according to her anyway -- because she has life goals and relationships just make them messy. When a stunning man helps her out in the airport and surprises her by not knowing who she is, she finds herself struggling to stay on her life plan when Charlie is around.
Evie Alexander does a phenomenal job of balancing humor with emotional angst. Expect crazy hijinks from the albeit temporary residents of Kinloch Castle. How Rory -- the male character in the previous books in this series -- has not picked them up by their collar and tossed them off the grounds is a testament to his patience.
We also get an emotional connection between Charlie and Valentina, two people who have struggled with a lifetime of being wanted for how they look. They help each other find some clarity, and it was incredibly sweet to watch that journey.
It is a nice contrast to the spicy that these two absolutely bring. Holy mackerel, I have absolutely forgotten how hot Evie Alexander writes them, and this was a pleasant reminder. I love, love, love how incredibly supportive Charlie is of Valentina, and I also love, love, love how a lot of that is reflective in their physical connection.
It would be remiss of me to not mention the amazing supporting cast in this read. Valentina's family, especially her abuelas, definitely stole the show. Rory and Zoe take a backseat in this read, but their presence continues to shine when they do make an appearance.
This book can be read as a standalone; Evie Alexander does a great job of providing context to characters and events that happened in previous books. If you love romantic comedy in a beautiful setting, I wholeheartedly recommend reading the entire series.
** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Evie Alexander for providing an ARC. **
ABOUT THE BOOK
She might have made it to Hollywood, but he’s about to show her what she’s missed…
When actress Valentina arrives in Scotland to film Braveheart 2, she’s at breaking point. Driven by demons, she’s worked without a break since she was a teen and can’t stop now. Everyone she loves depends on her. But something’s missing. Despite all the glitter and glamor, she’s never really lived.
Bodyguard Charlie’s lived too much. With looks and charm, he should have it all, but he’s broken. Estranged from his family, sacked from his job, and with nothing left to lose, he flies to the Highlands to help his best friend protect Kinloch castle from a crazy Hollywood film crew. But falling hard for a movie star isn't in his contract.
Valentina’s never met anyone like Charlie. When he suggests she take a holiday from life, she’s tempted to step out of her comfort zone and live a little. He sweeps her into a world of skinny dipping, laughter and blinding passion. But as fun crosses the line into love, disaster bursts their bubble. Can they let go of the past and find a future together? Or is this just a Highland fling?
Kissing Games is a steamy, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, with no cheating, no cliff-hanger, and a guaranteed happy ever after (HEA).
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MEET EVIE ALEXANDER
Evie Alexander is the author of sexy romantic comedies with a very British sense of humour.
Evie takes a method approach to her work, believing her capacity to repeatedly fail at life and love is what has given her such a rich supply of material for her writing.
Her interests include reading, eating, saving the world, and fantasising about people who only exist between the pages of her books.
The first novel in her Kinloch series; Highland Games was released in 2021. Hollywood Games, Kissing Games, and Musical Games are releasing in 2022.
Connect with Evie
Website: https://eviealexanderauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Evie_author
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