Stolen Kisses is a good fit for readers looking for a heartwarming story about childhood friends discovering a romantic connection amidst their everyday lives.

Noah and Krista are best friends, and Krista has always been in love with Noah. They finally decide to explore being more than friends and get their happily ever after.

This book was fine. The story had some good moments but the last third dragged for me a bit. I felt like they were going in circles based on assumptions without actually talking and it just got old. The writing was wholesome but I think I would have enjoyed it with more humor. Overall a feel good romance.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Stolen Kisses was a feel good book about two old friends in a 'should we/shouldn't we' situation.

Krista and Noah have been friends forever. As a nurse, Kristen is often stressed out and needs an escape with her friends at their favorite watering hole. Her longtime pal, Noah, is there every Wednesday to meet her for Happy Hour. But what should she do when she suddenly wants more than to be his pal? Should she risk a friendship that has lasted their entire lives for a fling that could ruin everything?

Stolen Kisses Is the second book in the Blushing Bay series. After I finished it I wanted to read the rest of the books. I really enjoyed the characters and the town and the story was satisfying. I would recommend it as an easy read!

STOLEN KISSES - Annie Rains

#2 in the Blushing Bay romance series

SECOND CHANCE, WITH A TWIST - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Noah and Krista have been best friends since childhood, but now their relationship has deepened. But is it the HEA that Krista has dreamed of? Or is it just friends-with-benefits, as Noah describes it?

Writing - 4 stars - Rains grabs my attention right from the beginning. She writes clearly and easily, building a warm set of characters and a well-defined setting, both of which held my interest.

Characters - 4 stars - Noah is a vulnerable hero. He is sexy and nice, but he is gun-shy about relationships. Although he loves Krista as a friend, he's unwilling to take it the next step. He's nervous and doesn't feel as though he's good enough for her. Since he's been commitment-phobic until now, he's thinking he can't provide her with what she wants and deserves. Krista, for her part, has always loved Noah. She wants hearts and flowers and everything, but she's a little skittish around Noah because she's not sure of him. They both seemed to fit with each other, despite their reservations. I was rooting for their success together.

Title - 3 stars - The title is fine, although there's no need for Noah and Krista's kisses to be stolen. It's not a secret that they're together as a couple, so the implication might send the reader in the wrong direction.

Cover - 4 stars - I like the beautiful setting along the water, with an attractive couple kissing but back a bit from each other as if they are unsure but can't help themselves. The cover works well.

Overview - 4 stars - I like Rains' style of casual and sweet writing, although the sexy scenes she writes are hot too. This series is interesting in that it focuses on a fishing family within a fishing town. The small-town feel is friendly. And it was enjoyable to revisit with characters from Book #1. I will definitely continue with this series and with this author.

This is book two in the Blushing Bay series - I did read this one first and went back to read the first one - but having read this one first, it still made perfect romance sense. Krista is a pediatric nurse and loves hanging out with her best friend Noah. Well, she loves him just a tiny bit more than that you could say. She's actually known her whole life that Noah is it for her. Once Noah finally opens up his eyes and his mind to Krista there is nothing that stops the chemistry between these two. The book is a quick paced page turner that you can't put down. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a lighthearted romance novel!

As far as a friends to lovers story goes, Noah and Krista’s was captivating and heartwarming. The charm that the author weaved throughout the story completely captured my heart. Not having read the first book in the series, I find that I need to do so...I’d like to get Jack and Grace’s full story. Even without having read it though, there was enough of a backstory to eliminate any confusion. I do look forward to the next installment, hoping it’s Sam and Abby’s story.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Well written and an enjoyable story. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

Very enjoyable, well written return to Blushing Bay. Krista and Noah have been friends forever. They finally take the plunge into a relationship.

This book made me need to read all of Annie's books. Definitely recommend!

☆☆☆☆1/2

There is nothing I love more, than catching up with characters in a series that I love. The characters in the Blushing Bay Series is so much fun. I have loved the first one and now I love the second one.

Krista has been in love with her best friend Noah for as long as she can remeber, but in his mind, she is just his friend. No matter how hard she tries though, she can't seem to get him off her mind or out her heart. She tries her best to move on an date, but it's only Noah she wants. Always Noah. But with Noah's none settling life style, Krista might have to tie her heart and realize she will never get him.

Noah is not one to settle down. As the youngest Sawyer brother, he likes the freedom his life offers. All he needs is his boat, his best friend, and a woman to warm his bed. That is, until he realizes he wants a certain person to be that woman. Scared to go there and mess things up, he pushes his feelings and desires back. Until he can't stop them anymore.

I love a best friends to lovers book. I havent read one in a while, and this one hit the spot. Not only did I get to see more of Jack and Grace, but I got Noah and Krista's.

We went from step-siblings, to best friends, and I can't wait to see what's next. I can't wait for Abby and Sam's story. I feel like their story will be an amazing one.
~Lynzi

Very good plot. I am looking forward to reading more about this series.

With friends developing into lovers you would think this would be a thrilling read, however even though I was near the end it took me three weeks to decided to finish this little romance. I think the overall of this book was that it was an ok read, that might hit for someone better than it did me. It wasn't overly predictable until you got to the last 5% or so when it's building into its happily ever after. It has a few sweet moments near the end where you felt sorry for the characters, but you were able to quickly move beyond that when the end was ten pages later. (It felt like)

Krista is a nurse who has had a plan in life. She knows what she has always wanted to do with her life, and what she wanted out of it. She loves working with people and healing people. She has had a best friend her whole life (Noah) who she has been completely in love with in secret only to him. So she's been waiting around focused on her career and her friends and family. 

Noah has been a mess most of his life until when things change when he was in college and send him running for the hills to be with his family to live a life of a bachelor's dream. He lives in a boathouse, he is on the water fishing for a living, and is the Captain of his own boat. He was the baby of the family and everyone seems to know him as "that guy". He has his weekly dinner with his best friend Krista who he sees as one of the guys. He even says it when he brings a date to their get together one night and it sets off the chain of events that lead to the entire book. 

I guess for me personally I didn't feel interested in the characters much. Well, Krista was a little interesting, but as being one of the guys she didn't come across like that. She came across more like someone's kid sister that ended up being part of the gang (sort of). I guess that's part of why it didn't reach me as much. I have been one of the guys and I feel like Krista doesn't fit like that. Not a bad book and I enjoyed reading parts of it. I just sort of stalled out with reading it about 80% (thank you kindle) of the way through.

I thought the plot of this book was absolutely wonderful. The book held my attention throughout all the pages. I love reading new to me authors because I find more and more books to read.

I LOVE Krista and Noah. Since reading Forbidden Kisses I've been dying to see what would come of these two best friends. Noah struggles with his past and fears commitment after an event that happened in college. He doesn't want to ruin his friendship with Krista but she's becoming harder and harder to resist. Krista is a hard working nurse. She's the girl next door and everyone loves her. I love that she cares for others and will do anything for her friends. She's very easy to relate to and a formidable protagonist.
Once again, Annie Rains knocks it out of the park. I've not missed a book of hers yet and I don't plan to. If you love sexy fishermen captains and loving, strong female protagonists I highly recommend Stolen Kisses.

I received a complimentarily copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

What a fantastic story. I fell in love with Noel and Krista. I could see the young couple evolving story play out like a movie. I do need to read the first story about Jack and Grace since they got married in this book. All of the characters were wonderful. I can’t wait to read more of their stories. I would highly recommend this delight friends to lovers romance book to anyone. What a great read.

What a great series! Krista and Noah are best friends and they have been for 20 years. Yes, she's been in love with him for most of those years but Noah doesn't want marriage or children and she definitely does. Plus, he doesn't seem to be interested in her that way, or is he?

This is a great friends-to-lovers story! Krista is a sassy, caring, lovely heroine and Noah is a sexy, funny, sexy (did I say that twice?) fisherman. Add their friends and relatives to the mix and it was just an overall fantastic story!

This was a very good book and easy to read! Will definitely read more from this author.

Noah and Krista are best friends and have been for a long time. Neither wants that bond broken. What to do? Such a dilemma!
When things start changing and feelings get involved, life just gets so complicated lol. The stuff these two go thru gets you laughing or just plain frustrated.
A feel good fast read that leaves you sighing at the end. And now waiting for the last brother!!
This is a standalone, but I suggest reading the series in order, because I mean, they are hot brothers after all, and their journeys are awesome.
I received an ARC and am giving my honest opinion. I also bought the book ❤❤

The friend's-to-lovers theme is one of my favorites and my go-to reads. This one didn't disappoint though there was a time or two that I wanted to hit Noah upside the head....

I already fell in love with Noah's brother Jack in the first book in the series, Forbidden Kisses and recommend reading the series in order. You get a glimpse of why Noah hasn't found love and is growing bored with serial dating. And there is just something about him that touched my heart which is why I wanted to smack him upside the head a time or two because he doesn't realize who he needs is right before his eyes, his best friend Krista. Clueless male! He better open his eyes before loses the best thing in his life. This is a wonderful friends to lover story and I am a big fan of Annie Rains.
I received a review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A familiar, light read. Friends to lovers romance. There are quite the group of entertaining characters that the reader may be familiar with from book one. I only had the pleasure of reading book two, so perhaps the connections I felt were missing or lacking can be explained from going into this book without knowing who is who.

For the reader who likes a quick, predicable read with not much else to it here is the book for you. You may even find a few scenes to make you smile.

Thank you for the ARC Random House (Love Swept)