Most romance novels follow a similar formula-boy meets girl and they experience an instant and intense connection, followed by a bump in the road (usually caused by extreme commitment phobia on the part of the man which can only be cured by the love of his woman), and finally a reconciliation and the inevitable happily ever after. Since the plots are so predictable, what separates a good romance novel from a mediocre one is the characters-specifically their background and the "baggage" they bring to the story. One of the best things about Emily March is how deeply she lets us into the minds of her characters-and this is especially true in The First Kiss of Spring, the fourteenth installment in her "Eternity Springs" series. The plot follows Josh (who has more baggage than Amtrak) and Caitlin, an Eternity Springs native who returns to her hometown after years of living in New York City. When Josh and Caitlin meet he tells her upfront he has no interest in a long term relationship, and the best he can offer is a "friends with benefits" liaison. But Caitlin is smitten, and is willing to go along with this arrangement in the hope she can change Josh's mind and become a permanent part of his life. Josh is the most interesting character in The First Kiss of Spring-his backstory unfolds in journal entries from his childhood and teens-and they are haunting and tragic. Even when Josh is acting like a total jerk it's hard not to feel for him. The First Kiss of Spring features characters that appeared in earlier "Eternity Springs" novels, but even if you haven't read any of them Ms. March gives us enough "tidbits" they feel like old friends. The First Kiss of Spring follows the predictable romance novel format-it's the story of Josh that gives this book its spark.

How I love returning to Eternity Springs!
This is Caitlin's story with Josh. It's also Mac's story. It was warm, loving and also a little scary. I enjoyed all of it. Celeste is the angel as always and I never tire of her character. Beautiful.

I loved this book. Found myself tearing up at more than one time throughout the book. And as a dog lover, that only made me love it more. Such wonderful, contradictory characters. You find yourself pulling for everyone in this book. I read this in one day and hope that there are more books out there by this author to read. This was truly a wonderful story and everyone who reads it will thoroughly enjoy it ! I know I did !

Note: Please be aware this book does contain language concerning drug abuse, child abuse, and suicide. However, I feel the author dealt with these issues in a safe and caring manner.

Eternity Springs—where broken hearts go to heal. Josh Tarkington doesn’t believe he has a broken heart per se; he believes he is a broken man altogether based upon his tragic past. And broken men vow to never love another or be responsible for another person again because it’s too hart to be that vulnerable. Enter Caitlin Timberlake. She’s Josh’s complete opposite, full of passion and love and willing to take a chance on him, with whatever boundaries that make him comfortable. But little does she know that secrets haunt not only Josh but her own family as well. While Caitlin is navigating the uncertain waters of a new life back in her hometown, a tragic accident brings to light some of Josh’s past secrets and struggles and she must decide whether or not she can trust him again. Ultimately, Josh must decide whether the benefits of loving another truly outweigh the fears of living a lonely life trapped by his past.

Penny was quite possibly the cutest character in this story. Penny is a paralyzed dachshund with a wheelchair who was adopted by Josh, which automatically makes him quite a hero. And of course it adds such a fun element to the relationship between Josh and Caitlin as the story develops.

Emily March write characters with such humanity and grace. As a reader, I felt the struggles of Josh and Caitlin and found myself cheering for a redemptive story with a HEA. Just as the series theme explains, hearts are healed in this place and I believe it to be true with the readers as well. Eternity Springs in a safe place where readers can become part of a tight knit community and freely experience the joys and sorrows of the characters. And at the end of each book, there is a feeling of renewal and replenishment for the soul, which is priceless.

I received this advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet, well-written book. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is #14 in the Eternity Springs series. Caitlin and Josh get stuck on a gondola together and realize they are interested in each other. Caitlin sees her encounter with Josh as a sign that she needs to make a major life change, and she moves back to Eternity Springs to open a day care center. She and Josh start dating, but then tragedy strikes and they are tested beyond imagining. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books in this series as well as others by this author.

I’ve just finished another great book! “The First Kiss Of Spring” is the 14th book of a contemporary series, called “Eternity Springs” by Emily March. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me access to read it. I haven’t read any others of the books in the “Eternity Springs” series so I don’t know if the characters crop up in more than one novel.

3.5 Stars (4 on Goodreads)!

We follow the lives of Caitlin and her family, as well as Josh in “The First Kiss Of Spring”.

Caitlin Timberlake and Josh Tarkington are the main characters. The story is told from 3rd person, omniscient point of view. I would have liked to have seen the story from Caitlin’s perspective because I enjoy reading thoughts and feelings first hand, but the 3rd person perspective wasn’t a terrible choice. We do get a few parts from a 1st person POV at the start of each chapter. I won’t spoil who they’re from here...look in the spoiler section if you want to know...

Caitlin and Josh meet on a trip that they’ve both taken individually. Caitlin has gone to a friend’s wedding to be a bridesmaid and josh is there to be a tourist. They meet on a gondola (a train, not a boat). Caitlin is from New York. She was brought up in Eternity Springs but moved to New York to work in the fashion business. Josh is a mechanic. Caitlin moves back to Eternity Springs because of Josh. She feels an attraction, when she meets him...

Addiction plays a part in “The First Kiss Of Spring”, as well as the disease ALS so if you’re at all wary of those then this might not be the book for you. It’s also an adult romance, too.

Spoilers Below...

The first words Josh says to Caitlin, before he even sees her are, “This is one of the pet friendly cabins. I hope you don’t mind sharing with my dog”. Caitlin doesn’t mind. The dog, Copper Penny, or just Penny is a disabled dog who has a doggy wheelchair. Josh made it. He’s a mechanic so he’s good at making things. Josh comes across as a very caring character when we first meet him. Later on we see him change slightly into someone not so caring. He’s an ex drug user. The reason Josh has Penny is that her owner had to go into a home so he went to the vets looking for a “manly dog” but walked out with her instead. Caitlin and Josh get to know each other better on this gondola.

Caitlin invites Josh to her friend’s wedding. He says yes and things go from there. Both of these characters have many hurdles to overcome...do they and at what cost? You’ll have to read to find out...

I really enjoyed reading “The First Kiss Of Spring”. It had almost everything I was looking for. I won’t write what it didn’t have because that would lead to a major spoiler but it was cute, funny and a good book about hope.

“Hope was the tender sprout of a crocus bulb pushing through a blanket of snow”

is one of my favourite lines of “The First Kiss Of Spring” because it’s so true. We all have to hope to succeed...

What did I like about “The First Kiss Of Spring”?

* I liked how the story focused on the building relationship between Caitlin and Josh. Yes, we got some other stories, too, but the building romance was the main one.

* I loved the moments between Caitlin and Josh. Their relationship was very realistically written about.

* The overall pace of the story seemed well written. In contemporaries, sometimes we don’t get enough of each individual story that goes into the book. This didn’t happen here. For example, the author wrote the romance, the ALS, the drugs, Caitlin’s change of job. Nothing outshone anything else. It was all equal.

What didn’t I like about “The First Kiss Of Spring”?

* I didn’t like how I felt a chunk of the story was missing. What I mean by this is Caitlin says she wants children to Josh at least three times in this book. She doesn’t get pregnant, though. I don’t think it was necessary to say that she wanted them if she wasn’t going to ever get pregnant, if that makes sense. I don’t know if she’ll crop up in a future book pregnant but still...

* I thought the story could have done without the drugs storyline. It just seemed shoved in at the end.

* I would have preferred to have had the story told from Caitlin’s perspective as it would have added an extra layer to the story.

Overall, I enjoyed “The First Kiss Of Spring”. I’m giving it 3.5 Stars (4 on Goodreads)I might read the others in the series.

I love a good story about two people who have a raw chemistry that keeps pulling them together, even despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Caitlin and Josh definitely fit this description, as everything from his dark past to her family worked to keep them apart. Both characters were endearing at times, and annoying at others, but that's life. I enjoyed the vision of life in this little town, and how all of the characters, both major and minor, interacted with one another. It was a quick and easy read, and I would definitely be open to reading more stories in this series.

A charming addition to the Eternity Springs collection. With familiar characters and new additions, this story brings back the world of Eternity Springs as only Emily March can do. A beautiful tale of battling your demons, your past, and finding yourself after tragedy. A story of second chances and allowing yourself to find love again.

Another great addition to the Eternity Springs series. This story brings up a lot of emotions. A compelling story line with engaging characters. I enjoyed it.

Caitlin & Josh's story is full of ups & downs, just like real life. Caitlin is moving back home & starting a daycare instead of living in NY & keeping her corporate job. Josh is a former movie star addict trying to live anonymously in Eternity Springs close to his "brother" (son of his foster parents). They meet in Telluride & have an instant connection that Josh doesn't want to continue, so he's not happy when he finds out she's moving to Eternity Springs. He tries to avoid her but finds that something keeps pulling him back. He keeps hidden his true identity & this comes back to haunt him in an interesting way. This is a great story about second chances & dealing with what life throws your way. I like that there's also a spiritual aspect thrown in there as well. Highly recommend reading this book.

This was a fun & entertaining romantic story. Check it out!

The latest in the series centered around Eternity Springs.

The minute Caitlin kissed Josh she knew she was going to marry that man!

With fair warning to Josh that he should be prepared to surrender, she set out to make him her own. But Josh has made up his mind to never fall in love or get married.

Josh has been fighting demons for a long time. And it sure seems as if bad luck is on his heels. Coming from Oklahoma's Tornado Alley, he has had his heart destroyed as well as his business and home. Not once, but several times. Just when he seems to be making a home and a good name for himself and his business, little Miss Caitlin drops in his lap, and he has some serious thinking to do!

Caitlin is busy setting up her new daycare business, plotting to make Josh her own, and wondering what the heck is up with her parents who are acting awfully strange.

When everything hits the fan, will family and love win? You'll have to read the book. And I loved every bit of it!

Netgalley/St.Martin's   February 27, 2018

I loved Caitlin and Josh together.

Caitlin knew from the moment that she met Josh that he was the one for her. Needless to say, Josh doesn’t feel the same way. Josh has had some ruff times during his life, nothing but bad luck, so he tells Caitlin that they can never be more than friends. That he has nothing to offer her.

We see both of them face obstacles in their life and family in their book, The Fisrt KISS of Spring.

I love that we get to visit with past characters in this book, with one of them facing something major. You must read The First KISS of Spring to see what happens. Emily March always delivers us such wonderful stories from Eternity Springs.

ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. Super sweet and romantic, but with a heavy dose of heartache.

I gotta be honest, in the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make it through. Heavy subject matter that made me very uncomfortable. But I kept at it and I’m so glad I did.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed my 14th visit to Eternity Spring's, CO as much as I did my first. This book centers on Ali and Mac Timberlakes (one of my favorite ES couples stories!) daughter Caitlin, and introduces Eternity Springs newest resident, Josh Tarkington. Their funny, heartwarming journey to finding happiness with each other was a pleasure to read. Caitlin grew up in a completely different environment than Josh, and finding a way to accept each others differences teaches a lesson in considering the other persons fears and insecurities before passing judgement. As always, Celeste Blessing is there to give her sage advice that seems to pull everything together when they listen to her. And in the end, they always do! If you have not read this series, start today!

Such a sweet read! First time reading a book by Emily March and sure did not disappoint! Can’t wait to check out more titles.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. Caitlin Timberlake is a bridesmaid and is back in Colorado in Telluride and by chance gets stuck in a gondola with a very handsome man, Josh Tarkington, who has a handicapped dog named Penny. She invites him to the wedding as her plus 1 and the chemistry is amazing between the 2 of them until her parents show up unexpectedly. Caitlin has been planning on moving back home to Eternity Springs, Colorado but hasn’t told anyone and once she finds out that Josh also lives there, she is set on a mission to marry him. What she doesn’t know is that Josh has a deep, dark secret that he has been hiding from everyone. This book is not just a love story, it is also about facing your demons and letting others in. This is a very well written book, while some of the diary excerpts were about drugs, molestation and other unpleasant topics, it helped shape the character.

Caitlyn Timberlake has decided to walk away from a successful career in NY to return home to Eternity Springs. She wants to be closer to family. Josh Tarkington has settled In the little town hoping for a quiet uneventful life. Josh and Caitlyn meet when Caitlyn is at an event wedding as a bridesmaid. Immediate sparks fly, but they have no idea they are going to end up in the same town. Josh has had a traumatic past and has no interest in a permanent relationship.

This is a romance so we know how it is going to end. Josh has a lot of issues to overcome but he is a likable character and his heart is in the right place. There is great chemistry between Josh and Caitlyn. There are a few bumps along the road, but if you are looking for a good romance this book is for you. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I thought this would be a small-town novel – and indeed it is (Eternity Springs) – but the slow unveiling of its deeply psychologically scarred hero, Josh, makes it much more interesting.
I liked the way the author created this couple with opposing intentions in the beginning (Caitlin, the heroine, is sure Josh is the one, while Josh has no intention whatsoever of committing to any woman).
Even with a multitude of characters from previous stories, which I haven’t read, I had no problem keeping up with the story and watch how Josh overcomes tragedy and beats destiny.

I received a copy from Netgalley.

I have not read any of the previous books in this series but this book worked as a stand alone.

Caitlin was a relatable heroine. She is is trying to find balance between respecting her parents and living her own life.Her family dynamic is a familiar one and I liked seeing her father's growth as well.The other character's were fine and If I had read previous books I would probably relate to them more.

Josh is an engaging hero.He has a dark past and secrets that put him at odds with Caitlin's father and himself. I wanted to smack him sometimes for not being open about things but he came into his own as well.

The tone is strange going into the middle of the book.The first part is clean but with obvious sexual tension and then low level sex scenes pop up.It was a turn I wasn't expecting but it didn't take away to much for it.I recommend.