WOW!!! AMAZING!! I just loved, loved, loved reading this First Kiss of Spring by Emily March. Josh Tarkington is a man with a past who has a target on his back, okay on all parts of him. He seemed to be a magnet for trouble or bad luck. Despite all of that he was the perfect match for Caitlin Timberlake. Caitlin needed someone who not only saw the person she truly is, but needed her caring touch and love. Caitlin returned to Eternity Falls to be closer to family and to open a daycare for the town. Josh came from a famous theatrical family and a childhood spent in movies and television. He hoped a name change, time living in foster care, and getting his life together as an adult would keep his demons and troubles away. It didn’t quite happen that way but with the help of Caitlin and many of the people of Eternity Falls he found the courage needed to beat those demons away and live a normal life. To understand Josh compare him to Drew Barrymore: her life, her family, her addictions or rehab, and her acting career. Ms. March does an excellent job developing a storyline that takes us along the lives of Caitlin and Josh and their path toward falling in love.

I really, really loved reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. Ms. March is an outstanding story teller, drawing me in and not letting go until I read the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I love Emily March. She can pull me into the story and into Eternity Springs on page 1. I fully believe there's a bit of magic in Eternity Springs and sometimes I'd love for Celeste to pop up at just the right time and give me some advice. It was nice to check in on the couples from previous books - but if you're new to the series no worries. It's not so heavy handed that it takes unnecessary page time or becomes confusing. I liked Josh and Caitlin and their chemistry when they're together felt very authentic. Caitlin's reasons for moving home felt very true and I'm not sure I've met a character with more reason to not want to be in a relationship or talk about his past than Josh.

I did have some hiccups with the book. While I liked both Josh and Caitlin her conviction that Josh is the only one for her so early into their meeting was a bit mystifying. She was so rational and so prepared regarding her decision to move home to Eternity Springs so her focus on a relationship even after Josh is very clear about not wanting a relationship and tells her his very real reasons for feeling that way.

My other issue was Caitlin's father. While he did redeem himself somewhat in the end for the bulk of the book I wanted to slap him. I get that he doesn't want his daughter to be hurt but his intense and very vocal dislike of Josh despite all the evidence that's he's really a good guy seemed irrational and his need to have Caitlin settled down with a good man of his choice was insulting. All the other characters just kind of shrugged it off as him just being overprotective but it was way too controlling for me. He essentially handpicked a guy and kept hurling that particular guy at Caitlin at every possible opportunity.

Despite my issues I did enjoy this read. March pulled me into the world of Eternity Springs and kept me reading. I'm looking forward to my next visit already!

The worst thing about a book I am enjoying is.... that it finishes! And much as I rue it, that's it! I have to accept I have to leave the world that I have been enjoying and come back to reality.

First Kiss of Spring takes place in Eternity Springs, the place where so many people come to heal - and therefore when that is done, there are many well rounded, healthy families living there, plying their interesting trades and supporting each other.

Josh Tarkington has come here, he is a talented mechanic and has set up his own business. However he has a back story and we gradually learn that story as each chapter starts with an entry in his journal. Josh has had it hard, while some might think he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, that sure had a very dark lining. But... he has already fought many of his demons and while he doesn't trust himself altogether, he really should. And he has certainly taken on board more wisdom than he realises from all the friendly people who have shared their learnings from the gently hand of Celeste - the local wise angel.

Caitlin Timberlake has returned home, she was a talented designer of homeware, but that no longer fulfils her, she has plans to open a new business in Eternity Springs. She is a little afraid of disappointing her mother, with this change of plan, but... her mother seems to have something else worrying her. And the intuitive Caitlin is picking up the vibes that all is not well in her family. Meanwhile she is really falling for Josh and his little dog Penny.

This is another delightful story in the Eternity Springs series - #14 actually, and easily can be read as a stand alone although personally I am happy to say I have read and enjoyed all 14! If you like small town, interesting characters, plenty happening then most likely you'd enjoy this one too.

The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March

Emily March is a new author for me, so reading one of her books from the middle of her series was a bold adventure. The First Kiss of Spring was a lovely read. There was angst, heat, love, secrets and a town full of family. What more could you ask for? For Caitlin, a long term relationship ending in marriage and children. For Josh Tarkington, friends (maybe with benefits) but NO long term commitments...ever!

Caitlin has decided that her life needs to change! She want to live in a small town working with children. She wants a long term relationship called marriage and children. So it is time to change. However, it is hard to change when your family is questioning your wisdom or your choices, especially the choice of Josh…

Josh has started over again. He thinks he is the original bad luck person of all time. He does not want to love again - it hurts too much! He just wants his garage, his little house and the small town where no one knows his background and maybe more time with Caitlin, but not love…

Surprises and secrets are the reality in a relationship where everyone does not share the truth. Caitlin hates that. Josh needs to save her but pushing her away… The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March is a good read!

I loved this book . It is such a sweet story Caitlin and Josh has an believable romance true to life. Eternity Springs is a town everyone wants to live in.

I’ve read every book in The Eternity Springs series and have really enjoyed them all.

While this isn’t my favorite one it was well written and captivating enough to hold my attention. I had a hard time warming up to Caitlin. There just seemed to be something off with her character.

The addition of some of the other characters from previous books help pull everything together and, in the end, I was glad that I finished the story.


I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. 4 stars

This is romantic, engrossing and suspenseful. The further into you get, the more you want to figure things out. Josh is mysterious, romantic and captivating. He doesn't want to care about people, but the pull of attraction for Caitlin has him wanting to give in. Caitlin decides that he us "the one" within hours of meeting him. Josh has secrets, secrets of his past that threaten his current and future life. Caitlin goes after him hard, and the closer she gets, the more information of his past is revealed. It's a gripping storyline and has some interesting characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

I honestly didn’t think I’d enjoy this love story when I started. I mean, come on. Two attractive people, attracted to each other, stuck together to get to know each other and simmer in their attraction. Add a cute, diabled dog and stir. Really?! But what did it for me, what kept me reading was the mystery surrounding the journal entries, and the cryptic hints that there was more to Josh Tarkington that he let show. Add Caitlin’s sweet but strong personality, and obvious love for her family (I’m a sucker for a close knit family) and a supportive close knit community, I was drawn right in as one of Eternity Springs own residents, rooting for Caitlin and Josh as if I were an old friend watching soulmates fall in love.

It was a simple story that we’ve all ( if you’re a romance junkie like me) have seem before. But Emily March’s well crafted story still managed to capture my heart and deliver the feel good happily-ever-after I always long for at the end of every good romance.

Other than a few short dragging spots throughout the novel, this is still a story I’d recommend. Especially to the die hard romance junkie like myself.

The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March is the latest in the Eternity Springs Series but can be read as a stand alone book.
Caitlin Timberlake is working at her dream job in New York City until she realizes it’s not her dream job at all. She moves back to Eternity Springs, her hometown to open a daycare. Josh Tarkington also moved to Eternity Springs and owns a business in town.
Caitlin is looking for a forever love to marry and have children. She finds Josh except there is a problem. Josh has had a hard and unlucky life with many secrets in his past and has vowed never to get married and have children.
Will Caitlin be able to find out Josh’s secrets? Will she be able to convince Josh to settle down and marry her? IF she does find out about his secrets, will she still want to marry him? I definitely recommend reading this book to find out the answers to these questions. You will thoroughly enjoy it as I did and look forward to reading the prior books in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Eternity Springs is the idealistic setting for this chance encounter novel. It's dreamy, healing, romantic and friendly.

Josh is a newcomer to Eternity Springs and is settling in well with his business venture. He is well liked by the community even though he doesn't talk about his past.

Caitlin is a successful designer in New York, but she is getting itchy feet and wants to start her own business in Eternity Springs to be near her family.

Caitlin is attending her friend's wedding in a resort near Eternity Springs when she bumps into Josh. An unfortunate occurrence gets them talking and they start an easy camaraderie. She is besotted by him whilst she is a breath of fresh air to him.

Josh has a dark past which has led him to where he is now. Even though his past is a well guarded secret, he is content with his new way of life. Fate puts him in Caitlin's path yet again and they can't deny the attraction. He makes it clear that he isn't looking for a serious commitment. His past has led him to believe that tragedy follows him. Caitlin is patient and is prepared to go along. A friendaffair as she calls it! When Josh puts himself at risk to save someone else, he finds himself in a situation where his past comes back with a vengeance. He is now regarded as a hero, but he feels more unworthy than ever. Will he push Caitlin away and succeed or will love prevail?

Josh's past is not what I expected and I admire him for fighting his demons to become who he is now. Caitlin's honesty, perseverance and caring nature are admirable. I wasn’t sure about her father's behaviour until his own secret is unveiled. I like Celeste and her wisdom.

It's a beautifully portrayed story with strong primary and secondary characters. Despite the dual dark sides of the story, there is light, fun and laughter. It's very well developed and the feelings are tangible. A beautiful romance with a wonderful conclusion.

I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

I know I have read this author in the past but not recently. This was a welcome return to a small town romance for me, something I know about having grown up in a Midwest small town.

In this story, the characters are attracted to each other but at one point or another, they don’t want to be. A little different twist on a perfectly wonderful love story – Caitlin has what she wanted in life and then realizes that it isn’t making her happy so she’s changing directions. The same could be said for Josh but what he wanted was ripped away from him more than once. He’s not ever going to give his heart again but Caitlin is determined to change his mind and she’s ready to wait for him.

I enjoyed this story at a time when my life gets stressful – it was just what I needed to relax!

I received an ARC from the publisher/NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for this review.

Publisher's Description:

Spring has come to Eternity Springs in The First Kiss of Spring, the newest installment in this New York Times bestselling series by Emily March.

Life could be a dream...

Goal-oriented and gorgeous, Caitlin Timberlake's dreams took her to the top of the corporate ladder in New York City. Now years later, her goals have changed. She wants to come home to Eternity Springs and build a business and a family of her own—with the new man in town. So what if sexy mechanic Josh Tarkington wants nothing more than a fling? Caitlin is a patient woman who knows how to work hard and strategize to win what she desires. She desires Josh. Unfortunately, he has other plans.

If only things were different...

Josh craves Caitlin and all she has to offer. However, he is a man with secrets. He has worked hard to overcome his tragic past, but he's afraid to risk having a future because he knows trouble is never very far away. When a selfless act brings that trouble to his door, he stands to lose everything he cares about—including Caitlin. Will her love and the healing magic of Eternity Springs be enough to save him?

My Thoughts:

This is actually the first time I have read an Emily March book. This is surprising as I enjoyed every minute of this fast paced book full of lies of omission, heartbreak, bad luck and an unstoppable love.

It seems by what I have read about this series there are pets abound in all of the books. I really enjoyed Josh's love and attachment to his handicapped dachshund and her obvious attachment to the man.
To this reader life without a dog around is just about unlivable. So our main character's love for this endearing little creature drew me in.

This book is both heartbreaking at times and delightful. I know that this book is # 14 of the series and considering it is the first one I have read, I feel it reads well as a standalone. That may sound strange but I was never lost due to not having read the other books.
Eternity Springs is surely a place to come to heal and change one's life. Getting your life back on track is what this town seems made for.
I gave this book 4.75 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3.5 of 5.0 flames. The intimacy isn't mild but it isn't explicit either.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation from the publisher via NetGalley to read and review.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I have read and reviewed voluntarily.

The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March

Contemporary small town romance. 14th in the series. Can be read on its own.
These stories are always heart fulfilling. Emily March is a master storyteller.

I worried in the beginning. Here was the intro to the hero.
“The hot blonde went gooey. They always did. It was one of the perks of owning a dog with a broken back.”
Ok, instant turn off.
But Caitlin recognized his line of BS quickly and the conversation turned genuine.

Later:
I felt so bad for him, trying to avoid the pain pills on his own. Would sharing have helped? Caitlin wouldn’t have left the pills in the medicine cabinet if she knew.
I know he doesn’t trust doctors, but aren’t there better options every year?
The supporting hand came from a surprising person. It was touching.

Canned dog food Saturday. Hahaha. My sister does that with her dog too.

An adorable phrase:
“A flower bomb had gone off in her hallway.”

Loved it. Will always prioritize Emily March and a new release. Feel good romance.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I also purchased a paperback copy.

Welcome to Eternity Springs, where broken hearts go to heal!!!! This is the story of Caitlin and Josh and boy does Josh have skeletons in his closet! Is Caitlin the woman who can make him whole again ?
I absolutely love this series and I have read every book there is, I love to return over and over and catch up with the townspeople and the matriarch Celeste! You can read these books as standalone but I'm positive once you start you will want to drive in and read all the books
I can't wait till the next book in this series

Caitlin is home for a wedding and she realizes that she needs to make a change in her life, she likes her job but it isn't what she wants to do forever. Josh loves this town and he has everything that he needs, he has his own business and a place to call home. A chance meeting between the two of them brings a lot of problems. Caitlin realizes that he is the one and that one day she will marry him but Josh only wants casual, he has found and lost love and he can't do that again. Caitlin keeps on pushing and Josh gets scared of ends it with her but she can't give up on him. Josh knows that he can't go through life been scared of messing up again but the accident has taken him down the road to addiction again and it never ends well. Will Caitlin accept everything about him, his past and his demons? Is she strong enough to be there for him? She will do just about anything for him but he needs to be honest about his past and what the future holds for them? A good read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

Caitlin Timberlake had done well in a NYC design firm but wants to return to her Colorado roots and start a family. Returning for a friend's wedding is an ideal time to evaluate that plan, especially after she meets Josh Tarkington and asks him to be her plus one for the wedding. The sparks fly, but Josh is reluctant to have any kind of relationship because of his past.

The First Kiss of Spring is part of the Eternity Springs series of romance novels. Even without reading the other ones in this series, this novel works because it plays off the common romance novel tropes.

Caitlin and Josh meet cute and are forced to spend some time together before she makes her impulsive decision to invite him to her friend's wedding. There's even the adorable pet, Josh's paralyzed dog Penny. Josh is a pessimist when it comes to his future, luck, and relationships.

I love the Eternity Springs series by March, so I was excited to receive an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Caitlin is moving back to Eternity Springs from New York where she wants to open her own business, completely different from being a designer in the big city. She meets Josh at a wedding in a nearby town, not knowing he lived in Eternity Springs. Sparks fly, and then...she finds out Josh hasn't been entirely open about his life - who he really is and what he's been through. Will she stick by him, or will it be too much for her?

Thoroughly enjoyed Caitlin and Josh's story, and I'm ready for more from Eternity Springs!

It had been a long time since I had read a book in this series, and decided to give this one a try.
The main characters, are Josh Tarkington and Caitlin Timberlake. They meet when the gondola they were on got stuck, giving them a chance to chat. That encounter makes Caitlin re-think her life. After that meeting, she decides make changes in her life need to be made , and maybe pursue a relationship with Josh. Josh is not only hiding secrets ,but is also dealing with a tragedy that changed him forever.
The story is a bit on the heavy side. Dealing with all sorts of abuse . A reminder that our experiences in life whether as a child or an adult, will affect us for the rest of our lives.
Was it my favorite in the series, no, but was it worth reading, yes.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I'm not gonna lie - I was totally sucked in by this cover. I just love the look of the colorful house in a small town Colorado setting... the whole thing is just appealing. I have not read any of Eternity Springs books, and I have not previously read Emily March. So I was trying something new here. And I'm glad I did! I want to move to Eternity Springs now... and I definitely need Celeste working her matchmaking magic to set me up.

<i>Side note - while I didn't feel lost without having read the earlier books in the series, there is a ton of character crossover and maybe some spoilers for previous books. There was probably also some world building having to do with the town as the series has progressed. So you may want to start at the beginning instead of jumping in at Book 14 like me.</i>

Caitlin Timberlake is a member of one of the founding families of Eternity Springs, and the youngest child of the Timberlake clan. Caitlin's mother has pushed her toward a big career designing textiles in New York City, and she is good at her job. But lately Caitlin has felt the itch to come home and be closer to family and maybe settle down in the process. All of these things definitely resonated with me. Caitlin was a likable heroine and her determination was admirable. I especially liked that she decided on our hero and was going after him gung-ho. I hate wishy washy heroines, and Caitlin was definitely not that.

Josh Tarkington is hiding out in Eternity Springs - hiding from his past, his demons, and from the possibility of love. There are journal entries from Josh interspersed throughout the chapters and I was a bit surprised by them... the tragic nature didn't seem to fit with the idyllic cover and setting of the story. But they will quickly sink their hooks into you and have you sympathizing with Josh and wanting to heal him with a hug. I applauded that he was able to escape his past and make a life for himself in Eternity Springs, and I was definitely sympathetic when those old demons started haunting him. And how can you not love a guy who has a doggie in a wheelchair?

So there is a definite meet cute moment between our couple in a gondola in Telluride... and it definitely made my sweet tooth ache. I thought that it was setting the tone for a sweet and sappy romance, but that is not really what you got. Instead we had a flawed hero and determined heroine set in a town where everyone has their issues, but seemingly maintains a positive outlook. Celeste seems to be the fairy godmother of Eternity Springs, a town matriarch if you will, and everyone goes to her for advice and comfort. All of the characters are church-going favorable individuals that left an overall content feeling to the reader. There was a little bit of steam but it did not overpower the story. I would maybe classify this one along the lines of a feel-good or sentimental or maybe even inspirational romance. It's a series that I will be more likely to pick up in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, St. Martin's Press.

Some people have secrets in Eternity Springs. Caitlin’s father Mac is keeping a secret from his children and everyone else except his wife of years. Josh Tarkington has secrets about his past life that impact everything he does but he is reluctant to divulge/discuss them. In the story, Josh and Caitlin meet when a gondola ride gets stuck leaving them together until they are rescued, and for Caitlin, at least, it is love at first sight. When she moves to Eternity Springs, where Josh owns and runs an auto repair shop, sparks begin to fly. However, Josh is very reluctant to let their relationship grow, and, when pressed by her, he tells Caitlin some of the reasons why, though he holds back on the most important reasons, which is his big secret. In addition, Caitlin’s father dislikes Josh, and does everything he can to break the couple up and fix Caitlin up with a young lawyer he has taken on in his law practice before retiring, though Caitlin, totally stricken with Josh, wants no part of this—and tells the lawyer, from the get-go. As the story moves along, Mac mellows some about Josh largely due to Caitlin’s efforts to change her father’s opinion of Josh. The relationship between the pair grows and matures, as the couple go through some interesting, to say the least, experiences. Meanwhile, Caitlin and her siblings notice something strange going on with their parents, but, each time their parents are confronted, they shrug off the questions with comments that really have little to do with what is really going on, keeping their children wondering about what exactly is going on. Can these townsfolk survive the events leading them to an end, where everything resolves itself and things go back to normal?

I have read all the other books in this series, and, after reading this one, have decided this is my least favorite. For me, the story just did not cut it. I found the Josh-Caitlin relationship interesting to watch, but a bit overdone. Yes, there was chemistry between the duo, but a lot of the story was just not realistic for me and dragged on. I also found it interesting that, in Eternity Springs, at least, everyone and thing turns out perfectly for everyone; everyone has total success in all their endeavors; no big roadblocks crop up. The ending was also obvious from the start, with few big red herrings or twists and turns to make me wonder if things would eventually turn out okay in Eternity Springs. Still, the writing was well done (This author, in my opinion, writes very well, and I enjoy her writing.), and the characters were well developed and somewhat realistic (as long as you realize this is a book where all things end well, and not as they often do in the life most of us know). I think anyone who enjoys this series will enjoy this book, if he/she does not go into it expecting great and wonderful things or an exciting story that will rivet a reader, who will not be able to put the book down. It did provide another glimpse into the lives of the citizens of Eternity Springs and especially into the town’s above-and-beyond guru/patron, Celeste, who makes every doubt, question and/or struggle into some sort of epic fight with a fantastic outcome. No one can out maneuver Celeste for her wisdom and/or actions. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.