I love Jill Mansell because I always know what I am going to get:
funny female characters, quirky life events, and plots that come together and everyone gets what's coming to them!
Mansell is wonderful for when you want to escape the monotony of life and find a British fantasy land. Kiss is no different. Think singers making it big, divorces turning out to be the best thing that ever happened, finding love in unexpected places, and unrequited love that is so satisfyingly requited by the end!

This one is not my favorite of Mansell's, but it does the trick!

KISS takes the reader on a wild ride with irrepressible Izzy Van Asch and her growing cadre of friends and lovers.

Izzy may not have much money, but she has a brilliant daughter, Katerina, two devoted lovers, and a few singing jobs. But when Gina, distraught over her husband leaving her for his pregnant mistress, hits Izzy’s motorbike, Izzy loses her job and her apartment and her lovers. Gina grudgingly takes in Izzy and Katerina. Gina’s friend, Sam, returns from the US and Izzy and Sam both promise to ignore their attraction for one another while living under Gina’s roof.

The plot twists might give some readers whiplash, but Izzy is such a fun character, you have to keep reading to see what happens next. What is most remarkable about the book is that while it’s ostensibly a romance, the friendships the women forge and manage to sustain, even as they occasionally become romantic rivals, are the more compelling story.

KISS was originally published in 2000 and is being reprinted. One of the subplots is really cringey, which should have been addressed to make the novel stronger. Even so, it’s a five pound bag with ten pounds of potatoes.

I couldn't wait to read this book. It's only the second novel of Jill Mansell that I have read. Needless to say it did not disappoint. It was a romantic novel with a great story running through it. Once again the characters became alive as I was reading the book. It's a tale of an unmarried mother, Izzy, who is a singer and dreams of making it to the big time. All of her daughters young life, Katrina, has known nothing but living from one day to another however her relationship with Izzy is terrific. Izzy is knocked off her motorbike and loses her two boyfriends and the place she was renting. Katrina is livid with Gina the woman who caused the accident. She goes to see her and gives her a piece of her mind but feels slightly bad as Gina is obviously very upset by it all. Is the accident the real reason that Gina is upset? Read the book and find out what is the cause. Gina becomes the Good Samaritan and offers Izzy and Katrina a place to live. As the story unfolds it's Jill Mansell at her best. I don't want to say anymore and give the plot away. If you have never read any Jill Mansell novel, then I suggest you start. You will not regret it. If you are a Jill Mansell lover then buy and read this excellent novel. Forget your chores, get a drink, put your feet up and read.

This book was excellent! Totally kept my attention and I wanted to find out what would become of the main characters. Highly reccomended.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.

An easy to read, chick lit novel with a diverse and entertaining range of characters whose stories all interweave. If you take it with a pinch of salt and don’t expect anything deep or highbrow it’s a good summer read, which made me smile.
4 ****

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of "Kiss" by Jill Mansell in exchange for an honest review.

In general, this is my type of novel, one that I gravitate towards the most. I've enjoyed stories by Jill Mansell before, but this one missed the mark for me. In the beginning, the characters were likeable enough and I was enjoying the storyline. By the second part of the book, it became a challenge for me to like any of the characters. Their personalities changed so drastically, especially Kat, that it felt unbelievable. All that said, the end of the story was satisfying, but not enough to redeem the middle section.

As always, since I am a huge fan of Jill Mansell I was not disappointed this book held up to all the componets to make it a great read! it had drama in all three women view points, it had heartbreak because wow what a horrid way to be left by your husband, it had lots of humor which is sassy and sarcastic humor and which makes me love Jill Mansells books! Probably the only think that I had a problem with is the cover I love the covers of all of her other books they are unique and eye catching they are what got my attention when I was in the library looking for a good book and I wish she would go back to those covers!

When I saw on NetGalley that there was a new Jill Mansell novel coming out, I didn’t even read the synopsis before I requested it. And I was even more shocked when I got accepted. It is only then that I realized that Kiss is a new release, technically, but it is a reprint from 1993, so one of Mansell’s older works. Being a casual fan of hers, I didn’t think anything of it, and was excited to give it a try.

Synopsis
One perfect, unforgettable kiss can change your life…

When aspiring musician Izzy is knocked off her motorbike, she doesn’t just lose her dignity–she loses both long-term boyfriends, her job, and her beautiful apartment. Gina, who caused the accident, has more important things to worry about: her husband has just deserted her for his pregnant mistress. Why should she care about Izzy? Yet somehow, Gina finds herself opening her home to Izzy and her spirited teenage daughter.

It’s there that Izzy meets Gina’s oldest friend, heart-stoppingly handsome Sam, whose lingering kiss is almost impossible to ignore. But there are just a few obstacles between that first kiss and the happily ever after that has always eluded her…

My musings
As I mentioned above, this is a reprint of the same novel from 1993 and oh, boy, does it ever show. Jill Mansell’s writing has progressed leaps and bounds from when she first wrote this story, so I’m kind of surprised they’re re-releasing it. It doesn’t hold up to the work she’s currently producing.

I’ll keep this short and sweet. None of the characters are particularly redeeming people, which would be fine if there were some depth to them, but there isn’t really. Izzy is the most self-absorbed person I’ve ever read about, and her relationship with Katerina, her daughter, isn’t even believable, because a young single mother who is supposedly as close to her daughter as she is in the beginning of the novel wouldn’t act the way she does when Katerina makes one mistake (that is nothing compared to how her mother acts on the regular). There are also a ton of characters to keep track of, and the story bounces around a lot.

“The Kiss” that is the title of this book is not all that exciting, either. I don’t see how that kiss changes Izzy’s life. I didn’t even really realize it was the kiss until much later in the novel. I kept waiting for it… and realized I missed it.

I will say, though, that although it felt like it took forever to get there, I did enjoy how the story ended up. I was satisfied and was ultimately entertained, which I suppose it the point. Fans of Mansell’s who haven’t read this one yet might appreciate it, but I caution them to expect something rougher than the quality they’re used to.

2.5 STARS

This review was posted on my website The Modest Reader on July 22. https://themodestreader.com/2019/07/22/kiss

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmarks for the advanced copy.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher for my honest opinions.

The story jumped around too much for me. The characters traded love interests as often as you change your clothes! Some of the relationships were just unbelievable.

Add to the fact that the lack of familiarity with customs, foods, and locations in Britain made understanding the setting difficult at best, I found myself skimming through the story to get to the end. Not one Of my favorites, but the HEA for all characters made it worth finishing. Rating between 2 and 3 stars.

I have only read one other Jill Mansell book ‘Maybe This Time’ and I thought I’d found another new author to add to my list. So, I was very excited to be approved for this book, which I thought was her latest addition. However, as many other NetGalley reviewers have pointed out, this is actually a rerelease of her third book initially published in 1993. Unfortunately, you could tell the difference in writing style from 1993 to 2019. I did not enjoy this book at all; I’m afraid. It took me absolutely ages to get into it and even then I just wasn’t enamoured by the storyline. I didn’t feel like I was engaged with the characters or anything that was happening.
The characters were not very likeable right from the start. Izzie is two-timing her boyfriends. These aren’t just recent flings either it’s been going on for over a year. Yet we are expected to feel sorry for her when she loses both? Grace also is just unlikeable. Who wouldn’t care that they had run someone over regardless of what is going on in their personal life? And Kat just seemed like a bolshy teenager.
So I’m afraid this book just wasn’t for me. I haven’t decided yet whether it has put me off reading another Jill Mansell book or whether I’d give a new release a go. I certainly won’t be reading her back catalogue, which is a shame.

This book is the perfect beach read! While the storyline was a bit predictable that’s OK. I love Mansell and her writing style. She always makes you feel like you are in the setting and a part of the character she life. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a beach read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this story.A bit of light relief for the holidays.
The story of Izzy who is knocked of her motorcycle on the way to her work as a part time singer by Gina.
Izzy and her daughter Katerina get to know Gina,move in with her and get to know her friends.

So who ends up with who and will Izzy make the big time? The plot is pretty obvious but still really enjoyable.

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect sumer read.

This appears to be a re-release of an older Jill Mansell and unfortunately, it’s obvious. I love her writing for good beach reads but this one just didn’t work for me. The writing is dry and stilted and I never connected with the characters. It’s very wordy and could use a good editing. Thank you to the publisher for the free review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the perfect for a summer day: engrossing and entertaining.
I love the setting, the well written cast of characters, the style of writing and the well developed plot.
The romance was very good and you couldn't help rooting for the characters.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Loved it, loved the characters and especially the storyline so thank you Netgalley, Publishers and most importantly of all the author.

Kiss by Jill Mansell was all over the place, but in the best way possible! I loved following haphazard Izzy through her journey of lust, love, and fame. The book ended all too soon for me and I hope there is a sequel!

Kiss has most elements that readers look for in a romance: controversy, betrayal, redemption, and of course love. I just cannot immerse myself in Mansell's books so after three attempts I'm calling it quits.

I love Jill Mansell's novels and really enjoyed this one. A perfect summer holiday read or for a cosy afternoon on the sofa. A story of family, romance and friendship. a lovely easy reading story with good characters and twists and turns along the way to keep the story interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Talk about a love triangle – well Jill Mansell has out done herself in this guy-girl epic tale of love, lust and friendship. No that’s not the triangle I referred to but it is equally important to the theme of KISS.
First off I’m guessing this is my first foray into the writing of Jill Mansell since initially taken aback by the English language used conversationally in KISS. London comes to life through the use of British terms but not to worry. Easy to catch on and brings still another level of whimsy to an already delightful tale. You might even find yourself looking up definitions and then laughing when you realize the true heart of the humor.
Quite a formidable cast of characters. Too numerous to mention and beside I wouldn’t want to spoil your meeting them. Central to KISS is a group of women and men searching. For the most part they are evidently not sure what they are searching for. Unaware of what is missing from their lives. For some it is true love, for others a valuable commodity such as a career, place to live or outlet for creativity.
So Jill Mansell combines a very diverse cast in an attempt to solve a myriad of problems and roadblocks. KISS is about finding a way passed those roadblocks and Jill Mansell does it with humor and aplomb.
Izzy is looking for success – not sure just what that looks like since her life has been a journey with many detours. Izzy and her daughter Kat move around various lodgings depending on their current financial situation. Izzy wants to be discovered. She has style and talent galore but lacks discipline. Kat is brilliant and is the anchor of their little family. They are an amazing team.
Izzy is also blessed with an eclectic group of friends that offer this family love and emotional support. She is lucky in so many ways. A real people person and in KISS Izzy’s circle of friends grow even larger.
You will surely meet some wonderful and somewhat odd characters in KISS. You can’t help but want to put them on your speed dial. Jill Mansell’s writing style and humor is infective and her character building is awe inspiring. In KISS Jill Mansell captures your heart and keeps you turning pages for more joy and laugh out loud entertainment.