An enjoyable addition to the series. It was sweet and funny with some heat. It can be read as a stand alone but the interactions with friends and family will be enhanced if the reader is familiar with them.

DNF. I just could not connect with this book. I was lost from the begining, and felt like I was missing something. There were things mentioned that it seemed like I was already supposed to know, but were never explained.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! I gave this book a 3 star rating... As far as pure sexual chemistry, this book has it! Steamy love sessions and two people that are fully in love! The story is not super deep, and is a very light, romantic read. I loved the family dynamic and the love between the mother and daughter, but I struggled with having a deep connection with Axel and Rena as individuals. The intense violence in this book also threw me off guard, as well as the bits of diversity which seemed very out of place.

2 stars
I fond this one a little slow and hard to get into. The writing was hard for me to follow. Rena was not my favorite either,

This was my first book by Marie Harte, this one wasn't for me. I just couldn't get into it, I also wasn't a fan of Rena she made no sense to me. I didn't mind Axel even the random German words didn't really both me. I just didn't feel they were a good match.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ACR, I voluntarily read and reviewed.

Firstly , a huge thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for this ARC.

Marie Harte is a talented author. I can say that with absolute certainty after reading this book. After doing quiet a heavy reading these past few months, this is just the thing that I needed to read. Rena and Axel are two of the cutest characters that I have meet in a long long time. The plot was very catchy, the budding relationship between the two characters made it a very enjoyable read indeed.

To me it was a sweet story and fun to read. I loved the narration and the way the story folded and ofcourse, I loved the bar scene. Even Axel's intimidating character and grumpiness was endearing to me. The effort he put to have a relationship with the girl he liked - I appreciated it very much. I loved the chemistry and the cute couple made it worth my time.

If you are looking for a sweet rom-com with great characters and super catchy plot, this is the book for you . I am very lucky to have got a chance to read and review it early. It was my first Marie Harte book but certainly won't be my last. And last but not the least , I loved the cover. This made the book even more eye catching.

Happy reading.

In 2020, I was truly hoping to see books with more diversity of characters, sexual orientations, skin colors, ethnicity, etc. This book definitely fits that bill! The issue was, I didn't love the story. I liked the characters and their chosen and blood family (minus the people who were pretty villainous of course). Also who can resist the viral viking with his sexy German accent and a sassy salon owner and stylist?

I gathered that a lot of people (readers and characters) have been waiting a long time for Axel and Rena to get together. This book is a standalone - but a lot of the other characters have their own stories. I don't think you need to have read any of the other stories to understand what is happening, but it would likely give the characters more meaning.

Here's what I wasn't as in to - I didn't like Rena's wishy washyness towards Axel at the beginning. She had been waiting for him to ask her out (why didn't she just ask him btw?) and then when he finally does - she's like thanks but I don't have time to wait for you anymore. Then as he is trying to pursue her, she keeps saying why is she wasting her time with him? It just seemed off. I understand self doubt - and wanting things right now - but honestly, the man wants to date you, is clearly demonstrating it but you are still waiting on something better to come along?

I also wasn't in to Rena at the end. Axel definitely didn't have his head on straight and clearly needed time to work on himself before he could have a real solid relationship with Rena. But she seemed pretty intolerant of this and again super impatient - like giving him a Valentine's day deadline to sort out a lifetime of anger management issues and abuse. I would have been frustrated in her place too - but she didn't seem to hold up her end of the relationship bargain - if she really loved him - support him, don't complain about the lack of sex while he is working on himself and you told him to make everything up to you. She wanted all the romance - but didn't give any herself. Like, at one point she was upset about radio silence from him - but it wasn't really. He was still bringing her gifts every day - and she didn't call him or reach out at all. I don't believe we all need a partner to complete us - but when we say that we are looking for one, we should at least meet the person halfway. She also got mad at him for

Overall - those parts, plus the parts that surrounded the dive bar really weren't my cup of tea. I did enjoy the story and the sexytimes were very very sexy. Axel does a really good job with his dirty talk!

I think fans of this author and family groupings will love this book!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own!

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was truly disappointed in this romance especially since the summary promised a quirky, light-headed romance. It was anything but. Rena is a brazen, hairdresser that practically forces Axel to declare his interest all while complaining he moves too slow for her. She spends most of the novel pushing him a way and complaining she wants babies and a man. Their interactions are awkward and Axel comes off as too thirsty for her. He Walks on eggshells trying to please a Diva. Just couldn't handle it

Okay so I’m not totally in love with this book. It wasn’t horrible but not my favorite. I had high hopes but it was a bit of a let down. Without giving anything away it turned me off when Rena made up to axel by providing him sexual favors. I made it about 1/2 way through and just couldn’t go further. I felt like the synopsis didn’t really go with what the book was. It made me think it would be more of a game. I didn’t see much of a game to it. I do appreciate being able to read his book. I look forward to giving with new to me author a second chance.

What a swooony read! Romcoms are by far my guilty pleasure when it comes to reading because I can't help but be a romantic and fall in love with each love story (just like Rena!)
I think it's easy to be cynical and say all love stories or romance novels sound the same, and to some degree I would have to agree, but ultimately each relationship IS different and it's emotional and somehow lighthearted when reading about how the chemistry works out between two characters. It's also always nice to root for two people's happiness.
The Kissing Game was a pretty quick, but delightful read for me since the chemistry between Rena and Axel was so strong. There were some darker more emotional moments throughout the story, but overall it felt like a fun, romantic read.

TITLE: The Kissing Game
Author: Marie Harte
Genre:
My Rating: 3.5 Stars

*This ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

-------------------------
REVIEW:
(Just an okay read!)

Firstly, this is a new-to-me author that I’d never heard of before. Second, to be honest, it was a bit slow and hard for me to get into. There seems to be some deceptor’s: the blurb went one way (and I was pumped) but the actual setup went another. That, and that reason alone is why my rating is 3.5 stars. Don’t get me wrong the book isn’t horrible; just not what I anticipated.

Let me give you a little more background…

Rena and Axel are secretly into each other. She’s a bar tender that’s had a thing for Axel (a bar patron who drinks at her work regularly) for the longest. Great, right? The proverbial boy-meets-girl story that you think will be spun with a twist. Unfortunately it was not.
The aforementioned deceptor (well, one of them) that I’m referencing is the blurb coining Axel as a tall-dark-and-handsome hero, that when read… is conveniently the pale faced equivalent of a German Viking. Hmmm. Lots of questions there.

Also, it felt like the story was a mish-mosh of variant cultures that were forced. Didn’t like the way diversity was presented to me. Which, because there’s a lack there of in literature; more specifically Romance, I’d hoped for more.
Again, this is my opinion so please don’t let this deter you from reading. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’d heard bad reviews and read a particular book and was completely enamored by it. In which case this isn't a bad review just a slightly disappointed one.

Final thoughts…

What I liked – Loved the direction the author was going. As I said diversity is a rarity these days especially in the romance genre. Loved the meet-cute of these two characters and felt they had so much potential to grow and just be…more.

What I didn’t like – I think I made pretty clear earlier, but to add something different I’d say, the problems. Big climax seemed to end (resolved) too quickly. Would’ve loved to see more emotion and action with these characters.

Is that enough for me to completely turn away from this author? No. Absolutely not. Even though this book wasn’t my favorite it had enough potential for me to give her books another try.

The Kissing Game definitely does not live up to Marie Harte’s reputation and the quality of the previous books I have read. I found the characters lacking, the attempts at diversity confusing and far too much was going on. This was an extremely hard story to finish, so it's a no from me.

Thank you to Netgalley/Publisher for the read.

The Kissing Game cover is what drew me into this read, but unfortunately, it was not enough to hold me into the story. The synopsis did not mention that it was part of a series, but after reading some reviews it seems as it is.

I was able to read the novel, but I just wish that there was more to the story. I did not really like the characters of Axel and Rena together nor the multiple points of view.

I really liked Rena and Axel. I liked how hard it was for him to open up to her and how hard they both worked to overcome their own past experiences and personal issues to make their relationship work. I really liked their friends. I haven't read anything by Marie Harte before, but it sure does feel like I need to dig into her back list for the stories of other characters. I am sure that there has to be some good ones. I thought it was a great, light read for a weekend afternoon.

First off, i really enjoyed this book. Not at all what i expected from the cover. I thought it would be a light fluff book but it's a lot more delicious, sexy and gritty then that.
Secondly, the plot moved a long well and at a decent pace. There are a lot of secondary characters that would probably have more significance if i hadn't read the book as a standalone.
I really liked the character Axel and his awful gifts he made me laugh.

Overall, flew through the book in a day, would recommend to those seeking a more sexy book with more than just kissing described 😘. Will definitely be reading more by this author.

I should have looked more closely at the blurb.

"He’s got that tall-dark-and-handsome thing going big time."

Oh, are you referring to the pale German blonde Viking that is our Hero of the story? Yeah…that’s seems like a great descriptor!

The Kissing Game is long and drawn out, with minimal chemistry or love, filled with a ton of side characters that are hard to keep track of. It felt like the author was trying to include a bevy of diverse characters, but the diversity felt fake, as if jumping on a bandwagon.

While some moments were funny and made me smile, the end result is that I felt disconnected from the characters and the story. Nothing felt realistic or interesting enough to keep my attention.

The Kissing Game by Marie Harte a five-star read that will find wunderbar. This started and I nearly DNF’d I would have given it a two star at most, but it got so good. I adored Rena Minerva Jackson and the strength of fight she has, she took some time to warm to but honestly once I did, I would fight the world for her, much like the Viking Ice-man. Axel Heller is that Ice-man, and I can see why some people have issues around him, he is an enigma in himself, but as you read into him and try to get deeper into his story you see hints of him, he doesn’t warm for a long time, so its difficult to fall for him for a long time. Bu once you do, you will be wishing for your own Viking. This does have some issues to the story, and not all of it makes sense, I almost felt that this was part of a series and I hadn’t read the previous stories, but there is a good story if you just go with it and keep up you will have a good story in the end.

I always enjoy books written by Marie Harte and this book is no exception. Axel has wanted Rena for a long time but doesn't think he's good enough for her so he hangs back and watches her serve drinks at Ray's Bar. He is a large men who can be intimidating with issues like an abusive childhood which make him afraid to approach Rena. Rena is tired of men who let her down and of waiting for Axel to make a move. Since Rena is such a kick ass woman I would have thought she'd make the first move but she doesn't. Finally Axel and Rena get together even though the local skinheads don't like their interracial romance. I enjoyed the relationship between Axel the big "Viking" and Rena, the sassy bartender/hairdresser.

I had high hopes for this book but it just didn’t hit the mark for me. The whole racism and white supremacist angle seemed overdone. Like it was trying too hard. As well, the character of Axel was a bit odd with his unusual English and random German phrasing.

Rena and Axel have been crushing on each other for months, but neither have made a move until Rena’s last day bartending at Ray’s, where Axel is a regular.

This is a classic “will they, won’t they” love story. I enjoyed Axel’s character development, and Rena and Axel’s passion, but the story left a lot to be desired. Every conflict was resolved too easily, and there were so many characters that it was hard to keep everyone straight. I didn’t realize this book was part of a series when I started but felt it was fine as a stand-alone. I may read some of the other books for more background on some of the other characters. Overall I thought this book had a lot of potential but ultimately missed the mark.