It wasn't what I was expecting. There were a few things that bother me, the age gap really sort of got to me, but man do I love that cover. All in all, probably not necessarily one I would recommend.

I’m always a sucker for the single dad trope and this book gave me everything that I wanted. Loved the pacing of the book and both of the characters were very likeable, the family dynamic is what really hooked me and kept me reading!!!!

One Last Kiss is an age gap, single dad romance. It has a broody, closed-off single dad of adorable twin girls who's secretly in love with his brother's best friend's little sister. The pacing is slower, and there is a lot of inner monologuing. A couple of times the author addresses the reader directly which, threw me and pulled me out of the story a little bit. I liked most of the secondary characters, some added needed levity. The interactions between Rian and Parker are awkward and hesitant in the beginning, and I enjoyed watching them grow. Overall this is a pretty good read.

I really really wanted to like this one but as someone who tried the whole "older guy" thing when I was 19 myself... I found this to be just ick. I had to stop reading it. I'd say this is a personal issue with the book but it seems by reviews I'm not the only one hating the age gap. Seriously... 19?!?!

🥰Review/Summary😍
One Last Kiss
Author: A.S. Kelly
Genre: Romance
Rate: 6/10

Summary: Rian is a 19 year old yoga instructor with a crush on her brother’s best friend’s older brother, Parker. The only problem, Parker is a single dad who’s heart has been destroy and as a result doesn’t date. While Rian has had a crush on Parker for most of her life, she had no idea that he started to reciprocate the crush until the night he helps her, the night they promised to forget but the events of that night are brought back to the their attention when Rain is talked into babysitting for him.

Thoughts: Okay, I could have really love this but I was kind of disturbed by the age gap. I might have gotten over it but they bring it up repeatedly so you can never forget. Rain is very young, she’s 19 and like Parker she seems a little lost herself. I know we’re supposed to think she finds a home with Parker and the twins but it’s still kind of weird so I wanted and am glad that Parker and Rian took their relationship slowly. Parker’s twins are very cute and fun and I like them a lot, the side characters were my favorites especially Tyler and Naill. I really enjoyed Naill and Tyler’s banter with Parker and that they forced themselves into his life. Rian really needed to give Naill a break, he’s super fun and is clearly trying also she’s friends with Jordan, his fiancé so Rian’s going to need to give Naill a chance if she wants to remain friends with Jordan. I might have to read the other two previous books because I do love Niall. I did like Rian’s friend group Holly, Anya, and Jordan they were a lot of fun too. Overall, it’s a cute story and fun little romance.

First, I would like to thank NetGalley for providing this ARC for me. Next, I loved this cover! It’s so cute.

The six-year-old twins in this story were my favorite characters. They constantly made me laugh and they were sweet. This book had a great storyline, and was well-written except for the age gap. Before I go into it, I just want to say that these are my own opinions. Everyone else has different views to a book, and this a good, light, fast read.

In reality, I have dated with an age gap, so the way the characters thought about one another is what threw the entire story off, I felt. I didn’t like how they looked at one another and thought little kid or too old for me. The first time would have been okay, but they continuously thought it throughout the novel. Honestly, I feel if you’re in love with someone, then you see them for who they are personality wise. It turned out to make me not like Parker at all, and I felt creeped out by him. Some of the things he said and did just didn’t sit well with me, but other than that, like I said, it was a good read. I also enjoyed Niall’s and Tyler’s comments. They made me laugh.

Perfect for the lovers of broken men.
Parker and Rian's story starts with a sexy awkwardness, moves on to uncomfortable need and ends (well that'll not for me to say). This book has resurrected what the right kiss can be and do. How we forget that most good things start with it, but not all are good or memorable. This is memorable, each and every time. That alone makes this a great read but I have to say having it written in both perspectives and surprisingly talking directly to the reader makes us feel like a small part of their story. It was only frustrating when he would second guess himself but you just want her to get the hot grumpy firefighter to wake the hell up!!
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

I was so excited by the description of this book and the cute cover. I could not wait to dive into it, however it didn’t live up to my expectations but more about that later.

I thought the synopsis was interesting and could lead to a really fun storyline. Handsome single dad and fireman Parker had all but given up on love after his first wife, the mother of his adorable six-year old twin daughters decided their life together wasn’t for her and left Parker to raise the girls on his own. Rian is a young and beautiful yoga instructor who cannot be bothered with causal relationship, she is looking for a real man.

My first issue with this book is the age difference between the main characters. I can absolutely appreciate age is just a number and people fall in love with someone several years older/younger than them every day. However, there were more layers to this story which really put me off of their love story. Very early on we were alerted to a previous encounter where Parker attended to Rian during a call and acted not only unprofessionally but inappropriate and without her consent. This for me tainted their relationship as it developed throughout the book. I also found it odd that literally none of the other characters we meet questioned their relationship. There is a 20+ year age gap and everyone acts like it is perfectly normal and not the slightest bit creepy for a 41 year old man to enter into a romantic relationship with a 19 year old.

There were some very sweet moments, mainly between Rian and the little girls. I loved the time they spent together and thought it was very mature of Rian to involve the girls in cooking/baking and special gestures. I think I would have really enjoyed it had Rian been in her mid twenties., it would have been easier to accept her falling for Parker and all that he brings if she had a bit more life experience under her wings.

I know life handed Parker a shitty hand but he seems very grumpy with just about everyone he encounters. I mean if we had a dollar for every time he threatens to punch someone in the face we’d be rich. Personally, I really didn’t care for him.

I really hope these two decide to get marriage counselling before they tie the knot, it seems to me they are both carrying some trauma from past relationships they need to work through before they can commit to each other.

Thank you to A.S.Kelly, the publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

✨Sooo this book is a good example of why I get nervous around age gap romances. ✨

This story is about a 19 year old yoga instructor, Rian, in a small town who starts to have feelings for a 40 year old fireman from the same town. He has kids too.

I had multiple issues with this book. I have no desire to trash this book because it really did try it's best and it didn't have anything problematic, it was just really not for me.

The writing felt very juvenile and it was a huge part of why I felt so icky around the age gap element of the book. The dialogue was just downright cringey and hard to read. It took everything in me to keep going. (I don't like DNFing ARCs)

The hero was extremely intensive and very creepy. Don't get me wrong, I love me an intense or brooding hero. This hero was just extremely off. I felt so slimy whenever I would read his interactions with the heroine. The age gap provided nothing to the story. Normally, in age-gap romances I like, I will see wonderful conversations about their age. I will see a healthy and mature relationship. This relationship had neither of those things. I was just getting those weird vibes when I see old white men marry a girl only a couple of years older than his own daughter, you know what feeling I am talking about? Yeah, super creepy. I was just not there for it. He dated a teenager before he met the heroine. Super icky. The worst thing? This relationship begins because he took advantage of a vulnerable situation. He even admits it! Major ew. The hero could have easily been her age or a little older and nothing would have changed. Maybe it could have increased my enjoyment.? Probably not. The romance was so lackluster, I felt no connection or real chemistry from the characters.

The good dirty talk could have been a plus for this book but since the relationship creeped me out so much, I was just not there for it. If you want dirty talk, go read a Tessa Bailey instead, I promise it would be a much better investment.

The side characters were so irrelevant and poorly written, I was practically forced to only pay attention to the main couple. I normally am super apprehensive about kids in romance because it is very tricky to write them correctly; it is super easy to make them very annoying. This book took it in the opposite direction. The children were practically just plot devices to move the story forward. If you asked me what their names were, I could not tell you. Children have the potential to really add to the romantic relationship/intimacy in a romance, this book was very, very far from that.

The plotholes. Oh my goodness the plotholes. This plot was all over the place and so hard to follow. The hero had a myriad of issues that came out of nowhere. It was like the author never wrote their plot down and just forgot what they already wrote. It was seriously like the author forgot their own plot. I was not having a good time.

This book was also listed as a standalone. It is not. I was genuinely so lost throughout the book. But I am not sure if it was from the mess this book created and the plotholes or because the previous books weren't explained in this one.

I was honestly just not having a good time at all with this book. I don't really have anything else to say. I always like finding something good when I review a book but I honestly can't think of anything right now. I am so sorry, I am sure this book means so much to the author. I have no intention of bashing on this book, but I did not connect with it at all and I really don't think I will be reading the other books in the series.

1/5 stars | 2/5 steam

Thank you to A.S.Kelly, the publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me the e-ARC for One Last Kiss. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The synopsis of One Last Kiss had me really excited to read this book, however I was left very disappointed and I finally decided to DNF it at the 57% mark. I don't usually dnf books, but I really could not get past the many issues the story has.

Firstly, the age gap between the two main characters was too much for me...and totally unnecessary. Rian could have easily been around 25 years old and the romance would have made the story much less uncomfortable for the reader...I mean a teenager and a 41-year-old man is a bit too much, I feel like.

Secondly, the age gap thing is central to story and is causing so much angst, but the characters do not behave their age. Rian, who should be 19, has her life completely figured out (a bit unrealistic, to be honest) and a sound career as a yoga instructor. Parker, who should be 41, acts as a moody teenager and at the same time as a tormented 30-year-old. There is no consistency.

Thirdly, I found the writing style quite confusing andI often wondered who was saying what to whom...not to mention the few occasions where the characters would address the reader for no reason whatsoever.

For these reasons, unfortunately, the story really fell flat for me, despite the angst these two characters were constantly experiencing, and I quickly got bored. I could not connect with any of the characters and in the end Iost interest.

This story follows Rian and Parker, Rian is a 19 year old yoga instructor in a small town, she has a crush on Parker, who is a 40 year old fireman in the same town.

The main problem for me was that I could not connect with the characters and I had to force myself to get through the book.

The characters were not relatable and as much as I tried to forget the age difference I could not because it was mentioned again and again.

It is sad that I didn't end up liking this book, I had high hopes for it. This book was just not for me.

I thought this was a cute Rom Com as a whole, but as a mom of two daughters- the age gap made me quite uncomfortable.
Single 40 something dad of two kids and a 19yr old? I guess when it’s meant to be…but…ick.

INCLUDES SLIGHT SPOILERS:

2.5* out of 5* - and very nearly a DNF.

My honest opinion? Some the dialogue was so cringe it made me sad. So many characters either gave nothing to the story or were awful people. The age gap was creepy. The leading man was suuuuper intense in a creepy and obsessive way. There were a few moments where things in the plot didn't line up (like super young ex-wives ages changing). Also, I didn't know when I read this that it was translated, but that makes me even more annoyed because this means that the plot holes were missed by ANOTHER person.
The saving graces were honestly Parker's twins and the dirty talk. The plot I liked overall too - it kept me reading when everything else made me want to DNF this. However. I already struggle with age gap romance. I don't need a 22 year gap when the gal is 19 years old and the 41 year old gent is waaaay too "you consume me. I just want you so bad I can't live" but then cuts off any potential relationship moments with "but you're so young and I'm so damaged and the last teenager (who miraculously went from 18 to 20 at some point when the author clearly forgot their own plotline) I was with when I was in my 30s ruined me" at LEAST 6 TIMES. Now I love when the sex doesn't half way in the story like so many formulaic romances. But if it's gonna be dragged out and I have to wait for it, do that. Don't start and stop over and over again. It gets boring.
Sorry for the rant.

I'm giving this 1.5 stars (rounded up) only because it left me thinking about it when I had to put the book down while reading.

I have so many thoughts about this book.
1. The writing wasn't my preferred style. There were times where the dialogue was just listed back and forth between characters and I had to re-read it a couple of times to understand who was saying what. (This may just be my inability to follow along though lol)
2. This was marked as a standalone and I tried to read it as one but honestly it was difficult, I felt very confused, I'm not sure if that would be fixed by reading the rest of the series of if the writing was intentionally vague for like plot purposes.
3. The "romance" was like non-existent to me?? The main characters never really have a substantive conversation? Like the whole book is just them "managing" and trying to deal with their attraction to each other.
4. The kids didn't really act like normal kids, more like romance book kids that are only there to further the plot. Also so did a lot of other characters, like parents and things.
5. There were quite a few lines I read that had me physically rolling my eyes.
6. This is PERSONAL PREFERENCE but this was an age gap romance but it seemed like the male character just has a thing for young girls?? Like he keeps going younger to the point where it was a litle creepy to me.
7. The whole fact that their relationship started with a situation where he clearly took advantage of a vulnerable situation which he admits, and then tells someone else about it despite making. a promise not to??

I will say it kept me hooked despite all this so like take what I say with a grain of salt I guess.

DNF at 40%

I enjoy my romances but sadly this one just didn't pull me in. I am sure the age difference between the characters (41 & 19) is why I am not feeling the fun in the book. And with our main guy previously impregnating an 18 year old and then going after another young girl...well I'm sure you can understand why he isn't my favourite character.

I am still happy to give the other books by A.S. Kelly a try.

DNF at 35%

This book had a lot of potential, but ultimately, I couldn't get passed the huge age gap. I was also unsettled when the narrator would address the reader.

A lot of the prose felt stream of conscious, and there was a lot of unnecessary dialogue. Sometimes I couldn't tell who was speaking because there were so many quotations without any breaks. It felt like reading a script and all the characters' names are covered.

I wasn't aware that this was the 3rd part in a series, so I wasn't previously invested in the characters. However, I still think it read great as a standalone.

Overall, this read was funny and the characters were lovable. Great character development for Parker. Rian was likable and extremely patient for dealing with Parker and his apprehension with their connection. Luckily, Niall and Tyler's humor lessened the sting from Parker's grumpy stubbornness.

The sex scene was a little mundane. Though that is understandable due to the circumstances of the characters, the heat was still lacking.

The age gap was shocking. I personally feel like aging up Rian by 6 years at least would be better and still give the desired affect. Especially given Parker's romantic past and the vulnerability of their previous intimate encounter. The late reveal was a good choice. This made it more surprising and gave us a chance to get interested in the characters.

Be warned, that this is the 3rd in a series!

It was a little tough to follow, as a lot of situations from previous books are mentioned and I felt so out of the loop. It was a slow burn, big age gap story. I wish I had read the first two books before starting this, but it wasn't completely unreadable. Rian was a little too angsty for me, but she is a TEENAGER.

i really enjoyed reading this book as it was a lovely romance and easy to read.
this is the third book in the love at last series, i haven’t read the other books in the series so these books can be read as standalones which i love.
i gave this 4 stars as sometime the characters would annoy me with their decisions and how they sometimes acted.

I was excited to read this one but sadly it let me down. The book was so heavy on the dialogue and it wasn't often clear who was speaking so although the dialogue was witty, teasing and funny, I found it very hard to follow. Because of all the dialogue it lacked the inner monologue a book needs. I also found the age gap between the two love interests a bit too big. He was 41 and she was 19. I don't mind an age gap usually but she was still a teenager. And then we find out his previous girlfriend/babies mother was also 18 when they got together. It was just a bit too much and made me uncomfortable so much so that I did not finish the book. :(

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital ARC of this book. All opinions remain my own as always.