If you love cute little magical love stories like I do, then you'd love this. Gives on major Rebecca Serle and Ashley Poston vibes and I loved it!!

Thank you publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really cute story about a woman who wasn't able to follow her dreams but made sure others in her life got to follow theres. From her mom's podcast to her best friend's wedding, Olivia makes sure that everyone gets what they want. Even if she has to put all of her dreams on hold.

But somewhere out there is an alternate universe where Liv gets everything she wants, even the guy who drove her nuts in high school, but loses her relationships with her mom and her best friend. The magical realism really worked for me. As did the characters.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia and Jake were so cute! This was the “invisible string” theory. One kiss can change everything. I loved this adorable rom com!!

"What's in a Kiss?" is a sweet and heartwarming romantic comedy. I've been loving magical realism recently, and this book was a fun take on the trope. It started a bit slow, but then the pace picked up, and I ended up binging it. I loved that the book didn't focus solely on the romantic relationship, and that it also explored themes of friendship and self-discovery. The book really makes you think about how the choices we make every day can significantly affect our lives. Olivia and Jake were charming main characters that you can't help but root for. The side characters were also lovable and provided comic relief. My only real complaint is that there wasn't really an explanation as to why the switch happened. But otherwise, I really enjoyed this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adore a good "what if". this one was a little confusing. amd the FMC got on my nerves a bit after a while, but it was still a good read!

I don’t know how to put how I felt about this book into words. Confused might be the main one. The main character was annoying to boot, especially when she leaves this time continuum for the one where she and Jake are married. It was weird, but i don’t know if it was a good weird or a bad weird. i’m still deciding

I really enjoyed this book! It was an engaging read from start to finish with a unique storyline. The writing was easy to follow, and I appreciated how the story kept me hooked without feeling overwhelming. Overall, it was a great read, and I definitely recommend it!

I've never read a rom com with alternate realities / a "what-if" storyline before, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had. What's in a Kiss is sweet, unique, and a entertaining, quick read. Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review!

What’s in a Kiss? by Lauren Kate is a whimsical "what-if" romance with a twist of alternate reality, exploring the butterfly effects of a prom kiss that never was. It's charming, sweet, and sprinkled with just enough magic to appeal to fans of light romantic comedies with a speculative twist.

The premise is undeniably intriguing: Liv, a recently furloughed drama teacher, is reunited with her high school rival, Jake Glasswell, ten years after a disastrous prom night. But thanks to a cosmic hiccup at a wedding, she suddenly finds herself living an alternate timeline—one where prom night went differently, and she and Jake have been together ever since. It’s the ultimate second-chance fantasy, the kind that makes you wonder: What if I had made a different choice?

The novel shines most in its concept. The sci-fi-lite take on fate, timing, and romance adds a fresh layer to the traditional enemies-to-lovers arc. Jake, in both timelines, is an absolute standout—charming, genuine, and definitely swoon-worthy. And Lauren Kate balances the whimsy with heartfelt emotion and some genuinely funny moments, which gives the book a light, enjoyable tone.

That said, the execution doesn’t quite live up to the promise. The bulk of the story is spent in the alternate reality, which makes the eventual return to the original timeline feel rushed and underdeveloped. The emotional payoff—particularly around Liv’s fractured relationships with her mother and best friend—lacks the closure and nuance it deserves. And for a story centered on love and connection, there’s surprisingly little real falling in love happening on the page. It’s all fast-forwarded, which left me feeling a bit disconnected from the romance itself.

I had very mixed feelings while reading. On one hand, the message that "they would choose each other in any life" is beautiful and genuinely made me smile. On the other, I found myself frustrated by the repetitive pacing, shallow character development, and the lack of depth in emotional moments. The book is short—mercifully so, in some ways—but also too short to flesh out the very ideas it’s built upon.

Bottom line? What’s in a Kiss? is a quirky, quick read that’s perfect if you enjoy romcoms with a dash of magical realism and don’t mind a story that prioritizes concept over character. It didn’t quite work for me, but it might hit the sweet spot for readers who are less invested in deep emotional arcs and more into fun, speculative romance with a dreamy twist.

3.5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Publishing for my DRC.

What’s in a Kiss by Lauren Kate is a light, sweet romance about two people who share a kiss that changes everything. While the premise is charming, the story feels a bit predictable and doesn't dive deep enough into the characters' emotions. The chemistry between the leads is there, but it lacks the spark that makes the romance truly memorable. It’s an enjoyable, easy read if you’re in the mood for something light, but it doesn’t quite leave a lasting impact.

Thank to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

If you are a fan of 90s style rom-coms you will enjoy this.

Liv and Jake have a lovely story. Loved the side characters!

The only negative was there was no epilogue.

Cute “Sliding Doors”/what-if love story. I enjoyed the story a lot! Really loved the MFC.

Was somewhat slow to start and didn’t grab me at first, but after “the kiss” I really couldn’t put it down

I really enjoyed this book! It was an engaging read from start to finish, and I found it incredibly accessible. The writing was easy to follow, and I appreciated how the story kept me hooked without feeling overwhelming. Overall, it was a great experience, and I definitely recommend it!

*What's in a Kiss?* by Lauren Kate is a lighthearted romance with a touch of whimsy, exploring the complexities of love, attraction, and the significance of a simple kiss. The chemistry between the main characters is sweet, and the story has its charming moments, especially for readers who enjoy romantic comedies with a hint of fantasy.

However, while the book has an engaging premise, the plot feels somewhat predictable, and the pacing drags in parts. The characters, though likable, are not as fully developed as I would have liked, and their emotional journeys lacked the depth to make their connection feel truly compelling. Some aspects of the story felt repetitive, which made it hard to maintain interest at times.

Overall, *What's in a Kiss?* is an enjoyable, easy read for fans of light romance, but it lacks the emotional depth or originality to make it stand out. It’s perfect for a quick, feel-good escape, but may not leave a lasting impact for readers seeking a more complex or unique love story.

This was such a sweet little 'what-if' second-chance romance! A super quick and enjoyable read. I would recommend to my book club.

Thanks netgalley for the ARC

The plot of this book was what really drew me in. The magical realism with an alternate universe was super unique and I had fun time seeing how things would play out!

A lovely contemporary romance that will have you questioning the “what ifs” in life. I laughed, cried and smiled while reading. Gave me such nostalgia to 13 going on 30

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

A romantic journey filled with emotional twists, heartwarming moments , and what ifs?.The humor and tenderness had me hooked.
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a total delight of a book! this was previous, lovely and thoroughly entertaining. I absolutely loved it and look forward to more from Lauren Kate.