The thing that I loved and also hated about this book was the rapid transition between Real Life and High Life. It felt very jarring and confusing for a long while. While jarring, I love the rapid transition because the confusion I felt gave me a sense of understanding for what Liv’s character was experiencing.

I really enjoyed how Liv figured out who and what was important to her. I especially loved the flash’s she got into her life as a teen and young adult that could have changed everything for her in so many ways. These flashes really helped me as a reader love the ending more. While implied Jake and Liv’s love would be inevitable it was fun to see how it could have happened in so many timelines.

I love the characters. Liv is so funny and relatable. I feel like her inner dialog is so similar to mine. Her relationship with her mom is the kinds I wish for all mother’s and daughters. I found it so heartbreaking that in the High Life reality that she and her mom were not speaking. I cried when she called her mom for advice. I love Jake’s character in the High Life. He is the most supportive husband. I really enjoyed how Liv got back into Masha’s life by knowing her best friend in the most detailed ways. I wished we got to know Fenny more and yet I get why we didn’t.

I am excited to recommend this book to friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion! I adored the chemistry between Liv and Jake (Glasswell!), rivals/enemies-to-lovers is truly one of my favorite tropes. The author did an amazing job of showing the longing that both characters had for each other over the years, and I really think that Liv had so much character development and self-learning while she was "living the high life". The only part of this novel that stops me from giving the novel a 5 star review is the lack of real explanation we were given as to why Masha and Liv's mother were estranged from her in the "high life" timeline. I think it was highly out of character (from all the info were given about the personalities of these women) that their relationships would have fallen as far apart as they did. Overlooking that detail, I think the story was very well-written and it was a super fun and enjoyable read! Out of the two time travel/alternate timeline books I've read in the past year, I vastly preferred this one. I definitely look forward to reading more books by this author in the future!

What's in a Kiss? by Lauren Kate is written in present tense, which is something I really don't like. It started slow, and the transition between the Real Life and High Life was confusing. It wasn't made clear right away that Olivia wasn't in Real Life anymore. However, it did get exciting a few chapters in and it stayed consistently exciting for the rest of the book. Starting in chapter 20 and ongoing for a few chapters it was really sad, and made me cry in a good way.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of what’s in a kiss.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. I liked the really stark differences between the two timelines. I definitely sped through this book to find out what happens

I definitely recommend

I wanted to love this book so badly but unfortunately I didn’t. I was intrigued by the concept- similar to 13 going on 30, it seemed like a fresh idea for a romance. Unfortunately not having proper context for each “reality” made it hard to connect with the characters and really root for any of them. I also felt the original offense by Jake wasn’t enough to warrant Olivia’s hatred in the first part of the book and that was hard to get over. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

What’s in a Kiss? is a sliding doors/freaky Friday story. What if the boy you thought was a jerk in high school was really the great love of your life? Lauren Kate does a great job giving us a believable turning point in the relationship and her handling of it is a great reminder that things are always the way you remember it. I will say that it was a bit black and white in terms of her relationship with her best friend and mom. It seemed to be a bit of a stretch that she would be so disregarded in one reality and not the other. (It is hard not to give spoilers). Overall the writing was good. I think most of my issues come from holes in the premise. But it was a fun read, I would recommend it to anyone that goes for the true love through time and space trope. (I received an ARC)

I really enjoyed reading what’s in a kiss. If you’re a fan of romance books but looking for something a bit different than this is for you! Liv’s adult life doesn’t look quite how she planned when she was in highschool. One day she wakes up and everything is different. She gets a peek into what life would have been like had it gone according to plan. Now she’s faced with a choice, stay here and give up relationships with her mother or find a way back and give up the love of her life? Can she find a way to have the best of both worlds?

Lauren Kate did a wonderful job writing this novel in a way to keep the reader invested throughout. I found myself hooked wanting to know what was going to happen next.

"What's in a Kiss?" by Lauren Kate is a charming romantic read that captures the essence of young love and self-discovery. While not without its flaws, this novel presents an enjoyable narrative with a heartfelt storyline.

The characters are relatable and endearing, each grappling with their own insecurities and personal journeys. Kate does an excellent job of portraying their emotions, making it easy to connect with their experiences and struggles.

The romantic tension between the main characters is palpable and keeps the reader engaged throughout the story. The gradual development of their relationship feels authentic and adds depth to the plot.

The writing style is engaging and immersive, allowing readers to easily lose themselves in the world crafted by the author. Kate's descriptive prose brings the setting to life and sets the stage for the blossoming romance.

While the book offers an enjoyable and heartwarming read, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit uneven, and certain plot elements could have been further developed for added depth.

In conclusion, "What's in a Kiss?" is a delightful novel that captures the innocence and excitement of first love. Despite a few pacing issues, the story's charm, likable characters, and touching romance make it a worthwhile read for fans of young adult romance.

★★★★ Recommended for those seeking a sweet and engaging romantic tale!

You always wonder if one single action could have the power change the course of your life. This story explores that possibility and how much of your lives are connected, inextricably, as they are meant to be.

Loved the book and I couldn’t put it down. I I’ve read books and seen movies with a similar premise, but this book was well written and an easy read.

This book was a really enjoyable read overall.

What if the one kiss you didn’t have changed everything? What if you could see your life differently if you had gotten that kiss? Which life would you pick?

I wanted to like this book more but I found both of the leads a little unlikable . I liked the magic aspect of this story and am all for changing your life for the better. I just had a hard time connecting with this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguins Putnam group for the ARC.

If you don’t believe in life altering kisses, Lauren Kate will make a believer out of you. I couldn’t put this down as I immediately fell in love with this single POV and with MCs Olivia and Jake.

Masha tells Liv: “You go out of your way to help other people like it’s your job.” While calling her out for avoiding her own heart. Liz has perfected the art of not getting her heartbroken. She watched her mothers heart break following her dads heart attack and has been content finding minimal romance with lackluster guys who she knows there is no future or feelings with. But… the one that never was/dismissed her before there could have been a kiss is back in her life, moving back to the West Coast and is immediately under her skin.

The Moon Zappa in “Valley Girl” reference was *chef kiss*. My favorite Frank Zappa song as a kid. So many superb references throughout this book.

The twists and turns this took. Love spanning parallel universe, with a dog keeping you tethered to reality. A heartfelt reminder not to take from granted all that you have/the grass isn’t always greener. I have to note the initial transition between the universes is confusing. I had to go back and read twice making sure I didn’t missed something as high school sweethearts Masha (Olivia’s BBS) and Eli’s (Jake’s bff) ceremony ended.

Setting: LA

Tropes:
High school rivals
Enemies to lovers
Famous main characters

Trigger Warning:
Off page passing of a parent
Off page miscarriage

Thank you NetGalley and GP Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Random House for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. How interesting would it be to see a different version of your life? Olivia gets a view of the “what ifs” of her life. Let’s just say, she learns a lot. The story between Olivia and Jake is a good one. I just wish there would have been more to the ending. I need a sequel!

Olivia and Jake were sweet and fun, and it made it easy to fall into the romance between them but the time traveling back and forth made the story hard to keep up with and left me with question How does this happen? Why would a mom absolutely refuse to try reconciling with her for moving across the country?

Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I thought this book was a very cute rom com with a great enemies to lovers trope.

We follow Olivia as she plans her best friend Masha’s wedding. Olivia loves her best friend but she’s as single as they come. During the wedding weekend olivia has a run in with the best man who is her arch enemy from high school and it does not go well.
At the wedding, after the kiss, Olivia is transported into an alternate reality where she is happily married to the love of her life, but has lost her best friend and mom in the process. Will she get back to her real life, and will her relationship make it once she’s back “home”?
This was my first read by this author and I liked it and would recommend this book!

I enjoyed the close female and mother daughter relationships. The "what ifs" in this book are true to life. What if my high school rival and I kissed and we were together? What if I was able to visit that world and we were together but other relationships were not like before? What would you do when you had to decide upon life with this love or the one where he was a "rival" but you had your BBS and mom? How could someone choose between these two worlds? Cute story with good banter between the two main characters. Would have loved an epilogue to see how these two and the other couples turn out.....

3.5 ⭐️ Thank you #netgalley #penguinrandomhouse and #laurenkate for the ARC read. This book was a cute and delightful read. A blast from the past, and a book of what ifs. What’s in a Kiss made me laugh out loud, cry, smile, and reflect on past experiences. A quick must read on a nice summer day.

3.5 ✰ “I believe when a person finds something they love this much, they should shape their life around it.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishing team for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.


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Let’s open by saying that first of all, I already want to reread this so bad. I had a lot of fun with this story, the banter of the main couple is just so good, I was laughing and blushing all the time. I read a lot of books that are set in New York City, and sometimes Chicago, but for some reason, I don’t usually look for books set in LA, that however is going to change.

I feel like if you loved The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, you’re going to adore this novel.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: This is not how Liv wanted to see Jake Glasswell for the first time in ten years. Once her high school rival and the prom date who humiliated her, now a successful TV personality, he’s more attractive than he has any right to be. And he’s her Lyft passenger. Since the prom night kiss that never was, Liv’s life has not gone to plan. She deferred Julliard to be with her mom during a crisis, and now swears she’s happy as a recently furloughed drama teacher going on no-strings dates. This weekend she’s maid of honor to her best friend, Masha, and, of course, Jake is the best man. But when Liv glares into Jake’s eyes as Masha says, “I do,” the universe turns on its axis and Liv is suddenly living a version of her life where prom night was the beginning of her and Jake, not the end, and it turns out he’s the love of her life. The catch? Her mom and Masha hate her now. What’s in a kiss? Maybe everything.

𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐬: 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫, 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐦𝐜, 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬.

My favorite thing by far in this was the romance, Jack is your typical sarcastic love interest that has you smiling all the time. Olive and Jack are just so adorable, the moment the timelines changed and you got to see what they would’ve become if they kissed at prom all of those years ago is one of my favorites because you get to see Olive warm up to him and realize how in love and perfect they are together. Now, I was expecting a little more at the end, but I’ll talk about that below.

I was expecting a bit more from the plot of the book, especially with Olive’s mother and Masha. It also didn’t sit right with me that they got together so easily at the end, and there’s also the fact that she’s still a lift driver. I think 50 extra pages could’ve done the trick to elevate the story and make it more memorable.

This was okay it felt all over the place at times. Loved the relationship with her and Marsha.

I would explore more books by this author .

Overall what a cute, light, and fun love story! I loved getting to see Olivia fall in love with Jake, but also with the life she was given. It is nice to see a book written about things we always think about, like if that one thing did/didn’t happen how different would our life be? I was confused at times but as the book continues you get more answers… now give me more Jake and Olivia in the real life please!

I unfortunately had to dnf this title because the writing style isn’t for me and at 47% I wasn’t able to absorb anymore information so I had to call it quits. I’ve read some outstanding reviews for this title though and I encourage everyone to pick it up and see what they think!