Ever since her father passed just before her high school graduation Liv’s life has not gone as planned. She turned down Juilliard and is barely making ends meet after being let go as a drama teacher. When her best friend Masha’s wedding brings her high school rival and America’s favorite reporter Jake Glasswell back to LA all Liv wants to do is make sure things go smoothly for Masha. But when Liv unexpectedly finds herself living the life she never had as a popular TV show actress and married to Jake, Liv must take a hard look at how she wants to authentically move forward in her life.

I always enjoy Lauren Kate’s charming and entertaining characters. The plot fell a bit flat for me but I still enjoyed the story!

Alternate reality romance with a “what if “scenario which poses the question of whether or not true love transcends space and time.

Can a moment in time (or a missed opportunity) profoundly change your life’s trajectory? If you had the chance to live your life in two different dimensions but had to sacrifice one or more loving relationships, which life would you choose? Equipped with this knowledge, would you be able to make the necessary changes and take the risk of rejection to have an epic love in either dimension? These are the questions Olivia Dusk faces when she suddenly finds herself in an alternate reality. In her Real Life, she’s a recently furloughed middle school drama teacher in Los Angeles, busy planning her best friend Masha’s wedding, hosting a fledging podcast with her mother, and dreading the arrival of best man Jake Glasswell, former high school crush and nemesis who wouldn’t kiss her at prom, but went on to New York City for college and a very successful career as a talk show host. In high school, they competed in sports, on stage, and in the classroom, both being voted Most Likely to Succeed, However, when Olivia’s father died right after prom, she gave up her dreams of attending Juilliard and becoming a successful actress to support her grieving mother. When Jake arrives for the wedding, their sniping picks up right where they left off 10 years before, but there’s a fine line between love and hate. When Olivia finds herself in the other dimension (her High Life), she experiences the life she would have had if the prom kiss had actually happened. With no memory of the intervening years, however, she can’t live genuinely and honestly, nor can she repair the relationships she damaged along the way.

This is the first book I’ve read of Lauren Kate’s, but it definitely won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this fantastical romance reminiscent of the movie 13 Going on 30. Whatever dimension, the chemistry between Jake and Olivia is palpable and the love they have for each other in the High Life is relationship goals! The friendship between Liv and Masha and her relationship with her mother in her Real Life are a wonderful depiction of female empowerment. Living in LA, it was also fun for me to read about places I enjoy just like the characters. If you’re looking for a fun summer read, check this one out. Highly recommended.

“Even though my own adult life may still be a little out of focus, I cannot blur how thrilled I am for Masha.”

-Oh Olivia 🩷 The homecoming kiss that never happened, started a domino effect in her life.

“He looks like Harry Styles’ swarthier cousin, plus freckles, minus the pearls.”

-Jake had a similar story… only the opposite outcome.

“The friend of my best friend’s finance cannot be my enemy-at least from rehearsal dinner through Sunday brunch.”

“He saw the wrong version of me. And I can’t seem to move past it.”

Now their best friends are getting married, and Olivia has worked so hard to make the day perfect for Masha. Even if that means pretending to get along with him…

“He’s not shooting eye daggers at me anymore. He’s looking at me kindly. Affectionately. He’s looking at me like a man in love.”

-Wait, what?!

“I don’t understand what’s happening, but I’m starting to see it could be worse.”

“I’d found the most important thing. The rest of it I’d figure out, as long as I had you.”

-*Cue the puppy eyes *

“I’m messy. And you’re-“ “In love with you. Here. There. Everywhere. All the wheres in the world. Always.”

When I read the blurb for What's In A Kiss by Lauren Kate with its alternate reality theme, I knew I had to read it! I had also read this author's YA series when I was a teen so I was really curious about her current romcoms too!⁣
⁣
Olivia Dusk has been working hard to help her bff Masha with her wedding planning and she wants to make sure that everything goes well. Liv's life hasn't gone completely according to her plans and after a humiliating prom night ten years ago, she'll be meeting her high school rival - Jake Glasswell for the first time in ages at Masha's wedding as he's the best man. Liv put her acting dreams on hold after her father passed away and after losing her job as a drama teacher she's been making ends meet by waitressing and Lyft driving when she can. And Jake has been very successful in the meantime with his very popular talk show and he's her Lyft passenger now - not the way she imagined meeting him😶😂⁣
After some last minute mishaps, Masha and Eli's wedding goes on smoothly but as they're saying their vows, Liv suddenly finds herself in an alternate reality - one where she's a successful actress, and she and Jake are together after a kiss on their prom night. But she's not close to her mom or Masha here! Could a kiss change so many things? ⁣
⁣
This was a fun rom-com with many hilarious moments! Liv had an easygoing personality and it was hard not to root for her! I also liked the fact that Liv and Jake didn't have a silly rivalry that was dragged out for many years - there's some professional envy involved along with some unspoken things, but Liv quickly realizes them as soon as she lands in their alternate reality. Their romance was pretty sweet and I loved their banter! While I did like her relationship with her mom irl, we didn't get a full picture of their estrangement in the other life. I would have liked an extended epilogue with more details about Liv and Jake's future too, but it was a very satisfying read in the end!

Many thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this one.

Synopsis

What's in a Kiss? finds Liv leading a life that's quite different from the one she imagined, but still full of love from her best friend Masha and her mother. The only trouble is, her former high school rival - who happens to also be a famous TV personality now - is back in town for her best friend's wedding to his best friend. And she's not ready to see him, not after what happened at prom all those years ago. She tries to get through the wedding, but then something impossible happens - just as the couple says "I do," something shifts, and Liv winds up in another universe. One where she and Jake and married. Oh, and her mom and Masha? They won't speak to her.

Alternate universe and time-jump books seem to be having a bit of a moment, as I've seen a ton of them out there lately. It's a tough thing to pull off, so let's dig in to how it worked out for What's In a Kiss?

Review

My friends, this book destroyed me. And I mean that in the best possible way. We got off to a bit of a rocky start and it took me a bit to warm up to the narrative style, but once I settled in, I was hooked.

The alternate universe premise is tricky, but Kate manages to really bring you in to all the complicated feelings you might have when you find yourself in a different version of your own life. Liv doesn't have any memory of the life that led to her marriage with Jake, and she doesn't understand how she became estranged from her mother or from Masha. We face that head on, with all the stress and sadness that comes with it. In fact, I was reading this book in public during a Silent Book Club meeting and decided to go home to continue because I was constantly on the verge of tears. That's quality emotional writing, friends.

There are some questions that never get answered, but thanks to the emotional punch of the story, I didn't mind that so much. And yes, if you think about an alternate universe jump too hard the logic gets tricky - but again, because I was so invested in Liv's emotional journey and desire to get back to the life she knows even if some parts of it might seem less rosy, I didn't really notice or care about the logistics.

In all, this was an emotional gut punch in the best possible way. And sure, it's technically a romance, I guess, but it's about much more than that. It's about our choices and understanding what really matters in life.

I highly recommend giving What's in a Kiss? by Lauren Kate a read the next time you want a good, emotional book with a dash of love.

This book was absolutely EVERYTHING I look for in a book! I want to catch myself a Jake sooooo bad. The chemistry between Jake (mmc) and Olivia (mfc) is so swoon worthy. Lauren did such a great job with plot and characters, she might have just become an auto-buy!

3.5 ⭐️ I enjoy Lauren Kate's writing and this book isn't an exception...but it did fall a bit flat for me in areas! I'm not usually one to enjoy the second-chance trope, but Olivia and Jake were great characters! Overall, it was a nice contemporary romance read with the parallel universe twist, but it killed me with no epilogue and some nagging details that were passed over in the parallel universe part.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! Adore Lauren Kate and this one is worth reading, but be prepared to notice some gaps of information.

I liked this book as a whole, but there were some things that I didn’t which affected my enjoyment. I’m a big fan of what ifs and alternative worlds and a little sci-fi in romcoms. But this one wasn’t a hit for me unfortunately. I didn’t really understand why our main character Olivia was put into this alternate reality. I also didn’t get why her relationships with her best friend and mom were SO awful in the alternate reality. Like, a mom seriously wouldn’t disown her daughter for moving across the country and taking out a loan to pursue her dream. And her best friend? I don’t see life long best friends drifting apart and one hating the other so much as portrayed in this book. Neither of the central relational conflicts felt believable.
I really enjoyed the IDEA of this book. Olivia finding herself suddenly very famous was probably my favorite part.

The story of Olivia, whose life was altered forever when her dad died near high school graduation and her plans to go to Julliard are cut off by grief. Ten years later, she's not on Broadway like she'd hoped but she does have meaningful relationships with her mom and best friend, and feels content. Reunited with Jake, her almost-kiss at prom and high school rival, at her best friend's wedding, a freaky-friday type moment happens and she is transported to a new life where things are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. She needs to figure out what happened and how to get back to her real life, but eventually also whether she wants to go back to her real life.

I absolutely loved this book. It was sweet and fun and it was a joy to follow the journey of Olivia and Jake throughout. I loved the temptations to alter reality and the lessons learned, and was so delighted by the whole dang thing.

I love a good parallel universe love story. I think some of my absolute favorites of this story are Yogi Dan, and Deck Day.

# What's in a Kiss?
# 7/8/2024 ~ 7/11/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0

I’m not gonna lie, I was a little iffy about this one in the beginning. I was struggling to get into it for a little bit, but as the story went on I got very emotionally invested. In other words, tears were shed (the good kind). My heart was feeling all the things and I miss it very much.

I loved the relationships that Liv had with her best friend, her mom, and, of course, Jake. But honestly, so many things about this book were enjoyable. And second chance romances always get me.

Happy to have started my summer reading off with this rom-com! If you’re looking for a light summer read, this would be a good one to add to your list!

⭐️ 4 ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lauren Kate is always going to be my comfort author! I love how her books are wholesome, genuine, and a little bit of whimsical (especially this one!).

When Liv meets her high school crush-turned-nemesis, Jake, after 10 years at her best friend's wedding, she thinks she can handle him for 1 day. But everything changes when she looks into her eyes during the wedding vows & suddenly she's transported to another reality where they are happily married.

As much as I loved Liv's growth, I loved Jake even more. I really appreciated how Lauren gave a snarky between Liv and Jake in one life and being madly in love on another. And let me tell you, I absolutely loved both timelines & banters.

Though we didn't get to see much of the "real life," I could totally understand how things changed & unfolded in the alternate one. The friendship was top tier, and it made me sad to see that wasn't the case in the 2nd reality.

BUT THE ROMANCE WAS EVERYTHING! Jake & Liv were meant to be together since their prom night & in the end, it was proven so. Loved the ending so much, especially when Liv sees all her timelines with Jake! Can't wait to read more by Lauren.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thanks to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the E-ARC. Im not gonna lie Im always hesitant to read books based on 2 universes. But Im also not gonna lie and Im so glad I read this one I totally enjoyed Olivia and Jakes story. I loved the risk that Olivia took and reasons behind it I loved that this was so much more than a romance story and had strong friendship and parent relationships.

Have you ever seen the movie Sliding Doors? It take s a peek at a different path in life had the character changed a decision in their past. This book is like that.

The downside to this is you spend majority of the book in the "alternate" universe only to fall in love with it for the character and become unsure if they'll ever obtain it. It made me want a greater glimpse of reality and how things panned out for the character in the present.

This is my first Lauren Kate novel. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It felt unique and fresh. It was somewhat of a women's fiction crossover with romance that I think fans of The Good Part and The Seven Year Slip will enjoy.

This was a cute quirky romance. Great gimmick. Loved the alternate reality. Shades of Sliding Doors. Good point the friends and family are so important.

📽️🎞️💋
📖Review
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
📖Book 29/100
📚What’s in a Kiss
💫Genre: Fiction/Romance
✍️Author:
Lauren Kate

📝Synopsis 📝
Olivia is planning her best friend’s wedding. She is the maid of honor, but her high school nemesis, Jake, is the best man. They have horrible history since he humiliated her at prom. Ever since then, Olivia has had it rough and lost her dad, didn’t get to go to Juilliard, and her life is still a mess. On the night of the wedding her entire world shifts into another world, and she is now married to Jake!

My thoughts 💭
Oh my goodness this was such a cute read that gave me Freaky Friday, 13 Going on 30, and Just Like Heaven vibes! I’m a sucker for contemporary romance with a twist of a parallel universe, so I recommend it if you enjoy Ashley Poston books! I loved the 80’s Pop Culture throwbacks, and Liv’s endless love for her mother and BFF/BBS. I wished there were a bit more details on the why she fell out with her favorite people in her alternate universe. I also would have loved an Epilogue to Liv and Glaswell’s HEA.
🧡Enemies to Lovers
💜Parallel Universe
🧡Second Chance
💜Banter & Romance
🧡HEA

✨Thank you so much @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🏷️🏷️🏷️🏷️🏷️
#romancebooks
#bookstagram #romancebook
#bibliophile #booktok #booksbooksbooks #bookreview #bookstacommunity
#bookrecommendation
#bookstagrammer #booksta #netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreview #arcreader

This book was really fun!

Olivia is prepping for her best friend Marsha’s wedding, at which she has to play nice with her high school nemesis, Jake Glasswell. As the wedding weekend is upon them, she and Jake are having to spend a lot of time together. When it’s time for Masha to kiss her husband, Olivia is sent to another world where she and Jake are married. The story explores the question of what could happen if you make one small different choice in your life.

I liked this book a lot. I found Olivia’s character really “woe is me” at the beginning, but by the end I felt like she had gotten the development she needed to make this story work. I liked her floundering to figure out her new life and the ways in which it was better and worse than her real life.

Jake was a little too good to be true, which was a little annoying at times (give him some character flaws!) but it worked for what the story was trying to convey.

I liked this for the light hearted, fun read that it was meant to be.

What, did I miss something in Chapter 8?! I had to re-read so I could get the full effect and luxuriate in Chapter 9. What a tension filled love story! I loved the unknown of what was going to or not going to happen. Quick fun read for summer, highly recommend!

A vibrant summer read that dives into the age old question of "what if" that stretches through multiverses.

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did- it was such a pleasant surprise! A touch slow at the start, I wasn't hooked until our MMC entered the scene. The chemistry between Liv and Jake was palpable and their banter that had me giggling.

It was such a beautiful story of missed opportunity, the butterfly effect and love that spans multiverses. The last few chapters had me reaching for the tissues with how raw and beautiful it was all unfolding.

A perfect summer read that I cannot recommend enough!

Huge thank you to Lauren Kate, Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC <3

I’m not sure how I feel about these alternate universe scenarios. There doesn’t seem to be a way to make it all work out. This book did a good job of it though. I don’t feel like we knew enough about Olivia’s “new” life to know why Masha was so mean to her and I didn’t like how her mom was so awful to her for no good reason. Overall it was entertaining and I enjoyed it.