Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Adores for the early access to this book.

I wanted to really like this. I love the premise and the romance was hot, but the characters felt a bit juvenile especially considering they were supposed to be best friends before their sexual relationship began. I found their miscommunication frustrating and I did not like how Cyn treated Jucee. Will for sure look more into this author, this one just wasn't for me!

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Best friends to lovers. We have all heard or experienced the instant chemistry and attraction to a friend. Some of us wait for them to feel the same or to approach first. Jucee and Cyn were best friends who fell in love. They had to learn to navigate friendship on the other side of lovers. Throw in supportive friends and family with the contrast of those who are not supportive, and you have a masterpiece. I can see a short film featuring these characters winning an award.

3.25-3.5

After devouring and loving, D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding I thought this would be an amazing follow up. While it was still such a fun read and the complexity of characters is always a strength of the author, some areas didn't have the same charm.

The failing part was the miscommunication. I can handle a certain amount but after that my patience is gone and that was the case here. I can understand to point why it was such a thing but I needed Cyn to PLEASE just talk about things.
I also would have loved some more backstories about the characters before their relationship, I think it would have added to their own development more & their relationship.

However, the characters were authentic and the LGBTQ2+ community plus their chemistry was such a win!

Chencia C. Higgins' *A Little Kissing Between Friends* is a sultry, emotionally charged sapphic romance that explores the complexities of transitioning from friendship to love. Set in Houston, the story follows Jucee, a bisexual single mother and exotic dancer, and Cyn, a rising music producer known as "Poppa." Their deep-rooted friendship faces new challenges as they confront long-suppressed feelings, leading to a passionate yet tumultuous journey.

The novel has been praised for its authentic representation of queer Black women, body positivity, and sex work. Cyn stands out as a well-crafted butch lesbian character, while Jucee offers a nuanced portrayal of a confident, sex-positive femme. The narrative also delves into themes of found family and community support, adding depth to the protagonists' experiences.

However, some readers have noted issues with the story's pacing and character development. Critiques include the underutilization of Jucee's role as a mother and Cyn's music career, as well as moments of miscommunication that strain the believability of their romantic progression. Despite these concerns, the novel's heartfelt exploration of love and identity resonates with many.

In summary, *A Little Kissing Between Friends* offers a passionate and introspective look at love's complexities, enriched by its vibrant characters and cultural authenticity.

Final rating 3.5. This was cool, the spice was well done and ultimately I did believe in the chemistry between Poppa and Jucee. I also loved the way that Poppa's family loved Jucee and her son. I did feel that the book started very good and then like 70% in just lost some of it's luster. The plot was a bit thin as there wasn't much REALLY stopping the 2 main characters from getting together so it started to feel a bit forced in that regard.

What I loved most is how real their friendship feels. It’s full of jokes, late-night conversations, and that deep understanding of someone you’ve known forever. But when things start to shift, whew it’s a whole new vibe. The romantic tension sneaks up on you, and when it finally clicks for both of them? Let’s just say it’s worth the wait.

Chencia C. Higgins also brings that relatable, down-to-earth storytelling that feels like you’re talking to your best friend about their love life. The emotions hit hard, the banter is sharp, and the steamy moments? Chef’s kiss.

If you’re into friends-to-lovers stories that feel authentic and leave you smiling (with a few swoon-worthy moments along the way), this book is definitely for you. It’s the kind of read that makes you believe in love, plain and simple.

I love friends to lovers and I loved Cyn and Jucee as friends and as lovers. I did not, however, love the journey to get from point A to point B. There were also a few side plots that I didn't feel were wrapped up and felt like loose ends. At the end of the day, I did really like this story and I had a good time reading it. I'm going to go back and read Chencia Higgins' other works now!

A Little Kissing Between Friends is a charming and heartwarming read, with a perfect balance of romance and humor. The chemistry between the main characters is undeniable, and the slow-burn development of their relationship feels natural and genuine. The banter between them adds a light, fun touch to the story, making it an easy and enjoyable read.

While the plot is predictable at times, the characters’ growth and their interactions kept me hooked. There are moments of real emotional depth that elevate the story, making it more than just a typical romance. A few of the secondary characters could have been given a bit more development, but overall, they add to the dynamic of the story.

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with great character chemistry and a touch of humor, A Little Kissing Between Friends is a solid pick. It’s not perfect, but it’s a fun, endearing read that I couldn’t put down.

“A little kissing Between Friends” follows best friends, Cyn and Jucee as they find their way to each other. Cyn is a music producer whose star is quickly rising. Jucee is her exotic dancer best friend who has everyone falling at her feet, including Cyn.

My favorite part of their story is their chemistry. Even before their relationship progresses, the on-page tension is palpable. Their game of flirting, but never quite crossing the like kept me hooked.

My only complaints about the book were the miscommunication trope (I’m just not a fan) and the ending felt rushed. We spent so much time trying to get to Cyn making up her mind, that we don’t ever really get to know them as a couple. Even with those two things, I still recommend this book to anyone looking for a sapphic romance with some steam.

I have read many books by this author but this one didn't go over well for me. They acted like kids when it came to wanting the relationship. They hid from each other when they were figuring out they had feelings for each other. Lots of Miscommunication where they would just stop talking to each other because they didn't know how to express what they were feeling. Also Cyn strung Jade along instead of being upfront with her saying I don't like you and it caused unnecessary friction between Cyn and Juccee. Overall an okay book but i've read better by the author

One of my favorite sapphic authors so I jumped at the chance to read this one. Making me enjoy the miscommunication trope is something this book does well.

Wonderful addition to F/F romances and with characters not frequently seen in those that have been published.

The shift from friends to lover to being in a relationship was well developed and I appreciated the found family element and how both were folded into that family.

I was excited to read “A Little Kissing Between Friends” after reading Chencia’s book “D’vaughn and Kris Plan A Wedding.” Chencia is really repping for the queer community and it was great to see a dom on the page. These narratives and representations of Black queer life are missing from the book space.

However, the storyline just lacked substance. There wasn’t a lot of plot there. It’s definitely more of a character driven story. I would skip this one.

Chencia C. Higgins does it again in A Little Kissing Between Friends. The genre is better for her storytelling and steamy Black Sapphic contemporary romances. I love Cyn and that Juleesa’s friendship and journey to love. May we all be someone’s muse the way Jucee is Cyn’s.

I love Chencia C. Higgins as an author, and I truly enjoyed this book. The characters are loveable, and it is fiercely Black with a variety of important representation. The one thing that I didn't love was how much the plot seemed to meander without much structure. I was often confused about where the characters were at with each other (I get that they were confused and that was the plot, but I as the reader didn't want to be confused).

I would still recommend this book to others and look forward to the author's future works.

Fat on Fat Black sapphic romance with mostly really lovable characters! Not much plot but lots of really good scenes. More sex scenes than you would expect in case that matters to you in either direction!

This was my introduction to Chencia Higgins and I was wowed by her story telling and colorful characters! I was really rooting for Papa and Jucee! The story was believable and fun to read, I will be telling my audience and friends about this book!

This book was such a fun read. This friends to lovers romance is so fun and sexy. It is one of the most sex positive romances I've read which is interesting when you think about it, shouldn't all romances be sex positive? Higgins writes her characters with so much love and respect. Sex workers, fat women, various queer identities are all written in a way that tells me these are people the author truly loves. The pacing of the plot was quick and hot, the overall spice in this book was top notch. Would highly recommend.

At first I thought I was going to enjoy this a lot. But then there was miscommunication on top of miscommunication, which just would not end, and I started begging these people to just talk to each other. I also really disliked the way Cyn treated Jucee, which was very disrespectful, especially considering they were already best friends before they started sleeping together. All in all this did not end up working for me.

This is a sweet, fun romance. The writing doesn't take itself too seriously, including during the sex scenes which manage to be both hot and funny. The levity makes this a great pick for a casual read- I read most of it between an oil change and a flight. Between this book and D'Vaughn and Kris plan a wedding, Chencia Higgins is clearly passionate about queer, Black, Texans getting authentic representation. The characters feel real, although the situations they are in don't always.

Read if you like: stud/femme relationships, big bodies being celebrated, found family and biological families, books that will make you hungry, sex scenes that are a little bit goofy but mostly sexy, Black southern rep.

Very grateful to NetGalley and Carina Adores for arc access (and very embarrassed it took me this long to finish).