This historical romance is part of a series, but although you will meet some of the characters from the previous books, this one is a separate story. The series centres around a large family of cousins. That is why you will continue to see several of them in most of the books, but not enough to spoil them if you read them out of order.
Our heroine is the family representative this time and she has no intention of ever getting married. She has escaped her domineering mother for a visit to her elder sister and her new husband.
Our hero has recently inherited his title and returned from the war with France. Like many, he is still carrying the after-effects of his service.
Theirs is a steamy and enjoyable story. Loving families can heal lonely hearts.
Good fun.

Must give a shout out to Toby. He knows a good person and jumps right into Perry’s lap. Dru & Perry had an instant bond, but emotional insecurities made them doubt their relationship. Great story that you dive into on the first chapter. Family, friends, lots of cousins and a special brother-in-law all gave a push for a future & forever love.

Lady Drusilla Alington is staying with her newlywed sister and brother in law in Surrey so she won't be near her mother who is very demanding . Dru is not very happy for her up coming come out next spring , she loves more to take care and foster wounded animals . The Earl of Martindale Perry Beaumont was an only son and when he has asked his late father to be more involved in ways the estate runs he was dismissed so he joined the army and fought against the France . Now after he came back after the death of his father he suffers from nightmares . When Dru and Perry meet they become friends and slowly they fall in love . Perry is little hesitant because he doesn't believe he deserves a woman like Dru . Will he realize that she will heal all his wounds ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publisher as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

Perry is an earl who had gone to war and come back to take up his title after his father passes away. Drusilla is the daughter of an earl who is supposed to debut next season but uninterested in marriage or babies. But they happen to meet each other in the country in the off-season and fall in love. It’s a pretty predictable sort of tale, but I love these quiet easy romances, especially when the guy is the one to fall first. Love seeing all the men who join the extended family become friends and I also love that Drusilla gets to live nearby her sister and cousin in the country.

An Innocent Kiss by Alexa Aston is another of her sweet romances. Peregrine (Perry) Beaumont is the heir to the Earl of Martindale and about to confront his father regarding the estate, again. His father doesn’t like him and wants him to have nothing to do with the estate, but refuses to purchase him a commission because he is the heir and invaluable. So, he retreats to his friend, Lord Tilsbury, an older gentleman who has become like a father to him. He offers to buy the commission and so Perry is off to the war and only returns when he is notified his father is dead and he is the new Martindale. Lady Drusilla Alington has come to visit her sister, who is a new mother. Her husband isn’t who her domineering mother would have chosen, but he was wealthy and he is a marquess, so all was good. They are a modern family with both parents participating in the raising of their child. Perry and Dru meet but determine they would not suit (Perry decides), primarily because of the war memories that Perry still carries with him. They do agree to be friends and help one another find mates during the upcoming season. Both are in love but fail to recognize it, or refuse to.

Another fun story by Aston. The plot is nothing new but the characters are new and refreshing. It is an exciting time in England: things are changing. Perry is excited to finally work with the estate and learn from his steward and those nearby friends, who have their own estates. He becomes a very hands-on manager. Dru is young and trusting and doesn’t really understand what Perry is going though. She, also, befriends Lord Tilsbury and meets his nephew and heir, who is taken by her. The poor man quickly realizes her heart lies elsewhere. Through good times and bad, and Dru’s discovery of Perry in the middle of a nightmare, things come aright. Good, fun story. Simple plot. Characters who are likable but far from fleshed out. It was entertaining to spend an afternoon with them.

I was invited to read An Innocent Kiss by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AlexaAston #AnInnocentKiss

What a sweet love story! Perry and Drusilla have a feeling of not being loved from their mothers. They are unsure if they will be able to find love. This story is a full love story with strong writing, sweet dialogue and steamy sexual tension. The story just makes you feel good and believe that good can happen!

The delightful story of Dru and Perry. Dru is a cousin from the series. She's lively, different and done with her mother's dominant manner. Perry, has returned from the war, more introvert and with PTSD. There is instant chemistry on both sides yet wants, ideas, and plans stand in their way. A well written story, that brings in the other married cousin and Dru's sister from the previous books. It can be a standalone, but why miss out on all the fun.

A beautiful, yet gentle, romance develops between the main characters as they face their fears and learn to overcome their difficulties. Lady Dru flies in the face of convention, rides astride in breeches, and loves being outdoors grubbing in the garden. Her mother makes the rules in their home, and when her compassionate brother-in-law and sister invite her to spend the summer on their estate, she is more than happy to join them. They have also promised that they will do whatever it takes to protect her from her mother's machinations in the upcoming season. Her introduction to Perry, the Earl of Martindale, leaves her feeling confused and just a little unsteady. Perry is an introvert by nature, and his war experiences have left the sensitive man dreading his violent nightmares, leaving him feeling inadequate as a man. Perry finds a friend in Dru, and as he watches her reach out to others, bringing them peace and putting a smile on their faces, he discovers that he can trust her with his secrets. However, even the best of men need a little push at times, and when Perry realizes that he is at risk of losing the most important person in his life, he needs to go after Dru and declare his feelings for her. The novel comes to a lovely conclusion, bringing family and friends together. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

An Innocent Kiss is the third title in the Captivating Kisses series, and brings us Drusilla’s and Perry’s unique, slow-burning romance. I have not yet read the earlier titles in this series, and I didn’t feel the least bit lost. Anything I really needed to know for background was included in either the dialogue or the narrative. I would consider this one to be standalone within the series.

Perry went off to war when his father continued to ignore their estate and refused to allow his son to do anything to keep it solvent. Upon his return from the war and his father’s death, Perry is not the man he once was, hounded by nightmares and survivor’s guilt, he feels that he will never find a woman who could love the broken man he is today… so he doesn’t even try.

Dru loves animals, reading, and a quiet life, and has no interest in preparing for her Season or becoming a wife and eventually mother. Visiting her newly married sister allows her the chance to escape their demanding, manipulative mother for a while, at least. Everything will change for Dru during this visit, including meeting a man that she would consider marrying, if only he’d step out of his quietness and ask.

An Innocent Kiss by Alexa Aston is well-written, with lively characters that kept me engaged in their story from start to finish. I will definitely be continuing this series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

An Innocent Kiss is the third book in the Captivating Kisses series. This is a stand-alone read.

When Perry Beaumont has had enough watching his father neglect the country estate, he informs his father he wants more responsibility, or he will join the service. He leaves England to return four years later after his father has died and with ptsd. Feeling broken he wonders if he can ever be the man that is required to care for the estates.

Lady Drusilla Alington is ready to escape her overbearing mother and goes to visit her newly married sister Lucy. While she is there, she meets their neighbor and begins to fall for him despite the fact she is not interested in marrying. These two people seem destined for one another but will they each be able to overcome their issues about marrying or discover a deeper love for one another if the give themselves a chance.

This was another wonderful book in the series. The characters were interesting and fun to get to know. It was great to see the family we have come to enjoy reappearing for more family entertainment. All of them are warm and worth spending time with. I hope we get to see them again and again.

It starts with a kiss...

I really liked Perry. He's an introverted man who, at 23, went to war, on his own volition. Four years later, he is back, after inheriting the title of earl from his estranged father. He's a quiet man, who prefers the countryside and his home there. After years of war, he has PTSD and feels that he would not be a good match for anyone.

Drusilla is young, likes animals more than people (yes!) and has no intention of marrying or having children any time soon. She has not yet made her debut. Her innocence calls to Perry and with one kiss, everything changes.
I'm really enjoying this series, and enjoyed Perry even more.
Recommend.

I thought I may actually get through an entire book without crying, but the author pulled a fast one by having Dru sing to Perry. An excellent book.

Dru is apart of the set of 10 cousins that this series is about. She doesn't care for convention and has a soft spot for animals. Perry had a childhood with neglectful parents and joined the army as soon as he could. He's back and plagued by nightmares.

Fortunately there are a few family members that have happy and loving marriages to show Dru and Perry that is possible to find love.

Dru and Perry are perfect for each other. I loved watching them both slowly come around to the thought of marriage and children. Special honorable mention goes to Toby the cat, who shows that he is a good judge of character.

Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Meet the neighbours!

Animal lover and rebellious youngest of three, Lady Drusilla is not looking forward to her debut, nor to marriage or motherhood for that matter. Escaping her mother’s crushing thumb, she gets to spend a summer in the country with her newly-married sister. A household build on love and respect; quite a novel experience for her.
Only child of uninterested parents, Peregrine left England to fight Boni with a solemn promise only to return when his debauched father met his maker. For years passed and now he’s back. A freshly minted earl, haunted by survivors guilt by night, determined to greatly improve his estate by day.
It’s love at first sight for these summertime neighbours, but Perry is looking for convenience, not love, and Dru doesn’t want to marry... or does she?

Two capable, caring, hardworking souls. She’s feisty and outgoing, he’s quiet and reserved. They both love to read, being outdoors, and share a great affection for the elderly viscount next door. And while neither of them is brave enough to say it out loud, they’re both secretly convinced this is it, the love of a lifetime. Thank god for uncle Judson giving them that final push! And Toby, her very discerning tabby who definitely deserves a shout-out!
It’s all about family; hers big and full of heart, especially the younger generation, and his painfully cold. In this book you get not one, but two monster mommies – and Perry handles them both to a tee! Respectfully, but adamant. Good for him! I also really admired Dru’s courage to set boundaries, and her determination to take on Perry’s suffering without judgement. For such a young woman, she’s really level-headed.

This was a relaxing, low-angst, slow burn, friends-to-lovers, country romance with just a splash of steam, a hint of competition and a little play-in-the-hay. A lovely read, a beautiful story, and I look forward to see this family grow!

Umm I had several things I disliked with this story, mostly associated with Perry. He is adamant that he isn’t going to court and marry Lady Dru but he constantly takes liberties, messing with both her emotions and reputation. As she hasn’t yet had a season, one assumes she has not yet had her seventeenth birthday and he is seven and twenty. Then there was the treatment of his estranged mother. Why was it “imperative to his own survival“ to oust his mother from the only home she had lived in since her marriage, when he had no intention of ever going to town again once he had wed? He gives her two hours to vacate the London townhouse, two weeks would have seemed more reasonable. We are informed how generous he is in giving her a much smaller townhouse to live in rather than insisting she live in the Dower House but it’s less generous when you consider he doesn’t want her anywhere near his country property. He seems to have treated her as if she was a stepmother who had abused him rather than a distant figure that he rarely saw. It made me wonder how harsh he would be with others who upset him, especially Dru.
With Dru I was surprised at the number of occasions she was wearing breeches, especially amongst company. And finally it was irritating to be repeatedly (at least 5 times) be told about Ariadne’s plan to get her cousins to bring their children to London for the Season every year.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

a brilliant and captivating read. once again i was taken into these characters books. i love the idea that Alexa has with her series. and you must read the others if you havent already. she has a way of making her love each new plot. and just when she brings us a new pairing and we think "YEP, THESE TWO ARE MY NEW FAVES". well, then she goes us does this book or the next and we fall in love all over again.
for this part we are given Dru who is a free and fesity spirit she is determined in all things and that goes for not being someone wifey too. unless she can escape soon she might just go mad. so when a chance break to stay with her sister comes along she take it immedietely. its there she meets Perry. and this could change a whole lot of things.
Perry knows he is damaged. trouble is he thinks he is too damaged. when he meets Dru he knows it love and could be his forever. but he wont put himself as her burden, and he wont push her into a life she doesnt want.
what comes is friendship, love and growth. what comes is paitence and healing. what comes is just a delight.
another gorgeous book. you will fall in love with these characters and eagerly await who comes next.
also bravo once again for the side characters. in this one they were even better. i adored how they were just as lovable and important to the book.

Only son Perry Beaumont resents his father’s neglect of Beauville, the family’s country estate, and asks his father for more authority to make decisions in running it. When his father rejects the idea, Perry leaves England for the Napoleonic Wars. Returning four years later upon his father’s death, he suffers from nightmares and wonders if he will ever be the man he was before, even as he takes up his new duties as the Earl of Martindale. Lady Drusilla Alington leaps at an invitation to visit her newly-married sister in Surrey, ready to escape her domineering mother. Dru has an affinity for animals and dreads making her come-out next spring, not wanting to be paraded about on the Marriage Mart. With her brother-in-law’s country estate, Huntsworth, being near Beauville, Dru soon meets the quiet Lord Martindale, and they share a friendly, innocent kiss.
The third book in the series about ten cousins who met briefly years before but are now determined to become close friends. I loved both Perry & Dru, he’s quiet, enjoys reading & is focused on making his estate the best he can. I loved how he related to his servants & tenants, also he was no pushover, I loved how he dealt with not only his mother but with Dru’s too. Dru is feisty, independent & likes nothing better than riding in her breeches. A very well written delightful romance, the couple’s attraction is immediate but he’s still suffering from his experiences during the war & she’s no wish to marry- so they become friends. Thank goodness for family members who helped Perry & Dru realise what’s really important. I love the author’s books & this is another engrossing romance
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Lady Drusilla Alington is an independent young lady with no desire to have her first season and marry. She wants nothing to do with a husband telling her what to do. Perry Beaumont has left the Napoleonic War to take his place as the new Earl of Martindale. Unfortunately, in his dreams he still fights the war and carries the guilt of those he left behind. A friendly innocent kiss awakens feelings that neither expected. Ten cousins become involved in each other's lives in this series of soft kisses that become the beginning of more kisses and changing their minds about marriage and children.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley. Perry father pays no attention to the estate but won't let him do anything. He is so frustrated he goes off to war and doesn't come home until his father has died. He meets Lady Drusilla who is living with her sister an husband next door. She loves him and wants to help but he has should nightmares he is afraid to marry her. He thinks she is attracted to another but the kiss is not the same and Perry is afraid she will take a proposal from his rival.

As someone who is part of a large military family, I love that Perry was suffering from PTSD. There is not near enough exposure for this huge issue for our veterans. .

It still amazes me how parents do not understand that their attitudes affect their children. Watching Dru and Perry go through such painful childhoods was hard: hers with a domineering woman that is beyond the pale and his who showed absolutely no love for him, yet expected him to be loving in return. Dru decides not to marry because watching her parents lives did nothing to show her it was a happy thing. Perry wants to marry for duty, but not love. Watching Perry bloom under Dru’s friendship was adorable and seeing Dru realize that life is not at all what her parents showed was lovely. Some of the love scenes seemed off the mark, especially in the beginning, mainly because they were just “friends”, yet that went on and that confused me a bit. I adored the scene with Perry having an issue and how Dru helped him through it and the epilogue almost had me in tears, it was so beautiful! I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

I received this story for. Free and these are my own views