Avery was looking for adventure and she found it.  She also found Ty, who wasn't looking for love but can't take his eyes off of her.  You know these two are going to have an HEA but gosh does Adair do a nice job with the characters.  A very good read.

Avery wanted adventurous life after life altering kidney surgery.  So she moved to Sequoia Lake area and working as guide in travel lodge.  She wanted to become a guide but her boss is delaying their training. She was trying to win seniors one trip but it didn't come to fruition she was heading to her friends bar.  But before she gets there she will have to undo her carabiner and she finds some tools from unknown truck.  When she was trying to leave, she finally meets her stranger and decided to kiss the stranger for her wish book.  
Tyson is back to help our his family lodge.  He hasn't been back for awhile and he wanted to make sure lodge will run smoothly.  When he mets his stranger, he never thought she would be his guide and kiss her again before he fires her.  
Now Avery and Tyson will have to work together to make sure lodge will run smoothly before he leaves for his job.  However, Avery notices, Tyson and his father has strained relationship and it will be harder to manage their lodge.  
Avery knows Tyson will be leaving but she is not afraid move forward.  Tyson wanted his fathers approval but with his Alzheimer, he is not sure how many clear days he will have.  She is teaching him to let go of all his weight.  Is he ready to let all his weight go?
Tyson and Avery are perfect for each other.  I can't wait to read about all the other people in this small town.  
Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for my ARC in exchange for honest review.

Whenever I pick up a Marina Adair novel, I know I'm going to get an easy read. They're quick, easy, lighthearted, and truly enjoyable. This book is no different. I enjoy her books and can't wait for more from her!

Sweet
 
Avery is living life to the fullest after overcoming an illness. She has a bucket list, which lists kissing a stranger - Tyson.
Sweet story of accomplishing feats while facing the past to mold a better future

I was a bit flabbergasted by the fact that I experienced a rocky start with It Started with a Kiss. And by start, I actually mean the first 60% or so of the book. There was a short period of time where I had to set it aside because I had not been sucked in. When I did go back and got past the hurdle, I ended up really liking the last bit of the book. It felt as if something was missing and, for the longest time, I could not pinpoint what it was. It wasn't until the book finally clicked with me did I realize what was missing... I wasn't feeling the chemistry between Tyson and Avery. I'm not saying that it wasn't there, they are obviously attracted to each other from the very beginning. Once they let their hair down, I was good to go. And to be honest, I loved how free and open they were during sex. They made each other laugh and I adored that. I loved Tyson and Avery. Both characters broke my heart. Ty has been put through the ringer and for him to face a horrible event from his past says a lot about his character. Avery is strong and tenacious. She will stand toe-to-toe with anyone. She persuades Ty to give her a shot and is determined to prove that she has what it takes. The background characters were just as lovable and I'm glad that we get more of them in future books. Overall, while it didn't quite feel like a Marina Adair book, I'm still glad I read it and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I just wish I had felt more of the chemistry between Ty and Avery earlier on in the book.

Well well well! What do we have here with this story? Is it a love story, is it a trade or is it MURDER! I'm kidding, I'm kidding, there's no murder here.

Avery Adams wants adventure. She wants to push herself outside the norm and experience life instead of just existing. This came about when she survived a kidney transplant that saved her life, but it's also a ticking time bomb that can explode at any time.

With her resolve to experience life, Avery did the most logical thing and got a job as a guide in the local adventure lodge in her rustic Sierra Nevada Town.

She was excited for her new job until reality slapped her in the face.  Instead of getting the training she needed in order to become a guide, she's stuck in the office, managing the business as best she can.

What makes this situation worse is that the business is failing and the owner is so set in his ways that he refuses to change anything to fix it. 

Frustrated with the way things were, help comes in the form of the owner's son, who added the cherry on top by firing her. Yep, Avery's life has totally turned into an adventure, just not the one she thought she would have.

Tyson Donavan has made a life for himself as a member of the Sequoia Elite Mountain Rescue team. He makes a living cheating death and rescuing weekend warriors from the treacherous terrain.  His life was going well until he got a call telling him of the dire state his family business is in.

Tyson returns home only to realize that his family needed his help a long time ago, but no one bothered to inform him of this. Frustrated and heartened by these pieces of information, Tyson works hard to ensure that the business is running well so that he can go back to his new life, far away from his overbearing father. 

As he spends more time at home, his father keeps reminding him that it's time to leave but the sexy new "guide" keeps giving him reasons to stay instead. Too bad he had to fire her.

With a typical book like this, you expect the guy to be an arsehole of the bat, but Tyson wasn't. He is the sweetest most caring man you would ever meet. He's burdened with something that no one should ever be burdened with and tries to make the best of his life.

It's hard trying to make someone proud of you when everything you do seem to irritate more than impress. I guess that's why he was perfect for Avery. Avery is a total sweetheart and the best friend anyone can have.

She's fiercely loyal and keeps her promises no matter what, even if she gets hurt in the process. Is it bad of me to wish for a friend like Avery in real life?  Avery and Tyson were such a good match for each other that it was scary yet sweet.

And yes, they did have a disagreement and had to split (come on guys, this always happen in most romance books) but the way it happened was way too heartbreaking and I'm still not over it even though they made up (duh)

I highly recommend this book to everyone and I can't wait for the best book in the series.

Tyson and Avery are the most unlikely couple but there is a reason they say opposites attract.  They each have something to teach each other - but are they ready to learn?

Review:   This is a feel good story even with a lot of darkness – illness and loss are front and center – but so is love and opening your heart to see what you might find.  Ty and his dad have a contentious relationship after the death of Ty’s brother and Dale’s son fifteen years before.  Ty left and really never looked back and only came home occasionally since the memories were still too raw.  During that time their family business was getting run down due to his parent’s aging and the amount of work and physical labor to keep the place running.  When he takes vacation to help get the lodge and its equipment, trails and other things up to snuff for its reinspection he gets way more than he bargained for on several different fronts.

Enter Avery, a breath of fresh air, that doesn’t let anything get her down since after losing her mom, being sick and having surgery she felt she had to live her life to the fullest.  And boy, does she ever.  The adventures she embarks on are NOT for the faint of heart.  When she meets Ty there is immediate chemistry but they are strangers and he’s only in town for a few weeks.  When their paths keep crossing and they find out who the other is, sparks really do fly.  Will they be on the same page if they decide to only worry about the here and now and take what they can get?

There are family and friends, secrets, fear, anger, sadness, guilt, illness, support, lots of work but fun too.  There are plenty of adventures and Avery gets a rush each time she’s involved in one.  The descriptions of the mountains, the lake, the lodge and the town made me feel that I was there with the vividness and colors portrayed. There is lots of loving and flirting along with love and wonderful happily ever afters on several fronts.  There was nice closure with the epilogue that takes place five months after the story ends.

Adair is an author I’ve read before and somehow didn’t keep up with.  I have read books in several series including this one but have never completed any of her series which I’ll have to rectify.  I’ve added many of her books to my TBR pile from her St. Helena Vineyard, Destiny Bay and Sugar, GA series.  I can’t wait for the next book at Sequoia Lake.  The excerpt at the end of the book just whet my appetite for more.

Avery Adams is wanting to live her life differently now. Not just because she is 27 but also because she has had a kidney transplant and she is tired of not living. Now she has left her comfortable life like some people would think. Now she has gotten herself a job at an adventure lodge in the Sierra’s. Thinking everything is going as planned and it was until she ran into Tyson Donovan who is a member of the elite mountain rescue team. When he goes on a hike with her when they return he surprises her with HI your fired. Turns out he is the owner’s son and yes there is problems with facility, but there is also a problem with the owner and his son. This really comes up when he can’t fire her because of her office skills. Now Avery and Tyson are forced to work together and he begins to see her and helps in romance and her wanting to experience life, even if it starts with getting on a mechanical bull. That is something she would not have done before, she also working on hiking the trails. She is giving Tyson the ability to find forgiving and healing, something he needs for himself and his father. A wonderful story.

Wow. This story tugged at me from the very beginning. Avery and Ty started their adventure with a kiss, but it grew into the love of a lifetime. I loved this first in series, and look forward to reading more.

A very good romance by a go-to author. I highly recommend this to lovers of contemporary romances.

Avery Adams is trying to honor her friends by doing special activities for them, some even posthumously.
Ty Donovan is trying to avoid the past and particularly his father.
Avery wants to have an adventure and Ty wants to be safe.
Turns out if the conditions are right they can both have what they want.

Bio: 

With a kidney transplant behind her, Avery Adams is determined to channel her inner adventurer and explore everything life has to offer. Only problem is, the closest she’s ever come to a real-life adventure was sixth-grade science camp. So to seize the summer in her rustic Sierra Nevada town, she takes a job as a guide at the local adventure lodge. But Avery doesn’t realize her biggest challenge will register at six-plus feet of rugged good looks and alpha-male charm.

As a member of the Sequoia Elite Mountain Rescue team, Tyson Donovan has made a life out of cheating death and rescuing weekend warriors from the treacherous terrain. “The world is my home” is more than just a motto; it’s what scares off women who would otherwise try to tie him down. When his dad’s health lands the family’s adventure lodge in serious danger of going up in flames, he moves home—and quickly remembers why he left. Until he meets Avery, the irresistible new guide who makes him want to stay.

Review: 

This was a really great, cute, love story. It had all the perfect things to keep me reading until the last page. The characters were so three dimensional and perfectly written. 

Avery was sweet, so sweet that you instantly wanted to be better yourself. She was selfless and caring. She was deep and fulfilling. Ty is this man who is so complex it makes his stubborn stand out. He's also quite charming. His relationship with his father is rocky and a bit intense, but the center of the story is relationships so that's a given. 

I love the small town feel with the lodge. I also love the way Avery and Ty met. It was such a cute story all the way to the end. 

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. 

Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ four hearts

A great start to another awesome series by Marina Adair, “It Started With A Kiss” has all the ingredients to touch your heart with it’s emotional and wonderful set up in a rustic Sierra Nevada town, a town full of loving people, supporting and caring for each other in sickness and health. And a town that Avery Adams is dreaming of making it a home and fill it with adventures as fate gives her a second chance at life.

The world is a home for Tyson Donavon, as he lives his life, rescuing people on the treacherous terrains and coming back home was never on his risky plan. But an ailing father and a failing family adventure’s lodge that is his father’s life, brings him home. What was supposed to be a short and temporary help seems to become more of a permanent fixture as fate throws Avery into his path. 

The chemistry between Avery And Tyson is an amazing blend of charisma and love as they get to know each other, her patience and tenacity softens his heart, Tyson’s adventure for life gives Avery a chance to fulfill her bucket list, and slowly making a life together seems to be an adventure that these two are willing to risk.

Marina Adair is another of those wonderful writers who pays great attention to detail, keeping the narration emotional and poignant that makes you laugh, cry and scream as you are reading the story. Avery was just an amazing character and all kudos goes to Marina for creating a perfectly imperfect heroine.
And “It All Started With A Kiss”!

This was a fantastic, heartwarming romance.  I loved the characters in this book.  This is the perfect book if you're looking for a sweet but heart-felt romance!   Fantastic!

I came across Marina Adair's book about a year ago and definitely gained a new favorite author to my list. It's not often that you read an author and just know that you will read every-single-book they write! Marina Adair has definitely become that kind of author for me. I love how she puts a story together and I always adore her heroine/hero to her books. If you haven't read her St. Helena Series and Destiny series... do yourself a favor and do it ... but first dive into her new series with the first book "It Started With a Kiss" 

I always have a soft spot for a heroine that has been through something tragic and is on their way to changing their life and looking for the better, and that is exactly what Avery Adams is doing. She is almost a year into her recovery from having a kidney transplant, and she is determined to get the best out of life and what she deserves. She works for a lodge that is need of help and in steps the son of the owner. Ty is a search and rescue hunk and he takes her breathe away. They have great chemistry, Marina Adair's regular character charm and she brings to us another witty, romantic and funny story! 

I can't wait to read the rest of this series!! Five stars <3

When living large aren’t just words.  Yes, you see and hear about the extremist the ones that are the thrill seekers or have death wishes.  However, you choose to look at it there are different types.  Then, there are those people like Avery Adams, 27.
     You see Avery had spent much of her time in and out of the hospital and none of which she regrets or was bitter about.  You see at first, she was there because her mom had to go, because her mom had a liver disease.  Her mom’s liver was failing and she needed treatments a lot of treatments.  Then, she needed a transplant.
     Then, she was there because she was that rare case that got the same disorder as her mother.  As she was put on the same donor list as her mother, her mother loses her battle with the disease and her kidneys fail.  She is heartbroken, then her boyfriend leaves her because it wasn’t what he signed up for.  Then right after the surgery, her father backs up far away from her since he had just lost the love of his life he had no more to give to his daughter.  He was spent.
     Luckily the town Avery lived in a woman Irene Donovan had started a grief group called “Living for Love.”  So, when her mom introduced her to her friends in the group she loved them.  But never than after was she alone.  Her mom died and these women became everything to her.  Especially, when she quit her job since she quit her job because the ex-boyfriend she had was the loan officer at the bank she worked at.  Now, with almost her year anniversary coming up and she knew she needed an adventure.
     Irene needed help so they merged to become each other’s, aides.  You see Dale, Irene’s beloved husband was starting to forget important things.  Which was causing huge business trouble.  So, Irene had no choice but to ask for help.  She knew Avery needed a job and with her knowledge of spreadsheets and organizational skills, she could help get them back on track.  Dale kept telling her he would train her to do hikes which after several months had not happened.  Making her wonder how she could ‘live out loud’ if she couldn’t even get on a baby trail.
     When some tall, sexy, and kissable stranger rolls into town.  She knew she hit the jackpot except there was that slight problem on how they met. He was wearing expensive hiking boots and driving one expensive ride.  When she gets talked into a drink at the bar and he gets talked into making her a tiara for riding a mechanical bull.  She fulfills a living wish from her wish book.  How you ask?  By kissing a stranger.  Not knowing Ty isn’t just stranger.  But the son that has been made to feel out of place by his father Dale Donavan, her boss.
     Yeah, you read that right.  Her boss!  This is a funny story.  Yet, there are several touching, heart pulling, moments that keep you on your toes for sure.  So, worth the read.  I give this:
5 stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at:

www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

I do not read a lot of small town romance, but sometimes I get a desire for a story that is sweet, pure and full of sunshine. When the craving hits, Marina Adair is one of the authors I go to read. Her books just do it for me. Of all of her works I have read, this one is extra special. Yes, it has that community feel. The town of Sequoia Lake is important to the story and the town’s people are the color that makes the story vibrant. However, this one is less about the quaintness of the town and the quirky characters and really a deeper dive into the relationship between the main characters. 

Avery Adams wants to live life loudly. After spending the better part of her adulthood battling a degenerative kidney disease, one that took her mother’s life, she wants to live life boldly and on the edge. I love this girl’s spirit. For her, “living loud” also means doing her best for others, having deep and abiding relationships. Not having guarantees in her own life, she knows how the small gestures can make a huge difference in the lives of others. I adore how she gives so freely of herself and steps boldly into the world on her own terms. Her mantra is: “Don’t go where life leads -- lead your life in the direction you want to go.” After recovering from a kidney transplant, Avery quits her job at the bank to work as the Adventure Coordinator for the Sequoia Lake Lodge. She wants to learn to be a wilderness guide so that she can learn the skills and gain the stamina necessary to make it to the top of Sierra Point, an act she promised her mother she would do. Along the way, she collects the wishes of others who can no longer fulfill them and tries to live those desires in their honor. It just so happens that this is how Avery meets prodigal son, Tyson Donovan. He is the recipient of the “kiss a stranger” wish. He also happens to be the son of the family that owns The Lodge. 

Ty leaves Sequoia Lake post-graduation after a tragedy strikes his family. He works himself up to be a leader in a swift water rescue team in Monterey, but a crisis in the family business brings him temporarily home. What he discovers is that he is very out of touch with his parents and he has to confront his father’s deteriorating mental health. I believe this is an important moment in a lot of children’s lives - when kids have to face their parent’s declining health. That moment when Ty comes out of denial to have to address this issue makes my heart drop. I’m lucky that my parents are still of sound mind, but I see their health decline and it is a difficult reality to accept. However, my grandmother had Parkinson’s disease and dementia and I cannot tell you how crushed I was the first time she did not recognize me. Ty’s fears feel all too real for me. 

Avery’s illness also adds a dimension to this love story. Avery has learned to accept that her health does not offer any guarantees and she needs someone who can love her for that fact and not try to protect her from life. She wants someone who is willing to “live loud” with her. Most romances focus on unconditional love, but this is an added element that takes that notion to another level. It is a challenge for someone like Ty, whose heart is already guarded from loss and is protective. Needless to say, there is a beautiful happy ending, and I do love how they get there.

This is, at times, a heart-breaking book. I admit I cried more than once while reading it. My only little gripe is that sometimes the romance takes a backseat to the family drama. But this book is its own little ray of sunshine. It a reminder to experience each moment at its fullest and that “living loud require[s] no permission”.