Just One Kiss

Fun and light, this is a perfect read for a day of letting the housework go and indulging yourself. Keep this up Susan Hatler, and I may have to hire a cleaning service!

Just One Kiss is a delightful, funny romp through the trials and travails of life and love in the spotlight. The heroine, Charlie, abandoned her acting career to support her rock-star husband, only to wind up divorced and broke living in a magnificent beachfront mansion. To earn enough money to stay in her home, Charlie agrees to allow a soap opera to film in the house. Lighthearted hilarity follows.

Apart from a few kisses there is no sexual content, and violence is limited to a few pratfalls by various characters. I found "Just One Kiss" an entertaining, coming-of-age-for-grownups story. Great literature it isn't; but then, it doesn't pretend to be. It excels at what it is: a fun vacation read.

I have to confess, I LOVED this book, I read it in Just One Go at it and I must say that I am surprised myself, when I started reading it I wouldn’t have though that I would spend the next three and half hours reading until I was shocked to see “The End”.

This title reminded me why I adore so much Romance/Comedy books, there was the awkward, funny, sad, dreadful and hilarious moments and I enjoyed every bit of it. It’s a perfect love story that is not hurried but it’s not slow paced (judging from the book size), the characters and the plot are just awesome and the twists, (oh, boy) the plot twists in this book are just so unexpected, fitting and perfect, there wasn’t any other way the book would have turn out as great as it is without the ever changing plot, well…the only thing that would have been better for me is if there was a sequel to this particular story.

Susan Hatler always seems to bring a big smile to this reviewer’s lips. With her strong, sassy heroines, great posse of supporting sub-characters, and handsome, swoon-worthy heroes and engaging romantic plots, I’m usually giggling and deep sighing, as well. Just One Kiss is no exception, folks. If you are looking for a quick, flirty, only mildly angsted romantic tale where the heroine has to learn to trust again, look no farther. You’ve just found it. She’s done it again with this short, engaging, well-written romantic read.

Charlie walks away from the fame and fortune of her famous rocker husband when she catches him in the act of cheating with a groupie. Having put her acting career dream on hold to support him, she gets a much needed double the rewards opportunity to rent her ocean front, beautiful home to her favorite soap opera TV show, while unexpectedly being offered an acting role that soon blossoms to another even bigger acting gig. With some dancing around each other on and off the stage, she quickly falls head over heels for Luke, the leading man/heart throb of the series.

With a few predictable twists and turns, you’ll likely find this sweet, non-steamy read refreshingly romantic, folks. If what I’ve described peaks your interest, I highly recommend you check out her other books/series, as well. Kisses to you, Ms. Hatler, for a job well done. Keep up the good work!

Title: Just One Kiss, Series: Kissed by the Bay (Book 3), Author: Susan Hatler, Pages: 183, stand-alone, clean romance with only steamy kisses, good guy hero, HEA, main couple are both actors, heroine ex-husband is a famous rock star who wants her back, another co-star also wants to be with the hero.

Book 1 – Every Little Kiss, Pages: 171, 9/3/15 (Wendy & Max)
Book 2 – The Perfect Kiss, Pages: 170, 12/27/15 (Olivia & Brody)
Book 3 – Just One Kiss, Pages: 183, 6/4/16 (Charlotte & Luke)

(This review is based on NetGalley ARC issued in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. No compensation was made to the reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and/or author/publisher. It will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, and Barnes & Noble.)

Just One Kiss by Susan Hatler is a 2016 Hatco publishing release. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


Wow, what cleverly written romantic comedy!

Charlie gave up her acting dreams so her husband could make the big time. But, after finding him in a compromising position with a rock groupie, the couple divorced and all Charlie has left is a mansion she can’t afford to keep.

She will have to sell the house... or she can write a tell all book exposing all of her ex’s ugly secrets, or she can allow her favorite soap opera to use the house for filming...

Which is how she ended up scoring a role on “Just One Love’ and where she meets dashing soap star, Luke Montgomery. The chemistry between them sizzles on screen and off, but when Charlie gets a chance to really pursue her dreams, she may have to make a choice between acting and a relationship with Luke.


This is a really cute romantic comedy, which had me laughing out loud, but what was really striking was how the author paralleled the soap opera script in with the events taking shape off screen. This is a nice touch and gave the book a charming quality that simply dazzled.

I enjoyed the behind the scenes drama with the soap opera, and I thought it was cool how Charlie and Rex finally resolve things. But, of course, getting to watch Charlie finally have her long overdue chance at success come to fruition and snag the dreamy Luke Montgomery too, was divine.

I always enjoy Susan Hatler’s romantic comedies because of her ability to balance the romance with just the right mount of conflict and emotion, and because of her precision comedic timing. Her stories are romantic and sweet and perfect for any occasion.