Despite what it may say I really don't think this book is a stand alone. It is part of Marie Harte's McCauley Universe which basically includes The Donnigan's, The Body Shop Bad Boys, and Veteran Movers. In my opinion if you've read at least one of the Body Shop Bad Boys series, The Only Thing, and What to Do With a Bad Boy (which is Del's book and I love it) I think you can read it without getting lost in the secondary characters. Rena and Axel have been on the sidelines for a while now, a year in there time several books our time, and they have been interested in each other but for reasons of his own Axel hasn't made a move.

It's been six months since Axel's mother died and the New Year just happened and with Valentines  along with her uncles wedding around the corner Rena has decided Axel is never going to make his move and she, a hopeless romantic, is ready to find her forever person. When Axel hears that Rena is going to start actively searching for a boyfriend and a commitment he finally gets shaken out of his low self esteem long enough to ask her out, well she says no. And so the bet.

Two dates is all Axel has to convince her to take him seriously and after two dates she agrees to give him until Valentines and then she'll make up her mind. Axel planned it all from a gift everyday, no matter how weird the gift might be, and nights out and nights in. Axel is adorkable when it comes to dating. Unfortunately Rena who has finally achieved her dream of owning her own salon is faced with a bunch of racist dummkopfs but she has all her friends to help out including, what I hope is hero baiting, a bunch of hunky firemen. (please tell me they are going to get there own series) Axel is also dealing with a bunch of stuff, his father and his brother are going to be visiting and all of Axel's insecurities of why he took so long to ask Rena out are exposed and it just might be the downfall of their relationship.

Overall, it was a good read. My only real issue was the cover, it's a cute cover just not for this book. I don't think the cover matches the book at all. When I see illustrated covers like this I think Rom-Com, chick-lit type stuff and this book just isn't that. Yes there is humor in this romance but Marie Harte always deals with more the angst of internal struggle and people overcoming whatever is holding them back from embracing their HEA, the humor just lightens it up a bit.       

Harte entertains readers by flirting with their hearts. The Kissing Game makes a little bit naughty feel so very nice with a tempting sense of humor and a couple of saucy main characters. Rena is a firecracker. She knows her mind and speaks her heart refusing to hold anything back. Axel is an alpha that has a short fuse and a soft heart. The Kissing Game packs a slow burn with long lasting results.

Naomi Starr is a PR expert and she is determined to bring Vets on the Go! into the spotlight, but meeting Reid, might just mean breaking her rule to never mix business with pleasure. Determined to help his brother and other former servicemen, former Marine Reid Griffith finds himself caught up in trying to get a moving company off the ground, but he certainly doesn’t plan on falling in the spotlight of the brilliant – and beautiful – PR whiz.

The series starts off with a sweet, moving romance that gets readers motors running and pulses pounding. The characters are strong, endearing and easily captures readers’ hearts and attentions. The chemistry between Naomi and Reid sizzles with lots of electrical current but Naomi is determined to keep to her rule about not mixing business with pleasure which keeps the relationship interesting to say the least. Lots of emotions flow from the pages of this story from the intensely emotional feelings that comes from falling in love and interfering past issued to fun and laughter in the interactions of this delightful and eccentric moving crew that most readers will agree, can move anything they want, anytime they want.

The plot is steady paced and has a bit of suspense and intrigue that comes from building up businesses, hiring and firing, siblings and general friction between coworkers and ex-coworkers, in other words a realistic feeling, sweet, cute and fun read that readers can sink their teeth into.

Evan Griffith finds himself taken by a teenage conman and confronted by a woman wielding a knife – and promptly falls head over heels for her. Kenzie Sykes doesn’t have time for romance, but Evan’s not asking… until he is, and she finds herself saying yes.

This contemporary romance is an emotionally ‘real’ romance with strong, likeable characters that draws readers in and refuses to let go. Evan and Kenzie have lots of chemistry but both characters have a few reservations about romance, Kenzie more than Evan since she is doing her best to raise her teenage brother, keep him out of jail and juggling her career. The relationship is full of emotions and real life events that really speak to the readers while the story also provides quite a few chuckles as Evan tries his best to fit in with Kenzie’s family and friends.

The plot is steady paced and all of the characters just seem to say ‘come on in’ and join us in our life which ensures that readers really want to get to know them all and of course they want to know everything about Kenzie and Evan’s romance. The story is a delightfully charming and heartwarming read that can really get caught up in.