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.

 

Opening line:"Helllo?" Simon? Please tell me that Leila's there!"

in a sentence or so: a series of short stories about teenage relationships.sixteen short stories share the many sides of relationships. from the rush of meeting someone new to the comfort in having a trusted boyfriend stand up for you, each story brings a unique voice, both male and female, and brings a unique element to this collection of varied memories.the title certainly made me think these would be romantic stories. perhaps even first kiss stories or first love stories or something else quaint - what with the red font and the swirlies and all.as it turns out, the stories i read were not romantic in the sense i was expecting. in fact, they were more along the lines of the random stories that coworkers tell you. or a story that might fit in if given the right prompt. like if you're talking about going to the zoo and you say "oh man, did i ever tell you about the time i worked for the zoo and had to wear this kangaroo costume?"unfortunately, i didn't read all of the short stories in this book. after discovering that the stories weren't what i expected at all, i tried to jump around a bit to see if any struck my fancy. it's not that any of them were bad, they just feel flat for me and didn't pack that punch i was hoping for. if i had different expectations going into this book, i think i would have enjoyed it a lot more.for those of you who love short stories and a lot of variety, you might dig this. in fact, if you're interested in giving it a try, let me know and i'll send my copy along to you! i'd love for this to find a happy home. (this will be removed once the book is claimed)fave quote: The Scientific Approach was my favorite of the stories i read. the ending threw me for a loop and i still don't know what to make of it, but the perspective was just this side of pathetic and it totally worked for the narrator.fix er up: short stories are tricky - you have a lot to accomplish in a short time frame. unfortunately, i felt like the short stories in this compilation, while unique, don't form a comprehensive collection or have enough personality individually to recommend this easily.

Mixed, mostly in a way that didn't do much for me, I'm afraid. Worth a look for the brief memoir about his grandfather's death written when Chambers was fifteen, if nothing else.