Once Upon an Achingly Beautiful Kiss (Book 5)

As always, the Wickerton family is a rowdy bunch that makes sure their family is happy. Juliette, the first born has tried very hard to be happy with her life of caregiving to her Grandma Edie. But Edie has other plans….and Juliette’s childhood friend, Christopher’s , return is the plan. I adored how all of the sisters worked together to see the plan unfold. Christopher’s secret is hard to bear, but he finally realized that the only road to happiness is the truth. Seeing his mother finally explain her attitude towards her son is heartbreaking and I loved how the author chose not to make it and easy road to recovery. Bash is adorable and to see Juliettes heart intertwined with his is so satisfying . Now if we can only get Troy to be happy…..

This is both a friends to lovers and a second chance romance - two of my favourite tropes combined. Having read all the previous books in this series, I have been looking forward to Juliet’s story as it was obvious that Grandma Edie had been deliberately keeping men from courting her for a reason. I suppose it was a little slow in the reader finding out exactly why Kit had left six years previously but the ending was truly moving and beautiful. I read the entire book in one sitting and look forward to the next book in the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tender-hearted and warm romance between Juliet, the eldest Whickerton sister who's become responsible for Grandma Edie and her younger sisters. Jules, always the demure, level-headed sister practically becomes undone when her longtime ago childhood friend Christopher (Kit) returns for her sister's wedding. But why is he there? Who even invited him? And why did he leave so abruptly years ago when tragedy struck his family? Kit has a secret that only his sister and mother know. Of course, his mother also harbors a secret. So much hidden baggage that nearly destroys relationships. What a gem of a story! So many tender, intimate and swoonworthy moments! And Grandma Edie's manipulative attempts to work things out for her family is a funny interlude! Can Jules and Kit overcome all odds of a future together? A wonderful romance!

Harry’s carefree wild spirit spoke to me from the very beginning. She is drawn to all things requiring help so when she meets a stern Duke who never smiles, she cannot help be pulled to him. Watching her draw him out and his internal battle of rules and expectations is incredibly intriguing. The readers emotions are drawn in as his are. But what is a Duke to do once he fully accepts his emotions and his love for a girl who is convinced she will never marry. The tables are then turned while the Duke tries to convince her that marriage does not have to mean giving up her identity. The way they both come to truly know and understand each other is beautiful, as is their commitment not to change each other.