The Kiss (Widows Club, Book 2)

This was my first book by Sophia Nash and based on "The Kiss" I am not sure I will read another. I read it in a day, but only because I was desperately trying to get to the end so I could read something else. I didn't feel any connection between the two main characters (Quinn and Georgiana)nor did I, as a reader, feel connected to either of them. Georgiana fared better than Quinn. I liked her and she had the makings of a decent heroine. Yes, she ran away and hid a lot, but I understood her reasoning. Quinn is tortured by his past and refuses to allow himself to love again. We know this because the author pretty much beat us over the head with it by having Quinn wander around thinking things like "my past tortures me and I won't ever allow myself to love again" which only made him seem wimpy and melodramatic. It would have been nice if the author had been a bit more subtle and had shown us Quinn's feelings rather than just have him come out and tell us all the time. His past is only described vaguely so I had a hard time mustering up the required sympathy I was supposed to feel for him.Often I felt like the author took shortcuts while writing the story. The story felt disjointed as if important parts were missing or glossed over, while unimportant details were focused upon because they were supposed to add comic relief. Several secondary characters take up large portions of the story. The Widow's Club (which connects the books in the series) has 4 or 5 members (6??), but a few of them were so vague I could not remember them or keep them straight. When their names would appear in the story I would do a double take trying to remember who they were. Sometimes they were mentioned using their last names or titles and then I was really lost. A couple members of the club played more prominent roles, chiefly Ata and Grace. I felt sorry for Ata. As the oldest member of the group she was often the voice of wisdom. Unfortunately, the author also made her into the group clown at the same time. A large portion of the story hinged on Grace but we never get to really know her at all. During important scenes, one of the main characters would say something significant and then Grace would "look away" or "stare at the trees" (this happened a lot). So even though she played a pivotal role I felt the author didn't really know what to do with her so she just made her stare somewhere else in silence. She's the heroine of the next book in the series, but considering all of the staring off into the distance she did I have zero interest in reading her story.One secondary character I did enjoy was the Duke from the previous book, but mostly because he was constantly wanting to skewer Quinn with sharp objects for being such an idiot and I agreed with him. I didn't read the previous book, so I can only assume the Duke is all manly and dashing, because in this book he seemed like a cartoon-ish buffoon. At one point, after Quinn and The Duke pretty much hate each other for the entire story, Quinn suddenly is declaring to the Duke that he is his best friend. Where did that come from? Maybe the book should have been about Quinn and The Duke since they were more interesting together than Quinn and Georgiana.Altogether the story felt like a rushed, assembly line job. The story had potential, but it felt phoned in. One more tiny thing that bugged me (an I see a lot of authors doing this) were characters with visually similar names. In this case, Georgiana (the heroine) and Gwendolyn (the evil mother in law)both "G names with 9 letters. In scenes when they were interacting, it was hard to keep the conversation straight.

I enjoyed this book. There was very little romance in the story. Widow, Greorgiana and Quinn grew up together along with Quinn's cousin who married Georgiana. Quinn was an orphan, unloved by his aunt and uncle who raised him. Georgiana's father was the land steward. Georgiana had always loved Quinn and this is the story of how they came together. I was not overly fond of some of the supporting characters, especially Grace. I thought she was way too bold for this era.

What a lovely sequel to A Dangerous Beauty! Luc is even better in this one than in his own book (if that is possible) and in my opinion quite stole the show. I hope Ata gets her own HEA soon. She more than deserves it. The lists were very cute. I wish we could have seen Georgianna's wedding day list. I bet that would have been a fun one. This book was simply perfect. A Dangerous Beauty was well-written and a joy to read but I think I actually liked this one better. Not necessarily the characters, Rosa and Luc are my favs, but the plot, the setting, everything felt much more seamless and whole. Perhaps because it is a direct sequel so one already knows many of the characters. Georgianna is lovely. I still don't understand her scars but besides that she is wonderful. Quinn is a lovely Hero. I feel very bad for Grace! Poor thing! My favorite relationship by far in this book however is the bromance between Luc and Quinn. So excellent! Don't miss these books! Very highly recommend for all Regency Romance lovers.

Nash has got it! Great characters engaged in intricate and often unexpected plot turns. She casts a witty and engaging spell around the reader and draws us in.

Sweet story

Hmmm, I can't figure the negative reviews. I loved this book. I read the first "widows club" Dangerous Beauty and liked that one. I liked this one even more. I really enjoyed reading about the other "widows club" members and I adore Ata, so for me it was wonderful to revisit all the characters. This was an emotional novel. A very well written book. I am not into erotica so if that is your interest this book might have too much story, emotion, passion and a real connection, a real story line for you. Although the love scenes are a little too detailed for me, the emotion and passion between Georgiana and Quinn is so very real and felt through SN's writing that it is well placed. Too many novelist today write with no feeling at all. If SN keeps writing like this, she will become a new favorite of mine. Writing like Balogh, Mcnaught, Garwood, etc. I loved this book. Can't wait for Grace's story.

I'm a sucker for the books in which one has always loved the object of his/her affection. This is no exception. When there is a history the author elaborates on and develops, it makes for such good reading. This is not a leave you breathless romance novel, it is a love story and a very engaging read. This author writes well and I can't wait til she releases another. 4.5 Stars

I like this book. I would have shorten the book by a couple charters. This is the first time I read a book by this author.