The Bibliophile's Bookshelf

Title: New Year’s Kiss

Series: Standalone

Author: Lee Matthews

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Holiday

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

Tess and her older sister Lauren have been sent to their grandmother’s hotel while their parents finalize their divorce. During this time Tess meets Christopher, who inspires her to get outside her shell and make a bucket list to finish before the New Year. Along the way Tess learns more about herself and gets closer with Christopher, but will external drama get in the way?

Characters:

Tess: A realistic protagonist who wanted to better herself. She was entertaining to read, and I enjoyed watching her accomplish her goals.

Lauren: She reminded me of stereotypical older sister: obsessed with boys and clothes and wants nothing to do with her sister, but throughout the course of the book you learn she loves her sister.

Christopher: A nice love interest, though he really wasn’t in the story that much.

Loretta: I liked Loretta, and she was really the only adult influence the entire book. It would have been nice if Loretta talked more about her life or imparted wisdom.

There were other characters throughout the novel that played important roles in the book, but these four are probably the most important.

Story:

This was a perfect book to start the new year! This was the first book I read this year, and it took me awhile to write this review because I have been sick for the past couple of weeks.

I did like this book. It was quick and cute, with a nice storyline. I empathized with Tess; I also am a people pleaser and would love to be able to complete a bucket list without overthinking it.

I really liked the adventures that Tess went on to complete her bucket list. They were fun and quirky goals, which I loved.

I was disappointed that Lauren and Tess’s parents weren’t part of the story more. In the beginning I was just waiting for more of their divorce to be discussed or the parents to talk with Tess more. It never came and I was left wanting more pertaining to that aspect of the story.

I also think this story may have worked better if it was about Lauren and Tess fixing their relationship. I liked Christopher well enough, but he wasn’t really in the story all that much. The book could have ended with them as friends and then maybe had a sequel where they enter into a relationship.

This was the perfect way to start the year, with a realistic protagonist determined to try new things before the new year. I think some things were missing from the story, but it was a fun, quirky read, nevertheless.