Starts With A Kiss

Love the concept!

I love stories where the characters have a chance to fall in love all over again. I think it's harder for them because they know each other's past weaknesses and overcoming those to get to a new place isn't easy. I also love the idea of going back and correcting the biggest mistake you've ever made. Having made a few myself, I think I'd jump on that chance if given that opportunity.

Anya gets that chance at her cousin's wedding. She's unsure but eventually takes the plunge and wakes up changed. I found it interesting at how quickly she adapted to her new reality. It was also good to see her looking back on her relationship with Ryder, her childhood love and the person she wronged the most. The schemes she concocted to get back in his good graces felt a little over the top and not well planned out.

I liked Ryder. The brief glimpses into his head showed that he was in a much better place after the accident that cost him so much. They also showed his care and concern for Anya, even if he was wary to show it. In fact the way both of them dealt with each other so carefully was a little frustrating. It seemed like they were never going to be able to reach a consensus about their relationship status. And the making out didn't help me come any closer to figuring what was going on, and I don't think it helped them either.

There are moments that made me tear up. Especially when Anya examined her motivation in why the re-do didn't go exactly as suspected or seeing her try to deal with going back to the scene of her one huge mistake. Some of the scenes with Ryder made me emotional as well. I think the messages this book conveys are positive ones. I look forward to going back and reading the previous two books in the series. Luckily they can be read as stand alones, so I'm good to go.