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readfrenzy's review
3.0
The premise of Blind Kiss is intriguing, and I confess I expected there to be some angst. What I didn’t expect was for the book to leave me mentally exhausted and exasperated.
The book opens with high intensity in the present day. There’s so much raw emotion and crazy behavior that I couldn’t help but get sucked in. I wanted to know what led the characters to such a desperate point in their lives.
Rewind to fourteen years ago and we see how Penny and Gavin met. This was one of the most enjoyable parts of the book. They are paired up as subjects in a college psychology experiment that tests whether or not you can be physically attracted to someone you haven’t seen. It’s funny and sweet. Gavin’s quirky personality and caring nature are clear from the start, and I instantly fell in love. I was drawn to Penny’s complexity.
They rapidly become best friends who have a whole lot of sexual tension between them. I envied their strong bond. I understood Penny’s reasons for placing Gavin in the friend zone initially, but I grew weary of all the years of pining and denial. It stopped making sense after awhile. As the story flip flops between past and present, the characters are surrounded by toxic influences and are prone to melodrama.
Honestly, most of this soap opera is rather depressing and predictable. I felt tortured by and for these characters up until the extremely rushed ending. Ultimately, I was left drained and had a bitter taste in my mouth. I’m giving the book praise for the strong beginning and the writing style, but unfortunately it just didn’t live up to my expectations.
The book opens with high intensity in the present day. There’s so much raw emotion and crazy behavior that I couldn’t help but get sucked in. I wanted to know what led the characters to such a desperate point in their lives.
Rewind to fourteen years ago and we see how Penny and Gavin met. This was one of the most enjoyable parts of the book. They are paired up as subjects in a college psychology experiment that tests whether or not you can be physically attracted to someone you haven’t seen. It’s funny and sweet. Gavin’s quirky personality and caring nature are clear from the start, and I instantly fell in love. I was drawn to Penny’s complexity.
They rapidly become best friends who have a whole lot of sexual tension between them. I envied their strong bond. I understood Penny’s reasons for placing Gavin in the friend zone initially, but I grew weary of all the years of pining and denial. It stopped making sense after awhile. As the story flip flops between past and present, the characters are surrounded by toxic influences and are prone to melodrama.
Honestly, most of this soap opera is rather depressing and predictable. I felt tortured by and for these characters up until the extremely rushed ending. Ultimately, I was left drained and had a bitter taste in my mouth. I’m giving the book praise for the strong beginning and the writing style, but unfortunately it just didn’t live up to my expectations.
*I received an early copy of this book. It does not affect the content of my review.*
romantasylife's review
5.0
I’m just gonna bring up the fact that I really kind of hate the cover to this book. It’s kind of creepy…
I don’t think I’ve read a Renee Carlino book and didn’t like it. This one is no exception! I was addicted to this story. I love Penny and Gavin’s story, as it is a long one. I love how this book panned out. It’s a love story years in the making. I know most people would hate this book for the cheating aspect, but I’m a person that as long as it doesn’t happen in real life, it won’t bother me.
My only gripe about this book is their romance starts in like the last chapter of this book. I need more Penny and Gavin in love with each other!
Read my full review here.
I don’t think I’ve read a Renee Carlino book and didn’t like it. This one is no exception! I was addicted to this story. I love Penny and Gavin’s story, as it is a long one. I love how this book panned out. It’s a love story years in the making. I know most people would hate this book for the cheating aspect, but I’m a person that as long as it doesn’t happen in real life, it won’t bother me.
My only gripe about this book is their romance starts in like the last chapter of this book. I need more Penny and Gavin in love with each other!
Read my full review here.
sonja_ahrb's review
3.0
I finished this book a few days ago, and I really had a hard time trying to decide what to write. On one hand, I loved the story, on the other hand, I felt like there was a major timeline issue. I even went back and re-read certain parts to see if I was mistaken. I've been a reader for so many years that I have some big pet peeves, timeline is one of them. Yet despite loving the majority of the story, I just can't get past this. It irks me to no end.
If you like those angsty type books, you'll probably adore this one as well. Maybe I'm just reading into things more than they need to be, I just find it hard to believe that this mistake wasn't caught.
Full disclosure, this was an ARC copy I received, where it's stated it may differ from the published version. However, I can only rate the book I read.
~ Lia, 3 Stars
If you like those angsty type books, you'll probably adore this one as well. Maybe I'm just reading into things more than they need to be, I just find it hard to believe that this mistake wasn't caught.
Full disclosure, this was an ARC copy I received, where it's stated it may differ from the published version. However, I can only rate the book I read.
~ Lia, 3 Stars
ladywestfall's review
4.0
"Because you're too afraid to ask,
We'll let go, come back, imagine.
Our present becomes our past."
This book totally screams a little like "Love, Rosie." I don't know. I automatically compare every book with "friends to lovers" stories to that movie. It's always the first thing that comes to mind. 😁
You know how frustrating it is when the two main protagonists are so inlove with each but won't let themselves be together? That is exactly Penny and Gavin! Penny and Gavin have always been inlove with each other but circumstances have always failed to provide them the right timing. This is also why I have compared this story to Love, Rosie. They've always known that they belong together but they were so afraid to admit it and lose their friendship over it. Then, came barrelling lots and and lots of obstacles like Penny being pregnant and getting married, then Gavin moving to France because his girlfriend is pregnant while Penny by then was divorced. See? They just kept missing each other!
I also just want to remark how much I love Gavin's loyalty to Penny and how I feel so sad for him most of the time while reading. It was such a pure torture for him to still be friends with Penny and to be watching on the sidelines, seeing what could've been his if only they both had the courage to be together. I loved Penny at the start of the book. Here is a strong and independent woman who wants to finish school first and prioritize her career before being with the guy she loves but then, things changed, from her accident to the death of her father. She had lost her will and happiness in one snap. Suddenly, she felt all alone and abandoned by Gavin. As much as I love her in the first half of the book, she also had made me frustrated and mad. Penny has been so selfish and insensitive with Gavin at times. I mean, girl, the guy is inlove with you and you just fcking got married and had a baby with another man and you can't give him some space? Can't you see that you're rubbing it in his face? And then when the tables have turned and Gavin was having a baby with Briel, Penny was being so bitter? I mean, can't you just pretend to be happy for one second though? Like what Gavin did all those years ago? 🙄
The last chapter also reminded me of Rosie and Alex! I was happy crying. With Gavin coming back without his wife, (But is with his daughter) and Penny being stable and better. All those longing has been worth it for them. It was just the right time.
We'll let go, come back, imagine.
Our present becomes our past."
This book totally screams a little like "Love, Rosie." I don't know. I automatically compare every book with "friends to lovers" stories to that movie. It's always the first thing that comes to mind. 😁
You know how frustrating it is when the two main protagonists are so inlove with each but won't let themselves be together? That is exactly Penny and Gavin! Penny and Gavin have always been inlove with each other but circumstances have always failed to provide them the right timing. This is also why I have compared this story to Love, Rosie. They've always known that they belong together but they were so afraid to admit it and lose their friendship over it. Then, came barrelling lots and and lots of obstacles like Penny being pregnant and getting married, then Gavin moving to France because his girlfriend is pregnant while Penny by then was divorced. See? They just kept missing each other!
I also just want to remark how much I love Gavin's loyalty to Penny and how I feel so sad for him most of the time while reading. It was such a pure torture for him to still be friends with Penny and to be watching on the sidelines, seeing what could've been his if only they both had the courage to be together. I loved Penny at the start of the book. Here is a strong and independent woman who wants to finish school first and prioritize her career before being with the guy she loves but then, things changed, from her accident to the death of her father. She had lost her will and happiness in one snap. Suddenly, she felt all alone and abandoned by Gavin. As much as I love her in the first half of the book, she also had made me frustrated and mad. Penny has been so selfish and insensitive with Gavin at times. I mean, girl, the guy is inlove with you and you just fcking got married and had a baby with another man and you can't give him some space? Can't you see that you're rubbing it in his face? And then when the tables have turned and Gavin was having a baby with Briel, Penny was being so bitter? I mean, can't you just pretend to be happy for one second though? Like what Gavin did all those years ago? 🙄
The last chapter also reminded me of Rosie and Alex! I was happy crying. With Gavin coming back without his wife, (But is with his daughter) and Penny being stable and better. All those longing has been worth it for them. It was just the right time.
kassicross's review
4.0
I’m still reeling from this story. I read it all in one sitting because I had to know what happens to these characters. I’m not sure if I loved it or hated it, but I know it made me feel. If you want to feel all the things from rage to sadness to joy for these characters, then read it. If you’re the kind of person that just wants happily ever after a minimal hiccup, this isn’t your story.
I would have given this 5 stars if I didn’t feel so bittersweet at the end. There’s a lot of time lost in this story that makes my heart hurt and for that, I gave it 4 stars. Read it if you’re up for some angst and just pure good writing. Renee Carlino is a new fave.
I would have given this 5 stars if I didn’t feel so bittersweet at the end. There’s a lot of time lost in this story that makes my heart hurt and for that, I gave it 4 stars. Read it if you’re up for some angst and just pure good writing. Renee Carlino is a new fave.
paprika411's review
4.0
This is my first book by Renee Carlino. I enjoyed this contemporary romance. Overall it was a cute story and I liked the plot of how these two met and started their relationship. I didn't immediately love the two main characters, I was constantly screaming "would you two just get together already." I was somewhat annoyed of the constant pulling back and forth between them.Despite this it was a light and fun read, and helped me out of a reading slump. I look forward to reading more from this author.
thereadrose's review
3.0
I’m so angry. I loved this book... but the ending was ridiculously rushed. I want to scream. I needed more. I’m at a loss on what to rate this book.
ae1028's review
4.0
“Life will change and then it will change again” this book made me angry in so many ways but the ending was worth it.