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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
4.5 stars
"I loved women, especially the weird ones. But Penny was more unique and talented and beautiful than any girl I had ever met."
The blurb is the perfect summary of this book. It all started with the blind kiss experiment, during which the sparks flew off of Penny and Gavin. I was intrigued to see how things between these two characters would develop. Normally, I love the dark and broody types, however I loved Gavin's dramatic and chaotic personality (not always though). Penny, was more serious, dedicated and had her life somewhat figured out. Gavin didn't really fit her plan that much, but she couldn't get rid of him. He was exciting and unpredictable, and I really enjoyed reading about his unique antics. Because we go back and forth into the past and presence, we already know that Penny and Gavin settle on being just friends. I wanted to see how these two came to make this difficult decision.
Were there times I was annoyed by the decisions made by both Penny and Gavin? YES! Especially, Penny made me angry at times at the decisions she made. She had her dramatic moments as well, which made me roll my eyes. However, would these two have made it if they got together when they first met? I have no idea. Blind Kiss was definitely angsty at times, but nothing I couldn't handle. Did I cry? Yes, I shed some tears, especially towards the end when my heart broke. I have a love/hate relationship with books that go back and forth between past and presence, however, I think it fit this story very well. I really enjoyed this story a lot, and I was hooked to the story until the end. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of the last quarter of the book. In my opinion there should've been more chapters, to have me fully enjoy the story. Everything kind of came together too perfectly and then it was finished. It left me a bit unsatisfied to be honest. However, the rest of the story was beautiful, original and heartbreaking at times. I highly recommend this book!
4.5 stars
"I loved women, especially the weird ones. But Penny was more unique and talented and beautiful than any girl I had ever met."
The blurb is the perfect summary of this book. It all started with the blind kiss experiment, during which the sparks flew off of Penny and Gavin. I was intrigued to see how things between these two characters would develop. Normally, I love the dark and broody types, however I loved Gavin's dramatic and chaotic personality (not always though). Penny, was more serious, dedicated and had her life somewhat figured out. Gavin didn't really fit her plan that much, but she couldn't get rid of him. He was exciting and unpredictable, and I really enjoyed reading about his unique antics. Because we go back and forth into the past and presence, we already know that Penny and Gavin settle on being just friends. I wanted to see how these two came to make this difficult decision.
Were there times I was annoyed by the decisions made by both Penny and Gavin? YES! Especially, Penny made me angry at times at the decisions she made. She had her dramatic moments as well, which made me roll my eyes. However, would these two have made it if they got together when they first met? I have no idea. Blind Kiss was definitely angsty at times, but nothing I couldn't handle. Did I cry? Yes, I shed some tears, especially towards the end when my heart broke. I have a love/hate relationship with books that go back and forth between past and presence, however, I think it fit this story very well. I really enjoyed this story a lot, and I was hooked to the story until the end. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of the last quarter of the book. In my opinion there should've been more chapters, to have me fully enjoy the story. Everything kind of came together too perfectly and then it was finished. It left me a bit unsatisfied to be honest. However, the rest of the story was beautiful, original and heartbreaking at times. I highly recommend this book!
My heart aches and I'm floored. Beautifully written in the way only Renee knows how to write.
While this book could have easily been just 10 pages long, here I am. Sobbing. Heart aching over these two characters who I rooted so hard for, hated with all of my being, and cried for almost the entire way through the book.
I'm a sucker for those "the timing is never right" stories, so I take these tears with pride! But ugh, why did Renee have to cut me open like that?
A true depiction of love, loss, and longing. I couldn't have asked for more in a book. If I wasn't already in love with Renee Carlino’s words, this would have surely convinced me.
While this book could have easily been just 10 pages long, here I am. Sobbing. Heart aching over these two characters who I rooted so hard for, hated with all of my being, and cried for almost the entire way through the book.
I'm a sucker for those "the timing is never right" stories, so I take these tears with pride! But ugh, why did Renee have to cut me open like that?
A true depiction of love, loss, and longing. I couldn't have asked for more in a book. If I wasn't already in love with Renee Carlino’s words, this would have surely convinced me.
They are meant to be together! Why aren’t they together? The connection was not only instant but also lasting! They just meshed together so naturally. It was so frustrating that everyone knew, especially them, but they somehow messed it up. It was like right person, wrong time but because the people involved were sabotaging it. (Kinda love Love Rosie)
The dual perspective confirmed both parties felt the attraction. The separate timelines proved that they were constantly pulled toward each other.
The dual perspective confirmed both parties felt the attraction. The separate timelines proved that they were constantly pulled toward each other.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Blind Kiss is one of those stories that readers will either adore or dislike. Unfortunately I'm on the latter of the spectrum and I struggled with feeling the draw of their connection, understanding their choices, and liking the characters themselves. Carlino typically has a handle on navigating romances, but for some reason this plot/story choice lessened the strength of her writing and I came out of it feeling like it wasn't her writing at all. I know writers can be malleable to what their stories need, but it felt like a different writer completely. Because I couldn't get a grasp on the character's motives or emotions, understanding their push-pull and what kept them coming back to one another over the years became incredibly difficult. I wasn't able to be drawn in and feel their intense emotion or enjoy the angst of their romance of which was a big piece of this story.
I've enjoyed Renee's books in the past, but sadly this book wasn't for me as her others have been. However, I am looking forward to whatever story she comes out with next.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
I've enjoyed Renee's books in the past, but sadly this book wasn't for me as her others have been. However, I am looking forward to whatever story she comes out with next.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
I'm a huge fan of Renee Carlino and since I discovered her I have read all of her books. Blind Kiss is her newest angsty second chance romance. This book has more angst and back and forth than I have read in a long time. I wanted to love it. I really wanted to love it, but something was just off for me. I didn't really love either Gavin or Penny. I liked them. I even felt for them. I was mostly frustrated and mad at them for not speaking up and admitting to their feelings. It was a long fourteen years and I swear I yelled and cried the entire time. Their love was fierce, but it was never enough. The timing was off. The situations wrong. It was too frustrating for me. I still love Renee and I can't wait to get my hands on her next book.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes