The Kiss Before Midnight by: Sophie Pembroke
FAVORITE NEW AUTHOR. CUTE STORY. Couldn't put it down. ( )

Dory was a fun person to read about. She was in over her head and she never stopped swimming, and she cracked jokes, set boundaries, and kicked ass while she did it.

When Dory's boss Tyler gets exposed as dating a mysterious woman his family wants him to bring that woman home to meet them over Christmas. There's no way he's going to do that so he bribes Dory with a plane ticket home to visit her family if she'll pretend to be his girlfriend. Dory's "what the hell" attitude has her agreeing instantly. Then she meets Tyler's brother Lucas and starts wondering how soon she can break-up with her fake boyfriend and if their parents will think it odd she dated both brothers.

(Provided by publisher) ( )

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Christmas is fast approaching and Molly Mackenzie is short on time to meet all her New Year’s resolutions. Moving to London and getting a 9 to 5 job were relatively easy to achieve, but there is still her last resolution to achieve: to sleep with Jake...

Jake has always been like an older brother, having practically been adopted by Molly’s family when his parents died, until last New Year’s Eve when he suddenly kissed her. And from that moment on, Molly never thought of him as a brother again... And since he’ll also be spending the Holidays at her family’s home in Liverpool, Molly is determined to spend one night with him and getting him off her system once and for all.

When they meet again is obvious the attraction between them is still very strong. But Jake is not easily convinced, because he doesn't want to risk losing the only family he has. And, truth be told, he wanted more than just one night, but he knows Molly’s life is now in London and he doesn't want to be the one responsible for crushing her dreams.

But are those really Molly’s dreams? Or is being with Jake more important than everything else? With Christmas magic and a little help from the family, will Molly be able to finally figure out what she wants for her life and, who knows, maybe make a new New Year’s Eve resolution?

I really liked this story. The characters are fantastic and I love stories with united families. And I like them even better when they take place at Christmas. I don’t think I could have picked a better story to finish the year! ( )

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With her New York dream in tatters Dory faces Christmas alone, enter her boss Tyler who is clearly attracted, not to mention wholly dependent on her. Tyler is a public relations disaster and Dory is the only one who can save him from his mother's wrath. So rather than spending Christmas with her family in England, she finds herself at Tyler's soulless family gathering, where she feels like a specimen under a microscope.
Hardly the stuff of a Christmas romance but against this unlikely setting Dory meets Lucas, Tyler's older, sexier and single brother. There is simmering chemistry between Dory and Lucas but too many secrets threaten their romance. This novella has some key supporting characters, which illustrate the snobbery and prejudice of Tyler's family perfectly. The story has plenty of humour and a lovely romantic ending. ( )

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If you're looking for a romantic Christmas story, 'The Kiss Before Midnight' is a must read. This is the second festive story by Sophie Pembroke that I have read this week and this one is definitely my favourite. Molly and Jake have known each other forever but after last New Year's Eve, Molly can no longer see Jake, only as her older brother's best friend.

Molly is a curious mix of confidence and insecurity. During the Christmas festivities, she questions her motives for leaving the city and job she loves and whether she should pursue her last New Year's resolution.

Jake, is Molly's parents' surrogate son and he is reluctant to jeopardise this by pursuing Molly in the way he would like to. I loved Jake. In many ways he was like a small boy pressing his nose against the window of family life; A voyeur rather than a participant. Gradually he realises these feeling are internal rather than external barriers to his happiness.

The sensual heat between Jake and Molly is warmer than the mulled wine that flows so freely and leads to some humorous moments. When they finally give in to their attraction it leads to more misunderstanding and heartache for the couple.

The romance is sweet and the ending perfectly crafted. The setting is a perfect Christmas, English style, which I enjoyed.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review ( )