Kissing Kate is a delightful, sweet, heart melting, must read Regency romance. I’ve loved each story of the Kimbrell men finding love in Cornwall. The descriptions, romance, humor, and endearing characters make these stories unputdownable and this book is no exception. It’s like a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winter’s day. I loved the friends to more romance between Ben and Kate, wondering if he’d ever get that long awaited kiss! I also enjoyed the setting with the backdrop of having the characters building scenery and participating in Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing.

My heart went out to Ben. He had some terrible tragedies early in life which caused him to hide his feelings and create the appearance of a carefree, somewhat undependable rogue. But, beneath this facade, he carries a lot of burdens and misconceptions and secretly longs for a deeper relationship with Kate whom he’s tried to kiss since he was 13.

Kate is just as sympathetic as Ben. She’s getting close to spinsterhood and feels the pressure to find a match in their small Cornwall hamlet. While she’s always secretly loved Ben, his less than dependable, aimless personality causes her to look to his steady, stable cousin Merryn. But, working together on the scenery for Much Ado About Nothing causes them to both reevaluate their choices. And, Ben just might get that long awaited kiss.

I absolutely adored Ben & Kate. They had so many charming scenes together including: visiting Mr. Simmons, working on the play’s scenery, rehearsing the final scene, and the actual swoon worthy performance. I chuckled at all the inconvenient interruptions. In addition to Ben and Kate are the memorable townsfolk who are so well written they feel like old friends. I loved seeing familiar faces from previous books too.

It’s an utterly enchanting story Regency romance fans will adore! Though it’s the fourth book in the Hearts of Cornwall series, it can definitely be read as a standalone, but it’s even more enjoyable if you’ve read the previous books in the series. Now I can’t wait to get Bronwyn’s and Merryn’s stories. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author through AustenProse. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. ( )

Very sweet Historical Regency romance. Part of a wonderful series, this is the town that has more men than women, and there's a published list of bachelors that brings in women from all over. What's not to like about Kate who is both very proper with the height of etiquette, yet has spunk? And she likes plants, botany. Even though they're best friends, she's unsure of Ben and doesn't know why he goes to London, appearing to be a bit of a rogue. They're working through issues of self-doubt, holding yourself to higher standard, being a perfectionist, grief and misplaced guilt as well as peer pressure. They have close family and friends who see them for themselves and help them to discover their own feelings and strengths. He has to be the most devoted friend ever. Sweet, fulfilling read with lots of depth and beauty.

I received this book free from the author and Book Sirens book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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