Reviewed by Desere
Joss Wood has become one of the rising stars of the writing world bringing us stories of love and passion set in exotic locations across South Africa, all filled with memorable characters and delicious scenarios that will leave you breathless.
In It was only a Kiss she has surpassed each and every one of my expectations and delivered a absolutely exquisite read! The read has one of the best opening chapters ever written, and I could not stop myself from getting excited as the chemistry between Jess and Luke build to a feverish pitch and exploded with a bang!
The story is about Jess, eight years ago she was a intern at St Sylve wine farms, with her go getter attitude she figured pulling the boss into his office and pointing out his mistakes to him in order for him to actually make money off the wine is the best move ever. Only her sex on legs, take me to bed now boss Luke does not see it that way. He instead goes toe to toe with her, kisses her senseless and then fires her!
Eight years later they come face to face again and, the emotions and passion between them is hotter then the blazing heat of the Southern African sun! Only as much as Luke wants to drag her off to his bed Jess just as much would rather avoid the passion that she knows she will find in Luke's arms, after all if the man is as good in bed as his kisses are then she is in for the sex of a lifetime.
The main characters of Jess and Luke were spectacular. With both being strong, independent people, with never give up attitudes, the conflict was incredible setting off sparks of passion, anger and wonderful heart racing towards the open mountain tops moments.
I loved how the author let the mystery that is Luke, unfold, twisting and turning him into a man of dreams and hope. A particular point of fascination for me as reader was the secret of Luke's mother that gave the book a level of mystery that when fully revealed gave me the deeper understanding into the personality of Luke.
From the high class fast paced living of Sandton to the clean and fresh open air spaces of Franschhoek the backdrop settings were the perfect touch for telling the story of a wine maker and the woman that brings him down to earth and uses each and every one of his wounds to bring him to back to life.
The dialogue was fun and witty making for some truly spectacular laughing moments. But it was also on a level of true emotion bring forth the complete surrender of both Jess and Luke. The author described her characters and scenes with perfection, I could feel the cold blasting from the mountain air, smell the wine and taste the passion.
I also truly loved the wild and crazy moments such as a very wild staircase scene and a very tender bathroom scene as Luke proves Jess is not as tough as she wants to be, these will stay with me for a life time. At the end of the read I was left breathless and in awe, the message of the past holds the key to the future was beautifully depicted and for me as reader gave the sense of wonder that I love to get from a good old fashioned romance!
A compelling, passionate, tender, sensual read!
5/5 star review
" His kisses are sexier, hotter and sweeter than wine"
