Last Kiss of Summer by Marina Adair

Publisher: Forever

Publication Date: August 30, 2016

It feels fitting to be reviewing a book entitled Last Kiss of Summer on the last day of meteorological summer. Summer isn’t over until September 22 astronomically, but there’s something about the approach of Labor Day and the days getting shorter that makes the meteorological summer feel a little more accurate.

Last Kiss of Summer is a romance perfect for ushering in autumn, with apples! Lots and lots of apples.

Kennedy Sinclair is getting ready for her dance lesson when she becomes aware that her dance instructor is boinking someone. Her suspicion becomes aroused and she discovers that the boinker is her fiance, who’s decided that she just isn’t exciting enough for him. With the help of her beloved grandmother and her grandmother’s friend, Fiona, in Washington State, Kennedy leaves Georgia to take over as owner of Sweetie Pies.

Luke Callahan is half-owner of a cider business, one that he wants to expand. He has everything figured out until Kennedy Sinclair comes to town and is entitled to the special apples he needs to take on a bigger contract. He figures he can be shrewd and obtain the apples, but then he finds his plans in jeopardy as well as maybe his heart.

The flavor of this novel can easily be summed up by saying: fresh baked pie and hard apple cider. Sweet, sensual, fizzy and spiked.

It’s a pleasure once again to read a novel with well-developed, likeable characters. Kennedy is spunky, stubborn, and determined with enough vulnerability to make her seem real. Luke puts on a great tough guy act, but he has a marshmallow center that’s very appealing. The dialogue between them is fun and sassy and sinfully sweet.

The other characters possess enough kindness and eccentricity that make Destiny Bay captivating. There’s a lot of small town charm and a great sense of community.

I seem to be stuck on food analogies after reading this book. What it’s really inspired me to do is bake pie. Lots and lots and lots of pie. And, yes, this book is just that yummy (tantalizing). There wasn’t a wrong flavor note in it for me.

It’s the first book in the Destiny Bay series. (Kudos for me for actually reading the first book in a series!) I can’t wait to read the next one!

Sigh. Anyone want pie?

Last Kiss of Summer went on sale yesterday. From Amazon: Last Kiss of Summer.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Forever in exchange for an honest review.

rating: (5 out of 5 butterflies)