Let me start off by saying I love Carrie Hope Fletcher. She blew me away on stage.

This is the first one of her books I've 'read'. It was a very good idea - when you kiss someone you see how they're going to die. I related to the MC by the fact that she is attracted to people but doesn't let herself get any closer. The writing was very visual and I could imagine what I was reading very easily.

However, despite the brilliance of the concept she didn't do anything with it. Her MC was not interesting or memorable and the story went nowhere! I also had major issues with the forced wokeness that had no relation to the story at all - eg. the introduction of a trans character, explained by her partner, and then they disappear never to be seen again. What relevance did that have to the story apart from tick boxes?

I am still a big fan of Carrie's theatre work but her writing is not for me. Thank you the publisher and netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinions.

DNF

I really wanted to like this book, the premise was absolutely ‘up my street’. And what I have based the star rating on.

Unfortunately, I feel the execution was not that great. Sorry to say it but telling something when writing a book is not enough, we need to be shown. It is with the showing that characters are developed and we, as readers want to follow their story. If the characters aren’t developed I for one quite quickly lose interest and this is what happened, I lost interest and stopped reading 20% through.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Poor Lorelai ... she has had a rough few years, not daring to get close to anyone and harbouring a dreadful secret ... whenever she kisses someone, she has a vivid image of how they will die. Then fate plays its hand and she meets the lovely Grayson. She warms to him immediately and he is just so suitable ... but she can't let herself have feelings for him because she is so worried that history will repeat itself.

At first I was a bit put off by the cast of characters with slightly unusual names ...Lorelai, Joanie, Grayson, Riggs ... and was quite relieved to finally find a James!! It just felt a little odd to have so many unusually-named characters in one story.

As well as a budding romance, this is also the story of great friendship between Lorelai and Joanie, learning to trust yourself and others around you and taking a leap of faith.

There are a few twists along to way. All in all, an enjoyable read.

I would like to thank Negalley for the ARC of With This Kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher.
I really liked the idea of this book as it has an interesting story line.
Lorelai the main character can see how a person is going to die by kissing them so refrains from having a relationship until she meets Grayson….
I liked the characters in this story especially Joanie Lorelais' best friend. The relationship between Lorelai and Grayson felt a little rushed but overall this is a light hearted quick read romance making it an ideal holiday read.

Oh this book!!!! I absolutely loved every single page!! I love Carries writing style…..I always become so invested in her stories!! An absolute dream

I'll start off by saying that this book was not what I was expecting at all (was thinking more fairytales rather than romance with a slight magical element to it) but it was a really well written and moving book.
The main character kind of grated on my nerves a bit with the back-and-forth as to whether to take the chance on love but I did really enjoy the other characters and especially found her best friend amusing and likable. I feel it actually kind of raced through the main characters romance a little but I was close to tears several times in the book.

I won't give spoilers but I did enjoy the ending and glad it ended the way that it did.

I am new to Carrie Hope Fletcher and I did enjoy this book but I am not really one for paranormal reads to found elements that I struggled with. It wasn't what I though it was going to be like.
Lorelai see's the death of the person that she is kissing and she is trying to figure out what this power is all about. I think because of this. I found it hard to relate.
However, if this is your thing, this is the book for you and you must give it a go

I'd like to thank NetGalley and HQ for my free digital ARC of this book - all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have mixed feelings about "With This Kiss". The premise was extremely promising and intriguing - I loved the concept of Lorelai being able to see the death of the person she kisses. It had the potential to be a deep and interesting read.

Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me in several places. The beginning was very slow, several things seemed to be put in there just to provide "diversity". For example, Lorelai encounters a trans woman (who is simply described as being a trans woman). Lorelai makes a slight error when addressing a large group of people, and is called out by the trans character. She promises to do better and all is forgotten and moved on from. Great! However, while this scene sounds great and is definitely something that should be addressed more frequently in common media, but it felt sort of clunky and out of place in the way it was placed in the book. It seemed like more of a "Hey, look reader, take notes!!", rather than a natural thing that would happen.

Lorelai and Grayson, the main love interest, had very little chemistry and time to develop their relationship, which was disappointing. This is the man that Lorelai is willing to risk it all for, she wants to be with him forever, yet she barely knows anything about him. I wish they had had a little more time together to replace one of Lorelai's internal monologues. I enjoyed these monologues, but they did get a little repetitive after a while, and I would have loved if Grayson and Lorelai had been given the opportunity to develop their relationship more.

That said, this book was an enjoyable read overall. Joanie stole the show for me, she's Lorelai's best friend and a real force to be reckoned with! I loved watching Lorelai's development as she slowly became more comfortable with herself and opened up to those closest to her instead of closing herself off.

"With This Kiss" is a fun read. I can't see myself rereading it, but I do recommend it if you're looking for a straightforward, nice book to enjoy over a few afternoons.

Having being highly focused on thrillers and mystery novels recently, I was delighted to read a truly one of a kind romance novel with some magical elements thrown in. This book made me think about our ability to change things that are theoretically preordained.

I liked this story and thoroughly enjoyed the mix of paranormal and romance. Loreley is a relatable character and I liked her relationship with Joanie
The romance was a bit lacking chemistry and I wasn't a huge fan.
It's a compelling and engrossing read.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A good read. This was quite a nice story and well written but it wasn't what I was expecting,I enjoyed it but i didn't love it but think it might appeal to the younger reader

Lorelai was born with the ability to see how someone is going to die when she kisses them on the lips. After a couple of initial shocks this makes it very difficult to form any relationships, then she suddenly meets and is attracted to Grayson, which throws her determination to remain single into disarray.
I was intrigued by the idea behind this story so jumped at the chance of reading an advance copy of the book. It is difficult to categorise, it is definitely a romance but with a touch of the paranormal with her psychic ability. Her flatmate and best friend Joanie is a great character and gives her invaluable support, Grayson is understandably confused by the way that Lorelai blows hot and cold. It is a slow read, so not for those who prefer their books to be fast paced, but it is deep and deserves the time to explore what it would mean to have this ability. We'll worth a read for someone who fancies reading something a bit different.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Way out of my comfort zone but what a beautifully written book this is, held my interest throughout, sad and funny all rolled into one I just loved every page.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for allowing me to read this five star book.

This novel has an interesting central idea – what would you do if this were you? Lorelai chooses to withdraw, keep her secret close and avoid all chance for romantic connections. There are several points when you'll be shouting at the book, as she seems to ignore pretty massive hints and even her own discoveries. There are occasions when characters just don't behave as people really behave, just to twist the narrative in the direction the author wants it to go. As romantic chick lit goes, it ticks all the boxes –a kooky, adorable friend; a heroine pure of heart; humour; reality and unreality; and a happy ending, at last. BUT - I just can't get past all the moments when she does something that goes directly against what she knows to be true. Yes, I get the decision not to kiss anybody, but once she makes a breakthrough, why run and hide? Lorelei is at the close a bit drippy, and I prefer my heroines to take control, not let life happen to them.

A brand new timeless romance with a sprinkling of magic…. Begs to be read in one sitting… really tugs at your emotions, one minute I was breathless with anticipation, the next I had tears running down my face… I can’t wait to recommend this to all my friends…..I was breathless with anticipation…

I loved this book.

Lorelai was 13 when she had her first kiss. During which she saw how the boy would die. She then kissed another boy and the same thing happened. Lorelai hasn't kissed anyone since she was 18 and has done a brilliant job of staying away from relationships.

Lorelai is to all intents and purpose, just like the rest of us. She loves to read, she works at a cinema that shows "older" films and she lives with her best mate, Joanie, who is the only other person that Lorelai has ever told the truth to.
But then Grayson shows up at the cinema. It's obvious that he's interested in Lorelai and she is drawn to him. Joanie is trying to convince Lorelai to give it a go but surely she can't, can she?

Lorelai and Joanie decide that Lorelai needs to find out how this "gift" of hers works and if there is any way of changing what Lorelai sees.

A very enjoyable read that I just fell in to.

I did enjoy this book although the premise was completely unbelievable! It was quite well written and I liked the characters. I think I prefer Carrie's singing to her writing...

I loved this book. full of magic and romance.
i felt sorry for Lorelai its a big burden to carry especially when it is the people you love.
After years of not wanting someone Grayson comes along and he is so lovely.
This story just magically unfolds and leaves you wanting more.

With This Kiss focuses on Lorelai, a young woman who sees the death of every person she kisses. In theory, I was really keen on the book. In reality though, it felt a little flat.

The characters weren't very fleshed out, although I did like the exploration of how such a curse would affect a person. I also struggled with the writing style, although that may well just be me!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

In concept this book really drew me in, but in execution there are key elements I wish had been better done. I felt like the side characters like her friend and mum could have been fleshed out way more and felt like they were used only to push the plot along. Riley being a queer character felt like it was only there to say the book was inclusive of LGBTQIA+ as its referenced very early on that her girlfriend has dumped her then never again.