“Just One Kiss is my favorite story in the series so far. Barbara Freethy has once again shown that she is an amazing storyteller. I could not put it down. I loved every page. Just One Kiss is a second chance at first love story and is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments.” Patti – Goodreads
Hannah Stark takes care of everyone else, from the patients she nurses back to health, to … nurses back to health, to her family, who can never seem to get it together. She’d love to find someone she can trust, someone she can lean on, someone she can love, but that someone will not be Jake McKenna. The ruggedly attractive owner of Adventure Sports might still make her palms sweat, but Jake broke her teenage heart years ago.
In the twelve plus years since they were a couple, Jake has given up on forgiveness from Hannah. He’d really like the chance to set the record straight, but that would mean revealing secrets he has sworn to protect. So, they dance around each other, never getting close enough to the lingering sparks to start another fire.
A stormy Christmas eve at the lake changes everything. A woman in trouble and a death-defying rescue gives them a chance to start over as they are now—if they can find the courage to trust each other. Will these two enemies turn into lovers, or will they reject the fate that has once again thrown them together?
Don’t miss this heartwarming, irresistibly romantic holiday Christmas romance by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy.
Also Available:
Always With Me #1
My Wildest Dream #2
Can’t Fight The Moonlight #3
Just One Kiss #4
If We Never Met #5
What the readers are saying about Just One Kiss…
“Just One Kiss is a tale of long-ago heartache that paves a way for hope in the future. Jake and Hannah bring the heart full circle with an inspiring story of forgiveness and healing. Freethy leaves an imprint on the soul with every story she writes.” Isha – BookBub
“I devoured this book in one setting! The story was captivating! As with all of Freethy’s characters, they are so well developed that you become completely invested in their story. They are real, not perfect and each with their own flaws!” Booklovers Anonymous
“Barbara Freethy is one of my favorite authors because her books have the perfect blend of romance and suspense in every book, and Just One Kiss was no exception! This story was a heartwarming tale about second chances and forgiveness, mixed in with a mystery that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Right now, the real world feels like a dark place to be sometimes, and this book was the perfect escape.” Kate – Goodreads
“Barbara Freethy does what she does best by giving you real people with real feelings, a lesson in forgiveness and a Christmas story with some zing to it.” Lois – Goodreads
“This is a story of family, second chances, forgiveness, secrets and love with the wonderful residents of Whisper Lake during the Christmas season, a time for miracles to happen! A wonderful addition to this series!” Robin – Goodreads
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ARC for honest review with no compensation
Just One Kiss is book 4 in the Whisper Lake series by Barbara Freethy and another awesome addition.
This book will keep you reading and anticipating what will happen next…second chances to right a wrong, secrets, emotional, heart warming, looking for family, building family relationships, forgiveness, some tears, mysterious circumstances and opening their hearts to maybe finding love and so much more! What an amazing series!!
Barbara Freethy is one of my favorite authors because her books have the perfect blend of romance and suspense in every book, and Just One Kiss was no exception! This story was a heartwarming tale about second chances and forgiveness, mixed in with a mystery that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I have loved Whisper Lake and it’s characters since book one of the series, and I so enjoyed revisiting them in this book. Jack and Hannah are two characters who have gone through their fair share of struggles in life, and I loved watching them fight to find some happiness. Right now the real world feels like a dark place to be sometimes, and this book was the perfect escape. This is my honest review of an ARC that I received.
Can would really forgive and forget? For different reasons Hannah and Jake must do just that to move on with their lives. Barbara always give your suspense and romance and a lesson learned. Will it take just one kiss…
Barbara Freethy never disappoints me
Hannah Stark and Jake McKenna have a painful past. So painful that, when Jake moves back to their hometown 12 years later, it takes all Hannah’s energy to avoid him. After all, they have mutual friends in the delightful small town of Whisper Lake where everyone really does know each other.
Both Hannah and Jake have secrets — from each other and from themselves. Can they open their hearts to a second chance or is it impossible to even be friends. That’s the basic premisd to JUST ONE KISS, with a delightful mystery thrown in for good measure. After all, two people can’t decide if they can be together unless they are thrown together by a sudden crisis.
JUST ONE KISS is classic Freethy. Strong characters who forge their own paths not only with each other but with others in their lives.
I adored Hannah and Jake. I enjoyed watching Hannah grow and shed her attitudes based on her painful memories from childhood and begin to see others through adult eyes. Jake, too, needed to mend some relationships, and realize some painful truths about himself.
Freethy takes along their journey with her exceptional skill, from an opening that pulls us straight in to the action to Christmas ending that is so emotionally satisfying that I can’t wait for the next Whisper Lakes title so I can check back in with Hannah, Jake and their friends.
Although No. 4 in the Whisper Lake series, JUST ONE KISS can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Just One Kiss grabbed me from the very beginning. It was fun to return to the characters of Whisper Lake. I loved the community events that the characters participated in as we caught up with them a bit. But as per author Barbara Freethy, she once again nailed it with her balance of intrigue and romance. Barbara Freethy brought two characters together that had a prior relationship and a lot of angst. When Hannah has to ask Jake for help it begins the journey of their reconnecting. Several events occurring long ago are revealed as they impacted the characters lives. This will be a book you won’t want to put down.
Always love Barbara’s books, but this one I struggled with. I love Hannah, she’s clearly worked hard for herself and her family, and is willing to do whatever it takes to care for those she loved. Jake was a great character, I enjoyed him as well, especially his adventures. But it seemed so unbelievable for Hannah to go from hating Jake (unresolved historical anger from their previous relationship) to loving him in seven days. I would like to see Hannah, Jake, Hannah’s mom, Jake’s dad, and Kelly in therapy for their trauma and issues. The only characters that seemed well rounded and stable were the brothers, although that could have been because both were barely seen. I did love the kiddo tho, he was adorable. All in all, this second chance romance wasn’t what I had hoped it would be.
A wonderful Christmas time second chance love story with a side of second chance family reunion. Exciting, romantic and a bit of suspense create a great read. Third in the Whisper Lake series and just as good as the others. Perfect Christmas story.
OMG !!what a fantastic book that was! This book just surpassed all of other Barbara Freethy novels I be read so far. It was so good!!
Hannah and Jake’s story is about forgiving, accepting and letting go of the past. It’s a second chance love story between friends to lovers. I loved both of these characters so much, their strong personalities really stood out in this book. This also highlights importance of family. Both Hannah and Jake had differences with their families. Hannah taking responsibility of her younger brother at a very young age, and taking care of her nephew. I was pining for Jake as he continued to pursue Hannah for another chance. Hannah is independent, strong, she take care of others. She was hurt and betrayed by Jake, so she didnt want to give another chance or to forgive and was stuck in the past. So after many years they reconnect. This book is full of emotions, suspense, twists and turns and love!!
Jake McKenna and Hannah Stark were young lovers once, but Jake’s betrayal tore them apart. Twelve years later, Jake wants another chance with Hannah, but is she willing to take that chance with her heart again?
I loved reading all about Jake and Hannah and the rest of the cast of Whisper Lake. Little Brett was just adorable! If you love a great story that takes you on an emotional journey, then you will love this amazing story written by Barbara Freethy!
Forgiveness is a hard thing to do and if you don’t forgive those who have wronged you, it can keep you emotionally in the past and at the time where the hurt happened in your life. This is exactly what happened to many different characters in this story. They each have reasons to hold on to their sadness, hurt, betrayal and many other negative feelings. The best part about this book is the process that the author, Barbara Freethy, takes us on towards healing of these characters family relationships, new found love and hopefully a happily ever after for everyone.
I described that there is a lot of emotional baggage with the characters, but this story has so much more to it. The main two characters, Hanna and Jake, are thrown together again, after many separated years, to help solve the mystery of Hannah’s sisters disappearance. Hannah was betrayed by Jake, but she reluctantly needs Jake to help her. The mystery takes on many twists and turns until it is solved. This book has a great mystery element mixed in with a love story that is better late than never. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have–no cliffhanger!
Whisper.Lake…..JUST ONE KISS..#4…Barbara..Freethy
Hannah an ER nurse, dead tired, and being five days before Christmas in Whisper Lake, full of visitors. Since thirteen has kept the family together, forgiving them for their demands, especially her mother. Eight hours of work and she had to check on a furnace in one of the rental cabins, for her.
A heavy snow, a flat tire, and Jake came by. Finding a young boy alone in the cabin, mother leaving a note. Hannah didn’t want help, but needed Jake to take them back to town. Jake, a first crush and first humiliation to forgive him
yet for those memories, seemed impossible.
A child Brett, a trusting smile and the innocence of one that is young, before the hurts of people. Excepting his mother left him alone, isolated in a cabin out from town. For for what reason a note saying no calls to police.
A story that tugs on your heart, of the drama in families and as in this story Hannah always stepping in to help and has no family of her own. A story of forgiveness and healing, enjoyable and well done. The 4th in this good series full of memories in Whisper Lake.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
I loved this book. It was fantastic. Whisper Lake is the perfect place to find love. Hannah had it once as a teen until things turned upside down. Secrets and lies tore her and Jake apart. But, years later as they are thrown back together the sparks are still there but, can she find the trust again. Jake is willing to do everything that he can to repair the damage he did in the past but, will it be enough. Super fast paced and full of ups and downs. What a great story of family and coming back together after a messy past. I loved the characters and I love Whisper lake.
Freethy continues to expand her understanding of emotion and share it with the rest of the world. Her insight is a reminder that beauty can be found in every aspect of life. Hidden inside the ugliness that life throws our way, is the strength to rise above the fear, pain and despair. Just One Kiss is a tale of long ago heartache that paves a way for hope in the future. Jake and Hannah bring the heart full circle with an inspiring story of forgiveness and healing. Freethy leaves an imprint on the soul with every story she writes.
Being a romantic at heart makes me a sucker for a great second chance romance, add in Christmas time as the background and I’m all in. I didn’t want to put this book down. I was invested and needed to know what was happening. This heartwarming, sweet and tender story tugged at my heart strings and maybe even had me tearing up.
Hannah and Jake were best friends since middle school and then high school sweethearts for a brief time, until Jake ruined it all and broke Hannah’s heart. Fast forward 12 years…. Hannah does everything in her power to avoid Jake and has absolutely no desire to forgive him, until a blown tire brings them together and they end up thrown together due to the discovery of a sweet, innocent 4-year-old boy and mysterious circumstances. While impatiently waiting for the mystery to be unraveled, they form a bond again (that never died).
Jake seems to be a carefree, adventure seeking man but he has been running from a major secret for 12 years. Will he finally confront it so that he gets the girl? Can Hannah let go of her hate towards him and take another chance if it means her happiness?
I adored this book and love the entire series. This is a standalone, but I recommend reading the series for its wonderful characters and beautiful setting.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
I am loving this Whisper Lake series & the latest installment is no exception. Hannah & Jake were high school sweethearts, but one drunken night tore them apart. Now older & both back in Whisper Lake, Hannah avoids Jake at all costs…until a flat tire, a snow storm & and an adorable 4-year old force them together. Great story of second chances and forgiveness…..and miracle of Christmas thru the eyes of a child.
Another great read by MS Freethy. She just weaves a great story you can’t put down. It is a second chance book in many ways.
Absolutely wonderful story! I fell in love with Jake and Hannah from the beginning. One of the best stories from the Whisper Lake series. I’m not one for spoilers in my reviews but I absolutely love the winding roads that Barbara Freethy has for her main characters. this book is no exception!
If you haven’t read the first 3 books, you need to read them too. All 4 are 5+ stars in my opinion!
A story with hope, love, patience & understanding, that’s a touching,
intriguing & moving second chance romance. I truly enjoyed reading it.
Captivated me from page one.
I didn’t want it to end.
Hannah & Jake, fell in love in high school,
till one night changed everything.
Years later, Hannah, is still very hurt.
Jake, wants to prove to her he’s changed.
They both have secrets & baggage
that they’ve carried for years.
Can they work past it all & have their
own Christmas miracle?
A DIFINITE MUST READ!!
This is another excellent book by Barbara Freethy, a fabulous continuation of the Whisper Lake series. It is filled with emotion, a romance with an element of mystery and a touch of suspense. It’s about second chances, forgiveness, acceptance, trust, family relationships, and love. Hannah and Jake are wonderful characters, and I loved my return visit to Whisper Lake.
I received an ARC of Just One Kiss by Barbara Freethy as a member of her review team for an honest review. I can truly say that I absolutely loved Just One Kiss, it is an incredible second chance love story. It is the third book in the Whisper Lake series and a Christmas romance. Each book in the series gets better and better, but I think that Just One Kiss is my favorite story in the series so far. Barbara Freethy has once again shown that she is an amazing storyteller. I could not put it down. I loved every page. I really enjoy how the book is told from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. Just One Kiss is a second chance at first love story and is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. I love the lighter moments where I find myself smiling and laughing out loud and the bittersweet moments that cause me to sigh, say aww to myself with tears filling my eyes. Just One Kiss is filled with such moments, and with so much emotion. It is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in a love story, especially the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Just One Kiss is the story of Jake McKenna, a sport enthusiast and owner of Whisper Lake’s Adventure Sports and Hannah Stark, an emergency room nurse. Hannah and Jake were high school sweethearts, but Jake stood Hannah up for prom and then cheated on her the same night, publicly humiliating Hannah. Both Hannah and Jake left Whisper Lake after graduation and have only recently returned home. Hannah has done everything to avoid Jake when in his nearby. Jake rescues Hannah on a snowy day when she gets a flat tire when checking on a problem at her family’s rental cabin. When Hannah gets to the cabin she discovers a four year old boy, Brett on the couch. It turns out Brett is the son of Hannah’s sister, Kelly who left home fifteen years ago. As the spirit of Christmas embraces Hannah and Jake, Hannah lets her walls crumble and lets Jake back into her heart and love. I love how once again, Barbara Freethy incorporates the title of the book in to the story when Hannah tells Jake that it only took “just one kiss” for her to fall in love with him. I love that both Hannah and Jake share secrets with each other, especially Jake, whose secret cost him his relationship with Hannah. I love that they were both so vulnerable and that Hannah changed because of Jake’s rekindled love. I loved that Just One Kiss is a more than just a romance, there are dilemmas that both Hannah and Jake are facing that need to be resolved. I love that there were multiple storylines: trying to locate Kelly, Hannah’s relationship with her mother, Katherine a recovering alcoholic, Jake’s relationship with his father, Davis, but most importantly Hannah and Jake’s story. I love how all the storylines get so beautifully resolved because of the miracles of Christmas. I love all the descriptions of the Whisper Lake setting that Barbara Freethy detailed, it makes me want to visit. Just One Kiss is filled with the poignant and bittersweet moments in the story as well as the plot twists, that I have come to love and expect in Barbara Freethy’s stories. I love the cast of characters in Just One Kiss and I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Who doesn’t love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? Reading Just One Kiss felt like a family reunion, because the reader was able to catch up with the other characters in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed Just One Kiss, who doesn’t love a second chance at first love story.