He broke her heart. Now, he’s back, and he’s determined to show her what they had isn’t over. . . and he can prove it with just one kiss.Single mother Carly Collins likes predictability. However, when her son Jaden’s health is threatened, her neatly controlled world is tossed into a tailspin. Nothing is certain anymore, especially her feelings for Josh Dixon, Jaden’s father, her first love and … first love and the man responsible for shattering her heart sixteen years ago.
When Josh Dixon walked out of Harbor Pointe, he left behind his only shot at a real family. Now a successful tech mogul, the town rebel has found a cause—ensure his son’s recovery and prove to Carly and Jaden that he’s not the same guy he was back then.
Carly and Josh are forced to wade through messy emotions and questions that have gone unanswered for years, which would be easier if not for the pesky feelings, every bit as strong and impossible to ignore as they ever were.
Will forgiveness win, giving Carly and Josh a second chance at love . . . or will the past prove too much to overcome?
A small town romance about first love second chances and how our most beautiful life might look nothing like we planned.
“Original, romantic, and emotional. Walsh doesn’t just write the typical romance novel. . . She makes you feel for all the characters, sometimes laughing and sometimes crying along with them.” ~Romantic Times
Other books by Courtney Walsh
Contemporary Romance
Just Look Up
Just Let Go
Change of Heart
Paper Hearts
Women’s Fiction
Hometown Girl
Things Left Unsaid
Sweethaven Novels
A Sweethaven Romance: Novella
A Sweethaven Summer
A Sweethaven Homecoming
A Sweethaven Christmas
Contemporary Romance Collection
Right Where We Belong
more
Just One Kiss hooked me with the return to Harbor Pointe. I’ve enjoyed the characters, settings, and love found.
What surprised me about this book: Josh Dixon. Y’all, I seriously did not expect to like him. At. All! But I did. He quickly wormed his way into my heart and I just couldn’t help but root for him. Seriously, this is probably one of the few times that I liked the guy way more than the girl. What can I say, I’m a sucker for redemptive characters.
What I didn’t like: Ms. Walsh giving me a heart attack with Jaden’s health. I won’t go into a lot of detail but those scenes had me on pins and needles. That is all I’m going to say.
What made me swoon: that one kiss. If you read it, you know it. If not, you’ll know it when you get to it.
All in all, my return trip to Harbor Pointe was as good as I expected with some sweet surprises and a deserving hero.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.
I’m gonna start out saying I LOVE LOVE LOVE reunion stories. (Books where the main characters share a romantic past.) It creates conflict straightaway with their beautifully messy relationship. And this book was no different. Carly harbors a mountain of hurt against Josh, and he only wants a chance to prove himself—to show her that he’s capable of being the man she needs. But oh, that opportunity isn’t easily procured. Josh must earn it.
What’s I found so engaging about this book is the witty banter with Carly and Josh. And let me just say—the chemistry!!! When there’s an undeniable spark between the main characters, then the entire book is remarkably interesting. Another thing that’s worth noted is the depth of the characters. They’re not cookie cutter personalities, but rather layered, complex.
I appreciated the theme of how forgiveness is the key to unlocking the freedom to love again. This author dealt with some sensitive topics with delicate brushes of grace, revealing that past hurts are never too deep for God to reach in with His healing touch.
*I was given a copy by the author. All opinions are my own.
“Nobody in all his years had ever shown him that kind of grace. It had been one of his life’s greatest gifts…”
Wow. This is the first Courtney Walsh book I have read and I’m wishing for extra 6 hours a day for the next week so that I can read all of her books I have languishing away on my TBR pile in my bookcase and my e-reader without any interruption. The author’s writing totally blew me away with its raw intensity, honesty, and gritty emotion. The plot is superbly crafted with a seamless weaving of flashbacks with the present day and perfectly timed revelations of past secrets. The characters are incredible and the element of faith is strong and consistent.
I surprisingly connected right away with Josh, a man who left his girlfriend and newborn son 16 years ago. He’s grown up, found success, reconnected with his son Jaden but still is hurting from his past. His kind faithful heart has been shadowed for too long due to his self-recrimination. When he is called back to his hometown due to Jaden’s illness, he seizes the opportunity to make amends. Josh’s salvation story is pretty amazing and he takes his redemption quite seriously. Carly is still angry, hurt, and wary from how Josh left her but, as she and Josh spend time together for Jaden’s sake, she realizes that her view of their past may be skewed. Jaden is an unbelievable 16 year old with his solid faith and confidence.
This heart-stirring novel about forgiveness, second chances, and grace will burrow deep into your soul. It’s book 3 in Harbor Pointe novels but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. If you enjoy well-written contemporary romance, you will definitely love this book.
I received a copy of the book from the author and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
This was such a sweet and moving story. I love the second chance trope, so this story about a single mother, Carly, having to deal with Josh, her son’s father, hooked me in quick. I loved the character arch of both. Carly has put up walls around her heart, not wanting to get hurt, yet is still incredibly attracted to Josh. Due to things in his past, Josh has stayed away, thinking he was doing the right thing. When circumstances surrounding their son force them together, sparks fly and emotions run high. I think my favorite part was Josh’s deep and abiding love for Carly and his determination to move slow and show Carly that things are different-he is different. What a beautiful steady dance these two performed! It was a fantastic romance full of heart.
3.5 stars
“I would do anything, for you Carly Collins. And that’ll be true until the day I die.”
Promises. Promises. Josh Dixon made them and then walked right out of Carly Collins’ life, leaving her to raise their son as a single mom while he went off and eventually made a literal fortune. Now Carly and their sixteen year old son Jaden need him; perhaps this the opportunity that he has been praying for, to finally make things right. The underlying question remains, will Carly ever forgive him?
Carly Collins would have thought that living sixteen years without laying eyes on Josh Dixon would have eradicated any visceral reactions to him, but there’s a part of her that is glad that he showed up; their son’s health is in jeopardy and while the road to recovery seems possible, Jaden’s future as an elite athlete appears bleak. As Josh and Carly become parenting partners for the first time, all the pent up emotions from their past begin an ugly seepage into their present reality. Life has not been the same for either of them, since that tragic misunderstood evening so many years ago.
Second chances make lovely platitudes, but the reality is that broken promises and abandonment are difficult to overcome, even with forgiveness as an ally. Enjoy this author’s lovely ability to paint the emotive ups and downs of Carly and Josh’s attempts to ignore the ramifications of “just one kiss”.
Just when I think Courtney Walsh can’t top her last book, she comes out with this one. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. This book is just plain spectacular!
So what all can I gush about? What was the very best part? Honestly, it was the brilliant interplay between character, plot, and message. Walsh covered an issue close to my heart – domestic abuse – with such tact and emotion, bringing to life the complicated mixed messages, emotional damage, and trauma that endure in our heads and hearts when this life is all too real. In this book, we see the pain, but we also see hope – a hope that encouraged me as I look to my own future.
This book is so much more than a romance. It carries with it a truth and redemption that is much needed for our broken families. I highly encourage anyone to read this one!!!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Just One Kiss by Courtney Walsh is a wonderful second chance inspirational romance set in the small town of Harbor Pointe.
Sixteen years ago Josh Dixon walked away from his family, hometown, the woman he loved and his son. He thought he was leaving for reasons that would keep Carly and Jaden safe, but all of these years later he realizes that he still loves them and wants to prove that they can have a second chance at being a family.
Carly Collins has done everything she could to raise her son alone since Josh walked out of their lives all those years ago. She did what she could to push through each day, but when Jaden’s health is threatened she realizes that she can’t do it on her own any longer and reaches out to his father. Asking for his strength and support is challenging enough, but forgiving him for leaving is even harder. Can they forgive and forget their past and move on to being the family that they were always meant to be or are their emotions going to become a roadblock that they are unable to get through?
I absolutely loved this story with all of its heartfelt emotions and brutal honesty. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more stories from Courtney Walsh in the future.
Hidden in inside this adorable cover is a story that will sneak up on you with its depth! Courtney Walsh knows how to balance characters with real issues and an engaging plot to create stories that are real and that everyone can relate with on some level. This story was so worth the read! I love Courtney Walsh’s writing! She proves to me time and time again that contemporary romance novels can be meaningful and tug at your heartstrings. Loved it! All the feels!
Just One Kiss by Courtney Walsh isn’t your ordinary sweet romance story where two people meet, fall in love, marry and live happily ever-after. No, this love story is full of young love, unexpected pregnancies, love lost, serious medical issues, and unaddressed deep emotional pain. Courtney Walsh presents a realistic and well-developed storyline with characters that pull at the reader’s heartstrings.
Over sixteen years ago, Josh Dixon walked away from his childhood sweetheart, Carly Collins and their young infant son, Jaden. Although Carly keeps in touch with Josh to inform him about their son, father and son do not have a relationship. Carly has built a life and home for herself and Jaden through hard work and tenacity, one that is tightly controlled without surprises.
After a fall, Jaden is diagnosed with a serious medical issue, one that draws Josh back to his hometown immediately. Realizing the seriousness of his son’s medical issue, Josh, who runs his own very successful business, determines to stay in town to be near Jaden. Experiencing a myriad of conflicting emotions, Carly must process the past, present and possible future relationship with Josh. Still angry for his abandonment, Carly needs to determine if she can forgive Josh, and if she does what does that mean for her heart, recognize the love is still there or let things be status quo?
Josh and Jaden begin spending a lot of time together, developing the father-son relationship both have longed for. As Jaden prepares for the chance of a lifetime, Carly does not welcome Josh’s fatherly input. Tempers flare. Hopes diminish, then spark again.
After years as childhood friends, it was one kiss that set the couple on a romantic path; can just one kiss set them back on the path once again?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own, and freely given.
Real. Wholesome. Relatable characters. Swoony kisses. Pull at my mama heart-strings. Second chances. These phrases and so many more are the first things I think of when trying to describe this book. Oh my word this was a good book. First of all, I know Courtney Walsh is an amazing writer. She has a talent in grabbing your attention, making you fall in love with her characters, and putting some amazing stories together. But this? This surprised me in so many ways.
Let’s start with Josh. I tried to dislike him so much. And I think to start with, maybe Walsh wrote him in a way that she expects readers to do that. Then gradually you learn little bits of his past. You see a human side to him. You see him actually keep promises. Then all of a sudden, BAM. Yeah, he’s a dreamy character. You’re cheering for him, waiting for him to mess up and make up for it, and anticipating that moment when he finally gets the girl. You almost forget why you didn’t like him to begin with. Almost.
Then there’s Carly. She reminds me so much of myself at times. The worrier – wanting to keep her child in a bubble, scared of what the world will do to him. When there is a tragic accident (sorry no spoilers), I literally cried. I could feel Carly’s emotions, all of them. I could easily imagine my family in a similar situation and it was absolutely heartbreaking. But then Walsh does her magic writing again, and you see the hope. You see the power of prayer, the importance of second opinions and research, and ultimately the need to let go. This one is going to get to you folks, I can promise you that.
Amidst this tragedy is the emotional roller coaster of two people who should obviously be together, but have such a giant hurdle to overcome. Walsh revealed at just the right moment why they had split in the past to begin with. It was something that was bothering me for a long time – wanting to know what had happened. But timing is everything. If she had revealed it too soon, you couldn’t have formed all these opinions about this couple like you did while you were waiting. It certainly wouldn’t have had the same impact to the story either. Have I mentioned Walsh is a champ?
At the end of the day, all you need to know is that this is a book you need to read. So many couples out there could benefit from it as well. We all have our problems, and we all have a past. The important thing is to concentrate on today, and let the Creator help you along the way. Yes, this is a book that I’ll be keeping close by. I have a feeling Josh and Carly will be seeing a lot of me in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Harbor Pointe is my kinda town. I’m not a small town kinda gal, but Harbor Pointe is the kind of town I wouldn’t mind living in. Ms. Walsh takes us back there with Carly, Josh, and Jaden’s story.
Ms. Walsh does a great job of revealing the back story of both Carly and Josh which sets up not only their past love story and gives hope for a new one.
I’m a sucker for kids in a novel, and having gotten to know Jaden some in her previous Harbor Pointe novels I was interested to find out more about him. I was not prepared for the health crisis Ms. Walsh placed him in.
I was glad to see Josh take his painful past by the throat and not allow it to control him any longer.
The love story between Josh and Carly is tender, real and romantic. Ms. Walsh has a beautiful way of piecing the romance together that makes the reader swoon and remember when they were swept off their feet.
The redemption, forgiveness, healing and hope that run through the book is like a beautiful ribbon that ties the story together.
I adore this story and can’t say enough great things about it. It is a must read! It can stand alone but I recommend you read the other Harbor Pointe stories to get to know the other secondary characters.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the author. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
(4.5 Stars) Courtney Walsh has a way of drawing me into her books, and I feel like a fly on the wall. This story is a heartwarming, and slightly tragic story, that grasped my heart–pesky feelings and all. Josh and Carly have known each other since childhood and were high school sweethearts, but he bolted when things got tough. Now he’s back in their lives and when their son, Jaden, has a health care, Josh realizes what’s most important and does what he can to make amends.
I believe in second chances, especially when there’s true remorse and change, which Josh shows. That doesn’t mean it’s easy for Carly to trust him again, but as the onion layers are peeled away from him and his life, startling revelations are made, which really added to the heart tugs.
These characters are so realistic and likable, despite the pothole-ridden road to forgiveness. I loved the elements of religion that were interspersed throughout, as they added to this rough path, giving the story sparkles of hope. The romance wasn’t heavy, and I could have used a dash or two more, but it was vividly real. Hooray for Harbor Pointe and its cozy, small town feels and endearing characters!
Content: mild romance (flashbacks to out-of-wedlock relations with no details; kissing); mild violence (abuse); moderate religion (not preachy)
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
This book is hard to put down! I pretty much devoured it over the course of a Sunday when I wasn’t in church. To start with-the opening scene between Grady and Quinn was adorable and the story ramped up from there. I was so rooting for Josh and Carly to finally find their happily ever after. Josh’s love for Carly is the stuff of legends, to love her for as long he did and the way he did. He truly took “always” literally….and then some!! Talk about sacrificial love in action! Josh’s backstory was brutal and it broke my heart what he went through. I was thrilled when he was finally able to overcome all of it. All in all a lovely story about overcoming trauma and finally finding a happily ever after. A fantastic contemporary love story. This would make a great Hallmark movie…just sayin’! 🙂
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I’m going to keep this review short and sweet because I’m telling you, the story’s going to grab you on its own and then tug at your heartstrings the whole way through. I felt every bit of the soul Walsh poured into the pages of this book and I am so grateful the author allowed us this glimpse into Josh and Carly’s story. Time and again, I found myself wanting to skim through the chapters so I could see how it was going to end at the same time I wanted to just soak in every single word. Beautifully written, a story well told. Can’t wait to see what Walsh writes next, but this one just might be my all-time favorite.
“You don’t have to let the past write your future.”
I’ve come to expect a fantastic story when I pick up a Courtney Walsh book, and Just One Kiss is definitely fantastic! It’s also poignant, heart-wrenching, touching, and absolutely beautiful! Walsh has tackled some hard subjects in this book, and she does it with great sensitivity. She is also a master at creating realistic, broken, but endearing characters. Single mother Carly Collins had her heart broken when Josh Dixon walked away from her and their son Jaden many years ago. Now Josh is back in their lives and he’s hoping for a second chance with them, although secrets from his past are still haunting him.
“He just wanted a second chance—to prove to her he could be the man she needed.”
I loved Josh’s determination and drive to overcome his heart-breaking childhood and make a success of himself. His undying love for Carly was so touching and beautiful, and my admiration for him kept growing throughout the story. The banter and repartee between Carly and Josh were enjoyable, while the angst and hurt from the past added a poignant note. Threads of redemption, forgiveness, hope, and grace are woven into the story and add depth and dimension to make this an unforgettable reading experience. I would recommend this to those who enjoy contemporary romance that is heart-touching and memorable.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Once again, Courtney Walsh takes readers to the small Michigan tourist town of Harbor Point and leaves them both emotionally wrung out and wanting more.
From the moment her mom left, Carly Collins has been the pillar of strength and tenacity people leaned on—her sister, her best friend, and now her son. When sixteen-year-old Jaden is diagnosed with a heart condition that threatens to put an end to his future dreams and her ex returns to town, she’s determined to fortify the wall of protection around her heart.
Josh Dixon has gone above and beyond what anyone in Harbor Pointe expected of the rebellious teenage boy. He’s made a name for himself, built a successful company, and has an impressive bank account balance. Yet, he’s lonely and his biggest regret—leaving Carly and Jaden—haunts him.
Just One Kiss is a story of dreams lost and found again, of the grace and hope found in forgiveness, and of family (the good and the bad). It’s about letting go of the pain of the past to embrace a future beyond your wildest dreams and deepest desires.
This book once again proves that anything written by Walsh is always an excellent choice.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I have read all of Courtney Walsh’s books. They are all excellent and I highly recommend them but Just One KISS is the best one yet! I laughed, I cried, I didn’t want the story to end. Ms. Walsh has a great ability to describe people and places so well I feel like I’m there. The characters come alive! This story deals with first love, second chances, grace and forgiveness. There is a part on domestic violence but it’s not the main storyline and it’s written very well for a difficult subject. Get the book! You won’t be disappointed!
I received an ARC copy for my honest opinion.
Just One Kiss is a near-perfect contemporary romance – one of my new favorites!
Courtney Walsh does a great job of revealing Josh and Carly’s past, endearing them more and more to the reader with each episode of childhood compassion and teenage love. Their pasts meld seamlessly with their adult insecurities and failures – enough to keep them apart for 16 years, but not enough to overcome the affection, love, and chemistry that’s always been there.
A delight to read from beginning to end, with plenty of swoony romance but depth as well. Minor characters – including Grady and Quinn from Just Let Go – are well drawn and integrated into the plot. This one might even merit a re-read.
“I would do anything for you, Carly Collins. And that’ll be true until the day I die.”
“From the very second he had asked her out, Carly knew she would never love anyone the way she loved him.”
New York Times Bestselling Author Courtney Walsh’s latest contemporary romance novel, Just One Kiss, thoroughly captivates her readers with a heartwarming and emotional story that demonstrates the power of true love and redemption through faith and forgiveness.
Josh Dixon has been in love with Carly Collins ever since they were young. The horrors of his childhood continue to haunt him as an adult, and Josh walks out on his chance for a real family with Carly and their infant son. Sixteen years later, Josh returns to Harbor Pointe when his son is hospitalized, and he is determined to win Carly back. Walsh weaves together a powerful story of romance, humor, and second chances as their son’s recovery brings Josh and Carly together and Josh attempts to overcome the painful memories of his childhood.
Readers will find themselves laughing out loud at the banter between Josh and Carly and wiping away tears as they discover the pain that Josh endured growing up and the life-changing secret that his parents have kept from him all these years. Courtney Walsh is a master of contemporary romance, and readers will be rooting for Josh Dixon to finally get his girl back. Courtney Walsh is one of my favorite must-read authors, and I think that Just One Kiss is her best novel yet! This novel will definitely be one of my top reads for 2019.
With his short dark hair, charismatic personality, and his tortured past, Josh is the perfect hero for readers to fall in love with. His never-ending love and devotion to Carly will have readers swooning and begging Carly to give Josh a second chance. Courtney Walsh was able to make me laugh out loud and also brought me to tears in this novel, so be ready with a box of tissues!
Trust me…this is one contemporary romance novel that you want to be sure to read!
Just One Kiss is highly recommended for fans of contemporary romance and for readers who enjoy novels by authors such as Denise Hunter, Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, and Susan May Warren. For readers who have never read a novel by Courtney Walsh, this is the perfect opportunity! You will not be disappointed!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
“Easy, laid back and sexy as all get out. That pretty much summed up Josh Dixon. And none of those things were what she should be thinking about right now. Untrustworthy, unreliable and unfaithful. That’s what she should be thinking.”
“He’d forgotten how much he liked her. She wasn’t like other women. She was smart and funny and a little bit sarcastic. She pushed his buttons and she made him want to be better. A deep sense of longing pulsed through his body. He just wanted a second chance—to prove to her he could be the man she needed. God, that’s all I’m asking for.”
Well. I have finally read it, after pining over the storyline and the cover (‘kay, seriously, the cover is just to die for).
I still haven’t full processed my feelings on this book. The story line was great, deep and dark and that’s how I love my books. Josh’s past, and his willingness to change in the present really touched me. Courtney really did her research on the subjects in the novel, and it showed, though I honestly wish the whole book could’ve been in Josh’s POV.
Carly…I did like her. I understood her feelings of mistrust and frustration – at times, anger. But it still ticked me off how she’d switch back and forth between believing in Josh and despising him. It would’ve done Carly some good to do some research into the affects of abuse in an adult’s life.
There were two things I didn’t like so much. 1) Josh and Carly obviously slept together several times in their past, but there wasn’t much “this is wrong” going on. I would’ve liked to see them apologize to each other for their mistakes in that area so that it would come across as a sin (though forgiveable). 2) There was A LOT of physical…lust going on. Obviously attraction is necessary in romance and I love a good kiss scene, but it was just … a lot.
So. Five stars because the story line was great, I enjoyed the writing and how gently Courtney dealt with Josh’s story. And Jaden. Oh, he’s the best.