She’s a single mom holding on to her job. He’s a career man focused on his business. Can they put the past behind them in order to build a future together? When Filipe Romano arrives at the beach resort, his newest acquisition, he plans to complete renovations quickly before moving on to his next property. But a stumbling block arises when he discovers Celeste, the sister of his deceased best … sister of his deceased best friend, is an employee at the resort’s aquarium, which he intends to sell. To complicate matters more, he has unresolved feelings for Celeste and blames himself for the accident that killed her brother.
Celeste Ferreira, a stressed single mom, needs a miracle. Without any means to start over, she clings to the job she loves as aquarist at the SoliMar Aquarium. After she discovers the new owner is Filipe, an old family friend, their history makes it hard for Celeste to trust him, especially with her position in peril.
Though closing down the aquarium makes good financial sense, Filipe finds himself reluctant to disappoint Celeste and decides to help her with the repairs for the upcoming inspection. But is working side by side enough to forget the past and build a new future, or is the pain between them too deep to move on?
The Romano Family series follows the stories of the Romano cousins of northern Portugal as they find love and their Happily-Ever-Afters. Each book may be read as a stand-alone.
Books in the Romano Family series:
– Book 1- Hold Me At Twilight
– Book 2- Meet Me At Sunrise
– Book 3- Love Me At Sunset
– Book 4- Keep Me At Christmas
– Book 5- Kiss Me At Midnight
– Book 6- Marry Me At Dawnmore
This was a great second chance romance- well, more like a rekindled friendship that turned into more. The characters were so likeable and I really enjoyed their relationship as they quickly got to know each other again. I didn’t feel connected to their emotions, but the story was compelling and kept me reading. The setting is lovely and I always appreciate the way the author makes me feel like I am visiting the beautiful locations. There are strong themes that are explored such as forgiveness, trust, grief, and hope. There is some conflict brought into the story with resentment from one of Celete’s coworkers and her unreliable ex-husband. I wish we had gotten a little more closure about why the coworker was so vindictive, but that’s kind of like life- we don’t always get all the answers. I was pleased with Celeste and Filipe’s happy ending and another wonderful story in the Romano family series.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I am SUCH a fan of the Romanos! I’m reading this latest installment right now and loving it!
He was not only her brother’s best friend, but he was her good friend, too.
He ghosted her after her brother died.
When they meet up twelve years later they each secretly realize they still love the other. They do have the deep conversation that clears up their past heartbreak, but stuff happens to interfere with their present chances….
https://www.amazon.com/review/R19MQMCWDFVRB6/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8
An entraining story that will warm your heart…
A single mother… a very busy man… a happy child…
When the destiny bring together Celeste and her brother’s best friend, fate is set up…
A story for all… don’t miss it!
Kiss Me At Midnight is a wonderful addition to the Romano Family series as well as being a great stand-alone book. This is a lovely, well written story and I enjoyed the aquarium setting and the swans … not the usual place to suddenly find an old friend! Lucas is an absolute delight and catching up with some characters from previous books in this series is lovely. Celeste and Filipe have a second chance but will they take it? I definitely recommend you get this book and find out .. you will not be disappointed.
As a single mother, Celeste has her hands more than full. But this is nothing new. Even when she was married, she didn’t have support from her husband. Despite this, she dotes on her sweet son, Lucas, and cares for him the best she can. She has experienced so much loss in her life and feels like she is pretty much alone. . .
Author Lucinda Whitney has written another sweet romance. As Celeste and Filipe learn to trust and forgive, their story touched my heart. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow despite obstacles and loved Celeste’s little five-year-old son. I also liked the way the swans played a consistent role in the story.
Though part of me cheered when Filipe dealt with one of the big crises, it really wasn’t very appropriate the way he did it. Not giving any spoilers, I’ll just say – it should have been done in private. True, it wouldn’t have been as dramatic, yet it would have been the right way to handle it.
While the characters in this book in may appear in other stories from the series, it is not necessary to read them to appreciate this one.
Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Filipe Romano discovers his deceased best friend’s sister Celeste is working at the aquarium his company acquired. He feels guilty for his friend’s death because he wanted to take Celeste out on a date with his car and wouldn’t let Eduardo borrow it, so Eduardo took his motorcycle instead and ended up dying in an accident. He’s lived with the guilt for 12 years and has keep away from Celeste and her family because of it. Now she’s a struggling single mom dealing with a deadbeat ex-husband and a cruel boss. Can they find a way back together? Celeste’s little boy Lucas was so cute. Filipe was a knight in shining armor coming to Celeste’s rescue several times in the book. It was great to catch up with the rest of Romano clan from previous stories.
Kiss Me At Midnight #5 – Another wonderful, clean, fun story from Portugal and the Romano family. A well written, warmhearted romance set in a hotel and aquarium, with a second chance for two people who knew each other as children. The characters are realistic and believable including their dialog. Most are likable and some are even lovable, but there’s a nasty, too. The storylines are interesting and keep the reader immersed in the pages with the intrigue and suspense of events. You don’t have to read the previous books in this series, but why not? They’re all very good. 5*
All the books are well written, with interesting characters and realistic dialog, and intriguing storylines. The books are clean and don’t have the annoying Stupid formula. (Characters act immature, don’t communicate their feelings and problems while having sex all the time they’re together: the Stupid formula.) Ms. Whitney shows that the plots can have suspense and intrigue without the stupidity.
Lucinda Whitney, Hold Me At Twilight #1- A well written, warmhearted romance with more members of the Romano family, featured in Meet Me At Sunrise. The believable, interesting characters and plot grab your attention and the next thing you know, the story is finished too quickly. There’s an overview of the book, which I appreciate. Two of the characters from this book are main characters in Meet Me At Sunrise, a delightful novel. 5*
Lucinda Whitney, Meet Me At Sunrise #2 – Clean, fun, romantic. A well written, warmhearted romance set on a river cruise ship, with a touch of intrigue. The believable, interesting characters and plot grab your attention and the next thing you know, the story is finished. There’s an overview of the book, which I appreciate. Two of the main characters were introduced in Meet Me At Twilight, another delightful read. I contacted the author to review her books. 5*
Lucinda Whitney, Love Me At Sunset #3 – Another well written, intriguing romance with some characters we’ve met before, both good and bad. They’re believable and realistic. The plot is well thought out and is more than just a romance. The Romano family series has been entertaining and hopefully, there may be more? There’s an overview of the story, which I appreciate knowing what the book is about before reading it. 5*
Keep Me At Christmas #4 – Another clean, fun, romance spanning two countries. Just as well written as the rest of the Romano Family series of books. I look forward to reading every story from Ms. Whitney. She doesn’t believe in stupid formulas and her stories prove it. Just wonderful people trying to do the best they can and the right thing, too. The characters communicate and work problems out; they don’t fight, flight or act stupid. As always, the rest of Romanos appear to say hello and give updates to their stories. I wish there were more Jacks in the world, instead of the modern-man-type of today. A well written, warmhearted romance Has an overview of the story, which I appreciate knowing. 5*
Second Chances
If you’ve been following the Romano Family saga you will recognize many of the couples and family members (Easter eggs!) but the story stands on its own quite nicely as the protagonists from a budding high school romance meet again a decade later. Life has taken on a number of twists and turns for each–now, suddenly, he’s her boss! Charming and sweet with a wonderful sense of family and love plus a bit of travelogue for Portugal–where I now want to visit!
Kiss Me At Midnight is the latest book about the Romano family. I have loved each book and am grateful that the Romano family is a large one. The could be so many more books. This is a sweet romance built on a second chance. Celeste and Felipe were great. Celeste’s son Lucas who loves swans is a real highlight of the story. Forgiveness is also a big theme. Whenever a new book from Lucinda Whitney arrives, I drop everything until it is finished. I highly recommend this series of books.
Having read all the previous books in this series, I was so pleased that I was able to enjoy Filipe’s story. Filipe Romano had buried himself in his work, trying to forget past mistakes. When the past makes an unexpected appearance, Filipe is thrown, as is Celeste who finds herself in his employ. As in the past, Filipe and Celeste find it impossible to stay away from each other, realising that all the old feelings have returned with a vengeance. Preparing for his newest acquisition to make its debut, Felipe realises that he has another problem, mainly the aquarium that had been left in abeyance after the death of the previous owner, that now belongs to him. His first thought was to sell the aquarium, but when he begins to understand the meaning that it has to Celeste and her young son, he has second thoughts. The book is well written and as with all of Ms Whitney’s books, it is warmly romantic without any bedroom scenes, making it suitable for most age groups. Filipe is a strong and caring hero, whilst Celeste is a relatable, hardworking and resourceful woman who is able to take care of herself. Nevertheless having Filipe’s strength, gives her the courage to face the new developments in her life. This story is part of a series and a number of the characters from previous novels appear in this one too, but it is nevertheless a standalone and comes to a happy and romantic conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I love when another Romano Family book comes out. It’s a large family so there could be oh so many more books in the future. This is Filipe Romano’s story and it’s a great second-chance-at-love story. Filipe is about to open his SoliMar Beach resort and finds out he’s the new owner of the aquarium next to the resort. The aquarium has seen better days and he’s been advised to sell it. Complications arise in more ways than one when he realizes one of the workers at the aquarium is Celeste Ferreira, a girl he was friends with and dated twelve years ago.
Celeste is a single mom of an adorable little boy, Lucas, who’s struggling to make a life for them without any family support. What will she do if Filipe sells the aquarium? Can she forgive him for what happened so long ago and give him a second chance?
I loved this story, but wondered if Celeste and Filipe would’ve gotten their second chance at love if it hadn’t been for the adorable Lucas. He’s just as much a part of the story as the two main characters. Celeste is a strong woman trying to get by on her own, and isn’t sure if she can trust Felipe again even though the feelings she once had for him come back in full force.
I loved Felipe and how he treated Lucas. They were so sweet together especially with the swans and collecting seashells. Felipe has a naturally caring nature and I swooned when he took care of them when they were both sick.
Of course there’s someone there to try to keep them from their happily ever after, but luckily that doesn’t last long. I look forward to reading more Romano Family books!
This story of Filipe and Celeste is now one of my favorites
This author is amazing how she writes so true to life and gets your right in the heart!
A sweet romance.
Filipe ran away from Celeste because of guilt. Celeste moved on and had a son Lucas. Sparks fly when these two are reunited years later. I kept thinking – if only you had had a talk Filipe wouldn’t have fled – but then Lucas wouldn’t be. He is an adorable little boy who connects quickly with Filipe. I never really got why Alice disliked Celeste. Loved the ending. Hope the Romano family series never ends.
This is one of my favorite Romano books. Celeste is a single mom to her precious son, Lucas. Filipe is a successful business, but he doesn’t flaunt it or take advantage of it. He is living with guilt over his best friend’s death. Eduardo was the brother of Celeste. Celeste’s and Filipe’s relationship was just getting started, when he left, without saying goodbye. Imagine Celeste’s surprise, when Filipe is the new owner of the SoliMar beach resort and the aquarium. Celeste loves her job, but Alice, the assistant director of the aquarium, gives her a rough time as much as possible. Will Celeste and Filipe be able to rekindle a relationship or is his guilt still eating him up? I highly recommend this wonderful second chance book.
This is a charming story that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.
I love the Romano family and so I was excited to be able to Filipe’s story. This is sweet with an interesting back story to keep you entertained. I loved when we learned more about Celeste and Filipe’s past together. And it’s impossible not to love Lucas.
An amazing sweet heartwarming entertaining second chance romance. This smooth flowing romance has some suspense as someone is trying to keep them from being together. It’s an engaging storyline that has heartache, healing, surprises, learning to trust, and amazing family traditions and tender love and caring that had me listening chapter after chapter. It beautifully narrated bring all emotions and scenes to life.
Kiss Me at Midnight (Book 5) is a fabulous romance that isn’t easy to put down. It has characters that will stir your heart and it will make you sigh happily with just enough suspense to keep the story moving.
Filipe Romano is the new owner of SoliMar beach resort, which comes with an aquarium that isn’t making any money. He has plans to fix it up in order to sell, but when he finds an old childhood sweetheart that he left behind years ago working there, he begins questioning his plans.
Celeste Ferreira knew Filipe growing up, but hasn’t seen him since her brother’s funeral. She was a teenager then, but now she’s a single mother and works at the SoliMar Aquarium. Life has been hard, but she keeps going with a positive smile for her son’s sake. Becoming reacquainted with Filipe brings a whole gamut of emotions her way, which complicates her life further. She wonders why he left in the first place and he struggles with having to face the past.
This is a clean romance and another wonderful edition to the Romano Family series. Each story is a stand-alone, written in chronological order.
I received an ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.