ARC Review : What's in a Kiss? by Lauren Kate



 What's in a Kiss? by Lauren Kate
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Publisher : G.P. Putnam's Sons
Publication Date July 2nd, 2024
From # 1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate comes an enemies-to-lovers “what if” romance about a prom kiss that never was, and one woman’s magical chance to live what might have been.
This is not how Liv wanted to see Jake Glasswell for the first time in ten years. Once her high school rival and the prom date who humiliated her, now a successful TV personality, he’s more attractive than he has any right to be. And he’s her Lyft passenger.Since the prom night kiss that never was, Liv’s life has not gone to plan. She deferred Julliard to be with her mom during a crisis, and now swears she’s happy as a recently furloughed drama teacher going on no-strings dates. This weekend she’s maid of honor to her best friend, Masha, and, of course, Jake is the best man. But when Liv glares into Jake’s eyes as Masha says, “I do,” the universe turns on its axis and Liv is suddenly living a version of her life where prom night was the beginning of her and Jake, not the end, and it turns out he’s the love of her life. The catch? Her mom and Masha hate her now. 
What’s in a kiss? Maybe everything.

B&N
When I read the blurb for What's In A Kiss by Lauren Kate with its alternate reality theme, I knew I had to read it! I had also read this author's YA series when I was a teen so I was really curious about her current romcoms too!⁣
Olivia Dusk has been working hard to help her bff Masha with her wedding planning and she wants to make sure that everything goes well. Liv's life hasn't gone completely according to her plans and after a humiliating prom night ten years ago, she'll be meeting her high school rival - Jake Glasswell for the first time in ages at Masha's wedding as he's the best man. Liv put her acting dreams on hold after her father passed away and after losing her job as a drama teacher she's been making ends meet by waitressing and Lyft driving when she can. And Jake has been very successful in the meantime with his very popular talk show and he's her Lyft passenger now - not the way she imagined meeting him😶😂⁣
After some last minute mishaps, Masha and Eli's wedding goes on smoothly but as they're saying their vows, Liv suddenly finds herself in an alternate reality - one where she's a successful actress, and she and Jake are together after a kiss on their prom night. But she's not close to her mom or Masha here! Could a kiss change so many things? ⁣
This was a fun rom-com with many hilarious moments! Liv had an easygoing personality and it was hard not to root for her! I also liked the fact that Liv and Jake didn't have a silly rivalry that was dragged out for many years - there's some professional envy involved along with some unspoken things, but Liv quickly realizes them as soon as she lands in their alternate reality. Their romance was pretty sweet and I loved their banter! While I did like her relationship with her mom irl, we didn't get a full picture of their estrangement in the other life. I would have liked an extended epilogue with more details about Liv and Jake's future too, but it was a very satisfying read in the end!

You can also find this review on my bookstagram here


*I was provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Lauren Kate is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Young Adult series Fallen and Teardrop, as well as The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove. Her adult novels include By Any Other Name and The Orphan’s Song. Her middle grade debut novel, One True Wish, will publish in April 2023. Her books have been translated into more than 30 languages. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.


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