Kiss the Girl (Soho Loft Romances)

So it has taken me close to nine months to write this review. That's how LONG this book has been sitting with me on a daily basis; how long it has taken me to come down off of it's high; how long I have waited for my overwhelming feels for this novel to subside enough to put words to paper (screen?) about the wonderful joy and awesomeness that is Kiss the Girl. And yet - none of that has actually happened. It still sits with me constantly, and I find myself reflecting on it on a daily basis. I am still riding the "high" of the impact of the novel on my soul. I still have overwhelming feels and wondrous joy and an envelopment of mind-bending awesomeness in regards to this perfected novel from the Queen of Lesbian Romance, Melissa Brayden. I can't gush enough.This novel was life-changing, and in such a feel-good, warm and fuzzy kind of way.Outgoing Brooklyn Campbell and her fabulous friends run the cutest little boutique advertising agency this side of the Hudson River in New York City. The Soho Savvy company is finally starting to get some recognition, and finds itself fighting for an account against one of the biggest agencies in the city. Those that have the best ideas, the most clever marketing campaigns, the biggest hits across the market - that company will be the winner. Brooklyn's head is completely in the game, working hard with her friends to kick the big boys out of the competition with their unique ideas and killer designs. But one fateful day, Brooklyn finds herself stranded in a bar after a rather unfortunate series of incidents, and runs into the most beautiful woman she's ever seen. They talk, they flirt, they get to know one another, and Brooklyn finds herself on the receiving end of a "Cinderella" kiss at the end of the night, complete with a hasty exit by the brunette who completely derailed her focus from her current life. As the two women find themselves getting closer, Brooklyn discovers exactly who this woman is, and doesn't know how to proceed, if she even can.This was not the first book by Melissa Brayden that I read. I actually read the Soho Savvy series out of order on my first experience, starting with the second novel in the series, Just Three Words. My first book by Melissa Brayden overall was Heart Block back in the summer of 2014, and didn't pick up one of her books (the above mentioned Just Three Words) until it's pre-release on NetGalley in March/April of 2015. After that, I was hooked, and bought all of Brayden's books, including this one. But the one thing that was different about this novel compared to the rest, is absolutely everything.I think we can all agree that Melissa Brayden knows what she's doing when it comes to writing novels. She captures her characters, and in that, captures her readers. She provides descriptions and stories and connections within her novels that is basically literature crack for the Lesbian Romance reader! Kiss the Girl is no different in that capacity, but then it is so much more. The depictions of her characters are spot on - from Brooklyn herself to her friends at the Soho Savvy agency, to the illustrious Jessica Lennox - they are all perfection.Let me segue here and state that Brayden has managed to create a character in Jessica Lennox that I have big-time crush-worthy feelings for, none that I've had so vehemently since my big crush of Hermione Granger sprouted when I was in my preteens. Please understand how BIG of a statement that is in my world. Hermione Granger has forever been my "it" girl, and has never been in danger of losing her place from her pedestal for going-on 20 years (almost 18 at this time to be exact). Those are big shoes to fill, and Jessica Lennox has managed to shake the sturdy foundation that Hermione stands on. Let me reiterate - this is BIG NEWS. And let me reiterate as well - Melissa Brayden has managed to write a character that so beautifully captured my heart and made this occur. Her characters are THAT good.But aside from the beauty of each and every character within this novel, the story has one of the best and most believable timelines and arcs that I've read. The beauty in the way the side stories line up with the main plot, and how those characters grow in succession with Brooklyn and Jessica - the whole thing amazes me to no end. Either Melissa Brayden was meticulous in the way this story would play it, and planned it down to each and every crossover detail, or her talent exceeds even beyond what I initially understood, and she is just a God of word and prose. You know what, let's just go with the latter - I'm pretty sure she's just a literature God.I'm not even sure if I've given you anything of worthy note about this novel as a piece of literature, but instead just used my words to squee over and over about how amazing this book was to me instead. But if anything, take this away from this review:Read it. Embrace it. Do yourself a favor and provide it to yourself as a reward for being awesome. There is nothing about this novel that won't delight any reader, I can guarantee this.In fact, if you by some chance DO find something that just makes you hate this novel, I REALLY want to hear about it! Truly! I have yet to find someone that did not enjoy this novel, and always appreciate seeing both sides to every outcome. Please, personally contact me to tell me what you hated. I will actually be happy to receive your comments!But seriously, read this book. And love Melissa Brayden. She is an amazing writer and more. I will fangirl over her until the end of time.

I really love this book it was a very good love story. I could not put it down and read in two days. I love the two main characters and their friends. It was a beautiful to get to each other

I would’ve liked more competition and tension I think before these two hit it off. It was almost immediately lovey. Also, the friend group are Karens who yell at Starbucks baristas? Ew. Mallory is not a name people routinely get wrong, either 🙃 love brook’s background and her character arc with that, but the third act breakup is never a good trope & made her seem very juvenile.

Caught the whole Soho loft romance series backwards ready or not then just thre words. But in the long run o enjoyed the all three. Nicely done.

This book has quickly become my absolute favorite. The characters are wonderfully flawed in their own ways; while there are multiple characters, it was easy to follow along with each of them. I absolutely love the dynamic between Jessica and Brooklyn, the witty banter and cute flirting has me physically blushing at points! I even said “no no no” out loud near the end. Wonderfully written story. Can’t wait for the rest of this series!

I've read this book multiple times since its release and it never fails to entertain me. It's a great story because there's some great storytelling, even though it's a romance. The romance which is centered around Brooklyn and Jessica who are rivals from different advertising companies almost, and I mean almost, takes a second stage to the multiple enchanting characters. Brooklyn is 1 of 4 in a group of intelligent, funny, and sassy girls who are all best friends from college who have founded an advertising company together. Their friendship is one to be envied by all as they all consider each other equal best friends. Their dynamic 4-way friendship is crafted masterfully as they seem to be able to finish each other's sentences, have their own shorthand, and are utterly loyal to one another. Now when Brooklyn and Jessica unexpectedly meet in a wine bar their chemistry is undeniable and flashes like a wildfire when they kiss before departing their unexpected evening. Jessica has an amazing development as well. She is a brutal shark when it comes to business, but after meeting and gradually getting to know Brooklyn she realizes there is so much more to living as seen through Brooklyn's playful outlook. It's truly beautiful to watch her hard shell melt away bit by bit. Sparks and tension fly when the 2 realize that they are in direct competition with each other. There's a sub plot as well where Brooklyn, along with Jessica's help, manages to contact her birth mom who gave her up for adoption as a baby. I am adopted myself and I can say that I am duly impressed how Brooklyn's feelings and expectations were realized with such accuracy. This is really one of the best romances I've ever read because it just has everything - polished writing, engaging and thoroughly layered characters, and a plot line that makes me really care how these amazing women navigate their good times and bad times. Truly at the top of the heap of Lesbian romances, you must have this one for your collection.

Omg I totally forgot what a menace Brooks is when driving!Thank goodness for bad memory, I had the chance to experience all the joy this book was capable of giving as much as the first time. The witty, quirkiness, banter were of course the reason I first fell in love with these amazing women, but their sweetness, adaptability, their ability to listen to each other and resilience, especially Brooks, are what sealed the deal to me.And talking about Brooklyn Campbell, I think I can say with 100% of certainty that she is my favourite character of all the books I've read so far. I mean there's plenty of other great gals out there that come pretty close (oh my Ice Queens and their "thawers"), but she takes the cake.You may want to skip the rest, they may contain some spoiler, how much? who knows, I try my best to be light, but sometimes stuff just...slips 😅.....And she went through so much sheet in life, that I was aching all over again for Brooks. I wish I could hold and protect her from all that is bad in this world. Talking about the bad, the Mallory bit was annoying, I mean I love her, but she can be intense sometimes, "chill, girl!", but she's one of Brooks' champions, in the end her friend happiness was above all.Now about the whole birth family thing... look, I get why Cynthia and Aaron did what they did, I do. I'd never judge them by doing it, the system failed Brooklyn, not them. But what about later, when her family was already settled? Considering they wanted her back in their lives. Their oldest is 6/7 years younger than B, so it didn't take that long right? So when she was 18 and put the request for contact why didn't they had theirs there already waiting for hers? They had over a decade (and that after Ethan was born). Why wait another 10 years? That's where I couldn't forgive them, even if Brooks did. Someone gotta hold the grudge here. I'm y'all's person to do so.These 4 women are awesome! Cannot wait to revisit the rest of their story

Funny, smart and beautiful. So easy to read and who doesn't like a good love story. Love the Soho series.

Goodness, I couldn't put this book down. My heart was ripped out of my chest at one point, but I am happy with the end result.

現在のアメリカの lesbian fictionジャンルを代表する作家の１人、メリッサ・ブレイデンのとても人気のあるソーホー・ロフト・シリーズの第１作です。タイトル通り、思いもよらず偶然知り合ったブルネットの美しい女性との初対面でのキスから恋愛が始まりますが、夕暮れのハックルベリーヒル橋でのキス、ウェストビレッジを白い世界に変え始めた雪降る中でのキスなどなど、とにかく場面も美しい。内容もよく練りこまれていて、それでいて自然に感じ納得できるので、本当に感心します。NY大学のLGBTグループで親友となった４人、それぞれの１０年後の恋愛がシリーズになっています。卒業後、彼らは一緒にトレンディなソーホーにオフィスを構え、広告業界でビジネスを展開しますが、１作目はブルックリン２８歳の恋愛です。ブルックリンは産まれてすぐ養子に出されましたが、重度の喘息の持病があったため６回も養父母が変わり、結局孤児院で高校を卒業しているので、親友たちを家族同様に思っています。ビジネスは４人それぞれの個性を生かして、まだ小さいながらも大きく伸びようとしていますが、すでにビジネスに成功している最大のライバルでレノックスグループのCEO、ジェシカ・レノックスの存在が立ちはだかります。( I love Jess. ジェス、素敵すぎ！）他の小説には見られないほど、スラングを含めたシャレていて面白い『普段の会話』をしている描写がほとんどなので読みやすく、また文法ばかりではなく、まず『話す』という当たり前なことも目的にして英語に接している人なら、とても参考になると思います。作者は南部テキサス在住ですが、こよなく大都会ニューヨークを愛しており、それがかえって、よりニューヨークらしさを醸し出すのかもしれません。

This is a wonderful story and I loved it