A Kiss for a Kiss: All In, Book 4

I loved that this book was different than the rest of the series with more of a middle aged romance with a twist. Being in that age group myself made me appreciate the story and feelings involved from a clearer perspective. It was a great end to this series.

I was so invested in this book from page one! I love the focus on Jake and Hanna but also love how all the other couples are wrapped up in this one, as well. My heart feels full and satisfied and I love that the main characters are in their 40’s, like me! Such a good, easy, heart-happy read!

My journey to complete the books in Helena’s Pucked world continues, and I finally finished the All In series!I gotta say, I think Jake and Hanna’s story was probably my least favorite 🫣 I didn’t dislike them, but I think really I felt mostly indifferent.The conflict didn’t feel… robust enough for me. And the relationship between Jake, Hanna, Queenie and Kingston and the character that is introduced later in the book just wasn’t my favorite.But, Helena still brings on the laughs and the spice, so I did end up loving it in the end. I think I just wouldn’t rank it as my top All In book.

Let's get this out of the way. I loved this book. Yup. Two adults having an adult relationship and adult conversations and no angsty stuff was really great. There's no bad guy. This is a love story about two people figuring out their feelings and slowly working out how to make it work. And then falling in love. And Jake is awesome and lovable and yummy.A Kiss for a Kiss picks up the story of Jake and Hanna as their kids are planning their wedding. It's complicated! (That's a recurring theme of the story.) They have been drawn to each other since the moment they first laid eyes on each other. Finally, one night, they can't control their attraction anymore and decide it won't hurt anyone if they give in to their libido. No feelings involved. Nope. It turns out that one night isn't enough and soon they are sneaking around and getting busy whenever they get the chance. What happens when two adults are insatiable for each other? Sure love happens sometimes but sometimes a baby happens! This book explores how two adults that live on opposite sides of the country can blend their lives and give their baby a happy family.Hanna gets some AWESOME scenes where she gets to deal with all of the hurts and losses of the past 30 years. Her story arc is really powerful. In the end, she is what drives all of the decisions about how she and Jake will raise their baby. Jake thinks he is finally going to be able to make decisions without having to think about his daughter first. He's excited to be able to do what he wants to do whenever he wants to do it. Needless to say, a baby is going to change all of his plans! He is so awesome with Hanna (after the initial shock wears off, but who can blame him for being shocked). His ability to listen to her and allow her to come to her own decisions was amazing. I was rooting for them and I celebrated every step they made towards being together as a couple.The side characters! I wanted to kick Kingston's butt so bad with how he reacted to Hanna's relationship and pregnancy. I get he was confused and hurting but Hanna really needed him. Speaking of the Kingston family, Hanna's mom was super annoying. Right from the get-go, I wanted to sit her down and have a few words with her. Then there's Queenie who was as positive and upbeat as you'd think she would be. And the girl gang was all there. They were super fun! And Hanna's best friend, Paxton is a really great addition. It's cool that she's been with Hanna for 30 years so she has a long view and isn't afraid to share her thoughts. And Jake's friends make an appearance. Honestly, the poker game was much-needed levity because some of the book is really emotional. Men as comic relief is always good!What did I not like? Hmm, I did not make a single note about something I didn't like. I can't think of a single instance where anything pulled me out of the flow of the story. I know! It's a miracle!I would recommend this to anyone that likes a good adult love story. If you are sensitive to high-risk pregnancy issues, this book might be upsetting in a few scenes. This book is a contemporary book set in Seattle and Tennessee. There are some hockey references. I think readers will benefit from reading the prior books in the series but it's not critical to understanding the plot.purchased copy of book on Amazon

This story is everything I never knew I needed- and a unique and empowering take on the surprise baby trope that really spoke to my soul. Jake and Hanna are so special together, their love story is equal parts heart and heat. HH gives us ample doses of nostalgia and her characteristic fun, but most of all she give us a heartfelt and emotionally sincere story of unexpected love, and I simply adored it.Jake is pretty swoony as a leading man, despite some earlier miststeps. He’s pragmatic, responsible, grounded, and protective. A natural caregiver, he so easily loves and supports Hanna in just the way she needs. His solidness and support really helped set the stage for Hanna’s journey in this book- and I just FLOVE HER. She owns my heart. I related to her so intensely, and I felt every complexity of her emotional journey. And what a beautiful and heartwarming journey it is- one told with such affection and kindness from HH as she gradually helps Hanna face the choices and pains of her past because she’s being forced to make decisions and choices about her future. This is a family situation that is truly extraordinary- which only accentuates how amazing Hanna is- the thoughtful, compassionate, and empathetic ways in which she navigates it, while trying toDespite the gravitas of the subject and the incredibly complicated family dynamics of this couple, the angst is relatively low. Our story is mostly sweet and tender, even if the topic isn’t light, with small dashes of drama And, it is a welcome dynamic- particularly as these characters are more mature . What I loved most about this is that this book is just as much about Hanna and Ryan as it is about her and Jake. Because this series is also about this little hockey family- this tight knit group that are the real life team. And, while they’ve made a lot of progress, there is still much to resolve when it comes to the very unusual relationship between Hanna and Jake- feelings that naturally surface as Hanna becomes a mother by surprise yet again, only this time she’s doing it on her terms. I found the evolution of her relationship with Ryan to be just as rewarding as that of Jake and was a wonderful encapsulation of the unusual but sincere depictions of love that HH excels at writing.On a personal note, I’ve not found alot of romance stories that highlight the joys and complications of late in life pregnancies. Stories that celebrate and cherish the voices and journeys of women who perhaps wanted the romantic dream, wanted motherhood, but it has somehow slipped them by. While Hanna is a wonderful character that I think everyone can relate to, I also appreciated her on an intensely personal level. I recognized my own fears, ambitions, loss, and hopes in her- and I’m so grateful to have a character and a love story that reminds me that love can look different and works on its own timetable. Hanna, and her story, will always hold a very special in place in my heart, and I’m so glad that Helena decided to give us her and Jake’s story. My heart is so full.

Helena Hunting revisita o universo do hockey num romance envolvente, charmoso e emocional.A Kiss for a Kiss conta a estória de Jake e Hanna, ambos já na casa dos 40 anos, com suas vidas e carreiras estabilizadas são surpreendidos com uma inesperada gravidez num relacionamento que foi iniciado para ser apenas uma diversão casual.HH concebe uma bela estória de amor que vai além da atração inicial e envereda pelos tumultuosos caminhos dos relacionamentos familiares complexos e pelas dificuldades em administrá-los. Em resumo, é um livro que fala de encontrar o amor quando menos se espera, em finalmente desejar e ganhar uma segunda chance que realmente valha a pena, em reconhecer as perdas e festejar as vitórias.Eu amei tudo neste belo livro. A trama central, a sensibilidade com que foram tratados temas espinhosos e a emoção colocada em cada capítulo, e especialmente a composição dos personagens principais: adultos e bem resolvidos que procuram soluções para contornar as adversidades da vida.Belo, romântico e emocional, A Kiss for a Kiss é mais uma obra imperdível da autora.Amei e recomendo.

I was waiting for this book and read it so fast, the story is so real and human and sexy and fun like all of her books, they deserved a HEA and it was beautiful

Esse livro com certeza foi o que mais me emocionou. Toda a situação com a Hanna me machucou de uma forma, eu senti muito por ela. Senti em vários momentos como se fosse eu na história! O que não gostei foram algumas atitudes do Jake no início. Eram atitudes completamente compreensíveis, mas ainda assim fiquei estressada. Em geral, amei o livro! Foi muito interessante ler algo com um casal mais velho.

This book stuck in my mind long after I first read it, which led me to reread it. It is different to a lot of Helena Hunting's hockey themed rom-coms which are funny and not too serious. A Kiss for a Kiss focuses on Jake (Queenie's dad) and Hanna (King's sister/mom). It takes on the more serious subject of pregnancy at an older age and deals very well with the associated risks and anxieties.It is also a look at the non-traditional ways a family can look in the 21st Century and reminds us that love can be unexpected and found in unlikely places but we should accept & embrace love no matter how complicated the situation is.A warm and emotional book which deals with serious topics and has a central couple who are in their 40s which also makes a nice change!I'll probably end up reading this series (All In) and the Pucked series again now. I love the way the characters from both series are interlinked. I also love the fact there is now books about the next generation.. Kodiac & Lavender are small children in this book as attendents at Queenie and King's wedding. Now they have their own book as young adults.. (Little Lies by H Hunting) which I also give 5*.

As with always with a Helena Hunting read this book drew me right in and didn't let me out again until I was finished again.The only complaint I could have would be its rather short... but no matter how long her stories are I will always be gutted when they finish so maybe that's just me lolThis story is all about Jake (Queenies dad) and Hanna (Kingstons momster) and what happens when they end up with an unexpected shock after spending time together to plans a wedding.As usual this is told in a dual POV so you manage to feel all the emotions from all sides of their journey... and we couldn't forget the usual banter that's usually involved with Violet and crew are around hahaLove being in any of Helenas hockey worlds and having catch ups with the gang!Would always recommend but only after reading the previous books for this series.