A Wild Card Kiss

This book is a third chance for Harlan and Katie and I think their situation is a reverse timeline... well, at least for the second time they met though. If you didn't read "A Wild Card Night" which is a prequel for this book, Blakely includes it in the beginning of this book so don't worry. A Wild Card Kiss begins with Katie's wedding day and by then, Harlan is a single dad for a little girl. Nope, they didn't have an affair but Katie's wedding didn't happen. The best thing is she runs into Harlan and spends a scorching night with him. The third time they meet, they decide to start their relationship yet it isn't that easy! Both Harlan and Katie are good people and Harlan has a good relationship with his ex. Everything seems to be perfect but that's a problem, at least to me because there have no drama, no angst so I don't feel intrigued like at all. But the book is well written and their chemistry is so hot which make me rooted for them and keep me reading till the end.

A WILD CARD KISS is the first instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult HAPPY ENDINGS erotic romance series. This is thirty-six year old professional football player for the San Francisco Renegades Harlan Taylor, and thirty-five year old, yoga instructor/studio brand owner Katie Madigan’s story line. NOTE: There is a prequel novella-WILD CARD NIGHT -that takes place approximately seven years earlier but the prequel is also a part of the current release so there should be no confusion. Told from dual first person perspectives (Harlan and Katie) following two timelines, A WILD CARD KISS focuses on the building romance and relationship between thirty-six year old professional football player, running back turned receiver, Harlan Taylor, and yoga instructor/studio brand owner Katie Madigan. Approximately seven years earlier, Katie Madigan and Harlan Taylor met through mutual friends at a stranger’s wedding, and agreed to meet up again days later but Katie finds herself on the move with her burgeoning career, and loses all contact with our story line hero. Fast forward to present day wherein Harlan, now a single father, finds a familiar face in a jilted bride, a bride who, just hours before, discovered her groom in a compromising position with someone she knew. Still dressed in her gown, Katie and Harlan spend a night on the town, promising to meet up again when Katie has had time to figure out her next move. Another four months will pass before Katie is ready to move forward but like all the times before something or someone keeps putting the brakes on for our story line couple. Working as the yoga instructor for the San Francisco Renegades means Harlan Taylor is probably off limits but our couple find it increasingly difficult to fight their attraction, until an agreed upon deadline, at the end of the season. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Harlan and Katie, and the potential fall-out if their behind the scenes affair threatens Katie’s contract with San Francisco Renegades. Katie Madigan watched from the sidelines as her parent’s marriage imploded, and with the demise of her relationship feared heading in the same direction but a deep betrayal meant Katie had to start anew, and starting over with the man who continues to star in her fantasies and dreams. Harlan Taylor never forgot about the ‘one’ who got away but Harlan is now a single father whose football career has placed him at the top of the world. Reuniting with Katie Madigan gives Harlan hope for a second chance but fate keeps interfering with our couple’s future. The relationship between Katie and Harlan begins as a one-night stand seven years earlier but a promise for more is quickly dashed when Katie has an opportunity to kick-start her future. Finding Harlan again, at one of the lowest points in her life, gave Katie hopes for her own happily ever after but timing is everything, and the stars were, once again, never properly aligned. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense. We are introduced to Katie’s business partner and sister Olive, and their VP of business development Zachary; her friends Skyler, Emerson and Jillian; Harlan’s daughter Abby and her mother Danielle, and his teammates Cooper, Jason,and Shane. Emerson’s story line is next. A WILD CARD KISS is a story of family and betrayal, heart break and pain, second chances and love, moving forward and renewal. The premise is captivating and romantic; the romance is seductive and intense; the characters are dynamic, energetic, and determined.

4.5 Timing is Everything Stars. A Sexy, swoon worthy, single dad and a football player… yes please, sign me up! I devoured this one and loved it. I loved the chemistry between Harlan and Katie 🔥🔥🔥 and you’ll be rooting for them from the beginning to the end. A definite must read!