Summer Kisses

Kiss Me, Book 2

By: Charlie Novak

Narrated by: Dan Calley

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Two chefs. Two summers. One shot at a second chance.

Aaron’s Plan

Then:

1. Get a better job
2. Learn more skills
3. Get money for restaurant
4. Don’t fall in love with Josh

Now:

1. Finesse menu
2. Stop being angry at Josh
3. Swear less (Ben’s idea)
4. Stop wanting to kiss Josh
5. Get Michelin stars
6. Stop being in love with Josh

Josh’s Plan

Then:

1. Start new job
2. Try not to burn out
3. Don’t fall in love with Aaron
4. Seriously. Don’t. It will only end badly...

Now:

1. Survive the summer
2. Get a new job?
3. Don’t get involved with Aaron again
4. Don’t think about kissing him
5. Don’t think about his smile
6. Don’t think about how much you still love him

Summer Kisses is a contemporary MM romance featuring two chefs with a complicated history, clashing egos, cheese toasties, and two summers that will change everything. It is part of the Kiss Me series and can be listened to as a stand-alone.

Content warning: This novel contains mentions of drug use and issues of alcohol abuse.

©2021 Charlie Novak (P)2022 Charlie Novak

Not as light as others by this author

This is one of my favorites from this author. It’s not really dark, but from Charlie Novak, if you’re a fan, it’s going to be a bit more emotional and angst ridden than you are used to from her.
Aaron and Josh have a history and a connection that is unquestionable. When they find each other again it’s not to just pick back up where they left off. They may not even be able to tolerate each other enough to give it a go. But underneath it all, the spark is still there and just give it a little blow and their heat ignites.
As much as I love this book in the series and was excited about it being available in audio, and I do really like Dan Calley and think he does a great job, I do have a small issue with a lot of Novak’s recent audio releases all being done by the same narrator. His voices all tend to sound the same, so when I’m listening to different books of hers, from the same series or different ones, the characters are sounding like the same person oftentimes.
Otherwise a great listen.

Emotional

This was so good!!

Aaron and Josh's story was such aj emotional journey.

I absolutely loved the chemistry between them.
Their relationship was intense.

I was rooting for them to just give in and get together from the beginning.

The narration was enjoyable.

Definitely recommend

Our favorite trouble makers

Aaron and Josh have a past that is not one for the faint of hearts. I love how they fight with each other, and no matter how much they try and stay away from each other, that doesn’t happen. I have listened to this whole series, and I love how the narrator can give all of Charlie’s characters a different voice.

Another fantastic romance at the Pear Tree!

Charlie Novak is a master at creating dynamic characters that you cannot help but love and want nothing more for them to find their HEA. Aaron and Josh are some of my favorite characters because they are so flawed and just simply human. It was amazing to see these characters who were so lost and struggling find a way to make not only their own lives better but to find a way to make a life together. I loved getting to see their backstory, going back to how they met in London, falling in lust and eventually love, and how they fell apart there too. Getting to see Connor and Patrick's story from a different angle was perfect and it was enduring how protective Aaron was of Patrick. Both Aaron and Josh grow so much throughout the book but final chapter was so fulfilling. I loved the glimpse into their future and was happy to see them still happy and fighting! I hope the series will continue with Ben's story because he seems like such an amazing character who has a truly wonderful story to tell. Wonderful series by a truly talented author! Dan Calley is a new to me narrator but I enjoyed his performance a lot! He has a great voice that is a joy to listen to! I would happily listen to Dan again and hope he narrates the last book of this series as well!

Maybe my fav so far...

4.5 stars!!
Charlie Novak just writes the BEST enemies to lovers! I love all her books, but Charisma Check was my fav and this one ties it for sure. It is steamy AF! but there is still plenty of plot and character development. I love these guys and their relationship felt very natural to me. Highly recommend this book, Dan Calley isn't my favorite narrator but he is growing on me.
*I received a code to give an impartial review on this audiobook. This did not impact my review.
*I listen to audiobooks at 2x speed

Such a good story

The story of Aaron and Josh is a little deeper and angstier than some of Charlie Novak's other books but that is because it deals with the serious issues of drug and alcohol abuse. There is also a bit of backstory told so that you understand the interaction between these two men. Oh man this is good. And Dan does a good job of bringing these characters to life. Be aware of any triggers but don't worry. They get their happy ending. And I love cross over characters: Aaron is Leo's brother from Natural Twenty. Loved this one!!!! Josh and Aaron are proof that sometimes you need distance from the one you love in order for you to make a forever happen.

Good book!

At the beginning I wasn't so sure about this book but the farther along I read the better it got! The back story at the beginning of the book was a little slow moving for me but was necessary to understand where Aaron and Josh are coming from.

I was also excited to read this book knowing that Aaron is Leo's brother - I love cross over characters!

This one was a little angstier than I like but still a good read! I love everything that Charlie writes!!

The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life!! I liked the story a lot better the second time listening to the audio!!

Another great story!

Sweet story of second chances in love. Lots of heart and soul in this story

Reading Summer Kisses was a journey,

it follows Aaron and Josh in a very thoughtful way throughout the past and present, their highs, and their very low lows, their dreams, and fears.
They are both flawed characters and that makes them so real, even if you can't relate.
The way the book is constructed is the perfect build-up to the present and to these two stubborn and snarky guys, hiding years of pent-up emotion and frustration. Once all of that is unleashed, they prove themselves to be adorable sweethearts.

Trigger warning about on-page alcohol and substance abuse, if that's triggering to you, please take care of yourself and stay away, Charlie Novak has so many other adorable books that are worth a read!

The audiobook was beautifully narrated and I really enjoyed the experience :)

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

Past and precent

Summer kisses was a different book but I loved it. It was written in the past and presences and I liked that. That I got to know what happened the first time Aaron and josh meet the fist time.

It can be a hard book to read because it has both alcoholism and drugs in it but for me that was a part of the book that fit.

Dan Calley gave the book life and made it even better than when I read it.

Sensational!

Listening to this book definitely made me recall the emotions I experienced when reading the ebook. Aaron and Josh’s relationship is complex and, in the end, rich with love and humor. Absolutely brilliant book and an exceptional performance by Dan Calley.

Learning From Past Mistakes.

MM, Contemporary, Second Chance, Romance. Two men both chefs have a complicated past that's still causing issues in the here and now. A great story with fantastic characters and an extremely slow burn love story. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to the crooning voice of Dan Calley as he brilliantly narrated their story. Fantastic second installment in the series that can be listened to as a stand-alone with no loss of enjoyment or understanding. Guaranteed HEA.

Two men perfectly imperfect for each other!

Two summers, two complicate men and a lifetime of emotions to face, understand and unpack.
Charlie Novak brings us back to Nottingham, in the kitchens of the Peach tree, where chef Aaron and his sus-chef Josh have been fighting for years. This beautiful book gives us all their backstory and the insight to their intermingled, difficult, hurtful past.
Seven years have passed since their first summer together, only two of which have passed where they have actually been apart, and the love they (secretly) have for each other seems to grow along the resentment and anger they throw at each other.
A rollercoaster of emotions, this book gets angsty at times, but always with Charlie Novak’s ceautiful, easy-to-read, enticing writing style!

4.5

A great book and solid performance from Dan Calley. While I enjoy this series, I prefer Strawberry Kisses as it's sweeter.