Today, I have for you my review of The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice.
3 Stars: A Good Read
Paperback: 262 Pages
Publication: December 6, 2011 by Sweetwater
After five long years, Georgiana McLaughlin returns to the only place she’s ever considered home—the same place she stole a kiss from Ridge Carson under the community “kissing tree.” But this time he’s a man, and reconciling their past is just the beginning. You’ll find yourself applauding each new chapter filled with fun, romance, and adventure in this captivating, heartfelt tale of love, friendship, and finding your way back.
The Kissing Tree is as sweet a novel as its title. I have a soft spot for historical fiction novels, especially those that take place on the frontier, and this novel is falls under that category with Georgie being a country girl at heart.
The book starts with an important memory in the hearts of two children who didn’t know what the future held for them. If they had, I’m sure things would have turned out differently; in the end, years pass before they meet again without having resolved their feelings. Over the years, Georgie has grown into a strong, independent-minded woman, and Ridge has grown into a rugged, handsome man. Obviously, the attraction between them hasn’t died. I enjoyed watching their relationship progress, though there were many times when I wanted to cry out for them to hurry up and realize that they’re the perfect match for each other. (Because, naturally, complications prevent them from getting together at the start, from internal conflicts to other suitors to miscommunication.)
The ending seemed a bit convenient for me. Of course I was happy that Georgie found happiness with the hero of her story, but another match is made—a match that happens all too quickly. I would have thought that the one with a freshly broken heart would have taken longer to heal considering how serious that person was about the love interest. This is a bit awkwardly written, and while you’ll probably figure out who ends up with who before the actual resolution of the book, I don’t want to give any spoilers by naming people here.
While the characters are adults, there aren’t any explicit scenes in this novel. I wouldn’t keep this on my shelf, being someone who looks for deeper plots and more dynamic (rounded out) characters in the books that I hoard for rereads. However, this is a fun read for those of you who enjoy historical fiction and can be finished in one sitting.
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An ARC was provided by the publisher for review purposes
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
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