5 Smooches
Synopsis
Falling in love is hard. Falling in love on national television is impossible. Right?
Leighton Aldridge did not sign up to meet her soulmate. She signed up for the lights, camera and action. So when the Hollywood-native ends up with the wounded war veteran and a ring on her finger, it’s a surprise to everyone. What isn’t a surprise is the way she breaks Finn Wyatt’s heart, or the massively public breakup that follows. But a year later she’s back, ready for another round on the reality TV show that brought them together. She knows he was the real thing, and she’s ready to fight for him.
Finn is the new Mr. Right. The country’s favorite single guy, and the object of 25 women’s affections. But when his ex-fiance steps onto set and back into the limelight, he wishes he never agreed to another season. Leighton shattered his heart for the world to see, and he’s not ready to face that reality. Can Leighton convince him, and America, that she’s the one? Or will her future with Finn only consist of 15 more minutes of fame?
Review
‘Four months ago I dreamed about coming here with Finn. Two weeks ago I’d never imagined I’d be here in this lifetime with him.
But here I was, three Irish car bombs in, surrounded by 10 other Mr. Right contestants and the man I loved, but who I wasn’t certain even liked me.’
Carrie Aarons is a new to me author and if all her books are as good as this one than I am sure I will be reading through them all very soon. Typically books about “famous” people are not for me especially books about reality shows but when I was approached to read this one I was intrigued by the blurb and went into it with an open mind and I am so glad I did. Kissed by Reality was an emotion filled journey that had me staying up way too late just to find out what would happen next.
“Don’t equate me ability to get it up for a hot woman to emotions. I’m a guy, Leighton, and you were always the best piece of ass I’s ever stuck it in.”
We all know that the love found on reality dating shows is mostly always skin deep and Kissed By Reality dives into the possibility that two people who were actually brought together in that environment only to have it tear their love apart can possibly have a second chance at rekindling their feelings on the small screen and with tons of other women also vying for the attention of the heart broken man. When Leighton broke Finns heart he wasn’t sure he would ever move on but going back onto the show that brought them together in order to show her he moved on seemed like a good idea at the time. Until she steps out of the limo as one of the contestants trying to win his heart.
I loved Finn and Leighton, their problems and feelings while set in a place that was so unreal had a very organic and real feel to them. Finn is hurt so deep from Leighton’s betrayal that he is downright mean to her and yet the pull she has over him cannot be denied. And for Leighton’s part she knows she did wrong and is there to win back the man she loves and has to deal with a lot in the process. But she is strong and vigilant. Both make a ton of mistakes in their journey for a happy ending but between their chemistry and knowing that deep down no one could make them feel like they feel about each it is obvious from the start that these two need to end up together.
“You are perfect. For me.”
I use the word journey for this story because that was it was. Full of highs and lows with both making mistakes and attempting to learn from them. It was not always easy but it was definitely satisfying. This is the kind of book that will have you yelling out loud at both the good and the bad. I loved it and I really hope you do too!
~miranda
