4 SMOOCHES!
SYNOPSIS:
The first time we met was at a party.
Your ex arrived to show off the person he’d left you for last month, and you asked me to pretend to be your date.
I was more than happy to help. You were attractive, smart and witty–and that kiss we shared? It left me wanting you for days.
The second time we met was in my office on campus where we were both surprised to discover you were the new master’s degree student in poetry that I would be working with. You promised to be professional. I did no such thing.
The late nights and intense study sessions spent alongside you majorly throw me off my game. I want you, and I fight with myself daily over this fact.
I know I’m crass, that my sexual innuendos and dirty mouth annoy you, but I live for those two bright spots of color in your cheeks. If that’s the only reaction I can get out of you, I’ll gladly take it.
You hate Mondays so every Monday I slip an anonymous poem into your bag and your smile gets me through the week.
I think I’m falling for you, and I know it’s wrong. I know that I’m only supposed to be the adviser to your program and nothing more, but here’s the thing. I think you’re falling for me too.
xo, Zach
REVIEW:
There’s just something so delicious about a forbidden romance, and Kendall Ryan kicked it up a notch in xo, Zach with a fantastically romantic story. Ryan is an exceptionally versatile romance author, and whether it’s one of her intriguing, emotional love stories, a romcom or a contemporary romance, she always delivers a story packed with feels, passion and a heart-racing romance.
As if the whole masters student/student advisor scenario wasn’t complicated enough, Ryan ramped up the plot with a few other obstacles in this slow burning romance. I loved Zach, he was the star of this story for me. He was sexy, soulful and so romantic. He knew what he wanted—Poppy—and he wasn’t shy about making that known. He was patient, thoughtful and his longing for her made my heart flutter. On the other hand, it took some time for me to warm up to Poppy. She was very hot and cold with Zach, and while she did have her reasons, I found myself getting frustrated with her indecision. Fortunately, once she finally did get on the same page as Zach, she was all in.
Ryan rounded out this story with some interesting details. Zach’s notes were the knee-weakening romantic gestures that any girl would love. His mother, bless her crazy, filter-less mouth, added a punch of humor to the story, and seven-year-old Connor brought a level of dimension to Poppy that made some of the waffling she did understandable—not to mention that his interactions with Zach were heart-warming and sweet.
I really enjoyed xo, Zach. It was a very sexy, swoon-worthy romance between two people placed in each other’s paths by fate. While their chemistry was sizzling, they had real-life challenges to work through that made their happily-ever-after that much sweeter. Four smooches for xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan from me!
~ Danielle Palumbo
