One Little Kiss by Avery Maxwell

One Little Kiss by Avery Maxwell 

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Release Date: April 13, 2022

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Blurb:

My name is Colton Westbrook, and life just threw me into a dumpster fire. I like to have fun. I like to go out, but when one wrong decision puts me in the spotlight with a less than favorable glare, my family puts me on lockdown.

Vermont has become a second home to me, but every time I’m here, I find myself searching for that girl around every corner. One little kiss that happened three years ago in a deserted airport terminal. One little kiss that branded me, scared me, could even ruin me if I were that guy looking for a happily ever after.

But that’s not me. I’m not hiding out in my brother’s home secretly searching for the one that got away. I’m not wearing stupid disguises to fool the paparazzi, hoping she’ll turn up. And I’m definitely not that guy relying on a crazy old lady and her tarot cards to find a girl. Nope. Not me.

I’ll stay a lost boy in Neverland…until the day I realize some people are worth growing up for.

My review:

 “Don’t be scared of love, Colty.  Nothing will ever make you happier in life than love.”

One Little Kiss is the third book in The Westbrooks: Family Ties series.  The series is best if read in order because the books do overlap, but they are so good so buckle up and enjoy the chaos!  The Westbrooks certainly know how to create chaos and I assure you; you will fall in love with them.  This was Colton Westbrook’s story, and he has finally met his match! 

“You changed me with one little kiss, Winnie Darling.  My world was off-kilter before that kiss, and you set me straight.”

Colton was the prankster of the Westbrook family and was always the one to lighten the mood when things got too serious.  He’s happy that his brothers and friends have found love, but he has been feeling left out lately and lonely.  He’s not ready to settle down and give up his fun, but GG has given him the nickname Pan and when that happens, the matchmaking begins.  Meeting Wendalyn (nicknamed Wendy by GG) at the airport on his way to his best friend’s wedding in Mexico stunned Colton.  He felt like he had found the “more” he had been looking for after one kiss, only to lose it when she disappears.  Can he earn her trust and make her his when he finds her?

“When I find the woman worth growing up for, I promise you, I’ll be all the man she needs.”

“I’m not a Lost Boy, unwilling to grow up.  I’m just a man who was waiting for the one worth changing for.  I’m just a man who’s been waiting for you.”

Wendalyn (Winnie or Wendy per GG) Darling had been raised by a single mom and while helping her mom with her younger brother, Wes, she was working towards going to law school.  She takes a summer job babysitting for a family on vacation in Mexico for two weeks to help pay for her next semester.  She meets Colton at the airport but after she discovers he is a Westbrook; she spends the two weeks avoiding him.  She never expected her life to hit rock bottom when she returned home.

“Everyone needs a rock, Winnie.  Someone to trust.  A partner in this cruel world.  All I’m asking for is a chance to be that for you.”

Winnie and Colton were perfect for each other and balanced each other perfectly.  She was always the responsible one and thinking things through whereas Colton made impulsive decisions and jumped all in.  He was always willing to be in the spotlight and keep things fun, but he really did it to protect his family from being in the spotlight.  Winnie had always felt like she would always be left behind because of her father and stepfather’s abandonment, so she had a hard time trusting that Colton wouldn’t leave her in the future. 

This book is my favorite so far in the Family Ties series in fact I loved it so much I had to read it twice before writing my review.  The storyline had several layers and subplots that added depth to the story.  The intrigue, witty banter, and sibling pranks kept me reading until the very end of the book.  I loved the cute-meet between Colton and Winnie and loved watching their relationship grow as their characters grew.  I loved all the “Town Cryer,” “Coordinators of Chaos,” and the Westbrook sibling’s text messages because they are so hilarious.  I think the previous book didn’t have as many and I really missed them.   This is one of those series that I have read several times and each book gets better and better.  I cannot wait for the next book which is Ashton’s because I am sure it will be a shocker!

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.