REVIEW: How to Kiss Your Best Friend by Jenny Proctor

How to Kiss Your Best Friend by Jenny Proctor: When Brody receives a text out of the blue after 4 years, he can’t believe it. He finally starts to believe it when she surprises him on his hike. Even though he followed her writing over the last 4 years, he hasn’t been able to talk to her after she disappeared on him. He couldn’t just forget her since he has loved her since childhood… something he has never been able to tell her. With her back in his life, he questions whether this is the time to lay all the cards on the table.

When Kate left, she wasn’t sure she was ever coming back. On her latest job, she felt an unease that she had never experienced before, so she jumped at an opportunity from her mom to visit her hometown. Being back is not an easy thing for Kate since she feels like she has let a lot of people down, but she also gets an overwhelming feeling of home. Seeing Brody’s glow up gives her feelings that she never expected to have for him. Since she doesn’t know what her next steps are, she doesn’t know whether to act on her feelings or not.

As the two tango around their emotions, they spend time together learning all about the changes that have happened since they’ve last seen each other. They focus on spending time together as much as they can for the summer and fall right back into their old habits. His family worries about Kate leaving again, and Kate questions whether she wants to be stuck there with Brody or travel again.

Brody has never been able to get over Kate. She has always been in the back of his mind, but he never wanted to make a move and potentially ruin a friendship. With Kate back, he has to decide whether this is his opportunity or not. He has a lot of voices trying to tell him what he should do next, but he has to choose to listen to his heart. When he puts it all on the line, will it be enough for Kate to stay?

Kate dealt with a lot of family issues growing up. Her relationship with her mom is toxic, and her dad traveled so much that she barely saw him. She looked at Brody’s family as stability. When she is confronted by that stability again, she has to choose whether to embrace it or flee again. Torn between the two options, she leans on Brody to get through the time, and learns a lot about her past and where she wants her future to go.

I was honestly surprised by how clean this romance was. There were definitely times that I wanted it to go further, but I felt that they really played into the relationship foundation that they had. It made you realize how strong their connection was without even adding in the physical yet. I loved all of the characters and really hope that more books come out that focus on the other brothers in the family. It would be great to see their stories since you got a glimpse of their personalities in this book.

Book Info:

Publication: May 24, 2022 | Four Petal Press |

He’s a hot high school chemistry teacher living in a small town. She’s a globetrotting journalist running from her past. They used to be best friends. Then one kiss changes everything.

*******

Kate Fletcher is my kryptonite.

She’s also my best friend. Former best friend?

I’m not sure what you call it when we grew up attached at the hip and then she left Silver Creek (and me) to travel the world.

The important thing is: Kate is back. (Temporarily.)

And I’m still in love with her. (Permanently.)

But something is different now. The attraction doesn’t seem one-sided. I don’t think I’m imagining the heat in Kate’s eyes or the chemistry crackling between us.

But will that be enough to keep Kate here, when, for as long as I can remember, all she’s wanted to do is leave?

I’m determined to give her a reason to stay. Family. Connection. Roots. And me. I’ll have to start with sparks and fire, but if I take this step, there’s no turning back to simple friendship. And if she doesn’t feel the same way, I might lose her again—this time for good.

How to Kiss Your Best Friend is a full-length sweet romantic comedy, with all the crackling chemistry you want in a closed-door romance and sizzling kisses only.