Blind Kiss: A Novel

Renée Carlino

Aug 2018 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

From the national bestselling author of Before We Were Strangers, Swear on this Life, and Wish You Were Here comes a powerful story of two people who spend years denying their scientifically proven chemistry.

Penny spends her afternoons sitting outside a sandwich shop, surrounded by ghosts. Fourteen years ago, this shop was her childhood dance studio—and she was a dancer on the rise. Now she’s a suburban housewife, dreading the moment her son departs for MIT, leaving her with an impeccably decorated McMansion and a failing marriage. She had her chance at wild, stars-in-her-eyes happiness, but that was a lifetime ago. After The Kiss. Before The Decision.

The Kiss was soulful. Magical. Earth-shattering. And it was all for a free gift card. Asked to participate in a psych study that posed the question, “Can you have sexual chemistry without knowing what the other person looks like?” Penny agreed to be blindfolded, make polite conversation with a total stranger, and kiss him. She never expected The Kiss to change her life forever and introduce her to Gavin: tattooed, gorgeous, and spontaneous enough to ask her out seconds after the blindfolds came off.

For a year, they danced between friendship and romance—until Penny made The Decision that forced them to settle for friendship. Now, fourteen years later, both of their lives are about to radically change—and it’s his turn to decide what will become of their once-in-a-lifetime connection.

Ratings and reviews

Every single time I read a Renee Carlino book I always ask myself why I put myself through the torture. The stories are like an arrow through the heart, tearing you apart before glueing the pieces back together in a different way. I feel as if the characters haunt me even after the last page, they are the type of narratives that stay with you - and as such gives the reason for the continued self-inflicted torture, lol. Blind Kiss is a poignant look at finding your soul-mate at the wrong time in your life and how a single incident can alter the course of your future.  I adored Gavin from the beginning, although he was a little quick to react to situations which lead to further complications. Gavin also flounders quite a bit; while he is outwardly self-confident his inner vulnerability shines through especially in regards to his self-worth and chosen career path. He has a heart of gold and isn't afraid to release his emotions; however, he can be self-absorbed which adds to the angst in the narrative. I struggled with Penny at the start, finding her quite judgemental and closed-off. However, seeing her family relationships and how her world got turned inside out made me soften toward her and understand her choices a little better. I did feel as if the scenario was a little like 'wanting your cake and eating it' but did accept the way in which events played out. The characters are flawed and the resulting emotional damage they inflict on each other throughout the years (unintentionally) makes your heart hurt for them both. Yet, Gavin and Penny have a special connection that is obvious to everyone around them; they are each one half of a whole 💔 unfortunately, they have to break before being put back together.  My heart hurts at all the lost time between them but a love like theirs endures 💞

Blind Kiss..... an epic life-long romance that begins with two college students, Penny and Gavin, participating in a study of kissing a stranger while blindfolded to see if there can be chemistry without seeing or really knowing someone beforehand <---- how can you not want to read how that plays out? I've read and LOVED every book by Renee Carlino and just knew from the title and blurb that this was going to be an amazing book and I was not disappointed. When I started reading this story I was overcome with giddy butterflies for the anticipation of Penny and Gavin's blind kiss and those butterflies immediately took flight with their combustible chemistry, it was perfect romantic bliss YES!!! I could feel the pull between these two, it just sizzled instantly, soul mates brought together in the most unique way!!! But you know it's not going to be that easy with butterflies, hearts, and flowers..... Oh no, no, no, Ms. Carlino pulled my heart strings so tight that I was in fear they were going to snap!! No matter how much chemistry, how strong the attraction, or how connected they were, Penny was determined to keep Gavin in the friend-zone because with college finals and a promising dance career on the line she had no time for falling in love. Gavin is that gorgeous charming guy that will make you melt into a puddle of swooning mush *sigh*, he seems to fall hard and fast quite often but falling for Penny proves to be very different than anything he's experienced before and although he wants to be so much more than friends he quickly realizes that a friend is what Penny needs most *sigh again*. Penny and Gavin have a love that burns bright and strong although for so many years they never really acknowledge it as more than an extraordinary friendship, that soul mate type of love is forced to smolder under the surface until life finally makes it impossible to ignore any longer!! Blind Kiss is an incredible story of love and friendship lasting a lifetime, sometimes that soul soaring love may find you at the wrong time, but if it's truly real and meant to be, it will remain as strong as ever throughout life until the time is perfect!!!!!

So much of life comes down to timing. Being in the right place at the right time. How one moment, one decision, can change the entire trajectory of your life. In Blind Kiss, Renee Carlino gives readers an enduring and emotional love story that spans decades. I'm not going to lie. The angst in this book is off the charts. It will not be everyone's cup of tea and there will be times when your heart cries out and you may want to throw your kindle/book across the room. Penny and Gavin don't share an easy love story and it's not a light and fluffy tale. There is loss, pain, heartache, and grief, but there's also joy, healing, forgiveness, and love. These two characters are both flawed and broken in their own ways. Meeting by chance in a psychology experiment their senior year in college and forging a friendship that blurs the lines over and over again through the years. The story is told in dual POV and switches back and forth between the past and present. I really can't say that I truly loved either Gavin or Penny. Both had so much baggage to work through and mistakes were made on both sides. They hurt and they loved each other repeatedly, but through it all, their chemistry and connection never waned. I honestly don't know who I hurt for more - Gavin, Penny, or Lance. All were selfish and selfless at different times, but I did appreciate that everyone matured throughout the book. I wasn't totally comfortable with Penny's relationship with Gavin over the years. Though my patience was eventually rewarded in the end, I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed and abrupt. I would have loved a little more after enduring such a heart-stomping journey. This isn't my favorite Renee Carlino book, but readers looking for an angsty and emotional love story will devour Blind Kiss. *I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

About the author

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and the bestselling author of Sweet Thing, Nowhere But Here, After the Rain, Before We Were Strangers, Swear on This Life, and Wish You Were Here. She grew up in Southern California and lives in the San Diego area with her husband and two sons. To learn more, visit ReneeCarlino.com.