Last weekend, Matthew decided to surprise me by attempting sourdough for the first time without asking for help. The kitchen looked like a flour bomb had gone off, and he kept muttering about hydration percentages like he was solving a math problem. I watched him from the couch with Kiss Me Again in my hands, completely absorbed in Mia and Ben's story while pretending not to notice the chaos. Sometimes the best reading moments happen when life gets a little messy around you. That's exactly what this novella felt like—sweet, intense, and completely absorbing despite its short length.
Plot Summary
Kiss Me Again by Kate J. Blake follows Mia, a smart and shy high school senior who dreams of becoming a doctor. She's been crushing on her best friend Diana's older brother, Ben, since she was fourteen. Ben is a hunky football player who kissed Mia unexpectedly at a party when she was eighteen, then pushed her away and ghosted her. Eighteen months later, when Mia's house has a plumbing emergency, she's forced to stay with Diana and Ben. The close quarters and unresolved tension bring everything to the surface. Ben has been crushing on Mia just as long but pushed her away to protect their friendship. Now they're both forced to confront their feelings. This is book eight in the Dirty Elite Academy series, but it works as a standalone.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Kate J. Blake captures the intensity of first love and mutual pining in such a short format. Mia feels so real with her nervousness and vulnerability. Ben is attentive and sweet once his walls come down. The forced proximity element works beautifully here. I appreciated how much emotion the author packed into a novella. The pacing is quick but the chemistry between Mia and Ben never feels rushed. Their connection is built on years of longing, which makes every touch and confession feel earned. I found myself rooting for them from the first page. The dual point of view lets you see both sides of the misunderstanding, which made the story even more satisfying when they finally got together.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy high school romance, friends-to-lovers, forbidden romance, or best friend's brother tropes, you'll likely love this story. It's perfect for readers who want a quick, steamy read with a guaranteed happy ending. Fans of opposites attract and mutual pining will find this particularly satisfying. This is a novella, so it's a fast read—perfect for when you want something emotional and spicy without a huge time commitment.
⚠️ Trigger warning: explicit sexual content, loss of virginity, mentions of the hero's past hookups with other women, forced proximity, emotional vulnerability.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, high school romance, friends-to-lovers, best friend's brother, forbidden romance, opposites attract, mutual pining, forced proximity, dual POV, virgin heroine, football player hero, instalove, spicy romance, steamy novella, quick read, indie romance, HEA, standalone, Dirty Elite Academy series, Kate J. Blake
Steam Level
This novella is very spicy with multiple detailed and explicit scenes. The intimacy is central to Mia and Ben's relationship development. There's no fade-to-black here. The steam is passionate and connected to their emotional journey, making it feel natural to the story despite the heat level.
