The story of Jay and Mara. Jay has a curse, he is the last person someone kisses before they find their happy ever after. So he has given up on finding a long term relationship for himself. But the curse did not work on mara, so is she the one for him? A great read. I liked reading about the new places and traditions.

if you chose this book then you were perhaps after a certain kind of book right? and so read the blurb and thought yes please i think ill read this one. well, i have come to tell you you made the right choice. this is perfect for what your looking for. its perfect light fun and smiley read.
its romantic and a little cheeky,cheesy and super.
weve got Mara who hasnt found love and feels the sadness of that. shes at the latest wedding that isnt hers. also there is Jay who she hears has special talent. well kind of. because everyone who kisses him finds love. sooooo come on whats a girl supposed to do. kiss him she does and love......well read to find out.and youll be glad you did.

Loved this book. I took it on holiday with me and would say it’s the ideal holiday read! I enjoyed the Philippino culture and back ground. A light and fun read.

Overall I found this to be cute, cheesy and really enjoyable—a perfect read to have a break in between more serious reads. I really enjoyed the portrayal of cultural traditions in this book. The story is based in the Philippines and there were some Tagalog phrases throughout—I used the translate app for some, but for the most part I just went with the vibes.

Sometimes you just really need to read a slightly cheesy, smutty romance novel, and Mills and Boon never fails.

Mara has never been in love, nor ever had a proper relationship. Jay is cursed that everyone he kisses will then find the love of their lives. What happens when Jay and Mara kiss? Shenanigans of course!

A slower burn romance than I was expecting, this book is a fun take on love, family relationships and trusting yourself to be brave.

The Philippines and Filipino family life provided a beautiful backdrop for this love story, and Boracay really sounds exactly like Heaven on Earth.

Filipino culture captured my interest and made me fall in love with the book. The experience of reading it was truly delightful, and I would highly recommend it to others!

I really liked the premise of the story and found the second half better than the first half, but this book wasn’t really for me. I felt like we got thrown in part way through a story where it was assumed that I would just know who the people were and what all the words and phrases meant.

If someone told you that a good luck charm for finding love was wrapped in a kiss, would you take the opportunity? We follow Mara as she navigates family dynamics and finding love.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were so charming, the dialogue felt natural and they all had moments to shine throughout the book. It was also so interesting to learn about filipino culture and I loved that it was at the heart of this story.

Mara and Jays chemistry was everything!! They were like two awkward beans in the beginning which was really funny, but it was beautiful to see their feelings evolve.

While I did love the authors writing, there were moments when I felt like certain details could have been left out that didn’t necessarily advance the story.

Overall, this was an amazing and lighthearted romance that I’d recommend to others!

Thank you Mills & Boon for providing this ARC via Net Galley!

This was such a cute, feel-good romance that effortlessly blends humour, heart, and cultural depth.

The story follows Mara Barretto, a floral designer and eldest daughter, navigating the pressures of being single at her younger sister’s wedding (a pressure I am all too familiar with 😭). When she crosses paths with Jay Montinola—a guest with a fascinating reputation for bringing others luck in love—a spontaneous kiss leads to unexpected (but totally expected) outcomes. It’s a journey of slow-burn romance, self-discovery, and realising that love might be closer than you think.

What I loved most was the cultural richness woven into the narrative. The exploration of Filipino traditions added a rich, heartwarming, and refreshing layer to the story. From the family dynamics to the wedding traditions, the cultural elements were fascinating and beautifully integrated.

While I enjoyed the slow build of their connection, the ending felt slightly rushed, especially after such a satisfying setup. A little more time spent enjoying them as a couple would have made the story even stronger for me. Still, it managed to leave me with a smile and content.

Overall, the story is undeniably sweet. This is a perfect read for fans of international love stories, slow burns, and a touch of spice. If you’re looking for a quick escape with a meaningful story, this one’s worth checking out!

Thank you to Netgalley and Mills & Boon for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DamixReads
Spice Level: 🌶️
DamixReads Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Would I recommend to a friend: 📖📖📖