Kissing Kate

Next week, K. Lyn Smith releases her fourth Hearts of Cornwall novel, Kissing Kate. Though I haven’t yet read the earlier books in the series, this Regency romance works perfectly as a standalone. It highlights a decade-long friendship between Kate and Ben, and when the two are thrown together in putting on a Shakespeare stage production, it may be just the boost they need in finding something more with each other. This novel was a wonderful pick-me-up and I loved reading this sunny romance. 

Special thanks to K. Lyn Smith, Davenwood Press, and Austenprose PR for the review copy of this book!

Summary

Since first meeting Kate Parker twelve years ago, Ben Kimbrell has harbored a deep affection for her. He failed to steal a kiss from her back when he was 13, but now in his mid-20s, Ben and Kate are still good friends. Kate has her sights set on marriage, and her target is Ben’s cousin, Merryn… not that her feelings for him actually run that deep. But he’s a safe option. However, when Ben and Kate end up working together on their town’s theater production of Much Ado About Nothing, their increased closeness may be just what they need to unlock all their secret feelings for each other. 

Review

Kissing Kate is possibly the sweetest historical romance I’ve read. It’s a friends-to-lovers story set in Newford, a town in Cornwall. For the past twelve years, Ben Kimbrell and Kate Parker have been close friends, but they’ve kept their deeper affections for each other a secret. For their own reasons, they tuck away their true feelings, even if others can see the romantic potential between them. When the residents of Newford decide to put on a theater production of Much Ado About Nothing, Kate and Ben are pushed into each other’s company more than usual, and it may be the opportunity they need to unlock their hidden affections. 

In contrast to most historical romances I read—which often involve the London season, titled characters, and easy wealth—I love that Kissing Kate highlights a smaller town setting and characters who aren’t quite so rich and concerned with class. Instead, we get to see characters who work for a living and aren’t attending balls every week. I found it more relatable in that regard, and it also made the characters feel more down to earth. 

Another theme I loved was how Kate and Ben each have their own ambitions and hobbies. Kate loves gardening, and the references to various flowers and greenery lent a wonderful backdrop to the book. It somehow made the story more charming and winsome. Ben has a talent for building and design, and his ambitions could lead him to a career in architecture. Both of these come in handy when Ben and Kate work on the set design for the play. 

As untroubled as the romance is in Kissing Kate, the book does also shine a light on tougher themes. Ben suffered two losses as a teenager, and for one of them, he feels an immense guilt. Could he have prevented his uncle’s death or saved him? Mental health awareness wasn’t the same in 1820 as it is now, and it takes time and family support for Ben to begin to heal from these traumas. Similarly, I appreciated the presence of Mr. Simmons in the story, both as a point of comparison and for his own arc. 

Final Thoughts

Kissing Kate is a heartwarming Regency romance, perfect for readers who like to see working class characters in a small town’s tight-knit community. It has a gentle and sweet romance between two friends, with a likable cast of side characters and a sensitive look at deeper topics. This is the fourth in K. Lyn Smith’s Hearts of Cornwall series, and while it works well as a standalone (I haven’t yet read the earlier books!), it does tie in with the other characters. This is my first time reading this author, but I’m eager to read more from her soon. 

Get the Book

You can buy Kissing Kate at the links below – it’s available as a paperback and ebook.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Kissing Kate by K. Lyn Smith
Series	Hearts of Cornwall (#4)
Audience	Adult
Genre	Historical Romance; Regency Romance
Setting	Newford, Cornwall, England
Number of Pages	293
Format I Read	Paperback
Original Publication Date	January 23, 2024
Publisher	Davenwood Press

Official Summary

“Benedick Kimbrell attempted to steal his first kiss from Miss Catherine Parker in the perfectly imperfect spring of 1808. But his hopes, then and since, were larger than fact.”

A LADY’S UNSPOKEN LONGING

Kate Parker is resolute in her quest for marriage, seeking a dependable match among Newford’s eligible bachelors. But behind her composed demeanor, Kate’s heart holds a stubborn affection for her less-than-dependable friend and an unspoken longing for a kiss that was never claimed.

A ROGUE’S LOST AMBITION

Years ago, Ben Kimbrell harbored ambitions, chief among them a kiss from Miss Kate Parker. Fate, though, had other plans. Now, his heart is weighted by family tragedy, his pain concealed behind a carefree charm. His reputation as an aimless rogue is well-earned, but beneath the façade lies a man who yearns for more.

AND A HEART WELL-GUARDED

When Kate sets her sights on Ben’s dependable cousin, a man who fits her expectations if not her heart, Ben can no longer stand idly by. His efforts to save her from a loveless match find the two of them paired together in a village production of Much Ado About Nothing. Tasked with crafting the enchanting sets for their town’s inaugural performance, their undeniable affection finds the perfect stage to blossom.

But for their love to flourish, Ben must reveal his true self and confront the shadows of his past. Can he find the courage to unlock his heart before it’s too late?

Kissing Kate is a heartwarming best-friends romance about finding the courage to choose happiness and the healing power of love. Set in the charming seaside village of Newford, each book in the Hearts of Cornwall series stands alone.

Author Interview

K. Lyn shares her inspiration for the story and characters in Kissing Kate, the research process, and Regency era theater productions. Read the full interview here.