Top Ten Tuesday #4

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Books with the Best Kisses

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt is a freebie, preferably something to do with love. If you know me IRL, then you know I’m all about the kissing. The more kissing the better. Perfect topic for this week! Here are my top ten books with the best kisses in them:

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

I know I said the more kissing the better and normally that’s true. EDENBROOKE, however, has my favorite kiss in all of bookdom:

“He crossed the room to me and grabbed me by the shoulders. In three steps, he had me backed up against a bookcase. Before I could do more than catch my breath, he took my face in his hands and kissed me.

“I had never really been kissed before. But I did not need experience to know that Philip’s kiss was, in a word, devastating. His lips were firm and insistent, gentle and caressing. His fingers threaded in my hair, holding my head exactly how he wanted it while he kissed me one way, then another, until I trembled in his arms.”

It keeps going, but you get the idea. Julianne Donaldson knows what she’s doing when it comes to writing swoony romance. Why is this my favorite? I love the imagery of Philip crossing the room and backing Marianne up against a bookcase. And, if I put Tom Hiddleston in the place of Philip, it makes it that much better. (If you don’t like Tom Hiddleston, insert your favorite Brit in his place.)

What about you? Which books with the best kisses would be on your list?

About Jenni Elyse


Hi, I'm Jenni. I’m an eclectic reader. I mostly read fiction and I favor fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thrillers, and romance. The more kissing in a book the better!
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  3. Mia @ Genre Books and Me
    Mia @ Genre Books and Me says:

    I’ve heard of them all but only read Graceling. I would read Edenbrooke if only to experience a lovely kiss scene.

    If I picked a favorite kiss onscreen it would’ve been a tie between Casablanca and It’s a Wonderful Life (showing my age here, lol).

  4. the Storyenthusiast
    the Storyenthusiast says:

    I’m so glad to see Julianne Donaldson’s books both made your list. I agree with you about that kiss between Philip and Marianne. It’s one of the best! And I think Marianne’s twirling is adorable.

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      I’m happy to find another Julianne Donaldson fan. 🙂 She’s such a great writer. I hope she releases another book soon. I know she’s been dealing with some mental health issues, though.

  7. Suey
    Suey says:

    I obviously need to catch up on some of these kissing books! Some of my favorite kissing is from Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. 😘

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      Yes, I do the love the build up as well. Sexual tension is the best. And, one great kissing scene is better than a whole bunch of meaningless ones. BUT, I like when the romance progresses enough to have many swoony kisses. 😀

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      That’s good to know. I know you keep telling me to read that series. I’ll read it at some point. There are just so many books and I don’t know when I’m going to get to them all, lol.

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