NEW RELEASE
The First Last Kiss - Ali Harris (2013)
This is the story of Molly Carter and Ryan Cooper's love. Told through a series of flashbacks to various moments in their past, as well as from Molly's present day life, it depicts all of the milestones in their relationship, linked to a kiss. Moving back and forward in time, we learn of how they fell in love and of the tragedy that tore them apart. This is a novel to gush over, both with praise and with tears. It is a truly amazing book that completely consumes you, but it should be said that this is far from the light and happy read of Ali Harris' first novel; rather it is emotionally tumultuous and heart-wrenching. Molly's actions sometimes frustrated me, making me wonder whether she deserved Ryan, but this is part of the story's wider message about making the most of love. The structure is hugely imaginative, original and dramatic and Harris' writing is really beautiful with lines whose force and brilliance resound beyond the page. At its heart it is a beautiful and powerful love story, something to savour and cherish. I have no hesitation in saying that this is the best book I've read in a long time, but also, I should add, the saddest. It is going to be a chick-lit classic. (JC)
The First Last Kiss, by Ali Harris, asks: how do you hold on to a love that is slowly slipping away from you? The synopsis says: "Can you let go of the past when you know what is in the future? And how do you cope when you know that every kiss is a countdown to goodbye? This is the story of a love affair, of Ryan and Molly and how they fell in love and were torn apart. The first time Molly kissed Ryan, she knew they'd be together forever. Six years and thousands of kisses later she's married to the man she loves. But today, when Ryan kisses her, Molly realises how many of them she wasted because the future holds something which neither of them could have ever predicted..." The First Last Kiss is out in January.