Anna B. Doe's Kiss To Defy Review!

Kiss To Defy

By: Anna B. Doe

Release Date: July 9, 2021

Publisher: Anna B. Doe

Author Website: https://www.annabdoe.com/

4 Stars

Anna B. Doe brings the pressures of life and love to readers in Kiss To Defy, book 3 in her Blairwood University series.

Hockey player Zane and figure skater Rei's first encounter started off on the wrong foot causing them to spend a lot of time working through their initial poor impressions of each but the one thing that was accurate from the start was their mutual attraction. There was a constant simmer accompanying their exchanges that charged the pages. Once this pair got past the barbs and shields they had put up they found out that they were extremely compatible on many levels leaving them open to all kinds of emotions and options they had not considered before. Both leads lead fairly isolated existences either by circumstances or choice and their breaking through to each other while at first was hesitant once they were exposed to each other the joy and wonder of their closeness took over.

This book began with Zane and Rei working through their walls with each other and to some extent others, gradually moving into their growth individually and as a couple as external drama prompted them and exposed their vulnerabilities. There were lots of secrets and heartache revealed as this work progressed and that really accelerated this story. Ms. Doe was very in touch with her portrayals and easily expressed complicated feelings and actions with sensitivity and insight. Great camaraderie and interactions with the secondary cast rounded out this work and added to this story. This author put a lot of thought into her work from the technical aspects to her characters interpersonal dynamics. It was apparent Ms. Doe was invested in telling Zane and Rei's story even as she allowed them to stumble, showing their unique journey and adding to the depth of her work.

What really stands out with this author's writing is her clarity in showing the problems unique to being a young adult. She zeroed in on the struggles of two individuals accomplishing extraordinary goals yet plagued with universal doubts. Any of Ms. Doe's readers could have gone through or emphasized with what her characters were going through, making her portrayals relatable and believable. In a Kiss to Defy Anna B. Doe brings out not only her characters emotions but her readers for an intense and satisfying read!

*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*