Reviews

Kismet by Ashley James

bookish_bonzsu's review

4.0

Good reed

I really enjoyed this book. It's beautifully written and very emotional read equally mixed with some spice

sameekins's review

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

4.0

reading_rommance's review

4.0

This was an exciting read that I couldn't put down. Cash was so sweet and charming. He seems like a genuinely good guy just trying to do what makes him happy. Stone was kind and thoughtful (toward Cash) and his dominating personality blended well with Cash's laid back one. I love a second chance and this was such a great one. I don't love cheating, but I understand it in the context of this book. I enjoyed seeing the two fall in love and I felt like it was so real. They just couldn't keep denying each other and had to have each other. I felt the urgency when they finally got together, which made their relationship seem more legit and solid. Then,

Spoiler

Cash moving to Texas and reunited with Stone...

I was screaming even though I knew that was the premise of the story. I loved seeing Stone explain himself and make it up to Cash. It wasn't an easy forgiveness, which was so warranted. Stone needed to make up for what he did and I felt like he really did that.

Spoiler

The little coffees were so sweet and Stone not sleeping with anyone since Cash was endearing.

. Overall, a great read.

Notes: 2.5/5 spice levels, second chance, professor/student, coworkers, professors, cheating (not between the MCs), age gap, forbidden, great pet (houston the hairless cat), forgiveness (groveling)

tagoreketabkhane31's review against another edition

1.0

Wow....objectively, this has to be my worst read of the year so far. Terrible pacing, incredibly cheesy dialogue, angst that could have been great (along with a forbidden relationship that could have added to it, or the second chance...which really was not a second chance). For a PhD in English, Cash cannot communicate effectively, and Stone is supposed to be a grown man who still got a position as a DEAN having only been a professor for a couple of years, and after he was a mess in Texas the first year that he was back - not to mention, that while I understand that a student teacher relationship (Stone is 32, Cash is 22 when they start their affair as Stone is married still) is something of a forbidden nature, the fact that the Dean is having a relationship with a professor didn't occur to either of them to be a red flag, given their history (before they even attempt to patch up) was bizzare.

Cash leaving during the third part of his backpacking in Europe to finish writing his first book (which is loosely based on their affair, which did NOT take place in Europe) to be used as a plot device to further keep them apart (though they still chatted -_-)

Messy - incredibly sloppy all across the board, and I am surprised because so many people hyped this book and truly I just could not get past the characters just not being rational in the throes of their insta lust.

dodibooks's review

5.0

This story is so good and so tragic at the same time. Cash and Stone are truly made for each other. But due to tragic circumstances they cannot be together. Only after 5 years do they meet again. And the attraction and love between them has not disappeared yet.

Ashley completely broke me. Although I felt it was a shame that I didn't read their sadness (happened off-page). Fortunately, she also made sure that my heart was glued back together.

rockerduh's review

emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Was good but could have been 75-100 pages shorter for me. Very sweet. 

nrich's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The audiobook really made it an enjoyable experience. 

This was a good balance of lust and love. They couldn't keep their hands off each other, but somehow I wasn't bothered by it. I enjoyed their shared moments. Thankfully, I could tell why Stone left Cash high and dry had to be drastic. I wish I knew a little bit more about Aida. It felt a little over the place with her personality. And at the end of the story I wish I had seen Kylie and some of Cash's friends more. 

Overall, I had a good experience; I love the sentimental scenes together. 

spicyreadsandheas's review

5.0

Why did y'all let me sleep on this book?! Here I thought I was going to get the usual professor/student book, but noooo this is WAY more than I expected!

Cash has a huge crush on his married professor, Stone. After attending a weekend literary conference together, sparks fly between them and they begin an illicit affair. But everything changes for them after one fateful night...

lore_1703's review

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

ladymcgrace's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It was cute, and nothing much really happened. 

It's basically about a professor who breaks his code of conduct and falls in love with one of his students

 while cheating on his wife because their marriage is falling apart, and then the wife dies.  By mistake, car accident and then the professor feels guilty so he decides to ghost the student by moving to another state without telling him even though they've made plans to be together.  Long story short,  the student graduates and ends up working at the same university the professor now works at .And they reunite and get married the end.