The Kiss of a Stranger
935262
It was a nice clean book without Mz. Eden having to fill in all the blanks.  Nicely written and worth the read!
1618427
Loved this book. I would read it agian. Better the I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Praise the Lord God bless. Amen
4836044
This was a really good friend to lovers kind of story, but it was more of an accidental friendship. He saw her at the library and his friend bet him five hundred dollars that she wouldn't put her mouth on any part of his body. She ends up kissing him after she tells him she gets half of that bet money and so starts their friendship.
4526762
It is a sweet story of two young people dealing with "life" who meet while traveling on a bus. The author does a fine job of taking the reader along on the journey, to discover the impact they have on one another. Surprise twist at the end got to me.
3669581
Hadleys roommate dared her to kiss a stranger because she needed to enjoy life more.  Hadley only concentrated on school and the college newspaper she ran.  One night, drunk, at a tailgate, Hadley kisses Jack and it is one of the best kisses.  They separate, never get each other names. Until Hadley has to confront a fraternity on campus and she runs into no other than the guy who kissed her.
I did not want them together.  Every time I thought Hadley would just be kinder, she wasnt.  I understood her fears of being in love, but I did not understand her insensitivity to the way she treated Jack.  Her rules.  It was always about her rules.  Forget about human feelings.  It was like she was a robot.  I felt no connection to her.  When she cried, it was too late.  And I felt like they were only crocodile tears because she was lonely or jealous not because she actually hurt or hurt him.  Hadley never took his feelings into consideration.  She was cold as ice; never thought to apologize when he was hurting.
My rating really has to do with the how I felt about Hadley and Jacks relationship.  I don't think I ever flinched so much as I did when Hadley would speak to Jack.  I did not want him to feel anything for her.  I wanted him to walk away and never look back.

This relationship did not feel right.
There was nothing wrong with the way the story was written.  Audrey Bell is a great story teller and writer.  Hadleys roommate, Davids story was very well told. I think what happened to David happens so often that it needs to be discussed more. I usually do not like sub-stories with the main characters friends but this one I really liked.
I will be reading more of Audrey Bells books.  She is actually an author that I seek out and look forward to seeing her release a new book.

A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
987687
A simple story beautifully shot and well acted.

A girl from an close knit orthodox Jewish family in Paris falls for a mysterious, quiet Arab man.

It's familiar territory, but done so sensually, and with such rich sense of detail that it feels completely fresh.  A glimpse into a closed off world, where people cling to traditions in both fear and pride, leading to an almost incestuous over-involvement in each other's lives.

Great use of close-up image throughout, adding texture, and intimacy.  That rare film that gives such a sense of place it's like you can smell the air of the rooms of the family's apartment.
3379323
This was an amazing story by Gaelen Foley - it was intriguing on its own merits but also included familiar characters that made the reader feel like they were meeting up with old friends.  The story moved quickly and I was sorry to see it end but I am hoping that a new story will be coming from this author soon.
2161856
Almost all of us travel in local trains and often see strangers who even at first glance seem nothing like a stranger. We feel a connection with them like we already know them, like we are meant to be. There is a pull that makes us want to know everything about them. Search for any connection with them.

Such is the case with the protagonist in this short story by Zack Love. The protagonist is a normal man in a suit and tie who finds himself intrigued by a woman sharing the platform on the train station and then the metal bar in the train with him. He reminisces the carefree days of his youth where he wouldn't have thought twice before approaching this beautiful stranger and acquainting himself with her. But over the time, he has become timid. He is afraid to talk to her. He is conflicted but still unable to keep himself from getting more and more intrigued and attracted by her.

Who is she?
Where is she from?
What is her name?
Does she travel by this train often?
If so, then why hasn't he seen her before because he travels to his office by the same train everyday?

All these and more questions swim in his mind and finally he decides to talk to her. But what happens when he talks to her?
Is she flattered?
Is she offended?
Do they become more close?

Zack Love gives a psychological and philosophical look to the everyday local train traveller who meets so many people each day. Some he rarely notices, even though they travel by the same train everyday but there are some who catch the eye of every person around even at first glance.

A quickie, I was entertained by this book. Although at some point I felt like the author was just rambling but still the book kept me hooked and when the end came I was jolted! Yes, definitely jolted. :)
The end packs a punch and because of that I give City Solipsism a 3.5 out of 5. A fresh and very innovative look at the daily travellers and the boring executives in a suit and a tie make this story an interesting read.

This review is also available on the blog Njkinny's World of Books..
4182657
Very nice read, tells a story of a coming-to-age young man and the devotion of a "stranger".  The story makes the reader question the true nature of mankind and how everyone has room in their heart to help someone in need.
176747
I really enjoyed this book. I kind of stumbled upon it by accident & just started reading it. I really enjoyed the authors style of writing. I was drawn in from the very first page & although some of it may have been a little predictable, I enjoyed the journey to get there. I don't often have favourite lines/quotes from a book but I loved this one...  "It was just a slow, gentle kiss, his tongue barely parting my lips, and still it was intense with alcohol and him. I thought my heart had stopped, but all that had stopped was time"... Sigh. I would happily recommend this book.
54897
This is a book that shows how we should treat strangers in real need. It shows the love of God. It is a great story and easy to read.
3117526
Savanna is having a bad day. A very very bad day.

Mark is the cop who lives across the street. He is attracted to Savanna, but thinks she lives too close to become involved with.

Santa is re-possessing her car. She jumped out of the tub to yell at Santa. In the middle of her weekly beauty regimen, she has mayonnaise in her hair and a blue mask on her face. She runs across the street to get help from Mark, the handsome cop.

The book is an upbeat (oxymoron) mystery from there. It is a joyous Christmas love story.
2036252
One of the early scenes is the main character meets a handsome man and ten minutes later he has grabbed her and kissed her.  Oooh lah lah.  She likes that action!

If that is the kind character you enjoy you may like this book.
923392
This is a really warm story that will capture your heart. Especially the love between the two main characters. Liam is every woman's dream guy. This novel touches on some difficult topics but does so tastefully.

My only problem with this novel is that towards the end of the novel it switches voices between the main girl and guy. It was done so abruptly and was quite strange. It would have been better if it had stayed in the female voice.

A nice story, I would recommend you read it in one sitting one Sunday afternoon.
3039501
Hello, this story was very unique.  There were some similarities but this is one of a kind.  Great job.  Thanks.
859095
This is a very unusual story with a surprising ending.
2139908
This highly-acclaimed Oscar winning film is set in pre-revolutionary France with its costumes, manners, and mind-set of the time, especially the way the French thought about male and female sexuality. A man, they felt, is an aggressor and predator, unable to settle down with a single woman. He enjoys having sex, especially if he can seduce a reluctant woman into submitting to him. Women, they were convinced, are passive, easily seduced, unable to enjoy having sex but enjoying giving it.

 A man and a woman, mischievously played by John Malkovich and Glenn Close, enjoy sex with each other but want to enjoy seeing two women seduced. There is a sexual feeling in this, but also a feeling of control and taking revenge. Both women are beautiful. One is a young virgin who is engaged to a count. Wouldn't it be fun to see the face of the count when he discovers that his virgin is not so! Also, think about the revenge we will inflict upon her mother! The other is a more mature wife of a currently absent husband, a very religious woman. Wouldn't it be fun to seduce a religious woman away from her husband and her religion, all that she holds dear!

 Many viewers will enjoy seeing the somewhat unusual way that the conniving pair go about the seductions. There is lots of humor in their acts and in the reactions of the two seduces. However, it must be recalled that the events could not happen in today's culture as they do in the film.