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    Kissing Mr. Wrong
    Kissing Mr. Wrong
    Kissing Mr. Wrong
    Ebook118 pages1 hour

    Kissing Mr. Wrong

    By Kerri Carpenter

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Three months ago, graphic designer Vanessa Hewitt slept with the ridiculously hot guy she met after nearly falling to her death while stargazing on a bridge. The adrenaline-fueled night of we'll-never-see-each-other-again sex fulfilled every fantasy, but with her best friend's wedding on the horizon, Vanessa can't stop thinking about what would happen if her sexy stranger passed through town again.

    Haunted by his time in Afghanistan, soldier John Campbell returns to his sister's town just long enough to help plan an engagement party for her. When he realizes her best friend is the sweet one-night stand he's been fantasizing about for months, he'll do anything to have her again...though getting trapped together in a storeroom wasn't quite what he had in mind.

    Vanessa is in hell. Or is it heaven? Because with every touch, their forbidden connection grows, until kissing Mr. Wrong starts feeling more like kissing Mr. Right...

    Each book in the Wrong Man series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.
    Series Order:
    Book #1 Kissing Mr. Wrong
    Book #2 Tempting Mr. Wrong

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateMay 26, 2015
    ISBN9781633752863
    Kissing Mr. Wrong
    Author

    Kerri Carpenter

    Award-winning romance author Kerri Carpenter writes contemporary romances that are sweet, sexy, and sparkly. When she’s not writing, Kerri enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, taking Zumba classes, rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams, and anything sparkly. Kerri lives in Northern Virginia with her adorable (and mischievous) rescued poodle mix, Harry. Kerri loves chatting with readers. Visit her at kerricarpenter.com or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to connect today.

    Read more from Kerri Carpenter

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    Reviews for Kissing Mr. Wrong

    4.5/5

    12 ratings5 reviews

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    • 5/5
      A fun sexy read that had me smiling all the way through. After a sizzling night together Vanessa never thought she would see John again. Little does she know that John is actually Jack. The wayward brother of her very best friend and is completely hands off. Her brain gets it but her body.....

      This is a great light read that I definitely recommend to everyone!
    • 3/5
      It was a ok read. It kept my attention for the most part.
    • 5/5
      I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/Entangled Publishing for an honest review. The day Vanessa Hewitt gets laid off she meets this hunk of a guy, John, that saves her life. Vanessa and John have a one-night stand thinking they will never see each other again. Vanessa can not quit thinking about John. She wonders what would happen if John came back. Three months later Vanessa's one-night stand is back and from there the story had me laughing and crying at times. A quick, sensual, and steamy read. I really enjoyed Vanessa's and John's story. I look forward to reading more books by Kerri Carpenter.
    • 5/5
      This was my first time reading Ms. Carpenter's work and I loved it! Heart-warming. Sweet. I was hooked from the start. The characters are very likable and the chemistry is great. Excellent story! I look forward to reading more of Ms. Carpenter's stories.ARC received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
    • 3/5
      Kissing Mr. Wrong by Kerri Carpenter was more of a novella than a novel. The writing was good. There were no errors. I loved the cover too. I wasn’t sure about the title though. There were not many mentions made in the book about John being “Mr. Wrong” so the title didn’t seem to fit too much.

      I liked Vanessa and John very much. However, I did not like Jess, Vanessa’s friend, very much at first but I did get over that.

      Even though this was a short story and there were some things that I didn’t like about this story (things I can’t get into without giving too much of the story away), I still felt this was a sweet story.

      *I received a free book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

    Book preview

    Kissing Mr. Wrong - Kerri Carpenter

    Table of Contents

    Dedication

    Chapter One

    Chapter Two

    Chapter Three

    Chapter Four

    Chapter Five

    Chapter Six

    Chapter Seven

    Chapter Eight

    Chapter Nine

    Chapter Ten

    Chapter Eleven

    Chapter Twelve

    Epilogue

    Acknowledgments

    About the Author

    Find love in unexpected places with these satisfying Lovestruck reads…

    The Rules According to Gracie

    Melting the Millionaire’s Heart

    Breaking the Bachelor

    Marine for Hire

    This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

    Copyright © 2015 by Kerri Carpenter. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

    Entangled Publishing, LLC

    2614 South Timberline Road

    Suite 109

    Fort Collins, CO 80525

    Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

    Lovestruck is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC.

    Edited by Heather Howland

    Cover design by Heather Howland

    Photography from iStock

    ISBN 978-1-63375-286-3

    Manufactured in the United States of America

    First Edition May 2015

    For Aimee Freeman - a fantastic mother, coworker, friend, and writer. You’re doing a great job!

    Chapter One

    Vanessa knew it happened to other people, but she still couldn’t believe it had happened to her. Even after the requisite talk with human resources, then packing up her desk and turning in her work ID, her brain refused to accept it.

    But she had definitely been laid off today.

    She dropped off her stuff at her apartment, and then went directly to her home away from home, also known as Mike’s, the bar downstairs.

    Sure, she’d been given her usual cheerful greeting, and the pity glass of Pinot Noir had been delicious. But nothing was making her feel better at the moment. Not even the hot eye candy sitting at the end of the bar, who kept throwing glances in her direction. With his broad shoulders, muscular arms, and ready smile, he was just her type. Only tonight was not the ideal time to flirt. All she could do at the moment was mope.

    Don’t worry about it, V, Mike said, leaning over the bar. You can work here until you find something new.

    Mike’s offer was kind, and she had every intention of taking him up on it. Still, she’d thought her waitressing and bartending days were over. Unfortunately, one of the downsides of living in a small Virginia town two hours outside Washington, DC, was that graphic design jobs weren’t falling off trees.

    Moving there is a huge mistake, her mother’s disapproving voice echoed in her head. You’ll come to regret it. Mark my words.

    Pushing all maternal criticism from her brain, she offered a small smile. Thanks, Mike, I really appreciate it. Stealing a quick glance around the large mahogany bar and even larger dining area, she decided it wasn’t the worst place to work. She knew the menu inside and out, as well as most of the regulars. When do you need me to start?

    Why don’t you take a couple days off and start next week? His eyes held sympathy as he pushed a glass of water across the bar.

    Thanks, she mumbled.

    A quick glance at her phone showed her that her best friend hadn’t called her back yet. Come on, Jess, I need you. Trying not to take it personally, she sighed. After all, she knew exactly where Jess was. Where she always was lately.

    What’s Jess up to tonight? Mike asked, as if reading her mind.

    She shrugged. Probably with Paul.

    That got serious fast.

    Sure had. If Vanessa hadn’t been in such a sour mood, she would admit how happy she was for her friend. Jess had been the first person to befriend her when she moved to Crescent Falls two years ago for, ironically, her new job. Now, her old job. She blew her overgrown bangs out of her face. She really needed to do something about them soon.

    So what do ya say, V? Want another drink?

    As a matter of fact, she did. But the tears that kept pushing at the backs of her eyes, oh, those waterworks would start full-force if she opted for a second glass of wine. As it was, the Pinot Noir she favored tasted like ashes in her mouth. Fitting, she supposed, since her dream job had gone up in flames today. She pushed the half-full glass aside and opted for the water.

    She couldn’t help but notice that while the hot guy at the end of the bar kept his hand wrapped around his own half-consumed beer, he seemed intent on her answer as well.

    Nah. This is it for me. I should be heading out soon anyway.

    Okay. Mike shot her a relieved look. Yeah, she knew he didn’t do well with weepy women. I really am sorry. You okay getting home?

    Unable to suppress it, she rolled her eyes. I think I can make it all the way upstairs just fine.

    Mike grinned. You know I have to ask.

    I know, I know. Thanks, Mike. I mean, boss. When she tried to pay her tab, Mike waived her off. She was too tired to put up a fuss.

    On her way out of the bar, she passed the door that led to the landing of the apartments above and paused. She could go upstairs and pick up her paintbrush. Art had always been an outlet for her and maybe she could take some of this sadness out on the canvas.

    No. Art used to be her outlet. Lately, it had only added to her frustration.

    Maybe she could go upstairs and put on a weepy movie. She wasn’t drunk, but she was definitely emotional.

    The thought of going to her cramped apartment for a private pity party… Nope. No way. She needed air. Lots of it.

    Outside, the recently fallen leaves crunched beneath her black boots. She inhaled, taking in the distinctly autumnal smell that always reminded her of fires crackling away in hearths, Friday night high school football games, and the remnants of Halloween candy.

    The fact that a tiny town in the middle of nowhere had become home still surprised her. Thanks to Jess, her old job, Mike’s Bar, and the other friendly residents, she’d come to love it. Even without a nightlife, or many job possibilities that didn’t involve manual labor or horses, she still adored living there.

    Vanessa didn’t have to think about where she wanted to go tonight. She crossed the street and headed for one of her favorite spots.

    The old stone bridge across from the bar dated back to God-knew-when. Probably Revolutionary times, she thought, as she leaned over the edge and listened to the bubbling water below. The sound of the water running over the many rocks she knew were down there calmed her. Brought her peace.

    She hopped up and swung one leg over the side, intending to sit a while before returning to her apartment.

    No, don’t!

    Freezing at the loud, insistent voice, she chanced a glance over her shoulder. It was the hot guy from the bar. Only he looked less hot, more worried, as he quickly approached her with both hands held out in front of him.

    Please don’t.

    Don’t what? she asked, confused.

    Trust me, it’s not worth it. I know you had a shitty day. Believe me, I’ve had my fair share. But you’ll find a new job.

    Cocking her head, she took in his concerned expression. Not to mention the incredibly muscular body, held so tightly in anticipation that his dark green polo shirt strained against it. As he slowly neared, she realized he was even taller than he’d appeared while seated in the bar. If she was five-eight, he was probably an inch or two over six feet, but his rippling muscles, square jaw, and broad shoulders made him seem much larger.

    Close now, he stretched a hand toward her. "Please, give me your

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