Book Review: Kiss Me Again by Rachel Vail

Reading Kiss Me Again by Rachel Vail felt a lot like revisiting the chaos of teenage years—awkward, messy, emotional, and somehow beautifully honest. As a sequel to If We Kiss, I had a few expectations going in, but I was still surprised by how much the story stuck with me, especially through Charlie’s voice.

Charlie Collins is one of those characters that feels like she’s been plucked right out of real life. She’s smart, self-aware, and often stuck in her own head—something I could 100% relate to. In this book, she’s still navigating the fallout of kissing Kevin Lazarus (who, to complicate everything, is now technically her stepbrother). That dynamic? It’s as complicated and cringe-y as it sounds, but also really compelling.

What I loved most about this book is that Rachel Vail doesn’t shy away from the discomfort. She leans into the awkwardness of teen love, blended families, and personal growth in a way that feels raw but never forced. The tension between Charlie and Kevin isn’t just romantic—it’s laced with confusion, guilt, desire, and the kind of emotional nuance that so many YA books gloss over.

Vail’s writing style is intimate and conversational, almost like reading through someone’s unfiltered journal. That made it easy to sink into Charlie’s world. The prose isn’t overly flowery or dramatic; it’s sharp, funny, and honest. Some of Charlie’s inner monologues had me chuckling, while others hit me with that familiar sting of teenage uncertainty.

I also appreciated how the book handled family dynamics, especially the way Charlie’s relationships with her mom, dad, and stepfamily are portrayed. A lot is going on under the surface, and even when things aren't tied up neatly, it feels real. That's something I’ve come to really value in YA fiction: not pretending every issue has a quick fix.

If I had one tiny gripe, it’s that the pacing sometimes felt uneven. Certain moments stretched a bit too long, while others I wanted more of—especially scenes that gave us deeper glimpses into Kevin’s perspective or Charlie's evolving sense of self.

That said, Kiss Me Again isn't trying to be a fast-paced romantic drama. It’s more of a slow-burn exploration of identity, desire, and how we learn to make peace with things that don’t make sense right away. And in that sense, it succeeds beautifully.

Would I recommend it? Definitely—especially if you’re into character-driven stories that aren't afraid to sit with the messy parts of love and life. Just maybe keep some emotional armor nearby—you’re going to feel things.