kissing booth book review

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THE KISSING BOOTH

by Beth Reekles ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2013

Lacking in everything but length. (Fiction. 14 & up)

Sixteen and never-been-kissed Elle is unprepared for the fallout from her brief stint working in a kissing booth.

When Noah turns up as her first and only customer at the carnival booth, their kiss is more than either could have predicted. Unfortunately, as her best friend Lee’s older brother, Noah is off-limits. Elle’s resolve to honor this quickly crumbles when Noah confesses his feelings for her. Determined not to hurt her friendship with Lee, Elle demands that their romance stay a secret. Naturally, their clandestine activity is soon discovered, resulting in hurt feelings all around. Furthermore, jealous, narcissistic and with a tendency toward violence, Noah is far from the perfect boyfriend that Elle envisioned. Cardboard characters, a predictable plot and painful dialogue are only a few of the problems plaguing this too-familiar story. While Elle and Noah’s romance is sufficiently steamy, readers will grow tired of the couple’s incessant bickering. Elle’s girl-next-door persona is endearing, but her continuing naïveté about Noah’s true nature in the face of mounting evidence is implausible. The overlarge cast of secondary characters doing their best to populate a featureless setting is confusing. Initially presented on Wattpad and picked up with much hoopla by Random House, this unfortunate debut from a young author is in desperate need of a firmer editorial hand.

Pub Date: May 14, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-385-37868-0

Page Count: 448

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: May 3, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2013

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES

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IF ONLY I HAD TOLD HER

by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024

A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.

In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me , three characters tell their sides of the story.

Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.

Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024

ISBN: 9781728276229

Page Count: 416

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT FICTION | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE

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BOOK REVIEW

by Laura Nowlin

IF HE HAD BEEN WITH ME

by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2013

There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.

The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.

Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.

Pub Date: April 1, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5

Page Count: 336

Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013

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The Kissing Booth series

The Kissing Booth

** read the book behind the smash-hit netflix film, starring joey king ** meet elle evans: pretty, popular - and never been kissed. meet noah flynn: badass, volatile - and a total player. when elle decides to run a kissing booth for the school carnival, she never imagines she'll sit in it – or that her first ever kiss would be with bad boy noah. from that moment, her life is turned upside down – but is this a romance destined for happiness or heartbreak if you love holly bourne and john green, then you will adore the kissing booth, the beach house, want to know what happened to elle and noah straight after the smash-hit netflix film the kissing booth elle evans always spends a perfect summer full of sun, sea and plenty of flirting at lee and noah's beach house. and she can't wait to hit the beach, even if this year, things are a little different... elle is now officially dating hotter-than-hot noah - it's amazing, and elle's never been happier. but noah's leaving for harvard at the end of the summer - and what will happen to them then meanwhile lee's new girlfriend, rachel, is joining them for the summer. elle and lee have always been bffs, but can everything stay the same with rachel on the scene - and with elle now dating lee's big brother can elle have one last perfect summer with her two favourite boys.

The Kissing Booth 2: Going the Distance

**the inspiration for the kissing booth 2 on netflix - out now** elle evans seems to have finally tamed hotter-than-hot bad boy noah flynn, but now they're facing a new challenge. noah's 3,000 miles away at harvard, which means they're officially a long-distance couple - and it's tough. after all, there's only so much texts and calls can satisfy - and when elle sees a post which suggests noah's getting friendly with another girl, she's devastated. on top of that, it's hard to ignore the new boy at school. he's gentle, sweet, cute - and definitely interested in elle. with her heart on the line, what's a girl to do join elle, noah, lee and all your favourite kissing booth characters for another amazing romantic story that's sure to have you swooning., the kissing booth: road trip, a super-fun romantic comedy short story, set in the world of the bestselling the kissing booth - written exclusively for world book day 2020 everyone knows it's tough having a long-distance relationship - especially when your boyfriend is as sizzlingly hot and exciting as noah flynn. elle's thrilled her bad-boy-turned good has made it into harvard, but being stuck back in los angeles isn't much fun without him. so there's only one thing for it . . . a road trip to visit and what could be better than packing up your best buddy's convertible sports car, heading out on route 66, and looking for fun and adventure along the way maybe only the person waiting for you at the other end . . ..

The Kissing Booth 3: One Last Time

INSPIRED BY THE KISSING BOOTH 3 - NOW A MAJOR NETFLIX FILM! It started with a kiss. It ends with a chance to rewrite the rules. For one last time, join Elle, Noah, Lee and all your favourite Kissing Booth characters for the conclusion to this incredible romantic story! Summer is here, and Elle can't wait to spend it with her two favourite boys: Noah and Lee! Better yet, they'll be chilling at the Flynn family beach home, where Elle and Lee discover the Beach Bucket List - their childhood wishlist of crazy things they swore they'd do together before going to college. Elle is determined to make this the best summer ever . . . because she's facing the hardest decision of her life. Should she move across the country to join Noah at Harvard, or fulfil her lifelong promise to go to college with Lee at Berkeley? Maybe it's time for Elle to stop thinking about what the boys expect . . . and decide which future she wants. Whose heart will break as The Kissing Booth trilogy comes to an end?

A note from the author, i began writing the kissing booth when i was 15 years old, uploading it one chapter at a time to story-sharing platform wattpad - it accumulated over 19 million reads before i was offered a 3-book publishing deal at age 17. this story and these characters have meant so much to me. they were a huge part of my life for ten years, and it's been thrilling to see them adapted for netflix. if you'd like to find out more about that, make sure to check out my blog posts in the archive. and, in case you were going to ask... no, there won't be a kissing booth 4..

thanks for all the love, Beth

The Kissing Booth: Volume 1

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About the author

  Beth Reekles is seventeen years old and lives in South Wales. She is studying physics, math, French, and Spanish and hopes to study physics in college. She is an undeniable bookworm and an avid drinker of tea. Beth first published The Kissing Booth  on the Wattpad platform, where it is the most-viewed, most-commented-on teen fiction title on the site, with 19 million reads and 40,000 comments to date. It also won the Most Popular Teen Fiction Watty Award. You can find her on Twitter at @Reekles.

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Home » ‘The Kissing Booth 3’ review: The trilogy ends with a positive message all high school seniors should hear

‘The Kissing Booth 3’ review: The trilogy ends with a positive message all high school seniors should hear

The Kissing Booth 3 has it all: youthful abandon, whimsy, heartache and the stress that comes with making pivotal decisions in life.  We may not all be Elle Evans (Joey King), trying to choose between top-tier schools like Harvard and Berkeley, but there’s a universal understanding of what it means to make a decision that will impact the rest of our lives. If you’re looking for a simple, feel-good movie that makes you smile, try The Kissing Booth’s first two installments . If you’re looking for a sincere, more mature installment, The Kissing Booth 3 might make you shed unexpected tears.

The narrative of the film feels similar to the previous two movies: Elle and her best friend Lee (Joel Courtney) playfully enjoy life until they find an old bucket list they created as kids. Because Elle made up her mind to attend Harvard with her boyfriend Noah Flynn (Jacob Elordi), his brother Lee is absolutely devastated. See, Elle and Lee were childhood friends, and the two planned on attending Berkeley together ever since they were kids. In order to make it up to Lee, Elle decides the two of them will complete every single thing on the list.

It’s amusing watching Elle and Lee accomplish all of their youthful hopes and dreams, from jumping off a cliff to starting a flash mob at a fancy, upscale restaurant, to drinking as many slushies as they can until they get brain freeze. All of these moments oddly reminded me of the Disney Channel Original Movies I watched as a kid, but after further reflection, all of that childlike fun in this movie feels intentional.

In a way, The Kissing Booth 3 takes the audience along as Elle and Lee and even Noah grow up.

The characters go from teenagers who just want to have fun to serious young adults ready to start a new chapter in their lives. And it was absolutely heart-wrenching to watch. The idea of getting older and venturing into the unknown can sound unsettling at first. The “unknown” may just be college to Elle and Lee, but it’s also putting their childhood behind them, moving away from everything they’ve ever known, and starting new lives for themselves.

Nostalgia is the foundation of Kissing Booth 3 . Not only does Elle have to make the choice between Harvard and Berkeley, but also the Flynn Beach house that Elle, Lee, and Noah practically grew up in is going up for sale. So, while Elle has to make a huge life-altering decision in her life, she also has to say goodbye to many aspects of the world she’s come to know: either Noah or Lee (Noah if she chooses Berkeley, Lee if she chooses Harvard,) and all of her heartfelt memories associated with the beach house. 

From cleaning up the toys, to showing the younger versions of Elle and Lee faded in the background as Lee drives off to college, to even the measuring height wall in the beach house, all of these small aspects of the movie add to the sentimental value.

But the movie is more than just nostalgia.

Elle fulfilling her bucket list with Lee complicates her relationship with Noah. Because Elle’s spending every minute she’s not working with Lee, she finds herself more distanced from Noah. Not to mention Marco’s in the area (Taylor Zakhar Perez,) the boy Elle kissed in The Kissing Booth 2, when she falsely thought Noah was cheating on her.

While Elle seems to be on the outskirts with Noah at one point in the movie, which was disappointing to see, we do see where their relationship stands in the final scene. As with Marco, I’m glad The Kissing Booth 3 explores this love triangle without leaving the viewer feeling unsatisfied, and Elle makes up her mind on who—or really, what —she wants.

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My favorite part of The Kissing Booth 3 is its mature message. Elle spends so much time worrying which school to pick—Berkeley for Lee or Harvard for Noah?—that she fails to recognize what she wants herself. Mrs. Flynn (Molly Ringwald,) Elle’s mother-figure, gives her some important advice: do what you want, not what others want you to do. 

The Kissing Booth 3 ends with a years-later epilogue. It would have been nice exploring both Elle and Lee’s college life in a fourth installment, but the epilogue pretty much makes that impossible now, since we know what paths all of the characters took. Elle certainly matures, and so does Lee and Noah. I’ve always liked epilogues in stories, so watching Elle and the rest of the characters get a proper ending was satisfying.

The Kissing Booth 3 wraps up its storyline well.

We got all of the answers needed from Elle, Lee, Noah, and all of the other minor characters. We learn the fate of Lee and Rachel’s relationship, which was a little rocky at times, and Elle gets a conclusion befitting her arc over all three films, finally having clarity in what she wants in her future life.

Ultimately, these stories have been all about friendship, and that’s remained true until the very end. Life may not have turned out the way these characters expected, but it was enjoyable seeing Elle succeed in her future endeavors. What started off as a fun, youthful movie on Netflix turned into a touching, tear-inducing story. If you like heartfelt movies with a bunch of romance, The Kissing Booth 3 may be the perfect film for you.

The Kissing Booth 3 will start streaming on Netflix Aug. 11. Check out the official trailer here .

Chelsie Derman

Chelsie Derman studies journalism and professional writing, as well as creative writing, at The College of New Jersey. She also serves as the Arts & Entertainment Editor at her school newspaper, The Signal. When she isn’t writing reviews or anything pertaining to entertainment, you will find Chelsie either writing her novel or watching anything fantasy related.

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The Third 'The Kissing Booth' Book Actually Comes out After the Movie

Aug. 17 2021, Published 1:50 p.m. ET

Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for The Kissing Booth 3 .

Now that The Kissing Booth 3 is finally out on Netflix, we can lay The Kissing Booth series to rest. But there’s actually one piece left of the trilogy — the third book. That’s right, the third book is coming out after the movie is released, so fans of the movie series are wondering if it’s worth diving into the book series.

Not only that, but for fans of series like Harry Potter and Twilight, we (unfortunately) know how challenging it can be to adapt a book series to film. So, how did The Kissing Booth do in comparison to the book series it’s based on?

‘The Kissing Booth’ movies are based on Beth Reekles' books.

We love a story of young forbidden love, and nothing does it better than The Kissing Booth (well, except for maybe Titanic ). Regardless, we can’t help but enjoy watching Elle and Noah deal with the ups and downs — and all the drama —of their forbidden, secret relationship throughout the series. Of course, they have their obstacles, but by the end of The Kissing Booth 3 , they seem to work it out.

So does that match up with the book? Well, funnily enough, the third book in the series is actually based on the movie. The first book, The Kissing Booth , was published in 2012 by 26-year-old Beth Reekles , and when Netflix optioned it as a film in 2018, she was overjoyed.

On the heels of the first movie's success, Beth began working on a sequel, The Kissing Booth: Going the Distance , which was published in January 2020 ahead of the second movie.

But the third movie was on the road to production before the third book could be finished. Beth worked directly with Netflix on the plot and script for The Kissing Booth 3 , which should correspond directly with the third book in the series, The Kissing Booth: One Last Time . The third movie was released on Netflix on Aug. 11 but the third book doesn’t come out until Aug. 17.

There are some differences between ‘The Kissing Booth’ books and movies.

Although Beth worked directly with Netflix on the third movie, she didn’t have much input on the first two. “I wouldn’t have been anywhere near qualified enough to be involved in creating [the movies],” she explained to USA Today . The Kissing Booth was her first book series, so it makes sense that she felt that way. But we disagree! It’s her series, so she has every qualification necessary.

Luckily, she did get some input. “With the films, I did have a call with Vince [Marcello, the films’ writer/director] and got to give feedback on the scripts,” she revealed. Regardless, there were still a lot of differences.

The first worth mentioning: In the books, there are no “rules” between Lee and Elle. Part of Lee’s frustration with Elle and Noah’s relationship is just the fact that she hides it from him in the first place.

In addition, there’s a bit more drama in the movies when it comes to characters taking advantage of Elle. In the movie, both Warren and Tuppen make unwanted advances on her, but in the books, that doesn't happen.

One of the best things about the books is the ability to more fully develop and define the characters and their growth. In the movies, we don’t have that luxury, so it’s much harder to get a sense of the characters’ development throughout the series. But one thing the movies do get right? The overall fun, flirty, and youthful vibe.

The movies still manage to convey the characters' personalities, even if they miss out on the subtlety behind some of their decisions.

Author Beth even said herself, “I knew there were a lot of differences from the book, but at the same time it still kept the characters and kind of the core of what was going on.” And that’s all we can ask for!

The entire The Kissing Booth trilogy is now available to stream on Netflix.

Unlike Elle Evans in 'The Kissing Booth,' Actress Joey King Is in a Solid Relationship

'The Kissing Booth 3' Ending Explained: Here's What You Should Know About Elle's Future (SPOILERS)

Who Is 'Euphoria' and 'The Kissing Booth' Star Jacob Elordi Dating Now?

Latest The Kissing Booth News and Updates

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The kissing booth, common sense media reviewers.

Quirky romcom has strong language, teen drinking, sex.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

You won't really be happy if it means someone

Elle has a variety of interests that go against ge

Some fights with punching, pushing, body slamming;

Lots of kissing, brief making out, implied teen se

"F--k," "s--t," "d--k,&qu

Vaseline, Barbie Dance Party.

Teens drink to excess at parties; multiple shots,

Parents need to know that The Kissing Booth is a teen romcom adapted from a popular ebook of the same name written by a 15-year-old. It definitely delivers on the title's promise: There's lots of kissing, some brief making out, undressing, and implied sex. Main character Elle (Joey King) also appears…

Positive Messages

You won't really be happy if it means someone has to sacrifice their happiness for you. You can't give up your own happiness to make someone else happy. Things change, and that can be sad and scary, but it also means that the future holds endless possibilities. Iffy message about getting into lots of fights because it's just how you're wired. Teen drinking and sexual activity are presented as normal. Brief conversation about whether wearing revealing clothing is "asking for it." High-school stereotyping played for comedy. The central romance is based on Noah changing his violent, controlling behavior, which he agrees to. Idealizes very wealthy, mostly white kids from Los Angeles.

Positive Role Models

Elle has a variety of interests that go against gender norms, like being good at video games and playing soccer. She tries to keep everyone happy, including herself, stands up for herself too. In real life Noah's behavior should set off alarms; he's violent, jealous, controlling. He ultimately shows that he's serious and sincere when it comes to Elle. Lee is a loyal and supportive best friend who learns that he's also trying to control Elle in a different way and is able to overcome it.

Violence & Scariness

Some fights with punching, pushing, body slamming; a few slightly bloody injuries shown, like cut lips and bruises. A boy slaps a girl's behind. Some bullying, like giving wedgies. Flashbacks show Elle's mother sick in the hospital, and eventually Elle at her mother's grave.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Lots of kissing, brief making out, implied teen sex. Teens start to take off clothes, kiss while wearing only underwear. A short skirt shows a girl's underwear, part of her buttocks. Dancing and suggestive movements in underwear. Mention that a girl accidentally "touched it" while wrestling with a boy. Elle buys condoms. A boy has Vaseline and a magazine under his bed. Some brief same-sex flirting and dancing. Menstruation mentioned.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

"F--k," "s--t," "d--k," "ass," "douche," "boobs," "hell," "damn," "bitch," "slut," "ho," "Jesus" as an exclamation, and "grinding coochies."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Drinking, drugs & smoking.

Teens drink to excess at parties; multiple shots, keg stands, and a relay race that includes chugging beer. Elle drinks to excess at a party, dances on a table while taking off her dress, and suggests going skinny-dipping, with brief hangover symptoms shown the morning after. Outtakes during the end credits show Elle near a toilet with simulated vomit in it and passed out on the bathroom floor.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Kissing Booth is a teen romcom adapted from a popular ebook of the same name written by a 15-year-old. It definitely delivers on the title's promise: There's lots of kissing, some brief making out, undressing, and implied sex. Main character Elle ( Joey King ) also appears in bra and underwear several times. It offers a good chance to talk to teens about Noah's bad-boy appeal and how violent, controlling behavior is a serious red flag in real life, as well as the wisdom of basing a relationship on a promise that someone will change. Fighting and bullying violence includes punches, body slams, wedgies, and a few bloody injuries. Strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," and "d--k." Teens drink to excess at parties, indulging in multiple shots, keg stands, and a relay race that includes chugging beer. Expect plenty of high school stereotypes and an idealized, wealthy, mostly white, LA lifestyle. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (95)
• Kids say (238)

Based on 95 parent reviews

BEST.MOVIE.EVER!!!!!!!!!

What's the story.

Best friends Elle ( Joey King ) and Lee ( Joel Courtney ) decide to put up THE KISSING BOOTH at their school's fundraising carnival their junior year. Lately Elle's been more and more attracted to Lee's bad-boy older brother, Noah (Jacob Elordi), who's strictly off limits thanks to Elle and Lee's friendship rules. When Elle takes a turn in the kissing booth, her first customer is none other than Noah, and the two quickly realize that they're falling for each other. How long can they keep their romance a secret?

Is It Any Good?

An appealing cast, idyllic setting, and of course, forbidden romance, provide lots of teen appeal in this quirky romantic comedy. The Kissing Booth keeps the tone light thanks to Elle's engaging narration, which also provides a few laughs along the way. There are some problems with pace, like taking way too long to get to the main conflict, some gaps in the story, and a pretty predictable resolution. But teen romance fans who can handle the edgy content and who can see past the stereotypes will enjoy watching events unfold to the refreshingly not-melodramatic but satisfying end.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how the romantic lead in The Kissing Booth is a "bad boy." Why is that appealing? What other movie bad boys have you seen, and which is your favorite? Why?

Do you believe that Noah will stop being violent and controlling? Why or why not? Have you ever tried to change for someone, or has someone tried to change for you? What happened?

Did you read the book this movie is based on? If so, do you like the book or the movie better? If not, would you like to now?

What did you think of the teen drinking ? Was it realistic? Were there any consequences?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : May 11, 2018
• Cast : Joey King , Joel Courtney , Jacob Elordi , Molly Ringwald
• Director : Vince Marcello
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Netflix
• Genre : Romance
• Topics : Brothers and Sisters , Friendship , High School
• Run time : 104 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : February 14, 2024

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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The Kissing Booth book series in order

Fancy a romance story? great, because we have a list with all The Kissing Booth books in order , and this is a young adult series full of romance. Some of you may know this series due to the movie adaptation produced by Netflix, so let me tell you something: the books are way better.

These novels by author Beth Reekles have become a huge success, and it’s time for you to discover this ya romance story.

The Kissing Booth books in order by Beth Reekles

This series is a trilogy, and author Beth Reekles published the novels narrating the story chronologically. Therefore, the one and only way to read The Kissing Booth books is in order of publication. Here you have the three novels that compose this trilogy, you can get any of them by clicking on their cover:

1. The Kissing Booth

2. Going the Distance

3. One Last Time

As you might have noticed, the books have the movie posters as their cover, both in the Kindle and paperback version. Which we are not very on, despite the fact that it’s very common, and that we know that makes sense from a business standpoint.

Now that we told you the order for The Kissing Booth books don’t miss these series

We are aware that you will devour The Kissing Booth series in no time, and once that happens you will be craving for more Ya romance stories. Here are three novels that will help you fill your literary void:

Also, if you want to read more novels by Beth Reekles then you can take a look at the Rolling Dice novel, a standalone story telling the story of Madison Clarke, a young girl who moves from Maine to Florida, a city in which she will meet Dwight, and her life will change…

But Beth Reekles is not the only Wattpad sensation, because there’s Ana Todd as well, and if you don’t know the After book series you should really start reading it because it’s quite simliar to the Kissing Booth books.

Remember that you can always leave a comment telling us about similar books that you think fans of The Kissing Booh series would enjoy, we are open to suggestions!

What is this story about?

Rochelle is a pretty popular girl, known by everyone as Elle, she has never kissed a boy. But then she runs a kissing booth during her school’s Spring Carnivel, and her lips will meet with Noah’s, who happens to be a rude boy.

What seemed to be just an innocent kiss will actually become way more. The start of a love story but so many ups and downs. As said before, the Kissing Booth book series has had a movie adaptation on Netflix, and it didn’t get the best scores on websites like ImdB, however, the books are way better so you really should give a chance to the novels even if you didn’t enjoy the movies that are based on them.

A list with all the The Kissing Booth books in order

The following list collects all The Kissing Booth books in order , this is a trilogy and is concluded. However, there may be a prequel or a sequel sooner or later, you never know, so we’ll keep this list updated.

The Kissing Booth books in order

Reading order:.

• The Kissing Booth (The Kissing booth book 1)
• Going the Distance (The Kissing booth book 2)
• One Last Time (The Kissing booth book 3)

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In addition, if you enjoy paranormal romances then you shouldn’t miss this list with similar books to Twilight , which happens to be one of the most popular series in that genre.

Have you started reading The Kissing Booth books? tells us if you have already watched the movies or if you’ll wait to watch them once you have finished the novels.

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The Kissing Booth

Where to watch.

Watch The Kissing Booth with a subscription on Netflix.

What to Know

The Kissing Booth deploys every rom-com cliché in the book with little care given to achieving any real sentiment.

Audience Reviews

Cast & crew.

Vince Marcello

Jacob Elordi

Molly Ringwald

Meganne Young

Joel Courtney

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O.L.T. (The Kissing Booth) Paperback

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Book 3 of 3 The Kissing Booth
• Language English
• Dimensions 7.8 x 5.08 x 1.02 inches
• ISBN-10 0241481635
• ISBN-13 978-0241481639
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Product details

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0241481635
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241481639
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.1 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.8 x 5.08 x 1.02 inches
• Best Sellers Rank: #6,980,674 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books )

About the author

Beth reekles.

Beth Reekles is a rom-com author best known for her bestselling YA series THE KISSING BOOTH (now also a hit trilogy on Netflix). Her tenth book and debut adult novel, LOVE, LOCKED DOWN was published in February 2022.

Originally sharing her work on story-sharing platform Wattpad, Reekles signed a three-book publishing deal with Penguin Random House aged 17 before completing a degree in Physics at Exeter University. She was named one of TIME Magazine's Most Influential Teens in 2013.

A self-confessed nerd, she is now a full-time author and enjoys uploading movie reviews to Instagram and learning languages in her spare time.

Find Beth Reekles on:

Twitter @Reekles

Instagram @authorbethreekles

TikTok @bethreekles

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The 10 Best Netflix Book-to-Movie Adaptations

F rom timeless classics to contemporary bestsellers, some of the best movies were adaptations of great books. Some of the best movies ever made, from Jane Austen's Emma to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings , have roots in books.

The marriage of literature and film has long been captivating, and with its vast audience reach, Netflix has brought some famous books to the big screen, allowing cinephiles to share in the thrill of these stories. Below is an exploration of some of the best Netflix book-to-movie adaptations that have left viewers fawning for a sequel.

Extraction (2020)

Tyler Rake, a fearless black market mercenary, embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he's enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord.

Release Date 2020/04/24 00:00

Director Sam Hargrave

Cast David Harbour, Golshifteh Farahani, Chris Hemsworth, Derek Luke

Main Genre Action

Sam Hargrave's Extraction is an adaptation of the graphic novel Ciudad , written by Ande Parks, Fernando León González, Eric Skillman, and the Russo brothers. It premiered on Netflix in April 2020. The movie's entire premise entails a vicious mercenary named Tyler who takes the promise to save the teenage son of an Indian criminal lord from Bangladesh.

What Makes Extraction Great

While several deviations may separate the film from its source material, the general premise is the same. Netflix stated in July 2020 that the movie had been watched in its first four weeks of release by 99 million households. By November of the same year, it would gain a solid foot as the number four most-watched straight-to-streaming title of 2020 up to that point by Variety.

From the mind-blowing, high-octane action sequences to the cast's performance to the cinematography, it's not hard to see why this movie was a huge success and is considered one of Netflix's best films. The sequel was released in 2023 and featured Chris Hemsworth, who plays the main character, as one of the producers. According to Netflix, fans can also expect Extraction 3 , which is currently in its developmental stages.

RELATED: 10 Best Netflix Movies That Are Based on Books

The Kissing Booth (2018)

The kissing booth.

Release Date 2018-05-11

Director Vince Marcello

Cast Chloe Williams, Jack Fokkens, Caitlyn de Abrue, Lincoln Pearson, Megan du Plessis, Stephen Jennings

Main Genre Comedy

The Kissing Booth is based on Beth Reekles' 2012 novel of the same title and was released on Netflix in May 2018. The storyline revolves around Elle, a late bloomer whose lifelong friendship with a boy named Lee is at risk due to her developing romantic feelings for a high school senior and bad boy, Noah, who happens to be Lee's elder brother. Joey King brings her A-game to the show, starring as Elle alongside Jacob Elordi and Joel Courtney, who both star as Noah and Lee, respectively.

What Makes The Kissing Booth Great

Although the film had been deemed "sexist" for portraying certain themes, it ended up being, according to Netflix's CCO, Ted Sarandos, a "hugely popular original movie." The original novel was hugely popular on Wattpad and is one of the reasons fans fawned over the film, despite some describing it as cliché. Other reasons include how the two main characters, Lee and Elle, enjoyed a platonic relationship throughout. Because of this commercial success, the film was eventually produced into a trilogy, with the other parts, The Kissing Booth 2 and 3 , released in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

The Silence (2019)

The silence.

Release Date 2019-05-16

Director John R. Leonetti

Cast Kate Corbett, Kyle Harrison Breitkopf, John Corbett, Stanley Tucci, Miranda Otto, Kiernan Shipka

Rating PG-13

Main Genre Horror

In The Silence , an incredible adaptation of Tim Lebbon's horror novel of the same title, Ally, an autistic teen, and her family seek safety in a house in a distant area when a swarm of creatures known as vesps assault the earth. The vesps are unearthed by a group of cave research teams in their research process, and the vesps are out to obliterate humanity. The movie's cast members include Stanley Tucci, Kiernan Shipka, and Miranda Otto.

What Makes The Silence Great

The movie brings to life the literal definition of silence. Its attempt at depicting a world where creatures hunt by sounds is quite an exciting idea and has drawn comparisons to John Krasinski's A Quiet Place . Although described as "barely a horror movie," this movie has what it takes to keep viewers closely glued to the end, including heart-racing suspense and intense moments of terror.

The Gray Man (2022)

Read Our Review

The Gray Man premiered in July 2022 and features an all-star cast, including Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Regé-Jean Page, Billy Bob Thornton, and Jessica Henwick. The movie is based on Mark Greaney's Gray Man novels and is the first film in the franchise. The story follows an unknown CIA top asset who triggers a global hunt when he discovers some dark agency secrets involving his superiors.

What Makes The Gray Man Great

Over the first three days, the movie amassed an 88.5 million hours stream, making it the most-watched film in 84 countries around the time. Shot on a production budget of $200 million, the movie is known as one of the most expensive film projects by Netflix. Though it was criticized for a cliché and cheesy plotline, fans appreciated the many comedic moments, the fast pacing, and the action sequences. The Gray Man is a reaffirmation of the Russo brothers' incredible mastery of filmmaking. Judging from the streaming numbers and the announcement of a coming sequel, some critics surmise that the film was worth the budget and offers enough eye candy to forgive its shortcomings.

Nappily Ever After (2018)

The American romantic comedy film Nappily Ever After was directed by Haifaa al-Mansour, based on Trisha R. Thomas' novel. Nappily Ever After stars Sanaa Lathan, Ernie Hudson, and Lyriq Bent. The plot follows a woman with a seemingly perfect life: a good job, a successful boyfriend, and amazing hair. However, after an ugly discovery, she soon realizes her life isn't so picture-perfect. Luckily, a compassionate barber, whom she soon starts dating, is there to help her pick up the pieces. Sanaa Lathan, who plays Violet Jones, the lead character, had to shave her hair completely to embody the role of Violet Jones.

What Makes Nappily Ever After Great

Nappily Ever After is the perfect film for a date night because of its feel-good moments, humor, emotional depth, and how it draws the parallels between self-love and romantic love, showing the heroine's personal and emotional growth. Its positive messages on breaking free from gender and beauty expectations, and toxicity in general, is one of its most brilliant features and what makes it stand out as one of the best book-to-movie adaptations in Netflix's catalog.

RELATED: 10 Amazing Detective Movies That Are Based on Books

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018)

Andy Serkis' adventure drama film, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle , is an adaptation of collected stories in All the Mowgli Stories by Rudyard Kipling. It features voice performances from A-list actors Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, Naomi Harris, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Serkis. The Hindustan Times calls it "a nuanced, visually dazzling update of the Jungle Book for Netflix." It centers on the story of Mowgli, who loses his only parent as an infant to a tiger attack. Mowgli has only himself and the wolves of the jungle as he grows into a man, constantly targeted by the vicious Shere Khan.

What Makes Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Great

The shooting was done in locations in South Africa to capture the essence of the African Savannah and terrestrial lands and at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, England. The Netflix film was often compared to Disney's remake, with debates on which one was the better version of the tale. Still, director Andy Serkis' directorial skills are evident through the cast's immaculate performance, while some add that its difference from the Disney version is what makes it worth watching. Its visuals and juxtaposition of the beauty and danger of reality is a major reason it's regarded as a great film.

Burning Betrayal (2023)

Betrayal has been one of the most prominent themes in some of the best stories ever told since the dawn of time. Burning Betrayal , where the theme reigns supreme, offers an interesting tale. The film Burning Betrayal is an adaptation of the novel O Lado Bom de Ser Traída by Sue Hecker. Upon gaining the knowledge that her fiancé's been cheating on her for two years, a young woman becomes devastated and furious. In response, she finds an opportunity for a sexual awakening that comes with its dangerous consequences.

What Makes Burning Betrayal Great

The literal translation of the novel's title, "The Good Side of Being Betrayed," prepares one for a rollercoaster experience, although one is never prepared enough for what entirely comes with it. It stars Giovanna Lancellotti and Bruno Montaleone, among the stellar cast. It has been described as "an intense romantic drama with a dangerous ending for its main character." What makes it worth watching is how the film expertly brings to life the emotionally charged scenes from the book and is a feast for the eyes and senses, especially for lovers of the erotic thriller genre .

Black Crab (2022)

Black Crab or Svart Krabba is a Swedish action thriller starring Noomi Rapace, Jakob Oftebro, Erik Enge, and Dar Salim. It follows the story of Caroline Edh, a speed skater, who is forced to accompany a group of soldiers on a dangerous mission to skate across sea ice behind enemy lines. The group's mission is to deliver a covert package that could end a war. Noomi Rapace, who plays Caroline Edh, executes her character with every vigor required. The movie is an adaptation of the 2002 novel Svart krabba [sv] by Jerker Virdborg and premiered in March 2022 on Netflix. The screenplay for the adaptation was written by Adam Berg (also the director) and Pelle Rådström.

What Makes Black Crab Great

Black Crab offers a real-life view into a war-torn world so brilliantly portrayed with striking cinematography (for which it won a Guldbagge award) and a cast performance so good it makes the film look like it was based on a true story, not a book. This, audiences say, is why, despite being a low-budget movie , Black Crab is one of the best post-apocalyptic action thrillers that Netflix has put out.

The Perfect Find (2023)

For a forty-year-old woman, her career and everything else is on the line. In The Perfect Find , a woman stakes everything on a passionate, covert relationship with a man 15 years younger than her who has the power to ruin her comeback. After premiering at Tribeca Festival in June 2023, where it won the Audience Award for Narrative Feature, the movie was released on Netflix in June 2023. It stars Gabrielle Union in the lead role as Jenna. Other cast members include Keith Powers, Aisha Hinds, D. B. Woodside, La La Anthony, and Gina Torres.

What Makes The Perfect Find Great

For their performance, Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers were praised for bringing a palpable chemistry to the film, helping it achieve its status as "a low-key rom-com suitable for a comfy couch watch." Audiences rated The Perfect Find highly for its "forbidden romance" element, hilarious escapades, and heated scenes. The soundtrack was also a plus, featuring classics like "You Can't Lose a Broken Heart," "Leave the Door Open," and "Walk."

Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Beasts of no nation.

Release Date 2015-09-11

Director Cary Fukunaga

Cast Ama Abebrese, Vera Nyarkoah Antwi, Andrew Adote, Ricky Adelayitor, Emmanuel Affadzi, Abraham Attah

Genres Drama, Documentary, War

The multiple award-winning movie Beasts of No Nation is about a child soldier confiscated into an army at the break of a civil war in Africa was released by Netflix in October 2015 globally, in partnership with Bleecker Street, which was in charge of its theatrical release. It is an adaptation of the 2005 novel of the same title by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, famous for its immersive first-person narrative. The film was described as a "sobering, uncompromising, yet still somehow hopeful picture of war's human cost" on Rotten Tomatoes.

What Makes Beasts of No Nation Great

Among the things that made this movie stand out include the child actor Abraham Attah's stunning performance as Agu and Idris Elba, stealing the show again with his commanding presence as Commandant. The film features Elba in one of his best performances .​​​​​​ Beasts of No Nation is raw, powerful, and emotionally chilling; it is also the first original feature film by Netflix. It unfolds its tragedy with striking cinematography and plot sequences so brilliantly layered that audiences and critics find it shocking that it was snubbed by the Oscars.