...and my heart almost burst. 
 Have you read a book where you know what will happen and know that it will gut you but you keep reading because not knowing what happens on the journey to get there would be worse? Have you ever felt your heart break for a character, felt the burn of tears about to spill from your eyes and yet found the moment so sweet that you can't help but smile? All of that and more happened to me while reading A Thousand Boy Kisses and I wouldn't have had it any other way. 
 We meet Poppy and Rune when they are five, and meeting for the first time themselves, and get to be apart of what can only be called an epic love story. Poppy is a light so bright that it's blinding and Rune is darker soul with a huge heart and through their eyes we get to experience what it means when you find the other half of your heart and soul and watch as friends become lovers and they navigate the emotional mine field of what loving someone with your entire being means. How the choices you make and the ones that are made for you can affect your heart and how to come to terms with them and live a life filled with joy even when it doesn't seem possible. The highs will make your heart soar, while the lows will rip it to shreds, but each of these moments only show how strong that love is and that it cannot be denied. 
 I would LOVE to go into more detail about all of the moments that broke my heart while making it melt, but not only do I not do spoilers in my reviews, but Ms. Cole as asked that we not, because you really do have to go into this book with an open heart and mind to fully experience the journey that she takes you on and accept that the ending will be perfect for Rune and Poppy and it was. Had I not been at work while reading this book (Yeah, bad me. I know) I would have been in full on ugly cry mode, and believe me when I say it is an extremely rare occurrence, and as it was I had the bloodshot, shiney eye thing going on as I made myself hold back the tears. That's how much the characters and story in general affected me and is still affecting me as I write this review. 
 Ms. Cole has an iron clad spot on my very short list of authors I adore, her Hades Hangmen and Scarred Souls series are two of my favorites, and with A Thousand Boy Kisses totally wrecking me, talk about major book hangover I don't see her slipping from that list any time soon. I will admit that I was surprised when she announced that she was delving into the YA genre, but trusted that she'd pull out something amazing and she has. As with her other books, she doesn't hold back, even if the subject is a difficult one. She not only gives the reader a well rounded story, but pieces of her heart and soul in the process. 
 The Bottom Line: Do not pass this one over because it's YA. It is a must read! Just make sure you have a box of tissues handy and if you are wearing make up that it's waterproof. 
 ~ ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review