The Kiss

By: Danielle Steel

Narrated by: Joseph Siravo

Isabelle Forrester is the exquisite wife of a prominent Parisian banker who has long since shut her out of his heart. For lonely years, Isabelle has lived a life of isolation, pouring her passions into caring for her desperately ill son, Teddy, and into making their Paris home as happy as possible for her teenage daughter, Sophie. Isabelle allows herself one secret pleasure: a long-distance friendship by telephone with an American man, a Washington power broker who travels in the highest circles of politics and who, like Isabelle, is trapped in an empty marriage.

To Bill Robinson, Isabelle is a godsend, a woman of extraordinary beauty and intellectual curiosity - a kindred spirit who touches him across the miles with her warmth and gentle empathy. Their relationship is a gift - a lifeline that sustains them both through the heartache of marriages they cannot leave and will not betray. Agreeing to meet for a few precious, innocent days in London, Isabelle and Bill find their friendship changing. Then, amid the sudden crash of steel against steel, they are thrust onto a new path, a path fraught with pain but also with possibility.

Now, inside the cool, sterile wards of a London hospital, Isabelle and Bill cling to life, their bodies shattered almost beyond repair. In the days and weeks that follow, they slowly, painfully traverse a road to recovery littered with challenges of the body, spirit, and heart. Together, they must find the strength not only to embrace life again but to face what they have left behind. For Isabelle, a loveless marriage turns into a brutal power struggle. For Bill, a time of healing exposes wounds that cut deeper than steel and realities that will test him to his core. For both, a tangle of changing relationships and the tragedy of another loss conspire to separate them once again. And this time they could lose each other forever.

©2001 Danielle Steel (P)2001 Random House Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"Steel pulls through with skillful plotting, steeping a gentle brew that will once again gratify her legions of fans." (Publishers Weekly)

full-circle story

Two main characters were both likable and understandable. For their own reasons, they found each other when needed, became friends, and built a long-distance relationship that stood up to the overwhelming events they had to face - together. Good story.

love it

Great story, I couldn't stop listening. I really enjoy danielle steel books. this is a classic love story.

Outstanding

This was a good book. It was a surprise in every chapter. I usually can figure out the purpose of the title. This one got me.

I was not able to turn off my Ipod

Would you consider the audio edition of The Kiss to be better than the print version?

I like audio books a lot better than reading the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kiss?

The Kiss it was a book that you can live a very unhappy life until you find a person that you can talk for hours and not have reservations of what you say to each other.

If you could take any character from The Kiss out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The Love of my life. But as discover on this book now is to late he is gone to another life.

Any additional comments?

It brought me so many memories of my first love that what the happiest time of my life.
They are gone now.

excellent book

loved it. my favorite author. great story. enjoyable and easy to get lost in the story

The Kiss

Not being a regular and devoted fan of Danielle Steel or the romance novel genre for that matter, I picked up The Kiss with some skepticism. While the story is not heavily ladden with action it was unique in portraying two dysfunctional marriages, two people who fortutiously found one another and their struggles to deal with adversity and find a new life together. The characters of Bill and Isabell were well drawn and were sympathetic charcters with whom you could relate. While the plot devices are broad, the characters are strong enough to overcome the unlikely nature of the devices. Finally the reader did an excellent job of carrying forward the story with good voice changes to reflect each character.

Winner

In my opinion this book is another winner for Ms Steel. It shows love can and will find a way.

My first Audible book!

Yes me preface this by saying it’s my first Audible book. I am HOOKED! Danielle Steele is one of my favorite authors even though most of her books are like Hallmark movies. Always a happy ending! The reader of this book had a very pleasant book and I enjoyed the experience.

I think this book is my favorite of all her books

just a fantastic novel. so glad they finally get their happy ending. read this book you won't be disappointed.

True feelings

It was a excellent book
Strong subject matter and very well written
The lead characters really showed what thoughts go through their minds when faced with adversity