Author: Alison Cochrun
Genre: Fake engagement, holiday romance, LGBTQ+ romance
Pages: 368
Release Date: November 1, 2022
“I don’t think I could stop drawing you if I tried. You… you’re the best parts of every character I create.”
Ellie
My Blurb: Kiss Her Once for Me
Ellie Oliver’s life is falling apart. She lost her dream job as an animator in Portland that she moved across the country for. Now, she’s working at a coffee shop, but between her rent, loans, and mother hitting her up for cash, she’s on the verge of eviction from her apartment.
When the cute coffeeshop landlord, Andrew, offers Ellie a chance at solving all her money problems and his inheritance stipulation, she has to take it. How hard could it be to accept a marriage of convenience for 10% of Andrew’s inheritance? All they must do is get through a week at his family’s cabin for the holidays.
Except it is hard. Because Andrew’s sister is none other than Jack, the mysterious baker she fell in love with over a single day at Christmastime last year. The feelings are still there even if Ellie wishes they weren’t. Will Ellie choose the security of money or take a risk for love?
“I love that you’re restless and unsatisfied, that you’re both allergic to boredom and somehow crave a boring life in the suburbs, and I think other people will love that about you, too. If you let them see it.”
Ellie
My Thoughts on Kiss Her Once for Me
I liked this book, but I didn’t love it, which is why it got 3 stars from me. While it’s a romance and of course there’s a happily-ever-after, I was disappointed by one of the main characters words and actions during the resolution scene – like personally I’m not sure I would still be interested. Also, everyone in this book was kind of cheating on each other even if they were in gray areas. I also feel like the book ended a bit abruptly with no epilogue to give us more.
In the book, I thought the family dynamic was really interesting, and all of the characters added to the story. Everyone had something going on. From the grandmas being the ex-wife and the recent widow of the deceased grandpa, to Dylan and Andrew’s secret relationship, to Ellie’s strained and toxic relationship with her own mom, and Andrew/Jack’s parents’ rocky relationship, it was a lot to keep up with on top of the main characters. But I actually enjoyed all the different aspects of the people in the book a lot – Andrew and Jack’s family are the real stars.
The characters were inclusive and diverse which I really enjoyed! I expected that since it’s a queer love story, but the addition of side characters like Dylan and Ellie’s work bestie, Ari, were great as well!
Most of the book is set in present day, but we do get the back story of Jack and Ellie’s love story through Ellie’s “webcomic” throughout the book. I was a bit disappointed because I thought this was a great opportunity to add some comic drawings and graphics vs. just telling us the story and calling it the webcomic and backstory.
Lastly, if you read this book, you’ll have to let me know your thoughts on a certain scene. It was the cringiest moment of the book in my opinion. I hated the mistletoe scene. Like physically cringed. I found it so incredibly strange for a grandma to encourage her granddaughter and grandson’s fiancée to kiss under mistletoe. Perhaps it was in good fun, but it went past a simple joking request to uncomfortable territory quickly.
Farewell Thoughts
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