Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Kiss Her Once for Me

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun

141 reviews

theologyandtea's review against another edition

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4.0

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leahgustafson's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is a cute, Hallmarky romance set in the Pacific Northwest. The LGBTQ+ representation in this book is fantastic! I really loved the discussion of perfectionism and just how inhibiting ultra perfectionism can be (Oh hi, it’s me🙋🏻‍♀️). There is also great exploration around the idea of success and what the concept of “failure” truly means. I appreciated Ellie’s friends who sometimes have to show her some “tough love” and hold her accountable for setting boundaries and taking care of herself. These are real, authentic, adult friendships.

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While I thought the idea of the story was super interesting/engaging, some of the present day scenes felt a little forced/just too much. The way Andrew’s family kept pushing Ellie and Jack together was a little unrealistic for me (even if it is fiction).

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The third act conflict was also a little much for me. While I understand Jack’s anger, there are many other decisions/plot points that suggest that Jack isn’t completely exempt from fault. This left me feeling a little upset that Ellie completely blames herself (and shoulders a lot of the blame from others) for their “break up,” when in all reality, neither of them handles things well at various points throughout their “relationship.”

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The ending was typical of the romance genre, but I think I would have also been okay if it didn’t end that way. These life experiences cause Ellie to grow and learn about herself leading her to make changes for a happier, healthier life. I think this is the most important thing. It’s not just about “getting the girl.”

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I do wish I had read this one around Christmas time. This would make for the perfect light/fun holiday read!
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Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!

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bek_p87's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

This was lovely and heartfelt and deeper than a simple Sapphic Christmas rom-com. Ellie is a bundle of anxiety with no safety net, who is a little broken and a lot heartbroken, and Jack is a free spirit who secretly longs for stability - and just so happens to be the younger sister of the man Ellie has agreed to marry for a chunk of his trust fund (which is only his upon marriage). Yes, this book is clichéd and a little convoluted, but it is also adorable and an honest portrayal of mental health.

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stacy837's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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stormeno's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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fuzzywilson's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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kuri's review against another edition

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emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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just_one_more_paige's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

As you know, when feeling exhausted by work and real life, I turn to romance novels. I may be a bit past the season for this holiday-themed story, but if that's not escapism at its best, idk what is. And so, with the knowledge that I loved Cochran's first book, The Charm Offensive, I picked up her sophomore novel.

A year ago, Ellie and Jack had a Christmas Eve meet-cute at Portland's famous Powell's bookstore. The two spent the entire day (and night) together, but things fell apart the morning after. Since then, Ellie's life has imploded: job lost, on the brink of eviction, feeling alone and adrift and (unwilling to admit) heartbroken. When Andrew, the landlord of the coffee shop she works at, proposes a ridiculous marriage of convenience plan, Ellie figures...what has she got to lose? But the deal involves spending Christmas week with his family and it turns out that Andrew's beloved sister is none other than Ellie's "Last Christmas" Jack. And thus ensues winter shenanigans, family drama, all sorts of feelings, and Ellie's inevitable choice between stability and the risks of love.

Well, one has to go into this with the understanding that the premise is ridiculous, even for the romance genre. And if that's what you're expecting, and so theoretically looking for, then this book delivers. So many of the best romance tropes - fake relationships, forced proximity, a single bed - are here. And while it seems like that should be too much, it ends up feeling just right. I mean, yes, a bit over the top, but also, that's what I wanted it to be. And I was actually fairly impressed with the way that Cochran developed the ridiculousness of the set-up, once it was in place, to be something that felt pretty realistically tense. The complexity of the situation Ellie finds herself really does lend itself to the “secrets” and “miscommunication” style that is common in romance. And while those aspects usually feel forced, to me, they didn't as much here. I think because everyone was being sneaky to try and help everyone else, instead of from insecurity, that it felt different. Plus, I did appreciate that for many of the emotional pieces, outside the secrets of the relationships logistics, the characters were really open and communicative about how they felt (in general and for each other). It was a necessary and well-written balance.

I thought the writing was really solid; nothing standout, but a well paced and comfortable delivery of the story. There were a number of instances where Cochran addresses Ellie's anxiety, which (content warning) is not at all handled well by some of the characters, and her relationship with her mother, that made my heart break for her. Cochran remains spectacular in including a very accurate representation of anxiety spirals and how that affects relationships, while also showing what supportive relationships can look like. Her friends were protective and nurturing and pushy in realistic turns, and honestly, in particular, I kinda loved the irreverence in the way they all responded to her overnight engagement (as well as how their reactions and suggestions changed, as they found out more/about Jack). Plus, their development as side characters was all fairly solid for a romance novel, which was nice in adding some depth.

I have to be honest, I wasn’t at all sure about this one at the beginning (I can't pinpoint why - perhaps the web comic/flashback sections just weren't hitting quite right for me?), but by about a quarter of the way in, the cozy softness really moved into center stage, which is exactly what I was wanting from this novel (as promised by other readers/reviewers). And at that point, I had settled right in. Also, I was all in on the love trapezoid situation, it was like two romances in one, super soul-warming, and I couldn't have been happier about that panning out. Definitely this ended up being the escape and comfort read situation that I was needing.

“The truth is: the world is full of selfish people who become selfish parents. It's hard to explain to anyone who grew up with stability and safety and guaranteed love what it's like to both hate your parents and desperately want their love at the same time.”

“I think marriage is just promising to love someone as long as you can for as best you can. I think relationships can be exactly what they're supposed to be [...] even if they only last for one year, or five years, or even just for one day. The good parts of the time you spent with a person don't go away simply because the relationship ends.”

“Some of us fall in and out of love easily. Some of us don't experience romantic love at all. Some of us have to fight to let ourselves be vulnerable enough to fall in love. [...] Some of us have to fight to let other people love us.”

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the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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martamae77's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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