Reviews with content warning for Ableism - Kiss Her Once For Me

Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun

30 reviews

fi_reads_books's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-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

5.0

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myfbusters's review

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emotional tense fast-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

Nota bene, i'm writing this review while high at 12:30 AM. I just read this book in a three-day flurry because it's the selection for Queer Book Club and I too suffer the yoke we call ADHD

I'm somewhat conflicted about this book, mostly in that I found the plot a little too over-the-top but the individual characters were compelling. I don't read a lot of romance novels, so maybe I am not the best judge here. The scenes between

Ellie and Jack, when the overzealous pretense of the story fades to the side, are the highlight here. I felt a tenderness between them, an authenticity that spoke to my own experiences loving, and being loved.

I guess my one quibble is that

I didn't like the role that Ari was given in the narrative. This book was tagged "trans representation" by the book club and I went in with hopeful expectations, but overall to me she leaned a little too close to the catty "gay best friend" trope often seen in TV shows with a (cis) woman as protagonist. as a polyamorous trans lesbian myself yeah, I know this girl, I've been this girl, but when she's given such a small role, the "come move in with my four roommates, we read tarot and do gay art" reads less like accurate representation and more like a parody out of a Reductress article.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book, and I can't wait to get on a zoom call and rant to my gay coworkers about it

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arthur_ant18's review

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

3.5

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thereaderfriend'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? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Loved this book so much that it's a new favorite! It's not a 5 star book. It is a 4-4.5 star book because the repetition about the bread smell and last Christmas allusion was annoying. There were some misspelling errors that were hard to ignore too. But other than that, it was great! Great anxiety rep and I think great demisexual rep, despite what some may think

about how fast Ellie fell in love with Jack, although I can't say i have experienceas a demisexual person bc im still learning about myself

. I also related a ton to Ellie and her insecurities

due to childhood trauma and current trauma from her current situation with her parents

I think the author, Alison Cochrun, did a great job at writing about Ellie's insecurities and doubts. Very relatable and believable. A little too on the nose but JUST what I needed to read. Very inspiring. Also loved the dynamics between the protagonist, her friends, and the family. Really liked the plot twists and turnarounds too. Was skeptical at the end with that climax but I really enjoyed the falling action. Also the smut.. HOTTEST smut I've ever read. Was trying to read this in public with fam but ended up at THE scene and had to stop bc 1, fam and public were near me (which normally doesn't stop me bc most smut I've read has usually been cringe and done nothing for me and 2, SO HOT! I mean it lol I felt so uncomfortable trying to read it in public bc it evoked ~ feelings ~ lmao

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penandpages's review

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lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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sdupont's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-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

4.25

What a cute and cozy holiday romance! This one is great for fans of messy drama and sweet romances. I personally am obsessed with Jack’s taste in music I need her playlist. Honorable mention to Meemaw and Lovey who give the best kooky grandma energy possible. I really enjoyed this book I think it is well balanced with outer and inner conflict for the couple. I feel like this could be a really fun holiday film. I would absolutely recommend this Christmas romance!

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ree_the_owlgirl's review against another edition

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emotional 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

5.0

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kitheminges's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-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

4.0

Kiss Her Once for Me follows Ellie, heartbroken from last Christmas and in the middle of a quarter-life crisis as she meets Andrew who offers her a deal she can’t turn down. The only catch? They have to get married. 
Broke and not wanting to spend the holidays alone, Ellie accepts. Only once she arrives at the family cabin for the holidays, the woman who broke her heart is there. And Andrew’s sister. 

This book was so sweet and fluffy while being very grounded in the fear of failure and anxiety. The story was dramatic and the characters were all so loveable. 

One part I am disappointed to see was the use of the word ‘dem*nted’ which is ableist in nature. However, hopefully with final edits this will be changed. 

Overall, it’s a great Christmas romcom to help you feel a little less alone and believing a little more in the magic of snow.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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booksdogsandcoffee's review

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad 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

5.0

Last Christmas Ellie’s life had purpose and direction. Now, Ellie hates Christmas. She has to deal with her narcissistic emotionally abusive mother nagging her to pay back her own existence since she was 18, who she only wants approval from. She was fired from her dream job in animation and is now stuck at a hipster coffee shop and living in one of the smallest apartments possible in Portland. And she wants the perfect girl, but she already had that. Last Christmas Eve she met Jack, who spent she spent an amazing day with, an even more amazing kiss.... and other things, but then never saw her again.

The story goes back and forth between present and last Christmas. When it’s in the past Ellie uses her webcomics to tell the story of what happened between her and Jack last Christmas Eve. Back in the present Andrew and Ellie are fake engaged so he can get his trust from his grandpa. Showing up at his families lodge for Christmas Ellie sees Jack again for the first time in a year realizing that she is Jacks sister. Ensue the madness!

Andrew and Jack's Memaw makes the story🙌🏻

I love how the book discusses joy in your job and loving your work. Which we need to see more of in life and novels! The open dialogue about mental health, therapy, boundaries and healing yourself is so fantastic to see throughout it this book and one of the things I appreciated the most.

Rep and Tropes
Ellie: bi & demisexual (mid 20s)
Jack: Lesbian mid 20s
Trans les side rep, non-binary side rep
Found family
Fake dating
Marriage of connivence
Forced proximity
One bed
Sexy lesbian lumber Jack scene
Generalized anxiety disorder
ADHD

Cw
Emotional/ narcissistic abusive parents
Sexism
Alcohol
Slight child abuse
Biphobia
Ableism
Bullying
Toxic relationship
Cheating
Mental Health

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sambshep's review against another edition

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Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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