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nere's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
6 May 2024
the plot contrivances felt unearned. and I couldn’t quite get myself to quite suspend disbelief. a lot of it hinges on the miscommunication trope, which I’m coming to realize I dislike. and although I did understand the affection between the two leads, the declaration of love occurs after knowing each other for seven days and I’ve never really been a fan of instalove:(.
in short, it had tropes I don’t like and I didn’t know that going in. not necessarily the book’s fault. for what its worth. I kept reading until the end. which is more than could be said about most other romance books I start and promptly don’t finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Biphobia and Drug use
Minor: Infidelity
generalized anxiety disorderelliott_the_clementine's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
Kiss Her Once For Me is painfully messy and completely adorable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abandonment, and Mental illness
safiewafie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Child abuse
mbrogs2024's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Alcohol, Biphobia, Bullying, and Cursing
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Now I’m not normally a miscommunication hater, but it felt unnecessary and played up in this book, and that’s truly the thing that’s holding me back from giving this book a higher rating. One tiny little conversation should have been had way earlier in the book. I guess that’s just part of accepting the premise, but it was distracting. Otherwise, i loved this! The relationships formed, the found family, the Christmas, the second (third) chance romance, the fake dating, the queerness, the characters (all pretty unique and fleshed out) were all fantastic!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Biphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia
tierraskye's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.25
If you are looking for a sweet, genuine romance…look no further! I found myself giggling and squealing at these characters. I loved the diversity between the group of characters and the writing was smooth.
I’m so looking forward to reading Alison’s other novel, The Charm Offensive!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Biphobia, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
illtakethenightshiftx's review
medium-paced
4.0
kicked my feet, cried a lil, suddenly wanted to know when my bookstore meet-cute will happen 🥹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Infidelity and Biphobia
lacyparrish's review
3.0
I had hesitated to read this book, as it I had seen it comped to two other books that I _did not_ enjoy. This author will be at an upcoming event and a friend had raved about this book ... so I gave it a shot. From the beginning, I was frustrated with the structure of flashback webcomics (which aren't comics) and the current storyline. I agree with another review that I have stumbled across that they should have spent the money on having someone actually draw the scenes ... Ellie is an illustrator after all. The main couple isn't the one you think it will be at first and that also made me sad. I disliked the romantic lead for Ellie, Jack, from the meet-cute. Andrew, Jack's brother, was much more my speed and I really wanted his love story instead. The only saving grace of the whole book was the cast of supporting characters: Meemaw and Lovey, the awesome grandmothers; Meredith and Ari, the best friends who are going to support Ellie through any and everything; Katherine, the mom who collects all the kids even those who aren't hers biologically; villans Greg, the absent dad, and a**hole granddad even pull their weight in the pantheon. The pacing in the later portion of Act 2 and Act 3 let a mediocre love story down too. It is a decent book that I can say that I have read.
Full Rating (out of 10 possible): 5.857 (based on a modified CAWPILE system)
Romance level (out of 5 possible): 3 (for on-page, intimacy scenes with some details)
Full Rating (out of 10 possible): 5.857 (based on a modified CAWPILE system)
Romance level (out of 5 possible): 3 (for on-page, intimacy scenes with some details)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia
so_many_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book is like a breath of fresh air for me. Christmas rom-coms are my weakness. If it involves some kind of fake relationship, count me in. If it's queer AF, you bet I'm going to love it.
Kiss Her Once for Me managed to knead together all of these things and enchant me with its wonderfulness.
After reading The Charm Offensive by Allison and loving it with all my heart, the baseline was pretty high for this book. Kiss Her Once for Me is different and yet has the same feels as The Charm Offensive. It definitely fulfilled my expectations.
Ellie and Jack's story starts at one wonderful Christmas Eve, evaporates the next morning and rekindles a year later when Ellie goes home for the holidays with his fake fiancè, Andrew, just to realize, his sister is actually the woman she longed for since last Christmas. Oh, and there's Jack's best friend, Dylan, who is somehow romantically involved (but not really) with Andrew. It's messy, it's funny, it's full of emotions.
The Christmas preparations with this messy family are the perfect place for rom-com moments. Snow ball fights, cookie baking, skiing, getting lost in the snow. All of it is there.
Ellie is one messy main character. She's a little lost after her plans went out the window as an artist. She's a bit lonely, and desperate. Her relationship with her mother is less than optimal. She has anxiety and She's short on cash. Is it really a surprise she goes along with Andrew's plan of fake marriage to get his inheritance? No.
I love how messy she was. She felt real with all her doubts and worries and fear of failure. I could very much relate to not having the right therapist to help.
Jack is the sweetest butch love interest. She is funny and quirky and restless and caring.
Andrew is this big softie who hides behind his playboy ways.
And the rest of the family? The grandma's who like to get high? The grumpy best friend? The kind-hearted mom? They are all perfect and heartwarming.
It was so sweet to see Ellie experience the warmth of family love. It was captivating to see her rediscover her feelings for Jack. The whole story was this heartwarming hug. The end was a bit angstier than I liked, but it all turned out okay.
I loved the storytelling. The jumps back and forth between last year and this kept me on my toes. I would've loved to see the graphic novel pages that were such a big part of the story.
As always, the representation was on point. Lots of queer identites are represented beautifully. But the best thing is definitely the mental health and neurodivergent rep. We have a main character with sever anxiety, and a love interest with ADHD. And it's the most normal thing ever. They are there but they aren't the main focus of the story. They are there to show it's perfectly fine to have anxiety. It's okay to be visible fidgety and restless because of ADHD. It doesn't make you weird, it makes you normal. And I love that. You can live your life just as normally as anyone even if you're neurodivergent.
Overall, this book made me smile and warmed my heart. I definitely need more queer rom-coms by the author.
Kiss Her Once for Me managed to knead together all of these things and enchant me with its wonderfulness.
After reading The Charm Offensive by Allison and loving it with all my heart, the baseline was pretty high for this book. Kiss Her Once for Me is different and yet has the same feels as The Charm Offensive. It definitely fulfilled my expectations.
Ellie and Jack's story starts at one wonderful Christmas Eve, evaporates the next morning and rekindles a year later when Ellie goes home for the holidays with his fake fiancè, Andrew, just to realize, his sister is actually the woman she longed for since last Christmas. Oh, and there's Jack's best friend, Dylan, who is somehow romantically involved (but not really) with Andrew. It's messy, it's funny, it's full of emotions.
The Christmas preparations with this messy family are the perfect place for rom-com moments. Snow ball fights, cookie baking, skiing, getting lost in the snow. All of it is there.
Ellie is one messy main character. She's a little lost after her plans went out the window as an artist. She's a bit lonely, and desperate. Her relationship with her mother is less than optimal. She has anxiety and She's short on cash. Is it really a surprise she goes along with Andrew's plan of fake marriage to get his inheritance? No.
I love how messy she was. She felt real with all her doubts and worries and fear of failure. I could very much relate to not having the right therapist to help.
Jack is the sweetest butch love interest. She is funny and quirky and restless and caring.
Andrew is this big softie who hides behind his playboy ways.
And the rest of the family? The grandma's who like to get high? The grumpy best friend? The kind-hearted mom? They are all perfect and heartwarming.
It was so sweet to see Ellie experience the warmth of family love. It was captivating to see her rediscover her feelings for Jack. The whole story was this heartwarming hug. The end was a bit angstier than I liked, but it all turned out okay.
I loved the storytelling. The jumps back and forth between last year and this kept me on my toes. I would've loved to see the graphic novel pages that were such a big part of the story.
As always, the representation was on point. Lots of queer identites are represented beautifully. But the best thing is definitely the mental health and neurodivergent rep. We have a main character with sever anxiety, and a love interest with ADHD. And it's the most normal thing ever. They are there but they aren't the main focus of the story. They are there to show it's perfectly fine to have anxiety. It's okay to be visible fidgety and restless because of ADHD. It doesn't make you weird, it makes you normal. And I love that. You can live your life just as normally as anyone even if you're neurodivergent.
Overall, this book made me smile and warmed my heart. I definitely need more queer rom-coms by the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Biphobia and Panic attacks/disorders
kelly_e's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.25
Title: Kiss Her Once for Me
Author: Alison Cochrun
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: November 1, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Thoughtful • Nostalgic • Messy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
One year ago, recent Portland transplant Ellie Oliver had her dream job in animation and a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore that led her to fall in love over the course of a single night. But after a betrayal the next morning and the loss of her job soon after, she finds herself adrift, alone, and desperate for money.
Finding work at a local coffee shop, she’s just getting through the days—until Andrew, the shop’s landlord, proposes a shocking, drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie’s financial woes and isolation. They make a plan to spend the holidays together at his family cabin to keep up the ruse. But when Andrew introduces his new fiancée to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it’s Jack—the mysterious woman she fell for over the course of one magical Christmas Eve the year before. Now, Ellie must choose between the safety of a fake relationship and the risk of something real.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The Charm Offensive was an absolute hit for me, so of course, I was keeping an eye on new books from Alison Cochrun. It just may have taken me over a year to finally pick up Kiss Her Once For Me. Unfortunately, this one didn't have the same experience as her debut.
Honestly, the premise sounded kind of ridiculous, so I knew going in, I'd have to suspend belief in order to appreciate this big hearted romcom. Marriage-of-convivence is a trope I often struggle to become fully invested in and it was no different with this one, especially when you add in the love triangle and lack of communication elements. Additionally, I wouldn't necessarily classify this as a holiday read, rather it just has strong winter vibes.
This book delivers an incredibly diverse cast of characters with representation spanning ADHD, anxiety disorders, bisexuality, demisexuality, and nonbinary. It was just all very well done. I also found myself appreciating the growth of the main character, the self-discovery theme, and the quirky family more than the actual romance aspect.
Overall, Kiss Her Once for Me didn't live up to my expectations, yet I don't know if it was really the book itself or rather just it containing elements that I don't love. I am curious and looking forward to see where Here We Go Again, Alison Cochrun's upcoming 2024 release will land for me.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• cozy romance
• queer romcoms (demisexual rep)
• love triangles
⚠️ CW: toxic parental relationship, emotional abuse, child abuse, biphobia, transphobia, lesbophobia, homophobia, mental illness, generalized anxiety, panic attacks/disorders, alcoholism, infidelity, sexual content, alcohol, abandonment, cursing, drug use, classism, bullying, gaslighting, ableism, racism, body shaming, fatphobia, death, misogyny, sexism, divorce
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Your trauma is something that happened to you; it’s not who you are."
"We all have seasons of needing and seasons of giving."
Author: Alison Cochrun
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: November 1, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Thoughtful • Nostalgic • Messy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
One year ago, recent Portland transplant Ellie Oliver had her dream job in animation and a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore that led her to fall in love over the course of a single night. But after a betrayal the next morning and the loss of her job soon after, she finds herself adrift, alone, and desperate for money.
Finding work at a local coffee shop, she’s just getting through the days—until Andrew, the shop’s landlord, proposes a shocking, drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie’s financial woes and isolation. They make a plan to spend the holidays together at his family cabin to keep up the ruse. But when Andrew introduces his new fiancée to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it’s Jack—the mysterious woman she fell for over the course of one magical Christmas Eve the year before. Now, Ellie must choose between the safety of a fake relationship and the risk of something real.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The Charm Offensive was an absolute hit for me, so of course, I was keeping an eye on new books from Alison Cochrun. It just may have taken me over a year to finally pick up Kiss Her Once For Me. Unfortunately, this one didn't have the same experience as her debut.
Honestly, the premise sounded kind of ridiculous, so I knew going in, I'd have to suspend belief in order to appreciate this big hearted romcom. Marriage-of-convivence is a trope I often struggle to become fully invested in and it was no different with this one, especially when you add in the love triangle and lack of communication elements. Additionally, I wouldn't necessarily classify this as a holiday read, rather it just has strong winter vibes.
This book delivers an incredibly diverse cast of characters with representation spanning ADHD, anxiety disorders, bisexuality, demisexuality, and nonbinary. It was just all very well done. I also found myself appreciating the growth of the main character, the self-discovery theme, and the quirky family more than the actual romance aspect.
Overall, Kiss Her Once for Me didn't live up to my expectations, yet I don't know if it was really the book itself or rather just it containing elements that I don't love. I am curious and looking forward to see where Here We Go Again, Alison Cochrun's upcoming 2024 release will land for me.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• cozy romance
• queer romcoms (demisexual rep)
• love triangles
⚠️ CW: toxic parental relationship, emotional abuse, child abuse, biphobia, transphobia, lesbophobia, homophobia, mental illness, generalized anxiety, panic attacks/disorders, alcoholism, infidelity, sexual content, alcohol, abandonment, cursing, drug use, classism, bullying, gaslighting, ableism, racism, body shaming, fatphobia, death, misogyny, sexism, divorce
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Your trauma is something that happened to you; it’s not who you are."
"We all have seasons of needing and seasons of giving."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia, Gaslighting, Transphobia, Biphobia, Child abuse, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Sexism, Infidelity, Fatphobia, Ableism, Cursing, Drug use, Classism, Bullying, Racism, Body shaming, Death, and Misogyny
generalized anxiety, divorce