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A review by bookishmillennial
Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Premise: Ellie spent the day with a mysterious woman Jack one year ago and has been pining over her ever since. When Andrew comes to her with a fake marriage of convenience scheme to gain access to his $2 million inheritance, she agrees because she needs the money. When she meets his family to celebrate Christmas with them, she realizes she already knows his sister. It turns out to be a messy week for this group and it was stressful but hilarious to watch it unfold.
Characters: Besides Elle’s toxic mom and Andrew’s garbage dad, I didn’t dislike any of the characters. Alison Cochran wrote both amazingly detailed, funny, and authentic main characters and side characters. I need to hang out with those grandmas because they are an absolute blast in a glass. Even though there’s a miscommunication trope, I wasn’t mad at the love interests at all — I found their situations relatable and understandable. The snowed in and “there’s only one bed” trope makes up for it too hehehehe. This group of people becomes such a lovely little found family and I’m here for it.
Plot: the majority of the book takes place over the week of Christmas 2022. You read chapters of Elle’s webcomics (she published them earlier in the year) about her magical snow day with Jack sprinkled throughout the book too. The pacing felt consistent & I loved how Alison took us through each day that Ellie spent with the Kim-Prescotts. Katherine’s laminated schedule of holiday events was too precious.
Representation: trans, non-binary, demisexual, anxiety, bisexual, estranged parents (I think this is representation because it shows the diversity of family dynamics😭)
Overall: The steam is probably a 1/5 but this is truly more about the inner work that our leads had to confront and the romance. This is a book I’d love to see on screen!
Characters: Besides Elle’s toxic mom and Andrew’s garbage dad, I didn’t dislike any of the characters. Alison Cochran wrote both amazingly detailed, funny, and authentic main characters and side characters. I need to hang out with those grandmas because they are an absolute blast in a glass. Even though there’s a miscommunication trope, I wasn’t mad at the love interests at all — I found their situations relatable and understandable. The snowed in and “there’s only one bed” trope makes up for it too hehehehe. This group of people becomes such a lovely little found family and I’m here for it.
Plot: the majority of the book takes place over the week of Christmas 2022. You read chapters of Elle’s webcomics (she published them earlier in the year) about her magical snow day with Jack sprinkled throughout the book too. The pacing felt consistent & I loved how Alison took us through each day that Ellie spent with the Kim-Prescotts. Katherine’s laminated schedule of holiday events was too precious.
Representation: trans, non-binary, demisexual, anxiety, bisexual, estranged parents (I think this is representation because it shows the diversity of family dynamics😭)
Overall: The steam is probably a 1/5 but this is truly more about the inner work that our leads had to confront and the romance. This is a book I’d love to see on screen!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Biphobia
Moderate: Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail