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ambibambi 's review for:
Kiss Her Once for Me
by Alison Cochrun
I've had to write this review twice so god help me please, if this seems rushed then blame my fat fingers.
I've been thinking so hard about this book for near two days and at first, like mere moments after finishing it, I loved it. But then I thought and didn't stop and ever so slowly I realised that maybe there were more things I didn't like than realised. The first being this books obsession with Taylor Swift. I love her but I hate when a book keeps referencing real world events or people constantly because it never makes the world feel more real just reminds me every few chapters that it's not and is always incredibly jarring. The only time I ever ignore these kind of references are when it becomes so absurdly hilarious to imagine (like imagining Sevro being a fan of Taylor Swift even if it's not canon).
Ellie being blamed for basically everything is the crux of my dislike for this book. The girl experienced a year of her life being derailed because she got fired and thought someone she finally found a connection with was married. I mean she was depressed for god sake. Imagine thinking a girl you just met could be the start of something new and intimate and it's the first time it has ever happened only to have their wife show up and tell you you're the one night stand she recommended. Because I too would leave in a hurry straight after it. Not to mention she is broke, like a couple pennies to her name. Everyone seems to forget that, and while it does make sense for some rich family to not understand being on the edge of homelessness, it annoys me even more that we don't even get acknowledgment from her friends of that being the situation. Sure you could reason Ellie had Ari's offer to fall back on but who EVER wants to rely on someone in situations like these. The book constantly mentions how stubborn Jack is, well why can't Ellie be stubborn too. If I was in her shoes I would've accepted Andrew's offer as well.
To add this I find it entirely absurd that one of the bigger reasons for Jack being mad at Ellie is that she also wanted to continue the ruse so Jack had a million dollars to fall back on for a worst case scenario. Reading the humiliation scene was so conflicting because if it had a better reason for being there I don't think I would mind it's existence but because it's treated like a way to teach Ellie to 'fail' it becomes utterly pointless and only serves to get on my nerves. You cannot and will never be able to convince me that having savings of any amount would not be beneficial when starting a business. Perhaps it's a difference in perspective or I just can't suspend my disbelief enough, who knows?
Despite this I did still enjoy certain aspects of this book. Andrew and Dylan are the only couple who are ride or die for the whole thing and I love that even when the whole situation is revealed Dylan doesn't mind taking 2 seconds to stick up for their relationship in front of Andrew's dad. I loved that everyone showed Ellie what having a family really was meant to be like at Christmas and the fact that the family weren't all mean. I expected pompous and rude, what I didn't expect was meemaw hugging Ellie in the bathroom. The moments that Ellie and Jack shared were also sweet. The snow scene, them in the kitchen, being begrudging ski partners, the night in the cabin. None of these were badly written and gave me genuine whole-hearted hope for their relationship.
I think the end more than anything is what made me not enjoy this as much as I was. But I would surprisingly recommend it to others. It's a good Christmas story that doesn't go all in with the festive spirit but has a nice hint of it and it's clear loads of people that aren't me adore this book. I don't dislike it, it's just not for me.
I've been thinking so hard about this book for near two days and at first, like mere moments after finishing it, I loved it. But then I thought and didn't stop and ever so slowly I realised that maybe there were more things I didn't like than realised. The first being this books obsession with Taylor Swift. I love her but I hate when a book keeps referencing real world events or people constantly because it never makes the world feel more real just reminds me every few chapters that it's not and is always incredibly jarring. The only time I ever ignore these kind of references are when it becomes so absurdly hilarious to imagine (like imagining Sevro being a fan of Taylor Swift even if it's not canon).
Ellie being blamed for basically everything is the crux of my dislike for this book. The girl experienced a year of her life being derailed because she got fired and thought someone she finally found a connection with was married. I mean she was depressed for god sake. Imagine thinking a girl you just met could be the start of something new and intimate and it's the first time it has ever happened only to have their wife show up and tell you you're the one night stand she recommended. Because I too would leave in a hurry straight after it. Not to mention she is broke, like a couple pennies to her name. Everyone seems to forget that, and while it does make sense for some rich family to not understand being on the edge of homelessness, it annoys me even more that we don't even get acknowledgment from her friends of that being the situation. Sure you could reason Ellie had Ari's offer to fall back on but who EVER wants to rely on someone in situations like these. The book constantly mentions how stubborn Jack is, well why can't Ellie be stubborn too. If I was in her shoes I would've accepted Andrew's offer as well.
To add this I find it entirely absurd that one of the bigger reasons for Jack being mad at Ellie is that she also wanted to continue the ruse so Jack had a million dollars to fall back on for a worst case scenario. Reading the humiliation scene was so conflicting because if it had a better reason for being there I don't think I would mind it's existence but because it's treated like a way to teach Ellie to 'fail' it becomes utterly pointless and only serves to get on my nerves. You cannot and will never be able to convince me that having savings of any amount would not be beneficial when starting a business. Perhaps it's a difference in perspective or I just can't suspend my disbelief enough, who knows?
Despite this I did still enjoy certain aspects of this book. Andrew and Dylan are the only couple who are ride or die for the whole thing and I love that even when the whole situation is revealed Dylan doesn't mind taking 2 seconds to stick up for their relationship in front of Andrew's dad. I loved that everyone showed Ellie what having a family really was meant to be like at Christmas and the fact that the family weren't all mean. I expected pompous and rude, what I didn't expect was meemaw hugging Ellie in the bathroom. The moments that Ellie and Jack shared were also sweet. The snow scene, them in the kitchen, being begrudging ski partners, the night in the cabin. None of these were badly written and gave me genuine whole-hearted hope for their relationship.
I think the end more than anything is what made me not enjoy this as much as I was. But I would surprisingly recommend it to others. It's a good Christmas story that doesn't go all in with the festive spirit but has a nice hint of it and it's clear loads of people that aren't me adore this book. I don't dislike it, it's just not for me.