A review by booksdogsandcoffee
Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun

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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