Many thanks to @atriabooks for the #gifted copy.  

 

YES.  I know the holidays are over.   I also  know this review is long overdue.  But the flu completely messed up my December.  And with this book deserving all the praise, I figured you’d allow one last dip into the yuletide cheer. 

 

Full of longing and completely swoon-worthy.  This sapphic romance with a fake engagement and boozy grandmas was the perfect holiday read for me.

 

I remember watching While You Were Sleeping years ago.  There was something about that movie that resonated so deeply within me.  It tapped into the utter loneliness I felt as a young person, not quite independent but also not quite included in (crazy, messy) family situations.  The hope and fulfillment of seeing Lucy (Sandra Bulloch) welcomed and adored absolutely filled my heart (and gave me hope).

 

Years removed from that situation.  Years after watching that movie on repeat ad nauseum.  

Somehow, completely unexpectedly, Cocrun managed to tap into that deep connection and return me to that same place… a heart full of longing yet filled to overflowing in the end.  

 

An absolutely perfect 24 hours… full of chemistry and connection.  But just like the dream job that didn’t last, that blip of love didn’t either.  Now broke, Ellie agrees to spend Christmas with her new, fake fiancé and his family.  The agreement that would get her out of debt was palatable, right up until Ellie realized that her fake fiancé’s sister was also the woman of her dreams from last Christmas.  

 

Things I loved:

*The boozy grandmas

*The obligatory, scheduled festivity

*Perfect rom-com references

*The truly horrible playlists

*An ugly Christmas tree

*Adept usage of Dolly Parton lyrics

 

While Kiss Her Once for Me is perfectly humorous and full of yuletide cheer, Cocrun doesn’t shy away from the fact that the holidays can be quite difficult.  From messy family dynamics to a fear of failure and lack of self-worth, we see Ellie’s profound inner struggle.  And it’s deeply resonant.  But even more fulfilling is seeing her growth.  Support (even at the hands of boozy grandmas) gives her a platform through which to believe in herself and gain confidence.   

 

And that ending!  Oh my.  Don’t take my word for it.  Grab your own copy.  You’ll thank me.