Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
The author of The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord…only to fall for his sister.
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.
Perfect for fans of Written in the Stars and One Day in December, Kiss Her Once for Me is the queer holiday rom-com that you’ll want to cozy up with next to the fire.
Review:
A friend of mine read this book last year and recommended that I add it to my holiday reads list this year. Surprisingly, I didn’t have any LGBTQIA+ stories on my list, so it was a welcome addition. I ended up really enjoying it, and what was extra fun was that it takes place in Portland, so when streets, stores, and neighborhoods were mentioned, I knew exactly where the author was referring to.
The book focuses on Ellie Oliver, a young woman who is at a crossroads in her life. Ellie had big dreams of working in animation. She even landed her dream job after moving to Portland and shared a magical night in the snow with an amazing woman she met at a bookstore. Since that magical night, Ellie’s life has taken a nosedive. She was fired from the animation job, and she’s never seen the woman she shared the night with again. Ellie now works at a local coffee shop and is struggling to make ends meet.
Just when she thinks things couldn’t get any worse, Andrew, the landlord of the coffee shop, approaches her with a rather unconventional proposition: he needs Ellie to marry him so that he can claim his inheritance. All Ellie has to do is stay married to him for a year, and then they can divorce, and she’ll even get a nice chunk of change out of it, which would definitely relieve her financial woes. Ellie agrees, and as they concoct a plan to spend the holidays together at Andrew’s family cabin, Ellie is greeted with a shocking revelation – Andrew’s sister is none other than Jack, the captivating woman she fell for on Christmas Eve the year before. Now Ellie has a choice – rekindle with Jack and see if the magic they shared that night still exists, or continue with her fake marriage to Andrew and solidify her financial future.
The book is light and fresh and carries an emotional punch. Cochran’s clever dialogue and witty banter offer much-needed comedic relief, balancing out the emotional depth of the story. Through Ellie’s journey, readers are reminded that sometimes the greatest rewards come from embracing uncertainty and following our hearts, even when it seems daunting.
The romance is beautifully portrayed – it was nice to see a sapphic romance play out like a very progressive Hallmark Christmas movie. Another thing that I liked is that the romance didn’t feel rushed. Cochran takes readers on a slow-burn journey, allowing the connection between Ellie and Jack to develop organically. Their initial meet-cute at the bookstore on Christmas Eve immediately captures readers’ hearts and sets the stage for a whirlwind romance that is as heartwarming as it is complicated. The chemistry between the two is electric, leaving readers rooting for their happily ever after.
Ellie is a lovable protagonist, and her vulnerability is palpable as she navigates her way through financial hardships, complicated relationships, and the fear of choosing between safety and the pursuit of something real. The supporting characters, particularly Andrew and his quirky family, add an extra layer of entertainment, injecting the narrative with warmth and laughter. I also loved how Jack was the exact opposite of her wealthy family. I love how she preferred to live in a camper trailer versus a Lake Oswego mansion and how non-materialistic she was.
Overall, Kiss Her Once for Me is an enchanting and delightful read perfect for the holiday season. Alison Cochran has created a story that is equal parts heartwarming and captivating. This one is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and hope in your heart. So grab a cozy blanket, settle in with a cup of hot cocoa, and get ready to fall in love with this charming tale.
