Ellie met the love of her life last Christmas and spent a blissful 24 hours with her, only to never see her again. Fast forward a year and Ellie is faking an engagement with Andrew. Guess who Andrew’s sister is? You’re right. The love of Ellie’s life.

This is a cute and fast read that I couldn’t put down. I loved all the quirky characters and the cabin the story took place in

It's been awhile since I've read this book but I know I really enjoyed it and I gave it 5 stars on goodreads. I hope to be better about reviewing books on netgalley as I read them. Thank you for understanding.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

i love Alison's writing, its fun and witty, while also feeling quite cozy but chaotic at the same time. i loved this title and the characters a lot, and i don't really have anything negative to say about it. Sometimes, a book is 5 stars for me when i finish and i just KNOW, and i didn't get that feeling, but i also think of this book so fondly! 4-4.5 for me!

Y’all I loved this book so much. Alison Cochrun really said I’m gonna give the sapphics everything they want. This was the fun, messy, queer Christmas romcom of my dreams. It had everything I could have asked for.

As with The Charm Offensive, I took to the leads almost immediately. Ellie & Jack both felt like people I’d know in real life & I never wasn’t rooting for them. They’re both messy & honest & just trying their best. They felt real & familiar in a way that’s rare for me to find in romcoms & I enjoyed every page with them.

In addition to Ellie & Jack, there’s a whole host of lovable characters that made this book even sweeter & cozier than it already was. Andrew & Dylan provided laughter, advice, & even more oblivious gay pining, I want to be adopted by the boozy grandmas, I would do anything to pet Paul Hollywood the dog, & Ari & Meredith could put my life back together any day. This book has the perfect combination of given & found family that really warmed my heart.

Then there’s the other more down to earth side of this cinnamon scented hug of a book. Alison Cochrun has this uncanny ability to seamlessly weave fun & delightful romcom beats & tropes (like getting snowed in, only one bed, mutual pining, the list goes on) with honest & intimate portrayals of mental health & a realistic sense of what it’s like just trying to get through the day. The fear of failure, toxic perfectionism, seasons of giving, seasons of needing, & second & third chances are all treated with such tender care & thought. You can tell Alison knew exactly what she was talking about & that made this part of the book all the more personal & comforting.

Kiss Her Once For Me was an immediate add to both my favorites shelf & (spoiler alert) my top ten of the year. It had me giggling & kicking my feet the whole way through & I already can’t wait until next Christmas when I can reread it & wrap myself up in it’s magical, snowy, coziness again. Last Christmas might have been nice, but this year with Ellie & Jack was a special one. It didn’t quite save me from tears bc I definitely cried a bit during khofm, but regardless, it was such a pleasure to spend the holidays with them. Cant wait to do it all again next year!

Alison Cochrun, who wrote the highly acclaimed THE CHARM OFFENSIVE, is back with KISS HER ONCE FOR ME, a swoon-worthy, magic-filled holiday romance offering.

One year ago, Ellie Oliver felt like her life was just beginning. She had been hired as an animator at Laika Studios, her dream job where she would work with the writers, animators and creators behind such films as Coraline, ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls. Even better, she was finally in a new city, Portland, where the selfish demands of her negligent mother wouldn’t exactly stop, but at least it would give her some breathing room to be her real, demisexual, bisexual self.

But when Christmas Eve arrived, Ellie found herself not thriving and basking in the holiday warmth, but crying on the floor of Powell’s Books and apologizing to a footstool. Seeking comfort in her favorite books, she entered the sweetest meet-cute of all time when she reached for a copy of FUN HOME and met a gorgeous, confident and downright sexy stranger named Jack. As a demisexual, Ellie does not experience sexual attraction until an emotional attachment has been formed. So when she found herself falling into bed with Jack that very night, she knew her heart was on the line. By the next morning, though, her dreams were shattered. And when she was laid off shortly after, she froze --- in life, love and her own ambitions.

One year later, Ellie is still frozen. She works at a pretentious coffee shop (and that’s saying something in Portland!). While she continues to draw her own webcomics on the side, they’re not exactly paying the bills. And with the housing crisis leading to increased rents, she’s more on the desperate side than she’d like to be. Then a disastrous day at work ends with her accepting a drink and a ride home from Andrew Kim-Prescott, the shop’s landlord and heir to the Prescott real estate investment firm that keeps most of Portland alive.

One drink turns into three, then four, followed by shots…and before Ellie knows it, Andrew is asking her the most ridiculous question she’s ever heard. His recently deceased grandfather left him a sum of two million dollars, but with the addendum that he cannot receive his inheritance until he gets married. Andrew likes Ellie’s wit and awkward charm, and he knows she could use the money as much as he wants it. So he offers her a fake engagement in return for 10% of his inheritance. That’s a whopping 200,000 reasons to say yes, and close to zero reasons to say no.

By the end of that week, Ellie is journeying to Andrew’s family’s “cabin” (which, of course, turns out to be more of a family-owned ski chalet on a remote, scenic mountain) to meet his loved ones and sell their fake engagement. Immediately Ellie is surprised to see that the Kim-Prescotts aren’t waspy snobs but warm, welcoming and thoroughly love-filled people with real relationships and bonds. From Andrew’s anxious mother to his boozy grandmothers, no one is as Ellie expects --- including when his sister, Jacqueline “Jack” Kim-Prescott, arrives with her surly best friend, Dylan, who is non-binary and spends the holidays with the Kim-Prescotts after being shunned by their own family over their identity.

Wait…Jack? Oh yes, that Jack. In the comedic timing to beat all romantic comedies, Ellie has now officially agreed to marry the brother of her one-night stand from last Christmas. And they’re going to be trapped in the same house, dashing through the snow and making spirits bright for eight whole days. At approximately $25,000 a day (if you think like that, which Ellie absolutely doesn’t) and the opportunity to make real, lasting holiday memories unlike the neglectful ones of her childhood, it seems like an easy choice. But is Ellie risking the chance of a very real love in the process? And is that something she even wants?

Just as she did in THE CHARM OFFENSIVE, Alison Cochrun writes a smart, modern and deeply compassionate romance that explores many dynamics --- from Ellie’s demisexual identity to Andrew’s own “Rorschach test” sexuality (what you see when you look at him says a lot more about you than it does about him) --- where every character is proudly and unabashedly themselves. She makes it even better by demonstrating how easy and crucial it is to accept one another without making a big deal of it.

Right from the start, Ellie refers to the androgynous Jack in they/them pronouns until she is able to ask for Jack’s preferred pronouns (she/her), and the shift in writing is so natural and easy that you could miss it if you weren’t paying attention. (Of course, the charming banter helps a lot too!) At the same time, Cochrun celebrates found family, sibling love and even generational bonds in ways that are immediately heart-rending and tender yet still keenly observed and sharply written. Ellie’s personal journey from 10-year-plan perfectionist to confident woman who is aware and in control of her talents and ambitions is incredibly satisfying. And that she discovers herself in part through the magic of Christmas makes this novel feel utterly fantastical in the best ways.

KISS HER ONCE FOR ME is the holiday romance that I didn’t know I needed from an author who gets better and better with every dynamic and leap-off-the-page character.

I love all of Alison’s books so far and this one was no different. It’s the perfect cozy winter read!

absolutely perfect holiday romcom that warmed my heart and was a perfect book to read by the Christmas tree

I absolutely LOVED "The Charm Offensive", so "Kiss Her Once For Me" was immediately one of my most anticipated releases of the year.

Full disclosure that this was one of the first books I was reading when I started to hit my pregnancy reading slump, which could have impacted my enjoyment. It was an interesting premise, but I didn't particularly like how long it took for us to find out what really happened between our MCs and I felt there was just soooo much drama for drama's sake.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was super cute but I wish this was more of a slow burn and there was more angst. The fell for one another so fast and I felt like I was trying to catch up to get as invested in them as a couple. Also the fake dating in this didn't work for me! I felt secondhand embarrassment a lot of the time!

I just finished "Kiss Her Once for Me" by Alison Cochrun, and I'm ready to spill the tea.

First off, let's talk about the characters. I loved them! They are relatable and quirky, and Cochrun did an excellent job fleshing them out. I found myself cheering for them and cringing at their awkward moments – the whole rollercoaster of emotions.

The plot? It's a sweet and spicy romance that hits all the right notes. I won't give away spoilers, but there's enough drama to keep you turning those pages. And can we talk about the unexpected twists? Cochrun knows how to keep you on your toes.

Now, the writing style – impeccable! Cochrun has this way of weaving words that sucks you into the story. It's the kind of writing that makes you forget you're reading a book – you're living it.

The pacing? Spot on. I didn't feel like things were dragging or rushing. The story unfolded at the right tempo, allowing me to savour each moment.

And the ending? Oh, don't even get me started. It was everything I had hoped for and more. It is a perfect blend of heartwarming and satisfying.

One year ago, Ellie 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’s cabin, but when Andrew introduces his new fiancee to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it’s Jack - the mysterious woman she fell for last Christmas Eve.

Taylor Swift references, SO CUTE, SO COZY, SO ANGSTY

Literally one of my new favorite romances of all time 😭😭😭

I had the pleasure of reading Kiss Her Once For Me on a literal snow day, so protagonist Ellie's conviction that something magical happens in the pause of a snow day landed particularly well for me. I didn't go outside and fall in love with someone, but I was still pretty happy. It was also my SECOND ace romance (protagonist Ellie is demi and bi) in as many days, so I was on cloud nine.

Kiss Her Once for Me is a fake dating/marriage of convenience romance...except it's with the wrong person. In fact, Ellie's in love with her "fiancee" Andrew's sister, Jack, from a day spent together last Christmas Eve (the snow day in question). The arrangement comes about because Andrew's grandfather left him 2 million dollars in his will but with an antiquated addendum-- he has to be married to get the money. And (literally) poor Ellie could use a piece of that, what with rising rent on her shitty apartment, looming student loan debts, her mom's constant demands for money, and the way she lost her job as an animator this year. Her current gig as a barista isn't going to cut it, especially since her numbskull boss passed her over for a promotion.

As part of their napkin contract, Andrew requires Ellie accompany him to the annual family Christmas at their cabin. It's there that Ellie has the horrified revelation that Jack is his sister, and secrets start to build up on all sides. Jack doesn't want Andrew to know about their past, and Andrew doesn't want anyone to know the relationship is fake. The situation is only more complicated by the fact that Andrew's in love with Jack's best friend, Dylan, who always comes for Christmas, so Ellie dubs it the "love trapezoid." The messy situation gives the "only one bed" trope a whole new meaning in a hilarious way, especially when Andrew doesn't even try to sleep somewhere else and Ellie's annoyed that this isn't how it goes in rom coms. There's no romantic tension between them, so it's basically just an annoying, unwanted sleepover.

The family shenanigans are truly hilarious and heart-warming, and it's all too easy to understand why Ellie yearns to be a part of it all. It doesn't help that her own mother stood her up for Christmas last year. But at the cabin, there's scheduled cheer from family photos to cookie baking to Christmas tree selection and carols. One grandma's drunk and one grandma's stoned. There's even a snowball fight and skiing-- perfect opportunities for gallant behavior from one's lady love.

I found it easy to root for Ellie, even in her darker moments. She's a classic, anxiety-ridden young adult trying to figure everything out. With out-of-control parents as a blueprint, Ellie's always felt the need to run the other direction toward a future with a plan, one that promises success and approbation. But now her plan's all messed up, and she doesn't know what to do next. I personally fell in love with Jack when she announces that "miscommunication is for straights" and launches into a necessary, honest feelings conversation. Plus, a bakery owner with tattoos and ADHD makes for a compelling love interest at baseline.

This is a big-hearted queer romance, and I loved every second. Thanks to Atria for my copy to read and review!

As much as I wanted to love this book, it was simply just meh for me. I think maybe it was a bit of the back and forth. I also didn't buy into the romance as much as I had hoped. I think it's a me thing and not the author because I absolutely loved her book "The Charm Offensive".

I can see why you recommended that I read this in December - I loved it. It's sweet, funny, heartwarming - a perfect Christmas Hallmark sapphic love story (Is Hallmark making these yet? If not, start here!)! Filled with faking dating and forced proximity tropes, Cochrun also seamlessly incorporates diverse and mental health representation. Natalie Naudus's narration is excellent, expertly handling the vast number of characters. I especially love the Grandmas! What a hoot!

Amazing! I loved this one so much. As always with romcoms I was begging the characters to use their words, but overall, this one was just the heartwarming holiday read I always crave.

The conflict killed this one for me. It felt so forced and also pretty ridiculous...who gets mad at a sibling for trying to help? That is silly and feels like conflict was created for the sake of it which is a ick in any book.

I ended up being sent a physical ARC for this book and immediately devoured it. Cochrun is an auto-buy author for me and for good reason. Her characters, both main and supporting, her stories, her romances - it all meshes so well and you can't help but connect with everyone and love the book! This was such a fantastic read! Can't wait for her next one!

Alison Cochran can do no wrong. After her debut with The Charm Offensive, i rushed right into this one once it was available. And just like Charm, Kiss was everything and more.

Loved Kiss Her Once for Me! For anyone who misses the golden era of 90's rom coms, but wishes they were a little more queer. I bought this one for a few friends as a Christmas this year, and I can see this being a yearly re-read for sure.