4/5 ⭐
0/5 🌶️
4/5 🎧

This story is freaking tragic. In my opinion it does not have a happily ever after, which is usually my whole jam in this genre. Thankfully I knew that ahead of time and so I went in with expectations of my heart being shattered, and broke my heart was.

I really loved Rune and Poppy. They're very young, and their naiveity shows, but honestly they're both quite mature for their age, especially in the second half of this story. Was Rune your typical angsty teen in the beginning when things began to unravel? Absolutely. But it didn't bother me too much and I enjoyed watching him grow and fix his relationship with his dad.

This is my second book from Tillie and while it's vastly different from the first of hers I read (Sick Fux) I've absolutely loved her writing. While this story isn't one I'm likely to read again, it really was a beautiful story about young love, tragic as it was. It is a little God/heaven heavy, but even as an atheist it wasn't so heavy that it bothered me. I'd definitely recommend this story to anyone in need of a good cry.

This book starts off pretty sad. When Poppy and Rune are five they meet and become best friends. A few years later Poppy’s grandma is really ill and passes away. She tells her she wants to fill this jar of hearts with 1000 boy kisses that make her feel special. Years after that Rune and Poppy are separated and Poppy becomes ill. Rune starts to spend all of his time making Poppy’s dreams come true for her short life.
This book is really cheesy and it is kind of hard to believe how young they are. It also kept me crying for the majority of the book but especially at the end. It is unclear if it’s a happy ending or a sad one.

I don’t think I can stop crying. This was a well-written and lovely, albeit, terribly sad story to read. It took me longer because I had to take breaks since I no longer could see the pages through my tears. By the end I was hiccuping crying. It was the hardest book for me to get through because it pulled at all the heart strings.

Rune was a great character and fit perfectly with Poppy. He held onto her so tightly, even when he lost her. He gave her all her wishes and made her so happy with the short time she had left.

Poppy, god, Poppy. She will be a main character I will never forget and probably burst into tears just thinking about her. She is one of those people where you think, “Why are the good ones always taken away early?” She loved life, even for how short she had with it. She was such a beautiful soul and even though I knew it was coming, like her family, I was hoping for a miracle because it was awful to experience that. It felt oddly real.

This was an incredible story about the power of young love, about going at life full speed from the very start, and to not let the bad things in life end your happiness. It was beautiful and tragic. I’m so heartbroken, I feel like I actually lost someone in my life.

Wow! This book really had me on an emotional roller coaster! This emotion was just spewing off the pages! To say Tillie Cole is an amazing author would be an understatement. This book was written sooooo well I didn't want it to end. I kept hoping that there would be a treatment for Poppy and she would make it through. I wasnt ready to say goodbye to Poppy or Rune. What a love story! I have never boo hoo cried this much throughout a book. But this book had so much emotion, love, honor, forgivenes and acceptance. Hands down this book is a must read!

This book absolutely broke me. I cried mostly through the entire book. I got so attached to the characters and the plot was fantastic. I loved this even if it broke my heart

I was in tears from chapter 2 pretty much through the whole book! If you need a good cry this book is for you!!!

Give me a thousand kisses, then another hundred,
then another thousand, then for the second time a hundred,
then another thousand more, then a hundred.
. (Catullo - Vivamus mea Lesbia)
Even if I'm not a fan of this book I think it's the book that would have made me cry bucket when I was a teen and I read Prevert or Catullo's poems.
There's the sense of just-you-and-me that is typical of first love. The rest of the world is not important, just a sort of scenery.
That said the adult me found it a good YA romance, a bit ove the top as I would prefer something less intense but funnier.
Well written, emotionally charged.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

"A Thousand Boy Kisses" is an ABSOLUTE MUST-READ!

This poignant narrative revolves around Poppy and Rune, who share a history dating back to childhood. Their lives were intertwined until Rune's departure to Norway, which prompted Poppy to sever all ties. Two years pass in silence until Rune returns to their hometown, haunted by questions about why Poppy distanced herself. However, the truth behind their separation only becomes clear to Rune as the story unfolds.

Tillie Cole's prowess as a writer shines brilliantly in "A Thousand Boy Kisses." I was utterly captivated by this book, shedding tears from the first page to the last. While many books might elicit a tear or two, this masterpiece had me weeping as though my heart were truly breaking in two.

Poppy and Rune's journey has left an indelible mark on my heart. This book ingrains itself in your thoughts; I'll forever cherish their relationship and the flawlessly executed ending. Overall, this book is a marvel, a recommendation I extend to anyone seeking an emotional catharsis and a taste of heartache.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

a thousand boy kisses
thank you to bloom, netgalley, and the author for the arc copy for the re-release!

everyone dreams to be loved the way rune loves poppy. that boy adored her with every fiber of his being. everything he did he did with poppy in mind. they were truly 2 halves of a whole. the kind of best friend you have once in a lifetime. what every girl and woman looks for and may never be able to find. this is the kind of man they mean when they tell you to never settle. but this man probably doesn’t exist in real life. which hurts me personally because …. ow.

this hurt me in so many ways. it wasn’t a story about death or fearing it it was about taking what life has given you and making the most of it.

i do not cry easily when i’m reading. i’ll tear up, maybe drop a tear or two, but a couple of blinks and i’m back to normal. that was not the case here. i have been chasing a high like this since i read the fault in our stars by john green when i was 13. i had tears running down my face to the point of reading and re-reading paragraphs because i couldn’t see them through my tears.

my criticisms that take this from a 5 star to a 4.75 star: these r some kids that are WAY beyond their years. the 5 year olds were talking like 8 year olds. the 8 year olds like 13 year olds. and 15 year olds were like 20 year olds. everyone was wise beyond their years.

sometimes rune’s anger issues genuinely had me scared of him. i was almost waiting for this to take a DIFFERENT tragic turn. he was a little TOO intense at times i think. they did get better as the story went on but damn i was a lil scared for a second.

i’ll leave you with some beautiful quotes and quotes that broke me, these do include some minor spoilers so beware:

“Why does it take a life ending to learn how to cherish each day? Why must we wait until we run out of time to start to accomplish all that we dreamed, when once we had all the time in the world? Why don’t we look at the person we love the most like it’s the last time we will ever see them? Because if we did, life would be so vibrant. Life would be so truly and completely lived.”

“This moment, given to me by you, I will remember always. I will take it with me to…wherever I go.”

“This life’s final adventure. Because I know, with unwavering faith, that we’ll be together again. Even when this adventure is over, a greater one awaits us on the other side. And Rune, there would be no heaven if you weren’t back in my arms someday.”

“I really believe that tales of loss don’t always have to be sad or sorrowful. I want mine to be remembered as a great adventure that I tried to live as best as I possibly could. Because how dare we waste a single breath? How dare we waste something so precious? Instead, we should strive for all those precious breaths to be taken in as many precious moments as we can squeeze into this short time on Earth. That’s the message I want to leave behind. And what a beautiful legacy to leave for those I love.”

“Poppy believed her spirit always knew she’d die young. I was starting to think that maybe mine did too.”

“It was apt that Poppy left the same day that the cherry blossoms lost their petals too. They were guiding her soul home.”

“Forever always.”

I am SOBBING 😭😭😭 This romance story was breathtakingly beautiful. I haven't read something soo heartfelt since a Walk to Remember. This book will be forever on my mind and is NOW one of my favorite romance novels. Excuse me while I continue to sob from this incredible story 😭❤️❤️

Very predictable story line but so, so sad. Normally when people say this on TikTok or socials it ends up not being try, they are exaggerating… but no this book was devastating to me. It’s definitely middle age/high school reading level.

Poppy and Rune are inseparable once Rune moves in next door…….Until his dads job relocates his family back to Norway after ten years of living state side. Poppy and Rune promise to stay in touch, but Poppy ends up cutting Rune off with no explanation. Two years later, Rune is back and wants to know what happened.

Family quote: “I wish…. I wish that people realized how this felt everyday. Why does it take a life ending to learn how to cherish each day? Why must we wait until we run out of time to start to accomplish all that we dreamed when once we had all the time in the world? Why don’t we look at the person we love the most like it’s the last time we will ever see them? Because if we did, life would be so vibrant. Life would be so truly and completely lived.”

Masochists. That’s what we are. We see someone post a video crying saying “this book broke me” and we read it anyway. What is wrong with us? Haha I have never cried so much while reading. I definitely recommend if any of the above speaks to you!

Poppy swept into Runes life like a ray of sunshine. Poppy spontaneous and full of adventure keeps Rune on his toes. After Poppy’s grandmother passed away she left her with an empty jar. The jar to be filled with kisses but not just any kisses. The kisses that make your heart beat out of your chest. The kisses that change your world. Rune wants to fill her jar with those moments but when his family is forced to move back to Germany Poppy vanishes. Will their love be enough to fill Poppy’s jar in time? Will time heal the void that was created by distance?

A Thousand Boy Kisses was my absolute everything. There were smiles, laughter and tears. Lots and lots of tears. So many tears that I had to put the book down in order to see the pages. It made me feel so many emotions and I love every minute of it.

TW/CW
Death of a loved one.
Child loss.
Terminal illness.

When they are five years old, Poppy and Rune meet. Rune is from Norway and his family has just moved in next door.

Over the next ten years, they grow up together and fall in love.

When they are 15, Rune’s dad has to transfer back to Norway for his job and Rune and Poppy are separated. They make plans to keep in touch but after a little while Poppy stops emailing and calling and Rune has no idea why.

Honestly, I was skeptical about this because sometimes I think I’m a little old for some YA romances. When I tell you I bawled at this book…it was really good and not what I expected.

This book was more than just a YA story. Is was mysterious, addicting, and sinfully tragic.

Any well written book about young love stirs up sincere memories and emotions that take us back to our young and first loves. That’s what this book does for the readers. It allows them to remember a time where someone noticed them for the first time. Where a person was their whole world just for a little.

Then it reminds the readers how life is when something tragic strikes and that’s what makes the book so emotional. It makes you remember and then makes you remember more. It reminds you that sometimes, no matter how much you love someone, you cannot change fate. But your love can make their lives just a little bit better for a time.

Told in dual-perspectives you really get the sense for what both main characters are feeling. Tillie Cole makes you fall in love with them, your heart breaks for them, you cry with them. This book is an emotional roller coaster, but by far worth every emotion. A “read-jerker” is an absolute understatement for this book.

Sobbing, screaming, crying, throwing up. Tillie cole you have literally broken my heart into a million pieces. This broke my heart in every possible way. Rune and poppy's love is so deep, strong and passionate, which is unheard of at their age. Their love is unbreakable. Legit like the love you dream of as a kid. I will say that 70% into the book it felt rushed and predictable, kinda drawn out. Nonetheless I really loved this book.

This book had me SOBBBING!
I absolutely loved every minute of the heartbreak though.
I loved absolutely everything about Poppy and Rune.
Their story was so beautifully written.
And once you start this book there is no stopping until its over.
This book reels you in and keeps you in.
I have nothing but good to say about this one!

Thank you Netgalley and Bloom books for the opportunity.

This book had me in tears which surprised me since I don’t usually cry all that much at books. This was an absolutely wonderful story and I loved every minute of it. The relationship between Poppy and Rune was beautiful and amazingly portrayed in the writing. There were so many pretty lines/quotes in the book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed reading this love story of two young people who seem destined to be together. Despite the challenges they face, they live life to the fullest and truly appreciate every moment they are able to spend together. They fall in love quickly, grow apart, and are able to come back together when the time Poppy has is cut short. These two never failed to express love and there story was beautiful up until the end. The cherry blossom is one of my favorite flowers so the significance of it in this book touched me. I don't think I'll ever see them the same way again. I did like this book, it was a fast enjoyable read. It was a little too YA for me and I found myself a little bored at points and able to predict how everything would happen. Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend to people who want to read a touching love story... haha but bring tissues!!

Ugh this book utterly destroyed me to the point where I'm not sure if I really liked this book. It was so well written though, I could see myself with the characters, but man, my heart will need time to recover from this book.

Tillie Cole's YA novel, A Thousand Boy Kisses, is a heartbreaking story that you will not want to put down. The characters are engaging and though some of the situations seem a bit much, they could happen. If you are someone who cries when reading, you may as well be prepared with a box of tissues. Though is not a novel that will provoke deep thinking and heavy discussions for years to come, it is a well-written YA novel that will touch your soul and haunt you for a long while. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC ebook to read for this review.