Fun summer or winter read. Jasper is autistic and has always been told that she can’t show her true self to the people of the town where she grew up. Her sister, raised as the queen of the village, can do no wrong and is expecting perfection for her wedding. Arthur hasn’t been able to get Jasper’s face out of his mind even though there’s no way she could ever be interested in him, right? Sparks fly and friendships are tested and destroyed as secrets come to light. Great story.

So for those of you wondering based on the cover and title: <b>This is NOT a Christmas book</b>.

It’s a story that would be good for winter break as it takes place around Christmas, but I wouldn’t call it a Christmas story.

This book follows Jasper, a neurodivergent teen who has come home for the holidays following her first year of college and who wants to follow a different path from what has been laid out for her. She clashes with Arthur, her old high school nemesis, and faces major stresses in her personal life.

This is very much a character driven story and it was an interesting exploration of a neurodivergent teen. However, most of the secondary characters were completely awful, especially Christine, Odette, and Marcus which made it hard to see why Jasper or Arthur cared so much about them. It was nice to see Jasper grow and change though.

The tone of the book was quite melancholy which I wasn’t really expecting. Overall this would be a good read for those interested in learning more about neurodivergence. I also loved that they put on The Nutcracker (though I would have liked more details about the performance itself).

I loved it. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish reading and am bawling. This book is like coming home to the comforts and warmth of what’s familiar. I loved how the characters and relationships grew and developed from start to finish. I found myself rooting for Jasper and Art, and wanting to visit the town of Lake Pristine. Elle McNicoll empathetically navigates the complexities of friendships, families, romantic relationships, grief, and neurodivergence in this novel. Kudos and well-done! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

What a FUN book! I loved the main character, and the theme behind this one. I love a good dramatic love story. So sweet! Highly recommend

“Some Like It Cold” was a beautiful story. Jasper is autistic/neurodivergent and knows firsthand that her struggling to understand social cues or becoming overstimulated in environments makes neurotypical people uncomfortable. Her family, especially her mother, have also instilled in her the belief that her diagnosis means she is imperfect, and that the world would consider her imperfect. As a result, she has become an expert at masking. Jasper is also almost universally beloved in her small hometown of Lake Pristine because she is a genuinely caring person who is always willing to lend a hand, putting other people’s needs before her own.

However, trying to live up to her family’s expectations and the image the townsfolk have of her has become emotionally overwhelming. She has been away at college, but it has been a horrible experience. Jasper is planning to finally do something for herself and pursue her dreams, even though it will likely mean being ostracized by her family and having to give up Lake Pristine.

However, before that happens Jasper has to get through one more Christmas in Lake Pristine, including dealing with her family, and putting on an amazing performance of the Nutcracker (her mom runs the ballet studio and Jasper is a former prima). This becomes more difficult when she arrives home to witness her sister’s very public marriage proposal and becomes enmeshed in the wedding planning. Her sister Christine is not the nicest person, and the stress of the wedding preparations increases her rudeness towards others, including Jasper. If that was not enough, Arthur, the one person in town whose annoying behavior Jasper will actually react to, is making a film about small town life in Lake Pristine that will prominently feature her family. Beneath his grumbly exterior, Arthur is actually a pretty good guy. He is also harboring a secret love for Jasper, although it is not as hidden as he believes, except to Jasper. However, the making of the film and other events in town will result in Arthur and Jasper gaining a better understanding of each other.

Jasper is a wonderfully developed and complex character. I enjoyed watching/reading as she finally allowed herself to be vulnerable and to stand up for herself. I also liked the Jasper - Arthur dynamic. The story even contains a redemptive arc for Jasper's family, especially Christine.

This was cute! And that's as much as I think about it.

The neurodivergent rep was incredible. McNicoll's portrayal of masking and Jasper gradually breaking out of it was so well done and tender. It also helped that Jasper herself was a delightful main character, as her kindness and love she has for her family, friends, and Lake Pristine really shine through the page. It took me a while to like Arthur, for I found the motivations for his documentary to be dubious, but he did warm up to me as he became closer to Jasper and was being more genuine.

The big reason why I didn't like this more was the snide attitude the town gave off for the majority of the book. The rampant gossip, the in-group or nothing plights, the casual worship of the richest family in town, it all gave me the ick. The characters joke about it themselves, and this eventually is turned on its head to show the better, friendlier side of small towns, but the whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth. It also made it hard to come around to Jasper's family at the end, particularly her sister Christine. They show remorse and become more supportive, but it didn't really feel earned when they spent most of the book being the absolute worst type of family towards her (For Christ's sake, Christine forced her easily overstimulated sister to go to a club for her bachelorette party, knowing she would likely shutdown, and never even said sorry! Making Jasper maid-of-honor last minute doesn't make up for that at all.)

All in all, this was a cute romance, but there were some elements in the story I couldn't vibe with well.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. all opinions are my own.

I will post my full review once SMP address the insensitive comments of their employee.

This was such an empowering romance book I loved it!
The main character is written beautifully and is so complex. The mc is autistic and even though I am not autistic, the author was able so show and explain what it is like to live with it SO AMAZINGLY.

Overall, the storyline was great, the characters are great, and this WHOLE BOOK is freaking fantastic. Everyone should read it. Especially to understand what it is like to live as someone with autism.

'Some Like it Cold' is a great book to get readers in the holiday spirit! Loved the neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ representation within the cast of characters. Excited to see what author Elle McNicoll comes up with next.

3.5 stars

First off, I would like to say that the neurospicy rep for this was wonderful, and really loved Jasper as a main character. As for Arthur, it took a minute for his character to grow on me, but once he did I adored him too. That being said, I sort of hated the town & everyone else? & how her family acted just really rubbed me the wrong way.

This was a really cute small town romance. It was a slow burn romance but it was super cute. I liked the look at Jasper as an autistic character. The depth of these characters was really great and I felt like I really got to know them and see them fall for each other.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Elle McNicoll created something special with her latest book. It might seem like your run of the mill holiday story, but its elevated by the tenderness of her characters and throwbacks to other small town enemies to lovers plots. Give it a try, it won't be a waste of your time.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Some Like It Cold is the cutest small-town romance to curl up with. I loved that it didn't stray too much into the Hallmark category but instead had a decent plot with a solid cast of characters (some of whom are on the ALS spectrum).

Elle McNicoll puts readers inside the mind of Jasper for a front-seat ride of what it's like living with Autism. For persons with no experience, it makes you rethink all the small things you may take for granted- lights, sensory overload, emotions. Elle really grows as a character, especially when she starts embracing her own identity and not the picture-perfect image everyone wants from her.

The shining star for me in this book is definitely Arthur- a small-town boy who takes over his dad's legacy and hopes to make him proud while stifling his urge to explore. His chemistry with Jasper was a definite slow burn but oh so worth it! The integration of Arthurs's film definitely gave the book more dimension and structure.

There was a Bridezilla on the loose and meddling parents who may or may not mean well. Arthurs's film may do just the opposite of what it intended and may cause secrets to come to light in his innocent movie.

In a town where everything seems perfect- will Arthur's quest for the truth expose his?

Thank you to the author and NEtGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review,

This was such a cute book. This is my first by Elle McNicoll and definitely not my last. I loved the small town and romance was delightful. I started and finished it within 24 hours. Overall, the whole thing really worked well for me.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this heartwarming small-town romance! “Some Like It Cold” by Elle McNicoll is the latest novel from the author, and is a delightful journey. As readers, we are taken into the heart of Lake Pristine, which is a small-town where secrets simmer, old rivalries resurface, and love blossoms unexpectedly. With achingly honest prose and a cast of endearing characters, McNicoll weaves a tale that captures the essence of small-town life and the magic of unexpected connections.

Meet Jasper Montgomery. She has returned to Lake Pristine for the holidays, her heart heavy with secrets. She plans to bid farewell to her childhood home before embarking on a new chapter far away. But fate has other plans. When Jasper accidentally disrupts her sister's engagement and crosses paths with her teenage adversary, budding filmmaker Arthur Lancaster, her carefully laid-out exit strategy takes an unexpected turn.

I enjoyed the character depth! McNicoll excels at creating characters who feel like old friends. Jasper's vulnerability and determination resonate, while Arthur's brooding charm adds layers to their dynamic. Their chemistry crackles off the pages, leaving readers rooting for their happily-ever-after.

I loved being enveloped with small-town charm. Lake Pristine comes alive in McNicoll's vivid descriptions. The cozy cafes, snow-dusted streets, and quirky locals evoke a sense of nostalgia. You'll want to sip hot cocoa by the fireplace and join the town's annual snowball fight.

As always, I’m here for the enemies-to-lovers trope. The tension between Jasper and Arthur is palpable. Their witty banter and unresolved history create a delicious slow burn. As they navigate their feelings, McNicoll skillfully balances humour, heartache, and hope.

I really enjoyed the themes of home and belonging. At its core, "Some Like It Cold" explores what it means to belong in all forms: to a place, to family, and to someone special. I feel Jasper's internal struggle mirrors our own longing for connection and acceptance.

I tip my hat to the subtle nods to romance classics. McNicoll pays homage to the romance genre, infusing her story with nods to beloved tropes. As much an ode to romance's history as a modern love story, this book celebrates the genre's timeless appeal.

This story is more than a romance; it's a warm hug on a frosty day. McNicoll's prose wraps around you like a cozy scarf, inviting you to believe in second chances and the magic of unexpected love. Whether you're a seasoned romance reader or a newcomer, this book will leave you with a smile and a longing for your own Lake Pristine.

As Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of "Make You Mine This Christmas," aptly puts it: "Achingly honest and heartfelt... quite literally my favourite romance novel of all time." Don't miss this enchanting tale because it's the literary equivalent of a steaming cup of cocoa by the fireside.

"Some Like It Cold" is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of love, even in the chilliest of winters. McNicoll's storytelling prowess shines, and I eagerly await her next masterpiece.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The best word I can come up with at the moment for this book is electric! I had so much fun reading this one. It’s a bit of a slow-burn romance, with plenty of humor, angst to keep the reader locked in.