I mean this in the best way possible - this was the awkward and reserved romance I didn't know I needed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Some Like it Cold is a coming of age YA gem about a beautiful, intelligent, talented young lady named Jasper who is neurodivergent and living with the challenges that come from autism. She has been off at college for 18 months but it’s Christmas Break and she has decided it would be the perfect time to return to her hometown of Lake Pristine for one last time before starting her new life adventure. Only problem is, she hasn’t told her parents about these plans yet. But when she returns home, being part of a documentary being filmed about the town, helping plan her bridezilla sister’s NYE wedding, and helping with the town’s annual production of The Nutcracker were NOT part of her new life plans…and falling in love most definitely wasn’t.

Lake Pristine is a small town, think Stars Hollow, where everyone knows everything about everybody. Jasper is known as the Golden Girl of Lake Pristine because she has always been willing to help everyone in town, not because she necessarily wanted to, but because she didn’t know how to tell anybody no. She is a people pleaser and would rather mask her own feelings to make someone else happy. As she gets older she realizes she doesn’t need anyone's approval and wants to do things that make HER happy. She wants to be accepted and loved for who she really is, and not how she is portrayed by others.

I would be lying if I didn’t say that I originally chose this book because of the adorable cover. Now after reading it, it is so much more than just the adorable cover on the outside. The inside is a super cute, heartwarming love story with a powerful message and important representation! Although this was fiction, it was really informative too, giving the reader a greater understanding of the things that go on in a neurodivergent brain, from feelings and facial expressions, to overstimulation and sensory overload.

First time reading this neurodivergent author. Jasper comes home for the holidays to the small town of Lake Pristine after being gone to university for eighteen months. (I’m a little confused at that because she is only 18 years old.) Her arrival interrupts her older sister Christine’s perfect proposal. I enjoyed the autistic representation in Jasper and learning more about her ways of thinking and masking. The perfect image she holds in the town comes with a lot of extra pressure from her parents and others.

The male lead is Arthur who is a budding filmmaker. He wants to enter a documentary film competition featuring their hometown. Christine's engagement turns her into a very entitled bridezilla when she wants her wedding on New Years. She is very unkind to Jasper although loving her as a sister.

I didn’t really love the storyline. It all works out in the end but at some cost. I had problems with how unkind so many people were to Jasper. She needed a mentor or someone in her corner. The second half is more tolerable with Arthur on her side. But this isn’t a cute, warm, fuzzy holiday story like the cover suggests. I did like there was comeuppance and growth but it was a heavier read than I expected. The setting is never explicitly stated but I assume England from some words. That also may explain entering university at 16. This is a YA, kissing only story and has some language.

This book is far more than the cover leads you to believe. It looks like another light romance but it is so much more. I love it!!! Jasper is returning home to Lake Pristine, a Hallmark village of a town for winter break. As she pulls into the sparkling, snow covered main square, she spies her beautiful, spoiled little sister, Christine, in the gazebo - getting proposed to by her longtime boyfriend, Kevin. Surprised, Jasper runs her car into a snowbank, putting an end to her quiet reentry Life gets very messy from there. Everyone in town loves Jasper and is delighted to see her but she has trouble finding the peace and quiet she needs. Jasper's mother is a very exacting, controlling, demanding woman, and is determined to run the wedding along with everyone's life. Christine is turning into Bridezilla and doesn't even want Jasper in the wedding. Jasper's best friend, Odette, has moved on and found other friends. The town grump, Arthur, and his friend Marcus are making a film about Lake Pristine. Jasper's mother signed her up to direct the Nutcracker this year AND Jasper has good bye list of things she wants to do before she leaves Lake Pristine for good to go to design school. And that's just in the first few chapters. Most importantly, Jasper is an autistic heroine - the first I've encountered. It is obvious that author, Elle McNicoll, cares deeply for her characters - Jasper is so real she almost jumps off the page. I have a child with autism and McNicoll's descriptions of panic attacks and sensory overload are dead on, and written with kindness and sensitivity. Some Like it Cold is a beautiful, funny, emotional and highly entertaining story - the ending was incredible. I was sad when I finished the book - I always wonder what happens to characters after I leave them and I ached to know more of Arthur and Jasper. This book will put you in the mood for Christmas, but it is so much more that that. Do yourself a favor and buy this book, then curl up for one of the best reads of the year. Many thanks to Net Galley for the ARC..

This is a heartwarming and cozy read that will captivate fans of small-town romances, autism representation, and winter wonderlands, making it a perfect fit for readers who adore stories that celebrate neurodivergent characters, cozy atmospheres, and the magic of first love.

I just finished *Some Like It Cold*, and it was such a fun read! Jasper Montgomery heads back to her small town for the holidays, hoping to say goodbye for good. But things get messy when she accidentally ruins her sister's engagement and runs into her old rival, Arthur.

The dynamic between them is super entertaining, and I loved the neurodivergent representation in Jasper's character. This book is cozy and full of heart

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!!

Christmas time is coming, so college student Jasper Montgomery is headed home to her small town for the holidays. But it’s not just to celebrate with her family. She has an agenda. She wants to ice skate on Lake Pristine, the lake that gives the town its name. Jasper wants to go through the holiday maze and buy a hand-crafted ornament and go to the late show at the art house movie theater.

And she wants to tell her parents that she doesn’t want to go back to school. She doesn’t want to study psychology and then law. She wants to get a design degree and become an interior designer. And while her parents are footing the bill for the psychology degree, Jasper thinks they will be upset about the design school and cut her off. So she’s going to find a job or two while she’s home, to save up money for the life she really wants.

Unfortunately, her reentry to the town disrupts her older sister’s marriage proposal, so Jasper is immediately on the defensive. And the fact that she is neurodivergent makes her more aware of how she appears to others. She does her best to stay thoughtful towards others, so she is mortified to have interrupted her sister’s moment.

Arthur Lancaster has had a crush on Jasper since they were in school together. He runs the local art house theater with his brother, and he’s the one who chooses the late movies, the old Hollywood features they show for anyone interested. He comes up with the idea of making a documentary about the town to enter into a competition, and he starts filming around town. And he has two big events to focus his filming around—the upcoming wedding of Christine Montgomery and Kevin, and the annual ballet The Nutcracker.

It’s the Montgomery family who runs the ballet studio, and with Jasper home for a while, she is the one directing the show this year. Especially with Christine planning a wedding, the family will be very busy over the next few weeks. Jasper has a lot to get done, and Arthur is there for a lot of it, filming the Nutcracker tryouts and offering up the theater for the bachelorette party. And when he and his editing partner put together an early cut of the documentary to show the town, everything goes wrong. The edit that Arthur had agreed to is not the one shown—his editor goes rogue and shows the clips of the town he wants to, and that edit is quite revealing of some of the Montgomery family secrets.

Suddenly, Arthur’s feelings for Jasper are obvious to the whole town, and he is feeling vulnerable. But more than that, he’s worried about how Jasper is feeling about the documentary and thinking she’ll never talk to him again. Will he be able to undo the damage his documentary has done? And will Jasper ever find a way to tell her parents the truth about what she wants for her future?

Some Like It Cold is a beautiful love story about a young neurodivergent woman and the town that loves her for her. As she manages to work through her agenda, she is forced to deal with issues with a friend, her family, her past, and trying to figure out how to fall in love as a neurodivergent. Her choices show a depth of character and strength of resolve that is encouraging and inspiring.

I listened to Some Like It Cold as an audio book, narrated by Charlie Anderson. I thought Anderson did a beautiful job telling this story, keeping it lively and interesting as well as honest. After the story, there is a conversation between author Elle McNicoll, who is autistic, and narrator Anderson, who is ADHD, so they both bring understanding to being neurodivergent to the character of Jasper, which I think shows throughout the entire story. I loved this story, and I think it will appeal to both neurodivergent and neurotypical readers. Anyone who loves a good love story will find a lot to love in the story of Jasper and Arthur.

Egalleys for Some Like It Cold were provided by Wednesday Books and a copy of the audiobook was provided by Macmillan Audio, both through NetGalley, with many thanks.

A coming-of-age romance, finding your path in life, inspirational kind of romance.. Jasper, our main character, is neurodivergent and she is struggling to meet the expectations put in place by her parents, until she realizes that maybe she doesn't have to, maybe she can put herself first. I thought the plot got waylaid at some points, but overall it was a cute and sweet read. I enjoy reading about neurodiverse characters, it just helps me expand my own perspective on life and expectations. 3.75 stars.

This was interesting. I kind of forgot that the characters were supposed to be in college because it felt like they were still very much in highschool. I think the small town setting is great but I would have appreciated if it was a larger amount of time rather than a little over a year. I was starting to get annoyed with the constant reminder that she wanted to get out and go somewhere else but then not doing that. Her family sucked and even our love interest was a weird fit. He seemed controlling and when he got the chance to express why he acted certain ways toward others he just doubled down on the situation. It was a fine story but just not the story for me.

Some Like It Cold is a heartwarming, charming, and delightful small town romance with an enemies to lovers troupe. I thought the author, Elle McNicoll did a fantastic job capturing the small-town vibe. The setting was fantastic and atmospheric which added to the town’s charm. I also enjoyed both of the main characters and rooted for them both.

Jasper has come back to Lake Pristine, her hometown for the holidays to say goodbye before leaving for good. She is not only carrying her luggage, but also secrets as well. Arthur Lancaster is Jasper's childhood advisory. Now he is a budding filmmaker also back in Lake Pristine....

I enjoyed both characters and their dynamic. I enjoyed their banter, their backstory, their whit, their relationships with the other characters(good and not so good) in this book and their perspectives. They have great chemistry and as I say, it is all about the journey with romance books.

I also thought the author did a great job showing Jasper as a neurodiverse character. This book also touches on many things such as family/family issues, expectations, relationships, autism, friendships, and bullying to name a few.

DNF - I'm sorry, I really wanted to like this 😭 None of the characters were grabbing me and the story itself was moving slow for my liking. I know this book has its audience, that audience just wasn't me.

I enjoyed reading Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll is a charming small town YA romance.
A slow-burn, enemies to lovers with adorable characters. I truly had the best time reading this book.
The writing was engaging and the characters are relatable.
The concept and storyline were amazing. I can't emphasize enough how this book was so enjoyable.
This book truly was a wonderful read, and I loved it!

Thank You NetGalley and Wednesday Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

If you’ve ever wished that rom-com characters weren’t all the same, you’ll want to meet Jasper Montgomery. Some Like It Cold is a charming love story with a lovably different kind of character—one you might find more relatable than the same old rom-com heroine.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

this book was ADORABLE. it’s everything you could want in a christmas romance. it has a town that gives off such stars hallow vibes, an autistic FMC that’ll have you crying laughing, a MMC that’ll make you swoon, AND the emotional depth to make a book one to remember!
this book comes out on October 1st and should be on everyone’s christmas TBR🎄🎅🏻💕

Some like it cold and some may like this book. I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing but the story had me curious (and eventually I was hooked but it took me longer than usual to get to that point).

The writing got better or I just got used to it. Jasper and Arthur figuring out they feel about each other was definitely the pull that kept me turning the page as well as finding out how Grace’s Nutcracker performance goes. The author did a good job of embedding Jasper’s looming news throughout the story. The final delivery of this news wasn’t what I expected but it was well executed.

Overall a good book with good representation but something was still a bit off for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books/St. Martins Publishing for the ARC of "Some Like It Cold" in exchange for an honest review.
Falling into (and for) this book was kind of like being enveloped in a long, loving warm hug...... or maybe binge watching multiple seasons of 'Gilmore Girls'.
Like the TV show, we're in a snow-globe, never-neverland sweet little picture postcard town, filled with quirky characters who practically all know each other on a first name basis. And so obviously well-named......Lake Pristine.
There's royalty of sorts......the well to do Montgomery clan, which include two completely opposite sisters.......the imperious, bossy (and now raging Bridezilla) Christine and the town's much beloved unofficial Princess, younger sister Jasper, just returned from college to attend Christine's grand New Year's Eve wedding.
But Neurodivergent Jasper's both exhausted and worried about all the secrets she's been keeping. The sweet-natured girl, forever fearful of people finding her autism odd and repellent, has always overplayed her role as a selfless people pleaser., hence her reputation. And she's no longer able to tolerate her parents' bullying her into pursuing law school, so she's secretly quit college and plans with apply to design school.
If that isn't enough for Jasper, there's renewing her contentious encounters with grumpy Arthur Lancaster, that one boy in town who doesn't seem to like her.......or does he? Just a little? Maybe more than just a little? Could it be he's bonkers for her?
Arthur and his brother run the town's main venue, the Arthouse multi-plex cinema and he and his cousin Marcus are filming a documentary on Lake Pristine at the very height of the town's winter activities - the 'Nutcracker' ballet, directed by Jasper and the wedding-frenzied Christine storming through town like a tornado.. Amidst all this chaos, Arthur and Jaster frequently find themselves thrown together in one situation after another..........and this is where 'Some Like It Cold' will have you in perpetual heartache, sighing out loud and cheering on these two hurting souls to reach their inevitable conclusion..
There's no other way to read this other than to surrender to it as it plays on your heartstrings with no mercy whatsoever until the end. It has the snap and crackle of 'Gilmore Girls' combined with the dreamy look of a small town in a Hallmark Christmas movie. If all that sounds enticing at all, then by all means treat yourself.. (True confession : this may be something I'd return to re-read just to re-visit and town and characters again.)

This book starts out like your typical small-town romance where you can practically feel the chill in the air and the inevitable family drama lurking. Jasper Montgomery is on a mission to leave Lake Pristine (which sounds like a bottled water brand) once and for all.

Things kick off with a good ol’ disaster—Jasper, in true hot mess form, somehow manages to tank her sister’s engagement. But instead of enjoying her final holiday there, she bumps into Arthur Lancaster, her high school nemesis. He’s now a brooding filmmaker—creating a documentary about the small town. Naturally, this sets the stage for the whole town to turn into a simmering pot of drama and festive chaos.

The first few chapters? A bit slow. It’s more like Some Like It Lukewarm. Jasper's sulking, Arthur's lurking, and you're wondering when things will pick up. But then BAM—the holiday movie vibes kick in, and suddenly, you're rooting for them like they’re the last couple left at the end of a snowstorm. It has all the small-town charm of Gilmore Girls, with just the right sprinkle of romance and humor to warm your soul.

There’s something deeply emotional about Jasper’s journey. The story touches on the weight of family expectations, the ache of old wounds, and the bittersweet realization that sometimes the place you’ve been running from is the only place you truly belong. Jasper’s relationship with Arthur is the perfect mix of slow-burn tension and heartfelt vulnerability. Trust me, you’ll want to savor every minute of the build-up, because when it hits, it’s like a wave of holiday magic crashing over you.

So, if you’re willing to be patient through the slow start, it’s worth every second of the ride: the emotional depth, the beautifully drawn characters, and a love story that feels as magical as the holidays themselves. It’ll leave you with that glowing, heart-warming feeling, perfect for cozying up with a hot beverage and a few happy tears.

Thank you Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for my advanced and audio copies. All thoughts are my own.

Every year when I see the holiday and Winter book covers start to drop, I add them to my ever growing holiday TBR. When I saw this book, I added it immediately! I’ve been reading less YA lately but I still love to dip into the genre. especially in the Fall and Winter.

I really enjoyed this book because as a teacher, i always want to find ways to better communicate with all my students. I think my favorite part about this book was that is brought up a lot of visceral feelings about what it means to be a teenager and part of a family.

Synopsis:

“After a long absence, 18-year-old Jasper is finally heading home for the holidays - and she's keeping secrets.Arthur, a budding filmmaker, is turning the town of Lake Pristine into a small town story worthy of the big screen. His plans are disrupted by the arrival of the town's golden girl - the antagonist of his school days; a girl he's never forgotten.Jasper Montgomery is back in Lake Pristine for one reason: to say goodbye. But before long small-town tensions start to rise, and a certain brooding film buff starts to look like a very big reason to stay . . .The perfect story to get lost in, Some Like it Cold centers Jasper as an autistic heroine in a big-hearted small-town romance that will melt your heart.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Setting—I love a small town and was surprised that this was a small town in the UK! A small town setting always brings out the best side characters and they did not disappoint.

The Neurodivergent/Autism Representation—YA will always be a favorite genre of mine because it is finding more and more ways to fill the genre with diversity.

The Visceral Feelings It Brought Up—While I cannot relate to Jasper on every level, I could relate to her feelings about how her family sees her and her desire to chart her own course.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

I think I might be getting a bit too old, but there were some things that just didn’t feel grounded in reality for me. Still, they didn’t take me out of the story.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: N/A Overall Rating: 3.75/5

Content Warnings:

ableism, bullying, toxic relationship

I absolutely adored Some Like It Cold.

The main character is autistic (like the author - gotta love an own voice story) and while the story is very much about her life and is heavily influenced by her neurodiversity, the themes of being yourself, loving yourself, and weird family dynamics are also applicable to neurotypical readers.

I love the idea that people with neurodivergence will see themselves in the book, and also that it will hopefully help young adults to understand what life is like for their friends and acquaintances with autism - as the main character says at one point: the world may like to think it’s accepting of neurodivergent people, but is it really?

The characters were wonderful, the grumpy x sunshine romance was adorable, and I absolutely raced through the book.

I will absolutely read more by Elle McNicoll and will be recommending this book for my neurotypical and neurodivergent friends and pupils alike!