This story was so good! I loved the heroine—Jasper was such a great character. Seeing the world through her viewpoint drew me in and made me really think about what it would be like to be autistic and struggle to read social cues. I also really enjoyed Arthur’s character. They both felt a little unique, rather than the stereotypical main characters. Jasper’s family and friends also added a lot of color to the story.

It started out a tad slow, but by about a quarter of the way through, I was really rooting for Jasper and Arthur. In all, this was a sweet story that I enjoyed from start to finish. It’s perfect for a YA audience, but I also liked it as an adult. Highly recommend, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books/St. Martin for providing me an electronic copy to read and review.

I was sent this book by the publisher. It would not have been a book I would have chosen to read myself. Seeing that it is a YA and I am several decades past YA, I didn't know if it would be a fit. I decided to try it, since I understand many people enjoy YA books that are not in that age classification.

The characters treat each other horribly. It was difficult to read. If this is how it is to be a teen now, I thank God I am grown and do not have grandchildren to be concerned about.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for offering this book to me. I will not be leaving a review for it on my normal posting social sites.

This is meant to be an enemies to lovers rom com but honestly, I liked it for the portrait of an autistic woman and her life. Jasper is back in Lake Pristine which might seem like an idyllic small town but it's full of pitfalls for her. Arthur, her nemesis, is there running the theater but everything changes for both when they realize they are both more than they seem. Jasper's issues with sensory overload, with people (including her family) not understand her issues, and the rest made this a good thoughtful read that many will find relatable. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Yes it's YA but crossover readers will also appreciate it.

Golden Girl Jasper Montgomery returns home for the holidays, holding a life altering secret she's not sure when to divulge, it’s also going to be her last time living in Lake Pristine. Being back in town starts with bang, literally, she ruins her sister's surprise engagement upon pulling into town. She's quickly put to work with wedding planning while bumping into her high school rival, Arthur Lancaster, who’s shooting a documentary about the town. The more the two run into each other, feelings start to arise.

Some Like it Cold is an adorable small-town, enemies-to-lovers YA romance novel that delivers Gilmore Girl vibes with all the holiday festivities. I adored this story and the autistic MC representation. Lake Pristine bursts at the seams with small-town charm including mom and pop shops, lifelong friendships, quirky characters, romance, gossip, secrets, rivalries, and jealousy. I enjoyed the balance of the perks of small town living and the pains in the arse of it.

The romance as well as the story itself and characters are realistic and the story was paced well, I didn't feel anything was rushed.

The romance was really sweet, I loved the typical enemies-to-lovers banter between Jasper and Arthur. I also appreciate the protectiveness displayed throughout as it assisted with Jasper's character development.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. It put me in the holiday mood early, thank gosh I live in Canada where it could snow any week now.

Thank you St.Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

Release date: October 1, 2024.

Slow burn in all the right ways! The angst kept me hooked, the humor had me laughing and the cover is SPOT ON!

3.5*
This book was such a delight to read! The main character really stood out, I’m a sucker for a GOOD love story, and this one was absolutely heartwarming. I definitely recommend it!

2.5 rounded up to a lukewarm 3 stars. In school grades, a very average "C." I liked the main characters--Jasper and Arthur are great--but there just isn't enough time with the two of them in calmer moments. They are both caught in this vortex of drama, secrets, toxic family members, and a town that feels eccentrically medieval in the way people behave towards one another. People are horrible to each other. Is this the impression of the world that we want to give our young people? The first truly satisfying scene between the two of them didn't happen until 80% into the story. 80%. That is a very long time to wait for any real words of tenderness and payoff for the reader.

I do appreciate the author's desire to have a neurodivergent FMC. Jasper is multi-layered and wonderful, I just wish she wasn't surrounded by so much drama. I would've loved a story that was...quieter. Two people from different parts of town who finally come together, all without the nightmare sister and the MANY appalling peripheral characters (Sophie, Craig, even Marcus, to name a few.) I didn't "dislike" it, but I think it had the potential to be so much better. I'm conflicted. Glad I read it, but even more glad I'm done. (Marketed as a YA book, but I would say for older, more mature, YAs, as there were also several very unnecessary F-bombs.)

Let me preface my review by saying I am not a young adult. I’m 58. But I loved this YAStory! Some Like it Cold has a main character, Jasper, who is neurodivergent. Since the author states she is also neurodivergent, I felt like her representation of Jasper must be an accurate depiction of how some people get through life. Jasper seems like she is living a dream life on the outside but as we get to know her, you realize how hard it is for her to get through some situations. Her interactions with family, friends, enemies, and strangers make for a great depiction of small town life. And definitely proves the adage that you don’t know someone until you walk in their shoes.

heartwarming and poignant young adult romance that beautifully captures the essence of self-discovery and love. The story follows Jasper Montgomery, a neurodivergent girl returning home after 18 months away at university. Amid the chaos of a family wedding and the filming of a documentary, Jasper navigates her complex relationships and her own emotional needs.

McNicoll’s writing is both tender and insightful, offering a thoughtful examination of social dynamics and expectations. The characters are richly developed, with Jasper’s journey being particularly compelling as she strives to balance her family’s expectations with her own happiness. Arthur Lancaster, a former classmate and budding filmmaker, adds a layer of depth and charm to the story with his quiet, gruff demeanor and growing bond with Jasper.

The small-town setting of Lake Pristine is vividly described, making it easy to get lost in the world McNicoll has created. The themes of love, community, and self-acceptance are woven seamlessly into the narrative, making this book a truly touching read.

A cute, small town romance with a Hallmark Channel vibe.
There is a lot going on in the story.
Don’t go into reading this thinking it is a Christmas story…..there is a winter element going on around Christmas to the story.

Some Like It Cold, was a cute young/new adult holiday/winter read. I really love how Jasper, was able to truly and freely be herself and how Arthur was able to stay true to who he is. The slow burn was maybe a little to slow for me, but still enjoyed it. 4 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Some Like It Cold" by Elle McNicoll offers a heartfelt blend of romance and personal discovery, set against the backdrop of a charming but complex small town. The book follows Jasper Montgomery, a neurodivergent teenager who returns to Lake Pristine with the intention of saying goodbye, only to be confronted with unresolved issues and unexpected connections, particularly with Arthur Lancaster, a filmmaker with whom she shares a turbulent past. Through McNicoll's vivid descriptions and rich character development, the town itself becomes a character, with its snowy streets, quirky locals, and simmering secrets. I commend this book for its representation of an autistic lead character, especially with the uniqueness of Jasper’s artistic characteristics and behaviors. I would love to see more representation like this in YA books!

Jasper’s journey is both tender and empowering, especially in how the story explores her experiences as an autistic woman. McNicoll skillfully captures the challenges Jasper faces, such as masking her true self to fit in and the emotional toll of always being misunderstood. These themes are written with authenticity, which may resonate deeply with readers who may share similar experiences. I think a lot of readers, especially younger YA readers, will be able to relate to Jasper. Jasper’s internal struggle—balancing her desire for connection with the need to protect herself—is portrayed in a way that feels both personal and universal.

The romance between Jasper and Arthur is the highlight of the book, embodying a delightful enemies-to-lovers dynamic with slow-burn tension. Their chemistry is undeniable, and McNicoll expertly weaves humor and heartache into their interactions. As their relationship develops, it mirrors Jasper’s own journey toward self-acceptance, making the love story not just romantic but also deeply affirming. Arthur’s perspective adds depth to the story, offering insight into his own vulnerabilities and creating a more rounded portrayal of their connection. The way their relationship developed was both authentic and tender, and I just loved seeing their relationship progress throughout the book.

However, not everything in Lake Pristine is cozy. Jasper’s family and some townspeople, particularly her sister Christine, treat her with a mix of emotional distance and outright cruelty. While Christine and other characters do grow over the course of the novel, the depiction of their behavior—bordering on emotional abuse—can be hard to reconcile with the otherwise uplifting tone of the story. Despite this, "Some Like It Cold" has just so many different aspects I loved, especially with Jasper. Jasper’s creativity, her love of design, and her unique way of seeing the world defy traditional narratives, offering a fresh and much-needed perspective in the romance genre.

Overall, Elle McNicoll’s YA debut is a heartwarming, if sometimes emotionally challenging, story about love, belonging, and the courage to be oneself. With its snowy setting, complex characters, and empowering message, "Some Like It Cold" will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy romances with a meaningful twist.

DNF @ 30%

I wanted to love this one since I was excited about a holiday book with a neurodivergent main character, but so far I'm underwhelmed. I'm not a fan of the writing style, and I'm really struggling with many of the side characters, like Jasper's family, who are truly awful to her. I understand that these characters are not meant to be likeable, but it doesn't make for a very enjoyable reading experience, especially for what I was expecting in a holiday read. I'm not invested enough to continue reading, so this one is not for me, unfortunately.

This was very cute small town holiday romance. I loved the small town everyone knows everyone feeling. Arthur and Jasper are great characters and while they were 18/19 they felt older. Jaspers family was very trying and it was amazing Jasper was as strong a character as she was. If you want a hallmark type story but better.

An adorable cover on a sweet and drama-filled story.

I liked our main character and the rep of her being neurodivergent. The masking, covering, and the responses were great rep and I appreciated it. But wow, the family drama! You really have to be able to suffer through an awful family to enjoy this one. But the romance was cute enough, the town was wonderful, it kept the story entertaining and I loved the cozy feel. Cute and sweet, just wish it had been just bit lighter on the family drama. It's a good holiday read!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I couldn’t get enough this book was so adorable, it’s a slow burn, really funny, gave me all of the amazing feels of what a cutesy romance should be like, especially for a YA. And the DRAMA!!!! Lol.

Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC! OMG!! So funny & cute. Loved the characters too! Will definitely read more from this author.

Small town drama can be a hit or miss for me. In this book it was definintly a hard, hard miss. The busy body town folk were at the very centre of the story and I couldn't see past their hateful and spoiled behavior to even figure out if I could tolerate the main character. It was overdramatic to the point it was cheesy.

This was DNF'd at 18%. I tried, I really did but when you feel like as a reader you are putting more effort than the characters do, it is time to part ways.

An ARC was providing to me via NetGalley by Wednesday Books. All opinions are my own.

This book is a cute winter read. As someone who has read middle grade novels by Elle McNicoll, I think she handled the transition to YA pretty well. There were times where the writing felt a bit too young for the age this book is marketed too, and at times it felt like the author used big words to compensate, but in a way, the writing style felt like it could have been an intentional choice, and not one that I dislike.

The characters, the story, and the town it’s set in, are full of charm. Lake Pristine feels straight out of a Hallmark movie, twinkle lights and all. The background characters actually feel like characters, which I find a lot of books lack. Sometimes the characterization feels a bit over the top, and the dialogue is cheesy at times, but none of it felt overly distracting or out of place.

Jasper as a character is amazing. She is written in a way that differs from how most authors portray autistic characters. As an autistic person, I enjoyed seeing myself in her, while also getting to see the diversity of the autistic experience.

Overall, I really like this book, and it lived up to my expectations as someone who has read other works by this author. Winter is coming soon, and “Some Like it Cold” is a great book to cuddle up with by the fire.

I found the writing difficult to get into and relate to. I appreciated the neurodivergent representation and heartfelt story. I liked the slow-burn romance and the cozy, wintery setting. The pacing was a bit slow and the writing was somehow too descriptive or flowery.