Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an electronic advanced readers copy of this novel.

After 18 months of college, Jasper is heading back to her hometown. Hiding the news that she dropped out of college to pursue design school, she noisily interrupts a very public proposal for her golden child sister, Christine. Also in attendance is her high school colleague Arthur, who is determined to win a documentary contest about small towns.

Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicool is a coming of age story about an autistic young woman who is trying to find her place in the world. I enjoyed her character but at the same time the plot seemed frustrating, although maybe that's the point of it. I thought some of the characterizations and plotlines were somewhat unrealistic and tilted towards almost a revenge fantasy plot for whoever the main character stood in for. It had potential and I wished I enjoyed it more but it was not for me.

Some like it cold is a cute story with a coming of age feel. You can’t help but love and feel for jasper and Arthur and root for their success. Took some getting used to the setting and story lines but once used to it the storyline flowed and showed you a nice picture.

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review. I did not enjoy this and after repeatedly trying to force myself to continue, I gave up. I didn't find the characters believable or likable. Thank you for the opportunity.

I really loved this book!! Elle McNicoll always does such a great job at writing autistic characters! I was super excited to see that she had a YA romance coming out this year. This is her first YA book, but I have read and loved her middle-grade books, A Kind of Spark and Keedie.

I loved how she wrote Jasper’s character, she really reminds me of me at that age. It was great that while her autism was mentioned in the story, and impacted the plot, the story was about so much more than her autism. I really related to how Jasper felt like she had to mask her autism in order to fit in with the people in her town. It made me happy that despite that, Arthur accepted and loved her for her true self, and supported what her dreams for the future.

Overall, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute and cozy YA romance, especially if they like reading autistic representation!

First off, many thanks to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC! This was an incredibly sweet, cozy and heartwarming read for all to dive into. The characters were like a warm hug and I could not get enough of them, the overall scenes and the ending. I really, really enjoyed that this one felt real.

Absolutely loved this story. I really enjoyed the representation of a person with autism sharing real and not an exaggerated message. Sometimes I feel like storylines that focus mainly on the diagnosis, it makes the person seem unreal. This was written perfectly and shared a truth but the character isn't defined by their title. Thank you for that. I loved how this storyline played out allowing the reader to want to continue to found out more. Each chapter titled as a scene was cute. Really enjoyed character progression and sharing of background to help to make a connection. Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this story and would love to read more from Elle McNicoll in the future. Highly recommend!

Sweet, cozy light read with a fresh perspective! This one has all the right elements for a great holiday/wintery escape book. I loved Jasper’s perspective and development. Finally a female protagonist on the neurodivergent spectrum! A lot of my students will connect to her and see themselves in her, which is always something I’m looking for when choosing classroom books. At times there was a little hardness/angst that I wasn’t expecting, but for me that made the book more realistic and not just a trite sappy romance. This was a quick read for me and definitely one I will put on my shelf at school.

Wow! What a fun, Gilmore girls vibes , small town, wintery love story. I absolutely love the Autism representation in this book. As someone who has worked with individuals with Autism for the last 17 years, it was refreshing to see a more realistic viewpoint from Jasper, the female main character. Often times, autism is portrayed from a male viewpoint so I truly appreciated a female voice. The plot made me nostalgic for small town life and a winter romance. Perfect YA read. I can’t wait to recommend it to all my older students especially those on the spectrum to read.

3.5 stars!

This story is such a nostalgic version of growing up in a small town, and about the importance of kindness and community. I absolutely adored this story and though the story started a bit slowly, it turned into quite the dramatic finish!

Absolutely recommend, and thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Oh wow! Buckle up for a rollercoaster of emotions with this absolutely heartwarming, unbelievably witty, irresistibly charming, and profoundly thought-provoking story featuring the incredible Jasper! She's not your average character; she's neurodivergent, fiercely independent, and on a thrilling quest to navigate the twists and turns of her diagnosis, the complexities of friendship, and above all, her burning desire to carve out her very own path in life. With her overprotective and controlling family always on her back, Jasper's determined to break free and follow her heart's deepest desires. Let's not forget the intriguing Arthur (does she like him or not), changes brewing with her best friend (does distance make the heart grow fonder or creates more distance), and the task of dealing with her bridezilla sister (I’m warning you that she is a lot) - all wrapped up in the coziness of a quaint town under the spell of winter (my favorite season). The characters? Utterly believable and oh-so-charming. The setting? Simply delightful. And the message about pursuing your dreams, being true to yourself, and steering your own ship? It's going to stay with you long after you turn the last page. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this gem!

I really enjoyed this arc read as someone who is neurodivergent I really connected with the story. I love YA genre books and I love, especially why a romance because you don’t need something super spicy to be invested into the characters and their stories. So I really appreciate that. Jasper was such a relatable character because autism is some thing that is hard to diagnose in women and it’s something that is not talked about enough. I also love dual POVs so we love that!

I’m someone who masks and is able to put it on and off easily and people are shocked when I tell them I’m on the spectrum and it’s so relatable watching jasper navigate that!

I genuinely loved this story and how multifaceted it was it it was more than just a love story. I feel like it was also a love story for Jasper to love herself.

Thank you so much NetGalley for letting me read this amazing story!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll.

Our library has purchased two other books by this author. I was drawn to her writing due to the fact that her main characters are neurodivergent. I love the different point of view. I believe that these books bring to light what it is like to be neurodivergent. She does a great job explaining sights and sounds that bring someone over the edge. The fact that sometimes-stimulating situations are too overwhelming and make them tired. What it is like to not understand what is going on or feeling different then someone else.

I really enjoyed this book and will be purchasing it for the library. There needs to be more books for neurodivergent kids and parents. Ones that make kids feel like they are not alone and for parents to see how a situation can affect a child. There are mentions of LGBQT+ characters but I don't feel like it should discourage anyone from reading it.

What a delightfully sweet and cozy romance! This story will sweep you off your feet as you fall head over heels for Jasper, while simultaneously wanting to shake some sense into her older sister, Christine! The book beautifully explores the blossoming romance between Jasper and Arthur, all while delving into the charming quirks of small-town life and the pressure of living up to family expectations, especially when navigating life with autism.

After what feels like ages, 18-year-old Jasper Montgomery is finally heading back to the picture-perfect town of Lake Pristine for the holidays. But she's keeping a few secrets tucked away for now! On the other side, we have Arthur, a passionate filmmaker determined to capture Lake Pristine's magic and turn it into the ultimate small-town film backdrop. His plans take an unexpected twist when the town’s darling, Jasper, suddenly returns – the very same Jasper who, once upon a time, made his school days a bit of a nightmare!

Jasper's return isn’t just a holiday visit; she’s planning on saying goodbye to her hometown for good. But as the days go by, the cozy little town’s drama starts bubbling up, and that intriguing, broody filmmaker might just give her a reason to stick around a little longer.

This book is pure joy! Jasper shines as an autistic heroine in this heartfelt, small-town romance that will absolutely warm your heart. Prepare to be charmed! ✨

This has wonderful neurodivergent representation and was a cute romance. I struggled with the elements of hate and anger. It was a little heavier than i hoped it would be. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Some Like it Cold" is a charming YA novel. It is very easy to read and pretty fast paced. This book touches on mental health, toxic family dynamics, and love. I thought it was really cute but did a good job on dealing with serious moments. I loved our main characters Jasper and Arthur. Jasper had good character development. I could totally see this being a movie or a TV series.



This digital ARC was obtainable via NetGalley for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll in exchange for my honest review.

Some Like it Cold is a holiday romance novel with a small-town setting and an exploration of neurodivergence. The story follows Jasper Montgomery as she returns to her hometown for what she intends to be a final goodbye before moving on with her life. However, her plans are derailed when she accidentally disrupts her sister’s engagement and rekindles an old rivalry with Arthur Lancaster.

The book shines in its representation of neurodivergence, particularly through Jasper’s character. The portrayal of her experience as someone who overcompensates for her autism to maintain her status as the town's "golden girl" is powerful and well-written.

However, the novel struggles with the tone and dynamics of its other characters. Much of the story is marred by spiteful behavior and unnecessary drama, which detracts from the holiday charm and romantic tension that could have made the book more enjoyable. The characters, particularly Jasper's family, are excessively cruel, making the protagonist’s interactions with them exhausting and difficult to empathize with.

While reading there were unclear motivations behind the characters' actions and the frequent gossip made it a challenge to follow the relationships and conflicts.

Overall, Some Like it Cold has potential, especially with its strong representation of neurodivergence and a charming premise. However, the mean-spirited character interactions and confusing dynamics made it difficult for me to fully enjoy. It’s a decent read for those looking for a holiday romance, but it might not be satisfying for everyone.

This was an interesting small town YA contemporary romance with strong neurodivergent representation. The neurodivergent rep was spectacular and really represented how others can treat those who are not the same as them. However, I found the side characters to be a bit too mean in general to Jasper. I would expect that her family and close friends would be more accepting and kinder to her but in the book, they are just horrible, and it felt too unrealistic and over the top. However, Jasper having to mask her symptoms seemed on par with how those of us with neurodivergence have to cope. The whole dynamic was just so ridiculously frustrating that it hindered my ability to truly get into and enjoy the story. In the second half of the book, the romance was a nice addition and I started to enjoy the book a little more, but I couldn’t get past my distaste for how everyone treated Jasper. I just wish the author would have given Jasper more people in her corner and not so many spiteful and truly awful people so I could have enjoyed the story more.

This isn’t a bad book, I just couldn’t get into it because of the hangups. However, Jasper and Arthur were cute together and I’m sad that I didn’t get to enjoy their story more.

I would recommend this to those who can look past the hang-ups I described and are okay with a lot of small-town gossip.

“Some Like it Cold” by Elle McNicoll
The Movie ! !
Being different is difficult and when your family labels you; you learn ways to protect yourself that just maybe actually hurt you more than they help. This story grew on me. The more I read the more I became invested in the story. Happy Reading ! !

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll in exchange for an honest review.

My older child has Autism Spectrum Disorder and was diagnosed when they were 14 years old. Two years later, we are still learning a lot about the disorder and how it affects us as parents, as a family, and most of all, how it affects them. Seeing as though it is a spectrum, we know that ASD affects everyone differently, but I have been trying to learn as much as possible to help and understand my child as they enter adolescence. I had previously heard of A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll and had purchased it for my child, but neither of us had read it. Once I saw that Some Like It Cold was available as an ARC, there was no question that I would request it, and I’m so happy I was chosen to read it.

Knowing the author is autistic helped ease my mind because I knew Jasper, the main character with autism, would be portrayed accurately. So often in books I read, ND characters are misrepresented, which is frustrating.

Some of the things that Jasper discussed in the book that I know my child experiences: they have major difficulties in loud, crowded places, They enjoy extreme temperatures at times like VERY hot showers, and they mask as best as they can to try to seem "normal".

As a parent of a child with ASD and another child who is ADHD and is ADHD herself, I also know what it is like to be neurodiverse and not “fit in.” We are not embarrassed by our children’s differences and don’t try to hide them. We do find that it is their news to tell, though, so we don’t advertise it.

The love story between Arthur and Jasper was so sweet. I was so glad that Jasper could speak up for herself, as it is challenging to do, and even more so when you have been a people-pleaser your whole life. I HIGHLY recommend this book for everyone.

The neurodiversity representation is nice to see. I can only speak on behalf of what I’ve learnt in psychology class, but I like how we get to see a character with autism with symptoms that present to be on a lower level of support needs. I think that it helps demonstrate the fact that while some people with autism do need a higher level of support, not everyone on the spectrum needs that same level. Jasper is such a sweetheart. I could see how much she cared for the town, but I also loved that while she did love it, she was prepared to part with it so she didn’t have to sacrifice something else she really wanted. Given her family situation, it’s understandable why she can be a bit of a people-pleaser and agreeable to everyone. The ending definitely gives her justice though. While I love the things I mentioned above about the book, I think a few things fell short for me. The writing was a little hard for me to follow and I sometimes got confused. The connection between the paragraphs made it difficult to follow when a scene changed, which caused me to backtrack quite a few times. The pacing was also slow and I wasn’t exactly sure the story was going anywhere. Finally, this is a minor detail but since it’s my major in school I cannot not see it, Arthur’s documentary felt all over the place to me. I didn’t really understand what his focus was because it felt like he was filming about everything but then also very specific things in the town.

I will not be posting this review anywhere else.