SOME LIKE IT COLD, by Elle McNicoll, Wednesday Books, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $24, Paperback, $12.99 (young adult)
A girl returns to her picture-perfect hometown gets thrust into the middle of everything in Some Like it Cold, a YA romance by Elle McNicoll.
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 . . . —Synopsis provided by Wednesday Books
Some Like it Cold is an enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance that has definite Gilmore Girls vibes.
At the center of the story are Jasper and Arthur. Both are beloved town members, but they can’t stand each other.
Or so they thought…
Of the two, Jasper is more fully realized. Elle McNicoll’s exploration of Jasper’s neurodivergence pays off with the feel of authenticity. Arthur feels a bit one-dimensional, but he grows on you over time.
Jasper’s family, particularly her mom and sister, are awful. Like so bad, you’d think someone would have put them in their places long before now. They become more annoying with each page, at times feeling like props rather than real characters.
Some Like it Cold reads like a Hallmark Christmas movie, and if you like those, it’s a good bet. It’s not fantastic, but it’s a decent holiday read.
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