Oh my this book had me in my feels 😭❤️
It ripped my heart out and unfortunately did not put me back together so if you are ready for a good and therapeutic cry, go read this book. The love between our two babies was everything and I wanted nothing more than tell them that everything is going to be fine (which would have been a lie, nothing was going to be fine 😭💀).
I rate this book five stars and have no regrets❤️

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow. So- I am UNWELL! I went into this book blind and I was not expecting to cry. Don’t let this cover fool you grab your tissues. What a beautiful story! This definitely gave me a Walk to remember vibes and I finished it so fast! I loved the love and the journey Poppy and Ruin took. What an amazing book boyfriend!! This definitely had me in my feel. Thanks for the good cry!!

I didn’t know what to expect when Sourcebooks allowed me to read this ARC. I guess I sort of expected it to be, I don’t know, just a sweet teen rom-com.

What I discovered as I read through this book was a thought-provoking, heartbreaking, reassuring story of love, sorrow, trust.

Poppy and Rune met when they were five years old. And they were inseparable. They were best friends, they were more than best friends, they were each others other half. Even at such a young age both knew that their lives were permanently intertwined, that nothing would come between them.

But, as always happens in real life, sometimes the $hit hits the fan. At 15, Rune’s father came and told him they were moving back to Norway. That was not something that he could, except, knowing that Poppy would be staying here. (Inseparable, remember?) This broke his relationship with his father, but they promised each other, Poppy and Rune did, that they would be back together, as soon as possible, that they would write, call, FaceTime, and it would be as if they were still together.

But as always happens in real life, yes, I’m using that phrase again, poppy stops calling, writing, answering the phone. rune is devastated.

Two years later, he’s back, living in the same house, next-door to Poppy. And that’s when he finds out why she stopped answering his calls of his texts, and his letters.

These two young teens now face more, perhaps, than other people do in an entire lifetime. And author, Tillie Cole manages to write a love story, torn apart, and put back together with the most beautiful words and ideas that I’ve read in a long time.

I don’t want to say anything that will give anything away, so I’m going to stop here with just these two words: #highlyrecommend.

My very first Tillie Cole novel , and before I go on-- this is one of her Young Adult books. I was told that from the start of this book I needed a pair of tissues next to me and that would be correct.

Rune and Poppy are childhood best friends and then life takes them apart. We learn why & the rest is history. This book really hit me like a ton of bricks right out of the gate. There are some emotional moments that hit pretty close to home for me. I absolutely FELL IN LOVE with Poppy at the very beginning. A little sparkle of light. Viking Rune and little girl Poppy's relationship in the beginning chapters gave me a Jenny and Forrest Gump feel.

I had some issues with the middle of this book because I didn't think some of the conversations happening between HS Poppy and HS Rune were realistic and it started to get a little repetitive. However, the end of the book totally redeemed itself and my heart was a little bit in pieces. I think there are some life lessons in this novel everyone could use.

FINAL THOUGHTS: A Thousand Boy Kisses was definitely more of a Young Adult book with all the A Walk To Remember vibe? Cue up 'Only Hope' by Mandy Moore and enjoy all the childhood friends to lovers to enemies to... ??? I guess you'll have to find out. Also, be prepared to cry.

My heart hurts. This was an amazing read, i figured it would have a sad ending but i’m still trying to wrap my head around it. Still picking up tissues!

Thanks for the ARC!

This book absolutely broke me. Though it destroyed me, it was in the best way possible. The story is beautiful, the characters are so likable and well developed. There are so many valuable lessons to be learned from Poppy and Rune. A love story unmatched. The epilogue was lackluster for me until I watched a video of Tillie explaining the epilogue and tying up loose ends and that video gave me the closure I needed. Well done!

DNF at 36%

Thank you to negalley and the publisher for my copy of this, all opinions are my own.

This book started off kind of weak for me, it felt very cheesy. After 30 or so pages I was able to get into it and was really excited to see what happened with Poppy and Rune! However, when it was announced why Poppy cut off Rune I couldn’t take it. Cancer is a trigger in a book I try to avoid due to my family history. I can tell this would be an emotional story all around and felt like a book I would’ve loved in high school. I’m sad I had to DNF but it’s best for my mental health.

Wow. I didn't know what to expect with this book and man, i did not expect to be torn apart the way I was. I though this was gonna be a cute with teenage romance and it was so much more. Poppy and Rune were such soulmates. I loved ever single part of them from kids to teenagers. It was such a beautiful story.

This is one of my favorite YA books that I’ve read in a really long time. The story of Rune and Poppy pulled me in very early and didn’t let me go. I cried through most of the book, and my only issue was with the epilogue. To this day, I still don’t know how I feel about it!! It definitely caught me by surprise and left me with an uneasy feeling. The emotional love story between the two teenagers was very well done, and I really connected and felt their love story through the pages. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an emotional YA romance.

I loved this book. It broke my heart in the best way. I adored Rune and Poppy and seeing them grow up together was so sweet. I also loved the fact that Rune is Norwegian because I’ve never read a book that has anything to do with Norway before lol

☆☆☆☆.5

• This book was a real tearjerker for me. I was sobbing so hard by the end. This book also made me rethink my priorities and to live the life to the fullest with what you have and be appreciative of the lil' things in life.

• Rune & Poppy - I loved seeing them grow and become the person they are for each other and as individuals. The love they had would last a lifetime, this story is so beautifully written.

• I really don't know how to review this book without giving everything away, so I'll just say if you need a good cry... You should definitely read this book.

• I really adored Rune's younger brother, Alton. He was such a sweetheart. Also, the concept of heart jar containing boy kisses .... So freakin' cute.

• Even though the epilogue was beautifully written, it made me so sad, i really wanted to feel whole at the end ... But i didn't (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)

It doesn’t matter how many times I read this book, I always end up sobbing my soul out. A Thousand Boy Kisses Is beautifully written and while I do cry river, I always enjoy it so much.

Thank you so much Netgalley! I love Poppy and Rune so much. I was basically sobbing in the last half idk how I managed to even read the words on the page LOL. This story holds a special place in my heart and I recommend this to anyone who was to have your heart torn out <3

Looking for a good reason to hug your favorite pillow and cry your eyes out? Because if you like emotional reads, boy do I have the book for you!  I could not put this book down.  I read it in less than a day.  I can honestly say I haven’t read a book that tugged on my heartstrings and brought out that many tears in a WHILE.  I went into this book blindly and I left it blinded by tears.  WHEW! I remember a friend talking about how good it was so I jumped at the chance for a copy through NetGalley.  I don’t want to give anything away but this book will give you a poignant reminder to live life to the fullest and bring joy to each day.  It's is a dual POV, contemporary YA romance between two childhood sweethearts that get a second chance. I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and although I’m not sure how I’d have ended the book differently, this book doesn’t *exactly* have a happy ending.  So FYI if you expect to feel all warm and happy inside after reading. You just have to experience it for yourself.  A Thousand Boy Kisses is a beautifully written, memorable read that I’m sure will stick with me for a long time.  4.5⭐️

"She was my cherry blossom. An unrivaled beauty, limited in its life. A beauty so extreme in its grace that it can’t last. It stays to enrich our lives, then drifts away in the wind. Never forgotten. Because it reminds us we must live. That life is fragile, yet in that fragility, there is strength. There is love. There is purpose. It reminds us that life is short, that our breaths are numbered and our destiny is fixed, regardless of how hard we fight. It reminds us not to waste a single second. Live hard, love harder. Chase dreams, seek adventures… capture moments. Live beautifully."

Thanks so much to Bloom Books and Netgalley for the copy!

I cried so much reading this. It was just sooo sad but really really good. If you are in the mood for a really sad read you should definitely get this one. It will not disappoint and I also think the characters are very good! However keep in my mind that this is a young adult book (as you can guess from the cover) so if you usually read books for older audiences this might not be the one for you.

This book broke me. I think I read it in bad timing because I had to put it down and walk away from it a few times. I thought it was a very good read and if you want a good cry this book will do it for you!

I read this book when it was still an indie book and it broke me. Still breaks me! I love everything Tillie writes she will always be an insta buy author for me! If you read this make sure you have tissues handy!!!

Why did I read this??? Thought this was supposed to be iconic YA but I really struggled to get through this. (I don’t have anything positive to say.)

4.25 stars— an amazing an emotional read from Tillie Cole. I love any story between childhood friends to lovers and this book was an example of that. I was eager to uncover the mystery of why Poppy stopped talking to Rune but all the more moved when I learned why and read about how they reconnected. This was a soulmate love story and despite crying for so much of it, I devoured every moment. I couldn’t put it down and read it so quickly, and the book had the most perfect ending with that epilogue even though it made me sob.

⭐ Characters – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ Atmosphere – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ Writing – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ Plot – ⭐⭐⭐.5
⭐ Pacing – ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
⭐ World Building – ⭐⭐⭐
⭐ Enjoyment – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Title: A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole - A Heartrending Journey of Love and Loss

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)

I picked up A Thousand Boy Kisses with the intention of experiencing a heartfelt cry, and from the very first pages, tears welled in my eyes. By the time I reached 35% of the book, my heart was already shattered, and I dreaded the inevitable end. At 50%, I found myself clutching the pieces of my heart, desperately trying to hold on to something, only to let go and accept that this book would change me forever. In the end, as Rune aptly put it, I was left feeling "tired, heartbroken, and emotionally scarred" by this powerful and emotional journey.
A Thousand Boy Kisses is a heartwarming and emotionally charged New Adult romance novel that beautifully portrays the profound love shared between childhood sweethearts. Tillie Cole's skillful storytelling evokes a rollercoaster of emotions, making it a must-read for those who crave authentic one true pairings and adore small-town romances.
The characters in A Thousand Boy Kisses are endearing and well-developed, particularly Poppy and Rune, whose unbreakable bond resonates deeply with readers. Their chemistry and unwavering love for each other make them not only memorable but also immensely relatable. The connections between the protagonists and their families add further depth to the story, emphasizing the importance of love and unity.
The novel's enchanting atmosphere draws readers into the heartwarming small town where the story unfolds. Through Cole's vivid descriptions and attention to detail, the setting becomes a picturesque backdrop that enhances the emotional impact of the narrative, making it all the more immersive.
Tillie Cole's writing is exquisite and emotionally charged, masterfully conveying the characters' joys and heartaches. The prose flows beautifully, capturing the essence of love, loss, and hope, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. Cole's ability to craft poignant moments through her writing is truly commendable.
The plot revolves around Poppy and Rune's enduring love story, and while it does carry a powerful emotional punch, some elements might be predictable to certain readers. Nonetheless, the heartwarming moments and the profound connection between the characters more than compensate for any predictability.
The novel's pacing is well-balanced, allowing readers to become fully invested in the characters and their journey. The story unfolds at a pace that keeps the reader engaged without feeling rushed, skillfully building tension and emotions throughout the narrative.
The small-town setting adds to the charm and allure of A Thousand Boy Kisses, offering a warm and inviting backdrop for the story. While the world-building provides a sense of place, further development could have enhanced the overall reading experience.
In conclusion, A Thousand Boy Kisses is a highly enjoyable novel that tugs at the heartstrings, taking readers on a journey of love and loss. Tillie Cole's emotional storytelling and well-crafted characters create a moving and unforgettable reading experience that lingers long after the final page. Fans of contemporary romance will undoubtedly find themselves deeply immersed in this epic love story.