This was such a cozy, satisfying small-town romance! I loved the Gilmore Girls vibes and the second-chance romance arc. Couldn't put it down!

Elle McNicoll gives us a dark read with a really cute cover. I actually picked the book because of the cover and ended up in a quagmire of family drama and ableism.

I, once again, did not read the blurb all the way through so it took a minute for my brain to catch up to what my thoughts were. I focused on the long absence and skipped over the 18-year-old marker in the blurb. The long absence was 18 months because Jasper went away to school. I have to confess that I have no clue why everyone was so hung up on this because this doesn’t really seem like a big deal to me.

Now in the blurb it says that this is a “big-hearted small-town”...(chuckle) Oh my gosh, McNicoll brings the small town drama to Lake Pristine. It’s filled with mean girls, jealous boys, and bigotry. You know a typical town found anywhere (chuckle). All I wanted to do was hug Jasper and offer to pay for their bus ticket out of town.

Lake Pristine is beautiful. The author takes us through Jasper’s bucket list of items to do before she says goodbye to her town forever. It’s a sweet ride through town and activities. It doesn’t make all of the issues that Jasper has to deal with go away though.

Some Like It Cold focuses on how people respond to someone being autistic. How Jasper’s family treats her to how the town treats her. How her sister changes herself to be viewed differently than Jasper. How her parents try to “cover up” who Jasper is due to concern over their own image. This then infects how the town people treat the family as a whole and as individuals which leads to a sad event which really displays the personalities of the town - not just the family.

There is a romance beyond the bucket list. Arthur and Jasper have their own issues and misconceptions about each other. I kept forgetting that I was reading about 18-year-olds because everyone has responsibilities that are so much older than their biological age.

This story can be really dark and the romance offers lightness. It’s a necessary story though as people need to read more about autism and the impact of it on the people surrounding the person who has it and repercussions of their own actions.

Elle McNicoll truly is such a good voice in children's literature. I love her middle grades, and I love this one so much as well. The autistic representation is so needed and handled with so much care and love. SOME LIKE IT COLD is an unmissable YA debut!

This heartwarming coming-of-age story is set in a small town during the Christmas holiday. Jasper, the female protagonist, faces challenges due to her neurodiversity, struggling to meet her family’s expectations while searching for her own purpose. Meanwhile, Arthur, her rival, is balancing the responsibilities of raising his younger sister and managing the business his late father cherished, all while grieving his loss. The small-town setting, where everyone is interconnected and aware of each other's lives, adds an intimate touch to the narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it to readers who appreciate young adult romance with diverse, relatable characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Wednesday Books & Netgalley for the arc.

This was a cute ya romance with great neurodivergent rep.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll!

I finally read Elle McNicoll’s Some Like It Cold and absolutely loved it! I should have read it sooner. Jasper’s journey of self-discovery, especially as a neurodivergent young woman, was both heartfelt and relatable. Arthur’s passion for filmmaking added depth to his character, making their dynamic even more engaging. The small-town setting of Lake Pristine provided a cozy backdrop that made me feel right at home. This book beautifully balances romance, personal growth, and the challenges of returning to one’s roots. It’s a story that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you Netgalley!

This one wasn’t for me which is why I’m not providing a star rating.

The FMC has autism and while I am happy that she is represented in this novel, I feel like there was more talking about “neurodivergents” than describing anything the FMC was feeling. Another character had ADHD and they discussed how you don’t fit into a the puzzle correctly… it was truly annoying.

“These days, everyone said they were accepting of neurodivergence. In theory. But Jasper knew better. She knew that if the social lines were ever crossed, if the complex and unwritten rules were ever broken, she would be cast out. She had worn the golden girl mask for so long and sometimes it was too frightening to imagine removing it. It splintered her face, it made her eyes tired, it dulled the taste of life, but it was easier to be.”

People don’t care what you have - EVERYONE has SOMETHING. If someone does care, they suck, & move on to the next person. I can’t understand autism, so maybe the author has it and just doesn’t know how to talk about it, but the way she talked about ADHD - when most of America has it - like people are unaccepting of it… I don’t see how there is acceptance and unacceptance, it just is what it is.

Once again, if the author were able to provide examples of things, it would have felt different. But the FMC saying “I’m neurodivergent” to someone every chance she got just made this one hard to get through.

I love a happy ending but I love the journey there even more. This is a love story to all the small town communities. And for the girls (and guys) who think they can't be loved

Some Like It Cold is a fun and enjoyable YA novel with a unique twist. It follows Cole, a neurodivergent teen who navigates relationships and life in a way that feels authentic and refreshing. The representation of neurodivergent characters is a standout, making it a meaningful read.

This was my first novel by Elle McNicoll and I loved that the book offers a blend of humor, heart, and a relatable protagonist. It’s a solid 3-star choice for anyone looking for lighthearted YA with meaningful representation.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for the eARC.

I enjoyed this YA romance. The author gave an excellent voice to our main character who is also neurodivergent. The sister annoyed me, but I had to remind myself that that was the point. LOL.

4/5 🌟 This was my first read by Elle McNioll and I devoured it. You'll want to pick this up for a fun Christmas read! I will definitely be reading more of her books.

Some Like It Cold was a heartwarming YA romance with emotional depth and a sweet romance arc. I read it in one sitting and was swept into the nosy Lake Pristine community!

Jasper has such a big heart and I really enjoyed her character growth and story arc. Arthur was such a grump but I adored how strongly he loved his family.

Read for:
- Neurodivergence representation
- Small town
- YA romance
- Empathetic handling of themes like grief, bullying, and manipulation
- Classic films
- A film contest weaving the story together
- Ballet

Thank you to Wednesday for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was cute, but the writing didn't draw me in. The narrative itself and conversations were stilted for me. But for anyone looking for a small town romance, this one has some charming moments.

Thank you to Wednesday books for an eARC to review.

Tropes: Small Town, Romance, Frenemies To Lovers

Themes: Autism, Perfectionism, Controlling Parents

This book was like a cute Hallmark book romance with some more intense themes. Our main character Jasper is coming home from her first semester of college. She has autism and has masked her entire life, so she feels like no one knows her. The entire town is excited that she is coming home, but no one is more excited than Arthur. His dad passed away recently, then he and his brothers took over the local movie theater than their dad ran.

The emotional turmoil that Jasper's parents and sister put her through are a lot. I don't think Christine did enough to earn back me liking her as a character. But I think both she and Jasper were examples of what can happen when your parents have unrealistic expectations. It was a lot.

Arthur is adorable and needs to go to therapy but I enjoyed the relationship between him and Jasper. His little sister Grace, was a wonder side character and she really added to the over story and helped show some character traits.

Overall a cute read. The grand gesture at the end was absolutely adorable.

This is a fantastic book for anyone who loves enemies-to-lovers and small-town romances. The heroine, Jasper, is absolutely captivating! She’s kind-hearted, always wanting the best for others—even when she struggles to find happiness for herself. Jasper has a neurodivergent perspective, which sometimes lands her in uncomfortable situations. I found myself completely immersed in her journey—she’s gentle, loving, and truly someone you’ll root for as she seeks her own happiness.

Elle McNicoll’s writing is effortlessly engaging. Her style feels like a warm conversation, often sprinkled with humor, and she describes everything just right. It’s the perfect tone for the story she’s telling. The book features a range of quirky characters—some kind, some not so much, and some surprisingly nicer than expected. It’s a rich, layered story with more complexity than you might expect at first glance.

Jasper is self-aware but sometimes falls into the trap of convincing herself of things that turn out to be untrue. She’s adept at masking her true self to fit in, which takes an emotional toll. These themes are handled with such authenticity and could resonate deeply with readers who identify with Jasper’s experiences. Her inner struggle—wanting connection but also protecting herself—feels incredibly personal yet universal.

Arthur, though, knows exactly what he wants, and that’s Jasper. Even though they don’t always get along, he’s always had feelings for her. Jasper, on the other hand, struggles to see how someone could love her so easily.

This YA novel is a gem that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. It feels like being transported to a town straight out of Gilmore Girls, where every character has depth and something they’re working through. It’s a heartwarming yet emotional story that I wholeheartedly recommend.

I am grateful to Wednesday Book and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to a digital copy of this wonderful book through Netgalley. All opinions throughout this review are my own.

I’m sorry, but this book was terrible. It was such a slow read, and not in a good way.

The main characters, Jasper and Arthur, were really the only worthwhile characters in this story. Everyone else was simply vile and downright mean. This took away from the lighthearted cozy vibe this book could have been.

I understand that Jasper being neurodivergent and having autism was the basis of her difficulties with her relationship with her family, but it wish it wasn’t such an integral part of the plot. With it being brought up over and over again, it really turned me off the rest of the story.

Overall, this story fell short for me and left me feeling disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll is about a neurodivergent college student with an exciting plot that I would love to see on the big screen. The book has a measured pace. Thank you to the author, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a heartwarming small-town romance with an enemies to lovers troupe. The imagery that the author uses really sets up the small-town feel. You are left rooting for both characters.

Filled with witty banter and lots of chemistry this charming romance checks all the boxes.

Charming, small town romance on a chilly day was perfection. It was an easy, quick read with some familiar feeling characters. Enjoyed and would read more from this author.