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Kiss Her Once for Me

A Novel
Pages
368
Published
2022
Language
English

Synopsis

Winner of Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ+ Romance A Best New Holiday Romance by PopSugar, BuzzFeed, Refinery29, and more! The author of the “swoon-worthy debut” (Harper’s Bazaar) The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord…only to fall for his sister. One year ago, recent Portland transplant Ellie Oliver had her dream job in animation and a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore that led her to fall in love over the course of a single night. But after a betrayal the next morning and the loss of her job soon after, she finds herself adrift, alone, and desperate for money. Finding work at a local coffee shop, she’s just getting through the days—until Andrew, the shop’s landlord, proposes a shocking, drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie’s financial woes and isolation. They make a plan to spend the holidays together at his family cabin to keep up the ruse. But when Andrew introduces his new fiancée to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it’s Jack—the mysterious woman she fell for over the course of one magical Christmas Eve the year before. Now, Ellie must choose between the safety of a fake relationship and the risk of something real. Perfect for fans of Written in the Stars and One Day in December, Kiss Her Once for Me is the queer holiday rom-com that you’ll want to cozy up with next to the fire.

About the author

A
Alison Cochrun

Alison Cochrun writes romantic comedies that often feature queer characters and themes. Her books include "The Charm Offensive" and "Kiss Her Once for Me." She is known for her heartwarming stories.

Characters

Ellie OliverProtagonist

A Portland animator turned barista, demisexual and still guarded after a betrayal the Christmas before the story begins.

Andrew Kim-PrescottSupporting

Ellie's landlord, who proposes a marriage of convenience so he can access a family inheritance.

Dylan (Kiss Her Once for Me)Supporting

Jack's nonbinary best friend, taken in by the Kim-Prescott family after being disowned by their own for coming out.

Ari (Kiss Her Once for Me)Supporting

A trans woman who works alongside Ellie at the coffee shop.

Jack Kim-PrescottSupporting

A baker living in an Airstream who turns out to be Andrew's sister and the woman Ellie fell for one Christmas Eve the year before.

All characters in Kiss Her Once for Me

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Kiss Her Once for Me a stand-alone novel?

    Yes. Kiss Her Once for Me is a stand-alone holiday romance by Alison Cochrun, not part of a series.

  • What awards has Kiss Her Once for Me won?

    It won the 2023 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ+ Romance & Erotica, honoring 2022 publications.

  • Who narrates the Kiss Her Once for Me audiobook?

    The unabridged audiobook is narrated by Natalie Naudus and is published by Simon & Schuster Audio.