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zooloo1983's review
4.0
I did enjoy this one. A story about Kate but with Ben and Julie’s tale thrown in too. I guessed right off the bat how it would end but as I always say it is the adventure we and the characters go on, and it was certainly that!
These are 3 characters you can easily get on board with. Kate with her insecurities, her gorgeous best friend Julie, and Julie’s quiet brother Ben. The story of Kate and her drunken bet with herself at a wedding, to find someone to kiss at midnight the following New Year’s Eve. Gosh, the online dating world is harsh and I hope I never have to find out about it!! I did find myself shaking my head at Kate and getting annoyed with her. I did love the acceptance and forgiveness of herself throughout her journey, especially during the crazy golf scene. Then my annoyance disappeared when she got a backbone and stood up for herself and I loved the author’s twists with a pivotal moment in an office -loved it!
It was easy to lose a couple of hours reading this as Jamie’s writing style is easy to enjoy. It certainly wasn’t a hardship reading this and I loved losing myself in the story. It is a story that is true for so many people and just so relatable in many ways. I look forward to what Jamie does next!
These are 3 characters you can easily get on board with. Kate with her insecurities, her gorgeous best friend Julie, and Julie’s quiet brother Ben. The story of Kate and her drunken bet with herself at a wedding, to find someone to kiss at midnight the following New Year’s Eve. Gosh, the online dating world is harsh and I hope I never have to find out about it!! I did find myself shaking my head at Kate and getting annoyed with her. I did love the acceptance and forgiveness of herself throughout her journey, especially during the crazy golf scene. Then my annoyance disappeared when she got a backbone and stood up for herself and I loved the author’s twists with a pivotal moment in an office -loved it!
It was easy to lose a couple of hours reading this as Jamie’s writing style is easy to enjoy. It certainly wasn’t a hardship reading this and I loved losing myself in the story. It is a story that is true for so many people and just so relatable in many ways. I look forward to what Jamie does next!
loslibrosdelupita's review
4.0
This is a funny and heart-warming romance. Online dating is hard, and is even harder when you're forty and don't know exactly what you're doing. Kate goes through a lot of online dating nightmares and you can feel her struggle to try to find the right guy.
I appreciate that there's a lot of criticism and self reflection about the concept of dating in the internet era, and most of all, the difficulties women experiences: misogyny, abuse, prejudice because of age and the constant reminder that "the biological clock is ticking". Another great point is the mental health awareness and the importance of self care and medical intervention (if necessary).
It was nice to have multiple POV from time to time, I got to know better every character and understand their concerns and struggles. Sometimes I thought Kate was too naive, but it works perfect for the story to show different approaches in dating (Julie and Ben are their own).
I appreciate that there's a lot of criticism and self reflection about the concept of dating in the internet era, and most of all, the difficulties women experiences: misogyny, abuse, prejudice because of age and the constant reminder that "the biological clock is ticking". Another great point is the mental health awareness and the importance of self care and medical intervention (if necessary).
It was nice to have multiple POV from time to time, I got to know better every character and understand their concerns and struggles. Sometimes I thought Kate was too naive, but it works perfect for the story to show different approaches in dating (Julie and Ben are their own).
musingsfromamandalyn's review
4.0
I am new to reading romances but have always enjoyed Holiday movies. Although this book was not a Holiday themed book, it did follow some of the similar tropes that I have grown used to. For example, it is very obvious who is going to end up together in the end. That being said, getting there was a lot of fun. I think this book also brought up some very important topics in a way that made it normal as opposed to preachy. In order to truly find your someone, you have to be OK on your own first. You need to know and accept who you are and most of all love yourself. You shouldn't blame yourself for things that are in no way your fault, aka what happened to Julie. Mental illness is as it states, an illness. It is ok to talk about and seek treatment for. Also, drinking may seem to help at the moment, but it really doesn't solve anything. And sometimes it can even make it worse. I honestly hated who Kate was at the beginning of the book and it was heartwarming to see her grow. I also liked that the romantic encounters were implied as opposed to explicitly explained. I will definitely be looking for more from this author in the future.
vwannamaker's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for letting me receive this book as an ARC.
I love this take on a modernized dating over 40 romance. From a New Year's resolution that says she will find someone to kiss on New Year’s Eve next year, the main character Kate spends her entire year trying to find romance. For Kate, that means becoming more outgoing when going to speed dating events, hook-ups, and sliding into DM’s. I will not spoil the ending because I believe that everyone should find out on their own what happens. I will say that I recommend this book if you want something a little different than your standard romance.
I love this take on a modernized dating over 40 romance. From a New Year's resolution that says she will find someone to kiss on New Year’s Eve next year, the main character Kate spends her entire year trying to find romance. For Kate, that means becoming more outgoing when going to speed dating events, hook-ups, and sliding into DM’s. I will not spoil the ending because I believe that everyone should find out on their own what happens. I will say that I recommend this book if you want something a little different than your standard romance.
rlslinkard1s's review
1.0
Thank you NetGalley!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I wanted to love this book but I couldn't finish it. I got 40% through and had to stop. When I started I thought it was gonna be a quick, easy, fast paced read. But I just couldn't get into it. While the story line was interesting there was something missing for me. I am no someone that tends to DNF books, but this one just wasn't agreeing with me. I also hate to be the person that gives a book a bad review but I have to be honest.
Maybe I'm just not in the right frame of mind to read this right know. I don't really know. Maybe I'll give it another try another time, and if I change my opinion I will change my review.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I wanted to love this book but I couldn't finish it. I got 40% through and had to stop. When I started I thought it was gonna be a quick, easy, fast paced read. But I just couldn't get into it. While the story line was interesting there was something missing for me. I am no someone that tends to DNF books, but this one just wasn't agreeing with me. I also hate to be the person that gives a book a bad review but I have to be honest.
Maybe I'm just not in the right frame of mind to read this right know. I don't really know. Maybe I'll give it another try another time, and if I change my opinion I will change my review.
antigoniselena's review
2.0
This was really hard to read if i am being quite honest, and if this hadn’t been a novel i was gifted on NetGalley, I would have 130% stopped reading this book 20% in. There were a lot of aspects of this novel that I didn’t enjoy, and not enough that i did.
Firstly, Kate, Julia and Ben are all in their 40s and seem to just be surrounded by single people and are looking to settle down (well our protagonist Kate is). I am 27 years old and i am already feeling the pressure of needing to find someone and settled down since so many of my friends are married and having kids and I am just debating if now is the time to move out of my parents house with a looming recession… How is this 43 year old not surrounded by these things? Other than the wedding mentioned at the beginning of the novel, there are no people around who she interacts with who aren’t single. Everyone is single and that really feels like someone’s early 20s rather than their early 40s. Where is the outside pressure? Your mom or auntie asking you when you’re going to “settle down” and “find someone” and “start a family” … It also feels so unrealistic and just… meh.
Secondly, the novel is set in Saskatchewan which I thought would be dope to see, as someone who is from Montreal, Quebec, I was excited to maybe get a peak of what life is there, since you rarely see novels set in that part of Canada. But honestly it really felt like this could have been set anywhere, I wish that we got more of a glimpse of what living in Saskatchewan was like and maybe mentioning specific places that one may even see when visiting.
Another issue i had, was while the characters were in their 40s, they all acted and spoke like they were in their late 20s and early 30s… it was just out of place to me. Like Kate has a mini crush on her barista, Jesse, and she makes comments about how he’s too young for her, because he’s 13 years younger than her… That would mean she’s 43 and he’s 30! You mean the biggest issue for you is his age, rather than the fact that he is a barista and doesn’t seem to be working towards anything of substance at that age? Like seriously I would understand if she was 33, and he was 20… but the novel doesn’t make sense this way… It really feels like this novel was originally made with 33 in mind and someone pushed the author to make it 43. I think the whole book would have been more tolerable if those were the ages. Especially because the novel was well written.
***SPOILER ALERT***
I also dislike that we have Ben’s perspective included at all in the novel. WE KNOW HE LIKES KATE even just from her perspective even though she is obviously oblivious… But i have to say… it is already frustrating that Kate is already so oblivious but like by 50% into the novel and we haven’t had even like a smidge of sexual tension or like “almost” moments between Ben and Kate… its just… this was such a let down.
I am giving this novel a 2/5 solely because if the novel had been written with a different age in mind I would have rated it higher. (Probably a 3/5). If you read this, please comment and tell me what you think? Perhaps I am too harsh, maybe you can open my eyes to a different perspective.
Firstly, Kate, Julia and Ben are all in their 40s and seem to just be surrounded by single people and are looking to settle down (well our protagonist Kate is). I am 27 years old and i am already feeling the pressure of needing to find someone and settled down since so many of my friends are married and having kids and I am just debating if now is the time to move out of my parents house with a looming recession… How is this 43 year old not surrounded by these things? Other than the wedding mentioned at the beginning of the novel, there are no people around who she interacts with who aren’t single. Everyone is single and that really feels like someone’s early 20s rather than their early 40s. Where is the outside pressure? Your mom or auntie asking you when you’re going to “settle down” and “find someone” and “start a family” … It also feels so unrealistic and just… meh.
Secondly, the novel is set in Saskatchewan which I thought would be dope to see, as someone who is from Montreal, Quebec, I was excited to maybe get a peak of what life is there, since you rarely see novels set in that part of Canada. But honestly it really felt like this could have been set anywhere, I wish that we got more of a glimpse of what living in Saskatchewan was like and maybe mentioning specific places that one may even see when visiting.
Another issue i had, was while the characters were in their 40s, they all acted and spoke like they were in their late 20s and early 30s… it was just out of place to me. Like Kate has a mini crush on her barista, Jesse, and she makes comments about how he’s too young for her, because he’s 13 years younger than her… That would mean she’s 43 and he’s 30! You mean the biggest issue for you is his age, rather than the fact that he is a barista and doesn’t seem to be working towards anything of substance at that age? Like seriously I would understand if she was 33, and he was 20… but the novel doesn’t make sense this way… It really feels like this novel was originally made with 33 in mind and someone pushed the author to make it 43. I think the whole book would have been more tolerable if those were the ages. Especially because the novel was well written.
***SPOILER ALERT***
I also dislike that we have Ben’s perspective included at all in the novel. WE KNOW HE LIKES KATE even just from her perspective even though she is obviously oblivious… But i have to say… it is already frustrating that Kate is already so oblivious but like by 50% into the novel and we haven’t had even like a smidge of sexual tension or like “almost” moments between Ben and Kate… its just… this was such a let down.
I am giving this novel a 2/5 solely because if the novel had been written with a different age in mind I would have rated it higher. (Probably a 3/5). If you read this, please comment and tell me what you think? Perhaps I am too harsh, maybe you can open my eyes to a different perspective.
reading_kapibara's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
fairy28's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
casperea's review
5.0
Hallelujah for a main character being single, 43, childless, and looking for love! While I love the genre of romance, I struggle with it. Almost every book is centered around young love, marriage in early adulthood, or life after divorce/ death of a spouse. There is not a lot of books written where I can see myself in the protagonist.
Someone To Kiss by Jamie Anderson was a relatable read! If you are seeking a significant other in the 21st century, you will enjoy reading about Kate’s journey. I found myself laughing at how realistic the social interactions online and dates were.
While this is a romantic book, it is so much more. I loved the introspective look at friendship, finding inner happiness, and navigating mental health. However, I don’t want to go too into detail here, for fear of spoiling it. Just know that this book isn’t afraid to tackle life’s biggest problems.
I loved this book and highly recommend it. I am also excited to see that Anderson is working on another book following Julie. Special thanks to NetGalley.com and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Someone To Kiss by Jamie Anderson was a relatable read! If you are seeking a significant other in the 21st century, you will enjoy reading about Kate’s journey. I found myself laughing at how realistic the social interactions online and dates were.
While this is a romantic book, it is so much more. I loved the introspective look at friendship, finding inner happiness, and navigating mental health. However, I don’t want to go too into detail here, for fear of spoiling it. Just know that this book isn’t afraid to tackle life’s biggest problems.
I loved this book and highly recommend it. I am also excited to see that Anderson is working on another book following Julie. Special thanks to NetGalley.com and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.