Day’s YA: SOME LIKE IT COLD

SOME LIKE IT COLD by Elle McNicoll
9781250335531 (TP) | 9781250335517 (HC)
10/1/24
Wednesday Books
Ages 13-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

After a long absence, Jasper decides to finally return to her hometown of Lake Pristine for the holidays. Except, she’s not going home to stay–she actually plans for this trip to be her farewell to the town. When she arrives, Arthur, a burgeoning filmmaker, is in the process of making a movie about their town. Jasper’s arrival only thwarts Arthur’s efforts, and he is not at all pleased that the girl he couldn’t stand during his school days is back. What unfurls is a story that is as much about confronting the past as it is about acknowledging the present and redefining the future. Arthur’s initial plans, fueled by a vision to encapsulate the essence of Lake Pristine through his lens, are upturned not just by Jasper’s reemergence but by the way she challenges him with the unique perspectives she’s gained from her Autism. As Jasper and Arthur spend more and more time together, they start to see that they might actually be a pretty good pair. Maybe Jasper will stick around after all…

For fans of heartfelt narratives and deeply human characters, SOME LIKE IT COLD is an entrancing read. It captures the essence of small-town life and the intricacies of coming-of-age perfectly and beautifully explores the search for acceptance in the midst of teen drama. McNicoll also does an excellent job of portraying Jasper as a multifaceted heroine. Her journey is not defined by her Autism but enriched by it, and her character offers a unique and authentic worldview. Jasper’s personality and interpersonal relationships will inspire introspection and empathy in readers.

McNicoll says, “Jasper is [one of] the most personal character[s] to me… She has been breathed into life from sleepless nights, worn ballet shoes and a lifetime of being invisible in the romantic stories I loved so much as a reader. Love for me as a young adult was fragile and sacred and embarrassing and too precious to say out loud. So I wrote it down.” What a perfect quote to set the mood for this heartwarming and hopeful novel! If you loved Gilmore Girls, ELEANOR & PARK, YOU’VE REACHED SAM, or Geek Charming, you won’t want to miss this one.

Happy Reading!
<3 Michelle

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