This book combines the well loved trope of small town romance with a rare neuro-divergent representation. It was obvious that the author shared her own experiences through Jasper‘s struggles which made it all the more authentic. This book was kind of like watching a Hallmark show but with more plot and much more personality - cosy and interesting!
The story was 100% character driven. Their voices were consistent and their relationships realistic. Nobody in this book was perfect but not one character was 100% evil. I liked the fact that Jasper was completely loyal to her sister even though she definitely is a total bitch haha. But still she wasn’t made to be the classic mean girl villain. She had her bright moments but was unapologetically herself. It was refreshing to see a main character stick up and find excuses for such an objectively unlikable character instead of villainising her which is usually the case. Author‘s usually make their MC talk bad characters down in order to make them in turn all the more lovable. It‘s a lazy way to do it and absolutely unrealistic. All of McNicoll‘s characters had their own convictions and morals which made them all three dimensional and REAL.
While not being a life-changing novel, compared to others in the romance genre, this book is a refreshing, modern and realistic take on the small town trope with much needed ND rep.

I was excited to have found an audio offer here on Netgalley for one of my anticipated winter romance reads. I love me some Hallmark Christmas Love and this title's description checked all the boxes of what I like. Unfortunately, rather swiftly I realised that this one is not working for me. "This is a nice place. Why don't you make a movie about how nice it is?- Because no one would watch it". Feels like the writer also didn't think people would read about a nice place, as this fictional town + people really annoyed me. The writer also really likes using the names. Maybe as a print version this isn't as bad, but in the audio version I couldn't help but be extremely annoyed by the use of all the names all the time. She used "Jasper" 12 times on the first 2 pages alone. "I don't think we'd be able to move the books out, Christine." Mrs Holden said gently, with such compassion ...] rather than the affront and disbelief Christine deserved. "It smells in here Chrissy" one of the Bridesmaids said nervously. "Yes," Chrisine agreed. - Is an example with another name. The parents are also pretty awful, here are just 1 example used in the first few minutes. " You pay rent at your family home? " - Arthur. Arthur seemed OK as the romantic interest, he called the others out on their behavior and I liked the slow burn aspect.  The second half of the book was more enjoyable but unfortunately by then I wasn't that interested anymore. 
The narrator was great, but I think this is one of the few stories that works better for me in print.

Audiobook review:
4.5 stars. Such a great romance. If romance is your thing, I definitely recommend this. FMC is neurodivergent so there’s a bit more of it than just your regular romances.
Only thing I would have liked differently was a Male Narrator for Arthur's chapters.

I raced through this snatching a listen whenever I could. Stayed up far too late in a foolish attempt to get to the end. Absolutely brilliant.

I'm already a big fan of Elle McNicoll and this cemented that admiration. A beautiful story brilliantly told and a great narration on the audiobook.

Jasper is probably one of the only book characters i have ever related to as much as i did and so this book just felt very special to me and to be honest I feel seen as if as an autistic woman someone else gets it and was able to put into words how we feel! Which to be honest can be difficult to do.

So...Jasper arrives home and she has a big secret she is afraid to tell her family and so she puts it off, I loved how she arrived home and really made an entrance lol.

I really really didn't like her family, her dad was the only one who seemed to have her best interests at heart but her mother and sister were absolutely awful.

Now onto Arthur, what a cutie pie, he may not have been the friendliest to her but he always saw her and always thought she was special, i loved that the cinema played the old movies and Jasper went every night they were on. Only for us to find out Arthur played them especially for her.

I loved the narration and the narrator of the story but i had one grumble about it, The accents were British but there were a lot of American phrases like gas, so i felt a little muddled by that.

overall probably my favourite festive book of the year and will feel special to me for years to come!

Jasper is back in her old town (think Rory returning to Stars Hollow) after being away for nearly two years to attend college. But she’s got a secret, one she knows her family won’t like.

Jasper also has the worst big sister ever (I’m sorry, but her sister and mom can get in the bin!), and is roped into helping her plan the wedding of the century, whilst helping her mother plan the Christmas ballet.

On top of this, her grumbly high school enemy, Arthur, has decided to make a documentary about the town, and it just so happens her family is front and centre.

The story follows Jasper and Arthur as they each fight their own demons in their small town.

‘Some Like It Cold’ was a fab YA book with lots of important messages that everyone should read.

Thank you MacMillian audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

Gosh this one has caused real conflicting feelings and I have so many thoughts about it. Might be a long rambly review…i apologise in advance 🤣

I was expecting a light holiday romance with an autistic main character. Whilst there is a romance central to the story and the autism representation is AMAZING, this was not light! At least not for me. I actually found reading this INCREDIBLY stressful.

That’s not to say it’s not good! It’s very good. As an autistic woman myself, I find Elle McNicoll’s way of writing about autistic women the most relatable I’ve ever come across. Which obviously makes sense as she’s autistic too.

Her books are actually quite a challenge for me. Like I’m simultaneously re-traumatised and healed through reading them. My response to them is pretty visceral.

For so much of this book I struggled. Other than Jasper and Arthur, most of the characters gave me the ick. There was just so much overt and subtle nastiness and I was pulling a disgusted face most of the time reading. I mean I have experienced periods of my life when I’ve come across people like those depicted and it captured so well the micro-aggressions aimed at autistic people and indeed anyone who is a bit different. It definitely triggered a lot of unwanted memories if I’m honest.

One of the hardest moments for me was when her best friend, Odettte doesn’t believe her after an incident. I’ve had similar situations happen to me so many times. And you just want to be like I’m autistic, I’m not gonna lie or cause unnecessary drama, do you even know me!? I just want to help you.

Also Jesper’s family. Ugh. Hated all of that dynamic. Then it seemed to be resolved quite easily in the end. Not sure that quite added up.

However, I equally hated the shaming film about the family dynamic. It worked for the story, but that was so cruel. If something like that was done in real life and I was in Jasper’s situation, I’d be standing up and saying switch this off now!

Yeah there was a lot I didn’t like. But it’s complicated because I also appreciate the strength of the representation. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a character I identified with more than Jasper, in terms of personality (not the family and wealth stuff).

The portrayal of overcompensating by being the most perfect version of yourself, being what everyone else needs you to be and never letting the mask slip because people will instantly turn against you. Yeah that hit really fucking hard. So like me before I became chronically ill. Spinning a dozen plates, looking the most calm and collected person, being kind to everyone (even when they’re cruel). People going…how are you doing it all? Or assuming you secretly think you’re better than everyone. Whilst inside you feel the biggest chaotic mess and break down in private every day. Yeah I felt attacked 🤣😂

I will say, Jasper finally telling everyone her true wants and desires, as well as finding the person she could lose her mask with, was very healing. I cried. A lot.

There is soooo much more I could talk about, but this review is way too long already.

I’m giving this 4⭐️
The autism rep is 5⭐️worthy!!
There was just some bits of the plot I wasn’t too keen on and the experience of reading it was so stressful on a personal level!
I need to read something escapist now…