Review by Booklist Review
Jasper is returning home to Lake Pristine after 18 months at college, but she hasn't told anyone that she dropped out, hoping to attend design school against her parents' wishes. Meanwhile, her nemesis, Arthur, has been home, running his late father's movie theater. To help raise money, Arthur's cousin convinces him to film a documentary about the town. When Jasper and Arthur start spending more time together, they see through their preconceived notions about each other and find common ground--and more. Jasper is neurodivergent and masks well, adapting into whomever the town wants her to be. Her experiences with sensory overload, learning to read others, and masking for her family are authentic, and it's wonderful to see a main character who embraces and understands her neurodivergence, even if those around her don't. With the tone of a Hallmark holiday movie, Jasper and Arthur's romance feels like a nod to winter rom-coms while also exploring difficult family issues and the challenge of standing up for yourself. A cozy read with depth.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Unbeknownst to her parents, autistic 18-year-old Jasper Montgomery is planning to drop out of college. Though her family expects her to attend law school, what Jasper really wants is to study design, a desire that kicks off her plan to leave Lake Pristine for good. Her older sister's public engagement is a welcome distraction that allows Jasper to focus on her list of "things to do before leaving this town forever," which includes visiting the Christmas Maze, casting and directing Lake Pristine's annual Nutcracker performance, and doing "something brave." Meanwhile, teen filmmaker Arthur Lancaster is determined to record a documentary of Lake Pristine that will not only revitalize the town but hopefully win him first place in a film contest. But when Jasper and her "old foe" Arthur cross paths, both of their plans will need readjusting. In her YA debut, McNicoll (the Like a Charm series) will have readers feeling like they're sipping hot chocolate in front of a cozy fire. It's a straightforward love story with all the trappings of a Hallmark holiday rom-com. Main characters read as white. Ages 13--up. Agent: Lauren Gardner, Bell Lomax Moreton. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up--Jasper Montgomery has been away at university for the last 18 months. When she returns to her small Scottish hometown for Christmas, it's with the intention of saying goodbye to it forever. She's dropping out of her courses to attend a design school, and she knows her parents will be opposed. Jasper has autism and has been masking her whole life, but now she's decided it's time to finally be herself. "The mask her parents had, perhaps unknowingly, demanded that she wear had grown too tight, too suffocating and too tolerated by others." Still in town is Arthur, Jasper's longtime school nemesis. Arthur, a budding filmmaker, has always had a crush on Jasper. Maybe the short film he is producing about love in their small town will finally show her how he feels. The story alternates perspectives between Jasper and Arthur, so readers are never guessing how the other person is feeling. This leads to a very satisfying ending for the story's romance. McNicoll has really fleshed out characters, which makes it easy for readers to empathize with all of them. She is also neurodivergent and shares in the author's note, "This is a love story. It has an autistic heroine. I did not know I was allowed to read or write books like this when I was sixteen. I wish that I had. I'm making up for lost time now." VERDICT A chill read for older teens looking for a snug winter romance. Also perfect for neurodivergent readers looking for representation in the romance genre.--Kristin Joy Anderson
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Returning home after 18 months away at university, a neurodivergent girl discovers herself amid the chaos of a family wedding and the filming of a documentary. Jasper Montgomery is Lake Pristine's golden girl, a label her influential family adores, especially after working hard to hide Jasper's autism. Jasper agrees to help cast and direct her mother's ballet company's production ofThe Nutcracker and plan her often tyrannical sister's wedding, all while trying to explain to her family why the life they've planned for her doesn't make her happy. Oddly, the only person who seems to understand her emotional and sensory needs is Arthur Lancaster, a former classmate who's always been a bit short with her. Arthur accepts a plea from Marcus, his cousin, to join him in creating a documentary on their small town to enter in a contest for a cash prize--a short film that will expose "the rigid oppressiveness" beneath the shiny, respectable surface of the town and families like the Montgomerys. Arthur films and interviews Jasper for the project, and the two form a bond that breaks through their usual brusqueness. Jasper's interactions with her family are often troubling, highlighting her self-awareness and grit in the face of their unkindness, while Arthur is lovably quiet and gruff. Readers will appreciate the thoughtful examination of social dynamics and expectations. Main characters read white. A sweet coming-of-age story that provides important representation. (author's note)(Romance. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
