Book of the Month: Snow, Secrets, and Serendipity
- Ingrid Rivera
- Dec 2, 2024
- 5 min read
December is here, and I can already feel the winter breeze and see the shimmering lights descending all around. There’s a unique magic that makes the holidays enticing for bookworms—a perfect time for cozy reads, holiday cheer, and a dash of romance. This month, our Queen Bee is leading the charge in celebrating the holiday spirit with a story as beautiful as it is profound. Drawing us into a tale of love found, lost, and rediscovered, all set against the enchanting backdrop of winter, it will warm you without the cocoa. This exploration of love, loss, and unexpected connections during the holidays highlights the season’s unique ability to bring as much depth as it does levity. With the new year just a page turn away, this festive read offers the perfect blend of romance, second chances, and the hope of fresh starts—even when they surprise us.
Holidays
As we dive into this month’s featured genre of Holidays, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore stories that embody the warmth, nostalgia, and sometimes the bittersweet complexities of the season. Holiday literature has a unique place in our hearts, capturing that blend of tradition and wonder, reminding us of the joy found in simple moments: a crackling fire, a warm drink, or the quiet peace of a snow-covered field. These tales revolve around love, family, and friendship, yet they often touch on deeper themes of hope, forgiveness, and the courage to embrace change, making them especially meaningful as one year ends and a new one approaches.
This month’s featured book captures these themes beautifully, weaving together the magic of holiday romance and the poignant growth that often accompanies the season’s spirit. As we turn the pages, we’re reminded that the holidays are about more than festive lights and gatherings—they’re about discovering or rediscovering what truly matters. From touching reunions and heartfelt reconciliations to the thrill of unexpected connections, holiday stories have a way of grounding us in the present while inspiring us to open ourselves to new possibilities. December’s crisp days invite us to pause, settle in, and allow ourselves to be transported into tales where anything seems possible, love and friendship bloom, and even the coldest nights are warmed by hope.
Queen Bee's Pick
Our Busy Bee Book Club's December Book of the Month, Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun, will have you totally smitten like a mitten!
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. |  |
Opening this book is like stepping into a snow globe of romance, laughter, and all the holiday feels. Imagine cozying up with a story as heartwarming as a mug of hot cocoa and as sweet as a fresh-baked holiday cookie. Our main character, Ellie, is a relatable mix of hope and heartbreak, who’s swept up in a surprising holiday plan involving a fake engagement, a cozy cabin, and an unexpected reunion with a love she thought was lost.
Cochrun explores second chances, unexpected connections, and the courage it takes to embrace the magic of the season. This book has everything we love about holiday stories: a dash of humor, a sprinkle of charm, and just enough drama to keep us on our toes. Perfect for reading by the fire or curling up on a winter night, Kiss Her Once for Me will leave you smiling, swooning, and ready to believe in holiday magic all over again!
Content & Trigger Disclaimer: This book may contain sensitive material. Reader discretion is advised. Please use your judgment and conduct further research if you have specific concerns. |
Bee-hind the Page
Alison Cochrun is a former high school English teacher and a current writer of queer love stories, including her debut novel, The Charm Offensive, and Kiss Her Once for Me, which won the Lambda Literary award for best LBGTQ Romance in 2023. She lives outside of Portland, Oregon with two big dogs, her small wife, and a vast collection of brightly colored books. You can usually find her creating an itinerary for her next trip.
Known for her quirky sense of humor (she believes Evermore is the best Christmas album—controversial, but we’re here for it!), Alison brings a mix of heartfelt emotion and personal insight to her work. With her debut novel, The Charm Offensive, Cochrun won readers over with her sharp wit and meaningful exploration of mental health, asexual representation, and LGBTQ+ love.
In an interview with Geeks OUT's Michele Kirichanskaya, Alison shared her inspirations, from her childhood love of While You Were Sleeping to her favorite queer graphic novels, which sparked her passion for visual storytelling. She also opened up about her journey from writing as an outlet for exploring emotions to finding her place in the world of queer romance. Her latest book, Kiss Her Once for Me, is her love letter to classic holiday romance tropes, and she’s excited about her latest release, a “sapphic road trip romcom about death”—yes, really—which is hit the shelves this past Spring.
Connect with the Author
Stay connected with the author and never miss an update on their latest projects! To follow their journey and explore more of their captivating works, visit their official website and social media profiles using the links below:
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