Six Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did)

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Oh, and before, I forget, because it bears mentioning. I also loved their friends, both grade A cinnamon rolls, so much. I love me a friend group. This one wasn't quite an ensemble but they left their mark nonetheless. They’ve never talked about it. They’ve always ignored it in the aftermath. But now they’re living across the hall from each other.

Now, Penny and Tate. I loved the slow burn, almost kissing but not thing initially, but it became TOO slow burn. I know, I know. I love slow burn as much as anyone, but it got to a point (especially after Yreka) where I was like, why aren't you together by now? It got a little bit tedious tbh. They both knew they had feelings for each other. I get they had the stress of their mum's operation and all the unresolved grief and loss, but them continuing to tip toe around each other didn't make sense to me after a point. I'm glad they eventually got together, even if it was at the end.Content warnings: find them here on Tess’ blog. Ones that aren't mentioned: underage drinking, reference to cheating (past, happened to an MC but it wasn't too heavy - an ex cheats on her). I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. ** Six Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) (hereafter, Six Times, because I’m not typing that out all over again) is a fun enough read, I suppose. Framed in the style of a x+1 fanfic, it leans into that vibe, particularly with the writing style. As such, and perhaps expectedly, I found myself getting frustrated. In case it is not extremely clear with my review, I highly recommend Six Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) to fans of contemporary young adult fiction. Sharpe creat[es] a lacerating picture of grief and regret. ...The murder mystery is compelling, and its resolution serves as a reminder that love is irrevocably tied to loss and that few people get out of it unscathed." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

Now Marion, Penny's gran and her dad's mum, was incredible. She was everything Penny needed despite losing her son. I can't really put into words how amazing she was. I hope everyone going through loss and grief has a Marion to help them through it. The way the story shows this type of abuse is so important because it’s often not seen as a legitimate type of abuse. Penny’s story will show just how harmful emotional abuse is and how dark it can be.My heart goes out to Penny and her bullet journal (the bujo is its own character for real). She is such a strong girl, and she went through so much in such a short time. I went into this expecting a light-hearted fanfic style romance, and what I got was a heavy exploration of grief. This is a long review! But let me start with the good things. While this book is probably framed and marketed in a way that makes you think conventional romance or romcom, it’s a little heavier than that (as you might expect if you’ve read any Tess Sharpe books before). In this, you have it twofold: a mother-daughter relationship ruined by grief after the death of a husband/father, and a mother-daughter relationship dealing with a recurrence of cancer and a necessary

As complicated as Penny and Tate’s relationship is, Penny’s with her mom, Lottie, is even more so. For me it was the most painful part of the novel to read, even while Sharpe is careful to not make Lottie a simple villain. I mean, she’s giving her best friend half of her liver! But particularly as a new parent, reading about a parent who emotionally and physically abandons her kid in her grief for her husband was agonizing. On the one hand, I can’t imagine losing my partner suddenly in a tragic accident, and of course I have no idea how I would cope. On the other hand, I can’t imagine not putting my kid’s well being first and not openly communicating with and going through the process of grief with them instead of shutting them out. Sharpe smartly doesn’t wrap up Penny and Lottie’s story arc; there’s no moment where Lottie does a grand apology or where Penny forgives her. The focus is on Penny as her own person; she makes her own steps forward in healing journey apart from her mom, which is so affirming to witness. Told through the two girls’ present, and six moments from their past, this dynamic love story shows that sometimes the person you need the most has been there for you all along. really enjoyed this!!!! i mostly listened to the audiobook and the narration was incredible!!!! i can't believe tess sharpe narrated it herself? multitalented queen! It’s just my name. I’ve heard it hundreds of times in my life. But this time, she kind of sighs it through her fingers as if she’s trying to hold it in. As if it’s suddenly become a secret I’m not supposed to hear.”

I really wish I could share some quotes on this review because there are a ton of really thought-provoking ones. I could have highlighted the entire book, that's how well it was written. Prepare yourself for a very emotional ride with this book that will make the happy ending feel even better.

Although it doesn’t take away from it being a five-star read for me, I did struggle with the structure of the narrative. The story is told through a dual perspective narrative and although I really enjoyed having both Penny and Tate’s perspectives as they provided really distinctive takes on the story, I didn’t like that was no pattern to whose chapter was whose. Whilst traditionally in a dual perspective narrative you might see the chapters alternate, in Six Times We Almost Kissed it flits between perspectives quite willy-nilly. I’m conscious that this is just something which goes against my personal preference and I did get used to it as the book progressed, which is why it hasn’t impacted on my star rating. Tate is also dealing with the fact that her mom is actually going to live and be healthy. She never thought that was an option. The way that the trauma, and after-trauma, has been depicted in this book is so wonderfully done. My heart aches for both our main characters throughout so many parts of this book. They've never talked about it. They've always ignored it in the aftermath. But now they're living across the hall from each other. This novel caused a whirlwind of emotions in me. One moment, the corners of my lips tugged into smiles; sometime later, a band pulled tight around my chest, and the lump in my throat pushed tears into my eyes. Those moments at the river, my stomach almost contracted and fear came over me like a fire closing me in. But also warmth in my chest afterward, for those two girls who cared for each other, even though they didn’t realize it themselves and almost kissed so many times.An arrestingly incisive narrative . . . fiercely captivating and impressively characterized, this tightly plotted thriller is engrossing from start to finish." —Booklist, starred review I went into this book not knowing a whole lot, but being extremely excited for it. As a long-time fangirl – I appreciate the way the title is done. I added this book to my wish list the second I possibly could, and now that I have read it, I will be hyping this up as much as I can. It is Penny’s mom that will be giving the liver and Tate’s mom who is receiving it. It will be a life-saving operation but things are a whole lot more complicated than that. Penny, in particular, had my heart. Her storyline with her mom was a favorite for me. Because of the death of her father, her relationship with her mother has become fractured. I loved how Penny learns to stand up for herself and demand what she needs so that she can heal. The central romance is just one of the many compelling aspects of 6 Times We Almost Kissed. As someone who grew up in a rural place, I really appreciated how authentically rural this novel felt. Penny and Tate and their families live in the mountains in California; even though it’s a very different environment from where I’m from, I recognized a lot of details about Penny and Tate’s home and how they lived. They are the kinds of girls who know how to chop their own firewood to heat their house. They live in a place where you casually wait hours to carpool with someone because there is literally no other way to get around. Even when they’re mad at each other, they go for runs together because Tate has to keep up her training and it’s not good bear safety for her to run alone.