My Review
When I started reading this book, I was feeling a little down and was hoping for a story that really light and fun, something that would make me smile. This definitely did the trick. I practically devoured this book in one sitting, it was so good.
Romance isn’t a genre I read much of on its own – usually it’s coupled with fantasy or a thriller, but this book was one of the best I’ve read in a while. A huge part of this book has to do with time travel, but that kind of makes it even more fun.
Once Upon a Kiss starts off by introducing us to Zoe and her best friend Jonah. The year the story starts off in is 1986, and for the most part, Zoe is happy. She doesn’t have a lot of friends, but Jonah is her rock, and her family is pretty close, too (aside from the disco exercise videos they film). Of course, Zoe is far from being popular, and she has her share of mean girl drama from the popular girls in school. So after a rough day when she is in the process of trying on a dress in her favorite store, she chokes on Fun-Dip…and wakes up in the year 2016.
Only when she wakes up in 2016…things are different. She isn’t in her 40’s (which is what you’d expect waking up 30 years later, right?), but she is still a teenager. She still lives with her parents, and her annoying little brother. She still goes to high school…but instead of dealing with the popular mean girls…she finds out she is a popular mean girl. Her best friend Jonah? Doesn’t want anything to do with her, and instead he has a new best friend. And to top it all off, she’s apparently dating her old arch-nemesis’s boyfriend (and he’s really in love with her). So while Zoe tries to make sense of things (such as how to use a cell phone, and why her closet is completely full of pink clothing, and why she is now best friends with a girl who used to despise her), she also has to figure out how to get back to her life in 1986. But she figures while she’s stuck in 2016, why not enjoy the popularity a little bit? She might not have had success running for class president back in 1986, but now she has a chance to do some good.
Once Upon a Kiss has an awesome cast of characters, and a main character that is truly unforgettable. Zoe is fun, goofy, and she is so easy to connect with (especially if you were that unpopular girl in high school). Her relationship with Jonah is strictly friendship…but the entire book you can’t help but wonder if that’s all it will ever be. As Zoe spends time trying to convince Jonah that in another time period, they really were best friends, you really hope that things work out for the best with them. The parts where Zoe has a rough time figuring out what a cell phone is and how to use Google are kind of amusing, too. Like I said, Zoe is a fun character, and she really does make the book.
There is an ending here that I didn’t see coming, honestly. I’m not going to talk about it, because you really have to read this book for yourself, but I did not expect this one to end the way it did. It kind of seems like it will be predictable for the most part, and then it just takes a turn that you wouldn’t expect.
If you like cute, fluffy reads, this is definitely one you should pick up! It isn’t that long, and it’s just so fun that you won’t want to put it down. It’s getting added to my list of books to read again soon! Once Upon a Kiss really is quite the gem!
Note: I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It had me at 1986 and chokes on Fun-Dip. LOl. This sounds so cute. And I bet I end up watching Geek Charming with my daughter.
I’ve never watched Geek Charming, but after reading this book, I want to! Lol, the whole fun dip fiasco is hilarious…you’d really like this book!
I nominated you for the Liebster award. Check out my post for details: https://bookmyopia.wordpress.com/2016/01/20/liebster-award/
Oh neat, thank you!
Great timing!
I was just looking for gift ideas for my sister’s birthday next week.
I think she will love this!!!
Matt recently posted…When should you have your first kiss in a relationship