One kiss lasts a moment.
But a thousand kisses can last a lifetime.
One boy.
One girl.
A bond that is forged in an instant and cherished for a decade.
A bond that neither time nor distance can break.
A bond that will last forever.
Or so they believe.
When seventeen-year-old Rune Kristiansen returns from his native Norway to the sleepy town of Blossom Grove, Georgia, where he befriended Poppy … Grove, Georgia, where he befriended Poppy Litchfield as a child, he has just one thing on his mind. Why did the girl who was one half of his soul, who promised to wait faithfully for his return, cut him off without a word of explanation?
Rune’s heart was broken two years ago when Poppy fell silent. When he discovers the truth, he finds that the greatest heartache is yet to come.
Standalone Young Adult Tearjerker Romance.
For ages 14 and up.
more
OMG! All the feels! A beautiful story. 5 stars.
Seriously this book moved me in ways I cant explain, it spoke to my soul! It had my crying days after I had finished reading it. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!
Heartbreakingly beautifully written. Prepare yourself before you read this, tears will come aplenty. This is one of those epic reads where you feel this story down to your core
Y’all. I’m a hot mess right now. So many emotions.
This book has such an impact on your soul; it leaves a footprint. It’s been quite some time since a book has gotten me this emotional but A Thousand Boy Kisses does just that.
At times, I did get a bit tired of reading basically the same thing on each page but I think the overall emotion this story pulls from the reader is what’s the most important thing to note here. The depths of love, tenderness, compassion within these pages is profound.
I’m still not ok and need time to process all the emotions I’m feeling.
OMG this is probably one of the best YA books I have read in awhile. Unfortunately, the older I’m getting, the less I gravitate to them. It sort has A Walk To Remember vibes, but otherwise it was really good. I really enjoyed the narrators especially P. J. Ochlan doing the Norway accents.
This book killed me! One of the most emotional books I’ve ever read! Loved it! Great story! Great writing! Tillie Cole did such an amazing job on this!
I was hesitant to read this book because 1) I knew I’d be wrecked and 2) its YA. That being said, I decided to give it a go since I had heard many glowing reviews. Oh. My. Stars. My heart literally was gutted and wrecked. By the epilogue I was flat out ugly crying. I want to cry just writing this review. Tillie Cole is a new author to me and I was unsure what to expect. This is a truly poignant coming of age story that literally had my heart bursting out of my chest. Gahhhh!! If you are a lover of love, grab this tender, emotionally captivating read
…and my heart almost burst.
Have you read a book where you know what will happen and know that it will gut you but you keep reading because not knowing what happens on the journey to get there would be worse? Have you ever felt your heart break for a character, felt the burn of tears about to spill from your eyes and yet found the moment so sweet that you can’t help but smile? All of that and more happened to me while reading A Thousand Boy Kisses and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
We meet Poppy and Rune when they are five, and meeting for the first time themselves, and get to be apart of what can only be called an epic love story. Poppy is a light so bright that it’s blinding and Rune is darker soul with a huge heart and through their eyes we get to experience what it means when you find the other half of your heart and soul and watch as friends become lovers and they navigate the emotional mine field of what loving someone with your entire being means. How the choices you make and the ones that are made for you can affect your heart and how to come to terms with them and live a life filled with joy even when it doesn’t seem possible. The highs will make your heart soar, while the lows will rip it to shreds, but each of these moments only show how strong that love is and that it cannot be denied.
I would LOVE to go into more detail about all of the moments that broke my heart while making it melt, but not only do I not do spoilers in my reviews, but Ms. Cole as asked that we not, because you really do have to go into this book with an open heart and mind to fully experience the journey that she takes you on and accept that the ending will be perfect for Rune and Poppy and it was. Had I not been at work while reading this book (Yeah, bad me. I know) I would have been in full on ugly cry mode, and believe me when I say it is an extremely rare occurrence, and as it was I had the bloodshot, shiney eye thing going on as I made myself hold back the tears. That’s how much the characters and story in general affected me and is still affecting me as I write this review.
Ms. Cole has an iron clad spot on my very short list of authors I adore, her Hades Hangmen and Scarred Souls series are two of my favorites, and with A Thousand Boy Kisses totally wrecking me, talk about major book hangover I don’t see her slipping from that list any time soon. I will admit that I was surprised when she announced that she was delving into the YA genre, but trusted that she’d pull out something amazing and she has. As with her other books, she doesn’t hold back, even if the subject is a difficult one. She not only gives the reader a well rounded story, but pieces of her heart and soul in the process.
The Bottom Line: Do not pass this one over because it’s YA. It is a must read! Just make sure you have a box of tissues handy and if you are wearing make up that it’s waterproof.
~ ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review ~
5 Infinity Stars
I’ve had this book on my kindle for quite some time now. I knew I had to find the right time to read it. This is a beautiful story that will rip your heart apart. Before diving into this one, make sure you have plenty of tissue at your side.
In Love.
Two halves of one heart.
Poppy and Rune met when they were 5 years old. This book spans through the next 12 years. Two young children meeting for the first time with a simple handshake. Because we all know, a simple handshake was the polite way to introduce yourself to a person you don’t know.
As their friendship grows, distance is put between these two. It’s a very hard separation. One that changes who they are. Darkness comes and with that their love for each other never diminishes. Looking back, their love grows even though they are missing each other’s half of their heart.
When finally back together, after a couple years, Rune and Poppy are forced to come head on with what life has dealt them.
Because it reminds us that we must live. That life is fragile, yet in that fragility, there is strength. There is love. There is purpose. It reminds us that life is short, that our breaths are numbered and our destiny is fixed, regardless of how hard we fight.
It reminds us not to waste a single second. Live hard, love harder. Chase dreams, seek adventures…. Capture moments.
Live beautifully.
That’s exactly what they did…. Live beautifully.
Oh my gosh …. this book broke me! Such a beautiful story. One that give you all the feels and more. Two young kids that fell in love. A deep love that would last forever. A total sinus cleanser, eye cleanser, heart shattering book that all should read!!!
#BookBistroBlogApproved
A Thousand Boy Kisses absolutely gutted me!
I love young adult novels, I love that reviewers forewarned me that I was going to cry, and cry I did. I cried before 50% in, I cried before the end, I did a lot of crying. We’re introduced to Poppy and Rune, two kids destined to fall in love from the start, and we too, fall in love with them. Then Cole breaks our hearts for the first time. Time passes, things seem to be coming together, and our hearts are broken for the second time and continues to break until we finish the book.
This book had me thinking about a lot of things, specifically, I always thought there was more than just “the one”, that you can fall in love over and over again. That you can love multiple people at the same time. And I realize, that’s my truth, and that works for me. But for these two, it’s just each other. As evident by their amazing relationship, the fact they are both wise beyond their years and are solely carved out in life for each other. “I heard your heart’s song, and yours heard mine”. We can all only hope to experience this kind of love in our lifetime. Even if it’s fleeting.
GUTTED…BROKEN…HOPEFUL…INSPIRED
Those are the best words I can use to describe how I felt during and after reading A Thousand Boy Kisses. I have never felt such raw emotion while reading any of the 700+ romance novels I have under my belt, so far. I couldn’t even talk about this book without getting emotional and I am no where near an emotional person, PLUS I was left with the WORST book hangover I’ll ever experience. Poppy and Rune’s story took so much out of me, but it also gave me SO much in return.
Poppy and Rune meet the day Rune and his family are moving in to their new home in Georgia as new transplants from Norway. Rune wasn’t happy about the move and was a grumpy 5-year-old boy when Poppy practically plopped into his life… and with a smile and a handshake bought sunshine into his life. After that they were inseparable until the day he and his family had to go back to Norway.
So upon Rune’s return, things have changed. He’s angry and bitter after years of no word from Poppy. But they find their way back and from there this story took me on an adventure that will remain in my heart FOREVER. I was brought down, broken and built back up again with this uplifting and inspiring story.
I am a fan of Tillie Cole, but have only read her MC series so THIS story was something completely different from what I’m used to and add in the fact that it’s one of only two YA romances I’ve read and I am left in awe of how much this book affected me. It truly is an unforgettable story. I can’t rave about this enough. It’s a book I will share with anyone and everyone that will listen.
Talk about ripping my heart out a thousand times!!such an ugly cry story but so beautiful
LOVED THIS BOOK!
I can’t say enough about this story. It is simply one of my all-time favorites. It is a must read.
This book was beautifully written and heart-wrenching. Apart from that, I don’t know what else to say. So I’ll leave it at that.
I have no words that could do this book justice. It is the most beautifully written, heart wrenching, heartfelt book I have read in a long time. I knew this book would move me, but I never in a million years anticipated how much. The words just flowed; the love and strength in the relationship between Rune and Poppy was so strong and fervent that it literally reached out encompassing the reader. I did not want this book to end.
The epilogue was so beautiful and so perfect that I had to read it twice. This book will stay with me forever always. This has been one of my best reads of 2017 and I saved it til last.
I need a tissue, 10 pounds of chocolate and someone to cuddle with. This book did me in, I’m spent. The feels are horribly strong with this one. *sniff*
Love. It’s so powerful and magical. That’s what Poppy and Rune have. I did not see any of what happened coming. It’s hard to write about it without giving a huge spolier away.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to be 100% into this book, it had some things in it that I’m like hmmmm, I don’t know. But, the writing and the story is just so beautiful, I didn’t care about any of my hang ups. Poppy and Rune’s story consumed me, I couldn’t put down.
When my daughter gets older, I want her to read this. Fabulous YA story.
Ugh, book hangover anyone?
I have to admit that I don’t read a lot of young adult. Especially with characters this young. However, Tillie Cole is absolutely one of my favorite authors and I will always read anything that she writes. Without a second thought.
This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story about two young people who find love early on. They meet when they are 5 years old and we see glimpses of their life as best friends that move into an epic soulmate love. It’s easy to give away spoilers for this book and I truly want everyone to go into this book blind. Do not have any expectations. Just go with the flow and experience the love, the pain, the joy and so many other different emotions that this story will take you though.
I just adore Poppy. I think I fell in love with her from the first time she spoke to Rune when she was 5 years old.
“I don’t normally bring people with me on my journeys but you’re a Viking, and we all know that Vikings grow big and strong, and they are really really good with adventures and exploring, and long walks and capturing baddies and…all kindsa things!”
Yep, she stole my heart right there. From the very beginning. She is such a carefree, loving and loyal character.
I’m going to purposefully leave out information about Rune. Let’s just say that everyone wants to be loved by someone with a heart like his. We definitely get some ups and downs in their story but no matter what, you can’t deny his amazingly beautiful heart.
Rune and Poppy’s journey took me on a whirlwind of emotions and I hope it does the same to you. I would suggest to anyone who might be cautious about the ages in the story to throw that to the wind and give it a chance.
“Remember, moonbeam hearts and sunshine smiles…”
This book has wrecked me emotionally. It was amazing but I am an mess right now. I seriously cried 70% of this book, I am a cry baby so it doesn’t take a lot to make me cry but this book was on another level. A Thousand Boy Kisses is a beautiful story about Rune & Poppy who met when they were 5 years old. From the first time they meet they became inseparable. They become best friends for infinity. This book is about young love, but it’s a love that is for infinity. They are soulmates and are so lucky to have met when they were so young.
“It was so special that my heart almost burst.”
I was hooked when I was reading the prologue, I was crying my eyes out but was loving the story so much. It is very original, heartbreaking, emotional and beautiful at the same time. I was honored to read about their friendship and love. Poppy was just the most uplifting and happy girl and Rune was the opposite and was more introvert and moody. But together they were perfect, they did everything together. I also adored Poppy’s Mamaw! Poppy and her Mamaw went on a lot of adventure they also included Rune. Mamaw also told Poppy about her biggest adventure ever. I hope to go on that adventure one day!
“Poppy and Rune for infinity.”
Tillie already warned people that this would be a major tear-jerker, so make sure to keep them tissues close by. The writing was amazing but I wasn’t expecting anything less than that. Tillie Cole has become my favorite author and I just adore everything she writes. This book is now one of my all time favorites. The epilogue was perfect, I wouldn’t want it any other way. So thank you so much Tillie for giving us that! I haven’t read a YA novel in years but I think I will have to check the genre out again. Don’t read a lot of reviews, just go in blind and you won’t regret it. I have the biggest book hangover right now.
***Note: I actually listened to the audiobook.***
This book should be called A Thousand Kleenex Tissues because that’s what you’ll need when you listen to this beautiful love story. I haven’t cried this much since I read John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and before that, Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook. In fact, if you combined the spirit of the two novels you’d get A Thousand Boy Kisses.
P.J. Ochlan (Rune) and Katie Schorr (Poppy) expertly narrate A Thousand Boy Kisses with exquisite grace and gut-wrenching passion. They breathe life into Rune and Poppy and make you love them with all your heart.
Recently, I was asked what art is to me. I said anything (writing, painting, dancing, acting) that evokes a visceral (positive or negative) response in the person experiencing the artist’s work. Well, Tillie Cole’s A Thousand Boy Kisses along with Ochlan and Schorr’s narration is art at its finest. Whether you read the book or listen to the audiobook (which I highly recommend), A Thousand Boy Kisses is, as Poppy would say, “as special as special can be.”