Review of Once Upon a Kiss by Robin Palmer
Once Upon a Kiss by Robin Palmer
Published on January 5, 2016
by Penguin/Speak
Source: ARC from publisher for review
Plot Summary for Once Upon a Kiss by Robin Palmer
It’s 1986 and sixteen-year-old Zoe Brenner’s world revolves around Depeche Mode, Judd Nelson, exercise-obsessed parents, and her best friend Jonah. Then one day, in a freak Fun-Dip choking accident, Zoe falls unconscious, and awakes in the year 2016. So much has changed, and Zoe needs Jonah to help her make sense of it all. But in this life, Zoe is the most popular girl in school, and she soon realizes this Zoe doesn’t associate with nerds like Jonah. As Zoe juggles new technology, attempts to hide her enthusiasm for poet blouses, and manages to keep her super jock boyfriend at bay, she tries to rekindle her friendship with Jonah and use her popularity for a good cause. Will she ever get back to 1986? And more importantly, does she want to?
Review of Once Upon a Kiss by Robin Palmer
Once Upon a Kiss is a little younger and fluffier than my typical YA read, but it was fun, especially since I am old enough to remember things like…
Hot Dog on a Stick! (Their lemonade was really good!)
The blurb (and the book’s characters) call what happens in Once Upon a Kiss time travel, but to me, it felt more like a comic switcheroo book like Freaky Friday or a crazy dream sequence, like The Wizard of Oz. Zoe — a not-so-popular high school student from the 80s — starts choking and is suddenly transported into 2016, where she’s a popular mean girl. All her friends from 1986 are there, but they haven’t aged — they’re still teenagers. In time travel I think they would have aged…
Once Upon a Kiss isn’t a very plot-heavy book — it mainly involves Zoe trying to get back to her old (uncool) life, which makes all the popular kids really confused. There’s humor if you remember the 80s, and more humor as you watch Zoe try to navigate modern technology, etc.
In sum, while Once Upon a Kiss wasn’t my typical kind of read, it did offer a few laughs. I’d recommend it to readers who are looking for something light and comic. Or nostalgic. Or both!
In a way, this almost sounds kinda similar to the movie 13 Going on 30 (though, obviously in that movie she doesn't stay the same age). It sounds interesting enough, but I wonder, as someone who was born in the second half of the 90s, if I'll be able to enjoy the full potential of this one. Thanks for the wonderful review!
~ Lefty @ The Left-Handed Book Lover
It does have a little of the same comic vibe. Yeah, you might not get all the 80s references but you'd probably still enjoy her struggles to adapt to modern life.
I saw this book on Facebook, I'm really interested in it. It sounds fun!
I'm giving my ARC away next Friday, so stop by!
It seems like this one brought back a few memories and moments! I loved this mini review and to hear your thoughts on this one. I don't think it is quite for me, but it does sound promising nonetheless.
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Sounds like a fun read. 80's baby! No shame here. I still rock my classics. Bon Jovi please, and thank you.
Ha – 80s music was actually pretty good in retrospect. Not sure Justin Bieber and One Direction will hold up as well but we shall see
This sounds so great! I'd like to get nostalgic once in a while and this novel seems to manage to take you back some years 🙂
Aeriko @ The Reading Armchair
Definitely!
This doesn't sound like my kind of book at all, but I love the 80's even though I wasn't born till years later. I might try this one someday!
I'm giving it away next week, so stop by!
I've been hearing so much about this book! Maybe I'll read it when I'm in the mood for something more light and fun…
Definitely a light book but sometimes you need one of those!
sounds like a fun book and yes i so remember lots of this stuff. I haven't heard much about this book think I may need to read this.
Try it out!
Love the 80s. Not so much for the fashion or the hair do for that matter. I love some of the music. Like Psychedelic Furs. Lol. This takes me back!
Yeah, the fashion was pretty questionable. But I still love Psychedelic Furs!
This sounds all kinds of silly and not my usual read (at all) but it might be worth it just for the nostalgia sake. I was a teenager in the 80's so I rejoice in all the throwback pop culture. 🙂
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
Ha – then this could be for you when you're in the mood for something light…
This isn't typically my read either, but I appreciate all the throw-backs!
Me too!
Good to hear it did offer nostalgia and comedy even if not the best fit for you
It did give me a few laughs for sure 🙂
Sounds nice, if a little lightweight. I'll give it a maybe for now…