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6 Times We Almost Kissed [and One Time We Did]
Six moments lead us to two girls, one kiss, and three little words that were maybe always true in this gorgeous novel perfect for fans of Nina LaCour and Jenny Han.
Penny and Tate have always clashed. Unfortunately, their mothers are lifelong best friends, so the girls’ bickering has carried them through playdates, tragedy, and more than one rom-com marathon with the Moms. When Penny’s mother decides to become a living donor to Tate’s mom, ending her wait for a liver transplant, things go from clashing to cataclysmic. Because in order to help their families recover physically, emotionally, and financially, the Moms combine their households the summer before senior year.
So Penny and Tate make a pact: They’ll play nice. Be the drama-free daughters their mothers need through this scary and hopeful time. There’s only one little hitch in their plan: Penny and Tate keep almost kissing.
It’s just this confusing thing that keeps happening. You know, from time to time. For basically their entire teenaged existence.
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. And some things—like their kisses—can’t be almosts forever.
Penny and Tate have always clashed. Unfortunately, their mothers are lifelong best friends, so the girls’ bickering has carried them through playdates, tragedy, and more than one rom-com marathon with the Moms. When Penny’s mother decides to become a living donor to Tate’s mom, ending her wait for a liver transplant, things go from clashing to cataclysmic. Because in order to help their families recover physically, emotionally, and financially, the Moms combine their households the summer before senior year.
So Penny and Tate make a pact: They’ll play nice. Be the drama-free daughters their mothers need through this scary and hopeful time. There’s only one little hitch in their plan: Penny and Tate keep almost kissing.
It’s just this confusing thing that keeps happening. You know, from time to time. For basically their entire teenaged existence.
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. And some things—like their kisses—can’t be almosts forever.
8 pages, Audiobook
First published January 24, 2023
519 people are currently reading
23891 people want to read
About the author
Tess Sharpe
18 books2,174 followersI do not read my goodreads mail, but if you'd like to contact me the best way to reach me is tess(at)tess-sharpe.com
Born in a mountain cabin to a punk rocker mother, Tess Sharpe grew up in rural California. She lives deep in the backwoods with a pack of dogs and a growing cabal of slightly feral cats.
Born in a mountain cabin to a punk rocker mother, Tess Sharpe grew up in rural California. She lives deep in the backwoods with a pack of dogs and a growing cabal of slightly feral cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,276 reviews
March 4, 2023
you know how so many books promise to give you the same vibes as fics and then disappoint because they lack the fundamental understanding of what makes tropes appealing? or when they do, they forget that characters are supposed to feel like real people not concepts? six times doesn't do any of that, the way it incorporates tropes and plays them out while being completely in character without compromising on the feels that romance should deliver<3
pre-review:
this has to be the gayest book blurb since forever, miss sharpe really said this
"I read a lot of 5 times fanfics and decided I should turn the structure into a very slow burn, angsty YA Romance novel about two girls almost kissing and then being super in denial about it every time it happens while everyone else in their lives is like “Those two. It’s some soulmate shit.”
In my pitch, I called it a book about not knowing what you want (while insisting you do), being there for the people you chose no matter what, and figuring out how to deal with the one person who keeps being witness to the worst moments of your life, but still sees the best in you.
Also there’s only one bed."
pre-review:
this has to be the gayest book blurb since forever, miss sharpe really said this
"I read a lot of 5 times fanfics and decided I should turn the structure into a very slow burn, angsty YA Romance novel about two girls almost kissing and then being super in denial about it every time it happens while everyone else in their lives is like “Those two. It’s some soulmate shit.”
In my pitch, I called it a book about not knowing what you want (while insisting you do), being there for the people you chose no matter what, and figuring out how to deal with the one person who keeps being witness to the worst moments of your life, but still sees the best in you.
Also there’s only one bed."
July 10, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Little and Brown Books for Young Readers, and Tess Sharpe for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 1.24!!**
Penny and Tate were destined to be around one another constantly...but they haven't always enjoyed each other's company. After all, their mothers have been best friends for ages, so they HAD to grit their teeth through many a movie marathon or playdate they would have rather avoided. Penny tragically lost her father, leaving her and her mother Lottie with a strained relationship, and it seems like this tragedy alone
But when Tate's mother needs a liver transplant, Penny's mom is all too ready to step in as a living donor. The second part of this plan, however, requires the two to move in together...which means Penny and Tate will now be living under one roof. Penny and Tate scramble to put together a pact based on their complicated history...and to try to prevent one more of 'those' moments...where they SOMEHOW almost kiss. Has fate shoved these two together, against their will and against all odds? Or will yet another tragedy drive these two apart...forever?
I'm new to Tess Sharpe, but comparisons to Jenny Han and Nina LaCour peaked my interest. In terms of a sapphic (semi)enemies-to-lovers story, this one is done well. Sharpe gives plenty of background on her characters, and their complicated emotional tangles. The narrative bops back and forth between Penny and Tate (with some interjected text message passages from their friends along the way) and I felt both women got their due in terms of storytelling.
What made this one a bit harder to get through, unfortunately, was in some ways, the premise itself. Sharpe alludes to it in her author's note, but structurally having the narrative hop around based on reliving the "6 Times" was at times difficult to follow and made the timeline feel a bit messy. It was essential to the story to explore all of these moments, but at times I couldn't tell if they were even being retold in order, not in order, or if the reader was supposed to figure that out. I also don't love big sections of text messages in novels unless they feel like they NEED to be included, and the side plot felt like a bit of unnecessary filler at times.
Sweet and emotional, with just the right amount of longing and angst, 6 Times We Almost Kissed... will leave you CHEERING for the One Time We Did!😘
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Penny and Tate were destined to be around one another constantly...but they haven't always enjoyed each other's company. After all, their mothers have been best friends for ages, so they HAD to grit their teeth through many a movie marathon or playdate they would have rather avoided. Penny tragically lost her father, leaving her and her mother Lottie with a strained relationship, and it seems like this tragedy alone
But when Tate's mother needs a liver transplant, Penny's mom is all too ready to step in as a living donor. The second part of this plan, however, requires the two to move in together...which means Penny and Tate will now be living under one roof. Penny and Tate scramble to put together a pact based on their complicated history...and to try to prevent one more of 'those' moments...where they SOMEHOW almost kiss. Has fate shoved these two together, against their will and against all odds? Or will yet another tragedy drive these two apart...forever?
I'm new to Tess Sharpe, but comparisons to Jenny Han and Nina LaCour peaked my interest. In terms of a sapphic (semi)enemies-to-lovers story, this one is done well. Sharpe gives plenty of background on her characters, and their complicated emotional tangles. The narrative bops back and forth between Penny and Tate (with some interjected text message passages from their friends along the way) and I felt both women got their due in terms of storytelling.
What made this one a bit harder to get through, unfortunately, was in some ways, the premise itself. Sharpe alludes to it in her author's note, but structurally having the narrative hop around based on reliving the "6 Times" was at times difficult to follow and made the timeline feel a bit messy. It was essential to the story to explore all of these moments, but at times I couldn't tell if they were even being retold in order, not in order, or if the reader was supposed to figure that out. I also don't love big sections of text messages in novels unless they feel like they NEED to be included, and the side plot felt like a bit of unnecessary filler at times.
Sweet and emotional, with just the right amount of longing and angst, 6 Times We Almost Kissed... will leave you CHEERING for the One Time We Did!😘
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
December 9, 2022
6 Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) by Tess Sharpe is a beautiful young adult novel that follows the lives of Penny and Tate, two girls who have always clashed but whose paths constantly cross because of their mothers' epic friendship. When a long-awaited surgery forces both families to live together, the girls can't ignore their reluctantly shared past… including all those times they've almost kissed.
This book was so refreshing. It's brave, bold, and honest. I loved the characters and the story was heartwarming and touching. Penny and Tate are both very full characters with rich histories and complicated relationships with each other, with their mothers, and with their circumstances. I loved watching them grow closer as they got to know each other better!
The writing was engrossing, the story flowed beautifully, the story was poetic, it's the perfect coming of age story. There were some great funny moments in the book, but it also dealt with some heavy themes in an honest and thought-provoking way. This is a great story on trauma and identity (sexual and otherwise) packaged as a YA story. These are the best ones.
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.
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.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so refreshing. It's brave, bold, and honest. I loved the characters and the story was heartwarming and touching. Penny and Tate are both very full characters with rich histories and complicated relationships with each other, with their mothers, and with their circumstances. I loved watching them grow closer as they got to know each other better!
The writing was engrossing, the story flowed beautifully, the story was poetic, it's the perfect coming of age story. There were some great funny moments in the book, but it also dealt with some heavy themes in an honest and thought-provoking way. This is a great story on trauma and identity (sexual and otherwise) packaged as a YA story. These are the best ones.
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.
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.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2023
“6 Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did)” by Tess Sharpe is just about as perfect as you can get for a queer young adult romance.
Do NOT let the cover fool you, this is not a lighted-hearted rom-com. I went into this with certain expectations and this quickly blew right past them, in the best possible way. This is an emotional story that had me crying from chapter two and onward.
Penny and Tate have known one another all of their lives. Their moms are best friends and they’ve grown up together whether they like it or not. They’re not really friends and they don’t hate each other either, but they definitely have some type of feelings for the each other. An incident forces them to have to live together and they agree to get along, at least in front of their mothers. This forces them to have to figure out how to coexist with each other and all the feelings they’ve spent years ignoring.
Penny and Tate are dealing with a lot outside of their relationship. Penny is dealing with a recent death of parent and Tate’s mom has been sick for most of her life. They would be the first person to tell you they’re not friends but they defend each other and are there for one another and I enjoyed them together and separately. They’re complete opposites but they’re exactly what the other needs.
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.
I absolutely loved this. I stayed up until 2am so I could finish it. I just couldn’t go to sleep without getting my ending. What I loved about the ending is that while it felt fitting, it isn’t perfect. Everything isn’t wrapped up and perfect but it is hopeful.
While I highly recommend this, I want to point out that this isn’t an easy read. There are some trigger warnings such as death of a parent (on page), PTSD, and grief. The formatting should also be mentioned. It’s not linear, some of the chapters are flashbacks. They are dated and you do have to kind of pay attention to the dates or you could become confused.
I received an arc from Little, Brown Books for Young Reader via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Do NOT let the cover fool you, this is not a lighted-hearted rom-com. I went into this with certain expectations and this quickly blew right past them, in the best possible way. This is an emotional story that had me crying from chapter two and onward.
Penny and Tate have known one another all of their lives. Their moms are best friends and they’ve grown up together whether they like it or not. They’re not really friends and they don’t hate each other either, but they definitely have some type of feelings for the each other. An incident forces them to have to live together and they agree to get along, at least in front of their mothers. This forces them to have to figure out how to coexist with each other and all the feelings they’ve spent years ignoring.
Penny and Tate are dealing with a lot outside of their relationship. Penny is dealing with a recent death of parent and Tate’s mom has been sick for most of her life. They would be the first person to tell you they’re not friends but they defend each other and are there for one another and I enjoyed them together and separately. They’re complete opposites but they’re exactly what the other needs.
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.
I absolutely loved this. I stayed up until 2am so I could finish it. I just couldn’t go to sleep without getting my ending. What I loved about the ending is that while it felt fitting, it isn’t perfect. Everything isn’t wrapped up and perfect but it is hopeful.
While I highly recommend this, I want to point out that this isn’t an easy read. There are some trigger warnings such as death of a parent (on page), PTSD, and grief. The formatting should also be mentioned. It’s not linear, some of the chapters are flashbacks. They are dated and you do have to kind of pay attention to the dates or you could become confused.
I received an arc from Little, Brown Books for Young Reader via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2023
THIS IS THE CUTEST BOOK IVE EVER READ
Kissing her is like waking up after a hundred years. It makes everything new.
(I feel new everywhere she touches.)
Loving her isn't new. It's a permanent state I've grown used to.
But being loved by her?
It's like touching water for the first time.
I just knew.
(I was home.)
Kissing her is like waking up after a hundred years. It makes everything new.
(I feel new everywhere she touches.)
Loving her isn't new. It's a permanent state I've grown used to.
But being loved by her?
It's like touching water for the first time.
I just knew.
(I was home.)
April 11, 2023
Despite the cute cover and the fanfic-y title, there’s nothing romcom-y or light about this story. It’s all about grief and resilience, about love that should be a given and love that seems unfathomable, about PTSD and character growth, about standing up for yourself and showing up. It’s honest and brave and hard and painful and so so satisfying.
Since their moms are best friends, Tate has always been in Penny’s life but it’s only rather recently that Penny’s feelings for the other girl seem to have shifted from driving her crazy to wanting to kiss her. Both families have had more than their share of pain and grief and the moms have always been there for each other. So it’s not surprising that Penny’s mom would be willing to give part of her liver to Tate’s but the decision carries with it all sorts of contradictory feelings and life-changing arrangements for the two teenagers. Try being seventeen, grieving for the loss of your dad and the distance that put between your mom and you, processing almost kissing someone several times, all while having to live in the same house, across the hall, from the girl you’re obsessed with.
First of all, the audiobook is narrated by the author and my previous experiences of authors narrating their own books weren’t great but this one was excellent. I loved all the characters, how their inner complexities are unveiled progressively, how relatable they all feel. At seventeen, both MCs have already gone through a lot of drama yet are so sweet and full of life and plans for the future. The moms are very different but their ride-or-die friendship makes a lot of sense. Penny’s mom is hardened by the pain weighing her down and it makes her hard to love but it also makes her relatable, and I love the way the author wrote her relationships with both her daughter and her mother-in-law. The grandmother is awesome, but again, not in a too-good-to-be-true way. Same for the MCs’ best friends.
Prepare yourself for a very emotional ride with this book that will make the happy ending feel even better.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
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January 22, 2023This is so good, but like, when it's devastating, it is DEVASTATING. There are both lines and scenes that made me have to close the book for a minute to catch my breath, while also having a seriously sweet romance using lots of fun tropes. Definitely not an easy thing to balance. I also really love how great Tess is at always representing less economically advantaged teens, in a way that's in the details and not just the plot points. Anyway, this was great, and my heart still hurts.
November 1, 2022
Sad and heartbreaking but also uplifting and hopeful.
I love emotional books; I’ve said it time and again. So while the cover and the blurb feel like a romantic enemies to lovers YA, Six Times We almost Kissed is so much more. Yes, there is bickering, and there are cute moments. Yes, the title refers to all those times Penny and Tate almost kissed. Yes, this book is a slow-burn romance. Above all, though, this story is about grief, friendship, mom-daughter relationships, and strength.
I haven’t read any of Tess Sharpe’s novels before, but oh boy, she can write. The moment I started reading, I immediately felt at home. The writing is moving, vibrant, and quite blunt, and I adored the mix of dual POVs and dual timelines. Penny and Tate’s POVs were incredibly distinctive, and the flashbacks granted me an inside into why Penny and Tate were feeling what they were feeling.
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.
I’ll be watching out for other novels by Tess Sharpe, and I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves emotional and well-written contemporary YA!
I received an ARC from Little Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I love emotional books; I’ve said it time and again. So while the cover and the blurb feel like a romantic enemies to lovers YA, Six Times We almost Kissed is so much more. Yes, there is bickering, and there are cute moments. Yes, the title refers to all those times Penny and Tate almost kissed. Yes, this book is a slow-burn romance. Above all, though, this story is about grief, friendship, mom-daughter relationships, and strength.
I haven’t read any of Tess Sharpe’s novels before, but oh boy, she can write. The moment I started reading, I immediately felt at home. The writing is moving, vibrant, and quite blunt, and I adored the mix of dual POVs and dual timelines. Penny and Tate’s POVs were incredibly distinctive, and the flashbacks granted me an inside into why Penny and Tate were feeling what they were feeling.
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.
I’ll be watching out for other novels by Tess Sharpe, and I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves emotional and well-written contemporary YA!
I received an ARC from Little Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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June 22, 2022Hi all!
I just wanted to make a link to the content warnings available for anyone who needs them: Content Warnings for 6 TIMES WE ALMOST KISSED (AND ONE TIME WE DID)
Happy Reading!
-TS
I just wanted to make a link to the content warnings available for anyone who needs them: Content Warnings for 6 TIMES WE ALMOST KISSED (AND ONE TIME WE DID)
Happy Reading!
-TS
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April 19, 2023really enjoyed this!!!! i mostly listened to the audiobook and the narration was incredible!!!! i can't believe tess sharpe narrated it herself? multitalented queen!
i loved reading from both girls' perspectives but i have some really big soft feelings for penny in particular and want to give her the biggest hug!!!! and i lovedddd their relationship—the pining, the being known and understood in a way you haven't really before and did i mention the pining?????? i really enjoyed how flashbacks to the almost-kisses were employed to show the development of tate and penny's feelings over the years and build tension. this book was a delicious mix of angst and tenderness and captured all the best parts of the fanfiction trope it takes it structure from. it was just incredible!
of course, as a tess sharpe book, it was not just about the romance. sharpe doesn't shy away from engaging with difficult themes and showing them in all their complexity. in this case, we meet an unconventional, dysfunctional family that has become all too well acquainted with grief. although it would be incredibly easy to cast certain characters as either wholly good or wholly bad, this is not what six times we almost kissed does. instead, there are genuine conversations, movements towards growth, and acceptance and acknowledgement of hurts caused from all parties. there is also a really significant focus on mental health (in this case PTSD, anxiety and OCD) and managing it, through both therapy and medication, that i really appreciated.
this is my second tess sharpe book after first reading the girls i've been and i will definitely be picking up more from her! sharpe has an incredibly engaging writing style and explores sensitive themes with the care and nuance they deserve all while crafting loveable characters whose voices stick with you even after you've turned the final page.
i also talk about books here: youtube | instagram | twitter
*eARC received in exchange for an honest review via netgalley*
i loved reading from both girls' perspectives but i have some really big soft feelings for penny in particular and want to give her the biggest hug!!!! and i lovedddd their relationship—the pining, the being known and understood in a way you haven't really before and did i mention the pining?????? i really enjoyed how flashbacks to the almost-kisses were employed to show the development of tate and penny's feelings over the years and build tension. this book was a delicious mix of angst and tenderness and captured all the best parts of the fanfiction trope it takes it structure from. it was just incredible!
of course, as a tess sharpe book, it was not just about the romance. sharpe doesn't shy away from engaging with difficult themes and showing them in all their complexity. in this case, we meet an unconventional, dysfunctional family that has become all too well acquainted with grief. although it would be incredibly easy to cast certain characters as either wholly good or wholly bad, this is not what six times we almost kissed does. instead, there are genuine conversations, movements towards growth, and acceptance and acknowledgement of hurts caused from all parties. there is also a really significant focus on mental health (in this case PTSD, anxiety and OCD) and managing it, through both therapy and medication, that i really appreciated.
this is my second tess sharpe book after first reading the girls i've been and i will definitely be picking up more from her! sharpe has an incredibly engaging writing style and explores sensitive themes with the care and nuance they deserve all while crafting loveable characters whose voices stick with you even after you've turned the final page.
i also talk about books here: youtube | instagram | twitter
*eARC received in exchange for an honest review via netgalley*
January 11, 2023
what are tess sharpe's books laced with
August 31, 2023
To jest książka do płakania
February 5, 2023
The fact that this title is giving me massive AO3 fic title vibes is the best.
I can't wait for this one!
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).
Rep: Penny (MC) is bi, Tate (MC) is bi, side POC characters.
While this is only the second Tess Sharpe book I’ve read (I still have Far From You on my to be read list, I know, I know, I’ll get there eventually), I have to say that I am loving that her books are hard hitting contemporaries.
With a title like Six Times We Almost Kissed (And The One Time We Did) you’d expect a cutesy, slow burn romcom.
The slow burn part was deliciously written.
And it was cute in parts.
But it was far from just a cutesy romcom.
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.
This book is powerful. It is moving, it made me cry in so many spots. It made me hopeful, and it made me want to dive into the book and give Penny and Tate a massive hug.
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.
I am a huge fan of seeing flashbacks in books – I feel they just add something extra to the storyline.
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.
And Tate. I loved her too.
These girls were wonderfully messy, so great to read about and are very much now resting in a corner of my heart forevermore.
Safe to say this one is an easy 5 stars from me.
Bookish links: Instagram / Twitter / TikTok / Blog
I can't wait for this one!
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).
Rep: Penny (MC) is bi, Tate (MC) is bi, side POC characters.
While this is only the second Tess Sharpe book I’ve read (I still have Far From You on my to be read list, I know, I know, I’ll get there eventually), I have to say that I am loving that her books are hard hitting contemporaries.
With a title like Six Times We Almost Kissed (And The One Time We Did) you’d expect a cutesy, slow burn romcom.
The slow burn part was deliciously written.
And it was cute in parts.
But it was far from just a cutesy romcom.
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.
This book is powerful. It is moving, it made me cry in so many spots. It made me hopeful, and it made me want to dive into the book and give Penny and Tate a massive hug.
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.
I am a huge fan of seeing flashbacks in books – I feel they just add something extra to the storyline.
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.
And Tate. I loved her too.
These girls were wonderfully messy, so great to read about and are very much now resting in a corner of my heart forevermore.
Safe to say this one is an easy 5 stars from me.
Bookish links: Instagram / Twitter / TikTok / Blog
January 31, 2024
Tess Sharpe invented sapphic romance. they did not exist before her, i fear.
and i did not exist before i read any of her books 🙏🏻
It’s inevitable.
My skin remembers hers—from the hay shed and from the lake parking lot, from the motel in Yreka, early morning light and my cheek pressed against her shoulder—and my nerves sigh into something like finally, every inch of me needing. My eyes flutter shut. There’s almost no space between us. I can feel it. I can feel her.
It’s such a relief. Like I finally fit.
and i did not exist before i read any of her books 🙏🏻
January 27, 2023
You'd think we all would've learned by now but it bears repeating for relevancy -- and also because I have not learned by now -- but : a colourfully illustrated cover does not mean there is a lack of heavy. And this book has the heavy. Hoo boy.
Yes, spoiler alert, I cried. Twice.
This book is hard, yo. There is a lot of grief and loss to wade through, especially as it manifests so differently for so many people; and these characters are no exception. And, hey. Do you also love fraught mother-daughter dynamics? Because this has that, too. I do not love that dynamic, I find it incredibly horrible to experience, but instead of ruining the book (which has definitely happened to me before) I can respect it because Sharpe did such a great job with.. well, everything.
But before you run screaming in the opposite direction, this is also a queer romance and wow. Sharpe did this so well, too. The will-they-won't-they-why-the-fuck-haven't-they-already was perfect. All the flashbacks were brilliant. The core of these two girls was just.. gah. Their whole thing. Not friends, not enemies, but constantly in orbit. I loved them so much. You know that scene in The Pirates of the Caribbean? The "JUST KISS" scene? That was this entire book, pretty much. Minus the parts that were not.
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.
Yeah, I really loved this. And it's left me with the same feeling I had after finishing THE GIRLS I'VE BEEN. Which is : I need to read this author again. Deep dive her backlist. Put her on my radar for upcoming reads. All of the things.
If you can handle a heartbreaking and emotional but also really lovely story, with incredibly connections and complex dynamics, you need to pick this up.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Yes, spoiler alert, I cried. Twice.
This book is hard, yo. There is a lot of grief and loss to wade through, especially as it manifests so differently for so many people; and these characters are no exception. And, hey. Do you also love fraught mother-daughter dynamics? Because this has that, too. I do not love that dynamic, I find it incredibly horrible to experience, but instead of ruining the book (which has definitely happened to me before) I can respect it because Sharpe did such a great job with.. well, everything.
But before you run screaming in the opposite direction, this is also a queer romance and wow. Sharpe did this so well, too. The will-they-won't-they-why-the-fuck-haven't-they-already was perfect. All the flashbacks were brilliant. The core of these two girls was just.. gah. Their whole thing. Not friends, not enemies, but constantly in orbit. I loved them so much. You know that scene in The Pirates of the Caribbean? The "JUST KISS" scene? That was this entire book, pretty much. Minus the parts that were not.
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.
Yeah, I really loved this. And it's left me with the same feeling I had after finishing THE GIRLS I'VE BEEN. Which is : I need to read this author again. Deep dive her backlist. Put her on my radar for upcoming reads. All of the things.
If you can handle a heartbreaking and emotional but also really lovely story, with incredibly connections and complex dynamics, you need to pick this up.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
January 25, 2023
Penny and Tate have always been in each other's lives, thanks to their best friend moms. But Penny's mom, Lottie, checked out once Penny's father died. And Anna, Tate's mom, has battled cancer and is now facing another illness. When Lottie offers Anna part of her liver to help, the girls are thrust together even more, as the families will be moving in together to facilitate everything. The only problem: Penny and Tate seem to nearly kiss when in intense situations. What will happen when they live in the same house?
This is way more than the lighthearted YA love story that the title gives off. It's a gorgeous yet oft-heartbreaking examination of grief, trauma, mental health, healthcare, friendship, parenting, and more. Penny and Tate are real, flawed characters who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and are just trying to survive.
The book is told in a back and forth format--the present day focuses on Anna and Lottie's operations and the aftermath. In the past, we examine all of Penny and Tate's important moments--and near kisses. We see two girls struggling to get by in a rural, small town. There's Penny, who is coping after having lost her beloved father in a terrible way--and then losing her mother to grief as well. And Tate, who has spent most of her life worrying about her sick mom. Both have taken on the burden of caring for their family, the finances, and more. Luckily, they have one strong figure in Penny's gran, Marion, who is a wonderful lady.
Every character in this story flies up from the page, thanks to Sharpe's writing which... there are no words, really. The writing in this book is vivid, stunning, and painful. This is one of the best written books--it's strong and gorgeous with tension and heartbreak searing across every page.
Overall, this is a beautiful story of two girls trying to find their way in the world--and to find love. It's amazing, and I highly recommend it for teens and adults alike. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Little, Brown Books in return for an unbiased review.
This is way more than the lighthearted YA love story that the title gives off. It's a gorgeous yet oft-heartbreaking examination of grief, trauma, mental health, healthcare, friendship, parenting, and more. Penny and Tate are real, flawed characters who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and are just trying to survive.
The book is told in a back and forth format--the present day focuses on Anna and Lottie's operations and the aftermath. In the past, we examine all of Penny and Tate's important moments--and near kisses. We see two girls struggling to get by in a rural, small town. There's Penny, who is coping after having lost her beloved father in a terrible way--and then losing her mother to grief as well. And Tate, who has spent most of her life worrying about her sick mom. Both have taken on the burden of caring for their family, the finances, and more. Luckily, they have one strong figure in Penny's gran, Marion, who is a wonderful lady.
Every character in this story flies up from the page, thanks to Sharpe's writing which... there are no words, really. The writing in this book is vivid, stunning, and painful. This is one of the best written books--it's strong and gorgeous with tension and heartbreak searing across every page.
Overall, this is a beautiful story of two girls trying to find their way in the world--and to find love. It's amazing, and I highly recommend it for teens and adults alike. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Little, Brown Books in return for an unbiased review.
April 9, 2024
"If there are sides in this, I’m on yours."
January 23, 2023
I loved this book!
Full review on Autostraddle: https://www.autostraddle.com/tess-sha...
Full review on Autostraddle: https://www.autostraddle.com/tess-sha...
January 28, 2025
Like many romance novels, 6 Times We Almost Kissed can’t resist a good cliché. “She bends down into my space for a heart-stopping moment—she smells like the forest, deep and sharp and dangerous” (45). Okay, but what does that even mean? Or this: “It’s nothing like that when it’s her and me and this. When my fingers are pressed against hers and the slope of her breast is just below my palm, and her eyes, those endless dark eyes, shimmer, barely blinking as she stares into mine like I’m a drawing that’s missing something” (243). YA at its worst is the belief that that last simile adds something to the lovely sentence that precedes it.
Love, and love alone, brings Tess Sharpe’s weaknesses into play. Grief, sorrow, fear—those darker emotions are given the respect they deserve. To exist in dialogue or scene, and not in platitude. Which is where the novel really shines: its willingness to describe in full the terrible charged scenes that a lesser novel would be satisfied with alluding to. To show us the accident. To show us exactly what happened in Yreka. Showing, not telling—that’s Tess Sharpe’s specialty. It brings an extraordinary emotional directness.
Speaking of Yreka—it’s a real city in California. And a reminder of the great power of names. “No talking about Yreka.” That consonantal cluster—that unexpected yrk—is worth a dozen love-poem clichés.
Love, and love alone, brings Tess Sharpe’s weaknesses into play. Grief, sorrow, fear—those darker emotions are given the respect they deserve. To exist in dialogue or scene, and not in platitude. Which is where the novel really shines: its willingness to describe in full the terrible charged scenes that a lesser novel would be satisfied with alluding to. To show us the accident. To show us exactly what happened in Yreka. Showing, not telling—that’s Tess Sharpe’s specialty. It brings an extraordinary emotional directness.
Speaking of Yreka—it’s a real city in California. And a reminder of the great power of names. “No talking about Yreka.” That consonantal cluster—that unexpected yrk—is worth a dozen love-poem clichés.
February 19, 2023
Beyond the unending trauma porn, there's the lack of unique voice for each of the characters. Honestly most of the time I couldn't tell the girls apart or remember which girl went with which mother. There's so much dialog with little in the way of characterization that I didn't have anything to hold on to.
August 14, 2025
– I will have your back.
– You’ll have mine.
– I’ll love you.
– You’ll love me.
– It might be hard sometimes.
– But we’ll be happy most times.
btw the yearning was two sided. boring.
– You’ll have mine.
– I’ll love you.
– You’ll love me.
– It might be hard sometimes.
– But we’ll be happy most times.
btw the yearning was two sided. boring.
February 19, 2023
Me before starting this book: time for a cute rom-com
Me during this book: my heart hurts
Me after this book: tess sharpe, bravo *slow claps*
This was devastating and adorable and gut wrenching and oh my gosh I am feeling so many things right now but more than anything, I'm just in awe of Tess Sharpe's ability to write a teen romance that expertly balances raw, unadulterated pain and trauma with the sweet and fun rom-com tropes we all know and love. This was superb and now I'm going to go away and try and process all of the mixed emotions this book has left me feeling.
Me during this book: my heart hurts
Me after this book: tess sharpe, bravo *slow claps*
This was devastating and adorable and gut wrenching and oh my gosh I am feeling so many things right now but more than anything, I'm just in awe of Tess Sharpe's ability to write a teen romance that expertly balances raw, unadulterated pain and trauma with the sweet and fun rom-com tropes we all know and love. This was superb and now I'm going to go away and try and process all of the mixed emotions this book has left me feeling.
February 8, 2023
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!
Ngl, it threw me initially, but I quickly shifted my expectations. I do think the cover and title are misleading, so I recommend tempering your expectations going into this. There is a romance plot line, but it feels secondary to the grief, even though I'd say both are equal main story arcs.
Penny and Tate's (first name Gillian, both of their names are awful, haha) mums (Lottie and Anna, respectively) are best friends. Tate's mum is ill and needs a liver transplant, and Penny's mum offers to be a live donor. The backdrop of the book is this operation and recovery, but what you get is so much more.
Penny's dad died a couple of years before the book, in a horrible rafting accident that left Penny physically and mentally scarred. He died to save her. Lottie, her mum, got lost in grief when Penny needed her the most, and as such, they have a terrible relationship. I totally understand Lottie, but I absolutely hated her. I wanted to reach into the pages and slap her silly. She completely neglected her child during the worst time in her life, and to me that's unforgivable.
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.
Anna was great. She's what a mum should be. She and Tate had a lovely relationship. I just wish she could have done more for Lottie and Penny.
I can't really sum up the way grief is explored. You'll have to read the book yourself. I think it's done extremely well.
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.
So yeah. A book about grief disguised as one about romance. Still 5 stars!
Ngl, it threw me initially, but I quickly shifted my expectations. I do think the cover and title are misleading, so I recommend tempering your expectations going into this. There is a romance plot line, but it feels secondary to the grief, even though I'd say both are equal main story arcs.
Penny and Tate's (first name Gillian, both of their names are awful, haha) mums (Lottie and Anna, respectively) are best friends. Tate's mum is ill and needs a liver transplant, and Penny's mum offers to be a live donor. The backdrop of the book is this operation and recovery, but what you get is so much more.
Penny's dad died a couple of years before the book, in a horrible rafting accident that left Penny physically and mentally scarred. He died to save her. Lottie, her mum, got lost in grief when Penny needed her the most, and as such, they have a terrible relationship. I totally understand Lottie, but I absolutely hated her. I wanted to reach into the pages and slap her silly. She completely neglected her child during the worst time in her life, and to me that's unforgivable.
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.
Anna was great. She's what a mum should be. She and Tate had a lovely relationship. I just wish she could have done more for Lottie and Penny.
I can't really sum up the way grief is explored. You'll have to read the book yourself. I think it's done extremely well.
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.
So yeah. A book about grief disguised as one about romance. Still 5 stars!
October 26, 2023
I love every book by this woman I’ve ever read. This was as fantastic as all the others. My ONLY qualm, is that I would have liked a bit more of both the moms and a tiiiiiny bit more resolution, there. But that’s more me being greedy and always wanting more complicated mother/daughter stuff.
March 6, 2023
4.5 stars
i would literally read half a ripped up grocery list if it was written by tess sharpe
i would literally read half a ripped up grocery list if it was written by tess sharpe
May 21, 2023
binge read this long weekend 🫢
February 13, 2023
On my blog.
Rep: bi mc with anxiety, OCD & PTSD, bi mc
CWs: death of a parent
Galley provided by publisher
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.
That’s not to say there aren’t good aspects to this book — it’s a Tess Sharpe book and I always at least enjoy her works. Which I did here (3 stars is a good rating, etc, etc, so on and so forth). It was very readable, and I got through most of it quite quickly. The aspects I enjoyed from Tess Sharpe’s previous books, too, were present here and just as good. So really, I think my rating came down to the style.
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 operation. Personally, these aspects were when the book was at its best for me. They were written in such a way that you still felt for Penny’s mother, despite how she had failed her daughter.
The central relationship too, between Tate and Penny, was just as good. It’s hard to describe it really, so I’m not going to try that hard. It’s about two girls who are tied together by their mothers’ friendship and all that entails. They’re not quite friends, but they’ve seen each other at their worst moments and, for all they claim to dislike each other, have stuck through thick and thin. And yet, that description doesn’t even begin to properly define what their relationship is. Your only option is to read and see, because it’s honestly the best part of the book.
So, if that was good, now we come to the less good. Namely, the style. YMMV on this one, but for me, the attempt to have it read like a fanfic, with typical fanfic style writing (lots of asides in brackets, lots of short sentences, each afforded a whole new line) got frustrating after a bit. Half of the asides didn’t need to be framed as asides and the short sentences lost any sort of emotional impact when they showed up on almost every page. The style is primarily the reason I didn’t enjoy Six Times quite as much as Tess Sharpe’s other books.
But as I said. Your mileage may vary. It’s definitely one that, if you liked her previous works in whatever capacity, you’ll like this one too.
Rep: bi mc with anxiety, OCD & PTSD, bi mc
CWs: death of a parent
Galley provided by publisher
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.
That’s not to say there aren’t good aspects to this book — it’s a Tess Sharpe book and I always at least enjoy her works. Which I did here (3 stars is a good rating, etc, etc, so on and so forth). It was very readable, and I got through most of it quite quickly. The aspects I enjoyed from Tess Sharpe’s previous books, too, were present here and just as good. So really, I think my rating came down to the style.
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 operation. Personally, these aspects were when the book was at its best for me. They were written in such a way that you still felt for Penny’s mother, despite how she had failed her daughter.
The central relationship too, between Tate and Penny, was just as good. It’s hard to describe it really, so I’m not going to try that hard. It’s about two girls who are tied together by their mothers’ friendship and all that entails. They’re not quite friends, but they’ve seen each other at their worst moments and, for all they claim to dislike each other, have stuck through thick and thin. And yet, that description doesn’t even begin to properly define what their relationship is. Your only option is to read and see, because it’s honestly the best part of the book.
So, if that was good, now we come to the less good. Namely, the style. YMMV on this one, but for me, the attempt to have it read like a fanfic, with typical fanfic style writing (lots of asides in brackets, lots of short sentences, each afforded a whole new line) got frustrating after a bit. Half of the asides didn’t need to be framed as asides and the short sentences lost any sort of emotional impact when they showed up on almost every page. The style is primarily the reason I didn’t enjoy Six Times quite as much as Tess Sharpe’s other books.
But as I said. Your mileage may vary. It’s definitely one that, if you liked her previous works in whatever capacity, you’ll like this one too.
March 31, 2023
Excuse me while I take the longest exhale after finishing this book. 6 Times We Almost Kissed will take you to emotional and really hard places and, to my utter frustration and elation, will make you wait forever to give you any real satisfaction. And that paradox honestly feels like a gift. Because too many books don't build to such a well-deserved conclusion.
This loses a few points for its very rapid conclusion. I would have liked to spend a little more time in this world, but I think that's my only real complaint.
4.5 stars, but I'm rounding up.
This loses a few points for its very rapid conclusion. I would have liked to spend a little more time in this world, but I think that's my only real complaint.
4.5 stars, but I'm rounding up.
July 27, 2023
Rtc, for now just crying
September 11, 2022
nothing more satisfying than one of your most anticipated 2023 releases becoming a new absolute favourite. rtc!
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