REVIEW: A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole

A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole: Immediately immersed in a magical reality defined by innocence, that only the ‘new to the neighbourhood’ meeting of two 5 year olds can bring, we are thrust into a world of deep friendship and an old-soul bond that neither Poppy or Rune care to explain – because it doesn’t need it, and because it just is. Some things, after all, just are. And from the onset, it is hard to imagine a universe where Rune exists without Poppy and likewise, Poppy exists without Rune.

From the first innocent 5 year old neighbourly handshake when Rune’s family move from Oslo to Georgia, out two lovers are inseparable. And whilst loving someone at 5 is an impossible concept to navigate, for our perfect duo, it’s simply not difficult at all. Because they do, and indeed they must. And as they grow, it is only perfect and natural that their love develops. As they walk along side each other it comes as quite an explicable, almost tangibly physical shock that they are separated due to Rune’s father’s company needing him and the family to return to Norway.

Naturally, darkness settles like a shadow around Rune’s heart and he becomes more than just the broody teenager he was destined to be. Filled with hate and rage so palpable, (And at this point, it’s hard to feel sympathy with dad or mum despite completely understanding what it takes to keep a family going) he returns to Georgia, to Poppy, her school, her neighbour next door, not having a clue as to why she cut him out of her life with no explanation for 2 years.

Whilst difficult to unpack without giving anything away, this YA Romance is worldly beyond its years in what it gives to the world: a complete sense of joy, hope, delight and love that is so fundamentally pure it is simply breathtaking. And having cried through at least 60% of the book, it is undoubtedly one of the most thematically mature yet innocent novels I have ever laid my heart on – and it’s worth it. From the minute Poppy and Rune reunite, their formidable love will challenge any canonical love that has come before them.

From bad to good and every binary in-between, our two young adults know the true language of the heart and (whilst admittedly a bit excessive) find ways to live out each others dreams before their time runs out.

Navigating some big life and heart themes, there is no parlay, forced to acknowledge that the true key to happiness is embracing every aspect of life and living it with pure gusto, moment to moment; because they are limited and precious – and perhaps if everyone lived it like a child who thirsted for more, the world would be one resilient, warm and hearty place to live in.

A top pick every time and definitely for those who love to read alongside a full tissue box! Heart readers – Be warned – this is a gem worth crying home and to your heart about!

Book Info:

Publication: 23rd August 2023 | Bloom Books |

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 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. But when he discovers the truth of her absence, he finds that the greatest heartache is yet to come.