Book Review: A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole 

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“When you’re near, my heart doesn’t sigh, it soars,”

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A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole is the book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading it. This strong young adult romance about love, loss, and life will cause you to grab tissues more than once. The story centers on childhood best friends Rune and Poppy, who have an enduring close relationship. But when things happen that keep them apart, their relationship is put to the test in ways that neither of them expected. Many people who like sad stories love this book, and for good reason: it breaks your heart in a way that is both beautiful and terrible.

Tillie Cole does a great job of making you feel what the characters are feeling. We’ll talk about A Thousand Boy Kisses book review, summary, and other books by the author. There will be spoilers ahead. See our homepage for additional information on our literary adventure.

Review | A Thousand Boy Kisses

Tillie Cole’s A Thousand Boy Kisses is not just another young adult romance—it’s an emotional rollercoaster that grips your heart from the very first page. The book is filled with beautiful quotes, some of the best I’ve ever read. Rune and Poppy’s relationship, along with the quotes in the book, hit hard. Be prepared—you’ll need tissues, as I cried several times while reading. Sometimes, shedding tears while reading reminds you that you’re human and feel emotions deeply, and this book brings out those feelings.

The bond between Rune and Poppy is raw and beautifully portrayed, with the kind of deep connection that feels rare in YA novels. It’s the kind of book that instantly becomes a favorite when you finish it, but one you won’t want to reread because of the deep emotional pain it stirs. It’s that intense. Even though I finished it two days ago, I’m still thinking about the characters and how courageous, resilient, and strong they were. The first few pages of this book carried more raw emotion than most whole novels I’ve ever read. My pulse was racing in my throat, and I felt as if I couldn’t breathe because I was so passionate about this book.

A Thousand Boy Kisses truly stands out for how deeply it connects on an emotional level. Cole masterfully blends moments of happiness and heartbreak, making the characters feel genuine and their challenges relatable. Although this book will likely bring you to tears, it’s a story that lingers, reminding readers of the strength of love and the beauty found in fleeting moments.

A thousand boy kisses summary

“A Thousand Boy Kisses” by Tillie Cole is written from a dual point of view. Poppy and Rune have known each other since they were five years old, when Rune moved to Georgia from Norway with his parents. They had an interesting first meeting and quickly became best friends. The story follows them as they grow up together. By the time they are 15, they are inseparable, best friends, and everyone knows about their close bond. However, Rune is devastated when his father has to move back to Norway for work. He doesn’t want to leave Poppy behind and becomes angry with his father for taking him away.

Though Rune and Poppy promise to stay in touch, two months later, Poppy suddenly stops responding to Rune’s calls and texts. Rune is devastated and doesn’t understand why she cut him off. He turns into a rebellious teenager, filled with anger and a sense of being lost. Two years later, Rune’s family moves back to Georgia. Poppy is stressed about seeing him again, knowing she will have to explain why she stopped talking to him. When she sees him, she barely recognizes him—he has changed completely. Rune is now this rebellious, leather-jacket-wearing, cigarette-smoking teenager, with a dark aura surrounding him.

Books like a Thousand Boy Kisses

• The Fault in Our Stars: Standalone YA romance, known for its emotional depth and exploration of love and loss.
• Me Before You: Standalone contemporary romance, praised for its heart-wrenching portrayal of love and life choices.
• If I Stay: Standalone YA novel, follows a teen in a coma deciding between life and death after a tragic accident.
• Bright Side: Standalone contemporary romance, known for its deeply emotional story and unforgettable characters.
• Five Feet Apart: Standalone YA romance, tells the story of two teens with cystic fibrosis who fall in love but must stay physically apart.
• They Both Die at the End: Standalone YA novel, explores love and life in a world where people know their exact day of death.

A Thousand Boy Kisses Characters

Main characters from A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole:

Rune Kristiansen: A boy from Norway who moves to Georgia and becomes Poppy’s best friend and later her soulmate.

Poppy Litchfield: Rune’s next-door neighbor and best friend from childhood. She has a unique outlook on life and is known for her optimism, even in the face of difficult circumstances.

Rune’s Father: Plays a significant role in Rune’s life by causing the family’s move back to Norway, which leads to the separation between Rune and Poppy.

Poppy’s Grandmother: Introduces the concept of the “thousand boy kisses” jar, which becomes central to the story and Poppy’s life philosophy.

How Did Rune die in a Thousand Boy Kisses?

In A Thousand Boy Kisses, Rune’s death isn’t described in detail, but it’s strongly implied that he dies shortly after Poppy. After her death, Rune is overwhelmed with grief, and the story suggests that he joins her in the afterlife.

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Author: Tillie Cole

Date Published: March 15, 2016

Pages: 316 pages, ebook

Goodreads Rating: 4.0/5

A Thousand Boy Kisses age rating?

A Thousand Boy Kisses is recommended for readers aged 14 and up due to its emotional themes of love, loss, and grief.

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Conclusion

A Thousand Boy Kisses is a beautifully written, emotional journey that reaches the deepest parts of your heart. Tillie Cole tells a story of love, loss, and the strength of memories that will stay with you long after you’ve finished. The bond between Rune and Poppy is unforgettable, and the book’s touching themes remind us to treasure the brief moments we have with our loved ones.

Spoiler Warning:

The following section contains major spoilers for A Thousand Boy Kisses.

Q: Why does Poppy stop talking to Rune?

A: Poppy is diagnosed with terminal cancer and chooses to stop communicating with Rune to protect him from the pain of watching her suffer. She hopes to shield him from the heartbreak of her illness.

Q: What happens when Rune returns to Georgia?

A: When Rune returns, he reconnects with Poppy and learns about her terminal illness. Despite her condition, they reignite their bond and continue their relationship, working together to fulfill Poppy’s dream of collecting “a thousand boy kisses.”

Q: Does Poppy die in the book?

A: Yes, Poppy passes away as her illness progresses. Her death is heart-wrenching but portrayed as peaceful, surrounded by love and the fulfillment of her last wish.

Q: How does the book end?

A: In the epilogue, it’s implied that Rune dies shortly after Poppy, and they are reunited in the afterlife. Their love transcends death, fulfilling the theme of eternal love in the story.