bookshelvesandtealeaves's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I won’t lie, some of these I really enjoyed and some of them I really didn’t, and overall I felt it lacked substance and cohesion. It felt like I was reading short stories about characters I should have already known and that made it really hard to form any attachments to any of the characters.
That being said, All I Want for Nochebuena, Santa’s Eager Little Helper, Love in Spanglish and To Us, You are Perfect at least left me wishing for more.
All I Want for Nochebuena by Alexis Daria focussed on Honey and Julie, two adult film stars hired to promote some sex toys. This was a riff on one of my favourite romances from Love Actually with the nude body stand-ins, and I really felt this short story captured the essence of their story, adorable shyness and all, while also making it entirely its own, beautiful thing.
Santa’s Eager Little Helper by Mia Sosa followed Sarita and Carlos and their workplace hijinks. Parts of the characterisations in this felt a little exaggerated, but that whole grumpy/sunshine mutual pining thing really worked for me, especially combined with the absolute romcom-absurdity of the situation.
Love in Spanglish by Zoey Castile was my absolute favourite from this collection. I would KILL for a full-length novel about Ángel and Callie, but what Castile wrote here was enough. I fell in love with these characters and this story in such a short amount of time. I can’t exactly pinpoint what this one had that the others were lacking, but this story completely melted my heart. (This is also a play on my absolute favourite love story from Love Actually, the English writer and the Portuguese housekeeper, and yet I almost love this story more than the original?)
To Us, You are Perfect by Alexis Daria & Adriana Herrera was really, honestly, what that stupid love triangle in Love Actually should have been. I know 2003 would never have allowed a throuple in a mainstream Hollywood Christmas romcom but dang if it isn’t the perfect story.
anjelica's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
readwithkayy's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
really loved this anthology! there were so many interesting relationship dynamics explored across the nine stories, and because the stories are so short, there isn’t really time for miscommunication. i’m also always a fan of stories that slightly intertwine (like a crazy stupid love type vibe) and this had that with a cozy, found family feeling🥰
act_1989's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Sweet and fun romance anthology filled with diverse characters and stories that are all intertwined.
I loved reading the different styles of each author and getting to know these characters.
Looking forward to reading more from each of these storytellers.
I loved reading the different styles of each author and getting to know these characters.
Looking forward to reading more from each of these storytellers.
booksandbodylib's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I hate how the not-so-great short stories in here pulled the average down, but it be like that sometimes. The great ones were really great, and the diversity was on point!! I especially liked the poly rep in the last 2 stories. The way everything came together around the Nochebuena party was cute too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent and Death
sorayah11's review
4.0
Very enjoyable holiday romance collection with varying amounts of steam. I enjoyed the majority of the stories and feel like they were the perfect length for me! Have some authors I definitely want to read more from and would love a recommendation for another collection like this!
fuckitupvato's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
missberlyreads's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
meghana_stories's review
loaned it from the library but didn't finish it in time. Honestly might not pick it up again