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katiemz's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
carrie_e's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
Like all anthologies, this was a bit of a mixed bag. I liked Christina Lauren’s story the best. Abby Jimenez, Jasmine Guillory, and Sariah Wilson also had very good contributions. Surprisingly the two authors I was most looking forward to just didn’t hit for me.
CW: With Any Luck by Ashley Poston has consent issues. The fmc was too drunk to remember having sex the next day let alone consent. It’s meant to be a very light hearted story and mostly is but unfortunately this is something I can’t just whimsy whimsy whimsy my way past.
CW: With Any Luck by Ashley Poston has consent issues. The fmc was too drunk to remember having sex the next day let alone consent. It’s meant to be a very light hearted story and mostly is but unfortunately this is something I can’t just whimsy whimsy whimsy my way past.
courtneyjustine's review
4.0
Love love loved this. All of the authors really got to shine in short form. The first 3 were my absolute favorite. I was kicking my feet smiling the whole time reading this series.
tpozzz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
llehouser's review
5.0
Putting together a short story collection from some of the top rom-com / women's lit authors was a stroke of genius. I am pretty sure I would read scribbles on a napkin from these authors. Centering it around Valentine's Day? Beyond. These are must reads.
Given the short story set up, I was concerned the books would feel rushed and incomplete. However, each one was well done and nailed the set up. My thoughts on each story:
• Christina Lauren: The Exception to the Rule (5 stars)
o I love a slow burn, which can be difficult to accomplish in a short story. The once a year emails were a good compromise. T and C are adorable. Of course they were fated to meet this way. Also loved when authors are in touch with unsatisfying descriptions and call it out: “I put on a black long-sleeved, scoop-neck dress that is much sexier than it sounds” because I have never pictured a scoop neck dress as sexy. Overall a cute concept that made sense as a short story.
• Abby Jimenez: Worst Wingman Ever (5 stars)
o This is classic Jimenez: weaves heavy topics with the hopefulness of forever. If anything, read this story to forever question “hard as hell” versus “hard as hail.” The two POVs helped the flow. Holly had so much heaviness to navigate that John struck that perfect balance. Not only that, Jimenez always offers up something that belongs in needlepoint: “Take responsibility for your own unhappiness. If you don’t love your life, change it.” But then something light and humorous to make you smile: “Like, you’re gonna have a stupid name and be an asshole? Pick a struggle.” (This one goes perfect with the J name controversy in the upcoming Just for the Summer.)
• Sally Thorne: Rosie and the Dreamboat (5 stars)
o Definitely the funniest of the three, I loved how uniqueness of the story. A spin on blind dating, Rosie needs her Romeo (actually, Leo) to rescue her from a spa day gone wrong. The full circle play on meeting her husband today was a sweet ending.
• Jasmine Guillory: Drop, Cover, and Hold On (3.5 stars)
o The only one of the collection that felt a little rushed, Guillory still made it happen. Setting the story in a bakery was a thing of my dreams. A bakery man churning out delectable sweet and savory treats? I’m in. I would have loved a little more connection. It just felt too forced to be swoony.
• Ashley Poston: With Any Luck (4 stars)
o While it was a little on the nose with the names—Love and Luck—it seemed on brand with the theme of the collection. Cute premise of the bride’s and groom’s best friends falling for each other. I liked the idea of getting away from falling for your best friend, but man do I love me a friends-to-lovers trope. The missing groom was a bit distracting; I think we could have had a similar outcome without this storyline.
• Sariah Wilson: Royal Valentine (5 stars)
o A situation when “I’m not who you think I am” was the perfect plot and didn’t come across as uncomfortable to watch. (Maybe this trope is really just meant for a short story?) I am a sucker for a royal storyline, and this was no exception.
This is the perfect Valentine's binge. You're also going to want to make sure you have some baked treats ready to go.
Given the short story set up, I was concerned the books would feel rushed and incomplete. However, each one was well done and nailed the set up. My thoughts on each story:
• Christina Lauren: The Exception to the Rule (5 stars)
o I love a slow burn, which can be difficult to accomplish in a short story. The once a year emails were a good compromise. T and C are adorable. Of course they were fated to meet this way. Also loved when authors are in touch with unsatisfying descriptions and call it out: “I put on a black long-sleeved, scoop-neck dress that is much sexier than it sounds” because I have never pictured a scoop neck dress as sexy. Overall a cute concept that made sense as a short story.
• Abby Jimenez: Worst Wingman Ever (5 stars)
o This is classic Jimenez: weaves heavy topics with the hopefulness of forever. If anything, read this story to forever question “hard as hell” versus “hard as hail.” The two POVs helped the flow. Holly had so much heaviness to navigate that John struck that perfect balance. Not only that, Jimenez always offers up something that belongs in needlepoint: “Take responsibility for your own unhappiness. If you don’t love your life, change it.” But then something light and humorous to make you smile: “Like, you’re gonna have a stupid name and be an asshole? Pick a struggle.” (This one goes perfect with the J name controversy in the upcoming Just for the Summer.)
• Sally Thorne: Rosie and the Dreamboat (5 stars)
o Definitely the funniest of the three, I loved how uniqueness of the story. A spin on blind dating, Rosie needs her Romeo (actually, Leo) to rescue her from a spa day gone wrong. The full circle play on meeting her husband today was a sweet ending.
• Jasmine Guillory: Drop, Cover, and Hold On (3.5 stars)
o The only one of the collection that felt a little rushed, Guillory still made it happen. Setting the story in a bakery was a thing of my dreams. A bakery man churning out delectable sweet and savory treats? I’m in. I would have loved a little more connection. It just felt too forced to be swoony.
• Ashley Poston: With Any Luck (4 stars)
o While it was a little on the nose with the names—Love and Luck—it seemed on brand with the theme of the collection. Cute premise of the bride’s and groom’s best friends falling for each other. I liked the idea of getting away from falling for your best friend, but man do I love me a friends-to-lovers trope. The missing groom was a bit distracting; I think we could have had a similar outcome without this storyline.
• Sariah Wilson: Royal Valentine (5 stars)
o A situation when “I’m not who you think I am” was the perfect plot and didn’t come across as uncomfortable to watch. (Maybe this trope is really just meant for a short story?) I am a sucker for a royal storyline, and this was no exception.
This is the perfect Valentine's binge. You're also going to want to make sure you have some baked treats ready to go.
devsday's review
4.0
I loved this collection of meet-cute short stories that all have a common thread— they meet in unpredictable ways, and the stories are somehow tied to Valentine’s Day. I am so impressed with how each other handled the prompt in their own way.
In order from favorite to least:
- The Exception to the Rule - Christina Lauren ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I’m glad the collection kicked off with this one. The characters were smart, funny, quirky and the chemistry and tension were great with Christina Lauren’s signature witty banter.
- Worst Wingman Ever - Abby Jimenez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Abby’s ability to tie in life’s harder moments with the lightheartedness of romance is truly a gift. This one had emotional depth, but was also sweet and had some humor too!
- With Any Luck - Ashley Poston ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This was highly unpredictable which is rare in a romance, and especially in a short story. I loved how quickly we got to know the main characters, and I did not predict this ending!
- Rosy and the Dreamboat - Sally Thorpe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This one honestly had me laughing out loud. The witty banter and ridiculousness of this story were so good. I only deducted a star, because the fireman was caricature-ish.
- Royal Valentine - Sariah Wilson ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This story was very princess diaries-esque, but it felt too short and rushed! Clearly I need to go read her other books.
- Drop, Cover and Hold On - Jasmine Guillory ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - this was my least favorite of the short stories, the FMC was sort of irritating and the two MC’s lacked chemistry, and then were in bed together. It was too rushed but still worth the quick read.
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review!
In order from favorite to least:
- The Exception to the Rule - Christina Lauren ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I’m glad the collection kicked off with this one. The characters were smart, funny, quirky and the chemistry and tension were great with Christina Lauren’s signature witty banter.
- Worst Wingman Ever - Abby Jimenez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Abby’s ability to tie in life’s harder moments with the lightheartedness of romance is truly a gift. This one had emotional depth, but was also sweet and had some humor too!
- With Any Luck - Ashley Poston ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This was highly unpredictable which is rare in a romance, and especially in a short story. I loved how quickly we got to know the main characters, and I did not predict this ending!
- Rosy and the Dreamboat - Sally Thorpe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This one honestly had me laughing out loud. The witty banter and ridiculousness of this story were so good. I only deducted a star, because the fireman was caricature-ish.
- Royal Valentine - Sariah Wilson ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This story was very princess diaries-esque, but it felt too short and rushed! Clearly I need to go read her other books.
- Drop, Cover and Hold On - Jasmine Guillory ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - this was my least favorite of the short stories, the FMC was sort of irritating and the two MC’s lacked chemistry, and then were in bed together. It was too rushed but still worth the quick read.
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review!
annikareadswithtea's review
3.0
It's more like 3.6 stars. I adored this collection, and it delivers exactly what it promises. Six improbable (impossibly cute) meet cutes during Valentine's day situation.
The collection starts out strong and swinging (Thank you, Christina Lauren).
Abby Jimenez continues to give ridiculous cuteness.
Sallt Thorne... thank you for creating such a quirky MC. I had too much fun.
Unfortunately, the second 3 stories are alright. It's still cute, but not bringing the same gusto.
The collection starts out strong and swinging (Thank you, Christina Lauren).
Abby Jimenez continues to give ridiculous cuteness.
Sallt Thorne... thank you for creating such a quirky MC. I had too much fun.
Unfortunately, the second 3 stories are alright. It's still cute, but not bringing the same gusto.
brannan1494's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0