aprilmay11's review against another edition
4.0
A dear friend gave this to me and I almost put it aside. I read it over my Christmas break and it was a great read! I loved most of the stories and wished to hear more of them. I even put some of these authors other books on hold... a good book in winter is a great gift. Let me know if you want to read it! I can pass it along! Such cute stories! I like most of them for different reasons too! Lovely Christmas present!
martynne's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars because most of the stories are just ok.
BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT LAINI TAYLOR'S STORY?! Laini Taylor doesn't write stories she crafts magic. Reading "The girl who woke the dreamer" is like being enveloped in an ethereal cloud that swathes you in warmth and happiness which is a testament to just how amazing a writer she is.
Special mention must go to Holly Black, I loved Krampuslauf. Ally Carter had a good little mystery going, Rainbow Rowell had a cute little romance to kick the book off and Jenny Han's story really left me wanting to know what happened next but the rest of the stories, to be completely honest were a bit boring. Many I simply skimmed through.
Great little book to get you in the Holiday spirit!
BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT LAINI TAYLOR'S STORY?! Laini Taylor doesn't write stories she crafts magic. Reading "The girl who woke the dreamer" is like being enveloped in an ethereal cloud that swathes you in warmth and happiness which is a testament to just how amazing a writer she is.
Special mention must go to Holly Black, I loved Krampuslauf. Ally Carter had a good little mystery going, Rainbow Rowell had a cute little romance to kick the book off and Jenny Han's story really left me wanting to know what happened next but the rest of the stories, to be completely honest were a bit boring. Many I simply skimmed through.
Great little book to get you in the Holiday spirit!
sophial_88's review against another edition
4.0
Nothing better than short stories about love on cold winger mornings & nights
A wonderful collection of stories that will make you yearn to be loved.
A wonderful collection of stories that will make you yearn to be loved.
rananajjar's review against another edition
3.0
3.41 (average rating of all 12 short stories)
detailed rating of the stories :
Midnights by Rainbow Rowell: 3.5/5
The Lady and The Fox by Kelly Link: 2/5
Angels In The Snow by Matt de la Peña: 4/5
Polaris Is Where You’ll Find Me by Jenny Han: 2/5 ( I don't know what was that ? )
It’s a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins: 3/5
Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan: 1/5 ( My least favourite. No ,I'm not homophobic I just didn't like the story. )
Krampuslauf by Holly Black: 4.5/5
What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman: 3.5/5
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire: 4/5
Welcome To Christmas, CA by Kiersten White: 5/5 I LOVEd this one, it did not feel like a short story, it could be turned to a movie. Ben is so cute.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter: 4/5
The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer by Laini Taylor: 4.5/5 Beautifully written. This story is not like the other ones. Its not a cliche Christmas story and I appreciate that.
detailed rating of the stories :
Midnights by Rainbow Rowell: 3.5/5
The Lady and The Fox by Kelly Link: 2/5
Angels In The Snow by Matt de la Peña: 4/5
Polaris Is Where You’ll Find Me by Jenny Han: 2/5 ( I don't know what was that ? )
It’s a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins: 3/5
Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan: 1/5 ( My least favourite. No ,I'm not homophobic I just didn't like the story. )
Krampuslauf by Holly Black: 4.5/5
What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman: 3.5/5
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire: 4/5
Welcome To Christmas, CA by Kiersten White: 5/5 I LOVEd this one, it did not feel like a short story, it could be turned to a movie. Ben is so cute.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter: 4/5
The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer by Laini Taylor: 4.5/5 Beautifully written. This story is not like the other ones. Its not a cliche Christmas story and I appreciate that.
greylandreviews's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Midnights by Rowell4.5 stars
The Lady and The Fox by Link0.5 stars
Angels in the Snow by de la Peña 1.5 stars
Polaris is where Yule find Me by Han 3 stars
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Perkins 4.5 stars
Your Temporary Santa by Levithan 3 stars
Krampuslauf by Black 2.75 stars
What the Hell have you done, Sophie Roth? by Forman 3.75 stars
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by McEntire 2.5 stars
Welcome to Christmas, CA by White 4.5 stars
Star to Bethlehem by Carter 3.75 stars
The Girl who woke the Dreamer by Taylor 3.25 stars
My favorite ones were by: Rowell, Perkins, and White. Does anyone know if Laini Taylor's short story have to deal with Strange the Dreamer?
Midnights by Rowell4.5 stars
The Lady and The Fox by Link0.5 stars
Angels in the Snow by de la Peña 1.5 stars
Polaris is where Yule find Me by Han 3 stars
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Perkins 4.5 stars
Your Temporary Santa by Levithan 3 stars
Krampuslauf by Black 2.75 stars
What the Hell have you done, Sophie Roth? by Forman 3.75 stars
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by McEntire 2.5 stars
Welcome to Christmas, CA by White 4.5 stars
Star to Bethlehem by Carter 3.75 stars
The Girl who woke the Dreamer by Taylor 3.25 stars
My favorite ones were by: Rowell, Perkins, and White. Does anyone know if Laini Taylor's short story have to deal with Strange the Dreamer?
booshort's review against another edition
4.0
Midnights by Rainbow Rowell 5/5
RAINBOW. RAINBOW WHY. WHY ARE YOUR STORIES SO CUTE.
This is only the second Rainbow Rowell story I've ever read and it was the cutest GD thing ever. I need more of these two, and I demand it now. That staircase scene though, I need to draw that.
The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link 4/5
At first I didn't like it. Then I liked it. Then I was confused. Then I REALLY liked it. Then I was disappointed. Because AGAIN, I NEED MORE. I NEED MORE FENNY AND MIRANDA. THIS COULD BE A WHOLE BOOK. WHY ISN'T IT A WHOLE BOOK.
Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña 3.75/5
I didn't like this one as much as the others. Don't get me wrong I still loved the story, I just found the ending to be a bit too rushed. But on the other hand it is a short story.
Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han 3/5
This is definitely my least favourite so far. It seemed too all over the place, and as much as I love an open ending, this one was almost too open.
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins 5/5
Now THAT is a perfect holiday short story. It ended at the perfect moment. The characters somehow felt real in the span of under 50 pages. It was great. The only thing I don't like, is that there isn't a full story on them. I NEED MORE.
Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan 2/5
I don't really know what to say about this one. It's definitely not my favourite though. It is unique, but I just didn't find it that interesting.
Krampuslauf by Holly Black 3.5/5
This was definitely different. I liked how unique and real feeling the (human) characters were. But the fantasy aspect of the story seemed just too far fetched, but then again that it what fantasy is.
What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth by Gayle Forman 5/5
Definitely one of my favourites. Oddly enough I don't feel like I need any more stories about this couple. Forman has somehow satisfied my needs for these two in less than 30 pages. I don't know if that's good writing or bad writing. Do I want to be content after reading a story, or wanting more?
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire 4/5
Very cute. It ended at the perfect moment as well. But just like the other stories, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE MORE. I NEED A WHOLE BOOK ON THIS COUPLE.
Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White 2/5
Oh wow. It seems the best stories were at the beginning. This one was definitely one of my least favourites. I found it to be too fast in some parts, and too slow in others. Also it was all over the place. I don't even know what else to say about it. It's a cute premise, just not my cup of tea.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter 2.25/5
Full of intsa-love and predictable endings. Fantastic *sarcasm*. I'm starting to get a bit bored with this book. Thankfully there's only one story left.
The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor 5/5
HOW. HOW IS LAINI TAYLOR THIS GOOD.
RAINBOW. RAINBOW WHY. WHY ARE YOUR STORIES SO CUTE.
This is only the second Rainbow Rowell story I've ever read and it was the cutest GD thing ever. I need more of these two, and I demand it now. That staircase scene though, I need to draw that.
The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link 4/5
At first I didn't like it. Then I liked it. Then I was confused. Then I REALLY liked it. Then I was disappointed. Because AGAIN, I NEED MORE. I NEED MORE FENNY AND MIRANDA. THIS COULD BE A WHOLE BOOK. WHY ISN'T IT A WHOLE BOOK.
Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña 3.75/5
I didn't like this one as much as the others. Don't get me wrong I still loved the story, I just found the ending to be a bit too rushed. But on the other hand it is a short story.
Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han 3/5
This is definitely my least favourite so far. It seemed too all over the place, and as much as I love an open ending, this one was almost too open.
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins 5/5
Now THAT is a perfect holiday short story. It ended at the perfect moment. The characters somehow felt real in the span of under 50 pages. It was great. The only thing I don't like, is that there isn't a full story on them. I NEED MORE.
Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan 2/5
I don't really know what to say about this one. It's definitely not my favourite though. It is unique, but I just didn't find it that interesting.
Krampuslauf by Holly Black 3.5/5
This was definitely different. I liked how unique and real feeling the (human) characters were. But the fantasy aspect of the story seemed just too far fetched, but then again that it what fantasy is.
What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth by Gayle Forman 5/5
Definitely one of my favourites. Oddly enough I don't feel like I need any more stories about this couple. Forman has somehow satisfied my needs for these two in less than 30 pages. I don't know if that's good writing or bad writing. Do I want to be content after reading a story, or wanting more?
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire 4/5
Very cute. It ended at the perfect moment as well. But just like the other stories, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE MORE. I NEED A WHOLE BOOK ON THIS COUPLE.
Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White 2/5
Oh wow. It seems the best stories were at the beginning. This one was definitely one of my least favourites. I found it to be too fast in some parts, and too slow in others. Also it was all over the place. I don't even know what else to say about it. It's a cute premise, just not my cup of tea.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter 2.25/5
Full of intsa-love and predictable endings. Fantastic *sarcasm*. I'm starting to get a bit bored with this book. Thankfully there's only one story left.
The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor 5/5
HOW. HOW IS LAINI TAYLOR THIS GOOD.
katkinney's review against another edition
5.0
It’s Christmas book time! This had some really cute Christmas and holiday stories. My favorites were the ones that really went all out with the holiday cheer, drowning us in snowmen and peppermint latte goodness, like “Polaris Is Where You’ll Find Me” by Jenny Han where the main character Natalie is the daughter of Santa Claus (I just love the sweetness of Jenny Han stories, and this was such a North Pole treat), and Stephanie Perkins’ “It’s A Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown” which takes place on a Christmas tree lot.
David Levithan’s “Your Temporary Santa”, where a boy dresses as Santa to surprise his boyfriend’s little sister, was delightful and had an amazingly funny voice. “Christmas, California” just had such a sweet vibe and a great message. Warm snuggly feels all around. Ally Carter’s story was so sad and hopeful at the same time. Just a delightful collection.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
David Levithan’s “Your Temporary Santa”, where a boy dresses as Santa to surprise his boyfriend’s little sister, was delightful and had an amazingly funny voice. “Christmas, California” just had such a sweet vibe and a great message. Warm snuggly feels all around. Ally Carter’s story was so sad and hopeful at the same time. Just a delightful collection.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
taliaissmart's review against another edition
4.0
Midnights by Rainbow Rowell-5/5
I became so invested in the gradual romance of the main characters--it reminded me a lot of Anna and the French Kiss, which I loved. Short and sweet and perfect.
The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link-4/5
I loved the writing style and thought the plot and characters were interesting, but I don't feel like this worked very well as a short story. There just wasn't enough relationship-building or backstory for the events to feel real to me.
Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña-3/5
Cuuuute but featuring a pretty annoying main character.
Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han-3/5
Quality writing, but I didn't really care that much about the characters or the plot.
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins-5/5
How does she do it
Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan-2/5
No emotional attachment to anything happening in this one.
Krampuslauf by Holly Black-3/5
Very unexpected but pretty fun.
What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman-4/5
I enjoyed it. Not my fave though
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire-5/5
This was exactly what it was supposed to be: perfectly short and sweet.
Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White-5/5
I don't know if it was because I'm sick or because I am exhausted or for some other reason, but I cried while reading this story. Wow.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter-2/5
Bored
The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor-5/5
This one came out of nowhere and was AMAZING. Beautiful, prosaic writing AND a condemnation of angry, extremist Christianity. Love it.
I became so invested in the gradual romance of the main characters--it reminded me a lot of Anna and the French Kiss, which I loved. Short and sweet and perfect.
The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link-4/5
I loved the writing style and thought the plot and characters were interesting, but I don't feel like this worked very well as a short story. There just wasn't enough relationship-building or backstory for the events to feel real to me.
Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña-3/5
Cuuuute but featuring a pretty annoying main character.
Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han-3/5
Quality writing, but I didn't really care that much about the characters or the plot.
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins-5/5
How does she do it
Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan-2/5
No emotional attachment to anything happening in this one.
Krampuslauf by Holly Black-3/5
Very unexpected but pretty fun.
What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman-4/5
I enjoyed it. Not my fave though
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire-5/5
This was exactly what it was supposed to be: perfectly short and sweet.
Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White-5/5
I don't know if it was because I'm sick or because I am exhausted or for some other reason, but I cried while reading this story. Wow.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter-2/5
Bored
The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor-5/5
This one came out of nowhere and was AMAZING. Beautiful, prosaic writing AND a condemnation of angry, extremist Christianity. Love it.
jessica22's review against another edition
3.0
Midnights-Rowell: 1/5 Everyone seemed to like this but for some reason I found it extremely boring.
The Lady and The Fox- Link: 1/5 Confusing not enjoyable
Angels in the Snow- De La Pena: 5/5 I liked this one a lot. This gave off a Perfect Chemistry vibe.
Polaris is Where You'll Find Me- Han: 4/5 This was definitely a Jenny Han story. A good twist on a Christmas story.
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown- Perkins: 3/5 This was probably the biggest let down because I love Stephanie Perkins. It started out good but it got really slow.
Your Temporary Santa- Leviathan: 4/5 Really enjoyed this one
Krampuslauf-Black: 2/5 What just Happened? I loked the whole beginning but what the hell happened?
What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth?- Forman: 5/5 Adorable Christmas story exactly what you would be looking for in an uplifting story
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus- McEntire: 3/5 Cute but nothing special
Welcome to Christmas, CA- White: 5/5 Favorite
Star of Bethlehem- Carter- DNF
The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer-Taylor: 3/5 Enjoyed definitely want to read more Laini Taylor books
The Lady and The Fox- Link: 1/5 Confusing not enjoyable
Angels in the Snow- De La Pena: 5/5 I liked this one a lot. This gave off a Perfect Chemistry vibe.
Polaris is Where You'll Find Me- Han: 4/5 This was definitely a Jenny Han story. A good twist on a Christmas story.
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown- Perkins: 3/5 This was probably the biggest let down because I love Stephanie Perkins. It started out good but it got really slow.
Your Temporary Santa- Leviathan: 4/5 Really enjoyed this one
Krampuslauf-Black: 2/5 What just Happened? I loked the whole beginning but what the hell happened?
What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth?- Forman: 5/5 Adorable Christmas story exactly what you would be looking for in an uplifting story
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus- McEntire: 3/5 Cute but nothing special
Welcome to Christmas, CA- White: 5/5 Favorite
Star of Bethlehem- Carter- DNF
The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer-Taylor: 3/5 Enjoyed definitely want to read more Laini Taylor books