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A review by llehouser
The Improbable Meet-Cute by Christina Lauren, Abby Jimenez, Sariah Wilson, Sally Thorne, Jasmine Guillory, Ashley Poston
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.