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molb8's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the idea of this book, a collection of short YA romance stories that are mostly very sweet. I loved that when I had a bit of spare time I could pick up the book and read a story from start to finish. With 14 different stories, there were some I liked more than others. The main negatives I had were that a lot of the stories felt rushed and/or unrealistic, but that is probably mostly due to the shortness of the stories. Definitely put some new authors on my radar!
Siege Etiquette by Katie Cotugno.
I’m not too sure how I feel about this one. The story pretty much takes place in one room and while the idea that the popular Hailey and the unknown Wolf hit it off (even for a brief time). It has the potential to be cute, but I really dislike the fact that Hailey kisses him, when she’s dating someone else. I like the characters opening up to each other and there is a lot of depth to the story despite its length. 1/5
Print Shop by Nina Lacour.
Evie starts a part time job at a print shop after school, hoping to learn more about traditional art techniques, but ends dealing with a customer complaint. Now my brief explanation won’t do this story justice, it was one of my favourites. It was cute and realistic! 5/5
Hourglass by Ibi Zoboi.
Another of my favourites, Cherish is at the end of her final year of school before university, but drama with her best friend, potential university and prom ensue. I wanted more but Ibi Zoboi wrote an interesting, well rounded story to say how short it is. The storytelling flowed nicely and I really enjoyed Cherish as a character. 4/5
Click by Katharine McGee.
Alexa signs up to dating site ‘Click’ but not to find a date… Click uses all personal data available online to match people based on their compatibility, so Alexa goes on a Click date to learn more to help her own work, but she meets Raden and they go on a bit of an adventure. This was a really well written story, the emotions between the characters felt like they developed naturally. I liked the plot and how it unfolded. 4/5
The Intern by Sara Shepard.
Clara works as an intern at her father’s record label, where she feels like everyone is wary of her. One day she is finally given what finally feels like a meaningful task, which turns into a date-like day with singer songwriter Phineas. This felt so hollow to me. This story just felt too rushed that it ruined the realisticness of the plot points. I think it could be fleshed out into a full length book, but even then I don’t think it’s one I’d pick up. 1/5
Somewhere That’s Green by Meredith Russo.
This was so promising… I loved that it covered such an important topic by detailing what could be a realistic experience. BUT, that’s where the realism ended for me. Nia’s hate to love to hate to love of Lexie just made the development of the story feel rushed to me. 2/5
The Way We Love Here by Dhonielle Clayton.
Set on an island where everyone has a marking on their finger which leads them to their soulmate, Vio (short for Viola) is sat on the beach when Sebastien appears. I loved the more fantasy (I think?) angle this story took. I also really liked the personalities of Vio and Sebastien. The plot nicely and the story concluded well. 4/5
Oomph by Emery Lord.
Performing arts student Cassidy is on her way home from visiting her friend in New York (where she’ll also be studying next year). Her plane is delayed but before the boredom sets in she meets interesting traveller. This was amazing. There wasn’t much of a plot, but it didn’t matter. The characters seemed realistic and lovely and I loved the way the story played out. 5/5
The Dictionary Of You And Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Moss works part time at her local library where she is tasked with chasing up the overdue returns, who is this mystery guy who won’t return the dictionary? I loved how natural this felt, the plot progressed nicely, although I did find it a little predictable. 4/5
The Unlikely Likelihood Of Falling In Love by Jocelyn Davies.
Budding statistician Sam embarks on her final project where she focusses on a mystery boy she sees on a passing train. But not everything goes to plan. I love women in STEM story lines and this one is no different. The only complaint is that a minor detail at the end seems a bit unrealistic. 5/5
259 Million Miles by Kass Morgan.
Phillip has been shortlisted to go on a mission to Mars, all he needs to do is pass a few more tests, including spending 24 hours in isolation! He meets the brilliant Blythe, but things don’t go to plan. This broke my heart. I loved it throughout and I loved the development of the characters’ relationship, but the ending really hurt. 4/5
Something Real by Julie Murphy.
June is a huge fan of pop star Dylan and she gets scouted for a TV competition to win a date with him. She competes against Martha and ends up with a date, but a date with who?! I really enjoyed this! I loved both June and Martha and their relationship as it developed. I hoped the story would end the way it did and I lost a bit of faith as I kept reading but was so glad I guessed correctly once I finished this story! 5/5
Say Everything by Huntley Fitzpatrick.
Emma works at a diner where she regularly serves a group of boys from the private school in the next town over. Little did she know, one of them is interested in her and has a link to her past. This story was pretty good overall. As it’s so short, it’s difficult to get into the details of things, but I’d have like to know more about Emma’s past. I was unsure of Sean at first, but he turned out to be a lovely character. 3/5
The Department Of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon.
Thomas goes to the Department of Dead Love in the hopes that he can discover why his seemingly perfect relationship with Sam ended. Gabby is tasked with carrying out a Relationship Autopsy on Thomas to help him find out why his relationship ended, but her and Thomas seem to get on very well. I love the premise of this story, it’s not like something I’ve ever read before. This was the only story that brought tears to my eyes, “All love ends. Sometimes it’s a breakup. Sometimes the other person dies.” I HATED the ending, but it was all well written. 4/5
Siege Etiquette by Katie Cotugno.
I’m not too sure how I feel about this one. The story pretty much takes place in one room and while the idea that the popular Hailey and the unknown Wolf hit it off (even for a brief time). It has the potential to be cute, but I really dislike the fact that Hailey kisses him, when she’s dating someone else. I like the characters opening up to each other and there is a lot of depth to the story despite its length. 1/5
Print Shop by Nina Lacour.
Evie starts a part time job at a print shop after school, hoping to learn more about traditional art techniques, but ends dealing with a customer complaint. Now my brief explanation won’t do this story justice, it was one of my favourites. It was cute and realistic! 5/5
Hourglass by Ibi Zoboi.
Another of my favourites, Cherish is at the end of her final year of school before university, but drama with her best friend, potential university and prom ensue. I wanted more but Ibi Zoboi wrote an interesting, well rounded story to say how short it is. The storytelling flowed nicely and I really enjoyed Cherish as a character. 4/5
Click by Katharine McGee.
Alexa signs up to dating site ‘Click’ but not to find a date… Click uses all personal data available online to match people based on their compatibility, so Alexa goes on a Click date to learn more to help her own work, but she meets Raden and they go on a bit of an adventure. This was a really well written story, the emotions between the characters felt like they developed naturally. I liked the plot and how it unfolded. 4/5
The Intern by Sara Shepard.
Clara works as an intern at her father’s record label, where she feels like everyone is wary of her. One day she is finally given what finally feels like a meaningful task, which turns into a date-like day with singer songwriter Phineas. This felt so hollow to me. This story just felt too rushed that it ruined the realisticness of the plot points. I think it could be fleshed out into a full length book, but even then I don’t think it’s one I’d pick up. 1/5
Somewhere That’s Green by Meredith Russo.
This was so promising… I loved that it covered such an important topic by detailing what could be a realistic experience. BUT, that’s where the realism ended for me. Nia’s hate to love to hate to love of Lexie just made the development of the story feel rushed to me. 2/5
The Way We Love Here by Dhonielle Clayton.
Set on an island where everyone has a marking on their finger which leads them to their soulmate, Vio (short for Viola) is sat on the beach when Sebastien appears. I loved the more fantasy (I think?) angle this story took. I also really liked the personalities of Vio and Sebastien. The plot nicely and the story concluded well. 4/5
Oomph by Emery Lord.
Performing arts student Cassidy is on her way home from visiting her friend in New York (where she’ll also be studying next year). Her plane is delayed but before the boredom sets in she meets interesting traveller. This was amazing. There wasn’t much of a plot, but it didn’t matter. The characters seemed realistic and lovely and I loved the way the story played out. 5/5
The Dictionary Of You And Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Moss works part time at her local library where she is tasked with chasing up the overdue returns, who is this mystery guy who won’t return the dictionary? I loved how natural this felt, the plot progressed nicely, although I did find it a little predictable. 4/5
The Unlikely Likelihood Of Falling In Love by Jocelyn Davies.
Budding statistician Sam embarks on her final project where she focusses on a mystery boy she sees on a passing train. But not everything goes to plan. I love women in STEM story lines and this one is no different. The only complaint is that a minor detail at the end seems a bit unrealistic. 5/5
259 Million Miles by Kass Morgan.
Phillip has been shortlisted to go on a mission to Mars, all he needs to do is pass a few more tests, including spending 24 hours in isolation! He meets the brilliant Blythe, but things don’t go to plan. This broke my heart. I loved it throughout and I loved the development of the characters’ relationship, but the ending really hurt. 4/5
Something Real by Julie Murphy.
June is a huge fan of pop star Dylan and she gets scouted for a TV competition to win a date with him. She competes against Martha and ends up with a date, but a date with who?! I really enjoyed this! I loved both June and Martha and their relationship as it developed. I hoped the story would end the way it did and I lost a bit of faith as I kept reading but was so glad I guessed correctly once I finished this story! 5/5
Say Everything by Huntley Fitzpatrick.
Emma works at a diner where she regularly serves a group of boys from the private school in the next town over. Little did she know, one of them is interested in her and has a link to her past. This story was pretty good overall. As it’s so short, it’s difficult to get into the details of things, but I’d have like to know more about Emma’s past. I was unsure of Sean at first, but he turned out to be a lovely character. 3/5
The Department Of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon.
Thomas goes to the Department of Dead Love in the hopes that he can discover why his seemingly perfect relationship with Sam ended. Gabby is tasked with carrying out a Relationship Autopsy on Thomas to help him find out why his relationship ended, but her and Thomas seem to get on very well. I love the premise of this story, it’s not like something I’ve ever read before. This was the only story that brought tears to my eyes, “All love ends. Sometimes it’s a breakup. Sometimes the other person dies.” I HATED the ending, but it was all well written. 4/5
brisingr's review against another edition
3.0
The first part was pretty bland, but it picked up around the half mark, and it ended up being quite nice and cute! Pretty pleased with it overall ~
ayling's review against another edition
None of the first few stories really captured my attention enough to continue reading. They weren't the best reads, to me, which doesn't get me excited for the rest of them. It felt like a drag to read.
penlop's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
adragonwithoutfire's review against another edition
i started reading this because of jennifer l. armentrout and pushed myself through the other stories and now i dont want to read anymore.
nothing against this book but i dont think short stories are something i would vibe with me
nothing against this book but i dont think short stories are something i would vibe with me
eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
About 3.3 Stars
1. Siege Etiquette by Katie Cotugno
Plot: Two people meet while hiding from the police during a house party.
Not the best start to the whole thing. The story was cliché, complete with two people from different cliques. Also, it used the dead-family-member cop-out so the character wouldn't need to be given an actual personality. It felt like something I'd read many times before. Also, while the writing was okay enough, it for in second-person for no reason.
Rating: 2 Stars
2. Print Shop by Nina LaCour
Plot: Two girls meeting via a cranky customer service Tweet.
Even though I've only read one other story by Nina LaCour, I know she's a good author. Her prose is beautiful and she excels at creating an almost tangible atmosphere. This story was cute, interesting, and introduced two likable characters you could care about. If I have one complaint, it's that I wanted the tone to be a little lighter.
Rating: 4 Stars
3. Hourglass by Ibi Zoboi
Plot: A girl determined to get out of her small town.
While we need diversity in books, the presence of diversity is not going to make me like your story more. The writing here was okay at best, most of the story involved the protagonist complaining, there was little emotion and, worst of all, no meet cute. There was a (very short) meeting but it wasn't cute. I could see zero connection between the characters. Also, typos.
Rating: 1.5 Stars
4. Click by Katharine McGee
Plot: First date via a futuristic dating app.
I loved the concept. An app that evaluates the compatibility of its subscribers by analyzing their online presence. And it was cute. But it also used the dead-family-member trope and the writing could some improvements. Still, I liked it.
Rating: 3 Stars
5. The Intern by Sara Shepard
Plot: A magazine intern meets a young rockstar.
The writing was fine-ish. The story was okay enough. And there were cute moments. But we have the third case of lets-kill-a-family-member-instead-of-developing-a-personality. I was pissed off. Also, the romance is insta-lovey and quite far-fetched.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
6. Somewhere That's Green by Meredith Russo
Plot: A transgender female and a closet lesbian.
Personally, I don't like what I've written as the 'plot'. Their sexuality is not the plot. But the 'closet' part is important. And the 'transgender' part because she's dealing with people objecting to her using the girl's bathroom. It's a good story and it's sweet too. But the writing and flow could have definitely used some work. Also, there were parts I found somewhat insensitive.
Rating: 3 Stars
7. The Way We Love Here by Dhonielle Clayton
Plot: A speculative approach to pre-destined love
Loved the concept. The setting gave me Moana feels. The story gave us fate, but one that was rife with possibilities. It was a very hopeful story, and a fantasy one. I would love to know more about the world we're briefly introduced to, giving the author the opportunity to take her time, because while I quite liked the story, it was trying to do too much in too little time.
Rating: 4.25 Stars
8. Oomph by Emery Lord
Plot: Two girls stuck in an airport.
This was probably my favourite of all the stories because it was exactly what I was looking for when I picked the book up. It's lighthearted, it's really cute, and it's hopeful. Emery Lord's written a fun story in which you can really see the two characters connecting. Loved it.
Rating: 5 Stars
9. The Dictionary of You and Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Plot: Love via missing library book.
The story I was most excited for, because almost everyone loved it. And I gotta say, it was great. The conversations between the two protagonists were funny and cute. The meet cute was also cute. I liked the story (though it was kinda predictable) and, of course, the writing was good. I'm just... I'm over the whole hottest-guy-in-the-entire-school thing.
Rating: 4 Stars
10. The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love by Jocelyn Davies
Plot: A subway meet, but on two different trains. En route.
I didn't like it, despite some cuteness. First it talks about love at first sight, which I very much dislike. Then we find out that the girl wondering if she's fallen for a guy within literally 5 seconds, is supposed to be all about logic and stats. Yet she doesn't get why love at first sight is stupid. But, objectively, my problems lie with the inconsistency with the female protagonist's personality. Also, the author didn't get her voice right.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
11. 256 Million Miles by Kass Morgan
Plot: Two applicants who want to go to Mars.
Really liked this one. I loved that I could tell, right off the bat, that the narrative was that of a guy. It was really good. I loved the protagonist and the story and I certainly want more, of him and the Mars plot. Only problem, it was a tiny bit rushed and, at one point, 24 hours went by like 10.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
12. Something Real by Julie Murphy
Plot: Twist on a reality dating show.
Another dead-family-member entry. But it wasn't done badly so it almost doesn't count. This was sweet and a good enough read about two people competing to win a date with a celebrity. I liked the story, only wish there was more chemistry to be seen between the main characters.
Rating: 3.75 Stars
13. Say Something by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Plot: A diner, a server and a customer.
I would've liked this one so much better if it didn't take itself so seriously. The story wasn't bad, but it seems to be trying to explain the meaning of life in one short story. Also, the second-person narrative really didn't work. I wish that, when people use second person, they would give a reason for it. Otherwise, it's just pointlessly inconvenient.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
14. The Department of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon
Plot: A futuristic take on break-ups.
A guy goes to the Department of Dead Love to get a do-over with his ex-girlfriend. And the thing is, while Nicola Yoon introduces the wonders of the future, she doesn't really flesh them out. The hows and why and the flaws that make it real, they're missing. As for the meet cute part, that was good. I really liked the story. Definitely put a smile on my face.
Rating: 4 Stars
1. Siege Etiquette by Katie Cotugno
Plot: Two people meet while hiding from the police during a house party.
Not the best start to the whole thing. The story was cliché, complete with two people from different cliques. Also, it used the dead-family-member cop-out so the character wouldn't need to be given an actual personality. It felt like something I'd read many times before. Also, while the writing was okay enough, it for in second-person for no reason.
Rating: 2 Stars
2. Print Shop by Nina LaCour
Plot: Two girls meeting via a cranky customer service Tweet.
Even though I've only read one other story by Nina LaCour, I know she's a good author. Her prose is beautiful and she excels at creating an almost tangible atmosphere. This story was cute, interesting, and introduced two likable characters you could care about. If I have one complaint, it's that I wanted the tone to be a little lighter.
Rating: 4 Stars
3. Hourglass by Ibi Zoboi
Plot: A girl determined to get out of her small town.
While we need diversity in books, the presence of diversity is not going to make me like your story more. The writing here was okay at best, most of the story involved the protagonist complaining, there was little emotion and, worst of all, no meet cute. There was a (very short) meeting but it wasn't cute. I could see zero connection between the characters. Also, typos.
Rating: 1.5 Stars
4. Click by Katharine McGee
Plot: First date via a futuristic dating app.
I loved the concept. An app that evaluates the compatibility of its subscribers by analyzing their online presence. And it was cute. But it also used the dead-family-member trope and the writing could some improvements. Still, I liked it.
Rating: 3 Stars
5. The Intern by Sara Shepard
Plot: A magazine intern meets a young rockstar.
The writing was fine-ish. The story was okay enough. And there were cute moments. But we have the third case of lets-kill-a-family-member-instead-of-developing-a-personality. I was pissed off. Also, the romance is insta-lovey and quite far-fetched.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
6. Somewhere That's Green by Meredith Russo
Plot: A transgender female and a closet lesbian.
Personally, I don't like what I've written as the 'plot'. Their sexuality is not the plot. But the 'closet' part is important. And the 'transgender' part because she's dealing with people objecting to her using the girl's bathroom. It's a good story and it's sweet too. But the writing and flow could have definitely used some work. Also, there were parts I found somewhat insensitive.
Rating: 3 Stars
7. The Way We Love Here by Dhonielle Clayton
Plot: A speculative approach to pre-destined love
Loved the concept. The setting gave me Moana feels. The story gave us fate, but one that was rife with possibilities. It was a very hopeful story, and a fantasy one. I would love to know more about the world we're briefly introduced to, giving the author the opportunity to take her time, because while I quite liked the story, it was trying to do too much in too little time.
Rating: 4.25 Stars
8. Oomph by Emery Lord
Plot: Two girls stuck in an airport.
This was probably my favourite of all the stories because it was exactly what I was looking for when I picked the book up. It's lighthearted, it's really cute, and it's hopeful. Emery Lord's written a fun story in which you can really see the two characters connecting. Loved it.
Rating: 5 Stars
9. The Dictionary of You and Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Plot: Love via missing library book.
The story I was most excited for, because almost everyone loved it. And I gotta say, it was great. The conversations between the two protagonists were funny and cute. The meet cute was also cute. I liked the story (though it was kinda predictable) and, of course, the writing was good. I'm just... I'm over the whole hottest-guy-in-the-entire-school thing.
Rating: 4 Stars
10. The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love by Jocelyn Davies
Plot: A subway meet, but on two different trains. En route.
I didn't like it, despite some cuteness. First it talks about love at first sight, which I very much dislike. Then we find out that the girl wondering if she's fallen for a guy within literally 5 seconds, is supposed to be all about logic and stats. Yet she doesn't get why love at first sight is stupid. But, objectively, my problems lie with the inconsistency with the female protagonist's personality. Also, the author didn't get her voice right.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
11. 256 Million Miles by Kass Morgan
Plot: Two applicants who want to go to Mars.
Really liked this one. I loved that I could tell, right off the bat, that the narrative was that of a guy. It was really good. I loved the protagonist and the story and I certainly want more, of him and the Mars plot. Only problem, it was a tiny bit rushed and, at one point, 24 hours went by like 10.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
12. Something Real by Julie Murphy
Plot: Twist on a reality dating show.
Another dead-family-member entry. But it wasn't done badly so it almost doesn't count. This was sweet and a good enough read about two people competing to win a date with a celebrity. I liked the story, only wish there was more chemistry to be seen between the main characters.
Rating: 3.75 Stars
13. Say Something by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Plot: A diner, a server and a customer.
I would've liked this one so much better if it didn't take itself so seriously. The story wasn't bad, but it seems to be trying to explain the meaning of life in one short story. Also, the second-person narrative really didn't work. I wish that, when people use second person, they would give a reason for it. Otherwise, it's just pointlessly inconvenient.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
14. The Department of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon
Plot: A futuristic take on break-ups.
A guy goes to the Department of Dead Love to get a do-over with his ex-girlfriend. And the thing is, while Nicola Yoon introduces the wonders of the future, she doesn't really flesh them out. The hows and why and the flaws that make it real, they're missing. As for the meet cute part, that was good. I really liked the story. Definitely put a smile on my face.
Rating: 4 Stars
alexan13's review against another edition
3.0
Like most anthologies, this had its ups and downs, but it was overall middling. I probably should of known, as a reader who isn't too invested in romance stories to begin with, that this wouldn't be my favorite anthology ever but I enjoyed reading most of the stories and they made for a nice distraction between finals. My favorites were Meredith Russo's, Emery Lord's and Julie Murphy's. My least favorites were Katie Cotugno's, Huntley Fitzpatrick's, and Jennifer Armentrout's.
hannahhew's review against another edition
2.0
Siege Etiquette ★
Print Shop ★★
Hourglass ★★
Click ★★★
The Intern ★★
Somewhere That's Green ★★★★
The Way We Love Here ★★★
Oomph ★★★★★
The Dictionary of You and Me ★★★
The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love ★★★★
259 Million Miles ★★
Something Real ★
Say Everything ★
The Department of Dead Love ★
Print Shop ★★
Hourglass ★★
Click ★★★
The Intern ★★
Somewhere That's Green ★★★★
The Way We Love Here ★★★
Oomph ★★★★★
The Dictionary of You and Me ★★★
The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love ★★★★
259 Million Miles ★★
Something Real ★
Say Everything ★
The Department of Dead Love ★
annarbpollock's review against another edition
The concept is soooo good. The execution was... Not. I don't know if it was the whiplash of the styles of writing or the different characters, but every time I finished a story I wanted to put the book down. I got about 4 pieces in and called it quits.