A review by erickabdz
He's Come Undone: A Romance Anthology by Emma Barry

2.0

Lit only by a dim lamp behind them, he could have been the boy Everett had loved.

This was my last 2020 read and, just like 2020, it was disappointing. I'm very sorry for this because I was excited about reading a romance anthology that featured middle-aged people instead of young adults, but sadly it was the only good thing I could rescue of many of the short stories.

It was mostly my fault, I think. The topic for this anthology is something very specific and easily turned into a pet-peeve of mine: snowflake people bringing joy to stoic people. I just... expected something with more nuance but it was basically it and definitely not something I could make myself enjoy. Maybe because I'm quite a serious person and can't stand the idea of people thinking this is something they have to cure with their "warmth". Also, these stoic men had often the only the purpose of understanding the bright protagonist and bringing some order / showing them that their chaos was something lovely. There was also of love(lust?)-at-first-sight thing and it's a trope that's just not for me.

Spoiler

^ would be the three m/f stories. I did enjoy much better Yes, And... though, maybe because the male protagonist at least had some distinct personality. I liked the subplot of Unraveled, because I had never heard about dioramas and it was interesting to read about but that's about it. Caught Looking was just... a fully mess for me, and just as in Unraveled they were lusting after each other 24/7 and I was so tired of it...

The only short story I really liked was Tommy Cabot Was Here by Cat Sebastian which is, unsurprisingly, the reason I actually bought the book in the first place. I expected something sweet and it was BUT while breaking my heart. It was such a nostalgic, yearning love story and I think Cat Sebastian really made something more out of the topic.

In general, I'd not recommend this anthology but it sure is a book to help to pass time.