This short story was just a little bit cute. Just because of the name, I had images of the Disney movie in my head this whole time. And it definitely did have those vibes. But also, it was entirely Kilby Blades.
I did think that this tale would be written from the point of view of the dog. I did like that it was from Callie’s owner. I mean, the story still focused on the dogs’ romance (woth heavy implications that there is a human romance), but it was a very different way to write a cute romance.
I think that my favourite part of this short story was the absolute calamity that was the charity event. I mean, a classy dinner with canine companions… yeah, you could totally call it. But it was still absolutely hilarious to read about.
Title: Single and Ready to Jingle Author: Piper Rayne Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2022
There is always something about grumpy/sunshine romances that I love. That goes extra for when those romances are grinch/sunshine romances. I mean, who wouldn’t love a romance that is based on someone who hates Christmas falling for someone who loves Christmas? The fact that it starts with a blind date that goes epically wrong in a very short amount of time just made it so much better and more entertaining. I mean, who rocks up to a blind date in an elf costume?!?!
Single and Ready to Jingle is an incredibly sweet and easy to read romance. It’s one of those happy reads that makes it nice to have a bit of a break from reality and a cuppa. It also had the unexpected benefit of the best friend’s sister / brother’s best friend trope. I didn’t quite expect it, because it was approached in a slightly different way. But, it was still a light hearted and sweet read. One that I will probably dive into again next Christmas.
One of the reasons I’m particularly a fan of the grinch/sunshine trope is because I married a man who is a bit of a grinch. I absolutely adored that for the entirety of this story, it was about trying to get the grinch-man to fall back in love with Christmas. It’s definitely a battle that I’ve fought over the years and it made me incredibly happy to know that it is probably some other peoples’ experience as well. Plus, it was a really nice way for Piper Rayneto highlight all of the things that they love about Christmas.
It was kind of surprising how late into the story the conflict hit. I was expecting, with the personality differences, the tragic first date and all of the other challenges this couple faces for the conflict to occur much, much earlier. As a result, I spent a lot of the time reading this book in a feeling of unrelenting suspense. Which worked really well, I would have enjoyed this writing regardless, but keeping me in suspense for the point of conflict ended up making me read this a whole lot quicker. In fact, I barely put this down from the moment I cracked it. Because suspense.
I absolutely adored Single and Ready to Jingle, not only is it one of the catchiest titles in my collection, but it was also a really sweet story. This was one of those tales that just works well at Christmas. But, it also had the conflict and the character development that I always crave in a really good read.
I love the voices of both Mindy and Hugo – they were great characters and flicking between their points of view was a nice way to dive into this short story. Both Mindy and Hugo are completely relatable, and I love how they both have some serious misconceptions about one another on their first meeting. But, when you get to know each of their points of view, you can actually understand their reactions.
I love that both of the lead characters are single parents. Although you don’t get to know all of their children, it is still fun to read about their experiences of being a parent. The fact that this story also involves a missing child just highlights their parental roles and identities. I mean, having one of my children go missing is literally my worst nightmare, and something that I can’t even fathom.
This was a fun short story with a great couple and a very sweet storyline, missing child and all. I had a lot of fun reading it and enjoyed being taken away by such a simple tail.
It admittedly took me a little while to get into this short story. I liked some of the idea, but I always feel a little cringy about any story with someone crushing on their best friend’s partner. I mean, honestly, if my best friend crushed on my SO and then acted on it? Yeah… I don’t even have words for the feelings there. Yet, somehow these kind of starts generally turn into pretty decent stories. As did this one.
Making Her Melt isn’t a romance for the ages, nor is it one that I’m chomping at the bit to read again. But, it was a nice balanced story. One that I did end up really enjoying. Particularly since I almost DNF’d it after one of the scenes. In particular, the threesome moment. I mean, it was kind of seriously uncomfortable and gave you the major discomforts reading it. Then, the bit that made me not necessarily fall head over heels for this story – they never dealt with the fall out from this. I mean, seriously.
One of my favourite (and one of the most redeeming things) about this story was the way in which Lia realised that she needed to figure herself out first. Instead of diving head first into the relationship that she obviously wanted to pursue, she took a step back and tried to figure out what was best for her first. I love when there are stories which feature a female lead who just tries to short her own shit out independent of the relationship. This definitely ticked all of those boxes.
There’s always been that whole idea that you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure, and I love that Niko and Sybil kind of show just why that shouldn’t happen in this short story. I mean, ultimately it does work out. Because it’s a cute contemporary romance, but it’s still nice to have that whole don’t miss business with pleasure challenges highlighted.
This wasn’t exactly my favourite romance, but it was still very cute. I enjoyed the story though. I just didn’t find the characters to be the kind that I tend to connect to. Sybil was fairly independent and driven, which I normally love in a lead female, but I think I’ve just been reading characters of a totally different calibre, and this just didn’t quite compete.
All in all, I seriously enjoyed reading this short story. But, I must admit, that it’s really Marley the husky who is my favourite character. There is just something about a fun and energetic dog that always steals the show.
Title: Love and Other Words Author: Christina Lauren Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2018
This novel, whilst being a romance and seriously sweet, also completely broke my heart and made me cry. There are so many moments of tragedy throughout that make your breath catch and your heart fragment just a little. But, luckily there is a happy ending, so it was totally and utterly worth reading. Plus, you know that the authors are good when they are able to totally shatter your heart and make you fall that in love with characters and hopeful for a happy ending.
I love that you realise fairly early on that both Elliot and Macey have made mistakes in their past that tore them apart. But, as you read more and more of the story, you realise that the fuck ups were just compounded by total accidents of fate. And honestly, it was that which was really tragic. I mean, everyone makes mistakes, but the past shows that sometimes fate just stops you from being able to heal from them. And honestly, that was the bit that was the most heartbreaking for me.
I love that this story is written with two different timelines, both from Macey’s point of view. It lets you find out more and more about the tragic past of the couple, as you hope for a beautiful future. Honestly, mostly I found myself spending most of this story just hoping for a really good happily ever after. Plus, having the two timelines means that you get to find out more about Elliot and Macey as they grow up together and turn from childhood friends to romantic soul mates. It was just too damn cute and sweet.
There was something about Sean and Macey’s weird relationship with him that made me seriously want to hate him. I mean, after all, he’s one of the obstacles in the way of the couple’s happily ever after. However, there was something about him that meant that I actually couldn’t hate him. I didn’t necessarily like or love him, but there was no hate. It was just this whole awkward bundle that worked as an excellent symptom for Macey’s heartbreak.
This is my second ever Christina Lauren novel, and I have seriously fallen in love with this writing team. The romances are beautiful and heartfelt, but there is so much more angst and challenges to overcome than some other romances. But, honestly, they have moved to the top of my TBR pile. And I can’t wait to read more of their novels!
The Meet Cute in this short story was kind of funny – I mean, it’s two people who’ve ended up with borrowed dogs meeting at a dog park. And then said dogs decide to go at it… doggy style. I mean, serious awkwardness would ensue. And I don’t necessarily think much of people who don’t desex their dogs and then take them to dog parks. But, as a story, this was quite a funny way to begin.
As someone who has taken people to dog parks as a way to socialise, I totally get that both Viv and Cooper are kind of using their close ones’ dogs to do so. The way that they connect quickly is kind of fun and cute in a short story too. Although, unlike some of my favourite short stories, I was quite content when this finished. It was a fun tale, but not one that I ended up super connected to. It was pleasant, but not memorable.
I think that my favourite part of this story and journey was the fact that this is written by an Australian author. And, the fact that it was based in Melbourne. I might be across the border in SA, but it was still so familiar to me. I love that familiarity in reading, and I’m glad that I got to go on this little adventure.
Title: Dragon’s Masquerade Author: Dawn McGraw Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Novella Year: 2019
I didn’t really get into this novella, I liked the idea of it, and I did read all of it. But I just didn’t quite get pulled into the story like I wanted to. Mostly I just found that, personally, the writing and the characters weren’t that easy to feel attached to. It was a great premise, but, for me, the execution just wasn’t really there. Mostly I just found the story to be told in an awkward and clunky kind of way.
Title: Bear Naked with the Bearded Baller Author: Amy Award In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous) Rating Out of 5: 1.5 (Couldn’t get past the first chapter) Format: eBook, Short story Year: 2023
I really couldn’t get into this. Nothing about this caught my fancy. Really just not my style of writing. So I skipped this short story. Onto those tales that hit my happy buttons!
This was a really sweet and fun collection. Not as Christmas-themed as I was anticipating, but a nice trend towards the holiday season. About half of the authors are authors I’ve read before. The other half were new to me. Both of which made me incredibly happy – it’s fun discovering the old and new. Plus, some of these short stories introduced me to series that I haven’t yet dived into… something that, again, I always enjoy.
I do wish that a lot of these stories were more themed around Christmas. They were enjoyable, but I really read this at the festive season… because Christmas. So it was a little disappointing when it didn’t adhere to that. However, it was a fun collection, just one I would read at any point of the year.
This might not have felt very Christmassy, and I didn’t necessarily love every single story in the collection, but it was one that I will definitely read again in the future. Mostly because there are some pretty awesome authors scattered throughout.
Earth and Skye 