Authors: Multiple Authors, Edited by Stephanie Perkins
Genre: Anthology, Holiday, Young Adult
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, October 2014
Summary from Goodreads:
If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.I was very excited to get this book at the end of November. I waited until the first day of December to read it and I planned on reading one story a day (for twelve days... obviously). That plan didn't work out so well. I think I discovered that I may not be a big "short story" person... I had a hard time wanting to go back to this book everyday and my attention kept getting stolen by actual novels. It took me the entire month of December to get through all the stories. It wasn't that this book wasn't enjoyable, it was, I just had a craving for full-length books.
Midnights by Rainbow Rowell (5 Stars)
This one I thought was very cute. I am a definite fan of her writing and the way she portrays relationships. This story followed two people through past New Year's Eves together and I was rooting for them the entire time. I connected with the characters immediately and a full-length novel of their lives past NYE would probably we really good. Very sweet and a good start to the book.
The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link (4 Stars)
I feel like I am in a minority here where I actually really liked this one! I though the writing style and prose was really pretty and I was super interested in this family and how all the weird magical realism stuff was coming about. My problem was that the ending felt super rushed and my questions didn't really get answered.
Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Pena (3 Stars)
I felt bored by this one. I was flipping pages to see how much longer until the next story. I just couldn't connect with the characters. Cute, but kind of ehhh...
Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han (4 Stars)
Cute and unique. Instead of an Elf in the "real world" we get to see a teenage girl in the North Pole. One of the shorter stories and I enjoyed it. A "fun" one.
It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins (5 Stars)
I really liked this one a lot. The romance was super sweet and I really connected with the main character. This is another character who'd be great in a full-length novel. The funny and witty dialogue between the "couple" was the best part.
Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan (3 Stars)
I thought the writing style of this was great and it came across as really sweet at times, but there were moments where I was SO lost. Like I had no idea what the main character was having a internal monologue about. And none of my questions even got answered. A lot of angst for a Christmas story.
Krumpuslauf by Holly Black (4 Stars)
I enjoyed this one. I liked the dynamic of these friends and characters and I liked reading about them planning this fancy NYE party in a trailer park. But overall it was still a little odd. Like these human people just accepted this fantasy stuff going on like it was completely normal... I just didn't buy it. But still one of the more entertaining stories.
What the Hell have you done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman (5 Stars)
Really liked this one. Again, a great main character for a full-length novel. I'd love to read more about Sophie's college life and more of the romance. So sweet.
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire (3 Stars)
Liked this one. It was fast-paced and entertaining. Cute romance, etc, etc... Worked good as a short story.
Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White (4 Stars)
Really liked! The setting was fun and I connected with the characters. Huge turn around in the end that I wasn't expecting. Romance was not the focus of the story, IMO. But still cute and definitely has a holiday spirit feel.
Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter (5 Stars)
This was probably my favorite of the book. If there was one that needed a full-length book the most it'd be this one. I LOVED the whole premise of switching plane tickets and all of that. I wanted to know way more about BOTH girls stories and the guy's family and everything. Wanted more, more, more of this story!
The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (3 Stars)
Beautiful writing, but I was feeling kind of lost. I couldn't connect and just... I don't know... not one of the better ones for me.
I guess this gets 4 stars when average out!
Plus, I had a lot of fun matching up the couples in the story to the skaters on the cover! :)
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