REVIEW: Together, Apart

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Delacorte Printing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my ain.]

Summary and Review

This is a collection of 9 romantic stories for young adults almost dearest in the time of Covid and quarantine.

"Love, Delivered" past Erin A. Craig
A family'southward move is accelerated due to the pandemic as Millie's scientist parents are needed at their new jobs ASAP. Cheers to the pandemic, her folks have to study to piece of work correct abroad, but their groceries won't be delivered for a few days. This leaves Millie ordering a lot of pizza from a local joint – and getting to know the delivery guy.

This was Adorable! So sweet. I idea it captured the early days of the pandemic well as people tried to adjust to new masking and distancing requirements. Loved this! ♥♥♥♥½

"The Socially Afar Dog-Walking Brigade" by Bill Konigsberg
After several awkward encounters with a group of dog walkers, a cute boy invites Kaz to join them.

This is a far more than serious, angsty story than the kickoff ane. Kaz has been burned in relationships before. He'due south introverted and shy to brainstorm with, but now he'due south besides protective. But slowly Daxton gets him to warm up. This was good, although halfway through the book it became articulate that the cozy, squishy stories were more my speed than the more serious ones in general. (Language, LGBTQ+, TW: Cut) ♥♥♥

"One Day" by Sajni Patel
A girl in search of peace and quiet while in lockdown with her family in their apartment starts communicating with a male child playing guitar on his balcony, afterwards she throws her shoe at him and he refuses to return information technology.

This was another beautiful, flirty story – right upward my alley. I loved how all of these stories and then far take taken a unlike angle on the lockdown, in this case, a small flat with iv people at home. ♥♥♥♥

"The Rules of Comedy" by Auriane Desombre
Harper gets her older sister's help with a funny TikTok video to go her trounce's attention. Simply when it works, Harper thinks she's not funny enough on her ain to proceed upwardly with the conversation.

I enjoyed the relationship with the sisters here. For me that was the more interesting, and in the end, satisfying, relationship addressed in the story. Covid was the context for why Harper was connecting with Alyssa through devices rather than at schoolhouse in person, merely otherwise it wasn't a big gene in this story. (LGBTQ+) ♥♥♥

"The New Male child Next Door" by Natasha Preston
Quinn's new neighbour is gorgeous – and brooding. But she'southward determined to pause down his walls and get to know him – from a safe altitude.

This was delightful! The flirty banter is exactly what I love in stories. I besides enjoyed the glimpse at how the fictional neighborhood was dealing with Covid and staying continued. ♥♥♥♥½

"The Green Thumb War" by Brittney Morris
Two teens growing herbs on their balconies devise a competition to see who can practise something amazing with them.

This starts with antagonists, not unlike "Ane Day," although with a cat and domestic dog fight likewise every bit an injury instead of merely a thrown shoe. But I enjoyed the awkward, quirky characters and their dorsum-and-forth banter. The set for this one was clever, equally was the resolution. ♥♥♥♥½

"Stuck with Her" by Rachael Lippincott
Allie's roommate, Mia, is making her crazy, eating all her food and playing loud music at 3am while they are stuck together in lockdown.

This may be the near relatable regarding Covid for me, reading this in December. This shows some of the wear and tear of constant togetherness, the question of whether things will ever get dorsum to normal, etc. Allie'south coming out story is heartbreaking. The description of her panic attack felt realistic, and the way Mia cares for her and responds is endearing. The coming out story and panic assail could exist triggering for some readers. (LGBTQ+) ♥♥♥♥½

"Masked" by Erin Hahn
When Covid cancels prom, Greyness decides to use the fabric she bought to make her dream dress to make masks instead. She meets Jude on a neighborhood app when he reaches out to take her make masks for his uncle's business.

This is my favorite story from the collection! Not a surprise because I already beloved the author. There's a fun music component to this, like in a lot of her work. I was devastated for Greyness to sacrifice her dress and her dreams for prom. I felt like the writer did a great job demonstrating that piece of the early part of the pandemic. That she used her sewing skills and her precious material to do something to assist others was endearing. And then she met Jude. *swoon* ♥♥♥♥♥

This whole drove is a please. Don't miss this i!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved information technology! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel

[I received an electronic review re-create of this book from Netgalley and Chiliad Key Publishing/Forever in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my ain.]

Summary

Liya thought she was having dinner with her parents. Non her favorite activity thank you to her begetter's abiding disapproval. Only she expressly told them she was not in the market for a husband. She wanted no office of some matchmaking dinner engineered by her parents.

Then Jay and his mom came to the door.

In her fury, Liya ended upward slamming right into Jay, knocking them both to the basis, equally she tried to escape. He probably idea she was rude – or crazy – simply his opinion doesn't thing. She's not going to take to meet him again.

But she does. When she should be jubilant a new promotion at piece of work, she discovers her company is going nether. They never mentioned the lawsuits or other issues during her interview. And the lawyer who'southward been brought in to make up one's mind if the company can be saved? Jay.

And he'southward furious that Liya ran out and was so disrespectful to his mother. He's heard all sorts of rumors most Liya at church. She's sassy and difficult headed. Almost incommunicable to get along with. And she clearly wants zip to practice with him. So why does his heart race like that when he gets in verbal sparring matches with her?

Review

Tons of rich, emotional content in this contemporary enemies-to-lovers romance! Liya is a circuitous, complicated graphic symbol. She's fun and loyal with her friends, protective of her mother, and respectful of Jay'south mother. But at the same time she has no patience for gossipy aunties. And she's openly hostile to the trash-talking men at her church. Her hostility is a shield, but Jay sees through some of that when he finally starts really paying attending.

Liya doesn't make a very skillful commencement, second, or 3rd impression with Jay. And he's willing, later on all that, to write her off. Merely his true graphic symbol comes through when she's too vulnerable to exist hostile or protective. And that gives them a chance.

The author has a notation correct at the front of the volume that indicates there are references to sexual assault in the book. Sensitive readers should know that going in.

Both Jay and Liya bring significant baggage into the story. And those situations are huge enough to derail the healthiest couple. At that place'southward a lot for them to work through. And I was here for all of it. The final conflict in the story – and the subsequent wrap upward – was an emotional powerhouse. My heart was racing, and I was hanging on every word. I though the ending was faithful to real life – no miracle endings. It was satisfying, although I would accept happily taken an epilogue to run across how things played out later. (Some language, CW: sexual assault)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥