Tag Archives: Book Reviews

January 8, 2026 · 1:00 am

A Review of Sunset

Title:SunsetBook cover for Sunset by P.B. Cannon. Image on cover shows a gorgeous orange and yellow sunset in the sky overhead a distant pine forest on an overcast day. The light appears to be dancing in the clouds almost because of how it gently touches everything.

Author: P.B. Cannon

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: September 3, 2022

Genres: Science Fiction, Mystery

Length: 25 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 3 Stars

Blurb:

Charlotte, North Carolina, is an area where earthquakes are uncommon, but one bright morning it is struck by one so vigorous that it forms deep crevasses in the ground, knocks out communications, and leaves the city in disarray. Can a bodyguard and the bodyguard’s two clients who were about to board a private plane along with a tag-a-long passenger, get to the bottom of why their trip to Columbia, South Carolina has been so disastrously interrupted? They don’t know, but having no choice because all air traffic has stalled, along with the three employees from the small airport that was handling their flight, they begin a journey to find out.

Content Warning: An earthquake.

Review:

Airports are no place for any funny business.

Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that explored the relationships between the main characters and how their experiences with the world differed from how many men see it. Science fiction hasn’t always done a good job at writing female characters or delving into the nuances of what it means to be part of a minority group, but this is thankfully changing with newer generations of authors in this genre who have the life experience and compassion to write such things.

I struggled with the abrupt ending of this short story. While some of the conflicts were resolved, other ones were still left up in the air by the time the final sentence was completed. I’m not the sort of reader who requires everything to be wrapped up neatly, but I did find myself wishing more had been explained in that final scene so that I could better understand what the characters might encounter next. There was still so much that could have been done with it.

The explanation for the earthquake was strong and memorable. Even though I can’t go into a lot of detail about it for plot twist reasons, the scientific principles behind it intrigued me and made me want to learn more about the subject. Other readers who have stronger backgrounds in science can share their own thoughts about how realistic it is, but I thought it was well done and possibly could be something that happens in real life. (Oh, if only I could write more about this topic in this paragraph!)

Sunset kept me guessing.

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January 1, 2026 · 1:00 am

A Review of New Year

 

Book cover for “New Year” by Neal Shooter. Image on cover is a very bright yellow background that reminds me of the glow of a lightbulb. It’s so bright it all but obscures the title and author.

Title: New Year

Author: Neil Shooter

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: November 26, 2019

Genres: Science Fiction

Length: 12 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 5 Stars

Blurb:

Life on Mars is a constant struggle, and not at all what Naamah expected. The Mission backers melted away, and the four new Martians are alone. To survive Mars, she must come to terms with her past, her present, and her future.

Content Warning: Religion, pregnancy, miscarriage, and stillbirth. I will be discussing these topics in my review.

Review:

Nothing is more important than hope.

It’s uncommon for me to find stories with this setting that talk about the challenges of trying to become and stay pregnant in such a hostile environment, so I was excited to see what Mr. Shooter was planning to do with these topics given how important they were for the characters and their fledgling community. While this meant that some scenes were sad ones, I thought the author handled the topic nicely and realistically given the characters’ circumstances and the tragedies they’d already endured. If only i could read a few more instalments to find out what happened next.

I’ve struggled with the ambiguous nature of some of Mr. Shooter’s other stories, but in this case it worked out beautifully. Life on Mars would rarely if ever be straightforward, especially for couples who are attempting to bear children but have little if any medical assistance with pregnancy or birth. When combined with the many dangers that would be present for a new colony on that planet, of course Naamah and her companions would struggle to know what the future brings and what they should do to make it as pleasant as possible.

The religious themes in this short story were strong and critical in order to understand the ending, but I wouldn’t classify this as belonging to the inspirational genre due to the protagonist’s misgivings about that topic at times. This is something I’d recommend to people who are interested in religion from an academic or philosophical point of view as it did sometimes take a critical approach to certain negative consequences of believing that one is the messenger of God and that feelings always should be taken more seriously than concrete evidence. Readers who are able to step into Naamah’s shoes may find rewarding themes and messages, though! Just don’t go into this expecting a Sunday School lesson.

New Year made me yearn for more.

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December 25, 2025 · 1:00 am

A Review of A Happy Christmas Ceilidh

Book cover for A Happy Christmas Ceilidh by Zoe Tasia. Image on cover is a drawing of a snowperson that’s doing a handstand outside in the snow beside some fir trees. Its stick arms are leaning down to touch the snow and its scarf is falling down onto the snow. Title: A Happy Christmas Ceilidh (The Shrouded Isle)

Author: Zoe Tasia

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: December 1 or 23, 2022

Genres: Fantasy, Holiday, Romance, Contemporary

Length: 82 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 3 stars

Blurb:

It’s their first winter holiday together on the Shrouded Isle…
American widow Becca, her two daughters, and her Scottish boyfriend, Greg, are looking forward to celebrating.But trouble comes…
As an elf on the shelf moves of its own volition, a snowman attracts too much attention, and an elderly neighbor is in dire need of Christmas cheer.To make matters worse…
Becca and Greg find perfect gifts for each other. Unfortunately, neither can afford the price.Hilarity ensues as they struggle to find solutions for their problems. A Happy Christmas Ceilidh is a heart-warming tale about what happens when love brings a family and a community together.Content Warning: References to the main character being widowed and raising two kids on her own.

Review:

Nobody should be alone for the holidays.

This novella had a wonderful sense of community. That is to say, the characters genuinely cared about their neighbours and went out of their way to not only ensure that everyone’s needs were taken care of but that many of their wants were as well. This is one of those things I love about Christmas-themed stories given how warm and fuzzy it makes me feel to hear about everyone being treated with kindness, inclusion, and compassion. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

I found it a little confusing to jump among multiple narrators while reading this, especially given the subplots that only some narrators were interested in exploring. No sooner did I adjust to one perspective than someone else would show up in the following chapter to talk about something that may or may not be related to what had just happened. As much as I wanted to give one a higher rating, these issues were an obstacle to doing so.

With that being said, the fantasy subplot was subtle during most of this piece and fit the characters and setting well. There’s something amusing about needing to figure out if something otherworldly is actually happening or if the characters are somehow misinterpreting uncommon but plausible events. As much as I’d love to dive into this subject even more deeply, it’s best for other readers to discover for themselves what was really going on here.

A Happy Christmas Ceilidh was full of holiday cheer. 

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December 18, 2025 · 1:00 am

A Review of A Very Uncanny Christmas

Book cover for A Very Uncanny Christmas - A Jack Hansard Short Story by Georgina Jeffery. Image on cover is a drawing of four small bottles of potions, one purple, one pink, one red and one white, left by a brick fireplace. In the centre of the display of potions is a light blue glowing potion in a glass jar that’s attached to a large red container. Title: A Very Uncanny Christmas – A Jack Hansard Short Story

Author: Georgina Jeffery

Publisher:

Publication Date: December 18, 2024

Genres: Fantasy, Holiday, Contemporary

Length: 74 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author

Rating: 3 Stars

Blurb:

When Jack Hansard, Purveyor of Occult Goods, takes a break from hawking dodgy potions and broken magic charms to go home for Christmas, he expects to suffer through a painfully normal family reunion. However, it soon become obvious his family is under some kind of Christmas everybody is being too nice.

Then there’s the freak snow, and the weird knitted jumpers, and the elf that little Nicky swears he saw poisoning the mince pies. Whatever’s going on, it’s something that lurks beyond the ordinary.

Jack must face sinister singalongs, enchanted toys, and possibly even Santa Claus himself to get to the bottom of the mystery and save Christmas . . .

. . . Or at least, save his family from Christmas.

Funny urban fantasy with a magic(ish) salesman, a Welsh coblyn, and a misguided Christmas spirit. A Very Uncanny Christmas is a standalone short story in The Jack Hansard Series that can be read on its own.

Review:

There’s something to be said for being a good sport about things one doesn’t quite understand, but there’s also something to be said for being honest.

Jack’s grumpy attitude and vivid descriptions of the things that irritated him amused me. Honestly, I agreed with the many of the points he made about subjects like the commercialization of the holidays or how much pressure can be placed upon someone, whether purposefully or inadvertently, to pretend to enjoy traditions that they at best don’t personally glean any meaning or joy from and at worst might even be a little painful for them for various reasons.  He had the freedom to voice these complaints openly and straightforwardly without anyone trying to silence him which I was intrigued by as this often hasn’t been my experience as a woman in similar situations. This is not to say I think that being grumpy is generally the best course of action, only that it was interesting to meet a character who could so plainly say what he truly thought.

I would have liked to see more time spent on resolving the main conflict in this novella. So many pages were used to build up the tension that I felt a little let down by how it was wrapped up in the end due to how quickly it happened and how many questions I still had about the characters and how magic worked in this universe. While this was still very much a standalone read, I would have happily gone with a higher rating if the conflict had been given more even pacing.

There was a subplot quietly weaving its way through this tale that piqued my interest. As it gradually grew louder, I appreciated the deeper levels of meaning that could be found in a house that was decorated a little too cheerfully and in stacks of presents that overwhelmed the protagonist. Not everyone’s experience of the holidays is the same, so what appears perfectly normal to one family may have a completely different meaning to another. I’m dancing around this topic because I think it’s best for other readers to pick up on the clues for themselves, but I liked the way the author used common Christmas tropes to get his point across.

A Very Uncanny Christmas was full of surprises.

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December 11, 2025 · 1:00 am

A Review of A Visit from Naughty Claus

Title: A Visit from Naughty Claus (‘twere the Night After Christmas)Book cover for A Visit from Naughty Claus Author: RyFT Brand (Robert F Thompson). Image on cover shows a drawing of a scary looking man with a large nose rubbing something long and stick-shaped with a cloth.

Author: RyFT Brand (Robert F Thompson)

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: December 1, 2011

Genres: Fantasy, Contemporary, Holiday

Length: 3 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 3 Stars

Blurb:

Bad kids get coal; really bad kids get a visit from Naughty Claus. Free until December the thirty-first—Happy Holidays!
Can’t seem to stay off the naughty list? Does your behavior make the bad kids cry? Do you cheer when you find a lump of coal in your Christmas stocking? If so you’d better forget watching out and just start running, because Naughty Clause is coming to town. A Visit from Naughty Claus, a dark and dreary tale of Christmas woe in verse that follows the fateful Christmas night when a boy who just couldn’t behave gets his just deserts, and it ain’t Christmas pudding with a sprig of holly in it either. Ready to start behaving?

Content Warning: a terrible tantrum and an even worse consequence for that tantrum.

Review:

Christmas comes in many forms.

This poem is so short that my review of it may very well end up having more words in it than the poem itself! It’s a riff of The Night Before Christmas, but the point of it can still be made if there are any readers who aren’t already familiar with the original. I enjoy seeing how modern authors reinterpret old classics and thought this was a realistic take on what Christmas can be like for some families who aren’t exactly picture perfect.

The beginning explained how the narrator’s family was attempting to deal with a child who seemed to be keen to destroy Christmas for everyone in that household. I say attempting because the parents were trying but didn’t seem to have the gumption to really put their feet down and get their child to stop destroying presents and ruining the house. As I was reading, I wondered if the youngster had been spoiled during his short lifetime or if he had something going on with his mental or physical health that was contributing to these tantrums. Yes, I know I’m probably wildly overthinking this, but it was interesting to come up with various theories about what was going on with him.

As for the ending? Well, you’ll have to discover that for yourselves. It made me wish Mr.  Thompson would reappear on the literary scene and write a sequel to this short, funny piece. There was more he could do with it, and I would have found it amusing to find out what happened next. In the meantime, I’ll just have to use my imagination and encourage all of my readers to check out this playful piece of poetry as Christmas looms nearer.

A Visit from Naughty Claus made me chuckle.

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December 4, 2025 · 1:00 am

A Review of Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2024

Book cover for Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2024 by LM Zaerr, Alicia Adam’s, Coll Marshall, Sarah Connell, Michael M. Jones, A. Katherine Black, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Image on cover shows a teardrop-shaped leaf that has no color left in it. Some red and orange flowers have been embroidered onto it which makes me think the leaf was probably created by a human, too, as something this thin and translucent would crumble if someone actually tried to embroider it. Title: Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2024, Book 3

Author: LM Zaerr, Alicia Adam’s, Coll Marshall, Sarah Connell, Michael M. Jones, A. Katherine Black, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Publisher: Hearth Stories

Publication Date: December 21, 2024

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Historical

Length: 44 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the publisher.

Rating: 4 Stars

Blurb:

Hearth Stories is a speculative fiction magazine focused on cozy fantasy stories. Each issue features a letter from the editor, author bios and interviews, and wonderful stories focused on family, home life, connection, and the natural world.

This issue features the following stories:

The Portal Makers of Thistleton Fair by LM Zaerr

Out of the Rain by Alicia Adams

Enough by Coll Marshall

The Hermit, the Inkeeper, and Clem by Sarah Connell

An Encounter in Spice and Thyme by Michael M. Jones

Dig and the Dragon by A. Katherine Black

The Lady of Shallot by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Content Warning: Serious illness.

Review:

A simple life is a happy life.

“Out of the Rain” explored the lives of an elderly couple who were no longer able to physically keep up with their farm work or housework. It can be difficult for people who have been independent for decades to admit they need some help now, and I enjoyed the way the narrator explored the many different emotions that can be stirred up in this stage of life. I also enjoyed the fact that this was a homage to a much older story. There’s something to be said for breathing new life in such things by updating them in various ways, and it’s something that makes me smile every time I come across it.

Halreth and his fellow villagers were under the influence of a dangerous spell that compelled them to chop down a forest in “Enough.” The parable here was easy to uncover and I did find myself wishing the author had trusted his readers a little more to understand what he was saying without repeated his points so many times, but I thought it was interesting to explore the protagonist’s reaction to the spell when compared to his many happy memories of visiting the forest when he needed new herbs to treat his sick or injured neighbours. To be fair, some readers may need the level of repetition that was included here, so don’t let my mixed emotions about it prevent you from trying it yourself.

The unique way “An Encounter in Spice and Thyme” was framed made me want to read a sequel to this piece. Most authors would have written it from the perspective of Melanie as she tried to help her sick grandmother rather than the point of view of the owner of the magic shop. While this did mean that the reader doesn’t get to know as many details about this illness and its treatment as we normally would, it also opened up the door to explore the conflicts and themes as Layla observed them and tried to figure out how much help she ought to offer to someone who was brand new to the world of using spells in baking and didn’t know where to begin.

Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2024 was overflowing with love and respect for the natural world.

 

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November 27, 2025 · 1:00 am

A Review of Come December

Book cover for Come December by Holly Schindler. Image on cover is a closeup photo of a tree whose branches are covered in snow. The ground, too, is covered in a thick layer of snow. The title is written in a fancy red font which stands out nicely against the black, brown, and white background. Title: Come December

Author: Holly Schindler

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: December 7, 2022

Genres: Holiday, Paranormal, Contemporary

Length: 24 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 5 Stars

Blurb:

A sweet, short holiday tale about opening yourself up to magical possibilities. Natalie is new to town, and feels invisible and painfully alone…until a mysterious stranger in a cemetery changes everything. Come December is the first installment of Forever Finley, a collection of stand-alone episodes or short stories that released once a month throughout 2016. Subsequent releases include: January Thaw, Forget February, Dearest March…, April’s Promise, Mayday Mayday Mayday, Chasing June, A Hundred Julys, Under the August Moon, Song for September, October Omen, and the Forever Finley Finale (Pale November / December Bells). Stories can be purchased individually, or readers can purchase all installments in Forever Finley: An Episodic Novel.

Content Warning: Grief and loneliness.

Review:

Loneliness only makes the holidays even harder.

Thanksgiving isn’t a common setting in the books I read, so I was intrigued when I realized that November and early December was when Natalie had the experiences she had here. I also appreciated the fact that she was such a lonely character as that isn’t a typical theme in Thanksgiving stories either. There is definitely something to be said for exploring a few of the many reasons why someone might find the holidays difficult and why not everyone is filled with cheer at the end of the year. I would read Thanksgiving and other  holiday-themed stories much more often if this were commonplace.

This included a light, friendly paranormal twist that was in no way scary, so no worries to anyone reading this who might be a little nervous at the thought of reading about a ghost. It was an important part of the storyline in the sense that Natalie valued those conversations and the first friendly person she met after moving, but it could also be read as a metaphor for adjusting to a new town and having to start all over again with making friends and putting down roots.

The romantic subplot, too, was handled gently, so I also want to reassure anyone who doesn’t usually enjoy that genre that this is a sweet introduction to it. Romance is interesting to me when it’s a small part of a much bigger story whose main conflicts involve other aspects of life, and that’s exactly what happened in this tale. If you ask me, this is a great example of how to seamlessly incorporate romantic elements without allowing them to overshadow everything else that’s going on with the characters, so kudos to Ms. Schindler for finding the perfect balance here for everyone from diehard romance fans to those of us who are more hesitant about the genre but occasionally willing to visit it.

Come December was a heartwarming and life-affirming Thanksgiving read.

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November 20, 2025 · 1:00 am

A Review of Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2023

Book cover for Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2023 by Sarah Jackson, Adriana C. Grigore,  Em Harriett, Alicia Adams, Catherine Yeates, Akis Linardos, Jennifer Shelby, Katherine B. Randall, Emily Yu, & A.P. Howell. Image on cover is a drawing of a dandelion that has fully turned from yellow to white and is ready for all of its seeds to be blown away. Title: Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2023

Author: Sarah Jackson, Adriana C. Grigore,  Em Harriett, Alicia Adams, Catherine Yeates, Akis Linardos, Jennifer Shelby, Katherine B. Randall, Emily Yu, & A.P. Howell

Publisher: Hearth Stories

Publication Date: December 21, 2023

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, LGBTQ+, Historical, Contemporary

Length: 128 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the publisher.

Rating: 5 Stars

Blurb:

Hearth Stories is a speculative fiction magazine focused on cozy fantasy stories. Each issue features a letter from the editor, author bios and interviews, and wonderful stories focused on family, home life, connection, and the natural world.

Content Warning: Brief references to domestic violence, broken bones (not from domestic violence), blood, loss of bladder function, climate change, and mild household injuries.

Review:

Nature is for everyone.

“Dandelion” was a heartwarming tale about a tiny, human-like creature who helped an injured duck. The kind and brave protagonist, Dandy, made me smile. I also appreciated how much this felt like a traditional fable with its straightforward descriptions of the setting and characters and gentle tone. As much as I’d like to go into greater detail here, it’s better for other readers to get to know Dandy for themselves and be surprised by the wholesome plot twists along the way.

Magic wasn’t something everyone was capable of doing, so the fact that Naomi could do it was meaningful. “Primeval” followed her as she adjusted to yet another school and tried to figure out how to cast spells. The world building in this entire collection was well done, but this piece in particular stood out to me due to how many layers of meaning the author was able to squeeze into a short story. Honestly, this felt like it could be the first chapter of a novel or the first instalment of a long series due to how much I learned about Naomi as well as how many future conflicts and moments of pure joy were just barely hinted at.

While I didn’t necessarily connect with every tale in this collection on a personal level, this is my own shortcoming as all of them were well written. Style is such a subjective topic that I can’t possibly take off any stars due to this, but I did want to mention it in case other readers have similar experiences. Yes, the themes remained the same from beginning to end as far as the magic of forests and the importance of looking after nature goes, but the writing styles varied so much that in my opinion there should be something here for many different types of readers.

There was kindness woven into every moment of Ginny’s life in “The Second Form of Ginny Elder.” She was a senior citizen living with a few physical disabilities who looked after every sick or injured animal who showed up in her garden. Her sweet personality made me adore her immediately, especially once the narrator shared a little bit about her tragic backstory, and my feelings for her only grew warmer and deeper as I saw how careful she was to look after all of her charges. There was a beautiful twist to this tale that I didn’t see coming but that fit Ginny’s personality and history perfectly. Do keep an eye out for it as you read!

Hearth Stories, Winter Solstice 2023 made me yearn for cozy winter days spent tucked into warm blankets while reading.

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November 13, 2025 · 1:00 am

A Review of The Ghosts of Christmases Past

Book cover for Ghosts of Christmases Past by Leigh Kimmel. It is a black and white drawing of a little cabin in the woods that is covered in snow, surrounded by fir trees, and has a string of Christmas lights strung on the gabled roof. Title: Ghosts of Christmases Past

Author: Leigh Kimmel

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: December 25, 2024

Genres: Science Fiction, Holiday

Length: 34 pages

Source: I received a free copy from the author.

Rating: 4 Stars

Blurb:

These are troubled times. The Flannigan Administration’s hostility to clones has reached a boiling point, resulting in the Expulsions. All of NASA’s astronaut clones have been sent to lunar exile in Shepardsport. Christmas is approaching, and Brenda Redmond is helping put on a musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol. But the three ghosts who visit Scrooge in the classic Charles Dickens story aren’t the only ghosts haunting the corridors of Shepardsport. Even as Brenda is trying to get her young players ready, she must also track down the source of the strange visions that are coming unbidden to the settlement’s inhabitants. A novelette of the Grissom Timeline.

Content Warning: Pregnancy and military (Air Force). I will not discuss these topics in my review.

Review:

There’s nothing quite like celebrating the holidays far from home…especially when far from home means living on a distant moon!

I enjoyed the way this short story explored how the characters honored old family traditions while also creating new ones that took note of where they currently lived. Finding that balance is something immigrants and refugees must do during their adjustment phase, and it makes for some pretty interesting reading for those of us who have experience moving from one country to another one.

It would have been helpful to have stronger plot development in this piece, especially towards the end. As much as I enjoyed seeing how the conflicts were set up in the beginning and middle, they were resolved a little too quickly for my tastes later on. There was space here for additional scenes that explained each character’s point of view and how they came to a resolution, and I would have chosen a full five-star rating if this had been allowed to occur.

The science fiction elements of the storyline were well written and kept my interest levels high. Some aspects of them were explained in detail while others were left up to the reader’s imagination. This meant that while some of my questions were answered fairly early on there were still plenty of things to wonder about as I continued along. While I was satisfied with the number of answers I received, I do suspect that people who are already familiar with these characters will glean even more from this tale than I did.

This is part of a series but works perfectly well as a standalone work.

Ghosts of Christmases Past has piqued my curiosity.

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November 6, 2025 · 1:00 am

A Review of For the Rest of Us

Book cover for For the Rest of Us - 13 Festive Holiday Stories to Celebrate All Seasons by Dahlia Adler. Image on cover shows the title in a pink font against a dark blue background. Around each letter are various symbols of many different holidays and religious like a menorah, a bundle of grass tied up with a red ribbon, a box of Valentine’s Day chocolates, a lantern, and a Dia de Los Muertos sugar skull. Title: For the Rest of Us – 13 Festive Holiday Stories to Celebrate All Seasons

Author: Dahlia Adler

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Publication Date: September 2, 2025

Genres: Young Adult, LGBTQ+, Contemporary

Length: 327 pages

Source: I borrowed it from the library

Rating: 3 Stars

Blurb:

Fourteen acclaimed authors showcase the beautiful and diverse ways holidays are observed in this festive anthology. Keep the celebrations going all year long with this captivating and joyful read!

From Lunar New Year to Solstice, Día de Los Muertos to Juneteenth, and all the incredible days in between, it’s clear that Americans don’t just have one holiday. Edited by the esteemed Dahlia Adler and authored by creators who have lived these festive experiences firsthand, this joyful collection of stories shows that there isn’t one way to experience a holiday.

With stories

Dahlia Adler, Sydney Taylor Honor winner of Going Bicoastal

Candace Buford, author of Good as Gold

A. R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy, authors of the Once & Future series

Preeti Chhibber, author of Payal Mehta’s Romance Revenge Plot

Natasha Díaz, award-winning author of Color Me In

Kelly Loy Gilbert, Stonewall Book Award winning author of Picture Us in the Light

Kosoko Jackson, USA Today bestselling author of The Forest Demands Its Due

Aditi Khorana, award-winning author of Mirror in the Sky

Katherine Locke, award-winning author of This Rebel Heart

Abdi Nazemian, Stonewall Book Award–winning author of Only This Beautiful Moment

Laura Pohl, New York Times bestselling author of The Grimrose Girls

Sonora Reyes, Pura Belpré Honor winner of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School

Karuna Riazi, contributor to The Grimoire of Grim Fates

Content Warning: A few celebrations are set during the Covid era. Racism. Grief.

Review:

Traditions give the year meaning.

I was intrigued to explore Valentine’s Day through the perspective of an aromantic character in “PS. I (DON”T) LOVE YOU.” That was a clever choice that gave Elis plenty of opportunities to figure himself out and form opinions about this holiday. Getting to know him was rewarding, and I thought he was a well-written character. It’s difficult to go into detail here without sharing spoilers, so all I will say is that this tale had a satisfying ending that wrapped up the major conflicts while still leaving room for a possible sequel if the author ever chooses to write one.

In general, I found myself wishing for more character development in these tales. This criticism wasn’t limited to one or two instalments but instead was a thought that came to mind over and over again as I read. It’s easy to look up the meanings of words but not as simple to figure out why characters behave the way they do if the text doesn’t provide enough hints about what’s going on with them. As much as I wanted to give this collection a higher rating, this was something that prevented me from diving as deeply into it as I was hoping to.

Cora brought her friend and possible boyfriend Matty home to meet her family for Juneteenth in “Hill Country Heartbeat.” I enjoyed the nuances of their relationship as they atttempted to figure out if they were friends, romantic partners, or something else entirely. The subplots, which I can’t really go into here without sharing spoilers, also added depth to the characters and plot. It was interesting to see how Cora responded to things that she would normally oppose loudly.

For the Rest of Us – 13 Festive Holiday Stories to Celebrate All Seasons was a good read for anyone who celebrates anything other than Christmas or Thanksgiving or who would like to learn more about other cultures.

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