Title: Together, Apart
Author: Erin A Craig | Auriane Desombre | Erin Hahn | Bill Konigsberg | Rachael Lippincott | Brittney Morris | Sajni Patel | Natasha Preston | Jennifer Yen
Genre: Contemporary YA
Format: E-Book
Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: 20th October 2020
My Rating: ★★★★★ (4 stars)
Goodreads | Storygraph
Synopsis:
A collection of original contemporary love stories set during life in lockdown by some of today’s most popular YA authors.
Erin Craig “delivers” on a story about a new girl in town and the cute pizza delivery boy, Auriane Desombre captures our hearts with teens communicating through window signs, and Bill Konigsberg takes us along on daily walks with every step bringing us closer to love. There’s flirting and romance from Rachael Lippincott, a tale of a determined girl with a mask-making business from Erin Hahn, and a music-inspired love connection from Sajni Patel. Brittney Morris turns enemies to lovers with the help of a balcony herb garden, Jennifer Yen writes an unconventional romance that starts outside a hospital, and Natasha Preston’s teens discover each other–and their love story–in a storybook oak tree.
Romantic, realistic, sweet and uplifting, TOGETHER, APART is a collection of finding love in unexpected places during an unprecedented time . . . each with the one thing we all want: a guaranteed happy ending.
My Review:
I came across Together, Apart on BorrowBox, a library app in the UK. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the stories revolving around Covid-19 but I do enjoy short story anthologies, so I decided to give it a go.
Love Delivered by Erin A Craig ★★★
It was a cute short story, but overall, not that memorable to me. It isn’t a story that I would read again.
The Socially Distant Dog Walking Brigade by Bill Konigsberg ★★★★
Two boys fall in love while walking dogs. This story was so cute and if this short story was anything to go by, I look forward to seeing what other stories this author has written.
One Day by Sajni Patel ★★★★★
I found this really cute. It was one of my favourites of the collection. I found it hilarious that Bobby was unable to resist the urge to throw her show and Neal decided to hold it hostage. This was a story that got wrapped up really nicely, and it didn’t leave me hanging waiting for the rest of it, if this story ever becomes a novel I’ll happily buy it.
The Rules of Comedy by Auriane Desombre ★★★★★
This story highlighted a sibling relationship and how tempers can flare during the pandemic. I can see how easy it must be to get irritated with family when you’re stuck inside with them. I just wish that it was longer.
The New Boy Next Door by Natasha Preston ★★★
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this one. I didn’t really like the first half of the story, but as we went into the second half of the story it began to grow on me.
Love with a Side of Fortune by Jennifer Yen ★★★
This story was nice, but like the first one I didn’t get invested in it and I can’t remember much about it.
The Green Thumb War by Brittney Morris ★★★
This is another story set based in an apartment block where Billie and Bastian’s windows were right across from each other. The POV was dual, and it was an interesting change-up in the collection.
Stuck with Her by Rachael Lippincott ★★
My least favourite in this whole collection. I couldn’t really connect with the characters and there seemed to be no development with them. I wasn’t sold on the romance; it didn’t seem real to me.
Masked by Erin Hahn ★★★★★
This story was another one of my favourites. It was super adorable, and I wanted more from it. I loved that she used her prom dress to make masks for the community. Can this be a novel now, please?
