Back of Book: 

Serendipity works wonders for a woman and her seemingly unattainable crush in a funny and flirty short story by Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners and My Favorite Half-Night Stand.

When marketing consultant Veronica accidentally crashes the wrong Zoom meeting and brutally critiques their presentation, she’s shocked to receive a job offer from the company’s intriguing CEO. Their professional email exchanges quickly turn flirty, but Veronica’s mind keeps drifting to her reserved but gorgeous new neighbor. As Valentine’s Day approaches, she’ll discover that sometimes the most improbable meet-cute can lead to the perfect match.

Christina Lauren’s Accidentally Yours is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again. 

Book Number: One

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Novelette

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

When an abrasive marketing manager interrupts the wrong Zoom meeting, a match is accidently made between her and the company's CEO.

Veronica is a marketing consultant who has recently been laid off from her job, so lately she's been desperately on the hunt for income. Thinking that she is entering a job interview, she logs into a Zoom session and finds herself face to face with a meeting full of tech bros. Even worse, the guy presenting has created the worst PowerPoint in human history. After brutally critiquing the presentation, she abruptly leaves the meeting. Jude, the company's CEO, is intrigued by this ambitious woman and knows that the company is in desperate need of some marketing expertise. The two begin an unlikely friendship with plenty of flirtatious banter as the two work together to launch Codeify's newest app.

I found myself wanting a quick sweet read that I could consume last night, so I pulled out Amazon's newest original short story collection. I was happy to see that this one hooked me from the first page and filled me with a giddy feeling that I wasn't expecting to get in such a short story. This is my first work by Christina Lauren, and this tale gives me hope that I could really like their full-length novels. Also, I didn't know that Christina Lauren was really a pen name for two people, so that was enlightening.

I thought it was fun that much of this story happens over texting and emails. Stories told in multiple media formats like this just have a little extra pizazz to them that I always enjoy. The fact that Veronica and Jude started to feel attracted to one another before even knowing what the other person looked like was a really sweet addition and helped seal the deal for me.

The aspect of them living next door to one another wasn't super original, but it was cute nonetheless. I was only a few pages in before I connected the dots, so I'm not sure if there was supposed to be a big reveal moment or not. The fact that they physically run into each other in their building's lobby multiple times without knowing adds a layer of irony to this story that I just adored (especially the incident involving the office chair; seriously, he's paying for that chair, and he didn't even know it).

Something that I really appreciate about "The Improbably Meet-Cute: Second Chances" collection is the fact that it literally states how spicy each book is at the beginning. This one was rated half a pepper, meaning that their is only kissing and brief touches present in this story. This will make it easier for readers to gauge what stories they will probably enjoy based on the heat level, which is something that I know I greatly appreciate at least.

Overall, "Accidentally Yours" is such a sweet and wholesome read that is perfect for Valentine's Day. Not only does it end on February 14th, but the friendship between Veronica and Jude is just so cute. Their flirty emails and eccentric banter really helped make this story. The irony of their relationship also had me feeling giddy. Long story short, this was a fun one that I found myself enjoying quite a lot. 

Back of Book: 

When a mysterious time capsule leads a Toronto teacher to England, she discovers some loves are worth crossing oceans—and decades—to find, from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Bonam-Young.

When a history teacher receives a letter from her deceased grandmother revealing a secret love affair in the 1950s, it leads her to a time capsule hidden decades ago. But it’s the charming grandson of her grandmother’s lost love who changes everything, proving that sometimes the heart knows exactly where—and when—it belongs.

Hannah Bonam-Young’s Time Will Tell is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again. 

Book Number: Two

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ | Novelette

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A short romance featuring two people who fall in love over their grandmothers' secret time capsule.

After her grandmother's death, history teacher Georgia receives a letter that reveals her grandmother's queer identity and begs her to hunt down the time capsule she left behind with her girlfriend, Martha, in her youth. Desperate to fulfill her grandmother's wishes and learn the full truth, Georgia seeks Martha's grandson, Callum, in hopes of finding the key to unlock the box. The two begin talking about their family histories and find that their search for the truth has started veering into flirtatious territory. 

I've never read any of Bonam-Young's work, so this was a great introduction to it. This story certainly has its flaws, but it gives me hope that her more fleshed out romance novels could be great! 

From the beginning of this story, I enjoyed Georgia's vibe. She's a high school history teacher who is super passionate about her work and courageous enough to go after what she wants in life. It takes us a few chapters to truly meet Callum, but it becomes clear that these two mesh really well together as people early on. 

The secret lesbian relationship between Georgia and Callum's grandparents was super sweet. It always saddens me that people in the past had to hide their identities so thoroughly and often found themselves marrying others just to protect themselves. Things have certainly gotten better in the last few decades, but I can't wait until we live in a world in which all people are accepted for who they are deep inside. The narrative of Georgia and Callum finding each other is also pretty cute and fits in well with the Valentine's Day narrative of this story. 

I personally feel that some of the details that are revealed in the newspaper article at the end would have worked better if they would have been more fully fleshed out. I was sad that we didn't get to see the time capsule actually opened, and therefore, only got to learn very little about its contents. I would have also loved to witness Georgia and Callum's first date, as well as more of Georgia's time in England in general. 

Overall, "Time Will Tell" is another sweet, short romance that showcases a love that forms across time and space. Georgia and Callum's past had always been interwoven, and this story shows them learning about that connected past and falling in love in the process. This story gave Georgia and Callum a chance at a lifelong love when their grandparents couldn't which I think is such a wholesome concept. The ending felt super sudden and definitely rushed, but it was still a good story despite this. 

Back of Book: 

Two musical theater costars, separated by fate, reunite for a showmance to remember in a sizzling and banter-filled short story about second chances by #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Soto.

When food poisoning takes out the lead in their Valentine’s Day production of Oklahoma!, TV sensation Colby J. Turner swoops in to save the show. But for leading lady Bex Hardgrave, this last-minute casting is more drama than she bargained for. Eight years ago, their onstage chemistry sparked real-life fireworks—until a misunderstanding brought down the curtain on their budding romance. Now they’re sharing the spotlight again, and their old connection is threatening to steal the show. As showtime approaches, Bex and Colby will have to decide if their second-chance romance deserves its own standing ovation.

Julie Soto’s Second Act Romance is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again.

Book Number: Three

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Novelette 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

After a food poisoning debacle causes half of the cast to get sick, the show still must go on in this sweet theatre romance.

Bex Hardgrave doesn't have time to hang out with her castmates outside of rehearsal and performances. When the majority of the cast eats tainted shrimp tacos and gets food poisoning, she is so glad that she doesn't spend her free time with them. Now, TV sensation Colby J. Turner is coming in to fill the male lead. Bex's big secret is that she's actually been his stage partner once before, in a different production of "Oklahoma!" eight years prior. With the two back on stage together again, it is hard to deny the chemistry that the two share.

This was such a fun theatre romance! I was once again surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this short story. I am a huge theatre nerd, so I had an absolute blast with this one.

My favorite part of this story was seeing how the cast and crew creatively solved all the problems that they encountered. In a Broadway production of "Oklahoma!" errors can be significant and I thought it was such a joy to see them warp the musical from its original format in such a successful way due to how many people they were lacking from the original cast.

The fact that Bex and C.J. worked together in the past in the same dang roles and started to fall for each other all those years ago is so swoonworthy to me. It really felt as those these two were given a second chance to try out the romance that they never got to experience eight years ago. I truly think the world does push people who are meant to change one's life for the better into one's orbit, and that certainly happened with Bex and C.J. in this story.

The chemistry between these two was so there for me. The inside jokes they shared about their characters and their blocking was so legit (I fell for my stage partner, so I heavily related to all the show related humor and flirting). Showmances can be a dangerous thing, but I find them to be so darn adorable!

I know many people felt this story was too riddled with theatre jargon to be enjoyable, but I truly think that's what made it so entertaining for me. The author clearly knows what it is like behind the scenes in a theatre, which made the experience so darn fun for someone who has partaken in theatre themself.

Overall, "Second Act Romance" was such a cute story that I absolutely consumed. I was a huge fan of all the theatre references and creative choices that kept the show going. Bex and C.J. have such a sweet relationship, and I was happy to see them get a second shot at love. I've been surprised by how much I've enjoyed this series of shorts so far, so I hope they keep surprising me in a good way! 

Back of Book: 

Sometimes Cupid shows up exactly when—and how—you least expect him in this deliciously witty romance from #1 Amazon and USA Today bestselling author Trilina Pucci.

Years ago, during a college production of Romeo and Juliet, Rory and Oliver shared one unforgettable stage kiss before fate pulled them apart. Now, while drowning her Valentine’s Day sorrows at brunch, she spots him: her former Romeo, wearing nothing but gold shorts and wings, playing Cupid for the lovelorn masses. Their chemistry still sizzles, but even with the stars finally aligning, these former leads will need more than Shakespeare’s guidance to turn their second chance into a true romance.

Trilina Pucci’s A Play for Love is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again.

Book Number: Four 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Novelette 

Review: 🌟🌟

A short rom com featuring one memorable stage kiss, a scantily clad Cupid, and one unforgettable day in New York City. 

Rory and Oliver were paired up for a college midterm in which they had to perform a very romantic scene from "Romeo and Juliet" on Valentine's Day. Almost six years later, the two run into each other in the unlikeliest of places, all the way across the country in New York City. Unfortunately, Rory is about to move back to California, so Oliver only has one day to win her heart. Is it possible to reignite the chemistry they felt on stage all those years ago, or is their happily ever after dead before it even got the chance to start? 

I was hoping that this story would be another sweet theatre romance like the one before it, but that certainly wasn't the case. Rory and Oliver are certainly very horny for one another throughout the course of this one, and the overall vibe of this story is a bit more risqué. 

This story is broken up into three acts. Personally, Act I made me a tad uncomfortable solely because Rory and her friend Cece were lusting after Oliver so hard. Like seriously girls, keep it in your pants. Act II had a bit of an odd start with Oliver starring a scantily clad Cupid and Rory inadvertently going on a date with a creepo. Once the two started checking off Rory's everything she wanted to do in New York City list, the story took on a much sweeter nature, despite the fact that these two still very much couldn't stop thinking about making out with each other. Part III was actually pretty sweet, despite it being totally unrealistic and blown of a proportion quite a bit. 

Overall, "A Play for Love" was a bit of an odd story, but the Valentine's Day vibes were very much there. I think this one was a bit too odd for me to enjoy all that much, but it definitely had its cute moments. I fear that the rest of this short story collection might fall of the train a bit, but I'll still give them a chance regardless. 

Back of Book: 

What’s worse than Valentine’s Day after a brutal breakup? Being trapped in a snowstorm with your ex’s brother and maybe a murderer. A witty and chillingly romantic short story by #1 Amazon bestselling author Catherine Cowles.

After her boyfriend’s betrayal, the last thing Maia St. James wants is to celebrate Valentine’s Day. And when her friends force her out for a Death to Valentine’s Day masquerade ball at a mountain lodge, the last thing she expects is to kiss a masked stranger, especially when he ends up being her ex’s older brother. But that’s the least of her problems. When a guest is found murdered, the party becomes a mystery. And Maia must unmask a killer before her second chance at romance is cut short.

Catherine Cowles’s Death to Valentine’s Day is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again.

Book Number: Five

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Novelette 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A goofy Valentine's Day romance featuring a masquerade party and a murder.

One year ago, Maia St. James' boyfriend broke up with her on Valentine's Day. The last thing she wants to do is celebrate the holiday, but when her friends tell her about a death to Valentine's Day themed party she can't help but be curious. Once arriving at the mysterious masquerade party in the mountains, the unexpected happens. Maia kisses her ex's older brother and soon after finds a woman lying in a pool of blood. Valentine's Day just got a lot scarier.

I must say, the murder aspect was completely ridiculous and had no reason to be in this story. There could have just been a huge snowstorm that forced them to stay overnight at the mansion; there was truly no need for the tension of a murderer hanging over the characters heads. Beyond this completely stupid addition, this story was actually pretty fun.

This one features a relationship between Maia and one of her childhood best friends, Decker. Yes, Decker happens to also be Maia's ex-boyfriend's older brother, but there's more awkward things in the world. I enjoyed the chemistry between these two. It was easy for me to tell that these two had been through a ton together and that Decker would give the world to Maia.

This short story did have a bit of fluff. This one is nearly one hundred pages, and I feel it actually could have been trimmed down a bit. This is a rare complaint from short stories, but I feel that there were moments that this one dragged. Cutting out a few things would have been easy to do, especially if one would have taken out the murder aspects of the plot.

This one is the first open door romance in this series of shorts, rather than closed door or spice free. I thought that the spice in this one was alright, but the story would have felt about the same without it. Maia and Decker come to realize that they both loved each other since high school, so it wasn't that big of a deal that their relationship turned so physical right away once they met up again as new adults.

Overall, "Death to Valentine's Day" was such a goofy story that takes place at a masquerade party in a fancy mansion on Valentine's Day. The second chance romance between Maia and Decker was sweet, and I found their chemistry to be appealing enough. The murder element in this book was pretty stupid in my opinion, but it was a decent story if one ignores that part of it. 

Back of Book: 

Roses are red, violets are blue, Emma’s not dead, and her gravedigger’s hot too. This Valentine’s Day, love claws its way out of the grave in #1 New York Times bestselling author Navessa Allen’s steamy and hilariously dark rom-com.

Louisiana gravedigger Noah Evans’s Valentine’s night shift takes an unexpected turn when his high school crush starts screaming from her freshly dug grave. Whoever tried to bury Emma six feet under is in for a nasty surprise—they should have checked for a pulse because she’s got unfinished business, starting with the hot gravedigger who just saved her life. As they unearth a deadly family conspiracy, Noah and Emma discover that old flames burn even hotter the second time around—especially when someone’s trying to kill them.

Navessa Allen’s Valentine’s Slay is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again.

Book Number: Six (Last Book) 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Novelette 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

An intense romantic suspense story set on Valentine's Day featuring a gravedigger and a woman that is buried alive. 

Noah Evans is working the night shift at his family's cemetery late on Valentine's Day when it takes a surprising turn—the woman buried earlier, Emma Broadturn, was buried alive. Noah had a crush on Emma in high school, so not only is he thrilled that Emma is still alive, but he can't seem to take his eyes off of her, despite knowing that she just went through some pretty traumatic stuff. The two team up to get revenge on the man that tried to put Emma in the ground for good. 

This one has quite a different feel from the other stories, so it's a bit shocking that it is a part of this collection. It is way spicier than the others and it reads as romantic suspense rather than a romantic comedy. I must say, I enjoyed this one way more than I thought I would. 

The suspenseful atmosphere of this one made for an addictive reading experience and I actually found myself eating up the spice in this one. I thought it was a tad bit strange to make out with this random acquaintance from high school right after being buried alive, but after a bit of thought I came to the conclusion that a person's brain jumping to sexual acts and just wanting to feel completely alive is actually a pretty realistic thing to do after a near-death experience. I can't say that it's where my brain would go, but I'm sure there are quite a few people who would seize the opportunity that they are presented with. 

Steamy make out aside, I thought that Noah and Emma had a solid vibe going. Noah has been crushing on Emma since high school, so his attraction to her made complete sense. He was such a gentleman in helping Emma through the horrifying experience she was going through, even despite how physically appealing she is to him. Intense trauma bonding is a thing, and I think their relationship will grow greatly with more time together. 

If the ending of this one wouldn't have felt as rushed or too perfect, I probably would have enjoyed it more. I personally thought that the entire scene that happened at the Broadturn estate was a little over the top and could have been handled in a better way. I guess some people enjoy a bloody happily ever after and I know that's what Allen is known for writing, so I guess that's that. 

The epilogue was pretty darn cute though. It was nice to see how Emma and Noah grew together as a couple over the next year. And there was so. many. kittens! 

Also, I didn't mention this in any of my prior reviews, but I thought it was neat that every story talked about the same set of comets that were visible from Earth on Valentine's Day. It did a great job of placing all of these stories in the same universe in a super subtle way. It also highlighted the theme that everyone deserves a second chance at love. I swear I noticed this around halfway through the series, I just forgot to mention it until now. 

Overall, "Valentine's Slay" was an interesting conclusion to this short story collection that felt a tad out of place, but it was still an enjoyable read. This one is filled with much more suspense, gore, and sex than the other stories, so just be warned that this one isn't as fluffy as the rest. I still have mixed feelings about this Amazon story collection as a whole, but I had a more positive experience than not!