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: ?

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: ?

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: ?