Back of Book: 

In this charming coming-of-age short story from New York Times bestselling authors Nicola Yoon and David Yoon, a group of teens’ lives collide when they’re brought together under unconventional circumstances—forcing them to confront hidden truths and personal secrets.

For Isabel, the artist who no longer believes in love, Safe Harbor’s therapy program is just another checklist item to survive her parents’ divorce. But what begins as a tense session filled with mistrust and heartbreak blooms into something that neither Isabel nor the other teens in the program could have expected. Maybe it’s time to begin again?

Nicola Yoon and David Yoon’s Safe Harbor is part of The Edge of Everything, a collection of short coming-of-age stories of first love, messy choices, and self-discovery. Each story can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Book Number: One

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Short Story 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A YA short story featuring a group of teens whose parents all recently got divorced. 

As expected, Isabel is less than enthused to be going to group therapy with a bunch of teens she doesn’t know. She’s had a fun time drawing them as they enter the building, but talking to them seems like a chore. Over the course of a single afternoon, this group of kids discover that they aren’t as alone as they first thought. 

When I first saw “The Edge of Everything” series of Amazon Original stories drop, I just knew that I had to read it. Every author in the collection is a diverse author who writes stories with emotional depth, so I figured this may just be one of my favorite collections that Amazon comes out with. The first one is by Nicola Yoon and her husband, David. I’ve enjoyed her work in the past, so I wasn’t surprised when I found myself liking this one. 

I’ll start off by saying that I literally remember zero of the kid’s names from this story. There’s a goth, a boy who is always on his phone, and a girl whose mom realizes she’s gay. There are some others, too. The characters themselves aren’t all that memorable, but the experience they go through together is. 

A divorce is always a messy thing, especially when there are kids involved. This story does an amazing job at showing that no divorce is the same and that every kid goes through a different experience. Some are sad, some are full of rage, and some flat out stop believing in love. Some kids are forced to play messenger, some kids don’t talk to their parents, and some kid’s parents still live together. Addressing how different everyone’s situations can be is a great start. 

Then this story goes on to show just how alike all these kids are. Yes, they are all very different and are going through dissimilar situations, but they are facing the same demon just with a different face. The way these kids learn to lean on each other is so sweet, and I think this story does a great job of showing how great of an experience therapy can be for some people. 

The epilogue was adorable. I appreciate that it adds a little dose of romance to this story without taking over. This story deals with some heavy topics, so having a light serving of hope at the end is appreciated. Also, the fact that these kids are still in touch is so sweet. 

Overall, “Safe Harbor” was an empowering story that has my hopes high for the rest of this collection. The characters are pretty average, but I enjoyed seeing them grow together as they work through all the messy feelings that come with divorce. It deals a great amount of impact in only 47 pages. Congrats Nicola Yoon; you never seem to miss! This one didn’t quite make me cry, but it is a short story, after all.

Back of Book: 

A shy high school girl steps out of her comfort zone in this tender and wistful coming-of-age story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell.

On the eve of her senior year, Julia has a look so new she doesn’t even recognize herself in the mirror. It’s the only reason she feels bold enough to talk to Wyatt, the boy she’s been staring at for three years. Tonight, at the drive-in, Wyatt finally stares back. Does he see Julia? Or some new and perfect stranger?

Rainbow Rowell’s Julia at the Drive-In is part of The Edge of Everything, a collection of short coming-of-age stories of first love, messy choices, and self-discovery. Each story can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Book Number: Two

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Short Story 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A shy girl unexpectedly runs into her crush at the drive-in movies in this sweet YA short story. 

Julia’s best friend has convinced her to change her vibe before her senior year. She’s cut her hair, exchanged her glasses for contacts, and even started wearing makeup. When she runs into her longtime crush at a drive-in movie, Julia is certain that he doesn’t recognize her. After all, Wyatt is one of the popular kids and they don’t talk to shy girls like her. 

Rainbow Rowell is the queen of writing nerdy characters with huge hearts. I was excited to see her name among this collection as I’ve enjoyed her short stories in the past. 

I was a bit skeptical when I first started this one, as it seemed to just be a group of friends hanging out at the movies. Julia didn’t even particularly seem to want to be there, so I was interested to see where this one was going. It definitely picked up when she left the vehicle to go buy snacks. 

This story is essentially just two lonely teens having a heart to heart. They take a moment out of their lives to say to the other “I see you.” This may not be the most eventful story, but I found it to be really sweet seeing Julia and Wyatt get to know each other just a tiny bit. 

Also, as a shy girl myself, I get what it feels like to be invisible. In high school, I was a bit of a quiet nerd that everyone seemed to know but nobody seemed to prioritize. These little moments in which you connect with others are rare for people like us, and it was rewarding to read about Julia feeling seen. 

Overall, “Julia at the Drive-In” isn’t a very action forward story, but it’s a great character study. This entire story is essentially just a conversation between two teens who don’t truly feel seen by those around them. I’ve found myself to be a fan of Roswell’s work, so I’m glad to have added this story to work that I’ve liked from her. 

Audiobook Note: I’ve been slacking on audiobook thoughts as of late, but I wanted to take a moment to talk about this one. I’ve heard Rebecca Lowman’s narration in the past, as she also narrated “If Fates Allow” which is another one of Rowell’s short stories. Many of Rowell’s other books are also read by Lowman, which I think is really cool. Having a narrated associated with an author is something my brain tends to like. I really enjoy how Lowman brings nerdy and seem-depressed characters to life, so maybe I’ll have to listen to more of Rowell’s books on audio just to hear them again.

Back of Book: 

A winter-break gathering among college friends is a surprisingly revealing day in this heartfelt coming-of-age short story by New York Times bestselling author David Levithan.

Eric, a college freshman, joins his four dormmates for an afternoon in New York City—the first time he’s seen them outside their campus bubble. But feeling increasingly invisible among these new friends, Eric’s anxieties compound. As they roam the streets of New York, Eric begins to question if he’s even truly wanted there. Soon, though, the friends start to reveal pieces of themselves. Can Eric let go enough to show them who he really is?

David Levithan’s Winter Breakage is part of The Edge of Everything, a collection of short coming-of-age stories of first love, messy choices, and self-discovery. Each story can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Book Number: Three

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Short Story 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A group of college freshmen get together during their winter break in this short story that explores intense feelings and blossoming friendships. 

Eric supposes he shoud go out with his college dormmates when they reluctantly invite him to go with them on their winter outing. However, Eric fears that none of them really like him and that they'd rather have him not be there. As the day goes on, he learns things about his doormmates that he never knew and gains hope that they can be real friends someday. 

I've enjoyed David Levithan's work in the past, but this short story didn't do much for me. It had very similar themes to Rowell's previous story and wasn't nearly as interesting. 

This one was honestly too simple of a story for me to truly enjoy. Eric worries that his friends don't really like him, but then he blames himself for never letting anyone in. There's this boy named Noah that he seems desperate to get to know better, but nothing really happens with that arc either. Knowing Levithan, I'm pretty sure Eric is gay and crushing on Noah and that they could one day have a relationship together, but we don't get a ton of this during the story. 

The themes in this one are relatable. It's hard for anyone to be vulnerable around others, so I think we can relate with Eric there. He fears showing others his true self, because what if they hate him? But if he doesn't let others in, he's already boring, so sometimes you just have to take the risk. 

Overall, "Winter Breakage" is a short story that explores friendship and vulnerability set during winter break in the 1990s. A group of college freshmen get together and try to learn more about one another. Not anything special, but not a horrible time, as this story is only 36 pages long. 

Back of Book: 

Two teens, divided by class, find each other in this heart-wrenching coming-of-age short story about belonging and second chances by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dustin Thao.

Evan never imagined anyone could notice him—let alone Dalton, the son of a wealthy hotel chain owner. While the two grew up together, they lived in different worlds. Evan, the son of a maid, did his homework in the supply room while Dalton lived a life of leisure. When their paths cross one fateful day, they find themselves drawn to each other as they navigate loss and inevitable change.

Dustin Thao’s The Price of Admission is part of The Edge of Everything, a collection of short coming-of-age stories of first love, messy choices, and self-discovery. Each story can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Book Number: Four

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ | Short Story 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A touching short story about the wealth divide and how money can make monsters out of men. 

Evan feels invisible among the elite children he’s grown up with. His mother worked hard to provide for her family, and Evan now strives to work his hardest so he can go far in life. When his mother passes away, he is generously enrolled in a private high school due to the wealthy owner of the hotel chain his mother worked at. At school, he feels more invisible than ever. That is, until Dalton, the son of said wealthy hotel owner, takes notice of him. Despite finding friendship in Dalton, Evan still has to fight his hardest to pave a path for himself among all the rich kids that suffocate his world. 

A social media post from Dustin Thao is actually the way I came across this series of short stories initially. I am a huge fan of Thao’s work, so I was super excited to dive into this short story. It actually dealt quite a bit of emotional damage, which I wasn’t expecting despite Thao’s work making me cry in the past. 

This story reminded me so much of my best friend that it made my heart ache. It follows a boy named Evan who is surrounded by wealth and is treated as less than because he doesn’t wear the same brands, drive a flashy car, or have his last name plastered on an Ivy League building. Throughout the course of this story, Evan sacrifices so much to try to be accepted by the upper class, but he is ultimately thrown to the wayside despite him achieving many of the same things they do through hard work rather than a signed check. 

This story starts with Evan reflecting on his youth. He remembers how hard his mom worked to take care of him. She imparted on Evan that it is important to always be the bigger person and to stand up for what is right. The rich and privileged will always take advantage of those they see as below them, so it is up to the lower classes to show them how it’s done (regardless of if they will listen or not). The beginning lays the foundation for the young man that Evan will become. 

After his mother’s death, Evan is lucky enough to be enrolled in a private high school with the tuition waived. At first, no one really notices him, expect for Dalton, a kid that he first met during his days at the hotel with his mother. Evan tries really hard to compete with his wealthy classmates. He joins clubs, he studies relentlessly, and works all the time to support himself. He may not have the luxury of a private tutor or a night out, but he’s willing to accept that as long as he gets into one of his dream colleges, where he will hopefully finally feel like he belongs. 

Upon reaching an Ivy League of his dreams, Evan is let down once again. The same crap from high school occurs, with his fellow students insulting him for being poor and constantly implying that he is leeching off their families with his scholarships and grants that he’s actually earned by working hard. Evan never could have imagined how elitist the college is and how often people say to his face that he only got in due to his Vietnamese heritage. 

This story is honestly quite brutal to read, because people can honestly be the worst. It angers me so much that people feel entitled to so much just because they have money and a recognizable last name. This doesn’t give people the right to act like monsters. It sucks that in our society people like this do have easier access to the best intern programs, scholarships, organizations, jobs out of college, etc. After hearing my friend’s personal experiences of being a lower-classed, diverse heritage woman at an Ivy League campus, I can attest to the truth of this story. 

The final scene in this one made me tear up. Despite all the hate and torment Evan has gone through, he is still willing to be the bigger person and stand up for what is right. He may have made it to being a suit wearing man himself, but that doesn’t compromise his values or make him forget where he is from. If the world was full of more people like Evan, the world would truly be a much better place. 

Overall, “The Price of Admission” is one of the best short stories I’ve read in a while. I’m a big fan of Thao’s work, so it’s no surprise that I would have loved if this one would have been expanded into a full-length novel. The themes about standing up for what it right, not compromising on one’s values as they ascend the corporate ladder, and the wealth divide are all super important. I saw a ton of one of my best friend’s in Evan, so I really felt for this story. I wasn’t expecting to be tearing up by the end of this one, but sometimes the world seems so bleak that a simple act of kindness makes all the difference. 

Audiobook Note: This one is narrated by James Aaron Oh. They did an amazing job of putting emotion into this story and bring Evan’s struggles to life. I usually listen to my audiobooks on at least two times speed, but that felt wrong to do with this narration; I simply wanted to bask in the moment. I must say, there are so many instances in which the breathing could have been cut out, but I got used to it in a matter of minutes. I would definitely listen to more of Oh’s work! 

Back of Book: 

Three college friends wrestle with a complicated dynamic in a witty and romantic coming-of-age short story about first love and self-discovery by New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno.

Ellery, a freshman at a New England college far from her California home, feels every bit the outsider—until she meets Camp and Danny. Soon, they’re an inseparable trio. But as Ellery begins to question Camp and Danny’s relationship, she also must consider her feelings for them as they navigate friendship, first love, and what’s at risk.

Katie Cotugno’s Three of Hearts is part of The Edge of Everything, a collection of short coming-of-age stories of first love, messy choices, and self-discovery. Each story can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Book Number: Five

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance| LGBTQIA+ |  Short Story 

Review: 🌟🌟

Three college students explore their complicated relationship in this romantic short story. 

Ellery has just arrived on her new college campus and she feels more alone than ever. That is, until she stumbles into Camp and Danny. Soon enough, these three become inseperable and do practically everything together. As the trio grow closer, they must also consider the individual relationships between their groups. 

I've literally never even heard of Katie Cotugno, so this is my first experience with her work. I must say, this story was unexpected, I just didn't find myself connecting to the characters as much as I would have liked. 

This story literally doesn't have a plot beyond Ellery, Camp, and Danny vibing around campus together. There are a few ongoing things such as this competition and the estranged relationship between Camp and his father. This definitely made it hard to get invested in this story, as I wasn't really sure where it was going. 

The main point of this story seems to be the complex relationship between Ellery, Camp, and Danny. Camp and Danny become best friends only minutes after meeting each other, and they adopt Ellery into their group only moments after meeting her. They then proceed to do everything together, until Ellery and Camp start to date. Danny is chill with it (or so he says). Ellery is confused because Camp doesn't want to have sex with her. And Camp is honestly just being a moody teenager. Long story short, lots of drama between their trio. 

For a story this short this may be a spoiler, but I have to talk about something in this review. As it is, proceed with caution. This story sort of turns into a polyromance, which I was honestly down for. It's easy to tell that Ellery, Camp, and Danny all care for each other immensely, and it made sense that they would all be happy being with one another. Shortly after this develops, it alludes that they all have sex with each other and then Ellery ghosts them for a while? I dunno, I was lowkey confused by the ending of this one. The very very end makes it seem like they may be friends again, but I'm really not sure what was going on there. 

Overall, "Three of Hearts" is a complicated little story about how messy relationships are. Ellery, Camp, and Danny certainly have some drama going on between the three of them, but I struggled because I didn't connect to any of them personally. Also, the ending had me very confused, which had me questioning the entire point of this story. 

Audiobook Note: This one is narrated by Dominique Salvacion. I'd say they did a pretty good job with this story. The only comment I really have is that I didn't know the second main character's name was Camp and not Cam until I went to write my review and looked at how it was spelled. So that happened, I guess. 

Back of Book: 

An exhausted career woman on the verge of death has the opportunity to redo her life in this enchanting short story about miraculous second chances from New York Times bestselling author Ann Liang.

Burned out and working a postcollege job she hates, Allison Yang drops dead in her office—and wakes up three years in the past. Back at college. She has one chance for a redo at life: from switching majors and facing toxic friends to being fearless with her parents. And, perhaps, approaching the popular athlete she’d always loved from afar. Fingers crossed that this time will count.

Ann Liang’s Back to You is part of The Edge of Everything, a collection of short coming-of-age stories of first love, messy choices, and self-discovery. Each story can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Book Number: Six (Last Book) 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Fantasy| Short Story 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

What would you redo if you could go back and live the last three years over again? 

Allison is burnt out and sick of her finance job only months after graduating from college. She's unhappy and she spends most of her time redoing the same spreadsheets and slide shows again and again. When she chokes on an almond and dies, she is transported three years into the past and given a second chance at life. 

I haven't read any of Liang's books as of now, but they are literally all on my TBR. Asian romances with angst are some of my favorite stories, so I'm glad I finally dipped my toes into her work with this one. 

Though the concept behind this story isn't all that original, the idea of going back in time and getting a do-over never seems to get old. Allison really needed a second chance as she is absolutely miserable in her job, has no friends, and quite literally has nothing going for her. I’d say she still had a chance to turn her life around, but she literally died, so that’s not the case. 

Not gonna lie, it would be crazy to die by chocking on an almond. Especially alone in an office with nobody to find you dead for hours. This is quite an interesting way to trigger the shift back into time, but points for creativity. 

This story urges the reader to be an active participant in their life and stand up for what they want. Life will remain the same if you don't try new things or pursue the things that have always made you wonder. Seeing Allison change her major, confess her feeling to her longtime crush, and try clubbing for the first time are all very inspirational. She really commits to her do-over with such conviction; I think most would benefit from such a boost in confidence. 

The romance in this one is a little more front and center than with some of the other stories, it just doesn't occur until towards the end. Allison runs into her longtime crush, Luke, and decides to trust him with a confession that she used to like him in high school. This leads to them having a night out together, which is super sweet. We don't have too much evidence of if their relationship will last, but I'm glad that Allison is taking charge and going for it! 

Overall, "Back to You" is a sweet story that urges the reader to take action. Allison is given the chance to redo the last three years of her life, which in turn asks the reader what they could be doing differently to enhance their own life. The concept of this story isn't all that original, but the reminder to be an active participant in one's own life is a good one. I look forward to checking out more of Liang’s work someday! 

Audiobook Note: This one is narrated by Mirai. I think they did a great job with instilling this story with emotion and depth. Would definitely listen to their work again!