Reviews

So We Can Glow: Stories by Leesa Cross-Smith

jaclyn_sixminutesforme's review against another edition

4.0

Romance short stories that also have a perfectly rendered Southern lit focus, yes please! While not every story in here worked for me (I definitely gravitated to enjoying the longer stories, and didn’t get on with those super short ones), I loved the range of content covered and experimentation with form. THE GREAT BARRIER REEF IS DYING BUT SO ARE WE stands out for me, and really set my expectations for the rest of the collection. I also think this would be a great entry point into the romance genre for readers that have yet to dip their toe into lusty waters.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for a review copy

erinmariebrinkman's review against another edition

4.0

bright and glittering

helloitsgaby's review against another edition

emotional funny

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.75

nordstina's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.0

So We Can Glow is a collection of short stories highlighting women. Teenage girls meet up with boys along train tracks, two young women bond over their love of Winona Ryder movies, and my favorite showed a love story beginning over bonding over produce at a grocery store. There are some recurring characters in some of the stories. As with any collection, there is a bit of a mixed bag in terms of how much I enjoyed the stories. I enjoyed the collection, but do not think it'll stick with me.

bookishcat23's review against another edition

4.0

3.75⭐️

lc_allen's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

bettydraper's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

cute! i love her use of figurative language

nicholsjenna's review against another edition

5.0

read this collection like a novel. an ode to womanhood and youth and desire and obsession, all kinds of love and pain. so many stories just cracked me open

thewellreadmrs's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

abigaiillamb's review against another edition

5.0

Okay, so I immediately after reading "This Close to Okay" I looked up this author and was DELIGHTED to see my library had another book of hers. I'm starting to like short story collections more and more.

I just loved this, from the first story. Here it showed women in every dimension, how they go through their lives, and all the history they carry with them or try to leave behind. Just beautiful.

Highly, highly recommend. And if you read this and like it, read her novel too!