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trudyd's review
5.0
OMG!!!!! This anthology was the best idea ever. I try to read something from every author attending an event. This made it so much easier. There were a lot of authors represented in the anthology. I didn't expect to enjoy them all, but I enjoyed a majority of them. This book is a bargain you don't want to miss. Even better it is all for charity. Kudos to all of the authors. Thank you for making my nights complete.
The stories were amazing!!!!! They took place in the Portland area giving me a mini tour within the pages. Many of the stories left me swooning and excited for more. I can't wait to read more from some of the contributors.
The stories were amazing!!!!! They took place in the Portland area giving me a mini tour within the pages. Many of the stories left me swooning and excited for more. I can't wait to read more from some of the contributors.
carleneinspired's review
4.0
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Tied together by their shared locale, Passion in Portland is 20 unique shorts written by 20 authors. Some standalone, while others tie in with the authors' previous work.
Overall rating: 4 Stars
Individual Ratings and Reviews:
Stay With Me – A.J. Downey - 5 Stars
Stay With Me by A.J. Downey is a complete short, a prequel story for A.J. Downey's Virtues' Trilogy. Corrine and Dominic meet in unlikely circumstances, her past pulling her away from him, but he never leaves her mind. When she finds out he hadn't forgotten her they embark on a romantic journey together.
This one was cute, I love that it was complete, introducing both characters and giving readers a glimpse of Downey's writing style if they are to continue on with her series. The story was believable, heartbreaking, and definitely romantic.
Falling Backwards – A.K. Layton - 4 Stars
Friends to lovers romance for the win! This one was definitely a fun read and though the heroine Allyea is a bit all over the place it is truly an impressive short. I could easily read an extended novel of this one.
Mr. Wright Write Right – AJ Harmon - 3.5 Stars
Chaser – Alex Rosa - 3 Stars
Kiss Cam – Anie Michaels - 4.5 Stars
The premise behind this one is too good, definitely something you'd see being shared all over Facebook if it really happened. I really enjoyed Anie Michael's writing style and the differences between the two characters as they found one another. Give me Camden!
Honest Liar – Anna Brooks -3.5 Stars
To Portland, With Love – Cassia Leo - 5 Stars
I was so happy to revisit Rory and Houston and see where they are at in life now. Cassia Leo did a great job of bringing the story of these two back to life, providing new readers enough information to get them up to speed on the couple and allowing old fans a chance to remember (they're unforgettable, really). There's mild drama, steamy chemistry, and a dream come true for Rory. Navigating the waters of marriage isn't easy, especially if one of you owns a business and the other is a full time author, and I think Cassia did an incredible job on this short.
Kind of Crazy – Eliza Boyd - 4 Stars
Poker in Portland – Gretchen S.B. - 3.5 Stars
Stronger – Heather Carver - 3 Stars
More ratings to come!
Love at First Crepe – Heidi Mason
When in Portland – Jaycee Ford
The Soviet and the Scientist – Kimberly Kennedy
Port in the Storm – Mary Crawford
Shy – Morgan & Jennifer Locklear
Forever Yours – Nicole Richard
Chasing Leigh – R.J. Van Cleave
The Ephemeral – Sarah M. Cradit
We Have Portland – Sidonia Rose
Love in Government Camp – Stace Lee
Tied together by their shared locale, Passion in Portland is 20 unique shorts written by 20 authors. Some standalone, while others tie in with the authors' previous work.
Overall rating: 4 Stars
Individual Ratings and Reviews:
Stay With Me – A.J. Downey - 5 Stars
Stay With Me by A.J. Downey is a complete short, a prequel story for A.J. Downey's Virtues' Trilogy. Corrine and Dominic meet in unlikely circumstances, her past pulling her away from him, but he never leaves her mind. When she finds out he hadn't forgotten her they embark on a romantic journey together.
This one was cute, I love that it was complete, introducing both characters and giving readers a glimpse of Downey's writing style if they are to continue on with her series. The story was believable, heartbreaking, and definitely romantic.
Falling Backwards – A.K. Layton - 4 Stars
Friends to lovers romance for the win! This one was definitely a fun read and though the heroine Allyea is a bit all over the place it is truly an impressive short. I could easily read an extended novel of this one.
Mr. Wright Write Right – AJ Harmon - 3.5 Stars
Chaser – Alex Rosa - 3 Stars
Kiss Cam – Anie Michaels - 4.5 Stars
The premise behind this one is too good, definitely something you'd see being shared all over Facebook if it really happened. I really enjoyed Anie Michael's writing style and the differences between the two characters as they found one another. Give me Camden!
Honest Liar – Anna Brooks -3.5 Stars
To Portland, With Love – Cassia Leo - 5 Stars
I was so happy to revisit Rory and Houston and see where they are at in life now. Cassia Leo did a great job of bringing the story of these two back to life, providing new readers enough information to get them up to speed on the couple and allowing old fans a chance to remember (they're unforgettable, really). There's mild drama, steamy chemistry, and a dream come true for Rory. Navigating the waters of marriage isn't easy, especially if one of you owns a business and the other is a full time author, and I think Cassia did an incredible job on this short.
Kind of Crazy – Eliza Boyd - 4 Stars
Poker in Portland – Gretchen S.B. - 3.5 Stars
Stronger – Heather Carver - 3 Stars
More ratings to come!
Love at First Crepe – Heidi Mason
When in Portland – Jaycee Ford
The Soviet and the Scientist – Kimberly Kennedy
Port in the Storm – Mary Crawford
Shy – Morgan & Jennifer Locklear
Forever Yours – Nicole Richard
Chasing Leigh – R.J. Van Cleave
The Ephemeral – Sarah M. Cradit
We Have Portland – Sidonia Rose
Love in Government Camp – Stace Lee
xatanika's review
4.0
Remember I'm not a big fan of anthologies. I am always left wanting more! Short stories are the devil. I need to know what happens next. Where do these characters go from here? They need more words, more memories, more time. This is probably also the reason I wait for a whole series to be released before I jump into that world. I might have a slight issue with cliffhangers too. Characters stress me out if I don't know what's happening with them. LOL With that being said I did enjoy these stories and the proceeds go to charity, which is always a plus. :)
claire_ingram1987's review
4.0
This anthology of short romantic stories has something for everyone. All the stories inside vary massively with them all having the main theme of Portland running through and linking them all. I have learnt that Portland is cold lol and full of love.
The stories range from friends realising attraction to each other like in Chaser to chance encounters like in stay with me, from hating someone your attracted to like in Mr Wright writes right to married couples reinforcing their love in to Portland with love. There is steamy scenes in many like kiss cam where the steamy scenes felt so real and more PG in others like Chaser though don't get me wrong this story gives enough to tease and leave you begging for more to soft and romantic in honest liar.
I loved all of these easy to read stories that are perfectly bite sized and is a great ways of finding new authors
AK Layton asked me to read this anthology so I will give her review more depth.
AK Laytons contribution to the anthology is Falling backwards. I loved this easy to read short story about best friends and what happens when feelings start to grow and change, can you risk the friendship for something that could be so much more? Great story likeable characters and hot scenes
The stories range from friends realising attraction to each other like in Chaser to chance encounters like in stay with me, from hating someone your attracted to like in Mr Wright writes right to married couples reinforcing their love in to Portland with love. There is steamy scenes in many like kiss cam where the steamy scenes felt so real and more PG in others like Chaser though don't get me wrong this story gives enough to tease and leave you begging for more to soft and romantic in honest liar.
I loved all of these easy to read stories that are perfectly bite sized and is a great ways of finding new authors
AK Layton asked me to read this anthology so I will give her review more depth.
AK Laytons contribution to the anthology is Falling backwards. I loved this easy to read short story about best friends and what happens when feelings start to grow and change, can you risk the friendship for something that could be so much more? Great story likeable characters and hot scenes
pelicanfreak's review
5.0
I've yet to read the full anthology - I'm very much looking forward to it though as I love Portland and I've a feeling they're all going to be great.
I have had the pleasure of reading Mary Crawford's Port in the Storm and if it's any kind of preview for the rest of the Anthology then I know I'm in for a real treat!
Both characters feel young, but down to earth and I find myself rooting for both of them. It's very easy to get attached and relate to them! I actually came to love Sam when I got a little taste of him in Sheltered Hearts so it's great to get more of his story... so I’ll admit, I had some love for this book before I even read it. Sam is a sweet, geeky guy, just my type so I can totally see why Taylor might take to him, despite her crappy past experience. He isn’t just kind to her though, he really helps her to move on from her not-so-sweet past.
If you read Crawford, you’ll need to include this one – it’s loaded with familiar characters (which for me makes it even more fun) and lots of fun is packed into a quick read. I feel like even if it were longer, it’d feel this way because it flows very well. Giving us just a glimpse into Sam & Taylor’s lives, it still manages to wrap everything up nicely. She could easily write more and turn this into a prequel down the line OR completely leave it alone – perfectly satisfying as is. Recommend.
4.5 stars.
Will update this as I read the rest of the anthology!
I have had the pleasure of reading Mary Crawford's Port in the Storm and if it's any kind of preview for the rest of the Anthology then I know I'm in for a real treat!
Both characters feel young, but down to earth and I find myself rooting for both of them. It's very easy to get attached and relate to them! I actually came to love Sam when I got a little taste of him in Sheltered Hearts so it's great to get more of his story... so I’ll admit, I had some love for this book before I even read it. Sam is a sweet, geeky guy, just my type so I can totally see why Taylor might take to him, despite her crappy past experience. He isn’t just kind to her though, he really helps her to move on from her not-so-sweet past.
If you read Crawford, you’ll need to include this one – it’s loaded with familiar characters (which for me makes it even more fun) and lots of fun is packed into a quick read. I feel like even if it were longer, it’d feel this way because it flows very well. Giving us just a glimpse into Sam & Taylor’s lives, it still manages to wrap everything up nicely. She could easily write more and turn this into a prequel down the line OR completely leave it alone – perfectly satisfying as is. Recommend.
4.5 stars.
Will update this as I read the rest of the anthology!
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