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bookwormbunny's review
5.0
First Love: Epic Romance Anthologies is a beautiful collection of first love romance stories. This anthology is chock full of a variety of sweet romance novels by twelve different authors. Most of these stories presented by these authors are sweet, romantic and have a happy ending, but I will warn you that there is some heartbreak scattered throughout. While some might frown on this I find it refreshing, because at the end of the day…no matter how sweet the romance…not every story has a happy ending.
Message in a Bottle by Meg Boepple is the first story in this anthology and this story is short, sweet, but an enjoyable story. The author takes the reader to the beach on a clean-up job. Moira is the main character in this story, and she is just another volunteer helping to get the beach clean. She makes an unexpected discovery, and in doing so…it ends up being the key to revealing a secret about herself and leading her to the path of her future. This story is sweet, romantic and unexpected. I truly enjoyed the surprises that the author packs in this short story.
Chestnut Woman by Sofi Laporte is another delightful short story, but it is one that I’m sure many can relate to in some form or another. You’re on the subway/bus/etc. and you glimpse that handsome stranger. You want so to speak, but you’re too shy…well, that is exactly Pamela’s story. I truly enjoyed Pamela’s story because of how well I could relate to her story. The fantasy twist is wonderfully done in this story and in a fun expected way. I can easily and happily say that this story has a happy ending and I appreciate that the author gives the reader some follow-up with what happens years later with Pamela.
A Season’s Time by Kathryn St. John is a beautiful story about a young man who has close family ties, but due to life he goes off to college and distance comes between them. When the opportunity arises though he goes back to help out his grandparents at their bed and breakfast. I love the family ties in this story, it’s heartwarming and sweet. A legend comes to life when Bastian meets a mysterious young woman in the woods. He makes small discoveries about her, but it’s when he is told the legend of the woods that things begin to come together for him as to who/what she really is. This story is beautiful, but sadly…it is tragic as well. Love blooms and grows only to be tragically cut short. Grab some tissues. You’re going to need them.
Once in a Blue Moon by Zoey Xolton is a whirlwind fantasy/paranormal romance. Young Faith is a librarian who one night at closing time hears a conversation that leads to her whole life is changed. She discovers that vampires are real, receives an invitation to a ball, and her entire future is changed. This story is short, fast-paced. I will admit that I would love to know more that happens after this short story ends. It’s easy to say that I devoured this story.
Caught in a Glance by Melinda Kucsera is a unique fantasy novel, but for me, it’s also the oddest one. We don’t get a lot of information about one of the main characters, Shade. The story is both engaging and vague at the same time. There is the love at first sight, but this story leads me to believe that it turns into unrequited love for Shade. This story is unique, strange and in my opinion, ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. The author leaves me curious as to what has transpired between the characters and what is possibly going to happen next.
Twin Flames by A.R. Johnston is a fantasy romance with dragon shifters. They’ve been cursed by a daemon, and they fear that the current generation will never have their connection to their dragons and that the next will never hatch. The dragon prince can feel that his fated one is near, but his love must be reciprocated in order for the curse to be broken. This is an engaging story, with a couple of moments of where you wonder…will things work out? For me, the story gets a little confusing in a couple of places, but I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Papercut by Simon Dillon is a beautiful fantasy romance that while not as engaging as the others are still well done. Gabriel is a young boy who is a Jehovah’s Witness. His life is very strict and ruled by his mother. Gabriel dreams of a paper girl, but is never able to communicate with her, until one day he takes a chance and in doing so gets a papercut. Then things change. I like the blending that the author takes with this story. The author takes fantasy and has the fantasy blend over into the real world. While there are tragic consequences this story does have a happier ending.
Savage by A.M. Cummins takes us back in time to the settler days when white men and Indians weren’t on the best of terms. The main character Drew is out to prove himself to his family that he’s good for something. Things take an unexpected twist when in a moment of fear of weakness he takes a life. He quickly discovers the mistake he has committed and decides to take responsibility for his action. This is an interesting romance novel, but one with not a lot of fantasy written into it. For me, this story felt more like a regular romance with an odd ending.
Of Seals and Storms by Edeline Wrigh is a short story that gives the reader a unique fantasy creature that isn’t seen often. The author starts this story off intense…a storm is brewing and a young woman wishes to save those whom she can. Mairi isn’t what she seems and she knows that the ocean is angry. Something was taken from the ocean and something was taken from her, and she is the only one who can stop it all. This story is fast-paced, engaging and with just a hint of romance. I have to say that this story’s ending has yet another bittersweet ending, but for me…a hint of hope as well.
Lonely Oni by D.S. Durden takes on a more futuristic turn in this story. The world has changed and the rich have gotten richer and the poor poorer. Night is falling and Karlyle is awoken by a robotic voice. She’s living on the streets and “loitering” is unacceptable. She’s far from slums she calls home and decides to take a “shortcut.” Things go a bit south, and she ends up in serious danger. An Oni or Mohrakine finds her, and so begins Karlyle’s new life. This is an interesting short story. There isn’t a lot of detail and background in the story, but it kept me engaged.
A Forbidden Union by A.D. Carter is an engaging story full of fantasy, surprises and twists. A prince is on a mission with his father to secure trade routes during times of war. A young woman is a prisoner catches his eye, and he steps in to stop her abuse. When he gains the opportunity to learn her story, he does so and decides to step in when the opportunity presents itself. This story is fast paced and engaging. The twists kept me engaged and it was an enjoyable read.
The Rusalka of the Murashka by Galina Trefil is probably the darkest and eerily maybe my favorite of the first love fantasy stories. The author starts the story off with a life being taken, and a young woman finding that her life is at an end. Trust is what did her in, but there is more to come. The twist that the author throws in is one that I never could have seen coming and I truly enjoyed how this story came together.
I am rating this anthology 5 out of 5 stars. Each of the stories the authors give their readers is unique provides us with romance (some more, others less) but each are enjoyable.
Message in a Bottle by Meg Boepple is the first story in this anthology and this story is short, sweet, but an enjoyable story. The author takes the reader to the beach on a clean-up job. Moira is the main character in this story, and she is just another volunteer helping to get the beach clean. She makes an unexpected discovery, and in doing so…it ends up being the key to revealing a secret about herself and leading her to the path of her future. This story is sweet, romantic and unexpected. I truly enjoyed the surprises that the author packs in this short story.
Chestnut Woman by Sofi Laporte is another delightful short story, but it is one that I’m sure many can relate to in some form or another. You’re on the subway/bus/etc. and you glimpse that handsome stranger. You want so to speak, but you’re too shy…well, that is exactly Pamela’s story. I truly enjoyed Pamela’s story because of how well I could relate to her story. The fantasy twist is wonderfully done in this story and in a fun expected way. I can easily and happily say that this story has a happy ending and I appreciate that the author gives the reader some follow-up with what happens years later with Pamela.
A Season’s Time by Kathryn St. John is a beautiful story about a young man who has close family ties, but due to life he goes off to college and distance comes between them. When the opportunity arises though he goes back to help out his grandparents at their bed and breakfast. I love the family ties in this story, it’s heartwarming and sweet. A legend comes to life when Bastian meets a mysterious young woman in the woods. He makes small discoveries about her, but it’s when he is told the legend of the woods that things begin to come together for him as to who/what she really is. This story is beautiful, but sadly…it is tragic as well. Love blooms and grows only to be tragically cut short. Grab some tissues. You’re going to need them.
Once in a Blue Moon by Zoey Xolton is a whirlwind fantasy/paranormal romance. Young Faith is a librarian who one night at closing time hears a conversation that leads to her whole life is changed. She discovers that vampires are real, receives an invitation to a ball, and her entire future is changed. This story is short, fast-paced. I will admit that I would love to know more that happens after this short story ends. It’s easy to say that I devoured this story.
Caught in a Glance by Melinda Kucsera is a unique fantasy novel, but for me, it’s also the oddest one. We don’t get a lot of information about one of the main characters, Shade. The story is both engaging and vague at the same time. There is the love at first sight, but this story leads me to believe that it turns into unrequited love for Shade. This story is unique, strange and in my opinion, ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. The author leaves me curious as to what has transpired between the characters and what is possibly going to happen next.
Twin Flames by A.R. Johnston is a fantasy romance with dragon shifters. They’ve been cursed by a daemon, and they fear that the current generation will never have their connection to their dragons and that the next will never hatch. The dragon prince can feel that his fated one is near, but his love must be reciprocated in order for the curse to be broken. This is an engaging story, with a couple of moments of where you wonder…will things work out? For me, the story gets a little confusing in a couple of places, but I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Papercut by Simon Dillon is a beautiful fantasy romance that while not as engaging as the others are still well done. Gabriel is a young boy who is a Jehovah’s Witness. His life is very strict and ruled by his mother. Gabriel dreams of a paper girl, but is never able to communicate with her, until one day he takes a chance and in doing so gets a papercut. Then things change. I like the blending that the author takes with this story. The author takes fantasy and has the fantasy blend over into the real world. While there are tragic consequences this story does have a happier ending.
Savage by A.M. Cummins takes us back in time to the settler days when white men and Indians weren’t on the best of terms. The main character Drew is out to prove himself to his family that he’s good for something. Things take an unexpected twist when in a moment of fear of weakness he takes a life. He quickly discovers the mistake he has committed and decides to take responsibility for his action. This is an interesting romance novel, but one with not a lot of fantasy written into it. For me, this story felt more like a regular romance with an odd ending.
Of Seals and Storms by Edeline Wrigh is a short story that gives the reader a unique fantasy creature that isn’t seen often. The author starts this story off intense…a storm is brewing and a young woman wishes to save those whom she can. Mairi isn’t what she seems and she knows that the ocean is angry. Something was taken from the ocean and something was taken from her, and she is the only one who can stop it all. This story is fast-paced, engaging and with just a hint of romance. I have to say that this story’s ending has yet another bittersweet ending, but for me…a hint of hope as well.
Lonely Oni by D.S. Durden takes on a more futuristic turn in this story. The world has changed and the rich have gotten richer and the poor poorer. Night is falling and Karlyle is awoken by a robotic voice. She’s living on the streets and “loitering” is unacceptable. She’s far from slums she calls home and decides to take a “shortcut.” Things go a bit south, and she ends up in serious danger. An Oni or Mohrakine finds her, and so begins Karlyle’s new life. This is an interesting short story. There isn’t a lot of detail and background in the story, but it kept me engaged.
A Forbidden Union by A.D. Carter is an engaging story full of fantasy, surprises and twists. A prince is on a mission with his father to secure trade routes during times of war. A young woman is a prisoner catches his eye, and he steps in to stop her abuse. When he gains the opportunity to learn her story, he does so and decides to step in when the opportunity presents itself. This story is fast paced and engaging. The twists kept me engaged and it was an enjoyable read.
The Rusalka of the Murashka by Galina Trefil is probably the darkest and eerily maybe my favorite of the first love fantasy stories. The author starts the story off with a life being taken, and a young woman finding that her life is at an end. Trust is what did her in, but there is more to come. The twist that the author throws in is one that I never could have seen coming and I truly enjoyed how this story came together.
I am rating this anthology 5 out of 5 stars. Each of the stories the authors give their readers is unique provides us with romance (some more, others less) but each are enjoyable.
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