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nicole_reads_everything 's review for:
Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology, Volume 3
by Annabeth Albert, May Archer, Leslie Copeland, Leslie Copeland
3.5 rounded down
Pleasantly surprised by how much I overall enjoyed this one! Much stronger than the volume 2 anthology, which I think might partially because the concept here of the classified ads was a little more freeing in terms of ideas.
The Closet pt 1 & 2 by Eden Finley: 4 stars
Really sweet concept, and super hot! Though I don't know that the bookmarking idea for the anthology is really necessary, and I did find the break between the two parts of the story to be distracting.
The Book by Aimee Nicole Walker: 2 stars
Meh. Stupid concept, contrived set-up, and super rushed.
The Date by Annabeth Albert: 4 stars
Really solid! Cute concept, interesting characters, and well-paced!
The Yarn-Wrangler by Charlie Cochet: 2 stars
Cute concept by waaaay too rushed with all the relationship shuffling. Plus the whole dude ending up with his brother's ex thing is a trope I wish would die.
Dork Lord by Damon Suede: 3 stars
Not bad, and has the classic Suede writing style, which definitely won't work for everybody. Story had some decent bones, but was a bit rushed and the author was making leaps that didn't entirely make sense to me, like they forgot to write out transitions.
The Top Shelf by Hailey Turner: 4 stars
This one was really sweet. Fun concept, super hot, great chemistry. Each chapter ends on such a good ending note, I kept thinking it was the end of the story, and then it kept going. The result was that I found the ending chapter wrapping things up in a neat little bow actually detracted a bit from my overall enjoyment, as it was the only bit that felt rushed.
The Family Reunion by K.M. Neuhold: 2.5 stars
Another meh. Present tense wasn't a good choice, silly concept, decent enough characters and chemistry, but the ending was far too rushed.
The Last Drop by Layla Reyne: 4.5 stars
Really enjoyed this one!! The story was perfectly paced, the characters were lovely, and their connection was wonderful. Engaging story and overall just a really excellent short story.
The Dog Walker by Lily Morton: 4 stars
Sweet story! Well written, and the pacing was okay, but a little off. I enjoyed, but I think coming off of Reyne's story, which was so excellent, this one didn't shine quite as brightly.
The Treehouse by Lucy Lennox: 3.5 stars
Cute and super hot! Ending was a bit rushed, and had to suspend my belief that neither of them would have even seen a picture of the other in all that time, but generally enjoyable!
The Restoration by Mary Calmes: 2 stars
Way too many characters for such a short story, and frankly, I thought Kyler was kind of an ass--arrogance is a real turn-off for me. The concept was decent, as was the pacing, but I needed way more groveling from Kyler TBH.
The Vase by May Archer: 3 stars
I liked the characters and the concept, but it moved a little bit too quickly for me, moving from enemies to lovers to basically in love in the space of a day.
The Helping Hand by Nora Phoenix: 3 stars
Cute story, and I liked the sexual dynamics, but the ending and feelings felt super rushed.
The Dream Machine by Emma Alcott (Piper Scott):3.5 stars
Sweet story, with a lovely connection and dynamic. Several of the stories in this anthology have centered around characters wanting something sexually that stereotypes have prevented them from fully finding, which I think is interesting! I would have enjoyed this one more without the "dream machine" aspect which just seemed unrealistic and unnecessary, and took me out of the story.
The Wedding Date by Susan Hawke: 1.5 stars
Just, no. The situation with the ex-BF was just weird, and the sex aftermath grossed me out. Not a fan.
The Wrong Guy by Sloane Kennedy: 3 stars
Promising enough premise but far too short; it felt unfinished.
Pleasantly surprised by how much I overall enjoyed this one! Much stronger than the volume 2 anthology, which I think might partially because the concept here of the classified ads was a little more freeing in terms of ideas.
The Closet pt 1 & 2 by Eden Finley: 4 stars
Really sweet concept, and super hot! Though I don't know that the bookmarking idea for the anthology is really necessary, and I did find the break between the two parts of the story to be distracting.
The Book by Aimee Nicole Walker: 2 stars
Meh. Stupid concept, contrived set-up, and super rushed.
The Date by Annabeth Albert: 4 stars
Really solid! Cute concept, interesting characters, and well-paced!
The Yarn-Wrangler by Charlie Cochet: 2 stars
Cute concept by waaaay too rushed with all the relationship shuffling. Plus the whole dude ending up with his brother's ex thing is a trope I wish would die.
Dork Lord by Damon Suede: 3 stars
Not bad, and has the classic Suede writing style, which definitely won't work for everybody. Story had some decent bones, but was a bit rushed and the author was making leaps that didn't entirely make sense to me, like they forgot to write out transitions.
The Top Shelf by Hailey Turner: 4 stars
This one was really sweet. Fun concept, super hot, great chemistry. Each chapter ends on such a good ending note, I kept thinking it was the end of the story, and then it kept going. The result was that I found the ending chapter wrapping things up in a neat little bow actually detracted a bit from my overall enjoyment, as it was the only bit that felt rushed.
The Family Reunion by K.M. Neuhold: 2.5 stars
Another meh. Present tense wasn't a good choice, silly concept, decent enough characters and chemistry, but the ending was far too rushed.
The Last Drop by Layla Reyne: 4.5 stars
Really enjoyed this one!! The story was perfectly paced, the characters were lovely, and their connection was wonderful. Engaging story and overall just a really excellent short story.
The Dog Walker by Lily Morton: 4 stars
Sweet story! Well written, and the pacing was okay, but a little off. I enjoyed, but I think coming off of Reyne's story, which was so excellent, this one didn't shine quite as brightly.
The Treehouse by Lucy Lennox: 3.5 stars
Cute and super hot! Ending was a bit rushed, and had to suspend my belief that neither of them would have even seen a picture of the other in all that time, but generally enjoyable!
The Restoration by Mary Calmes: 2 stars
Way too many characters for such a short story, and frankly, I thought Kyler was kind of an ass--arrogance is a real turn-off for me. The concept was decent, as was the pacing, but I needed way more groveling from Kyler TBH.
The Vase by May Archer: 3 stars
I liked the characters and the concept, but it moved a little bit too quickly for me, moving from enemies to lovers to basically in love in the space of a day.
The Helping Hand by Nora Phoenix: 3 stars
Cute story, and I liked the sexual dynamics, but the ending and feelings felt super rushed.
The Dream Machine by Emma Alcott (Piper Scott):3.5 stars
Sweet story, with a lovely connection and dynamic. Several of the stories in this anthology have centered around characters wanting something sexually that stereotypes have prevented them from fully finding, which I think is interesting! I would have enjoyed this one more without the "dream machine" aspect which just seemed unrealistic and unnecessary, and took me out of the story.
The Wedding Date by Susan Hawke: 1.5 stars
Just, no. The situation with the ex-BF was just weird, and the sex aftermath grossed me out. Not a fan.
The Wrong Guy by Sloane Kennedy: 3 stars
Promising enough premise but far too short; it felt unfinished.