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A review by campychick001
12 Days of Book-Club-Mas by Annmarie Boyle, Nisha J. Tuli, K.R. Wieland, K.R. Wieland
3.0
I really love the idea of this collection of short stories as a part of a 12 day advent calendar with fun gifts that go with each story. Even without the gifts, this was a fun set of short stories and I appreciated that they weren't holiday themed. See below for reviews of each story:
Day 1: "If the Jootis Fit" by Nisha J Tuli
Neelam's kingdom is on the verge of collapse. The only way to save them is to identify his rightful queen. How will he know who this person is? She will be able to dislodge the diamond encrusted jootis (shoes) from in front of the queen's throne. This was such a cute take on Cinderella with an Indian influence.
Day 2: "The Quarter Life Crisis of Eleanor Mitchell" by A.L. Heard
As a fresh college graduate, Ellie Mitchell is home visiting family and friends. As she reminisces with her Auntie and her childhood crush, the literal boy next door, she starts to panic about her future - which grad school to attend, should she start a new relationship with her crush, can she move far from her family? I absolutely adored the relationship between Ellie and her Auntie. This was a sweet and realistic discussion on making decisions, regrets, and rolling with the punches.
Day 3: "A Place to Belong" by K.R. Wieland
After the death of her grandmother, Nora is reunited with family she hasn't been in contact with in over 12 years. While Nora begins to feel like her family has abandoned her all these years, she discovers the truth behind their silence. Although this was a bit of a sad story, it is my favorite one so far.
Day 4: "Between the Lines" by MacKenzi Dollins
Ivy is a professional ice skater but she is considering a change in careers. She is terrified of disappointing her parents and coach if she reveals that she wants to retire from ice skating and become a writer. One day, she discovers an unfinished manuscript left behind in the locker room and immediately becomes hooked on the story. She begins exchanging notes with the mystery author in hopes of discovering their identity. I really loved the message of not judging a book (or person) by it's cover and following your passions - the surprise little romance intermingled in this story was also a plus.
Day 5: "Lost in the Threads" by Maseeha Seedat
Robin and Mateo are on a high stakes heist to steal a valuable artifact from a well known museum. While they procure the coveted object, Mateo notices this item may be connected to his ancestors. They must make the tough decision - deliver this valuable object or keep it to uncover it's history? I loved the dialogue between these two characters - which mostly consisted of famous book quotes.
Day 6: "Just Add Magic" by Ranee Stemann
Aislinn's family runs a bakery but with an interesting twist - they are witches with the ability to bake spells into their pastries. Unfortunately, Aislinn has not been able to perfect her magic. Since she can not wield her magic, Aislinn is left to run the bakery solo while her family attends a witchcraft conference and she has one rule: do not attempt to fulfill any magical orders. She has to break this rule when a family friend and fellow witch, Martha, arrives with an urgent life or death request. This was a super fun concept and I would be interested in seeing a full story from this.
Day 7: "The Lessons Carried Forward" by Jamie Perrault
Faollan is struggling to accept the death of both their parents. While going through their parents belongings, they discover a note from their mother that threatens to change everything they knew about themselves. In a society where their true nature is not tolerated, the truth behind their identity could threaten the lives of them and their husband and daughter. I struggled keeping up with this story but I did appreciate the supernatural big brother-esque themes.
Day 8: "A Recipe for Love" by Angie Michaelis
It is 1945 and Sophie has received word that her beloved, Will, will be returning home from the war. As she waits for his arrival at the train station, she soon discovers he isn't aboard. She sadly returns home waiting for his arrival. To pass the time, she engages in her favorite passtime, baking. Due to rations, she is short on ingredients and reaches out to her neighbor who invites her to join her book club. This was such a sweet story and left me smiling at the end.
Day 9: "Through Thick and Thin" by Jenna Marie Henley
Audree is dealing with the fallout after her father was accused of stealing - by her best friend's dad. In order to distract herself, she begins volunteering at the local library over winter break. Every day when she arrives for her shift, she discovers notes addressed to her that provide clues to help her clear her father's name. I loved the alternating views between Audree and her best friend, Cora. This was a super cute story, loved the mystery solving aspect.
Day 10: "Bottling Sunshine" by Zaynah Qutubiddin
After the death of her parents and grandfather, Yadira is left to care for her siblings and grandmother. In the early morning and late at night, they continue the family business of collecting sea glass to sell to wealthy manufacturers of bottled essences. This story follows Yadira as she struggles to make ends meet for her family and her confrontation with grief. This story was a bit heartbreaking but still enjoyable.
Day 11: "Sweet Expectations" by Annmarie Boyle
Kayleigh is a workaholic who is preparing for the day she will take over her grandmother's position as CEO of Cara Candy. To get her to slow down and get back to her roots, her grandmother sends her on a two-week work free vacation to Ireland - the inspiration for the candy company. When Kayleigh arrives in Ireland, she meets her cousin's handsome roommate, Liam - who happens to be the chef at a Michelin star restaurant. During her stay, she fills in as a temporary pastry chef at his restaurant. Although she was dreading the trip, she soon realizes her grandmother was right all along. This was probably my favorite story in this whole collection - super cute and gave me "Emily in Paris" vibes.
Day 12: "An Old Red Cloak" by Taylor Quinn
On a dark and stormy night, Roan sees a young, hungry boy on the street and leaves a loaf of bread on the window sill for him. Her grandmother sees this interaction and thinks the young boy has stolen from them so she curses him. This was an interesting story with a sweet ending.
Day 1: "If the Jootis Fit" by Nisha J Tuli
Neelam's kingdom is on the verge of collapse. The only way to save them is to identify his rightful queen. How will he know who this person is? She will be able to dislodge the diamond encrusted jootis (shoes) from in front of the queen's throne. This was such a cute take on Cinderella with an Indian influence.
Day 2: "The Quarter Life Crisis of Eleanor Mitchell" by A.L. Heard
As a fresh college graduate, Ellie Mitchell is home visiting family and friends. As she reminisces with her Auntie and her childhood crush, the literal boy next door, she starts to panic about her future - which grad school to attend, should she start a new relationship with her crush, can she move far from her family? I absolutely adored the relationship between Ellie and her Auntie. This was a sweet and realistic discussion on making decisions, regrets, and rolling with the punches.
Day 3: "A Place to Belong" by K.R. Wieland
After the death of her grandmother, Nora is reunited with family she hasn't been in contact with in over 12 years. While Nora begins to feel like her family has abandoned her all these years, she discovers the truth behind their silence. Although this was a bit of a sad story, it is my favorite one so far.
Day 4: "Between the Lines" by MacKenzi Dollins
Ivy is a professional ice skater but she is considering a change in careers. She is terrified of disappointing her parents and coach if she reveals that she wants to retire from ice skating and become a writer. One day, she discovers an unfinished manuscript left behind in the locker room and immediately becomes hooked on the story. She begins exchanging notes with the mystery author in hopes of discovering their identity. I really loved the message of not judging a book (or person) by it's cover and following your passions - the surprise little romance intermingled in this story was also a plus.
Day 5: "Lost in the Threads" by Maseeha Seedat
Robin and Mateo are on a high stakes heist to steal a valuable artifact from a well known museum. While they procure the coveted object, Mateo notices this item may be connected to his ancestors. They must make the tough decision - deliver this valuable object or keep it to uncover it's history? I loved the dialogue between these two characters - which mostly consisted of famous book quotes.
Day 6: "Just Add Magic" by Ranee Stemann
Aislinn's family runs a bakery but with an interesting twist - they are witches with the ability to bake spells into their pastries. Unfortunately, Aislinn has not been able to perfect her magic. Since she can not wield her magic, Aislinn is left to run the bakery solo while her family attends a witchcraft conference and she has one rule: do not attempt to fulfill any magical orders. She has to break this rule when a family friend and fellow witch, Martha, arrives with an urgent life or death request. This was a super fun concept and I would be interested in seeing a full story from this.
Day 7: "The Lessons Carried Forward" by Jamie Perrault
Faollan is struggling to accept the death of both their parents. While going through their parents belongings, they discover a note from their mother that threatens to change everything they knew about themselves. In a society where their true nature is not tolerated, the truth behind their identity could threaten the lives of them and their husband and daughter. I struggled keeping up with this story but I did appreciate the supernatural big brother-esque themes.
Day 8: "A Recipe for Love" by Angie Michaelis
It is 1945 and Sophie has received word that her beloved, Will, will be returning home from the war. As she waits for his arrival at the train station, she soon discovers he isn't aboard. She sadly returns home waiting for his arrival. To pass the time, she engages in her favorite passtime, baking. Due to rations, she is short on ingredients and reaches out to her neighbor who invites her to join her book club. This was such a sweet story and left me smiling at the end.
Day 9: "Through Thick and Thin" by Jenna Marie Henley
Audree is dealing with the fallout after her father was accused of stealing - by her best friend's dad. In order to distract herself, she begins volunteering at the local library over winter break. Every day when she arrives for her shift, she discovers notes addressed to her that provide clues to help her clear her father's name. I loved the alternating views between Audree and her best friend, Cora. This was a super cute story, loved the mystery solving aspect.
Day 10: "Bottling Sunshine" by Zaynah Qutubiddin
After the death of her parents and grandfather, Yadira is left to care for her siblings and grandmother. In the early morning and late at night, they continue the family business of collecting sea glass to sell to wealthy manufacturers of bottled essences. This story follows Yadira as she struggles to make ends meet for her family and her confrontation with grief. This story was a bit heartbreaking but still enjoyable.
Day 11: "Sweet Expectations" by Annmarie Boyle
Kayleigh is a workaholic who is preparing for the day she will take over her grandmother's position as CEO of Cara Candy. To get her to slow down and get back to her roots, her grandmother sends her on a two-week work free vacation to Ireland - the inspiration for the candy company. When Kayleigh arrives in Ireland, she meets her cousin's handsome roommate, Liam - who happens to be the chef at a Michelin star restaurant. During her stay, she fills in as a temporary pastry chef at his restaurant. Although she was dreading the trip, she soon realizes her grandmother was right all along. This was probably my favorite story in this whole collection - super cute and gave me "Emily in Paris" vibes.
Day 12: "An Old Red Cloak" by Taylor Quinn
On a dark and stormy night, Roan sees a young, hungry boy on the street and leaves a loaf of bread on the window sill for him. Her grandmother sees this interaction and thinks the young boy has stolen from them so she curses him. This was an interesting story with a sweet ending.