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theheartofabookblogger's reviews
413 reviews
Together, Apart by Auriane Desombre, Jennifer Yen, Sajni Patel, Brittney Morris, Erin A. Craig, Natasha Preston, Rachael Lippincott, Bill Konigsberg, Erin Hahn
hopeful
lighthearted
4.0
This review and more can be found at The Heart of a Book Blogger.
All of the stories in Together, Apart are so cute and show a glimmer of hope and joy during such a difficult and devastating time. My favorites in the collection were “Love with a Side of Fortune” by Jennifer Yen and “Masked” by Erin Hahn, but they were all so good!
“Love, Delivered” by Erin A. Craig - 4 stars
A strong start to the collection, “Love, Delivered” was a fun meet-cute and explored what it might feel like to have moved right as the lockdown began. When it ended, I wanted more of Millie and Luka's story so that's good sign!
“The Socially Distant Dog-Walking Brigade” by Bill Konigsberg - 4 stars
I love dogs, so I loved the idea of two people meeting while walking their dogs! Kaz and Daxton instantly connect and begin meeting up daily to walk their dogs together (while six feet apart, of course).
“One Day” by Sajni Patel - 3.5 stars
Being in a cramped apartment with your family during lockdown would be hard, and Sajni Patel captures this feeling in Bobby. Her annoyance comes to a bursting point when she goes to her balcony for peace and quiet only to hear a bit playing guitar. So of course she throws her shoe at him, and then they start communicating through a whiteboard and later text. Very cute!
“The Rules of Comedy” by Auriane Desombre - 3 stars
While the “The Rules of Comedy” was cute, it was my least favorite in the collection. I did like that there was a focus on a sister relationship (especially the gap on high school/college age) and how part of the love story unfolds through TikTok.
“The New Boy Next Door” by Natasha Preston - 3.5 stars
The boy next door trope is a classic, and “The New Boy Next Door” was a fun lockdown take on it. Quinn was super friendly and it was neat to see how her neighborhood came together to try to support each other during the difficult time.
“Love With a Side of Fortune” by Jennifer Yen - 5 stars
I've been looking forward to reading Jennifer Yen's debut A Taste for Love, so I'm super glad that I loved “Love With a Side of Fortune” as much as I did! Michelle is working at her family's Chinese restaurant during lockdown, so when her crush Evan picks up an order, it's a pleasant surprise. But then Evan keeps returning as his parents both work at the hospital, and sparks fly between him and Michelle!
“The Green Thumb War” by Brittney Morris - 4 stars
Another apartment story, I love how Billie and Bastian windows were right across from each other. The dual POVs was a fun change-up for the collection, and their competition was cute!
“Stuck With Her” by Rachael Lippincott - 4 stars
As someone who had a terrible roommate my freshman year of college, I cannot imagine being in quarantine with her. I would have gone out of my mind. So I could sadly relate to Mia's annoyance and anger a little too closely. But this one has a happy ending!
“Masked” by Erin Hahn - 5 stars
I’ve read and loved both of Erin Hahn’s novels, so it’s no surprise that “Masked” was one of my favorites in the collection! It was absolutely adorable! I loved how Gray destroyed her dream dress in order to sew masks for her community, the dual POVs of her and Jude, how they met, and the secret musician/celebrity identity reveal.
*This ARC was provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.*
All of the stories in Together, Apart are so cute and show a glimmer of hope and joy during such a difficult and devastating time. My favorites in the collection were “Love with a Side of Fortune” by Jennifer Yen and “Masked” by Erin Hahn, but they were all so good!
“Love, Delivered” by Erin A. Craig - 4 stars
A strong start to the collection, “Love, Delivered” was a fun meet-cute and explored what it might feel like to have moved right as the lockdown began. When it ended, I wanted more of Millie and Luka's story so that's good sign!
“The Socially Distant Dog-Walking Brigade” by Bill Konigsberg - 4 stars
I love dogs, so I loved the idea of two people meeting while walking their dogs! Kaz and Daxton instantly connect and begin meeting up daily to walk their dogs together (while six feet apart, of course).
“One Day” by Sajni Patel - 3.5 stars
Being in a cramped apartment with your family during lockdown would be hard, and Sajni Patel captures this feeling in Bobby. Her annoyance comes to a bursting point when she goes to her balcony for peace and quiet only to hear a bit playing guitar. So of course she throws her shoe at him, and then they start communicating through a whiteboard and later text. Very cute!
“The Rules of Comedy” by Auriane Desombre - 3 stars
While the “The Rules of Comedy” was cute, it was my least favorite in the collection. I did like that there was a focus on a sister relationship (especially the gap on high school/college age) and how part of the love story unfolds through TikTok.
“The New Boy Next Door” by Natasha Preston - 3.5 stars
The boy next door trope is a classic, and “The New Boy Next Door” was a fun lockdown take on it. Quinn was super friendly and it was neat to see how her neighborhood came together to try to support each other during the difficult time.
“Love With a Side of Fortune” by Jennifer Yen - 5 stars
I've been looking forward to reading Jennifer Yen's debut A Taste for Love, so I'm super glad that I loved “Love With a Side of Fortune” as much as I did! Michelle is working at her family's Chinese restaurant during lockdown, so when her crush Evan picks up an order, it's a pleasant surprise. But then Evan keeps returning as his parents both work at the hospital, and sparks fly between him and Michelle!
“The Green Thumb War” by Brittney Morris - 4 stars
Another apartment story, I love how Billie and Bastian windows were right across from each other. The dual POVs was a fun change-up for the collection, and their competition was cute!
“Stuck With Her” by Rachael Lippincott - 4 stars
As someone who had a terrible roommate my freshman year of college, I cannot imagine being in quarantine with her. I would have gone out of my mind. So I could sadly relate to Mia's annoyance and anger a little too closely. But this one has a happy ending!
“Masked” by Erin Hahn - 5 stars
I’ve read and loved both of Erin Hahn’s novels, so it’s no surprise that “Masked” was one of my favorites in the collection! It was absolutely adorable! I loved how Gray destroyed her dream dress in order to sew masks for her community, the dual POVs of her and Jude, how they met, and the secret musician/celebrity identity reveal.
*This ARC was provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.*