Who doesn’t love a good love story? Moreover, who doesn’t love a good love story set during the holidays?!
Every year from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, I become obsessed with cheesy holiday – well, everything – movies, music, and, of course, books. Set a story in a small town obsessed with a baking competition, or have main characters trapped while traveling, and you will have me hooked.
To really get my fill this year, I read Snow in Love, a compilation of four stories by Melissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Friedman, and Kasie West. The wonderfully cute and warm-hearted stories got me into the holiday spirit! Here's a little bit about each of them:
"Working in a Winter Wonderland" by Aimee Friedman
Aimee Friedman’s story is set in New York City during Hanukkah and Christmas, and it was the perfect read as I watched the city transform into an actual winter wonderland around me. Maxine’s story makes light of working retail in December and reminds us the holidays aren’t about what you buy, but rather who you spend them with.
"Grounded" by Nic Stone
As I said earlier, if characters who are traveling home for holidays get trapped, you will have my full attention. Well, for Leigh, who is traveling from Massachusetts to Florida, she gets grounded in Atlanta with the one person she’s been avoiding—Harper. Leigh can hide out in the airport, or she can confront her feelings, and maybe even get a relationship off the ground.
"Snow and Mistletoe" by Kasie West
Amalie was about to be trapped at the airport, but instead ends up trapped in the backseat on a roadtrip with her classmate Sawyer and his friends to get home before Christmas. She decides to help him pick out cheesy souvenirs at each stop for his crush who he plans to surprise on Christmas Day. As their friendship begins to grow on the road, Amalie can’t help but feel jealous of the recipient of Sawyer’s gifts. In this story though, the journey and the destination are equally fun to read about.
"The Magi’s Gifts" by Melissa de la Cruz
Not everyone needs holiday magic to fall in love. For high school couple Kelsey and Brenden, they already know how much they care about the other. But how does one choose the proper gift for the love of their life? This sweet story serves as reminder that it’s better to give than to receive, and when two people are so intent on giving, the results are heartwarming. And really, what’s better to give as a gift than your heart?
If you need a dose of feel good content, be sure to pick up Snow in Love and pair it with some warm cookies and a cup of hot cocoa.
