The Improbable Meet-Cute series

Book Review Feb 14, 2024

My reviews

Amazon has released a series of six short stories just in time for Valentine's Day. They are all around 100 pages or shorter, designed to be read in one sitting, and written by some of the best romance authors in the business today.

For the sake of not writing six ridiculouly short reviews, I've decided to review the whole series of novellas together.

The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren

The series started off strong with this entry from Christina Lauren. The idea of the first half of the story playing out entirely via email was unique and I really enjoyed it - it was great for getting through a lot of plot build-up in a short space of time, while also giving a sense of who the characters were before we properly met them. I was fully invested in the romance from the off, and loved how the authors managed to make it feel like it had lasted a decade in the space of just over 100 pages. It was creative, fun, believable and I would love to read a longer version of this story.

Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez

Having read Abby Jimenez stories before, I had high hopes for this entry in the series. I wasn't disappointed. My favourite part of this story wasn't actually the romance, as sweet and endearing as that was - it was the relationship that Holly had with her grandmother. I also thought that it was a nice touch that both characters had personal work today before they could reach their happily ever after - it was well captured in such a short number of pages.

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne

The main thing I loved about this particular story was the wit with which Rosie and Leo interacted before ever having come face to face. It was a ridiculous plotline, but the banter really held the story together. The funny twist at the end put a smile on my face.

Drop, Cover and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory

The enemies-to-lovers arc here was given an extra dimension when they were forced together by a natural disaster; it kept it feeling fresh. I struggled to connect with either of the characters on any meaningful level, but it was entertaining enough, especially when I was given something resembling spicy scenes for the first time in the series.

With Any Luck by Ashley Poston

This one fell a bit flatter than the others for me. I liked the dynamic between the lead characters and the mystery of the missing groom, but the author tried to throw too much into too short a space. Parts of the story felt underexplored and other parts felt cheesy and overdone.

Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson

I was totally onboard with this story until the plot twist part way through - it just felt too farfetched and neatly packaged for me to buy into. I also struggled with the emphasis placed on their instant connection - it felt overplayed. I enjoyed the Rome setting and some of the cute nature of the story.

Book blurb

Love when you least expect it.

What makes love stick? Is it the irresistible spark when you lock eyes across a piazza in Rome? Is it feeling the earth move under your feet? (Wait - that was an actual earthquake.) In these six seredipitous short stories, bestselling authors turn improbable first encounters into hopelessly romantic happy ever afters.

Individual book links have been included above for blurbs on each story.