Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories

Title: Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories
Author: various, edited by Stephanie Perkins
Narrator(s): various
Series: anthology
Length: 16 hrs 2 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books
Publication Date: May 19, 2016
Source: Audible Romance Package
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Maybe it's the long, lazy days, or maybe it's the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom. Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

Featuring stories by Leigh Bardugo, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Brandy Colbert, Tim Federle, Lev Grossman, Nina LaCour, Stephanie Perkins, Veronica Roth, Jon Skovron, and Jennifer E. Smith.

Anthologies can be hit or miss, and not every story is for everyone. Some of these stories were written and narrated by favorites of mine, while others were by authors and narrators I've only ever heard of...if that. But whether I loved all of the stories or not, I still appreciated the different takes on different types of love and just how diverse these stories were. There is literally something for everyone. Here's how they fared all in all:

Head, Scales, Tongue, Tail by Leigh Bardugo and narrated by Stina Nielsen - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I saw where this story was headed, almost from the beginning, but the journey there was such a pleasure. This was an almost ethereal tale of a mythical lake monster that transforms into a bittersweet love story, and it was just so lovely I wanted to squeeze it to pieces. Such a great way to kick off this anthology!

The End of Love by Nina Lacour and narrated by Erin Moon - 🌟🌟🌟

Never read a Nina Lacour book before but I found this short story of hers to be quite sweet and hopeful, and the atmosphere just screamed summer. And in such a short space, she covered so many big topics.

Last Stand at the Cinegore by Libba Bray and narrated by Christopher Gebauer - 🌟🌟

This one felt like it should have been included in an anthology of spooky stories, not love stories. The romance took such a backseat to the horror going on in the rest of the story that I almost forgot about it. Had I been looking for a scary story, I would've enjoyed this a bit more. It also felt...clunky...for Libba Bray. She's one of my favorite authors and I know she knows how to write romance, so I'm a bit disappointed in this one. Also, it read a little like Zombieland, with Jesse Eisenberg as the awkward main character and the narrator. He wasn't either in this short story, but I almost could have believed he was.

Sick Pleasure by Francesca Lia Block and narrated by Jessica Almasy - 🌟🌟🌟

Okay, so this story was sad and a little brutal, but I'm not gonna hold that against it since it was such a good reminder of what young love is like. It's all great until heartbreak and bad decision-making but it's genuine and real, if not a little bit depressing.

In Ninety Minutes Turn North by Stephanie Perkins and narrated by Cherise Boothe - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Adorable, but I wouldn't have expected anything less from Stephanie Perkins. Her romances always bring the happy feelings and this second-chance at love was no exception. Pure summer fluff.

Souvenirs by Tim Federle and narrated by Michael Bakkensen - 🌟🌟🌟

Sweet end-of-summer, end-of-romance story. Sometimes summer romances are just that: summer romances. And I'm glad this story didn't endeavor to be more than it was. It was just fun and fluffy and cute.

Inertia by Veronica Roth and narrated by Stina Nielsen - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I was beginning to think this anthology was going to be full of sad summer love stories, the way some of these stories were going, including this one. But then this one did a full 180 and I'm back on board. I know all summer romances don't end happily, but geez. Although, this one didn't feel like a summer romance so much. It was a vaguely science fiction piece with a friends-to-more romance but it didn't really happen over summer.

Love is the Last Resort by Jon Skovron and narrated by Christopher Gebauer - 🌟🌟

Eh. I didn't really enjoy the narration style of this story or the matchmaker aspect. Not in a story this short. But love in the workplace or at a resort -- or both -- is fun.

Good Luck and Farewell by Brandy Colbert and narrated by Cherise Boothe - 🌟🌟🌟

This was such a lovely story about love and loss and moving on. It featured not only a really sweet start to a summer romance, but a narrative about familial love and how you can lose someone without them being gone and still make room for other people in your life.

Brand New Attraction by Cassandra Clare and narrated by Erin Moon - 🌟🌟

Insta-love with a sorta-not-really sibling...where have I read this before?  😒  Maybe there were no Shadowhunters, but there were still demons and manipulative parental units aplenty. Honestly, I just don't think Clare has it in her to write outside her wheelhouse.

A Thousand Ways This Could All Go Wrong by Jennifer E. Smith and narrated by Jessica Almasy - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This one definitely could have been improved by simply being a full-length novel so we could get more of that adorable slow-burn, but otherwise, I kinda loved this simple summer romance and the direction it took.

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things by Lev Grossman and narrated by Michael Bakkensen - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I really enjoyed this Groundhog Day-esque story, filled with special little miracles that the characters map out so that they can visit whenever they want, for as long as August 4th keeps repeating. I loved the reason behind the repetition and the inevitable outcome, and despite that it finds its basis in Groundhog Day, it still manages to be thoughtful and unique.


I don't read many anthologies, and I enjoyed this one for the most part, but I didn't think it was as cute as the holiday anthology Stephanie Perkins edited. It did get me in the mood for more summer romances, though. 😉

GIF it to me straight:

About the editor:

Hi, there! I'm Steph, and I wrote Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door, and Isla and the Happily Ever After. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called My True Love Gave to Me and its companion anthology, Summer Days and Summer Nights. My next YA release is a horror novel called There's Someone Inside Your House, which was released Fall 2017.

Find Stephanie:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

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Labels: anthology, audiobooks, contemporary, favorite authors, reviews, stephanie perkins, summer

Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Anna and the French Kiss, book #3
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: August 14, 2014
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

It felt like we all waited ages for this book. The release date got pushed a couple times I thought. You would think I'd have read it right away.... but nope.. I didn't read it until almost a full year from release. I do that lot. I crave a book, buy it when it comes out, and then it sits forever. I still have Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey on my kindle. For shame! I loved the Fifth Wave and needed that book like immediately. Pathetic I tell ya. 

I considered doing Audio with Isla, but changed my mind because some the the reviews on Audible didn't speak too highly of the narrator, so I went with the kindle version. 

I liked it. I would almost say I loved it, but not as much as I had hoped I would. I adored Isla's character back when I read Anna and the French Kiss. We didn't see much of her back then, but I was intrigued and very excited when I saw she would be writing a book involving her. 

It didn't hold the magic Anna held though. You see, Anna and the French Kiss was the first YA Contemporary I ever read. So it's like my first love. Nothing else compares. My favorite part about Isla was the cameo's all the previous characters made towards the end. 

Now I'm not saying Isla and the Happily Ever After is a bad book. It's really quite good, but it's my least favorite so far of Perkins. While there were some really sweet swoony things, I didn't find Isla's relationship with Josh very realistic. Or even healthy at times. She was kind of obsessed with him to the point of creepy. I was cheering for her though. I had a huge crush for my last two years in highschool, and we finally hooked up once after graduation. It was awesome and disappointing all at the same time. lol. But mostly awesome because I always wondered. But anyway, I kinda knew how she was feeling when he finally saw her. ya know? 

Overall, it was cute. Even if Isla was annoying sometimes. I will still read anything Perkins writes, because she popped my literary contemp cherry. :) 

About the author:

Hi, there! I'm Steph, and I wrote ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, and ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME. My next YA novel will be horror—a teen slasher published by Dutton.

Find Stephanie:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

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Labels: Dutton, isla and the happily ever after, reviews, stephanie perkins

{Audiobook} Review: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories, edited by Stephanie Perkins

Title: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Author: various
Narrator(s): various
Series: anthology
Length: 12 hrs 55 mins
Publisher: Listening Library
Publication Date: October 14, 2014
Source: from publisher via Netgalley, audiobook via library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you're going to fall in love with My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by 12 best-selling young adult writers (Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de La Peña, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins, Laini Tayler and Kiersten White) and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa, there's something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have 12 reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.

Every short story in a collection like this can't be a winner for every reader, but I dare anyone to say that they read all of the stories in this anthology and didn't feel at least a little holiday cheer by the end. Some of these stories were written and narrated by favorites of mine, while others were by authors and narrators I've only ever heard of...if that. I tried to go into this audiobook without knowing who wrote each story, and even though the author is stated before each story, it was so quick that I missed a lot of them at first. But my curiosity got the better of me and I just had to know who certain stories were written by. Some were kind of obvious and some were complete surprises. Here's how they fared all in all:

Midnights by Rainbow Rowell and narrated by Rebecca Lowman - ★★★★★

This story, I had no problem whatsoever guessing the author. It felt very reminiscent of Fangirl, which is by no means a complaint. It's just that RR really knows how to write a coming-of-age story that feels genuine. Midnights chronicles several New Year's Eves in the MC's history with the love interest in a somewhat random order to fill in some blanks and show how this story's couple came to be where they are this New Year's Eve. It was bittersweet and everything you expect from a Rainbow Rowell story. And I don't think I will ever approve of anyone but Rebecca Lowman as narrator for RR's stories...she is perfect.

The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link and narrated by Fiona Hardingham - ★★★★

This story probably won't resonate with most readers the same way it did for me, but I kind of loved it. I don't think I can say I've actually heard of Kelly Link before, but this haunting tale of a love that defies logic -- not to mention the borders of the living world -- has intrigued me enough to research the author to find more of her works. Also, it probably helps that I love Fiona Hardingham as a narrator, and her performance made this story that much more interesting. Her accent also made it feel more authentic.

Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Peña and narrated by Henry Leyva - ★★★★

I've been meaning to check out this author's work for some time, so I was happy to see that a short story from him was included, especially as it lent some diversity to the anthology. Loved the male perspective...that was a definite plus. Not so sure I loved his love interest, considering the circumstances, but I liked how the scholarship kid made out in the end. Never heard anything narrated by Henry Leyva as far as I know, but I really bought his performance.

Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han and narrated by Kim Mai Guest - ★★★★

Another favorite author paired with a favorite narrator; this makes my heart happy. Especially since this story was kind of like the movie Elf but with a female protagonist. It was bittersweet, much as I've come to expect from Jenny Han, but even so, I felt a twinge of hopefulness there at the end, despite it all. Also, I think I would give this story the award for best title in the anthology, even if the story did feel like the shortest one in the bunch.

It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins and narrated by Samantha Quan - ★★★★★

This story was definitely cute. Like, make my heart sooo happy cute. So, of course it's from Stephanie Perkins. She knows how to write love interests that just melt my heart. And she writes normal girls who get themselves all flustered over said heart-melting love interests. And I like the homage to Charlie Brown. I'm not familiar with this narrator, but she did an outstanding job of making me fall even harder for these characters.

Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan and narrated by Dustin Rubin - ★★★

I've only read Levithan's collaborations with other authors, including John Green and Rachel Cohn, so I only know how his characters bounce off of another author's characters. Without that added narrative, this story just fell flat for me. I was pleased to see that a LGBT story was included in this collection, but I wish the romance would have jumped out at me the way they have in the author's previous works. Another narrator I'm not familiar with, and honestly I can't say the performance was all that memorable either.

Krampuslauf by Holly Black and narrated by Julia Whelan - ★★★★

This story was another win for me, and not just because of the favorite author and narrator combo. I liked the contemporary start the story had but loved the fantastical turn it took. After listening to this story, I had to look up Krampuslauf to see if it was a real thing because I was so intrigued by where it took the story...it is a real celebration and one I'd like to witness some day.

What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Foreman and narrated by Abby Craden - ★★★

I've only read If I Stay and Where She Went by Foreman because I'm not sure that anything else by her would be a good fit for me. Case in point, this story. It features a mixed couple getting to know each other, feel each other out without offending one another with stereotypes and generalizations. I liked that aspect, but I just think maybe it was just a bit too heavy-handed in this story. Or it's Foreman's writing style that didn't work for me. Another unfamiliar narrator that did a decent job, though.

Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire and narrated by Lincoln Hoppe - ★★

This was my least favorite story in the whole anthology. I should also probably mention that I never read further than the first book in the Hourglass series, either. I'm just not a fan of McEntire's writing style or the fact that I never connect with her characters. This story was basically one of those in which a good girl makes a bad boy question his wicked ways. That can usually be a fun scenario, but it was just boring in this case. I liked the narrator, though.

Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White and narrated by Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez - ★★★★

Well, butter my biscuits! I totally expected to be disappointed by this story because I've all but given up on the author's work up until now after finding myself unable to finish the Paranormalcy series, but I was very happy with this story. I really, really thought it was going to take a more magical turn, but I'm glad it didn't. Basically, the MC is soooo ready to graduate and leave her sad life and tiny town behind her...until a cute new boy enters the picture and gives her a reason to stay. That's not even the best part, though! Family present and accounted for. Diversity. And standing up to physical abuse. And it managed to be quirky and funny, something her previous books attempted and it fell flat. Not in this case. And the narrator was legitimately good, especially her accents and pronunciations.

Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter and narrated by Shannon McManus - ★★★★★

I've never read an Ally Carter book before, but I am now convinced that I have to read them all. (I know, Summer...you've been telling me this for ages now.) I love when starlets want to disappear from the limelight because I imagine that most do from time to time. But I also love a takes-no-sh!t love interest, too, and the one in this story is kind of the best. As is his family and the whole situation the MC finds herself in. Carter may soon become a favorite, and it doesn't hurt that she's paired with another of my favorite narrator's in this audiobook anthology. This was definitely one of the highlights of the collection for me.

The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor and narrated by Ann Marie Lee - ★★★★★

In a collection of mostly contemporary tales, Laini Taylor manages to stand out, as usual. This was by far the most fantastical of all the stories in the anthology, and it was also probably the most melancholy. But it was oh so evocative, as I've come to expect from Taylor, and I am in no less awe of her exquisite prose than I was when I finished her Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. But this is the problem with fantasy short stories: they always leave me wanting more of the world and characters, and I know I'll never get my wish. I've also never experienced an audiobook narrated by Ann Marie Lee, but I'm a fan after this story.


A bit of a mixed bag, for sure, but there's a little something for everyone here. I don't read many anthologies, but I heartily recommend this one.

Oh, and did you know that the couples on the cover actually represent the couples from the stories? How cool is that?

source

GIF it to me straight:

About the editor:

Hi, there! I'm Steph, and I wrote ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, and ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME. My next YA novel will be horror—a teen slasher published by Dutton.

Find Stephanie:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

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Labels: anthology, audiobooks, christmas, contemporary, favorite authors, favorite narrators, favorites, holidays, my true love gave to me, reviews, stephanie perkins

Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Anna and the French Kiss, book #3
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: August 14, 2014
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

Ermahgerd...cuteness overload, guys! I didn't review Anna or Lola back in the day, and I hadn't planned on reviewing Isla either but I just have to gush about the level of happy this book left me with. I'm still riding on cloud nine and I finished it last Wednesday, less than 24 hours after it arrived in my hands. I mean, when you wait three agonizing years for a new book from one of your very favorite contemporary authors, you can't NOT devour it, right? ;0)

Anyway, I read the excerpt that was provided on Netgalley a couple of months ago, and I just knew I was going to love Isla. She was sweet and awkward and the Perkins protagonist I probably most identify with -- even if Lola is still my favorite. =) I loved seeing this normally quiet girl hopped up on pain meds, taking a chance on a boy she totally thought was out of her league, standing up for and by her friend, and taking risks for once in her life. And I don't just mean with a boy but with her life and with her future.

Obviously the focus of this book is the romance -- it is called Isla and the Happily Ever After after all. But I liked that it was kind of the opposite of how many romance novels tend to go. Instead of waiting and waiting...and waiting for the couple to get together, Isla starts out almost immediately with Isla and Josh admitting that they've always been interested in each other. And they're finally, finally acting on it, and they are just so freaking adorable. I love that I didn't spend over half the book waiting for them to realize their feelings for each other, that they so freely admitted how they felt pretty much from the get-go.

It felt more like a genuine relationship, with a tiny bit of the "does he or doesn't he?" and the usual insecurities to balance it out and make it seem realistic. They didn't play games; they just wanted to be together. And so they were. Until Isla's insecurities and Josh's past -- issues that are present in most relationships -- get in the way of their happily ever after. That part I didn't enjoy so much because Isla was a tad melodramatic about it all. But it was necessary to show each character's growth during their separation and how much they truly did care about one another if they could come together again and try to make it work. If they were both just willing to take a chance.

Though this isn't a true trilogy, Isla still felt like a satisfying ending to all three books. It was such a charming, quirky love story, and I liked the cameos from previous characters and how their stories concluded, as well...something you won't often hear from me as I normally like to keep the characters and stories separate, even in a series of companion novels like this. But with Stephanie Perkins' characters, I can't help myself. I want everyone to get their happy ending. Whether you've read the previous books or not, if you enjoy YA contemporary novels even a smidgeon, I think you're going to love this one. It is just So. Doggone. Cute!

GIF it to me straight:

About the author:

Hi, there! I'm Steph, and I wrote ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, and ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME. My next YA novel will be horror—a teen slasher published by Dutton.

Find Stephanie:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

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Labels: all the feels, all the swoons, beautiful covers, contemporary, favorite authors, favorites, foreign setting, isla and the happily ever after, penguin, reviews, stephanie perkins

Waiting on Wednesday: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss & Lola and the Boy Next Door
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: September 17, 2013

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

Why I'm waiting:  I only recently discovered the awesomeness that is Stephanie Perkins, but it was like love at first, er, read.  I listened to the audio for Anna and then I read Lola along with Em (not her first read, but she wanted to read along with me), and in all probability, Em and I will be reading Isla together, too.  If there was ever an author I was going to stalk, it would be this one.  She writes books that make my heart sososo happy.  I am so hoping for a happy ending for Isla and Josh.  And I can't wait to see more of Anna, Étienne, Lola and Cricket.  (Especially Cricket!)

Also I LOVE the new covers.  Admittedly, I wished they had been released prior to my purchase of the hardcovers, but que sera sera.  I know some people are disappointed with the cover changes, but I love them.  The setting in each of these novels becomes a character in itself, and I love that the new covers showcase them so beautifully.  And the color scheme is so fun!  I actually kind of want to purchase Anna and Lola again so I can have these beauties on my shelf...and I never do that.

What are you waiting on this week?  Feel free to share it in the comments or leave a link so I can stop by!

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Labels: contemporary, isla and the happily ever after, must-read, penguin, stephanie perkins, waiting on wednesday (wow)