Cece (ProblemsOfaBookNerd)'s Reviews > Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet
Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet
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Cece (ProblemsOfaBookNerd)'s review
bookshelves: anticipated-of-2018, e-arcs, read-in-2018, anthologies-and-collections
Jan 17, 2018
bookshelves: anticipated-of-2018, e-arcs, read-in-2018, anthologies-and-collections
Average rating: 3.2/5
My rating: 3/5
This had such high points and low points, which is exactly how I feel after every single anthology I read. I think the concept of this whole collection was nice, but I would have liked a couple more stories from male perspectives - and a m/m story perhaps? Don't get me wrong, I loved how many f/f stories were in this, but I think it could have benefited from some other narrators. But let's get into my specific feelings on all 14 stories.
Breakdown of the stories:
Siege Etiquette by Katie Cotugno - 2/5
A very odd way to start the collection. I think the second person was a bit strange, but I adjusted. However, there was a very cavalier use of cheating that definitely didn't endear me to the characters.
Print Shop by Nina LaCour - 3.5/5
I will always adore Nina's writing. This had a very cute, romance vibe, which is exactly what I was looking for in this collection. It was nice to see a super rom com set up for two girls falling in love (in this instance, falling for each other over Twitter in the midst of customer service frustrations). The POV shift was a bit strange, but still an overall solid story.
Hourglass by Ibi Zoboi - 3/5
I thought this did a great job of tackling issues like body image, coming from a poor family, and college prep, but I felt like the best friend relationship was very lackluster in how it was dealt with. Also, the meet cute itself left me wanting more.
Click by Katharine McGee - 4/5
Such a cute story. I may have been in a particular mood for reading this, considering I had just barely watched the "Don't Hang the DJ" episode of Black Mirror, but I felt like the dating app aspect worked perfectly. Also, a big fan of the split POV. It definitely helped me to know BOTH of the characters more, and to feel more invested in their meet cute.
The Intern by Sara Shepard - 3/5
This was cute, but overall just rushed. I felt like none of the emotional punches were really earned, because I didn't get enough of a chance to know the characters and be impacted by the things they had gone through. The relationship also felt very rushed.
Somewhere That's Green by Meredith Russo - 4/5
I loved this story, and I love Meredith Russo. This was f/f, and it was also split POV. One of the POV characters was a trans girl, and the other was a closeted lesbian, and they both wind up being cast in their high school production of Little Shop of Horrors. This tackles some huge stuff, especially transphobia, but I thought it did it all beautifully and also managed to fit in a wonderful meet cute. It's possible I was even more charmed by this considering my sister is currently in her school's production of Little Shop, but it is what it is.
The Way We Love Here by Dhonielle Clayton - 4/5
This has a really magical vibe and I enjoyed that aspect. I think there is a huge amount of skill involved in worldbuilding within a short story, which Dhonielle absolutely pulled off. This covers years and years of a relationship, and it doesn't feel rushed or forced in any way, which is so impressive.
Oomph by Emery Lord - 5/5
CLEARLY my favorite of the entire collection. This was perfect in every way. Give me a full novel about these two amazing girls meeting in an airport and falling for each other, seriously. I have never read anything by Emery Lord before, but I will definitely be checking out more of her books after reading this.
The Dictionary of You and Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout - 2/5
I think my overall review of this was that I just didn't care? I didn't care about the characters, the story, the stakes, etc. I spent most of the time rolling my eyes. It was a stumbling block in the middle of a really solid run of stories and I just didn't care for it.
The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love by Jocelyn Davies - 3.5/5
This was absolutely ridiculous, but I was still super charmed by it. I mean the concept - seeing someone on the subway and falling instantly in love, then using an AP statistics assignment to track them down again - is absurd, but I loved the way it was written. I don't know how this one got me, but it did.
259 Million Miles by Kass Morgan - 2/5
This was the first story to have a solely male POV, and I really wish it had been stronger. I think this tried to tackle way too much in a limited amount of space, and the love interest was laughably one-dimensional. Also, with how this ended, I don't know if I would really consider this a meet cute?
Something Real by Julie Murphy - 3.5/5
I'm giving out huge points to a great concept right here. I mean, it was solid. I thought it tried a little too hard with the emotional stuff near the beginning, but by the end I was grinning ear to ear.
Say Everything by Huntley Fitzpatrick - 2/5
I read this earlier today and I've already forgotten what it was even about... Yikes, let me go look back at it. Ah, yes. Ok, this one tried to tackle like a hundred deep, emotional issues, and I don't think it really managed any of them well. It was a really bizarre concept that I don't really think worked. And, apparently, it's a bit forgettable.
The Department of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon - 3/5
I thought the worldbuilding of this was absolutely incredible. If you want to know what it takes to build a totally new world in the space of a short story, I recommend checking this out. However, I think the relationship itself was a little weak. This is the only other story with a solely male POV, but I just wasn't very invested in him or the new relationship that was happening.
And that's it, those are my thoughts on Meet Cute. If you like anthologies, I think this is a pretty solid, standard YA anthology, but expect the highs with the lows. My favorite aspect of this book was the diversity, and the sheer number of f/f stories. It was really appreciated, especially in an anthology like this where it was just cute and romantic and simple. Ladies falling in love don't usually get that sort of story in mainstream YA, and I loved how many got the chance to in this collection.
*Thanks to the publishers who provided me with a copy of this book through Netgalley*
My rating: 3/5
This had such high points and low points, which is exactly how I feel after every single anthology I read. I think the concept of this whole collection was nice, but I would have liked a couple more stories from male perspectives - and a m/m story perhaps? Don't get me wrong, I loved how many f/f stories were in this, but I think it could have benefited from some other narrators. But let's get into my specific feelings on all 14 stories.
Breakdown of the stories:
Siege Etiquette by Katie Cotugno - 2/5
A very odd way to start the collection. I think the second person was a bit strange, but I adjusted. However, there was a very cavalier use of cheating that definitely didn't endear me to the characters.
Print Shop by Nina LaCour - 3.5/5
I will always adore Nina's writing. This had a very cute, romance vibe, which is exactly what I was looking for in this collection. It was nice to see a super rom com set up for two girls falling in love (in this instance, falling for each other over Twitter in the midst of customer service frustrations). The POV shift was a bit strange, but still an overall solid story.
Hourglass by Ibi Zoboi - 3/5
I thought this did a great job of tackling issues like body image, coming from a poor family, and college prep, but I felt like the best friend relationship was very lackluster in how it was dealt with. Also, the meet cute itself left me wanting more.
Click by Katharine McGee - 4/5
Such a cute story. I may have been in a particular mood for reading this, considering I had just barely watched the "Don't Hang the DJ" episode of Black Mirror, but I felt like the dating app aspect worked perfectly. Also, a big fan of the split POV. It definitely helped me to know BOTH of the characters more, and to feel more invested in their meet cute.
The Intern by Sara Shepard - 3/5
This was cute, but overall just rushed. I felt like none of the emotional punches were really earned, because I didn't get enough of a chance to know the characters and be impacted by the things they had gone through. The relationship also felt very rushed.
Somewhere That's Green by Meredith Russo - 4/5
I loved this story, and I love Meredith Russo. This was f/f, and it was also split POV. One of the POV characters was a trans girl, and the other was a closeted lesbian, and they both wind up being cast in their high school production of Little Shop of Horrors. This tackles some huge stuff, especially transphobia, but I thought it did it all beautifully and also managed to fit in a wonderful meet cute. It's possible I was even more charmed by this considering my sister is currently in her school's production of Little Shop, but it is what it is.
The Way We Love Here by Dhonielle Clayton - 4/5
This has a really magical vibe and I enjoyed that aspect. I think there is a huge amount of skill involved in worldbuilding within a short story, which Dhonielle absolutely pulled off. This covers years and years of a relationship, and it doesn't feel rushed or forced in any way, which is so impressive.
Oomph by Emery Lord - 5/5
CLEARLY my favorite of the entire collection. This was perfect in every way. Give me a full novel about these two amazing girls meeting in an airport and falling for each other, seriously. I have never read anything by Emery Lord before, but I will definitely be checking out more of her books after reading this.
The Dictionary of You and Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout - 2/5
I think my overall review of this was that I just didn't care? I didn't care about the characters, the story, the stakes, etc. I spent most of the time rolling my eyes. It was a stumbling block in the middle of a really solid run of stories and I just didn't care for it.
The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love by Jocelyn Davies - 3.5/5
This was absolutely ridiculous, but I was still super charmed by it. I mean the concept - seeing someone on the subway and falling instantly in love, then using an AP statistics assignment to track them down again - is absurd, but I loved the way it was written. I don't know how this one got me, but it did.
259 Million Miles by Kass Morgan - 2/5
This was the first story to have a solely male POV, and I really wish it had been stronger. I think this tried to tackle way too much in a limited amount of space, and the love interest was laughably one-dimensional. Also, with how this ended, I don't know if I would really consider this a meet cute?
Something Real by Julie Murphy - 3.5/5
I'm giving out huge points to a great concept right here. I mean, it was solid. I thought it tried a little too hard with the emotional stuff near the beginning, but by the end I was grinning ear to ear.
Say Everything by Huntley Fitzpatrick - 2/5
I read this earlier today and I've already forgotten what it was even about... Yikes, let me go look back at it. Ah, yes. Ok, this one tried to tackle like a hundred deep, emotional issues, and I don't think it really managed any of them well. It was a really bizarre concept that I don't really think worked. And, apparently, it's a bit forgettable.
The Department of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon - 3/5
I thought the worldbuilding of this was absolutely incredible. If you want to know what it takes to build a totally new world in the space of a short story, I recommend checking this out. However, I think the relationship itself was a little weak. This is the only other story with a solely male POV, but I just wasn't very invested in him or the new relationship that was happening.
And that's it, those are my thoughts on Meet Cute. If you like anthologies, I think this is a pretty solid, standard YA anthology, but expect the highs with the lows. My favorite aspect of this book was the diversity, and the sheer number of f/f stories. It was really appreciated, especially in an anthology like this where it was just cute and romantic and simple. Ladies falling in love don't usually get that sort of story in mainstream YA, and I loved how many got the chance to in this collection.
*Thanks to the publishers who provided me with a copy of this book through Netgalley*
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Reading Progress
September 5, 2017
– Shelved
November 4, 2017
–
Started Reading
November 4, 2017
–
7.0%
"Siege Etiquette by Katie Cotugno - 2.5/5
This is a weird note to start out on for this collection. The 2nd person is not as distracting as I thought, but the story falls a bit flat."
This is a weird note to start out on for this collection. The 2nd person is not as distracting as I thought, but the story falls a bit flat."
November 12, 2017
–
15.0%
"Print Shop by Nina LaCour - 3.5/5
One thing I will say about Nina LaCour is that her stories are always delightfully queer and super atmospheric. Really liked the technology aspect of this one."
One thing I will say about Nina LaCour is that her stories are always delightfully queer and super atmospheric. Really liked the technology aspect of this one."
December 8, 2017
–
22.0%
"Hourglass by Ibi Zoboi - 3/5. Packs in a lot about body image, money troubles, and college prep for such a short story. Just feels less fleshed out in terms of the best friend relationship."
December 8, 2017
–
29.0%
"Click by Katharine McGee - 4/5. Oh my god this was so cute and so nice. Easily my favorite so far."
December 9, 2017
–
33.0%
"The Intern by Sara Shepard - 3/5. Heartfelt, but it felt a bit rushed to me."
January 10, 2018
–
43.0%
"Somewhere That's Green by Meredith Russo - 4/5
I just love Meredith Russo's writing. This was f/f with one POV character who is a trans girl. It was quick, but tackled some transphobia really head on and still fit in an adorable meet cute."
I just love Meredith Russo's writing. This was f/f with one POV character who is a trans girl. It was quick, but tackled some transphobia really head on and still fit in an adorable meet cute."
January 11, 2018
–
50.0%
"The Way We Love Here by Dhonielle Clayton - 4/5
I really enjoyed this one. It’s magical, immersive, and manages to fit a lot of story and character into a very little amount of space."
I really enjoyed this one. It’s magical, immersive, and manages to fit a lot of story and character into a very little amount of space."
January 14, 2018
–
56.0%
"Oomph by Emery Lord - 5/5
EXCUSE ME. WHERE IS MY FULL LENGTH NOVEL ABOUT THESE TWO GIRLS MEETING IN AN AIRPORT?! MY GAY HEART IS BURSTING."
EXCUSE ME. WHERE IS MY FULL LENGTH NOVEL ABOUT THESE TWO GIRLS MEETING IN AN AIRPORT?! MY GAY HEART IS BURSTING."
January 15, 2018
–
61.0%
"The Dictionary of You and Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout - 2/5
This was pretty meh overall. I spent a fair amount of time rolling my eyes, and mostly I just didn’t care."
This was pretty meh overall. I spent a fair amount of time rolling my eyes, and mostly I just didn’t care."
January 15, 2018
–
69.0%
"The Unlikely Likelihood of Falling in Love by Jocelyn Davies - 3.5/5
I’ll admit, even though this one was super ridiculous, I was still the tiniest bit charmed."
I’ll admit, even though this one was super ridiculous, I was still the tiniest bit charmed."
January 16, 2018
–
78.0%
"259 Million Miles by Kass Morgan - 2/5
If I’m remembering, I think this is the first story with a POV character who is a guy? Anyway, not that solid. Super over-dramatic and too much story to fit into not enough pages."
If I’m remembering, I think this is the first story with a POV character who is a guy? Anyway, not that solid. Super over-dramatic and too much story to fit into not enough pages."
January 16, 2018
–
86.0%
"Something Real by Julie Murphy - 3.5/5
I’m so happy about the number of f/f stories in this collection. This was super funny and cute."
I’m so happy about the number of f/f stories in this collection. This was super funny and cute."
January 17, 2018
–
92.0%
"Say Everything by Huntley Fitzpatrick - 2/5
This just didn’t click with me. I didn’t love the 2nd person narration, and I think it tried to take on too much deep emotional weight without being able to give it the time it deserved."
This just didn’t click with me. I didn’t love the 2nd person narration, and I think it tried to take on too much deep emotional weight without being able to give it the time it deserved."
January 17, 2018
–
100.0%
"The Department of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon - 3/5
I adored the world building and concept of this story, I was just much less sold on the characters themselves"
I adored the world building and concept of this story, I was just much less sold on the characters themselves"
January 17, 2018
–
Finished Reading
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Jessica
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rated it 4 stars
Feb 18, 2018 06:22PM
Oh good, I wasn't the only one who got Black Mirror (2 episodes) vibes from Click!
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