The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection: Novellas 1-3

I started The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection on my last weekend trip and it proved to be a delightful discovery. The series has total 6 novellas, and they all are set on Valentine’s Day.

What sets this collection apart is each novella is written by amazing famous romance writers making this anthology a perfect collection for fans of this genre. I’ve read books of two of these authors, and remaining authors’ books are on my TBR.

To make it concise, I’ve decided to split my reviews into two parts. This one has first 3 novellas of series.

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The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren

Synopsis

On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.

One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?

Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Review

“The Exception to the Rule” is by far the most cute story I have read so far, not just in size but in plot and feeling as well.

Written in email format, the narrative spans from 2014 when both T and C were 14 to the present 2024 and also offers glimpses of future years till 2026. What begins as a simple mistake on Valentine’s Day- an email meant for a teacher sent to T instead- turns into a tradition of exchanging emails on every Valentine’s Day, gradually forming a profound bond between T and C.

Both T and C keeps their identity anonymous making privacy regulations rules they set for each other. We don’t know their name until the middle of the book. While pursuing their major, their feelings for each other grows, making them want to break their rules. Just when they decide to meet one of them figures out the identity of the other.

Reading their email exchange made me want to go back to days of letter writing and pen pals. They are definitely better than instant messaging of WhatsApp. The authors masterfully capture the sweetness of their relationship. It’s heartwarming to read their growing feelings without the need for physical proximity.

I though there might be conflict when they finally revealed their identity but I loved how authors handled that part. T and C have undoubtedly become my favorite literary couple. (And no, I won’t be disclosing their names.)

My most favorite moments – their encounters in the closet, the exchange of their second email, the heartfelt conversations about their families and personal crises, and revelation of their identities.

Overall, The Exception to the Rule is a lovely, delightful, cute, and sweet romance that leaves a lasting impression. It’s the perfect novella to kick off what promises to be an amazing series.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez

Synopsis

They’re falling in love, yet they’ve never met. Maybe fate can intervene in a heartwarming “what-if” short story about new beginnings by the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly.

Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?

Review

Worst Wingman Ever began on Valentine’s Day, but this time it’s A mistaken letter instead of email sparked the exchange letters of heartfelt conversations between its protagonists. Though we know their names in this and characters meet each other at some point in story but they don’t recognize each other as author of letters until the end of the story.

Holly is hospice nurse and is in town with her family to take care her 90 yr old grandmother who is dying. I rooted for her knowing how hard things were for her. It was heartbreaking to se her witnessing her grandmother’s decline. The wisdom and message she passed on before her death and what she revealed about her past added layer to the story.

Both Holly and John are somewhat similar. They both had cheating ex, both are giver and cared so much about their loved ones. I rooted for John too. I can’t imagine how hard his onsite maintenance job was and how can people leave apartment in such horrible condition. I love him even more for rescuing dog from one of the apartment and adopting him.

I loved the theme of exploration of loss and the journey towards reclaiming one’s own happiness. It’s amazing how coincidences worked in this story. They might be unbelievable but I found myself cheering for characters, wishing for them to manifest in real life for some people.

Overall, Worst Wingman Ever is beautifully crafted, heartwarming, and touching romance leaving readers with a sense of warmth and fulfillment.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne

Synopsis

For a hopeful and hopeless romantic, it’s love at first sight—with a little twist—in a hilarious short story about finding Mr. Right by the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game.

Rosie Whittaker and her sister are up for some Galentine’s pampering at a day spa. Getting locked inside a flotation tank is so Rosie. Enter a firefighter hero determined to pry this luckless pearl out of her high-tech shell. All Rosie has to go on is a dreamy voice and a flirty sense of humor. Remain calm, Rosie. This could be what you’ve been waiting for. Is this the man she’s waited for her whole life?

Sally Thorne’s Rosie and the Dreamboat is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.

Review

Rosie and the Dreamboat started on Valentine’s Day with Rosie treating her sister Bree, in celebration of her promotion, the extravagant gift: a luxurious spa day, with intention of having relaxing day and time with her sister.

While Bree is beautiful, brilliant with thriving career, Rosie seemed to attract chaos like a magnet. True to form, her spa experience takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself trapped in a relaxation pod, making staff call the firefighters for assistance. and that’s how she meets Leo whom everyone calls a dreamboat.

I loved Rosie for her unwavering affection for Bree, devoid of any tinge of jealousy even though her parents and all other people looked up to Bree. Despite being a hot mess and finding herself in unfortunate situations, Rosie is vibrant and optimistic soul who works as boutique plant store. It was hard to see this cheerful upbeat girl being bullied in college and had traumatic claustrophobic experience that resurfaced being stuck in relaxing pod.

I loved how she faced her fear with Leo’s calming words and gentle support. Leo is cheerful and lovely firefighter who has knack for keeping people calm and uplifted in dire situation. I can’t believe because his goofy nature he was kept away from real firefighter work. Reading about his vulnerability made him even more admirable.

Bree’s decision to leave Rosie in Leo’s care while she continued her spa activities was initially disappointing but it totally made sense when Leo’s surname is revealed in the end that mirrored the fictional game Rosie and Bree often played providing fitting explanation.

I wonder why there are so many 2 stars on Goodreads. I agree this wasn’t as best as previous stories but it isn’t that bad either.

Overall, Rosie and the Dreamboat is a bit entertaining, a bit serious, heartwarming and lovely installment in series.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

My favorite Quotes-

“I’m a conundrum wrapped in a mystery tied with a puzzle shoved in a pickle jar.”

― Christina Lauren, The Exception to the Rule

“I like a lot of things, but I don’t LOVE any one thing. It feels scary, you know? To worry I might commit to something because I have to but not because I love it.”

― Christina Lauren, The Exception to the Rule

“Are we still going to be emailing each other from the same couch on Valentine’s Day in fifty years?”
“Without question.”

― Christina Lauren, The Exception to the Rule

“That’s the thing about kindness. You never know how big the ripple is. How one little selfless gesture can make all the difference for the person who receives it.”

― Abby Jimenez, Worst Wingman Ever

“Time is such a precious thing. How you spend it, how you waste it. And it becomes even more valuable as the hourglass runs out, because you will never get more of it. I see it every day. The panic as the last grains of sand fall.”

― Abby Jimenez, Worst Wingman Ever

“the whole point in me telling you this story is to remind you that we need to manifest our own destiny. I never accepted less than what I deserved ever again. Never ignored a red flag or excused bad behavior. I asked for what I wanted, and I protected those I loved, and I demanded the things I needed, and I had a beautiful life.”

― Abby Jimenez, Worst Wingman Ever

“Take responsibility for your own unhappiness, Holly. If you don’t love your life, change it.”

― Abby Jimenez, Worst Wingman Ever

Heartwarming, cute and lovely anthology- The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection: Novellas 1-3 -Check out review by following the link. #TheImprobableMeetCuteCollection #romanceanthology Click To Tweet

Have you read this collection?
Have you read books by any of these authors?

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Just in case you missed,,,,

• Mehar’s World of Colours by Arti Sonthalia – Middle Grade Fiction for art lovers
• Mr. Hook Up by Marni Mann – enjoyable, steamy, workplace romance
• Addicted to You (Addicted #1) by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie

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