The first story, The Long Walk by Tiffany D. Jackson, features an ex-couple Tammi and Kareem. This story weaves throughout the rest, becoming a refresher between each of the other five love stories. I like that it is in acts and the tension between the leads keeps you aching for more from them. The walk they are on also introduces the locations of the next scene, works as the set up for the next love adventure. These two come together after months of silence after a breakup, from a long term relationship, as they both vie for the same job. They must walk together, work together, and through it all figure out what went wrong between them. The next stories each feature different stages of relationships. From realizing you like someone, to meeting someone new, to realizing a relationship you are in is no longer working, or that you need to move on from a breakup and meet someone new. Each story is a look at the impact of love, how we change ourselves for others or how we realize the best relationships allow us to be ourselves. The book intermingled so well, each story flowing beautifully into the next. Yet, each on has a distinct style that separated it from the rest. Lana and Tristán's story, All the Great Love Stories...and Dust by Dhonielle Clayton, featured footnotes from Lana's viewpoint, which tied in well with the library setting and Lana's scrapbooking habit. In Seymour and Grace, by Nicola Yoon, the perspective shifts between Seymour and Grace, allowing for a look into both their minds as they meet each other and begin to find they like each other. This made for a great dual dynamic. Each character is mentioned at some point in another story, introducing you to future characters or allowing you to see the result of the former sections. This book is full of different kinds of love and includes the power of friendship and family, how all are interconnected and help or hinder a person in their development. Quite a few stories dealt with the loss of a loved one and how each character deals with the fall out of loss, the pain, how moments they found comfort in before or after that loss are now parts of their routines. In the story Made to Fit by Ashley Woodfolk, Nella shows Joss her vending machine picnic; which started when her Grandmother was sick in the hospital and her Grandfather, Mother and her put together the two things her Grandmother loved most, tea and picnics. This has become a comfort tradition for Nella, after her Grandmother passed, her Grandfather suggests her bringing the stuff and being with him when she is feeling sad. These stories also touch on finding ourselves in love, or finding out that maybe we have lost ourselves. In Mask Off by Nic Stone, JJ is pressured by the weight of fitting in around his basketball team and with the knowledge that this is his shot into a good life. Because of that, he often denies things about himself, even if this affects his happiness. It is when he starts to reveal the truth of his feelings towards Tremaine, that he can start to truly be himself and feel more comfortable and confident. In No Sleep Till Brooklyn, by Angie Thomas, Kayla is beginning to question her long term relationship with boyfriend Tre'Shawn. She wonders if they have lost themselves in this relationship, if they are only together because it is comfortable and they are afraid of change. This is a book that highlights Black happiness, which is so important! Also, two of the narratives are LGBTQIA+ couples, which makes this an even more inclusive novel. This book truly means to feature all kinds of love, happiness, trust, family, hope, and the need to love ourselves. Highly, highly recommend picking this amazing book up. I would not mind also listening to the audiobook for this one, as I think it would be fantastic and very cinematic.
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April 2024
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