Spring Fling: Six Mini Chick Lit Tales

by Carla Caruso, Sarah Belle, Samantha Bond

Spring…

It’s a time of renewal and growth. A time to shake off the winter doldrums and let the sunshine in. A time to ditch the old and welcome the new. A time when things blossom and bloom — often when we least expect it.

Spring is also a time for awkward first dates, fun flirtation, bad breakups, sexy men, hilarious misunderstandings and the first flush of new love.

Fall in love this spring with six warm, funny and fabulous romantic short stories by some of Australia’s leading chick lit authors.

After all, everyone deserves a Spring Fling.

The six mini chick lit tales include:

* Social Bea by Carla Caruso
* Blazing Hearts by Samantha Bond
* Second Chances by Laura Greaves
* Schrodinger's Catfish by Sarah Belle
* The Eternal Bloom by Vanessa Stubbs
* The Spring Clean by Belinda Williams

ebook

Published September 20, 2016

About the author

Carla Caruso was born in Adelaide, Australia, and only ‘escaped’ for three years to work as a magazine journalist and fashion stylist in Sydney.
Previously, she was a gossip columnist and fashion editor at Adelaide’s daily newspaper, The Advertiser. She has since freelanced for titles including Woman’s Day, That’s Life and Marie Claire.
These days, she writes fiction in between playing mum to twin sons Alessio and Sebastian, making fashion jewellery, and restoring vintage furniture. Oh, plus checking out her online horoscopes, jogging, and devouring trashy TV shows
Find her at @carlacaruso_creative on Instagram.

Reviews

[Mary-Lisa Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little book consisting of 6 micro, chick lit stories. I read each story whenever I had a break... on the porch, neart the lake, on the sofa, and in bed before sounding off for sleep. It is the perfect summer read for those lazy days you want inhale a book quickly, without employing much mental effort. The stories were well-written, engaging, and a great introduction to the writings these authors offer.

I enjoyed this book and give it a solid 4/5.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read romance or chick-lit very often at all. When I do get a craving for it, I usually go for short and sweet stories like this collection. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed every story. They were well written. I didn't find them to be cliche and, though well rounded, not all of them had a HEA ending.

[Minga Dotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh . Most of them were so-so, the one at the end was the best of them.

Very short stories, several were a bit on the strange side. A couple were very readable. All in all, an ok set of samples.

[3KidsAndHubbyWon'tStopMe]

Swwet

First time reading these authors' work, but thoroughly enjoyed. Short and sweet and straight to the point, all 6 short stories were heart warming.

[Peni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please see individual stories for review.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say the last one is the best, it isn't something I would pay for it certainly isn't worth that but ok none the less.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glad this was borrowed from the library. Because I would t want to have paid for this.

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never expect too much from chick lit, especially short story chick lit. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the tales in this collection.


Social Bea by Carla Caruso
Out of the six stories, this was probably my least favorite. The relationship between Bea and Perry never seemed to be fully developed and didn't ring true to me. I never felt they had a connection and the whole story just didn't feel quite.. real.

Blazing Hearts by Samantha Bond
This is one that didn't feel quite right to me either. I enjoyed the storyline overall, but Blaze and Theo together just felt creepy and awkward.

Schrodinger's Catfish by Sarah Belle
I'll admit I had to look up the whole Schrodinger's cat thing when I started reading this one. The girl talk and Ellen's "Do I or don't I?" when it came to Googling Andrew seemed very much out of real life and something anyone can relate to. Their relationship also rang true in the story.

The Eternal Bloom by Vanessa Stubbs
This story, once I understood the initial flow and direction of it, was easily my favorite. I loved it from beginning to end, and it was the only story I actually wanted to have more stories about the characters. I even shed a tear while reading this one. The only story that prompted me to look for other books by the author.

The Spring Clean by Belinda Williams
I really enjoyed this story as well. Again, it felt right out of real life - I can believe any woman might be reluctant yet anxious to see an old crush at a high school reunion. I got a few laughs out of this story and it had a great happy ending.

Overall, a pleasant surprise of stories and I look forward to reading the other three chick lit collections in this series.