Aly > Recent Status Updates

Is It New Years Yet?

1.5/5 ⭐️

I really struggle with any story where a main character is cheating/cheated (past tense for this one) and seeing them get over the issue so quickly so they can instantly be physically intimate themselves was not enjoyable for me. The writing itself is solid and the representation, but I just don’t like a cheating story. This one wasn’t very festive either.

Hope This Helps

4.5/5 ⭐️

This may be the most fun time I’ve had! The emails instantly drew me in and were adorably entertaining and I honestly just had so much fun reading this entire short story! My only complaint was that there weren’t anymore “holiday festiveness” but I really really enjoyed this one!!

Holiday Blackout

4/5 ⭐️

I loved that this story didn’t try to do anymore than it needed! I really enjoyed getting the brief background on these characters and their relationship and then seeing this special moment between them. I also really enjoyed seeing a different (albeit less festive) version of Christmas that so many adults experience.

Skipping Christmas

2/5 ⭐️

This one really just didn’t click for me. The characters felt all over the place and I struggled with how the FMC particularly acted so young when she was meant to be a self sufficient adult. The concept was cute, but just didn’t draw me in how I wanted (the texts were also not formatted in my copy so it was difficult to read).

All Roads Lead Home

3.5/5 ⭐️

I think the concept and writing of this one was adorable! I just feel that maybe it would have made more sense as a novel instead of short story. It just felt too over the top for these two to have supposedly been in love all this time and never reached out or tried to keep in touch, and one kiss and suddenly they’re ready to devote their lives together. I loved the family though!

A Solstice Kiss

3.5/5 ⭐️

I wanted to love this one so much more than I did! The writing was so good and the concept adorable! Unfortunately for it being a short story it felt like everything was insta-love. For short stories I am always happy to suspend my disbelief, but this was a bit too far for me. I think I would have loved for it to be more of a sweet curious affection/interest instead of insta-love more.

Twelve Seconds to Forever

4.5/5 ⭐️

Best friend’s brother/second chance romance that I’ll eat up every time! I was initially going to HATE this story because there wasn’t a good reason to me for the brother to skip his sisters rehearsal and wedding, but getting both POV’s saved the day and made this one sweet and spicy in the best ways!

Ho Ho Oh No

2/5 ⭐️

The premise of this one was so cute with grumpy being pulled into a mall Santa Claus and sunshine being the elf that he gets snowed in with! Unfortunately there just wasn’t enough detail to pull me into the moment of this story as it felt like the writing just wanting to jump straight to the very detailed smut. I wanted a little more descriptive language to make me care more beforehand.

Someone To Hold On To

2/5

This was cute and sweet, but really didn’t feel romantic. To be honest, while the premise was really fun, the characters were too childish when we knew they were meant to be adults. I wanted to enjoy it, but found myself cringing at how mean the FMC would be at times for no reason other than embarrassment.

I’ll Be Home for X-Mas

4/5 ⭐️

Very similar to the first short story and just as cute and sweet! I loved the childhood friends to lovers to second chance romance and feel that it was nicely wrapped up. The writing was well done and the characters well established, I just wish there had been more of a concluding scene post airport. Very fun either way!

Decking His Halls

2/5 ⭐️

I am a sucker for a brother’s best friend trope, but this one just didn’t click for me. Not only was the writing extremely telling (ie, she did this, she thought thought, he did this), the story was entirely physical and not at all emotional—which doesn’t match my preference. It is an ideal short story for someone who wants a more smutty holiday short story with cute decor!

A Merry Little Christmas:

4/5 ⭐️

Super cute and sweet Christmas short story!! I honestly loved their story and how sweet Max was to El (I honestly wish there was one more interaction for the two!) and will definitely be rereading this story at Christmas. Honestly just wish there was one more scene between the two of them or slightly more build up (I realize this is a short story but I just wanted more!!)

Grumpy x Sunshine to the MAX

Holden is the actual MVP of this book and if he doesn’t get his own story I will RIOT

I did not expect the Paloma x Lily friendship to be my fav part but I’m also SO happy it is

Am I going to finish this in one day?! The absolute CHOKEHOLD they have on me…

“I shouldn’t be so worried about her like this. It’s not fair to me. But I can’t fucking stop.”

This quote literally describes the book PERFECTLY

IT’S FINALLY TIME!!!!!! I’ve been DYING to get to Toren’s story 😍. Not to mention this man is going to DESTROY me