Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle | Rating: ★★★★☆

I always had this idea that you should never give up a happy middle in the hopes of a happy ending, because there is no such thing as a happy ending. Do you know what I mean? There is so much to lose.

Some of the best, and definitely the funnest, young adult authors back in 2008 (who are, still, amongst their best) were brought together with Let It Snow, a holiday anthology filled with three short stories from each. They’re romantic, they’re sweet and they’re definitely out of a cute little holiday film. Or, well, should be–that’s how pleasant they are to read!

Maureen Jonson, John Green and Lauren Myracle each tied up a personal tone, a voice for three separate narrators, wove it all together and created a story that was sure to delight fans. It’s impossible not to smile at any of the stories within and the romance that follows.

Years later, I still find myself completely enamored with this snow storm and these characters. Rereading it feels like a nod to seasons greetings and old friends. In other words… it’s warm and fuzzy.

‘Tis the season to be… Jubilee?

I Will Always Love You (GG #12) created by Cecily von Ziegesar | Rating: ★★★★★

They chose each other.

Just then, the dark sky lit up with fireworks. A cab sailing the street honked in celebration . In the night air, Nate thought he could hear Serena and Blair's laughter, though he knew that was impossible; they were too far away by now.

But as we know, in this city anything is possible.

Flashback to 2008 or 2009: in a surprising move due to the popularity of the then-hit television series, Gossip Girl came back for one final look into our beloved teenagers lives as they explore adulthood and come home for the holidays during breaks in university. Much like the final books and spin-offs of the original series, it is penned a ghost writer and not Cecily herself.

I Will Always Love You, or as I like to call it: the pitiful (but still fun) attempt at drawing in fans of the television series and unnecessarily destroying the characteristics of the books, takes place over the course of four years and is told in the usual rotating narration and blog entries. We’re split up to focus ONLY on the four years of holidays our kids have as breaks from classes.

(I’m being a bit dramatic: the installment wasn’t horrible it just wasn’t Gossip Girl in the way longtime readers wanted it to be. There were some redeeming qualities to it, though, like the endgames. Which is why I've still given it a high review like the rest of the series.)

[Update: I've been sick so this idea is pretty much in the bin now but I will still try to do a few holiday reviews!] Leading up to the days before the holidays I will be revisiting, reposting and revising reviews from some of my favorite (or non favorite) holiday stories. If you do not celebrate any holiday during this time, I’m going to apologize to you right here and now for clogging up your senses with my festive gibberish and ask you to stay patient, the season will be gone before you know it.

And of course if you do not celebrate Christmas but instead one of many beautiful holidays, you are more than welcome to share your favorite tidbits and stories and traditions with me.

(I wish you a very, very happy holiday season.)

This time of the year is my favorite. In my postings from now until Christmas is over, I will explore some holiday gems through the genres and review them all to celebrate the season. My first thought is to also include past reviews that have been made recently in the genre: One Wish in Manhattan by the wonderful Mandy Baggot in particular. Which, if you haven't checked it out yet, this is the part where I shake you and say to snag a copy for yourself this holiday season. Fluffy and overall a delight to read, One Wish in Manhattan is one of those books you should curl up next to a fire with. It's really cozy.

As for me...