Summary

What could be cozier than snow on Christmas?  Maybe a blizzard on Christmas Eve?  Let it Snow, is a collection of three romances by three popular young adult authors.  Whether they are cozy or not? Well, you’ll have to read on to find out.

Review

I picked up this book primarily for what it attempted to do.  To have one over arching story – sharing setting and characters – outside of three short stories written by three separate young adult authors.  Even more than that, the book largely succeeded.  Kudos for that alone.  The stories are entwined, which I’m sure was no small task, but the style of one of the authors seemed so entirely different to me, that it weakened the structure as a whole. Which one?

The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson starts the book off. And boy does it! It’s a great short story that draws you in from the first paragraph and doesn’t let go of you until you’ve read the last sentence.  And then you have to sigh.  It’s definitely “feel good” and is a nice, solid, holiday romance.  Nothing sketchy. No scenes put in for shock value. Just. Darling. Read it. Sigh. (close the book?).

The second story, A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle, by John Green, is less to write home about. I dunno, I found it – well, the beginning of it – crude.  It was two high school aged boys with their girl companion hanging out. Why yes! The girl does have a crush on one of the boys and he is oblivious until the end! Aww, that is sweet. Not my style, though, and a tough read.

Lauren Myracle’s The Patron Saint of Pigs finishes off the book.  Yowza! The story started off in one direction and took a hard right and winded up somewhere else.  This is to its credit.  That is, I liked the second half of the story and it ended well.  I’m just not sure I need the entire first half. Also? The title? ugh.

This book was released more than a few years ago now, and is easily obtainable at the library.  I’m sure the teen girl will enjoy it – even Green’s contribution – but don’t pick it up just for his name.  You’ll be much happier reading Johnson’s contribution and then moving on. Okay, read Myracle’s contribution, too. The story will still make sense. And you’ll save yourself the heartache.

What You Need to Know

• Role Models/Authority Figures – [1st story] has a interfering mother who is trying too hard to get her son to kiss to this girl. A little bizarre. Teens won’t notice or be bothered. But will likely wonder why you haven’t forced them to be alone in the bedroom with their newest love interest. [2nd and 3rd stories] parents aren’t in the story, to speak of.
  
• Violence – [2nd story] teen boy antics
• Language – [2nd story]: asshat, God as expletive, Christ as expletive, Jesus as expletive,
• Sexual Content – [1st story] light kissing, innuendos about cheerleaders; [2nd story]: crude descriptions of women/cheerleaders; [3rd story] reference to “making out”
  
• Consumerism – food chains mentioned
  
• Drinking/Smoking/Drugs –
  
• Religion –
  
• Other –
  
• Neat stuff –