School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--Nine romantic short stories set predominantly during the Christmas season will delight fans of Rowell's previous work. Four stories have been previously published; all are driven by the author's talent for clever banter and infused with her characteristic tenderness. Common themes include anxiety and opposites-attract romances with overlooked people--in "Winter Songs for Summer," a college student gets over her breakup with the help of mix CDs from a gym-rat neighbor, while in "Kindred Spirits," Elena camps out in line for the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and falls for a boy her friends bully. Older versions of characters from some of Rowell's earlier work reappear, including adult Reagan (from Fangirl) coping with PTSD during the Covid-19 pandemic and Beth and Jennifer from Attachments confronting aging and fertility issues. "Snow for Christmas," a relatable look at the anxieties of enduring family homophobia at the holiday season, catches up with Simon and Baz after the events of Any Way the Wind Blows and offers a rich combination of expanded backstory and emotionally rewarding character development that is sure to satisfy the "Simon Snow" readership. A relatively even mix of adult and teen protagonists across stories makes this collection best suited to high school collections. Most protagonists are white or presumed white; Elena is of Vietnamese descent. VERDICT A heartwarming collection filled with Rowell's signature wit and charm that also hits some heavier notes; a must-purchase where the "Simon Snow" trilogy has been popular.--Elizabeth Giles
Publisher's Weekly Review
Fangirl's Reagan, Simon and Baz from the Simon Snow trilogy, and protagonists from Attachments feature alongside new Rowell characters in this frothy, genre-spanning short story amalgam. Tierney's silhouette illustrations, rendered in energetic teals and magentas, precede the tales, introducing each story's individual theme and central couple. In collection opener "Midnights," reserved Mags recounts four New Year's Eve parties over the course of her developing relationship with laid-back jokester Noel. College student Summer contends with a contentious neighbor while mourning a breakup in "Winter Songs for Summer." In "Kindred Spirits," a romance unfolds in a queue for the newest Star Wars release, and Reagan navigates family drama against a Covid-19 backdrop in "If the Fates Allow." While most of the stories employ contemporary settings, others embody a more fanciful approach: "The Prince and the Troll" takes place in a world seemingly on the edge of ecological disaster, and "In Waiting" is set in a land of authorial imagination, where characters wait for the author to stop fiddling with the backstory to finish their novels. A playful mash-up of new fare and fan favorites for Rowell completists, and an inviting introduction for new readers. Most characters read as white. Ages 14--up. Agent: Christopher Schelling, Selectric Artists. (Nov.)
