Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Anthology
Snapshots is a collection of short stories, snippets in time as couples meet, fall in love, or begin their journey together. It includes eleven stories and they cover a wide variety of tropes. Closeted man finally coming out, opposites attract, friends to lovers, meet cutes, or taking the leap into a new life. It’s a fun collection of very quick reads, and a fun way to spend a few minutes if you need a quick pick me up.
I’m going to review this anthology as a whole, since the stories are so short. They’re all contemporary stories, with the exception of Moving On, which has a paranormal element. Moving On and it’s follow up, Moving Along, are probably my favorites in the whole anthology.
I’ve been meaning to pick this book up for a while, but haven’t gotten a chance, so it was an easy choice for TBR Pile Week in our Reading Challenge Month. And I’m really glad I picked it up. As a fan of this author, I knew it would be a good read. I also knew Albright is quite good at flash fics, being able to craft a story in just a few words. And the author didn’t disappoint at all.
As I said, there are eleven stories within this collection. Other than the two mentioned above, which includes the same MCs, and Okay, Then, which stars the MCs from her novel Til Death Do Us Part, they are all individual stories. Each one is complete as is, but the reader experiences a moment in time. For some, it’s the couples meeting, feeling that instant connection, and wanting to pursue more to see where things could go. For others, it’s friends who finally take that leap to the next step, or a man who takes a chance on someone so very not his type. I happen to love this kind of storytelling, and read it basically all the way through, wanting to know what the next short fic would be about and see how they interact and what happens. I enjoyed each story, some more than others, and really liked watching the wide variety of characters find their person. It was really enjoyable way to spend a few hours, fairly low on angst, and has chemistry galore.
Albright hits on a number of tropes here, so check out the tags. There’s something for just about everyone in this book. More than that, they’re quick reads that will put a smile on your face. If you’re looking for a whole novel, this isn’t for you. But if you like short, and are looking for a creative take on it, then pick this collection up.
This review is part of our 2021 Reading Challenge Month for TBR Pile Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win one of two fabulous audiobook bundles from Tantor Audio (you can see the details on the bundles in our Prize Preview post)! Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing Grand {rize sponsored by NineStar Press: a Kindle Paperwhite loaded with 50 NineStar Press books! And don’t forget if you read along with your own challenge book this week, you can earn ten contest entries for writing a mini-review on our wrap up post on Friday! You can get more information on our Challenge Month here (including all the contest rules) and more details on TBR Pile Week here.
Oh, I’m so glad someone did a short story collection to review. I can never tell which ones are worth the time, but I enjoy them. As you say, Kris, a good short story gives you a great moment in time. Glad to have a new rec, thanks!
Yep! Written well they’re a great “snapshot” 🙂
This sounds so interesting! And that “they’re quick reads that will put a smile on your face” – I’m sold. Thanks for spotlighting this one.
It definitely does that! Hope you get a chance to enjoy
Thanks for your review, Kris. I recently read and enjoyed the author’s Vows boxset, so you’ve piqued my interest with this.
Yeah if you like her style, you’ll enjoy these!
Oh, I really enjoy a good collection of stories. Whether it’s from one author or multiple, you usually get a good mix of stories that can cover a broad range.
I particularly enjoyed Addison’s The Contingency Plan and the short Of Rats and Cats.
Love these short stories anthologies, I will be definitely be reading this collection. Thank you so much for bringing this book to my attention.
Sounds like a great assortment of stories!
I enjoy well-written short stories and will have to check out this collection. Thanks for sharing!
I enjoy anthologies most of the time. I have to add this onto my list.