My Review:Title: F*cking Awkward Holidays
Author: Taryn Plendl, A.D. Justice, Ahren Sanders, Amanda Maxlyn, Brooke Page, Carey Heywood, Christine Manzari, Christine Zolendz, Dina Littner, Eliana S. Peters, Gina Sheldon, H.J. Bellus, Kennedy Ryan, Laura Ward, Leigh Carman, Lex Martin, Lindsey Iler, Liv Morris, L.L. Collins, M. Mabie, Magan Vernon, Meghan Quinn, Mel Ballew, Stacy Kestwick, Trudy Stiles
Published by: Indie
Release Date: October 31, 2016
Format: Kindle Book
Pages: 119
Genres: Contemporary, Romantic Comedy
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2022 Backlist Reader Challenge, Lenoreo's 2022 Finishing the Series Challenge
Find it: Goodreads
My rating:
Blurb:25 Authors, Awkward Sex, Epic Cause
Holidays conjure up many thoughts - long, chilly nights snuggled up by the fire, bare feet tucked under the one you love. Some are hallmarks of summer, when your skin is warmed by more than the sun. There is the after-Thanksgiving dinner nightcap, and the feel of the smooth, sultry burn of whiskey warming your chest, rendering your limbs heavy. Or lazy kisses and wandering hands beneath your best dress on a romantic Valentine's Day date.
But sometimes, Grandma gets boozed up and passes out at the table, your brother gets caught rubbing one out under the fireworks, your kids catch mommy kissing Santa (and not on the lips), your special new toy winds up in the wrong gift bag, a goat steals and wears your sexy new thong and watching the ball drop takes on a whole new meaning.
In other words, the holidays can be magical, but sometimes, they're also just f*cking awkward.
OVERALL:
3 stars — I started reading this anthology in September of *2017*. I read a few, then set it aside. Then I’d read a story, then set it aside. There were a few good ones, but not as many as I’d probably like in an anthology. A LOT of the stories were more fan service, and so if you didn’t know those characters, they weren’t quite as exciting. Ah well. At least I finally finished it.
69 AND JAMES BOND — A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR by Taryn Plendl
3.5 stars — Both 69 and James Bond were characters I could see myself loving! I loved their chemistry, and bantering in the bar… And I appreciated the twist at the end.
REBOUND REVENGE FOR CHRISTMAS by A.D. Justice
3 stars — I liked both Baylee and Hunter, and they had great chemistry! But my enjoyment of this story was tempered by the subterfuge, and by the drunken state of Baylee…not super happy with Mia either. But it’s probably pretty normal for most people, I’m probably just sensitive.
AMBUSHES, CHAMPAGNE, & A FANTASY SUITE… WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? by Ahren Sanders
3 stars — Probably would have enjoyed more if read the series and knew the characters. Maybe I’m in a mood, but the awkwardness felt forced.
MEET THE PARENTS by Amanda Maxlyn
3 stars — Saw where this was going pretty early on, so no surprises on the awkward moment. Was a bit uncomfortable with the way her boyfriend was pushing her…maybe just wasn’t written clearly, but it felt like she went along.
PORTA-JOHN’S AND FIREWORKS by Brooke Page
2.5 stars — I knew I probably wasn’t going to be as excited given the title, and I wasn’t. There’s just nothing sexy about porta potties, and especially not using an accessible one for nooky. *shrugs* Another one where the awkwardness felt forced.
TRICK MY TREAT by Carey Heywood
3.5 stars — I loved that this was a continuation of Sasha and Matt’s story, it made my HEA heart happy. I still liked both characters, but I wasn’t quite as entranced with this story. Matt’s Mom was a bit over the top for me…not much, just a teeny bit. And I cringed at Sasha’s insecurity and liquid courage talk. But Matt’s Dad was hilarious, and I loved the ending, it kind of endeared me to Sasha and Matt’s Mom.
HOOKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS by Christine Manzari
4 stars — This one entertained me. I was intrigued by both Cat and Huck (as well as Cat’s BFF). I found Huck seriously endearing. And the awkwardness was pretty funny, but I still got a happy couple in the end. Oh Pumpkin.
NOPE, NOT AWKWARD AT ALL by Christine Zolendz
2.5 stars — This one was also a continuation of Jane’s story from the F*cking Awkward anthology. Still wasn’t quite my bag, mostly b/c I just didn’t like Jane. And I’m always going to enjoy a story more if I like the characters. Kind of saw the twist coming from a mile away, but at least it wasn’t as cliche as the previous short story, so there was improvement.
THE MIRACLE OF LIGHTS by Dina Littner
3 stars — I guess the getting caught part was the awkward part, but the complications and emotions took over the story. I guess I was looking for more funny and didn’t really get that.
TURKEY TWERKING — a Shaw Creek Seduction Short Story by Eliana S. Peters
3 stars — I think I might have enjoyed this one more if I’d read the series and already knew the characters. It’s odd, but I felt like it was a little bit long. And again, the Mom was kind of over the top, and I just didn’t find her as endearing as I think I was supposed to. For me, there just wasn’t much that stood out.
UNDER THE MISTLETOE — a Rub Down Series Short Story by Gina Sheldon
3 stars — Another case of I’d probably enjoy it more if I’d read the series and already knew the characters. At least the awkward twist was original, and I didn’t see it coming.
BLOW ME by H.J. Bellus
3 stars — It was okay. The humour was a bit weird with the best friend, but…
SCABBY NIPPLES by Kennedy Ryan
3.5 stars — I’m sure if I’d read their story first, I would have loved this peek. It was still cute and funny, and I could feel their connection.
HAPPY AWKWARD TURKEY DAY AND AN ASSHOLE DOG by Laura Ward
4 stars — OK this is what I’ve been looking for. I’m actually curious about the stories now. Good people in funny situations.
SEX ON THE BEACH by Leigh Carman
3.5 stars — See, now this is how you make awkwardness just feel like part of the story. In general it was pretty funny, and the couple was fun…both became dickish under pain though. 😛
THE PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER by Lex Martin
3.5 stars — I liked the characters, even though you could tell their story was from a previous book. But the awkward was kind of lame.
NOT SO SECRET SANTA by Lindsey Iler
2 stars — Eh. I didn’t connect with the writing or the characters.
AN ORAL EXAM by Liv Morris
3 stars — Cute story, just didn’t stand out in either characters, plot, or awkwardness. *shrugs*
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS AN ORGASM by L.L. Collins
3 stars — Lots of sex if that’s what you’re here for.
THANKSGIVING WITH THE MAYOR by M. Mabie
4 stars — This one surprised me. I’m NOT a fan of cheating, and so the whole fuck buddy thing doesn’t always work for me. But there was so much else working for this story, and the outside relationship at least didn’t sound serious or exclusive, so I was able to overlook it. I enjoyed the sexy times, I enjoyed Lena’s snark and sassiness, I enjoyed her family dynamics, I really felt like I got a lot out of such a short story. And I totally loved that hopeful feeling of newly realized feelings. Awkward mixed with romance, I guess. 🙂
PART OF ME — a Friendship, Texas (Awkward) Short by Magan Vernon
3 stars — I’m not sure. I enjoyed parts of it, but then I feel like I was missing the connection between them…like it felt fast. The awkward was pretty funny though.
GESUNDHEIT by Meghan Quinn
4 stars — I loves me a sweet, nervous, almost beta boy, and Andrew totally fulfilled that for me. He was adorable. Brynn was sassier than I’d anticipated. And while I cringed at the awkward part, the story left me feeling hope for romance, which is always a good thing.
SHATTERED WITH SHAME ON SAMHAIN by Mel Ballew
2 stars — Really hard to follow this one. I’m sure it would be easier if you were already familiar with the story it seems to be related to, but to jump in it was just confusing. And for me strange.
UNWRAPPED by Stacy Kestwick
4 stars — Okay, this one was pretty cute. Yet again, it’s characters from another book, but I still felt like I could connect with them enough in the short story. And the “awkward” part made me laugh out loud with Adam’s reaction.
GARRETT WHO? by Trudy Stiles
3 stars — Another story that was interesting, but I didn’t get attached to the characters, and in this one there was no romance, honestly just a one-night-stand thing…so didn’t have that to fall back on. Oh well.
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