Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus - Myra McEntire

Until Christmas, I will be reviewing the short stories from My True Love Gave To Me. There will be a review every other day. These will be shorter than the usual reviews and will always include the same criteria on which they will be graded.

Find it on bookdepository here. 

CHRISTMAS FEELS: ★★★★/5

ROMANCE FEELS: ★★★★★

CHARACTERS: ★★★★★

HUMOUR: ★★★★★

ORIGINALITY: ★★★★★

Who writes a Christmas short story that is called Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus? Apparently Myra McEntire, who created my favourite story of My True Love Gave to Me so far. The characters are amazing, and totally unexpected, the plot is so original and there are plenty elements of Christmas in the story to make this story really perfect for this time a year (and I want to challenge you to read this story without at least cracking a smile).

Vaughn is the Fred/George from the world Myra McEntire created. He loves trouble and pulling pranks on people - pranks that sometimes go too far. For example, he accidentally put the barn next to the church on fire and now the church has nowhere to perform their Nativity play. The judge says that Vaughn can walk free - if he helps the local pastor with the Christmas play. Luckily for him, the pastor has a great looking daughter who is not like she seems at first sight...

So it's a little bit cliché : the bad boy turns out to be a good-ish boy, while the good girl has an edge to her. We've seen it before, but that's completely okay, because it is a cute premise. It just works, especially if you throw in the thought of Christmas. I've never seen a bad boy combined with the idea of Christmas, so I say this story is original. And wait until you read that plot twist at the end - it's really a good one.

Now excuse me, but I just have to go read this story again.....

What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? - Gayle Forman

Until Christmas, I will be reviewing the short stories from My True Love Gave To Me. There will be a review every other day. These will be shorter than the usual reviews and will always include the same criteria on which they will be graded.

CHRISTMAS FEELS: ★★★★/5

ROMANCE FEELS: ★★★★★

CHARACTERS: ★★★★/5 

HUMOUR: ★★★★/5

ORIGINALITY: ★★★★/5

I was a tad worried when I started reading this short story by Gayle Forman. All the books I've read from her have been absolutely heartbreaking. And coming so close to Christmas, I just didn't want any heartbreak stories, but warm fuzzy ones (I know I use fuzzy in every review, sorry but I can't help it). Thankfully What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? shows that Gayle Forman can do cheerful and happy stories, while still showing us great characters and incorporating just the right amount of sadness to make this a true Christmas story.

Sophie Roth is a big city girl who is now going to a small liberal arts and science college. And making a fool out of herself while being there. Until she meets Russell, who is the first person who truly understand her. With only a few days left before Christmas, and no one else left on campus, the two decide to make the best out of this night.

The plot might sound kinda boring - or very similar to Angels in the Snow, but it isn't. What I loved about this story is that it is such a simple plot, so I could imagine myself in the story. No 'real magic' as in other short stories, but just magic between people. Russell and Sophie make each other feel more happy and isn't that the real magic of Christmas? 

I also just really really liked Sophie and Russell together. They have great banter and constantly teach each other new things. The short story leaves the ending kind of open, but I hope these two end up together (hopefully in a full-length novel - I NEED MORE!!).

Gayle Forman, please always write cheerful short stories from now on. I adored What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth?.