Love Saves the World: contemporary

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If Lindsey and Jake's love story were ever a headline for those Facebook posts, it's definitely a link people with click: Lindsey works for an environmental protection agency, and Jake is a famous TV star. They are long-time friends who met in university and are secretly in love with each other. They finally have a chance to reconnect and see if sparks will fly.

The fun part? It's Jake who makes the first move. It's Jake who wants to commit, and it's Lindsey who is hesitant about giving their relationship a chance.

"You love me, don't you?"

"Yes," she said quickly. "That's not the problem at all."
-p. 83

I've been reflecting on these 2 lines since I read it, because I think it perfectly highlights the challenges faced by couples in a contemporary romance: love is no longer the end goal, but is only part of the journey because commitment (and marriage) isn't automatic.

Since I read mostly historical romances, I couldn't help but compare the two genres. I kept trying to see differences between contemporary and historical romance issues -- but, found how some exchanges are startlingly similar: there are issues of trust and truth, of me versus we, etc.

At the heart of their problem are two things:
#1 After years of being friends, Jake dropped out of Lindsey's life with no explanation. Leaving Lindsey to wonder about it.
#2 They're both casually seeing other people.

I thought the second issue was a bit tricky to tackle, but Mina Esguerra really did a good job of untangling it. The author recognized it was messy, and allowed her characters to experience the repercussions. I thought she handled it in a realistic way, especially with the awkward confrontation. (Read pp. 94-96)

I could see the depth of friendship between our main characters, and it made me realise just how risky this new stage is for them -- and how much they would lose if it didn't work out. But Jake is determined, and Lindsey loves him. I thought half the battle had been won already.

The other issue is about truth and trust -- something happened in Jake's life that Lindsey didn't know about. It's a scary position for a friend to be in -- to be kept out of the dark of something, and then be left to imagine the worst possible situations. It's even more scary when you are actually in love with said friend. I understand how betrayed Lindsey felt, and why she is hesitant to trust Jake completely. Jake has a history of leaving whenever the situation got too overwhelming (college finals, etc) -- and Lindsey doesn't want to be the one left behind again.

Lindsay and Jake are working on an environmental issue, and, as seen in the author's acknowledgement page, she had done her research very well, having thanked a number of resource persons. And it amazed me how well Esguerra was able to translate such complicated concepts and made them accessible and easy to understand. It is also a testament to how precise her writing and vision is -- one can sense the intent to shine the spotlight on the problems facing environmental advocates, especially when it comes to raising awareness and funds. But Mina Esguerra is able to give enough detail to make one curious, but not too much that it would overshadow the primary focus of this story -- which is Jake and Lindsey. There really is a wonderful balance to her story.

While there is a happy ending to this story, one also gets a sense that it isn't happily-ever-after -- which is not a bad thing, really. You know that this is a couple who will continue to work and negotiate and talk in order to make their relationship work. So, yes, there's an ending -- but it really isn't the end. (Such a post-modern thing. ^_^)

The one very, very small aspect of the story that continues to bug me is this: isn't there a rule about mixing romance and work? Lindsey and Jake seem to be breaking this particular rule, and none of their friends (or Lindsey's family) or their boss seem to mind.

Never Just Friends is part of Mina Esguerra's Spotlight New Adult series. To find out more about Mina Esguerra and her books, click below:

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This is two firsts for Love Saves the World: my first contemporary review and my first anthology review.

When Maggie Robinson mentioned she was releasing a Christmas story, I was intrigued. Then she added that it would be a contemporary and that really, really piqued my curiosity (I even asked her about it in her feature on my blog). And, finally, when she mentioned that she would be writing about an English viscount working in America, that sealed the deal -- I knew I needed to read this story.

Holiday for Two also gave me the chance to read a new author, Elyssa Patrick (who is one of Maggie's critique partners).

So, here goes:

All Through the Night by Maggie Robinson
The word "Kindle" in the first few pages of this novella was jarring to me and reminded me that I was no longer reading a historical romance. ^_^

The two novellas have the same set-up: snowbound on Christmas Eve. In this case, it's Carrie, the personal assistant to a world-famous mystery writer and Griffin, an honest-to-goodness viscount and nephew of said writer. Carrie's quirky and brash (and very American) and Griffin is very reserved, staid (and very British) -- but, missing the last ferry and a snowstorm forces this unlikely pairing to break into a nearby carriage house to seek shelter.

I liked the contrast between the hero and heroine and the witty banter that results from their differences. (Though, I felt it stereotyped each culture just a little, little bit.) The author's challenge was how to get these two strangers in a romantic situation in such a short period of time (overnight) and she accomplishes this through a fantasy story weaved by the two: of how they would have met if they had been in England instead of the US.

"I haven't seen you here before, have I?" I thought I knew all the pretty girls in the village."

She set her cup down with a splash. "Oh, really, just no. None of this pretty girl business. And don't ask what's my sign. You're being cheesy."

Griffin brushed his hair back. He did have that floppy High Grant hair thing going on. "We are at the Cheese and Plunder. Well, what should I say?"
- p. 61

I LOVED that story -- and wished it was longer because it left me breathless how Griffin would've "picked up" Carrie at the pub in his town. I also enjoyed the self-reference to romance novels as well, how Carrie kept thinking of all the novels she read and how Griffin reminded her a bit of Mr. Darcy.

Lastly, how Robinson chose to end her novella was very well done: a great balance of Christmas magic as well as modern reality. ^_^

While It Was Snowing by Elyssa Patrick
As I said, Elyssa Patrick is a new-to-me author but, I will tell you now, the minute Elyssa decides to publish a historical romance, I will be first in line to pre-order a copy. She's a fun, quirky writer and I'm definitely curious how her vision, voice, and characters would translate to a historical setting.

I love Felicity! The author captures her spark so well! I laughed so hard at her first attempt at seducing Harry -- and Harry was endearing with all of his insecurities. Felicity and Harry are childhood friends who yearn to take their relationship to the next level. Felicity has a plan and Harry has his worries -- trapped in a cabin during a snowstorm, our hero and heroine need to work through the transitional/awkward phase as they tentatively move from friends to lovers.

There's a very real conversation that happens between the two friends and it's at once painful and wonderful how they work through their issues and Harry finally figures out his way into Felicity's heart.

Just like that they were kissing.

A touch of lips, a hello. An introduction. Pleased to make your acquaintance. May I kiss you some more? It was new, this sensation. Feeling her soft, full mouth on his. How she did the impossible and tasted better than candy, better than apple pie with drizzled sea-salt caramel sauce. How suddenly he wasn't afraid anymore of the unknown because this was Felicity -- and kissing her was everything he had hoped for and more.
- p. 148

As a whole, both novellas were very enjoyable to read and are great introductions to these two authors' writing styles. Holiday for Two is a recommended read for this Christmas Season and even during the summer, when it is sweltering hot.

To find out more about Maggie Robinson and her books, click below:
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To find out more about Elyssa Patrick and her books, click below:
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Disclosure: I received this copy from Maggie Robinson. (Maggie wasn't expecting me to review it because it is contemporary, but I did. Thank you, Maggie and Elyssa!) And, yes, this is an honest review.