My True Love Gave To Me Review

I just finished reading My True Love Gave To Me written by 12 different authors and it was all edited by Stephanie Perkins. This is a book with twelve short stories all about winter romances. If this still doesn't make you want to read it, I don't know what will.

I will be giving a rating for each and every short story and let you know what I think about them.

1. Midnights by Rainbow Rowell
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, I didn't feel like I was really connected with the character. I was also really confused at the start of the story since I didn't realize that there was a timing given to each and every event for this story, which made me read the first few pages for about 3 times before I finally noticed the timing and was able to get to understand the characters.
To be honest, I didn't think this whole plot was very realistic, and how can Mags even tolerate Noel being such a playboy. However, the ending was just really so sweet! Ship them in the end though!

2. The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link
4/5 stars for this story. I admit this story was really kind of confusing at the start, however as I continued reading, I actually slowly understand the plot, which makes me like this story more than from the start. I didn't like the ending as much as I would have liked it to be, but I still enjoyed it even though it was a bittersweet ending.

3. Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Pena
3.5/5 stars for this one. I actually enjoyed this story more than what I expected. The problem I had with this story is that I couldn't relate very well to the main character, Shy. I wasn't able to understand the way he thinks and his actions. Like why couldn't he explain the whole situation to Haley instead of lying to her about everything. I also didn't like how this story was about cheating, which makes me think differently about the characters, and didn't like them a lot. However, in the end, the way everything turns out makes me enjoy this short story better, but still not one of my favorite story.

4. Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han
I actually liked this story a lot! Although at first when I saw the title, I was thinking that this wouldn't be a great story based on the title, I was actually surprised to find myself enjoying this story and liking it. I have always like Jenny Han's writing style and this was no surprise as well. I give this story 4.5/5 stars. If you are wondering if I liked this story, then why didn't I give it 5 stars, it's because I wasn't able to fully connect with the characters. It felt like something was missing and the story ended so abruptly, leaving me so surprised yet so confused. I really wanted to see what the main character, Natalie, will do in the end.

5. It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins
Once again, I was so not interested in this story because of the title. And it actually blew me away when I finished reading it. To be honest, it really is true that Stephanie Perkins is the queen of writing the setting, making you feel like you are there communicating with the characters. I really loved this book, so much, that it was one of favorite story, so I am giving it 5/5 stars. No surprise there. I really wanted to read more of this short story, I loved the characters so much. Both main characters were just so relate able, making you think that it was happening to you right that instant. Which once again brings me back to the point that Stephanie Perkins is just really great at writing the setting, which is a really huge bonus point to make you fall in love with the characters and the plot. Just such a wonderful read, making me fall right into a holiday mood after I finished reading it. One word to summarize this short story, perfection.

6. Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan
I was really taken aback when I found out the main character's lover is actually a guy, and our main character here is also a guy. Get what I'm trying to say? However, I really liked how David Levithan brings the aspect of gay love, to let other people to relate better with this story. Although I do like that, I didn't like the plot. It was quite confusing at some point like why would the main character being so kind and acted as a Santa for the sake of his boyfriend's younger sister to once again believe Santa, got scolded by his boyfriend's sister. Why, just why would she do that? This whole story just leaves me having unanswered questions, making me so frustrated and so confused. So I'm only giving this 2.5/5 stars. Wonderful idea, but bad plot.

7. Krampuslauf by Holly Black
Hmm, I really have a hard time rating this short story. I really enjoyed this story and I also love the characters so much, but it felt like it lacked of something when I was reading it. I liked the concept of how you have to believe in something in order for it to happen. I will be giving this book 4/5 stars even though I really liked this book, but then at first I was really confused with the weird terms such as 'Krampus' and the way they looked. But other than that, I really enjoyed this story more than I thought I would, especially with Joachim, the really hot guy. XD

8. What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by  Gayle Forman
So this book pretty much sums up about me doing those stupid things without thinking so I can understand what the main character meant. I also liked the plot of this story and how the characters met each other  as well as their humor. I also liked that they tried understanding each other more before they went further with their relationship. So I am definitely giving this story 4/5 stars, but it felt weird at some point but I'm not sure what was missing.

9. Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire
To be honest, this story was really confusing. I didn't understand what the plot was as well as the religious concept until I finished reading this short story, which makes me kind of unable to understand the characters and connect with them more. It was kind of disappointing but still it was quite an enjoyable read. I actually like how the characters were kind of rebellious in their own way but really, they were just kind of annoying some times but I am still okay with them. So I am giving this story a rating of 2.5/5 stars.

10. Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White 
I was so amazed by the writing style of Kiersten White, although it was kind of confusing at the start about the main character's family. But halfway through, I understood it and the feeling just came crashing on me and wow, I actually liked this story so much! I really connected with the main character, and this story came with a bonus point too, the hot guy. XD I will be giving this book 4.5/5 stars, because the ending was sort of confusing and I thought that it could have been better.

11. Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter
4/5 stars for this short story. I actually quite like this book, although it was really weird at the start as I wasn't sure whose perspective I was reading in. Also, I didn't like how unrealistic the ending was, but I do like the characters and their romance. Although it wasn't the fluffy romance type of story, still it was kind of cute and I actually liked it.

12. The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Wow, just wow! This story was really deep and yet, I love it! Remember how I told you guys I wasn't able to connect with Laini Taylor's writing style and didn't enjoy her books as much as other readers? Well this story is an exception. I loved this story so so much! However, at the start of the story, I was really confused and I wasn't able to connect with the characters at all. Even as I read halfway through the story, I only understood Neve, the main character, and the others were just really confusing. I also like how the story was in duo point of view between Neve and the Dreamer. However, I find it quite confusing when it suddenly change the point of view. Perhaps that is why I didn't like her books as the change of point of view wasn't clear enough. However this story was really just so wonderful. It sucked me right into the world of this story as it goes on and until the end, I just sat there, not knowing what to do as I was just so in awe with it. Though the ending was actually kind of confusing, I actually like the romance of the characters and I am giving this book 4.5/5 stars. I would have loved to give it full stars, but I thought it could have been better with all the dislikes that I mentioned.

Overall for this book, I am giving it 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed myself reading this book and although there are some books that I didn't give a high rating, there are definitely more books which I actually enjoyed and loved more than I expected to.

(If you like romance, short stories, contemporary and fantasy, this is the right book for you to pick up)