2-in-1 Short Story Reviews: The Key Ingredient and The Inn at Blue Hollow Falls

Author: Susan Wiggs

Title: The Key Ingredient

Series: Switchback, Vermont #0.5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short story, Novella, Chick Lit

Format: ebook

Pages: 49

Published: June 14, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Every great love story has a beginning. Annie Rush’s started at a food cart in a vibrant city park. Annie, then a film student, came across a ruggedly handsome, charismatic chef serving up gourmet street food to an ever-growing clientele lining up for his creations. Together, Annie and Martin Harlow conceived The Key Ingredient, a cooking show featuring Martin as the star while Annie handles production.

As they travel to Annie’s Vermont hometown to film their pilot episode, she realizes that she might want to create more than television magic with Martin. But does he feel the same way? The weather is miserable, their shoot is a disaster, and the maple syrup just isn’t flowing. While Annie tries to cling to her vision for their show, she can’t help but wonder if she could be as unlucky in work as she is in love. Is she always destined to stay behind the scenes?

Just as some recipes only come together at the last minute with the addition of a key ingredient, sometimes a single moment can change everything—turning Annie’s life into a cornucopia of good fortune, the feast of her dreams.

Review:

Been itching for some quick stories. So I grabbed this one because of the author and title. I didn't even read the summary. Weeeee. 

Here we follow Annie who is a film student. She meets the rugged and handsome chief named Martin. Together they decide to create a show and they go to Vermont to film the pilot episode. Everything seems to be against them. And now Annie is starting to get feelings for Martin, but she isn't sure he feels the same. However, a single moment can change everything. 

Look at that cover! Nommmmmmy!

As much as I wanted to like this....I just didn't. I didn't connect with any of our mains. I didn't dislike this short, but I just flat out didn't care. I read every page, but I felt like I was zoning out throughout the whole story. 

Annie and Martin wasn't bad or anything. I just...........didn't buy their chemistry. 

I'm curious about book since we get to see more of their journey but I'm not sure. Maybe if I get a fully flushed out story about Annie and Martin I'll care more? Maybe? Mmm. 

All-in-all, I wish I liked this more. But...just not for me. The cover is cute and the writing isn't bad! I like this author! 2 stars.  

 

Favorite Character(s): no one

Least Favorite Character(s): myself for not liking this lol

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #16

Author: Donna Kauffman

Title: The Inn at Blue Hollow Falls

Series: Blue Hollow Falls #1.5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short Story, Novella, Chick Lit

Format: ebook

Pages: 122

Published: October 31, 2017

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Stevie is thrilled to help her best friend Sunny launch her new greenhouse business in Blue Hollow Falls. Not only does it give her a chance to visit the quaint location, but it's a welcome distraction from Stevie's recent bad luck with men. Just one since Sunny's home is under renovation, Stevie must stay at the local inn, whose amenities feature hunky innkeeper, Noah Tyler.

Noah may be as tempting as her grandmother's famous sweet potato pie, but city-girl Stevie isn't sticking around—and she doesn't do flings. Yet when Noah's chef gets stranded in a Christmas Eve snowstorm, Stevie can't resist pitching in and serving up some of her family's favorite recipes. The magic of a Blue Ridge Christmas is already rekindling Stevie's holiday spirit and making her wonder what else she might...

Review:

Seen this one too on the library app and I realized...I want more Xmas joy. July has been kicking my ass. 

Here we follow Stevie. She is happy to help out her friend launch her new greenhouse business. Not only will this give Stevie a chance to see a small town, but she needs the distraction from her cruddy dating life. Since her friend's house is under renovation, Stevie is forced to stay at the local inn. Noah is the inkeeper and she can't keep her eyes to herself. When Noah's chef gets stranded because of a storm, Stevie steps up to help. 

Didn't realize it was part of a series, because again...I just dove into this without even reading the summary. It worked as a standalone though so I'm happy with that. 

This was cute and cozy and it made me want to go to that inn for Xmas!

Stevie was cute. 

Noah? *fans self*

I do wish this was longer. I wanted more time with the couple. Things happened quickly. 

I may have to go back and read book 1. That is Sunny's story I believe. 

All-in-all, this was cute and cozy and Christmas-y. It was nice. I feel like this would've done well as a full length story. I wanted more of Stevie and Noah. I'll give this 4 stars. 

 

Favorite Character(s): Noah

Least Favorite Character(s): no one I can think of deserved this title. 

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #17