Book Review It Happened One Season Anthology

"We asked our readers what story they would most like to see from four bestselling authors. They responded... "

"A handsome hero returns from war, battle-scarred and world-weary. But family duty calls and he must find a bride. "

"A young lady facing yet another season without a suitor never expects to find herself the object of his affections."

"Four amazing talents - Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Jacquie D'Alessandro and Candice Hern - have come together to create one of the most unforgettable events of the year. The results are spectacular - each story is as unique as a lover's first kiss."

I usually stay away from anthologies as short stories just make me want to pull my hair out. There's more often than not little characterisation, interaction and plot development to satisfy my reading curiosity. But actually - for this anthology, none of those actually mattered! I was surprised by how interested I was, as a reader, in seeing how one plot can essentially be carved into different stories. Plus, I love the premise of the said plot!

It Happened One Season did not disappoint. Though there is effectively only one plot narrated four times, the differences that separates them from each other is what really counts. Apart from the guidelines provided for by that one plot, each writer's creativity can be seen in each of their stories. And they deliver. I found myself enjoying each one of them, and by the end of the anthology, I was not only completely engaged, I wanted more! And I thought I'd be bored by the second re-telling - I wasn't, one bit! It actually felt refreshing to read a new take on the plot and the repetitive elements only made the differences stand out. I thought was superb.

Out of the four I think my favourite is Jacquie D'Allessandro's Hope Springs Eternal. It has all the elements I look for in a short story and it certainly had me sighing and giggling. Having said that, the other three are almost as good. Very certain a lot of romance readers out there will enjoy this.

My e-copy is beautiful by the way - while the cover is nothing spectacular, the graphics on the inside pages meets the book well. If anything, it made me want to keep this one more! What a wonderful anthology - recommended!

FOUR STARS.

"* E-book copy courtesy of "Net Galley". "