If you enjoy novellas, you will enjoy these.
The first one is about Hope who wants to move but she needs to learn how to drive first. Her driving instructor soon becomes more.
The second on is about Aarti who is a cardiologist who really yearns to be an event planner. Her mother is adamant that Aarti does not throw away her education to do something that is below her. Aarti shows her mom that she has the skills to plan and plans her sister's wedding. Aarti's caterer Jo likes to flirt and Aarti is having trouble with this since she is very closeted.
The third one is about Frankie who is researching a company, but gets framed for a crime she didn't commit. Dakota has everything to lose helping Frankie out, but has a feeling that Frankie was framed. The two get together for her innocence and a relationship.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hot Hires is a really good anthology that has three stories, written by three authors, which are Nan Campbell, Alaina Erdell, and Jesse J Thoma. The first story is about a new New Yorker learning to drive in New York, and her female instructor teaching her, the second is about an event planner and a female chef learning about each other, and the third and final one is about a female bounty hunter and the woman who asks her to save her. All three are really well written stories with some great characters and a lot of chemistry between them, and the chase scenes in the third, are very movie worthy. I found all three stories to be heart warming, sweet,and sexy! I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's coming up next from these authors.

This was a wonderful and capturing read!
I really loved the combination of these three totally different stories and styles.

The story of Hope and Val in 'New York is Losing Hope' by Nan Campbell is a comical-funny beginning with quirky elements and a wonderful chemistry between the main characters with good dialogue and banter.

In 'Two Women, Two Weddings' by Alaina Erdell the story of Aarti and Jo is a captivating plot with mouthwatering descriptions of indian food. Sadly it is only a novella, I really would have loved to read more about them!

'For Love or Money' by Jesse J. Thoma is the third and a very diffrent story. It was a real exciting and possibly quite nail-biting storyline (I am a very angsty person, so it was a challenge for me). But there were delightfully witty conversations and banter between the characters that got me through my light anxiety.

Sometimes you just want a quick sweet love story or three and Hot Hires gives you that.

I really enjoyed Nan Campbell’s New York is Losing Hope. It was quite a refreshingly different love story. Hope thinks the dating pool in NYC is too small and she will never find true lasting love. So she comes up with a radical plan of moving to LA, away from her adorable parents, who don’t want her to fully leave their nest. Problem is, her family doesn’t drive….ever! Enter, the adorable Val, driving instructor or totally hot, just the kind of woman Hope would go for. But Val has her own family commitments and Hope is committed to leaving, so there is no hope for them it seems. It’s amusing, wonderfully written, has twists and turns, with characters you really want things to work out for. I loved it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alaina Erdell has written a very intriguing story, Two Women, Two Weddings. Aarti is an Indian ice queen doctor who really wants to be an events planner but her family of doctors is against it. She has her sisters wedding to prove herself. However, the very private only partially out woman is drawn to the stand in chef, Jo Samuels, a very out and proud lesbian. Thrown together to make a very Indian and an Anglo wedding blend together to make the most spectacular day for her sister and family. Wonderful characters have you cheering Aarti on to make Jo a happy woman. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For Love or Money is the third novella in this trio. It was ok but I found it hard to get into the story. A bit too unrealistic for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s an interesting idea to have three longish short stories in one book, all round a common theme. The three stories involve a relationship between a woman and the person she hires ~ a driving instructor, a chef, and a bodyguard. It’s also a good way to introduce readers to different writers. My particular favourite of the three is Jesse Thoma. I think I’ve read most of her books.

The third story by Ms Thoma was the best here for me. But I recognise that my favourite genre is crime/thrillers and this story is the only one of the three that fits. The other stories were well written and engaging but the excitement of Oz trying to keep Frankie alive long enough to prove her innocence of a murder charge, definitely gets the pulse racing. I was happy with the length of stories one and two but I wanted three to be longer. Ms Thoma needs to get writing more in this vein. I’ll be buying them in the future.

I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley

Short stories arent you usually my thing by I am starting to see their charm. Less suffering.
Story one by Nan Campbell was really sweet and bith characters were endearing.
Story two by Alaina Erdell was a spin off by off the menu. It was sweet as well.
Story three was definitely different and would have deserved a full lenght book, it was full of action and suspense though I have a bit of trouble believing people would lust so much in so much near death experience. I would understand better if it was some more a "life is short I need to take my mind off" thing.
Overall it was a really entertaining anthology

Some of the stories I liked better than others but I really like the idea of reading a book comprised of short stories. Love how they all went along with the same (slightly taboo) theme of lovers developing out of working relationships. Story #2 was my favorite, I loved the colorful descriptions of culture and food and found it such a lovely read! Story 2 gets 5/5 for me, but overall the book gets 3.5/5.

I couldn't say that any of the three stories seemed to me above or below the others, but I could say that all three have been at an average level for my taste.

As a general rule, short stories leave me wanting more, but in this case it wasn't like that.

The first two stories were a bit slow and the third too fast-paced.

All three have a very stereotypical butch/femme couple profile, not bad in itself, but too cliché.

At least being short they went by quickly, this was good for me in this case.

Definitely, some of their novels are much better.

Hot and heavy hires, more like it. This book, which includes three evenly spaced novellas by three different sapphic authors, is a lesson in writing compelling, delicious, and thrilling stories. These short novels were delightful to read without sacrificing illustrative and sensory detail. Perfect for the summer.

“New York is Losing Hope” is the perfect title for Nan Campbell’s piece. While waiting for her departure to Los Angeles, lifelong New Yorker Hope Mason hires Val Caceres to teach her to drive. The story was fascinating, even suspenseful because we know from the get-go that Hope has her mind made up about leaving, and nothing, not even Val, can change it. What I loved so much about this novella is how well Campbell puts us inside it. Hopes reasons for wanting to leave are simple: the city is overcrowded; there are rodents everywhere, vying for your leftovers; garbage is haphazardly thrown on the curb for sanitation workers to pick up at their leisure; and she’s lonely. Written in first person, we’re immediately hit with Hopes’s brash sarcasm—it makes her a New Yorker.

Then she meets Val, and some of that brashness starts to soften, but her mind is still made up. Indeed, as a traveling nurse, Val can join her in Los Angeles. Alas, she can’t. But my favorite character is Cesar Caceres, Val’s dad, the principal of the driving school.

This story has much to love; I’m glad the editors put it first. It’s like the delectable appetizer to the other two stories.

“Two Women, Two Weddings” by Alaina Erdell is hot and spicy, not just because the love interest is a chef serving delicious curry at a week-long wedding featuring Christian and Hindu ceremonies. If Hope is a fade-to-black romance, where the sexy scenes end with the foreplay, this one is a smorgasbord of delicious interplay between the chef and the wedding planner. Aarti Singh and Jo Samuels delight us with their delectable love story.

Planning her sister’s wedding, Aarti runs into a snag. Taylor, the chef catering the event, broke her leg and cracked her hip, rendering her service impossible. But she and her wife send their seasoned executive chef to save the day.

What I love the most about this peppery novella is the family dynamics. Aarti comes from a long line of Indian Americans whose idea of the American Dream is to become surgeons. Although a good one, Aarti’s cardiologist career path did little to please her parents, especially after her mother caught her kissing another woman. For fifteen years, Aarti kept her dating life away from her parents’ prying eyes. But having everyone in the same venue at her sister’s wedding that she’s painstakingly planned and trying to keep her lustful eyes off the piquant chef is a prescription for a hilariously entertaining read.

“Love or Money” by Jesse J. Thoma is the most thrilling of the three, a perfect climax to the collection. Bullets fly as Frankie Sender hires bounty hunter Oz Osborne, and we are on the edge of our seats as their story unfolds. The tension is palpable as one of the companies Frankie researches frames her, reminiscent of the suspense in “The Firm.” With its gradual development and undeniable sizzle, this novella is the perfect dessert for this tantalizing meal of sapphic literature.

Also fantastic about these novellas is the diversity of characters. Readers long to see themselves on the page, and when an author showcases more than hot, white, non-disabled people, it’s gratifying.

These three stories go well together because they’re a perfect bite-size read. I was done in three days. I have a day job, after all.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for my epub ARC. All opinions are my own.

The three stories were well written and enjoyable. I thought the authors each did an amazing job and kept us captivated with these short stories. Great job everyone!! I recommend grabbing a copy.

Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

An Upper East Side New Yorker decides she needs to make changes in her life in the movie "New York is Losing Hope." She hires a driving teacher and intends to move to Los Angeles. Hope and Val are easy for the readers to quickly root for. They are likeable, well-developed characters—quite endearing, in fact. Moreover, Campbell does a good job developing their romance. I have to admit that I was pleased; Campbell does a lot with a short story. Her use of location, which functions almost as a supporting character, and secondary characters elevates the narrative.

Readers like Erdell's ability to incorporate her own passions into her writing, among other things. In art, geology, or cookery, especially, she has a remarkable talent for drawing readers in with the minutiae. Her Hot Hires contribution has a charming love story between a chef serving at the wedding reception and an overly formal, tense wedding planner who also happens to be the bride's sister. Despite the brief length of "Two Women, Two Weddings," Erdell shows that she is capable of building credible tension without sacrificing the lightheartedness of the relationship. Her storyline is given so much life by her vivid imagery and flowing style that it is genuinely captivating to read.

"For Love of Money," a film about a bounty hunter employed to shield a person fleeing from a cunning company. This novella was really funny and incredibly quick paced. I read the whole story in one sitting and ate up every minute of this action-packed portion.

These three novellas packaged nicely together was really fun way to enjoy some queer stories and an amazing way to try new authors! I would recommend this to anyone looking for quick sapphic reads!

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Hope feels she won’t find love if she stays in New York so she decides to try her luck in Los Angeles the only problem she can’t drive so she hires a instructor to teach her to drive and meets Val as they start lessons they get to know each other and Hope starts to wonder do she have to leave when she might found love when she at least expected.

Aarti is a brilliant doctor but that not what she wants to do in her life she wants to bring people their dreams wedding and she has a chance to do it with her sister wedding and to prove to her parents. When the lead chef gets injury she hires Jo who haven’t had a love life because of her career when they meet there is a attraction but Aarti is determined not to ruin the wedding but can they both overcome what they think they should be or be true to themselves.

Frankie is on the run for murder she didn’t commit and wants to hire Dakota to kept her safe help her find evidence to put away the people who will stop at nothing to silence her and Dakota will get a big payout as they get closer with each other and toward the truth will they be able to save each other and take a chance on love.

I enjoy all three novella I like we got to know each characters and what makes them tick.

"Hot Hires" is a collection of three novellas, based on one common theme, by talented authors from Bold Strokes Books that'll keep you hooked.

"New York Is Losing Hope" by Nan Campbell follows Hope Mason's quest for fulfilment. She is determined to leave New York and start a new chapter in California. Hope seeks Val Caceres' help in passing her driving test before she departs.

In Alaina Erdell's "Two Weddings, Two Women," Aarti Singh, a cardiologist, seeks to showcase her event planning prowess to her family by organising her sister's wedding. Jo Samuels, a highly regarded and recommended top chef, is hired to cater for this event.
Jesse J. Thoma's "For the Love of Money" delves into money's allure and dangers. When Frankie Sender knocks on her door, Dakota Osbourne (Oz), feels a surge of curiosity interrupting her peaceful day at home. Frankie's priority is to clear her name and stay alive, hopefully with Oz's help.

The captivating nature of this book lies in its addictive qualities, with each novella masterfully written to make you feel as if you are right there experiencing it all. As you dive into these three novellas, I journeyed through a range of emotions alongside the main characters. Each story captivates you throughout. Discovering one of these authors who was previously unknown to me has resulted in an expansion of my "to be read" list!

Thank you to Alaina Erdell, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy for my honest review.

Anthologies are wonderful because they give readers a nice sampling of a publisher’s authors. It’s especially appealing when they pick a solid lineup of writers, like Bold Strokes Books did with their most recent release, Hot Hires. It features Nan Campbell, Alaina Erdell, and Jesse J. Thoma, and each writer puts their best foot forward, showcasing their distinct talents as storytellers.

Nan Campbell gets top billing in this publication, and with four books to her name, Campbell is quickly becoming a hot commodity at Bold Strokes Books. Her debut, The Rules of Forever, was not only a hit with readers but also earned her a Lambda Literary Award. Her second and third books, The No Kiss Contract and Like They Do in the Movies, garnered her even more praise. Both are currently up for an Ann Bannon Golden Crown Literary Award. Though her career as an author is still in its infancy, it’s quite clear that Bold Strokes has struck gold with her.

Once readers get into Campbell’s contribution, they’ll quickly see that she was a good choice for this anthology. Her writing is a real treat; there’s just so much to enjoy. Readers easily fall in love with Hope and Val. They are appropriately fleshed out and likable characters—quite adorable actually. Furthermore, Campbell does a nice job building the romance between them. I must say, I was impressed; for a short story, Campbell accomplishes a lot. Her use of secondary characters and setting (which almost acts like a supporting character) make the writing shine. Each is well developed and well structured, adding nice dollops of contrast and texture to the storytelling. Bottom line—the whole piece is just nicely done. In fact, I wouldn’t mind an expanded version of “New York is Losing Hope” 😉

The second short story is written by Alaina Erdell, and she never misses with her work. Like Campbell, her debut also earned her some healthy attention. Fire, Water, and Rock tallied six awards, which is certainly something to crow about. Her second book underscores that her talent is real, and that she’s not just a one-hit wonder. Off the Menu collected seven awards and is my personal favorite.

One of the things that readers appreciate about Erdell is the way she weaves her unique passions into her storytelling. She has a real knack for captivating readers with the details, whether it be art, geology, or cooking, but especially cooking. Her Hot Hires contribution involves a lovely romance between an uptight, high-strung wedding planner (who happens to be the bride’s sister) and a chef for the wedding festivities. Even though “Two Women, Two Weddings” is short, Erdell demonstrates that she knows how to create believable tension while keeping the romance fun. Her vivid descriptions and fluid prose add so much life to the storytelling; it truly makes for an enticing read. Like Campbell, Erdell may have just recently cut her teeth in this business, but she’s proven she’s quite comfortable on the page. Whether it’s a full-length novel or a short story, she always provides a pleasurable read.

The last selection in this anthology, “For Love or Money,” is written by Jesse J. Thoma. Unlike her fellow co-authors, she’s not new to the storytelling game. She wrote her first book, The Chase, in 2013 and garnered positive feedback for it. Since then, she’s produced eight more novels, spanning genres like butch-femme romance and crime fiction. Many of them have caught the attention of award panels, garnering nominations from both the Golden Crowne Literary Society and the Lambda Literary committee. Readers are drawn to her high-octane, fast-paced dramas, and that’s what she delivers in Hot Hires. Her story “For Love or Money” packs a punch and leaves readers wanting more. For just a short tale, she’s able to develop a complex plot without any confusing leaps or jumps, tying everything up neat and sweet in the end. She sets it up perfectly too with a real flash-bang start; readers are pulled into the high-speed drama immediately and they don’t want to let go. Furthermore, the leading ladies are much too alluring to be denied. They have chemistry for days, and their sizzle jumps off the page. This was my first story by Thoma, but it won’t be my last!

Final remarks…

Hot Hires is a fun anthology. I enjoyed all three stories. The writing is strong and cohesive with tight themes throughout. The character development is solid and the plots are completely engaging. This is a perfect beach read—light, entertaining and easy to enjoy. I highly recommend it.

Strengths…

Well-written, well-edited
Entertaining storylines
Fun, likable characters
Steamy romances
A solid 4.5 book

Hot Hires

The first novella in Hot Hires is "New York is Losing Hope" by Nan Campbell. I've been a fan of Nan's for a little while now, so needless to say I adored the HEA story she wove between Hope and Val. With the perfect plot to spice ratio, this NYC set romance is ideal for a quick and enticing read.

The second novella, "Two Women, Two Weddings" is by Alaina Erdell. This was my first taste of Erdell's writing & will undoubtedly come back for more. With family expectations & drama, plus very spicy scenes, this novella gave me everything I didn't know I was craving. Also, I LOVED that the MC was 40yo, gives my 34 & still single self some hope for things to come.

The third, and final, novella "For Love or Money" is by Jesse J. Thoma. Another new-to-me author, Thoma's story is action-packed from start to finish. While there's less spice than I've come to expect from a Bold Strokes Books publication, an alleged murderer seeking out a bounty hunter for protection from a corrupt business enterprise was more than enough to keep me interested.

A big thank you to Nan Campbell, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Business can turn to pleasure and it sure does in each of these three novellas. Hot Hires brings three of the best sapphic fiction authors together and it does not disappoint!

I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

In New York Is Losing Hope, Nan Campbell introduces us to Hope. Hope is a true New Yorker but with her 35th birthday around the corner, The Big Apple has lost its charm. Hope decides to go and try her luck in Los Angeles. But as a true New Yorker she never learned how to drive and that’s a necessity on the west coast. Her charming and gorgeous driving instructor Val might turn out to be the spark she has been looking for in her life. But Hope is about to move across the country, right?

Nan Campbell wrote two characters that are beautifully three dimensional. Hope is so stubborn in her decision to leave NY and that makes her all the more human. It takes her a long time to realize she has found what she has been looking for all along in Val. The way she eventually corrupts her own plan is hilarious. Val on the other hand works so hard to support Hope’s decision, it shows how much she cares and what a wonderful person she is. I was seriously rooting hard for Hope to come to her senses in time before the story would end.

Alaina Erdell’s contribution Two Women, Two Weddings, centers around Dr. Aarti Singh. She became a doctor because of the pressure from her parents, but in her heart she wants to be an event planner. Her baby sister’s major double wedding will hopefully be the chance to prove herself to her parents. A last minute disaster lands chef Jo Samuels on her doorstep. The very obvious lesbian chef can surprisingly cook a mean Indian dish. Jo’s culinary talent even wins Aarti’s parents over. Does she have to be so intriguing though? Jo stirs something in Aarti that she would never have believed she could ever feel. It makes the situation much more difficult, because her being a lesbian is the second thing her parents would never accept.

This is one wedding I would have loved to attend. Erdell does a wonderful job in describing the atmosphere and of course the scrumptious food. More than once I wanted to get into my kitchen immediately to start practicing my curry skills. What I wouldn’t give to grab a plate at Jo’s buffet. For me food equals love and brings people together and that is exactly what it does for Jo and Aarti and her family. The connection between the two women is instant and even Aarti can’t resist. I love that Jo gives Aarti all the time she needs to find a way for them to be together after the wedding. It takes Aarti a long time to finally put her foot down and chase her own happiness. I would have liked to read a lot more about how their relationship will evolve when she finally does that. But alas, this is a novella. I wouldn’t mind a whole book about this couple though!

The third story in the bundle, For Love Or Money, is very different from the first two. Jesse J. Thoma takes you into the grimy world of bounty hunters and a life on the run from criminals that want your head.
Bounty hunter Oz’s life is about to change drastically when a gorgeous alleged murderer asks for her help in proving her innocence. Oz doesn’t know what to make of Frankie, but when a mob of gunmen attack her house ten minutes after Frankie’s arrival, she grabs the woman’s hand and leads her to safety. The two women end up in a witch hunt with a very dangerous predator and during some very precarious moments they are inexplicably drawn to each other. Who would have guessed?

This story is chock full of suspense. While Oz and Frankie are hunted by an extremely aggressive opponent, they grow closer and closer. I love that both women have their own awesome strengths. While Oz knows her way around a gun and throws a mean punch, Frankie is as smart as a whip and as fierce as a tiger. Together they form an unbeatable team. Maybe the events happen a little too quickly for some people, but I liked the fast pace. A lot has to happen in not that many pages after all. The little epilogue does give a glimpse into their future after the life or death situation is over.

Hot Hires gives exactly what it’s supposed to do: three highly entertaining novellas about losing your heart to the hired help. Not to long and not too short. A great mix of stories, perfect for a few hours of relaxation.

New York is Losing Hope by Nan Campbell:
This novella was exceptionally charming. The undeniable attraction between Hope and Val from the beginning is extraordinary, and I thoroughly enjoyed their connection. The book provides an insightful exploration of their relationship, keeping the reader captivated and eager to discover whether they will choose to continue their relationship with an exploration date looming over then. This is a closed-door romance with a humorously delightful happily ever after.

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥

Two Women, Two Weddings by Alaina Erdell:
Arti and Jo's story is truly captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed the plotline and the instant attraction between the characters. Despite their efforts, they are unable to initiate something that could potentially cause harm to themselves. It is a delightful read, and I particularly appreciated the portrayal of the Indian wedding ceremony. The vivid descriptions painted a beautiful picture in my mind.

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥

For Love or Money by Jesse J. Thomas:
Oz and Frankie's story is truly remarkable. I thoroughly enjoyed the witty exchanges between them and the gradual evolution of their relationship. It is both humorous and highly entertaining throughout. It is fast-paced, action-packed, and full of adventure. I appreciated the dual point of view in this story, as it allowed me to gain insight into the thoughts and feelings of both characters, enhancing my understanding of the plot.

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥

The entire book was truly remarkable. I thoroughly enjoyed the unique writing styles of all three authors and highly recommend this book to others. I have read books by both Nat and Alaina in the past, but this is my first time reading Jesse's work. Based on the quality of this novella, I plan to read more of Jesse's works in the future and, of course, Nat and Alaina as well.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Anthologies like "Hot Hires" are always fun. Novellas are a great way to squeeze in some reading when looking for something quick and also a great way to get to test out some new authors. Each of the three novellas in Hot Hires was a unique short story with a range of themes. While all focus on romances that have started through a “hot hire”, each story is a different experience.

New York is Losing Hope by Nan Campbell gave me the more sweet and rom-comey vibes. I enjoyed the couple most in this one.

Two Women, Two Weddings by Alaina Erdell brings a little more emotional story with some family matters tied into the romance.

For Love or Money by Jesse J. Thoma was a more suspenseful story that was my personal favorite. It was very page turning and overall most enjoyable.

The synopsis of each novella does a great job describing the stories and really making you intrigued in the different novellas. They were well written with great characters and interesting storylines. These stories felt a bit more developed and well rounded than the average novella given that they were slightly longer than average.

Probably my favorite thing about these novellas is that they follow topics that are relatable to a lot of people and thus make the stories more intriguing.

Not every story was five stars for me but I still had a good time and liked trying out some new authors. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thankyou so much Nan for reaching out to offer me an arc of this collection! Ironically your story comes at a time where i’m learning to drive and feeling a little lost in life and love so I felt such a deep connection with Hope. Her having a good family life and a good job but still feeling unfulfilled was something very relatable to me and watching her and Val bring out the best in eachother and finally get on the same page was so gorgeous. I know it’s a novella but I could read about these two all day, they’re connection from the start and their deep conversations were such a joy to read, Nan is truly solidifying herself as one of my favourite authors and her stories always leave me wanting more.

Alaina writes such wonderful chemistry between the characters in her books and this read was no different! Aartis character and her complicated relationship with her family was so intriguing to me and I truly learnt so much from this novella. Even in such a short space of time watching Aartis growth in terms her of self love and who she is was so wonderful to see and I could feel the joy radiating through the book the more time she spent with Jo. Jo’s compassion with Aarti and her effort through her culture was so gorgeous to me and just made me love their relationship even more!

This was my first read from Jesse and it definitely did not disappoint! I was so invested in the whole story from the minute Frankie showed up at Oz’s door and the suspense just rolled from there. Oz’s innate need to protect Frankie and help her was so endearing and I was rooting for them from the first flirtation their chemistry was palpable. I’m so glad they got their happy ending but the story being as tense and as up and down made it even better to me! I can’t wait to read more from Jesse!

Okayyyyy. Alaina Erdell has been all the rage so of course I had to get an ARC of her short story!! Thank you NetGalley BTW.

I thought that all 3 novellas were going to be intertwined with characters (should have read the plots beforehand) but, they were not at all. Each one had its own plot with their own characters. I was hooking from the beginning in each novella but I always wanted more right when it ended!!!

The plus side was this ARC introduced me to 2 new authors, Nan Campbell and Jesse J. Thoma. I loved each authors plot and style of writing. I couldn't put them down and I was staying awake later just to see what happens in the next chapter.

The only thing I wish was different was that the 3 short novellas were a little intertwined! I mean they each had a happy ending, which was great, but also strange that the 3 separate stories were put together in the same book.