Meet Cute

Meet Cute is an anthology of fourteen contemporary young adult short stories focused on the moment when two people first encounter each other and feel a spark. Each story is written by a different established YA author, including Nicola Yoon, Nina LaCour, and Jennifer L. Armentrout. The collection features diverse characters and scenarios ranging from coincidental meetings on public transit to planned blind dates gone differently than expected. The stories take place across various settings including coffee shops, airports, libraries, and high school halls. The anthology includes both realistic contemporary tales and stories with elements of magic or science fiction. Some stories end with the initial meeting while others follow the characters slightly beyond that first encounter. These stories explore universal themes of attraction, destiny, and the mix of anxiety and excitement that comes with new connections. The collection demonstrates how brief moments can become turning points that alter life's trajectory.

Readers found this YA romance anthology uneven in quality across its 14 short stories. The majority noted that like most anthologies, some stories resonated while others fell flat. Liked: - Stories by Nina LaCour, Nicola Yoon, and Julie Murphy received frequent mentions as standouts - LGBTQ+ representation in several stories - Quick, light reading format - Contemporary settings and relatable teen scenarios Disliked: - Many stories felt rushed or underdeveloped - Some found the meet-cute premise became repetitive - Several readers cited a lack of depth in character development - Multiple reviews mentioned predictable endings Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (19,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (230+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 3.8/5 (90+ ratings) One reader on Goodreads summarized the common sentiment: "Like a box of chocolates - some flavors you love, others you could skip." Several reviewers recommended reading the stories spaced out rather than back-to-back to avoid premise fatigue.

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen High school senior Louna works at her mother's wedding planning business while navigating her own chance at romance through a summer bet with a serial dater.

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston Sophie's extended family sets her up on ten different blind dates during Christmas break after a breakup with her long-term boyfriend.

Love & Other Train Wrecks by Leah Konen Two teens meet on a train during a snowstorm and experience a series of mishaps and connections during their twenty-four hour journey together.

Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno Twin sisters from a family of witches face their last summer together on their island home while dealing with first love, family magic, and unexpected changes.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith Two strangers connect during a twenty-four hour period that begins with a missed flight and leads to a series of coincidental meetings across London.

🌟 "Meet Cute" features 14 different contemporary Young Adult authors, including beloved writers like Nina LaCour, Nicola Yoon, and Jennifer L. Armentrout. 💕 The anthology explores diverse types of "meet-cutes" across different genres, including science fiction, contemporary romance, and even time travel scenarios. 📚 Each story in the collection features at least one LGBTQ+ character or relationship, making it one of the more inclusive YA romance anthologies. ⭐ The term "meet-cute" was first popularized in the 1930s during Hollywood's Golden Age, referring to a scenario where future romantic partners meet in an amusing or charming way. 🎬 Several contributing authors, like Nicola Yoon, have had their other works adapted into successful films, such as "Everything, Everything" and "The Sun Is Also a Star."