Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances

I must have been getting nostalgic for winter when I picked up this little Christmas-centric piece authored by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle. Though the three stories are loosely related, they are essentially independent of one another, and I will therefore review them separately below.

The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson
This was a fun, fluffy little piece about a girl whose train gets stuck in the worst blizzard in 50 years. She meets a boy, they become friends, and awkwardness/hilarity ensues. I liked this little story. It was fun, it had some real heartfelt moments, and it offered some keen commentary on the one-sided nature of many of our relationships. The writing is nothing to shout about, but it didn't get in the way of the story and was pretty transparent throughout. Although there were some moments that were pretty cheesy, this was an enjoyable little tale.

A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle by John Green
This was probably my favorite piece in the collection, and not because it was written by John Green (who I have an avowed bias towards). This story is about three friends who are summoned to a Waffle House where await an entire train car full of cheerleaders who have become stranded due to the weather. What follows is a wild adventure as the three friends attempt to brave the storm in order to partake in the miracle of cheerleaders. Beneath the surface, however, is a story of loyalty, love, and friendship that will appeal to anyone who has been lucky enough to be a part of a group of friends who are wildly different, yet unfailingly loyal to one another. This story reminded me of high school, and gave me a renewed appreciation for the simple bonds of friendship that I've enjoyed over my life. It was a real pleasure to read.

The Patron Saint of Pigs by Lauren Myracle
Her last name my be miraculous, but her writing is anything but. The final tale in this collection was easily my least favorite. It focuses on a pouty, self-centered girl who has recently broken up with the love of her life for really dumb reasons. The whole story is just her trying to justify her actions to herself and others, with everyone (reader included) just rolling their eyes and trying not to lash out at her. Not only is the narrator irritating, but the plot itself is cheesy and plodding. Although not exactly painful to read, this story certainly wasn't nearly as pleasant as its two companion tales.

On the whole Let it Snow is a fun, fluffy, and quick read. If you're interested in some holiday cheer, or just like the instant gratification of not one, but THREE romances crammed into one book, give it a try. If you're after a book with real literary merit, symbolism, character development, or complexity you'll want to look elsewhere.

Score: 6.5/10 (This would probably be 7.5 if the book didn't include The Patron Saint of Pigs).
Read this book if: You're nostalgic for Christmas, find the prospect of getting snowed-in romantic, or are just looking for some (extremely) fluffy entertainment.
Don't read this book if: You want to read a work of literature that actually has literary merit. This is escapist fluff fiction through and through.