Winter 2021 (January);

This story of the collection was my first and I found it the way I find a lot of [a:Rainbow Rowell|4208569|Rainbow Rowell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1342324527p2/4208569.jpg]'s writing: confusing, had great intentions but misses the landing, and leaves me wanting more to have been delved into. I would love to know so much more about "The Road" and the world around them rather than just these little exchanges. ( )

Meh. I guess I didn’t ever get the gist of who the Troll was supposed to be. It was Free and listened to the audible version while I was cleaning cupboards so I guess I can’t complain that I wasted my time. But I probably won’t “read” the rest of the series. ( )

This didn't make sense. I think maybe Rowell was trying her hand at whimsical and instead it was just weird. The repetition and the constant name-dropping of Starbucks and the mention of crows spying for a wizard and then the "troll" (mermaid? bog monster? mentally-unstable homeless woman?) being coy about her name and what she is just didn't add up to a comprehensive short story. It was obviously some kind of underhanded commentary on maybe consumerism but that just makes it worse. It was free and short so read it if you want but it's not one I'd recommend. ( )

A lovely story of opposites attracting. ( )

When a man accidentally drops his phone off a bridge, it's retrieved by a friendly being in the mud underneath. From that day forth, they share coffee and an unlikely friendship blooms.

Rainbow Rowell is one of my favorite authors, I will always read anything she publishes. Was this one of my favorites of hers? Not at all. I was kind of left with a, "What exactly was this story about besides a guy and a troll?" The ending felt a bit rushed and I lost some of the motive for what was happening.

I don't know. It was a bit weird for me. ( )