This was a really nice collection, and I loved how the stories all connected with each other in this intricate way. You can tell a lot of care was poured into this. I really found myself rooting for each of the characters, and their respective love stories. And the Blackout theme added a nice quality—a scenario like that really would cause everyone to stop and examine what’s in front of them, especially if they’ve been avoiding it. I know that’s how the pandemic/lockdown felt for me.

Some stories were stronger than others, as is typical of anthologies. Here is my ranking though, from most enjoyable to least, in my opinion.

1. Made to Fit by Ashley Woodfolk
This was just a really sweet sapphic story about two really big-hearted girls. I’m not usually an Insta-love fan (funny, since my spouse and I were literally Insta-love), but I found their relationship very honest. They hype each other up and remind each other of the exceptional parts of themselves they kinda forgot long the way. This one was just very special to me.

2. Seymour and Grace by Nicola Yoon
Another “Insta-love” that was just super sweet. Definitely a fan of their ride-share meet cute. The Ship of Thesus undertone was also a profound way to set the tone. Both characters, in a way, were struggling to navigate shifting relationships. And in that way, they helped each other to see how they’ve grown and changed in good ways, and appreciate that about one another.

3. No Sleep Till Brooklyn by Angie Thomas
A story about a girl caught in between two love interests, one of which she’s been in a relationship with for some time. And she wonders if maybe she’s missing out on something. I know that yes, it’s emotional cheating, but so also believe that it’s relatable for young people who are still figuring themselves out. I know as a teen I was caught up in something similar, and it’s really difficult to navigate something like that. Ultimately, I love that Kayla chose herself, and decided to take some space from both to learn more about herself.

4. All the Great Love Stories…And Dust by Dhonielle Clayton
A cute story about two lifelong friends with a competitive streak. I loved the characterization of Lana, and how she had this interesting way of seeing the world. And the footnotes were awesome. I found myself a bit confused about the “bet” between her and Tristán—to find the best book ever. If he’s as competitive as she says, why would he concede to her? Because this is the type of beg that isn’t exactly objective, like a bike race or something. It’s really Lena’s plan to confess her feelings for Tristán, who is apparently a serial monogamist. The conclusion of the story was cute, I just think that if we had spent a little time in Tristán’s mind it would have been better.

5. The Long Walk by Tiffany D. Jackson
This story was interspersed between the other stories, in 5 parts. I honestly really enjoyed the way this story wove in and out of the others, like we were dropping in to see how the walk was going (as they basically trekked from one end of the city to another). And I found myself most interested in the end, when we see the characters connect in a real way. But to me finding out that the whole thing was a big miscommunication annoyed me just a little. Tammi, Kareem’s ex, thought he was dating someone else during the whole walk, and he didn’t correct her until the very end. Then said, “What didn’t you know?” Obviously not, when Tammi continued to make comments about the girl she thought you were dating, Kareem. Apart from the miscommunication, I did think there story was sweet, I just really don’t enjoy that plot point in general.

6. Mask Off by Nic Stone
I enjoyed the story about two boys harboring secret crushes on one another. I also enjoyed the exploration of masculinity and male bisexuality. I think these are really important topics to explore. I also love that J.J. is attentive when it comes to Tremaine’s claustrophobia. I just wasn’t as into this story as the others. Some parts seemed tacked on in an awkward way, like especially JJ’s fixation on public breastfeeding. Not in a creepy way…but I also don’t think the way it was written was realistically how a teen boy would think about it? I’d imagine it would be more of a nod and a “right on,” than a whole tangent about it. Anyway, I think it is an important story, just of the bunch it wasn’t my favorite.