Add some festive cheer to your reading list with the holiday collection from Amazon Original Stories, a series of four short stories to cozy up beside the Christmas tree with! Today marks the release of If the Fates Allow by award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell, who recently published the finale of the Simon Snow trilogy, Any Way the Wind Blows, earlier this year.
Rowell’s short story happens to revisit Fangirl, her 2013 young adult novel that follows the college freshman woes of Cath Avery, who also happens to be a popular, dedicated author of Simon Snow fan fiction. While Fangirl largely explored the budding relationship between Cath and Levi, If the Fates Allow catches readers up on the love life of her snarky, sarcastic roommate that she eventually became friends with — Reagan!
“Social distancing came easily to Reagan. Maybe a little too easily. She’s always liked people better from afar. But Reagan doesn’t want her grandpa to be alone for Christmas this year — he’s already spent too much time on his own in 2020. So, she heads back to her hometown with a dish of holiday Jell-O salad, hoping they can have a little normalcy. Hoping it will be safe …
She isn’t expecting to run into the boy next door. Mason is all grown up now. He’s considerate. He’s funny. He doesn’t mind how prickly Reagan is — he maybe even likes it. And it makes Reagan feel like her defenses are falling. She needs her defenses, doesn’t she? In a time when six feet is close enough, how long can they keep their distance?“
For those that wanted to see more from Reagan in Fangirl, If the Fates Allow is the perfect opportunity to take a dive inside her mind and see where she ended up all these years down the road. Rowell eases readers back into this familiar character, reviving the enjoyable familiarity of her snark and no-nonsense attitude, while also portraying her personal growth as well.
We’re at a time in the world where Covid storylines are popping up left and right in films and television. Rowell’s take on Reagan’s own personal experiences throughout the pandemic will resonate particularly well with those who have carried a burden, and those who have been cautious and lonely.
As per usual, Rowell has a way with words when crafting her particular style of romance stories. While this story addresses serious topics, it’s also balanced with a dash of humor and hope. It serves as a reminder that even when the world feels dark, we can all find a bright spot in the darkness.
If the Fates Allow is now available to purchase and can be accessed free by Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited members!
The first release in the Amazon Original Stories holiday series was Model Home by J. Courtney Sullivan. Other upcoming stories include The Marriage Test by Suzanne Redfearn and Oh. What. Fun. by Chandler Baker. Stay tuned!
