A rakish fairy meets the real Juliet behind Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. A jewelry artist travels to the past to meet a successful silver-smith. The addled crew of a ship at sea discovers a mysterious merman. More than one ignored princess finds her match in the most unlikely men.

From ecstasy to tragedy, with love blossoming shyly, love at first sight, and even love borne of practical necessity―beloved fantasist Jane Yolen’s newest collection celebrates romance in all its glory.

Jane Yolan has always been one of my favorite authors and influenced my own writing so I was excited for this collection of short stories. One of the aspects I liked the most was how, even as diverse as all the stories are, each one gives a unique perspective on love. Her words are lyrical and beautiful but even more are the ideas in each story. 

Each story is whimsical and delightful. Every character is engaging and wonderful to read. The love between the characters delves into depths and unexpected permutations, full of delight. I also immensely enjoyed the twist on different legends and tales. 

If you love poetry and love, language and emotion, each short story packs a punch and is one to love. I highly recommend this collection.  Jane Yolen is whimsical and delightful and her writing is well worth reading. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars