Review: Heartwarming short story; LOVE the companion shorts idea
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 13, 2014
I just finished ALL IS BRIGHT, having read the companion short story LOVE, ACCIDENTALLY yesterday.  I love, love, love the companion shorts idea-- two separate short stories telling two sides of the same story.I found Elise to be very sympathetic...a sweet girl who'd loved the same guy (Griffin) since they were kids.  Her realizations that she didn't love him enough, or in that special way, made her even more likeable.  After all, she gave up more than Grif when she let him go.  It was heartwarming to see Elise heal and feel the wider circle of familial love in this Christmas short.  It's also fantastic to know (in LOVE, ACCIDENTALLY) that Grif is happy.  Truly happy.This short story was about 15 pages, with the balance (more than 15 pages) a preview of a full-length (and pricey) novel by the same author.  I see other reviewers commented negatively about this....didn't see the end coming, and so much of the "back matter" was a preview, advertisement for another title.  I felt forewarned (thank you to reviewers).  When I picked up this short, it was FREE...which I believe is the right pricing for this quick read.  After all, it serves the purpose of introducing Ms. Pekkanen's writing and gives a teaser for her full-length novel.  I enjoyed these two companion shorts enough to be very interested in her novels....so I feel that both of these shorts (I got for FREE) was JUST RIGHT.Highly enjoyable.  5 stars--without hesitation!