So I didn't realize it was supposed to be a meet-cute quarantine collection of stories because I got a little annoyed about halfway through that it was just romantic meet-cutes with the backdrop of this historical (yet for us contemporary) event that is rocking the entire world. But once I realized it, I got over that it was just romantic short stories and rolled with it.

Of course some were stronger than others and I was particularly in love with the ending of the pizza delivery short story.

However fleeting some of the stories will be, it is a moment in time, a slice of life. The inclusion of social media like TikTok will absolutely date it, but so will COVID 19 of 2020 so it's a wash. Whether it's food or dogs or a missing shoe, taken at face value it's a good collection, but when I started I was also thinking: are we ready for this just yet? I resolved to be but for some who are experiencing more of the traumatic elements of mental health and isolation, it might not be the time.

A great collection of short stories with a wide-array of quarantine experiences and different YA voices. I have a difficult time with short stories, in general, because I don't always have enough time to get invested in the character and story before it is over. That being said, I have a couple highlights. The interplay between Guitar Boy and Shoe Thrower in "One Day" by Sajni Patel was hysterical. The romance in "The New Boy Next Door" by Natasha Preston was sweet but, also, disappointing since Preston appears to write psychological thrillers so I can't read anything else by her. I laughed so hard when reading "The Green Thumb War" by Brittney Morris over the cat incident. And, the fan-girl moment in "Masked" by Erin Hahn was super swoony.

Nope. DNFing after one story. I can see where this might be comforting or cathartic for some, but I can't read COVID-themed meet-cutes. People are dying, and it's likely to get worse before it gets better. I think we're better off letting the dust settle on a pandemic that kills over a million people before turning it into fodder for romance stories.

Usually with a book of short stories, some fall flat. Not in Together, Apart. All of the stories were cute and fun. They portrayed the early days of the quarantine realistically.

This was a very cute collection of short stories framed around the COVID-19 experience. I loved seeing authors I had read before included (Erin Hahn, Brittney Morris) and also being introduced to contemporary works of folks who don't write it normally (Erin A. Craig!). A particular favorite of mine was Jennifer Yen's story.

I think teens will enjoy these short stories, especially since most are gravitating towards lighter romantic comedies these days to brighten their spirits.

Captures the mood and feelings lockdown, a time capsule of pandemic solitude, longing and connection as people adjust to a decidedly un-normal new norm.