If the Fates Allow: A Short Story

So this was uhhh... nice? Not much romance though. I thought we'd get more cute scenes but what we got instead was a commentary on covid and stupid people who didn't like wearing masks from the perspective of someone who was a loner (aka me). But yeah, could've done without all the covid crap and more Christmas-y stuff. I don't like reading about the plague so didn't know we'd get that so much.

I had picked this up as a “soon-after-Christmas-but-let's-still-count-it” read after utterly failing in my attempt to read winter-themed books for December. Here are a few of my reactions:

It was a Christmas dinner story that takes place during COVID lockdown. I didn't hate that as much as I think other people have. It was nice to see someone having an experience and connection during a time we all know has been very isolating.Apparently, it gives an “update” for a character I've forgotten from another Rainbow Rowell book. I've read the book, I honestly must not have cared too much because I don't remember them. This book would probably appeal more to individuals that want the “what's next” for Landline.
The family politics are spot on. I loved that there is so much “new normal” in here that is just kind of out there. And she finds a person who has a similar “new normal.” I can't believe I just used “new normal” in a review. Please forgive me.

I would suggest this book for lovers of Landline (because apparently it gives updates to key characters) or for anyone not so done with COVID that you can't take a present-set book. I actually enjoyed it.

I loved If The Fates Allow by Rainbow Rowell. This wonderful little story really spoke to me. It was such a relatable tale of our times. It took place during Christmas 2020. If the Fates Allow captured so accurately the struggle of having holidays and managing family during the pandemic. Another unexpected point of this story that I really connected to was the Nebraska grandfather. I was born and raised in California, but my grandfather was from Nebraska. He died about ten years ago, and while he was pretty different from Reagan's grandfather, there were some things that reminded me of him.

When I read the line “He started carving the turkey with an electric knife that was probably older than she was.” I definitely had an emotional response.

I loved this short story so much. It really resonated with me and my pandemic response. I highlighted so many bits. My family was definitely Reagan for the last, like, 20 months or however long it's been. I really identified with the struggle to keep my own family, plus the extended family, safe. I read it before Thanksgiving, which was my first family gathering since the pandemic started. I a little nervous, and reading If the Fates Allow felt too close and raw at first, but in the end it was very cathartic.

Did you know that Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas was a wartime song about not being together on Christmas? The original Judy Garland lyrics are

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
Next year all our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
Next year all our troubles will be miles away

Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who were dear to us
Will be near to us once more

Someday soon we all will be together
If the fates allow
Until then, we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now