Perfect Weather for Driving by Elise Juska

Losing California by Tara McCarthy

Sara King Goes Bad by Pamela Ribon

The Happiest Day of your Life by Heather Swain

Emily & Jules by Lisa Tucker

This story was by far my favourite in the anthology but pinpointing what made it work so well for me is a little difficult.

This is a story about a woman who believes she is agoraphobic because she has been completely unmotivated to leave her dwelling since her mother's death. An important component of the story is Emily's involvement in an on-line support group and, in turn, her involvement with Jules, initially also on-line. Despite this opportunity to reproduce message board posts and e-mails to tell the story, the author opts not to use this device. Given this is one of my favourite devices, it surprised me that I thought this was such a strong story without the use of these alternative story-telling methods.

This is a third-person narrative, describing the actions of both Emily and Jules. It is therefore not told entirely from the heroine's perspective. Getting the guy's point of view may be one of the important elements that made this story work. We learn what a caring, thoughtful man Jules is when he's on his own, not just when he's with the heroine, which would be the case if the story was told only from her perspective.

There is also all the initial longings of an early relationship. The story culminates in the characters' first meeting. It takes you back to those initial stages of a relationship that are so magical.

And there is so much growth in both the characters as they both progress in dealing with the outside world. ( )