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The Vampire Diaries: The Return #0.5

An Untold Tale: Elena's Christmas

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This is a little sugarplum of a story brought on by the holiday season. It’s a fantasy, really, since I’m not sure you could work it into the two weeks Elena spent relearning to walk, talk, and identify the Senate Majority Whip on a television. It may exist only in Neverland, but I wanted to give a Christmas present.

10 pages, ebook

First published December 19, 2010

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About the author

L.J. Smith

282 books112k followers
I have a new blog about my Vampire Diaries fanfic.
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

L.J. SMITH, Lisa Jane Smith, is the New York Times #1 Bestselling author of The Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, Dark Visions, Wildworld and Night World series. She has written over two dozen books for children and young adults, and has enjoyed writing every one of them. She lives in the Bay Area of California, with a backyard that is full of flowers, which she adores, especially with many different shades of roses.

She loves to visit a friend's little cabin in the Point Reyes National Seashore area, which has lots of trees, lots of animals, lots of beaches to walk on, and lots of places to hike. Once, while hiking, she saw a snow-white buck which allowed her to follow it nearly half a mile. She also likes to collect things: angels (they remind her of her late mother), tiny boxes from different countries or of fanciful shape, nineteenth century children's literature, and books about quantum physics--especially about the mystery of the dark energy in the universe. A militant optimist, she is also part of the Velociraptor Sisterhood (a fancy way of saying that she likes to read, write and discuss books with strong female characters), and she has traveled extensively in Europe and the Far East. The two countries she loves to visit most are Great Britain, with its historic monuments and amazing country landscapes, and Japan, with its bustling urban life and exquisite mountain scenery.

Her favorite current writer is Terry Pratchett, the author of the Discworld series, for its wild and witty satires on life, death, war, love, assassins, coppers, and Australia. Her favorite classical writer is Jane Austen. Her favorite poets are Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. Her favorite movies are The Seven Samurai and Avatar (analyze that!). She doesn't have a favorite TV show, because she doesn't have time to watch TV (and only owns one for playing movies).

Her favorite people are her readers, each of whom she cherishes with deep and lasting affection.

Note: L. J. Smith wrote books 1-7 of The Vampire Diaries series. After that, a ghostwriter took over the rest of the series. L. J. wrote books 1-3 of The Secret Circle series. After that, a ghostwriter took over the rest of the series. L. J. did not write any of the Originals or Stefan's Diaries. These were written by Kevin Williamson and/or various ghostwritters.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
206 (39%)
4 stars
84 (16%)
3 stars
130 (25%)
2 stars
70 (13%)
1 star
27 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Arobis.
63 reviews
June 11, 2023
Loved sassy Stefan here and Damon appreciating the gifts but the last part was unnecessary (esp for stelena lovers)
Profile Image for Jamie.
1,529 reviews1,246 followers
February 23, 2020
Disappointing.
Part my own fault because I don't remember much of this series. Part because the timeline doesn't seem to fit. Anywhere! And that frustrated me. Like when does this take place? In reference to the storyline. I loved seeing Mrs Flowers again. She was a favorite bit character.
The story also serves no purpose the character growth or development. Let alone, aiding the storyline. I saw no reason for this. It was boring. Not that cute. Mild holiday feels but that was about it. Maybe it is only worth reading during that time of year just for that sole reason.
Profile Image for Sarah Elizabeth.
4,904 reviews1,373 followers
December 16, 2020
2.5 stars
This was just about readable, although a bit silly and sappy really. Honestly, I've yet to find the point of any of these little novellas yet, they all seem a bit crap really.
Why suddenly decide to have Christmas in summer?!
Profile Image for Jovy.
299 reviews11 followers
June 20, 2013
(silence for a long time......) I'm not sure why I did not like this story. They are all there and was in their own characters - Stefan the vampire in shining armor...Matt the noble protector...Elena the not-so-damsel-in-distress...and of course, Damon the persistent Prince Charming in his own way... - but I think there's something missing I just don't know what.
July 13, 2020
Ούτε τόσο χαριτωμένη, ούτε τόσο ενδιαφέρουσα ιστοριούλα της σειράς "Vampire diaries" -που έτσι κι αλλιώς είναι μέτρια-, αλλά σίγουρα καλύτερη από κάποιες άλλες, παρόμοιας αισθητικής και προσέγγισης που έχουμε διαβάσει κατά καιρούς.
Profile Image for Milagros Guevara Bernabé.
297 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2024
Calificación: ⭐(1.4)

Opinión:

La historia se desarrolla en pleno verano, porque, ¿quién sigue las reglas del calendario? 😏 Elena, Stefan, Bonnie, Meredith y Matt deciden tener una celebración navideña en la casa de huéspedes de la Sra. Flowers. Me encantó el toque descarado de Stefan y cómo Damon aprecia los regalos, pero el drama estalla cuando Elena, después de proclamar su amor eterno por Stefan, termina besando a Damon al final. ¡Para los amantes de Stelena, esto es un golpe bajo! 🎄🤷‍♀️
Profile Image for Hannah Monise.
232 reviews3 followers
February 21, 2023
Uma noite de Natal em pleno verão americano, basicamente em julho.
Bonnie, Meredith, Matt, Elena e Stefan organizam um "Natal" com direito a árvores enfeitadas, cookies, limonada da Mrs. Flowers e até presentes. Como esperado em qualquer reunião dos amigos, Damon aparece para divertir a história mais ainda.
Esse pequeno conto é muito legal. A Lisa sempre prova que sabe escrever bem!
Profile Image for R..
1,626 reviews
January 12, 2012
Partially think I should have found this one over the holidays, but as it's a Christmas story not set during Christmas, it's just sweet and a little amusing. Damon up to his usual antics, Bonnie getting yet another kiss. Matt is rather amusing in all his up-right innocence wanting a kiss under the mistletoe. Elena is sweet this time in her version of kissing Damon, which is a nice change from her seeming like she's playing the brothers back and forth. Kind of surprised Damon went after Meredith, but then he is Damon. Overall just a cute little bit of fluff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Annette.
3,340 reviews156 followers
March 9, 2013
Hmm...I don't know why I didn't really like it...I guess I had the feeling it was going nowhere. I guess it's written around Christmas as some kind of Christmas gift and that that was it's only purpose. It's a pity you see and feel that in that story and that you can read it between the lines. In the other short stories there was character development and showing, there was a storyline and a plot...none of it was in this very short story. So, might be a nice read around Christmas, but has not the interesting depth of the other two short stories I read today.
Profile Image for Sukriti .
2,606 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2023
"L.J. Smith's novel is a captivating blend of supernatural intrigue and teenage drama. The protagonist, navigating a world of vampires and witches, faces both love and peril. Smith's writing skillfully weaves suspense with a touch of romance, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. The character development is strong, and the plot twists add depth to the storyline. While some clichés are present, Smith's unique spin on the paranormal genre sets this book apart. Overall, a thrilling read for those seeking a mix of the otherworldly and the everyday challenges of adolescence."
Profile Image for Maud.
766 reviews193 followers
November 1, 2011
I didn't really get this story, maybe it's because I haven't read VD: The Return yet? Anyway, other then some holes I will surely fill up once I have read The Return, the story was cute and nice to read. I'm not much of a holiday person but this one was nice to read, Christmas in the summer sounds good to me too if it will be like this.
Profile Image for Sarah.
936 reviews
August 18, 2016
I have to say these short vampire diaries I don't really understand them but I think that I may do if I attempt to read the vampire diaries again.
Profile Image for Daiva.
199 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2013
This is a little sugarplum of a story brought on by the holiday season.
Profile Image for Aileen.
746 reviews55 followers
June 6, 2012
Well....I must say you DEFINITELY see some Elena lovin' on Damon in this little story...
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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