Mixed Bag: Short Stories

by Tajammul Kothari

Mixed Bag is a short stories collection and as the name suggests it caters to various types of literary genres namely Children’s, Drama, Romance, Horror, Thriller, Crime, Supernatural and New Adult.

The collection delves into the theme of Betrayal, Revenge, Power Struggle, Murder, Heist, Rivalry, Racism, Morals, Love and many more; with each tale laden with emotions, twists and a shock ending.  

Genres: Short Stories

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2025

About the author

Tajammul Kothari considered himself a novice writer (in fact, he still does) as it is only a few years ago that he planted his tiny footprints in the literary world but now after the success and recognition of his two poetry books "An Ode to Life" and "Unanswered Verses" by both the readers and the media, his confidence and courage has surged.

This, in turn, ignited an urge in him to experiment with his writing. He has taken a step forward and published a short stories collection titled, “Mixed Bag-Short Stories”.

The author sincerely hopes that his experiment will be fruitful and will receive the same appreciation and support as his previous works.

Articles about his books have been regularly featured in Newspapers and Magazines

Below are some of the links:

1) Bold Journey Magazine Interview
https://boldjourney.com/meet-tajammul...

2) "Mixed Bag-Short Stories"
https://www.gulfweekly.com/Articles/4...

3) "An Ode To Life"
https://www.gulfweekly.com/Articles/3...

4) "Unanswered Verses"
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/621447

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed Bag: Short Stories is a perfect name for this short story collection. Coming in at 134 pages, this can easily be read in one sitting or by reading a few short stories at a time. The short stories all have a moral component/compass in them. Some of the themes of the stories are betrayal, lust, love, crime, right vs. wrong, and murder to name a few. As they are short stories, the author gets right to the point without a lot of added details or descriptions. The book is heavy on dialogue and the characters thoughts which is a nice touch.

As with all short story collections there will always be ones that readers enjoy more than others. That was true here for me. There were none that I disliked, just ones that I enjoyed more than others. If you are a fan of short stories, you may want to give Mixed Bag: Short Stories a read!

3.5 stars

Thank you to the author, Tajammul Kothair who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Wendy Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful read. The reader gets exactly what the title promises - a collection of a varied range of short stories. Unlike most short story collections, none of the stories are bad or even mediocre. I did not want some of the stories to end. The author's style is eloquent yet concise. It is very descriptive. The stories, in the main, are unpredictable and contain many twists. I highly recommend this read. At 134 pages, it can be devoured fairly quickly.

[Tenkara Smart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories for young adults, rated four stars (rounded up from 3.5), explores themes of love, betrayal, redemption, the complexities of relationships, and more. Each narrative offers entertaining, thought-provoking messages, and valuable lessons for the reader to consider. This would be a good anthology of easy-to-read short stories for young adults to discuss with their peers or elders to gain further insight into the message.

[Lizzie Darcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Mixed Bag – Short Stories really lives up to its name. It’s a collection of diverse tales—some heartwarming, some shocking, and some that linger in your mind long after you finish them.

The opener, “The Video Game,” sets the tone beautifully with a bittersweet story about childhood longing, envy, and redemption. From there, the book takes you through boardrooms full of manipulation (“The Presentation”), supernatural grief and impossible wishes (“The Resurrection”), and even school dramas tangled with first love and obsession (“The Kiss”).

What stood out to me was the variety: each story feels distinct in theme and style, yet all are united by sharp twists and an undercurrent of human flaws—greed, envy, love, regret. Some of the endings are predictable, others completely blindsided me.

That said, the writing sometimes leans toward being straightforward rather than subtle, and a few stories feel like they could have benefited from more depth. But the pacing is quick, the scenarios are vivid, and there’s always a hook that keeps you turning the pages.

If you enjoy short stories with moral dilemmas, shocking revelations, and a mix of realism with a touch of the extraordinary, this collection is worth picking up. It’s the kind of book where you can read one story at a time, but you’ll likely end up bingeing through several in a row.

[Sibusiso Sambo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tajammul Kothari’s Mixed Bag is an intriguing collection of short stories that spans a wide array of genres—ranging from romance and crime to horror and supernatural thrillers. Each story is meticulously crafted, drawing readers into its world with unexpected twists and deep, emotional conclusions. The narratives tackle universal themes of love, betrayal, racism, power struggles, and the complexity of human emotions, making it a thought-provoking read.

Kothari’s storytelling captures the essence of human nature, often unveiling the darker side of life in a way that feels raw yet relatable. His ability to blend different genres seamlessly demonstrates his versatility as a writer, keeping the reader engaged throughout the book. Whether you’re into thrilling mysteries or poignant dramas, Mixed Bag offers something for every reader.

[Geraldine Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mixed Bag: Short Stories by Tajammul Kothari is a collection of tales that span a variety of genres. Regardless of the type, the author’s talent is displayed through fun storytelling that incorporates action, suspense, and drama that keep the pages turning. Each story is unique and entertaining with unexpected twists, good dialogue, and surprise endings. Every narration portrays a specific and interesting theme, such as be careful what you wish for, reincarnation, karma, revenge, and other cool topics. The pace is quick, smart, and overall makes for an enjoyable read.

[Kristina Stangl · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a very interesting read! I was highly surprised by this book and found myself enjoyed each new chapter!

The book is a diverse collection of short stories, all woven into one edition. Each story explores various themes such as love, betrayal, horror, adventure and more. If you’re looking for short and thought provoking stories, then definitely pick up a copy of this book.

Overall, this is a great read and will keep you highly entertained along the way.

[J.M. Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Mixed Bag: Short Stories. Tajammul does a good job of creating cinematic morality tales, each one propelled by a clean premise, a sharp turn, and a clear emotional payoff. Across settings as varied as schoolyards, boardrooms, brothels, and back alleys, the author keeps returning to the same magnetic question: what do we do when envy, fear, or desperation nudge us off course, and can we make it right? Themes of class, longing, and the cost of shortcuts stitch the pieces together, so the book feels cohesive. This is a fast, punchy, and surprisingly humane book. If you like compact stories with big stakes and memorable turns, this collection delivers.

[Jessica Lewandowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mixed bag of short stories is just that, a variety of short stories, mainly of people who fail to make sound decisions and later face the consequences of those decisions. I find Tajammul Kothari’s writing interesting in that he doesn’t aim to deliver sunshine and rainbows and happily ever afters. He explores the selfish and deceitful side of human nature that sometimes lurks behind the curtain hoping not to get caught. Weather it’s simply a case of a bad moral compass, an act of revenge, or an act made out of desperation. We all make bad judgment calls, but man, I hope we fare better than some of the characters did in these stories. Some of them left my jaw hanging open in surprise and I enjoyed the mixture of stories.

[Jacqueline Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing noir that is fighting for its own voice

Mixed Bag, the first collection of short stories by Tajammul Kothari, does indeed have a lot of different treats within its covers, from morality tales for the young to the most noirish mix of chancers, small-time crooks, crime bosses and double-crossing dames.

It starts on a touching story for kids, The Video Game, where a young boy learns to do the right thing at the cost of something he though he could not live without, the latest video game. After that, the characters get older, from high school swimming rivals to business schemers, and the tone gets darker, reminiscent of the Hollywood noir of crooks and hard-nosed ladies, and shady dealings and mixed identities at every turn.

Kothari has a good eye for pace, and his stories keep the reader engaged, though some of the plot twists do come out of nowhere. The settings are also sometimes too generically American to give the stories much flavour – I feel like Kothari is missing the chance to inject something of himself, perhaps something that would make them distinctive. After all, we’ve got Outback noir, disturbed lives in picture-perfect Australian country towns, and Kiwi noir, many of the books that come from my own country, Aotearoa New Zealand. Perhaps Kothari could be the one who gives us Bahrain noir and lifts the lid on strange goings on in his idyllic land?

Another intriguing aspect is the supernatural: two stories, The Resurrection, and Retribution, centre around ghostly possession and how spirits can get their just desserts from beyond the grave. These were the most satisfying of the stories, because of the feeling of wrongs being righted, even after death. There is also a strong sense of morality and the cost of keeping promises to the dead, that makes stories like The Guardian stand out: the burden of selfless love and responsibility stays with you after you’ve finished reading.

I look forward to more from this author, and hope he stays closer to home with his next collection: I’d like to see how hard-boiled anti-heroes transported to a more real setting.

I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

[Hanif · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rather interesting collection of short stories, many of which are quite compelling and twisted. Two of my favorites are 'The Mule' and another titled 'The Competition', as they stood out with the most memorable plots.

This book was very entertaining, but I have just a few criticisms. One is writing-related. I think the book could have gone a bit more in the editing department. The author jumps from one scene to the next, often with no real breaks or spacing between paragraphs, and it can make the read a little jarring at times. Also, some of the dialogue felt a little stilted and exposition-heavy at times. I understand that this is a big challenge, as each chapter of the book is its own self-contained story featuring a different cast of characters, and so the author has his work cut out for him. It made the first couple of stories a little tough to sink my teeth into, but after a while, I started to get the hang of it and began to really enjoy the irony and creativity of these crazy stories.

Like I said before, the story 'The Mule' stood out to me because of how it ends. My jaw dropped. When that man saw his daughter at the end, I lost it! You'll know when you read it. The other story features a competition between two rival female swimmers and the pettiness that ensues from that. The stories all vary in their level of intrigue and writing, but all share a common theme. People are messy! Super messy, and reading is kind of like a car crash. I found myself occasionally laughing from how screwed and sometimes terrible many of these people were. Some of them were completely justified in their scheming, like in the swim competition story, but many others were not. I felt like the story about the Shadow monster had an interesting premise, but ended so abruptly. Some of these could be expanded into full-on novel plots to fully to them justice. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this and would consider reading it again. There are a total of sixteen stories in this one, so I will be bound to find something in one of them that I missed.

[H. L. Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mixed Bag by Tajammul Kothari is a collection of short stories that can be read in one session, with the entirety being around 130 pages. I'm not usually a fan of short stories, as I naturally gravitate towards heavy books like Tolkien with excessive description and heavy world-building that I can really sink my teeth into - so I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed Mixed Bag!

Each story makes you ponder over the choices people make, and Kothari gets right into the dialogue and what is the driving force guiding each character. It covers topics and themes such as love, betrayal, moral ambiguity and doing the right thing, revenge, and where the line blurs between good and bad.

It starts with a story about a child who wants a video game, a simple premise of wanting something just out of reach and how envy twists things. The stories that follow range from a tense office meeting full of backstabbing, to a grieving person wishing for the impossible, and a first crush that goes too far. Two stories have ghosts/spirits coming back to settle old scores, adding a supernatural appeal. Every story feels different, but whether set in a boardroom or a classroom, they all seem to resonate with the same message: nobody's perfect. Love gets complicated, people hurt each other. Sometimes they make it right. Sometimes they don't.

It reminds me of Black Mirror in some aspects, not because of any particular dystopian or sci-fi elements, but because the stories show how people act when they think nobody is watching and how small choices can spiral. There's greed, regret, and karma: some endings you see coming, others catch you off guard with a twist.

Teens who enjoy stories with a moral message would possibly enjoy this book.

[Angie Hanlon-Toth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t normally gravitate toward short stories, but Mixed Bag: Short Stories by Tajammul Kothari quickly proved to be an exception. Once I began reading, I found it difficult to put down. The book is a collection of sixteen twisted and intriguing tales, each one pulling the reader forward with a constant sense of curiosity—how will this end, what is the moral lesson, if any, and what is the shock value?

Each story invites reflection, often posing ethical dilemmas or unsettling questions about human nature. The opening story, “The Video Game,” immediately sets the tone and becomes one of my favorites. It begins with a clear moral choice that must be made. As the collection progresses, the stories become increasingly darker, more shocking, and more complex.

Kothari explores themes such as revenge, deception, hidden truths, and the disturbing consequences of human nature. Some stories reveal carefully concealed cover-ups, while others hint at the existence of monsters—both literal and metaphorical. Another standout for me was “Sovereignty,” which powerfully illustrates how cunning and deceptive the human mind can become when driven by desire and control.

While the storytelling is engaging and imaginative, the book could benefit from a stronger overall structure. An introduction would help frame the collection and prepare the reader for the tone and themes ahead. Additionally, clearer separation or visual breaks between chapters could enhance the reading experience and make the book feel more cohesive as a whole.

Overall, Mixed Bag: Short Stories is a compelling and thought-provoking collection that challenges the reader to confront uncomfortable truths. It is especially recommended for those who enjoy dark, twist-filled narratives that leave you questioning not only the characters—but yourself.

[Giovanni Tio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Mixed Bag: Short Stories is an excellent collection of noir tales, featuring engaging storytelling and unexpected twists.

The touching story The Video Game brilliantly captures social stratification through the lens of childhood innocence. As the collection progresses, the stories grow darker, shifting from childlike experiences to more serious themes: obsession and indifference, love and hatred, betrayal and loyalty, vengeance and impunity. Each story is unique and brought to a satisfying conclusion. Sometimes, characters face the consequences of their actions; at other times, the burden falls on the innocent.
The author skillfully alternates between plots, keeping them concise and varied, so that no story feels repetitive or overstays its welcome. A dark, mystical tale is followed by a thrilling story of rivalry and cunning schemes, then by a student-centered narrative brimming with desire and an unexpected ending. As a result, the collection feels diverse, yet coherent and cohesive.
Beyond the first story, I was particularly struck by the mystical tales The Resurrection and Transcendence, as well as the grim narrative Night School and the detective story Shadow Monster. Despite the brevity of the narratives, Author masterfully conveys the characters’ emotions, their inner struggles, and the weight of the decisions they must make—decisions that often conflict with their moral compass.

I am grateful to Tajammul Kothari for providing a copy of his work and giving me the opportunity to explore his storytelling. I offer this as my personal, independent opinion, without any external influence.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed Bag by Tajammul Kothari is a compelling collection of short stories that delivers exactly what the title promises—a diverse mix of narratives that delve into the darker corners of human nature. I was given an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of this book by the author, and I’m glad I had the chance to read it.

The collection feels reminiscent of Black Mirror, not in a sci-fi sense, but in the way it explores human behavior, moral ambiguity, and the often-twisted outcomes of seemingly simple situations. Many of the stories revolve around themes like revenge, death and karma, often ending with a punchy, satisfying twist that keeps you guessing.

What I particularly enjoyed was the unpredictability of the stories. There’s a real sense of fun in trying to figure out where each tale is heading, only to be surprised by how it all unfolds. It’s the kind of book that’s perfect for when you have short bursts of reading time—each story offers a complete experience in just a few pages, making it ideal for busy schedules or a quick reading fix.

That said, a few of the stories felt a little unfinished to me. I found myself wishing they were just a page or two longer to give a more complete picture or a more satisfying resolution. As with any anthology, not every story resonated with me equally—some stood out more than others—but as a whole, the collection worked really well.

Overall, Mixed Bag is an entertaining and thought-provoking read. If you enjoy short fiction with a dark edge and unexpected turns, this collection is definitely worth picking up.

[Kerisma Vere · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book to me and I am quite glad I decided to give it a chance. Author Tajammul Kothari provides us with 16 creative, engaging, and unique short stories where each does a great job of capturing my attention. Each story is exactly long enough to pull me in but not so long as to require too much brain energy. The stories are very clever and I found myself flipping pages eagerly wondering what would happen next. I will also say that from one story to the next my mind was saying, oh I wonder what this one will be about, because the author does such an impressive job of writing outside the box. There are morals or lessons to some of the stories but they are subtle and left to the readers own perspective. Some of the language uses words not typically used in regular English but rather than taking away from the stories it gave them a kind of exotic feel as if I was in a country that uses more formal English that my native north America. My favorite for feel good outcomes and lessons learned was the very first story, The Video Game and my favorite for the more mischievous aspects of my spirt was the story, "Retribution". I don't want to spoil anything for readers so Ill let you find out the reasons why for yourself. I will also add that unlike many other books where I feel compelled to get from start to finish rather quickly, I quite enjoyed reading one to three stories a day during my free time over the last five weeks- a book you can take your time with and savor each unique story without losing the overall picture.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting mix of short tales, all of which seem to feature crime, many death. I am not into horror and some of the tales went that way, so another reader might enjoy them better.
I noted how often women are treated as objects, or as ambitious in the world of business (in one case royalty, which is another kind of business) to the point of being willing to lie, cheat, frame others and have affairs in order to gain a job or promotion. I'd really like to think this isn't the case, but it's contemporary fiction, so I guess the author feels it's right to assign the roles formerly taken by men in crime stories to some women.
Tale after tale includes adult activity, not always consenting. There are only a couple of actual relationships.
The first tale could be called sweet and moral, as it's a lesson about a child wishing for something for Christmas.
This work has been translated but most of the settings appear to be American, in some cases British. I would actually like more variety as some of the stories look like TV show episodes with no character development, and a twist, usually involving death, at the end. But if this is what you would enjoy, the work would suit someone on the bus or in a waiting room, handy to pick up and put down, no need to remember a complex plot.
I was sent an e-ARC by the author and I chose to read and review, in my own time. This is an unbiased review.

[Theresa Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of carefully written fiction is entertaining and thought provoking. I enjoyed each short story and was impressed with the versatility of each story. The stories are carefully written and there is a lot of dialogue, which I like a lot. The language in the dialogue is fresh, modern and believable. The stories focus on family and friends, on righting wrongs and also have a touch of humor in some of them. What I enjoy about these stories is their potential to be made into films, like short films. The stories are original, unique and thought provoking, and also they are not too long.

One story, called Retribution has this interesting passage. "In the evening, Rupert goes through the photographs and sees something unusual. He takes out his magnifying glass from his desk drawer and zooms in. He notices the name of the bookstore in the background. Memories are recollected as it is the same bookstore he used to visit so regularly in his hometown, Riverwell. He scratches his head and wonders if he has seen the girl somewhere, but he cannot recall. He decides that tomorrow morning he will give them to a person he knows to check out the authenticity of the photos."

This is a really good first book of short fiction that leaves the reader asking questions and is a great introduction to such writing, for a young adult audience primarily. Highly recommended.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a Mixed Bag—delivering exactly what its title promises—a variety of brief tales across genres, from workplace drama to romance, suspense, and moral fables. The writing is clear and easy to follow, and each story offers a complete arc with a beginning, middle, and end.

Tajammul Kothari is clearly a developing writer. He has a natural sense of structure and pacing, and his interest in the moral dimension of ordinary lives comes through.

At the same time, I found myself wanting more emotional texture — more moments that let readers feel the characters rather than simply watch them move through events. Dialogue often carries the plot, but the prose could dig deeper into what’s happening beneath the words and in the minds of his characters. Even small details or sensory cues could draw readers closer.

A note on presentation: Adding indentation at beginning of paragraphs, separating paragraphs with a space, or adding white space between dialogue exchanges would make the reading experience smoother and help the stories breathe.

There’s real promise here, and with more attention to rhythm, depth, and layout, Kothari’s future work could become much more engaging. This feels like the beginning of a writer’s journey — one worth encouraging. I look forward to seeing how Kothari develops over time.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tajammul Kothari writes a mishmash of short stories

Mixed Bag is a mix of short stories, with different themes, and it is truly a mix of stories. I've read poetry from this author before, and enjoyed that very much. Each short story was different in its own way, not just with genre, but theme as well. Some I liked better than others, but Tajammul Kothari did a good job of presenting his stories. The subjects of the stories may have love, redemption, betrayal and some mystery. There are some tales in this collection that explore the psyche and morality of humans. The stories I liked the best, and they kind of stood out on their own, was The video Game, and The Resurrection, as well as The Competition. None of the stories were bad, they were all pretty good, some just had a faster or slower pace than it should. This is an eclectic collection. I really think this book was between 3 and 4 stars, more like 3.5 stars. Mixed Bag is recommended by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, be kind, and also write a review.

[Laurence Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this collection offers a wide range of stories—some heartfelt, some dark, some simply strange. It’s a bold mix of genres and themes, from childhood longing (The Video Game) to political scandal (Retribution) and supernatural twists (The Resurrection).
Some stories really stood out—Retribution and The Reunion had compelling pacing and solid emotional impact. However, others felt underdeveloped or rushed. For example, The Kiss and The Presentation had intriguing setups but leaned too heavily on melodrama or unrealistic turns that undercut their potential. The twists sometimes felt contrived rather than earned, particularly when characters flipped motivations abruptly.
Still, the variety keeps the collection interesting, and there’s clear effort in exploring moral tension, betrayal, and social power. It’s an ambitious debut that could have benefitted from tighter editing and more nuanced character development—but there are glimpses of strong storytelling throughout.
A decent read for fans of short, twisty stories with a cinematic edge.

[J.R. Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed bag is a collection of anecdotal short stories, although ranging from a wide variety of subjects and settings, there is a strong moral theme running through each of them.

The first story, which is about a young boy who wants to buy a video game but one of his classmates buys it instead, results in him stealing it and accidentally breaking it, causing him to become depressed only to end up getting the very same game for Christmas which he decides to give to the boy he originally took it from. I thought this was my favorite story overall because I liked the resolution at the end. Another one I liked, was the school reunion story, about a lady getting the better of her old school bully who forces her out of her job in a satisfying way.

The other stories follow the same pattern, a character who does good deeds is rewarded whilst a bad character is punished. Some are quite bizarre, such as the old man who wanted to bring his wife back from the dead, but nevertheless they were all very entertaining.

[Jane Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories with a twist

Mixed Bag is a collection of short stories, each intriguing in its own right, as the reader is left guessing as to how they will end - often unpredictably. The author’s dialogue-centred approach adds atmosphere to the stories.

Tajammul Kothari has a talent for pacing and possesses a direct writing style, which, while clear and concise, with no frills attached, could do with some careful refinement to add more creativity and nuance. The content is largely intended for adults since it contains crime, sexual content, and a fair amount of death. There are also some paranormal elements, tales of betrayal, redemption and karma. My personal favourites are Retribution, Sovereignty and The Video Game.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys short stories with an edge to them.

[Loretta Allseitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection truly lives up to its name—Mixed Bag offers a wide range of stories across genres, from heartwarming to chilling, romantic to unsettling. Each tale feels distinct yet connected by a thread of emotional intensity and unexpected twists. I appreciated how the themes—betrayal, revenge, love, morality, and more—were explored through different lenses, making the reading experience feel fresh with every turn of the page.

Some stories made me pause and reflect, others had me racing to the end to see what would happen. The blend of genres kept things unpredictable, and the endings? Definitely not what I expected. If you enjoy short fiction that surprises and stirs, this collection is worth diving into.

[Shoshana Yarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun short and easy reads for adults. The title says it as the 16 short stories are of a variety in nature. Each story involves people’s struggles and decisions, especially where a wrong decision reaps the consequences. Most of the stories have a lesson to be learned, but often too late for the intended. Though many of the acts involve serious events such as adultery or murder, there are takeaways one can apply to their own life in making right decisions with that inner voice.
Reminiscent of “The Twilight Zone” in some of their twists, turns and hints of the supernatural, the endings are often a surprise. Not recommended for children in light of the adult content, but non offensive for the most part. I would recommend especially for those times one needs a short pastime or distraction.

[Damir Salkovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

As promised in the title, Tajammul Kothari's debut short fiction collection covers a variety of themes and tones. The pieces themselves are brief and well-written, with straightforward plots and engaging dialogue. Love, loss, redemption, and family dynamics are all explored in a way that's both accessible and reflective. While some stories/characters could have used more development and the settings occasionally felt out of place, the writing itself is strong and purposeful. Overall, it's a very successful debut that leaves me curious to see what the author does next.

[Amber Daulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. There’s a little something for everyone, from romance to horror. Each story has a theme of moral dilemma, whether it’s redemption, betrayal, love, crime, and more. While some stories are better than others, I liked them all. Beware, though, there are some great plot twists, but a few came out of nowhere. Still, I like being surprised. It happens so rarely for this jaded reader.
Since the stories are so short, the word count isn’t bogged down with lots of description. In fact, it’s pretty dialogue heavy with fast pacing, which fits well with the short-story format.
Kids and young adults alike can enjoy.
4 Stars

[David J Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mixed Bag by Tajammul Kothari is a fun and fast-paced collection of short stories that cover everything from romance to revenge with a dash of drama and humour. Each tale offers a twist you probably won't see coming and the characters get themselves into some wild situations. It is like flipping through a TV anthology show with a little something for everyone. Some stories are heartfelt while others lean into the outrageous and it keeps you guessing what comes next. Perfect for readers who enjoy quick bites of fiction with plenty of flair and a splash of soap opera energy.

[Eric Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed Bag is an aptly named collection of short stories, with genres from children's fiction to horror. The stories themselves are dedicated to moral lessons and are told with simple arcs fueled by betrayal, revenge, and occasionally redemption. The best aspect of the book is the creativity, there are plenty of good storylines to choose from. There isn't a great deal of development in character or plot, partly due to the short format, and this is the aspect that could use improvement. I enjoyed many of the tales, and it is an overall impressive debut.

[Brenda E. Mcdaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very imaginative mixture of short stories. I received a PDF file of the book full of editing errors, but hopefully they were corrected upon publishing it? The stories always ended with a moral to them, or the evil characters got what they deserved. I think explicit sexual themes and cuss words were over used, though. This kind of content isn't what a good book is about, it's a Good Story! A story that helps, encourages or guides the reader to remember the book with good memories not sad or disgusted memories. But, the author has great potential!