First Kicking, Then Not

by Hannah Grieco

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Literary Fiction

114 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Hildie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful stories about the complexity of being a woman in this world and longing for. . . longing. . . the sweet pain of feeling like you matter, like you are you, like you can just be and that might be ok too.

[Teresa]

I received this book of flash stories -- all about escape, mostly of women running away (in reality or fantasy) from their families -- as part of my 2025 Stanchion book-club membership.

[Norah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah Grieco’s debut book is a slim but powerful collection of short stories that are at times funny, at times devastating, and always full of heart, intensity, and life. Read my full review in Washington Unbound at https://www.washington-unbound.com/bo....

[Holly Pelesky · Rating 5 out of 5]

a delightful collection—at times feels middle-aged, at times coming of age. the writer is whip smart, the sentences have rhythm and momentum. sex positive, positively horny even. not straight at all, nothing about this book is expected or tired. grieco is playful, inquisitive. a tight little collection you can read in one sitting. grieco as a narrator is a mother and a sister and also a best friend and maybe also someone you swipe right on.

[Francesca Leader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut collection from the phenomenal Hannah Grieco is 15 tracks, no skips, including two of my favorite stories ever (by anyone, not just by her), “Tradition” and “The Gold Standard.” The women and girls in this book are relatably tired and overwhelmed, hungry for purpose and connection. Grieco’s voice, at once blunt and graceful, leans toward a dark, defiant humor that lets you know that while these characters may struggle, they’re survivors determined to find what they’re looking for, even if it means blowing up the people-pleasing lives largely chosen for them by others. Get this book now. I guarantee you, it will make you feel something. 🔥 💪 😭 🙏

[Michelle Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flipping brilliant. This compilation of essays is dark, raw, and unflinchingly honest. If you’re a mother who’s never once imagined leaving your children, this book may not be for you. But if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the destruction of your former self as you disappeared into motherhood, you’ll weep at the mirror this book holds up.

[Karen Carlson]

h/t Samuel Ashworth on Bluesky, upcoming event.

[Jennie Apter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love so much about this debut book from Hannah Grieco-the way it intersects love and horror, beauty and literal monstrosity, truth and nightmare/ dream. I was reeled in by the strong female characters in the first story and each one thereafter, and then slammed in the best way by the twists and turns and true surprises, so rare these days. I read it early one morning and then again a few times. It feels a feminist collection, an ode to women, how they are seen and not, without ever being heavy handed, and always keeping humor, surprise, while deeply poignant, too.

I was lucky enough to first read Hannah’s acerbic wit and gift for elevating mundane real life into something else entirely in tiny snippets in some shared communities we both belong. I’m sure I am one of so many so glad to read more, more, more she’s putting in the world and am sure new readers of this collection will add themselves to that list. This is a new favorite. 💕

[Sarah Tollok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each story in First Kicking, Then Not feels like dropping midway into an ongoing conversation with someone you know so well but want to know better and everything they are saying is so true that you vibrate with the trueness of it but also you keep getting caught up in how great they are with words, so much so that you're afraid you're missing something important, maybe. But then maybe that slight disorientation, that bedazzlement, is also part of the trueness.

It's themes of running away and gathering in, expanding and settling, masquerading and unmasking. Yeah, that's Hannah Grieco's style. It's a mirrored disco ball of brilliant writing that reflects all these little, beautiful, brutal, true moments.

[Jan Stinchcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious collection you can read straight through, with an emphasis on what happens to female-bodied characters sacrificed to motherhood under capitalism.

[Nina Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this treasure of flash fiction on my flight to Cincinnati. Each one of Hannah Grieco's stories is a master class in character development. Her MCs leap off the page with humor, horror, or heartbreak, sometimes all three. You will find yourselves cheering for these women bold enough to break convention and live their authentic selves. Other times, you will wonder if you are trapped like some of them and wish for your great escape. From hallucinating Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to mom-sters in all of us, Hannah has a way of showing us we are not alone, we are not trapped, and she is giving us keys to help us succeed.

I would not have found this book were it not for being a part of the Stanchion Book club. Highly recommend!

[Josh Rank · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat to read such effortless writing.

[Angela Joynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me say, FIRST KICKING THEN NOT is NOT about pregnancy loss…thank goodness! Because for some reason that’s what I thought it would be! Which says more about me than it does about the title!

This is a fabulous collection of gritty realistic (sometimes spooky and not so realistic), sometimes R rated stories. Hannah Greico has a knack for capturing the voices of others, for crisp dialogue that rings true. Which is a treat!

The collection includes stories about coming of age, relationships, sex, regret, functioning on the edge of sanity, dysfunction, disordered eating and so much more. It’s an incredible slice of the pie of life!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection, best read in small bits so you can think about and appreciate the individual stories. A lot to relate to about the difficulties of being a woman in this world. I related most to the stories about losing yourself after having children. There’s a recurrent theme of transformation—the women change, grow, become new and different people, and meet with constant resistance from those around them; in many stories they resort to dramatic actions to be themselves. Which tells me we need a more flexible and forgiving society.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, strange short stories all tied together with the theme of female dissatisfaction. Some lean more into the surreal ("First Kicking, Then Not" and "The Gold Standard" while others ("To Rest Her Feet, To Feel Like Other Girls" and "Nina Parker Chooses Nymphomania" are more rooted in reality. Grieco plays with form to varying levels of success; it's nice seeing flash fiction outside of literary magazines. Maybe could use five to ten more stories to be a more robust collection.

[Courtney LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories about running, about seeking, about chasing what you want, what you need, what you'll do anything to get. These stories are compelling and left me wanting more! Highly recommend!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single story left me jealous and wishing I was a better prose writer.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don't know Hannah Grieco's writing, you should! I love this book, and it's hopefully the first of many, many, many more.