What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
21 days and 23:14:53
15 copies available
U.S. only
Desperate Bodies
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26Win a free print copy of this book!
21 days and 23:14:53
15 copies available
U.S. only
From a ferocious new talent, a debut story collection excavating the desire, humor, and horror in the everyday lives of Black women and girls—for readers of Deesha Philyaw and Kelly Link
With a voice that vibrates on the page, Lydia Mathis’ debut collection is set in the American South and her sharply drawn, authentic characters shine a light on what we’re willing to do to ourselves and to others in service of our desires. The madness in the ordinary rules an overworked college safety officer is confronted by a bloody figure who walks into her office; a sex worker runs into a client en route to a parent-teacher conference; a teacher is plagued by a ghost determined to tidy her apartment.
Desperate Bodies depicts the fragility, strength, and unruliness of Black women and girls’ bodies and the power in being honest about their desires. In unflinching prose, Mathis takes a frank and determined look at what it means to be subjected to imbalances of power through the perspectives of young girls and adult women. With surprising turns and a touch of the supernatural, these stories refuse to look away from the most honest, raw moments of womanhood.
Visceral and unyielding, Desperate Bodies is a thrillingly dark ride that introduces Lydia Mathis as a major new writer.
With a voice that vibrates on the page, Lydia Mathis’ debut collection is set in the American South and her sharply drawn, authentic characters shine a light on what we’re willing to do to ourselves and to others in service of our desires. The madness in the ordinary rules an overworked college safety officer is confronted by a bloody figure who walks into her office; a sex worker runs into a client en route to a parent-teacher conference; a teacher is plagued by a ghost determined to tidy her apartment.
Desperate Bodies depicts the fragility, strength, and unruliness of Black women and girls’ bodies and the power in being honest about their desires. In unflinching prose, Mathis takes a frank and determined look at what it means to be subjected to imbalances of power through the perspectives of young girls and adult women. With surprising turns and a touch of the supernatural, these stories refuse to look away from the most honest, raw moments of womanhood.
Visceral and unyielding, Desperate Bodies is a thrillingly dark ride that introduces Lydia Mathis as a major new writer.
288 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 15, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 2, 2026
I thought this short story collection was incredible. I loved the themes that ran throughout of girlhood, womanhood, mother and daughter relationships, and the deep focus on the experiences of Black women and girls. Normally when I read short story collections, I come out with 1 or 2 favourites, but I found SO many of these so impactful and interesting and gripping. The vast range of genres and feelings was impressive, with some stories being sad, some funny, some genuinely horrifying, some truly weird. I felt like I really experienced a bunch of different perspectives and lives as I read through. I will definitely be interested in reading any other work that comes from this author, for sure.
My favourite stories were girlhood lessons, push, precious, and the long sleep.
thank you to #netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the eARC (pub date: sep 15 2026)
My favourite stories were girlhood lessons, push, precious, and the long sleep.
thank you to #netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the eARC (pub date: sep 15 2026)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Desperate Bodies
by Lydia Mathis
I was delighted to receive an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, Grove Atlantic.
Desperate Bodies is a collection of short stories centred around African American experiences, exploring themes of gender roles, family dynamics, envy, isolation, and shame.
The writing, in places, is poignant and thought-provoking. However, for me, these moments felt inconsistent across the collection, and I would have loved more of that lyrical quality to be sustained throughout.
Each story held a sense of intrigue, particularly in how it reflects aspects of Black culture that felt familiar and resonant. At the same time, the book remains accessible through universal themes such as social rejection and the quiet build of anger when emotions are difficult to process.
There are elements of body horror and moments where the body functions as metaphor, alongside fable-like qualities in some of the stories, which added an interesting layer.
What didn’t fully land for me were the endings. I appreciate abstract and ambiguous writing, but I still look for a sense of resolution or emotional completion. Many of the stories left me wanting more in that regard.
Some of the pieces felt as though they could have been expanded into full-length novels, as the ideas within them were strong and compelling.
Standout stories for me included The Long Sleep, which was beautifully sorrowful; Under the Covers, which captured that timeless tension between admiration and envy; and A Body that Walks Into Public Safety, which highlighted how easily systems of power can be trusted despite visible harm.
The story that most aligned with my personal taste was Empty Apartment. I found its exploration of personal boundaries, self-acceptance, purpose, and unexpected companionship particularly affecting.
I also enjoyed Will You Be My Valentine? which touched on coming-of-age themes, attraction, and the cost of expectation. Although the ending didn’t fully land for me, it felt like one of the stronger pieces in the collection.
At times, I found myself wishing the longer or more developed stories were more evenly dispersed throughout the anthology to help maintain engagement.
Lydia Mathis clearly has talent, with a curious and thoughtful approach to exploring Black female perspectives in relation to gender, friendship, and attraction.
Overall, while there are flashes of brilliance, the collection felt uneven in execution.
3/5
by Lydia Mathis
I was delighted to receive an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, Grove Atlantic.
Desperate Bodies is a collection of short stories centred around African American experiences, exploring themes of gender roles, family dynamics, envy, isolation, and shame.
The writing, in places, is poignant and thought-provoking. However, for me, these moments felt inconsistent across the collection, and I would have loved more of that lyrical quality to be sustained throughout.
Each story held a sense of intrigue, particularly in how it reflects aspects of Black culture that felt familiar and resonant. At the same time, the book remains accessible through universal themes such as social rejection and the quiet build of anger when emotions are difficult to process.
There are elements of body horror and moments where the body functions as metaphor, alongside fable-like qualities in some of the stories, which added an interesting layer.
What didn’t fully land for me were the endings. I appreciate abstract and ambiguous writing, but I still look for a sense of resolution or emotional completion. Many of the stories left me wanting more in that regard.
Some of the pieces felt as though they could have been expanded into full-length novels, as the ideas within them were strong and compelling.
Standout stories for me included The Long Sleep, which was beautifully sorrowful; Under the Covers, which captured that timeless tension between admiration and envy; and A Body that Walks Into Public Safety, which highlighted how easily systems of power can be trusted despite visible harm.
The story that most aligned with my personal taste was Empty Apartment. I found its exploration of personal boundaries, self-acceptance, purpose, and unexpected companionship particularly affecting.
I also enjoyed Will You Be My Valentine? which touched on coming-of-age themes, attraction, and the cost of expectation. Although the ending didn’t fully land for me, it felt like one of the stronger pieces in the collection.
At times, I found myself wishing the longer or more developed stories were more evenly dispersed throughout the anthology to help maintain engagement.
Lydia Mathis clearly has talent, with a curious and thoughtful approach to exploring Black female perspectives in relation to gender, friendship, and attraction.
Overall, while there are flashes of brilliance, the collection felt uneven in execution.
3/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Really enjoyed this collection of short stories from debut novelist Mathis.
Across the collection, Mathis explores the experiences of Black girls and women through recurring ideas surrounding the body: the ways bodies can restrict, expose, empower, protect and betray us. The stories move between realism, horror and the paranormal, but remain grounded in deeply human experiences.
Mathis’ writing is visceral, poetic and at times darkly comedic. Her graphic imagery can be uncomfortable to sit with, but that tension is part of what makes the collection.
One thing I especially appreciated was Mathis’ restraint with conclusions, many of the stories resist neat or overly explained endings. While there were moments where I wanted more (mostly because the narratives were so compelling) the ambiguity generally felt intentional rather than unfinished. Parent Teacher Conference especially left me wanting to stay with the story longer, whereas Precious struck a satisfying balance between resolution and openness.
In saying that, at times certain emotional dynamics felt somewhat overdetermined, with some character relationships following more familiar trajectories than I expected. The main characters did also follow a fairly similar character type: quiet, misunderstood, isolated and struggling to connect with others, which began to feel a bit formulaic. I would have loved a bit more variation across the protagonists.
The Growing Oak Tree was a standout for me. Although the story draws on familiar themes of vulnerability and predation, Mathis flips the narrative structure in a way that creates something both strangely intimate and deeply unsettling. Tinder Date was another standout. Although the collection deals with some very heavy subject matter, this story provided a slightly lighter tonal shift without losing the emotional weight of the broader collection.
While certain stories worked better for me than others, the collection felt cohesive in tone and focus. Overall, this was a strong and memorable debut collection, and I’m very interested to see what Mathis does next.
Across the collection, Mathis explores the experiences of Black girls and women through recurring ideas surrounding the body: the ways bodies can restrict, expose, empower, protect and betray us. The stories move between realism, horror and the paranormal, but remain grounded in deeply human experiences.
Mathis’ writing is visceral, poetic and at times darkly comedic. Her graphic imagery can be uncomfortable to sit with, but that tension is part of what makes the collection.
One thing I especially appreciated was Mathis’ restraint with conclusions, many of the stories resist neat or overly explained endings. While there were moments where I wanted more (mostly because the narratives were so compelling) the ambiguity generally felt intentional rather than unfinished. Parent Teacher Conference especially left me wanting to stay with the story longer, whereas Precious struck a satisfying balance between resolution and openness.
In saying that, at times certain emotional dynamics felt somewhat overdetermined, with some character relationships following more familiar trajectories than I expected. The main characters did also follow a fairly similar character type: quiet, misunderstood, isolated and struggling to connect with others, which began to feel a bit formulaic. I would have loved a bit more variation across the protagonists.
The Growing Oak Tree was a standout for me. Although the story draws on familiar themes of vulnerability and predation, Mathis flips the narrative structure in a way that creates something both strangely intimate and deeply unsettling. Tinder Date was another standout. Although the collection deals with some very heavy subject matter, this story provided a slightly lighter tonal shift without losing the emotional weight of the broader collection.
While certain stories worked better for me than others, the collection felt cohesive in tone and focus. Overall, this was a strong and memorable debut collection, and I’m very interested to see what Mathis does next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you ot NetGalley for this ARC.
Desperate Bodies by Lydia Mathis is a powerful collection of short stories that explores deeply familiar emotional experiences. What can I say but wow! These stories not only pull you in but also give you space to reflect on your own feelings through someone else’s experience
From the first story, I was immediately taken back to my childhood, where I didn’t understand grown folks’ business but was still pulled into it, my innocent actions labeled as “fast” or “smelling myself
These stories reflect that same need to feel seen, especially when living in the shadow of an older relative, while also revealing the quiet reluctance some caregivers have to take on more than they can carry.
I appreciated how the collection evolves. The earlier stories feel more accessible, but as you continue reading, the emotional complexity deepens. Some readers may walk away unsure how to interpret certain stories, and that’s okay. Mathis has created a collection centered on desires, yearning, and belonging that may not reflect every reality, but will speak to someone. At times, I caught myself thinking, “I can’t see a Black woman doing that.” But that discomfort felt intentional. Just because I couldn’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
The stories that stayed with me the most were Girlhood Lessons, Push, Under the Covers, A Body Walks into Public Safety, The Long Sleep, Will You Be My Valentine, Empty Apartment, and The Growing Oak Tree. Each one resonated differently, but all reflected the themes of yearning, self-discovery, and the search to be seen exactly what makes this collection so powerful.
I can see so many people enjoying this book, especially if you enjoy short reads. Though I'll warn you, if you're not careful, you can easily finish this book in a day, as I did. I also think Desperate Bodies would make a powerful choice for book clubs, and I plan to recommend it to my own in the fall.
Desperate Bodies by Lydia Mathis is a powerful collection of short stories that explores deeply familiar emotional experiences. What can I say but wow! These stories not only pull you in but also give you space to reflect on your own feelings through someone else’s experience
From the first story, I was immediately taken back to my childhood, where I didn’t understand grown folks’ business but was still pulled into it, my innocent actions labeled as “fast” or “smelling myself
These stories reflect that same need to feel seen, especially when living in the shadow of an older relative, while also revealing the quiet reluctance some caregivers have to take on more than they can carry.
I appreciated how the collection evolves. The earlier stories feel more accessible, but as you continue reading, the emotional complexity deepens. Some readers may walk away unsure how to interpret certain stories, and that’s okay. Mathis has created a collection centered on desires, yearning, and belonging that may not reflect every reality, but will speak to someone. At times, I caught myself thinking, “I can’t see a Black woman doing that.” But that discomfort felt intentional. Just because I couldn’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
The stories that stayed with me the most were Girlhood Lessons, Push, Under the Covers, A Body Walks into Public Safety, The Long Sleep, Will You Be My Valentine, Empty Apartment, and The Growing Oak Tree. Each one resonated differently, but all reflected the themes of yearning, self-discovery, and the search to be seen exactly what makes this collection so powerful.
I can see so many people enjoying this book, especially if you enjoy short reads. Though I'll warn you, if you're not careful, you can easily finish this book in a day, as I did. I also think Desperate Bodies would make a powerful choice for book clubs, and I plan to recommend it to my own in the fall.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There’s something about Desperate Bodies that feels both unsettling and familiar at the same time. The voice here doesn’t just tell stories, it hums underneath them, almost vibrating on the page. Every story pulls you into a version of the American South that feels real, complicated, and a little haunted, not just by ghosts, but by choices, pressure, and desire.
Some of these moments felt surprisingly familiar, even when the stories themselves drifted into strange or supernatural territory. A woman trying to hold it together at work. A mother balancing responsibilities while carrying secrets. A girl learning, maybe too early, how power works. Even when the stories take a sharp turn into the surreal, the emotions grounding them feel very real. That mix made it easy to connect, but not always easy to sit with.
Nothing here is softened. The writing is direct, sometimes uncomfortable, and very honest about what it means to live in a body that is constantly being watched, judged, or pulled in different directions. There’s a strong focus on Black women and girls navigating power, desire, and vulnerability, and the stories don’t look away from the messy parts of that. Some moments are quiet, others hit harder, but they all feel intentional.
I also liked how the collection plays with tone. One story might lean eerie, another almost darkly humorous, and then suddenly you’re in something deeply emotional. That unpredictability kept me engaged, even when certain stories felt heavier than others.
Desperate Bodies is a memorable collection that blends raw emotion, sharp observations, and just enough unsettling moments to keep you fully locked in. The stories may be dark at times, but they feel deeply human.
Thanks Netgalley and Grove Atlantic
|Roxane Gay Books for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Some of these moments felt surprisingly familiar, even when the stories themselves drifted into strange or supernatural territory. A woman trying to hold it together at work. A mother balancing responsibilities while carrying secrets. A girl learning, maybe too early, how power works. Even when the stories take a sharp turn into the surreal, the emotions grounding them feel very real. That mix made it easy to connect, but not always easy to sit with.
Nothing here is softened. The writing is direct, sometimes uncomfortable, and very honest about what it means to live in a body that is constantly being watched, judged, or pulled in different directions. There’s a strong focus on Black women and girls navigating power, desire, and vulnerability, and the stories don’t look away from the messy parts of that. Some moments are quiet, others hit harder, but they all feel intentional.
I also liked how the collection plays with tone. One story might lean eerie, another almost darkly humorous, and then suddenly you’re in something deeply emotional. That unpredictability kept me engaged, even when certain stories felt heavier than others.
Desperate Bodies is a memorable collection that blends raw emotion, sharp observations, and just enough unsettling moments to keep you fully locked in. The stories may be dark at times, but they feel deeply human.
Thanks Netgalley and Grove Atlantic
|Roxane Gay Books for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✦•┈๑⋅⋯ Desperate Bodies by Lydia Mathis ⋯⋅๑┈•✦
• 4/5 ☆ •
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Desperate Bodies is one of those collections that sits heavy in your chest. It focuses on some of the everyday experiences of Black girls and women, and as someone who’s mixed, I felt seen in a way that doesn’t happen often. The stories move through exhaustion, resilience, humor, fear, and the quiet (and not so quiet) moments that shape a life, and they do it with a voice that feels lived in instead of performative.
Some pieces lean into quiet horror, and those were some of my favorites. They’re grounded in real emotional truths, the kind that makes your skin itch because they’re familiar. Even when the stories touched on heavier topics, they didn’t tip into being too much. There’s a balance here that feels intentional and respectful of the experiences being portrayed.
What stood out to me most was how honest the collection is about the constant struggles Black women face, and how those struggles can shape identity, relationships, and self worth. It’s the kind of book that resonates whether you’ve lived these realities or you’re trying to understand them with more depth and compassion.
It’s thoughtful, sharp, and full of emotion, and it delivers its impact without ever feeling overwhelming.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ black girlhood 🖤
✔️ quiet horror
✔️ emotional realism
✔️ identity and survival
✔️ character driven stories
✔️ literary short fiction
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
📅 Pub Day: Sep 15, 2026 📚
💌 ARC gifted via NetGalley from Grove Atlantic. All opinions are my own.
• 4/5 ☆ •
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Desperate Bodies is one of those collections that sits heavy in your chest. It focuses on some of the everyday experiences of Black girls and women, and as someone who’s mixed, I felt seen in a way that doesn’t happen often. The stories move through exhaustion, resilience, humor, fear, and the quiet (and not so quiet) moments that shape a life, and they do it with a voice that feels lived in instead of performative.
Some pieces lean into quiet horror, and those were some of my favorites. They’re grounded in real emotional truths, the kind that makes your skin itch because they’re familiar. Even when the stories touched on heavier topics, they didn’t tip into being too much. There’s a balance here that feels intentional and respectful of the experiences being portrayed.
What stood out to me most was how honest the collection is about the constant struggles Black women face, and how those struggles can shape identity, relationships, and self worth. It’s the kind of book that resonates whether you’ve lived these realities or you’re trying to understand them with more depth and compassion.
It’s thoughtful, sharp, and full of emotion, and it delivers its impact without ever feeling overwhelming.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ black girlhood 🖤
✔️ quiet horror
✔️ emotional realism
✔️ identity and survival
✔️ character driven stories
✔️ literary short fiction
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
📅 Pub Day: Sep 15, 2026 📚
💌 ARC gifted via NetGalley from Grove Atlantic. All opinions are my own.
May 7, 2026
thank you, netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
“desperate bodies” by lydia mathis is a collection of extremely dark short stories centered around women of color—specifically, around black women. the stories selected that were selected were written well. it was the perfect number of stories—not too little and not too much. it was a great number to demonstrate mathis’ fluid and biting writing style. we got a little bit of everything when it comes to the more unhinged subgenre of literary fiction—the sarcasm, humor, gross parts.
the middle section got a bit redundant but the stories did get a lot better towards the end (especially “the growing oak tree” which FREAKED me out). the overall endings to most of the stories were anticlimactic, i wish that mathis had fleshed them out a lot more personally.
this is perfect for fans of otessa moshfegh, mona awad, and weird girl lit! personally, i liked the stories but it did make me feel extremely gross and anxious. i don’t see myself reading anything from her again because my reading preferences have shifted to more lighter stories—but man, mathis sure is talented and i am so impressed that her debut was THIS!
so if you’re confused by my review—basically it’s this: a solid short story collection. great writing style, very dark. if you like horror, you’ll love it. if you don’t like horror, skip it.
“desperate bodies” will be out on september 15, 2026!
“desperate bodies” by lydia mathis is a collection of extremely dark short stories centered around women of color—specifically, around black women. the stories selected that were selected were written well. it was the perfect number of stories—not too little and not too much. it was a great number to demonstrate mathis’ fluid and biting writing style. we got a little bit of everything when it comes to the more unhinged subgenre of literary fiction—the sarcasm, humor, gross parts.
the middle section got a bit redundant but the stories did get a lot better towards the end (especially “the growing oak tree” which FREAKED me out). the overall endings to most of the stories were anticlimactic, i wish that mathis had fleshed them out a lot more personally.
this is perfect for fans of otessa moshfegh, mona awad, and weird girl lit! personally, i liked the stories but it did make me feel extremely gross and anxious. i don’t see myself reading anything from her again because my reading preferences have shifted to more lighter stories—but man, mathis sure is talented and i am so impressed that her debut was THIS!
so if you’re confused by my review—basically it’s this: a solid short story collection. great writing style, very dark. if you like horror, you’ll love it. if you don’t like horror, skip it.
“desperate bodies” will be out on september 15, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3,5⭐️ I’ve been trying to find a short stories collection that I consistently love. Unfortunately, this isn’t the one. This collection has really great stories (such as Precious, The Growing Oak Tree, Push and Parent-teacher Conference) but there are also some that should’ve been left out imo. At a certain point is was done with the ‘I’m a girl on high school that wants to be liked’ stories. I did love the focus on Black girls’ and women’s perspective.
I’m really looking forward to any future novels by this author, especially since there were some amazing short stories in this collection that I wish were longer.
Rating per story
Girlhood lessons⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Push ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Under the covers ⭐️⭐️
A body walks into public safety ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The long sleep ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Let the church say ⭐️⭐️
How to lose a friend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Parent-teacher conference ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
House party ⭐️
How to properly stalk boys ⭐️⭐️
Tinder date ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The last time i’ll laugh with my dad ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Will you be my valentine ⭐️⭐️
Empty apartment ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The growing oak tree ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Precious ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Grove Atlantic for this ARC.
I’m really looking forward to any future novels by this author, especially since there were some amazing short stories in this collection that I wish were longer.
Rating per story
Girlhood lessons⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Push ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Under the covers ⭐️⭐️
A body walks into public safety ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The long sleep ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Let the church say ⭐️⭐️
How to lose a friend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Parent-teacher conference ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
House party ⭐️
How to properly stalk boys ⭐️⭐️
Tinder date ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The last time i’ll laugh with my dad ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Will you be my valentine ⭐️⭐️
Empty apartment ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The growing oak tree ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Precious ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Grove Atlantic for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing an advanced e-copy of this collection of stories. This book showcases the experiences of Black women as they explore themes of desire, danger, and self-discovery. The stories are powerful and relatable, making it easy to see myself and the Black women I know in the narratives. Each tale is filled with deep emotions, touching on everything from complicated relationships and taking control of one’s body to finding joy even in tough times. The writing is striking and evocative, boldly addressing the complexities of being a Black woman and not shying away from both the struggles and celebrations of life. It’s a book that honors our experiences and transforms personal stories into a shared expression of strength and vulnerability. This is an uplifting read that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Couldn't put this down. Every single story was immersive, interesting, heartbreaking, relatable.
"Girlhood Lessons", "Push", "The Long sleep", "The Growing Oak Tree", and "Precious" were clear favorites for me.
Some themes that stuck out to me was the idea of safety and how as a woman/girl, we're never allowed the grace and comfort of it. Not with your grandmother, not with your commanding father, not with the guy you agree to go on a date with, not even with other girls. Many of these stories perfectly captured the perpetual cycle of women and girls never being safe but also never being allowed to be victims, to be vulnerable, to be fully realized humans.
These stories will stick with me.
Can't wait to read more from this author.
"Girlhood Lessons", "Push", "The Long sleep", "The Growing Oak Tree", and "Precious" were clear favorites for me.
Some themes that stuck out to me was the idea of safety and how as a woman/girl, we're never allowed the grace and comfort of it. Not with your grandmother, not with your commanding father, not with the guy you agree to go on a date with, not even with other girls. Many of these stories perfectly captured the perpetual cycle of women and girls never being safe but also never being allowed to be victims, to be vulnerable, to be fully realized humans.
These stories will stick with me.
Can't wait to read more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance copy courtesy of NetGalley.
I don’t normally enjoy books that are a collection of short stories, but oh my goodness…10/10 no notes. Every single story gripped me and left me thinking about it days after, even as I continued on to the next short story. So many of those stories were gut-wrenching, heart achingly beautiful. I saw myself in a piece of each story, I wanted to know more about either main character. Many stories moved me to tears, often leaving behind a gaping hole after I finished it, a hole that I was at a complete loss on how to fill. I absolutely loved it from start to finish. WOW. So incredibly beautiful.
I don’t normally enjoy books that are a collection of short stories, but oh my goodness…10/10 no notes. Every single story gripped me and left me thinking about it days after, even as I continued on to the next short story. So many of those stories were gut-wrenching, heart achingly beautiful. I saw myself in a piece of each story, I wanted to know more about either main character. Many stories moved me to tears, often leaving behind a gaping hole after I finished it, a hole that I was at a complete loss on how to fill. I absolutely loved it from start to finish. WOW. So incredibly beautiful.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.75/5
This is a pretty short (and quick to read) book.
This is kind of a short story collection, but they do all feel related. I didn't realize they were technically separate short stories until after I had finished.
I think a lot of people will relate to/take something away from this, but I really didn't care for the writing style. It kept me at a distance from the story with its flatness.
I do LOVE this cover though!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This is a pretty short (and quick to read) book.
This is kind of a short story collection, but they do all feel related. I didn't realize they were technically separate short stories until after I had finished.
I think a lot of people will relate to/take something away from this, but I really didn't care for the writing style. It kept me at a distance from the story with its flatness.
I do LOVE this cover though!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC for this book from NetGalley for free.
A perfect short story collection. I really enjoyed how many themes were tackled in these stories; religious trauma, black womanhood, misogyny, medical bias etc. I really enjoyed how horror adjacent a lot of the stories were and the rawness of the author's writing style.
Will definitely be keeping my eye open for the author’s upcoming work as well.
A perfect short story collection. I really enjoyed how many themes were tackled in these stories; religious trauma, black womanhood, misogyny, medical bias etc. I really enjoyed how horror adjacent a lot of the stories were and the rawness of the author's writing style.
Will definitely be keeping my eye open for the author’s upcoming work as well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This collection is fantastic! The description of Philyaw meets Link is right on. I love reading literary fiction about black girls, especially millennial and Gen Z black girls, and I loved every story in this collection. I think this one is going to be a big hit.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the ARC.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Amazing writing. I needed to take breaks between many of the stories and just rest with the characters. Other stories had me immediately going back to read them again. There is an emotional brutality in sections of the writing and yet the characters are so real that it doesn’t seem excessive. I am so glad that I received this through a Goodreads Giveaway and plan to recommend it in the fall.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Authentic and brutally honest. I love the relationships between mothers and daughters and all female characters. The fathers and brothers were a little rough but that is the way it was and sometimes is, so I understand this. The theme carries throughout the book, and it is well written and does not disappoint. I read in two sittings but I really wanted it to be one - a good read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As with any short story collection, there were some ups and downs, but overall a really solid collection with some relatable and valuable insights in girlhood, womanhood, and black femininity. Would recommend!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
NetGalley ARC
I wanted each of these unique short stories to be their own novel. This is masterful work in storytelling, character development, and plot in shorter form. I’m excited to see even more from this writer.
I wanted each of these unique short stories to be their own novel. This is masterful work in storytelling, character development, and plot in shorter form. I’m excited to see even more from this writer.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book felt so real, because so many women go through stuff like this. What I really enjoyed about this book was seeing and relating to woman/girlhood but the supernatural stuff I didn’t really like, mostly because sense it is a short story you never got to know what the supernatural was
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Loved this collection. Very polished and human. Each story earned its place. "Madness in the ordinary," the blurb aptly says.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Net Galley for the advance reader copy of this book!
As someone who often struggles to get into and enjoy short stories this collection really stood out to me. It truly examines many of the struggles women grapple with a throughout their lives including lack of safety, autonomy, and self expression. My only complaint is that many of the short stories left me wanting more when I finished them. I will definitely read more from this author!
As someone who often struggles to get into and enjoy short stories this collection really stood out to me. It truly examines many of the struggles women grapple with a throughout their lives including lack of safety, autonomy, and self expression. My only complaint is that many of the short stories left me wanting more when I finished them. I will definitely read more from this author!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews