Mating Calls: The Problem with Lexie and Number Seven

by Jessica Anya Blau

How did she land in bed with a lover- and then his son? Two tales of young women behaving badly-in charmingly reckless ways.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2014

About the author

Jessica Anya Blau is the author of the nationally bestselling novel The Summer of Naked Swim Parties and the critically acclaimed Drinking Closer to Home.

Reviews

[John Gilbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jessica Anya Blau's books are entertaining to say the least. This very short pair of stories are no exception, the first is a snippet of her full book The Trouble with Lexie, while Number 7 is not related to any of her other books. Not sure what the point is or what she is trying to say as both women MC's are pretty unlikable. Not her best work. 2+ stars.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a reader, I often find myself with pockets of time when I don’t feel like starting a novel or continuing with one. I’m talking about during my lunch hour, or the 45 minutes before falling asleep, or waiting for a child at an appointment or … whatever. You want something short and quick, yet you want to feel your time wasn’t wasted on fluff.

At least I do.

That’s where Shebooks come in. According to their website, “Shebooks is the new e-book publisher of great short stories by women, for women. We publish short memoirs, fiction, essays, and long-form journalism by some of the best writers in the United States and beyond, both well-known and yet to be discovered. Each Shebook is between the length of a magazine article and a book—long enough to immerse yourself for a plane ride, or a good read before bed.”

I love this concept, and I think that this will resonate with a lot of busy women. Several titles are available now each for $2.99, and plans are in the works to launch a subscription service this spring. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try.

My first Shebooks download (actually courtesy of NetGalley) was the very fun and highly entertaining Mating Calls by Jessica Anya Blau, author of The Wonder Bread Summer, Drinking Closer to Home, and The Summer of Naked Swim Parties. I had heard of Ms. Blau previously, but hadn’t read her work.

Mating Calls consists of two short stories, “The Problem with Lexie” and “No. Seven,” both of which I really liked and read while waiting for my daughter at gymnastics practice last Monday. (See what I did there?) In “The Problem with Lexie,” this chick – that would be Lexie – is a high school guidance counselor having an affair with the father of one of her students. Her life is a bit out of control, to say the least. She’s one hell of a hot mess, sinking into a Klonopin and alcohol-induced spiral.

The thing is, we all know that person like Lexie – or were on the cusp of being her at one time – which makes “The Problem with Lexie” so relatable.

Flashbacks to high school resurface in the second story, “No. Seven,” when now-grown up Zandra runs into someone she once knew intimately. The reasons why are excruciatingly sad, but how she eventually handles the situation is brilliant. Still, our grown-up hearts break for what teenage Zandra doesn’t know and give a standing ovation for what grown-up Zandra does. We remember our own teasing and our own mortifying moments of wannabe acceptance and struggles of insecurity, and we have our own kick-ass moments, if only in our mind.

These were escapism stories, fiction that took my mind off of the worries of the day and week. Jessica Anya Blau’s writing was-whip-smart-fast and kept me grinning to myself, living vicariously through Lexie in particular while the other moms at gymnastics practice chased around after toddlers and sippy cups. (I don’t miss those days.)

All this for $2.99.

As I said, I’m excited about this idea and to see where this goes. I have a few other Shebooks on my Kindle and am looking forward to several others that are expected shortly. To learn more, visit Shebooks.net.

[Lynne Lemon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two quick stories, by the author of the fabulous “Mary Jane,” that were entertaining enough. Loved the length; it was a perfect palette cleanse while I found my next “curl up, dig into the plot and stay awhile” book. The first story is about Lexie, a high school counselor who ends up in the bed of a student’s father, then his mother’s bed and finally experiences intimacy with the student himself. Lex is a bit of a mess; and I was just as happy to part company with her when the story ended. “Number 7,” the second tale, was much more to my liking. This quick story delved into the insecurity we all experienced in our school girl days. Best of all, the common fantasy of ultimately being the one in power and exacting revenge is deliciously realized. No real life changers and nothing here that I’ll be talking or thinking about in the weeks to come, but a solid 3 stars and worth the small amount of time invested.

[Pedalhead · Rating 1 out of 5]

doesn't even rate one star. I thought this book would be something other than the slime it was. But it was short that was one good thing. I was hoping in the end Lexie would let everyone know what a douse bag she's sleeping with. Unlikable, 1-dimensional characters, lousy ending.

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 1 out of 5]

What was the mess I just listen too?

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had finished Blau's book Mary Jane and decided to look at what else the author had written. These two short stories were a little dark but still very good. Very quick read.

[Liviania · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third fiction Shebook I read and the only one by an author I was familiar with. Jessica Anya Blau's two short stories aren't related, except by some uniting themes. "The Problem with Lexie" is the tale of a school counselor making some very bad decisions regarding pills and her love life and "No. 7" is about (Alex)Zandra spotting a former lover by chance in a Ross Dress for Less.

I liked both narrators, although Alexandra has the advantage of being removed from her terrible relationship decision. I enjoyed Lexie's narration even at her worst behavior, however. I enjoyed how fun both of Blau's stories were, even when they dealt with unpleasant things.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first foray into Shebooks, but I must say that it was quite entertaining. This offering from Jessica Anya Blau contained two short, easy to read, steamy novellas. Each was written well and both had a good balance of character development and story. Ms. Blau writes with sass and humor, I had a few laugh out loud moments. This is the perfect thing to have on hand for those occasions when you just have a small window of reading opportunity and you want something quick but meaty.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unconscious

Reading about characters who live their lives unexamined is not my thing. These stories get 2stars only because of good writing, but for my money, using sex and lack of morals as vehicles is too easy and way too common nowadays.