I first saw Leesa Cross-Smith’s book of short stories in a bookshop, attracted by the title and cover. I’m always after books that I can dip in and out of (i.e., so I don’t stay up too late reading) so this short story collection sounded like fun. However, I did end up being unable to put it down after I realised that there are interconnected stories!

The book contains stories of varying length from one to two pages to others that span ten to twenty pages. Some are told in the first person, others in the third person but they all focus on women and relationships. Some are about strong romantic relationships; others are about bad men and less suitable relationships. Some stories focus on the depths of female friendship and others on growing up. The neat thing about these stories is that they don’t hold anything back, spelling out the bad and awkward times in addition to the hood ones. It’s about life in all its messiness and doesn’t shy away from any topic. However, all the characters have some ideal – or close to – that they are chasing. Some know that what they’re doing won’t end up in glory, but they are honest and want it anyway (e.g., the love of a bad man, which is followed up in one of the later stories. It didn’t end up well, but it had benefits). Other stories are wonderfully nostalgic of summer, teenage years and growing up.

What I loved was that about halfway or so through the book I noticed some recurring characters. Some are just hints, some are obvious. (I’m also wondering what I missed). I was very eager to try and spy any more connections as I read through the stories. Some of the really short stories didn’t hit me with the same intensity as others, but I think that’s me rather than the author. Overall, the stories are intriguing, passionate and alive.

Don’t forget to read the inspirations in full at the end for a super hit of nostalgia and an awesome playlist.

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This short story collection is scented by all things Southern - butter-wouldn't-melt, bless-your-heart - and all things feminine and feminist. The women search out trouble sometimes and back away reluctantly other times, but they are always thinking, moving, and giving off heat and pheromones. They are in their twenties, thirties, and forties, trying to figure what they've been cheated out of and what they can gain by cheating. The men are backdrops - winsome shadows of obviousness. The loyalty is all sisterhood-powerful until temptation snakes in, and hardly a character is on her best behavior. All of these stories, even the one that’s a mere page-and-a-half, leaps out from the book covers with exuberance and grace, humor and wisdom.

Quotes: "We are wild and cannot be tamed. They want us to be witches so they can burn us. We use our own lust-flames to fuel us and keep us warm."

"He had a knife in his pocket, he rode a motorcycle, he looked like he'd done everything at least once."

"I even like his stink - hot wild onions in burnt brown-sugar dirt."

"She snaps to normal in the way that only women can when they're holding up the Earth." ( )