Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I was sent a PR email inviting me to view this title. I really enjoyed reading all of the short stories in this collection!

I think it is just personal opinion and preference, but this book was just lacking something for me. I liked the way it was written and I liked the overall writing, but it just didn't get a full 5-stars for me. I did enjoy the cover art; it really pulled me in and made me want to read this book. Surely, other people did love it and I am very thankful to have read it. Trust me, I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounds great!

I have always found a chance to read short stories opens an author up to you and gives them access to reading list where a novel may never be started.
I found Oscar Martens a good storyteller with interesting quirking tales with wit and unusual ingredients. The stories are a twist in themselves, rather than a simple narrative with an unexpected ending.

Unfortunately in some ways this makes the actual story less memorable other than the instant gratification of finishing it. Like laughing at the jokes of a comedian and thinking they are funny but being unable to remember any jokes or even a punchline.

I left the last two stories to read to better illustrate my review - reading them just prior to writing this so I can speak with more clarity.

In “Killers are useful” you have a post- apocalyptic tale of how things might be in a small community trying to survive. How personal choice and ambition might become blurred and why the group’s choices may supplant individual freedom. The author in a short story raises ideas and issues longer novels may not address. But as mentioned above the nuisances between characters is hinted at but never resolved.

In “Lake Pinot” you have an enforced detox of an adult trying to impress his ‘to die for girlfriend’. Unfortunately for him this happen at a Christian outward bounds camp. His partner has all the faith; she has volunteered him to lead a canoe hike with 3 12 year-old boys. He lacks the authority, leadership and above all else he is without any alcohol. (In booze he trusts). Perhaps, his funniest short story, hopefully not at the expense of religion but due to the principal that what could go wrong, does. The campfire lighting is hilarious as is the frantic paddle back to camp.
Incidentally this last tale is my favourite; it is less complicated and the characters well drawn.

For all that I would recommend this author to you and I will look to reading more of their work.
For this insight, I am grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

This is a pretty solid collection. I didn't like all of them (no surprise), but the stories overall are good. A decent bet for literary anthology fans.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

Ok PARTY PEOPLE IN THE HOOOUSE! IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU ALL KNOW I'M A HUGE FAN OF SHORT STORIES/ANTHOLOGIES, AND THIS ONE DEEEEELIVERS. 5 GLOWING STARS! HIP HOP HOORAY. FINALLY SOMEONE GOT A WHOLE SHORT STORY BOOK RIGHT.

I HAVE EVEN READ THIS BOOK ALOUD, TO MY MOTHER, WHO BY THE WAY HAS SEMENTIA, AND EVEN THOUGH SHE CANNOT REMEMBER HER DOG'S NAME SOME OF THE TIMME, THESE SOMETIMES DARK AND TWISTY STORIES, MIRACULOUSLY SHE REMEMBERED.

I AM SO FREAKING PLEASED I DID A HAPPY DANCE WHILE HOLDING THE PHONE WITH MY MOM. OSCAR MARTENS, AUTHOR, I REALLY HOPE ALL MY SHORT STORY FRIENDS GRAB YOUR BOOK AND I WILL SURE TO TELL AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN.

BEST SHORT STORIES I HAVE READ IN A LONG ASS TIME.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO NEW YORK PUBLISHING, NETGALLEY, AND AUTHOR OSCAR MARTENS FOR MY ARC COPY AND A VERY HONEST REVIEW. KEEP THE SHORT STORIES COMING!!!!! 💕

A varied collection of stories, that seem bound together by a dry wit and what I can only call a real sense of endearance towards its characters.

The world is a mundanely chaotic place, and the characters (sometimes only half-heartedly) try to hold on to it. The stories are brimming with longing, which gives them a nervous vitality, even when (or maybe especially when) the longing is for the wrong things or people.

The language is direct, unfussy, but regularly hits poetic notes. And I laughed a lot, which is a huge compliment.