Dark and gritty, and exactly the kind of writing I'm looking for in an anthology. Each story hooks you and can drop you into the scenario without needing too much explanation. I love exploring unlikable characters and seeing so many different relationships through different lenses.

This was not my thing. Some of the stories were interesting but nothing that stands out. Plus one of the stories I won't consider to be compatible with the collection since it was about a teenage girl getting groomed by a random man that gives her and her friend attention since her parents are nowhere to be found and are just terrible.

Read from December 20th, 2022 to December 22nd, 2022. Written on December 22nd, 2022.

wow wow wow. Rachael Briggs wrote something that blew my mind from the first moments, up until the last and never EVER disappointed me! That is top class work for me!

This is a series of small stories of the craziest content one could expect. Trigger warnings for rape, pedophilia, possible kidnapping?, alcohol, drugs and I probably missed something. I mean, I am just flabbergasted by this book I swear.

I was hooked from the first story and I devoured everything and savoured every last drop. The stories are just so well written, creative as hell, intriguing and shocking, just a whole whirlwind of emotions and thoughts all at once.

Really, this is a must read for everyone into thrillers (I think this is a thriller book, is it not?) and honestly, these felt like true stories and that makes them so much more interesting and intricate in my opinion. Even the titles are cool!

SO so glad I had the opportunity to read this book, best way to finish 2022!

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op that I chose to review after reading)

I don't usually read short stories but already this year I have read two books compiled of short stories, both very different, and both very enjoyable.

The author writes a range of short stories detailing different women's experiences, struggles and stories. If you're after a happy ending look elsewhere for sure. This however, does not put me off and it shouldn't you! These stories are raw and dark, uncomfortable in a good way. I am very glad I was able to read these! Looking forward and interested to read more by this author.

Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. I failed to connect with the main character or the ups and downs of her life. I found some of the scenarios frightening in that "we're too young to know this is a bad situation" kind of scary but it still failed to pull me in. I wish I'd connected.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Badassery reigns as gritty female characters navigate themes of loneliness and longing in these darkly satirical stories. Topics like hot transactional sex; obsession-driven hit and runs; and parrots with violent tendencies and questionable intentions are sprinkled with lol to take the edge off.

My first and certainly not last Rachael Biggs story. Each story highlights the struggles that women go through. Certainly an amazing read.

Loved this! I’m not typically one for short stories, but this felt different. Very unique take on a lot of different topics. Addicting.

Beautiful, moving prose, it was pleasure to escape into these pages. Thank you for the ARC! I will be recommending it to my readers.

This book is full of dark and incredibly intriguing short stories. What I found most interesting about the book is that each story has a different “voice” however, each is written by the same author. Bravo, Rachael Biggs!
It is disappointing that these are SHORT stories, because even though the characters were well-developed and the stories are complete, I wanted to know more about each of them. This is a good problem for a reader to have. I have read books that I couldn’t wait finish; herein lies the opposite! Another good problem that I had with this book is that the stories are deep – therefore they stuck with me for a while. Moving on to the next story was not an easy mental transition. Still, I recommend the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley. This has no bearing on my thoughts and/or opinions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There’s a lot to unpack in this collection of short stories. At times uncomfortable, sad, raw, and beautiful, these are stories of women who didn’t get the happy ending. Drugs, sexual abuse, promiscuity, and loss are some of the many topics. At times I cringed, and at other times I highlighted phrases that were beautifully poetic.

Overall, some of the stories were intriguing, but some of them were so short it felt hard to see a point. I’d recommend this to someone not afraid to address the darker side of life, but the average reader may have a tough time with it.

This book felt very disjointed.
I understand that it was many different stories but it was all over the place.
I didn't like jumping to a new story every chapter, it felt unfinished.
Not my type of book I'm afraid.

So well written raw dark intimate.Stories of women many at their darkest most difficult times.Not alway an easy read but I could not stop going from story to story .The author is one I will follow.#netgalley #andIwaslikeNovember

First of all , "WHAT AN INTRIGUING BOOK TITLE!".
Secondly, it talks about the raw realities of BEING A WOMAN in a MAN"S WORLD .
These are a collection of short stories, very easy to read but complex to feel, REAL STRUGGLES we women go through and how we grow through what we GO THROUGH. It talks about sex, drama, love, marriage, infidelity and all that jazz.
It was a refreshing experience to read many stories rather than just one long one.


Thank you NetGalley and the Publishers for providing me with an arc in exchange of an honest review.

Brutal, raw and at times uncomfortable whilst compelling the reader to carry on and not put the book down. I really enjoyed it

This started rough and crass, but then I was fully engaged and enjoyed about 20% of the book even though it was sad and dark. Then I was just sad, it was too depressing and not engaging. I didn’t like the characters or the storyline for the rest of the book. Also there were countless structural, spelling, dialogue, and formatting errors that this may be a better read when less distraction are present.
Recommended For: Those who want to read about a troubled character in a very blunt writing style.

The writing fell a bit flat but the plot was great.Some of the short stories gave me chills and i am looking forwards to see what the author will do next.

Most of the stories are written as slice of life vignettes that thematically cover loneliness and alienation of women and girls. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of narrative structure, or overarching message— which is fine. It’s simply a collection of scenarios that depict women and girls interacting with society that ranges from predatory to indifferent toward them. The characters are often their own worst enemy, and the stories often end abruptly. My biggest complaints about the collection are the rough dialogue and the abrupt conclusions.

I recommend this to anyone who likes short stories, character studies (as this collection is primarily character-driven), and satirical dark vignettes about women and girls.

I was given this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A perfectly crafted novel … raw and gutsy, gritty and explicit. The stories explore love, sex, relationships, longing and loneliness in a real and vivid way. Rachel Biggs displays her talent in this fascinating novel that is highly recommended and worthy of five stars.

I've read this book through NetGalley and this will not influence my review. Thank you to the author and publisher for providing via NetGalley.
The Autor present short stories that have no connection between them, some of them are dark and raw, but this is live.
There are no happy endings in this book, which make it dark and sad sometimes, but authentic.
I liked that the stories are easy to read and I think that some of them can be expanded in real books, for example the first story, I would have loved to know what happened next and where life took Jane.
I would like to read more of your books Rachael Biggs, keep up the good work and thank you!

And I Was Like November
by Rachael Biggs

This is not a happy-ever-after book of short stories. It is real and raw, and life is sometimes ugly and painful. But there is also a witty, and ironic in the book. Yes, some are worth the smiles, and some are what you make of them.
The book is very well written, I was at times in awe of how much so. Beautiful, reality.