The first story had the word I so many times that it bored me to death and made it hard to read. Also difficult to follow

An interesting short story collection. Like most short story collections they don’t all work. Some are all stars. Some are not so much. It’s a good mix overall.

I loved the idea of this book as it is a theme I very personally connect with. That said, I just did not enjoy the writing style and it was hard to really engage with the content as a result.

A decent collection of short stories but nothing that felt life-changing. I only found a few standouts. “Hello It’s You” , “Aren’t We Lucky” and “Moments Earlier". But again, nothing that made me think "Wow, I've got to keep an eye out for this author's work."

This book was amazing. Captivating, relatable, wonderfully written. I read it quickly and then went back and annotated. I connected with the honesty and the real place many women find ourselves. Highly recommend

Sadly this just wasn't for me. I wanted to like it, but I didn't get along with the writing and overall the stories didn't have that much of an impact on me.

This book is a collection of short stories about the lives of younger women. The book deals with friends, siblings and relationships. You will read and find the way that woman are able to break free from expectations and change the world. A really good read.

The short story is my favourite genre so I was eager to open up this new collection of short fiction. I had to return to the book four times because I just wasn’t interested in any of it. The characterization is so wispy and nothing in the writing engaged or moved me. There seemed to be almost no plot to the stories%just moods and thoughts. Perhaps I am not the right reader for this book as I’m not young and the stories seem to be concerned with the lives of younger women. I’m sorry I didn’t make a go of it -to give it more of a chance,perhaps I’ll return to it at another point in time. Right now it doesn’t work with me. I feel no connection to these stories.

A really interesting collection of somewhat-linked short stories about the inner lives of women. Short story collections are very hit-and-miss for me, but this one hit me every single time. I'd like to go back again and savor each story more slowly. I look forward to whatever Kate Doyle publishes next!

I devoured the stories in Kate Doyle's collection. Truly, the book was an antidote to my current reading rut. The collection is linked, I suppose, by a few themes -- coming-of-age, coming into a creative maturity, relationships. Many characters are reeling from the end or beginning of relationships. Many are creatives. But there's something so elegant in how the heart-break, and overall emotional threads, are rendered. I am excited by Doyle, and look forward to reading whatever she writes next.

Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley!

Thank you to Netgalley and Algonquin Books for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 3.5 stars

I read a lot of short story collections. I always go in knowing that I will enjoy certain stories in a collection much more than others. I don't think I have ever read a collection where every story is 5 stars.

I Meant It Once is a story collection about various women in their 20's. I am 51, but I have 2 kids in their 20's, and I typically enjoy reading about this age group.

This is a book I enjoyed reading but will forget everything about it by tomorrow. Some of the stories felt flat to me and too similar to each other. Others had some beautiful prose, but ultimately, I just didn't really connect to most of the characters, and I don't think this is because of my age.

I did enjoy the underlying theme of finding oneself, the importance of true friendship, and the angsty feelings involved in love interests while one is living out their 20's. I do think the author captured this well.

Recommended to readers who enjoy short story collections, especially involving young adults. Some of the stories are interconnected, but not all.

I loved this collection! Kate Doyle's short stories bring readers into the inner worlds of women navigating everyday life, and all of the different emotions and experiences that come with it. She explores a variety of different themes, from love (whether it be romantic, platonic, or familial) to nostalgia to finding oneself, and so many more. Each story was well-written and engaging, and it was also enjoyable to follow some of the characters across a few different stories! I think many readers will find something in this collection that resonates with them—I certainly did. I'd highly recommend this one, and look forward to seeing what Kate Doyle writes next! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you #Netgalley for this advanced copy.

So many funny essays, I liked home many of the characters were tied together throughout stories. I liked reaching about the different situations, some relatable, some sad, some funny. It really encompasses many emotions.

I really enjoyed the mix of stories in this collection. I felt that I could relate to the women depicted on some level in almost every story. The writing felt exciting and kept me compelled to read.

Kate Doyle does a great job with her collection of stories about women at different ages dealing with subjects that are familiar like family, love and friendship. I enjoyed some more then others which is how most of these types of books go for me. I thought her writing was entertaining and fresh. I'd like to see what she does next.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! Four stars!