Sadly this book fell very short for me.. I found it VERY confusing at some points. It felt very repetitive and the synopsis of the book made it seem like my thing and it sounded really interesting but it fell flat for me. It was very boring sadly.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book.

I really loved the cover and the synopsis of the novella. I really wanted to love it because it has a lot that is relatable. From trauma, loss of loved ones, ptsd and so on. But it fell short.

I understand in novellas/ short stories there isn’t going to be great detail and building up of each and every character, however, it was very confusing at some parts. Especially the first short story.

There were some heartbreaking stories in there. I definitely know I can relate to some of my fears as a mother, the character’s experienced with childbirth and motherhood. Losing children sounds so painful and heartbreaking.

Overall, I rate this a three. I think the concept is amazing. The execution is lacking.

A huge thank you the NetGalley, the publisher, and Tory Tuttle for the opportunity to review an ARC of this in exchange for my honest review!

A short novella which is a Collection of 7 short stories ranging a variety of tough topics of trauma, loss, death, PTSD and more.

I understand novellas are usually straight to the point, but with 7 stories and only 128 pages, everything felt quite rushed and confusing. It felt like you were dropped into the middle of a story and trying to keep up without knowing anyone or anything..

Not my favorite, but i will be revisiting and giving it another try at a later date because i really wanted to like this.

Fast read, the stories are weird but interesting. Some jumped all over the place which was confusing..mostly the first story.
The others were OK reads nothing that leaves you wanting more.

Thank you NetGalley and contingency street press for a digital arc of this book.

There are several short stories than run on in a fast paced manner and reflect the story teller very well.

The first follows a 14 year old girl on the run and is told from her point of view and very accurately depicts her active young mind. Her inner struggle is portrayed in an erratic way on paper that some might not enjoy but I found authentic.

The book blurb was intriguing. That and the bleak book cover made me think that I would enjoy this collection. Alas, I did not. These stories did not come together well, and just didn’t quite work. Many of these involved pregnancies and motherhood, but were not conveyed very well. I felt that the one with promise was “Horizontal Hold.”

(I received a free review copy from NetGalley.)

"The Missing" by Tory Tuttle is a mesmerizing collection of seven stories that delve into the profound theme of dislocation, offering readers a poignant and often haunting exploration of the human experience. Through Tuttle's evocative prose and masterful storytelling, each narrative unfolds as a unique and thought-provoking portrait of characters grappling with the challenges of disconnection and the yearning for connection.

One of the standout qualities of this collection is its ability to capture the nuances of dislocation in various forms, from the emotional chasm between a mother and her child, to the desperate escape from abuse and indifference, to the dissolution of one's grip on reality after witnessing a tragic event. Tuttle's ability to depict the inner turmoil and vulnerability of her characters is both powerful and heartrending.

The stories are intricately woven, often adopting an impressionistic style that invites readers to engage deeply with the emotions and experiences of the characters. Tuttle's writing is luminous, with prose that is both lyrical and precise, painting vivid and emotionally resonant scenes.

Throughout the collection, readers are confronted with characters who are, in their own ways, trying to survive a world that can be inhospitable to their desires and longings. The emotional depth of each story is a testament to Tuttle's skill in crafting complex and relatable characters.

While the themes explored in "The Missing" can be emotionally challenging, they ultimately serve as a mirror to our own human experiences, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The stories leave a lingering impact, prompting introspection and empathy.

In summary, Tory Tuttle's "The Missing" is a stunning debut collection that delves into the complexities of dislocation, offering a raw and compassionate examination of the human condition. Tuttle's writing is nothing short of luminous, and her ability to convey the depths of emotion in each story is a testament to her talent. This collection is a powerful reminder of the ways in which we navigate life's challenges and seek connection in a world that often leaves us feeling adrift. "The Missing" is a must-read for those who appreciate beautifully crafted literary fiction that speaks to the soul.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.

I really loved the cover and the synopsis of the novella. I really wanted to love it because it has a lot that is relatable. From trauma, loss of loved ones, ptsd and so on. But it fell short.

I understand in novellas/ short stories there isn’t going to be great detail and building up of each and every character, however, it was very confusing at some parts. Especially the first short story.

There were some heartbreaking stories in there. I definitely know I can relate to some of my fears as a mother, the character’s experienced with childbirth and motherhood. Losing children sounds so painful and heartbreaking.

Overall, I rate this a three. I think the concept is amazing. The execution is lacking.

Thank you for this opportunity.

i found this book VERY confusing and i found there was a lot of repetition. the synopsis of the book sounded very interesting, but it feel flat for me. it was very boring to me. the only part of the book i liked was when she talked to the guys at the station.
thank you to net gallery and the publisher for letting me review this book.

The Missing is a collection of seven short stories focusing on people dealing with trauma and life changing experiences. These stories show how each of these characters face the harsh realities of their lives and the impact that it has on them.

The description and cover of this book interested me as it sounded like a very enthralling read, however I found the book disjointed and confusing at times.

The stories seem to jump back and forward, with a lot of repetition, making it difficult to follow what is happening. There are also a lot of characters introduced with barely any information provided about them which makes it hard to keep track of who is who.

These stories were heartbreaking at times, however this was not as impactful as it would have been had the stories been less confusing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Contingency Street Press for providing me with this ARC.

I've seen this cover and description and thought, oh man, imma love this book. However, it fell short of my expectations. The baseline of the stories was good but felt very rushed and incomplete. Details were overlooked and didn't have any background. I would reread pages because kept wondering if I missed something along the way. Overall it was a miss for me. I would like to thank the author, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review the book.

I wanted to like this book, the description and the premise of the stories was intriguing. However, I found myself unable to really enjoy it, I understand these are short stories but you could give a little background or a good paragraph of who the main people are so the reader doesn't feel like they jumped into 75% mark of a book. I spent a lot of it going "huh", "what"?
The story about premie Alexander was sad and moving, but I had to go back and re-read just to find out the parents names ,and nope still couldn't find their names ( I can tell you his brothers name is Benjamin because that was like every forth word).
In conclusion, I liked the plot of all the stories but not how jumbled they sounded, or how completely unfinished they felt to me. I wouldn't recommend this one.
I would like to thank NetGallery for allowing me to read this book for my honest review.
#NetGallery #TheMissing #short-stories

Fast read, the stories are weird but interesting. Some jumped all over the place which was confusing..mostly the first story.
The others were OK reads nothing that leaves you wanting more.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for a chance to read this book.