This is a nice, lovely, quick read, but not a light one. It is a collection of short stories, each one going deep and feeling raw and real. Nothing is fully explained, but you get a feeling of having had a glimpse of what goes on behind closed doors. The rest is all up to you; interpret it as you wish and as you see fit.

CAN I HAVE A HUG FIRST? by Mary Paula Hunter is a very unique set of short stories that follow a wide cast of characters ranging from a hesitant landlord to an anxious dance instructor and even to a narcissistic divorcé. One aspect that solidifies Hunter's unique line up of stories is the line she blurs between reality and delusion. I'm still not quite sure what actually happened in some of these stories versus what I was told happened. Her exploration of unreliable narrators is particularly alluring since you get the feeling that the narrators truly beleive what they tell us, so as the reader, in just a few short pages, we have to decide what is happening behind the curtain, if anything is. This cleaves a long-lasting taste from these short stories because regardless of how short they are, you have to really put yourself into them.
There were a few stories, particularly in the beginning where I thought I didn't "get" them, but as I read through, I began to believe that was the point. I don't think Hunter wants us to "get" them, rather to explore the madness in the world unrestrained.
I don't think this book is for everyone, but I do think the right reader will enjoy this journey through delusion from all different angles.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Unsolicited Press for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.