I think that there was a lot to be said for the level of creativity that this author brings to the table. The stories really had a lot of range and were definitely more in the line with adult themes and sexuality as advertised. The issue that I had was that they just did not hold my attention well and were just not must read material. There were a couple of stories that I will remember for a while, however most of this will be quickly forgotten. The main reason I am giving this three stars is that this author has a really great sense of humor and that topics were definitely relevant to our time period where women struggle to maintain their power and autonomy in their sexuality and relationships.

this is a book i really can’t show my mother 🤣 love the different stories and povs, each one was so different than the other but they all managed to work together

Good assortment of short stories that had me captivated. I truly enjoyed the stories in this book. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving this book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

A few gems, a dud, and some typical anthology stories. Here’s my thoughts on each of them:

Story #1 - Direct Deposit
The end of this story is highly unlikely; but it’s kind of cute that our MC is so uncomfortable with the idea of a sperm donor.
"She was someone who wasn’t afraid to use words such as “masturbation,”“ejaculation,” and "sperm count." The words sounded a little less obscene when said with a British accent."

Story # 2 - Needle Man Sticks Bat Girl
"But it was hard to find bat cave jobs, unless one were an animated character in Gotham City. Which I’m not, unfortunately."
Damn. I wish I was an animated character in Gotham too. But my gal won’t have a bat cave; she’ll have a fun house.

Story #3 - Chairs in Air
"People expected or at least weren’t shocked when artists were nonplussed, anarchic, and chaotic."
This one is short and yet it feels like a love story I might actually like to read. Dang.

Story #4 - The Sweetness of Salt
This story is funny, yet genuine in a ‘everyone’s life is like this’ kind of way. . An erotica writer who is tired of finding alternate words for penis has had enough.
"She wondered if she would ever be able to rescue her sex life from the pages of romantica writing."

Story #5 - Static Breakdown
"What the hell is an oxymoron? An idiot on Oxycontin?"
I suppose prostitutes aren’t the most educated of society?
This is a dirty story and I can’t really figure out the point except that sex gives women power over men. Meh.

Story #6 - Fourth Step Tango
"I didn’t want to let him off the hook that easily. One simple phone call in exchange for my virginity?"
I’m so with this chick. The resolution or absolution piece of therapy when you’ve been an awful human being to someone never, ever feels fair to the victim.

Story #7 - Fly me to the Moon
All this story did for me was get Sinatra stuck in my head and wonder why I was reading an outline of what could be a good book. There’s no real substance here, even as a short story.
However, I’d love to read this novel if it was expanded out properly.

Story #8 - He Brings Me Flowers
The longest story by far. Two women, both being used by a narcissistic man, one is the wife one is girlfriend. Lots to unpack here. In the end it’s about women standing strong. And this one truth; I've been in meetings where this actually happened:
"Her take-away: never duck out of a meeting; you will always be assigned the most unpleasant tasks."

Story #9 - The Magician
I could someone injecting some magic into my work situation right now. Too bad magicians with parrots who wear pirate eye patches aren’t found everyday. 😉

Story #10 - Cabin Pressure
Whew, steamy. Great little turn you on story.

Story #11 - The Horse Whisperer
A bit of an odd story.
By having this story last, it’s clear that the idea behind this anthology is to slowly bring the reader through a sense of restraint into freedom.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

Not impressed. Short stories that are odd . Sexual, yes. Did not particularly enjoy. Just seems like stories are kind of weird

Ann Tinkham’s Stories I Can’t Show My Mother was nice, easy reading, often with a twist at the end.
She understands sexuality, she understands life. Some are sensual, some are more mystical, some are slightly weird but all in all a fascinating read!

The writing is flayful and fun, without being funny.

I really enjoyed some of these stories and the author's voice and didn't love some of the stories. The last one about "lady godiva" and her horse was just strange and I didn't get it at all. Overall, I'm happy I read this book as the author has a fresh and unique voice. Just not my favorite.

These stories are beautifully written, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Some of them seemed a bit repetative, but I would recommend it to other women.

Don't think the stories in the book are in any way as scandalous as the title suggests. I wouldn't be at all concerned if my mother was reading this. I feel the only thing exciting about the book is the title.
Very disappointed as I feel the book doesn’t live up to it's title. Thus I am not sure which group would enjoy it.
I was given this book by Netgalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary and impartial review.

'Beau kissed like a pro from what I could tell- the feeling of Goldilocks sinking into just the right bed.'

The stories in this collection sway between erotic encounters and disasters. When Mr Right never quite arrives, and Lilly hungers for her own child she figures out a better way to get a Direct Deposit. Needles as a form of spiritual release in Needle Man Sticks Bat Girl, a love desirous of punctures. This feels more like voodoo, who knew it could be so erotic? Some characters are burned out by sexual fantasy, one more word to describe reproductive organs and they’ll just die! A writer trapped creating erotica for reader’s to indulge themselves in wants to break free of all things throbbing for something more serious to create in The Sweetness of Salt.

In Static Breakdown, Misty uses her body as a means to an end, and no one can help the man who falls in love with her. It’s just a role like any other, he’s just a client, and if his life implodes, who cares? Some men need an audience for their ‘roles’, trying on images and personalities. In Fourth Step Tango, an overdue apology forgives nothing. This story is cringe worthy, the things a young woman tolerates. Not all the stories are about tearing up the sheets, a few find the characters confronting situations that force them to understand themselves better or how to ask for what they want in a world that would rather defile them.

Brief encounters of uninhibited release, shucking off the past, these stories are at times provocative and always engaging. It is a unique collection of women making their way in the world, trying to keep their mind and body connected, learning how to be unapologetic and present to their own desires and needs.

Available Now Published March 2019

Napili Press

This collection is posited as erotic short stories, but the stories are more about abuses of hierarchy, power, and consent. They aren't stories I couldn't show my mother--they're perfect as examples for case studies for gender studies classes, discussing power in relationships, #metoo, and other important issues.

A weird little collection of stories from Ann Tinkham all with a focus on women. From marital issues to voodoo dolls, Tinkham write with a sense of humor that may be off putting to some, but that I found hilarious. She's brash, she's brassy, she's the kind of woman I want to be friends with.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I never really like books of short stories but as a woman I found this very interesting. I was laughing and emotional at the same time. It’s definitely a book I would recommend to other women.

This collection of sexy, thought-provoking, and at times, even mesmerizing stories are well worth a read!

"Stories I Can't Show My Mother" by Ann Tinkham from Boulder, CO is a collection of short stories that are provocative, unconventional, sensual and seductive. The stories are offbeat and draw you in. The characters are intriguing and have depth. These stories offer new insights into relationships new and old and take the reader on an adventure to some of the most unlikely places.

I received this as an eBook from Napili Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of the title. I did not receive any compensation from either company. The opinions expressed herein are completely my own.

Provocative, offbeat, quirky, stories of love and sex; Tinkham's unique use of language, inventive and entertaining characters and story lines, and her wicked sense of humour make for a thought-provoking and must-read novel.