I immediately loved this book from the first page. All the stories were centered around women's experiences and some stories also dealt with themes on Asian American identity. Every story was unique and darkly comical. I loved everything about it. After reading it I wanted to read everything Jessie Ren Marshall has written and will ever write.

Pretty great. Some stories were more of a 3.5, but most were 4-5 stars! Especially Women In Peril, the title storyZ thanks for the arc

A great short story collection with feminist and queer themes, among other things. Every single story is extremely entertaining, but will also make you think about certain situations and themes in a different way. I think there is something for everyone in this collection!

I really loved this short story collection. The stories were quirky, funny, and poignant. Jessie Ren Marshall is a wonderful writer and storyteller. She has such a great sense of humor, and she's not afraid to write about disturbing topics. The only story I didn't care for was "Sister Fat". It was a pointless and absurd story. I couldn't get into it at all. I think my favorites were "Annie", "Our Country Daughter", "Late Girl", "Dogs" and "My Immaculate Girlfriend". There's a little bit of everything from sex bots, to space travel, to pregnant lesbians. I will definitely read more from this author in the future. This book was delightfully weird. So much fun!

Thank you, Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the digital ARC.

Women! In! Peril! is a collection of short stories featuring women in peril… but it’s not how you think. For example, the first story focuses on a robot who is designed to make all areas of human life easier. She cooks, cleans, can do anything you’d like her to (yes, even that) but is discarded by the end of the story and lays broken at the bottom of a quarry not having actually done any of the tasks she was designed for. However, the real woman in peril is the mother in the story who originally purchased her.

Each story makes you feel different emotions and think about what’s really going on and they’re all very well done.

Women! In! Peril! is a collection of short stories, most of which were not in my wheelhouse. (I got this galley from NetGalley thinking there would be more science fiction or fantasy stories, but it turns out there weren't that many. This was somewhat disappointing.) My reviews are going to be focused on the science fiction stories, and one of the two stories that may or may not be magical realism.

Annie 2: A woman buys an Ambiguous Asian appearing "Jill of All" robot for her son as a sex toy. (To apparently replace the human girlfriend who dumped him.) Annie wants to be helpful and useful, even if it's as a sex toy, but is unable to fulfill its function because there is no helping this family of creepy dysfunctional people. Fridge Horror moment: it's revealed that most of the devices in the home have some level of sentience but they can't communicate with anyone except the "Jill of All" robot. Pet Peeve: I have strong negative feelings when writers inexplicably make up stupid band names with stupid songs to make fun of a music genre they hate. General reaction: "So, how about that late late late stage capitalism?"

Women! In! Peril!: A woman is on a colony ship where most of the passengers are in cryo sleep. The story is told in a microblogging format. The woman has extended meltdowns and an equally extended conflict with another passenger that ends with her finding out that Civilization Has Been Destroyed back on Earth. She decides to finish the job. I think? At the end she rambles about the potential futures of babies that aren't going to be born because she picked the option that would lead to "the end of humanity." General reaction: Are all of these stories going to be bummers?

My Immaculate Girlfriend: A woman is having a meltdown because her girlfriend is pregnant after apparently cheating on her. The woman spends a great deal of time ranting and coming up with increasingly incoherent explanations for how this even occurred. The woman and her girlfriend seem to have an extremely toxic relationship (if you couldn't already tell by the 'decides to start family without having any planning' incident.) Mel, the girlfriend, refuses to state how she got pregnant, stating it's a miracle. Since it may literally be a miracle and not the girlfriend telling whoppers, I'm including it. General reaction: "Why don't you dump her?"

(The other story that may or may not be magical realism is "Mrs. Fisher" which is about a woman who is having a troubled marriage and may or may not be considering having an affair with a student. The possible magical realism is that she has an extended conversation with a boulder.)

Overall reaction: not really to my taste. I ended up doing a lot of skimming because I didn't like any of the characters, and didn't think any of their actions made sense. These stories are all very "literary" in the sense that there is a Point of some kind to the story, and that Point is more important than the plot or the characters involved in the plot. Someone who actually likes that kind of writing may get more out of this book than I did.

Women! In! Peril!, a brash and unputdownable collection of short stories by Jessie Ren Marshall, offers a captivating reading experience. With intriguing characters and thought-provoking narratives, Marshall successfully pushes the boundaries of social norms and family expectations. In this collection, readers are introduced to a wide array of women who challenge conventions as they strive to reclaim their power, grapple with personal dilemmas, and envision a better future. One of the standout stories in Women! In! Peril! features a determined sex bot on a mission to surpass her return policy. Marshall skillfully presents the complexities of this character's existence, blending humor and a sense of urgency. As the sex bot navigates her own journey, readers are compelled to ponder the nature of autonomy and the boundaries of artificial intelligence. Another tale follows a skeptical lesbian as she confronts her wife's mysterious pregnancy. This narrative delves into the intricacies of queer relationships and the challenges faced by couples in unexpected circumstances. Marshall seamlessly weaves together humor and poignancy, guiding readers through the protagonist's exploration of love, identity, and the complexities of motherhood. In the realm of speculative fiction, Marshall introduces readers to a post-Earth colonist, who grapples with her diminishing faith in humanity while embarking on a journey to "Planet B." Through this character's eyes, readers witness the struggle to maintain hope and find solace in an unfamiliar environment. The narrative deftly explores themes of isolation, resilience, and the constant search for connection. Throughout Women! In! Peril!, Marshall demonstrates her ability to balance humor and gravitas with finesse. The collection tackles a wide range of topics, including queerness, toxic relationships, parenting and divorce, as well as Asian and Asian American identity. Each story provides a nuanced exploration of the human experience, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships. In conclusion, Women! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren Marshall is a remarkable collection of twelve stories that captivate readers from start to finish. With a fearless and optimistic spirit, Marshall masterfully navigates the complexities of human existence, challenging societal norms and family expectations. This book is a must-read for those seeking laughter, heartbreak, and a renewed sense of hope.