Literary Fiction

“<p>Thank you to the author for a copy of this short story. This one definitely hit me really hard. Dealing with losing someone to suicide, no one really knows what you go through unless they've been through it too. This was short but so impactful. </p>”

“<p>⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ <strong>5-Star ARC Review</strong></p><p></p><p>An absolutely gripping and emotionally charged read. This short story took the <em>Strength (Reversed)</em> concept and turned it into something powerful, unsettling, and beautifully written. The atmosphere, the tension, and the way the author layers meaning beneath every line kept me hooked from start to finish.</p><p></p><p>I loved how the narrative slowly peeled back the truth behind “Lion Strong,” revealing a story that’s as heartbreaking as it is compelling. The writing is vivid and haunting, giving you a real sense of the weight carried in this small town—and the quiet courage it takes to question what everyone else accepts.</p><p></p><p>A standout piece in this collection. Brilliant, bold, and deeply moving. Five stars!</p>”

“<p>ARC </p><p>The Lion Within by Kay Elem is a powerful story that is part of the An In The Cards Short Story collection. It will sit with you long after you finish the last page. A town that doesn't take responsibility and instead continues to push their children to be the best and do their best, no matter the cost. If you complain or look weak, it reflects poorly. These kids rather stay silent then speak up. Kay Elem does a great job writing about the social pressures parents and children put on themselves to be the best and to be better than their peers in school and sports. We need ro do better and she put it in the best perspective! </p>”

“<p>“The Lion Within” by Kay Elem is a powerful, dark thriller that lingers long after the final page. As part of the In the Cards short story series, it delivers an intense and emotionally charged look at a town where strength is measured by silence and suffering is hidden behind praise.</p><p>It’s thought-provoking, haunting, and deeply moving, shedding light on the damage done when vulnerability is mistaken for weakness.</p><p>A gripping, emotional read.</p>”

“<p><em>Withered</em> arrives quietly, the way grief itself arrives. A woman alone in a dim basement, a dying rose on silk cloth, a paring knife she didn't consciously remember to bring. And then Alaia's prose just doesn't let you go.</p><p>The detail work here is extraordinary. Every metaphor is earned, nothing borrowed or decorative, and the sentence-level writing has a rhythmic precision that makes you stop mid-paragraph and go back, not because you got lost, but because something landed so well you had to read it again The structure mirrors its themes beautifully: same gestures, deepening meaning, grief accumulating like petals in a box.</p><p>Difficult? Yes, take the content warning seriously. But the difficulty is the point, and Alaia handles it with unflinching honesty and a complete absence of melodrama. Stunning work.</p>”

“<p>Kay Elem’s The Lion Within is a haunting, heartbreaking read. Fast-paced yet deeply engaging throughout, this beautifully crafted short story serves as a powerful cautionary tale regarding the devastating consequences of neglecting physical or mental health. Through excellent, evocative writing, the narrative captures a striking, urgent reality by holding a mirror up to the intense pressures currently found in sports at every level. It is a great read with an even greater message. If you are looking for an emotional book that will stay on your mind long after you finish the final page, this is an absolute must-read.</p><p><br></p>”