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Send Nudes

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In ten dazzling stories, Saba Sams dives into the world of girlhood and immerses us in its contradictions and complexities: growing up too quickly, yet not quickly enough; taking possession of what one can, while being taken possession of; succumbing to societal pressure but also orchestrating that pressure. These young women are feral yet attentive, fierce yet vulnerable, exploited yet exploitative.

Threading between clubs at closing time, pub toilets, drenched music festivals and beach holidays, these unforgettable short stories deftly chart the treacherous terrain of growing up - of intense friendships, of ambivalent mothers, of uneasily blended families, and of learning to truly live in your own body.

With striking wit, originality and tenderness, Send Nudes celebrates the small victories in a world that tries to claim each young woman as its own.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2022

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About the author

Saba Sams

5 books161 followers
Saba Sams is a fiction writer based in London. Her stories have appeared in The Stinging Fly and The Tangerine. She was shortlisted for The White Review Short Story Prize in 2019. Her debut collection of short stories Send Nudes was published by Bloomsbury in 2022.

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5 stars
1,309 (13%)
4 stars
3,397 (36%)
3 stars
3,488 (37%)
2 stars
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187 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,229 reviews
Profile Image for Lucy.
465 reviews774 followers
January 29, 2022
3.5***

As with most short story collections I seem to prefer some stories to others but this one is being rounded up.

This book shows the messiness but also empowering stories of different women: covering POV’s from young teens and women trying to navigate modern life. These were stories of mystery and intrigue, grief and humour. Some of the stories covered more serious topics than others. As an introspective collection of short stories, they really delve into the character’s emotions and thought processes/decisions and how these women take control.

This included stories on toxic female friendships, jealousy, abortion, sending nudes (hence the title), seduction, desire and the complex relationships to other women (eg mothers and daughters, best friends, the ex’s).

I particularly enjoyed that each of the stories were from an introspective point of view, (and I love this from Sally Rooney’s writing) so it was great to see this on a different piece of work from a different author. I loved seeing the thoughts of these women and getting a slice of their lives.

Thank you to NetGalley for proving me with the e-ARC.
Profile Image for Polly.
64 reviews8 followers
March 5, 2022
I‘ve found many of the ‘sad hot girl’ books that have come out recently really great reads, but I wonder whether I’m starting to feel a bit oversaturated with the “women dissociated with life and embarking on self-punishing sexual encounters” thing. Some of the short stories are really quite weird and I’ve got to the stage where I’m like “okay, we get it you like sex, but you’re troubled and misunderstood and like older/dismissive men!”. I dunno, it wasn’t my thing, but I know a lot of people have loved it.
Profile Image for elle.
372 reviews18.4k followers
September 15, 2023
a book that explores the chaos that can come of every day moments. sams emphasizes serious topics, but her humor doesn't let any of them get too heavy. we are never shown a character’s full story or full profile—they come to us in fragmentary glimpses. a diverse and poignant range of short stories about being a woman in today's society, in all its messiness and vulnerabilities.

full review to come.

Profile Image for Melcat.
383 reviews33 followers
June 15, 2022
DNF at 50%.

I hated every line. Life is too short.
Profile Image for Althea.
482 reviews161 followers
May 12, 2022
I dunno, maybe it's because I don't identify as a woman but I didn't love this at all. I'm kinda tired of the whole woman loves sex and goes to find it in men who don't care about her but she falls in love with them trope and practically every story in here revolved around that. This just wasn't for me!
Profile Image for fantine.
249 reviews754 followers
February 7, 2022
A schoolgirl daughter of a butcher begins a relationship with a much older man and becomes enamoured, not with him but his aggressive out of control dog Petal, her wanting for flesh reflected in this creature.

This opening story Tinderloin had me sure I was reading a gem - but by the fourth story I was reminded why I tend to steer clear of short story collections not highly recommended, the inconsistency of quality became incredibly irritating. The introspective writing focusing on a singular woman was where this collection was strongest; the voice authentically unhinged and witty as we explore that teetering between girlhood and womanhood, and the respective transformations that do not always occur in a linear fashion or in accordance with time.

It was the digression into childhood (in a hippy family? and circus?) that the the authors inexperience was obvious, the humour of previous stories felt too mature and there seemed to be no discernible change to writing style despite our protagonists now being children. These stories felt shoe-horned in, perhaps for variation but instead gave me whiplash. Whilst I admire any artist that pushes themselves there’s nothing wrong with writing what you know and where your strengths lie, especially as a debut author.

Despite these criticisms I still recommend this collection, well parts of it. Tinderloin, Here Alone and Snakebite are all 5 star stories, I also enjoyed Blue 4eva and Overnight. But the other five stories I either didn’t care for and in the case of Send Nudes, the Mothers and the Girls and Flying Kite I actively dislike - and i usually eat up mother/daughter stories!!

Not very good stats for a collection of ten stories lol BUT I will not give up hope and will def be picking up her next book as I do think there is something special that just needs a little bit of honing to shine.
Profile Image for Thushara .
385 reviews101 followers
March 9, 2022
4.5 stars

Send Nudes gave me what I wanted from You Know You Want This
This is about modern love featuring mostly young women in their early twenties or less which was actually refreshing to see as a short story collection.
The writing is mundane but pretty, just how I like!
If you enjoyed Pizza Girl, you might like this one.

Tinderloin ; 5⭐
Overnight ; 5⭐
Snakebite ; 5 ⭐
Send Nudes ; 5⭐
Flying Kite : 5⭐
Here Alone : 4 ⭐
The Mothers and The Girls : 5 ⭐
Blue 4eva : 5 ⭐
The Bread : 4 ⭐
Today's Square : 3 ⭐
Profile Image for Jonathan Pool.
714 reviews130 followers
May 12, 2023
Saba Sams was identified by Granta publishers in April 2023 as one of twenty under forty-year-olds authors to watch for the future. Sams has already won the 2022 BBC National Short Story Award, and her short stories have been published in well respected literary magazines including the White Review and The stinging Fly. So her short stories clearly have widespread appeal.

Having read the collection of ten stories I am not a fan.
I make the assumption that the stories are well received because they have drawn attention from a new, and different, reading demographic. I’m guessing that this would be predominantly young, and probably female……The protagonist in every single story is young, and female.

Discussion around the stories, collectively, is whether the girls featured have a refreshing honesty, and agency, in how they respond to the events that surround them. (I heard Sams at the International Dylan Thomas readings in London in May 2023).
That’s not how I responded to the majority of stories in which I felt that the girls were often exploited, and had parts of their young lives spoiled by their experiences. That’s often a consequence of predatory men, but also arises from the (mostly selfish) influence of older girls, women, and parents.
I recall the argument put forward by “models” who used to feature on page 3 of a UK national (news) paper, The Sun. It was said that the models were the ones (by virtue of being paid) who were exploiting the men foolish enough to buy the papers and ogle the pictures. I have my doubts. I think the models were the ones being exploited.

In no particular order, Sams’s writing shines a light on: unwanted pregnancy, rape, extensive casual sex, lots of alcohol, drugs. There was also a rabbit, and a dog, and these were virtually the only two innocents, and the ones I liked most.

I saw, in an interview that Sams spoke about her writing ambition, and the purpose of her storytelling.
“I’m always thinking about what it looks like to be a young woman: about bodies and power, about friendships and family, about the ways we’re constantly looking to break free”

If you took the very opposite of these fine sentiments, I think this is the actuality of what is represented in the portrayals.

I finished the book feeling downbeat, and pessimistic. If this is a true and accurate portrayal of what youthful hedonism looks like in Britain, it concerns me. Hopefully the stories told are not representative of a normalised way of living in your teens and twenties, and they are mostly flights of fantasy whose allure is in presenting an anarchic world exaggerated for literary effect.
Profile Image for Amelie.
114 reviews3 followers
May 17, 2022
this was a short book and ive never read anything like it before but the stories in it were so fucking good. especially snakebite and blue 4eva. they were all written incredibly well and in so much detail that the places came alive. each protagonist was vastly different and all beautiful in their own ways. i really suggest this book even if you don’t usually read short stories. it’s also a very quick and easy read which is good.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,247 reviews35 followers
October 23, 2021
2.5 rounded up

Quotes from the blurb describe Saba Sam's debut as "highly perceptive and intelligent" (Nicole Flattery) and "wry, sharp and raw" (Emma Cline). Perhaps I should have taken heed of the fact that I didn't particularly get on with these two author's short story collections (and Daddy respectively)Show Them a Good Time)... although I have to say though that whilst this was a mixed bag, I did prefer this to the two books mentioned above.

Out of the 10 stories in this collection it was the ones told in the third person about a single female character and focused on dating themes that stood out to me - Sends Nudes and Tinderloin. Today's Square was a touching portrayal of a mother and daughter finding a way to cope during lockdown that took me by surprise too. Recommended for fans of contemporary (slightly offbeat) short stories which depict and offer a perceptive insight on young women's internal lives.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the advance copy, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Puck.
823 reviews347 followers
February 28, 2023
"The first time Lara kissed me, we'd just been kicked out a bar. We were wearing matching mesh tops that you could see our nipples through. I looked appalling, and Lara looked great."

A punchy collection of stories about being a woman in today's society; whether you're already an adult or a teenager becoming one. Sams writing is engaging and bright, showing the humor or the bitterness of a scene without spelling it out.
My favorite aspect is that every women we meet puts herself first, no matter the situation she's in. Whether it's difficult family situation, a new boyfriend and his sweet dog, or shooting a nude photo - these (disaster) women are in control.

"She picked the lime wedge out of her glass and began to eat it, looking right at him as she did so. D'you think I'm attractive? she said.
The bartender picked up her glass and turned it upside down over the sink. Sure. If you like."


My favorite stories of the collection were 'Tinderloin', 'Snakebite', 'Send nudes', 'Here Alone', 'Blue 4ever' and 'The Bread.' These tales are about passionate friendships, elusive dating rules, and learning to live in your body.
I'd have preferred the collection to end with a biting story instead of a tender one (go out strong), but Send Nudes has made me very excited to see what Sams will write next - hopefully a full-length novel. 3,5 stars.
Profile Image for alina boop.
213 reviews7 followers
January 1, 2023
A beautiful book depicting womens stories that deal with depth and travesty and feelings we’ve all felt. These stories caught me off guard, about how real they were and how they seemed to be filled with so much pain behind each and every word.
Profile Image for Joana da Silva.
471 reviews780 followers
August 29, 2023
Bought it because of the cover and I needed a 2nd book to get the half-price discount at Waterstones. Managed to entertain me with stories of women on the verge of something, whether it was accepting a body image concern or dealing with abortion. Really enjoyed Sams' writing!
Profile Image for Celine Prins.
56 reviews2 followers
August 29, 2023
De main characters in deze verhalen hebben vrijwel allemaal een corrigerende tik nodig, meer heb ik er niet over te zeggen.
Profile Image for Emma :).
124 reviews
October 18, 2023
idk i think i wanted more from this? don’t get me wrong, it definitely wasn’t bad but when every story would finish i would go “oh. ok i thought we were still going”. could this be down to the fact that i am an ipad baby with no attnetnion span and also the fact that i have gotten used to reading crazy fucked up stuff so when there’s a book about normal every day things i don’t know how to respond? absolutely bro
Profile Image for Ninia LaGrande.
86 reviews124 followers
February 17, 2024
Die Storys von Saba Sams sind ein bisheriges Jahreshighlight für mich. Absurd, menschlich, romantisch, realistisch. Manche Charaktere beschäftigen mich weit übers Buch hinaus, die Sprache ist klar und frisch. Liebs! Freue mich auf alles, was von Sams noch kommt.
Profile Image for Sien J.
18 reviews
August 18, 2025
Tien kleine kortverhalen over jonge meisjes, moeders of gewoon vrouwen in het algemeen. Het zijn allemaal verschillende situaties waarin we ons kunnen bevinden in een bepaald deel van ons leven. Niet alle verhalen zijn even realistisch, grappig of serieus.

*spoiler: in het kortverhaal stukje van Send Nudes gaat het wel degelijk over nudes!!! 🫨🫢
Profile Image for Spyros Batzios.
216 reviews60 followers
August 9, 2025
Being born male in a world made by males is already difficult; but what does it truly mean to grow female in this same world? All you have to do to find out is read “Send Nudes” by Saba Sams. This is a collection of 10 short stories capturing everyday and some times strange moments related to girlhood and early womanhood in modern Britain. Sams’ writing is raw and honest and her stories’ themes span from moments of intimacy to friendships and from online dating to family dynamics. Short stories do not in general work for me as it is a genre that in order to feel good needs to be excellent. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with any of the stories and most of them felt flat and uninteresting. I didn’t have a problem reading the book as it wasn’t an unpleasant experience; it is just that 1 day after finishing it I can’t remember any of the stories and this, I suppose, is not a good thing.

This is a book about relationships, exploitation and unequal power dynamics. Friends that become lovers, exes and girl mates. Complicated families and divorced parents. Child neglect and social services. A story about online dating, applications and lies. Sexual experimentation and the first time you slept with someone. Flirting, attraction, emotional breakdown and sex as a commercial exchange. About having fun, drinking, doing drugs and going out. It is also a book about bodies, desire and vulnerability. The body as a site of empowerment or danger. Dieting, body standards, objectification, shape wear and self harm. About unplanned pregnancies, miscarriages and abortions. Mostly though, this is a story about girlhood and the transition to womanhood. About what it truly means to be a woman and how your identity is shaped.


This is a 2.5/5 for me!


Why should you read “Send Nudes”?

Because you will realize how sending nude photos became something easy and common.
Because you will reflect on the weirdness and deception of online dating.
Because you will be tempted to calculate the number of people you slept with.
Because you will acknowledge that dating is a game where someone wins and someone loses.


Favorite quotes:

“The girls’ faces looked waxen and rounded in the dim light, like cherubs in an oil painting”.

“So she left, walked home through the park, with an image in her head that wouldn’t shift; her body as a nut cracked open”.
Profile Image for books4chess.
235 reviews19 followers
October 3, 2021
"It's fair to say that some adjectives sound better than others. Using the better adjectives is only a litle white lie, like wearing shapewear, or having lowlights put in at the salon".

Trigger warning: abortion, miscarriage

Sams delivered a short but very sweet collection of fictional tales about different women at different stages in their lives. It was so simple, so normal and yet so enthralling to take a back seat and observe their lives and thoughts so closely.

Each tale left me wanting more, whilst a couple ended with literal goosebumps. I enjoyed the brutal honesty of the current sorry state of dating - something which the book centres around. To quote the view of one of the protagonists, "Two people don't sit on either side of a screen rather than either side of a coffee table if they're going to be completely honest about themselves". There were no thrills attached and the book does what it says on the label.

Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley for the Send Nudes Arc.
Profile Image for Grace Bowyer.
8 reviews
January 3, 2024
This has got to be one of the best short story books I’ve ever read. Maybe it’s because of the familiar scenarios I’m sure many of us have been exposed to or the unexpected chaos that very story provides. It’s very refreshing to have a such a short but intense insight into all these character’s lives even if they only exist across the span of 20 pages.
Profile Image for nazlı.
157 reviews7 followers
August 22, 2023
aynen manic pixie dream girl.. aynen bana şurdan bi touch blue alsana ya
Profile Image for aimee.
94 reviews
December 8, 2024
i only enjoyed 3 of the stories, the rest i just didn’t feel at all. mostly because the characters were all slightly insane :D
Profile Image for Jakub Stanjura.
Author 2 books135 followers
July 12, 2025
possibly one of the best short story collections ever written. can Saba Sams please become my creative writing teacher?
Profile Image for Silvia.
225 reviews70 followers
October 24, 2021
"I thought of all the lives I might find myself in, and squinted."

I was not expecting this book. I read it because of the cover, and found an amazing collection of short stories that really surprised me.
It's a fierce look into womanhood and girlhood. It's all about what it means to be a girl or a woman, using your body or being used, taking charge, growing up, making mistakes... some stories were almost feral and difficult to read, but I loved them all.
I really recommend it. I want to buy the physical copy once it comes out.

[Many thanks to Bloomsbury UK and NetGalley for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.]

-

Non mi aspettavo un libro del genere. Lo volevo leggere perché mi aveva colpito la copertina, e mi sono trovata davanti una fantastica raccolta di racconti brevi che mi ha lasciato senza parole.
E' una onesta e potente occhiata in cosa vuol dire davvero essere una ragazza, una donna. Usare il tuo corpo o venire usata, prendere possesso della tua sessualità, crescere, fare errori... Alcuni racconti sono stati particolarmente intensi e difficili da leggere, ma li ho amati tutti.
Davvero consigliato. Voglio comprarlo quando esce, per averne una copia in casa.

[Grazie a Bloomsbury UK e NetGalley che mi hanno fornito una copia gratuita di questo libro in cambio di una recensione onesta. Tutte le opinioni sono personali.]
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,229 reviews

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