Preferred Reality

Preferred Reality 

Preferred Reality is a collection of short stories that I just finished. If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know I love a good short story. I much prefer short stories to mindlessly scrolling social media when I have a free moment. 

This was my first introduction to author Alessandra Benini, and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read her writing. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did! 

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Have you read Preferred Reality? Come on in and let me tell you about it! 

About Preferred Reality 

Preferred Reality is a chilling collection of eight paranormal short stories that explore the thin veil between reality and the supernatural. Each tale dives into the dark corners of the mind and the unseen world, challenging perceptions of what is real and imagined. Perfect for fans of eerie, thought-provoking horror, this collection will linger long after the last page.

• Stella Remembers: A woman’s life in her cherished home takes a sinister turn when strange occurrences and an unexpected visitor reveal a shocking truth.
• An Angel in a Bar: A mysterious stranger warns a man about the treachery of his closest friends—but is she real or a figment of his imagination?
• Preferred Reality: A mother wakes up in an altered version of her life and must piece together the unsettling truth about her identity.
• The Good Witch: Misjudged by her village, a healer faces persecution and fear, testing her resolve to remain compassionate in a world consumed by suspicion.
• Still She Left: A poignant exploration of love, loss, and the journey to acceptance, told through the eyes of a spirit who stayed behind.
• Wake Up Call: A chilling experience at a remote hotel forces a traveler to confront their worst fears.
• A Jaunt to the Future: A glimpse into what’s to come leaves one character questioning the price of knowledge and the power of choice.
• Haunted: A family moves into their dream home, only to discover that the past refuses to remain buried.

Each story in Preferred Reality offers a unique journey through fear, suspense, and the unknown, ensuring a captivating and spine-chilling experience for readers.

Thoughts on Preferred Reality 

Stella Remembers 

This one hit me right in the feels, I’m not going to lie. It is about a woman who lives a rich and full life, getting married, doing everything we all do, making memories with her family, learning to cook, spending time entertaining friends, neighbors, family, and much more.

It is an absolutely relatable story. Then one day Stella finds she has a daily visitor, while everyone else has sort of faded away and stopped visiting. 

This one had me wondering, is this what happens when we die? Will I be stuck in my house as a ghost? Will I become forgetful and confused? If so, will the new owner of my home embrace my existence like Stella’s did? It really made me think about that final chapter of life. I wasn’t expecting that. 

An Angel in a Bar 

This story had me thinking. It was a quick and easy read, but it definitely made me think about the people around me. My friends, my family, people who are no longer a part of my life. 

I like stories that aren’t just there to entertain, but instead make me think about things and reflect. Which is exactly what this one did. 

Preferred Reality 

This story is both sad and totally relatable. If you’ve ever known someone who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease, this story will resonate with you. I can feel the emotion in this one, despite the fact it is a truly short story. 

The Good Witch 

I always think about the Wizard of Oz when I hear the term, “The Good Witch.” But that wasn’t what this story was about at all. It is probably one of my favorites, because it is a great reminder how judgement and fear can cloud the truth, and it takes one person to stand up and say, “no more.” I found myself really liking this story. 

Still She Left 

This is the longest story in the book so far. Unfortunately, it is a rambling story. It makes sense, but it definitely takes the scenic route to a conclusion. It is probably my least favorite so far of these stories. Just because, I think a short story shouldn’t ramble the way this one did. 

Wake Up Call 

Wow, this one will stick with me for a long time. It is easily my favorite so far. Because this one is chilling, real, and simply amazing. This one sucked me in, and I wanted to keep reading. I also found myself wanting this to be a full novel too, which is an excellent sign of a good short story. It should feel complete, yet leave the reader wanting more, and I got exactly that here. 

A Jaunt to the Future 

I wanted so much more from this story. It left me with a million questions. Because of that, it didn’t feel complete. Like it was the beginning of an excellent novel, but the story itself just left me wondering. I think my biggest complaint is that this one just didn’t feel complete to me, but that may be because I had so many questions. 

Haunted 

This is a longer story, and I’m finding that the longer the story is, the less I enjoy it. This one was depressing to me. It had a happy ending, but it took a little while to get there, and if this were a full novel, it would be a do not finish for me. I found myself wanting to skip parts because it was so heavy and depressing. 

Final Thoughts on Preferred Reality 

I’m calling Preferred Reality a four star read. It didn’t deliver on the promise of “ensuring a captivating and spine-chilling experience for readers” for me. But, that doesn’t mean it was bad writing. Just a bad description of these stories. 

My favorites in this were Wake Up Call and Stella Remembers. My least favorite is Still She Left and A Jaunt Into the Future. It is always interesting to me that inevitably, every story is compared to the last one. There will always be favorites and least favorites. 

What I love about them is that they are thought-provoking and relatable. Short stories need to pack a punch without filler, and these certainly accomplished that. 

This was the first of Alessandra Benini’s writing that I’ve read, but it will not be the last. 

Discussion 

Have you read Preferred Reality or any other writing from author Alessandra Benini? Are you a fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

About the Author 

Alessandra’s passion for writing began at a young age and she has always dreamed of becoming an author. Growing up, she was drawn to paranormal and horror stories, eagerly devouring any material she could find.

With a background in psychology and a fascination with the workings of the mind, it felt natural for her to combine her two passions. When she’s not lost in a book or writing, you can find her at home with her needy cat Loui, watching scary movies. She currently resides in El Salvador with her husband and their three children.

Purchasing Preferred Reality 

If you are interested in buying the paperback version of Preferred Reality, click here.

Click here for the Kindle version.

Click here for my favorite Kindle I currently own.

More From Alessandra Benini 

Did you enjoy my review of Preferred Reality? Need another great read from Alessandra Benini? Here are my favorites! 

House of Ash and Spirit 

Dead Line 

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