In Irresistible Impulse, the title story of this collection, a robot named Shelley muses on the unfairness of the family pet, a disobedient little dog being "petted, cuddled, and snuggled on the living room sofa" while he, who has never disobeyed a single directive from his human owners, is kept in the kitchen along with coffee pots and can openers. Sibling rivalry is tested when the little dog who isn't good needs rescuing. Extremely well-read Bette Luckington wakes up one morning to possible proof there is a parallel universe. In spite this bizarre occurrence, Bette will find an odd kind of comfort. All of the eight stories in this collection by award-winning author Barbara Alfaro are quirky, fun, and quick.