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b00kw0rms0fthew0rldunite's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Another great Laura Pearson book! This one touches on the dark and gritty side but also shows the magic of real love.
The domestic violence thread was written in a sensitive and compassionate way. Highlighting the need for a listening and supportive ear rather than victim blaming.
Shelley was an interesting character that suffered from ugly duckling syndrome and didn't hold out for what she deserved, but rather clung on to the first interested party that she saw.
I enjoyed the way that the book was written both in the present and past.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
The domestic violence thread was written in a sensitive and compassionate way. Highlighting the need for a listening and supportive ear rather than victim blaming.
Shelley was an interesting character that suffered from ugly duckling syndrome and didn't hold out for what she deserved, but rather clung on to the first interested party that she saw.
I enjoyed the way that the book was written both in the present and past.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
m_a_wyatt02's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ceclarlinetlo's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
robyn5771's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
knerbbie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
I enjoyed the book alright, but the ending was so unbelievable it put me off the whole story.
roshreviews's review against another edition
3.5
In a Nutshell: A dramatic story about a woman who wakes up from a coma and realises that some of her memories aren’t exactly accurate. A great option if you know what to expect from this genre. Trigger warning for domestic abuse, though the writing handles it sensitively.
Plot Preview:
As soon as thirty-year-old Shelley wakes up from a coma, she insists that the police arrest her husband David as he was the reason she ended up in hospital. The medical staff advise her to calm down while the necessary is being done, but somehow, Shelley gets the feeling that she’s not being told something. As Shelley lies in bed, her mind goes wandering through the memories of her childhood, and through that exploration, she realises that her current memory is not exactly accurate. But what’s the truth? Why isn’t anyone telling her anything definite about her situation?
The story comes to us in Shelley’s first-person perspective, in alternating timelines of Then and Now.
I had first read this author in last year’s popular title, “The Last List of Mabel Beaumont”. While the book was pretty good, I couldn’t find anything that elevated it to a memorable level. It did all the right things, but didn’t push the bar in any way.
https://roshreviews.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-last-list-of-mabel-beaumont-laura.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5672172902
This book follows a slightly different route, with a younger lead character, some twisty turns, and an ending built on hope than perfection. Regardless, it is still predictable and the ending is still too good to be true – both of which bring down the overall impact.
The cover might fool you into thinking that this is a light read. But it is very heavy on domestic abuse and gaslighting. This kind of content is not part of just one scene but a steady occurrence in the story, partly because of how it shows the cycle of violence in families and the generational impact of living in such conditions. If domestic abuse is a triggering factor for you as a reader, better to stay away from the book. But I appreciated the way it was utilised by the narrative, showing not just the physical impact but also the long-term mental trauma of living with such a partner. The stats about domestic violence mentioned in the course of the story are sobering.
Shelley Woodhouse can be called an unreliable narrator, but not the way modern thrillers use this trope. Her memory is genuinely affected because of her coma, and as we hear the story in her first person, we see only what she sees. However, the writing offers ample clues to help us figure out that there are chunks of missing information in Shelley’s memory. This makes many reveals guessable.
I liked the use of the dual timelines in the plot. Though a bit convenient as a plot device, these two perspectives help us understand what in Shelley’s past might have led to her present. And the perspectives aren’t as straightforward as you’d imagine. Shelley’s past and present have enough thought-provoking scenes might make you wonder what you’d do in her place.
As common in the women’s fiction genre, the male characters had no depth. They are either good or bad, with no in-between. I wish this genre had believable men; it is not just women who are complex characters. However, the key women in the book are well-defined, be it the struggling eponymous lead who is trying to figure out what’s happening, or her best friend Dee who is her rock in every moment of trial, or even Shelley’s mother who is torn over her own tricky feelings. I liked the decision of making Shelley the landlady of a pub – an unusual career to read about in fiction.
The ending was as expected, and yet it offered some minor novelties. I liked how it combined despair and hope, and didn’t forcefully fit everything into a neat HEA. However, there’s one key reveal made towards the end, which I simply couldn’t accept; it was so farfetched!
Again, this is not a bad book at all, but it sticks to the formula pretty closely. Women’s fiction readers are anyway used to the stories being predictable, so this can’t be considered a negative trait of the book. However, this approach also means that the story isn’t going to stick around in my head for long.
Recommended to those who enjoy women’s fiction. This is a good-enough one-time read. Watch out for the trigger though. The ending might make it feel-good fiction, but the journey has some painful moments.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Note: If you are a fan of this author and liked this book as well as ‘The Last List of Mabel Beaumont’, you can subscribe to her newsletter and get a free short story titled ‘A Chance Encounter’. This story blends the world between the two books, and is set after the events of Mabel Beaumont. It’s a sweet enough story, but not a must-read.
Plot Preview:
As soon as thirty-year-old Shelley wakes up from a coma, she insists that the police arrest her husband David as he was the reason she ended up in hospital. The medical staff advise her to calm down while the necessary is being done, but somehow, Shelley gets the feeling that she’s not being told something. As Shelley lies in bed, her mind goes wandering through the memories of her childhood, and through that exploration, she realises that her current memory is not exactly accurate. But what’s the truth? Why isn’t anyone telling her anything definite about her situation?
The story comes to us in Shelley’s first-person perspective, in alternating timelines of Then and Now.
I had first read this author in last year’s popular title, “The Last List of Mabel Beaumont”. While the book was pretty good, I couldn’t find anything that elevated it to a memorable level. It did all the right things, but didn’t push the bar in any way.
https://roshreviews.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-last-list-of-mabel-beaumont-laura.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5672172902
This book follows a slightly different route, with a younger lead character, some twisty turns, and an ending built on hope than perfection. Regardless, it is still predictable and the ending is still too good to be true – both of which bring down the overall impact.
The cover might fool you into thinking that this is a light read. But it is very heavy on domestic abuse and gaslighting. This kind of content is not part of just one scene but a steady occurrence in the story, partly because of how it shows the cycle of violence in families and the generational impact of living in such conditions. If domestic abuse is a triggering factor for you as a reader, better to stay away from the book. But I appreciated the way it was utilised by the narrative, showing not just the physical impact but also the long-term mental trauma of living with such a partner. The stats about domestic violence mentioned in the course of the story are sobering.
Shelley Woodhouse can be called an unreliable narrator, but not the way modern thrillers use this trope. Her memory is genuinely affected because of her coma, and as we hear the story in her first person, we see only what she sees. However, the writing offers ample clues to help us figure out that there are chunks of missing information in Shelley’s memory. This makes many reveals guessable.
I liked the use of the dual timelines in the plot. Though a bit convenient as a plot device, these two perspectives help us understand what in Shelley’s past might have led to her present. And the perspectives aren’t as straightforward as you’d imagine. Shelley’s past and present have enough thought-provoking scenes might make you wonder what you’d do in her place.
As common in the women’s fiction genre, the male characters had no depth. They are either good or bad, with no in-between. I wish this genre had believable men; it is not just women who are complex characters. However, the key women in the book are well-defined, be it the struggling eponymous lead who is trying to figure out what’s happening, or her best friend Dee who is her rock in every moment of trial, or even Shelley’s mother who is torn over her own tricky feelings. I liked the decision of making Shelley the landlady of a pub – an unusual career to read about in fiction.
The ending was as expected, and yet it offered some minor novelties. I liked how it combined despair and hope, and didn’t forcefully fit everything into a neat HEA. However, there’s one key reveal made towards the end, which I simply couldn’t accept; it was so farfetched!
Again, this is not a bad book at all, but it sticks to the formula pretty closely. Women’s fiction readers are anyway used to the stories being predictable, so this can’t be considered a negative trait of the book. However, this approach also means that the story isn’t going to stick around in my head for long.
Recommended to those who enjoy women’s fiction. This is a good-enough one-time read. Watch out for the trigger though. The ending might make it feel-good fiction, but the journey has some painful moments.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Note: If you are a fan of this author and liked this book as well as ‘The Last List of Mabel Beaumont’, you can subscribe to her newsletter and get a free short story titled ‘A Chance Encounter’. This story blends the world between the two books, and is set after the events of Mabel Beaumont. It’s a sweet enough story, but not a must-read.
kittkat's review
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Wowwww! Das beste Lese-ex, das ich bisher gelesen habe. Es war spannnend, herzzerreißend, erfrischend und aber auch so ein comfort.
Shelley wacht im Krankenhaus aus ihrem Koma auf und kann sich an nichts erinnern, außer dass ihr Ehemann David versucht hat, sie umzubringen. Kapitel nach Kapitel erinnert sie sich langsam an ihre Kindheit und puzzelt ihr Leben nach und nach wieder zusammen. Wie damals der Freund ihrer Mutter sie beide misshandelt hat und sie dann selbst in einer missbräuchlichen Ehe gelandet ist. Nun im Krankenhaus schwört sie sich, ihn ins Gefängnis sperren zu lassen und neu anzufangen. Jedoch verheimlichen ihr die Krankenhausangestellte und sogar ihre beste Freundin ihr etwas über ihre Vergangenheit. Shelley muss sich selbst erinnern, was wirklich geschehen ist.
Laura Pearsons Schreibstil war sooo ein comfort durch das ganze Buch. Das ist auch nötig bei solchen furchtbaren Themen wie häusliche Gewalt (und alles andere in den Trigger Warnings…). Das Thema wurde supersensibel angegangen und die Autorin hat auch so viele Facetten davon in Shelleys Leben dargestellt. Nach all dem Leid bekommt Shelley aber noch eine sehr schöne Liebesgeschichte, die einem das Herz wieder erwärmt. Das Buch bringt einen komplett an einen emotionalen Tiefpunkt und zeigt dann aber auch die schönsten Seiten des Lebens und Liebens.
Ich fand auch die abwechselnde Perspektive von „damals vor dem Krankenhaus“ und „jetzt mit Gedächtnislücken“ super spannend. Am Anfang muss man bisschen reinkommen, weil es tatsächlich eine Weile braucht bis man versteht, warum man so detailliert ihre Vergangenheit kennenlernt. Es lohnt sich 100%!!
Tolles Buch und leider, leider sehr real.
Shelley wacht im Krankenhaus aus ihrem Koma auf und kann sich an nichts erinnern, außer dass ihr Ehemann David versucht hat, sie umzubringen. Kapitel nach Kapitel erinnert sie sich langsam an ihre Kindheit und puzzelt ihr Leben nach und nach wieder zusammen. Wie damals der Freund ihrer Mutter sie beide misshandelt hat und sie dann selbst in einer missbräuchlichen Ehe gelandet ist. Nun im Krankenhaus schwört sie sich, ihn ins Gefängnis sperren zu lassen und neu anzufangen. Jedoch verheimlichen ihr die Krankenhausangestellte und sogar ihre beste Freundin ihr etwas über ihre Vergangenheit. Shelley muss sich selbst erinnern, was wirklich geschehen ist.
Laura Pearsons Schreibstil war sooo ein comfort durch das ganze Buch. Das ist auch nötig bei solchen furchtbaren Themen wie häusliche Gewalt (und alles andere in den Trigger Warnings…). Das Thema wurde supersensibel angegangen und die Autorin hat auch so viele Facetten davon in Shelleys Leben dargestellt. Nach all dem Leid bekommt Shelley aber noch eine sehr schöne Liebesgeschichte, die einem das Herz wieder erwärmt. Das Buch bringt einen komplett an einen emotionalen Tiefpunkt und zeigt dann aber auch die schönsten Seiten des Lebens und Liebens.
Ich fand auch die abwechselnde Perspektive von „damals vor dem Krankenhaus“ und „jetzt mit Gedächtnislücken“ super spannend. Am Anfang muss man bisschen reinkommen, weil es tatsächlich eine Weile braucht bis man versteht, warum man so detailliert ihre Vergangenheit kennenlernt. Es lohnt sich 100%!!
Tolles Buch und leider, leider sehr real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Grief, Death, and Car accident
sam57's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.75
girrllie's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0