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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This was almost a 5 star read, think of the movie 50 First Date but as a thriller. Very unique concept.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Infidelity, Blood, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual harassment
Megan Goldin’s [b:The Night Swim|51169341|The Night Swim|Megan Goldin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569898236l/51169341._SY75_.jpg|70932279] was one of my top thrillers of 2021 so I was beyond excited to learn I was selected for an ARC through NetGalley for a chance to read her sophomore novel, Stay Awake, before its release on August 9, 2022.
The book begins when Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a cab with no memory of how she got there. Every time she falls asleep, her memory is completely gone–the last thing she remembers is answering her phone at her desk over two years ago. To make matters worse, she soon discovers she has a bloody knife wrapped in her jacket and has no idea where it came from. Full disclosure, when I started reading this book I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. The first few chapters felt repetitive, with Liv falling asleep, forgetting everything, just for it to happen all over again.
I’m happy to report that after the first few chapters, things picked up considerably. Liv’s present-day story is interwoven with the story of her life two years ago, specifically with the days leading up to when her memory suddenly stops. Readers also follow two detectives who are trying to solve the murder of an unknown man found in a short-term rental. Could Liv be involved? Even she starts to doubt herself as the police close in on their suspect. I thought the change in POV and timelines was nicely written, flowed well, and held my interest throughout. Each chapter kept me captivated and wanting to read more.
This turned out to be a very enjoyable mystery/suspense novel. I highly recommend it to mystery and thriller fans. Stay Awake is my second book by Goldin and she’s quickly becoming a must-read author for me!
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The book begins when Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a cab with no memory of how she got there. Every time she falls asleep, her memory is completely gone–the last thing she remembers is answering her phone at her desk over two years ago. To make matters worse, she soon discovers she has a bloody knife wrapped in her jacket and has no idea where it came from. Full disclosure, when I started reading this book I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. The first few chapters felt repetitive, with Liv falling asleep, forgetting everything, just for it to happen all over again.
I’m happy to report that after the first few chapters, things picked up considerably. Liv’s present-day story is interwoven with the story of her life two years ago, specifically with the days leading up to when her memory suddenly stops. Readers also follow two detectives who are trying to solve the murder of an unknown man found in a short-term rental. Could Liv be involved? Even she starts to doubt herself as the police close in on their suspect. I thought the change in POV and timelines was nicely written, flowed well, and held my interest throughout. Each chapter kept me captivated and wanting to read more.
This turned out to be a very enjoyable mystery/suspense novel. I highly recommend it to mystery and thriller fans. Stay Awake is my second book by Goldin and she’s quickly becoming a must-read author for me!
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
High-energy thriller revolving around a woman dealing with trauma-induced memory lapses and the cops pursuing her as the primary suspect in a murder investigation.
But also what happened to Shauna and why does no one in this book care? For that matter, there are a number of questions left unanswered.
All in all, an un-putdownable thrill-ride of a book that’s very slightly let down by a lacklustre ending.
But also what happened to Shauna and why does no one in this book care? For that matter, there are a number of questions left unanswered.
All in all, an un-putdownable thrill-ride of a book that’s very slightly let down by a lacklustre ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Gaslighting
3.5 stars for this one because it really dragged on for hours without much happening. Liv suffers from amnesia that happens every time she falls asleep, forgetting 2 1/2 years of her life. One morning she wakes up covered in blood, only to learn of a murder, and she’s the last person seen with the victim. A really smart idea for a thriller, but entirely too long.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In the middle of the night, Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a taxi, and can’t remember how or when she got there. Her last memory is answering the phone in her office at work. After a confusing confrontation with the people who live in what she thinks is still her house, she discovers a bloody knife in her possession, and disposes of it in a nearby trash can. She spends the entire book falling asleep over and over and waking back up 2 years in the future, forgetting everything.
I loved the first 3/4 of this book. It hooks you immediately from the beginning. It was a wild rollercoaster ride of a thriller and there isn’t a single part of this book that I’d call boring.
The unreliable narrator kept me constantly on my toes. I really had to pay attention to the timeline, and while that can get tedious, the writing style and storyline was so compelling I had no trouble at all. At one point, when Liv was on the phone with 911, the lady was telling her to stay awake, just stay awake. I got chills, and it all clicked for me why she was so insistent on staying awake.
The storyline and plot was so so good, but then the ending was so abrupt. It felt rushed and unfinished and was a bit disappointing after the wild rollercoaster ride the author led us on the entire story. I was expecting a real exciting twist from this thriller, and was left disappointed with something that just felt too convenient.
I definitely recommend reading this. It was certainly an awesome read and kept me guessing the entire time. I just wish more time would have been spent perfecting that ending!
Thank you for this ARC that was generously provided by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the first 3/4 of this book. It hooks you immediately from the beginning. It was a wild rollercoaster ride of a thriller and there isn’t a single part of this book that I’d call boring.
The unreliable narrator kept me constantly on my toes. I really had to pay attention to the timeline, and while that can get tedious, the writing style and storyline was so compelling I had no trouble at all. At one point, when Liv was on the phone with 911, the lady was telling her to stay awake, just stay awake. I got chills, and it all clicked for me why she was so insistent on staying awake.
The storyline and plot was so so good, but then the ending was so abrupt. It felt rushed and unfinished and was a bit disappointing after the wild rollercoaster ride the author led us on the entire story. I was expecting a real exciting twist from this thriller, and was left disappointed with something that just felt too convenient.
I definitely recommend reading this. It was certainly an awesome read and kept me guessing the entire time. I just wish more time would have been spent perfecting that ending!
Thank you for this ARC that was generously provided by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes