Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

I had heard a lot of buzz about it on Bookstagram and I really enjoyed her first book "Escape Room" but this one was not to my taste. I think there was a lot of plot holes, for exemple Liv can do a lot of things but can't remember her own home address?? The writing was also a bit repetitive which is pet peeve of mine 😅 I had to put it down eventually.

Wow! What a rollercoaster ride.

This is a masterpiece of intrigue and mystery, each chapter interwoven to create a very entertaining story.

The main character, Liv, is completely believable and I was rooting for her throughout.

I can’t recommend this enough, I was sad to finish it.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Liv ... I was worried as I have never been for a character before. Mystery around her was for me something new and I was so on the eage every day I stopped for our buddy read talk.

I can not say it was perfect. I admit there were so many leads that you were driven away each time more. But at the end I was glad I had also something for my romantic side.

The book was one of my fave thrillers thiy year. Waking up and not remwmbering a thing. A perfect life that turn in an nightmaire. The story is told in such a great way. Dual time but present time happens so fast it was crazy. Murders were commited and it seems the resposabile is the same person. But who? The tesion was so deep and unfortuatly also sad but so well done and wraped up perfectly

I loved my buddy-reading talk with Marie, Angie, Sharada and Najma. Thank you girls🤗

And thanks publishers Canelo and Netgalley for the opportunity

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Psychological Thriller
𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀: 352

𝗣𝘂𝗯-𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 18th August 2022

Thanks to #netgalley and #canelo.co for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve rarely come across such a unique premise for a thriller as this one.

I mean the beginning of this book alone deserved the Book-Oscar for openings!

A woman wakes up in a cab with no memory of the last two years. Her last memory is that of answering her phone at her desk in the office 2 years ago and then nothing.
On her hands she’s repeatedly scribbled 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕪 𝔸𝕨𝕒𝕜𝕖 - 𝕋𝕣𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕟𝕠 𝕠𝕟𝕖 - 𝔻𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕊𝕝𝕖𝕖𝕡!
Oh, and did I mention a bloody knife in her pocket?

I won't say anything more except that it's told in a dual timeline, which is one of my favourites.

The urge to know what the hell was going on and why Liv couldn't remember the two years drove me almost to madness!

I eagerly flipped through the pages feeling the same exhaustion as Liv who was constantly drinking caffeine to stay awake!

The tension in the last few chapters crackled as I tried to piece the puzzle together while swimming upstream in a sea of red herrings…

My only complaint were a few issues that were not explained (What happened to Shawna the cat? And why those chocolates?)

Apart from those two questions that are still haunting me, I thought it was brilliant!

Thanks NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC!

What a riveting thriller based on a unique, original premise of memory disorder!

Synopsis –

Two years ago, Liv Reese had a great career as a writer for a food magazine. But now she is lost, disoriented & finds herself in a taxi with no memory of how she got there. Her phone is missing & the only things she has are - a bloodstained knife & weird messages like “STAY AWAKE” written on her hands. When a crime scene footage shows the same kind of message written in the victim’s blood, Liv tries to run from a crime, she has no idea if she committed or not.

Review -

The narrative alternates between the present with Liv wandering around with no memory and the past - which takes us 2 years back into her life, leading up to 2 days before the present.

The plot is smartly built and I was instantly consumed by Liv’s unusual predicament. The author deserves credit for all the research that must have gone in into short-term amnesia and its psychological relation to insomnia.

The best part was that both the timelines were equally intense and gripping. All the jumping back and forth cranked up the intrigue factor immensely and kept the adrenaline flowing. With multiple red-herrings introduced, it was nearly impossible to figure out where things were headed.

I also loved the thread of the two detectives who were involved with Liv’s case and the distinctive angles they brought in to the plot. Goldin excels at creating confusion using Liv’s memory issues as a weapon - playing mind games on us, cleverly hiding the perpetrator in plain sight.

The writing is crisp, moving at a furious pace with short chapters that maintain the momentum. The only drawbacks for me were some of the characters/situations that seemed unnecessary, as if the author added them just for the sake of deliberate misdirection.

Although the ending did not have a blow-away quality to it, it was overall an exciting experience with all the thrills, the highlight being the highly ingenious concept it deploys.

My first by this author, but now I am definitely onto her backlist!

Stay Awake

By Megan Goldin

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks a mil to Netgalley.co.uk for the opportunity to read this ARC of Megan Goldin's latest book published on 9th August in exchange for an honest review.

I've previously only read one other book by this author - 'The Night Swim' back in March of this year but I absolutely loved that one and have been looking forward to reading another book by this author ever since.

While I didnt love this one quite as much as 'The Night Swim' there is no denying the author can write a bloody good thriller 🤪

This was a fantastic read and one I will definitely be recommending.

I'll be adding Megan Goldin to my
auto-buy list for sure.

Once you start this one, you will be hooked from the very first page - I just wasnt able to put it down and had it finished in two sittings.

It is twisty, weird, fast paced and full of suspense.

The best kind of read.

An absolute page turner.

If you like psychological thrillers then you definitely need to read this one.

An easy 4 stars from me
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Stay Awake is the new psychological thriller from Australian author Megan Goldin. This is the fourth book I have read of Megan's and will not be the last!

The book works with three main threads. The main character Liv in the past, Liv in the present & the detective Lavelle.

Liv is an amnesiac who cannot remember the day after she falls asleep. On waking, Liv's memory has a two year gap. Liv grapples with trying to learn everything about herself while also trying not to fall asleep.

The story centres around Liv waking with no knowledge of her life, but also holding a bloodstained knife. Liv is the main suspect and has to stay on the run, and stay awake!

The pace of this book is fantastic. I did not want to put it down! A must read!

A murder she doesn’t remember committing. Or a killer she doesn’t remember meeting?
Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a taxi with no idea where she is or how she got there. She is dropped off at her apartment, but is confronted by a stranger who claims to live there. Confused, she reaches for her phone to call for help – only to find that in its place is a bloodstained knife. That’s when she sees that her hands are covered in scribbles repeating the same two words: STAY AWAKE.
Last she recalls, Liv was a successful writer for a New York magazine. Now, she’s lost and disoriented in the city. She is horrified to see news reports of a crime scene where the victim’s blood has been used to scrawl a message: the same message that’s inked on her hands. What did she do last night before waking in a moving car?
Liv finds herself on the run for a crime she doesn’t remember committing and trying to piece together the fragments of her life. But there’s someone who knows exactly what she did, and they’ll do anything to make her forget – permanently.

This is a thrilling and gripping read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

Misdirection Galore..
Misdirection galore in this swiftly moving suspense with twists aplenty. Liv Reese is, it seems, wanted for murder. But, did she do it? The trouble is that she doesn’t seem to know herself. On the run, and with no memory of recent events, Liv is in serious trouble and it may well just be about to get worse. Much worse. Pacy and immersive this is an edgy, tense read with a well drawn cast and an intriguing plot.

Stay Awake

STAY AWAKE !
When Liv falls asleep she wakes with no memory of how she got where she is and the last thing she remembers is 2 years previous. People seem to know her and she has no idea who they are and she has written messages to herself STAY AWAKE !

This book had my hooked from the start. I did find the timeline jumps a bit chaotic at the start but this didn't disrupt my enjoyment. Would definitely recommend this as a quick Thriller read.

Thank you to Netgalley, Canelo and Megan Goldin for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest Review

A murder she doesn’t remember committing. Or a killer she doesn’t remember meeting?

Liv Reece wakes in a taxi with no memory of how she got there! She is dropped at her apartment in NYC, but it turns out she doesn’t live there anymore! Confused, she reaches for her phone to call for help, only to find a blood-stained knife in its place. That’s when the sees that her hands are covered in writing – WAKE UP – DON’T ANSWER THE PHONE – STAY AWAKE!

Last she recalls, Liv was a successful writer for a New York magazine. Now, she is lost and disorientated in the city. She is horrified to see news reports of a crime scene where the victims’ blood has been used to scrawl a message: the same message that’s inked on her hands! What did she do last night before waking in a movie g car?

Liv finds herself on the run for a crime she doesn’t remember committing and trying to piece together the fragments of her life. But there’s someone who knows exactly what happened, and they’ll do anything to make her forget – permanently!

I’ve had a LOT going on lately so have really struggled to get into any of the books I have attempted to read recently, either dnf-ing them or just putting them aside to (hopefully) pick back up later. This book though – it really grabbed my attention and I think (hope) this has gotten me out of my reading slump! I loved the unique way the story was set up and laid out. The author’s unique twist on what’s become a standard format of a then / now timeline was really refreshing and brought an extra layer to her storytelling.

The pacing was solid throughout with a slow build of suspense and tension along the way. You were kept guessing, along with Liv as to what was going on, who to trust and whether Liv was guilty or not. The characters were interesting and likeable, especially Liv’s character and Detective Halliday’s. The story unfolded in such a way that it kept your interest, giving you little explosive revelations along the way with twists and the odd red herring to throw you off.

I did like this book and enjoyed reading it, but – it was a tad predictable towards the end. Out of the three books I’ve read by Megan Goldin, I would say that The Night Swim and The Escape Room are both superior books, but as I said, I did like this book and its unique way of storytelling and the interesting plot-driven storyline should grab your attention like it did mine – the ride you are taken on, more than makes up for any small shortfalls towards the end of the book.

My thanks to the author and Canelo for my advance copy to review via Netgalley. Available to buy now!

Stay Awake is a masterclass in visceral levels of tension. This is perfect for TV adaptation. A blistering page-turner.

What can I say about Stay Awake that will do it the justice it deserves?

Never has sleep had such dangerous connotations? It is an intricate game of minds. Wake up, forget everything that has happened in the last two years, spend all day trying to connect the dots and discover what happened in those missing gaps, fall asleep, wake up and repeat. It would be a horrible way to live. You quickly get lost in the plot and you become so immersed in helping Liv discover what happened to her. She is walking a tightrope. She doesn’t know who to trust, she doesn’t understand why other people are living in her home, and her only guide is the notes scribbled on her hands and arms.

Megan Goldin’s writing is mesmerizing. You know something or someone is pulling the strings in the background, you are distracted by noise, the noise that the author has created, it keeps you on your toes, like a cat on hot bricks, even as the reader you aren’t entirely sure where is safe. Whilst reading, all of my senses were on red alert. You can sense Liv’s fear and smell the danger all around, but you don’t want to reach out in case you get burnt too.

Stay Awake is a novel about memory loss. Liv Reece wakes up in a cab with no idea where she is or where she is headed. Her confusion is palpable, it leaves you on edge. She makes her way to the flat that she shares with her housemate, Amy. She is told by the occupiers of the flat that she doesn’t live here. She is adamant that this is her flat, she has no idea what is going on.

Darcy Halliday is a new homicide detective partnering up with veteran Jack Lavelle. Two interesting characters that have their own backstories. Halliday, ex-military, and Lavelle, a seasoned cop that has had his own share of gruesome murders to solve, he has the quickest turnaround of solved cases in the precinct. I was engrossed in the characters and their quirks that I didn’t see the signs popping up all over the place.

A man turns up dead, with one fatal stab wound. Wake Up has been written onto the window in the dead man’s blood, facing out to the world outside. It’s a message, but why does it resemble the delusional markings that Liv has written on her hand? Is she connected or is it a pure coincidence? All Liv knows is that she can’t fall asleep, or she risks forgetting everything again, with the help of energy drinks and coffee can she stay awake long enough to work out how she is connected to the murder?

Liv Reese wakes up in a taxi,not knowing how she got there or where she is, with a bloodied knife in her pocket and her hands covered in writing including the words STAY AWAKE! The last thing she can remember is answering her phone in her office and now she's wanted for a murder. Now she's on the run from a crime she doesn't know if she committed and trying to remember what happened in the past. But someone else is also looking for her will she manage to escape them too?

This kept me gripped and on the edge of my seat. Imagine waking up having no recollection of the past 2 and a half years it would be horrible. I liked Liv as a character very unreliable and you have no idea what's going on either. Megan Goldin really keeps you wanting more.

I highly recommend this to thriller fans you may see some of the twists coming but I don't feel it affected the story.

👁 BOOK REVIEW 👁
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#StayAwake by @megangoldinauthor

⏩for synopsis

THIS BOOK PEOPLE! 😱

What an absolute gem of a read! I loved it. Unique. Refreshing. Exciting. Completely back to front and upside down in presentation but oh how my little bookish heart is full and I know I’ll be thinking about this one for a long take to come…

It’s one of the most exciting thrillers I have ever read! I literally lost a night sleep over it - not only reading it till stupid o clock, but thoughts of the themes/mystery rattling around in my brain. It’s a little bit of a mind bender but one that sings with perfection.

I loved the shifting timelines with the story split between Liv and the police hunt. The detective duo were brilliant (please can we see them again?! 🙏) and poor Liv how could you no get emotionally attached to her and her situation. The mystery was played out perfectly - the web tangling before your eyes and kept you constantly turning the page. Although things did move around quite a bit, I found it easy to follow with the information given at the perfect pace.

Soooo I did work it out pretty early on BUT there were so many layers to this story that I enjoyed letting play out, basking in all the finer details that came as the story reached its conclusion and it did not ruin a single thing for me. Bravo!

With thanks to author #MeganGoldin #StMartinsPress and @netgalley for allowing us to read this one early!

Release: OUT NOW

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

Stay awake by Megan Goldin.
Liv Reese hands are covered in two words STAY AWAKE. She wakes up in the back of a taxi. She doesn’t remember. Did she comit murder? Why can't she remember?
Omg brilliant. I loved Liv. Read in one sitting. 5*.

Possibly one of the best books I have read this year, it was gripping right from the start and left me guessing all the way through. A really good read.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this fascinating book

every time liv falls asleep she loses two years of her life... thats not the worst of it..... she cant find her flat mate or her boyfriend

and she goes round in circles trying to find them.... the people at her apartment are angry that she has turned up... her boyfriends apartment the new people there are sick of her turning up

she just cant understand where they could be....

and why is there writing on her hands saying stay awake...

whilst reading this book you do automatically think of the movie 50 first dates where the same thing happens everyday to a woman who goes to sleep and when she wakes up doesnt remember anything but there are differences with this book enough to make you keep reading

for a start theres a murder with stay awake written in blood on the window with all the evidence pointing towards liv as the perp and with the whole police force on the look out for liv its all very exciting trying to figure out who is after who and will liv remember anything when she wakes up...

its never disappointing reading a book by this author

Stay Awake is written from the points of view of Liv Reese and Darcy Halliday, two of the central characters in the novel. Liv lives in an apartment she shares with her best friend Amy, but when she arrives home one night after being dropped off in a taxi there are strangers living there. Darcy is one of two detectives investigating a murder where a message has been written on a window using blood. The other detective is Jack Lavelle. Has Liv been involved in a murder that she doesn't remember? The last she can recall is being at her place of work in an office.

The tale is told using a dual timeline, moving backwards and forwards to two years ago and currently. The pace zooms along and the plotting is well done. For me, this is another winner from Megan Goldin.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Canelo via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

After reading The Night Swim I couldn’t have raced faster for this one! And Megan Goldin has done it again! I feel like I’ve luckily been on a big streak with books at the moment and been loving them all!! Psychological thriller at its best!

Thank you to the author, Canelo Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This take on "Memento", told in two different POVs - Liv, the amnesiac and Darcy, the policewoman trying to find her - never lets up. The pace is fast, mirroring the panic Liv feels as she keeps bumping up against her confusion at having lost two years of her life, and the level of suspense high. Yes, parts are repetitive, but for me this mirrored Liv's state of mind as she grappled with her situation. Liv comes across as fairly unlikeable, and there is a high level of detail on Darcy, which never goes much of anywhere, so you have to wonder why it was included. As a set-up for a next book? The guilty party is easy to work out, but in spite of that, I could.not.put.this.down.