Laura what a wonderful book you have written. I enjoyed Shelley story. The way the story unfolded was very easy to read. I liked the two aspects of the memory loss, the then and now parts. Shelley is a true heroine in a very well written book. Laura I cant wait to read your next book!

A moving exploration of a life beautifully capturing the dichotomies that people can experience: from abuse to beautiful friendships.

The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up sings due to Laura Pearson’s ability to explore and convey the nuances of character. Pearson creates believable characters that the reader can root for without them being all good or all bad.

This novel was a difficult read at times due to some of the content - domestic violence is portrayed - but I never once felt able to stop reading as I was too invested in Shelley. In my opinion, it’s a tough read because Laura Pearson demonstrates the horrible realities of DV and coercive control realistically - and it’s happening to characters the reader cares about.

Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes.

This is my second book by this author and another solid four stars. The now and then alternating chapters worked well but because I much preferred the now chapters it almost worked too well and I did skim a bit through the others. It’s a very clever tale though and was brutally Frank about the effect of domestic violence on the whole family.

This is a cleverly written book dealing a difficult subject in a sensitive way.. This author has such a wonderful way with words. I loved how it ended.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review

My first book ive read by Laura Pearson. Even though it really tugged at my heartstrings, i love the way Laura tackles important, tough topics in a realistic and sensitive manner. This one is about a woman named Shelley Woodhouse who wakes from a coma believing her husband has tried to kill her by pushing her down the stairs. What follows is a dual timeline of Shelley’s life from childhood to the event that landed her in the hospital.

There are moments when we might 'wake up' from sleepwalking through life and then there is the kind of wake-up call that Shelley Woodhouse receives, when she awakens from a coma, only to find that the world she imagines she is stepping back into isn't all it seems. An intriguing, clever and absorbing story, with multiple layers that questions the reliability of our own memories and also delves into the topic of inherited and remembered trauma and how this can overshadow our lives. It's an honest exploration of domestic violence and coercive control that will squeeze your heart but also fill it up again. Laura Pearson writes with tenderness, honesty and hope.

The author carefully crafted an absorbing book about marriage, friendship, relationships and abuse. Shelley wakes up from a coma, fearing her husband, David. Starting out loving and gentle, David quickly turned jealous and abusive. As Shelley’s memories begin to return, she is confused as to what has happened to her. One thing constant, and so well executed, was Shelley’s constant friendship with Dee. Shelley’s relationship with her mother was also telling as to what Shelley later endures. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Shelley wakes up in a hospital bed, she believes that her husband has pushed her down the stairs. He has a history of being violent towards her and Shelley is scared. The medical staff are really supportive but seem reluctant to tell Shelley anything, only her friend Dee and the kind volunteer, Matt, reassure her. Then Shelley discovers that it's not 2017 as she thought, but 2024, what has happened in the seven years she is missing?
Pearson's books are very gentle and easy to read and here she deals with a sensitive topic in a sympathetic way. By placing Shelley's experiences in a memory situation, the violence is not graphic but is hard-hitting and the writing does not downplay anything. In the end the book is supportive and I can forgive the very 'fairytale' ending.

Amazing book; sometimes a difficult read. Shelley finds herself in hospital where she learns she’s been in a coma. She remembers…her husband David had been abusive for years and he tried to kill her. She’s beside herself worrying he might come and find her; everything is vague and I one will tell her where he is or what happened. Her friend Dee is her only visitor; aside from Matt; who has appeared from nowhere as a hospital volunteer. Very slowly Shelley pieces her life back together again. I loved this book although it times is was a really difficult read.

🎧Audiobook Review🎧

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Thank you to NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book.

🎶Beautiful
💞Family
😢Emotional
⭐Memories

It is official, Laura Pearson is on my auto-buy list. Every time I pick up one of her books I know I will be on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and this book is no exception. Shelley's story is full of so much strength and resilience, utterly beautiful!

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

I was lucky enough to read The Last List of Mabel Beaumont last year and adored it, so I was really keen to read the latest offering from Laura Pearson. Check out that gorgeous cover!

Written from the point of view of Shelley, the chapters alternate between 'now' and 'then'. The book begins with Shelley in hospital having just woken up from a coma, and we share Shelley's journey through her physical and mental recovery and the gradual restoration of her memories.

We learn about Shelley's childhood and recent adulthood and the trauma she has endured. The main theme of the book is domestic violence and controlling behaviour, and some of it makes for uncomfortable reading. It's a really important topic, however, and Pearson has tackled it openly and honestly with real insight.

The characters are really well written, and their relationships are authentic. You can feel the pain and heartbreak on all sides. I loved finding out about Shelley's more recent past and her steps towards recovery and breaking patterns.

The book stirred up a whole range of emotions, and although the topic was difficult, it was an enjoyable read with an overriding sense of hope. The loyalty of Shelley's friends and customers was heartwarming, and I loved the ending.

If you haven't read anything by Laura Pearson, then I recommend you cange that as soon as possible. Her writing style is engaging, and the storytelling is compelling. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

This is a beautifully written novel by an author who has produced several books that I have enjoyed in the past.

This book follows the life of Shelly Woodhouse, starting from her early life with her mum and Nan, at the point where her mum meets a man who starts to abuse her mum and ultimately Shelley, physically over many years.

Shelly moves out and meets a man who seems perfect, but sadly he is also an abuser and at the height of his rage throws Shelly down the stairs and puts her in hospital in a coma.

Moving on 7 years, Shelley wakes in a hospital and has no idea how she got there, what has happened to her or what day it is. The book is the story of the journey from her first hospital stay to her second and how she finds out what happened in the time between.

I raced through this book as I very much enjoyed the story and the characters and was hoping for a happy ending. The writing was excellent and engaging, with some real truths about domestic violence and the difficulty in leaving an abusive relationship.

Although I guessed fairly early on who the hospital volunteer was that kept Shelley company, I was engrossed in the story of how it would play out and was not disappointed.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Well this book instantly pulls you in and I love the authors writing style. The characters are so authentic. Shelley wakes up from a coma clearly confused and she says that her husband tried to kill her. I love how emotional the plot is and it touches quite a few tough topics for patients and caregivers but it is addressed with kindness and respect. I found myself racing to the end. It's a story of strength and hope which will make you cry while feeling hope for a better outcome. The ending is wholly satisfying. I hugely appreciated this read and can highly recommend.

This is the kind of story that draws you in and will not let you go, I found it both heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure. This is such a beautiful story with strong female characters at its heart with a life affirming narrative you will simply fall in love with. From the very start I was rooting for Shelley to find the truth of her past and lost memories. I loved all the characters they were so well written and easy to empathise with, and like many other readers have said we could all benefit from having a friend like Dee in our lives and their friendship was perfectly plotted. I loved this book was built on an unflinching narrative of what living domestic abuse is really like while being sensitive at the same time.

What a read this is and one I thoroughly enjoyed. When Shelley Woodhouse wakes from a coma things are not as they seem but what has happened in the past and what will happen now? This is a story that will grab you and make you want to read more. It is such a poignant story and one you won't want to put down.

The characters are so real and intense, the story is so compelling and moving and the subject matter will make you take notice. This is such a heartfelt read which has been beautifully written with care and compassion and with heart. Make sure you read this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I've read all three of Laura's books and I think this one was my favorite. I liked the sweetness of the story but also the exploration of harder topics. I do think it's a little fat fetched that someone would be in a coma twice but hey it's fiction. I liked the Characters and I was rooting for them.

Such an enjoyable book with an interesting storyline that is thought provoking and true to life. I think the author did a wonderful job with the characters and descriptions. I would recommend any books Laura Pearson has written.

Shelley Woodhouse wakes up from a coma with injuries she claims to have sustained after a violent confrontation with her husband. With only Dee, her friend and coworker from the pub Shelley runs, and a kind hospital volunteer named Matt as her only outside visitors, she doesn’t have much input into what is going on outside her hospital room. She is surprised that the police haven't approached her for a statement and the hospital staff and Dee aren't giving straight answers to her probing questions. Despite her conviction about the events that led to her hospitalization, she senses that something is off, compounded by flashes of memories that seem unreal to her. As the narrative progresses, we follow Shelley as she tries to reclaim her memories and fill in the blank spaces, embarking on a journey of hope and healing in order to move forward.

The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up by Laura Pearson is a well-written novel that delves into the issue of domestic violence and how the same impacts not only victims but also their friends and family members. The story emphasizes the importance of a support system for those who carry the emotional scars of abuse long after their physical wounds might have healed. The author paints a heartbreaking picture of the social and emotional factors that prevent victims from breaking the cycle of domestic violence. This is a sensitive issue and the author addresses it with maturity and compassion. The narrative is presented from past and present timelines – “Then” and “Now”- in alternating chapters. The past timeline allows us to get to know more about Shelley’s backstory, her childhood and the events leading up to her hospitalization while the present timeline follows Shelley as she interacts with those around her. The author deftly weaves the two timelines into a well-paced fluid narrative. Shelley is an endearing protagonist who you would not hesitate to cheer on, though you might question a few of her choices. It was heartbreaking reading about Shelley’s pain and confusion, but you have to admire her resolve and her kindness toward others. The supporting characters are well-fleshed-out (even those you would be inclined to dislike). There was one particular aspect revealed toward the end of the novel that I found terribly unrealistic and virtually impossible in the real world, but I’ll refrain from going on that about here (despite my eye-rolling and vigorous head-shaking reaction to the same). I wasn’t completely surprised by a few of the revelations (there were enough hints strewn throughout the narrative) but I did enjoy following Shelley’s journey and was happy that the author chose to end the story on a positive note.

This is my second time reading Laura Pearson after The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, which I loved, and I’m eager to read more from her in the future.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on April 6, 2024.

Tackling a serious subject like domestic abuse is tough but Laura Pearson does it with such tact and sensitivity. The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up is a harrowing read at times. My heart broke for her and her mam, it was just horrendous to see the impact these cruel men had on these two women. It's not an easy read at all but it's a wonderful read all the same. I loved Shelley and with an amazing array of supporting characters, you're immersed into her world. Your heart will break but it will be put back together. A definite must read from me.

EXCERPT: How is it possible that just three days ago we were standing in a cold church, promising to love each other forever, and now we are here, in the kitchen, and I am holding my face where the imprint of his hand is forming? It's a line he hasn't crossed before, but now that he has, it's like I can see that perhaps it was always headed in this direction. Had I known? Had I been aware of the type of man he was and married him anyway? I am a fool.

ABOUT 'THE DAY SHELLEY WOODHOUSE WOKE UP': When Shelley Woodhouse wakes up in hospital from a coma, the first thing she says is that her husband must be arrested.

He’s the reason she’s in here. She knows it. She remembers what he did. Clearly as anything.

But there are things Shelley has forgotten too, including parts of her childhood. And as those start to come back to her, so do other memories. Ones with the power to change everything.

But can she trust these new memories, or what anyone around her is telling her? And who is the mysterious hospital volunteer who brings her food and keeps making her smile? Is it possible to find your future when you're confused about your past?

MY THOUGHTS: Laura Pearson tackles the important topic of domestic violence realistically and sensitively. Apparently one in three women are subject to some form of domestic violence. That information stunned me. The information that this type of abuse is frequently generational, didn't. If a person grows up in an abusive situation, they are more than likely to perpetuate that cycle. It's a frightening reality.

Shelley has grown up in an abusive situation. Her mother tolerated the abuse, so is it any wonder Shelley finds herself in a similar situation?

The story is not a complex one, and I figured out what was going on well ahead of the reveals. It is told over a dual timeline, NOW, with Shelley in hospital after coming out of a coma, and THEN which covers Shelley's childhood and events up to this point.

Shelley is lucky that she has had people to support her - her Granny Rose in her childhood, and her friend and co-worker Dee once she leaves home. Not everyone is that lucky. It is a common trait of abusers that they isolate the victim from their friends and supporters. And then there's Matt - the 'volunteer' at the hospital - what a marvellous character he is!

I don't think this is the best book that Laura Pearson has written - in my eyes, that honor goes to I Wanted You To Know. It is a little clumsy in parts, but the motivation behind the writing can't be faulted. A great book for anyone who is in an abusive relationship - it may just provide the motivation to get out.

⭐⭐⭐.5

#TheDayShelleyWoodhouseWokeUp #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Laura Pearson has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She lives in Leicestershire with her husband and their two children.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up by Laura Pearson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.