Kudos to the author for such an original and topical plot! Cassie wants to help her brother out when he owes a debt for some illegal activity which unbeknownst to them is no big deal. I can see people becoming obsessed via Social Contagion with an app like DareMe since wealth seems such an easily obtained goal nowadays. Build a app, start a company, become in influencer, etc, all paths to wealth people are told. I liked the fast pacing and the realism, but would have liked more character development. The characters were two-dimensional. I did enjoy the creepy ending and did not see that coming.

📱E-Book Review📱

Win Or Die
Darren O'Sullivan

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book was just so addictive and I was swept away from the very start.

When her brother Sam gets into trouble with the wrong people, she needs to find the money to help him out - before it's too late!

The concept of this new app that pays people to act out and film the ever increasing dares set, was brilliant.
I mean, I absolutely hated the idea ....thinking of how easy this could actually be to create or maybe, there's even been things like this in the past already?
But this was a scary concept all the same and yet so, so believable!

I was so worried for Cassie throughout.
The problem being just how far would you be willing to go, to keep your family safe from the wrong kind - but in doing so, actually getting into more of a mess yourself.

The writing style really sucked me in from the start and I literally had my heart in my throat for the majority of this read.
The atmosphere created was just so tangible and I raced through each page, desperate to find out how each date would play out and how on earth Cassie would deal with the consequences as the stakes were raised.

This was twisty and tense right to the end and I absolutely loved every second.
I can't wait to see more from this author soon!

The premise of this book was really intriguing, but it fell a bit short. There were parts that just felt unbelievable, and I trudged through them- some of the dares, the multiple attacks, the "hit." I did not connect with the characters and felt they were a bit two-dimensional.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read the ARC.

Win or Die is a story meant to keep you reading and it did! Fast paced with deadlines it kept the sense of urgency on the reader high. If you love a miscommunication troupe you need to read this book. Cass just wants to help her brother unknown to either of them her brother’s mistake is not a big deal to the people he was working with. Things escalated quickly when Cass joins a DareMe app, which pays people for completing dares within a deadline. She wants to raise money to help her brother but then it turns into dares on her. This book also has the huge message that from behind a computer or app, people forget other people lives are involved and think it’s a game without consequences.

WoW!!!! What did I just read?

Win or Die by Darren O’Sullivan was an intense read which was full of brilliant twists and turns that had me just wanting more!!! I was hooked when I read - it was a roller coaster ride. . . . I could not stop reading it!

"One week. Nineteen thousand pounds. A dangerous game. Can she win or will she die?"

OMG this was a excellent book from start to finish. . . . . . .Scary times if this ever happened!!!

Cassie and is raising her younger brother Sam, after their mother died when Cassie was 19 and Sam was 10. She tried her best and became so worried when Sam came home with a black eye and then starts crying out of the blue in his bedroom. Cassie knows something is wrong with her 18 year-old brother, and gives him some space hoping he will tell her.

Sam is beaten up again and now he is recovering in Hospital from this latest attack, he finally breaks down and tells Cassie that he owes some men £19,000's. Cassie knows it is up to her to pay her brother's debt and needs to find a way of doing it fast! She asks her bank and gets a loan for a small amount. But the clock is ticking. . . . . . . .
Cassie hears about a social media game app called DareMe! and signs up to it. DareMe is new, where players can earn money by accepting and completing dares/challenges and they have to film themselves doing them.
Cassie does a few of these dares and the money pot is slowly rising! But she has a big way to go to get the £19,000' to get Sam out of trouble!

These dare's have been simple but you only get small change for doing these!
1, Swim across a river.
2. Kiss a complete stranger,
3. Run down the street in your underwear etc.

Now, Cassie needs to start doing the higher paying dares, these dares are illegal or worse, can be Very Dangerous!!!

But, the clock is still ticking! . . . . . . . . and these men want their money and will Stop at nothing to get it

Will Cassie make enough money to pay back these men?
or
Will these dare's become so dangerous for the big money and will she survive them? .

WoW this book was EXCELLENT!!!!! I loved it. Win or Die would make a great film!

I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Darren O'Sullivan, and Joffe Books for this ARC!

OK... I'm still stat here thinking... wow... where do I even start with Win Or Die?

The story follows Cassie and her brother Sam and what happens when £19,000 is owed to some very dodgy people by Sam.

So how can Cassie collect £19k inside a week to save her brother? Well, by joining in the new social media craze DareMe. Things get dark and twisty very fast...

This book has some serious 'Nerve' vibes (2016 movie) but is incredibly realistic in its approach. I also love that film so it was a given I'd love this book too.

Cassie and Sam are great characters and I loved how Darren portrayed Cassie. I immediately empathised with her!

The whole concept of this book is exploring the depravity of social media and of course, just how low will someone go for cash...

I started reading this and didn't quite know what to expect as it initially starts off as a calm before the storm kind of thriller but when the adrenaline kicks in, boy does it kick in and I became hooked until I finished!

And... I DIDN'T GUESS THE BAD GUYS! This (to me) is the sign of an outstanding crime thriller as normally I can work out a bag guy really on in the book!

This is the first time I've read Darren but based on this book alone, I will definitely read Darren's work again as this was incredible!

A fast paced thriller that will leave you forgetting to breathe. Cassie's younger brother is in trouble beaten up and in hospital.she has to find 19k by the end of the week so she starts using the DareMe app that pays for dares, then thing escalates. Fast paced full of twists and the tension racks up to high. An unforgettable thriller that won't disappoint. Thanks to Joffe books and Netgalley for this review ARC.

Darren O’Sullivan’s Win or Die is a high-stakes, adrenaline-charged thriller that grips you from the start and doesn’t let go. Fast-paced and unpredictable, this novel takes readers on a wild, dangerous ride where every choice could mean life or death.

With echoes of Nerve and the unsettling intensity of The Purge, Win or Die blends psychological tension with pulse-pounding action. O’Sullivan crafts a premise that feels disturbingly plausible, immersing readers in a game of survival that’s as gripping as it is terrifying. The twists are relentless, and the sense of urgency is palpable, making it nearly impossible to put down.

Thrilling, twisted, and thoroughly entertaining, Win or Die is a must-read for fans of dark, cinematic-style thrillers. If you enjoy stories that keep you on the edge of your seat and constantly second-guessing what’s coming next, this one is not to be missed.

Win or Die by Darren O'Sullivan is a taut and gripping crime thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seats!

Cassie and her younger brother Sam have been by themselves since their mother died when Cassie was 19 and Sam was 10. Cassie has always tried her best to provide for Sam, often missing out on her own life so Sam was taken care of. Now ten years later Sam has found himself in trouble with some very bad people. When Cassie finds Sam bound and beaten, Sam finally tells her that he owes these men 19,000 pounds. With Sam in the hospital recovering from operations from the attack, Cassie knows it is up to her to pay her brother's debt. Cassie signs up on a social media game app called DareMe where players can earn money by accepting and completing dares and filming themselves doing them. After completing a couple of easy ones (kiss a stranger, swim across a river, run down the street in your underwear etc) but only making a couple hundred pounds, Cassie needs to start doing the higher paying dares. Unfortunately some of these dares are illegal or worse. With the clock ticking down on when she needs to pay the people Sam owes, another dare is set and this time Cassie might not survive.

This was such a fast-paced and enjoyable book! The plot is unique and interesting and I really enjoyed diving into the dark side of social media and what people will do for fame or money. The whole mob effect towards the end was very well written, I could feel myself growing more paranoid and tense as time progressed. The twists are definitely well placed and absolutely believable especially in the social media driven world we are in today. One of O'Sullivan's strongest attributes in this book is his masterful character development. Seeing Cassie's vulnerability and love for her brother is just heart-wrenching. And don't even get me started on that ending.. absolutely wild!

Thank you to NetGalley, Darren O'Sullivan, and Joffe Books for this ARC! Publication date is April 16th 2025.

Cassie & younger brother, Sam, have been on their own since their mum died when Cassie was 19, & she has always looked after Sam who is 9 years younger. Now, ten years later Sam has gotten involved with some bad people & owes them £19K. When he is found badly beaten, Cassie steps in to pay his debt but she only has a week to find the money.

The only way Cassie can think of getting the money that fast is to play DareMe — an anonymous social media game where players can earn money carrying out dares whilst filming themselves doing so. The first few are fairly tame but don't earn much money, so Cassie has to carry out riskier & more reckless dares to find the cash. For the bad guys there's more at stake than just the cash & they will raise the stakes until Cassie fears for her life.

This is a fast-paced, high-octane thriller with an interesting plot & an excellent premise. The use of how 'mob mentality' makes people do things they wouldn't usually do is well-played. I really enjoyed it - right up until the author introduced a cute dog only for it to be killed a few moments later. That is one of my pet hates (no pun intended), but it's a good read up until then so I rate this one 4 stars,

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Joffe Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I had no idea what I was in for when I got this book. Talk about nail biting and staying up until the late hours to read. What life lol? Pick this up if you want a wild thrill ride that makes you gasp for more.

Taut, timely, and relentlessly gripping, Win or Die by Darren O’Sullivan is a thriller that feels uncomfortably close to reality—a pulse-pounding story about desperation, loyalty, and the deadly side of internet fame.

When Cassie’s brother Sam gets tangled up with violent criminals and lands himself in hospital, Cassie is thrust into an impossible situation: find nineteen thousand pounds in one week or risk losing the only family she has left. Her only option? DareMe, a viral social media challenge app that pays participants to complete escalating, reckless dares—each one riskier than the last.

From the moment Cassie signs up, Win or Die takes off at breakneck speed. O’Sullivan doesn’t just explore the thrill of the game; he dives into the dark psychology behind it. The dares aren’t just dangerous—they’re designed to strip away Cassie’s morality, safety, and identity. Each challenge pushes her further from who she was and closer to the edge, both literally and figuratively.

Cassie is a compelling protagonist—tough, determined, and painfully human. Her love for her brother is the heartbeat of the novel, and her descent into the dangerous world of online dares is equal parts heartbreaking and terrifying. O’Sullivan keeps readers on edge by layering suspense with timely commentary on social media addiction, voyeurism, and how quickly society can turn pain into entertainment.

The pacing is razor-sharp, the twists smart and unpredictable, and the stakes terrifyingly high. And while the premise is wild, it never feels implausible—in a world already obsessed with likes, clicks, and viral fame, DareMe feels like the next logical (and horrifying) step.

Perfect for fans of Black Mirror, Squid Game, and fast-paced psychological thrillers, Win or Die is a high-stakes tale that lingers long after the final page. It’s a sobering reminder that in a world where everything is for sale, the cost of survival might just be your soul.

Such a well paced and suspenseful book! The twists were believable and not predictable.
It had excellent writing and a fascinating plot.
Win or Die by Darren O’Sullivan is a book which kept me thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.

I received this novel as an ARC through Netgalley!

"Things always get better, sometimes you gotta embrace the change, to find a way through..."
___

I have to say it was an absolute thrill ride! "Win or Die" is a nail-biting, nerve-racking fiction that had me hooked from the start. It follows Cassie, also known as KJ74, who finds herself trapped in a deadly game intensified by a dare from an app she joined. The stakes couldn't be higher as our mouse races to escape a horde of cats, all while trying to keep her loved ones safe. Trust becomes a luxury—not even with the police. It is not just about survival; it's about confronting fears and making tough choices that will have you second-guessing everyone's motives because "Money was money, and people wanted to make it, whatever the cost.."

What really struck me about this book is how well-crafted the plot and characters are. The emotional rollercoaster it takes you on is nothing short of stimulating. Each dare draws you deeper into the suspense, especially as Cassie gets closer to her goal of raising money to pay off Sam's debts. It'll keep you turning pages while keeping you at the edge of your seat, guessing, wondering what the next dare will be and what will happen to the characters. Knowing beforehand that they weren't really after Sam made a difference in how I felt about the book, and I found myself contemplating all the possible "what ifs"—like, what if Cassie had chosen a different route instead of DareMe? Or what if they gave her enough time to raise the money? In addition, in her confession to Sam, before they cornered her, the weight of guilt she carries is evident, making her character even more relatable, and I found the scene incredibly moving. Imagine shouldering them alone for her brother's Sam'ssake!

That said, I did feel that some of the earlier dares dragged a bit, and I found myself skimming through a few pages. They didn't seem to carry the same weight as the later, more intense moments. But honestly, the overall experience was so gripping that these minor issues didn't take away from my delight. I was practically shouting at my Kindle (deffo didn't almost throw it) during those final twists—seriously, SIRE, why do you have to do this to us? (LOL)

I'd highly recommend "Win or Die" to anyone who loves a fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat! Just prepare your nails coz' you might bite them all! HAHA!

This book did remind me of the movie Nerve, but I liked Cassie since she was only doing the Dare Me app because she was trying to help her brother get out of debt from some very shady bad guys who are willing to kill to get their point across and keep their vile plan working. That is a very strong family bond and helps Cassie to be brave, even foolish, to get the money before the deadline. Very high stakes indeed and as more is revealed it really amps up the suspense with how there is no one really that she can depend on for help (except for a couple really decent guys) because it is all connected . This book also drives home the point that apps can dehumanize people and make others just see the game and the money, not that a real person's life is on the line or that they may be culpable for murder and other crimes, that in the spur of the moment seem fun and a quick way to become famous and get cash.

So, one amazing thrilling pretty much need to read it one sitting and there better be a sequel after that what the heck ending! I really loved it and still shouted with how horrible people can be if money is involved and being anonymous.

This author used to be a five star all the way for me. But then he had a few books that were still good but not quite THAT good. I am please to say that this book WAS THAT good!
We start with two siblings whose parents died when Sam was quite young, leaving much older sister Cassie to bring him up, putting her life on hold - well tickover - for him. But he is currently rewarding that generosity by acting out. And now, it appears that he is in big trouble as he owes the wrong people a lot of money.
Cassie, ever the saviour as far as he is concerned, is determined to bail him out one more. But where is she going to get £19000 from. In ONE week.
Luckily, there is a new internet craze going about - DareMe - where users accept dares from sponsors for actually money. Silly things like flashing or kissing a stranger. That kind of thing. But these small fry dares only attract small money. She needs to go deeper into the game - to do the big challenges. But the bigger the spoils, the more dangerous the Dare... But she would do anything for her brother... no matter how big the price...
Oh my days. This was deliciously both over the top bonkers but, at the same time, totally and utterly credible. With the way internet challenges are these days I would actually be surprised if this doesn't already happen in some way, or if not, then it's not long coming. Sadly, on occasion, it's all a bit Darwinian at its best!
I loved Cassie though, cos even though she was a bit gung-ho and there was probably a better way of helping her brother, her heart was in the right place and she was a bit game for it all. She was also a bit on the Captain Scarlett side of indestructible, rather than being an ordinary person, and developed a lot of skills in quite a short time. But, all in the spirit of the brilliance that this book delivered. So I can forgive the odd incredible feat...
And as for what happened to the rest of humanity - if I told you, you wouldn't believe it. Until you too sit back and actually equate it all to what is going on in the world at the moment and then I bet you'll start to worry too... Scary days ahead...
And as I was reading, as it all escalated, I really needed to know how it ended. So much so that I actually read this book start to finish in one sitting. I did NOT want to put it down.
And then it ended THERE. Oh My Days! You can NOT do that to me... But you did, and I have to say that I actually kinda liked it!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

My thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Win or Die’ written by Darren O’Sullivan in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

From when their parents were no longer around Cassie has been responsible for her brother Sam but he’s in trouble after getting mixed up with the wrong people and owes them £19,000. He’s been given a week to pay and as Cassie attempts to find the money she reluctantly gets involved with the online app DareMe where participants get paid for completing open and closed dares. She starts with a simple dare but the more she takes part in the more dangerous they become until she’s playing for her life.

‘Win or Die’ is a fast-paced thriller written in two parts that has plenty of action, drama and twists and the further I’ve got into the plot the more tense it’s become. I was supporting Cassie all the way as she only wanted to help her brother get out of the dangerous situation he’d found himself in. This has been an exciting thriller that’s had me involved from page one and ended with a cliffhanger that may be promising more to come.

I was hooked from the beginning,
I've been in a reading slump so long but this fast Paced thriller got me out of it,

I would say it is similar to the film 'nerve' but also so so different (better)

Hoping the cliffhanger means a second book

I requested this book based on readers' reviews and its description, which mentioned it was "perfect for fans of...Blake Crouch."

I am in the minority, but I hated this book! I found the prose childish and repetitive. After reaching the halfway point, I couldn't wait to finish it. (I did complete it so I could provide an honest review.)

I feel this book should be targeted at YA readers. As for me, I would probably never read this author again.

Regardless of how I feel about this book, a big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy!

I went into this book thinking it would be pretty much the same as Nerve, and while it borrows the premise, it is nothing like it in the long run. Nerve is fun whereas this is not. This books main character, Cass, is being hunted for what we can only assume is sport when she signs up to app DareMe in order to pay back a debt to some dangerous people. It starts out with little dares but escalates onto theft and borderline murder. A very intriguing book from cover to cover, and I do hope it gets the sequel the last chapter sets up for!