((4.5 stars rounded down to 4))

What an absolute ride this was!

I read lots of thrillers and this book had a plot/concept that I hadn't really seen before and felt fresh and new. It made perfect use of the concept of social media and the reach it has. The pace was incredibly fast, the chapters short and snappy which really spurred the reader on.

The main character was the perfect mix of strong, naive and loyal. She has a voice that developed throughout the book and was a good protagonist.

The only reason I knocked .5 stars off my rating was due to how I felt about the ending! It left me feeling a tad conflicted but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and will definitely be checking out more by this author.

Wow, wow, WOW!!! I read this book like the boogeyman was after me. It was like I was in a high-octane, GTA-style race, speeding through chapters like I was running down those annoying streetworkers one right after another. Packed with non-stop action and nail-biting suspense, I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time. What a RUSH! This book was both thrilling and exciting. It captivated me from the start and was absolutely terrifying. I would love to say that I hope the world never creates an app like DareMe, but I think the possibilities are already out there. Greed and mob mentality are real and it's scary that at any given time, the likes of this story could become a reality. This was a fantastic, unputdownable, well written, crazy ride! I can't rave about this book enough. It was pure perfection and everything I want from a thriller. I'm new to this author and I've already started looking for more of his books to read. And he's friends with John Marrs?! Another added plus. Sign me up! He's officially gained another fan out of me. I LOVED this book! I highly recommend and classify it as a MUST READ for thriller fans!

Thank you to Joffe Books for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.

I cannot put into words how absolutely fabulous this book is ....a complete page turner!!!!

Several times I had to let out the breath I didn’t realise I was holding ...loved the fast movement of the book.

another fabulous book from this author and I'm already looking forward to his next!!!

Unbelievably amazing drama all wrapped up in a few hundred pages. Perfection.

When her brother gets himself into trouble, Cassie doesn’t hesitate for a second to help him. She has very little time to gather a sum of money—an amount that is not easily obtained. Then, she finds the perfect solution: an online platform where people challenge you and pay you for it. And, of course, the higher the risk, the greater the reward...

This creates an incredibly strong setting for an equally powerful story. Cassie is a fantastic character who pushes herself to the absolute limit. Even when she sees no way out, she refuses to give up. She keeps fighting, even when she’s on the verge of an impossible situation.

The challenges become increasingly demanding, making the story more and more thrilling. During the final challenge, you're reading with bated breath, and the tension is truly palpable.

The prologue is nothing short of breathtaking—it immediately sets the pace of the book. The gripping writing style and short chapters keep your eyes glued to the words and your fingers trembling as you turn the pages.

Wow! Double wow!! Triple wow!!!

This book is incredibly suspenseful, emotional, and utterly breathtaking. It also highlights the dangers of social media, which, beyond providing entertainment, can also be extremely perilous.

And just when you think the volcanic eruption is over, you reach the final chapter...

Five stars aren’t enough to give this author the praise they deserve.

Thank you!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. I enjoyed the story a lot. I was drawn into the plot and found the characters were well written. There were a lot of highs in the story that kept me interested. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers. It had an original plot and twists that left me gasping.

3.5 - I have mixed feelings on this book, I thought it was an interesting premise, and I liked Cassie as the lead. But the "villain" seemed so comically evil, and the decisions he was making that led to her predicament just didn't make any sense! At the start he wants to blackmail people to make enough money to live the high life behind an anonymous screen and a carefully laid plan. Next thing you know he's murdering people and putting out hits left and right. Even when his profession was revealed there wasn't anything in his background that shows he has a history of this behavior that would lead to this. Also with the DareMe game, I know mob mentality plays a part, but these people really think they can live stream themselves committing crimes or MURDERING someone, and they won't end up in prison? 100k isn't going to buy your way out of that.

This is officially my favourite thriller. It was like Jeanne Ryan‘s novel, Nerve, but with a lot more going on. I haven’t watched it in years, but my 15-year-old self would say it’s the best movie ever lol!

Split into two parts where the first one is about the crazy dares Cassie has to do, and the second half being Cassie counting down the minutes to stay alive.

The dares were pretty crazy and the buildup was also kinda funny. Seeing Cassie go from reluctantly completing dares to basically saying because fuck them was amazing. Her fear of being a bad guardian for her brother is so real and my heart broke for her. Like she’s genuinely trying her best. Wakelin’s character was one of those where you just know he’s inherently good and I honestly loved those check-ins he did with his son and wife, he’s one of the good ones.

This whole book has you on the edge of your seat. I enjoyed it so much and I know I’m probably gonna reread it very soon. The ending also has me a little stressed but also hyped on a potential sequel.

Win Or Die, by Darren O’Sullivan, in the book Cassie who raised her younger brother Sam is worried about him when he comes home with a blackeye and starts crying out of the blue she knows something is up with the 18 year-old. It isn’t until the next day that he admits he lost $19,000 belonging to some really bad guys and has a week to pay it back. If only their kind reminders didn’t have him winding up in the hospital. it’s also the reason Cassie decides to become KF 74 on the app dare me. People dare her to do strange weird odd and out of the box things for financial gain and so far it’s working, but when she is dared to steal a car and decides to steal the car of the bad guys is when her night only gets worse. They shortened the time to pay to 24 hours and by the time she has the money it’ll be far too late because they want something else… Cassie’s life. to make matters worse anyone on Dare Me can be the hitman and most are keen to do it. I think this is the best social media thriller/horror story I have ever read. It was so good and despite they’re having a couple of eye rolling moments I still was so down for this story. don’t even get me started on the ending because OMG if there is a second book signed me freaking up to read it. This book had my heart palpitating my fingers turning the pages and I bet I could’ve won speed reading contest this book was so so good. Anyone who loves thriller/horror stories that involve social media should definitely read this book it was so good… I know I said that but I just keep wanting to say it I absolutely freaking loved it!#NetGalley, #JaffeBooks, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #DarrenO’Sullivan, #WinOrDie,

OH MY *GASPS*!

First of all thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an early reader for this novel. I leave this review voluntarily.

This novel had me im a chokehold! And I mean I forgot to breathe occasionally and actually gasped out loud. What a wild ride! This story was incredible well written, building the tension to heights that made it almost impossible to put it down. It shows a side of humanity that is so dark and twisted while also trying to hold on to hope and the good in people. The twists and reveals had my jaw drop and I highly recommend diving into this book if you dare!

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Win or Die by Darren O’Sullivan due to be published April 16, 2025.

Also recommended by Darren O’Sullivan: The Serial Killer Support Group!
Since their parents died, Cassie and Sam only have each other. And now Sam is in trouble. Cassie will try anything – including a dangerous social media craze called DareMe – to help Sam. The more dares she takes, the more dangerous they get. She has one week. Will she win for Sam, or will she die trying?
I loved the way this book counted down towards Cassie’s goal and accumulated her money as she completed each DareMe task. But, O My Gosh, what a wild ride. An “unputdownable” thriller with shades of The Purge thrown in – I could not stop reading. And the ending……not sure my nerves would stand a sequel!!

#NetGalley #DarrenOSullivan #JoffeBooks #WinOrDie

Cassie and Sam, big sister and brother. Cassie is very protective over Sam, and he gets into trouble, and owes his boss Nineteen thousand Pounds. He has a week to pay it. The boss has him beaten up, and it is up to Cassie to raise the money.
She does it via an app - DareMe. The app is supposed to be fun, similar to the Ice Challenge on Facebook, but it is potentially dangerous.

This is an original plot - and who is to say that something like this isn't already in the works?

Terror.
So much terror in this book. I felt it, and at one stage didn't want to carry on reading because I could feel my Blood Pressure rising, and my heart rate increasing to uncomfortable levels.
Greed
So much greed. Humans are driven by their greed for money and power.

I loved Cassie's resourcefulness. And her bravery, and determination to help her brother - to protect him.

The ending.

Darren O'Sullivan, I hope there won't be a follow up.

My Blood Pressure and my heart won't survive another book like this.

Unbelievably good, unbelievably scary. A horror story disguised as a thriller.

Has to be among the top 5 books I have read this year.

A solid 5/5 stars from me.

This book was really good. It sometimes felt a little over the top but overall decent and I enjoyed the ride.

Oh. My. Goodness.
What an amazingly creative, unique storyline. This book will truly have you on the edge of your seat!

Right from the start, the prologue grabbed my attention. Cassie and Sam are sister and brothers, and they only have each other. When Sam finds himself seriously injured and in some trouble, Cassie decides to do whatever it takes to help her baby brother.

The twists are crazy and totally unpredictable. A few times, I found myself yelling, "What the f*$%!" That ending, though...

100% recommend this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

Holy buckets! What a ride! This was absolute nonstop action. I read this in less than 12 hours, pretty much couldn’t put it down! This is my second read by Darren O’Sullivan and both have been fantastic.

Thank you to NetGalley, Darren O’Sullivan, and Joffe Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Omg the ending!!! What have you done?! How do I ever stop thinking about this book now?! Anyways, its amazing. Very modern, very relevant, a really good spin on a thriller. The characters are brought to life perfectly, the plot is so well thought out, its trully such an enjoyable read. I couldn't fault it. And just when you think you know.... everything completely flips and you're back trying to figure it out again. Amazing

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for approving me for an ARC of Win or Die.

I cannot put into words how absolutely BRILLIANT this book is. If you only read one book this year, make it this one! This will take a lot of beating for me this year, and it’s only March!

Several times I had to let out the breath I didn’t realise I was holding (IYKYK)! My heart was racing, my pulse was going 19 to the dozen! Constant action and the twist near the end!!! 😲😲😲😲😲

My first by this author. Am off to buy the whole back catalogue from Amazon right. This. Second!!!

Unbelievably amazing drama all wrapped up in a few hundred pages. Perfection.

What a crazy wild insane book! I loved almost every minute of it - the first 3 chapters were a little slow but they were good in that it focussed on character development and getting a feel for type of person cassie and her brother were, plus a bit about their family history. When I requested to read this book, I was expecting to enjoy the read but I was not expecting it to be so wild - it was a nice surprise! The ending also did not disappoint - while I like books with a feel good ending, that kind of ending wouldn't have matched so well with the rest of the book. It's one of those books where you are left gobsmacked by 'what the heck did I just read' and need processing time when finished. I would recommend this book to others who are into this genre. I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads once this book is published. Thanks for the opportunity in getting to read this ARC

This was a great read. Different to the usual books I go for and I found the premise of this book to be quite unique. It is about the introduction of an app daring people to do things for money and a girl desperate for money to help her brother. This would certainly take off if it was to launch in real life and I can imagine it turning as dark as it does in the story. I really enjoyed reading this and could imagine it to be a great book club choice- there’s so much to discuss. But the ending- is there going to be a second one?! My second book by this author, both very different but there’s a familiarity I like.

Oh my gosh, I literally was up all night reading this. It was so worth the lack of sleep! I could not force myself to stop I wish I could go back and force myself to slow down, re-read it and savour every moment. I loved it!

This plot had me hook, line and sinker! One of the most gripping, unputdownable, nerve-wracking books that I have EVER read!!! It had me on the edge of my seat throughout!

I’d recommend clearing your schedule before you start it as I read this in one sitting as I could not put it down! I loved the concept and the plot basically everything about it!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars!

Very unique premise and a book that was very quick paced and full of action. Very relatable characters and I finished the book in one sitting, which is not something that typically happens! Very shocking ending! Would love to read more by this author!