Emily Koch

RATED 5* BY REAL READERS: 'UNIQUE' 'THRILLING...FULL OF TENSION' 'BEAUTIFUL, HEART-WRENCHING' HOW DO YOU SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER? Everyone believes Alex is in a coma, unlikely to ever wake up. As his family debate withdrawing life support, and his friends talk about how his girlfriend Bea needs to move on, he can only listen. But Alex soon begins to suspect that the accident that put him here wasn't really an accident. Even worse, the perpetrator is still out there and Alex is not the only one in danger. As he goes over a series of clues from his past, Alex must use his remaining senses to solve the mystery of who tried to kill him, and try to protect those he loves, before they decide to let him go. A stunning edge-of-your-seat debut novel with an unforgettable narrator. CHOSEN AS ONE OF GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'S BOOKS TO THRILL YOU 'This is a debut to be reckoned with.' Guardian

If I Die Before I Wake

Dee B. 

Wow. I don't even know what words are any more. 

What a beautiful, emotional ending. And there was me cockily thinking I had this book all figured out, that Emily Koch could not fool me. I was too smart for this story. Well, I'm not. And I'm glad that I'm not. 

I need this book in hardcopy like yesterday, just so I can touch all those beautiful words with my own hands. So that I can connect with Nurse Pauline and throttle Nurse Connie. I want it in hand so that just by turning the pages I can reenter this thrilling ride.

A more coherent (hopefully) review to come closer to the date of release ( www.deereadsforfood.com ) but know this: this book is worth your time.

Bad Girl Bex

Really?

So all y'all are just going to read this book and then come on here and act like it wasn't the most excruciatingly boring, badly written, pile of tosh that you've read all year? Uh-huh? Okay. Well I obviously didn't get the memo that insisted on us all pretending like we truly believed that any of this book sounded like it was written from a man's perspective, because there's no way I can sit here and not remark on the fact that the whole book sounds like something written by a woman who THINKS she knows what a man's inner monologues sound like, but doesn't. I WAS A FULL COUPLE OF CHAPTERS IN BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO REMEMBER THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A DUDE TELLING THIS STORY!

The 'plot' is sparse, tries to inject some excitement, but merely creates a ridiculously unbelievable storyline that I can't believe anyone even cares about. None of the characters is especially likable, nor are they memorable in any way. And if you're going to have thoroughly unlikable characters, then you better be making up for that lack of connection/empathy from the reader, with some kick-ass storytelling, tight dialogue and that elusive element of genuine suspense.

I rarely DNF a book, because I like to be able to say confidently that I truly do hate something, before I give it a 1 star. I don't want to be one of those people who manage to quit just before the plot & pace start to ramp up and on balance show the slow, meandering first half to have been the perfect juxtaposition to part 2 and the ultimate denouement. But even I kept asking myself "why am I still reading this absolute dog shit?" about 20 times throughout. It was just so turgid and cringe inducing.

In the end I think it was my hate for the book that propelled me on to finish it. It sure as hell wasn't the writing. Seriously, I can't believe anyone liked this! It angered me to the point of ranting about how awful it was to t'other half for a good 15 minutes after I finished it. Especially after that GOD AWFUL ending! 

Y'all are obviously on much better medication than I am, because this was the worst thing I've read since....well...since I can even remember. Yes it was that bad and no I will not be reading anything else from whatever her name is who wrote it. Gah!

Alesha Clifford

Danielle Robinson

holly mattin

wildflowers.between.pages

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA STEEL DAGGER AWARD 2018 LONGLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS' CLUB FIRST NOVEL AWARD 5* BY REAL READERS- 'UNIQUE' 'THRILLING...FULL OF TENSION' 'BEAUTIFUL, HEART-WRENCHING' Everyone believes Alex is in a coma, unlikely to ever wake up. As his family debate withdrawing life support, he can only listen. But he soon begins to suspect that his accident wasn't really an accident. Even worse, the perpetrator is still out there and Alex is not the only one in danger. Alex must use a series of clues from his past to solve the mystery of who tried to kill him. He needs to protect those he loves - before they decide to let him go... CHOSEN AS ONE OF GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'S BOOKS TO THRILL YOU 'This is a debut to be reckoned with' Guardian

If I Die Before I Wake

Reviews