This was my first novel by Megan Goldin and I really enjoyed it! If you’re looking for a fact paced thriller, this is it! The book was hard to put down because I just wanted to know how the story would unfold.

Very unpopular opinion, but this book just annoyed me. I found the main character to be annoying and whiny. I found the story to be aggravatingly repetitive. I tried so hard to find something about this book to love, but I just couldn't. Literally, I kept reading in hopes that it became great with some plot twist, but it never happened for me. The story switches back and forth between present day and 2 years earlier. But at times, the storyline did not connect smoothly, in my opinion.

Present day: Liv wakes up in a cab, with no idea where she is or why. After a stranger opens the door to her home, she notices a bloodstained knife in place of her phone and notes on her hands, with messages like STAY AWAKE. Two years earlier, Liv lived with her best friend, was a successful writer and had a wonderful man in her life. Now, she is lost in NYC and remembers nothing. When she sees the news about a murder with a message written on a window, the same message she finds on her hands, she struggles to remember what happened over the past two years and finds herself on the run from a crime she doesn’t remember committing.

The premise of Stay Awake is that Liv, a couture magazine executive wakens to no idea where she is with the words "Stay Awake" written all over her arms. Her apartment is occupied by someone else. She's been replaced at her job and news headlines are reporting that someone she knew is dead.

I would've preferred if this book had been written as a novelette. Somewhere between 150-200 pages. It initially kept me intrigued with the fear of the unknown. Eventually I simply became frustrated, annoyed and impatient with not understanding anything. I found that the author would write really captivating chapters with a mini cliff hanger at the end. When we returned to that specific character though the cliffhanger was never address. It was simply a different time period for the character or they had moved on to another location. The continued "unknowing" or who Live was in her prior life and how she related to other characters for upwards of 200 pages got redundant and boring.

At 70% into the book it was so blatantly obvious who the killer was. When I read a thriller I want to be surprised. Instead I kept turning the pages out of obligation to make sure I was correct. (I was).

The writing pacing, format and dialogue were excellent but this just wasn't for me.

A cracking good thriller! Liv's life went totally off the rails two years ago when she was attacked. She lost her memory and all she knows for sure is that she must stay awake- or so the writing on her hands tells her. Then a man is murdered and she becomes the prime suspect but did she do it? This moves back and forth in time to tell Liv's story. She worked for a magazine, lived with Amy, and dated Marco (and a cat) but things started to go wonky- someone was stalking her. Maybe. Now, in the present, she's in NY and she can't figure out why everyone is different at the magazine and she can't find Amy or Marco. The detectives on the murder case unravel Liv's life, including the time she spent in London add she was attacked. This one has twists at every turn, right up until the end. She's a great character and Golden does a good job of building sympathy for a clearly unreliable narrator. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me for this page turner.

Megan Goldin has hit this psychological thriller out of the ballpark!! Stay Awake is her her latest and it’s a good one!! This is a heart throbbing engrossing thriller that will have you reading way into the night without putting it down! Fast paced and well written this is such a fascinating story. Told in both dual point of views and timelines, you will be totally enthralled in this one! The characters are real and well developed and very relatable. It is filled with action, right up to the very surprising ending! Do your self a favor and “stay awake” and read this one…..you will not be disappointed!!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin Press and Megan Goldin for an advanced copy of this riveting thriller in exchange for my honest review.
#netgalley #stayawake #stmartinspress
#megingoldin. #stmartinspressinfluencer

this book is perfect for fans of the unreliable narrator trope in thrillers/mysteries.

i mean … cmon our protagonist wakes up not remembering anything, and plot twist, she maybe killed someone??? just some crazy stuff in here.

i personally loved how fast paced this book was. i was afraid since i started reading this during a slump, that i may get bored, but the short chapters & fast pacing really kept me engaged. we start off with liv waking up and not remembering anything, and we go on from there.

some may complain this book is a little repetitive, but if you think about the fact 1/3 povs is from the character who forgets everything when she sleeps, it makes total sense.

for the most part, i enjoyed this book. the characters were well fleshed out and the mystery was addicting, though for me a little predictable. my 4 rating star is mostly because of the ending. to me it landed a tad bit on the anti-climatic side and ended very quickly. i was hoping for more closure for liv. her story is probably the saddest thing out of this book & you’ll go into this being very wary of everyone, but especially liv’s character, but you’ll also end up feeling for her a lot towards the end.

& with our two favorite detectives, i could definitely see them working together on other cases if the author decided to do a connected series or explore the aftermath of this plot line more.

like i stated above, this book is perfect for those who enjoyed the girl on the train by paula hawkins or before i go to sleep by s.j. watson, as they both are thrillers dealing with unreliable narrators &/or amnesia plots.

4/5 stars.
☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆

thank you netgalley & st martins press for granting me access to this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a good one. I have never read any of Megan Goldin novels but I will pick it up. I don't usually like to read books with a detective POV but I still enjoyed it. It sometimes puzzling but it had a good plot twist. 3 Stars. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Well, I must say I’m not entirely sure what happened here but I’ll do my best to put it into words.

‘Stay Awake‘ was one of my most anticipated books of the year. Let’s face it, with a blurb like that who wouldn’t be excited? On top of that, I absolutely loved Goldin’s previous book and so I expected a lot of insanely good things. Unfortunately for me, ‘Stay Awake‘ failed to convince me.

The story is told via two characters. One is Liv Reese. Whenever Liv falls asleep, she wakes up with no memory whatsoever of the last two years. This time, she wakes up in the back of a taxi with a bloody knife in her pocket and the words “Stay Awake!” written on her hands. The other point-of-view is offered by Detective Halliday. She and her partner are investigating the murder of an unknown man, who was found stabbed in an apartment. Unsurprisingly, these two events are connected but how?

What was definitely surprising, however, was how hard I struggled to get into this story. For the first half of the book, I contemplated giving up multiple times. It often felt rather repetitive and as if nothing much was happening, particularly in Liv’s chapters, set both in the past and the present. Liv’s storyline required a ton of suspension of belief I really wasn’t prepared for. She made mistakes that made me roll my eyes and if it had been mentioned one more time that she was sleep deprived, I would have screamed.

I couldn’t find anything to sink my teeth into. The pace was too slow, the tension too low, nothing about it was compelling or gripping, and I honestly started to wonder if this was the same author as the one from ‘The Night Swim’. Sheer determination, and because it’s Megan Goldin, made me stick it out and halfway through the story things started to pick up a little bit. But I think for me, it was already too late and I had lost most, if not all, interest. Sure, a part of me still wanted to know what happened but even the reveal left me rather cold and I found it all rather unconvincing. It’s a shame because the plot had some serious potential.

Looking at other reviews, I’m very much in the minority. Maybe my expectations were just too high. But nothing I said here will stop me from reading one of Goldin’s books again in the future and I’m excited to find out what she comes up with next. This one just wasn’t for me, I’m sorry to say.

BAM! Be prepared to carve out a couple hours when you start this book, you won't want to put it down. The story is extremely fast paced & it kept me turning page after page. I couldn't put it down. The characters are intriguing. There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle & it takes a while to get the whole picture. The mystery kept me guessing about what would happen next. I absolutely loved every moment. I received an advance copy from NetGalley & am voluntarily leaving a review.

Intriguing thriller which also had me double checking the locks, 😂. This was not the standard plot for a thriller, but you knew this is a book you just had to finish to find out how it all worked out and together. 4 stars for this fun ride of a book.

This was my first Megan Goldin book but after hearing the reception for The Night Swim, I went in with high hopes. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me a bit.

I was thrown off from the beginning when Liv started making choices that seemed so unreasonable, even given her confused state. Her emotions didn't seem to line up with the situation. Upon finding out that there are people living in her apartment (and have been for some time), her next step is to get a haircut and go to work? I was questioning her decisions from the beginning and unfortunately it wasn't clear if the author intended for us to feel this way or if Goldin thought it was reasonable. Part of the issue for me here also was that, although the portion of the story was in first person, I don't feel like we got enough of her inner dialogue. I felt very disconnected from Liv throughout the course of the book.

Another aspect that irked me was just how much I had to suspend my disbelief. First, the "current day" portion of this story literally takes place over one day. The sheer amount of evidence gathering, questioning, and discovery that happens for the police and their investigation is wholly unrealistic. Also, the fact that Liv has this incredibly rare medical issue but was somehow able to make her way back to the US with no problem is bizarre. For some, suspension of disbelief is not a problem, and it usually isn't a problem for me either. However, compounded with my other issues with this story, it was just too much.

Lastly, and likely a minor annoyance rather than real critique, was that it was obvious whoever wrote this book was likely not from the US/NYC and hadn't spent a significant amount of time there.. There was language used ("hessian bag" rather than "burlap sack", for instance) and situations described that just made it clear. I was wondering while reading this why they decided to write about an American woman living in NYC. It can draw you out of the story when you have to stop and say... that's not what that character would say or do, reasonably.

Even though I had a lot to say about the things that didn't work for me in this book, I will say that I enjoyed my reading experience overall. I was interested to read the explanations about what was going on, I was invested in the detectives stories, I felt real sadness when I learned about Ted and his connection to Liv. If there is another story by this author in the future with an interesting synopsis, I would consider reading from them again. I just wish this one would have worked for me a little more.

Bookstagram review to come 8/8.

After waking disoriented in a city cab, with disturbing messages inked on her hands and arms, Liv Reese asks the driver to drop her at her brownstone. Once there, Liv realizes she doesn't have her keys. What a night. She's going to have to wake her roommate, Amy, to let her in. It's not ideal, but can't be helped. Liv is exhausted. She just wants to sleep off the rest of whatever this is.

Making matters even more confusing, she doesn't recognize the couple who come to the door of her apartment. Could they possibly be guests of Amy's?

The woman, in particular, is especially curt and hostile towards Liv. She claims they live there, have for quite some time and have no idea who Liv is, or where Amy could be. Ejected from the place she considers home, Liv doesn't know where to turn. Then she finds the bloody knife. Every move Liv makes only seems to lead to more questions.

The next day, she heads to work. The last thing she remembers is answering the phone at her desk. Maybe she can find some answers there. In the office, things are just as confusing. It looks different and she doesn't recognize anyone, but somehow they seem to know her.

Stumbling around the city, trying to piece together how she ended up in this state, Liv catches a news report that shows a murder scene with the same message written on a window as is written on her hands. She pieces together that the last memories she has are from two years ago. What has she been doing all this time, and more importantly, what did she do last night? Is Liv capable of murder?

Through past and present perspectives, the Reader is clued in to the truths surrounding Liv's memory issues and murky past. The question is, will Liv be able to piece it all together before it's too late?

She's on the run, but she doesn't even realize from what. I'll admit, her story had me panicking at times. It's uncomfortable, but in the best ways.

Stay Awake was one of my absolute most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint for a second. I enjoy Goldin's work so much and this is certainly no exception. This was an insanely-intense, jaw-dropping, mortifyingly-wild ride. Goldin took me on a freaking journey with this main character. Oh my goodness.

In my opinion, this is a perfect Summer Thriller. Megan Goldin delivers again!!!

I was so confused towards the beginning on this story. It really played on my own anxieties, but in a way that was enjoyable. I couldn't help but try to put myself in the shoes of Liv and wonder how I would handle these circumstances. It's hard to even imagine!

This definitely had me at the edge of my seat and I loved how it all played out. We also get the perspective of the police investigation to the initial murder. The way the two eventually blended together was so well done. Goldin nailed it.

An extra-special thank you to the publisher, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I did listen to the audiobook and it was fantastic, including narration from one of my all-time favorite narrators, Imogen Church. I highly recommend that format for soaking in this highly engaging Thriller.

Imagine every time you wake up you go back to a certain date with no recollection of what happen between that day and the moment you fell asleep. Sure I would be confused or frustrated p, but I think I would be mainly terrified. My memory is the only thing I value; because without it, who am I? I would only be a collection of other people’s memories or their creation.

Liv was going through this. Horrified, confused, and lost. She had scribbles all over her hands telling to her stay awake and not to trust anyone. She could not find her best friend or boy friend. There were other people living in her apartment. Random people knew of her, but she had no idea who they were. As long as she stayed awake, she started to find more pieces of the puzzle that could help her make sense of all of these things. In addition to little things she found, she also saw her face plastered all over the news as a murder suspect. Now she had to solve the murder mystery along with her own mystery.

I had several unanswered questions after finishing the book. There were so many “why”s that haven’t answered that I believe could be helpful. You can assume answers, some might argue that they were implied but I didn’t find that enough. I liked how author introduced a red herring that was super sketchy and made you want that person was the key in murder. Overall it was a good page turner and palate cleanser.

I really enjoyed this one. I love thrillers that follow detectives closely, and I liked that this book was mostly focused on a single day. I had suspicions throughout, but Goldin did a good job of keeping it vague enough to make the twist fairly shocking. I did feel like the beginning was slow but after the first third or so, I had a hard time putting this one down. The short chapters also made it easier to keep saying “just one more.”

I took off a star because I didn’t love the alternating timelines and switching from first person to third person POVs. I completely understand why those were necessary; they just aren’t my favorite.

This was SO good! I alternated between audio and ebook, and had an easy time following along. I had NO idea what would happen until the very end. I love when a book keeps me on the edge of my seat the whole time, and this did that. I loved that every time you’d think Liv was in the clear she’d fall asleep and she’d have to start from scratch. I will absolutely be recommending this to everyone!

✨ARC Review✨

Imagine being in the back of a cab, you don’t know how you got there or where you are going. You get to your apartment and are without your keys or purse. You hope your roommate is home, only the people answering the door at your apartment are the current inhabitants, total strangers, who have clearly lived in the apartment for sometime. And this is how the book starts for Liv…

Liv has a bloody knife wrapped in a shirt in her pocket, and writing on the back of her hands, namely the words “stay awake”, and “don’t sleep”. Now she is finding other aspects of her life are changed or non existent, like her job, people she knew, and being electronically cut off.

Stay Awake packs a punch with questionable characters, motives, murders, red herrings, and a potential stalker. The book is fast paced and twisty. It is like reading about someone being in a continuous nightmare or sordid dream. Although I was a bit weary of knowing the “who-dunnit”, and was on the right track, I was still pleasantly surprised with how it all ended!

What’s On The Pages:
-shifting timeline
-multiple POV
-red herrings
-amnesia / paranoia / psychosis

✨Rating✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC! Stay Awake is out August 9th!

Liv Reese’s skin is covered with notes telling herself not to trust anyone, not to answer the phone and to stay awake. Two years ago she had been attacked and now whenever she falls asleep her memories since that time are gone. She remembers sitting at her desk at work, but now she is waking up in the back of a taxi with no memory of how she got there. When she returns to her apartment there are strangers living there. She can not connect with her former roommate Amy or her boyfriend Marco and she now possesses a blood stained shirt and knife. She is living on caffeine, trying to stay awake to discover what is going on. She is confused and desperate. When she returns to her office they are surprised to see her. She has been living in England for the past year and no one expects her back.

Detective Darcy Halliday has been temporarily assigned to homicide. Her first call is for a male victim who has been found by a cleaning lady. He has been stabbed, with no defensive wounds, leading Halliday to believe he had been drugged first. Working with her partner Lavelle, the evidence they find leads them to suspect Liv.

Megan Goldin alternates the present day investigation with scenes of Liv’s past. Sharing an apartment with Amy, they are both in relationships. Liv begins to notice small things that make her uncomfortable. A window left open, a picture frame smashed and flowers delivered that were not from her boyfriend has her calling the police, who blame her imagination. More episodes and calls to the police even have Amy questioning her. When Halliday and Lavelle look into her past they question why the police dismissed all of the complaints when they found her stabbed at the scene of a homicide. Instead, the detective in charge suspects that she committed the murders and injured herself. Now it is a race to find Liv before someone from her past comes back to make sure she does not remember. As you follow Liv you can feel her frustration and Goldin laces her entire story with a sense of urgency. It will catch your interest from the first page and not let go to the very end. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for my review.

3.5/5

There was really quite a lot to like about this one and while I did enjoy most of it, I did have some issues that left me conflicted in the end. I’ll start with what I liked, because again there was plenty to choose from. It didn’t waste time jumping straight into the story, you’re thrust right into things alongside Liv and I was really curious as to what the hell was actually going on. So as far as grabbing my attention right away goes this one definitely did that. Besides hearing from Liv you also hear from the detectives working her case and I loved the police procedural angle maybe even more than Liv’s chapters. I was pretty invested for the bulk of it too and never really got bored. As for what didn’t work, well…the entire premise is based on Liv needing to stay awake and not sleep and while she may not have memories she still knew she was in danger so I guess I kept thinking why won’t she just go to the hospital, police etc?? Sure, a few reasons were given for her hesitancy but I didn’t fully buy it. Parts of it did seem to drag on for the sake of tension too and I really think the police would’ve figured things out a little faster, they definitely weren’t incompetent. And then the ending just took the expected route and of course I would have preferred to had some surprises. So some minor issues but still a decent read and I did enjoy the audio version. Imogen Church and January LaVoy are both incredible voice actors and we’re both amazing here.

After reading the Night Swim and loving it, I was more than exited to read this one.

Another 5 Star read from Megan Goldin.

Liv is living the good life. She is dating a man she adores, has a great job and living with her best friend Amy.

Liv wakes up in a taxi with no idea how she got there and where she is going. Upon arrival she realizes she is at her shared apartment. She rings the bell because she doesn't have her keys. The woman who answers the door is not her friend Amy. The woman claims that she has lived there for two years.

Turns out Liv has a rare condition that involves her memory. Every time she falls asleep she loses the memory of the last two years. Can you imagine how frightening that would be? Well Liv is surely terrified and does everything she can to stay awake. But you have to sleep sometimes.

Every person she meets is a stranger to her, even if they know her.

Lots of unsettling moments, lots of intrigue and mystery, some murders and savvy detective work.

Loved all of the characters. Even the "bad" ones. I would love to see them in another book.

What a great read!! Can't wait to see what Goldin writes next!!

Many thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc.

Megan Goldin is an auto-buy author for me and so of course I was so excited to receive a copy of this book.
This is an addicting fast paced thriller! While reading this I really had no idea how things were going to play out. I loved the different twists that are tossed in. I was hooked early on and didn't want to stop reading.