Stay Awake by Megan Goldin | Audiobook Review

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A murder she doesn’t remember committing. A killer she doesn’t remember meeting. Megan Goldin’s Stay Awake is an electrifying novel that proves memory can be deadly.

Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a taxi with no idea where she is or how she got there. When she’s dropped off at the door of her brownstone, a stranger answers—a stranger who claims to live in her apartment. She reaches for her phone to call for help, only to discover it’s missing. In its place is a bloodstained knife. Her hands are covered in scribbled messages, like graffiti on her skin: STAY AWAKE.

Two years ago, Liv was thriving as a successful writer for a trendy magazine. Now, she’s lost and disoriented in a New York City that looks nothing like what she remembers. Catching a glimpse of the local news, she’s horrified to see reports of a crime scene where the victim’s blood has been used to scrawl a message across a window, similar to the message that’s inked on her hands. What did she do last night? And why does she remember nothing from the past two years? Liv finds herself on the run for a crime she doesn’t remember committing. But there’s someone who does know exactly what she did, and they’ll do anything to make her forget—permanently.

A complex thriller that unfolds at a breakneck speed, Megan Goldin's Stay Awake will keep you up all night.

Why Did I Listen To Stay Awake by Megan Goldin?

I’ve listened to a few of Megan Goldin’s other books – namely The Night Swim and Dark Corners which were SO fantastic on audio. So, by that logic, I felt like I would absolutely enjoy Stay Awake. As it turns out, Stay Awake did not entirely land for me in the same way as the other two books. It wasn’t a terrible read, per se. Also, I went with reading with my ears instead of eyes because I have been on this kick of listening to thriller genre audiobooks.

What’s The Story Here?

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin opens with Liv Reese waking up in the back of a taxi. She has no idea why she is there. She is dropped off at her home, a brownstone, only a stranger answers the door. Liv thinks it is her roommate Amy’s friend. Only, it turns out Amy doesn’t live there anymore, it has been two years since she lived there. That’s also no longer Liv’s home. Oh and Liv has graffiti on her arms that says things like “Stay Awake.” To make matters worse, the local news is reporting that a murder victim has been found and painted on the window at the scene of the crime is the exact same thing as what’s on Liv’s arms. It turns out, Liv has no memories of the previous two years. 

Interspersed with Liv’s perspective is that of Detective Darcy Halliday, who doesn’t quite think Liv is the murderer and is conducting the investigation. The story takes some interesting turns from here.

How Did I Like Stay Awake?

I think this was okay for helping me pass time driving to and from work. I found Stay Awake to be deeply confusing in the beginning. Perhaps that is because we are in Liv’s perspective and she is also deeply confused. After all, it’s not like she has any recent memories or anything. I liked the parts with Darcy Halliday more but that’s because I didn’t feel confused during those parts. The story has some plot twists that I did not see coming, but that is also because I rarely ever see it coming with thriller books, I’m still so inexperienced in this genre. I would recommend this if you like the amnesia subgenre.

How’s The Narration?

One thing that Stay Awake by Megan Goldin has going for it is excellent narration. The audiobook is 10 hours and 59 minutes. It is narrated by January LaVoy and Imogen Church. I absolutely love how LaVoy narrates, so that was a special treat to listen to and really helped me find enjoyment in this book. Imogen Church was great too. I would say this book certainly had entertainment value particularly when it comes to plot – as well as when it comes to narration.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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