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Dead in Bed #1
Dead in Bed
You've never, ever read a book like this.
When a sexually-transmitted plague breaks out in Ashley Young's small town, leaving its victims with a bizarrely amplified libido, everything about her life changes. DEAD IN BED is partly a suspense thriller with a strikingly original story, partly a page-turning mystery about a disease that makes people hopelessly crave sexual contact, and partly a neo-western adventure in the American heartland. For anyone who can handle a smart, controversial female protagonist who's willing to do anything—no matter how difficult or morally questionable—in order to survive, the series pulls readers in like an unshakeable addiction.
. . . Bailey Simms, teen author of DEAD IN BED, is stuck at home with a rare medical condition. Writing is her only escape, so she's determined to keep her salacious series hidden from her strict father. Soon an older boy starts secretly helping her, and Bailey finds new opportunities for freedom she's never had. But as DEAD IN BED grows in popularity, and Bailey's fans start to clamor for the sequel, she learns that being a successful author may come with a terrifyingly dangerous price.
When a sexually-transmitted plague breaks out in Ashley Young's small town, leaving its victims with a bizarrely amplified libido, everything about her life changes. DEAD IN BED is partly a suspense thriller with a strikingly original story, partly a page-turning mystery about a disease that makes people hopelessly crave sexual contact, and partly a neo-western adventure in the American heartland. For anyone who can handle a smart, controversial female protagonist who's willing to do anything—no matter how difficult or morally questionable—in order to survive, the series pulls readers in like an unshakeable addiction.
. . . Bailey Simms, teen author of DEAD IN BED, is stuck at home with a rare medical condition. Writing is her only escape, so she's determined to keep her salacious series hidden from her strict father. Soon an older boy starts secretly helping her, and Bailey finds new opportunities for freedom she's never had. But as DEAD IN BED grows in popularity, and Bailey's fans start to clamor for the sequel, she learns that being a successful author may come with a terrifyingly dangerous price.
482 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2014
84 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
April 28, 2021
zombie loving!
well, sort of. it's not the same kind of zombie loving that is in i fucked a zombie horde or anything, but it does involve a type of zombie-ism.
and i'm hoping it's not considered a spoiler to proclaim what this book is about, because i think it is more interesting than a lot of "zombie" lit, and might turn the head of someone who is not into zombies but is into smalltown romantic suspense with science fiction elements.
or science-fact. because it is about toxoplasma gondii, which is a parasite i covered briefly in this review, but for those of you who didn't catch it, or don't own cats, or don't care about how awesome parasites are, let me give you the skinny, as i understand it with my not-a-scientist brain. toxoplasma gondii's a little single-celled protozoan that can only reproduce inside of cats. because why the hell not? but so to get INSIDE a cat's tummy, they first must get inside a rat and take over its brain and make it lose all instinctual fear of cats, to the extent of making the rat believe it is sexually attracted to the cat. NATURE, HAVE YOU BEEN DRINKING???
now, when toxoplasma gondii gets into healthy adult humans, it's usually fine because the immune system does its job and prevents our brains from thinking we are attracted to cats.
usually.
however:
There have been a few studies with humans, too. Some results indicate a strong correlation between schizophrenia and toxoplasmosis. According to some studies women with toxoplasmosis are more likely to cheat on their husbands. Men with the parasite have been shown to be more aggressive. Infected humans also have slower reaction times.
and the kicker?? the scariest shit ever?
In the U.S., one in four adults has been infected with t. gondii, but only a small number become ill enough to notice
so what if, right??? what if the scientific facts were muddled with a little scientific fiction and what if these things got into us and they WERE able to take over our minds. not to make us sexually attracted to cats - that's a different book altogether, but what if it just made us relentlessly horny, needing to have intercourse with anyone who happened to be around (although disappointingly remaining strictly heteronormative, but happily incest-free), and what if the parasites spread through orgasm, caused its host to fall into a coma and die after infection, but then come back to apparent life as a giant structure controlled by tiny creatures that only want to spread and multiply through boning.
and that's this story.
it is not monsterotica. it's not even regular erotica. yes, there are some sex scenes, but they aren't written in the way they are written in erotic lit. there's no vocabulary that'll make you cringe or laugh, depending on your sensibilities, and they aren't means-to-an-end scenes (where the end is - YOU KNOW), they have actual narrative importance. but at its base, it's more of an action-book than a sex-book, even though sex is an undeniably important element.
it's about ashley, stuck in a small town that doesn't even have a traffic light and a small marriage that has become hopelessly stale. she wakes up in a motel room after an uncharacteristically blackout-drunken evening to find an empty room, evidence that she has cheated on her husband, and a town quarantined after an outbreak of bizarre sexual assaults and a parasite-mad populace.
and shit's going to get worse.
this is a seven-books-in-one first volume of a series, if that makes sense to you, and it ends at a strong starting place for the next installation.
it's well-written with a compelling story and a good ratio of questions answered/things still to discover, and it is a welcome spin on zombielit.
and because i haven't used a picture in a few paragraphs, here:
come to my blog!
well, sort of. it's not the same kind of zombie loving that is in i fucked a zombie horde or anything, but it does involve a type of zombie-ism.
and i'm hoping it's not considered a spoiler to proclaim what this book is about, because i think it is more interesting than a lot of "zombie" lit, and might turn the head of someone who is not into zombies but is into smalltown romantic suspense with science fiction elements.
or science-fact. because it is about toxoplasma gondii, which is a parasite i covered briefly in this review, but for those of you who didn't catch it, or don't own cats, or don't care about how awesome parasites are, let me give you the skinny, as i understand it with my not-a-scientist brain. toxoplasma gondii's a little single-celled protozoan that can only reproduce inside of cats. because why the hell not? but so to get INSIDE a cat's tummy, they first must get inside a rat and take over its brain and make it lose all instinctual fear of cats, to the extent of making the rat believe it is sexually attracted to the cat. NATURE, HAVE YOU BEEN DRINKING???
now, when toxoplasma gondii gets into healthy adult humans, it's usually fine because the immune system does its job and prevents our brains from thinking we are attracted to cats.
usually.
however:
There have been a few studies with humans, too. Some results indicate a strong correlation between schizophrenia and toxoplasmosis. According to some studies women with toxoplasmosis are more likely to cheat on their husbands. Men with the parasite have been shown to be more aggressive. Infected humans also have slower reaction times.
and the kicker?? the scariest shit ever?
In the U.S., one in four adults has been infected with t. gondii, but only a small number become ill enough to notice
so what if, right??? what if the scientific facts were muddled with a little scientific fiction and what if these things got into us and they WERE able to take over our minds. not to make us sexually attracted to cats - that's a different book altogether, but what if it just made us relentlessly horny, needing to have intercourse with anyone who happened to be around (although disappointingly remaining strictly heteronormative, but happily incest-free), and what if the parasites spread through orgasm, caused its host to fall into a coma and die after infection, but then come back to apparent life as a giant structure controlled by tiny creatures that only want to spread and multiply through boning.
and that's this story.
it is not monsterotica. it's not even regular erotica. yes, there are some sex scenes, but they aren't written in the way they are written in erotic lit. there's no vocabulary that'll make you cringe or laugh, depending on your sensibilities, and they aren't means-to-an-end scenes (where the end is - YOU KNOW), they have actual narrative importance. but at its base, it's more of an action-book than a sex-book, even though sex is an undeniably important element.
it's about ashley, stuck in a small town that doesn't even have a traffic light and a small marriage that has become hopelessly stale. she wakes up in a motel room after an uncharacteristically blackout-drunken evening to find an empty room, evidence that she has cheated on her husband, and a town quarantined after an outbreak of bizarre sexual assaults and a parasite-mad populace.
and shit's going to get worse.
this is a seven-books-in-one first volume of a series, if that makes sense to you, and it ends at a strong starting place for the next installation.
it's well-written with a compelling story and a good ratio of questions answered/things still to discover, and it is a welcome spin on zombielit.
and because i haven't used a picture in a few paragraphs, here:
come to my blog!
April 18, 2014
In the highly populated realm of people turning into creatures that go braainnns! in the night (and in the day), finding your own unique voice and story can be quite a challenge I imagine.
However, simple concepts can be revisited time and time again and always feel refreshing and entertaining when the author is able to provide two things to me as a reader (based on my own thorough research into the matter of course): great characters (be they good, bad, or ugly) and well paced, at times surprising, twists and turns along the way. Of course, there are many, many other factors that make the ride more or less fun along the way. I don't need to read Victor Hugo's 50 page description of the Battle of Waterloo in Les Misérables in every book I undertake.
In Bailey Simms novel, the classic theme is not just the end of the world as they know it coming to them care of an unspeakable disease but, more interestingly, it deals with a lonely wife who had has an affair and the consequences that follow. A little bit like Emma Bovary in Madame Bovary. This theme is as old as the earth, but the treatment in Dead in Bed novel is fresh, funny, and full of the little twists and turns I like.
So
- Great characters (good, bad, and ugly) - check
- Very well paced and lots of little twists and turns - check
I am a contented reader!
However, simple concepts can be revisited time and time again and always feel refreshing and entertaining when the author is able to provide two things to me as a reader (based on my own thorough research into the matter of course): great characters (be they good, bad, or ugly) and well paced, at times surprising, twists and turns along the way. Of course, there are many, many other factors that make the ride more or less fun along the way. I don't need to read Victor Hugo's 50 page description of the Battle of Waterloo in Les Misérables in every book I undertake.
In Bailey Simms novel, the classic theme is not just the end of the world as they know it coming to them care of an unspeakable disease but, more interestingly, it deals with a lonely wife who had has an affair and the consequences that follow. A little bit like Emma Bovary in Madame Bovary. This theme is as old as the earth, but the treatment in Dead in Bed novel is fresh, funny, and full of the little twists and turns I like.
So
- Great characters (good, bad, and ugly) - check
- Very well paced and lots of little twists and turns - check
I am a contented reader!
November 10, 2025
This book was mental, but in the best way possible.
It's completely different from anything I've read before and I loved it.
The very base concept of this may not be anything new - small town life, crappy marriage, zombies etc. - but the way this is done is just so clever. When you think about how many books are out there these days it's hard to come up with anything original, but I have to say that (for me) this was a breathe of fresh air. I can feel myself going all Justin Bieber fan girl right now over this.
I loved and hated the characters I was supposed to with a passion; the story had enough twists to keep me flipping pages like an addict looking for their next fix. There are so many questions, WHAT'S HAPPENING?!
Seriously how am I supposed to cope waiting for more.
It's completely different from anything I've read before and I loved it.
The very base concept of this may not be anything new - small town life, crappy marriage, zombies etc. - but the way this is done is just so clever. When you think about how many books are out there these days it's hard to come up with anything original, but I have to say that (for me) this was a breathe of fresh air. I can feel myself going all Justin Bieber fan girl right now over this.
I loved and hated the characters I was supposed to with a passion; the story had enough twists to keep me flipping pages like an addict looking for their next fix. There are so many questions, WHAT'S HAPPENING?!
Seriously how am I supposed to cope waiting for more.
July 21, 2014
The beginning of this book pulled me right into it. Just imagine how would you feel if you woke up in a motel, not remembering how you got there. Crazy! And crazy ice breakers like this beginning are my favorite.I thought it was interesting reading Author's notes after every chapter. I never saw anything like it ever before. I guess this is a Amazon thing, because it was released in chapters. I think this mysterious young author did a wonderful job with her first book. The story is interesting and there is just something about her style of writing, it's funny, charming and easy to follow.
May 20, 2014
I'm not a big fan of zombie novels. But...
I have to say, I'm very impressed by Bailey Simms' debut novel, "Dead in Bed." There's something so fun and refreshing about her writing. I was truly hooked from the beginning and just had to know what would happen to Ashley next. Simms' character and plot development is flawless. It's hard to believe that the author is a young woman just starting her writing career. I just know that she has a promising future and will quickly rise to the top. I look forward to reading more of Simms' stories.
When a zombie virus causes a small town to be quarantined, what's a girl to do but fight for survival? Ashley has watched her best friend die...then live again...then die. Her own family members shun her for helping those who have tested positive--the "sickos" whose libidos enter overdrive as a result of the infection. Ashley is compassionate and caring and does whatever it takes to assist the renegades on the run.
No spoilers from me, but this book is full of surprises. It ended leaving me with lots of unanswered questions and feeling a lot like this:
However, Simms has promised answers in her next upcoming volume. I can't wait to read it!
I have to say, I'm very impressed by Bailey Simms' debut novel, "Dead in Bed." There's something so fun and refreshing about her writing. I was truly hooked from the beginning and just had to know what would happen to Ashley next. Simms' character and plot development is flawless. It's hard to believe that the author is a young woman just starting her writing career. I just know that she has a promising future and will quickly rise to the top. I look forward to reading more of Simms' stories.
When a zombie virus causes a small town to be quarantined, what's a girl to do but fight for survival? Ashley has watched her best friend die...then live again...then die. Her own family members shun her for helping those who have tested positive--the "sickos" whose libidos enter overdrive as a result of the infection. Ashley is compassionate and caring and does whatever it takes to assist the renegades on the run.
No spoilers from me, but this book is full of surprises. It ended leaving me with lots of unanswered questions and feeling a lot like this:
However, Simms has promised answers in her next upcoming volume. I can't wait to read it!
May 21, 2014
The Good
•Crazy twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat
•A new approach to zombies
The Bad
•Nothing. It was amazing, and I regret nothing.
The Gif
Holy crap, you guys! So. I have thisobsession adoration for Charlaine Harris' The Southern Vampire Mysteries. Those were the first paranormal books I ever read, and I loved them so much. Ever since, I've always been chasing that next book series that will be the perfect read just like those were. Another thing I love? Zombies. (Thanks, Tracey Ward!) And Dead in Bed? It's like Bon Temps got invaded by zombies instead of vampires. Instead of going after brains, it's sex. Geez, I loved this book.
Alright, the zombies in this story are so different than normal. It was really different, and I loooved it! I'll admit that I had moments where I didn't like the main character, Ashley. She made some crappy decisions. But by the end of the book, I understood them. She really is kickass, though. The scene with the pharmacy? I was cheering her on like there's no tomorrow. There are plenty of characters that you get to know in this book. I feel like Bailey did a good job at keeping them separate and writing them as individuals.
There are a million twists and turns in this book. Every spare moment, I would pick up my Kindle to read a few more pages. I just had to know what was happening. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. Bailey did an excellent job at pacing this book well. I never had a moment where I felt like the story dragged. Some of the reveals were expected, but the ways in which they happened still took me by surprise.
All in all, I loved this book. It was something new and fresh, and I loved getting into it. Fans of zombie stories will find themselves lost in this new world!
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Bailey Simms.
•Crazy twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat
•A new approach to zombies
The Bad
•Nothing. It was amazing, and I regret nothing.
The Gif
Holy crap, you guys! So. I have this
Alright, the zombies in this story are so different than normal. It was really different, and I loooved it! I'll admit that I had moments where I didn't like the main character, Ashley. She made some crappy decisions. But by the end of the book, I understood them. She really is kickass, though. The scene with the pharmacy? I was cheering her on like there's no tomorrow. There are plenty of characters that you get to know in this book. I feel like Bailey did a good job at keeping them separate and writing them as individuals.
There are a million twists and turns in this book. Every spare moment, I would pick up my Kindle to read a few more pages. I just had to know what was happening. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. Bailey did an excellent job at pacing this book well. I never had a moment where I felt like the story dragged. Some of the reveals were expected, but the ways in which they happened still took me by surprise.
All in all, I loved this book. It was something new and fresh, and I loved getting into it. Fans of zombie stories will find themselves lost in this new world!
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Bailey Simms.
May 11, 2014
Bailey Simms’, Dead in Bed, is a zombie-psycho-sexual-fantasy fueled with heart. At times, her voice reminded me of Diana Rowland and her White Trash Zombie series.
The MC, Ashley, is perfectly relatable. Her Husband drives me crazy. And, then there is the zombie goodness. Trust me- the very first indication that there is a zombie issue coming to light is not for the faint of heart. Well, women might be okay, but men, well, they will have a reaction I am sure.
Part of me wonders if Miss Simms plans on taking on other monsters after this. Her unique blend of humor and horror is a welcome change.
The MC, Ashley, is perfectly relatable. Her Husband drives me crazy. And, then there is the zombie goodness. Trust me- the very first indication that there is a zombie issue coming to light is not for the faint of heart. Well, women might be okay, but men, well, they will have a reaction I am sure.
Part of me wonders if Miss Simms plans on taking on other monsters after this. Her unique blend of humor and horror is a welcome change.
April 16, 2014
DEAD IN BED by Bailey Simms
Chapter one is entitled: "Fifty Shades of Gangrene" so I was immediately intrigued.
Ashley is married to Shawn. But, their marriage isn't going well. Ashley is secretly in love with her sister's husband, Ian.
Ian is an Iraq war vet who currently works as an EMT for their tiny local hospital in the town of Muldoon, Colorado.
Ashley and Shawn start the story being driven to the town fair by Ian. However, before they can get to the fair, Ian receives an emergency call from the hospital saying that he needs to go immediately to the high school locker room.
What they find when they arrive shocks them all. Instead of finding a teenager with a twisted ankle, or some other equally innocuous medical "emergency", they find a decomposing make body that is missing it's penis in the girl's locker room.
This bizarre discovery is just the beginning of a series of events that shocks the entire community and affects everyone who lives there.
A pathogen called TGV has somehow been introduced to the inhabitants of Muldoon. The symptoms include heightened sex drive. The disease is passed on through sexual exchange of bodily fluids.
The National Guard shuts down all access into and out of Muldoon and they are hunting down and killing anyone infected with TGV.
Ashley takes it upon herself to help hide infected people and she is very resourceful.
This book is an engrossing and riveting read. I read the entire book in 24 hours and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I am rating this book as 5 out of 5 stars.
* I do need to warn readers that this novel contains sexually explicit descriptions and is definitely NOT for kids under the age of 18.
Chapter one is entitled: "Fifty Shades of Gangrene" so I was immediately intrigued.
Ashley is married to Shawn. But, their marriage isn't going well. Ashley is secretly in love with her sister's husband, Ian.
Ian is an Iraq war vet who currently works as an EMT for their tiny local hospital in the town of Muldoon, Colorado.
Ashley and Shawn start the story being driven to the town fair by Ian. However, before they can get to the fair, Ian receives an emergency call from the hospital saying that he needs to go immediately to the high school locker room.
What they find when they arrive shocks them all. Instead of finding a teenager with a twisted ankle, or some other equally innocuous medical "emergency", they find a decomposing make body that is missing it's penis in the girl's locker room.
This bizarre discovery is just the beginning of a series of events that shocks the entire community and affects everyone who lives there.
A pathogen called TGV has somehow been introduced to the inhabitants of Muldoon. The symptoms include heightened sex drive. The disease is passed on through sexual exchange of bodily fluids.
The National Guard shuts down all access into and out of Muldoon and they are hunting down and killing anyone infected with TGV.
Ashley takes it upon herself to help hide infected people and she is very resourceful.
This book is an engrossing and riveting read. I read the entire book in 24 hours and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I am rating this book as 5 out of 5 stars.
* I do need to warn readers that this novel contains sexually explicit descriptions and is definitely NOT for kids under the age of 18.
June 24, 2014
Really great concept, great story! Different, which made it that much more enjoyable! There are a couple handfuls of grammatical/typographical errors, but not enough to make a huge difference, and not distracting at all from the tale. While I suspected certain things, nothing too dramatic led me there. (I don't want to throw in spoilers, so I'm speaking very cryptically here.) Anyway, this is well worth the read, and I'm already looking diligently into the future for the next part of the series!!!
April 17, 2014
"I woke up in a hotel room I'd never seen. No matter how hard I've thought about it since, I have no memory of how I got there or what happened the night before."
First, I would never had bought this book just because of the name, which sounds rather like a spoof, yeah? But the author sent me her book and so I began reading, expectations low. I was pleasantly surprised to be hooked early on. The writing and dialogue is good. Except for the few errors throughout in missed "to"s and "the"s and the like which would have helped the flow. But it is obvious what the sentences mean, so it does not interfere, really. UPDATE: The author has informed me that the editing needed was done so I have upgraded my rating to 5 stars.
Next I have to give a warning to all those who are offended by rough talk, because there is a lot of it. I was not offended because I myself am familiar, having used those words before I became a grandma and had to control my tongue.
The author uses a device I have not seen lately if at all, with her "author's notes" which are part of the story, appearing at the end of each episode. So there is a running story within (or without) the main story. I just love it and look forward to more of this series.
The book itself is the first seven episodes and are about Ashley, a young woman who has survived the disease that infects people and makes them want to have sex. First they get sick with a fever, they die and when they are "back" they are this sex crazed but thinking creature.The "plague" is spread through sex and only transmitted with orgasm. I was absolutely stumped as to where to categorize this series. It is not your average zombie story, nor are the sex crazed arisen people any kind of zombie you have ever heard of before. But zombies is where I had to categorize it. I would not call it any kind of romance. She is married but her marriage is not a good one and her husband has turned out to be a jerk on the wrong side of the struggle.
It is also a bit dystopian because the government is pretty much destroying all who have the disease. There is a pill to treat it but not cure it. There is a test strip that detects it (oddly resembling a pregnancy one).
There is so far not really any romance that lasts, just sex, but I am hopeful there will be because Ashley has suffered enough and she deserves some romance.
Great fiction it is not, but an exciting well written story it is. If you like a well written exciting plague story, with lots of sex and the potential for romance, this one is for you.
Update: I have changed my review to 5 stars because the author informed me there is a clean copy available now, with errors edited.
First, I would never had bought this book just because of the name, which sounds rather like a spoof, yeah? But the author sent me her book and so I began reading, expectations low. I was pleasantly surprised to be hooked early on. The writing and dialogue is good. Except for the few errors throughout in missed "to"s and "the"s and the like which would have helped the flow. But it is obvious what the sentences mean, so it does not interfere, really. UPDATE: The author has informed me that the editing needed was done so I have upgraded my rating to 5 stars.
Next I have to give a warning to all those who are offended by rough talk, because there is a lot of it. I was not offended because I myself am familiar, having used those words before I became a grandma and had to control my tongue.
The author uses a device I have not seen lately if at all, with her "author's notes" which are part of the story, appearing at the end of each episode. So there is a running story within (or without) the main story. I just love it and look forward to more of this series.
The book itself is the first seven episodes and are about Ashley, a young woman who has survived the disease that infects people and makes them want to have sex. First they get sick with a fever, they die and when they are "back" they are this sex crazed but thinking creature.The "plague" is spread through sex and only transmitted with orgasm. I was absolutely stumped as to where to categorize this series. It is not your average zombie story, nor are the sex crazed arisen people any kind of zombie you have ever heard of before. But zombies is where I had to categorize it. I would not call it any kind of romance. She is married but her marriage is not a good one and her husband has turned out to be a jerk on the wrong side of the struggle.
It is also a bit dystopian because the government is pretty much destroying all who have the disease. There is a pill to treat it but not cure it. There is a test strip that detects it (oddly resembling a pregnancy one).
There is so far not really any romance that lasts, just sex, but I am hopeful there will be because Ashley has suffered enough and she deserves some romance.
Great fiction it is not, but an exciting well written story it is. If you like a well written exciting plague story, with lots of sex and the potential for romance, this one is for you.
Update: I have changed my review to 5 stars because the author informed me there is a clean copy available now, with errors edited.
July 10, 2018
DNF at 38%
The premise of a sexually-transmitted plague is pretty interesting and the writing was fairly good. I just couldn't figure out what this book was trying to be. Is it a zombie book? Maybe. Is it erotica? Definitely not so far. Is it horror or thriller? There were a couple scenes of tension, one of them pretty unnerving, but the rest of the time I just wasn't feeling it much.
I honestly got tired of everyone asking the main character what's going on, like she's supposed to know. She doesn't know anything either! Stop hounding her just because she leaves to go check on a friend or overhears something you all somehow slept right through.
There was no connecting with the main character either. In fact, I kind of disliked all the characters except for her brother-in-law. Everyone's either a stereotypical asshole, slut, or having a quarter life crisis. What a mess. I'm just going to hope they all die in the plague while the brother-in-law saves his wife and two kids and gets out of small town hell.
The premise of a sexually-transmitted plague is pretty interesting and the writing was fairly good. I just couldn't figure out what this book was trying to be. Is it a zombie book? Maybe. Is it erotica? Definitely not so far. Is it horror or thriller? There were a couple scenes of tension, one of them pretty unnerving, but the rest of the time I just wasn't feeling it much.
I honestly got tired of everyone asking the main character what's going on, like she's supposed to know. She doesn't know anything either! Stop hounding her just because she leaves to go check on a friend or overhears something you all somehow slept right through.
There was no connecting with the main character either. In fact, I kind of disliked all the characters except for her brother-in-law. Everyone's either a stereotypical asshole, slut, or having a quarter life crisis. What a mess. I'm just going to hope they all die in the plague while the brother-in-law saves his wife and two kids and gets out of small town hell.
April 28, 2014
I loved this book, and I can't wait for the next one to come out. Bailey Simms is an extremely talented author with a great imagination. I hate to refer to this book as a zombie novel, because it's so much more, but it's uniquely different and I'm actually rooting for the zombies. Definitely recommend this book to everyone.
June 13, 2017
This is not normally my preferred genre of reading. By "this," I mean zombie thriller pulp fiction. But this might be the most compelling book I've read all year. I devoured it on the Radish app. Well done, mysterious author person. Well done.
May 28, 2014
** Copy provided by the author for an honest review**
Sometimes its good to get out and read something you would never normally read. I've never been into the Zombie scene, however the write up of this book had me intrigued especially as they were sex craving zombies. Certainly not the way they have been portrayed before, so I agreed to give the book a go, thinking if I didn't like it I wouldn't be too disappointed.
I'm glad I did give this book a go. It hooked me in from the first page and was a refreshing change. Its also hard to believe with the body of writing that this is the authors debut novel. Even the authors note at the end of each chapter became endearing.
A lot happens throughout this book and although there are sex scenes, they are not too explicit, nor are there too many considering the "sexed up" zombies.
Ashley the main character grew stronger as the book developed in character as she tackled the fight with those that had contracted TGV, the non treatable virus that through sex turns you into a zombie too.
Definitely worth a read and I am looking forward to the second book which should clear up some of the issues that book one leaves. An author to watch out for.
Sometimes its good to get out and read something you would never normally read. I've never been into the Zombie scene, however the write up of this book had me intrigued especially as they were sex craving zombies. Certainly not the way they have been portrayed before, so I agreed to give the book a go, thinking if I didn't like it I wouldn't be too disappointed.
I'm glad I did give this book a go. It hooked me in from the first page and was a refreshing change. Its also hard to believe with the body of writing that this is the authors debut novel. Even the authors note at the end of each chapter became endearing.
A lot happens throughout this book and although there are sex scenes, they are not too explicit, nor are there too many considering the "sexed up" zombies.
Ashley the main character grew stronger as the book developed in character as she tackled the fight with those that had contracted TGV, the non treatable virus that through sex turns you into a zombie too.
Definitely worth a read and I am looking forward to the second book which should clear up some of the issues that book one leaves. An author to watch out for.
April 3, 2014
Wow! This book is an unexpected 5 star read. I must admit, when I read 'sex-craved zombie virus' I was a little unsure as to whether I really wanted to pick this series up, but I am so glad I did. Bailey Simms has taken the ZA and turned it on its head. From the first page, it grabs you and soon you find yourself at 3 am immersed in the word of Ashley Young. This series is so much more than advertised. It is well written, the dialog flows perfectly, I didn't have to reread pages to figure out what just happened and the suspense level was spot on! While we normally do not associate sex and zombies, she manages to mesh the two nicely and truly create the perfect storm. Kudos to Bailey Simms! I will be watching for more of her work.
November 9, 2014
I really enjoyed the book once it got under way and into the action. I really want something to happen between Ashley and Ian; and Shawn is an ass and can go die, lol.
The beginning was slow and hard to get into at first but most books are like that because you have to introduce the characters, setting, etc. . . But once all that was in play, the story ran smoothly.
I love how you spun the virus and made it seem believable. I have no clue if there really is such a thing, (like you mentioned about the wasp and mouse) but it sounds real!
When are you looking to put book 2 out? I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that you give Ian and Ashley a steamy scene together, lol.
The beginning was slow and hard to get into at first but most books are like that because you have to introduce the characters, setting, etc. . . But once all that was in play, the story ran smoothly.
I love how you spun the virus and made it seem believable. I have no clue if there really is such a thing, (like you mentioned about the wasp and mouse) but it sounds real!
When are you looking to put book 2 out? I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that you give Ian and Ashley a steamy scene together, lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2014
Such an original addition to the ZA genre! Once I started reading Dead in Bed, I couldn't put it down - I'm so glad I was able to read the complete novel and not wait for installments. In Ashley Young, the author creates a heroine who is very relatable, resourceful but certainly not perfect. She has to use her wits to battle the zombies (who just want to have sex), which turn out to include her best friend and neighbors in her small Colorado home town. Dead in Bead is a unique blend of romance, humor and horror - highly recommended if you enjoy ZA novels!
April 16, 2014
3.98 "I really want to but can't give it 4" stars
Hmmmm, ok I really liked it. There where parts that just felt a tad unfinished and I have a few unanswered questions. I am definitely a fan and can not wait for book 2.
On a side note I can help but wonder if the authors notes at the end of each part where she writes about her self, are fact or fiction, hmmmmmm
Hmmmm, ok I really liked it. There where parts that just felt a tad unfinished and I have a few unanswered questions. I am definitely a fan and can not wait for book 2.
On a side note I can help but wonder if the authors notes at the end of each part where she writes about her self, are fact or fiction, hmmmmmm
December 1, 2014
Awesome and crazy zombie thriller.Loved it!.Now i have lot going in my mind like,is Ashley going to survive stage 3 infection? Is there going to be a cure? Why is Ashely's behaviour so different from other infected people?.... This was totally an unexpected story from a talented author and I can't wait to see what crazy ideas she is going to come up with in her next book.
March 22, 2017
It was such a good idea- sex crazied Zombies! Yet the book just wasn't compelling like at all. I finished it quickly because I wanted it to be over mainly because I don't like the character of Ashley. I also didn't like the way in which this book was written it felt childish in some ways and lacked sophistication. I wish I enjoyed it but unfortunately I didn't.
May 26, 2014
I loved this book, it was completely brilliant best zombie novel I've ever read! I can't wait for sequel can't come quick enough, pick this book up and give it a go you won't be disappointed
July 30, 2015
this book is absolutely thrilling. its like every single chapter and page its literally something new, a new suspense. Definitely a must read!!!
November 12, 2021
this is a VERY addicting read with great storytelling, cool characters and an amazing concept. however, what i don't get is
March 10, 2022
legit finished in 1 hr half it was so good ???????.......
wtf
wtf
June 2, 2014
Not your typical zombie story, that's for sure. And although the creatures/former people aren't called zombies, they are still a form of walking dead. What makes them different is that they don't eat brains for sustenance, they crave sex. Weird, you say? Completely.
Something strange is happening in the small town of Muldoon, Colorado. After the much-anticipated town fair, people are acting off, roadblocks are in place, and the town is under quarantine. Ashley Young wakes up in a motel room with no idea how she got there. All she knows is that she was drunk the night before and feels as if she had sex. A lot of it, and NOT with her husband, Shawn. She instantly recognizes that something isn't right when she tries to go back home and she isn't allowed to.
Bailey Simms offers something a bit different in her zombie/not zombie tale. I liked the different spin she put on her story, making the infected act in a more amorous manner. The worse the level of infection, the more horndoggish the people become. I also appreciate that the zombies/infected weren't sexualized for the most part. Sure, they craved sex, but they craved it for a reason and parts of the sexual encounters were quite gross. No spoilers, but I'm certainly glad I didn't like honey in the first place. After reading this, I definitely would have added it to my "do not eat" list (and no, I don't really have one). A sexed up, "hot" zombie would have certainly turned me off of the story. Nothing says stomach turning quite like "sexy" decomposing flesh going at it.
I do have a few minor quibbles, but not many. There were a few misused words in the story (bail used for bale) and some parts of the narrative were a little repetitive. Bailey can certainly weave a good and strange tale, but the overall story could use a little more polishing. Another part I didn't understand was the fact that Ashley's parents' ranch was called the Young Ranch, yet her married name is Young. Was her maiden name also Young?
I did like some of the individual stories better than others, the third in particular. I liked how the story started at the end and Simms takes the reader from the ending of that particular story to the beginning in a roundabout manner. That was an interesting way to tell that piece of the story. Overall, I'd rate the completed novel as a 3.5. Some parts rated 5s, some parts rated lower, so I'm rounding up to 4. This particular novel is available as serials, or together in one book. I would recommend the complete book as some stories end on a cliffhangerish note. I know many readers loathe the cliffy, I have grown indifferent.
If you're fan of the (sort of) apocalyptic zombie tale, I'd recommend this for something different. It's a neat little story, certainly not bad at all for a young, fresh writer. I fully expect that as Bailey Simms continues to write, she will get better and better.
**Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Something strange is happening in the small town of Muldoon, Colorado. After the much-anticipated town fair, people are acting off, roadblocks are in place, and the town is under quarantine. Ashley Young wakes up in a motel room with no idea how she got there. All she knows is that she was drunk the night before and feels as if she had sex. A lot of it, and NOT with her husband, Shawn. She instantly recognizes that something isn't right when she tries to go back home and she isn't allowed to.
Bailey Simms offers something a bit different in her zombie/not zombie tale. I liked the different spin she put on her story, making the infected act in a more amorous manner. The worse the level of infection, the more horndoggish the people become. I also appreciate that the zombies/infected weren't sexualized for the most part. Sure, they craved sex, but they craved it for a reason and parts of the sexual encounters were quite gross. No spoilers, but I'm certainly glad I didn't like honey in the first place. After reading this, I definitely would have added it to my "do not eat" list (and no, I don't really have one). A sexed up, "hot" zombie would have certainly turned me off of the story. Nothing says stomach turning quite like "sexy" decomposing flesh going at it.
I do have a few minor quibbles, but not many. There were a few misused words in the story (bail used for bale) and some parts of the narrative were a little repetitive. Bailey can certainly weave a good and strange tale, but the overall story could use a little more polishing. Another part I didn't understand was the fact that Ashley's parents' ranch was called the Young Ranch, yet her married name is Young. Was her maiden name also Young?
I did like some of the individual stories better than others, the third in particular. I liked how the story started at the end and Simms takes the reader from the ending of that particular story to the beginning in a roundabout manner. That was an interesting way to tell that piece of the story. Overall, I'd rate the completed novel as a 3.5. Some parts rated 5s, some parts rated lower, so I'm rounding up to 4. This particular novel is available as serials, or together in one book. I would recommend the complete book as some stories end on a cliffhangerish note. I know many readers loathe the cliffy, I have grown indifferent.
If you're fan of the (sort of) apocalyptic zombie tale, I'd recommend this for something different. It's a neat little story, certainly not bad at all for a young, fresh writer. I fully expect that as Bailey Simms continues to write, she will get better and better.
**Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2015
I was given a copy of this truly unique and original tale by the young lady who wrote it. Instantly intrigued from the first page, (who wouldn't be? It begins with the main character naked in a motel room with no idea how she got there), "Dead in Bed" keeps you guessing, gawking, and laughing from start to finish.
Told from a first person perspective, our protagonist wakes from a night of sex and booze with no idea how she got to the Starlight Motel or with whom she'd had her night of debauchery. Her iffy memories recall the unlikelihood that it was her husband she'd shared the encounter with, and she is forced to backtrack to the evening before, which started with an unexpected and unexpectedly mutilated dead body and her brother in law, who is too hot and under-appreciated by his wife. Naturally, a trip to the beer garden afterwards seems the thing to do. Meeting up with old friends and making a new one was great and all, but which one of them had she gone to a hotel with...?
Ashley is left wondering as she tries to head back to the fairgrounds where she assumes she left her vehicle and meets a few unexpected surprises: someone in the back seat, a road block preventing her from leaving the fairground, and a gun in the front seat of her car.
And that is just the beginning. The book picks up again as Ashley is in a race to find out what's happening to her friends and family, why people are acting out their sexual frustrations to horrifying consequences, why there are people dying, and what manner of grotesquery is living inside the human minds of these victims? Literally!
"Dead in Bed" is a horror mystery centered on a terrifying illness that causes sexual aggression in its victims. A thoroughly entertaining and oft times shocking read written by a very talented gal who shares her own personal story with the readers at the end of each 'chapter' or 'installment'. I cannot say enough how impressed I am with her and her book, and I hope to read so much more from her in the future!
Don't want to commit to buying the book yet? Good news! "Dead in Bed" is a 7 part serial and you can get the first part at amazon.com for free!
Told from a first person perspective, our protagonist wakes from a night of sex and booze with no idea how she got to the Starlight Motel or with whom she'd had her night of debauchery. Her iffy memories recall the unlikelihood that it was her husband she'd shared the encounter with, and she is forced to backtrack to the evening before, which started with an unexpected and unexpectedly mutilated dead body and her brother in law, who is too hot and under-appreciated by his wife. Naturally, a trip to the beer garden afterwards seems the thing to do. Meeting up with old friends and making a new one was great and all, but which one of them had she gone to a hotel with...?
Ashley is left wondering as she tries to head back to the fairgrounds where she assumes she left her vehicle and meets a few unexpected surprises: someone in the back seat, a road block preventing her from leaving the fairground, and a gun in the front seat of her car.
And that is just the beginning. The book picks up again as Ashley is in a race to find out what's happening to her friends and family, why people are acting out their sexual frustrations to horrifying consequences, why there are people dying, and what manner of grotesquery is living inside the human minds of these victims? Literally!
"Dead in Bed" is a horror mystery centered on a terrifying illness that causes sexual aggression in its victims. A thoroughly entertaining and oft times shocking read written by a very talented gal who shares her own personal story with the readers at the end of each 'chapter' or 'installment'. I cannot say enough how impressed I am with her and her book, and I hope to read so much more from her in the future!
Don't want to commit to buying the book yet? Good news! "Dead in Bed" is a 7 part serial and you can get the first part at amazon.com for free!
November 6, 2014
*Received copy in return for honest review, all opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review*
Alright here goes, this is one awesome series! I cannot wait to get my hands on the next part because this is great. I freaking loved it, it is fun exciting, suspenseful and witty. Bailey Simms is a fantastic writer with amazing creativity, she has given me a whole new type of Zombie to read about! This was an action packed zombie story that is set in a small town in the middle of nowhere, these undead are not only more human like they crave sex instead of brains and human flesh. At first I was on the fence about whether it was aliens or zombies but that question was answered in an epic way, ever wonder what it's like to be buried alive you wont wonder any more after this!
The characters are great, Ashley being the most amazing kick butt chick. She makes some really weird and questionable choices throughout the story but during a horse back ride you find out some crucial Intel that makes it all clearly understandable. I also really like Chris's character as well, he's quirky, intelligent and has a sense of humor. But Simms did a fantastic job creating these characters, they all have very separate personalities and Simms gave them just the right amount of individuality.
I love how you never know which character is going to die next, get infected, get caught having an inappropriate sexual encounter or just say something outrageous. There are a lot of twists and turns in the plot, tons of the unexpected, humor and suspense in abundance and definitely something uniquely new in store for you while reading this. Anyone that enjoys zombie novels needs to read this, it is a must!
Alright here goes, this is one awesome series! I cannot wait to get my hands on the next part because this is great. I freaking loved it, it is fun exciting, suspenseful and witty. Bailey Simms is a fantastic writer with amazing creativity, she has given me a whole new type of Zombie to read about! This was an action packed zombie story that is set in a small town in the middle of nowhere, these undead are not only more human like they crave sex instead of brains and human flesh. At first I was on the fence about whether it was aliens or zombies but that question was answered in an epic way, ever wonder what it's like to be buried alive you wont wonder any more after this!
The characters are great, Ashley being the most amazing kick butt chick. She makes some really weird and questionable choices throughout the story but during a horse back ride you find out some crucial Intel that makes it all clearly understandable. I also really like Chris's character as well, he's quirky, intelligent and has a sense of humor. But Simms did a fantastic job creating these characters, they all have very separate personalities and Simms gave them just the right amount of individuality.
I love how you never know which character is going to die next, get infected, get caught having an inappropriate sexual encounter or just say something outrageous. There are a lot of twists and turns in the plot, tons of the unexpected, humor and suspense in abundance and definitely something uniquely new in store for you while reading this. Anyone that enjoys zombie novels needs to read this, it is a must!
August 6, 2014
Bailey Simms author of Dead in Bed: The Complete Novel really IS a story that you have never read before.
It's like a combination of Fifty Shades of Grey and The Walking Dead that will be stuck in your mind forever.
It tells about Ashley, a married woman in a town that suddenly goes under quarentine from a disease gone viral overnight. Instead of being an infected burger like Zombieland, this disease is passed through sexual intercourse. If you've got it
YOU
JUST
CAN'T
NOT
HAVE
SEX
It's want you think that you need and it's practically unstoppable.
"Couldn't help it." You just can't anymore.
This book is a must read. Who doesn't love sex mixed with zombies? I mean come on.
It's like a combination of Fifty Shades of Grey and The Walking Dead that will be stuck in your mind forever.
It tells about Ashley, a married woman in a town that suddenly goes under quarentine from a disease gone viral overnight. Instead of being an infected burger like Zombieland, this disease is passed through sexual intercourse. If you've got it
YOU
JUST
CAN'T
NOT
HAVE
SEX
It's want you think that you need and it's practically unstoppable.
"Couldn't help it." You just can't anymore.
This book is a must read. Who doesn't love sex mixed with zombies? I mean come on.
May 6, 2014
Loved this book (split into 7 parts)
The first thing you should know about this book is the graphic sex scenes. To be honest there are some rape scenes and the one between the zombie (yes I know rapist zombies) and human wasn't nearly as bad as the one between the humans ok that wasn't exactly rape but it was horrific and was more like a rape.
So this story is about Ashley a woman in dead end job and an unhappy marriage but she is also stuck in a zombie outbreak trying to survive in a quarantine area with the "army" (local men given basic training) supporting the non-infected and brutally killing or just burying the infected alive in coffins.
The infected have a sexually transmitted disease causing them to died and reawaken feeling fine but with an heighten sex drive the host is slowly destroyed.
The style of writing is of someone who has written a quite a few books but this is the author's first book. Very well written and flows nicely along and despite the subject matter is a very easy and enjoyable read.
I also really enjoyed reading the author's notes section as it made me feel like Bailey was sharing her life with me. I can't wait for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2014
This is written by a teen and sometimes it obvious but its still the coolest twist on the zombie take I've read.
I'm really curious on but I guess I'll have to wait for part 8 (or book 2).
I also hate Shawn. One day he literary wants to kill his wife the next he's mad because
I understand why Ian backed out the way he did but I had had faith in him so I hope to see him again soon.
I received a ebook from the author in exchange for a honest review. Thank you
p.s. And the the authors notes between each part are their own little story and I want to know what happens.
I'm really curious on but I guess I'll have to wait for part 8 (or book 2).
I also hate Shawn. One day he literary wants to kill his wife the next he's mad because
I understand why Ian backed out the way he did but I had had faith in him so I hope to see him again soon.
I received a ebook from the author in exchange for a honest review. Thank you
p.s. And the the authors notes between each part are their own little story and I want to know what happens.
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