Why Is My Bra Still On?

by Kristen Wasyliszyn

🏆 🏆 Winner — American Fiction Awards (Humor/Satire), 2025
Finalist — Hawthorne Prize, 2025
Winner — International Book Awards, 2025
Winner — Pacific Book Awards (Humor), 2025
Winner — StoryTrade Book Awards (Fiction/Humor/Satire), 2025
Finalist — American Fiction Awards (Women’s Fiction), 2025
Readers Favorite Honorable mention (humor)
Kirkus Reviews: “GET IT.”

All Opal Slepecki wants is loyalty. But when her badly behaved friends refuse to kill her, it’s impossible to feel loved.

It’s been eighteen agonizing hours since she asked her friends to help her die.
And now, it’s gone quiet.
She knew the request would be jarring, awkward even, but the brash pill-popper, the shameless exhibitionist, and the quiet beauty have weathered worse.
Haven’t they?

Told with biting humor, brutal honesty, and moments of absurd laughter, Why Is My Bra Still On? is a darkly comedic, deeply emotional story about love, loyalty, and what it really means to be family.



For readers who are into, wildly inappropriate female protagonists- or fans of We All Want Impossible Things, The Wedding People, and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, then Why Is My Bra Still On? is for you.



*****Mature content-probably not for Puritanical folks))

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Friendship, Amazon

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2024

About the author

Why Is My Bra Still On? a dark comedy by Kristen Wasyliszyn
Not cozy not romantic. That's the point.

*Hawthorne Prize -Short list 2025
*Kirkus Review -Verdict "Get it" (Dec 11, 2024)
*Pacific Award -Winner humor 2025
*American Fiction Awards- Winner Humor/Comedy/Satire 2025
*American Fiction Awards- Finalist Women's fiction 2025
*Storytrade Awards- Winner Fiction/Humor/Satire 2025
*International Book Awards- Finalist humor/comedy/satire April 18, 2025
*IAN Book of the Year Award-Finalist humor 2025


All Opal Slepecki wants is loyalty. But when her friends refuse to kill her- it's impossible to feel loved.

https://www.amazon.com/author/kristenwas
https://www.Kristenwas.com

Reviews

[Carmel Hanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark humor is not my go-to, but I decided to give this one a try and found myself rather hooked on this irreverent group of women in a tough circumstance. The title itself pulled at me...IYKYK (thanks, Kristen, on behalf of all women).

I found parts of it pretty amusing, parts poignant, and parts thought-provoking. I found myself wondering what I would do if I were in one of their situations. And I found myself really liking this motley assortment who brought all their past and current blemishes into a tight circle, despite their individual differences and occasional sparks. This is a testament to the bonds that can supersede what life throws at us.

There were a few parts that made me cringe, as it is SO outside my own experience base, and was TMI. And there were times I was reminded that my humble upbringing and continued lifestyle leaves me scratching my head when descriptive brands are thrown around. I'd be hopelessly lost in the battle for appropriate "style".

But, overall, I found myself hooked and rooting for these souls, and pleasantly surprised at how well the dark humor went down. 4.25

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four friends, one with terminal cancer. Each character had struggles they were dealing with but like all women they got through it by leaning on each other and of course, finding the humor in it all.

I felt connected to Opal, Urse, Ruby and Luna… and Carol. This is dark humor, I wasn’t sure how it would go, but I liked this book! I laughed at times, blubbering at others. Friends I won’t forget.

You should read this book!

[Rachel Adamek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud and blubbered like a baby - sometimes at the same time. I felt like I knew these characters and quickly became invested in their stories. Looking forward to more books from this hilarious author!

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humor, complex relationships, and themes of mortality, highlighting the chaotic dynamics of friendships and loyalty in the face of tragedy. It’s a story about raw emotions and quirky characters. I loved it from the beginning and the story will stay with me forever.

[Bridget Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this in a day. It was amazing!! Like Firefly Lane but with four unhinged friends with tragic backstories from Minnesota. It is very much a dark comedy book and that made me love it more. I really hope there is a second book! I love these women so much!

[Christie Arlotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was hesitant at first but then fell in love. the realness but tinged with rich girl behaviors. you love the characters but also kinda want to shake them awake. well done fellow LNK!

[Hailey ⋆｡°✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m not sure how i would choose to die given the chance, but brown recluse spiders wouldn’t be involved i can tell you that much!!!!

[Haley Ellefson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a special read.

Kristen has curated a beautiful tone of darkness, wit, and honesty that ultimately felt like a giant embrace. Come to the end, after many laughs and gasps, I had tears in my eyes. Opal, Ruby, Luna, and Urse share a love for one another that feels so personal and genuine. Lifting up and celebrating your girlfriends means EVERYTHING!

To me, Why Is My Bra Still On? is about that group, or girl, or guy, or person who sees you, all of you, and loves you regardless. Through thick and thin, through heartbreak, addiction, and anger. That kind of love sings on every page.

[Sydney Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.75 stars)

This book is a hilarious ride full of wacky happenstance and unexpected twists, brought to life by a rowdy group of four unforgettable women. What I especially loved is that the main characters are older women (bold, vibrant, and unapologetically themselves.) It’s refreshing to see characters who have truly *lived* take center stage.

I loved how their personal histories slowly stitched together throughout the book—it added depth and heart to the chaos. I went into this read blind, drawn in purely by the title and cover, expecting a lighthearted story. There are several plot twists I absolutely didn’t see coming, and they elevated the story in the best way.

While there was quite a bit of filler throughout, it was witty and well-written, so I didn’t mind it. The author’s voice is sharp and funny, making even the slower moments enjoyable.

I won’t spoil anything, but the ending? Superb. It beautifully tied everything together and left me genuinely moved. If I were ever mourning a friend’s life, I could only hope to send them off with such heart, humor, and celebration.

I honestly think this would make an incredible mini TV series—something equal parts touching and chaotic. I can totally imagine Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, and Sandra Bullock embodying these wild, wonderful women.

[Jordan G · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was entertaining and had some genuinely great moments. However, overall, it felt disjointed. The characters were difficult to keep track of, and they seemed a bit unrealistic to me. I had trouble picturing them, if that makes sense. There were also instances where I thought AI had written parts of it.

it was a fun,quick book to read, just not as deep or funny as i thought it was going to be based on others reviews.

[Alice Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would not have picked this book myself. It was a book club pick. The subject is painful and controversial, but there are happy mileposts along the way. When I read the last page, I realized that I could not have not finished the book. I’m glad I read it.

[IngramSpark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!

Hilarious, irreverent, and tender literary fiction with unforgettable characters. This is a must-read for fans of dark humor & women's fiction and a perfect book club pick!

[Meg K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked everything about “Why Is my bra still on?” From the moment you read the first page, you’re pulled into this story of deep, raw friendship, and you’re not let go of until long after the end.

The author displays an uncanny ability to capture and keep the reader’s attention while drawing out both the happy and sad tears. A beautifully written piece of work.

I enjoyed the multidimensional characters’ interwoven storylines that thoughtfully unveil the basis of their friendship. Witty, raw, and lovable. Definitely recommend this read!

[Diana Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

I was pleasantly surprised with this writers first book. She really wove a wonderful story of these four friends facing an unthinkable diagnosis. These women each had a lot of baggage now and in their childhood but were able to grow and get through many bad times with their friends. Were they lucky or destined to find each other? I really hope we get to hear the continued story of Ruby,Luna,Urse and especially Carol! I laughed and I cried through this book.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by the niece of a very good friend of mine so I was very leery about reading it in case I hated it. What do you say then. But I loved it. She’s taken a morbid subject and made it heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny and thought provoking. Four friends, one dying and she wants their help dying on her own terms. They’re all rich but fractured with their own personal traumas. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. Literature masterpiece? No. Good book to read? Yes.

I listened to this book. Really struggled with the reader in the beginning, but as the book progressed and you learned the characters, her voice just became part of the story.

Well done, Kristen. I’ll wait for the next one.

[Murray Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to die

Prepare to die after a cancer diagnosis. Having her best friends being asked to murder her. Can her besties do it?

[Andrea Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

trigger warning: cancer, suicide, self harm, sexual assault, drug use, miscarriage, alcoholism and murder.

this book made me.laugh, made me cry and made me ask what the fuck?

[Collette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a strange little book that has all the feels.

[Cathy Ball · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not find any humor in this book and was looking for a funny read. Story is more about the friends and their earlier years than it is about helping Opal die. And totally do not get the title of this book…has absolutely nothing to do with the book. Author is reaching to grab your attention and thinking it’s a laugh out loud book and it is definitely not. Worst part was it was only available to buy and I paid $18 for a book I wouldn’t pass on to any of my friends for a laugh.

[Becky Kliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on twists and turns I never saw coming! Even though it's fiction, so many moments felt incredibly relatable to my own friendships and experiences. It makes you really think about what you would do if faced with the reality of terminal illness. Despite the heavy topic, the story brings a refreshing dose of optimism and rekindles the importance of friendship. Kristen did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life and weaving their stories together in a powerful, heartfelt way and I really enjoyed her writing style and this book!

[Juliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four friends navigate a terminal diagnosis within their group.

You'll see the characters react differently to the diagnosis, depending on their history and their personality. Wasyliszyn does a fantastic job of painting each one uniquely and realistically. You'll find sass, denial, and humor; the characters are beautifully broken and utterly, completely relatable.

For such a potentially harrowing topic, the book isn't dark or depressing. That's not to say that this novel doesn't have bleak moments. It does. But the antics and escapades of the four as they navigate their situation are light hearted, and I found myself laughing, too. The prose has a warmth about it, despite the central theme. Wasyliszyn balances all of it perfectly.

I think what's most telling is how much I missed the characters at the end. Somewhere along the journey, they had become my friends, too.

Looking forward to more from this author.

[Bonnie Bley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently lost my best friend and sister to cancer and seeing them from diagnosis to spending final moments with them, made this hard to get through at times. This book was particularly hard for me to read on a personal level, yet a bit therapeutic. I have pretty much avoided any movies or books that deal with a family member or a friend dying, but I've heard such good things about "Why Is My Bra Still On", I decided to dive into it, and so glad I did. This book made me laugh out loud and cry. Kristen does a great job weaving a story of true friendship through the ages. "Why Is My Bra Still On" is a must read.

[Eileen Wasyliszyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's character development and humor were a delight to read. While the main topic of death was far from humorous the 4 women were. The book pulls you into their lives and you feel like you knew them.

A wonderful read, a page turner, tears, laughing out loud and Carol, the novel has it all. Looking forward to Kristen's next book.

[Lynn Denson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Might be one of the worst books I have ever read. I only finished it because it was a book club selection. Never laughed once. The characters are shallowly written and even though there are only 4 main characters, I had a really hard time keeping them straight and figuring out whose backstory belonged to which character.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about the bond of women and friendship. The title of this book piqued my curiosity. What could this be about? I found out. Themes of women and friendship wind through this author's debut novel. The engaging storyline and characters kept me reading to the end. It is the perfect vacation or beach read.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know what to say about this book. It’s different and a story I had never read. That’s often a positive. But this one is a bit insane. Crazy characters that I am still confusing after 300 pages. Not sure that I can wrap my head around the things they do in this book. It’s a bit of Thelma and Louise blended with Love Story. Yep that says it all.

[Amy Vasterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of how women: respond, interact, rally, support, even love–voiced on the quirky edge of humor and emotional range on a topic that is deep, sweetly dark and made irreverently funny. A must read for any fiction book group looking to bring "a bit more" to the conversation.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had all the emotions packed in. A heartfelt, dark humor, grief in many forms of a roller coaster of a ride. Loved this book !! Each character had depth and they all complimented each other.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is a reason why this book is self-published. The writing is truly horrible.

[Mary Rust · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I realized I have not had nearly enough fun in my life or gotten into enough trouble totally enjoyed it kind of life-changing!!! Couple of friends have read it and loved it…