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
Kirkus Reviews: “GET IT.”

They’ve always owned the room.
Now, the room is turning.

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 excruciating hours since she asked them for help, and now it’s gone quiet.

Sure, the request was shocking. Awkward, even. But the brash pill popper, the shameless exhibitionist, and the quiet beauty have survived worse.

Haven’t they?

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

Perfect for readers who love wildly inappropriate female protagonists or for fans of We All Want Impossible Things, The Wedding People, and Margo's Got Money Troubles.

Mature content peppered with triggers – probably not for the puritanical.

Genres: Friendship, Fiction, Ebooks, Humor, Amazon

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2024

About the author

Why Is My Bra Still On? a dark comedy about friendship, loyalty and inappropriate mid-aged women.


*Hawthorne Prize -Short list 2025
*Kirkus Review -Verdict "Get it" (Dec 11, 2024)
*American Fiction Awards- Winner Humor/Comedy/Satire 2025
*International Book Awards- Finalist humor/comedy/satire April 18, 2025


They've always won rooms.
Now, the room is turning.

All Opal Slepecki wants is loyalty. But when her badly behaved friends refuse to kill her, it’s hard not to take it personally.

It’s been eighteen agonizing hours since her tricky request.

Now, it’s gone quiet.

The brash pill-popper.
The shameless exhibitionist.
The quiet beauty.

She knew the request would be jarring, awkward, even- but these women have weathered worse.

Haven’t they?



Note: This novel contains mature themes, dark humor, and emotional triggers. It is happily not cozy or preachy.


Top 10 Bestseller in Audible Absurdist Fiction

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 Gibson · 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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[Rachel Shearer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m so mad my mom didn’t raise a quitter and i had to read this whole thing.

[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.

[Alena Dobriakova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Is My Bra Still On? is a darkly comic and emotionally rich novel that blends sharp humor with heartfelt insight into friendship, love, and life’s hardest moments. The story follows Opal and her close circle of friends after she receives a devastating diagnosis, and it never shies away from the messy, chaotic, and poignant aspects of being human. Kristen Wasyliszyn writes with honesty and wit, giving each character a distinct voice that made me laugh, think, and care deeply about what happens to them.

This book balances intense themes with absurd situations in a way that feels real and engaging, and it’s a story that stays with you long after the last page. A must-read for anyone who appreciates bold characters, unpredictable plots, and stories about the complicated beauty of true friendship.

Highly recommended for book clubs and fans of dark humor and women’s fiction.

[Heidi Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why Is My Bra Still On? was such a fun, refreshing read. It had that perfect mix of humor and heart, with a main character who felt real, messy, and easy to root for. I found myself laughing out loud at parts, but also really appreciating the more reflective moments about relationships, identity, and figuring out what you actually want. The voice was sharp and engaging, and it pulled me in right away.

The only reason it didn’t quite hit five stars for me was that there were a few moments where the pacing lagged a bit or certain plot points felt a little predictable. Still, the charm of the story and the strength of the main character more than made up for it. Overall, it was an entertaining, feel-good read that I’d definitely recommend—especially if you’re in the mood for something witty with a little emotional depth.

[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.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me way too long to begin keeping these women straight in my head, let alone their love interests. Maybe the gemstone names were too similar for me to differentiate. Given the premise, I'm surprised by how much this story bored me. None of the characters were particularly likeable, except Carol. 🐶. We're told they're all great friends, but they all seemed rather self-absorbed to me. Some parts were beautiful and emotional, but I'm a little disappointed I purchased this based on some of the raving reviews.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was going to be a 4 star read up until the last three pages.

This book ending irritated the hell out of me. We never get any explanation as to why she chose the things that she chose (spiders, heroin, and mushrooms) to die from. We have no clue where she set off to die. Nothing with Tess Hoboken ( or whatever her name is, has any kind of conclusion. A lot of the women’s reactions to things the other women do and say are over the top, unwarranted, and not healthy. Thoroughly disappointed / confused.

[Alem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started listening to this with my wife and couldn't stop. Don’t let the title fool you-it’s a sharp, dark comedy about four "badly behaved" friends on a wild mission. It feels less like a typical romance and more like a dark heist movie with a lot of heart.

The banter is top-notch, the characters are brilliantly flawed, and the humor is actually funny, not cheesy. For any guy looking for a laugh-out-loud story with real substance, this is a winner. Highly recommended!

[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.