Stuck in a meaningless job, Eight is treading water in life until a car accident leaves her in a coma. Suddenly, she finds herself in the “Between” with a small group of strangers and an enigmatic immortal being named Sintra. Eight and the others have the opportunity to return to their lives—as long as they survive a series of tribulations devised by Sintra. Untrusting of the mysterious immortal, their resolve will be tested as they grapple with the tribulations while balanced on the precipice of life and death. Failure to survive means being ushered to the “After”—a place of peace…supposedly.
Going into this book, I honestly had no idea what to expect. I met this fabulous author on TikTok and decided to give the book a chance, even though it’s not something I normally gravitate toward. To be completely honest, it’s probably a book I would have never picked up on my own but I am so glad I did.
This story completely surprised me.
While reading, I actually found myself questioning whether I liked it at first but in the best way possible. The deeper I got into the story, the more I realized the book was intentionally making me think and feel alongside the characters. You follow a group of people who find themselves stuck in “The Between,” essentially a purgatory like realm where they must face a series of trials/tribulations for a chance to return to their lives.
If they succeed, they get a second chance at life. If they fail, that choice is gone and they move on to the After.
The premise alone creates an incredible amount of tension, mystery, and suspense, but what really makes this story shine is the emotional depth. These strangers slowly form connections and create a found family while navigating impossible decisions and learning who they truly are.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the story is that none of them remember their lives before. It raises such powerful questions:
Are you truly worthy of a second chance if you don’t remember who you used to be? What kind of person would you choose to become? Would you live your life the same way or completely differently?
As you get deeper into the book, it becomes incredibly thought-provoking. By the end, I found myself sitting there thinking, “What did I just read?”not because it was confusing, but because it makes you reflect on your own life.
If you were given a second chance, what would you do with it? Would you sacrifice yourself for someone else? Would you live for your children, your family, or simply try to live a fuller life day by day?
This book left me with so many thoughts and emotions long after finishing it, and that’s something truly special. It’s a story about choices, redemption, sacrifice, and what it really means to deserve another chance.
⭐️ Five stars, hands down. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time.
Finished it in two days! It’s a tear jerker for sure. It gave me Stephen Kings The Stand vibes or the tv series From in an alternate (slightly creepy) reality type of way. There’s so much going on but the writer does a great job of keeping you invested for the characters more so than the action so even when there are “rest days” you’re still eager to keep going. Also love the cover!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Between is nothing like I've ever read before. It tackles big ideas of life, death, love, sacrifice, and everything in between.
This one is going to stick with me.
Our main character, Diane/Eight, and a group of others who have had near death/coma situations have a choice to make: move peacefully into the After or fight with everything they have to go back to their lives Before.
Oh, my heart!! This book completely wrecked me in the best possible way. I devoured it in a single day because I simply could not put it down. From the very first page, I was captivated by its beautifully unique premise and the emotional depth woven throughout the story.
This book is so much more than a fantasy romance. It’s a moving exploration of life, death, the afterlife, and the fragile space in between. The themes of found family, cherishing every moment of life, and learning through pain and love hit me so deeply. The “Tribulations” were such a brilliant and compelling part of the plot, adding tension, suspense, thrill, emotion, and meaning to every step of the journey.
The storytelling felt incredibly immersive and heartfelt, and I’m honestly stunned that this is the author’s debut novel. The talent, imagination, and emotional resonance in these pages feel like the work of a long time writer. I have absolutely found a new auto-buy author.
This is one of those rare books that lingers in your heart long after the final page. I know I’ll be thinking about this story and these characters for a very long time.
Wowow what a creative story!!! A group of strangers fighting for their lives in a number of tribulations for a chance to return back to their body and life on earth in the “before” or die and go straight to the “after”. This book had it all - sci-fi/fantasy elements, romance, action and adventure, found family 🫶🏼 and it was the authors first book! I’m seriously impressed. I’m gonna need a book 2 ASAP! Really need to learn more about Sintra’s back story.. highly recommend this book to all types of readers!
I absolutely love this book. I got it the day it was released and it came three days later. I started reading it that night that it came and finished at 5:04 in the morning. When I got a phone call from my sister telling me she was almost finished with her copy, I was so into the book that the phone ringing scared the heck out of me and I jumped. Wow! Super good book.
I thought the premise and plot of this book was really strong. Personally, I didn't really identify with the characters, but I think it might resonate with you if you are a romance reader looking for a switch up to their normal genre!
This book completely surprised me in the best possible way, and I honestly cannot stop thinking about it. I went into this story with hesitation because it was not something I would normally choose for myself, but I am so glad I took the chance. From the very first chapter, it grabbed my attention and refused to let go. There was something so immediate and compelling about the writing that made it impossible not to keep turning the pages. It pulled me in right away, and shortly after starting, I was fully hooked. One of the strongest parts of this book was the pacing. It flowed so naturally and was incredibly easy to read and understand. When the story needed intensity, it raced forward and had my heart pounding. When it slowed down, those quieter moments were just as powerful because they gave space for the emotions to truly land. The balance between action and reflection was done so well, and it made the emotional moments hit even harder. The concept of the 'Between' was one of the most unique and thought-provoking ideas I have read in a long time. The Between is the space between life and death, where people fighting for their lives in a coma must decide whether to continue on to the After or stay and battle through trials to return to the Before. What made it even more fascinating was that they had no memory of their previous life except for their final moments before arriving there. The characters were another huge highlight for me. They all had depth, heart, and emotional weight, which made it easy to become attached to them. Eight had such wonderful growth throughout the story. I liked her in the beginning, but by the end, I truly loved her. Watching her journey, her struggles, and the strength she discovered in herself was incredibly rewarding. She felt real, layered, and easy to root for. And then there was B. He had my heart from the very beginning. There was something so special about him, and I found myself rooting for him every single step of the way. He brought so much emotion to the story, and every scene with him mattered. I became deeply invested in his journey and wanted nothing more than happiness for him. As this group travels through the Between and faces the tribulations, the story becomes packed with emotion. There is love, hope, fear, sacrifice, and heartbreak woven throughout the pages. The found family aspect was especially strong and one of my favorite parts of the book. Watching these characters build trust, care for one another, and become each other’s strength in such impossible circumstances was beautiful. Their bond felt genuine and meaningful. There was also a great sense of suspense throughout the story. The tribulations kept me nervous, wondering what would happen next and who would make it through. I was constantly emotionally invested, and the stakes always felt real. It was one of those books where I needed to know what happened next but also didn’t want it to end. That ending absolutely broke me. It was heartbreaking, emotional, and beautifully done all at once. I felt shattered by everything that happened. And then the epilogue came in. My heart felt was soothed a little. This book made me cry during every sad moment and smile during every beautiful one. The love story woven throughout the pages was touching, heartfelt, and unforgettable. By the end, I felt broken, emotional, and yet somehow elated at the same time. It is rare for a book to provoke so many feelings so strongly, but this one absolutely did. The story has stayed with me long after finishing it, which says everything. It was such a powerful, moving, and unforgettable read. The author did a brilliant job creating something so emotional, meaningful, and unique. I have nothing but praise for the way this story made me feel. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for something thought-provoking, emotional, and beautifully written. It was such a good read and had a lasting impact on me.
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was not something I've read like it. Was quite a refreshing change. The concept of between; in-between living and afterlife/death. This story flowed nicely and was written very well, was easy to understand. I loved the liminal space concept of the story. Makes you think what would you do in this scenario. The trial/tribulations was a thrilling edge to the story, which I greatly enjoyed. And of course, the love story aspect. I was betting on these two🥲 It grabbed me emotionally on subjects and I was itching to turn the next page. I couldn't put it down, really wanted to find out what happened in the end. Thankyou to Cayenne for sending me out a copy. I appreciate it. I really enjoyed your story, and can't wait to see more from you 💜🧡 xx
Our main character was going about her day, on a run, when struck by a car. She wakes and finds herself in front a group of other people and a what appears to be a 'being'. Surrounded by purple wisps, that looks to be made of marble with golden eyes, though it's breathing, talking. The being gives her and the group a chance to survive to go back to their lives and live, a second chance. But only if they survive these trials called Tribulations. Or go to the afterlife ultimately passing on. She and a few others choose to take on these Tribulations and fight to go back and live. These characters do not have the memories of their old life, they don't know who they are or even their own names. These characters start to confide themselves in each other and form special relationships. Trying to understand the meaning to what their going through. They suffer heartache in these high stake trials, they fight to the death for themselves and each other, but some sacrifice the ultimate.
💜 Found Family 🧡 Second Chances 💜 Survival and Tribulations 🧡 Slow Burn Romance 💜 Forced Proximity 🧡 Liminal Space - 'Between' life & death
Woman is stuck in a painfully blah life, gets into a car accident, and wakes up in the Between with a small group of strangers and this immortal being, Sintra, who’s basically like, “Survive my tribulations and you can go back to your life.” I mean?? I was there for all of it.
And when I say tribulations, I don’t mean cute little symbolic growth moments. I mean intense. Stressful. High-stakes. The kind where you’re reading and physically tensing because you’re like, “Oh she is NOT going to make it through this.” I would’ve folded immediately. Immediately.
Honestly, I was more obsessed with the structure and the whole existential setup than I was with Eight (our FMC) specifically. The idea of being forced to confront your life while hovering between life and death? That’s such a juicy premise. It kept me turning pages because I needed to see how it would all play out.
And Sintra? Full mystery the entire time. You never quite know what their angle is. Are they helping? Testing? Quietly enjoying the chaos? And the way they keep singling Eight out adds this extra layer of tension that makes everything feel personal.
It’s intense. It’s uncomfortable in that “hmm, what would I do?” kind of way. And it absolutely kept me locked in.
Would I survive the Between? No. Would I read about someone else trying at midnight instead of going to bed like a responsible adult? Yes. 100&
If you're looking for a great story having to do with the "after" life, the "before" life and the "between" life, snag a copy of this book. You will definitely not be disappointed.
I went into this one super intrigued with the concept because it is different, and I like different. This isn't something I probably would have normally picked up, but I am really glad that I did. It definitely grabbed me from the very beginning. It kept me interested and also kept me thinking.
The concept of the "Between" was very interesting and really can make you think. This is essentially the area between life and death. When somebody is fighting for their life in a coma, then they are in the Between. They can choose whether to go to the After (death) or stay and fight through tribulations to return to the Before (life). One of the kickers? They have no memories of the Before except for their last moments before they got to the Between which for some, raises questions as to whether they really want to return and what kind of person and life they had. Are they worthy?
As we go through the journey with this group as they journey through the Between and the tribulations, it is packed full of emotion. We have love, fear, heartbreak, hope, and so much more. They really build a strong bond, and the found family component is definitely strong. There's also some suspense with the tribulations as you are worrying and wondering what is going to happen.
I felt like the story flowed so well and was definitely easy to read and understand. The author did a fantastic job. That ending? Heartbreaking, but so good at the same time. The epilogue? Perfect! I definitely recommend you check this story out!
I went into Between by Cayenne Sirois not really knowing what to expect, and wow… this ended up being one of the most unique books I’ve read in a long time.
The premise alone hooked me. A group of people stuck in this in-between state of life and death, forced to face trials to earn their way back, all while questioning if they even should go back. The twist? They don’t remember their lives, just the moments before they got there. That layer of uncertainty adds so much tension and makes you constantly wonder who these characters really were in their former lives.
The writing style was a huge win for me. It felt conversational and easy to read, but still carried real emotional weight. It didn't feel overdone or heavy-handed. The characters had depth without being overwhelming, and their motivations came through in a really natural way.
Even though this isn’t my usual genre, I was completely pulled in. The story flows so well and keeps you engaged the whole time. And the ending? It was exactly what it needed to be. Satisfying, fitting, and impactful without trying too hard.
This book was definitely done with me before I was done with it, and I mean that in the best way.
I’m so grateful to the author for sending me a copy because I honestly don’t know if I would have found it on my own. If you’re looking for something different that makes you question life, death, and what comes after, this is absolutely worth picking up.
This was different from the usual books I read but it pulled me in from the very first chapter I was invested in Eight and the other's journey and wanted to see them get through all of these trials and make it back to the Before. The writer does a good job with pacing the tribulations out so even when they have more "rest" days it never feels like that since there is always an element of creepy movie vibes with no one remembering their life from before and never knowing if any of them will make it through the next tribulation or when it will be haven't they been through enough already!
There is a side of romance between Eight and one of the other characters and our MMC is very sweet and protective over the whole group especially the young child that is unfortunately on this adventure with them.
If you are looking for something different that will have you turning pages and wondering what will come next be sure to add this to your TBR!
Between is a tense and emotionally engaging story that explores life, mortality, and the choices we make when pushed to the edge. The protagonist navigates a mysterious liminal world, facing high-stakes trials alongside other characters, where survival is never guaranteed.
The novel excels at blending suspense with emotional depth, showing how relationships, loyalty, and personal motivation influence outcomes in unexpected ways. The writing is generally strong, with clear prose and only minor stylistic quirks. Dialogue and pacing are handled well, and the story encourages readers to notice connections and patterns on their own.
Overall, Between is a compelling, thoughtful read that balances psychological insight with thrilling stakes. It’s immersive, thought-provoking, and keeps you turning pages.
At first I was slightly hesitant between a four star and a five star, but the ending solidified it for me.
I thought this book was unique in the way that it handles what happens in the Between. Before you either wake up from a coma or die and go into the After. I loved the idea of a trial to fight for your life. It was very well thought in that aspect.
I did have some lags where I felt the tension wasn't quite as high, so I skimmed a little, but even with the skimming, I was emotionally wrecked by the end. It was a satisfying ending, but one that also completely made me want to cry. It's such a real experience these characters go through, and seeing how they connected in the end was WILD.
Great job to Sirois on this novel. I highly recommend!
I loved this one. The longer I spent with these characters, the more attached I became, and every loss hit harder than the last. By the end, some moments were genuinely devastating. The overall vibe felt a bit like The Hunger Games — but as a team, everyone fighting together instead of against each other. There were also moments that leaned into creepy, unsettling territory that gave me definite It vibes. I also appreciated the balance between the intense moments and the quieter ones that let the characters connect. The relationships, especially the romance building in the background, added a nice emotional layer. The ending wasn’t exactly what my heart wanted, but it still felt satisfying and true to the journey. Overall, this was an emotional, high-stakes story that kept me invested the entire time.
Between grabbed my attention immediately and kept it until the very last page. After a sudden accident, the main character awakens in a strange in-between realm where a mysterious being offers her a choice: face lethal trials for a chance to live again, or pass on for good. With their memories erased, the characters must define themselves through survival, loyalty, and sacrifice. The trials are intense, the relationships feel genuine, and the emotional moments hit hard. The world-building is imaginative and impressive, especially for a debut, and the story balances suspense with meaningful reflection on life and mortality. I loved the ending left me emotional in the best way. An unforgettable read I highly recommend.
Between grabbed me from the very first sentence and didn’t let go. The whole story takes place in this erie in between space where real life and death blur, and it’s packed with emotion; love, fear, heartbreak, hope, all of it. I was attached to several characters and following eight and the others through their trials had me fully invested and flipping pages way too fast.
And that ending.. Yeah, one tear definitely escaped. I closed the book just thinking about life, choices, and the people we keep close. There’s even one super creepy scene that might haunt me later. This book really gives you the full emotional spectrum with a heartbreakingly perfect ending. If you’re drawn to afterlife adventures found family bonds, and a hint of romance, this one’s going to hit the spot.
A woman is treading water in life and when she is struck by a car while out on a run she wakes up in an unfamiliar place with other strangers. She is informed that she is in the between and she has a choice if she wants to go straight to the after or if she wants to stay in the between and fight go get back to her life. She along with five others decide they want to fight, they have no recollections of who they were or who they are but they decide they want a second chance. They have no idea the tribulations they are in for.
This was unlike any book I have ever read but I really enjoyed it. I was instantly invested in the characters and the story. This really gets you thinking about how you are living your life and if you are living it to the fullest. The ending was so so good!
What happens in the time between the possible end of your life and death. This book has it all!
Love, heartache, pain, hope, and acceptance.The emotions were deep and I felt them with every page. You come to care about every single character and you want them to succeed.
This might not be what one might consider a traditional HEA but it was a HEA and it leaves you thinking about the choices we make in life and the people we surround ourselves with. I don't want to give any spoilers away but I highly recommend reading this book and I can't wait to read future books from this author.
This was a solid 5 star read and like nothing I've read before.
Did this book destroy me in the most beautiful way possible? YES! Am I sobbing while writing this review? Also yes.
Eight, B, Rain, Lily and Harley will live in my heart forever.
If you love a beautiful found family, characters who are broken but still have love to give, trials that will rip your heart out and a villian who is deeper than they appear .. you will love Between. I love an imperfect character and all of them (minus rain) fit the bill. Watching strangers with no memories fight for each other, love one another and support one another was truly beautiful.
I absolutely loved the idea for this book, and from the very first chapter, I was completely pulled into the story. The way the author creates the Between world, along with the After and Before, was so creative, especially for a debut novel. I also really loved that it’s a standalone <3. This is such a great read to slip into your TBR, and trust me… be ready for the ending, it had me tearing up a little in the best way.
I received this arc and I absolutely loved this book! It was different, interesting, and kept me guessing as to what the ending would be. The connections Eight forms with the others has you hoping for all to make it through the trials and go back to where they came from together. Only one way to find out… read it!!!
I DEVOURED this book. The relationship development between the characters was both heart wrenching and beautiful. The artistry of the Between was so well written that I could visually see in my mind what it must have looked like. This book had me laughing and crying. Such an amazing story and really makes you think if there’s such a place as the Between.
I am not a huge fantasy reader, however, this book piqued my interest. Between asks the question: "What happens between life and death?" The concept was intriguing and played out very well. It does give Hunger Games - ish vibes in that the characters have to go through tribulations to try and make it back to their life in the "before." Overall, this is an interesting and quick read.
Wow wow wow! How this can be a debut novel is beyond me! This story has so much dephts to it and it spooke to me on so many levels! Its beautiful, heartbreaking and I flew by reading it! My wish is that this becomes super popular cause more people need to read it! I laughed, gasped, cried and everything inBETWEEN (see what I did there;))
So incredible! I couldn’t put the book down and when I did it was all I could think about. I had to stop because I didn’t want the story to end! I can’t wait to see what Cayenne Sirois has next for us! So well written and such an amazing story!!
I beautiful look at what the afterlife could be. Trials, tribulations, laughter and tears. This story was wonderfully written. I finished it in one sitting. I will follow Cayenne and very much look forward to other books to follow.