What do you think?
Rate this book
This Story Might Save Your Life: A Novel
"Both a riveting mystery and a love story, This Story Might Save Your Life is one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year." —Amy Tintera, bestselling author of Listen for the Lie
Best friends Benny and Joy like to say they’ve been saving each other’s lives since the moment they met. Until the day Joy disappears and Benny is accused of her murder . . .
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend—and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire.
The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world—and from each other.
“I truly loved reading This Story Might Save Your Life. The pace was terrific, and it was so smart and engrossing. The pages practically turn themselves in this nuanced thriller. I couldn't put it down!”
—Nina Simon, New York Times bestselling author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night
Best friends Benny and Joy like to say they’ve been saving each other’s lives since the moment they met. Until the day Joy disappears and Benny is accused of her murder . . .
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend—and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire.
The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world—and from each other.
“I truly loved reading This Story Might Save Your Life. The pace was terrific, and it was so smart and engrossing. The pages practically turn themselves in this nuanced thriller. I couldn't put it down!”
—Nina Simon, New York Times bestselling author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night
Hardcover
First published March 10, 2026
About the author
Tiffany Crum
1 book1,220 followersTiffany Crum is the author of This Story Might Save Your Life, forthcoming in March 2026 from Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar. A longtime Californian, she now lives in Atlanta with her husband, sons, and dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 17,846 reviews
January 15, 2026
4.5* Wow I absolutely loved this. I mostly listened to the audiobook (which I HIGHLY recommend btw) but the writing itself is just excellent. I couldn’t put it down and when I had to, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up.
It’s actually really hard to pin down the genre of this one, it felt like a mix of thriller, mystery, contemporary romance, and maybe even romcom? Whatever it is, I was completely hooked the whole way through. What a beautifully devastating, emotional, twisty, crazy ride!
Thank you Lavender Public Relations & Flatiron Books for the ARC!
It’s actually really hard to pin down the genre of this one, it felt like a mix of thriller, mystery, contemporary romance, and maybe even romcom? Whatever it is, I was completely hooked the whole way through. What a beautifully devastating, emotional, twisty, crazy ride!
Thank you Lavender Public Relations & Flatiron Books for the ARC!
March 17, 2026
I’m not really sure what to say about This Story Might Save Your Life; it's difficult to see why it's being hyped among the new releases because nothing about it was particularly well done.
Genre-wise, it's a mash-up of mystery/thriller and romance, the latter being unveiled through flashbacks. I was turned off the romantic aspect pretty quickly because the two protagonists have that kind of goofy dumb personality that makes them seem like overgrown children— fine for friendship, maybe, or a brother/sister dynamic, but not great for romantic chemistry. I was so uninterested in the romance.
The narrative is split between the present day, mostly Benny's perspective, where Joy and her husband have gone missing from their home, and extracts from the memoir Joy had been writing. The memoir gradually fills us in on the backstory of Joy and Benny, their spouses, and how they came to start a podcast, while the present of the novel largely dithers about, only prolonging the mystery because it takes so long for the characters to have a conversation with each other.
Even outside of the romance, the tension was not supplied in the right places, in my opinion. The author makes the strange decision to answer a lot of central questions at the novel's midpoint, leaving little to read on for.
There is perhaps one theme that some readers may find interesting, but I'd be surprised if seasoned mystery readers do anything more than roll their eyes at yet another example of this trope. Those with potential triggers may want to note:
Genre-wise, it's a mash-up of mystery/thriller and romance, the latter being unveiled through flashbacks. I was turned off the romantic aspect pretty quickly because the two protagonists have that kind of goofy dumb personality that makes them seem like overgrown children— fine for friendship, maybe, or a brother/sister dynamic, but not great for romantic chemistry. I was so uninterested in the romance.
The narrative is split between the present day, mostly Benny's perspective, where Joy and her husband have gone missing from their home, and extracts from the memoir Joy had been writing. The memoir gradually fills us in on the backstory of Joy and Benny, their spouses, and how they came to start a podcast, while the present of the novel largely dithers about, only prolonging the mystery because it takes so long for the characters to have a conversation with each other.
Even outside of the romance, the tension was not supplied in the right places, in my opinion. The author makes the strange decision to answer a lot of central questions at the novel's midpoint, leaving little to read on for.
There is perhaps one theme that some readers may find interesting, but I'd be surprised if seasoned mystery readers do anything more than roll their eyes at yet another example of this trope. Those with potential triggers may want to note:
April 23, 2026
in a world where hundreds of new books are coming out monthly, we gotta do something different to stand out! i listened to the whole book on audio and even with the added sound effects + audio parts, it was still a snooze fest that just felt like every other mystery i have ever read.. bummer! i was excited about this one too :/ if it's on your tbr, i encourage you to still read/listen to it! so many people really loved it ◡̈
May 3, 2026
this story might disappoint you
April 27, 2026
Listened to this one and loved it!
January 30, 2026
Billed as a “riveting mystery” “a thriller” and a “love story”, for this reader it failed on all counts.
It failed as a rom-com (which I expected, perhaps, wrongly) because there’s no comedy. No snark, no witty banter. All things that I need in this genre. A straight up love story holds no interest for me.
It failed as a “mystery” because the mystery was pretty lame.
A thriller? Nope, not at all, not even a little bit.
The podcast banter was annoying and vacuous, and the overriding theme is tired and overused.
The narrators were excellent and the podcast format was well-done. But it was not enough to save the story for me.
The deus ex machina as the resolution did nothing to endear me to this story
* I received a digital audio via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
It failed as a rom-com (which I expected, perhaps, wrongly) because there’s no comedy. No snark, no witty banter. All things that I need in this genre. A straight up love story holds no interest for me.
It failed as a “mystery” because the mystery was pretty lame.
A thriller? Nope, not at all, not even a little bit.
The podcast banter was annoying and vacuous, and the overriding theme is tired and overused.
The narrators were excellent and the podcast format was well-done. But it was not enough to save the story for me.
The deus ex machina as the resolution did nothing to endear me to this story
* I received a digital audio via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
May 23, 2026
1/5 ★
It actually pains me to write this review after thinking this would be an all-time favorite. This was SO not for me, despite what other reviews had me believing.
In This Story Might Save Your Life, Benny Abbott arrives to record a podcast with his best friend Joy, only to discover that she and her husband, Xander, are missing, with Joy’s unfinished memoir serving as the only clue. As suspicion begins to close in, Benny is pulled deeper into the mystery of what happened to them.
I’m so sad this didn’t work for me. People compared it to Emily Henry’s writing mixed with a solid mystery/thriller, and as someone who is addicted to thrillers and a fan of Emily Henry (Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, and Book Lovers were all 5 stars for me), it sounded like my dream book.
Sadly, it wasn’t.
I think part of the problem was that my expectations were off from the start. Since it’s advertised as a mystery, I expected that to be the center of the story. Instead, it felt much more like a romance with a mystery woven into it.
That could have worked, but I didn’t like any of the characters. I found them annoyingly quirky and childish, especially considering that everything in this story happens because two friends who are obviously in love from the start refuse to admit it and instead marry other people. Maybe it would have worked better for me if they had been childhood friends, but they met when they were older, at a concert (not a spoiler, you learn this early on). It just didn’t feel very realistic.
The structure and pacing didn’t work for me either. I found the memoir chapters, which make up the romance side of the book, to be too long and boring when I was expecting more of a mystery. Until the second half, the mystery felt like filler in between the romance chapters. Even though different things were happening, it all felt very much like what you would expect from the various stages of an investigation. Nothing surprising, nothing tense.
I honestly would have DNFed if I hadn’t skimmed parts of Part 1 just to get through it. Unfortunately, Part 2 didn’t really pick up the pace with the mystery either. It could have, but nearly all of the mystery is answered without any kind of real reveal, and you’re mostly left waiting for the characters to catch up to what you already know. Some parts of the mystery are kept secret until the end, but I honestly didn’t care at that point.
If I hadn’t been so excited to read this, I probably would have DNFed early on. I pushed through, but I really don’t have many positives to say about my experience, aside from how excited I was for it in the beginning.
I’m definitely in the minority here, so you still may love it. This one just wasn’t for me.
—
Follow my Bookstagram for all things mystery, thriller, and horror novels!
instagram.com/joshxreads
It actually pains me to write this review after thinking this would be an all-time favorite. This was SO not for me, despite what other reviews had me believing.
In This Story Might Save Your Life, Benny Abbott arrives to record a podcast with his best friend Joy, only to discover that she and her husband, Xander, are missing, with Joy’s unfinished memoir serving as the only clue. As suspicion begins to close in, Benny is pulled deeper into the mystery of what happened to them.
I’m so sad this didn’t work for me. People compared it to Emily Henry’s writing mixed with a solid mystery/thriller, and as someone who is addicted to thrillers and a fan of Emily Henry (Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation, and Book Lovers were all 5 stars for me), it sounded like my dream book.
Sadly, it wasn’t.
I think part of the problem was that my expectations were off from the start. Since it’s advertised as a mystery, I expected that to be the center of the story. Instead, it felt much more like a romance with a mystery woven into it.
That could have worked, but I didn’t like any of the characters. I found them annoyingly quirky and childish, especially considering that everything in this story happens because two friends who are obviously in love from the start refuse to admit it and instead marry other people. Maybe it would have worked better for me if they had been childhood friends, but they met when they were older, at a concert (not a spoiler, you learn this early on). It just didn’t feel very realistic.
The structure and pacing didn’t work for me either. I found the memoir chapters, which make up the romance side of the book, to be too long and boring when I was expecting more of a mystery. Until the second half, the mystery felt like filler in between the romance chapters. Even though different things were happening, it all felt very much like what you would expect from the various stages of an investigation. Nothing surprising, nothing tense.
I honestly would have DNFed if I hadn’t skimmed parts of Part 1 just to get through it. Unfortunately, Part 2 didn’t really pick up the pace with the mystery either. It could have, but nearly all of the mystery is answered without any kind of real reveal, and you’re mostly left waiting for the characters to catch up to what you already know. Some parts of the mystery are kept secret until the end, but I honestly didn’t care at that point.
If I hadn’t been so excited to read this, I probably would have DNFed early on. I pushed through, but I really don’t have many positives to say about my experience, aside from how excited I was for it in the beginning.
I’m definitely in the minority here, so you still may love it. This one just wasn’t for me.
—
Follow my Bookstagram for all things mystery, thriller, and horror novels!
instagram.com/joshxreads
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh my goodness, this book is getting all the rave reviews and for very good reason— it is quite the debut! “If Lisa Jewel and Emily Henry co-wrote a book” is the most apt description of this book. This Story Might Save Your Life is an incredible genre mashup that uses the podcast element, but in a way that keeps it fresh and fun.
The atmospheric nature was C-R-E-E-P-Y (very things that go bump in the night at times) and I could not get enough. The characters were sooooo intriguing, and the back-and-forth timeline showing the before and after really helped me to connect with them even more. And because of the multiple genres, the story had a terrific steady drum beat of a storyline, never letting up whether on the mystery, the romance, or drama for the entire read. In other words, Crum had notable pitch-perfect pacing, pretty freakin impressive for a debut novel.
I read this mostly as an immersive read, listening to the audio while following along with the physical book. I have to say, the audiobook is perfection. Am I biased because my favorite narrator in the world, Julia Whelan, narrates it? Perhaps. But also, this A+ audiobook included snippets of multimedia not in the print version!! Like how cool is that?!
It is hard to say much more without spoiling anything, but I will leave you with this— TSMSYL is a must-read and will most definitely be making my favorites list of 2026 in both formats. And Tiffany Crum has a fan in me for life if her next book is anything like this one.
Read if you like:
-genre mashups
-character-driven stories
-podcast element
-mixed media (included only on audio)
-romance subplot
-atmospheric stories
-bingeable books
Comps: The Love of My Life, Listen for the Lie
Publishes March 10, 2026
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
. . . . . . . .
NOTES WHILE READING:
100% done! This is an absolutely fabulous debut. Full review to come.
50% update - This book is so dang good. It’s so eerie especially on audio with snippets of podcasts and phone call dispatches only present in the audiobook. I cannot get enough but am also so creeped out in the best way.
The atmospheric nature was C-R-E-E-P-Y (very things that go bump in the night at times) and I could not get enough. The characters were sooooo intriguing, and the back-and-forth timeline showing the before and after really helped me to connect with them even more. And because of the multiple genres, the story had a terrific steady drum beat of a storyline, never letting up whether on the mystery, the romance, or drama for the entire read. In other words, Crum had notable pitch-perfect pacing, pretty freakin impressive for a debut novel.
I read this mostly as an immersive read, listening to the audio while following along with the physical book. I have to say, the audiobook is perfection. Am I biased because my favorite narrator in the world, Julia Whelan, narrates it? Perhaps. But also, this A+ audiobook included snippets of multimedia not in the print version!! Like how cool is that?!
It is hard to say much more without spoiling anything, but I will leave you with this— TSMSYL is a must-read and will most definitely be making my favorites list of 2026 in both formats. And Tiffany Crum has a fan in me for life if her next book is anything like this one.
Read if you like:
-genre mashups
-character-driven stories
-podcast element
-mixed media (included only on audio)
-romance subplot
-atmospheric stories
-bingeable books
Comps: The Love of My Life, Listen for the Lie
Publishes March 10, 2026
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
. . . . . . . .
NOTES WHILE READING:
100% done! This is an absolutely fabulous debut. Full review to come.
50% update - This book is so dang good. It’s so eerie especially on audio with snippets of podcasts and phone call dispatches only present in the audiobook. I cannot get enough but am also so creeped out in the best way.
January 24, 2026
Hang on while I swoon! A truly magical novel full of poignant friendships, manipulative liars, and well-hidden secrets, This Story Might Save Your Life was beyond a slam dunk for this thriller lover. From the puzzle-like mystery to the onion-like plotting, while the storyline was complete and utter perfection, the characters were what made this book dig itself deep into my soul. I mean, who wouldn’t fall in love with Benny and Joy? With their playful banter, which was packed with sarcastic humor, and their easy way with one another, I quickly fell in love with both of them in turn thanks to their dual POVs. That being said, once the s*** hit the fan, not even they were above my side-eye glances of outright suspicion. After all, I knew that there were some serious things going down in this fracturing—or blossoming—love story of three. Heart-rending and dark, it had that *chef’s kiss* feel that you only ever find in a truly special novel.
What exactly, though, made me fly through the pages at an always increasing speed? Well, between the shocking, plot-shifting twists and the huge number of cliffhanger chapters, this book was the epitome of nuanced charm and spine-tingling chills. Somehow walking the line just so between a B.A. Paris-esque domestic thriller and a heart-melting romance in the vein of Jeneva Rose, it had everything I look for when adding a book to my list of the top books of the year. With a constant sense of impending doom and backstories that not only fleshed out the characters but added some much-loved complexity to the underlying mystery of what happened to Joy, my fingers flew through the chapters as I yearned to learn all of the whos, whats, and whys. All said and done, I am utterly blown away by this stunning debut and can’t wait to see what this insanely talented author comes up with next! Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend—and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire.
The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world—and from each other.
Thank you to Tiffany Crum, Flatiron Books, and Lavender Public Relations for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 10, 2026
Content warning: narcolepsy, missing person, miscarriage, stalking, gaslighting, domestic abuse, miscarriage, violence, mention of: divorce, cancer
What exactly, though, made me fly through the pages at an always increasing speed? Well, between the shocking, plot-shifting twists and the huge number of cliffhanger chapters, this book was the epitome of nuanced charm and spine-tingling chills. Somehow walking the line just so between a B.A. Paris-esque domestic thriller and a heart-melting romance in the vein of Jeneva Rose, it had everything I look for when adding a book to my list of the top books of the year. With a constant sense of impending doom and backstories that not only fleshed out the characters but added some much-loved complexity to the underlying mystery of what happened to Joy, my fingers flew through the chapters as I yearned to learn all of the whos, whats, and whys. All said and done, I am utterly blown away by this stunning debut and can’t wait to see what this insanely talented author comes up with next! Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend—and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire.
The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world—and from each other.
Thank you to Tiffany Crum, Flatiron Books, and Lavender Public Relations for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 10, 2026
Content warning: narcolepsy, missing person, miscarriage, stalking, gaslighting, domestic abuse, miscarriage, violence, mention of: divorce, cancer
December 20, 2025
I did the audiobook in 24-hrs. I couldn’t put it down! It’s a bit of a genre bender and I recommend going in blindly and doing the audiobook!
June 14, 2026
the audiobook was a 5 star ⭐️ experience but the actual story was good but nothing to write home about.
i flew through this one because i genuinely needed to know what happened to joy. the dual timeline between her memoir and benny’s investigation kept me hooked, and i liked how the story slowly peeled back the layers of xander’s manipulation and the control he had over joy’s life. the audiobook podcast elements were also a fun touch and made the mystery feel more immersive.
that said, i was way more invested in the mystery than the characters. some of the twists felt pretty easy to predict, and i wanted a little more emotional depth from benny and joy’s relationship. the ending also tied everything up a bit too neatly for my taste. overall, a solid thriller that kept me turning the pages, but it didn’t completely wow me.
i flew through this one because i genuinely needed to know what happened to joy. the dual timeline between her memoir and benny’s investigation kept me hooked, and i liked how the story slowly peeled back the layers of xander’s manipulation and the control he had over joy’s life. the audiobook podcast elements were also a fun touch and made the mystery feel more immersive.
that said, i was way more invested in the mystery than the characters. some of the twists felt pretty easy to predict, and i wanted a little more emotional depth from benny and joy’s relationship. the ending also tied everything up a bit too neatly for my taste. overall, a solid thriller that kept me turning the pages, but it didn’t completely wow me.
March 4, 2026
4.5 rounded to 5 for GR! saw this getting a ton of early buzz and guys... it's worth the hype!!!
this will be a hot debut when it's out on 3/10. it follows two famous bestie podcasters and one goes missing with her husband... and you won't believe the secrets being kept 👀
read if you like: THESE SUMMER STORMS with some mystery/missing person plot?!?!
this is a tough one to characterize and explain! honestly it's a genre bender—you have lit fic, romance and suspense/ thriller. but it’s not heavier on one or the other and i don’t want the “thriller” note to scare people away bc it doesn’t feel like a true thriller at ALL!
also this is SO fun and terrific on audio, dual narrated with Julia Whelan as one!
i loved Benny so much 🥹🥹🥹🥹 this story went in SOOO many different ways i wasn’t expecting and that’s what made it so fun. i feel like there were a few plot holes and unanswered questions for me which is why it doesn’t get 5 (as well as a bit of pacing slowness halfway) but honestly this will for sure be a fave read of 2025 for me! it felt unique, it was creative, i loved the characters, it grabbed me immediately and i was always thinking about it when i wasnt listening. loved the ending a lot. honestly this covered soooo many diff topics i’m shocked the author fit it all into one.
pick it up and thank me later!!! big thanks to Flatiron for the gifted early copy and Netgalley for the ALC 🎧🩷
this will be a hot debut when it's out on 3/10. it follows two famous bestie podcasters and one goes missing with her husband... and you won't believe the secrets being kept 👀
read if you like: THESE SUMMER STORMS with some mystery/missing person plot?!?!
this is a tough one to characterize and explain! honestly it's a genre bender—you have lit fic, romance and suspense/ thriller. but it’s not heavier on one or the other and i don’t want the “thriller” note to scare people away bc it doesn’t feel like a true thriller at ALL!
also this is SO fun and terrific on audio, dual narrated with Julia Whelan as one!
i loved Benny so much 🥹🥹🥹🥹 this story went in SOOO many different ways i wasn’t expecting and that’s what made it so fun. i feel like there were a few plot holes and unanswered questions for me which is why it doesn’t get 5 (as well as a bit of pacing slowness halfway) but honestly this will for sure be a fave read of 2025 for me! it felt unique, it was creative, i loved the characters, it grabbed me immediately and i was always thinking about it when i wasnt listening. loved the ending a lot. honestly this covered soooo many diff topics i’m shocked the author fit it all into one.
pick it up and thank me later!!! big thanks to Flatiron for the gifted early copy and Netgalley for the ALC 🎧🩷
April 29, 2026
Best friends Benny and Joy host a wildly popular podcast sharing hilarious “against all odds” survival stories. Their tight bond and thriving empire built with Joy’s husband Xander come crashing down when Benny arrives for a recording session to find shattered glass and the couple missing—with Benny suddenly under suspicion. Their next survival story might just be their own.
I went into this debut thriller expecting a solid read and ended up loving it. Benny and Joy host one of those addictive “against all odds” survival story podcasts, and the way the book mirrors that format is brilliant.
The audio is especially fantastic — it’s produced like a real podcast interview that pulls you right in - highly recommend.
The pacing moved really well, the characters had great banter and heart, and that twist actually surprised me (rare these days!). It’s equal parts mystery, tender love story, and emotional friendship drama with just the right amount of suspense. Funny in places, moving in others, and genuinely gripping.
A cozy-thriller hybrid that delivers on the “could this story save your life?” premise in more ways than one. One of my favorite reads so far this year!
🎙️Best Friends to Lovers
💜Will-They-Won’t-They
🎙️Podcast Setting
💜Amateur Sleuth
🎙️Suspected Protagonist
💜Dual Timelines
🎙️Memoir Structure
💜Unrequited/Misplaced Love
🎙️Survival Motif
💜Found Family Vibes
⋆✴︎a˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
I went into this debut thriller expecting a solid read and ended up loving it. Benny and Joy host one of those addictive “against all odds” survival story podcasts, and the way the book mirrors that format is brilliant.
The audio is especially fantastic — it’s produced like a real podcast interview that pulls you right in - highly recommend.
The pacing moved really well, the characters had great banter and heart, and that twist actually surprised me (rare these days!). It’s equal parts mystery, tender love story, and emotional friendship drama with just the right amount of suspense. Funny in places, moving in others, and genuinely gripping.
A cozy-thriller hybrid that delivers on the “could this story save your life?” premise in more ways than one. One of my favorite reads so far this year!
🎙️Best Friends to Lovers
💜Will-They-Won’t-They
🎙️Podcast Setting
💜Amateur Sleuth
🎙️Suspected Protagonist
💜Dual Timelines
🎙️Memoir Structure
💜Unrequited/Misplaced Love
🎙️Survival Motif
💜Found Family Vibes
⋆✴︎a˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
March 15, 2026
SPECTACULAR… GIVE ME 14 OF THOSE
This Story Might Save Your Life is about best friends Benny and Joy, hosts of a popular "comedy survival" podcast. When Joy disappears and her house shows signs of a struggle, Benny becomes the prime suspect, forcing him to uncover the dark secrets in her life in order to find her.
It’s been a minute since a book has stolen my attention the way this one did!
Firstly, if you pick this one up I highly recommend the audiobook!
OMG what an entertaining listen this novel was! The narrators did a fantastic job, and I truly didn’t want the book to end. I don’t personally know the narrators Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkin, but if they would like to go ahead and just narrate all future book releases I certainly wouldn’t object!
As an avid thriller reader, I didn’t think I would be so consumed by the evident love story that was mixed into the mystery, but I ATE IT UP!. The book is categorised as a thriller, but it read more of a contemporary romance mystery.
I want to follow Joy and Benny for the rest of their lives! Their characters were a joy (😏) to read and they came off so realistic and likeable. I would love to be a part of their friendship group.
As I dived deeper into the story and reveals were announced I was shocked! I didn’t see it coming and my heart ached for the realities of what people go through behind closed doors. This is what I enjoyed most about the story. It was raw, real and really highlighted the complexities of adult relationships. It really drew me in!
Ok so who else welled up at the ending!? It was giving nostalgia for a podcast that I haven’t ever listened to before let alone the fact it doesn’t even exist. LOL. I just wanted it to go on and on forever.
This is a must LISTEN too experience… I’m talking a one sit read! It really is not to be missed!
Again… Julia and Sean if you would like to just get together and collab on all future books or even start your own book podcasts… WE WOULD NOT OBJECT!
Ms. Tiffany Crum you are officially on my auto buy list!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I don't know whether its the cover art or the synopsis...
But i have been sooo buzzed to read this book!
Dropping my current read to hop straight into this one!
🤍🩷🤍🩷
This Story Might Save Your Life is about best friends Benny and Joy, hosts of a popular "comedy survival" podcast. When Joy disappears and her house shows signs of a struggle, Benny becomes the prime suspect, forcing him to uncover the dark secrets in her life in order to find her.
It’s been a minute since a book has stolen my attention the way this one did!
Firstly, if you pick this one up I highly recommend the audiobook!
OMG what an entertaining listen this novel was! The narrators did a fantastic job, and I truly didn’t want the book to end. I don’t personally know the narrators Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkin, but if they would like to go ahead and just narrate all future book releases I certainly wouldn’t object!
As an avid thriller reader, I didn’t think I would be so consumed by the evident love story that was mixed into the mystery, but I ATE IT UP!. The book is categorised as a thriller, but it read more of a contemporary romance mystery.
I want to follow Joy and Benny for the rest of their lives! Their characters were a joy (😏) to read and they came off so realistic and likeable. I would love to be a part of their friendship group.
As I dived deeper into the story and reveals were announced I was shocked! I didn’t see it coming and my heart ached for the realities of what people go through behind closed doors. This is what I enjoyed most about the story. It was raw, real and really highlighted the complexities of adult relationships. It really drew me in!
Ok so who else welled up at the ending!? It was giving nostalgia for a podcast that I haven’t ever listened to before let alone the fact it doesn’t even exist. LOL. I just wanted it to go on and on forever.
This is a must LISTEN too experience… I’m talking a one sit read! It really is not to be missed!
Again… Julia and Sean if you would like to just get together and collab on all future books or even start your own book podcasts… WE WOULD NOT OBJECT!
Ms. Tiffany Crum you are officially on my auto buy list!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I don't know whether its the cover art or the synopsis...
But i have been sooo buzzed to read this book!
Dropping my current read to hop straight into this one!
🤍🩷🤍🩷
April 20, 2026
this story might be for someone else. possibly someone who wants to take a long nap.
it was not for me.
⚠️ spoilers below! ⚠️
two characters being in love with each other but STILL deciding to both marry someone else while still pining for each other and being WAY too close is something that is just never going to work for me. the emotional cheating was pretty crazy.
also… this was boring. it could’ve been solved incredibly simply. the reveals were lackluster. Luna knowing where Joy was the entire time ruined the thriller aspect of this story for me. when we realize Luna knows everything with 100 pages still left in the book, there was no point anymore.
‼️ trigger warnings
• pregnancy loss/miscarriage
• emotional cheating
• domestic violence/abuse
• stalking
it was not for me.
⚠️ spoilers below! ⚠️
two characters being in love with each other but STILL deciding to both marry someone else while still pining for each other and being WAY too close is something that is just never going to work for me. the emotional cheating was pretty crazy.
also… this was boring. it could’ve been solved incredibly simply. the reveals were lackluster. Luna knowing where Joy was the entire time ruined the thriller aspect of this story for me. when we realize Luna knows everything with 100 pages still left in the book, there was no point anymore.
‼️ trigger warnings
• pregnancy loss/miscarriage
• emotional cheating
• domestic violence/abuse
• stalking
March 17, 2026
In one of the most creative meet-cutes I’ve read, Benny Abbott meets Joy Moore when he wakes her from her sleep. No … this isn’t some Sleeping Beauty silliness. Joy is fast asleep on the floor outside a bar bathroom where her severe narcolepsy has decided it’s naptime. Yep, I’m all in. How can I NOT love this book?
This unusual first meeting is the beginning of a hilarious, heart-warming best friendship that eventually blossoms into a comedic podcast called This Story Might Save Your Life or TSMSYL for short. After beginning with Joy’s narcolepsy story, it features all manner of potentially life ending scenarios that they have to figure out how to avoid before the real answer is given.
They seem to be perfect for each other, but as so often happens in life, the timing isn’t perfect and they never bridge that gap from friendship to something more, with Joy marrying Xander instead, who becomes their podcast manager.
Things are going swimmingly, advertisers are onboard, the listenership is exploding, a live tour is scheduled and an extremely lucrative deal waits in the wings until everything goes spectacularly wrong …
Now Joy and Xander are missing and eyes are on Benny as the prime suspect.
What happened?!
That’s all you’re getting from me, because this is worth waiting for every detail that comes after and the less you know going into it the better!
I didn’t request this ARC when it came out, but after seeing SO many friends raving about it, I grabbed the audio and Kindle copies from my library for an immersion read, and I’m delighted I did. It’s delicious! The audio narrated by Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins is brilliant and they capture all the emotion of the story perfectly. I’m not into podcasts, but I’d listen to TSMSYL any day. The banter is hilarious and the audio includes a very fun bonus “episode” of the show.
Let me clarify something, though. People will see romance and mystery-thriller listed as the genres and probably roll their eyes, since those aren’t two genres that typically pair well, but Crum played this smart. I can only assure you that this isn’t sappy romance shoved awkwardly into a mystery-thriller narrative, and there’s also a heavier theme that I didn’t anticipate that turned this story into a whole different beast. For all the fun, there are serious topics explored and the insights into narcolepsy were fascinating.
Every time I had to set this down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. It’s riveting stuff and Benny and Joy are two of the most likable characters I’ve met. Their chapters alternate, so you’re seeing the story through both of their POVs - Benny’s directly and Joy’s both directly and through memoir chapters she’s writing. The short chapters and quick pacing kept me flying through this every chance I could get!
Tiffany Crum has written one of the best debuts I’ve read in ages and I’ll be eagerly watching for what she comes up with next!
★★★★★ ❤
This unusual first meeting is the beginning of a hilarious, heart-warming best friendship that eventually blossoms into a comedic podcast called This Story Might Save Your Life or TSMSYL for short. After beginning with Joy’s narcolepsy story, it features all manner of potentially life ending scenarios that they have to figure out how to avoid before the real answer is given.
They seem to be perfect for each other, but as so often happens in life, the timing isn’t perfect and they never bridge that gap from friendship to something more, with Joy marrying Xander instead, who becomes their podcast manager.
Things are going swimmingly, advertisers are onboard, the listenership is exploding, a live tour is scheduled and an extremely lucrative deal waits in the wings until everything goes spectacularly wrong …
Now Joy and Xander are missing and eyes are on Benny as the prime suspect.
What happened?!
That’s all you’re getting from me, because this is worth waiting for every detail that comes after and the less you know going into it the better!
I didn’t request this ARC when it came out, but after seeing SO many friends raving about it, I grabbed the audio and Kindle copies from my library for an immersion read, and I’m delighted I did. It’s delicious! The audio narrated by Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins is brilliant and they capture all the emotion of the story perfectly. I’m not into podcasts, but I’d listen to TSMSYL any day. The banter is hilarious and the audio includes a very fun bonus “episode” of the show.
Let me clarify something, though. People will see romance and mystery-thriller listed as the genres and probably roll their eyes, since those aren’t two genres that typically pair well, but Crum played this smart. I can only assure you that this isn’t sappy romance shoved awkwardly into a mystery-thriller narrative, and there’s also a heavier theme that I didn’t anticipate that turned this story into a whole different beast. For all the fun, there are serious topics explored and the insights into narcolepsy were fascinating.
Every time I had to set this down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. It’s riveting stuff and Benny and Joy are two of the most likable characters I’ve met. Their chapters alternate, so you’re seeing the story through both of their POVs - Benny’s directly and Joy’s both directly and through memoir chapters she’s writing. The short chapters and quick pacing kept me flying through this every chance I could get!
Tiffany Crum has written one of the best debuts I’ve read in ages and I’ll be eagerly watching for what she comes up with next!
★★★★★ ❤
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum
Reading this was like going to a buffet, but one of those good buffets. Where it's like $100 a plate, with whole lobster, prime rib, 5 different cuts of steak and a salad bar that wraps around the block.
You like a good mystery? Read this book! You like some good romantic tension and missed opportunities?! Read this book! You like good thrill? Read this book! Need to get out of a slump? Any guesses what I'm going to say?.. Anyone?.. yup, you're going to go right ahead and READ THIS BOOK!
Every once in a while we get a true genre-fluid book. While it may be categorized by default, it can really be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. That is exactly what we have here. I'm sorry (I'm never that sorry), I know the arts are supposed to be subjective. But I really think disliking this book would be next to impossible and across from improbable.
This really should be on everybody's 2026 TBR!
lol ADHD side note.. I loved the Hitchcock cameo feel of the Macmillan shout out
Until next time
Hades
🩵
Reading this was like going to a buffet, but one of those good buffets. Where it's like $100 a plate, with whole lobster, prime rib, 5 different cuts of steak and a salad bar that wraps around the block.
You like a good mystery? Read this book! You like some good romantic tension and missed opportunities?! Read this book! You like good thrill? Read this book! Need to get out of a slump? Any guesses what I'm going to say?.. Anyone?.. yup, you're going to go right ahead and READ THIS BOOK!
Every once in a while we get a true genre-fluid book. While it may be categorized by default, it can really be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. That is exactly what we have here. I'm sorry (I'm never that sorry), I know the arts are supposed to be subjective. But I really think disliking this book would be next to impossible and across from improbable.
This really should be on everybody's 2026 TBR!
lol ADHD side note.. I loved the Hitchcock cameo feel of the Macmillan shout out
Until next time
Hades
🩵
May 20, 2026
im pretty pissed off to be honest, and i cant be bothered writing a proper review. this book started off great and very hooking. by the end i was annoyed and deflated, the build up was so unnecessary it could have been avoided. my shoulders visibly slumped at the not so great revelation, and mundane reasoning behind all of it, and for what!?!. dont get me started on the messy, badly structured writing that relied heavily on implications. was only reading after 50% for poor benny's sake. he deserved better honestly. joy was a great character too, but the writing didnt do her well. overall a great story, with terrible writing and structure to the point where i was dreading continuing reading but the character's got me.
preread:the reason why i will never be able to fully trust a lover with a opposite gender bestfriend😭
lowkey impulse passive reading this and why is, why IS the romance aspect almost painful????in a heart clenching wayyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
preread:the reason why i will never be able to fully trust a lover with a opposite gender bestfriend😭
lowkey impulse passive reading this and why is, why IS the romance aspect almost painful????in a heart clenching wayyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 7, 2026
“Justice isn’t always served by way of the law.”
Benny and Joy are successful podcasters and the kind of best friends whose chemistry has helped build both their brand and their wealth. Joy’s husband, Xander, has played a major role in that success—but from the start, it’s clear there’s more to him than Joy is willing to reveal.
When Benny arrives at Joy’s home for a routine editing session, he’s met with eerie silence and unsettling chaos. Is it simply the aftermath of the vicious Santa Ana winds—or something far more disturbing? Soon, Joy is missing, Benny is under arrest, and Xander is dead following a mysterious accident. From there, the story launches into a twisty, adrenaline-fueled ride.
This is a fast-paced thriller that absolutely pulls you in—but it also tries to be a lot of things at once. Domestic suspense, missing-person mystery, and slow-burn romance all compete for space, creating a story that is both compelling and, at times, frustratingly overstuffed. There’s a lot to love here—but also moments that feel strained, especially in the final quarter.
The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives—Benny, Joy, and excerpts from Joy’s unseen memoir—which adds an intriguing layer of tension. It keeps readers questioning what really happened and why, even if the early introduction of the villain slightly undercuts the suspense.
The main characters are genuinely likable and well-developed, making it easy to stay emotionally invested. However, the large cast of supporting characters can feel overwhelming, occasionally pulling focus and making it harder to keep track of everyone’s role.
And then there’s the ending—abrupt enough to feel like it arrives before the story has fully earned its resolution.
Still, despite its flaws, the novel has an undeniable energy. The emotional undercurrent, the subtle thread of romance, and the central friendships keep the pages turning. Add in a few heartwarming dog moments, and there’s just enough charm to balance the chaos.
This debut may try to juggle too many genres at once, but it remains an engaging, quick read with characters worth rooting for—even if it leaves you both satisfied and slightly exasperated by the end.
Please consider other reviews, I am undoubtedly an outlier.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
Benny and Joy are successful podcasters and the kind of best friends whose chemistry has helped build both their brand and their wealth. Joy’s husband, Xander, has played a major role in that success—but from the start, it’s clear there’s more to him than Joy is willing to reveal.
When Benny arrives at Joy’s home for a routine editing session, he’s met with eerie silence and unsettling chaos. Is it simply the aftermath of the vicious Santa Ana winds—or something far more disturbing? Soon, Joy is missing, Benny is under arrest, and Xander is dead following a mysterious accident. From there, the story launches into a twisty, adrenaline-fueled ride.
This is a fast-paced thriller that absolutely pulls you in—but it also tries to be a lot of things at once. Domestic suspense, missing-person mystery, and slow-burn romance all compete for space, creating a story that is both compelling and, at times, frustratingly overstuffed. There’s a lot to love here—but also moments that feel strained, especially in the final quarter.
The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives—Benny, Joy, and excerpts from Joy’s unseen memoir—which adds an intriguing layer of tension. It keeps readers questioning what really happened and why, even if the early introduction of the villain slightly undercuts the suspense.
The main characters are genuinely likable and well-developed, making it easy to stay emotionally invested. However, the large cast of supporting characters can feel overwhelming, occasionally pulling focus and making it harder to keep track of everyone’s role.
And then there’s the ending—abrupt enough to feel like it arrives before the story has fully earned its resolution.
Still, despite its flaws, the novel has an undeniable energy. The emotional undercurrent, the subtle thread of romance, and the central friendships keep the pages turning. Add in a few heartwarming dog moments, and there’s just enough charm to balance the chaos.
This debut may try to juggle too many genres at once, but it remains an engaging, quick read with characters worth rooting for—even if it leaves you both satisfied and slightly exasperated by the end.
Please consider other reviews, I am undoubtedly an outlier.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
March 5, 2026
2.5 stars.
I’m not the right reader.
Best friends Joy and Benny have a highly successful podcast based on survival skills. One of them doesn’t show up for a recording session which leads to a missing persons investigation.
I failed to connect with this book. The premise piqued my interest, but when I actually sat down and immersed myself within these pages, it felt silly and cheesy (on many levels). The podcast element had potential but I thought the comradery of the two main characters was awkward and forced. What should have been chummy banter felt cheesy. As the story progressed, I grew to become annoyed with the female main character.
I usually love a book within a book trope but this one didn’t work for me. The memoir portions did not ring true for how someone would write. Those sections were purely there to propel the story forward and fill the narrative gaps. It lacked any sort of believability.
There is a love triangle threaded throughout this book that had me rolling my eyes and cringing from start to finish. Had I known that romance was a main theme in this novel, I wouldn’t have requested it.
There were glimmers of suspense that kept me listening but nothing strong enough to make me feel any true investment. I simply didn’t care what was happening.
Overall, this was a miss for me. I found the entire plot to be silly. However, I encourage you to check out the many positive reviews as I am definitely the outlier!
Audio rating: overall 3.5 stars. Broken down by narrator. 4.5 stars for the male narrator. I loved his performance and thought he added depth and emotion to his character. 2 stars for the female narrator. Her voice changes for the male characters in her sections were extremely awkward and cringey. It took away any sort of enjoyment I had within her chapters. The audio elements such as static and playbacks of podcasts were a great addition to the listening experience.
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced listening copy!
I’m not the right reader.
Best friends Joy and Benny have a highly successful podcast based on survival skills. One of them doesn’t show up for a recording session which leads to a missing persons investigation.
I failed to connect with this book. The premise piqued my interest, but when I actually sat down and immersed myself within these pages, it felt silly and cheesy (on many levels). The podcast element had potential but I thought the comradery of the two main characters was awkward and forced. What should have been chummy banter felt cheesy. As the story progressed, I grew to become annoyed with the female main character.
I usually love a book within a book trope but this one didn’t work for me. The memoir portions did not ring true for how someone would write. Those sections were purely there to propel the story forward and fill the narrative gaps. It lacked any sort of believability.
There is a love triangle threaded throughout this book that had me rolling my eyes and cringing from start to finish. Had I known that romance was a main theme in this novel, I wouldn’t have requested it.
There were glimmers of suspense that kept me listening but nothing strong enough to make me feel any true investment. I simply didn’t care what was happening.
Overall, this was a miss for me. I found the entire plot to be silly. However, I encourage you to check out the many positive reviews as I am definitely the outlier!
Audio rating: overall 3.5 stars. Broken down by narrator. 4.5 stars for the male narrator. I loved his performance and thought he added depth and emotion to his character. 2 stars for the female narrator. Her voice changes for the male characters in her sections were extremely awkward and cringey. It took away any sort of enjoyment I had within her chapters. The audio elements such as static and playbacks of podcasts were a great addition to the listening experience.
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced listening copy!
April 21, 2026
There were many glowing reviews for this book, so I immediately picked this book for my March 2026, BOTM pick (although I’m a month behind on reading it). I would say that I did enjoy this book, and I did like our two main characters of Joy Moore and Benny Abbott. However, I can’t say that this story did change my life. 🤷🏻♀️
In this story, Benny and Joy are best friends who host a very popular podcast together. They record together every day, and they even live near each other- only 1,600 steps away for Joy.
One morning, Benny heads over to Joy’s house to record their podcast, only to find that Joy isn’t home (which is very unlike her). Not only is Joy not home, but her husband Xander is nowhere to be found either. Benny finds a bathroom window busted open, glass shattered everywhere. Phone calls are left unanswered and go straight to voicemail. What could have happened to Benny’s best friend?
During the search for Joy we get dual POV’s from Joy and Benny. We learn how they first met, how their friendship began, and how their business relationship progressed. We also learn about Joy’s narcolepsy condition, when she was diagnosed and how she keeps her condition controlled with medication. We also learn about Xander, Joy’s husband and business partner.
Through learning about the emotional and important details of Joy’s relationships, they are given to us through drafts of Joy’s memoir. Some things made me very angry when I read them, and I will say that I disliked a few people in this story very much (well, mainly one).
I feel that the ending was a little too rushed, and tied up very neatly (I’m not sure). Either way, this was a good story, just not great for me. I’m still glad that I read this, and I think many others will enjoy this and get more from it than I did.
(3.5 stars)
In this story, Benny and Joy are best friends who host a very popular podcast together. They record together every day, and they even live near each other- only 1,600 steps away for Joy.
One morning, Benny heads over to Joy’s house to record their podcast, only to find that Joy isn’t home (which is very unlike her). Not only is Joy not home, but her husband Xander is nowhere to be found either. Benny finds a bathroom window busted open, glass shattered everywhere. Phone calls are left unanswered and go straight to voicemail. What could have happened to Benny’s best friend?
During the search for Joy we get dual POV’s from Joy and Benny. We learn how they first met, how their friendship began, and how their business relationship progressed. We also learn about Joy’s narcolepsy condition, when she was diagnosed and how she keeps her condition controlled with medication. We also learn about Xander, Joy’s husband and business partner.
Through learning about the emotional and important details of Joy’s relationships, they are given to us through drafts of Joy’s memoir. Some things made me very angry when I read them, and I will say that I disliked a few people in this story very much (well, mainly one).
I feel that the ending was a little too rushed, and tied up very neatly (I’m not sure). Either way, this was a good story, just not great for me. I’m still glad that I read this, and I think many others will enjoy this and get more from it than I did.
(3.5 stars)
March 27, 2026
This Story Might Save Your Life introduces us to Joy and Benny from the time they met through current day, where they are super successful podcasters about ready to sign a multimillion dollar deal with a media company. All that is in limbo, however, when Joy goes missing.
The novel is broken into two parts, with part one being a five star read. It expertly wove a tale of friendship along with a mystery seamlessly. The banter between Benny and Joy was perfect! However, I found part two to not be as alluring as the first one. It focuses more on the mystery itself, and while I liked where the author went with it, it felt that it was a bit more drawn out. I still enjoyed it, just not as much as the first part.
I was a little bit nervous picking this one up as romance/friendship stories aren’t my typical go to genre, but all of the glowing reviews made me want to give it a try. I was definitely not disappointed. I’ll have to keep my eye out for future novels by the author.
Definitely can recommend!
The novel is broken into two parts, with part one being a five star read. It expertly wove a tale of friendship along with a mystery seamlessly. The banter between Benny and Joy was perfect! However, I found part two to not be as alluring as the first one. It focuses more on the mystery itself, and while I liked where the author went with it, it felt that it was a bit more drawn out. I still enjoyed it, just not as much as the first part.
I was a little bit nervous picking this one up as romance/friendship stories aren’t my typical go to genre, but all of the glowing reviews made me want to give it a try. I was definitely not disappointed. I’ll have to keep my eye out for future novels by the author.
Definitely can recommend!
April 7, 2026
I absolutely loved this one and was so impressed, especially knowing it’s a debut! It feels incredibly confident in the way it mixes genres—effortlessly weaving together mystery and romance with just enough tension to keep you fully invested from start to finish.
The writing itself is fantastic, and what really stood out to me was the structure. The multiple timelines and shifting points of view were handled so well, adding layers to both the mystery and the character development. Each piece of the story felt intentional, gradually revealing more depth and making the overall narrative even more compelling. It leans more toward mystery and romance than a straight thriller, but honestly, that balance worked beautifully. It’s fast-paced, engaging, and completely pulled me in.
I also paired the audiobook with my reading experience, and I can’t recommend that enough—especially with the podcast element woven into the story! It made everything feel even more immersive, and the added audio snippets were such a thoughtful touch. Both narrators did an incredible job bringing the characters and tone to life.
Overall, this was such a strong read. It had me eager to piece together the mystery while also keeping me deeply invested in the characters. Emotional, tense, and even genuinely funny at times—it really delivers on multiple levels!
The writing itself is fantastic, and what really stood out to me was the structure. The multiple timelines and shifting points of view were handled so well, adding layers to both the mystery and the character development. Each piece of the story felt intentional, gradually revealing more depth and making the overall narrative even more compelling. It leans more toward mystery and romance than a straight thriller, but honestly, that balance worked beautifully. It’s fast-paced, engaging, and completely pulled me in.
I also paired the audiobook with my reading experience, and I can’t recommend that enough—especially with the podcast element woven into the story! It made everything feel even more immersive, and the added audio snippets were such a thoughtful touch. Both narrators did an incredible job bringing the characters and tone to life.
Overall, this was such a strong read. It had me eager to piece together the mystery while also keeping me deeply invested in the characters. Emotional, tense, and even genuinely funny at times—it really delivers on multiple levels!
April 20, 2026
If books could talk, this one would probably swear at me. I started it, then abandoned it for other books and completely forgot about it. And honestly, I don’t feel that bad about it now.
I was traumatised by Gone Girl years ago, so anytime I see a “missing spouse” plot, I’m immediately on high alert.
The story centres around a couple, Joy and Xander, who vanish under suspicious circumstances. Their disappearance sets off an investigation that slowly uncovers what their relationship really looked like behind closed doors.
Through Benny’s POV in the present, along with excerpts from a memoir Joy was writing about her life and her friendship with Benny, we get a clearer picture of who Joy was and her relationship with Xander.
This story deals with domestic abuse, but not just the visible kind. The first quarter held my interest, but after that, it started to drag. The structure also didn’t work for me, it was sort of... odd? We find out what happened to Joy and Xander fairly early on, yet some characters are still in the dark and continue investigating.
Having 95% of the truth revealed early on not only stripped me of the opportunity to play amateur detective, which is something I love, but it also made the rest of the plot feel superfluous. I was just thinking why am I still here? It felt like the train had reached its destination, and instead of stopping, it just kept on going. I just really wanted to get off.
Though there’s still a sliver of truth that is withheld and only revealed in the final chapter. I wasn’t surprised by it. It’s now a common pattern in thrillers, so I kind of saw it coming. Short story is the mystery just wasn’t worth the ride for me. I didn’t care much for the relationships, the characters, their romance or their happy ending.
Updates while reading ༄˖°.☕️.ೃ࿔📚*:･
This Story Might Save Your Life.
Me:
I was traumatised by Gone Girl years ago, so anytime I see a “missing spouse” plot, I’m immediately on high alert.
The story centres around a couple, Joy and Xander, who vanish under suspicious circumstances. Their disappearance sets off an investigation that slowly uncovers what their relationship really looked like behind closed doors.
Through Benny’s POV in the present, along with excerpts from a memoir Joy was writing about her life and her friendship with Benny, we get a clearer picture of who Joy was and her relationship with Xander.
This story deals with domestic abuse, but not just the visible kind. The first quarter held my interest, but after that, it started to drag. The structure also didn’t work for me, it was sort of... odd? We find out what happened to Joy and Xander fairly early on, yet some characters are still in the dark and continue investigating.
Having 95% of the truth revealed early on not only stripped me of the opportunity to play amateur detective, which is something I love, but it also made the rest of the plot feel superfluous. I was just thinking why am I still here? It felt like the train had reached its destination, and instead of stopping, it just kept on going. I just really wanted to get off.
Though there’s still a sliver of truth that is withheld and only revealed in the final chapter. I wasn’t surprised by it. It’s now a common pattern in thrillers, so I kind of saw it coming. Short story is the mystery just wasn’t worth the ride for me. I didn’t care much for the relationships, the characters, their romance or their happy ending.
Updates while reading ༄˖°.☕️.ೃ࿔📚*:･
This Story Might Save Your Life.
Me:
May 1, 2026
╰┈➤ 𝟺.𝟻 ✰ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
❝𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒐𝒓.❞
📚⋮ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐦
📜⋮ 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 𝟹𝟼𝟾
🏷️⋮ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝙳𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛
📖⋮ 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚕𝚎
📆⋮ 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟺/𝟸𝟽/𝟸𝟼-𝟺/𝟸𝟿/𝟸𝟼
💬⋮ 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 ”Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different "against all odds" survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy's experience with severe narcolepsy, they've been the best friends everyone wants to befriend and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy's husband, Xander, they've built a lucrative empire. The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. Millions of devoted listeners think they know the "real" Benny and Joy, but not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world— and from each other.”」
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
❝𝑾𝒆’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔. 𝑾𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈.
𝑰𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆.❞
ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★ ½
ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅꜱ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟹.𝟿𝟿 ☆ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
ᴘᴀɪʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ: ꜰʟᴀᴍɪɴɢ ᴍᴀʀɢᴀʀɪᴛᴀꜱ 🍹
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ?: 👍🏼
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: 📻 ᴘᴀᴘᴀʀᴀᴢᴢɪ — ʟᴀᴅʏ ɢᴀɢᴀ
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
🎙️ ᴛʀᴜᴇ ᴄʀɪᴍᴇ
💻 ᴅᴜᴀʟ ᴛɪᴍᴇʟɪɴᴇꜱ
🎙️ ᴘᴏᴅᴄᴀꜱᴛ ꜱᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ
💻 ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ
🎙️ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛɪᴄ ꜱᴜʙᴘʟᴏᴛ
⚠️TW: miscarriage, domestic abuse
❝𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔. 𝑯𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆.❞
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
💭⋮ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
• As a true crime podcast loving girly, this book was right up my alley. I was hooked right from the start. I didn’t expect to go into a domestic thriller & be swept away by romance too, but it was a nice change of pace when it comes to thrillers. This one is different from the usual formula they follow; it was a breath of fresh air to read a thriller that’s not the same plot over & over.
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧ ✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
❝𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆’𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒍𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.❞
———————
જ⁀➴ pre read:
feeling a bit slumpy hope this gets me out of it
April 16, 2026
4⭐
Genre ~ domestic fiction
Setting ~ California
Publication date ~ March 10, 2026
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 368 (unnumbered chapters + bonus podcast episode)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 39 minutes
Narrators ~ Julia Whelan, Sean Patrick Hopkins
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ debut, podcast, multiple timelines, narcolepsy
Triggers ~
Joy & Benny are best friends and beloved podcasters. When Joy and husband, Zander, go missing we get down to the nitty gritty of Joy and Benny friendship, and Joy and Zander's marriage. Through multiple timelines, old podcasts and an unfinished memoir we'll see that things are not always as they seem.
Overall, it starts off to seem like it'll be thriller, but I did not get thriller vibes throughout. More of a steadily paced slow burn mystery~ish. It's not hard to see where the story will go, it's all about the journey with this one. A solid debut.
Side note ~ I'm curious why the chapters are titled Joy Moore & Benny Abbott? I think just their first name would have sufficed, but I'm just being picky.
Narration notes:
Fabulous narration. Both did a wonderful job. Duet for the podcast and there are some callers about Joy sightings that really elevates the audio version.
Genre ~ domestic fiction
Setting ~ California
Publication date ~ March 10, 2026
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 368 (unnumbered chapters + bonus podcast episode)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 39 minutes
Narrators ~ Julia Whelan, Sean Patrick Hopkins
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ debut, podcast, multiple timelines, narcolepsy
Triggers ~
Joy & Benny are best friends and beloved podcasters. When Joy and husband, Zander, go missing we get down to the nitty gritty of Joy and Benny friendship, and Joy and Zander's marriage. Through multiple timelines, old podcasts and an unfinished memoir we'll see that things are not always as they seem.
Overall, it starts off to seem like it'll be thriller, but I did not get thriller vibes throughout. More of a steadily paced slow burn mystery~ish. It's not hard to see where the story will go, it's all about the journey with this one. A solid debut.
Side note ~ I'm curious why the chapters are titled Joy Moore & Benny Abbott? I think just their first name would have sufficed, but I'm just being picky.
Narration notes:
Fabulous narration. Both did a wonderful job. Duet for the podcast and there are some callers about Joy sightings that really elevates the audio version.
May 5, 2026
Best friends Benny and Joy like to say they’ve been saving each other’s lives since the moment they met. Until the day Joy disappears and Benny is suspected of murder . . .
The above-line from the Publisher's Synopsis is all you need to know about this book going in. That and the fact that the audiobook is an incredible way to take in this story.
If you need more however, here are other details. The story follows BFFS, Benny & Joy. You get a past perspective going through how they met and their relationship development through flashback chapters from Joy.
The present we get through Benny. Also, they have a hugely popular podcast, so we get fun excerpts from that as well. The podcast, This Story Might Save Your Life, started out as a quirky idea, but blew up into something much, much more.
Her chapters, think more Romance, his chapters, think Thriller. The overriding narrative spans a decade in time, and becomes an all-encompassing study of this relationship. It feels like a perfect blend of these two popular genres.
I did end up really enjoying this overall genre-blend. Joy's disappearance, the mystery surrounding that was intense and well-written. You could feel the desperation of her loved ones trying to find her, and the additional complications added by their public popularity.
As mentioned above, the audiobook is great. I would highly recommend that format. The dual narrators, mixed media elements, and the way they handled the podcast sections truly brought life to this story.
I've been hearing a lot of buzz for this one, and I definitely think it's worthy of that, particularly if you're looking for a fun audiobook experience. It's worth the credit, trust me.
Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This has certainly put Tiffany Crum on my radar!
The above-line from the Publisher's Synopsis is all you need to know about this book going in. That and the fact that the audiobook is an incredible way to take in this story.
If you need more however, here are other details. The story follows BFFS, Benny & Joy. You get a past perspective going through how they met and their relationship development through flashback chapters from Joy.
The present we get through Benny. Also, they have a hugely popular podcast, so we get fun excerpts from that as well. The podcast, This Story Might Save Your Life, started out as a quirky idea, but blew up into something much, much more.
Her chapters, think more Romance, his chapters, think Thriller. The overriding narrative spans a decade in time, and becomes an all-encompassing study of this relationship. It feels like a perfect blend of these two popular genres.
I did end up really enjoying this overall genre-blend. Joy's disappearance, the mystery surrounding that was intense and well-written. You could feel the desperation of her loved ones trying to find her, and the additional complications added by their public popularity.
As mentioned above, the audiobook is great. I would highly recommend that format. The dual narrators, mixed media elements, and the way they handled the podcast sections truly brought life to this story.
I've been hearing a lot of buzz for this one, and I definitely think it's worthy of that, particularly if you're looking for a fun audiobook experience. It's worth the credit, trust me.
Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This has certainly put Tiffany Crum on my radar!
April 21, 2026
I am in fact slumping, so take this review with a grain of salt. Check TW’s before reading this. I was bored the first half of the book, but it picked up in the second half. This was slightly predictable, but the audiobook narrator’s were great!
June 18, 2026
In a Nutshell: A domestic mystery-thriller involving a missing couple, one of whom is a famous podcaster. A mostly typical book for its genre, with plenty of twists, miscommunications, secrets, and about-turns in stance. Too many subtopics. One character has narcolepsy – an interesting addition that could have been utilised better. The first half is stronger than the second. Suspension of disbelief mandatory. Fans of the thriller genre might enjoy this more but I again stand as an outlier. The audio version is outstanding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
I grabbed this only because many of my friends raved about it. I am not capable of suspension of disbelief and find it very tough to ignore illogical behaviour or to accept ubiquitous secret-keeping and miscommunication. So take this review with a pinch of salt because it comes from someone who is tired of OTT contemporary thrillers and misses the good old days when a thriller actually delivered thrills.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The podcast. I am not into podcasts but I can see its appeal. The concept and the sample episode scenes were hilarious, as was the banter between Benny and Joy.
😍 Joy’s narcolepsy. A fascinating addition! I haven’t read a book with a narcoleptic character before, and based on the content, the author has clearly done her research well on this topic.
😍 The interlude sections that contain witness calls to the police about where they might have spotted the missing duo. Very entertaining!
Bookish Okays:
🤔 The usual kitchen sink of themes found in debut novels is present this time as well. Some of the themes took me by surprise as they went too dark. But some were not so necessary and just cluttered the book.
🤔 The first half or so is still fairly good with steady pacing. The second half is unhinged, with dragged-out communicative and behavioural issues, and random reveals that counter things mentioned earlier.
🤔 The alternating first-person perspectives are distinct in tone, at least at the start. It was great to see the current events from Benny and the past story from Joy. However, Joy’s arc changes tone in between and goes from joyful to dark. I wish her emotions had been kept more consistent, especially considering how these sections were supposedly from her memoir, so she would have spoken the truth from the start instead of leading us astray.
🤔 The understated love story. (Love, not romance.) I appreciate how it didn’t take over the main narrative. At the same time, I wish there had been some other method of adding drama to this plot than introducing such a typical development. Books with good cross-sex platonic relationships are so rare these days.
Bookish Nays:
😴 This was a “thriller” with barely any bite-your-nails kind of thrills. Almost the entire story reads like a domestic drama.
😴 So many characters with varying personalities but all have one thing in common – each is an expert at keeping a multitude of secrets. 🤦🏻♀️ It’s annoying when almost everyone behaves like an unreliable narrator. I didn’t like most of the characters. Joy and Benny were the easiest to like but they too had more than their share of secrets.
😴 Infodump explanation towards the finale. Never a fan.
😴 The overly rushed and yet overly smooth ending. Eh + Meh.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 10 hrs 39 min is narrated by Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins. Both are outstanding! Every emotion, whether joyous or tense or sad, comes strongly through their voices.
I can see this book getting nominated for several “Best Audio of 2026” awards, not just because of the outstanding narrators but also because of the fabulous production. The podcast chapters have a duet narration, not a dual narration. This makes all the difference as we can actually immerse ourselves into the conversation. Further, there are special sound effects for phone calls and podcast recordings. There is also a special bonus podcast episode. (This might be in the book as well, but on audio, it sounds like an actual podcast.) The author’s note is read by the author herself.
I am pretty sure that without the audio version, my rating would have been even lower. If you wish to give this book a go and you are attuned to audiobooks with multiple perspectives and timelines, then let the audio version be your preferred format for this novel. Audio newbies who might get muddled up with the dual timeline and multiple perspectives, opt for immersion reading: book in front of your eyeballs, audio in your ears.
Overall, this is a decent debut that sticks close to the ingredients and the recipe of a domestic drama-thriller. Unfortunately, the recipe it uses is the modern version instead of a classic one so we get the dish with a healthy dash of OTT content.
That said, thriller fans these days are more attuned to OTT content and some even relish it. I am no longer an avid reader of thrillers, so my experience is clearly in the outlier category. Please read other reviews and take a better call on this.
Recommended to fans of domestic drama-thrillers. Don’t forget to suspend your disbelief.
2.75 stars. (The plot and writing gets just 2 stars, but the spectacular audio production deserves more. I’m not hitting the round figure of 3 because that means “I liked the book”. I didn’t! I just loved the audio production.)
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio for providing the ALC of “This Story Might Save Your Life” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Benny and Joy, best friends since ages, are the hosts of a successful comedy podcast titled ‘This Story Might Save Your Life’, which focusses on one wild survival story each week. Thanks to the financial expertise of Joy’s husband Xander, their podcast business has been quite lucrative. But in the recent past, things have begun to change. A couple of things have worked against the podcast and Joy has indicated that she wishes to step down. So when Benny arrives at Joy’s home one day only to find the house empty and shattered glass on the floor, he has no clue if the couple actually went away or if something bad happened to them. As the hours tick by, Benny knows he will stop at nothing to find his friend, even if he is the primary suspect of the police.
The story comes to Benny’s first-person perspective, with alternating chapters coming from Joy’s first-person POV through her unpublished memoir.
I grabbed this only because many of my friends raved about it. I am not capable of suspension of disbelief and find it very tough to ignore illogical behaviour or to accept ubiquitous secret-keeping and miscommunication. So take this review with a pinch of salt because it comes from someone who is tired of OTT contemporary thrillers and misses the good old days when a thriller actually delivered thrills.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The podcast. I am not into podcasts but I can see its appeal. The concept and the sample episode scenes were hilarious, as was the banter between Benny and Joy.
😍 Joy’s narcolepsy. A fascinating addition! I haven’t read a book with a narcoleptic character before, and based on the content, the author has clearly done her research well on this topic.
😍 The interlude sections that contain witness calls to the police about where they might have spotted the missing duo. Very entertaining!
Bookish Okays:
🤔 The usual kitchen sink of themes found in debut novels is present this time as well. Some of the themes took me by surprise as they went too dark. But some were not so necessary and just cluttered the book.
🤔 The first half or so is still fairly good with steady pacing. The second half is unhinged, with dragged-out communicative and behavioural issues, and random reveals that counter things mentioned earlier.
🤔 The alternating first-person perspectives are distinct in tone, at least at the start. It was great to see the current events from Benny and the past story from Joy. However, Joy’s arc changes tone in between and goes from joyful to dark. I wish her emotions had been kept more consistent, especially considering how these sections were supposedly from her memoir, so she would have spoken the truth from the start instead of leading us astray.
🤔 The understated love story. (Love, not romance.) I appreciate how it didn’t take over the main narrative. At the same time, I wish there had been some other method of adding drama to this plot than introducing such a typical development. Books with good cross-sex platonic relationships are so rare these days.
Bookish Nays:
😴 This was a “thriller” with barely any bite-your-nails kind of thrills. Almost the entire story reads like a domestic drama.
😴 So many characters with varying personalities but all have one thing in common – each is an expert at keeping a multitude of secrets. 🤦🏻♀️ It’s annoying when almost everyone behaves like an unreliable narrator. I didn’t like most of the characters. Joy and Benny were the easiest to like but they too had more than their share of secrets.
😴 Infodump explanation towards the finale. Never a fan.
😴 The overly rushed and yet overly smooth ending. Eh + Meh.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 10 hrs 39 min is narrated by Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins. Both are outstanding! Every emotion, whether joyous or tense or sad, comes strongly through their voices.
I can see this book getting nominated for several “Best Audio of 2026” awards, not just because of the outstanding narrators but also because of the fabulous production. The podcast chapters have a duet narration, not a dual narration. This makes all the difference as we can actually immerse ourselves into the conversation. Further, there are special sound effects for phone calls and podcast recordings. There is also a special bonus podcast episode. (This might be in the book as well, but on audio, it sounds like an actual podcast.) The author’s note is read by the author herself.
I am pretty sure that without the audio version, my rating would have been even lower. If you wish to give this book a go and you are attuned to audiobooks with multiple perspectives and timelines, then let the audio version be your preferred format for this novel. Audio newbies who might get muddled up with the dual timeline and multiple perspectives, opt for immersion reading: book in front of your eyeballs, audio in your ears.
Overall, this is a decent debut that sticks close to the ingredients and the recipe of a domestic drama-thriller. Unfortunately, the recipe it uses is the modern version instead of a classic one so we get the dish with a healthy dash of OTT content.
That said, thriller fans these days are more attuned to OTT content and some even relish it. I am no longer an avid reader of thrillers, so my experience is clearly in the outlier category. Please read other reviews and take a better call on this.
Recommended to fans of domestic drama-thrillers. Don’t forget to suspend your disbelief.
2.75 stars. (The plot and writing gets just 2 stars, but the spectacular audio production deserves more. I’m not hitting the round figure of 3 because that means “I liked the book”. I didn’t! I just loved the audio production.)
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio for providing the ALC of “This Story Might Save Your Life” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
March 26, 2026
Fast paced mystery/thriller with great audiobook narrators.
Joy and Benny are best friends who have a successful podcast talking about real-life dangerous situations and how to avoid them. Joy's husband Xander is their podcast manager and things seem to be going fairly well. Until Benny arrives at their home one day and finds signs of a struggle and Joy and Xander are both missing. Some signs point to Benny being to blame, but what really happened to Joy and Xander?
This book is exciting and intriguing from start to finish. I love missing persons stories, so I was invested right away and didn't stop listening to the audiobook until I finished the novel. The dual narration of Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins is so fantastic that it would almost be sad to read this in print and not experience their performance. It is just that good.
This is a character driven mystery with some romance (don't let that turn you off, it's handled really well) and like I mentioned, the pacing is spot on. For a debut novel, this one is a winner. It's not perfect, there are some elements I thought could be developed more and I'm never a huge fan of friends to lovers romance, but overall it's a well-told story that is a shining star as an audiobook.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Joy and Benny are best friends who have a successful podcast talking about real-life dangerous situations and how to avoid them. Joy's husband Xander is their podcast manager and things seem to be going fairly well. Until Benny arrives at their home one day and finds signs of a struggle and Joy and Xander are both missing. Some signs point to Benny being to blame, but what really happened to Joy and Xander?
This book is exciting and intriguing from start to finish. I love missing persons stories, so I was invested right away and didn't stop listening to the audiobook until I finished the novel. The dual narration of Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins is so fantastic that it would almost be sad to read this in print and not experience their performance. It is just that good.
This is a character driven mystery with some romance (don't let that turn you off, it's handled really well) and like I mentioned, the pacing is spot on. For a debut novel, this one is a winner. It's not perfect, there are some elements I thought could be developed more and I'm never a huge fan of friends to lovers romance, but overall it's a well-told story that is a shining star as an audiobook.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 17,846 reviews