Wake The Dead: Can't A Bitch Get Some Sleep

by Jay Leigh Brown

Sabrina is exhausted after five years of contracted service in the hospital. Her manager is a joke, her living quarters make military barracks look palatial, and she hasn't been issued new underthings in two years. Sixteen hour shifts every day for five years have left her with permanent black bags under her eyes and a busted give-a damn. The vaccine left her with a softball sized divot in her thigh and a permanent limp. She barely gets to speak to her sisters, Tabby and Dora, in Camp 231.

The only bright spot in her miserable existence is carting the infected to the basement. Sometimes Burner, the pathologist turned under king, indulges her in the kind of extra-curricular activities that help a girl remember life before the Streak. He's universally hated for his role in producing the vaccine and makes anti-social behavior sound like a charming quirk. Darkly handsome and physically mutated from the vaccine, his permanently etched scowl does nothing to quell Sabrina's libido. They aren't some enemies to lovers book trope from the tattered romance novels on her nightstand. They are barely bang-emies.

Aside from her trips to the basement, Sabrina is barely existing. But she doesn't mind. The monotony of her days is worth the safety of her family. She'd give up her trysts with Burner in a heartbeat for her sisters.

When the Streakers overrun the hospital, Sabrina is desperate enough to agree to the escape plans Burner hatches. She'll do anything to locate her sisters. When she steals away in the middle of the night to find them, Burner discovers he’ll burn down the world to find her.

***If you love The Walking Dead, Fallout, and The Divergent Series, but would prefer them with mature main characters, this book is for you. Wake The Dead contains harsh language, enough emotional trauma to keep a plethora of online therapists in business, and the kind of good folks that will keep your faith in humanity annoyingly healthy. Be prepared for belly laughs in this standalone novel. Although the genre promises an HEA, that doesn't mean you aren't going to experience heart wrenching pain as you take Sabrina and Burner's journey. Proceed with caution and always read the content considerations if you have triggers.***

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2026

About the author

Jay Leigh likes all the beverages both alcoholic and caffeinated. She hates seafood and pumpkin spice, and adores every flavor and genre of fine men and books. She resides in the wilderness of Michigan, boating and camping all summer, writing all winter. She's a decent photographer, and shamelessly purchases all things dachshund. A prolific breeder, she has a huge family, having far more than the allotted 2.2 children with the hottie who put a ring on it. One day she hopes to hang up her stethoscope permanently, spending all of her time palpating nothing but her shiny new retro keyboard. Dreaming in stories, she wants nothing more than to drown both your face and your panties with her words.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my… Jay Leigh Brown has spun a tale that I could not put down from the first page. The post apocalyptic story has it all - action, friendship, love, gore, and even some great sexy scenes. Af you follow Sabrina and Burner’s journey, you will meet many cool supporting characters who absolutely have an impact on the storyline as a whole. The author did an amazing job with character development, incorporating some real life medical jargon appropriately, and painting a moving picture with her words. When I remember this storyline in the future, I can almost guarantee I will be questioning if it was something I read or a movie I watched… Yes I’m being vague in this review because I don’t want to give away any spoilers!

Jay Leigh Brown, you are an amazing writer who I can absolutely see reaching and surpassing your dream of leaving the day job and being a full time author!

Much love from one of your ARC readers! Keep ‘em coming, girl!!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. This gave me vibes of The Stand, The Walking Dead, and I am Legend which I am all here for!
This does have an underlying romance, but for me, it was really about the journey of the MFC and MMC. Make sure you read the content considerations about the book. These characters are raw and real.
You will find times you laugh (even when you think you shouldn't, but Sabrina has some really creative snark, so go ahead!), times you cheer when Karma happens to the right people, and times you will cry. This book isn't a fluffy rom-com and isn't your traditional HEA, but it does have one.
If you are looking for something different to read where no one is perfect and they are just trying to survive the harsh aftermath of a viral pandemic and to not lose anything or anyone more than they already have, this book is for you!