This Story Might Save Your Life

The novel blends domestic thriller, missing-persons mystery, and slow-burn romance. Did you find the genre mashup worked, or did one element overshadow the others for you?

The dual timeline is central to the book's structure: we follow Benny in real time while Joy's memoir chapters reveal what led to this moment. Did this structure create tension for you, or did it deflate the mystery by revealing too much too soon?

Speaking of the memoir: did Joy's chapters read authentically as a first-draft memoir?

What did you think of Benny and Joy's friendship and chemistry? Did their banter feel natural and earned?

Joy's narcolepsy shapes her entire life and her relationships with those around her. How did you feel the author handled this aspect of her character?

The book touches on some unexpectedly heavy themes, particularly around domestic abuse. Were you surprised by this? How did it affect your reading experience?

Did you figure out the villain early on? Did it affect your enjoyment of the thriller elements?

How did you feel about the pacing? Did it hold up through the whole book, or did it flag at any point for you? In particular, contrast the first and second parts of the novel.

What did you think of the ending? Did the emotional payoffs land for you?

Did this book remind you of any other books you've read? If so, which ones? How would you characterize this book's genre, and did it meet your expectations going in?

The audiobook has gotten rapturous reviews. Did you listen, read, or both? How do you think the format shaped your experience?

The podcast at the heart of this story, This Story Might Save Your Life, features Joy and Benny walking through near-death scenarios. Would you be a listener if it were real?

Are you a podcast person? Do you have any favorites?

Would you read another book by Nicole Crum, especially given that this is her debut?