The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up by Laura Pearson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When Shelley Woodhouse wakes up in hospital from a coma, the first thing she says is that her husband must be arrested.

He’s the reason she’s in here. She knows it. She remembers what he did. Clearly as anything.

But there are things Shelley has forgotten too, including parts of her childhood. And as those start to come back to her, so do other memories. Ones with the power to change everything.

But can she trust these new memories, or what anyone around her is telling her? And who is the mysterious hospital volunteer who brings her food and keeps making her smile? Is it possible to find your future when you're confused about your past?

My Opinion

This was my first book by Laura Pearson and I was definitely drawn in by the cover. This was such a lovely read. Shelley wakes up from a coma and has limited memory of her past, all she knows is that her husband has tried to kill her. This was a moving novel and whilst the topic of memory loss and abuse are covered they are written about very delicately. I think that this is going to be a book that I recommend to my local book club as there will be a lot to discuss.

Rating 4/5

I thought this was a great take on someone waking up from a coma,, it dealt with that situation perfectly. It had a great start to this type of book. I enjoyed the overall concept and how the characters were in this universe. Laura Pearson has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.

Shelley Woodhouse is an enigma. She has been in two comas and survived. This book touches on deep and weighty issues such as abuse, grief, trauma and moving on.

It follows the story of Shelley, who wakes up in ICU, with some bits of memory loss. She remembers snippets of her childhood with her mum and grandmother.

Told from her point of view, we are taken on a then and now journey- we hear Shelley’s thoughts on how she landed in the ICU and her past.

The plot was detailed and hard to read sometimes. It did not shy away from the hardest part. It was detailed and a bit graphic.

I don’t know whether to call it a plot twist but whatever twist it was, it was brilliant and turned the story on the head for me.

If you love women fiction with strong female leads then you will enjoy this.

The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke up

Not what I was expecting , but despite it's subject matter ( domestic violence ) it is felt with in a sensitive way.
Shelley woke up in hospital , both both figuratively , and also to her plight and the memory of what her husband David did and also from the time he tried to kill her.
Shelleys story isn't just about her , it could be about any woman who has to come with the terms that the men in their lives don't turn out to be the men they hoped they would.

An intense and powerful read, emotional and disturbing at times – but also quite beautifully written, entirely compelling, and impossible to put down until I’d read to its perfect end.

As Shelley wakes in intensive care, she knows her husband tried to kill her – she’s confused, and unable to understand why the police haven’t followed through. Until she realises that it’s 2024, and that seven years of her life have been erased – assured that she’s safe, she’s unable to contact her mother, and best friend Dee and the hospital staff refuse to help her fill in the gaps. They tell her that she’s expressed the clear wish that they allow her memories to return – and, very slowly and sometimes painfully, they do. In alternate chapters, we revisit Shelley’s life from childhood as we also witness her slow recovery – her memories often painful, her life blighted by abusive relationships, but with moments of joy and lightness in the other relationships that really mattered to her. And she’s helped on her journey by hospital visitor Matt, who becomes the one constant in her life, an anchor for her thoughts and emotions.

I desperately don’t want to spoil the story – there are many surprises along the way, and the book’s themes are particularly challenging at times, but it’s also a story filled with love and moments of unexpected joy, with a wonderfully drawn supporting cast each of whom play their parts in the unfolding story. The dual timeline works quite perfectly, and does afford the reader some welcome time to breathe amid the mounting tension – I’ve never been a particular fan of alternating chapters, but there was never a single moment when I felt a wrench at leaving one timeframe for the other, and I’ve never seen a structure like this managed as well and as seamlessly as it is by this particularly gifted author. The emotional depth is stunning, the developments perfectly paced, the handling of the cycles of domestic abuse incredibly real and affecting, the moments of frustration and despair totally heartbreaking – but she also succeeds in making Shelley’s story heartwarming and uplifting, with real hope for a happier future.

This really was an exceptional read, and an achievement the author should be justifiably proud of – and a very special book I’d highly recommend to others.

My first read by Pearson was The Last List of Mabel Beaumont which was an absolute winner with me. I didn't think she could beat that, and then she comes back with this unputdownable, page turning sobfest.

Emotions run at an all time high throughout the course of the book, as we become acquainted with Shelley, learn of her past and of the abuse she suffered with at the hands of her husband, the man she was supposed to love, and respect.

The characters throughout especially the women are strong, beautiful and won't let their pasts shape them. Friendships are are made, tears are shed and hope is just around the corner.

Beautifully written, with a strong message at its heart, that some may find relatable.

The storyline is sadly only too real - if you too find yourself on the receiving end of domestic violence please speak out - Ring 999 or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

I can honestly use the term book-hangover when I reflect on this latest offering from an author that I honestly admire. Once again, this was a book that grabbed each of my emotions and hung them out to dry. Not to the point of being in floods of tears, been there and done that, but building up an increasing fear of the unknown and desire for answers.
Shelley wakes up in hospital with a clear memory of her husband pushing her downstairs. As she revisits her childhood and the events leading up to the night in question we are given a front row seat to the low points in her life.
The story is told in alternating chapters which helps to prevent the risk of falling into the intensity of her memories that give the full history of Shelley’s experiences at the hands of domestic abusers. In the reverse chapters, we meet the hospital staff who are caring for her and also her friend Dee, who at first feels less than supportive.
For the avoidance of spoilers, if you want to know more about the plot, I encourage you to read this book. It is expertly written with believable characters and desperate lows, coupled with the occasional reassuring, uplifting moments.
I particularly loved Granny Rose. She reminded me of my own Nana who I lost when I was 21. Her death is a loss that I will always feel, but her love and kindness will never leave me. It was those memories that reached for the surface as Shelley cuddled with Granny Rose, trying to block out the sounds of her mother’s trials.
Domestic abuse can never be an easy subject to read about, but this book handles it with a light touch without making light of the awfulness and desperation that come hand-in-hand for the victims.
While I didn’t find myself reaching for the tissues, this time, I certainly felt the jeopardy as the danger levels escalated and I was glad that there would only be a chapter at a time and not an ongoing theme of fear. My heart was racing and not in a good way. I encourage you to read this book as it is honestly excellent.

I found this book an emotional read, especially as I have a family member with early stage memory loss. However, the book was well planned and written and a joy to read. Thank you Laura.

Even though terrible abuse happens to the characters, this is a life affirming warm hug of a book. Shelley is the most wonderful and resilient character and I really appreciated the way Laura Pearson brings our attention to important topics such as domestic abuse but doesn’t make victims of the women. The memory loss when she wakes from a coma is so cleverly used for the plot, I’m in awe of the structure.. I adored every minute while being sad for the one in three women who are abused by their partners.

The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up is the second book I have read by Laura Pearson, and it absolutely lives up to her previous title, The Last List of Mabel Beaumont .
As the title states, the book opens with Shelley waking up in a hospital bed. She is terrified, afraid of the husband that she knows put her in the hospital. Her memory about a lot of things may be fuzzy but she is adamant that he hurt her . As the days pass and more of her memories start to come back she begins to understand that there is more to her story - what she remembers may not be the whole truth and the people surrounding her may not be exactly who they seem.
This book tackles the difficult topic of domestic violence so reader please be aware that there are scenes that could be triggering.
I was immediately drawn into the story and wanted to know what had happened to Shelley, and allowing the reader to discover the story as Shelley recovers her memories worked very well . It felt really empowering to see Shelley as so much more than a victim of the violence that was perpetrated upon her, instead through the use of a dual timeline and the secondary characters who surrounded her we get a fully rounded character who is believable and easy to root for. I think Laura's greatest skill as an author is her ability to craft characters that the reader will fall in love with and want to see succeed.
A book about a dark subject that still shines brightly is a rare thing, but this is just such a book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own .

This book has me in my feels. This was a difficult topic of domestic abuse but it was written so beautifully and the characters were so amazing that it softened the presentation. The author did such a great job of bringing me into the story that I was completely invested from the start. About halfway through, I had tears streaming down my face from what transpired. Reading this made me feel that where there is pain, there can also be light. I will not soon forget Shelley and her dear friend Dee along with so many other lovely characters along the way. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the eArc of this great read. This book is going to sail to the top of the charts!

I really enjoyed this story and the way it was written and structured. It deals with a very emotive subject, domestic abuse, in such a sensitive way. Whilst heartbreaking, there is a sense of strength and hope running through it as Shelley’s story gradually develops and reveals itself as she recovers in hospital. She is a character who really captures your heart. I also adored best friend Dee and Matt, who for me both show what true love and friendship really looks like.
This was my first read by Laura Pearson and I’ll definitely be reading more!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Boldwood Books for an arc in exchange for a review.

Don't let the colorful gorgeous cover to fool you, the story inside is raw and cruel and it will break your heart at the same time that it will give you hope. It talks about the importance of family, friendships and not ignoring the red flags.

It's such a heartbreaking story about domestic abuse. As a survivor myself I found this story and characters really well written. The author did a phenomenal job showing the experiences of two female characters, two generations, mom and daughter, each with their own fights.

I highly recommend this one!!!!

Available on April 6th, 2024.

Thank you netgalley, Boldwood Books and Laura Pearson

I loved this new novel from Laura Pearson. It touches on some difficult themes but is well written and sympathetic. I was rooting for Shelley throughout and felt genuinely invested in the characters. There were a few 'oh no' moments when I was willing a character to make a different decision but it was very realistic in that they didn't always do what would have been best. The flashbacks helped the reader engage very quickly with Shelley and the key players in her life.

Would highly recommend

I throughly enjoyed this book. It had all the main elements going for it, mystery, sadness, happiness and to top it all a lovely story. This one made me think which is something which doesn't happen often when I'm reading. Worth 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Laura Pearson is fast becoming one of my go to authors, with her brilliantly written reads, she has captured my heart with Shelley Woodhouse.
This is one of those stories that pulls at all the heartstrings. It must be so unsettling for Shelley to wake up with so many memories missing and in fragments. To have lost memories of loved ones and events in your life must make everything seem a little shaky, blurry as if looking in from the outside. As glimpses come back into focus, it only becomes obvious what else is missing? We follow Shelley into the unknown as she regains the memories lost and realises what is important in her life.
Sad yet hopeful, this is a beautiful story of love and second chances.

A well woven story about an extremely painful subject.. Although shocking in content, there. Is the possibility of light at the end of the tunnel. A cautionary tale about zero acceptance of domestic violence, both physical and verbal.

Shelley wakes up and her first reaction is to inform everyone that her husband is to be arrested. She remembers it all but cannot remember her childhood.
She is so confused as to what’s real and what’s fake. A very emotional read showing a woman at her most vulnerable.
Great book to curl up with that grabs your attention and makes you want to read til the end

The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up by Laura Pearson shredded my heart yet warmed it, too. Books that turn me inside out and upside down are truly winners! Gorgeously and insightfully written in dual timelines, "then" and "now", it is an emotive kaleidoscope of domestic abuse, depth, strength, heartache and hope.

Shelley Woodhouse awakens from a coma in a hospital, visited mostly by hospital staff and other concerned strangers. Her dear friend spends time with her, too. Though memories are hazy, Shelley is clear about who put her there. Her husband pushed her down stairs. She is no stranger to violence as she suffered from it when growing up but that cycle of abuse certainly doesn't make it easier. Her journey to wholeness is challenging and forces her to confront her past but she has loving support. Subplots are equally incredible.

There is so much to mull over, from the skilful handling of the difficult domestic abuse topic to the richness of realistic characters to learning more about amnesia. But the gentle yet dynamite writing is what took my breath away.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this captivating novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and TheBoldBookClub for this copy of "The Day Shelley Wood House Woke Up."

Shelley wakes up in the ICU with a brain injury, saying that her husband David tried to kill her.

But how much has she forgotten? Her life is a puzzle and she's trying to fit the pieces back together. We're alongside Shelley as she regains her memories and her life.

Although domestic violence features prominently in Shelley's life, author Pearson created a compulsively readable story that is ultimately uplifting and hopeful.