Live Fast by Brigitte Giraud starts with a compelling premise—a deep dive into the whirlwind of ambition and the price we pay for chasing success. Giraud’s prose is crisp and evocative, and she paints a vivid portrait of a protagonist caught between desire and burnout.

Unfortunately, the narrative loses momentum as it progresses. The pacing becomes uneven, with some chapters feeling muddled or repetitive. Key emotional beats fall flat, leaving the reader wanting more insight into the character’s inner turmoil. While there are moments of genuine intensity—particularly in scenes revealing the protagonist’s inner conflict—these are scattered and don’t fully coalesce into a powerful arc.

In the end, Live Fast offers glimpses of something meaningful, but its uneven structure and underdeveloped character progression make it a forgettable journey rather than the impactful exploration its premise promised.

This book was well written, but it was very hard for me to relate to the story. This book seemed to stick to the surface level, without diving deeper into the author and Claude's relationship. By the end of the book, I didn't feel like I knew either of them or their son. I would have loved to learn more about the family and the relationship between her and Claude. While well-written, it was hard to connect emotionally to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook version of this book. I love that the book is short yet gets to the point. The author has a way of writing that is to the point and impactful. She draws you in with her words and makes you feel what she is feeling and going through. This book is one that will stick with me.

“Live Fast” is beautifully written, with raw, emotional storytelling that hits hard and stays with you. The author’s sharp prose brings every moment to life, making it impossible not to feel deeply for the narrator.