The Second Cup

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Pub Date 12 Feb 2018 | Archive Date 19 Mar 2018

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Description

Would your life unravel if someone you knew committed suicide? Theirs did.


Faye knows her heart still belongs to her first love, Jack. She also knows he might have moved on, but when she decides to track him down, nothing prepares her for the news that he's taken his own life. Faye is left wondering how to move forward - and whether or not Jack's best friend Ethan will let her down again.


And the news of Jack's death ripples through the lives of her friends too. Abbie finds herself questioning her marriage, and wondering if she was right to leave her first love behind. 


Poor Olivia is juggling her job and her boyfriend with supporting her friends and trying to deal with a death of her own. And Jack's death has hit Beth the hardest, even though she never knew him.


Is Beth about to take her own life too?


The Second Cup is an intense novel, where four friends share the story of what happens after Jack's suicide. Third-person flashbacks are skillfully interwoven in amongst their voices to add a real richness and depth to this heart-wrenching story.


This is dark chick-lit and intelligent women's fiction at its best.

Would your life unravel if someone you knew committed suicide? Theirs did.


Faye knows her heart still belongs to her first love, Jack. She also knows he might have moved on, but when she decides to...


Advance Praise

"Graye takes an intense situation and instead of shying away from it, she strips away the bandage so we can see the raw, oozing wound." - Princess of the Light

"A truly amazing and well-developed novel that just blew me away with the writer's superior writing skills." - Readers' Favorite
"Emotionally challenging and highly original, The Second Cup proves a powerful debut for Graye and a hard book to put down." - Book Viral
"I couldn't put it down - the story is that enthralling." - Circle Of Books
"For what seems like a relatively simple story, there were a lot of insights into mental health, self-confidence and the insecurities people have in everyday life." - Online Book Club
"A wonderful heartwarming read, in spite of the difficult topics raised, a book that will stay with you after you finish the last page." - Bookliterati

"Graye takes an intense situation and instead of shying away from it, she strips away the bandage so we can see the raw, oozing wound." - Princess of the Light

"A truly amazing and well-developed...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781999988005
PRICE $2.99 (USD)

Average rating from 28 members


Featured Reviews

First, I want to thank Sarah Marie Graye, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

The Second Cup by Sarah Marie Graye’s own very personal story of batting mental illness for over 40 years. In her first novel she wanted to reach out to others whom may be going through this as well.

I absolutely fell in love with this cover of this book. It was absolutely beautiful and do perfect for this book I thought. Kudos to whom thought of this idea and for whom designed it.

My heart broke when Faye lost Jack. The description of how she felt when she lost him and what she was feeling you could feel the pain. I kept thinking as I was reading this Jack must have been someone very special. I wanted to give Faye a hug and tell her I was sorry for her loss.

I was so relieved for Abbie whom at 29 was not pregnant with Paul’s child. I was relieved because they were in a loveless marriage that was not really going anywhere. Divorce was on the horizon. Nobody wants to bring a child into that situation. Sad, but true.

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Wow, the blurbs were totally correct on this. It was definitely deep and dark, very dark.

The story is about suicide and is told from multiple view points. I found it interesting how differently everyone reacted to the news of Jack's suicide.

While yes, it was deep and dark, it was very well written. I definitely had to read a "feel good" book after this one. That doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a chance. It just means that I think the author did spot on with it in this book.

Thanks to the Disassociated Voice and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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It took me a while to get into this book and no doubt due to not being fond of books that is told from several viewpoints. That being said, and once i had got used to the characters, I was soon turning the pages.

A well written book that I could relate to. My son committed suicide at 34 yrs and I was surprised at how much it affected his circle of friends. One friend in particular is still having trouble coping in life without his best buddy.

I am not going to write about the story as I cannot really add to what hasn't already been written. Although i didn't give this book full five stars, i do recommend.

With thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy of this book. This is my honest review.

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“The Second Cup” is an emotional and thought-provoking debut novel about friendship, illness, suicide, depression and loss.

The story is being told from a viewpoint of the four main characters – Faye, Abbie, Olivia and Beth. They are all in a way connected to Jack and affected by his death.

Although this book is mainly about the impact Jack’s suicide had on the four women, it is about so much more than that.

Each of the girls in this novel deals with some struggles and seems to be missing something in life.

Abbie has a good job, but her second marriage is falling apart. Olivia hates being alone, so she keeps on falling into wrong relationships just for the company’s sake. Faye cannot get over her break up with Jack and is on a mission to find him, although years have passed since they last saw each other. Beth, the most “tangled” of all four deals with childhood nightmares that affect her adulthood.

The characters are well developed, and we do get to know them more and more with each chapter. We also slowly learn why each one became the person she is as an adult, and how their childhood and young years impacted the rest of their lives.

I really disliked Faye, and found her selfish and opportunistic, which she pretty much proved at the end of the book. The other girls were very easy to relate to and to connect with.

Almost all men in this novel were very disappointing, which made the book even better.

I think that the note from the author at the beginning of the book, explaining her own challenges but also giving heads up about the composition of this book advising not to expect thrilling action story, helped me to put my own expectations towards this novel in place. This story is steady-paced, filled with emotions, thought chains and different points of view on various issues. I am generally more driven towards fast-paced thrillers, but with clean conscience I can say that I enjoyed this book as well.

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I enjoyed reading the second cup. At the beginning I struggled to get into the book and sometimes it was a bit confusing getting to know the characters. Once I got to know the characters my reading was a whole lot smoother. This book is about the consequences of one guy's suicide on a group of friends. This book also deals with how these friends grew up and what is currently happening in their lives. This book deals with a range of issues. I loved the last part of the book a lot, I wish more authors would put something like this into their books.
A great piece of woman's fiction that I would recommend.

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This book is an impressively well written debut novel by Sarah Marie Graye about suicide and the effect it has on those left behind.

It is written from four points of view and examines the lives and the impact that Jack’s suicide has on them, their decisions and their actions. The characters are well developed, likeable and the story draws you into the feelings and issues surrounding them.

Suicide, depression and mental health are difficult, issues to address and Sarah does it really well. This story is incredibly thought provoking and emotional. It is not a light fluffy read- there is nothing light and fluffy about dealing with suicide and the feelings it evokes, but this book is worth the emotions that are stirred .

Mental health does not just affect the person with the mental illness, it’s like a ripple in water or as the cover suggests, a butterfly effect.



I was given an arc of this book by the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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I found this book through NetGalley so many thanks to the publisher for letting me read it. I found it extremely interesting that the main pretext was about suicide and depression - as I too have suffered with it as well so finding an author write so forward about it was interesting for me> I found all the characters engaging and interesting and I enjoyed finding about them - I liked the moment when in the pub Faye told them to seize the moment and from then on in the story as I was hooked and I felt the fast paced ness began and you could really relate to the characters in the story
I loved the character interviews at the end I wish more could do that.

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As warned by the author, the book has a slow pace. But once you got hooked to its beautiful writing, reading the ups and downs, the flaw and the strength of the character, you can’t put this book (or ebook) down.

At first it was confusing to read as the book open with the monologue of someone who wants to commit suicide. We also got confused as to which character die due to suicide. The plot become clear half way through the book, and get interesting toward the end.

The author has switched POV from many characters on this book seamlessly. The reader won’t be confused because the name of the character will be written, so we know which POV the author use. And because of the multiple POVs, we could get a deep read to one personality along with their past, problem and musing about what they experience.

It also capture the mental illness, and illness that in my country is looked with a side eye. The book remind us that mental illness is real, and even though the person seems okay, they maybe not.

Please give this book a try, don’t be put out on the beginning. It’s worth to read especially for those whose interested in slice-of-life kind of book and mental health.

Thank you netgalley and the dissociated voice for providing the arc in exchange of honest review.

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This is a beautifully written book. It is a very well told personal story about mental health. Each character has their own individual struggle. Every characters struggle was written about with empathy.

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Book based on authors life. A little dark for me. The writing was ok found the characters dark. I'm sure for some it will be an enjoyable book but I try to stay away from dark reads. Still I gave it a 4 for her writing and subject matter.

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When I have read the synopsis of this story, I realize that the background of this story is suicide and depression. Two things that may be painful to read. But I strengthen my feelings and heart to explore the story that Sarah Marie Graye has made. Then the author also said that she has long struggled against depression. So I'm sure there is life in this story.
The five characters involved in this story are indeed exaggerated. This means the reader has to face a double POV that may be tricky. But it turns out Sarah Marie Graye made a very big move. Each character is told with very different properties. We will know when dialogue and discourse begin. So if you are still afraid of double characters, then do not be too much. You will not even be able to leave a single page.
Death and suicide are very frightening things, but it has already happened to Jack. What had Jack left since then? Faye, Abbie, and Olivia are trying to find strength and rise up. But it was very difficult. Each character will face fear and how depression passes through the heart. Every character has a wonderful friendship and story since was a child and it looks to be more clear. Then how is the life of every character to the University and continue to live their life up to the future? But what happens when one of them has to commit suicide?
I know what Faye felt like when she found Jack dead by suicide. When I get into the story, I finally feel that this novel is very difficult to accept. It's a very emotional story and even makes me feel desperate too. Stories are told very clearly and let all the beginning to end flow.
I think this is a very difficult story to write. But Sarah Marie Graye did her job very well. Especially when the authors also admit that has long resisted depression. So what is felt by the character may also be experienced by the author. In other words, the author really understands what kind of feelings of depression, hollow and despair.
The plot in this story will make us understand what true love really means. The power to appreciate feelings will not be defeated by anything. And the power to rise from depression is really to be found. The novels are binding, sensitive and completely emotionally draining.

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I quite enjoyed this book, especially with all the different references to tea across the whole story. Since reading this story, I’m in search of a cup of white tea.
The story following four ladies made me crave to one day properly visit Manchester. I enjoyed reading authentic relationship trials and joys between the friends and their partners, as well as dwelling in their past. Jack’s suicide is questioned throughout the story, while the characters mourn in their own way.
The character interviews at the end are a nice touch as the prologue.
Sadly, I got quite confused between all the different characters, which is why I gave it only 4 stars.
I suggest reading this one early in the morning, in your garden, listening to the birds with a cup of tea.

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Suicide is one of the hardest things to endure. My father and sister both took their own lives. This book will ring hope to any survivor of suicide. With great characters and enticing plot that engaged my thoughts from the beginning to end.

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This book was a difficult one to read, but also a very important one. After the hype of a recent TV series which was about the same topic - suicide, drugs, etc, I was drawn in by the description of this book. Though I am lucky enough to not have anyone die in this manner, I am unfortunately acquainted with people who contemplate this in their daily life, and the other sensitive topics are more common among everyone's circle than they realise.
It is a heart tearing and the lives of the four main characters are drawn in similar situations and life choices.

Sarah Graye has written a most important book, which I recommend everyone to pick up and read. She really delves into your mind and soul with the difficult subjects she touches. Highest praise for this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

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The Second Cup by Sarah Marie Graye is a very emotional and engaging read.
The book is written from different viewpoints and it really allows to get to know characters by masterfully intertwining snippets of their past and present lives into the story.
It is a book that carries emotional depth, dealing with suicide, depression and failed relationships and is beautifully written.
I would definitely recommend this book.

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This debut novel from Sarah Marie Graye focuses on the effect suicide has on those who are left behind.

It examines the lives of four friends, all affected by the impact of Jack's suicide in different ways and told from each of their viewpoints.

The topic of suicide, along with mental health and depression is often taboo and the author provides plenty of food for thought as the reader explores each character's decisions, reactions and the subsequent impact on each of their lives alongside the idea that one action can trigger a butterfly effect.

This is quite a difficult read, but certainly a thought-provoking one.

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Not the easiest of topics to read about, but the author doesn’t shy away from showing the effects of a friend’s suicide on the friendship group. Such is the fate dealt to a group of university friends when they learn about Jack’s suicide. Their different ways of coping with the news proves there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
This book packs a punch when it comes to the emotional effect of their friend’s death. Told from multiple viewpoints, the result is a multi-layered insight into what it means to be human, how we adopt different coping mechanisms when faced with the same set of circumstances. Well-written and paced to reflect the nuances of emotions of the main characters as well as that of Jack an the decision he took.

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