What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sooner I Go
Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Paige Toon, this suspenseful new adult romance follows an eighteen-year-old woman reeling from loss as she’s drawn into an unexpected attraction—one that might expose the secrets she’s tried to bury.
Seven months after her boyfriend and parents die tragically on the same night, eighteen-year-old Brynn—once an aspiring singer, now desperate for any paying gig that will keep her from ending up on the streets—sets out to rebuild her shattered world. At her new ad agency job, she’s distracted by enigmatic twenty-year-old Micah. Their enemies-to-lovers attraction ignites as both struggle with secrets that could jeopardize far more than just their budding relationship.
After things turn romantic with Brynn, Micah’s psychosis becomes harder to conceal. Living with his disorder has cost him relationships before, including with his estranged father; now he fears Brynn will become the next casualty.
Things are already complicated enough before a mystery girl from Brynn’s boyfriend’s past comes forward with threatening information and unfinished business of her own. Will she reveal Brynn’s secret—and steal Micah away from her in the process?
Seven months after her boyfriend and parents die tragically on the same night, eighteen-year-old Brynn—once an aspiring singer, now desperate for any paying gig that will keep her from ending up on the streets—sets out to rebuild her shattered world. At her new ad agency job, she’s distracted by enigmatic twenty-year-old Micah. Their enemies-to-lovers attraction ignites as both struggle with secrets that could jeopardize far more than just their budding relationship.
After things turn romantic with Brynn, Micah’s psychosis becomes harder to conceal. Living with his disorder has cost him relationships before, including with his estranged father; now he fears Brynn will become the next casualty.
Things are already complicated enough before a mystery girl from Brynn’s boyfriend’s past comes forward with threatening information and unfinished business of her own. Will she reveal Brynn’s secret—and steal Micah away from her in the process?
376 pages, Paperback
Published March 10, 2026
About the author
Heather Cumiskey
4 books60 followersHeather Cumiskey is the award-winning author of the popular YA crossover titles I LIKE YOU LIKE THIS and I LOVE YOU LIKE THAT.
THE SOONER I GO is her first New Adult Romantic Suspense. She writes about messy characters and social issues in the hopes that her books will spark compassion and conversation.
Raised in Garden City, New York, she was working in fashion in New York City when she rediscovered her first love of writing. Heather now lives outside of Baltimore, Maryland, with her family and a spunky cockapoo named Waffles.
THE SOONER I GO is her first New Adult Romantic Suspense. She writes about messy characters and social issues in the hopes that her books will spark compassion and conversation.
Raised in Garden City, New York, she was working in fashion in New York City when she rediscovered her first love of writing. Heather now lives outside of Baltimore, Maryland, with her family and a spunky cockapoo named Waffles.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 5, 2026
I fell into this book so quickly. Highly recommend!
March 16, 2026
Thank you Booksparks for this gifted advanced reading copy and the opportunity to be a part of the Winter Reading Challenge!
The Sooner I Go is my first book by Heather Cumiskey and there was so much about it that I enjoyed. The mental health aspect is what ultimately won my heart though. Watching our main male character, Micah, struggle to deal with his schizophrenia and psychosis in his daily life, as well as in his relationships, adds the "real life" touch that I absolutely adore in novels. Throughout the story, Micah makes some really significant changes in his life; changes that will help his mental health and also help him repair and build relationships with his family. I loved the confidence and strength that these changes took. His character was, hands down, my favorite.
I struggled with the MFC, Brynn. Initially, my heart broke for her. Her story is tragic and sad; no one, especially an 18-year-old child, should have to suffer the loss of both parents and her boyfriend, especially not in the same night. There's more to Brynn's story though and as you get deeper into what happened the night of her parent's and boyfriend's deaths, your opinion of her might change.
This didn't really hit the romance mark for me. Suspense? Yes, definitely- lots of it- and I LOVE suspense! I liked that this was told from a dual POV- the story flowed smoothly and the author's writing will definitely keep your attention! I would definitely suggest getting this one on your TBR!
The Sooner I Go is my first book by Heather Cumiskey and there was so much about it that I enjoyed. The mental health aspect is what ultimately won my heart though. Watching our main male character, Micah, struggle to deal with his schizophrenia and psychosis in his daily life, as well as in his relationships, adds the "real life" touch that I absolutely adore in novels. Throughout the story, Micah makes some really significant changes in his life; changes that will help his mental health and also help him repair and build relationships with his family. I loved the confidence and strength that these changes took. His character was, hands down, my favorite.
I struggled with the MFC, Brynn. Initially, my heart broke for her. Her story is tragic and sad; no one, especially an 18-year-old child, should have to suffer the loss of both parents and her boyfriend, especially not in the same night. There's more to Brynn's story though and as you get deeper into what happened the night of her parent's and boyfriend's deaths, your opinion of her might change.
This didn't really hit the romance mark for me. Suspense? Yes, definitely- lots of it- and I LOVE suspense! I liked that this was told from a dual POV- the story flowed smoothly and the author's writing will definitely keep your attention! I would definitely suggest getting this one on your TBR!
March 15, 2026
I went into this expecting a romance with some mystery layered on top. What I got was a suspense novel with a romance woven through it, and I couldn’t get enough. The dual POV set up between Micah and Brynn really works to build the juicy tension.
The mental health rep is where this book really earns it. Micah’s internal narrative surrounding his psychosis is raw and specific in a way that never feels like a plot device. His fear that his disorder will cost him Brynn the way it has cost him everything else sits at the center of the story, and Cumiskey handles it with real care. It felt like a character, not a checkbox.
And then the twist. I was not prepared. My jaw was on the floor and I immediately wanted to flip back to page one to find everything I missed.
Huge thank you to the author, She Writes Press, and BookSparks for the gifted copy!
The mental health rep is where this book really earns it. Micah’s internal narrative surrounding his psychosis is raw and specific in a way that never feels like a plot device. His fear that his disorder will cost him Brynn the way it has cost him everything else sits at the center of the story, and Cumiskey handles it with real care. It felt like a character, not a checkbox.
And then the twist. I was not prepared. My jaw was on the floor and I immediately wanted to flip back to page one to find everything I missed.
Huge thank you to the author, She Writes Press, and BookSparks for the gifted copy!
March 7, 2026
I received an ARC of The Sooner I Go thanks to the publisher through Edelweiss Plus in exchange for an honest review.
I gave three stars, which is probably harsh, but I really hated the twist ending. I loved the two main characters and it was an excellent portrayal of schizophrenia. But that last 20%… Others will likely love it so I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading it. It might be most interesting for those who love whodunits and suspense and mystery. There is romance and it’s well done but romance readers may want to skip this one.
I gave three stars, which is probably harsh, but I really hated the twist ending. I loved the two main characters and it was an excellent portrayal of schizophrenia. But that last 20%… Others will likely love it so I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading it. It might be most interesting for those who love whodunits and suspense and mystery. There is romance and it’s well done but romance readers may want to skip this one.
March 16, 2026
🌟 🆂🅴🆅🅴🅽 🅻🅸🆃 🆃🅷🅸🅽🅶🆂 🌟
Thanks to @Booksparks for inviting me to be an ambassador for the Great Indoors Winter Reader Challenge #WRC2026. The Book Club Mix track ends with Heather Cumiskey’s romantic suspense 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑰 𝑮𝒐. Below, I include 7 Lit Things that resonated with me as I read this book:
1. 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩?
- Brynn was the one I cheered for from the beginning. She’s young, grieving, and carrying more loss than she should—yet she keeps trying to rebuild a life that feels fragile and unfamiliar.
2. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚?
- The romance develops amidst the wreckage of two people brought together by fear, secrets, and the quiet hope of being understood.
3. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙤𝙧, 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜?
- It leans more into heart and healing than humor, focusing on small moments where Brynn tries again or lets someone in. It’s about surviving yourself as much as surviving loss.
4. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩:
- Grief, secrecy, identity, and learning to be a person again after life rearranges you. The emotional weight is central to the story.
5. 𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡?
- Yes, it’s cautious and tender, the kind of spark that forms when two bruised hearts decide whether love is worth the risk again.
6. 𝙒𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨?
- Yes, for readers who enjoy romance intertwined with heaviness and human messiness—where love exists alongside pain rather than eliminating it.
7. 𝙒𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙮?
- I wanted more space for Brynn’s personal healing. I recognize the deep grief, but her voice and growth beyond romance and mystery are also necessary.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏷 #TheSoonerIGo #HeatherCumiskey #Booksparks #WRC2026 #WinterReadingChallenge #BookClubMix #Bookstagram #CandiceReviews #CandiceReads #HaleYeahBooks #wellreadblackgirl
Thanks to @Booksparks for inviting me to be an ambassador for the Great Indoors Winter Reader Challenge #WRC2026. The Book Club Mix track ends with Heather Cumiskey’s romantic suspense 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑰 𝑮𝒐. Below, I include 7 Lit Things that resonated with me as I read this book:
1. 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩?
- Brynn was the one I cheered for from the beginning. She’s young, grieving, and carrying more loss than she should—yet she keeps trying to rebuild a life that feels fragile and unfamiliar.
2. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚?
- The romance develops amidst the wreckage of two people brought together by fear, secrets, and the quiet hope of being understood.
3. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙤𝙧, 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜?
- It leans more into heart and healing than humor, focusing on small moments where Brynn tries again or lets someone in. It’s about surviving yourself as much as surviving loss.
4. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩:
- Grief, secrecy, identity, and learning to be a person again after life rearranges you. The emotional weight is central to the story.
5. 𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡?
- Yes, it’s cautious and tender, the kind of spark that forms when two bruised hearts decide whether love is worth the risk again.
6. 𝙒𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨?
- Yes, for readers who enjoy romance intertwined with heaviness and human messiness—where love exists alongside pain rather than eliminating it.
7. 𝙒𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙮?
- I wanted more space for Brynn’s personal healing. I recognize the deep grief, but her voice and growth beyond romance and mystery are also necessary.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🏷 #TheSoonerIGo #HeatherCumiskey #Booksparks #WRC2026 #WinterReadingChallenge #BookClubMix #Bookstagram #CandiceReviews #CandiceReads #HaleYeahBooks #wellreadblackgirl
April 15, 2026
The Sooner I Go
by Heather Cumiskey
Thank you to BookSpark for the ARC.
The Sooner I Go is one of those books that gets marketed as a romance but reads much closer to suspense with a relationship running through the middle of it. If you go in expecting a traditional love story, it may not land the way you want. If you treat it as a character driven suspense with emotional stakes, it works better.
The strongest part of the book is Micah. His experience with psychosis is handled with a level of care and detail that feels intentional rather than performative. His internal conflict, especially the fear of hurting the people he cares about, carries real weight and ends up being the emotional center of the story.
Brynn is more complicated. Her situation is undeniably tragic, and early on it is easy to sympathize with her. As more of her story comes into focus, that connection becomes less straightforward. Whether that works will depend on the reader, but it does add to the tension the book is trying to build.
The pacing is solid, and the dual POV keeps things moving. There is a steady sense that something is off, and the suspense elements are effective enough to keep you turning pages. The shift in the final stretch, though, is where it will likely divide readers. It is a bold choice, but not necessarily a satisfying one for everyone.
Overall, it is a well written, tension driven story that leans more into mystery and psychological elements than romance, with strong character work carrying most of the impact.
3 stars.
by Heather Cumiskey
Thank you to BookSpark for the ARC.
The Sooner I Go is one of those books that gets marketed as a romance but reads much closer to suspense with a relationship running through the middle of it. If you go in expecting a traditional love story, it may not land the way you want. If you treat it as a character driven suspense with emotional stakes, it works better.
The strongest part of the book is Micah. His experience with psychosis is handled with a level of care and detail that feels intentional rather than performative. His internal conflict, especially the fear of hurting the people he cares about, carries real weight and ends up being the emotional center of the story.
Brynn is more complicated. Her situation is undeniably tragic, and early on it is easy to sympathize with her. As more of her story comes into focus, that connection becomes less straightforward. Whether that works will depend on the reader, but it does add to the tension the book is trying to build.
The pacing is solid, and the dual POV keeps things moving. There is a steady sense that something is off, and the suspense elements are effective enough to keep you turning pages. The shift in the final stretch, though, is where it will likely divide readers. It is a bold choice, but not necessarily a satisfying one for everyone.
Overall, it is a well written, tension driven story that leans more into mystery and psychological elements than romance, with strong character work carrying most of the impact.
3 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Full disclosure: I was given an ARC of this book from SparkPoint Studio in exchange for an honest review.
Content warning: this review discusses mental health.
Colleen Hoover is one of the most popular authors in the last five years. Readers have devoured her new adult books involving romances between troubled people, and two of them have already been made into movies. As of now, other authors are boarding the Hoover train with their own stories. One of them is Heather Cumiskey, whose latest novel, "The Sooner I Go," involves similar themes. It’s a really good romance suspense novel with an excellent twist.
To read more of this review, click on this link: https://chick-who-reads-everything.co...
Content warning: this review discusses mental health.
Colleen Hoover is one of the most popular authors in the last five years. Readers have devoured her new adult books involving romances between troubled people, and two of them have already been made into movies. As of now, other authors are boarding the Hoover train with their own stories. One of them is Heather Cumiskey, whose latest novel, "The Sooner I Go," involves similar themes. It’s a really good romance suspense novel with an excellent twist.
To read more of this review, click on this link: https://chick-who-reads-everything.co...
April 3, 2026
The Sooner I Go by Heather Cumiskey is an emotionally intense and suspenseful romance that dives deep into grief, trauma, and complicated love.
What stands out is the layered emotional conflict Brynn’s struggle to rebuild her life after devastating loss is both raw and relatable, while Micah’s internal battle adds depth and unpredictability to the story. The blend of romance, mental health themes, and underlying mystery creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers invested.
With its mix of vulnerability, tension, and passion, this book will resonate strongly with fans of emotionally driven new adult fiction.
What stands out is the layered emotional conflict Brynn’s struggle to rebuild her life after devastating loss is both raw and relatable, while Micah’s internal battle adds depth and unpredictability to the story. The blend of romance, mental health themes, and underlying mystery creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers invested.
With its mix of vulnerability, tension, and passion, this book will resonate strongly with fans of emotionally driven new adult fiction.
July 7, 2026
The Sooner I go is an intriguing mystery filled with suspense, an unpredictable romance, and a cautionary story of misleading first impressions. It will leave you second-guessing as the story unfolds. I was especially drawn to the character Micah who suffers from mental health stigma. All the characters are complex and likable, yet the truth seems unattainable given their varying motives. I found the novel engaging from the onset and sustained my interest – it’s well written and a worthwhile read; a solid 5-star.
June 29, 2026
I liked that the narrator was unreliable. it was a bit slow at places because it was smut heavy and i had too push too finish it for sure. probably my last romance of the summet but a good book considering how i dont like the genre. But she did a very good job.
March 10, 2026
Damnnnnnnn!
June 18, 2026
Engaging and fascinating characters you can’t help but like! Great story set up with shocking twists. A must read!
March 13, 2026
Okay, I know the one-star rating and DNF may seem harsh, since this book has received several five-star reviews, but I tried to connect with the characters and just couldn't. I love romantic suspense novels and mental health rep. So it wasn't the genre, tropes, or subcategories that weren't my "thing," I am new to Heather Cumiskey's writing, so it could have been that, or it's just the fact that I didn't find anything likable about Brynn or Micah. I didn't give up right away either; I picked up the book several times and read a few chapters each time, I stopped at chapter
more to follow
more to follow
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews