Please, Wake Up

by Nicholas Beardsley

Daniel “Boone” Harker has carried the weight of his childhood for as long as he can remember.

When two teens vanish from Picker’s Creek, Ohio, Boone’s reality begins to fracture, blurring the line between what is real and what exists only in his mind.

As buried trauma resurfaces, Boone becomes convinced that only he can help them. If he can keep them safe, everything will be okay.

If they’d only wake up.

Please, Wake Up is a psychological horror novella centered on trauma, grief, and mental illness.

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2026

Reviews

[Taylor Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, creepy, but really loved it. Quick and easy. If you don't have a strong stomach, I wouldn't recommend proceeding lol

[Mac Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressive debut novella, the first chapter sits you firmly in place in order to read the tragic rest. Poor Boone, this kid has a rough life…

[Bellows reads quietly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter one is as hard hitting as any Chapter one can be. I’d gone in blind to this Novella and boy, did that set the tone. What follows is a compelling study of sadness and loss. I was with the main character, Boone, every step of the way as his mind begins to unravel. Riveting, melancholic, disturbing. And the last chapter, as hard hitting as any last chapter can be.

[Joy Clees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I had high hopes for this debut and it was beyond those. An instant classic! A great mix of classic horror we don’t get much of these days. Quick read but highly recommended! Can’t wait for the next!

[Mari Vandenbroek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down man! Loved it. I can’t wait to read more from this author! Twisted and haunting and just messed up in all the good ways we like our thrillers to be!

[Katlyn Hart]

I read the whole thing in one sitting and I loved it! Had me hooked from the beginning. For such a short novel, it had me emotionally invested. I look forward to the author writing more!

My only “complaint” was that I wish it was a bit longer and more drawn out, but it’s perfect for a novella and for an author’s first book. So happy to know the author is local and writing in the setting of NW Ohio. Definitely recommend to anyone who likes psychological thriller and crime stories.

[Lisa Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

This is not what I usually read, but it was a riveting short mystery of the mind and what it can do. The author wrote it well. The story of a boy who faced death with a young mind unable to comprehend. Good story with twists and turns. Descriptive of both good and bad. Touching, sad, riveting and scary. Written to make you want to read on. I would not recommend it for overly impressionable under age children. After all, it is a thriller, but, I truly enjoyed it. Like watching an intense 2 hour movie.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic allegory of generational trauma, this book had me on the edge of my seat from the first page. A coming of age story, woven with horror and psychological damage, Nicholas Beardsley takes the reader on a thrilling journey through a shattered life.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Such a great book, had me hooked right away until the very end! I will definitely tell people they need to read this one.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great debut novella! I was absolutely stunned and hooked from chapter one. Sat with it and read it all in a single sitting. Nicolas has a bright future ahead with hopefully many more stories to come. I will be reading them all, happy to add them to my bookshelf.