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Dit verhaal kan je leven redden: Is hij haar beste vriend of haar moordenaar?
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend—and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire.
The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny will stop at nothing to find them, even as the police zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world—and from each other.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2026
6571 people are currently reading
161241 people want to read
About the author
Tiffany Crum
1 book478 followersTiffany Crum is the author of This Story Might Save Your Life, forthcoming in March 2026 from Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar. A longtime Californian, she now lives in Atlanta with her husband, sons, and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,596 reviews
January 15, 2026
4.5* Wow I absolutely loved this. I mostly listened to the audiobook (which I HIGHLY recommend btw) but the writing itself is just excellent. I couldn’t put it down and when I had to, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up.
It’s actually really hard to pin down the genre of this one, it felt like a mix of thriller, mystery, contemporary romance, and maybe even romcom? Whatever it is, I was completely hooked the whole way through. What a beautifully devastating, emotional, twisty, crazy ride!
Thank you Lavender Public Relations & Flatiron Books for the ARC!
It’s actually really hard to pin down the genre of this one, it felt like a mix of thriller, mystery, contemporary romance, and maybe even romcom? Whatever it is, I was completely hooked the whole way through. What a beautifully devastating, emotional, twisty, crazy ride!
Thank you Lavender Public Relations & Flatiron Books for the ARC!
January 24, 2026
Hang on while I swoon! A truly magical novel full of poignant friendships, manipulative liars, and well-hidden secrets, This Story Might Save Your Life was beyond a slam dunk for this thriller lover. From the puzzle-like mystery to the onion-like plotting, while the storyline was complete and utter perfection, the characters were what made this book dig itself deep into my soul. I mean, who wouldn’t fall in love with Benny and Joy? With their playful banter, which was packed with sarcastic humor, and their easy way with one another, I quickly fell in love with both of them in turn thanks to their dual POVs. That being said, once the s*** hit the fan, not even they were above my side-eye glances of outright suspicion. After all, I knew that there were some serious things going down in this fracturing—or blossoming—love story of three. Heart-rending and dark, it had that *chef’s kiss* feel that you only ever find in a truly special novel.
What exactly, though, made me fly through the pages at an always increasing speed? Well, between the shocking, plot-shifting twists and the huge number of cliffhanger chapters, this book was the epitome of nuanced charm and spine-tingling chills. Somehow walking the line just so between a B.A. Paris-esque domestic thriller and a heart-melting romance in the vein of Jeneva Rose, it had everything I look for when adding a book to my list of the top books of the year. With a constant sense of impending doom and backstories that not only fleshed out the characters but added some much-loved complexity to the underlying mystery of what happened to Joy, my fingers flew through the chapters as I yearned to learn all of the whos, whats, and whys. All said and done, I am utterly blown away by this stunning debut and can’t wait to see what this insanely talented author comes up with next! Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend—and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire.
The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world—and from each other.
Thank you to Tiffany Crum, Flatiron Books, and Lavender Public Relations for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 10, 2026
Content warning: narcolepsy, missing person, miscarriage, stalking, gaslighting, domestic abuse, miscarriage, violence, mention of: divorce, cancer
What exactly, though, made me fly through the pages at an always increasing speed? Well, between the shocking, plot-shifting twists and the huge number of cliffhanger chapters, this book was the epitome of nuanced charm and spine-tingling chills. Somehow walking the line just so between a B.A. Paris-esque domestic thriller and a heart-melting romance in the vein of Jeneva Rose, it had everything I look for when adding a book to my list of the top books of the year. With a constant sense of impending doom and backstories that not only fleshed out the characters but added some much-loved complexity to the underlying mystery of what happened to Joy, my fingers flew through the chapters as I yearned to learn all of the whos, whats, and whys. All said and done, I am utterly blown away by this stunning debut and can’t wait to see what this insanely talented author comes up with next! Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend—and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire.
The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny is desperate to find them, even when the police soon zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world—and from each other.
Thank you to Tiffany Crum, Flatiron Books, and Lavender Public Relations for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 10, 2026
Content warning: narcolepsy, missing person, miscarriage, stalking, gaslighting, domestic abuse, miscarriage, violence, mention of: divorce, cancer
March 17, 2026
I’m not really sure what to say about This Story Might Save Your Life; it's difficult to see why it's being hyped among the new releases because nothing about it was particularly well done.
Genre-wise, it's a mash-up of mystery/thriller and romance, the latter being unveiled through flashbacks. I was turned off the romantic aspect pretty quickly because the two protagonists have that kind of goofy dumb personality that makes them seem like overgrown children— fine for friendship, maybe, or a brother/sister dynamic, but not great for romantic chemistry. I was so uninterested in the romance.
The narrative is split between the present day, mostly Benny's perspective, where Joy and her husband have gone missing from their home, and extracts from the memoir Joy had been writing. The memoir gradually fills us in on the backstory of Joy and Benny, their spouses, and how they came to start a podcast, while the present of the novel largely dithers about, only prolonging the mystery because it takes so long for the characters to have a conversation with each other.
Even outside of the romance, the tension was not supplied in the right places, in my opinion. The author makes the strange decision to answer a lot of central questions at the novel's midpoint, leaving little to read on for.
There is perhaps one theme that some readers may find interesting, but I'd be surprised if seasoned mystery readers do anything more than roll their eyes at yet another example of this trope. Those with potential triggers may want to note:
Genre-wise, it's a mash-up of mystery/thriller and romance, the latter being unveiled through flashbacks. I was turned off the romantic aspect pretty quickly because the two protagonists have that kind of goofy dumb personality that makes them seem like overgrown children— fine for friendship, maybe, or a brother/sister dynamic, but not great for romantic chemistry. I was so uninterested in the romance.
The narrative is split between the present day, mostly Benny's perspective, where Joy and her husband have gone missing from their home, and extracts from the memoir Joy had been writing. The memoir gradually fills us in on the backstory of Joy and Benny, their spouses, and how they came to start a podcast, while the present of the novel largely dithers about, only prolonging the mystery because it takes so long for the characters to have a conversation with each other.
Even outside of the romance, the tension was not supplied in the right places, in my opinion. The author makes the strange decision to answer a lot of central questions at the novel's midpoint, leaving little to read on for.
There is perhaps one theme that some readers may find interesting, but I'd be surprised if seasoned mystery readers do anything more than roll their eyes at yet another example of this trope. Those with potential triggers may want to note:
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh my goodness, this book is getting all the rave reviews and for very good reason— it is quite the debut! “If Lisa Jewel and Emily Henry co-wrote a book” is the most apt description of this book. This Story Might Save Your Life is an incredible genre mashup that uses the podcast element, but in a way that keeps it fresh and fun.
The atmospheric nature was C-R-E-E-P-Y (very things that go bump in the night at times) and I could not get enough. The characters were sooooo intriguing, and the back-and-forth timeline showing the before and after really helped me to connect with them even more. And because of the multiple genres, the story had a terrific steady drum beat of a storyline, never letting up whether on the mystery, the romance, or drama for the entire read. In other words, Crum had notable pitch-perfect pacing, pretty freakin impressive for a debut novel.
I read this mostly as an immersive read, listening to the audio while following along with the physical book. I have to say, the audiobook is perfection. Am I biased because my favorite narrator in the world, Julia Whelan, narrates it? Perhaps. But also, this A+ audiobook included snippets of multimedia not in the print version!! Like how cool is that?!
It is hard to say much more without spoiling anything, but I will leave you with this— TSMSYL is a must-read and will most definitely be making my favorites list of 2026 in both formats. And Tiffany Crum has a fan in me for life if her next book is anything like this one.
Read if you like:
-genre mashups
-character-driven stories
-podcast element
-mixed media (included only on audio)
-romance subplot
-atmospheric stories
-bingeable books
Comps: The Love of My Life, Listen for the Lie
Publishes March 10, 2026
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
. . . . . . . .
NOTES WHILE READING:
100% done! This is an absolutely fabulous debut. Full review to come.
50% update - This book is so dang good. It’s so eerie especially on audio with snippets of podcasts and phone call dispatches only present in the audiobook. I cannot get enough but am also so creeped out in the best way.
The atmospheric nature was C-R-E-E-P-Y (very things that go bump in the night at times) and I could not get enough. The characters were sooooo intriguing, and the back-and-forth timeline showing the before and after really helped me to connect with them even more. And because of the multiple genres, the story had a terrific steady drum beat of a storyline, never letting up whether on the mystery, the romance, or drama for the entire read. In other words, Crum had notable pitch-perfect pacing, pretty freakin impressive for a debut novel.
I read this mostly as an immersive read, listening to the audio while following along with the physical book. I have to say, the audiobook is perfection. Am I biased because my favorite narrator in the world, Julia Whelan, narrates it? Perhaps. But also, this A+ audiobook included snippets of multimedia not in the print version!! Like how cool is that?!
It is hard to say much more without spoiling anything, but I will leave you with this— TSMSYL is a must-read and will most definitely be making my favorites list of 2026 in both formats. And Tiffany Crum has a fan in me for life if her next book is anything like this one.
Read if you like:
-genre mashups
-character-driven stories
-podcast element
-mixed media (included only on audio)
-romance subplot
-atmospheric stories
-bingeable books
Comps: The Love of My Life, Listen for the Lie
Publishes March 10, 2026
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
. . . . . . . .
NOTES WHILE READING:
100% done! This is an absolutely fabulous debut. Full review to come.
50% update - This book is so dang good. It’s so eerie especially on audio with snippets of podcasts and phone call dispatches only present in the audiobook. I cannot get enough but am also so creeped out in the best way.
March 4, 2026
4.5 rounded to 5 for GR! saw this getting a ton of early buzz and guys... it's worth the hype!!!
this will be a hot debut when it's out on 3/10. it follows two famous bestie podcasters and one goes missing with her husband... and you won't believe the secrets being kept 👀
read if you like: THESE SUMMER STORMS with some mystery/missing person plot?!?!
this is a tough one to characterize and explain! honestly it's a genre bender—you have lit fic, romance and suspense/ thriller. but it’s not heavier on one or the other and i don’t want the “thriller” note to scare people away bc it doesn’t feel like a true thriller at ALL!
also this is SO fun and terrific on audio, dual narrated with Julia Whelan as one!
i loved Benny so much 🥹🥹🥹🥹 this story went in SOOO many different ways i wasn’t expecting and that’s what made it so fun. i feel like there were a few plot holes and unanswered questions for me which is why it doesn’t get 5 (as well as a bit of pacing slowness halfway) but honestly this will for sure be a fave read of 2025 for me! it felt unique, it was creative, i loved the characters, it grabbed me immediately and i was always thinking about it when i wasnt listening. loved the ending a lot. honestly this covered soooo many diff topics i’m shocked the author fit it all into one.
pick it up and thank me later!!! big thanks to Flatiron for the gifted early copy and Netgalley for the ALC 🎧🩷
this will be a hot debut when it's out on 3/10. it follows two famous bestie podcasters and one goes missing with her husband... and you won't believe the secrets being kept 👀
read if you like: THESE SUMMER STORMS with some mystery/missing person plot?!?!
this is a tough one to characterize and explain! honestly it's a genre bender—you have lit fic, romance and suspense/ thriller. but it’s not heavier on one or the other and i don’t want the “thriller” note to scare people away bc it doesn’t feel like a true thriller at ALL!
also this is SO fun and terrific on audio, dual narrated with Julia Whelan as one!
i loved Benny so much 🥹🥹🥹🥹 this story went in SOOO many different ways i wasn’t expecting and that’s what made it so fun. i feel like there were a few plot holes and unanswered questions for me which is why it doesn’t get 5 (as well as a bit of pacing slowness halfway) but honestly this will for sure be a fave read of 2025 for me! it felt unique, it was creative, i loved the characters, it grabbed me immediately and i was always thinking about it when i wasnt listening. loved the ending a lot. honestly this covered soooo many diff topics i’m shocked the author fit it all into one.
pick it up and thank me later!!! big thanks to Flatiron for the gifted early copy and Netgalley for the ALC 🎧🩷
March 15, 2026
SPECTACULAR… GIVE ME 14 OF THOSE
This Story Might Save Your Life is about best friends Benny and Joy, hosts of a popular "comedy survival" podcast. When Joy disappears and her house shows signs of a struggle, Benny becomes the prime suspect, forcing him to uncover the dark secrets in her life in order to find her.
It’s been a minute since a book has stolen my attention the way this one did!
Firstly, if you pick this one up I highly recommend the audiobook!
OMG what an entertaining listen this novel was! The narrators did a fantastic job, and I truly didn’t want the book to end. I don’t personally know the narrators Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkin, but if they would like to go ahead and just narrate all future book releases I certainly wouldn’t object!
As an avid thriller reader, I didn’t think I would be so consumed by the evident love story that was mixed into the mystery, but I ATE IT UP!. The book is categorised as a thriller, but it read more of a contemporary romance mystery.
I want to follow Joy and Benny for the rest of their lives! Their characters were a joy (😏) to read and they came off so realistic and likeable. I would love to be a part of their friendship group.
As I dived deeper into the story and reveals were announced I was shocked! I didn’t see it coming and my heart ached for the realities of what people go through behind closed doors. This is what I enjoyed most about the story. It was raw, real and really highlighted the complexities of adult relationships. It really drew me in!
Ok so who else welled up at the ending!? It was giving nostalgia for a podcast that I haven’t ever listened to before let alone the fact it doesn’t even exist. LOL. I just wanted it to go on and on forever.
This is a must LISTEN too experience… I’m talking a one sit read! It really is not to be missed!
Again… Julia and Sean if you would like to just get together and collab on all future books or even start your own book podcasts… WE WOULD NOT OBJECT!
Ms. Tiffany Crum you are officially on my auto buy list!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I don't know whether its the cover art or the synopsis...
But i have been sooo buzzed to read this book!
Dropping my current read to hop straight into this one!
🤍🩷🤍🩷
This Story Might Save Your Life is about best friends Benny and Joy, hosts of a popular "comedy survival" podcast. When Joy disappears and her house shows signs of a struggle, Benny becomes the prime suspect, forcing him to uncover the dark secrets in her life in order to find her.
It’s been a minute since a book has stolen my attention the way this one did!
Firstly, if you pick this one up I highly recommend the audiobook!
OMG what an entertaining listen this novel was! The narrators did a fantastic job, and I truly didn’t want the book to end. I don’t personally know the narrators Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkin, but if they would like to go ahead and just narrate all future book releases I certainly wouldn’t object!
As an avid thriller reader, I didn’t think I would be so consumed by the evident love story that was mixed into the mystery, but I ATE IT UP!. The book is categorised as a thriller, but it read more of a contemporary romance mystery.
I want to follow Joy and Benny for the rest of their lives! Their characters were a joy (😏) to read and they came off so realistic and likeable. I would love to be a part of their friendship group.
As I dived deeper into the story and reveals were announced I was shocked! I didn’t see it coming and my heart ached for the realities of what people go through behind closed doors. This is what I enjoyed most about the story. It was raw, real and really highlighted the complexities of adult relationships. It really drew me in!
Ok so who else welled up at the ending!? It was giving nostalgia for a podcast that I haven’t ever listened to before let alone the fact it doesn’t even exist. LOL. I just wanted it to go on and on forever.
This is a must LISTEN too experience… I’m talking a one sit read! It really is not to be missed!
Again… Julia and Sean if you would like to just get together and collab on all future books or even start your own book podcasts… WE WOULD NOT OBJECT!
Ms. Tiffany Crum you are officially on my auto buy list!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I don't know whether its the cover art or the synopsis...
But i have been sooo buzzed to read this book!
Dropping my current read to hop straight into this one!
🤍🩷🤍🩷
January 30, 2026
Billed as a “riveting mystery” “a thriller” and a “love story”, for this reader it failed on all counts.
It failed as a rom-com (which I expected, perhaps, wrongly) because there’s no comedy. No snark, no witty banter. All things that I need in this genre. A straight up love story holds no interest for me.
It failed as a “mystery” because the mystery was pretty lame.
A thriller? Nope, not at all, not even a little bit.
The podcast banter was annoying and vacuous, and the overriding theme is tired and overused.
The narrators were excellent and the podcast format was well-done. But it was not enough to save the story for me.
The deus ex machina as the resolution did nothing to endear me to this story
* I received a digital audio via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
It failed as a rom-com (which I expected, perhaps, wrongly) because there’s no comedy. No snark, no witty banter. All things that I need in this genre. A straight up love story holds no interest for me.
It failed as a “mystery” because the mystery was pretty lame.
A thriller? Nope, not at all, not even a little bit.
The podcast banter was annoying and vacuous, and the overriding theme is tired and overused.
The narrators were excellent and the podcast format was well-done. But it was not enough to save the story for me.
The deus ex machina as the resolution did nothing to endear me to this story
* I received a digital audio via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
December 20, 2025
I did the audiobook in 24-hrs. I couldn’t put it down! It’s a bit of a genre bender and I recommend going in blindly and doing the audiobook!
March 17, 2026
In one of the most creative meet-cutes I’ve read, Benny Abbott meets Joy Moore when he wakes her from her sleep. No … this isn’t some Sleeping Beauty silliness. Joy is fast asleep on the floor outside a bar bathroom where her severe narcolepsy has decided it’s naptime. Yep, I’m all in. How can I NOT love this book?
This unusual first meeting is the beginning of a hilarious, heart-warming best friendship that eventually blossoms into a comedic podcast called This Story Might Save Your Life or TSMSYL for short. After beginning with Joy’s narcolepsy story, it features all manner of potentially life ending scenarios that they have to figure out how to avoid before the real answer is given.
They seem to be perfect for each other, but as so often happens in life, the timing isn’t perfect and they never bridge that gap from friendship to something more, with Joy marrying Xander instead, who becomes their podcast manager.
Things are going swimmingly, advertisers are onboard, the listenership is exploding, a live tour is scheduled and an extremely lucrative deal waits in the wings until everything goes spectacularly wrong …
Now Joy and Xander are missing and eyes are on Benny as the prime suspect.
What happened?!
That’s all you’re getting from me, because this is worth waiting for every detail that comes after and the less you know going into it the better!
I didn’t request this ARC when it came out, but after seeing SO many friends raving about it, I grabbed the audio and Kindle copies from my library for an immersion read, and I’m delighted I did. It’s delicious! The audio narrated by Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins is brilliant and they capture all the emotion of the story perfectly. I’m not into podcasts, but I’d listen to TSMSYL any day. The banter is hilarious and the audio includes a very fun bonus “episode” of the show.
Let me clarify something, though. People will see romance and mystery-thriller listed as the genres and probably roll their eyes, since those aren’t two genres that typically pair well, but Crum played this smart. I can only assure you that this isn’t sappy romance shoved awkwardly into a mystery-thriller narrative, and there’s also a heavier theme that I didn’t anticipate that turned this story into a whole different beast. For all the fun, there are serious topics explored and the insights into narcolepsy were fascinating.
Every time I had to set this down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. It’s riveting stuff and Benny and Joy are two of the most likable characters I’ve met. Their chapters alternate, so you’re seeing the story through both of their POVs - Benny’s directly and Joy’s both directly and through memoir chapters she’s writing. The short chapters and quick pacing kept me flying through this every chance I could get!
Tiffany Crum has written one of the best debuts I’ve read in ages and I’ll be eagerly watching for what she comes up with next!
★★★★★ ❤
This unusual first meeting is the beginning of a hilarious, heart-warming best friendship that eventually blossoms into a comedic podcast called This Story Might Save Your Life or TSMSYL for short. After beginning with Joy’s narcolepsy story, it features all manner of potentially life ending scenarios that they have to figure out how to avoid before the real answer is given.
They seem to be perfect for each other, but as so often happens in life, the timing isn’t perfect and they never bridge that gap from friendship to something more, with Joy marrying Xander instead, who becomes their podcast manager.
Things are going swimmingly, advertisers are onboard, the listenership is exploding, a live tour is scheduled and an extremely lucrative deal waits in the wings until everything goes spectacularly wrong …
Now Joy and Xander are missing and eyes are on Benny as the prime suspect.
What happened?!
That’s all you’re getting from me, because this is worth waiting for every detail that comes after and the less you know going into it the better!
I didn’t request this ARC when it came out, but after seeing SO many friends raving about it, I grabbed the audio and Kindle copies from my library for an immersion read, and I’m delighted I did. It’s delicious! The audio narrated by Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins is brilliant and they capture all the emotion of the story perfectly. I’m not into podcasts, but I’d listen to TSMSYL any day. The banter is hilarious and the audio includes a very fun bonus “episode” of the show.
Let me clarify something, though. People will see romance and mystery-thriller listed as the genres and probably roll their eyes, since those aren’t two genres that typically pair well, but Crum played this smart. I can only assure you that this isn’t sappy romance shoved awkwardly into a mystery-thriller narrative, and there’s also a heavier theme that I didn’t anticipate that turned this story into a whole different beast. For all the fun, there are serious topics explored and the insights into narcolepsy were fascinating.
Every time I had to set this down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. It’s riveting stuff and Benny and Joy are two of the most likable characters I’ve met. Their chapters alternate, so you’re seeing the story through both of their POVs - Benny’s directly and Joy’s both directly and through memoir chapters she’s writing. The short chapters and quick pacing kept me flying through this every chance I could get!
Tiffany Crum has written one of the best debuts I’ve read in ages and I’ll be eagerly watching for what she comes up with next!
★★★★★ ❤
March 10, 2026
Happy publication day!
Currently a GR giveaway going on.
4⭐
Genre ~ domestic fiction
Setting ~ California
Publication date ~ March 10, 2026
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 368 (unnumbered chapters + bonus podcast episode)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 39 minutes
Narrators ~ Julia Whelan, Sean Patrick Hopkins
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ debut, podcast, multiple timelines, narcolepsy
Triggers ~
Joy & Benny are best friends and beloved podcasters. When Joy and husband, Zander, go missing we get down to the nitty gritty of Joy and Benny friendship, and Joy and Zander's marriage. Through multiple timelines, old podcasts and an unfinished memoir we'll see that things are not always as they seem.
Overall, it starts off to seem like it'll be thriller, but I did not get thriller vibes throughout. More of a steadily paced slow burn mystery~ish. It's not hard to see where the story will go, it's all about the journey with this one. A solid debut.
Side note ~ I'm curious why the chapters are titled Joy Moore & Benny Abbott? I think just their first name would have sufficed, but I'm just being picky.
Narration notes:
Fabulous narration. Both did a wonderful job. Duet for the podcast and there are some callers about Joy sightings that really elevates the audio version.
Currently a GR giveaway going on.
4⭐
Genre ~ domestic fiction
Setting ~ California
Publication date ~ March 10, 2026
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 368 (unnumbered chapters + bonus podcast episode)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 39 minutes
Narrators ~ Julia Whelan, Sean Patrick Hopkins
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ debut, podcast, multiple timelines, narcolepsy
Triggers ~
Joy & Benny are best friends and beloved podcasters. When Joy and husband, Zander, go missing we get down to the nitty gritty of Joy and Benny friendship, and Joy and Zander's marriage. Through multiple timelines, old podcasts and an unfinished memoir we'll see that things are not always as they seem.
Overall, it starts off to seem like it'll be thriller, but I did not get thriller vibes throughout. More of a steadily paced slow burn mystery~ish. It's not hard to see where the story will go, it's all about the journey with this one. A solid debut.
Side note ~ I'm curious why the chapters are titled Joy Moore & Benny Abbott? I think just their first name would have sufficed, but I'm just being picky.
Narration notes:
Fabulous narration. Both did a wonderful job. Duet for the podcast and there are some callers about Joy sightings that really elevates the audio version.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum
Reading this was like going to a buffet, but one of those good buffets. Where it's like $100 a plate, with whole lobster, prime rib, 5 different cuts of steak and a salad bar that wraps around the block.
You like a good mystery? Read this book! You like some good romantic tension and missed opportunities?! Read this book! You like good thrill? Read this book! Need to get out of a slump? Any guesses what I'm going to say?.. Anyone?.. yup, you're going to go right ahead and READ THIS BOOK!
Every once in a while we get a true genre-fluid book. While it may be categorized by default, it can really be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. That is exactly what we have here. I'm sorry (I'm never that sorry), I know the arts are supposed to be subjective. But I really think disliking this book would be next to impossible and across from improbable.
This really should be on everybody's 2026 TBR!
lol ADHD side note.. I loved the Hitchcock cameo feel of the Macmillan shout out
Until next time
Hades
🩵
Reading this was like going to a buffet, but one of those good buffets. Where it's like $100 a plate, with whole lobster, prime rib, 5 different cuts of steak and a salad bar that wraps around the block.
You like a good mystery? Read this book! You like some good romantic tension and missed opportunities?! Read this book! You like good thrill? Read this book! Need to get out of a slump? Any guesses what I'm going to say?.. Anyone?.. yup, you're going to go right ahead and READ THIS BOOK!
Every once in a while we get a true genre-fluid book. While it may be categorized by default, it can really be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. That is exactly what we have here. I'm sorry (I'm never that sorry), I know the arts are supposed to be subjective. But I really think disliking this book would be next to impossible and across from improbable.
This really should be on everybody's 2026 TBR!
lol ADHD side note.. I loved the Hitchcock cameo feel of the Macmillan shout out
Until next time
Hades
🩵
March 5, 2026
2.5 stars.
I’m not the right reader.
Best friends Joy and Benny have a highly successful podcast based on survival skills. One of them doesn’t show up for a recording session which leads to a missing persons investigation.
I failed to connect with this book. The premise piqued my interest, but when I actually sat down and immersed myself within these pages, it felt silly and cheesy (on many levels). The podcast element had potential but I thought the comradery of the two main characters was awkward and forced. What should have been chummy banter felt cheesy. As the story progressed, I grew to become annoyed with the female main character.
I usually love a book within a book trope but this one didn’t work for me. The memoir portions did not ring true for how someone would write. Those sections were purely there to propel the story forward and fill the narrative gaps. It lacked any sort of believability.
There is a love triangle threaded throughout this book that had me rolling my eyes and cringing from start to finish. Had I known that romance was a main theme in this novel, I wouldn’t have requested it.
There were glimmers of suspense that kept me listening but nothing strong enough to make me feel any true investment. I simply didn’t care what was happening.
Overall, this was a miss for me. I found the entire plot to be silly. However, I encourage you to check out the many positive reviews as I am definitely the outlier!
Audio rating: overall 3.5 stars. Broken down by narrator. 4.5 stars for the male narrator. I loved his performance and thought he added depth and emotion to his character. 2 stars for the female narrator. Her voice changes for the male characters in her sections were extremely awkward and cringey. It took away any sort of enjoyment I had within her chapters. The audio elements such as static and playbacks of podcasts were a great addition to the listening experience.
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced listening copy!
I’m not the right reader.
Best friends Joy and Benny have a highly successful podcast based on survival skills. One of them doesn’t show up for a recording session which leads to a missing persons investigation.
I failed to connect with this book. The premise piqued my interest, but when I actually sat down and immersed myself within these pages, it felt silly and cheesy (on many levels). The podcast element had potential but I thought the comradery of the two main characters was awkward and forced. What should have been chummy banter felt cheesy. As the story progressed, I grew to become annoyed with the female main character.
I usually love a book within a book trope but this one didn’t work for me. The memoir portions did not ring true for how someone would write. Those sections were purely there to propel the story forward and fill the narrative gaps. It lacked any sort of believability.
There is a love triangle threaded throughout this book that had me rolling my eyes and cringing from start to finish. Had I known that romance was a main theme in this novel, I wouldn’t have requested it.
There were glimmers of suspense that kept me listening but nothing strong enough to make me feel any true investment. I simply didn’t care what was happening.
Overall, this was a miss for me. I found the entire plot to be silly. However, I encourage you to check out the many positive reviews as I am definitely the outlier!
Audio rating: overall 3.5 stars. Broken down by narrator. 4.5 stars for the male narrator. I loved his performance and thought he added depth and emotion to his character. 2 stars for the female narrator. Her voice changes for the male characters in her sections were extremely awkward and cringey. It took away any sort of enjoyment I had within her chapters. The audio elements such as static and playbacks of podcasts were a great addition to the listening experience.
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced listening copy!
January 29, 2026
In all my years of reading I think this is the first time I’ve ever started a year off with a 5 star read. Considering I requested this on NetGalley on a whim without reading any reviews or the synopsis (honestly I was mostly intrigued by the title) and it’s a DEBUT novel, there was really no way of knowing how this reading experience would go.
Spoiler alert: I LOVED IT. I skipped lunch today to keep reading, I don’t think I’ve ever been so engrossed in a storyline to skip a meal??? It’s the perfect mix of all my favourite genres, it’s part thriller, part romance and man it all works so well. It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, it’s so beautifully written that you will struggle to tear your eyes away from the pages. If you’re a fan of books with that podcast element, this is definitely one of the very best I’ve come across yet. I can only imagine how brilliant the audio version will be!!!!
I can’t tell you which POV or timeline I enjoyed more because ALL of them had me flying through the pages for answers. Everything is so perfectly wrapped up by the end and is more than satisfactory, I literally have zero complaints. This may not be for everyone expecting a traditional thriller, but for anyone who loves a good romance subplot - you’re in for such a treat. I can’t wait for this to hit shelves, I already know it’s going to be the book everyone is talking about!!!! Tiffany, I need you to start your next book ASAP!!!!
Spoiler alert: I LOVED IT. I skipped lunch today to keep reading, I don’t think I’ve ever been so engrossed in a storyline to skip a meal??? It’s the perfect mix of all my favourite genres, it’s part thriller, part romance and man it all works so well. It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, it’s so beautifully written that you will struggle to tear your eyes away from the pages. If you’re a fan of books with that podcast element, this is definitely one of the very best I’ve come across yet. I can only imagine how brilliant the audio version will be!!!!
I can’t tell you which POV or timeline I enjoyed more because ALL of them had me flying through the pages for answers. Everything is so perfectly wrapped up by the end and is more than satisfactory, I literally have zero complaints. This may not be for everyone expecting a traditional thriller, but for anyone who loves a good romance subplot - you’re in for such a treat. I can’t wait for this to hit shelves, I already know it’s going to be the book everyone is talking about!!!! Tiffany, I need you to start your next book ASAP!!!!
Read
March 8, 2026A joy to listen to on audiobook. Once I started listening to the audiobook of This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum, I couldn’t stop. I had to hit the pause button so that I could get a good night’s sleep. I usually listen to audiobooks while I fall asleep and I couldn’t resist listening to it so I had to listen to white noise instead. The narrators, Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins, are spectacular and enhanced the story. I’m not a romance lover and the amount of romance is minimal or maybe I just blocked it out. The audio production of the podcast recordings, the narration and the memoir made it immersive. I picked up the audiobook on the second day and finished it. I hope that all readers will get caught up in this mystery and join the hunt in the disappearance of Joy Moore. ALC was provided by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley. I received an audiobook listening copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 8, 2026
4⭐️ i immersive read this one with my book of the month copy & the audiobook ALC and the audio was honestly phenomenal! the podcast elements worked so well on audio and made the story feel so immersive!! (plus in julia whelan we trust 🙏)
i was sooo hooked for the first half. like fully locked in!! i loved benny & joy and their dynamic and the whole survival podcast concept was really fun and interesting. but in the second half i kept waiting for a twist that would make me gasp and it never really came… there’s a reveal around 70% and after that it felt like most of the mystery was already solved so i started to lose a little momentum.
it’s definitely layered which i did appreciate! but i think this works better if you go in thinking of it as more of a suspenseful lit fic story about relationships and survival rather than a twisty thriller. the heavier topics were handled with care and ended up feeling like the bigger emotional core of the story. definitely check trigger warnings if you need to.
overall a really impressive debut 👏 i’d especially recommend it to people who want to dip into suspense without something super intense or shocking. just go in with the right expectations!
thank you to netgalley, flatiron books, & macmillan audio for the advanced audiobook! 🎧 all thoughts are my own.
i was sooo hooked for the first half. like fully locked in!! i loved benny & joy and their dynamic and the whole survival podcast concept was really fun and interesting. but in the second half i kept waiting for a twist that would make me gasp and it never really came… there’s a reveal around 70% and after that it felt like most of the mystery was already solved so i started to lose a little momentum.
it’s definitely layered which i did appreciate! but i think this works better if you go in thinking of it as more of a suspenseful lit fic story about relationships and survival rather than a twisty thriller. the heavier topics were handled with care and ended up feeling like the bigger emotional core of the story. definitely check trigger warnings if you need to.
overall a really impressive debut 👏 i’d especially recommend it to people who want to dip into suspense without something super intense or shocking. just go in with the right expectations!
thank you to netgalley, flatiron books, & macmillan audio for the advanced audiobook! 🎧 all thoughts are my own.
March 15, 2026
4.5 ★
i can 100% see why this book has been getting so much praise and it deserves all of it. a perfect blend of thriller and romance, with an incredible audiobook that brought the podcast element to life. i immediately connected to Joy and Benny, who had been friends forever and decided to start a podcast together where they give survival advice. then when Joy goes missing, it’s up to Benny to find out what happened to his best friend.
”What doesn’t kill you makes you a survivor.”
i loved the way this book was structured and all the different flashbacks and different character interactions that were included. this went in a direction i didn’t fully expect but it kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time regardless. i’ll admit, i never really liked Joy’s husband Xander but a lot of that has to do with me fully rooting for her and Benny to admit how they felt about one another. i think there’s a good balance of suspense and emotion, i’m very satisfied with the ending too.
➷ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.
i can 100% see why this book has been getting so much praise and it deserves all of it. a perfect blend of thriller and romance, with an incredible audiobook that brought the podcast element to life. i immediately connected to Joy and Benny, who had been friends forever and decided to start a podcast together where they give survival advice. then when Joy goes missing, it’s up to Benny to find out what happened to his best friend.
”What doesn’t kill you makes you a survivor.”
i loved the way this book was structured and all the different flashbacks and different character interactions that were included. this went in a direction i didn’t fully expect but it kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time regardless. i’ll admit, i never really liked Joy’s husband Xander but a lot of that has to do with me fully rooting for her and Benny to admit how they felt about one another. i think there’s a good balance of suspense and emotion, i’m very satisfied with the ending too.
➷ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.
June 21, 2025
I'm glad I took a chance on a debut author. This was so, so good. I highly recommend it!
*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2026
THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE
By Tiffany Crum
Narrated by Julia Whelan & Sean Patrick Hopkins
4.5 stars (rounded up)
Podcasting about survival is one thing—living it is another.
Best friends and podcast hosts Benny and Joy have built a career on survival stories—until Joy vanishes and Benny becomes the prime suspect. As secrets surface and time runs out, the truth behind their friendship may be the most dangerous story of all. I loved the banter between Benny and Joy during the podcast segments—it added humor and heart to the narrative.
This is an addictive, genre-blending mystery thriller with romantic undertones. The story is fast-paced and compulsively readable, pulling you from chapter to chapter as the suspense builds. I was thoroughly impressed by this excellent debut and will definitely be watching for what Tiffany Crum does next.
The narration was flawless and truly enhanced the listening experience. I’ve enjoyed both Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins in previous audiobooks, and this was no exception—their performances captured the tone and emotions perfectly. The added multimedia elements in the audio further elevated the experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
By Tiffany Crum
Narrated by Julia Whelan & Sean Patrick Hopkins
4.5 stars (rounded up)
Podcasting about survival is one thing—living it is another.
Best friends and podcast hosts Benny and Joy have built a career on survival stories—until Joy vanishes and Benny becomes the prime suspect. As secrets surface and time runs out, the truth behind their friendship may be the most dangerous story of all. I loved the banter between Benny and Joy during the podcast segments—it added humor and heart to the narrative.
This is an addictive, genre-blending mystery thriller with romantic undertones. The story is fast-paced and compulsively readable, pulling you from chapter to chapter as the suspense builds. I was thoroughly impressed by this excellent debut and will definitely be watching for what Tiffany Crum does next.
The narration was flawless and truly enhanced the listening experience. I’ve enjoyed both Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins in previous audiobooks, and this was no exception—their performances captured the tone and emotions perfectly. The added multimedia elements in the audio further elevated the experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
December 22, 2025
Are you serious…this is a debut?! This is the kind of book people will be calling their top read of 2026, and I already know it’s going to live rent free in my head for a long time. I cannot recommend the audio enough. The narration by Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins is incredibly immersive and adds so much depth to the story, especially the playful banter and sharp humor between Benny and Joy as a famous podcast duo. Their chemistry feels real, lived in, and emotionally rich, which makes everything that unfolds hit even harder. When Joy goes missing, the story turns into a suspenseful puzzle as Benny tries to piece together the truth, only for the tension to skyrocket when he becomes a suspect himself. What starts as a mystery slowly transforms into something deeper, blending friendship, love, secrets, and lies into a thriller that completely bends genres. Part beautiful love story and part twisty domestic suspense, this is the kind of book you stay up way too late listening to because you have to know what happens next. Go in blind if you can, hit play on the audio, and trust me when I say everyone is going to be talking about this one come March.
March 23, 2026
This is a mystery about a friendship that turns out to be much more. It is a good story and trying not to give too much away will say it is about spousal abuse and how a woman who has her problems with a sleep disorder has to deal with it ,she winds up missing her husband as well and everyone is focused on her best friend..With help from least likely neighbors she finds a way to persevere.
March 18, 2026
Unpopular opinion here, but I did not get the hype at all. I failed to connect with the book or Benny and Joy and the neighbors were weird. I kept reading because I wanted to find out where the hell Joy was and what happened to Xander.
I am definitely in the minority here so do not let me deter you from reading this and judging for yourself.
I am definitely in the minority here so do not let me deter you from reading this and judging for yourself.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I want all my friends to read this one, and I hope they love it as much as I did.
Joy Moore and Benny Abbott have been friends for several years. When they met, they decided to be friends—and they’ve been best friends ever since. For the last few years, they’ve run one of the most famous podcasts in the world together. Joy’s husband handles all the behind-the-scenes work and keeps everything running smoothly.
One morning, Benny shows up to tape the next episode, but no one is home. To Benny, this is very strange—Joy would never disappear right before taping. He becomes even more worried when Joy’s dog is found outside the house. Benny knows something bad has happened.
Benny is desperate; he wants his best friend back.
So what happened to Joy and Xander?
And this is where I stopped. I don’t recommend reading any further spoilers. Better to go in blind.
This Story Might Save Your Life was refreshing in its delivery. It’s definitely a debut worth reading—and recommending wholeheartedly.
Just so you know, I devoured the audiobook. It helped that both narrators—Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins—are outstanding.
In case you missed it at the beginning of this review: Read this book!
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Joy Moore and Benny Abbott have been friends for several years. When they met, they decided to be friends—and they’ve been best friends ever since. For the last few years, they’ve run one of the most famous podcasts in the world together. Joy’s husband handles all the behind-the-scenes work and keeps everything running smoothly.
One morning, Benny shows up to tape the next episode, but no one is home. To Benny, this is very strange—Joy would never disappear right before taping. He becomes even more worried when Joy’s dog is found outside the house. Benny knows something bad has happened.
Benny is desperate; he wants his best friend back.
So what happened to Joy and Xander?
And this is where I stopped. I don’t recommend reading any further spoilers. Better to go in blind.
This Story Might Save Your Life was refreshing in its delivery. It’s definitely a debut worth reading—and recommending wholeheartedly.
Just so you know, I devoured the audiobook. It helped that both narrators—Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins—are outstanding.
In case you missed it at the beginning of this review: Read this book!
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Happy Publication Day!!!🥳🥳🥳
Immediate thoughts after finishing: fantastic audiobook!! Holy banana bread the narration was amazing and the little extras really added to the book. Highly suggest going the audiobook route for this one! Rating and more thoughts to come. (Posted 2/5/26 right after finishing)
Rating: 8/10: 4⭐️’s
Part 1, 5⭐️’s. Part 2, 2-3⭐️’s. Part 3, 3-4⭐️’s. Narration was 5⭐️’s. So I will go with 4⭐️’s overall.
Further thoughts still to come.
Rating posted: 2/8/26
Whoops, forgot to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the alc!!!
Expected publishing date: 3/10/26
Still working on further thoughts, not sure why i am struggling so much with this one.
added thank you to NG etc: 2/17/26
Reposted not very detailed review for publication day: 3/10/26
Not sure why this one was such a struggle to review? I enjoyed it overall and the narration and audio were great, but I have already said that. Sorry my thoughts beyond that were so minimal. Since 🤦🏼♀️(3/10/26)
Immediate thoughts after finishing: fantastic audiobook!! Holy banana bread the narration was amazing and the little extras really added to the book. Highly suggest going the audiobook route for this one! Rating and more thoughts to come. (Posted 2/5/26 right after finishing)
Rating: 8/10: 4⭐️’s
Part 1, 5⭐️’s. Part 2, 2-3⭐️’s. Part 3, 3-4⭐️’s. Narration was 5⭐️’s. So I will go with 4⭐️’s overall.
Further thoughts still to come.
Rating posted: 2/8/26
Whoops, forgot to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the alc!!!
Expected publishing date: 3/10/26
Still working on further thoughts, not sure why i am struggling so much with this one.
added thank you to NG etc: 2/17/26
Reposted not very detailed review for publication day: 3/10/26
Not sure why this one was such a struggle to review? I enjoyed it overall and the narration and audio were great, but I have already said that. Sorry my thoughts beyond that were so minimal. Since 🤦🏼♀️(3/10/26)
March 17, 2026
sigh.... 3.5 stars from "Outlier Island". First what I did not like: This is really NOT a thriller and really not that much of a mystery either - I'd call it a domestic suspense & it doesn't take long to figure out the "bad guy" here. I'm also not a big fan of the "we're both married to others but secretly in love" trope either - which kinda made me dislike both MC's. And I also didn't get the "Happy Days" obsession - of all the things from the 70's - "jumping the shark"?? What I did like: the alternating POV & slow reveal that kept me flipping pages, the "meta" aspects with the podcast & socials and several of the secondary characters, who I would have liked a bit more of & the doggos! As this is a debut, I'm rounding up rather than down but I'm glad I got it from the library. Sometimes a FOMO read works & sometimes not - I know many, many GR friends loved it, so do check out all those 5 star reviews
March 18, 2026
Unfortunately, I fell victim again to getting excited to read a novel that was really hyped up only to be disappointed in the end. Sadly, this is going to be an unpopular opinion, as I felt this one was fairly mediocre.
In This Story Might Save Your Life, Tiffany Crum introduces Benny Abbott and Joy Moore, two successful podcast hosts whose close friendship may be crossing into something more complicated. Both are married, but as their show grows in popularity, cracks begin to form in their personal lives. When Joy and her husband, Xander, vanish under suspicious circumstances—leaving behind signs of a struggle—the story shifts into a mystery. What follows blurs the boundaries between their public image, private realities, and the truth lurking beneath the surface.
This one landed right in the middle of the road for me. The premise is definitely intriguing, especially with the podcast angle and the layered dynamic between the two main characters. The central theme of friendship—with that underlying “what if” of something more—adds emotional weight, and I did appreciate how that tension carried throughout the story.
That said, the pacing didn’t quite work for me. It leans heavily into a slow-burn mystery, but there was a lot of filler between the initial setup and the final reveal. I found myself wanting things to tighten up quite a bit in the middle. On top of that, I was fairly confident about one of the major reveals early on, and when it did happen, it didn’t feel particularly surprising or impactful. Because the story leans more on character than action, there’s a clear emphasis on developing the cast, all of whom feel well-rounded. I especially appreciated the insight into Joy’s experience living with narcolepsy, which I found genuinely eye-opening. The deeper look into her marriage to Xander—and the controlling, abusive dynamic she endures—was also revealing, and it made it easy to develop a strong sense of empathy for her.
Overall, it’s not a bad read—just one that didn’t fully deliver on its potential for me. If you enjoy slower-paced mysteries with a strong focus on character relationships, this might still be worth checking out, and it'll probably hit all of your requirements, I was just hoping for something a little more thrilling.
In This Story Might Save Your Life, Tiffany Crum introduces Benny Abbott and Joy Moore, two successful podcast hosts whose close friendship may be crossing into something more complicated. Both are married, but as their show grows in popularity, cracks begin to form in their personal lives. When Joy and her husband, Xander, vanish under suspicious circumstances—leaving behind signs of a struggle—the story shifts into a mystery. What follows blurs the boundaries between their public image, private realities, and the truth lurking beneath the surface.
This one landed right in the middle of the road for me. The premise is definitely intriguing, especially with the podcast angle and the layered dynamic between the two main characters. The central theme of friendship—with that underlying “what if” of something more—adds emotional weight, and I did appreciate how that tension carried throughout the story.
That said, the pacing didn’t quite work for me. It leans heavily into a slow-burn mystery, but there was a lot of filler between the initial setup and the final reveal. I found myself wanting things to tighten up quite a bit in the middle. On top of that, I was fairly confident about one of the major reveals early on, and when it did happen, it didn’t feel particularly surprising or impactful. Because the story leans more on character than action, there’s a clear emphasis on developing the cast, all of whom feel well-rounded. I especially appreciated the insight into Joy’s experience living with narcolepsy, which I found genuinely eye-opening. The deeper look into her marriage to Xander—and the controlling, abusive dynamic she endures—was also revealing, and it made it easy to develop a strong sense of empathy for her.
Overall, it’s not a bad read—just one that didn’t fully deliver on its potential for me. If you enjoy slower-paced mysteries with a strong focus on character relationships, this might still be worth checking out, and it'll probably hit all of your requirements, I was just hoping for something a little more thrilling.
March 22, 2026
This was really fantastic. I would highly recommend the audiobook. The dual narrators and the way they handled the podcast sections truly brought life to this story.
I also liked the overall vibe, how it is a Mystery/Thriller, but there's also some well-executed romantic elements that ended up being the star of the show in my opinion.
Full review to come...stay tuned!!!
I also liked the overall vibe, how it is a Mystery/Thriller, but there's also some well-executed romantic elements that ended up being the star of the show in my opinion.
Full review to come...stay tuned!!!
March 17, 2026
Fast paced mystery/thriller with great audiobook narrators. RTC
January 15, 2026
THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE by Tiffany Crum ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ thank you netgalley for the advanced copy and Macmillan audio for the advanced copy. Wow, wow, wow. Give me a book that hooks me from the first chapter? Done and done. This book deserves all the hype it’s going to get! This is a little bit of a genre bender with mystery, a little bit of romance, a little thriller! The entire time I was listening I kept telling my husband, YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS ONE!
The audio for this book is INCREDIBLE. It’s a full production! Podcast clips and phone calls made it so fun and so real! Their bff banter had me wishing I could listen to their podcast in real life. The audio version of this book is 100% the way to read this one.
Best friends Joy and Benny host a hit podcast together detailing survival stories. When Joy and her Husband, Zander, go missing, Benny becomes a prime suspect. Benny is willing to do whatever he has to in order to find his best friend.
Pub. Date: 3/10/26.
Perfect if you like:
•Incredible audio!!
•Mystery that keeps you guessing.
•Best friend banter.
•Fast paced.
•Unexpected twists!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Mood: 🍿🫗
⚠️: explicit language.
The audio for this book is INCREDIBLE. It’s a full production! Podcast clips and phone calls made it so fun and so real! Their bff banter had me wishing I could listen to their podcast in real life. The audio version of this book is 100% the way to read this one.
Best friends Joy and Benny host a hit podcast together detailing survival stories. When Joy and her Husband, Zander, go missing, Benny becomes a prime suspect. Benny is willing to do whatever he has to in order to find his best friend.
Pub. Date: 3/10/26.
Perfect if you like:
•Incredible audio!!
•Mystery that keeps you guessing.
•Best friend banter.
•Fast paced.
•Unexpected twists!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Mood: 🍿🫗
⚠️: explicit language.
May 24, 2025
I work at Macmillan and received this arc from a colleague. Devoured this in basically 24 hours. Such a multilayered that will keep you guessing and will leave you hungry for more.
March 11, 2026
this story might disappoint you
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