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Numbered
They only have 100 days left. They don’t have time to fall in love.
Noelle
I’ve known the date of my death since I was young. Everyone does. My expiration would be a heart attack, I was told, at the age of 32. It was smack dab in the middle of everything, and made it impossible to actually live my life. I mean, how do you live when it’s not long enough to mean something? How do you say goodbye when it’s time?
So I did what I had to do, and that was to avoid anything that would make me fear the end. Close friendships. Children. Love. I don’t even have family since they expired years ago. The closest bond I had was a goldfish. It hurt to say goodbye to that damn fish.
Now I’m here, waiting out my last three months at River’s End - a facility for the dying. I thought I was ready for this. I thought I had nothing left to tie me to this life.
That changed when I met him. Now I'm questioning everything.
I'm not ready to die. We need more time.
Ryder
I was already dying years before I came here. Terminal lung cancer - a surprise since I had no symptoms at all. I swam every day, and ran cross country for the track team. My lungs felt like they were made of steel, and yet, supposedly they were failing me.
The doctors put me on a cocktail of medications, but I only got worse. I constantly felt short of breath, my lips taking on a bluish tint as I fought for oxygen. It wasn’t until I met my new doctor when my condition finally improved. He weaned me off the drugs and I was back to my normal self.
Cancer doesn’t just go away without medication, right?
I’ve always been skeptical of the numbers. I mean, how can a machine predict my lifespan? And now that I’m at River’s End, it’s almost over.
I was never ready to die. But then I met her and everything changed.
Why are we meeting now? I need more time, and I need it with her.
Noelle
I’ve known the date of my death since I was young. Everyone does. My expiration would be a heart attack, I was told, at the age of 32. It was smack dab in the middle of everything, and made it impossible to actually live my life. I mean, how do you live when it’s not long enough to mean something? How do you say goodbye when it’s time?
So I did what I had to do, and that was to avoid anything that would make me fear the end. Close friendships. Children. Love. I don’t even have family since they expired years ago. The closest bond I had was a goldfish. It hurt to say goodbye to that damn fish.
Now I’m here, waiting out my last three months at River’s End - a facility for the dying. I thought I was ready for this. I thought I had nothing left to tie me to this life.
That changed when I met him. Now I'm questioning everything.
I'm not ready to die. We need more time.
Ryder
I was already dying years before I came here. Terminal lung cancer - a surprise since I had no symptoms at all. I swam every day, and ran cross country for the track team. My lungs felt like they were made of steel, and yet, supposedly they were failing me.
The doctors put me on a cocktail of medications, but I only got worse. I constantly felt short of breath, my lips taking on a bluish tint as I fought for oxygen. It wasn’t until I met my new doctor when my condition finally improved. He weaned me off the drugs and I was back to my normal self.
Cancer doesn’t just go away without medication, right?
I’ve always been skeptical of the numbers. I mean, how can a machine predict my lifespan? And now that I’m at River’s End, it’s almost over.
I was never ready to die. But then I met her and everything changed.
Why are we meeting now? I need more time, and I need it with her.
348 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2019
25 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Crissi Langwell
23 books176 followersCrissi Langwell is a multi-genre author whose work spans romance, women’s fiction, and speculative storytelling, all centered on deeply human characters and heartfelt emotional journeys. From her award-winning Sunset Bay series to her newest small-town Lahoma Springs romances, her novels blend heartache, hope, and humor into stories that feel both intimate and real.
A longtime advocate for creative community, Crissi serves as president of Redwood Writers, where she helps authors find connection, courage, and their own storytelling voice. Off the page, she juggles a full, rewarding life as a writer, caregiver, and communications director, often pulling inspiration from everyday moments and relatable struggles. She is also creator of Love Letters to Writers, a Substack community for those who are juggling inspiration and struggle with their writing life.
She makes her home in Northern California with her writerly husband, their Maine Coon cat Cleo, and a chair of laundry that really needs to get its act together.
A longtime advocate for creative community, Crissi serves as president of Redwood Writers, where she helps authors find connection, courage, and their own storytelling voice. Off the page, she juggles a full, rewarding life as a writer, caregiver, and communications director, often pulling inspiration from everyday moments and relatable struggles. She is also creator of Love Letters to Writers, a Substack community for those who are juggling inspiration and struggle with their writing life.
She makes her home in Northern California with her writerly husband, their Maine Coon cat Cleo, and a chair of laundry that really needs to get its act together.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 16, 2020
This sci-fi dystopian romance is surprising because unlike a lot of others, it spends a lot of time on characters forming emotional bonds that aren't related to the love interest. Oh yes, there is romance, and it's of the gentle and sweet variety even if the two protagonists can get a bit angry with each other (being told you've got less than 100 days left to live will do that to you I guess).
In the future world of Numbered, people are assigned a death date at birth. A computer algorithm analyses their biology and can predict the exact cause and time of death, and each individual must wear their number of remaining days on a device, just to remind them. During the last 100 days, they retire to a facility where all their needs are met... Except freedom. This is where Noelle, a disillusioned 30-something finds herself bunking up alongside the handsome Ryder. The attraction is obvious, even if their personalities initially don't seem a good fit. Noelle's a recluse with attachment issues; Ryder a conspiracy theorist who brings up memories of her deceased family. But the two get to know each other, bonding over caring for the facility's children, and both start to wonder if they have got something to live for after all.
The first 50% of this book was just what I expected, all conspiracy theories and emotional bonding/clashes. The writing snagged me right away; this indie author has a way with words. It's especially apparent when it comes to the romance, as nothing feels false or forced and the bond between our leads is slow and steady (or about as slow as can be considering they're slated to die rather soon). Noelle's inner turmoil contrasted with Ryder's grimly assured narration as they both spilled their secrets to us. I loved that the relationship between them was only part of it, and that the idea of a familial bond was just as important as romance and/or lust (there are a few sexy teimz, not graphic).
What didn't sit so well with me was the second act: the dystopian action sequence, as it were. Everything has to happen very fast to wrap it up, and so it felt a bit under-developed to me. This is where the world building in relation to everything outside the facility bothered me as things we'd been told didn't always add up.
I was a bit unsure about the delivery of backstory. Noelle's is always told in flashbacks, but some of Ryder's (arguably the most important parts about his number) are told rather than shown. The same happens towards the end when it comes to the outside world building, so it felt a tiny bit unsatisfying to just have things reported rather than foreshadowed or demonstrated. Side characters could also seem a little like bit-part players as they stay as names rather than people
The writing is a real plus here, and the building of character relations a joy to read when so often it's all about hormones or confected conflicts. A little more world building and a stronger set up to the action would have made it more enjoyable to me, but it's a good light sci-fi romance for those who value good old fashion human connections over steam.
In the future world of Numbered, people are assigned a death date at birth. A computer algorithm analyses their biology and can predict the exact cause and time of death, and each individual must wear their number of remaining days on a device, just to remind them. During the last 100 days, they retire to a facility where all their needs are met... Except freedom. This is where Noelle, a disillusioned 30-something finds herself bunking up alongside the handsome Ryder. The attraction is obvious, even if their personalities initially don't seem a good fit. Noelle's a recluse with attachment issues; Ryder a conspiracy theorist who brings up memories of her deceased family. But the two get to know each other, bonding over caring for the facility's children, and both start to wonder if they have got something to live for after all.
The first 50% of this book was just what I expected, all conspiracy theories and emotional bonding/clashes. The writing snagged me right away; this indie author has a way with words. It's especially apparent when it comes to the romance, as nothing feels false or forced and the bond between our leads is slow and steady (or about as slow as can be considering they're slated to die rather soon). Noelle's inner turmoil contrasted with Ryder's grimly assured narration as they both spilled their secrets to us. I loved that the relationship between them was only part of it, and that the idea of a familial bond was just as important as romance and/or lust (there are a few sexy teimz, not graphic).
What didn't sit so well with me was the second act: the dystopian action sequence, as it were. Everything has to happen very fast to wrap it up, and so it felt a bit under-developed to me. This is where the world building in relation to everything outside the facility bothered me as things we'd been told didn't always add up.
I was a bit unsure about the delivery of backstory. Noelle's is always told in flashbacks, but some of Ryder's (arguably the most important parts about his number) are told rather than shown. The same happens towards the end when it comes to the outside world building, so it felt a tiny bit unsatisfying to just have things reported rather than foreshadowed or demonstrated. Side characters could also seem a little like bit-part players as they stay as names rather than people
The writing is a real plus here, and the building of character relations a joy to read when so often it's all about hormones or confected conflicts. A little more world building and a stronger set up to the action would have made it more enjoyable to me, but it's a good light sci-fi romance for those who value good old fashion human connections over steam.
June 28, 2019
I couldn’t burn through this book fast enough. I tried to savor it, but I was on the edge of my seat from the first chapter and just had to know what was going to happen!
Numbered is not like anything I’ve read before. It’s an incredibly unique story. It’s rich, the setting mysterious, the characters fierce and wonderfully written. It had everything I want in a dystopian romance!
I can’t wait to find out what else Crissi Langwell has in store for us!
Numbered is not like anything I’ve read before. It’s an incredibly unique story. It’s rich, the setting mysterious, the characters fierce and wonderfully written. It had everything I want in a dystopian romance!
I can’t wait to find out what else Crissi Langwell has in store for us!
July 10, 2019
Crissi Langwell shows off her great imagination again in her latest book, "Numbered." This sci-fi romance novel is an exciting page turner that reminds me of the 1960's classic Logan's Run but by adding a strong romance to her plot line, Crissi brings a fresh new wrinkle to her story. The environment faced with climate change brings a serious relevance to "Numbered. I highly recommend this book.
June 24, 2019
I had the pleasure of beta reading this story and absolutely loved it ! I felt caught up in the way the story was knitted and the details! Every time I started reading I just got carried away and wanted to keep devouring chapter after chapter. You will definitely enjoy this and you won't be able to put it down!
October 1, 2019
Could this happen?
I usually don't read futuristic books. Most are too far fetched for me. This one makes you think. Could this really happen in the future? I couldn't imagine a life knowing when you were going to die. The things you know that you will never have or be able to do. I really liked the book and would definitely reccomend it.
I usually don't read futuristic books. Most are too far fetched for me. This one makes you think. Could this really happen in the future? I couldn't imagine a life knowing when you were going to die. The things you know that you will never have or be able to do. I really liked the book and would definitely reccomend it.
July 13, 2019
This story drew me in so quickly and held my interest all the way through. I was emotionally invested in the characters and found myself losing track of time as I read because I had to know what happened next.
August 11, 2019
What an amazing read! This book is set in the future but grabs your attention in the present from the get go. Numbered is full of details and suspense and captures your emotions from the very start. I highly recommend reading Numbered!
June 20, 2019
Crissi Langwell writes an amazing and nail biting novel with suspense and romance and intrigue. I loved this book. Highly recommended
November 8, 2019
It’s the future and technology has advanced and now people know when they will die. Numbers are placed on their necks with a countdown to 100 days. At that time they are taken to a facility where they are pampered and can do what they want. When Noelle is nearing her time she gets everything in her life in order. She’s shut herself off from everything so she made no friends she would miss. Her Mother, Father and Brother had died years before her. She enters the facility expecting to just eat, sleep and count down her days. Then she meets Ryder whose expiration day is the same as hers and everything changes. Ryder hints at a possible coverup in the so called death dates and then starts the journey of uncovering the truth. When she’s given the care of a newborn who only has a few weeks, and a quiet shy boy named Devon everything she’s believed is shattered . Then she sees her brother on tv and knows She and Ryder have to save themselves and the children. What a fabulous story and a scary what if this book was! Look forward to reading more books by this author!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews