You Make Me Sick... Literally

by Shamika Lindsay

Nyla Nguyen is thankful to be alive, but how much will she risk to keep it that way?

A small town girl with dreams of making it big in the city, Nyla is eager to see where her new life will take her, where her second chance will lead. When a bizarre weather phenomenon very nearly kills her, she is grateful to be alive—to have escaped unscathed. But… did she?

When an illness that she thought was a random bout of the flu wreaks havoc on her body, she realizes she may not have been so fortunate after all. Sure she’ll die in a few weeks, Nyla tries to enjoy what is left of her meager life, until she feels better—quite miraculously.

Nyla soon discovers that her recovery isn’t so mysterious after all, when a guy she met only once before seems to be responsible. A human antidote.


Two sick people. One shared antidote. Trying to stay alive shouldn’t be difficult, right?

Nyla will do everything in her power to stay alive, even if it means befriending the guy with the power to make her sick.

Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2021

Reviews

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

BIG UP, LITERALLY!!!

I absolutely "ADORED" this book!

This book was chosen by pure luck.

I needed a book to finish a Kindle challenge immediately. I went to my recommended books, saw the beautiful book cover and pressed buy now. I had no idea what the name was, what it was about, nor what genre. All I knew was, I needed a new title and quick.

Lo and behold, I started reading this and was hooked.

Lindsay is truly one of the most talented Authors I've read in a while. I love how smoothly she would have Nyla and Noah conversing, then have Nyla speak to the audience. It was absolutely brilliant done, as if Lindsay were writing a T. V. series.

You will absolutely love Nyla and Noah, want to slap Samantha, (I know I did) want to hug Diane and just wonder about Daniel?

Hats off to Lindsay for her ingenious introduction of Nicholas, and how she mysteriously concludes with his journey.

Wow! What a ride....

However 😭
I was disappointed with the ending, I felt that Lindsay rushed to finish, and that another 50 pages would have done it justice.

Still with all that said, the book was amazing.

Kudos!!

Nuff Love!

@shamikalindsay

"FANTASTIC"

🇯🇲👶🏾X4❤️

[Lynelle Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shamika Lindsay's books always have well-rounded, relatable characters with heart who you can't help but root for. I love that we always get to see them grow and reach closure, with this story being no different. The symbolism with "letting go" in the ending was poignant, and it's always inspirational to read about relatable characters who accomplish something that was so clearly difficult for them.

Nyla and Noah were both cute/enjoyable, but I think Diane was my favorite character. I always love the warm, selfless, charmingly funny friend types, so it was inevitable! I feel badly that my horrible reader's block kept me from starting this for almost two whole years -- if I'd known how cute this was, I would've pushed through it immediately! Lindsay has a lot of promise, and I can't wait to see what she's got next for us!

[Elizabeth Dragina · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF 50%

To be completely honest I skim read most of it. The writing was hard to follow and the plot seemed to be stuck in repeat.

Everything seemed to drag out and conversations were endlessly plagued by a ridiculous amount of adverbs and adjectives.

I didn’t connect to any of the characters or the personal struggles. The author seemed like she was trying to mix fantasy with reality and it just didn’t seem to be working for her.

Ten points for the prologue though.

**FTC DISCLOSURE** I received a complimentary e-book copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. I’m not affiliated with the author in any way and everything stated within is my personal opinion. Please don’t take it offensively. Thanks. :))

[Jenica · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I loved the idea of this story and was excited to read it, but I felt like it dragged on forever without that much really happening. It really felt like way too much time was spent describing the day to day when Nyla first got sick. Some of the details seemed unnecessary, yet at the same time it felt like there was a lack of depth to the characters.

I got frustrated with the righting as it was very repetitive. I'm not sure how many times the phrase "I couldn't help but..." was uses, but it was on almost every page. I think this story could have been significantly condensed and could use some diversifying of language used.

As always, thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ordinary day for Nyla, transforms her existence in ways she never envisioned. Noah didn't know who Nyla was, however their lives are soon inextricably entwined.
The book is told through Nyla's voice, though enjoyable I would have liked to hear Noah's voice as well.
The book started off a little slow, however once Nyla and Noah connect the story hits its stride. They share moments of trepidation, camaraderie, and attraction, while sharing a devastating condition. Could a burgeoning love, literally end!? This is a newly discovered author, that I look forward to reading more from.

[Dani Norwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a solid medical romance--at least I think so, seeing as this is the first I've ever read. :)

I really enjoyed Shamika Lindsay's writing style, story premise, and characters. I will agree with some other reviewers that, at times, the pacing felt a little slow but I imagine that's to be expected in a slowburn romance like this one. I found the love interest to be well developed, very likable, and sweet.

I had moments in which it was hard for me to connect with Nyla (specifically the way she would shut out / push Noah away rather than talk to him about her feelings and/or problems). All the same, I think such misguided behavior, which drives the protagonist and love interest apart for most of the book, tends to be a hallmark of romance novels (so take my comments with a grain of salt).

Honestly, I'm a bit of a skeptic when it comes to romance so the fact that this book kept me invested and reading till the very end says a lot. And, while I know some were disappointed by the answer to the medical mystery, I found the symbolism and deeper message to be quite rewarding. The author sets out to tackle some much bigger topics (of the trauma / grief variety) than I expected in this novel, and for that I must commend her as well!

[Shamika Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is finally out!

If you asked me what I expected release day to be like, I'd have given you a million variations (partially figurative) of what I thought. But, as life is, it doesn't always turn out that way. All the same, I am immensely grateful for what happened. Now onto the book:

This book, with these characters, taught me so much about emotions and how humans interact to the ever changing world around them. Though this is obviously fiction, the underlining emotions of the story rings true. I really do hope everyone enjoys it. And even if you don't, I hope you at least smile once, whilst reading this novel.

Once you find out the irony of the title, please let me know. I'd love to hear all your thoughts and feedback. Happy reading!

[Leighann Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nyla Nguyen is just a nice, normal girl who’s trying to adjust to life in the big city and the corporate job that comes along with it.

Until everything is thrown out of whack by an unexpected event that brings an infuriatingly good-looking guy, Noah, and a mysterious illness hurling into her life.

But why does Nyla suddenly feel better when Noah is near? Is it the beginning of a crush or is it something more?

Something impossible.

You Make Me Sick…Literally is part mystery, part romance, and all heart. Buckle up and be willing to suspend your disbelief as Lindsay takes you along for an epic tale of two people clinging together in order to live and what happens when they no longer need each other to survive.

[thereshegoeswithanotherbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you,
Shamika, for the complementary copy of your gorgeous book. I am including a review just ,because it was gifted doesn't effect my opinions all opinions are my own.!
---
Author @shamikawrites
PUBLICATION DATE
Jan 13, 2022
PAGE LENGTH
545 pages
Genres : New Adult , Soft Sci Fi , Romance
Trigger warnings: NONE that I found
---
My Thoughts: This debut and author needs to be plastered all over bookstagram. Readers meet Nyla Nguyen she's a likeable main protagonist. She develops well throughout the book. She is sick with a strange flu like illness. She's a small town girl with big dreams.She is fighting for her life literally... until a love intrest comes in and could be her saving grace. I don't want to spoil this amazing book to much so I'll leave the pre order link in my bio. It was heartwarming , had some lol moments Blend with sweet moments. Have you rooting for the couple. Although it's a lengthy book the author did splendid with giving her readers short ish chapters and fast paced narration. I finished within 24 hours . So definitely recommend!
---
Rating : ☕☕☕☕☕

STRONG and I LOVED IT 😍

[Selena | Beauty's Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5

I received a copy of You Make Me Sick... Literally from the author, Shamika Lindsay. In return for an honest review. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

This was such a cute read. I had no idea what I was heading into with this one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I found this premise so fascinating, a human antidote? You’ve got my attention!

Though I will say, it is on the longer side. Being over 500 pages, for a contemporary romance, I did think this was maybe a little longer than it could have been. But, we do get a lot within these 500 pages. We see a cute romance, a nosy coworker, and a jealous best friend. We see each of our main characters holding onto painful pasts. There’s so much in here.

That being said, I did also think this may have started off a little slow in regards to events. The entire beginning was really just following Nyla’s sickness. Which I found helpful, but I don’t think it needed to be quite as long as it was. We don’t see our human antidote until we’re well into the novel, which I found surprising.

However, despite its longer length, this was a relatively quick read. Even during the beginning, I breezed through the chapters easily, I wanted to know what was going to happen next for Nyla. It was easy for me to get sucked into this and get lost within the pages.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable cute contemporary romance. But it’s definitely a chonker! So keep that in mind. I can definitely see this being a hit among fans of books like Five Feet Apart, The Fault in Our Stars, and Regretting You.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I´m honestly so in love with this writing style. Shamika did a really good job in developing the characters and creating loveable MCs. I really hope that this debut book will blow up on Booktok so it gets the recognition it deserves.

The book follows an ambitious, independent, and bit blunt woman who gets sick through an unfortunate event. Fortunately for her, she does not have to go through this alone. The author really had me on the edge of my seat for the heartwarming and funny development. It felt never too long or lengthy and did a great job in creating a world you can escape in.

It was my first ARC and I couldn't ask for a better start.

[Lattoya Dewdney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a must read! This book kept me on my toes. At one point I am anxious for Nyla, another time I feel pity for Daniel and I must say, can't ask for a better friend than Diane, with all her concoction, Lol! Her compassion and her attentiveness gives quite a balance to the drama of Nyla and her mysterious illness. Then there is that touch of romance down the road. Look, go read it pls! I have given away too much already. Its like watching a movie, you just cant wait to see what's next. See all of Shamika Lindsay's books. Great author!

[Diane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a totally different kind of book to what I normally read I found this book quite interesting. Two people meet during a very bad storm and somehow their lives become intertwined forever. The book has an element of being way out there, but yet the story is written well enough to hold your attention throughout. Something different, but very well worth the read.

[Tara Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve said it before, but I have to say it again and on repeat— I love Lindsay’s first person narrative. I love Lindsay’s first person narrative. It’s descriptive, while also being just the right amount of detail to get inside the head of her main characters. And it is no different with Nyla in this book.

Nyla is like all of us—complex. She has an event from her past that haunts her present day, and we get clues about that past which keeps us curious to know more. We actually come to fully understand Nyla, as we get a sneak peek into that past experience.

There is this push and pull between the two characters with the added mystery of a strange Illness that I loved. The curiosity these elements created was so intriguing I had to keep reading to find out the outcome.

I’ll admit this is not my usual genre, but I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like shows like The Spectacular Now, Paper Towns and The Fault in our Stars.

[Leci Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate how gently the plot and characters develop, as if painted with delicate brush strokes, and the humor that constantly catches me off guard and sends me chortling. It is clear from the start that there is more than meets the eye and suspense is always hanging in the air but I am kept patient because of the enthralling and rather unique plot. Well Done Shamika! I will be sad when this lovely journey ends but cant help ravenously skipping the pages to follow wherever your pen leads.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to pick up this book due to the interesting concept and it definitely delivered. The plot was engaging and kept my attention from start to finish. I appreciated how the author didn't give us Nyla's backstory all at once and revealed pieces slowly. I really liked learning about Nyla's past and I thought the relationship she had with her parents was so sweet and realistic. The theme of "letting go" and "moving on" was expressed well in the story and I enjoyed the way the author was able to wrap everything up neatly. I had no idea how the story was going to end and the author came up with a good resolution that I didn't expect.

I love the writing style and the descriptions of scenery, character appearances, emotions/feelings. I've typed a few of my favorite lines below:

"I sidled my way to the middle of the bars and stared up towards the sky; the twinkling stars telling a story I couldn't understand. Or one I didn't want to understand. I couldn't tell."

"The heat seemed to have exploded with a volcanic rush, splattering all over my limbs."

"I didn't even realize my eyes were watering until the moisture dotted my cheeks. I reached up a hand to swipe them away before he could see, but as usual, he saw right through me--the bits I was always so adept at hiding."

"What was the point of loving him or wanting him to love me when our hourglass was empty? We were hollow forms of ourselves, waiting to disperse in a rush of dust. I loved him, but it didn't matter. Not anymore."

I loved Noah and Nyla's banter and how they grew to care for one another. I think Noah was a well-developed character but he did seem a little too perfect -- though that may have been the point. I knew a lot about Nyla but felt like there was more of Noah's character, particularly his relationship with Sam, that could have been explored. However, I understand that this may have been difficult since he wasn't a POV character.

I really liked learning about the characters in Nyla's workplace as well. Diane was such a caring and supportive friend and a great addition to the novel. I wasn't sure if the name of Nyla's workplace was ever mentioned and I didn't know what service they were providing to people. Noah was a graphic designer but I don't remember it explaining what kinds of pieces he created and what they specifically looked like. That was just a small thing that took me out of the story.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read with interesting characters and a solid plot. I look forward to reading more of Shamika Lindsay's work!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book delivered, the concept, plot, characters constantly have you coming back for more. Nyla's story has you feeling emotions once you see everything come together from her relationship with her parents, to her friends and Noah. I can't wait to pick up more of Shamika's work. This was such a great read.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Book Reviewer, I received a free ebook copy of You Make Me Sick … Literally by Shamika Lindsay, and this is my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor any review.

You Make Me Sick … Literally is listed as a Contemporary Romance; Medical Fiction; Small Town and Rural Fiction; and Science Fiction Romance, which may explain why the story is so strange. As someone who has been studying the writing craft, especially the romance genre, for the past 10 years, I found this story quite annoying because, though the male and female lead characters meet in the first chapter, in chapters 2-9 it’s all about the female, Nyla. Not only is it all about Nyla, but it’s all about Nyla being sick. By chapter 7, I was considering dropping the book, but I looked it up on Amazon to see if it had any ratings or reviews.

As a reviewer, I have never before read reviews of books I have been asked to read and review before finishing my reading and reviewing of the book. But I wanted to know if anyone kept reading past chapter 6. I was quite surprised to see there were 17 ratings with an average of 4.5 stars, but only 7 actual reviews. However, the reviews were in favor of the book. Seven people, and probably at least some of the 17 who rated it, had actually read the entire book and had some good things to say about it, so that made me curious enough to keep reading.

Finally, in chapter 10, the male lead, Noah, finally makes a grand entrance. However, his appearance is short and, quite honestly, the scene is frustrating. But, I continued reading, and things started to get a little more interesting and a little less about the characters being sick.

So, what kept me reading? I liked Noah. I wanted to see if Noah and Nyla would ever figure out their illness and if they could be cured, and I wanted to see how the story would end. Ms. Lindsay had included enough interesting supporting characters to keep me reading, and I still really liked Noah.

I still think the story could’ve been better and fit the Romance genre better. I think Noah should have been in the story much sooner between chapters 2 and 9, and I think it would’ve been better if it would’ve been told from both Nyla and Noah’s points of view, instead of solely through Nyla’s, especially since they were both experiencing the same illness.

I also didn’t see any actual science fiction element in the story at all, and the book could really have used a good edit. And, though I really didn’t care for Nyla all that much because I found her whiny, stubborn, and self-pitying, eventually I liked the relationship that developed between Noah and Nyla. I will also say that the ending of the story almost made it worth the frustration of reading through the drawn out beginning. In all honesty, I did like the ending.

So, if you are a reader who really enjoys reading strange stories or are looking for something totally unusual, you will like this book, as long as you don’t give up before chapter 10 or 11.

I give You Make Me Sick … Literally by Shamika Lindsay 3 stars.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first time read for me by this author and it definitely won't be my last. The story was interesting and I became engaged from the very start. I liked the writing style and I think the author did a nice job with descriptions and making the story and characters come to life.
Nyla is just trying to adjust to her job and life in the big city, then an unexpected event throws her for a loophole and then Noah enters her life. Nyla and Noah's characters really worked well together and I enjoyed getting to know them. This is a slow-burn romance, so the pacing was a bit slow, but it worked for this story. The story is told through Nyla's POV and I think it would've been nice to hear Noah's as well. Nonetheless, it is a sweet story, full of heart, and I had a really nice time reading it. I hope to read more by this author in the future.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Shamika Lindsay and I plan to read other books by this author. This is an entertaining and the title was a turning point for me choosing “You Make Me Sick”. Nyla is a small-town girl who is stricken with a mysterious unknown illness. Noah and Nyla meet and he is also sick. Nyla and Noah seem to be making each other sick and they are both fighting to stay alive. Nyla and Noah are working side by side. As long as Nyla is around Noah she is well and when the two are a part Nyla becomes sick again. I so enjoyed the camaraderie between Noah and Nyla. Nyla realizes that she needs Noah in her life to survive. I love reading about workplace romance.

What caused Nyla and Noah’s illness, will there ever be a cure?

I received an ARC via NetGalley and StingRay Publishing and I am leaving my review voluntarily. Thanks for the opportunity NetGalley and StingRay Publishing.

[Evelyn V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Author Shamika Lindsay for this ARC. I am voluntarily leaving a review. Nyla is from a small town and eager to survive and thrive in the city. One night she suffers an accident that affects her greatly. As she gets progressively worse,the doctors try to figure out what exactly is going on with her. When she bumps into a guy that she is sure she's seen before,she feels a bit better. What is the connection? I like the bond that forms between Noah and Nyla as they realize just how much they need each other. Part medical drama and part romance,this story will keep you engaged and hoping for a happy outcome.

[Soupisdangerous · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who recently has become chronically ill, the attitude of the main character was very relatable. I'll admit I stayed up way too late trying to finish this book in one sitting. It was a very cute romance, and the characters felt very believable to me. I really loved Nyla, especially when she was being sassy. The one thing I didn't like was the explanation as to why they were sick. I feel like it would've been better just for it to have been magic. But as a whole, this story is very good, and I'd recommend it if you're in the mood for some romance. :)

[Pat Allen]

A weird story

This unusual love story certainly is very different! It is extremely emotionally charged in a strange way, bringing two people's lives almost to a complete standstill. His scientist friend tries to discover what has affected them. They are both so confused! I won't spoil it for others. Some childish behaviour spoilt it a bit for me, but overall, I really enjoyed this different romance.

[Christina Bowling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have some mixed feelings about the book. I really liked Nyla and Noah, and I was happy with how things went for them, even if I would have liked an epilogue. It would have been a solid 5 star, but I really hated the part about Nicholas, and removed 2 stars for that.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather McEndree · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book is really intriguing. Unfortunately, it was too long and slow; I skimmed many paragraphs without missing plot info. The characters and their emotions were superficial and unbelievable, mainly because as the reader I did not have the basis for their reactions.

[Sydney · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this zero stars I would. The premise is good but the execution is terrible. The main characters had no chemistry and I did not understand the motivation for anything that they did.

[RomanceLand65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed read. It was longer than I thought and I wanted it to progress a bit faster. This is a new to me author so I was not used to her writing style. But overall it was a good read.

[BookWorm620 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

Nyla made me sick, sick of her. The author did her job, I was engulfed with these people lives. This was a delightful read.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just didn't really gel with this one, even though it was a really unique idea. First half I felt there was too much about how sick she was, I enjoyed the 2nd half more.

[LaNona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging to read, cute, and easy to follow. A phenomenal read I absolutely recommend!!