Review of Wake Me Up Inside, by John Robert Colombo, Author & Anthologist

In Praise of “Wake Me Up Inside” by Lee Bice-Matheson

“It was an amazing feeling …. ” So begins this lively short first novel written by Lee Bice-Matheson. It tells the story of a young girl who will soon be a young woman, so part of the novel’s charm lies in how it describes young Paige’s exuberant feelings for her grandparents, her parents, and her best friends of both sexes. It begins in Scarborough, the Ontario one, not the one in North Yorkshire, England, and then it transports the reader to “the Manor” where life is rather different, both demanding and rewarding! The author deserves to be congratulated, for she has found a style that moves along in a sprightly fashion. She spares the reader the descriptive passages found in most first novels in favour of rewarding the reader with reams of lively speech. The result is that young Paige is very much alive, she enters into relationships, and she turns out to be something of an acrobat, for she leaps off the page! The novel may begin with a dream sequence, but it ends with a hilarious scene with these very words: “What now?! Sacrilege!” Revised edition to be released in April: REVIEWED BY JOHN ROBERT COLOMBO, AUTHOR & ANTHOLOGIST, Canada’s My Mystery and Master Gatherer.

In response to John Robert Colombo’s review: I am deeply touched, grateful and honoured by this review. I knew I could trust your honest opinion and will treasure your review always! Wake Me Up Inside, Revised Edition, will be released in April! Be sure to buy a copy – it will be in print and an ebook edition.