Things I'd Rather Do Than Die

Written by Christine Hurley Deriso

Narrated by Jeanette Illidge and James Dillon

Jade Fulton and Ethan Garrett are opposites in every sense of the word. Ethan is an all-American poster boy—a star athlete dating the most popular girl in school and a devout Christian. Jade keeps mostly to herself. She abhors joining “things,” hates everyone at their high school except her best friend, Gia, and considers herself agnostic.

When Ethan and Jade find themselves locked in an aerobics room overnight, their confinement forces them to push past the labels they’ve given each other. Jock. Loner. Jesus freak. Skeptic. Golden boy. Intellectual. Amid hours of arguing, philosophizing, and silly game playing, Ethan and Jade learn there's a lot more to the other person than meets the eye.

After that night, life returns to normal and each goes back to their regular lives. Still, neither one can shake the unexpected bond they formed and they can’t help but question what they’ve been taught to believe, who they want to be, and where their hearts truly lie.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Nov 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094429380

Christine Hurley Deriso

Christine Hurley Deriso (North Augusta, SC) is an award-winning author of three middle grade novels. She has also contributed to Ladies' Home Journal, Parents, and other national magazines. Visit her online at www.christinehurleyderiso.com.

Reviews for Things I'd Rather Do Than Die

[Joseph Hinson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story was really fun. Warning it had a lot of language, which I no was really necessary, but overall it was a very good story. :)

[Donna Larson Christian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is VERY well written and read. Thank you for a story that I couldn`t stop hearing (while I work) I will be listening to more of your book. GREAT JOB!!

[idaho_vandal · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pretty good middle school/high school love story! Interesting story line with lots of in between topics. Nothing too over the top for the book banners out there. Topics included, love, loss, first dates, hint of religion, personal growth, and over coming.
I was on the fence about this book but turned out alright. Found via suggested for me from a few other books I red. I overlooked it a few times and then caved. Glad I did as it was an adorable quick read book.

[Jade Campion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this story. Very thought provoking. Things are not always what the seem. Also it's great to be challenged by others to be able to say why we believe what we believe

[Giada Vancini · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a wonderful suggestion from Scribd, the narration is beautiful and despite the dialogue are way too emotionally mature for two teenagers, is such a touching story.
I highly recommend it.

[Captain Joyce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

WELL DONE! I've got to listen / read her other novels. Excellent narration and enjoyable, light hearted, good clean fun. Very Refreshing!

[JESSIE ELLIOT · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This story was a very good story but I do not understand why it needed the language. I would have given this a five-star review if not for the language. I don't see how it enhanced the book any by using God's name in vain while talking about a relationship with God. I know people who get upset that don't have a relationship with God that don't use that kind of language. So I am a little disappointed in the fact that this book could have shown more of a stronger relationship of growth in people whether with or without God. This book was also put under Christian fiction and it did not depict that it showed more of dabbling with one foot in the church and the other foot in the world. I like to listen to a lot of books while I work but I will not listen to anymore of these because I do not like the language. The reason that I listen to it all the way through was because I was hoping that it would come around to everyone having a strong relationship with God.

[Carol Cook · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This would have so been much better without 4-letter words.

[Jamie Spicer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

cute lil Christian high school romance. Brianna was not a likeable character

[d · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Story is worth reading. Teen romantic drama with big life questions. Christians may wonder where the gospel is in the story. The Christian in this story is mostly trying to be a good person and be an example for everyone else, but he is a mostly likable person. Conversion is mentioned, but not Christ’s righteousness exchange that is available for all nor the Power of the Holy Spirit to love people as God loves them. The point of being Christian seems to be completely misunderstood by the author, but it is still an enjoyable story. The author has a lot of potential, but needs a real understanding of Christianity to write Christian fiction really well.

[faith_murri · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this eARC from North Star Editions on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of this book in any way.

Dnf'd at 31%

I would first like to say that the religious aspects of this book were not in anyway a flaw and anyone who believes otherwise needs to seriously reexamine themselves because they're hypocrites. A lot of the religious stuff was a little preachy sometimes but that was obviously intentional on the author's part.

This book was not, however, particularly good by any means. Honestly, everything after the two leads finally get rescued from the gym was extremely boring and I lost interest quickly. The book did what it was trying to do well enough but it's just not the kind of story (namely, a contemporary romance) that I enjoy by any means.