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The Little Things That Kill: A Teen Friendship Afterlife Apology Tour
“A compassionate exploration of friendship and betrayal wrapped up in a true page-turning mystery.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Fox handles (the mystery of how Nicole died) with sensitivity and warmth while accurately capturing … the complexities of group acceptance versus feeling ostracized and self-doubt. … the touching treatment of teenage priorities and the value of life and friendship is rewarding.” —BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly
For fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and We Were Liars comes a tale of redemption from YA author Annie Fox. True friendship is put to the test when Nicole’s untimely death leads to more questions than answers.
Sixteen-year-old Nicole had enough on her plate already between navigating the ups and downs of friendship with her witchy best friend Isabel, competing with her romantic rival Cassie, and flirting with her crush Alex, a.k.a. Cassie’s boyfriend—and now she’s dead. They say it was suicide, but Nicole knows she didn't kill herself and will do whatever it takes to prove it.
When Nicole wakes up and finds herself on Substation Fifteen, a special plane of existence for teen suicides, she must accept the fact that she is no longer alive. Nicole has zero memory of dying, but she’s convinced she didn’t take her own life and doesn’t belong here.
Her only path to uncovering the truth is a journey through a minefield of secrets and lies, beginning at her own funeral. The clock is ticking while she tries to figure out a way to communicate from beyond the grave with Isabel and Cassie. Both girls know much more about Nicole's Last Day than they're willing to admit—but ultimately, the facts Nicole finds may be harder to piece together and accept than her death itself.
A story of family and friendship, the supernatural, and high school drama, The Little Things That Kill shows readers the impact of the small choices we make every day in our lives (and afterlives).
“Fox handles (the mystery of how Nicole died) with sensitivity and warmth while accurately capturing … the complexities of group acceptance versus feeling ostracized and self-doubt. … the touching treatment of teenage priorities and the value of life and friendship is rewarding.” —BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly
For fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and We Were Liars comes a tale of redemption from YA author Annie Fox. True friendship is put to the test when Nicole’s untimely death leads to more questions than answers.
Sixteen-year-old Nicole had enough on her plate already between navigating the ups and downs of friendship with her witchy best friend Isabel, competing with her romantic rival Cassie, and flirting with her crush Alex, a.k.a. Cassie’s boyfriend—and now she’s dead. They say it was suicide, but Nicole knows she didn't kill herself and will do whatever it takes to prove it.
When Nicole wakes up and finds herself on Substation Fifteen, a special plane of existence for teen suicides, she must accept the fact that she is no longer alive. Nicole has zero memory of dying, but she’s convinced she didn’t take her own life and doesn’t belong here.
Her only path to uncovering the truth is a journey through a minefield of secrets and lies, beginning at her own funeral. The clock is ticking while she tries to figure out a way to communicate from beyond the grave with Isabel and Cassie. Both girls know much more about Nicole's Last Day than they're willing to admit—but ultimately, the facts Nicole finds may be harder to piece together and accept than her death itself.
A story of family and friendship, the supernatural, and high school drama, The Little Things That Kill shows readers the impact of the small choices we make every day in our lives (and afterlives).
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2024
30 people are currently reading
930 people want to read
About the author
Annie Fox
14 books172 followersANNIE FOX is an author of books for children and teens. Annie loves making art, baking with sourdough, hiking in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband David and Gracie the Dog. Her first novel The Little Things that Kill: A YA Friendship Afterlife Apology Tour was published in 2024. Her most recent novel (YA sci-fi), Leeta Simtar: A Life on Two Planets (The Unauthorized Biography) was published in 2025. Both books are available wherever books are sold in ebook, audiobook, and print. Follow Annie on Bluesky: @anniefox.com
Annie's previous books include picture books (People Are Like Lollipops and reissued, Are You My Friend, Are We Lost), a parenting book (Teaching Kids to be Good People: Progressive Parenting for the 21st Century), and friendship skill building books for tweens and teens (The Girls' Q&A Book on Friendship: 50 Ways to Fix a Friendship Without the DRAMA, the MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL SERIES: Be Confident in Who You Are, Real Friends vs. the Other Kind, and What’s Up with My Family?).
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/anniefox.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/annielfox/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@anniefoxauthor
Annie's previous books include picture books (People Are Like Lollipops and reissued, Are You My Friend, Are We Lost), a parenting book (Teaching Kids to be Good People: Progressive Parenting for the 21st Century), and friendship skill building books for tweens and teens (The Girls' Q&A Book on Friendship: 50 Ways to Fix a Friendship Without the DRAMA, the MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL SERIES: Be Confident in Who You Are, Real Friends vs. the Other Kind, and What’s Up with My Family?).
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/anniefox.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/annielfox/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@anniefoxauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
January 15, 2024
First, I want to thank Annie Fox for letting me be a part of her ARC team for her debut novel! This e-book was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest review.
The Little Things That Kill is a YA metaphysical fiction novel. It follows three POVs: there’s Nicole, the main character, who kicks off the novel by waking up in Substation Fifteen, an afterlife for teenagers who have taken their own lives. There’s Isabel, Nicole’s best friend and practicing witch. And there’s Cassie, Nicole’s… “frenemy”. Nicole’s in love with Cassie’s boyfriend.
Nicole swears she would never kill herself. How did she end up in Substation Fifteen? This HAS to be a mistake, and she has 30 days (or less) to figure out what truly happened before she can move on in the afterlife. Buckle in as you follow all three angsty teenagers’ retelling of what led up to Nicole’s suicide… or accidental death… or murder? You get retellings, and then present-day Nicole visiting her loved ones and friends/frenemies as a spirit.
I really really enjoyed reading this story. It was such a cool paranormal vibe! It was fast-paced, with short and engaging chapters. Being as I have not read YA as an adult before, I was a little nervous, but Annie tells the story in a mature way, with still being able to get across the way 16 year old girls act. I was one many years ago… and we are annoying. 😂 She captured it perfectly.
I want to leave this spoiler-free so you all can enjoy it when it comes out on February 13th. But I will say I loved the themes of this novel. ((TW: grief, the loss of a child.)) I felt personally gutted by Nicole’s father’s response and outpouring of grief when Nicole died. Being the daughter of a father who has lost a child (my sister), this was such an important but heartbreaking perspective.
My only critique of this novel is that there were a lot of different things happening at once (romance, family issues with the main character & side characters, witchy stuff, an off-putting Mentor in the afterlife). This story was easy to follow, but I didn’t care as much for the romance subplot as I initially thought I would. It still portrays the ridiculousness of teenage “love”, so it was important. But my favorite part of the book was the unexpected plot twist. (Again, I’m spoiler-free, but wow!). The lead-up to the ending was perfect. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this and rate it 4 stars. I truly cared about the characters, and hope they are all adjusting to their new lives in their fictional world.
The Little Things That Kill is a YA metaphysical fiction novel. It follows three POVs: there’s Nicole, the main character, who kicks off the novel by waking up in Substation Fifteen, an afterlife for teenagers who have taken their own lives. There’s Isabel, Nicole’s best friend and practicing witch. And there’s Cassie, Nicole’s… “frenemy”. Nicole’s in love with Cassie’s boyfriend.
Nicole swears she would never kill herself. How did she end up in Substation Fifteen? This HAS to be a mistake, and she has 30 days (or less) to figure out what truly happened before she can move on in the afterlife. Buckle in as you follow all three angsty teenagers’ retelling of what led up to Nicole’s suicide… or accidental death… or murder? You get retellings, and then present-day Nicole visiting her loved ones and friends/frenemies as a spirit.
I really really enjoyed reading this story. It was such a cool paranormal vibe! It was fast-paced, with short and engaging chapters. Being as I have not read YA as an adult before, I was a little nervous, but Annie tells the story in a mature way, with still being able to get across the way 16 year old girls act. I was one many years ago… and we are annoying. 😂 She captured it perfectly.
I want to leave this spoiler-free so you all can enjoy it when it comes out on February 13th. But I will say I loved the themes of this novel. ((TW: grief, the loss of a child.)) I felt personally gutted by Nicole’s father’s response and outpouring of grief when Nicole died. Being the daughter of a father who has lost a child (my sister), this was such an important but heartbreaking perspective.
My only critique of this novel is that there were a lot of different things happening at once (romance, family issues with the main character & side characters, witchy stuff, an off-putting Mentor in the afterlife). This story was easy to follow, but I didn’t care as much for the romance subplot as I initially thought I would. It still portrays the ridiculousness of teenage “love”, so it was important. But my favorite part of the book was the unexpected plot twist. (Again, I’m spoiler-free, but wow!). The lead-up to the ending was perfect. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this and rate it 4 stars. I truly cared about the characters, and hope they are all adjusting to their new lives in their fictional world.
January 6, 2024
This was such a wonderful story about taking responsibility for your actions, especially when they hurt other people. Nicole's journey from annoying, narcissistic teenager to growing as a person who tries to make amends for her poor choices. Annie Fox captured the voices of teenagers with the stream of consciousness narrating. One of my favorite things about this book is how she depicted dreams as visitations from those who are no longer on this plane of existence. I have thought the same for many years. The revelation about how Nicole died was a little anti-climactic, since the story builds & makes you suspect just about everyone she knew. I also really enjoyed the allusion to reincarnation in the epilogue, since I've often thought that we do possibly return to earth in another life form after we die. If you liked Before I Fall or If I Stay, you will like this book. I'm so grateful to have read this story and I will definitely be buying the book when it comes out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this read alot. Not the ending I expected but I liked it still
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2024
Wow. The last young adult book I read I felt as if I rolled my eyes the entire time, but Annie Fox brought young adult novels to a whole new level. As a 30 year old I could not put this book down. Between the short and sweet chapters and the characters you just wanted to hug, I couldn’t get this book off my mind and finished it in a day and a half. The witty writing had me giggling and kept me coming back for more. Any time I put it down I couldn’t wait to be able to pick it up again and finish. The story line was unique and interesting and I would recommend, as well as read again! So honored to be able to read this ARC from the talented Annie Fox!
February 11, 2024
I was amazingly gifted the audiobook of this- thank you so much.
It follows the character of Nicole, but she’s dead and in a weird funky afterlife where she has to pass an evaluation before she gets to move on. The only problem is she has no idea how she died. So it follows her journey of trying to work out how she died. Was she pushed, did she fall or jump?! I was so invested in this story desperate to find out what happened and what caused it. It literally keeps you guessing all the way through. It’s a bit sad really because you grow to love the character so much that you want it not to be true. Definite “13 Reasons why” vibes, if you liked that, you’ll love this!
It follows the character of Nicole, but she’s dead and in a weird funky afterlife where she has to pass an evaluation before she gets to move on. The only problem is she has no idea how she died. So it follows her journey of trying to work out how she died. Was she pushed, did she fall or jump?! I was so invested in this story desperate to find out what happened and what caused it. It literally keeps you guessing all the way through. It’s a bit sad really because you grow to love the character so much that you want it not to be true. Definite “13 Reasons why” vibes, if you liked that, you’ll love this!
January 16, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
Sixteen-year-old Nicole wakes up in an unfamiliar and eerie place. She learns she is in a place called substation fifteen and immediately feels like something is off. She learns that she has died and in the afterlife. She also learns that substation fifteen is designated for people who have committed suicide, but feels like she is in the wrong place because she knows she would have never wanted to kill herself despite having no memories of what transpired before her untimely death. Nicole does get the chance to investigate her death but has a deadline she needs to meet. Nicole learns how to communicate with the living, particularly her witchy best friend Isabel as well as her frenemy Cassie in hopes of uncovering what had actually happened to her.
I really enjoyed listening to this YA novel, especially how it explored the themes of grief, loss, betrayal, etc. The author portrays the afterlife in such a unique manner, and I really enjoyed Nicole’s journey as she investigates her death. It was well-paced and also portrayed different perspectives so we were able to understand the other people’s point of views and not just take Nicole’s word of what actually happened. The author did an amazing job of giving each character with a POV in the book their own distinct voice. I did roll my eyes a little bit at the petty drama between the friends, but also had to remind myself that this is typical teenage girl behavior. Thank you to the author Annie Fox for gifting me the audiobook in exchange for an honest review ✨
Check out more book reviews on my blog! https://christinaschapterblog.com
Sixteen-year-old Nicole wakes up in an unfamiliar and eerie place. She learns she is in a place called substation fifteen and immediately feels like something is off. She learns that she has died and in the afterlife. She also learns that substation fifteen is designated for people who have committed suicide, but feels like she is in the wrong place because she knows she would have never wanted to kill herself despite having no memories of what transpired before her untimely death. Nicole does get the chance to investigate her death but has a deadline she needs to meet. Nicole learns how to communicate with the living, particularly her witchy best friend Isabel as well as her frenemy Cassie in hopes of uncovering what had actually happened to her.
I really enjoyed listening to this YA novel, especially how it explored the themes of grief, loss, betrayal, etc. The author portrays the afterlife in such a unique manner, and I really enjoyed Nicole’s journey as she investigates her death. It was well-paced and also portrayed different perspectives so we were able to understand the other people’s point of views and not just take Nicole’s word of what actually happened. The author did an amazing job of giving each character with a POV in the book their own distinct voice. I did roll my eyes a little bit at the petty drama between the friends, but also had to remind myself that this is typical teenage girl behavior. Thank you to the author Annie Fox for gifting me the audiobook in exchange for an honest review ✨
Check out more book reviews on my blog! https://christinaschapterblog.com
August 15, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
"Rainbows are a symbol of hope, connection, unity. A circle of warmth pulses in my heart chakra. Another sign. Of what? Nic wants my help. She wants . . . information. She doesn’t know how she died. Sudden death can confuse and disorient spirits. These souls can only rest when they learn the whole truth; otherwise, they are lost for eternity. I can help by telling her what happened. But if I tell the truth, she may never forgive me. And without her forgiveness, I’ll be lost."
This was a story about a Spirit who wakes up in an odd place, where she learns that she has died. Not only has she died, she has to come to terms with her death to move forward as a spirit and have a new chance at a new life. Only problem is, she doesn't remember how she died. So she looks to her family and friends for answers.
I love the creativity of this book, the ways she would go back and interact with people. The tools she would have to learn to use as a spirit. I LOVED her dad, and his "Non-negotiable truths". Her best friend Isabel was and adorable little wiccan, who I wanted to be growing up. And then there was Cassie, who you want to hate, but you just cant. She is a lost girl, just looking for love in a tough world. The story moved at a perfect pace in my opinion. I absolutely loved the ending! There is very little I would change or want more in this book.
Why a 4.5 star you ask? The two small things I think it was missing were:
1. I would have like to get to know the two male side characters a bit better. I know they weren't supposed to be huge leads. But I was so curious about Kyle, he seemed like a good friend to her and so sweet, he was into her, but that's all we really knew. I wish we got to know a little more.
2. Then there was Alex. We do know some about him. He was dating Cassie and well our main spirit Nicole wanted him to be dating her. He was a huge character in the plot. He is the worst, was that entirely in his control or not? We don't know. He's the typical high school boy. Makes high school boy mistakes, but it would have been nice to see Cassie learn more from them and their "toxic" relationship. To be stronger in that aspect like she was in the rest of her life.
All in all this was a fantastic read that I would recommend to everyone and anyone!
"Rainbows are a symbol of hope, connection, unity. A circle of warmth pulses in my heart chakra. Another sign. Of what? Nic wants my help. She wants . . . information. She doesn’t know how she died. Sudden death can confuse and disorient spirits. These souls can only rest when they learn the whole truth; otherwise, they are lost for eternity. I can help by telling her what happened. But if I tell the truth, she may never forgive me. And without her forgiveness, I’ll be lost."
This was a story about a Spirit who wakes up in an odd place, where she learns that she has died. Not only has she died, she has to come to terms with her death to move forward as a spirit and have a new chance at a new life. Only problem is, she doesn't remember how she died. So she looks to her family and friends for answers.
I love the creativity of this book, the ways she would go back and interact with people. The tools she would have to learn to use as a spirit. I LOVED her dad, and his "Non-negotiable truths". Her best friend Isabel was and adorable little wiccan, who I wanted to be growing up. And then there was Cassie, who you want to hate, but you just cant. She is a lost girl, just looking for love in a tough world. The story moved at a perfect pace in my opinion. I absolutely loved the ending! There is very little I would change or want more in this book.
Why a 4.5 star you ask? The two small things I think it was missing were:
1. I would have like to get to know the two male side characters a bit better. I know they weren't supposed to be huge leads. But I was so curious about Kyle, he seemed like a good friend to her and so sweet, he was into her, but that's all we really knew. I wish we got to know a little more.
2. Then there was Alex. We do know some about him. He was dating Cassie and well our main spirit Nicole wanted him to be dating her. He was a huge character in the plot. He is the worst, was that entirely in his control or not? We don't know. He's the typical high school boy. Makes high school boy mistakes, but it would have been nice to see Cassie learn more from them and their "toxic" relationship. To be stronger in that aspect like she was in the rest of her life.
All in all this was a fantastic read that I would recommend to everyone and anyone!
February 29, 2024
The Little Things That Kill by Annie Fox is a Teen Paranormal Who done it.
Nicole wakes up in a strange after life with no memory of her death and she’s sent to substation 15- the platform that prepares you for your next life after you’ve ended your own in the last life - one problem Nicole INSIST she wouldn’t kill herself. Now she has to prove to the “management” of this weird sci-fi feeling heaven that’s she’s either healed from the death she can’t remember or prove that she did in fact NOT kill herself.
So who did? Her witchy best friend? The boy she’s madly in love with? Or his jealous girlfriend?
This book has you eager to learn more as you’re reading and the plot twist will have you gasping.
As an adult this book was enjoyable but 13-17 year old me would’ve made this book my whole life.
I had early access to the audiobook version of this book- The audiobook is very well recorded and the voice actor did absolutely amazing. The book is a medium paced book, that has you questioning just enough to keep your interest peaked. The book doesn’t feel completely original it’s the stereotypical intertwining of people who shouldn’t be friends but they all have this death on their minds and can’t stop thinking about it (for one reason or another) so here they are - but the perspective from the dead girl does give a good spin on the story.
Overall this is a 4⭐️ read for me, would I read it again? Probably not, would I read more from this author in the future? Absolutely. I also immediately recommended it to my little sister, and I would recommend it to any other teen reader. I really enjoyed the sci-fi feeling elements and I could see Annie Fox doing absolutely amazing if she ever dips her toes into Science Fiction, her world building skills were absolutely breathtaking and I hope to see more from her
Nicole wakes up in a strange after life with no memory of her death and she’s sent to substation 15- the platform that prepares you for your next life after you’ve ended your own in the last life - one problem Nicole INSIST she wouldn’t kill herself. Now she has to prove to the “management” of this weird sci-fi feeling heaven that’s she’s either healed from the death she can’t remember or prove that she did in fact NOT kill herself.
So who did? Her witchy best friend? The boy she’s madly in love with? Or his jealous girlfriend?
This book has you eager to learn more as you’re reading and the plot twist will have you gasping.
As an adult this book was enjoyable but 13-17 year old me would’ve made this book my whole life.
I had early access to the audiobook version of this book- The audiobook is very well recorded and the voice actor did absolutely amazing. The book is a medium paced book, that has you questioning just enough to keep your interest peaked. The book doesn’t feel completely original it’s the stereotypical intertwining of people who shouldn’t be friends but they all have this death on their minds and can’t stop thinking about it (for one reason or another) so here they are - but the perspective from the dead girl does give a good spin on the story.
Overall this is a 4⭐️ read for me, would I read it again? Probably not, would I read more from this author in the future? Absolutely. I also immediately recommended it to my little sister, and I would recommend it to any other teen reader. I really enjoyed the sci-fi feeling elements and I could see Annie Fox doing absolutely amazing if she ever dips her toes into Science Fiction, her world building skills were absolutely breathtaking and I hope to see more from her
January 8, 2024
3.5
We are following Nicole through her post-death journey as she pieces together the moments leading to her death to figure out how she died, and whether it was the suicide that everyone is convinced of. Alongside Nicole's journey, we follow the perspective of Isabel, Nicole's best friend and a practising witch, who allows us a deeper understanding of the paranormal world; as well as Cassie, Nic's romantic rival and the girl who provides us with the build up of the romantic sub plot and the immediate tension between the book's female friendships.
There are a couple of things that I didn't like, so I will get into those first: I would have liked to have seen some of the scenes and dialogue fleshed out a bit more, as I think the writing style left the narration lacking at certain points. I also think there was too much focus on the romantic plot and that the ending would have been more shocking and satisfying if the romance plot wasn't as big of a focus as it was.
That being said, the writing style does mean that the paranormal aspects and the elements of witchcraft are easy to follow as it isn't overcomplicated, making for a quick and easy read! I loved learning about these aspects both from Iz, who is integrated in this world, as well as alongside Nic who is learning how the spirit world operates. I thought that the aspects of dreams and communication was particularly interesting and fun to delve into! I also really liked the twist the end of the book and enjoyed exploring the family and friendship dynamics throughout the novel. It was a really lovely journey through various relationships and the impact that one person has on the other people in their life.
Our three characters show a lot of development throughout the book. At times, each character can be annoying and frustrating, but it shows how well Annie Fox has managed to capture the experiences and growth of teenagers. This is especially shown through Nic's progression from a selfish teenager to someone who has learnt to own her own actions and actively want to make amends with the people who have been impacted by her choices.
I also enjoyed exploring the theme of grief through the perspectives of various characters. This book is pretty heavy at times and is quite emotional when dealing with how Nic's death has impacted those she left behind and how they are managing to come to terms with what happened and how it happened. So, I would definitely check content warnings before going into this book and keep in mind that the book revolves around themes of suicide, death and grief.
I enjoyed reading this book and it only just fell short of reaching a 4 Star rating for me. So, I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for their next heartfelt, paranormal YA!
Thank you so much to Annie Fox, Electric Eggplant Publishing, and BookFunnel for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
We are following Nicole through her post-death journey as she pieces together the moments leading to her death to figure out how she died, and whether it was the suicide that everyone is convinced of. Alongside Nicole's journey, we follow the perspective of Isabel, Nicole's best friend and a practising witch, who allows us a deeper understanding of the paranormal world; as well as Cassie, Nic's romantic rival and the girl who provides us with the build up of the romantic sub plot and the immediate tension between the book's female friendships.
There are a couple of things that I didn't like, so I will get into those first: I would have liked to have seen some of the scenes and dialogue fleshed out a bit more, as I think the writing style left the narration lacking at certain points. I also think there was too much focus on the romantic plot and that the ending would have been more shocking and satisfying if the romance plot wasn't as big of a focus as it was.
That being said, the writing style does mean that the paranormal aspects and the elements of witchcraft are easy to follow as it isn't overcomplicated, making for a quick and easy read! I loved learning about these aspects both from Iz, who is integrated in this world, as well as alongside Nic who is learning how the spirit world operates. I thought that the aspects of dreams and communication was particularly interesting and fun to delve into! I also really liked the twist the end of the book and enjoyed exploring the family and friendship dynamics throughout the novel. It was a really lovely journey through various relationships and the impact that one person has on the other people in their life.
Our three characters show a lot of development throughout the book. At times, each character can be annoying and frustrating, but it shows how well Annie Fox has managed to capture the experiences and growth of teenagers. This is especially shown through Nic's progression from a selfish teenager to someone who has learnt to own her own actions and actively want to make amends with the people who have been impacted by her choices.
I also enjoyed exploring the theme of grief through the perspectives of various characters. This book is pretty heavy at times and is quite emotional when dealing with how Nic's death has impacted those she left behind and how they are managing to come to terms with what happened and how it happened. So, I would definitely check content warnings before going into this book and keep in mind that the book revolves around themes of suicide, death and grief.
I enjoyed reading this book and it only just fell short of reaching a 4 Star rating for me. So, I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for their next heartfelt, paranormal YA!
Thank you so much to Annie Fox, Electric Eggplant Publishing, and BookFunnel for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 23, 2024
I read this via e-book and listened to the audiobook narrated by Maria Marquis and I absolutely loved it!!!
This story completely took me by surprise and I was so invested, I needed to know what happened more than I needed to breathe.
Annie Fox tells an amazingly heartwarming story of teen suicide and the journey after death. The struggle to acceptance, not only for the victim but also for those she left behind.
I found this story so compelling. It made my heart break and built it all back together throughout this beautifully written book.
The characters were absolutely amazing and I found a connection to each and every one.
Friendships were at the top of themes in this book and it was so fascinating to learn of all their difficulties and strengths.
I love this book and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
This story completely took me by surprise and I was so invested, I needed to know what happened more than I needed to breathe.
Annie Fox tells an amazingly heartwarming story of teen suicide and the journey after death. The struggle to acceptance, not only for the victim but also for those she left behind.
I found this story so compelling. It made my heart break and built it all back together throughout this beautifully written book.
The characters were absolutely amazing and I found a connection to each and every one.
Friendships were at the top of themes in this book and it was so fascinating to learn of all their difficulties and strengths.
I love this book and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
April 30, 2024
This young adult fiction book about an after life mystery was full of secrets and lies along with paranormal activity and witchcraft!
Lots of emotions in this one- guilt, grief, betrayal and friendships. Definitely gave 13 Reasons Why vibes.
I really enjoyed getting the three different POVs- it made me very invested in the characters. The story flowed really well too.
I don’t always list trigger warnings in my reviews, but for this one I feel I need to- there are themes of suicide, death and grief throughout it.
Recommend reading this one if you like young adult fiction and paranormal/witchcraft activity!🖤
Thank you @annielfox for this #gifted e-copy!
Lots of emotions in this one- guilt, grief, betrayal and friendships. Definitely gave 13 Reasons Why vibes.
I really enjoyed getting the three different POVs- it made me very invested in the characters. The story flowed really well too.
I don’t always list trigger warnings in my reviews, but for this one I feel I need to- there are themes of suicide, death and grief throughout it.
Recommend reading this one if you like young adult fiction and paranormal/witchcraft activity!🖤
Thank you @annielfox for this #gifted e-copy!
February 9, 2024
It was awesome to be apart of this ARC team, as this is my first ARC, I am beyond honored to be able to review this book.
This story follows the main character Nicole, who dies by a supposed suicide, with no recollection of how. It is told from 3 different perspectives with the first-person POV of Nicole, her witchy best friend Isabel who is very in tune with her gifts, and her frenemy Cassie who’s boyfriend she is in love with.
The story begins with Nicole making her way to Substation 15 in the afterlife where she has to go through an evaluation in order to move on. With no memory of how she died, she goes through the motions of reflecting on her life when she was alive and learning how to communicate with her loved ones to regain her memory in order to pass her evaluation. Nicole is sure she wouldn’t have committed suicide and this book has you question whether it really was suicide, or if she died by someone else’s hand.
This book made me laugh, cry, and then sob. It perfectly captures how it is to be a teenage girl. Whether you were the suicidal teenager, the witchy best friend, the girl that was obsessed with a boy, the girl with a bad home life, or all of the above, you will find that this book resonates with all of us who were that 16y/o at one point.
It exudes that same energy that all those YA paranormal books of the 2010s had and itches that scratch that you’ve been looking for, for years. This healed apart of my 16y/o self, and I would read it over and over again and 10/10 recommend to others.
If 13 Reasons Why met the afterlife themes of Beetlejuice, with a paranormal witchy spin, you would have this book! If that sounds appealing to you, you would absolutely adore this story.
This story follows the main character Nicole, who dies by a supposed suicide, with no recollection of how. It is told from 3 different perspectives with the first-person POV of Nicole, her witchy best friend Isabel who is very in tune with her gifts, and her frenemy Cassie who’s boyfriend she is in love with.
The story begins with Nicole making her way to Substation 15 in the afterlife where she has to go through an evaluation in order to move on. With no memory of how she died, she goes through the motions of reflecting on her life when she was alive and learning how to communicate with her loved ones to regain her memory in order to pass her evaluation. Nicole is sure she wouldn’t have committed suicide and this book has you question whether it really was suicide, or if she died by someone else’s hand.
This book made me laugh, cry, and then sob. It perfectly captures how it is to be a teenage girl. Whether you were the suicidal teenager, the witchy best friend, the girl that was obsessed with a boy, the girl with a bad home life, or all of the above, you will find that this book resonates with all of us who were that 16y/o at one point.
It exudes that same energy that all those YA paranormal books of the 2010s had and itches that scratch that you’ve been looking for, for years. This healed apart of my 16y/o self, and I would read it over and over again and 10/10 recommend to others.
If 13 Reasons Why met the afterlife themes of Beetlejuice, with a paranormal witchy spin, you would have this book! If that sounds appealing to you, you would absolutely adore this story.
February 18, 2024
This is a YA novel and it reads very YA. The trivial issues for a teenager were becoming eye roll worthy for me. This isn’t necessarily the author’s fault as the characters were teenagers. It just became a little much for me.
However, with this said, I still enjoyed the book! Nicole wakes up and finds out she is dead, but can’t remember what happened; why and how. Now she is on the journey to find answers. Also, the ending was so beautiful!
However, with this said, I still enjoyed the book! Nicole wakes up and finds out she is dead, but can’t remember what happened; why and how. Now she is on the journey to find answers. Also, the ending was so beautiful!
February 13, 2024
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Little Things That Kill is about a 16 year old girl that passes away, only to be told that she committed suicide. Despite having no memory of what happened, Nicole insists that is not how she died. In the after life, she insists that she doesn't belong on Substation 15, which is where people go when they take their own lives.
Determined to find out what really happened, to not only prove she's in the wrong place, but to pass an evaluation she has to take in order to move on, she starts an investigation. Nicole visits her Dad, friend Isabel who is a talented witch, and frenemy Cassie by invaded their dreams or manifesting.
The Little Things That Kill gives you the viewpoints of Nicole, Isabel, and Cassie, which allows us to see things from different perspectives. You are also shown the grief of her father through Nicole's eyes. This really hit home for me as I have a daughter and can't imagine losing her.
This book was a good view at how grief affects different people. It was also really cool to see the growth of Nicole within in the book. She starts off as a typical teenage girl, a bit narcissistic and defiant, and changes as you read. Annie did a fantastic job of tapping into teenage girls!
All in all I thought The Little Things That Kill was a really great book and would recommend it to anyone that loves YA, witchy, self discovery books.
The Little Things That Kill is about a 16 year old girl that passes away, only to be told that she committed suicide. Despite having no memory of what happened, Nicole insists that is not how she died. In the after life, she insists that she doesn't belong on Substation 15, which is where people go when they take their own lives.
Determined to find out what really happened, to not only prove she's in the wrong place, but to pass an evaluation she has to take in order to move on, she starts an investigation. Nicole visits her Dad, friend Isabel who is a talented witch, and frenemy Cassie by invaded their dreams or manifesting.
The Little Things That Kill gives you the viewpoints of Nicole, Isabel, and Cassie, which allows us to see things from different perspectives. You are also shown the grief of her father through Nicole's eyes. This really hit home for me as I have a daughter and can't imagine losing her.
This book was a good view at how grief affects different people. It was also really cool to see the growth of Nicole within in the book. She starts off as a typical teenage girl, a bit narcissistic and defiant, and changes as you read. Annie did a fantastic job of tapping into teenage girls!
All in all I thought The Little Things That Kill was a really great book and would recommend it to anyone that loves YA, witchy, self discovery books.
January 6, 2024
I absolutely love this story made me cry a few times I don't know if it's just me or if it's the book but it was absolutely wonderful and I highly recommend it is a paranormal book and I highly recommend it to any of my bookish friends and can't wait to read more by this author
January 12, 2024
The premise of this book was so appealing to me. Don’t we all wonder from time to time what happens when we die? This was a wonderful interpretation of just that. While I did find Nicole’s POV to be extra frustrating at times, I had to remind myself that she was only 16. This story was a beautiful one in regard to how we grieve, how we cherish our relationships and ultimately, in the end, what it is that truly matters. This is definitely for a younger 13-20 age range and I think it touches on some very important moments for young readers that they might relate to. I think this story is also a powerful message about how our choices are endless even though we may not feel like they are at times. Overall this was a wonderful book with a beautiful ending.
September 8, 2024
Obsessed is an understatement. I needed something refreshing and this did it for me. This YA thriller follows the FMC as she deals with purgatory and seeing what happened to her in life so she can move on in death. It kept me guessing through and through. It was a beautiful read. I now have audible, hard copy and electric! Thank you for the epub copy Annie. I loved it. What a great start to spooky season💖
January 12, 2024
If you’re looking for a YA novel that will tug you in and keep you interested from start to finish… this is the book for you. It was well-rounded and theres nothing that the author left out in the plot. I felt that this book flowed perfectly and ended in the most satisfying way that it could have. Definitely recommend this heartfelt book!
March 14, 2024
Mystery, mysticism, and murder? Maybe! The Little Things That Kill: A Teen Friendship Afterlife Apology Tour follows the story of three teenage girls, after one of the girls (Nicole) unexpectedly dies. Instead of death being the end of her story, she experiences an afterlife in which she has thirty days to remember what happened to her and to learn and grow from her experiences before she can “move on” (reincarnate). Meanwhile, her friends Isabel and Cassie are coping with loss and with the impact their actions and words may have had on their departed friend.
The three young women are expertly written with unique personalities and quirks that make each of them feel distinct and believable. Central to this is each girl’s home-life and upbringing. Cassie, on the surface, is a tough-as-nails chick raised in a broken home (poverty and with an abusive and alcoholic mother who she appropriately refers to as Buzz Kill). The tough facade is just that, as there is a charming other side to her where she works at a daycare facility and is incredibly kind and nurturing to the children. Essentially, she’s everything her mother isn’t.
Isabel is a Wiccan (a witch) who somewhat steals the show as the standout character. There’s a well developed dichotomy within Isabel; a balance between being wise beyond her years due to her intense focus on spirituality, while at the same time still being a teenage girl with all the emotions, hormones, and maturity level that naturally entails. She’s written as a very sensitive soul who feels the effects of loss and of her actions towards others so deeply that it takes a physical toll on her health throughout the story.
Nicole, the aforementioned dead girl, is interesting because (to perhaps a greater extent than the other girls), she believes that she is a good person or at least seems to be unaware of her flaws. As the reader, following along from a first-person narrative perspective, we believe her because she believes herself. As she starts to recall events leading up to her death, we discover (at the same time she does) that she’s been manipulative, duplicitous, and self-serving and isn’t quite the paragon of virtue she believed herself to be. Cassie and Isabel are both more aware of when they do something wrong. Nicole lived her life somewhat oblivious to that.
There’s a “What Dreams May Come” vibe to Nicole’s adventure in the afterlife, but less abstract. Instead of a land rendered in magical paint where thought becomes reality, it’s much more structured. It’s not expanded on too much, but you get a sense that there are rules and mechanics and even some technology in use. In her quest to discovere whether her death was a suicide, an accident, or murder, Nicole must learn how to visit and interact with loved ones in their dreams. She eventually even manages to visit and materialize in the real world and manipulate objects via telekinesis.
The pacing of the story is great and there’s just the right amount of mystery and little hints to really pull you in and make you want to learn the truth just as much as Nicole does! The ending is satisfying and packs an emotional punch that makes you empathize with Nicole’s mindset and emotional state.
There’s also, in my opinion, a subtle secondary moral about the dangers and challenges of modern, always-Internet-connected life. As Bo Burnham sang in his song Welcome to the Internet: “Anything and everything, all of the time.” - we see the negative side of being always instantly reachable and being able to immediately search for and discover details about people from our past with merely a few taps. Specifically, we see the impact this power can have on youth who lack the emotional maturity to pause and not instantly react and respond when confronted with something upsetting. Technology has made us so connected and sped up the pace of life so much, that gone is that lag time between emotional flare up and being able to do something about it. It was in that brief window that we once processed emotions allowing cooler heads to sometimes prevail.
The three young women are expertly written with unique personalities and quirks that make each of them feel distinct and believable. Central to this is each girl’s home-life and upbringing. Cassie, on the surface, is a tough-as-nails chick raised in a broken home (poverty and with an abusive and alcoholic mother who she appropriately refers to as Buzz Kill). The tough facade is just that, as there is a charming other side to her where she works at a daycare facility and is incredibly kind and nurturing to the children. Essentially, she’s everything her mother isn’t.
Isabel is a Wiccan (a witch) who somewhat steals the show as the standout character. There’s a well developed dichotomy within Isabel; a balance between being wise beyond her years due to her intense focus on spirituality, while at the same time still being a teenage girl with all the emotions, hormones, and maturity level that naturally entails. She’s written as a very sensitive soul who feels the effects of loss and of her actions towards others so deeply that it takes a physical toll on her health throughout the story.
Nicole, the aforementioned dead girl, is interesting because (to perhaps a greater extent than the other girls), she believes that she is a good person or at least seems to be unaware of her flaws. As the reader, following along from a first-person narrative perspective, we believe her because she believes herself. As she starts to recall events leading up to her death, we discover (at the same time she does) that she’s been manipulative, duplicitous, and self-serving and isn’t quite the paragon of virtue she believed herself to be. Cassie and Isabel are both more aware of when they do something wrong. Nicole lived her life somewhat oblivious to that.
There’s a “What Dreams May Come” vibe to Nicole’s adventure in the afterlife, but less abstract. Instead of a land rendered in magical paint where thought becomes reality, it’s much more structured. It’s not expanded on too much, but you get a sense that there are rules and mechanics and even some technology in use. In her quest to discovere whether her death was a suicide, an accident, or murder, Nicole must learn how to visit and interact with loved ones in their dreams. She eventually even manages to visit and materialize in the real world and manipulate objects via telekinesis.
The pacing of the story is great and there’s just the right amount of mystery and little hints to really pull you in and make you want to learn the truth just as much as Nicole does! The ending is satisfying and packs an emotional punch that makes you empathize with Nicole’s mindset and emotional state.
There’s also, in my opinion, a subtle secondary moral about the dangers and challenges of modern, always-Internet-connected life. As Bo Burnham sang in his song Welcome to the Internet: “Anything and everything, all of the time.” - we see the negative side of being always instantly reachable and being able to immediately search for and discover details about people from our past with merely a few taps. Specifically, we see the impact this power can have on youth who lack the emotional maturity to pause and not instantly react and respond when confronted with something upsetting. Technology has made us so connected and sped up the pace of life so much, that gone is that lag time between emotional flare up and being able to do something about it. It was in that brief window that we once processed emotions allowing cooler heads to sometimes prevail.
April 15, 2024
READ THIS BOOK. The Little Things That Kill is such a captivating story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. I will continue to recommend this book as it has made it into my top all-time reads.
February 7, 2024
Update: the author kindly let me listen to the audiobook! It's so great to hear these characters be bought to life and hear their personalities almost come off the pages! It's really a heartwarming and heartbreaking book. I've decided to change my original four star rating to five stars!
* * *
To begin with, thank you to the author for the free copy of this book in exchange for a review. The book is out on February 13th!
It is perfect for fans of 13 Reasons Why, this book really is the definition of "Don't make permanent decisions based on temporary feelings"
It's such a beautiful and emotional story to follow. Nicole finds herself in a strange world, which turns out to be the afterlife. She learns that this substation she's in has lots of different levels and her one is for suicide. She doesn't believe that. She can't remember how she died, but surely she didn't kill herself? Nicole goes on a heart breaking and heart warming journey to find out the truth before her evaluation in 30 days. She learns to reconnect with people through dreams and getting herself back into the real world. It's very interesting and the author uses these themes well.
There are also perspectives from Cassie and Isobel. Cassie is a difficult character but you really feel for her due to her background. Isobel was also interesting, an actual witch! That was fun. These two characters make the story very gripping, why do they feel somewhat to blame for Nicole's death? What did they do? What are they hiding? I'm happy we got to find all these out, alongside more about the afterlife world and all that comes with it. Also Grace, Nicole's mentor in the afterlife. She was intriguing. Sometimes these characters could be immature, and some of Nicole's reactions did surprise me and make me question her. But they are very young, and we do see them develop and mature through time!
We finally learn what happened to Nicole and my, what an emotional rollarcoaster! Especially with the dad. I had to try not to cry at all this! So heartbreaking, but also heartwarming.
Obviously this book deals with hard themes so be warned, but it's really worth it. Suitable for younger and older audiences, it looks at importance of our decisions. The importance of reaching out for help and talking to people. The importance of acceptance and dealing with our grief. It's worth a read! I wish I had more books like this as a teenager!
* * *
To begin with, thank you to the author for the free copy of this book in exchange for a review. The book is out on February 13th!
It is perfect for fans of 13 Reasons Why, this book really is the definition of "Don't make permanent decisions based on temporary feelings"
It's such a beautiful and emotional story to follow. Nicole finds herself in a strange world, which turns out to be the afterlife. She learns that this substation she's in has lots of different levels and her one is for suicide. She doesn't believe that. She can't remember how she died, but surely she didn't kill herself? Nicole goes on a heart breaking and heart warming journey to find out the truth before her evaluation in 30 days. She learns to reconnect with people through dreams and getting herself back into the real world. It's very interesting and the author uses these themes well.
There are also perspectives from Cassie and Isobel. Cassie is a difficult character but you really feel for her due to her background. Isobel was also interesting, an actual witch! That was fun. These two characters make the story very gripping, why do they feel somewhat to blame for Nicole's death? What did they do? What are they hiding? I'm happy we got to find all these out, alongside more about the afterlife world and all that comes with it. Also Grace, Nicole's mentor in the afterlife. She was intriguing. Sometimes these characters could be immature, and some of Nicole's reactions did surprise me and make me question her. But they are very young, and we do see them develop and mature through time!
We finally learn what happened to Nicole and my, what an emotional rollarcoaster! Especially with the dad. I had to try not to cry at all this! So heartbreaking, but also heartwarming.
Obviously this book deals with hard themes so be warned, but it's really worth it. Suitable for younger and older audiences, it looks at importance of our decisions. The importance of reaching out for help and talking to people. The importance of acceptance and dealing with our grief. It's worth a read! I wish I had more books like this as a teenager!
January 4, 2024
I had a bit of a hard time getting into the book but even though my struggles, the protagonist and the mystery kept me turning to the next page. The inner monologue is a bit longwinded, but I have to step back and remember most 16y/o are annoying little shits and that didn't keep us from loving hunger games or books like it (because lets be honest, Katniss also had a bunch of inner monologue sometimes dragging on). The world building is fantastical and its interesting seeing how the power hierarchy in this place for the dead works and plays out. What power decides the fate of a young girl framed for suicide? Are the mentors human or something else? What tools does a soul get to solve the mystery of her own death?
We get to follow not only our dead girl but her closest friends left alive and their pov is good reading too! Very different personalities that all balance the pacing of the book well.
Goddamn, if there is one thing this girl does, its running. Always and everywhere she'll just take off. No matter as the story nears its end the character growth is lovely to follow. And the wrap up is heartwarming!
I have found a new pet peeve in a book though, all of this mentioning of social medias popular today but at the same time song references from the 2010s. I am young enough to feel iffy about these discrepancies of pop-culture, lol. (also 16y/o rarely use facebook today)
3.75 stars, not my usual read but the prompt was something I wanted to bite into and I'm not disappointed.
We get to follow not only our dead girl but her closest friends left alive and their pov is good reading too! Very different personalities that all balance the pacing of the book well.
Goddamn, if there is one thing this girl does, its running. Always and everywhere she'll just take off. No matter as the story nears its end the character growth is lovely to follow. And the wrap up is heartwarming!
I have found a new pet peeve in a book though, all of this mentioning of social medias popular today but at the same time song references from the 2010s. I am young enough to feel iffy about these discrepancies of pop-culture, lol. (also 16y/o rarely use facebook today)
3.75 stars, not my usual read but the prompt was something I wanted to bite into and I'm not disappointed.
June 1, 2024
It’s the first book that’s made me cry in a while. It brought me back to when i was a teenager and feeling all those feelings. I loved the sense of accountability that the girls needed to take. It was thought provoking, goofy, and intense.
January 30, 2024
4.5 ⭐️First off, I would like to thank Annie Fox for picking me to be part of her ARC team. This was my first ARC read and I couldn’t have read a better book for that.
This YA novel follows Nicole, the female protagonist who starts off dead at the beginning of the book. She ends up in an area called Substation 15, where all of the deaths were caused by suicide. She doesn’t believe she committed suicide and she has a limited amount of time to figure out how she died before being sent to another location. This book follows multiple points of view: The main character, Nicole, Nicole’s practicing witch best friend, Isabel, and Nicole’s romantic rival, Cassie.
The subject matter can be a dark topic, but the author handles it incredibly well. I was transported back to my angsty, drama filled teenage years with the inner monologues. I liked how the afterlife was portrayed and was engrossed in that world. I also loved the paranormal and witchy themes throughout the book. This book covers the topics of loss, redemption, and self growth. It reminded me of a mix of The Lovely Bones, Where Dreams May Come, and 13 Reasons Why tamed down to be appropriate for a YA novel.
Please check out this book on February 13, 2024.
This YA novel follows Nicole, the female protagonist who starts off dead at the beginning of the book. She ends up in an area called Substation 15, where all of the deaths were caused by suicide. She doesn’t believe she committed suicide and she has a limited amount of time to figure out how she died before being sent to another location. This book follows multiple points of view: The main character, Nicole, Nicole’s practicing witch best friend, Isabel, and Nicole’s romantic rival, Cassie.
The subject matter can be a dark topic, but the author handles it incredibly well. I was transported back to my angsty, drama filled teenage years with the inner monologues. I liked how the afterlife was portrayed and was engrossed in that world. I also loved the paranormal and witchy themes throughout the book. This book covers the topics of loss, redemption, and self growth. It reminded me of a mix of The Lovely Bones, Where Dreams May Come, and 13 Reasons Why tamed down to be appropriate for a YA novel.
Please check out this book on February 13, 2024.
February 8, 2024
They say it was suicide, but Nicole knows damn well she didn’t kill herself and won’t take this lying down. From the moment I delved into this gripping tale, it felt like Nicole was confiding in me, whispering her secrets and fears. Crafted with such personal storytelling, every page resonated with me on a profound level. As Nicole navigated her way through Substation Fifteen, I felt like I was right there beside her, grappling with the same questions and doubts. Through Isabel's eyes, I experienced the world of magic and friendship, while Cassie's perspective added layers of complexity and emotion. And Nicole, with her unyielding spirit and unwavering determination, became more than just a character; she felt like a kindred spirit, urging me to join her on this quest for truth. Against the backdrop of Northern California, the story unfolded like a bittersweet melody, tugging at my heartstrings with every turn of the page. This isn't just a book; it's a deeply personal journey that left an indelible mark on my soul. A must-read for anyone seeking a story that feels like it was written just for them."
February 3, 2024
Annie got me in ALL my feeling with this story! I am completely blown away. As a person who was institutionalized for attempted unaliving and struggled with multiple other attempts in my life... this story reached me on a very emotional level and REALLY hit home for me! This story definitely has me reflecting on my own choices through life. I do want to first say that the opening chapters of this story were amazing and so well written; definitely felt like a very real way of 'waking up' dead. Nicole's afterlife journey had me on the edge of my seat! There was joy, heartbreak, anger, sorrow, revenge, and forgiveness for a lot of characters in this story and that is amazing. If you liked and/or were impacted by stories like Speak (for the connection to teen mental health) and 13 reasons why, this story is definitely one for you. Personally, I feel this story would be impactful to everyone and everyone should read it. Whether you struggled with mental health, life, unaliving thoughts, etc... or none at all but know people who have... read it!
March 3, 2024
I loved the book. I received the audio version to review, and the narrator breathes life into the story. This is a has a great deal of keeping you guessing what really happened vibe
February 9, 2024
I would like to start by saying that I am not normally a big audiobook person because I sometimes struggle to process the narration. I did not have this problem with "The Little Things That Kill."
This story follows Nicole as she struggles to uncover the cause of her own death from the afterlife. As the book progresses, she gains clarity over the various things that led to her untimely demise before realizing the truth in the nick of time.
I really enjoyed the beautiful descriptions that the author uses throughout this story. As the narrative progresses, these lovely descriptions made it incredibly easy for me to picture the setting, characters, and their interactions. Again, this is something that I normally struggle with when listening to audiobooks, so this stuck out to me as evidence of particularly strong writing.
The author also maintains a believable and distinct voice throughout each of the POVs of the characters telling the story, which masterfully come together to piece together what happened to Nicole. I found each of their motivations and perspectives compelling. I often find myself thinking about other characters when reading sections of a multi-POV work, but in this piece, I found myself invested in each facet of this story. I found each of them to be fairly realistic in how they are portrayed, and their uniqueness is a large part of what kept my interest.
The topics covered in this story are very heavy, as this book contains themes pertaining to abuse, teenage suicide, grief, and bullying, but the author approaches these in a way that is straightforward without being insensitive. I have infinite respect for the way in which these topics are handled.
I would like to thank Annie Fox for having me as part of her audiobook's ARC team, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
This story follows Nicole as she struggles to uncover the cause of her own death from the afterlife. As the book progresses, she gains clarity over the various things that led to her untimely demise before realizing the truth in the nick of time.
I really enjoyed the beautiful descriptions that the author uses throughout this story. As the narrative progresses, these lovely descriptions made it incredibly easy for me to picture the setting, characters, and their interactions. Again, this is something that I normally struggle with when listening to audiobooks, so this stuck out to me as evidence of particularly strong writing.
The author also maintains a believable and distinct voice throughout each of the POVs of the characters telling the story, which masterfully come together to piece together what happened to Nicole. I found each of their motivations and perspectives compelling. I often find myself thinking about other characters when reading sections of a multi-POV work, but in this piece, I found myself invested in each facet of this story. I found each of them to be fairly realistic in how they are portrayed, and their uniqueness is a large part of what kept my interest.
The topics covered in this story are very heavy, as this book contains themes pertaining to abuse, teenage suicide, grief, and bullying, but the author approaches these in a way that is straightforward without being insensitive. I have infinite respect for the way in which these topics are handled.
I would like to thank Annie Fox for having me as part of her audiobook's ARC team, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
January 14, 2024
Annie Fox's "The Little Things That Kill" is a powerful exploration of personal growth and redemption. Through Nicole's journey, the novel skillfully tackles the complexities of taking responsibility for one's actions. Fox's ability to capture the authentic voices of teenagers, especially through stream of consciousness narration, immerses readers in the world of young minds grappling with self-discovery.
The story's strength lies in its portrayal of Nicole's transformation from a narcissistic teenager to someone actively seeking to make amends. Fox's world-building is exceptional, with all characters feeling remarkably genuine. The gradual revelation of Nicole's demise through the perspectives of those around her adds a compelling layer to the narrative.
Annie Fox's connection with young people shines through, allowing readers to navigate the characters' challenges alongside them. The novel's highlight is Fox's subtle guidance, letting characters find their own solutions. Overall, "The Little Things That Kill" is a masterfully crafted tale that resonates with authenticity and insight. I highly recommend this novel for its compelling storytelling and its profound exploration of personal growth.
#Annie Fox, Thank you so much for letting me be in your ARC team.
The story's strength lies in its portrayal of Nicole's transformation from a narcissistic teenager to someone actively seeking to make amends. Fox's world-building is exceptional, with all characters feeling remarkably genuine. The gradual revelation of Nicole's demise through the perspectives of those around her adds a compelling layer to the narrative.
Annie Fox's connection with young people shines through, allowing readers to navigate the characters' challenges alongside them. The novel's highlight is Fox's subtle guidance, letting characters find their own solutions. Overall, "The Little Things That Kill" is a masterfully crafted tale that resonates with authenticity and insight. I highly recommend this novel for its compelling storytelling and its profound exploration of personal growth.
#Annie Fox, Thank you so much for letting me be in your ARC team.
February 13, 2024
This is YA fiction dealing with a heavy topic, death of a teenager. Nicole is 16. She finds herself in the afterlife. People thinks she committed suicide, she knows she didn’t. She ends up at Station 15 with a mentor. She has 30 days until her evaluation and she needs answers.
I liked how the author created a post life realm where spirits are transitioning to their final destination. Nic’s best friend Iz is still in the mortal world but can communicate and see Nic because she’s a witch. This created the bridge Nic needs to find answers of what happened. She finds out a lot more about family secrets, the importance of treating others kindly and letting go.
I want to thank the author for a copy of her ebook. I liked the creative way she deals with life, death, family tragedy and loss. This review is voluntarily given.
(I lost a sister at a very young age almost 40 years ago from a tragic accident). I’ve often wondered what she is doing and I have felt her presence in the past. This novel brought those feelings back to the surface.
I liked how the author created a post life realm where spirits are transitioning to their final destination. Nic’s best friend Iz is still in the mortal world but can communicate and see Nic because she’s a witch. This created the bridge Nic needs to find answers of what happened. She finds out a lot more about family secrets, the importance of treating others kindly and letting go.
I want to thank the author for a copy of her ebook. I liked the creative way she deals with life, death, family tragedy and loss. This review is voluntarily given.
(I lost a sister at a very young age almost 40 years ago from a tragic accident). I’ve often wondered what she is doing and I have felt her presence in the past. This novel brought those feelings back to the surface.
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