She Haunts Me Still

by De Elizabeth

These violent delights have violent ends.

After surviving a shadowed childhood, Mallory Webb is ready to start fresh as a theater major at her mother’s alma mater, a sanitarium turned liberal arts university in Rhode Island. Landing the lead role in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet feels like a dream—until the blood-soaked wraith that caused her mother’s death resurfaces after years of quiet. With nothing to go on but cryptic symbols in an old college notebook, Mallory hopes the reason behind her mother’s haunting lies somewhere on campus, and resolves to find answers before she meets the same fate.

She’s surprised to make an unexpected ally in Ezra Pierce, the magnetic fourth year directing the play, and takes solace in their undeniable chemistry. But Ezra is a master secret keeper, and it’s clear he knows more than he’s letting on about Saskia Garin, Mallory’s elusive understudy whose past eerily mirrors her own.

When an ancient, bloodthirsty evil calls to collect a bargain that dates back to the New England vampire panic, Mallory, Ezra, and Saskia will have to untangle the tragic ways in which their histories are linked—and face the devastating consequences of their own star-crossed love story.

Genres: Horror, Dark Academia, Fantasy, Vampires, Queer, Adult, Lesbian

432 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 11, 2026

About the author

De Elizabeth is a dark fantasy and horror author, writing both YA and adult. She is passionate about creating emotionally resonant stories featuring bisexual representation, genre blends, unhinged villains, chaotic third acts, and characters with big feelings. Her debut YA novel, This Raging Sea, was published in 2025. Her upcoming books include an adult romantic horror novel titled She Haunts Me Still, and a forthcoming YA dark fantasy, A Death Kissed Song. You can follow her on Instagram @WordsByDe.

Reviews

[Dione (RickEveScrolls) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before going in, all I knew was: theatre setting, possible vampires… curses? ghosts? and dreamy love interests. That alone sold me because I already trust De’s writing — and yep, I was absolutely right. This book wasn’t just iconic, it was incredibly addictive.

Every chapter ends with something insane that makes you go wtf… okay fine, one more chapter, and somehow the stakes keep escalating until you reach the end completely speechless. I was so hooked and immersed in the storytelling that putting the book down felt impossible. If I hadn’t been on holiday, I genuinely would’ve locked myself in my room and finished this in one sitting.

The atmosphere is one of this book’s biggest strengths, its eerie, theatrical, and layered with supernatural tension. De’s prose is achingly beautiful, the kind that makes you understand every character’s motivations even when you know they’re walking straight red flags. I found myself agreeing with decisions I normally wouldn’t, simply because the writing pulls you so deeply into the characters’ emotional worlds.

Ezra is easily one of the most compelling characters here; complex, secretive, and frustratingly magnetic. It’s established early on that he’s hiding things (not a spoiler), yet every time he deflects or dodges questions, you still want to believe him. He leaves you with more questions than answers, and that ambiguity only makes him more fascinating. Saskia is another standout; pretty, badass, and wrapped in mystery. The blurb reveals very little about them, and discovering their character organically was one of the most rewarding parts of the story. And then there’s Mallory, our main character, who truly goes through an emotional whirlwind. She may trust and fall a little quickly, but honestly, I understood her. The tension, the vulnerability, and the emotional circumstances surrounding her choices made them feel believable. Plus, if you witnessed the charm and intensity of these love interests firsthand, you’d probably fold too. I kept telling myself nah, couldn’t be me, only to immediately go okay wait… that was smooth.

The horror elements create vivid, cinematic imagery that feels almost tangible. With my horror media brain, I kept paralleling moments to The Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Lights Out, Black Swan, and Abigail; haunting, psychological, and beautifully unsettling. Emotionally, the story takes you through Mallory’s desperation, the slow unraveling of her situation, and the overwhelming mysteries she faces while trying to hold onto her sanity.

I buddy-read this, and we were constantly spiraling - forming theories, second-guessing everything, and still being surprised by how the story unfolded. The plot feels fresh and intriguing, encouraging you to surrender to the narrative rather than overthinking it. Between Ezra’s charm, the ominous atmosphere surrounding Mallory, and the secrets lurking within Shore College, there’s always something pulling your attention forward. So pick a thematic playlist, sit back, and let the book consume you ;)

I would absolutely love to see this adapted into a movie, it would translate so well with the visuals, atmosphere and the dialoguessss ahhhh!!! i’ve been completely obsessed with this book, and honestly, I don’t think that feeling is leaving anytime soon.

Thank you so much to Dutton Books and De Elizabeth's team for the e-arc Netgalley copy! <3

[ciara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Quilted.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know how to act normal about this book. It’s very rare that I give something 6 stars, but this??? This is one of those rare occasions. I could not put it down. I inhaled it. Binge read it. Neglected responsibilities for it. And now that I’ve finished I’m genuinely unwell. I’m grieving the story. I’m grieving the characters. I miss them already.The book is about Mallory Webb who survives a deeply traumatic childhood and heads to a liberal arts university in Rhode Island (a former sanitarium which is already creepy) to start fresh as a theater major at her mother’s alma mater. She lands the lead in Romeo and Juliet, which should feel like a dream but instead the blood soaked wraith connected to her mother’s death resurfaces. Armed only with cryptic symbols in her mom’s old college notebook Mallory starts digging for answers on campus before history repeats itself.She teams up with Ezra Pierce the fourth year directing the play and there is chemistry. But Ezra is keeping secrets especially about Saskia Garin Mallory’s mysterious understudy whose past eerily mirrors her own. As if that’s not enough an ancient bloodthirsty evil tied to the New England vampire panic resurfaces to collect on a centuries old bargain. Mallory, Ezra, and Saskia have to unravel how their histories are tangled together and face the consequences of their own star crossed love story.You’re telling me this is a queer horror inspired by the New England vampire panic paired with theater kid drama, tragic romance, and generational trauma? I was ALL up in that. The vibes are dark academia meets gothic horror. It’s romantic and horrifying. I am going to be feral when I get my hands on a physical copy because this is going straight to my favorites shelf. This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love horror. If this sounds even remotely like your thing, read it. Just be prepared to finish it and sit there staring at the wall for a while after. Because I did.

[rachel x]

"A suspenseful and romantic queer horror novel inspired by the New England vampire panic about three college theater students racing against time to break a devastating curse—and the vengeful, supernatural entities that could either force them closer together, or toward a tragic end."

[Ali (Taylor’s version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“So thank you for everything, Mal. I hope your world is beautiful under the ghost light”

Terminé este libro ayer a las casi dos de la mañana y, la verdad, es que he acabado emocionándome leyendo los agradecimientos y todo...

She haunts me still de De Elizabeth habla sobre Mal, una chica la cual, tras la fatal pérdida de su madre, la única manera que encuentra de sobrevivir es en el teatro es siendo otra persona y adentrándose en historias que no sean su tragedia personal.

“We don’t have to be ourselves today. Who would you like to be instead?”

Pero lo que no se esperaba era que su tragedia se iba a volver un poco... romántica, paranormal y... digamos... comedia? durante como... tres palabras y media?
En fin, que si a la chiquilla no la sigue el mal por todas partes no es porque no lo ha intentado lo suficiente lol.
Y, ahora que ha llegado a la antigua universidad donde estudió su madre, ha revivido antiguos fantasmas y ha descubierto unos cuantos esqueletos en el armario, en lo único que puede pensar es que necesita resolver el porqué de la muerte de su madre, aunque eso le encamine más hacia la misma...

Hablemos de los personajes!
Tanto Ezra como Saskia y Mal me han gustado bastante! Realmente no sabía hacia donde me iban a llevar con tanto giro de trama y verdades reveladas y todo el drama, pero he disfrutado leyéndolos. Torturados y tristes, como me gustan.
Ezra como personaje me ha parecido de los más complicados (ya entiendo porqué le costó tanto a De terminar el libro... vaya personajito que me trae...). Al prinicipio es el típico bad boy, luego el badboy torturado... y después digamos que es solo torturado porque al pobre no le paran de caer palos y palos. La verdad es que no sabía por donde iba a ir y, aunque me hubiera gustado saber más de él, ha estado chulón.

“You’re haunted?
I’m possessed!”

(esta es una de mis frases favoritas, por favor, apreciad la obra maestra!)

Mal es una buena FMC, aunque había veces en donde la pobre chiquilla se repetía demasiado. Entendible si un fantasma te persigue como si le debieras dinero, pero girrrll corta el rollo durante solo dos palabras y fíjate en lo que tienes delante... COMO SASKIA!
Yo sé que cuando D.E. dice que va a escribir un libro con representación bi lo hace. Y lo hace con ganas. Se me ha hecho un poquito plana y predecible este hilo romántico, pero siempre se aprecia leer tan buena representación. Ella viene a devorar y punto (Y TAAANTO QUE DEVORARON-leeros el libro y lo entendéis anda por favor)

Y hablando de devorar. Esto es un libro gótico con romance oscuro. Está hecho para ADULTOS. Tenedlo en cuenta! Los TW están listados al inicio del libro y en la web de la autora <3
Y no digo que sea adulto por el contenido sexual, que lo hay, sino por otros palos oscuros que toca que quizá no esté hecho para todo tipo de lectores.

En cuanto a ambientación, no os voy a mentir, llegó un momento a la noche que yo me asusté leyendo... Y SÉEE QUE NO ES DE MIEDO, pero este no es el género que suelo leer y yo aquí me imagino cualquier cosa. Vamos, que la ambientación estaba de 10... o incluso 11. De hecho creo que es lo mejor del libro fr.

“Her final role she’s always been meant to play: a lifeless girl with a missing heart”

Para mí todo la ambientación de teatro (muy The Phatom of the Opera btw- Y AMO ESE MUSICAL) ha sido de lo mejorcito. The point of no return vibes fr

La trama se me ha quedado un poquillo floja. Aunque he disfrutado el libro igualmente (y me lo he terminado incluso un día antes de lo esperado, ENGANCHADA ES DECIR POCO) el misterio no me ha volado la cabeza, ni ha sido nada del otro mundo. Quizás ha sido casualidad o que ya leyendo dos libros de la autora (los dos únicos que tiene publicados) ya me espero que va a pasar... pero bueno. Eso, que me he visto el final desde... vamos a decir casi el inicio.
Obvio he ido barajando distintas formas de cómo acabaría, no soy yo aquí megamind, pero eso, que para mí ha sido predecible aunque interesante.

En fin, que si te van los personajes torturados, los misterios en universidades...encantadas?, lo paranomal y el ultra bi panic; este libro es para ti!
Y si no, también!!!

“I hate you”
“Show me how much”

besiiiisssssss

[m y r · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75★ rounded up.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the E-ARC!

I love me a good feminine rage book. She Haunts Me Still is an addicting gothic horror novel that follows Mallory, a girl with a traumatic childhood, who attends Shore University to pursue theatre, but in reality, her real pursuit ends up finding haunting truths about her family bloodline and the dark events that surround it. Her love of theatre, how she declares it a passion and needs it in her life, I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more of it. It felt more of a background plot, rather than a major atmosphere like it's being marketed as.

I did love the horror mystery that these characters explored. I was constantly kept on the edge of my seat, wondering what was real, what was the mystery that created these haunted spirits, etc. Something I wasn't really a fan of was some of the dialogue. Mallory meets a sad haunted boy, and it felt very insta-lust/love and he's very quickly claiming she's "ruined him." It just gave me the ick. Saskia is a queen, I loved her character, but again with how quickly Mallory and her declared "you're mine," it just took me out of the story (reader preference!). Some other characters kind of felt forgotten at times until all of a sudden, then they re-appeared (her aunt, for instance).

But overall, I did enjoy this! Especially towards the end when the chaos ensued and the mystery began to unravel. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good gothic setting and a haunting mystery. ❤

[Sarah Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankly, it was a nice read and one that comes out of my usual readings, a good 3.5 stars or even 3.75

To start, we follow Mallory, a young theater student who ends up enrolling in the same university as her mother thanks to a scholarship, the latter dying very suspiciously. Mallory therefore joins this school to shed light on what happened, and avoid having the same thing happen to her
At first, I was really surprised because the book looked like it was in fast motion, Mallory met Ezra, the assistant to the director and they were getting really too close, like 15% of the book they were already confiding their whole lives and a scene of 40% smut already. Not a fan of fast burn, but I understood afterwards why it was so fast (even though I found Ezra very suspicious from the beginning and I couldn’t get into the romance, I told myself that he must be a vampire).

The story is really gripping and addictive, although I find that at some point in the book, around like 65 or 70% we do a bit of on-site level new information for my taste.
But as we follow Mallory’s gradual and inevitable descent into hell, we even end up somewhat wondering if she is not an unreliable narrator, since she regularly has visions that merge with reality.
The rhythm of the book is almost too fast sometimes, not giving us time to breathe, but at least we can’t get too bored, at least during the first 2 acts. We also have plenty of small dissiminated revelations throughout the book to keep the reader interested.
In the end, the negative points that I will reveal are the fact that I didn’t take more than that interest in people, I sometimes had a bit of compassion for Malory given the loss of his mother and the relationship they had, Ezra also for his role (never trust a man) but it was more a victim than anything else when one is in possession of all the elements. That said, I applaud the fact that the book doesn’t necessarily end with her first love interest, it’s realistic and in a little queer romance.
And so, since I didn’t get attached to the characters in a close manner, well necessarily, the revelations, although logical and coherent, did not surprise me more than that and even seemed a bit predictable and easy (like the fact that SPOILER Jacob is Ezra’s grandfather).

Brace yourself for long scenes of descriptive smut, personally I didn’t like them, also because I couldn’t love the romance created with Ezra, but also expect blood, contexts a bit unsuited for that (like a chapel)
Some moments nevertheless made me slightly stall because I found that it dragged on a bit, like the scene of the confrontation with Ezra where she thinks she’s finished with him or even the fact that in the end, even if Mallory tried to understand throughout the book, I had the impression that it was peaking at one point and that she needed other characters to intervene to save the day, I would have preferred it to be her until the end.
After, SPOILER at the end, I would also have liked Mallory to die to complete the curse and because it would have really surprised me. There we have a bit straight to the end of the cliché 'I had a good life, got a diploma and recovered from this trauma'

Overall, it was a good read, which I still devoured in 2 days, the flaws I found in the first half of the novel were corrected in the second (finally explained) but strangely I was less taken afterwards

No deep attachment for these characters (even though I felt compassion and also reacted when there were really cruel things said in the mix-ups), revelations a bit predictable and an ending a bit cliché, but overall it was nice
And it made me step out of my comfort zone with witches, curses etc (I never read about monsters, vampires or what because it’s not my thing)

Thanks for this advanced arc Netgalley, the publishing house and the author !

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate places letting me read their ARC's because I want to devour all the books (and you know, have stuff to recommend to my customers). But I hate writing reviews. haha. I will want to talk your ear off about the book I like, but make me write it down? I just babble on. Okay, I babble on when I am talking about it too, but at least there is interaction ;)
Anywho, here we go!
I was picked to be on the street team for this particular book, so away she goes....

This book had a lot going on. It's a coming of age story of Haunted sad girl with a dark past full of secrets meets haunted sad boy, with a dark past full of secrets then meets another haunted sad girl... well you get it. They bond over their love for theatre and their personal traumas. There are ghosts & blood & hidden ravens. (I started keeping count, but I lost it.. I did like that little treasure hunt part) There are easter eggs from the authors previous book (which I hadn't read, but I love a good easter egg) and even a Heather's Musical moment(IYKYK). As a theatre nerd myself, I liked how we dipped into the theatre world a bit. I do wish there was more. Mallory (our Main sad girl - & I mean sad girl in a loving way) talked about how theatre was her way to be someone other then herself, how much it was part of her and she needed it in her life. And I think, because there was SO MUCH else going on with her - keeping secrets, growing love, & the threats to those around her- that I didn't really get to see that. Maybe if we got to hear about other productions she did and how she threw herself into those roles.
She was distracted for her rehearsals (rightly so) & didn't know her lines & as a Stage manager myself, it was frustrating. That was the point, but I guess I am just thirsty for more theatre in my horror. The images and lyrical words by the ghost light did speak to me. As did the College atmosphere in RI, because I also went to school in RI for a year and it was so lovely.

I was intrigued, I wanted to know what was happening, why our sad girls love interests were so haunted. I am trying to be very vague here.
There a lot of emotion packed into this book, with first loves, second loves, family secrets & loss, lost childhood friends, feeling of not being able to be ones self, not being seen, plus all the supernatural elements. No wonder Mal couldn't learn her lines.

All that said, if you like you stories dark, emotional, haunted, but also a bit steamy and full of big romantic feelings. You should definitely pick up She Haunts Me Still.

I also want to know more about Aunt Penelope. I wouldn't mind a Penelope prequel purrhaps?

*I was chosen for the Street Team and received the books via Net Gallery

[⭐︎• Perla •⭐︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟

She Haunts Me Still follows Mallory when she enrolls in the same school that played a large role in her mother’s death. Mallory spends her time at Shore trying to piece together the secrets of her mother’s past; The atmosphere is bleak, you feel you are being watched at every turn and the whispers that follow you in dark corridors.

SHMS is a gothic dark paranormal mystery with a touch of vampirism and a dash of bisexual panic. Don’t forget the theater setting! De Elizabeth does a great job of constructing a mystery while still keeping one guessing till the end. I loved the gothic, dark gothic atmosphere of a haunted theater school, and the added supernatural elements were worked very naturally into the story and the setting, leaving us, the readers, with a constant sense of doom.

The pacing was done well, building so much dark tension and dread, and the reveals hit perfectly. The story has a great sense of female rage, grief, and horror; I was on the edge of my seat for a good portion of the book.

My one thing that stopped me from rating this a 5-star is the love story was advertised as a “love triangle," but I don’t think that accurate at all. I define a Love Triangle as Person A being interested in Person B and Person C at the same time (bonus if they also have some tension between them), but in SHMS, Mallory develops feelings for someone after she has pretty much lost feelings for the other person. I also feel there was not a lot of yearning; it was more Insta-love/Insta-lust. I think the romantic storylines could have been intertwined; it felt like portions of that storyline disappeared through the ending.

Overall, It was a very unique premise, and I think I will be picking up another De Elizabeth book in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley, Dutton Books, and De Elizabeth for the ARC ! Thank you especially to De for allowing me the honor of being on their street team!

[That.makes.six · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced reader copy from NetGalley

She Haunts Me Still is an easy five-star read.

As a romantasy girlie through and through, I was honestly wary dipping my toes into anything labelled horror. For the first 5–10 chapters, I turned every page with real trepidation, convinced something was about to leap out and grab me.

I finished it in 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down.

It’s literally haunting me still — all the what-ifs circling my mind — and I think a whole new genre love has just been unlocked.

I adored how complex the characters and their relationships were, and how vulnerable and real they all felt. Every time I thought my heart had broken for the last time and surely couldn’t need patching up again… it did.

The 90s references were perfect. Are You Afraid of the Dark?! — I loved that show, and it added this nostalgic unease that made everything feel even more real. I was completely hooked, keeping tally of the ravens, trying to piece together Ezra’s motives, wondering what I’d missed, who else might be involved… or whether she was, just maybe, actually crazy.

The storyline, the ending, the characters — they just had me.

And the fantasy girlie in me loved the vampire element. The mystery. It was dark and delicious without ever feeling whimsical or too light. There was gore. Blood was spilled (and drank). Mistakes were made. Lies were told.

And I have absolutely no regrets.

[Pavla Leitgebova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fear that people who expect an actual love triangle will be disappointed, but alas...

She Haunts Me Still is a beautiful atmospheric piece with adoringly-troubled characters trying to solve a complex mystery that keeps you guessing even as you start collecting clues. De Elizabeth masterfully crafts the atmosphere of college build on actual bones, manages to perfectly work the supernatural elements into the contemporary setting and the sense of unease and looming doom seeps from the pages.

I personally don't mind that the book didn't deliver on the promise of a love triangle (meaning, by the time the MC develops a crush on one of the love interests, she has long ended things with the previous one), though I did find the romances little insta-lovy. The MC was quite trusting for someone so guarded. I also believe those two romantic storylines could have been better entwined with each other and the story, the first love interest basically disappears for the majority of second act - makes me wonder if these weren't two different stories joined together when the author was rewriting the book.

Overall, I think the book could use a little more developmental editing to smooth out some edges peaking out and to make it more concise, but De Elizabeth is an emerging talent that is definetly worth following.

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Haunts Me Still by De Elizabeth is the kind of chilling, slow-burn gothic that creeps under your skin and settles there.

Mallory enrolls at the same college that shaped and ultimately shattered her late mother. From the moment she steps onto campus, there’s a sense that the past isn’t buried… it’s waiting. The atmosphere is thick with unease: old buildings that feel like they’re watching, whispers in quiet corridors, and secrets that refuse to stay dead.

What really makes this story shine is Mallory herself. She isn’t just chasing answers she’s wrestling with grief, identity, and the terrifying possibility that she’s becoming more like her mother than she ever intended. The emotional weight adds depth to the supernatural tension, making the haunting feel both literal and psychological.

The pacing is deliberate, building dread layer by layer rather than relying on cheap jump scares. When the revelations come, they hit hard. It’s eerie, it’s unsettling, and it lingers long after the final page.

If you love atmospheric campus settings, generational secrets, and ghostly vibes that blur the line between memory and madness, this one deserves a spot on your shelf.

Haunting? Absolutely. Forgettable? Not a chance.

[Laurynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Haunts Me Still is the epitome of atmospheric and haunting. Theater, generational trauma, curses, star crossed lovers, ghosts!!! What more could you want, really?
I wholeheartedly appreciated that I couldn’t fully figure anything out. I felt like I needed to pull out the red string and put it to use. I basically went through the entire range of emotions about everyone and everything, and still the connections were satisfying.
The love triangle, I need a moment to talk about this!! I don’t typically like a love triangle because I am a jealous girly on behalf of our mc’s! But damn. This is a flawless love triangle. Ezra and Saskia are enigmatic and alluring and they each shine respectively. Truly need to commend De for how beautifully Mallory’s relationships are portrayed.
Mallory is such a brave, beautiful character on her own. The inner workings of her mind is gorgeous, and her turmoil is so palpable, you step right into her shoes and can’t help but root for her success.
This blend of mystery, horror, and romance was captivating. I loved this, and would recommend this to anyone.

Thank you so much to Dutton Books and De Elizabeth for this ARC through NetGalley!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive this as my first eARC through Netgalley, and it blew my expectations out of the water. While I’d seen De Elizabeth’s posts on social media and loved the aesthetic she teased, nothing prepared me for the actual depth of the story. It is atmospheric, moody, and deeply haunting - which I realise is ironic given the title, but the story carries a weight that I didn't see coming.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The pacing is excellent; it manages to keep you spooked and looking over your shoulder while simultaneously pulling you deeper into the mystery. It’s rare to find a book that balances genuine creepiness with such a compelling emotional narrative.

This was my first sapphic read, and it was an incredible introduction. The romance wasn't just a subplot, it felt integral and raw. I found myself deeply identifying with Mallory - her vulnerabilities and her journey hit home in a way that I wasn't expecting.

She Haunts Me Still is a visceral, haunting, and beautifully written novel that explores grief and love in a way that will stay with me for a long time.

[Kyle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and De Elizabeth for the ARC!

*She Haunts Me Still* follows Mallory Webb, who has always felt like she’s living on the edges of her own life after the sudden loss of her mother when she was a child. Sent away to boarding school, Mallory grows up haunted—both by grief and by the ghost of a mysterious woman in a white dress.

Now attending the same university her mother once did, Mallory is determined to uncover the truth about her past and the unsettling pattern of women in her family dying young. Along the way, she meets Ezra and Saskia, and together they begin to unravel the secrets surrounding Mallory’s history—and the reason she’s been haunted for so long.

This story is such a powerful blend of generational female rage, horror, love, grief, hauntings, and ultimately redemption. It’s haunting in more ways than one. The emotional depth really hit me—I was genuinely in tears by the end. While it didn’t conclude the way I had hoped (but isn’t that often the case with life?), it was still incredibly impactful and beautifully written.

I already have another book by De Elizabeth on my shelf, and this has made me so excited to pick it up.

⭐️ 4/5 stars

[Morgan Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Haunts Me Still is such a delicious dark academia read; especially if you’re a theatre kid at heart. It has that moody, rehearsal-room, behind-the-curtain energy where ambition, obsession, and something slightly supernatural are always simmering just beneath the surface.
This is a great bridge for readers moving from YA into adult fiction. It keeps the immersive atmosphere and emotional intensity you love from YA, but adds more complexity to the characters and relationships. No one feels flat. Their motivations are messy, layered, and human.
The mystery pulls you in immediately. The curse element isn’t overwhelming fantasy; it’s subtle, eerie, and woven into the setting in a way that makes you want to piece it together yourself. The vibes are rich and immersive: shadowy hallways, artistic ambition, secrets that feel almost sentient.
If you love dark academia, theatre drama, morally complicated characters, and a touch of light fantasy wrapped in a haunting atmosphere, this one absolutely delivers.

[Luke Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

De Elizabeth is instantly an auto buy author from this day forward 🫡

“Tell me something real” 🥹
A 90’s theatre based dark academia full of hauntings, generational female rage, seances, grief, eerie atmospheric description, bi rep, star crossed lovers, and mystery.
I love when an author educates me, I had no idea what the New England Vampire Panic was prior to reading and I loved De’s take on it.
Mallory, our very own Nancy Drew is haunted, in many ways.
How she handles the trauma of her past and the impending doom that’s approaching was perfectly executed.
Her relationship with Ezra was a wild ride, I felt like I was experiencing every emotion with her and needed a lie down at one point 😂
Saskia is a dream, I’d go to war for her. She has so much love to give.
The plot was paced perfectly and how the author unravelled the story, letting us in on each secret and revelation was so so good.

[Belinda Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely stunning book and I am so thankful to have received an eARC. I don't know what kind of magic De laces into her books but I think I will forever be captivated by her beautiful storytelling and characters. The story follows Mallory, a new theatre major at Shore College who ends up going down a rabbit hole to discover the truth about her family's haunted bloodline. I adored Mallory, Ezra and Saskia, all for completely different reasons, and I was well and truly invested in their storylines and how they all connected. The story itself was addictive and I found myself flying through it because I just needed to know what happened next! This is definitely one of my favourite reads of 2026 so far, and I highly encourage anyone who loves dark academia, horror and tragedy to pick this one up.

[Brittany Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Romance, but make it emotionally haunting and mildly unwell.”

There’s something deeply unsettling about She Haunts Me Still and I mean that in the best way.

This isn’t just a romance. It’s grief. It’s obsession. It’s the kind of love that lingers long after it should’ve let go, wrapping around your ribs and squeezing just hard enough to remind you it’s still there.

The emotional tension is suffocating in the best way. There’s this constant undercurrent of longing and unresolved pain that builds and builds until you’re just sitting there like… okay, breathe?? PLEASE??

And the haunting aspect isn’t just literal, it’s also insanely emotional. It’s the way memories cling. The way love doesn’t always fade, even when it should. The way some people never really leave you.

If you like your books a little dark, a little obsessive, and heavy on the emotional damage… yeah, this one’s going to stick with you. It gets under your skin, settles in your chest, and stays there long after you finish.

[Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cover? Gorgeous.
Vibes? Immaculate.
Devastation? no breathing.

She Haunts Me Still is a horror romance with a little bit of spice, Bi rep(done right!!), a creepy curse and some good old Nancy Drew vibes.
I devoured this in 6 hours 29 minutes and 31 seconds exactly, this is the definition of 'just one more chapter'. 
It's fast paced and addicting, engaging with a dash of whiplash, and a tragic love story that rips your heart out of your chest (don't worry, there is complimentary band aids).
You don't see the ending coming until it hits you in the face, those last 40 pages will have you on the edge of your seat and crashing out.
I had to stare at the wall afterwards.

Thank You Dutton for an eARC copy of She haunts me still by De Elizabeth

[S.L. Hemmings-Hall · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I thought I’d really like this book but I just couldn’t get into it. I felt like the story was overshadowed by the relationship between Mallory and Ezra in the beginning, which all felt quite abrupt to me as well. The premise was great but I just didn’t find this book very gripping. I struggle with books that show two completely new romances, especially with a book that’s not too long, as I feel like I can’t get on board with the relationships since there’s less time to explore them than, say, two relationships across two books in a series, so I struggled with this aspect. This book is probably perfect for many people but it just wasn’t my thing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set against the backdrop of a foggy college and a doomed Romeo and Juliet performance, She Haunts Me Still grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go of me until the last page. Mallory is a strong protagonist who refuses to go down the same curse that has taken every woman in her lineage. I loved the romantic elements with Ezra and Saskia, but what really made this book for me was the horror--the mystery surrounding the curse and how it ties all of them together and how immersive the atmosphere is. That ending had me turning the pages even though I sensed that what waited ahead was heartbreaking. The book is dark, gothic, and witchy, in that way many CW shows felt. Really recommend.

Thank you to Dutton, the author, and Netgalley for the ARC!

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Haunts Me Still is another stunning novel from De Elizabeth, The writing is atmospheric, instantly transporting you to a small Rhode Island college. Her command of language keeps readers hooked from start to finish and immerses them in every world she creates. The characters leap off the page. They are impossible to forget, even after closing the book. The romance blends seamlessly into the plot until they can't be separated, which is impressive considering how amazing both the romance and main plot are. This is a book I will forever recommend to everyone. I can't wait to read her next release.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Madison Beardslee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

She Haunts Me Still blends dark academia with grief, generational trauma, and a haunting love story in a way that feels both intense and intimate. Mallory was such a strong and relatable main character. I found myself fully invested in her journey and the choices she had to make.

The LGBTQ+ representation felt authentic and added so much emotional weight to the story. The relationships were layered and complicated in the best way.

There were so many twists and turns that kept me guessing, and I loved how ambitious and intricate the plot felt.

Definitely one of my favorite dark academia reads lately.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.

[madeline kaylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Thank you Dutton Books and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions remain my own.
I want to start with the setting, the dark, moody, academic vibes are EVERYTHING! Shore College reminds me of my favorite rainy days at my university and I’m honestly obsessed.
The star-crossed love triangle is *chef’s kiss*. Ezra and Sasha are such different partners and are so good in their own ways, I adored getting to see Mal get conflicted between the two haha.
The plot had a great pace, it never really slowed down for me, which I love. I feel that Mal is a very relatable character and was able to connect with her in multiple ways, making this an instant recommendation for my friends!

[Jen Karner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting atmospheric horror story, set against the backdrop of a tragic play weaving together a generational curse, and the three people destined to be changed by it.

De Elizabeth delivers a deliciously dark horror novel in She Haunts Me Still, stitching together the stories of Mallory, Saskia, and Ezra with deft skill and grace. From the spirit haunting Mallory and Saskia, to the secrets Ezra is hiding, and the past they share, this book left me guessing until the very last page.

If you love dark academia, generational curses, cults, and complicated character dynamics, this is a must read for 2026.

[Aimen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc from NetGalley
3.75⭐️ De Elizabeth, girl what did you do to my heart?!! You scared the fuck out of me when Ezra turned into a bird, but then you made me sick with his betrayal for me to then fuck my empathetic side for being sad that he’s burning in a church, only for me to not breathe when he said “You’re my ghost, Jules”😩😩. I couldn’t catch a break! No but seriously I had a great time reading this book. I love how De Elizabeth wrote that it’s okay to love horror stuff, to escape into that world and be fascinated with the macabre, that bit made me feel seen and I thank her for the way she’s written it.

[Breathe.dont.panic · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Haunts Me Still, I swear this is going to be how I describe De Elizabeth any time anyone asks me how I feel about her books because her books hit me smack in the face and leave me laying on the floor in my library staring at the ceiling. This book was devastating and beautiful and had me pulled in every emotional direction I ever thought possible. I’m still locked up tight within the pages days after I finished it and I’m not sure I’m really ever going to recover, so I fear the only answer is to read it over and over again. I’ve already preorder and found it a snug little spot on the “this ruined me” shelf in my library.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this the premise sounded amazing and the cover is just beautiful.

This book was phenomenal. It’s the perfect combination of spooky and steamy. I loved Mal and her determination to uncover what was happening to her and her family.

The mystery kept me hooked from start to finish. The foreshadowing was subtle enough to hint at what was coming without giving anything away, which made the twists land even harder.

I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend it to fans of paranormal romance and romantic suspense

[Sasha Haggerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This convoluted story keeps you guessing. Where secrets, excitement and anticipation await at every corner. I am blown away by just how much joy I found in reading this novel and in its bisexual representation. At the end of the day this feels like a story about hope, generational female rage and theatre as a healing treatment. All of the characters are fleshed out, and engaging. I'll be sure to share this book with every friend that's a reader. Also, gonna need to go back and mark where all those Raven statues are on campus!