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Afterlife Incorporated #3
Vacation From Hell
Six days, seven nights…with no return ticket?
It was supposed to be a vacation—just me, Kelly, some sun, sand, and a firm commitment to no Afterlife nonsense. I wanted poolside naps, endless cocktails, and exactly zero existential crises. Instead, the Chief Drama Officer of HELL checked into the room upstairs.
Ziggy claims he’s on a break. The plagues suggest otherwise. Birds are dive-bombing the guests, the pool has turned alarming shades of red, and reality itself seems to be coming apart at the seams. Kelly is enthusiastically discovering humanity, my past keeps showing up uninvited, and I’m starting to suspect that rest and relaxation are a scam.
Now, instead of sleeping in and watching the sunset, we’re scrambling to contain an underworld meltdown before paradise becomes a footnote in someone else’s apocalypse.
Someone pass me a mai tai. There’s no way I’m facing the end of the world sober.
It was supposed to be a vacation—just me, Kelly, some sun, sand, and a firm commitment to no Afterlife nonsense. I wanted poolside naps, endless cocktails, and exactly zero existential crises. Instead, the Chief Drama Officer of HELL checked into the room upstairs.
Ziggy claims he’s on a break. The plagues suggest otherwise. Birds are dive-bombing the guests, the pool has turned alarming shades of red, and reality itself seems to be coming apart at the seams. Kelly is enthusiastically discovering humanity, my past keeps showing up uninvited, and I’m starting to suspect that rest and relaxation are a scam.
Now, instead of sleeping in and watching the sunset, we’re scrambling to contain an underworld meltdown before paradise becomes a footnote in someone else’s apocalypse.
Someone pass me a mai tai. There’s no way I’m facing the end of the world sober.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 30, 2026
I was so tearing up at the end. Oh mercy. This book took me on a whirlwind of emotions.
Ember and Kelly have been through so much since Ember died in the first book and they all need a vacation. Of course X and Jupiter will come along too, because what's a vacation without all of the best friends! There are two special guests one is Viola, she is out to break up the fun and a special guest taking the presidential suite and wearing all the finest things one can have.
So many characters come to join in on the last of the series which was such a treat, because really I became attached to them all, but the last few chapters left me with questions!
"I thought maybe retail therapy might cure my endless sadness and ennui. Turns out what I really needed was an exorcism, but you can't blame a girl for trying."
Ember and Kelly have been through so much since Ember died in the first book and they all need a vacation. Of course X and Jupiter will come along too, because what's a vacation without all of the best friends! There are two special guests one is Viola, she is out to break up the fun and a special guest taking the presidential suite and wearing all the finest things one can have.
So many characters come to join in on the last of the series which was such a treat, because really I became attached to them all, but the last few chapters left me with questions!
"I thought maybe retail therapy might cure my endless sadness and ennui. Turns out what I really needed was an exorcism, but you can't blame a girl for trying."
May 1, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Vacation from Hell is the third book in the Afterlife Incorporated trilogy and the series generally follows one long story. Some major stuff happens at the end of Hate to Haunt You and this story and review will reveal that plot point, so the books are best read in order. You can start with my spoiler-free review of the excellent first book, Only Mostly Dead, if you are ready to jump in!
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Vacation from Hell is the third book in the Afterlife Incorporated trilogy and the series generally follows one long story. Some major stuff happens at the end of Hate to Haunt You and this story and review will reveal that plot point, so the books are best read in order. You can start with my spoiler-free review of the excellent first book, Only Mostly Dead, if you are ready to jump in!
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I thought maybe retail therapy might cure my endless sadness and ennui. Turns out what I really needed was an exorcism, but you can't blame a girl for trying."
This book gives "second chance" romance a whole new meaning! Ember and Kelly are both given a second chance at life, but it doesn't go the way they expect it to. It has all of the charms and humor as the first two books, and builds on the lore we already know.
And if you thought the sloooooooooow burn was over after Ember & Kelly kissed in book two, think again! We're back on the glacier, Sparks! Enjoy the ride. When they finally come together for real, it is so them.
After the reveal at the resort, I have so many questions about the beginning of the book. Like how much of Kelly's Adventures in Humaning was actually annoying to Ember?
*I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.*
This book gives "second chance" romance a whole new meaning! Ember and Kelly are both given a second chance at life, but it doesn't go the way they expect it to. It has all of the charms and humor as the first two books, and builds on the lore we already know.
And if you thought the sloooooooooow burn was over after Ember & Kelly kissed in book two, think again! We're back on the glacier, Sparks! Enjoy the ride. When they finally come together for real, it is so them.
After the reveal at the resort, I have so many questions about the beginning of the book. Like how much of Kelly's Adventures in Humaning was actually annoying to Ember?
*I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Review of advance copy received from Author
The final installment in the Afterlife Incorporated urban fantasy series that is filled with dark comedy with laugh out loud moments, second chance… at LIFE, action and tension, LGBTQ rep, found family, reapers and after de@th coaches, tropical vacations and apocalyptic plagues. Afterlife incorporated takes the mundane regular life tasks and bureaucracy and twists them with a supernatural flare as they transcend into the afterlife.
I adore these characters! They are so relatable and masterfully written. Ember is my absolute favorite. Exceptional and genuine, as they continue to help others is truly a quality that is admirable. The writing is charismatic and just as enjoyable as book 1 and 2 if not better. The descriptors were next level, the past creeping in was as majestic as it was spine chilling. There were some darker elements to the story as expected with a series about the afterlife, but overall, it did not feel like a heavy read which I much appreciated. I breezed right through this book and I’m sad that its over.
I adore these characters! They are so relatable and masterfully written. Ember is my absolute favorite. Exceptional and genuine, as they continue to help others is truly a quality that is admirable. The writing is charismatic and just as enjoyable as book 1 and 2 if not better. The descriptors were next level, the past creeping in was as majestic as it was spine chilling. There were some darker elements to the story as expected with a series about the afterlife, but overall, it did not feel like a heavy read which I much appreciated. I breezed right through this book and I’m sad that its over.
May 1, 2026
The finale to a unique slow burn romance trilogy.
Honestly, it's one of the most unique things I've ever read in the best way, the premise is what happens after you've died and what if it's just more of the same featuring lots of paperwork and all the bureaucracy.
What results is an amazing Urban Fantasy trilogy.
Vacation From Hell is the finale to the trilogy and I really didn't expect the way the story went at all which I should have predicted after the previous two books. Ember and Kelly's continued journey after they end up alive again comes with some twists and turns, serious considerations, and some humorous events.
It's a great read with some serious concepts within a humorous setting. Plus there's found family which is always my favorite. An epic conclusion with a resolution that makes perfect sense for this trilogy. It's definitely worth a read!..
Honestly, it's one of the most unique things I've ever read in the best way, the premise is what happens after you've died and what if it's just more of the same featuring lots of paperwork and all the bureaucracy.
What results is an amazing Urban Fantasy trilogy.
Vacation From Hell is the finale to the trilogy and I really didn't expect the way the story went at all which I should have predicted after the previous two books. Ember and Kelly's continued journey after they end up alive again comes with some twists and turns, serious considerations, and some humorous events.
It's a great read with some serious concepts within a humorous setting. Plus there's found family which is always my favorite. An epic conclusion with a resolution that makes perfect sense for this trilogy. It's definitely worth a read!..
April 25, 2026
The conclusion to the Afterlife Incorporated trilogy.
Alli you are going to kill me!!! I forgot how awful Viola is and I was just so mad at her trying to ruin Ember & Kelly. All I ever wanted was for them to be together!
This was quite the ride. Between Ziggy being absolutely hilarious and calling Kelly every nickname under the sun, X’s aura readings, and Ember (Emily) skirts with death. Oh man!
The ending as well!! Are you trying to cause me pain?! We can’t just have a nice HEA 😅 Ember just can’t stay alive can she!! I’m glad they all ended up together though.
I love the Canadian setting, it always feels more personal. I live in Alberta but I loved references to Toronto and the Maple Leafs (boo) 😂
I thoroughly enjoyed this series!
Think Beetlejuice x The Office
Alli you are going to kill me!!! I forgot how awful Viola is and I was just so mad at her trying to ruin Ember & Kelly. All I ever wanted was for them to be together!
This was quite the ride. Between Ziggy being absolutely hilarious and calling Kelly every nickname under the sun, X’s aura readings, and Ember (Emily) skirts with death. Oh man!
The ending as well!! Are you trying to cause me pain?! We can’t just have a nice HEA 😅 Ember just can’t stay alive can she!! I’m glad they all ended up together though.
I love the Canadian setting, it always feels more personal. I live in Alberta but I loved references to Toronto and the Maple Leafs (boo) 😂
I thoroughly enjoyed this series!
Think Beetlejuice x The Office
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2026
This is the third entry in a series that absolutely commits to its compelling blend of slow burn romance, urban fantasy, and dark comedy — gentle note that you’ll want start at the beginning of the series if you haven't already, both because the world-building rewards the full journey and because Ember and Kelly and co are characters you're going to want as much time with as possible. The premise is as interesting as the world it inhabits, and the plot is best experienced on its own terms — suffice it to say that "expect the unexpected" is about as far as I'll go without spoiling the journey. This series has a distinct and confident identity and this installment delivers on every level.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 8, 2026
What a beautiful ending to this trilogy! I should’ve known that Ember’s second life wouldn’t last, but I’m happy she was able to do some good with her second afterlife. The reunions at Afterlife were adorable and absolutely perfect. Kelly finally making it back to Ember at the very end made me want to cry, which is saying something because I don’t cry at books or movies easily. Them being able to share with Ember everything she didn’t get to experience herself was the perfect ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2026
Nothing happened the way they expected and the slow burn is burning oh my goodness I just can’t get enough of this author and her entertaining writing
June 4, 2026
On kobo
Eventually a satisfying end to this series but the ending inevitably is both drawn out and rushed. (If you read it you'll see what that means.)
Eventually a satisfying end to this series but the ending inevitably is both drawn out and rushed. (If you read it you'll see what that means.)
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May 1, 2026One of my urban fantasy edits, available now! 💀
https://www.editsbykristi.com/vacatio...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews