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You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker
A swoonworthy YA supernatural romcom where two academic rivals are trapped as ghosts to haunt the same house.
They'd kill each other... if they weren't already dead.
Tessa Sinclair is a winner. Winner of spelling bees, science fairs, and scholarships. So when she finds herself unexpectedly dead after a graduation party in an abandoned mansion, she's none too pleased. What's worse, her academic rival—the Harvard-bound, Mr. Perfect Reed Walker—is there too, deceased, smug, and annoying as hell.
Being a ghost is hard enough, but it's a thousand times worse having to haunt the same house with your nemesis. But as Tessa and Reed retreat to R.I.P in their respective corners of the mansion, a mystery unfurls about the exact cause of their deaths.
Though they'd rather die (again) than work together, they'll need to find a way to overcome their differences to hunt down a murderer on the loose. And should they happen to fall for each other along the way... who ever said you can't find love after death?
They'd kill each other... if they weren't already dead.
Tessa Sinclair is a winner. Winner of spelling bees, science fairs, and scholarships. So when she finds herself unexpectedly dead after a graduation party in an abandoned mansion, she's none too pleased. What's worse, her academic rival—the Harvard-bound, Mr. Perfect Reed Walker—is there too, deceased, smug, and annoying as hell.
Being a ghost is hard enough, but it's a thousand times worse having to haunt the same house with your nemesis. But as Tessa and Reed retreat to R.I.P in their respective corners of the mansion, a mystery unfurls about the exact cause of their deaths.
Though they'd rather die (again) than work together, they'll need to find a way to overcome their differences to hunt down a murderer on the loose. And should they happen to fall for each other along the way... who ever said you can't find love after death?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Gwenyth Reitz
1 book53 followersGwenyth Reitz was born in Sri Lanka, and has since lived and worked in California, Washington, Alaska, Montana, Japan, and Mongolia. When not intrepidly exploring she writes genre-blending YA stories with swoony romance, mystery, humor, and heart. Gwenyth now lives with her husband and two kids in New York City, where she can often be found scribbling late into the night on her rooftop like the caffeine-obsessed night-owl she is.
As a theater maker with an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art, Gwenyth works for Lincoln Center Theater teaching acting and directing teens. For fun, she likes to sing Hamilton karaoke, maybe not well, but with gusto. YOU’RE DEAD TO ME, REED WALKER is her debut novel.
Follow her online @GwenythReitz or at www.gwenreitz.com
As a theater maker with an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art, Gwenyth works for Lincoln Center Theater teaching acting and directing teens. For fun, she likes to sing Hamilton karaoke, maybe not well, but with gusto. YOU’RE DEAD TO ME, REED WALKER is her debut novel.
Follow her online @GwenythReitz or at www.gwenreitz.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
July 29, 2026
Okay, so picture this: you die. Bummer, right? But WAIT—it gets worse. Your afterlife roommate? The one person who made your living days a competitive nightmare. Welcome to the deliciously twisted world of You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker, where academic rivals become ghostly roommates and somehow have to solve their own murders while navigating the most inconvenient feelings ever.
Let me tell you, I went into this book expecting some light paranormal fun, and I got that—but I also got sucker-punched by emotions I wasn't ready for.
Tessa Sinclair is my kind of protagonist: whip-smart, sarcastic as hell, and still fully herself even when she's, you know, dead. Reed Walker? Ugh. He's that golden boy who's annoyingly perfect and somehow gets under your skin in the best/worst way. Their banter? Chef's kiss. The kind of verbal sparring that makes you laugh out loud on public transportation and then have to explain to strangers why you're cackling at your phone.
But here's where this book surprised me—it's not just witty one-liners and ghostly shenanigans (though there are PLENTY of both). Underneath all that supernatural rom-com goodness is this achingly real exploration of what happens when everything gets cut short. When Tessa and Reed start grappling with the unfairness of dying young, of dreams left unfulfilled, of lives barely lived? Yeah. I felt that. Hard.
The romance develops exactly how it should: slowly, reluctantly, with lots of "I hate you" moments that very clearly mean something else entirely. Watching these two go from wanting to murder each other (again) to actually caring was surprisingly moving. The tension between irritation and attraction is so thick you could cut it with a knife—assuming ghosts can hold knives, which is honestly unclear.
The writing itself is fantastic—funny when it needs to be, devastating when you least expect it. You'll be laughing at some ridiculous ghostly mishap one moment, and then BAM, there's a line that just guts you. The author nails this balance between playful and profound, reminding us that life (and death) is meant to be lived, even when you're technically not alive anymore.
If you're into:
Enemies-to-lovers with actual stakes (ha, ghost pun)
Paranormal romance that doesn't take itself too seriously
Mystery elements that keep you guessing
Banter that makes you want to applaud
Stories that make you laugh AND ugly-cry
...then this afterlife adventure is definitely calling your name. Just maybe don't read it at 2 AM when you're already feeling existential. Ask me how I know.
Overall: Spooky, sweet, surprisingly deep, and totally worth your time. Even if it makes you contemplate your mortality while simultaneously shipping two dead teenagers. Which, honestly, is peak YA reading experience.
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for the digital ARC! Getting early access to quirky paranormal romances that mess with my emotions is exactly the kind of chaos I signed up for, and I appreciate you enabling my book addiction.
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Let me tell you, I went into this book expecting some light paranormal fun, and I got that—but I also got sucker-punched by emotions I wasn't ready for.
Tessa Sinclair is my kind of protagonist: whip-smart, sarcastic as hell, and still fully herself even when she's, you know, dead. Reed Walker? Ugh. He's that golden boy who's annoyingly perfect and somehow gets under your skin in the best/worst way. Their banter? Chef's kiss. The kind of verbal sparring that makes you laugh out loud on public transportation and then have to explain to strangers why you're cackling at your phone.
But here's where this book surprised me—it's not just witty one-liners and ghostly shenanigans (though there are PLENTY of both). Underneath all that supernatural rom-com goodness is this achingly real exploration of what happens when everything gets cut short. When Tessa and Reed start grappling with the unfairness of dying young, of dreams left unfulfilled, of lives barely lived? Yeah. I felt that. Hard.
The romance develops exactly how it should: slowly, reluctantly, with lots of "I hate you" moments that very clearly mean something else entirely. Watching these two go from wanting to murder each other (again) to actually caring was surprisingly moving. The tension between irritation and attraction is so thick you could cut it with a knife—assuming ghosts can hold knives, which is honestly unclear.
The writing itself is fantastic—funny when it needs to be, devastating when you least expect it. You'll be laughing at some ridiculous ghostly mishap one moment, and then BAM, there's a line that just guts you. The author nails this balance between playful and profound, reminding us that life (and death) is meant to be lived, even when you're technically not alive anymore.
If you're into:
Enemies-to-lovers with actual stakes (ha, ghost pun)
Paranormal romance that doesn't take itself too seriously
Mystery elements that keep you guessing
Banter that makes you want to applaud
Stories that make you laugh AND ugly-cry
...then this afterlife adventure is definitely calling your name. Just maybe don't read it at 2 AM when you're already feeling existential. Ask me how I know.
Overall: Spooky, sweet, surprisingly deep, and totally worth your time. Even if it makes you contemplate your mortality while simultaneously shipping two dead teenagers. Which, honestly, is peak YA reading experience.
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for the digital ARC! Getting early access to quirky paranormal romances that mess with my emotions is exactly the kind of chaos I signed up for, and I appreciate you enabling my book addiction.
blog
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
━━━ઇଓㅤ⤸
꒰ 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ꒱ Ⓘ pub date: may 12th 2026
𝟐.𝟓 ✩
🎧꒱ ‘no body, no crime’ | Taylor Swift
꒰ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ꒱
I’m unsure how I feel...
I requested the arc for this book because the premise had me really intrigued. You’re Dead To Me, Reed Walker follows two academic rivals who mysteriously find themselves dead after a graduation party. They both have to work together–putting aside their hate for each other–to solve the question of how they died. There’s a murderer on the loose, suspects who may or may not be innocent, and a ticking clock counting down the minutes until it’s too late. It's always so disappointing when the synopsis is promising, but the execution lacks. And that's exactly what happened.
Originally, I went into this book with no expectations, just vibes. And although I didn’t love it and had my negatives, I'd say the vibes were vibing. What I didn’t expect was how heavy this book was going to be. It’s advertised as a swoonworthy YA supernatural romcom, but I’d beg to differ. I didn’t laugh, I didn’t really swoon, and instead I cried for the loss of innocent lives taken away too early, and the reality that they’d never accomplish their dreams, never grow old, and never get to touch or hold or talk to their loved ones again. Death is a sobering subject; full of what-ifs, regrets, and lots of overthinking about life and what could’ve been. Reading about Tessa and Reed’s hopes and dreams for the future, the goals they wanted to achieve, and the deep regret they held absolutely shattered my heart. It made me fear for what’s to come after death.
The mystery in this book was alright. Not necessarily the greatest of mysteries out there, and I did suspect who it was from the start which takes the fun out of it all. You want something that hooks you in, makes you think you’re correct, and then knocks you off your feet when the true killer is unmasked. It wasn't much of a shock when we finally found out who the murderer was, but their motive for it all was very surprising, disturbing, and disgusting.
In my opinion, the main characters were a little unbearable at the start of the book. I found Reed a bit of a bastard throughout, though he did redeem himself by the end. And I didn’t like Tessa and how she always blamed him for their deaths. I understand that what happened to them was difficult to comprehend and wrap their heads around, but I did find it annoying how much Tessa accused Reed.
Overall, I had a good time. If you’re looking for a groundbreaking mystery, this probably isn’t the right book for you. But I'd still recommend if you’re in for the vibes or just looking for an easy read.
1 star for Hal, 1 star for Tilly, and .5 for the emotional damage.
━━━
ᰔᩚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: ꒱
okay, i’m about 12% in and am kinda not liking it. but, i went into this book solely for the vibes. it’s so unlike other books i’ve read. You're Dead To Me, Reed Walker is about two academic rivals finding themselves dead after a graduation party, where they both haunt the same mansion. they have to work together to find out the reason for their deaths, a bit of a mysterious murderer on the loose. it sounds interesting, maybe even a little emotional from some of the reviews i read. i don’t expect it to be a 5 stars, and have decently low expectations, but i am hoping to somewhat have a good time.
Ⓘ thank you @netgalley and publisher for giving me the chance to read this free arc, i'm very eager to share my thoughts.
pub date: may 12th 2026
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝: 24/1/2026
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 25/1/2026
-𝓖
꒰ 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ꒱ Ⓘ pub date: may 12th 2026
𝟐.𝟓 ✩
🎧꒱ ‘no body, no crime’ | Taylor Swift
꒰ 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ꒱
I’m unsure how I feel...
I requested the arc for this book because the premise had me really intrigued. You’re Dead To Me, Reed Walker follows two academic rivals who mysteriously find themselves dead after a graduation party. They both have to work together–putting aside their hate for each other–to solve the question of how they died. There’s a murderer on the loose, suspects who may or may not be innocent, and a ticking clock counting down the minutes until it’s too late. It's always so disappointing when the synopsis is promising, but the execution lacks. And that's exactly what happened.
Originally, I went into this book with no expectations, just vibes. And although I didn’t love it and had my negatives, I'd say the vibes were vibing. What I didn’t expect was how heavy this book was going to be. It’s advertised as a swoonworthy YA supernatural romcom, but I’d beg to differ. I didn’t laugh, I didn’t really swoon, and instead I cried for the loss of innocent lives taken away too early, and the reality that they’d never accomplish their dreams, never grow old, and never get to touch or hold or talk to their loved ones again. Death is a sobering subject; full of what-ifs, regrets, and lots of overthinking about life and what could’ve been. Reading about Tessa and Reed’s hopes and dreams for the future, the goals they wanted to achieve, and the deep regret they held absolutely shattered my heart. It made me fear for what’s to come after death.
The mystery in this book was alright. Not necessarily the greatest of mysteries out there, and I did suspect who it was from the start which takes the fun out of it all. You want something that hooks you in, makes you think you’re correct, and then knocks you off your feet when the true killer is unmasked. It wasn't much of a shock when we finally found out who the murderer was, but their motive for it all was very surprising, disturbing, and disgusting.
In my opinion, the main characters were a little unbearable at the start of the book. I found Reed a bit of a bastard throughout, though he did redeem himself by the end. And I didn’t like Tessa and how she always blamed him for their deaths. I understand that what happened to them was difficult to comprehend and wrap their heads around, but I did find it annoying how much Tessa accused Reed.
Overall, I had a good time. If you’re looking for a groundbreaking mystery, this probably isn’t the right book for you. But I'd still recommend if you’re in for the vibes or just looking for an easy read.
1 star for Hal, 1 star for Tilly, and .5 for the emotional damage.
━━━
ᰔᩚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: ꒱
okay, i’m about 12% in and am kinda not liking it. but, i went into this book solely for the vibes. it’s so unlike other books i’ve read. You're Dead To Me, Reed Walker is about two academic rivals finding themselves dead after a graduation party, where they both haunt the same mansion. they have to work together to find out the reason for their deaths, a bit of a mysterious murderer on the loose. it sounds interesting, maybe even a little emotional from some of the reviews i read. i don’t expect it to be a 5 stars, and have decently low expectations, but i am hoping to somewhat have a good time.
Ⓘ thank you @netgalley and publisher for giving me the chance to read this free arc, i'm very eager to share my thoughts.
pub date: may 12th 2026
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝: 24/1/2026
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 25/1/2026
-𝓖
May 13, 2026
✩ 4 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Academic Rivals-to-Lovers
➼ He Falls First
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Haunted Mansion
➼ Self Discovery
➼ Murder Mystery
➼ YA Paranormal Romance
➼ Narrated by Peter Cross & Abigail Reno
➼ Dual First Person POV
Happy release day to You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker! 🎉🥳 I really loved this one and I didn’t want to miss the chance to hype it up today!
Based solely on the cover, you might expect this to be a fluffy paranormal romcom, but this was actually a very thought provoking and emotional read. The author herself told me to have tissues on hand and I really should have listened because she managed to pull quite a few tears out of me by the end. 🥹 Death is a heavy topic, especially when the lives of two young people with such promising futures are cut short, but this author explored every stage of their grief with tenderness and care. The ending was a little different than what I expected or maybe even hoped for, but the more I think on it, I think it was actually perfect. 🫶🏻
I adore paranormal romance and spooky reads, but I’ve honestly become a little more selective about YA books lately. They can be absolutely phenomenal, but I find that the bulk of them just don’t appeal to me as much these days. I guess I’m getting old. 😜 Whether you’re a die hard YA lover or someone who sometimes feels like you’re outgrowing the genre, I think you will love this book!
A big thank you to the author for providing me with a free signed copy of the book and adorable goodies! Thank you also to Libro.FM & Insatiable Press for providing me with the ALC! I feel so blessed! 🙏🏻😊
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: It may be spring, but I hear we’re officially halfway to Halloween! 🎃👻 Celebrating with a spooky read!
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram ✩ Tiktok
What to Expect:
➼ Academic Rivals-to-Lovers
➼ He Falls First
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Haunted Mansion
➼ Self Discovery
➼ Murder Mystery
➼ YA Paranormal Romance
➼ Narrated by Peter Cross & Abigail Reno
➼ Dual First Person POV
Happy release day to You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker! 🎉🥳 I really loved this one and I didn’t want to miss the chance to hype it up today!
Based solely on the cover, you might expect this to be a fluffy paranormal romcom, but this was actually a very thought provoking and emotional read. The author herself told me to have tissues on hand and I really should have listened because she managed to pull quite a few tears out of me by the end. 🥹 Death is a heavy topic, especially when the lives of two young people with such promising futures are cut short, but this author explored every stage of their grief with tenderness and care. The ending was a little different than what I expected or maybe even hoped for, but the more I think on it, I think it was actually perfect. 🫶🏻
I adore paranormal romance and spooky reads, but I’ve honestly become a little more selective about YA books lately. They can be absolutely phenomenal, but I find that the bulk of them just don’t appeal to me as much these days. I guess I’m getting old. 😜 Whether you’re a die hard YA lover or someone who sometimes feels like you’re outgrowing the genre, I think you will love this book!
A big thank you to the author for providing me with a free signed copy of the book and adorable goodies! Thank you also to Libro.FM & Insatiable Press for providing me with the ALC! I feel so blessed! 🙏🏻😊
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: It may be spring, but I hear we’re officially halfway to Halloween! 🎃👻 Celebrating with a spooky read!
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram ✩ Tiktok
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5
This was a lot more emotional than what I expected. I started you’re dead to me, reed walker thinking it would be a cute paranormal romance but it surprised me in how well it dealt with grief. Maybe it shouldn’t because as you can see by the summary it is a story about two dead teenagers, but I think this will hit hard for teenagers especially, obviously, it is ya, but I’m an adult and I still very much enjoyed it.
Tessa and Reed are academic rivals and they both die at the same party and wake up as ghosts trapped in the same place, trying to solve the same mystery: how they died.
The reason I say this deals so well with grief is because we see the MCs families post their deaths and also, themselves trying to accept the future they thought they had was suddenly gone. I love how they were clearly teenagers, they would have the most ridiculous arguments again and again, and that’s exactly what teenagers would do. They don’t magically start to like each other and everything is fixed too, it’s a process and that was very realistic.
The end was a little messy I will admit, but I still liked it, especially the last few chapters. I really like the ending the author gave the main characters.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC.
This was a lot more emotional than what I expected. I started you’re dead to me, reed walker thinking it would be a cute paranormal romance but it surprised me in how well it dealt with grief. Maybe it shouldn’t because as you can see by the summary it is a story about two dead teenagers, but I think this will hit hard for teenagers especially, obviously, it is ya, but I’m an adult and I still very much enjoyed it.
Tessa and Reed are academic rivals and they both die at the same party and wake up as ghosts trapped in the same place, trying to solve the same mystery: how they died.
The reason I say this deals so well with grief is because we see the MCs families post their deaths and also, themselves trying to accept the future they thought they had was suddenly gone. I love how they were clearly teenagers, they would have the most ridiculous arguments again and again, and that’s exactly what teenagers would do. They don’t magically start to like each other and everything is fixed too, it’s a process and that was very realistic.
The end was a little messy I will admit, but I still liked it, especially the last few chapters. I really like the ending the author gave the main characters.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC.
November 26, 2025
Thank you much to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
-------------------------☽---------------------------
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-------------------------✩---------------------------
︎🍿- This book was great! The vibes were so good, and it was so fun reading about the old house and the ghosts! This book was so creative and the whole time I was reading it I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for what would happen next.
🎬- The Plot in this book was amazing! You’ve heard of the academic rivals to lovers trope. But have you heard of academic rivals to dead rivals to lovers?!?! The story was so interesting , and all the little details that were added made a super fun book!
🥰- I loved the romance between Reed and Tessa! They were so cute together, and it was so fun to see them start to grow closer together throughout the book.
🎥- This book really felt like something new. I thought it was super original, and it didn’t feel like something I had read a hundred times already.
📖- Overall, I thought this book was amazing and I would absolutely recommend you read it when it comes out next year!
-------------------------︎☽---------------------------
TW: grief, death, stalking, swearing, kissing, mentions sexual activity but doesn’t go into detail.
-------------------------☽---------------------------
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-------------------------✩---------------------------
︎🍿- This book was great! The vibes were so good, and it was so fun reading about the old house and the ghosts! This book was so creative and the whole time I was reading it I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for what would happen next.
🎬- The Plot in this book was amazing! You’ve heard of the academic rivals to lovers trope. But have you heard of academic rivals to dead rivals to lovers?!?! The story was so interesting , and all the little details that were added made a super fun book!
🥰- I loved the romance between Reed and Tessa! They were so cute together, and it was so fun to see them start to grow closer together throughout the book.
🎥- This book really felt like something new. I thought it was super original, and it didn’t feel like something I had read a hundred times already.
📖- Overall, I thought this book was amazing and I would absolutely recommend you read it when it comes out next year!
-------------------------︎☽---------------------------
TW: grief, death, stalking, swearing, kissing, mentions sexual activity but doesn’t go into detail.
Want to Read
November 20, 2025look at the cover and tell me those are not Jade and Beck
July 30, 2026
This book was an absolute 5-star emotional rollercoaster that completely cracked my cold, dark heart! I haven't cried like this at a book in so long. About halfway through, I was happily floating in my ignorant little bubble thinking it was just a nice, cozy YA story—WRONG. The pure emotional damage was real, but the way the author sensitively managed Reed and Tessa processing their situation was so beautifully written. I adored Reed and Tessa both individually and together. Watching them shift from rivals to lovers by challenging each other, recognising each other's motivations, and growing both personally and romantically was chef's kiss. The mystery surrounding their deaths, the gradual powers/ability upgrades, and Hal’s storyline added so much depth. By the ending (no spoilers!), between the parent scenes and the sheer heart wrenching I’d previously had, I was practically full-on bottom-lip juddering. Absolutely all in my feels!
October 3, 2025
Teens bonding over their shared environmentalism is so 2025. I giggled.
- Rivals to lovers
- YA romance
- Paranormal romance
- Murder mystery
Tessa and Reed are long-time academic rivals, competing for the thing that is most important to each of them- the valedictorian spot in their graduating class.
This is, until a wild senior-year house party goes wrong, and they both wake up as ghosts.
In their limited amount of time before having to cross over, they will have to reconcile, crack the case of what really happened to them, and save their friend from meeting the same fate- all while dodging scary shadow monsters.
This was a lot heavier than I was expecting, but also fun.
I thought this would be a lot more light-hearted. Looking back, I am not sure why it didn’t occur to me that the death of two teenagers would be kind of sad.
I mean, Tessa and Reed having to grapple with their own deaths, accept that they will never be able to be with their family and friends again, watch as their loved ones mourn them, and come to terms with the fact that they will never be able to reach their dreams… ouch?
It was interesting to read about, and I actually enjoyed it- but there was this lingering sorrow that stayed with me the entire time.
I know it’s a cliché, but it made me appreciate being alive.
I appreciated Tessa’s realization that life should have been more to her than just good grades. She was loved regardless of her successes.
I think it’s a nice message for younger audiences, even with the heavy delivery.
The romance in this is nice, and I liked seeing Tessa and Reed’s rivalry evolve into something nicer. They were cute.
I would say the romance is a bit secondary to the mystery aspect- but it is still there.
Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Roaring Book Press and author Gwenyth Reitz for providing me with the eARC of “You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: May 05, 2026
- Rivals to lovers
- YA romance
- Paranormal romance
- Murder mystery
Tessa and Reed are long-time academic rivals, competing for the thing that is most important to each of them- the valedictorian spot in their graduating class.
This is, until a wild senior-year house party goes wrong, and they both wake up as ghosts.
In their limited amount of time before having to cross over, they will have to reconcile, crack the case of what really happened to them, and save their friend from meeting the same fate- all while dodging scary shadow monsters.
This was a lot heavier than I was expecting, but also fun.
I thought this would be a lot more light-hearted. Looking back, I am not sure why it didn’t occur to me that the death of two teenagers would be kind of sad.
I mean, Tessa and Reed having to grapple with their own deaths, accept that they will never be able to be with their family and friends again, watch as their loved ones mourn them, and come to terms with the fact that they will never be able to reach their dreams… ouch?
It was interesting to read about, and I actually enjoyed it- but there was this lingering sorrow that stayed with me the entire time.
I know it’s a cliché, but it made me appreciate being alive.
I appreciated Tessa’s realization that life should have been more to her than just good grades. She was loved regardless of her successes.
I think it’s a nice message for younger audiences, even with the heavy delivery.
The romance in this is nice, and I liked seeing Tessa and Reed’s rivalry evolve into something nicer. They were cute.
I would say the romance is a bit secondary to the mystery aspect- but it is still there.
Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Roaring Book Press and author Gwenyth Reitz for providing me with the eARC of “You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: May 05, 2026
March 30, 2026
I have to admit, this book was so much more than I expected. I was expecting a silly little YA romcom type book, and I got something much deeper than that. It is not only a romcom, but a little bit thriller/murder mystery, and also just a really heartfelt story with themes about letting go of guilt, dealing with grief, and how life in the end isn’t something we can control, and enjoying it while it lasts.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone intrigued by the synopsis, but just be aware it is not all lighthearted as the description sounds. Yes, this book made me smile and laugh, but it also has intense moments, and moments that brought me to tears.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone intrigued by the synopsis, but just be aware it is not all lighthearted as the description sounds. Yes, this book made me smile and laugh, but it also has intense moments, and moments that brought me to tears.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2025
Oh this was so cute and sweet and SAD. My god, I'm still weeping a little.
November 23, 2025
This was a cute YA read. Tessa & Reed were murdered and turned into ghosts. It turned out they have a few days to figure out who did it before they are fully transitioned into their new ghostly life. In between this time, they slowly start to fall in love.
✨ T r o p e s ✨
Murder Mystery
YA Romance
Rivals to Lovers
Forced Proximity
He Falls First
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Author Gwenyth Reitz for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
✨ T r o p e s ✨
Murder Mystery
YA Romance
Rivals to Lovers
Forced Proximity
He Falls First
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Author Gwenyth Reitz for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This debut has my whole heart. I hope you enjoy reading about Reed and Tessa's sweet and haunting adventures as much as I enjoyed writing them.
May 12, 2026
I absolutely loved this academic rivals to rival ghosts story! There was a lot of great humor and heart, watching Tessa and Reed try to figure out what happened to them, why they were now ghosts, and where do things go from there. Both characters were easy to fall in love with so much personality. I love how Tessa kept trying to figure out how to ace being a ghost!”
This was another YA book that hit me with some deep existential angst because a lot of the book is a mix of them trying to figure out what is keeping them there, but also trying to let go because they only have a limited time as ghosts. Fear of the unknown is always hard for me and Tessa definitely had a lot of the same feelings I would have had.
The romance was also so cute and so very teenager. I read a huge variety of ages, but what I love about YA romances is the stupid innocence where they think they know everything and are slowly realizing they don’t. It was really fun to watch them both realize how much their antagonism was hiding feelings and watching them examine past events in a new light.
Thanks Netgalley and Roaring Brook Press for the ARC.
This was another YA book that hit me with some deep existential angst because a lot of the book is a mix of them trying to figure out what is keeping them there, but also trying to let go because they only have a limited time as ghosts. Fear of the unknown is always hard for me and Tessa definitely had a lot of the same feelings I would have had.
The romance was also so cute and so very teenager. I read a huge variety of ages, but what I love about YA romances is the stupid innocence where they think they know everything and are slowly realizing they don’t. It was really fun to watch them both realize how much their antagonism was hiding feelings and watching them examine past events in a new light.
Thanks Netgalley and Roaring Brook Press for the ARC.
May 16, 2026
Fucking yessssssssss!!!!!!!
May 5, 2026
I chose this book on a whim because there was something really fun about the premise - a supernatural YA rom-com? Say less, I'm already in.
I came for the quirky, but stayed because of the excellent banter, the deep rooted rivalry between Tessa and Reed, and how surprisingly sad and heartfelt this story was. That's not to say it's all sad --I mean, aside from the obvious-- there's a lot of life in this book about death.
You won't regret picking this one up. It'll make you laugh out loud. You'll shed a tear or two. You'll hug someone you love extra tight. And you'll be dream-casting the inevitable screen adaptation that simply must come next.
I came for the quirky, but stayed because of the excellent banter, the deep rooted rivalry between Tessa and Reed, and how surprisingly sad and heartfelt this story was. That's not to say it's all sad --I mean, aside from the obvious-- there's a lot of life in this book about death.
You won't regret picking this one up. It'll make you laugh out loud. You'll shed a tear or two. You'll hug someone you love extra tight. And you'll be dream-casting the inevitable screen adaptation that simply must come next.
May 25, 2026
5/5⭐️ Sometimes, you get lucky and you get to read a book that makes such an indelible mark in your heart – You’re Dead To Me, Reed Walker is one of those books for me. A young adult, supernatural romantic comedy, this novel cleverly converges different subgenres to tell the story of Tessa and Reed. Portrayed as graduating high school seniors, the novel feels young at the beginning. Certainly, there’s something about the exposition that feels a little reminiscent of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or 10 Things I Hate About You or Clueless (clearly, I’m a millennial). It’s the high school set up. And definitely, the first few chapters illustrate youthful hubris, especially when Tessa and Reed go to the graduation party. Tessa and Reed are not friends nor are they friendly. They are high school rivals and Tessa feels like she always comes second to Reed. But their rivalry is put to the test when they both die at the graduation party. Their death is a mystery and they later find out that they were murdered. And so now, they become reluctant allies in their quest to find out the truth and motive behind their death. Their formed alliance makes them realize things about each other that they’ve never known before, things that make them see each other in a different way. And so what starts out as a seemingly young story, develops into a story about dealing with grief and regret, anxiety and doubt, imposter syndrome, love and heartbreak, and of course, mystery and murder.
At its heart, You're Dead To Me, Reed Walker is a bildungsroman as it portrays the coming of age of both Tessa and Reed. Full of heart and wisdom, this novel will make you curious, squeal and kick up your feet, and definitely pull at your heartstrings until you are a sobbing hot mess. I absolutely fell in love with Tessa and Reed’s story - a story about love in all forms, about forgiveness and healing, and about potential and possibility.
At its heart, You're Dead To Me, Reed Walker is a bildungsroman as it portrays the coming of age of both Tessa and Reed. Full of heart and wisdom, this novel will make you curious, squeal and kick up your feet, and definitely pull at your heartstrings until you are a sobbing hot mess. I absolutely fell in love with Tessa and Reed’s story - a story about love in all forms, about forgiveness and healing, and about potential and possibility.
May 12, 2026
Can a book be paranormal and cozy and have a murder mystery?? I think so!! A true testament to Gwenyths writing because she really did write a good book with all of these elements! And a bit of YA romance too!!
I could not put this down! Tessa and Reeds need to challenge each other and always compete was humorous but also added a bit of a tension to the blooming romance between them. Furthermore, this rivalry literally continued past death as they continued to try and one-up each other as ghosts! Truly a fun read and I did not expect to cry… but at that ending I was actually sobbing 😭
It was definitely a huge takeaway that perhaps death isn’t the end to it all and there is more to it… something to consider!
I could not put this down! Tessa and Reeds need to challenge each other and always compete was humorous but also added a bit of a tension to the blooming romance between them. Furthermore, this rivalry literally continued past death as they continued to try and one-up each other as ghosts! Truly a fun read and I did not expect to cry… but at that ending I was actually sobbing 😭
It was definitely a huge takeaway that perhaps death isn’t the end to it all and there is more to it… something to consider!
October 13, 2025
This was an amazing read, and I am so glad I decided to pick it up. At first, when reading the description of the book, I wasn't sure how I felt about the book because the characters, Reed and Tessa, are ghosts. But honestly, it was amazing! It was unlike any romance I've ever read before.
I loved the mystery aspects of it, like how they were investigating their own deaths and trying to figure out who killed them.
Their romance was also beautiful, with them starting off as enemies while they were alive and becoming lovers as ghosts.
The best part, though, was their journey and their loved ones' journey to finding closure with their death. It made it such a beautiful story, and I absolutely loved the ending. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I loved the mystery aspects of it, like how they were investigating their own deaths and trying to figure out who killed them.
Their romance was also beautiful, with them starting off as enemies while they were alive and becoming lovers as ghosts.
The best part, though, was their journey and their loved ones' journey to finding closure with their death. It made it such a beautiful story, and I absolutely loved the ending. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 15, 2026
I wasn’t sure how to rate this book. It was not an awful book but it wasn’t incredible. I will say I probably will not remember this book to be honest. For a debut novel, it was good. It was very entertaining but not very memorable. I will say the last couple chapters had me SOBBING. It’s so gut wrenching. I think I was hoping for a little more of a happy ending. Like sure Tessa and Reed got together but I just wish there might have been more.
One of my biggest issues was it felt like there was genuinely NO chemistry. At all. Nothing romantic happened. One moment they are enemies, tolerate each other, friends (?), then they are kissing. I swear nothing romantic went on. Not even the way they spoke to each other. They get stuck with each other and Tessa just decides, ‘okay I love him’. Girl, what? Honestly didn’t even care about the ‘romance’ aspect anymore, just wanted to mystery.
Also, Tessa absolutely sucks. No matter what type of thing happened she blamed Reed for it. Blamed him for getting them killed, which it’s not his fault how could he know he grabbed a bad drink?? And then she blamed him for her friend almost dying?? Like sorry Reed wanted to be there for their ghost friend they made. Other than Tessa saying she loves him like 50 times to herself, it genuinely did not feel like she loved him.
Reed was fine. Nothing special but no complaints about him I guess.
One of my biggest issues was it felt like there was genuinely NO chemistry. At all. Nothing romantic happened. One moment they are enemies, tolerate each other, friends (?), then they are kissing. I swear nothing romantic went on. Not even the way they spoke to each other. They get stuck with each other and Tessa just decides, ‘okay I love him’. Girl, what? Honestly didn’t even care about the ‘romance’ aspect anymore, just wanted to mystery.
Also, Tessa absolutely sucks. No matter what type of thing happened she blamed Reed for it. Blamed him for getting them killed, which it’s not his fault how could he know he grabbed a bad drink?? And then she blamed him for her friend almost dying?? Like sorry Reed wanted to be there for their ghost friend they made. Other than Tessa saying she loves him like 50 times to herself, it genuinely did not feel like she loved him.
Reed was fine. Nothing special but no complaints about him I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ thank you so much to the author, Gwenyth Reitz for a digital and physical ARC!
I absolutely loved this book. It was the perfect blend of fun YA mystery romance and deep conversations about grief and moving on. The pacing was very balanced and it was so addicting that I - who has been on a two week reading slump, mind you - read it in three days!! I also appreciated how Gwenyth depicted high schoolers correctly and didn't treat them as though they were a bunch of young middle schoolers. That being said, there was mild language and a fade to black scene!
Reed and Tessa were absolutely swoonworthy. Their dynamic was so fun to watch and this relationship was real and raw. Academic rivals to lovers has always been my favorite trope and this book did not miss!
Words cannot describe how happy I am that YDTMRW ended the way it did. Gwenyth doesn't shy away from doing whats right for the book, even if it may upset some people, and I'm very grateful for that. The buildup and execution of the last 25% was beautifully done.
For this book to be a debut is so mind blowing. This was eloquent, creepy, romantic, and melancholy ALL IN ONE! I cannot wait to read more from this author - 2027, you cannot come faster!
I absolutely loved this book. It was the perfect blend of fun YA mystery romance and deep conversations about grief and moving on. The pacing was very balanced and it was so addicting that I - who has been on a two week reading slump, mind you - read it in three days!! I also appreciated how Gwenyth depicted high schoolers correctly and didn't treat them as though they were a bunch of young middle schoolers. That being said, there was mild language and a fade to black scene!
Reed and Tessa were absolutely swoonworthy. Their dynamic was so fun to watch and this relationship was real and raw. Academic rivals to lovers has always been my favorite trope and this book did not miss!
Words cannot describe how happy I am that YDTMRW ended the way it did. Gwenyth doesn't shy away from doing whats right for the book, even if it may upset some people, and I'm very grateful for that. The buildup and execution of the last 25% was beautifully done.
For this book to be a debut is so mind blowing. This was eloquent, creepy, romantic, and melancholy ALL IN ONE! I cannot wait to read more from this author - 2027, you cannot come faster!
July 24, 2026
*Review to come*
October 28, 2025
Drop-dead funny and hauntingly romantic!
June 5, 2026
Well, this took a surprising turn. Did I squeeze this book into my already dense TBR? Yes, and it was worth it! It may sound like a predictable plot at first glance; the nepo baby boy and the overambitious girl can't stand each other during high school, the final year comes around, and they realize that they should loosen up a bit. Time to party and DEATH. However, Reitz took this further and presented us with quite an interesting perspective on the afterlife. There are some traditional rules of moving on after finishing your unfinished business, for example, but also a few novel takes, such as having a phone that counts down the time you've left before a door opens to heaven? Hell? It's still a mystery.
Written in alternating pov's of Tessa and Reed, we follow them in life and beyond. Their death was genuinely tragic and shows how some deaths are so unjust and too soon. They had their whole life planned, but alas... Now, you might think that they will resolve their own issues of themselves and their families, and while they indeed do that, they will also have to solve their own murder & prevent one. I particularly loved the latter part of the story as it's a smart device to force them to confront each other and work together.
Even though their search for the murderer isn't as high-level as, say, Sherlock, it throws you off-trail for a while. And creepily enough, this dummy murderer knows their toxics, and he's fixated on Tessa's friend, which I think represents a short but sharp critique of misogyny.
Moreover, I believe that every aspect was better than expected for such a story. Personally, it scores 4+ stars on character depth, growth, romance, relational dynamics, plot, and pace. With the time counting down and heartfelt stories of various characters, You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker manages to keep you fully engaged from beginning to end.
Final verdict: 4.8 stars 🌟 (because that ending! I need more!)
Written in alternating pov's of Tessa and Reed, we follow them in life and beyond. Their death was genuinely tragic and shows how some deaths are so unjust and too soon. They had their whole life planned, but alas... Now, you might think that they will resolve their own issues of themselves and their families, and while they indeed do that, they will also have to solve their own murder & prevent one. I particularly loved the latter part of the story as it's a smart device to force them to confront each other and work together.
Even though their search for the murderer isn't as high-level as, say, Sherlock, it throws you off-trail for a while. And creepily enough, this dummy murderer knows their toxics, and he's fixated on Tessa's friend, which I think represents a short but sharp critique of misogyny.
Moreover, I believe that every aspect was better than expected for such a story. Personally, it scores 4+ stars on character depth, growth, romance, relational dynamics, plot, and pace. With the time counting down and heartfelt stories of various characters, You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker manages to keep you fully engaged from beginning to end.
Final verdict: 4.8 stars 🌟 (because that ending! I need more!)
July 6, 2026
"We are not our failures. I am who I am in spite of them"
I'm sorry...this is a DEBUT NOVEL?!? This was one of the best things I've read in a while! I had a feeling I was going to like it based on the description, but I was not expecting to have so many twists and turns catching me out of nowhere! I can't say more than that without spoiling them, but WOW!
The characters were very easy to root for and just fun to "be with". I also feel like there was a lot of powerful messages that readers will benefit from hearing. From dealing with loss to not always being the best...lots of life lessons hidden within a fantastic story.
I truly hope that Reitz continues to write more YA books...you can bet I will be reading anything else and does!
I'm sorry...this is a DEBUT NOVEL?!? This was one of the best things I've read in a while! I had a feeling I was going to like it based on the description, but I was not expecting to have so many twists and turns catching me out of nowhere! I can't say more than that without spoiling them, but WOW!
The characters were very easy to root for and just fun to "be with". I also feel like there was a lot of powerful messages that readers will benefit from hearing. From dealing with loss to not always being the best...lots of life lessons hidden within a fantastic story.
I truly hope that Reitz continues to write more YA books...you can bet I will be reading anything else and does!
May 14, 2026
Review of advanced copy from Netgalley
This was really a good book, I don't even know where to or even how to describe my love for it. I truly have nothing bad to say about this book. It was fresh, real, funny and well thought out.
You're Dead to me Reed Walker is about a Academic Rivals that didn't quite understand each other but get along and the moment they do they are taken away suddenly from a promising life. Now in the afterlife as ghosts they have to maneuver this new world and also solve this mystery of their death. From start to finish I was hooked to it, it was such a page turner that I couldn't put it down until I finished the story.
The main characters had so much depth to them, they weren't one dimensional. They had Insecurities, secrets, hopes, dreams and flaws, all of which was covered in this book. I will say even though the murderer was easy to figure out it was still great to see how they got there. The pacing of the book was good as it showed how they maneuvered through the ghost world while learning the rules and limitations. I appreciated that there wasn't any plot armor used to help their goals and win the battle in the end, instead it showed how they used what they learned over the days to their advantage.
The hardest part of this book for me was the grief and the characters inability to let go, as it's something I struggle with myself. In the end this brought tears to my eyes because after everything was said and done they had to say goodbye to the people they left behind and the life they planned for themselves to move on to the unknown. We saw them struggle with this throughout the book and in the end even though I wish they had more time or it was a bad dream or they could turn back time, they had to accept their situation, accept that their family and friends will be alright and move on.
The romance in this book was 10 outta 10, I really liked they stayed true to their previous banter throughout the book even when they were falling in love with each other, they still challenged each other, but also comforted each other. It was really fun to watch the FMC slowly peel back the layers of the MMC and fall in love with them. He had seemingly always liked and paid attention to her, so she had the opportunity to catch up to him, basically dying to learn how to live.
My only quarm with the book is that we didn't get to see what their life was going to be like on the other side (book 2 maybe??) and also a personal thing for me but I feel as if the religious aspect was easily brushed aside by saying "I'm not really religious " instead of venturing into a deeper topic. It doesn't necessarily take away from the book but it could add more depth to the MMC, if we understood why he wasn't religious.
All in all a really good book that I would 100% recommend. Favorite quotes " And the world seems like it's over ... but it's not. Day by day, you discover youre still here. You crawl back. "
"We need to face the unknown on our own terms. After all, we come into this world alone
and we leave it alone
Thank you for this ARC
This was really a good book, I don't even know where to or even how to describe my love for it. I truly have nothing bad to say about this book. It was fresh, real, funny and well thought out.
You're Dead to me Reed Walker is about a Academic Rivals that didn't quite understand each other but get along and the moment they do they are taken away suddenly from a promising life. Now in the afterlife as ghosts they have to maneuver this new world and also solve this mystery of their death. From start to finish I was hooked to it, it was such a page turner that I couldn't put it down until I finished the story.
The main characters had so much depth to them, they weren't one dimensional. They had Insecurities, secrets, hopes, dreams and flaws, all of which was covered in this book. I will say even though the murderer was easy to figure out it was still great to see how they got there. The pacing of the book was good as it showed how they maneuvered through the ghost world while learning the rules and limitations. I appreciated that there wasn't any plot armor used to help their goals and win the battle in the end, instead it showed how they used what they learned over the days to their advantage.
The hardest part of this book for me was the grief and the characters inability to let go, as it's something I struggle with myself. In the end this brought tears to my eyes because after everything was said and done they had to say goodbye to the people they left behind and the life they planned for themselves to move on to the unknown. We saw them struggle with this throughout the book and in the end even though I wish they had more time or it was a bad dream or they could turn back time, they had to accept their situation, accept that their family and friends will be alright and move on.
The romance in this book was 10 outta 10, I really liked they stayed true to their previous banter throughout the book even when they were falling in love with each other, they still challenged each other, but also comforted each other. It was really fun to watch the FMC slowly peel back the layers of the MMC and fall in love with them. He had seemingly always liked and paid attention to her, so she had the opportunity to catch up to him, basically dying to learn how to live.
My only quarm with the book is that we didn't get to see what their life was going to be like on the other side (book 2 maybe??) and also a personal thing for me but I feel as if the religious aspect was easily brushed aside by saying "I'm not really religious " instead of venturing into a deeper topic. It doesn't necessarily take away from the book but it could add more depth to the MMC, if we understood why he wasn't religious.
All in all a really good book that I would 100% recommend. Favorite quotes " And the world seems like it's over ... but it's not. Day by day, you discover youre still here. You crawl back. "
"We need to face the unknown on our own terms. After all, we come into this world alone
and we leave it alone
Thank you for this ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2026
Brilliant and funny, with a twist of mystery and an ending that packs a punch. Your summer TBR needs this spooky ghost love story!
June 7, 2026
Unexpectedly good book. I wouldn't say it was necessarily a romcom. There was a lot of activity in the afterlife and I couldn't really get into ghost romance. But overall I really enjoyed it. My eyes teared up a few times towards the end.
July 3, 2026
I loved this book from start to finish and all the in between. It never dragged and kept me interested the whole time. I thought for sure there was no way I was going to like how it wrapped up. I was wrong. It wrapped up perfectly.
August 2, 2026
This was a great young adult paranormal romance. This book blended humor, heartfelt moments, and serious topics very well. I loved the banter between Tessa and Reed throughout the book. This book had me invested in the characters as they worked to solve the mystery behind their deaths while also falling in love. Overall this one was hard to put down.
Read this if you like:
📖 Academic rivals to lovers
📖 Ghosts
📖 He falls first
📖 Forced proximity
📖 Murder mystery
📖 Dual POV
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
Read this if you like:
📖 Academic rivals to lovers
📖 Ghosts
📖 He falls first
📖 Forced proximity
📖 Murder mystery
📖 Dual POV
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
August 6, 2026
such a cute rivals to lovers... with ghosts! and mystery! and a creepy mansion! What's not to love? Reed is a little baby that I adore and want to adopt now.
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