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You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26A 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 Harvard-bound, Mr. Perfect academic rival, 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 as your nemesis. But as Tessa and Reed retreat to RIP 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 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 Harvard-bound, Mr. Perfect academic rival, 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 as your nemesis. But as Tessa and Reed retreat to RIP 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 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?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 12, 2026
2 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Gwenyth Reitz
1 book13 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 47 reviews
November 1, 2025
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
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.
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
Want to read
November 20, 2025look at the cover and tell me those are not Jade and Beck
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.
October 28, 2025
Drop-dead funny and hauntingly romantic!
November 4, 2025
Oh this was so cute and sweet and SAD. My god, I'm still weeping a little.
Want to read
May 12, 2025rivals to... ghost rivals? ngl that sounds hilarious
October 20, 2025
Oh my, I am a ball of competing emotions after reading this book. All the humor Reitz packed into the story had me laughing out loud—especially the banter that ignited between Tessa and Reed. I was flipping through the pages, having fun, falling head-over-heels for these characters that were doomed to die. So yes, when I found myself later crying at the reality of their situation, I should have been prepared. But I wasn't. Cue tears. Loved the ending!
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.
October 17, 2025
I wasn’t sure I was going to be into this book. I’m not usually big on ghosts when it comes to reading choices. But I was pleasantly surprised. The story got pretty deep at times, which surprised me for a young adult read. The depth and comedy kept me engaged from start to finish.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
October 29, 2025
holy crap!! What a ride! Absolutely perfect timing to read it just before Halloween! It was sweet it was tense it was terrifying and funny and bittersweet and sad and played with grief and growth in a really interesting way! I absolutely loved it!!
October 16, 2025
"You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker" is a charmingly inventive YA supernatural rom-com with a mystery.
The premise is great. Two rivals Tessa and Reed suddenly find themselves deceased and haunting the abandoned mansion where they passed. Rivals to lovers as they team up to solve their own murder, and keep another from happening all while not being able to touch, or speak to anyone still alive.
I laughed quite a few times. The banter was great. An all around great read.
The premise is great. Two rivals Tessa and Reed suddenly find themselves deceased and haunting the abandoned mansion where they passed. Rivals to lovers as they team up to solve their own murder, and keep another from happening all while not being able to touch, or speak to anyone still alive.
I laughed quite a few times. The banter was great. An all around great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2025
This book was a super cute and fast read, I can't imagine turning into a ghost with my sworn enemy but watching Tessa and Reed fall in love was interesting especially with the idea of a murderer on the loose!
I liked Tessa's character as well as Reed but I'm a bit curious on how although they died and it's sad, they handled it so well? I mean for two teenagers who were murdered they really locked in and found out the mystery! The ending was, interesting and really like has me wondering what happens after we die and step through that "door".
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Tessa's character as well as Reed but I'm a bit curious on how although they died and it's sad, they handled it so well? I mean for two teenagers who were murdered they really locked in and found out the mystery! The ending was, interesting and really like has me wondering what happens after we die and step through that "door".
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2025
This book was such a surprise! “You’re Dead to Me Reed Walker” pulled me in with its premise and kept me with its heartfelt journey. I thought this would be just a fun, lighthearted, supernatural romcom but it was so much more than that, dealing with grief in such a way that truly made me connect emotionally with each character (and made me cry at times). I felt like the story focused on the mystery rather than the romance, but both were strong, well-developed plot points. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author!
“Only we don’t get forever. We only get these few perfect moments.”
“Only we don’t get forever. We only get these few perfect moments.”
October 26, 2025
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.
October 29, 2025
👻💔 YOU’RE DEAD TO ME, REED WALKER by Gwenyth Reitz 💔👻
A ghostly rivals-to-lovers romcom with murder, mayhem, and a touch of melancholy.
“They’d kill each other… if they weren’t already dead.”
🎓 Tessa Sinclair has never lost anything in her life until she loses, well… her life.
One minute she’s at her senior graduation party. The next, she’s a ghost who is stuck haunting an abandoned mansion alongside her arch-nemesis, the insufferably perfect Reed Walker, Harvard’s future golden boy and her biggest academic rival.
Now, they’re trapped together in the afterlife, forced to solve the mystery of how they died before someone else meets the same fate. But as they dig deeper into the truth, the bickering gives way to something unexpected: warmth, understanding, and maybe even love. Because even in death, some sparks refuse to fade.
💫 Expect:
📚 Academic rivals to lovers
👻 YA paranormal romance
🔍 Murder mystery twist
💞 Enemies banter → emotional healing
😢 Heartfelt lessons about life, loss, and letting go
This book completely surprised me in the best way. It’s funny and fast-paced, but it’s also deep. Beneath the snark and supernatural antics lies a powerful exploration of what it means to live a full life. Watching Tessa confront her own perfectionism and realize that love and connection matter more than achievement was genuinely moving.
Reed and Tessa’s chemistry is snarky, stubborn, and sweet, the kind of dynamic that makes you grin even while you’re tearing up. Their ghostly partnership is filled with sarcasm, stolen glances, and reluctant teamwork that slowly turns into something real.
It’s The Good Place meets They Both Die at the End with a dash of 10 Things I Hate About You energy with a story that balances heartache and humor perfectly.
✨ “Death wasn’t the end. It was just the moment I finally started living.” ✨
#YoureDeadToMeReedWalker #GwenythReitz #YARomance #ParanormalRomance #RivalsToLovers #GhostStory #Bookstagram #YAFiction #HauntedRomance #EnemiesToLovers #RomComWithHeart #NetGalley #BookishLove #MacMillan
A ghostly rivals-to-lovers romcom with murder, mayhem, and a touch of melancholy.
“They’d kill each other… if they weren’t already dead.”
🎓 Tessa Sinclair has never lost anything in her life until she loses, well… her life.
One minute she’s at her senior graduation party. The next, she’s a ghost who is stuck haunting an abandoned mansion alongside her arch-nemesis, the insufferably perfect Reed Walker, Harvard’s future golden boy and her biggest academic rival.
Now, they’re trapped together in the afterlife, forced to solve the mystery of how they died before someone else meets the same fate. But as they dig deeper into the truth, the bickering gives way to something unexpected: warmth, understanding, and maybe even love. Because even in death, some sparks refuse to fade.
💫 Expect:
📚 Academic rivals to lovers
👻 YA paranormal romance
🔍 Murder mystery twist
💞 Enemies banter → emotional healing
😢 Heartfelt lessons about life, loss, and letting go
This book completely surprised me in the best way. It’s funny and fast-paced, but it’s also deep. Beneath the snark and supernatural antics lies a powerful exploration of what it means to live a full life. Watching Tessa confront her own perfectionism and realize that love and connection matter more than achievement was genuinely moving.
Reed and Tessa’s chemistry is snarky, stubborn, and sweet, the kind of dynamic that makes you grin even while you’re tearing up. Their ghostly partnership is filled with sarcasm, stolen glances, and reluctant teamwork that slowly turns into something real.
It’s The Good Place meets They Both Die at the End with a dash of 10 Things I Hate About You energy with a story that balances heartache and humor perfectly.
✨ “Death wasn’t the end. It was just the moment I finally started living.” ✨
#YoureDeadToMeReedWalker #GwenythReitz #YARomance #ParanormalRomance #RivalsToLovers #GhostStory #Bookstagram #YAFiction #HauntedRomance #EnemiesToLovers #RomComWithHeart #NetGalley #BookishLove #MacMillan
October 30, 2025
Gwenyth Reitz has crafted a smart, funny, and wonderfully inventive paranormal rom-com with You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker. Brimming with sharp banter, slow-burn chemistry, and just the right touch of mystery, this story makes death look surprisingly entertaining.
Tessa Sinclair has always been the girl who wins—scholarships, trophies, and the admiration of her peers. But when she ends up dead at a graduation party, she’s less than thrilled. Things only get worse when she discovers her fellow ghost is none other than Reed Walker, her maddeningly flawless academic rival. Trapped in the same abandoned mansion, Tessa and Reed quickly find that haunting the afterlife is more complicated—and more hilarious—than they expected.
The dynamic between Tessa and Reed is the heart of the novel. Their sharp comebacks and constant one-upping make every scene sparkle, while their reluctant partnership slowly uncovers genuine vulnerability and tenderness beneath the rivalry. Their transition from nemeses to something more feels both believable and swoon-worthy, with every sarcastic remark adding fuel to their undeniable chemistry.
The murder mystery adds another engaging layer, giving the novel a compelling sense of suspense. Each clue draws you deeper into the story, balancing the humor and romance with real stakes. The pacing is lively, ensuring readers stay hooked from the first sarcastic jab to the final reveal.
Full of wit, warmth, and originality, You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker is a delightful blend of ghostly intrigue and romantic comedy. Perfect for fans of quirky paranormal love stories, it’s proof that even in the afterlife, rivalry can turn into romance—and laughter is the best haunting of all.
Tessa Sinclair has always been the girl who wins—scholarships, trophies, and the admiration of her peers. But when she ends up dead at a graduation party, she’s less than thrilled. Things only get worse when she discovers her fellow ghost is none other than Reed Walker, her maddeningly flawless academic rival. Trapped in the same abandoned mansion, Tessa and Reed quickly find that haunting the afterlife is more complicated—and more hilarious—than they expected.
The dynamic between Tessa and Reed is the heart of the novel. Their sharp comebacks and constant one-upping make every scene sparkle, while their reluctant partnership slowly uncovers genuine vulnerability and tenderness beneath the rivalry. Their transition from nemeses to something more feels both believable and swoon-worthy, with every sarcastic remark adding fuel to their undeniable chemistry.
The murder mystery adds another engaging layer, giving the novel a compelling sense of suspense. Each clue draws you deeper into the story, balancing the humor and romance with real stakes. The pacing is lively, ensuring readers stay hooked from the first sarcastic jab to the final reveal.
Full of wit, warmth, and originality, You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker is a delightful blend of ghostly intrigue and romantic comedy. Perfect for fans of quirky paranormal love stories, it’s proof that even in the afterlife, rivalry can turn into romance—and laughter is the best haunting of all.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Here we go:
"You're dead to me, Reed Walker"
I'd like to preface this review by saying this is a DNF for me--I spent about a month forcing myself to read it, to give it a chance, but it just wasn't working for me. Everything about the book felt very...ok. That's it. Not great, not terrible. Just ok. Unfortunately, just ok isn't going to be enough to hold my attention span. I didn't go into the story with any high expectations from the prose or the plot, but I did come out a little dissapointed by my lack of interest/engagement. I made it to chapter 8, which is about a 4th of the way into the book. I personally think that the exposition and start of the story should have been covered closer to this mark rather than having the first seven chapters exist. Could have been condensed. Now, the characters, they're ok. Tessa is smart and generally sticks to the rules. Don't know anything else about her other than that, it's most of her personality. Reed is also super smart, but is more laid back. I'm more interested to learn about him than her, based off of the info presented in the story. The momentum is a bit slow for me overall. I feel like very casual, low expectation readers could really enjoy this book. I see potential in further chapters. However, this was meh for me, like a 2.75/3 out of 5.
Anyone pulled in by the premises should give it a chance. It likely wasn't my cup of tea, so to speak.
Here we go:
"You're dead to me, Reed Walker"
I'd like to preface this review by saying this is a DNF for me--I spent about a month forcing myself to read it, to give it a chance, but it just wasn't working for me. Everything about the book felt very...ok. That's it. Not great, not terrible. Just ok. Unfortunately, just ok isn't going to be enough to hold my attention span. I didn't go into the story with any high expectations from the prose or the plot, but I did come out a little dissapointed by my lack of interest/engagement. I made it to chapter 8, which is about a 4th of the way into the book. I personally think that the exposition and start of the story should have been covered closer to this mark rather than having the first seven chapters exist. Could have been condensed. Now, the characters, they're ok. Tessa is smart and generally sticks to the rules. Don't know anything else about her other than that, it's most of her personality. Reed is also super smart, but is more laid back. I'm more interested to learn about him than her, based off of the info presented in the story. The momentum is a bit slow for me overall. I feel like very casual, low expectation readers could really enjoy this book. I see potential in further chapters. However, this was meh for me, like a 2.75/3 out of 5.
Anyone pulled in by the premises should give it a chance. It likely wasn't my cup of tea, so to speak.
November 1, 2025
"Reed is revealing himself to me piece by piece, and it's far more than I ever realized was there."
Tessa and Reed have been academic rivals all through high school. Now at the end of the year, they've competed with each other enough to be named valedictorian and salutatorian of their class. But right before their graduation, they attend a party--and neither of them come out alive. Stuck as ghosts together, they are forced to work together to try to figure out what happened to them.
I didn't know what to expect going into this but wow this was a fun ride! I felt a rollercoaster of emotions because it really had everything--mystery, romance, drama, some scary moments and great twists. I still wasn't sure where the plot was going go at 85% into the book. I love how Tessa and Reed slowly got to know each other in the afterlife (hey, better late than never!)
Side note: I rarely cry when reading books, but I had a full out cry session during the last two chapters. Bravo to the author for making me feel so deeply!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing/Roaring Brook Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Though a YA novel, this has surprisingly become one of my favorite reads of the year.
Tessa and Reed have been academic rivals all through high school. Now at the end of the year, they've competed with each other enough to be named valedictorian and salutatorian of their class. But right before their graduation, they attend a party--and neither of them come out alive. Stuck as ghosts together, they are forced to work together to try to figure out what happened to them.
I didn't know what to expect going into this but wow this was a fun ride! I felt a rollercoaster of emotions because it really had everything--mystery, romance, drama, some scary moments and great twists. I still wasn't sure where the plot was going go at 85% into the book. I love how Tessa and Reed slowly got to know each other in the afterlife (hey, better late than never!)
Side note: I rarely cry when reading books, but I had a full out cry session during the last two chapters. Bravo to the author for making me feel so deeply!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing/Roaring Brook Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Though a YA novel, this has surprisingly become one of my favorite reads of the year.
November 16, 2025
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group (Roaring Brook Press) and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Tessa Sinclair is all about being the best. She is smart, she is driven, she is creative, she has been bested at being valedictorian by none other than her nemesis Reed Walker. Reed is also hardworking but he is friendly and knows how to have fun. He loves to mess with Tessa and she is fed up. Only one problem, they are dead and they need to work together to solve the cause of it. There is no RIP for this dynamic duo.
This book had me interested the entire time. There was drama and so many twists and turns. The side characters were amazing as well and I loved Tilly. The story was romantic, emotional, funny, sad, and more! This book was well paced and the descriptions were well written. There were so many great elements to the story that made it so amazing. If you like an action packed adventurous, emotionally charged story, I highly recommend this one! I was crying so hard at some points and I am emotionally exhausted after feeling so much in this story. It was so good, but mentally prepare to read this!
Tessa Sinclair is all about being the best. She is smart, she is driven, she is creative, she has been bested at being valedictorian by none other than her nemesis Reed Walker. Reed is also hardworking but he is friendly and knows how to have fun. He loves to mess with Tessa and she is fed up. Only one problem, they are dead and they need to work together to solve the cause of it. There is no RIP for this dynamic duo.
This book had me interested the entire time. There was drama and so many twists and turns. The side characters were amazing as well and I loved Tilly. The story was romantic, emotional, funny, sad, and more! This book was well paced and the descriptions were well written. There were so many great elements to the story that made it so amazing. If you like an action packed adventurous, emotionally charged story, I highly recommend this one! I was crying so hard at some points and I am emotionally exhausted after feeling so much in this story. It was so good, but mentally prepare to read this!
December 1, 2025
This was such a good book🩵
I loved the concept straight away. 2 academic rivals waking up dead and stuck haunting the same house but the execution made it even better. It’s witty, a little eerie and actually pretty emotional 🫶🏻
🫂 Tessa and Reeds dynamic carried the whole story for me. Their banter felt sharp and funny. the shift from annoyance to something warmer didn’t feel rushed and I liked how their walls came down slowly while they tried to piece together what actually happened the night they died. The mystery angle added tension without taking away from the heart of the book 💕
The emotional parts also hit harder than I thought they would. The grief, confusion, the moments where they realise what actually mattered in their lives it all landed in a really honest way 🥺 It kept the story grounded even while it stayed fun and paranormal
The pacing was sooo good. the setting was atmospheric and the ending felt right for the story being told.
It balanced humour and heart perfectly 👌
☠️ murder mystery
👻 ya paranormal romance
📕 academic rivals to lovers
🙋🏻♀️ forced proximity
🫠 he falls first
I loved the concept straight away. 2 academic rivals waking up dead and stuck haunting the same house but the execution made it even better. It’s witty, a little eerie and actually pretty emotional 🫶🏻
🫂 Tessa and Reeds dynamic carried the whole story for me. Their banter felt sharp and funny. the shift from annoyance to something warmer didn’t feel rushed and I liked how their walls came down slowly while they tried to piece together what actually happened the night they died. The mystery angle added tension without taking away from the heart of the book 💕
The emotional parts also hit harder than I thought they would. The grief, confusion, the moments where they realise what actually mattered in their lives it all landed in a really honest way 🥺 It kept the story grounded even while it stayed fun and paranormal
The pacing was sooo good. the setting was atmospheric and the ending felt right for the story being told.
It balanced humour and heart perfectly 👌
☠️ murder mystery
👻 ya paranormal romance
📕 academic rivals to lovers
🙋🏻♀️ forced proximity
🫠 he falls first
October 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this delightful gem!
You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker is a swoonworthy YA supernatural romcom that had me grinning from page one. Gwenyth Reitz delivers a hilarious and heartwarming tale of academic rivals turned ghostly roommates, trapped in a haunted mansion with unfinished business—and unresolved feelings.
Tessa Sinclair and Reed Walker are the kind of characters you instantly root for, even as they bicker and banter their way through the afterlife. Their chemistry is electric, their snark is top-tier, and their reluctant partnership to solve the mystery of their deaths is both clever and compelling. The dialogue sparkles with wit, and the romantic tension is pitch-perfect.
This was a super cute and fast read that had me laughing out loud and wishing for more. If you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers, ghostly hijinks, and romcoms with bite, this one’s for you.
You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker is a swoonworthy YA supernatural romcom that had me grinning from page one. Gwenyth Reitz delivers a hilarious and heartwarming tale of academic rivals turned ghostly roommates, trapped in a haunted mansion with unfinished business—and unresolved feelings.
Tessa Sinclair and Reed Walker are the kind of characters you instantly root for, even as they bicker and banter their way through the afterlife. Their chemistry is electric, their snark is top-tier, and their reluctant partnership to solve the mystery of their deaths is both clever and compelling. The dialogue sparkles with wit, and the romantic tension is pitch-perfect.
This was a super cute and fast read that had me laughing out loud and wishing for more. If you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers, ghostly hijinks, and romcoms with bite, this one’s for you.
November 13, 2025
👻 Bookish Thoughts
I was not prepared for how emotionally devastating this book would be 😭😭
I expected a fun paranormal rom com and got something much deeper. The grief these Tessa and Reed experience is staggering. They were both so bright and right on the edge of their futures, only to have everything taken from them. It is a lot for anyone to face, especially teenagers who never got the chance to grow into the lives they were working toward. Even with all that weight, the story still finds room for humor and light hearted moments. This was beautifully written.
Excuse me while I go finish crying.
🖤 What to Expect
• Enemies to lovers
• Academic rivals
• Ghost roommates
• Coming of age
• Emotional grief
• YA supernatural romance
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 5 stars
📅 Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I was not prepared for how emotionally devastating this book would be 😭😭
I expected a fun paranormal rom com and got something much deeper. The grief these Tessa and Reed experience is staggering. They were both so bright and right on the edge of their futures, only to have everything taken from them. It is a lot for anyone to face, especially teenagers who never got the chance to grow into the lives they were working toward. Even with all that weight, the story still finds room for humor and light hearted moments. This was beautifully written.
Excuse me while I go finish crying.
🖤 What to Expect
• Enemies to lovers
• Academic rivals
• Ghost roommates
• Coming of age
• Emotional grief
• YA supernatural romance
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 5 stars
📅 Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
August 5, 2025
You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker is for anyone who loves rivals-to-lovers, ghosts/spooky vibes, and books with ALL THE FEELS. It's Beetlejuice meets Never Have I Ever: a pair of academic high school rivals die at their graduation party and are stuck haunting in the afterlife together as they solve the mystery of how they died. I can't tell you how much I love this book. I got to read an early copy and have re-read it several times since then. Gwen creates well-drawn, believable characters you'll be rooting for, and a fun story that clips along while still taking the time to sit in the real, harder moments of Tessa and Reed's journey. I can't wait for everyone to fall in love with You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker!
October 24, 2025
This was an interesting read the authors take on the afterlife or I guess more accurately the transition time before you actually move on was a new twist I haven't seen before. The plot is honestly the weakest part of the book I clocked who the culprit was the moment they were introduced. But I think the true point isn't the who done it, but Tessa and Reed's emotional journey through grief, loss and acceptance, and that is well done. Their journey isn't a straight line they move forward and stumble back falling into easier anger, blame and guilt sometimes and it feels very real and relatable. And in the end you are left with something bittersweet because even though its easy to forget it sometimes they are already dead, there is no true happy ending to be had here.
October 30, 2025
Surprisingly emotional!
Tessa and Reed have been at each others' throats their entire academic careers. On the eve of their graduation, they may finally be able to drop the walls (and the barbs) and meet the vulnerable people hiding underneath tough exteriors -- except the both end up dead. Trapped together in this new ghostly existence, they quickly realize their deaths were not accidental, and their friends may be in danger from the same person who killed them.
This felt a little juvenile at times for me, which makes sense given its target audience! It wasn't the right fit for me but a great read for those still in their teens! Covered some heavy topics really beautifully.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Tessa and Reed have been at each others' throats their entire academic careers. On the eve of their graduation, they may finally be able to drop the walls (and the barbs) and meet the vulnerable people hiding underneath tough exteriors -- except the both end up dead. Trapped together in this new ghostly existence, they quickly realize their deaths were not accidental, and their friends may be in danger from the same person who killed them.
This felt a little juvenile at times for me, which makes sense given its target audience! It wasn't the right fit for me but a great read for those still in their teens! Covered some heavy topics really beautifully.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the arc. I was not expecting to experience such a range of emotions while reading this book. Reed and Tessa are rivals, and both wake up at a party to realize they're both dead. Throughout the book, they search for answers of what happened to them, how to find peace from their past lives, and move on to the next life. I would have loved to find out what there is behind the doors, but I guess I will have to stick with my own imagination. Pick this book up if you enjoy: rivals to lovers, paranormal aspect, cute YA romance, and solving a murder mystery.
November 19, 2025
I was really intrigued by the premise and liked the unique setup of two rivals stuck haunting a mansion together. I unfortunately didn’t finish, so this is just a first-impressions review.
The main character’s voice in the opening chapters didn’t quite click with me; I tend to prefer protagonists who warm up more slowly instead of starting out very sharp or critical. That’s just a personal preference, and I know a lot of readers love snarkier narration.
Even though this one wasn’t for me, I think readers who enjoy bold, outspoken YA narrators and supernatural rivalry stories might have a great time with it.'
2.5 star
The main character’s voice in the opening chapters didn’t quite click with me; I tend to prefer protagonists who warm up more slowly instead of starting out very sharp or critical. That’s just a personal preference, and I know a lot of readers love snarkier narration.
Even though this one wasn’t for me, I think readers who enjoy bold, outspoken YA narrators and supernatural rivalry stories might have a great time with it.'
2.5 star
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