Dead Weight

Dead Again #1

by Ari Roper

Everyone has a thing. Some people bake. Some people binge true crime podcasts.
Seventeen-year-old Salem Whitlock? She really, really wants to murder people. And not in the haha what if I just stabbed Chad way.

No—Salem has an itch.
A magical, bone-deep craving that festers under her skin like wildfire until it’s unbearable. It’s a family trait, passed down like a cursed casserole recipe. Her mother made her swear not to kill anyone until her eighteenth birthday. “Be responsible with your impulses,” she said. “Make your first kill mean something.”

So Salem waits. She journals. She daydreams. She sharpens knives and avoids group projects. Then her birthday hits. And the itch is raging. Enter Wyatt Morrison. Arrogant, manipulative, the kind of guy who thinks he's a gift to women and insults you while asking for your number.
He’s a perfect first kill. And Salem? She’s feeling generous. One murder, a messy ritual, and a suspiciously casual “oops” later… and Wyatt is still here. Dead. But still here.
Now Salem has a ghost problem. Wyatt’s spirit is bound to her through the unfinished spell—and while he’s surprisingly chill about being murdered by a girl with eyeliner sharp enough to kill on its own, he’s also incredibly annoying. He haunts her locker, critiques her murder technique, and insists on being her afterlife wingman. Worse? The school is investigating his death.
Her magic is getting stronger. The itch is back. And every time Salem thinks she might be in control… someone else ends up bleeding. Oh, and she might be falling for the dead guy she killed. Which, as it turns out, is so much more complicated than murder.

Genres: Humor, Dark

410 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2025

Reviews

[Anna Kratowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not even sure how to start his review: I am honestly MINDBLOWN with this book. When I say I couldn't put this book down, I mean exactly that. I started this book and several hours later I finished it. Dead Weight was SO clever, creepy, sarcastic, hilarious, emotional, twisted (subject matter and plots). It's nothing like I've ever read before.

The development of Salem's character from her hunger to unalive people and her starting to process other emotions as the story moves forward. I love how descriptive Ari made Salem's inner thoughts. I appreciated that this was a first person POV and only 1 POV because I really feel like I was inside Salem during this whole journey.

Wyatt had me laughing out loud so often. His inappropriate comments, flirtatious behavior, and sarcasm were such a fun light in what was a very dark style book. And Lachlan, oh what a sweetheart. I want a Lachlan for myself. Lachlan is so thoughtful and supportive and lives for Salem.

If you have ANY love for dark romcom, dark romance, serial unalivers, comedy, and have a twisted sense of humor you need this book in your TBR. I will be anxiously awaiting Book 2.

[Lex · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC/Chapter-by-chapter reader review:

Professional review(somewhat): This was an emotional rollercoaster that I never want to get off of. Salem’s (FMC) character development was amazing from the beginning to the end, there was so much depth to her, she was somewhat innocent(not in the stabby-stab way fs), her sarcasm was on point, she never tried to be someone she’s not… ya know when it mattered… kinda👀 the evil mastermind that is Salem is 🧑‍🍳 😘👌 she surprised me a lot, also had me cussing at my screen sometimes, and I had a lot of theories that proved me correct which also gave me heart attacks but like in a good way…is that a thing? Eh whatever it is; and Wyatt and Lachlan?! Oh GAWD don’t get me started on them bc I will protect and defend them against anyone who dares go against me, try me😤

Other Character personalities: Wyatt’s dry humor, sarcasm, nonstop chatter and smart quips at inappropriate moments along with the constant 24/7 cheerleader, concern, care and support, that is him is just 😆😆😆😆 got me giggling and kicking my feet; and Lachlan?! Ooohhh boy🥵 when I tell you he (and Wyatt) don’t even blink at Salem’s actions and choices and continuously support her no matter what, literally, UGH🥹🥹 melts my heart ♥️ and Mama Whitlock? what a Queen, she’s terrifying but amazing and smart as a whip, kind of like Morticia Addams actually

Genuine review: This book sometimes got me either swearing and punching the air, screaming at the characters, giggling and kicking my feet, and/or sobbing but that just made the book that much worth it, especially at certain times when I got a liiiiitle too invested and excited… and also when I cussed out the author multiple times but you know, that’s all part of the process right? The actual obsession I have with these characters is next level, I need more, and it showed. I’d apologize Ari but… we both know I’m not sorry😁 I got reeaalll invested, as she can attest to, and I will 1000% be reading this again multiple times to get the full experience and relive the trauma, crying, and pain that I went through but also the EEEEEEEE😆😆😆😆😆 and AWWWWW🥰🥰😭😭😭 and GET IT GIRL😤😁😁😆😆🥵🥵🥵😏😏🥴🥴 and HELL YEAH FUCK IT UP😤😤😤😤 and OOOOOO FUCK SHITS ABOUT TO GO DOOWWWWWNNN😏😏😏😏😌😌😤😤 moments. So worth it all. So if this hasn’t convinced you to read it, then maybe the smexy scenes will🥵😏and if that won’t? Then idk what’s wrong with you. I guess you just don’t have taste, especially for amazing books like this🤷‍♀️

[Tiffani M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Ari Roper, for the early reading opportunity.

Murderous magic, seemingly so sentient it's given a name like the sidekick demon it is; a stabby witch with a NEED to kill, whose murders epically backfire. A flirty ghost reminiscent of a Hot Topic mannequin, a hot werewolf best friend, perfectly wrapped up in all the sarcasm and dark humor you could ever want.

The emotional rollercoaster this book sends you on is the most exquisite, hurt you in the best kind of way, tragedy. It's funny, it's dark, it's encompassed in sarcasm and wit that Salem (the FMC) uses like a blade, to escape feeling, well… anything really. That is, until she kills the golden boy (Wyatt), messes up the ritual and he now haunts her like the world's worst animated theme park balloon. She sees a side of him she never knew existed, and Wyatt? 🔥😍 Salem bites, but he bites back. He, along with her, hot as Hades werewolf best friend, Lachlan, SHATTER the walls that she's been sheltering herself with her entire life. She's so RIDICULOUSLY innocent (not murder plots, crime scene cleanups and having an alibi that makes the most innocent person look guilty, innocent) in everything sex and pop culture related. It's endearing and ridiculously adorable.

I loved The Knight Witch, but this book is where my heart LIVES 💚

This story is NOT for the faint of heart, weak stomachs, or those just starting to dabble in dark fantasy. You've been warned.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️

[Cyenne Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆☆☆☆☆
🌶🌶

Hallmark meets dark rom-com 🤭

This book made me feel things I didn't think it was capable of. I was suspicious at first due to the blurb and the plot line, but it did not disappoint in the slightest.

The FMC Salem Whitlock reminded me much of myself in high school. Hates the world. Wants to see it burn. However, unlike me, Salem has that power or so-called itch. Between high school drama, spells gone wrong, a looming curse, and a witty ghost attached to her Salem has to break her curse and try to remain normal while her world is slowly imploding. This spooky romance has me in a chokehold to the point that I did nothing all day but make time to finish this novel.

Huge thank you to Ari Roper for writing such a masterpiece because I should not be crying over a ghost. This book was a 10/10 and I will be impatiently waiting for the release of book two.

If she writes it I will definitely be reading it!

[Stacey W · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Where do I even begin...this was a well written, unhinged romp of a novel and I loved it! Salem is so hilariously unapologetic, feral, and real as a character and I loved her. Wyatt stole the show for me...sarcastic, and funny, and flirty and just perfect. The banter was top shelf, and it held on to my little black heart the whole way through. I binged this book over three days and it caught and kept my attention (and my soul) all the way to the end. A decent enough amount of spice for me, because the plot held me the whole way through. The ending was just *chef's kiss*. Ari Roper crushed it with this book.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10. Great book. No notes.

Salem - I ADORE her, murder barbie, absolutely sweetheart (when she's not all stabby and murdery), a general queen, a psycho. I loved her whole character, her development, everything

Lachlan - a sweetheart omg 😭 I loved him too! He's always there for Salem and her best friend! I loved seeing their friendship and how things progressed between them

Wyatt - I loved seeing things progressing between Salem and Wyatt! It was so cute to see and you really get to love Wyatt by the end.

The storyline was AMAZING, and the book was so beautifully written! I was obsessed, felt like I couldn't put the book down. It was everything.

[Roni Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am traumatized! Wrecked in all the right ways. I was not expecting to cry so hard over one of the characters. But the end so makes it worth it. 🫠

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ but man was it different and may have unlocked a new kink

Plot: ✨✨✨✨✨ It was engaging, I knew there would be spice but the story grabs you and whisks you away. I was so caught up I forgot there was going to be spice even though I could feel it coming but by then I was already captivated.

This was a quickish read and worth it! I am not stalking waiting for the next in the series. I need them all😭😭

Let me say I was blessed with the read as an e-ARC by the author and I cannot thank them enough. This review is voluntary and of my own accord.

[Estrella Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly can't believe how little the hype for this book is! I remember someone posted it on one of my Book Clubs on FB, and thought it looked interesting. This was such a surprisingly good find. I loved every minute of reading this book. It follows Salem, a young witch, Wyatt, the boy-turned-ghost after she killed him, and Lachlan, a werewolf, as well as her best friend who is definitely in love with her. This goes from a murder-type book with romance? IDK how to describe this exactly. All I know, is that I LOVED how the story flowed, I loved the sarcastic banter between the three of these characters, and especially loved their development. I couldn't decide who Salem should pick. Thank God that this sort of ended up being like, a throuple situation for them. This book was so unlike what I've read. The ending sort of leaves us on a cliffhanger, but not really, if that makes sense. The book was a nice change of pace for me.
Overall, loved this book. Looks like I'm going to be exploring paranormal romances now?

[Kreela · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Urban Academy Fantasy; MMF; explicit spice}

Can’t get enough of the tv show, Wendy? That combination of black lipstick comedy and horror is a difficult thing to achieve, but I now think Ari Roper is one of my favorite novelists.

Seriously, I didn’t expect to like a serial killer. Salem is an 18-year-old witch cursed with the need to kill 13 victims in order to gain full power. Her family gave her knowledge but she has to gather her own tools and skill. Overwhelmed with need, she attacks the first person she finds alone, her school mate Wyatt, the football jock.

Let’s just say, need matches both definitions. The desire builds up so much she just has to submit to her desires.

Wyatt’s not what I expected as a ghost. He may have history and a healthy libido, but he sounds just like her. Whether he had a different personality before death, he obviously is a part of her now. I just love how he is described. Wyatt follows her rear end because it is the most exciting part of his existence now, and he flips upside down just to mess with her. His poses are artistic. We get glimpses of his past life, and how bloody his dreams were.

Even though Salem is the school weirdo, she has a cool werewolf best friend who Wyatt says has a crush on Salem. Unfortunately, he is always asleep when she and Wyatt go on a murder spree or, uh, adventure. I feel that the werewolf needs more time on the page.

Favorite Secondary Character
Mom. That woman was such a sweet woman who ‘took care of things.’ Like Salem was a messy eater and mom would just clean up after her. Swoon.

The Plot
The Plot was probably 60% romance and 40% hijinks, and I cringed every time she said “Clarence” was acting up. Clarence was her killer instinct. The only thing that reduced my insecurity was that Salem preferred rapists and killers for her victims.

The Romance
The Romance (Explicit towards the end): I just want to quote here. The metaphors were visual love notes all by themselves, and I could never see this adapted to a streaming service:

Her first kiss: “He pulls away.Fast. Like he’s just realized he’s been making out with a toaster.“

”“I’m literally just trying to eat pizza and pretend that love is a conspiracy theory.“

” Wyatt says. “Love is basically Stockholm syndrome with extra snacks.”

“Sweet murder Barbie”

[Serena Knights · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Spoilers*

Okay, listen.

I told myself I’d just start Dead Weight before bed.

Casual. No biggie. Just a few chapters, I said. I LIED. To myself. To my bf. To the basic laws of sleep hygiene. Because once I started, there was no going back. This book grabbed me by the throat (consensually) and did not let go.

First of all—Salem is my patron saint. That unhinged, sharp-tongued, witchy little menace owns my soul. She kills a boy on her birthday (as one does), gets haunted by his ghost (Wyatt, sarcastic cinnamon roll chaos incarnate), and somehow still manages to be the most relatable character I’ve read in a hot minute. Like yes girl, dissect that frog. Commit that murder. Fall in love with the boy you killed. We support women in STEM.

And then there’s Lachlan—grumpy, golden retriever werewolf boy who is ride-or-die for this mess of a murderess and still finds time to flirt like a menace and growl like a snack. The tension between these three? Unholy. Delicious. I did not know I needed a morally complicated MFM paranormal murder romance in my life, but apparently I did, because now I can’t stop thinking about it.

Also… can we talk about the attic scene? THE. ATTIC. SCENE. I’m not going to spoil it, but I’ll just say this: it awakened something. I don’t know what that something is, but it probably requires a summoning circle, three candles, and a safe word.

Every moment is either hot, hilarious, horrifying—or somehow all three. There’s gore. There’s trauma. There’s ghost banter that made me laugh-snort into my wine. And then Ari had the audacity to rip my heart out and hand it back like, “Here. You’re welcome.”

So yeah. I'm glad I took a night to read it. Was it worth the emotional damage and now needing therapy I can’t afford? Absolutely. Do I maybe have a new kink now? Also yes.

✨ 10/10 would get haunted again. ✨

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

One haunts her. One grounds her. Both could break her.

Salem's never meant to be safe. She’s born with a voice in her head and an itch in her blood that only murder can quiet. On her eighteenth birthday, she finds Wyatt on a basketball court and claims him with her knife, again and again. But death doesn’t take him. Not really. He comes back as a ghost. Loud, sharp, and tied to her like a secret she can't shake. He sees everything she tries to bury. And Salem doesn’t know what scares her more: that he won’t leave, or that she doesn’t want him to.

Lachlan’s on the other side of the storm. Quiet. Grounded. A werewolf with steady hands and his own damage to carry. He never asks her to change. He just stays. Even as the blood pools. Caught between Wyatt’s constant pull and Lachlan’s solid presence, Salem's trapped in a love triangle that cuts deep. It’s messy. It’s intense. It’s real.

As her kills stack up, Salem faces cults, curses, and a hunger that won’t sleep. Clarence, the voice inside, grows quiet. She doesn’t need a monster pushing her anymore. She’s becoming one by choice. What starts as instinct turns into intent. What starts as survival turns into power.

Salem changes. She begins as a violent, guarded girl shaped by shadows, but learns to confront the past and control what’s always been inside her. Wyatt shifts from obsessive and closed-off to emotionally raw and fiercely loyal, even beyond death. Lachlan steps in as protector but becomes so much more—someone who sees Salem clearly and stays anyway. The bond between them grows from chaos into something unshakable. It's not a clean romance. It's a collision.

A dark, steamy, emotional supernatural romance, exploring identity, trauma, power, violence, guilt, love, grief, survival, and the choice to keep going. It’s about becoming whole with all your sharp edges still showing.

[Tonika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have dubbed Dead Weight as a Dark Rom-Com, with cute witty banter and a ton of murder, blood and gore.

High school is bad enough without being a Whitlock, surrounded by my preppy peers, longing for their demise. Never mind what goes on behind closed doors. Going through emotional the growing pains, murder, mayhem, and mysteries, with enough witty sarcasm and banter for everyone.

I have never laughed so hard, to the point I couldn't breathe and was crying and sometimes it was during the goriest of scenes.

It's a warped, bl*0dy, and humorous story wrapped in teenage angst. Less bullying than zodiac academy but just as much strife, and an a** load more comedy.

1. Have you ever wondered to yourself, how come I don't have a super sexy best friend who works on computers all day and looks like he could chop a forest down with one chop, No?

2. How about wanting to off the lead football player of your school, only to find out through events (absolutely within your control) that you severely mistook everything about him, and now you can't get rid of him? No…

3. Do you sometimes find yourself wondering about an incurable itch name Clarence that helps you plot everyones demise with detail and sometimes in multiple ways?

4. Do you not follow the rules, or find yourself reacting to something without thinking it through?

Well Salem does, and oh boy, does she end up in a mess. her coup de gras happens 15 minutes before her 18th birthday.

Wanna know how Salem Whitlock handles it read the book!

Key points in no particular order:
- Ghosts
- Witch's
- Werewolf shifters
- Bl*od, Guts, and G0re
- redraM
- Witty sarcastic banter
- Spicy 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

[Ari Roper · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤 Author’s Note on Dead Weight 🖤

When I first started writing Dead Weight, I didn’t set out to create lovable characters.

They weren’t supposed to be anyone’s comfort reads. They were meant to be raw—unapologetically sharp-edged, messed up, magical, and a little monstrous. The kind of people that bleed truth and drag you into the dark just to show you how brightly something broken can still burn.

But somewhere along the way… they became something else. Something more.

Salem, with her cursed cravings and chaotic heart. Wyatt, the ghost that refuses to go quietly. Lachlan, loyal to a fault and possibly the only sane one in the room. These characters weren’t meant to be anyone’s favorite. And yet, they’ve turned into something that means the world to me. They’re dysfunctional and dangerous—but they feel so damn real. Like they clawed their way off the page and demanded to be seen.

To my early readers—thank you. Truly. For falling in love with the unlovable, for laughing when I didn’t think anyone would, and for messaging me things like “I hate how much I care about a ghost now”. You made the chaos worth it.

And if you haven’t yet experienced Dead Weight—whether in all its bloody, brilliant text or as an unhinged audio experience—consider this your invite. You can catch the audio version (and more) over on Patreon. Come join the madness. We have ghosts, trauma, jokes about murder, and maybe a love triangle that shouldn’t exist but definitely does.

With all my messy, murderous love,
—Ari Roper

[Flor Arasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god oh my god oh my god

That’s it, that sums my thoughts on this book! No? But seriously, are you effing kidding me? It’s been such a long time since I enjoyed a story this much!

As a reference, I think I’ve highlighted 89% of the book, and the rest probably was just the chapter titles (which were hilarious btw)

I don’t wanna get spoiler-y so I can’t say A LOT of what I wanna praise, but just know that the plot, the characters, the pace, the romance, it was all so freaking beautiful!

Wyatt will forever and always have my heart, he’s flirty, sarcastic, funny and damn sexy, even without a physical body…

Salem is such a baddie, what a great FMC, that’s also something that we sometimes don’t get in this genre, because of course we all want to be swooped by the MMC(s), but her story was entertaining, I felt so invested. Her character development was top tier.

Don’t make me talk about the last 20% of the book, because I haven’t even processed it yet! I bawled my eyes out on the way to work, RUDE!! And then smiled, and then felt heartbroken again, with a nice plot twist, and THEN finally we got what we signed up for, and it was perfection!

I need their story to have like 20 more books and live happily and murdery ever after!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Actinia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the early access ARC read.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going in - new (to me) author, murdery magic premise - but Dead Weight completely floored me in the best possible way. Ari Roper’s writing is razor-sharp, hilarious, and just dark enough to make the whole thing addictive.

Salem Whitlock is chaotic, clever, and cursed with a magical itch to kill. We get taken on an absurdly fun and emotionally rich journey involving a sarcastic ghost (hi, Wyatt), a charming werewolf bestie, and one very messy magical ritual gone wrong. There’s no love triangle, just a beautifully unhinged why-choose dynamic that somehow makes total sense by the end.

The cast is phenomenal, and I found myself deeply invested in their growth - every twist hit harder because I cared about them. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, and at times vulnerable.

And honestly? I’m relieved I’ve finished it… because now I can actually focus on real life instead of sneaking back to my Kindle every five minutes. A compulsive page-turner - I’ll be reading anything Ari Roper writes from now on.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Weight completely pulled me in from the very first page — I blinked and suddenly it was over, leaving me desperate for more! Salem is such a fascinatingly flawed main character, a mix of chaos and vulnerability that makes her impossible not to root for.

The writing is sharp, witty, and darkly funny, with banter that’s pure gold. Salem’s dynamic with Wyatt and Lachlan is perfectly balanced — intense, sarcastic, and full of chemistry. It’s a “why choose” romance that actually works, with real emotional depth beneath all the dark humor and haunting twists.

I loved how the story didn’t shy away from showing messy characters who are still learning and growing. It never felt fake or out of touch — it read like someone who gets what it’s like to be young and flawed.

If you love paranormal romance with bite (literally and emotionally), this one’s for you. It’s dark, funny, and completely addictive — a five-star read that I’ll be recommending to all my bookish friends!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Polli.p · Rating 5 out of 5]

'A witch, a werewolf, and a ghost walk into a murder attic. Yeah. Totally normal.'

That about sums up this unusual and brilliant book.

Fresh, feisty talent, fearless metaphors that word bomb the page like glitter on a dancefloor. A story that's a bold piece of escapism taking the paranormal genre to new levels of playfulness. And characters so expertly crafted you'll want them as friends. This story has it all.

When Salem kills Wyatt before her alloted time she unleashes a chain of events that not only culminate in her witchy awakening but make her realise she just might have murdered the wrong guy.

A story young at heart, mature in it's wisdom and as old as time. Here love comes in many forms as does polyamory. Cute, laugh out loud funny and a beautiful HAE. If you're after some fuzzy warm murdery vibes this is for you.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pardon my lack of finesse, I am no writer.
This is definitely a page turner. I got sucked into this story so quick that before I knew it I was at the end craving more.
I'm an avid reader but I haven't read something this good in a while.
The story is top tier and I like that Salem is flawed. None of the characters are perfect and have a long way to go in growing up. It didn't come off like an adult who has never talked to a teenager and that's refreshing.
I have soooo many things highlighted it's not even funny and the titles are *chef's kiss*
I'm not great at writing reviews. Just know that I will be recommending this to ALL of my bookish friends (that don't have triggers). You definitely should read it for yourself. Then you can whole heartedly agree with me on how great it is because I know you will.

[Ritika Madre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Dead Weight by Ari Roper, MY FIRST ARC READ ☺️🖤 and honestly? This book is wild in the best way possible.

A whole chaotic, angsty, threesome situation??? Yep—it’s a full-on ghost-boyfriend vs. werewolf-boyfriend love triangle... that turns into something else entirely. This book is unhinged, hilarious, sad, sexy, deeply romantic and somehow emotional too. Like, it’s funny until suddenly you’re reading about the ghost boy—his past, and why he was the way he was when he was alive. And now she doesn’t want to let him go, even though she’s supposed to get rid of him.

If you love morally messy girls, hot werewolves, tragic ghost boys, and a romance that should NOT work but absolutely does—read this. Trust me. Also... we need therapy after this one😮‍💨🖤

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I got to step further from my comfort zone with this arc read! This is my honest review.
While I am beginning to read books with spice, I have stayed away from multiple partner books...ya well, this one was worth the step off the shallow end. Salem is pretty messed up, but who wouldn't be with a witchy mu/de/ous craze always inside her. She is a super sarcastic character who was so great to see grow, even in her crazy mu/de/glory. I absolutely love Wyatt's sassy butt! He is absolutely hilarious! 10/10 for "mu/de/ mutt" ❤️🤣 Definitely would recommend, but go in after reading the trigger warnings! The unaliving is pretty detailed in parts and may twist your stomach if you don't like "gore" or horror movies. I would say keep an open mind and give it a try 💁‍♀️

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great dark read. While the characters are seniors in high school, this book is for adults. The writing is excellent, and the world building is amazing. Set in current times, it is about witches, ghosts, and werewolves. The banter is hilarious and the characters, in spite of the whole killing thing, are engaging and endearing. Salem's growth, in particular, is well done. She grows into who she is gradually, and her confusion and final acceptance of love is organic. The love story is wonderful, with Wyatt as the broken boy who deflects with humor and Lachlan is the steady best friend who has always accepted her. His consistent support and love provide a great balance amongst the three.

This is a dark book so read the trigger warnings. But if you like your serial killer books with great humor and multidimensional characters, read this book! I hope we get more with these three.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a great time reading Dead Weight.

▪︎Witches
▪︎Ghosts
▪︎Werewolf Shifters
▪︎Banter
▪︎MFM
▪︎Possessions
▪︎Paranormal Romance

Salem, a witch coming into her own, has always had this feeling she couldn't quite explain, but she needs to "release" it but can't until her 18th birthday. Unfortunately for Wyatt, he was there the moment she got the itch on her 18th birthday. Then he becomes her ghostly shadow and keeps her on her toes with his witty banter. Her best friend Lachlan is a werewolf and hes also in love with her, always has been. The 3 of them stick together and basically become a throuple, thru possession. Their dynamics, the banter and how they have each other's backs, I couldnt get enough!! I do want to know more about her mom tho, she definitely piqued my interest.

[CHERYL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone searching for a MMC who is like so many of us wish we were! Not a single care for what others think. In a world where she feels alone with a Mom who is focused on anything/anyone but her.

Until her magic awakens. Then murders a plenty take place -- and she's doing them! Not because she wants to...well she's driven to want to.

Only a ghost and werewolf are in her corner, helping anyway they can. ANYWAY they can.

It's a page turner and wonderful addition to any fantasy library. Ari Roper is now one of my top authors. I'll read and purchase anything she creates - truthfully.

[Ashley Hungerford · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 🌟 Dead Weight brings life to paranormal romance with a FMC like Dexter. Salem’s waited for the day of her 18th birthday and planned the perfect first k*ll. She botches her first soul release after her first k*ll out of thirteen. This comes with a big consequence: her victim (Wyatt) coming back to haunt her. With the help of her best friend, Lachlan, Salem is able to navigate being haunted by Wyatt.
The banter between Salem and Wyatt is sarcastic, witty, and funny. The character development between the main characters is effortless. The plot is on fire and brings out the throuple in a why choose romance.

[Lantana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ari Roper does it again! In this hilarious, jaw dropping, emotion grabbing, double dipping(iykyk) book, you are almost possessed 😉 to fall in love with the main character. She’s witty, she’s witchy,she’s realistic, she’s a queen you are sure to be jealous of when you meet the MMC (s) the soul grabbing , knee slapping, lovable men you are certain to fall in love with. Even when you want to hate them. I adored everything about this book. It’s the best part of my month and I HIGHLY SCREAM go read it. Now . Just go. Seriously you will be glad you did and wish you didn’t read this all way though and started sooner.

[Marcy Jurg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely brilliant read and my first book from this author. 5 plus stars!!
You can't give much information about the story line without giving much away but it was a roller-coaster ride that I could not put down.
Salem is a coming of age witch who is ready to embrace her destiny. She has help along the way to achieve it. I felt this was a coming of age story but with some really mature adult moments that didn't have the feel of YA even though the players were seniors and was full of feels. You spent a fair time laughing a little time crying and now we wait for book Two.
This could be read as a standalone though and does have a HEA.
Its a must read for anyone who likes the quirky and all the good things that just aren't the norm.
Ensure you go to the authors site and read the trigger warnings as there is a fair bit to unpack in this story.

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

lol I loved this book. The story was so original. Biding your time until you’re 18 and allowed to kill. That’s a great story right there. Salem is a witch and she has to wait until she’s18 before she can commit her first kill. But Clarence, her inner thirst, so to speak, is growing impatient with the wait.
This book was funny, twisted, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Poor Wyatt, that’s all I’m going to say lol.
Ari came up with a brilliant idea for this book, and totally pulled it off. I can’t wait to read more books from her.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hayleigh Huntley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the beautiful author for the opportunity to ARC this book!

This story is absolutely filled with magic, spice, and angst that hits the heart just right. Following Salem through the tale of killing another twelve after slightly botching her first, was truly a journey I wish I could read for the first time again. The connection Salem, Wyatt and Lachlan share in private moments is something only in twisted fairytales, and I am all for it.

If you’re looking for a new read that will keep you on your toes with murder, magic, and a bit of arson, look no further!

[Chloe Rowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I haven’t read many supernatural books, but after this one, I’m seriously questioning why not—because if they’re all like this, I need more! This story was absolutely wild and thrilling from start to finish.

Salem was such a compelling character, and on a deeply messed-up level, I found myself relating to her in ways I didn’t expect. And her boys? Chef’s kiss. Each of them was perfect for her in their own way, and I loved how their relationships unfolded.

The emotional torment that crept in near the end was intense and beautifully written. The last 20% had me on the edge of my seat—I couldn’t look away. An addictive, emotionally charged supernatural read that left me wanting more.

[jessi_reading_corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book was AMAZING.
From the get go I was hooked.

We have a stabby witch, with an itch to k!ll. A flirty ghost, that she definitely killed and a werewolf best friend who's totally in love with said witch! Salem is innocent, except for the k!lling, she doesn't get some innuendos 😂
The banter in this book was top notch, I was cackling with laughter so many times.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, twists I did not see coming.
Lots of dark humour and a whole lot of sarcasm. This book is a MUST read!