Death and Coffee

by Lisa Acerbo

Kirkus Reviews calls it "A zany, clever, and thrilling supernatural tale."

"The prose is dark and poignant, with a whimsical edge and witty, introspective commentary accompanying the narration. The supernatural and real worlds are integrated well. From Prudence's internal monologues to her interactions with Death, portrayed as a corporate entity, with its underworld workers using twenty-first-century technology, and the living, I enjoyed many humorous moments. I loved this book." - Readers' Favorites

Second-place winner of the 2025 International Firebird Book Awards in the category: Romance

First-place award winner of the 2025 International Firebird Book Award in the category: Best for Provoking Philosophical Discussions

The end is a new beginning for Prudence. After witnessing her mother’s wrongful conviction as a witch in 1661 and wishing for death, she gets just what she asks for when recruited. In her new job as a reaper, Prudence must learn to navigate the delicate balance between the living and the soon-to-be-deceased. However, her duties as a harbinger of souls are only the beginning of her trials as she makes her way as an immortal through the centuries. With nothing else to care about, Prudence excels on the job, even with an ill-tempered horse demon to keep fed and jealous coworkers vying for her downfall.

Love arrives for this reaper with one of her soon-to-be-dead clients. Prudence is instantly smitten with hospital doctor Daxone, defies Death to save the woman, and pursues her desires. Unfortunately, immortals shouldn’t love humans. Worse, revealing Death’s secrets gets the couple banished to purgatory. Prudence settles in only to be yanked away to Salem, Massachusetts. Once there, she is forced to deal with another of Death’s deadly problems. Thrust into a world of witches and dark magic, Prudence must harness her innate powers and confront a coven plotting to overthrow Death. With the world's fate and her lover’s life hanging in the balance, she must find her magic and understand her past to keep the love of her life and the entire planet alive.

ebook

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Lisa Acerbo loves to read, write, drink coffee and wine, and rescue foster dogs. Her new book, Death and Coffee, was released on October 14, 2025, from NineStar Press. The Netherworld Witch, a YA fantasy, arrives in 2026.

Reviews

[Rishika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and full of magic ⚔️☕️🧙‍♀️

Before I start my review i want to thank netgallery and Author Lisa Acerbo for giving me this opportunity to ARC read in exchange of an honest review

Death and coffee is a cozy dark fantasy book featuring prudence, after her mother's tragic death and soon hers in the same year,
surprise awaits her as she is recruited as a grim reaper to collect souls, After years of doing her job she stumbles across Daxone, her soon to be dead client and a human she falls in love with which leads them both to purgatory as punishment! The story further leads to some great action and suspense!

This is not the type of book I usually read but it didnt fail to impress me. The story went back and forth between the past and the present which let us reader's know about prudence's life throughout her reaping and past life which keeps the reader's hooked! I absolutely liked the dynamic between Daxone and Prudence, it was really heartwarming!
If you are into sapphic mediocre spicy dark suspense fantasy where the female character is bold/humorous and is addicted to caffeine, This one is for you!

Once again I want to thank netgallery and the author for giving me this opportunity to ARC read.

[Selene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is 3.5 rounded up to 4, I think if I read this a second time it would be a solid 4. There is alot time a lot jumping which almost gives the same vibes as watching the first season of Witcher. It’s a solid grim reaper as a job sapphic romance with some witchy vibes and stunning concepts. Plus there is a caffeine addiction which is so relatable and Goose her demon horse 5 stars for Goose all day every day.

[Marsha Dorsey Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death and Coffee is a clever, genre-blending read that balances wit, heart, and the supernatural in a way that feels both fresh and comforting. Lisa Acerbo delivers a story that moves easily between dark themes—death, loss, and fate—and moments of warmth, humor, and unexpected tenderness.

Prudence is a compelling protagonist: weary, sharp-tongued, and deeply human despite her role as a reaper. Her long history and emotional scars add depth to the story, and I appreciated how her past informs her choices without overwhelming the narrative. The modern setting mixed with historical echoes (especially Salem) creates a rich atmosphere that enhances the stakes.

The romance unfolds naturally and adds emotional weight rather than distracting from the plot, while the supporting cast and magical elements keep the story lively and engaging. Acerbo’s writing style is accessible and fast-paced, with just enough snark and heart to keep the pages turning.

If you enjoy urban fantasy with a touch of romance, strong female leads, and a thoughtful exploration of life and death—preferably alongside a cup of coffee—this book is well worth picking up.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death and Coffee follows Prudence Barlow, a Puritan-era young woman whose mother is executed for witchcraft in 1661 Hartford—an injustice that leaves Prudence raw enough to bargain with something decidedly not holy. Centuries later she’s “Death’s representative” in 2024 New York City, hustling through an afterlife gig economy with a demon-horse ride named Goose, a glowing amulet that dispatches her to the newly doomed, and an Employee Handbook that reads like corporate cruelty turned into scripture. The novel ricochets between grim history and snarky modernity as Prudence collects souls, dodges petty reaper politics, and, most fatefully, falls for Daxone, a woman whose goodness hits Prudence like sunlight she didn’t realize she’d been missing.

My favorite thing about this book is its tonal nerve. Author Lisa Acerbo doesn’t sand down death into tasteful mood lighting; she lets it stink, joke, swagger, and occasionally ache. Prudence’s voice is sharp without being hollow, funny, yes, but also threaded with old grief that keeps resurfacing like a bruise you press even when you know it’ll hurt. And the workplace satire lands because it’s not just punchlines about policies; it’s about how systems (religious, civic, corporate, supernatural) metabolize human fear and call it “order.” Even the concept of depositing souls with routine, like taking out the trash after a shift, feels deliberately unsettling in a way that makes the comedy bite.

The romance is where the book quietly sharpens its claws. Prudence has been “alive” a long time, but emotionally she’s been running on fumes and caffeine, until Daxone. Their connection isn’t written as destiny-with-a-spotlight; it’s more like recognition, that rare moment when someone looks at your whole strange self and doesn’t flinch. The book makes a bold move in tying love to consequence. Prudence herself frames it with rueful clarity: “falling in love meant certain death,” and the detour they negotiate in the gray dampness of Purgatory feels less like a gimmick than a price paid for choosing tenderness over procedure. I also appreciated that the story keeps its secondary threads lively—reaper coworkers, territorial squabbles, and the looming sense that Death is watching, without letting them drown the emotional throughline.

This is for readers who want paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and dark comedy with a side of historical fantasy, and who don’t mind their magic served alongside content warnings and the occasional flinch-worthy image. If you like the bureaucratic afterlife mischief of Neil Gaiman (think Good Omens energy) but want it kinkier, bloodier, and more explicitly romantic, Acerbo’s lane will feel familiarly strange. Acerbo turns the afterlife into a workplace, and still makes it feel like a haunting.

[Talia C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a unique concept. To think that Death hires reapers, who live among us, to help transition souls to the other world is a great start! I expected all the mythical creatures in this one, hell hounds, witches, demon horses, etc. Also the fact that Purgatory and Hades are the same thing, it's a place. It is a very interesting take on a job that obviously not many would take, but one that would keep you busy and travelling the world really.

The flashbacks were interesting at first and had no real effect on the story. They were also always out of order. If it was perhaps two storylines we were following to meet at the end where she remembers something from her 300+ years of life to help with the current situation she is in then maybe they would have made more sense. As it sits, they just left loop holes.

This probably could have been broke down into two separate books... it initially starts out with her taking souls and coming across a soul that is just too pure, she didn't want to take that away from the world. I honestly thought that from there she would stalk the person she saved until the said person finally turns and asks why she is following her, unbeknownst to the saved, that she shouldn't actually be able to see her. That would have been such a different twist, because it now threatens deaths secret on having reapers walk the earth. However that is not what happens. She saves her, yes. But then she pursues her as a love interest and then the book just gets messy.

After they start dating, she gets stabbed by another reaper - after which we hear nothing about. Did he escape death? Did he himself get sent to Purgatory? What about his partner? Yes - Death is mysterious and works in mysterious ways, but that is a really lame answer.

Then there is the witches. Her and Titus go to fight these witches how many times? 3? 4? and each time the witches literally turn and just walk away. They don't fight with spells or anything. Sure they created Zombies that they had to fight to get out of the barn or wherever, but there was very little dramatics with the witches. And of those 3 or 4 times, literally nothing was accomplished. No additional information was given that could potentially help them, her powers barely worked, it was a waste of time having that fight scene repeated so many times.

Then there is the witch loop hole... the witches said in one of the earlier encounters, that they require 5 male souls to raise Lilith. So why were they trying to make Daxone the fifth soul..? She is not a male... Honestly, the FMC didn't even have to attempt to defeat the witches, because their plan would have failed anyways.

This story is a great idea. There is so much that can be done with it, especially if humans can't see the supernatural reaper contractors of Death. But I do think that too much was added too soon, to try and make it more exiting. It was a good storyline, but should have been split into two books.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying: I picked up Death and Coffee because, frankly, those are two of my favorite things — death (in fiction!) and coffee (in real life). I mean, how could I not be intrigued by a story about a reaper with a tortured past and a caffeine addiction? Lisa Acerbo clearly knows how to hook a reader.

The premise is fantastic. Our heroine Prudence witnesses her mother get executed in Salem (classic 1600s trauma), wishes for death (as one does), and ends up with a gig as one of Death’s employees. Think of it as your standard corporate soul-reaping job, only with more scythes, secrets, and brooding immortals. Also, there’s a horse demon. I wasn’t expecting that, but here we are.

The world-building is rich and imaginative, like if Outlander and The Good Place had a slightly emo, magic-obsessed baby. Acerbo blends historical witch trials with reaper lore, purgatory politics, and just enough gothic moodiness to make you want to drape a black velvet blanket over your TBR pile. It’s fun, dramatic, and occasionally bonkers—in a good way.

But here’s where my 3.5 stars come in: sometimes the drama was a little too dramatic. There are moments where the angst levels go from “oh no” to “full soap opera in a graveyard,” and I found myself yelling at Prudence like a reality show contestant: “Girl, communicate with literally anyone!” The romance with Dr. Daxone is steamy but also gives strong “we need couples therapy immediately” vibes.

Also, be warned: this book dives into dark territory — torture, trauma, and some pretty heavy stuff. It’s not all moonlight and swooning. And while that adds depth, it does occasionally make the tone wobble between campy fun and genuine horror like a goth at a theme park unsure whether to scream or giggle.

That said, Death and Coffee is never boring. Acerbo writes with flair, and even when I was side-eyeing a few of the characters’ choices, I was still invested. If you enjoy your fantasy with reapers, romantic chaos, and just a splash of historical trauma, this book is worth checking out. Just maybe don’t read it with your morning coffee — you might choke laughing or gasping, depending on the chapter

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life (or existence) of a reaper.

Prudence has lived a long life, most of it in service to death. Every day the same. Follow the pull to souls ready to depart, reassure them and send them on their way. Because of frequent reassignments to different locations. Her current “home” remains scarce. Why personalize a personal living space when you may wake up in the morning halfway across the world with a different assignment. That all changes one day when she is called to yet another soul . Something stops her from following protocol. She hesitates and doesn’t collect, instead administers a cure. Even she doesn’t fully understand her actions, or her new obsession with the human she saves. New, confusing feelings grow, rules are broken, but she can’t ignore the growing connection that gives more meaning to her day. The consequences, punishment and then sudden reassignment and being reunited with her original mentor in an almost impossible task to stop the resurrection of a goddess by stealing Death’s souls is captivating with its many twists and turns. Also her finding out about major portions of her past - prior to becoming a reaper - play a pivotable roll in her slowly emerging ability to gain control of an almost impossible series of events that are already in play. This is a real page turner and makes you very invested in the outcome and future of the main characters. I couldn’t put this book down, it totally ensnared me. The author has given so much depth to each of the characters along with back history that you feel that you know them and you get a chance to watch them grow into who they were meant to be and the key roles that they play in the outcome of this book. Enjoy reading it. I certainly did.

[Stephen Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the philanthropic world, we talk often about legacy what we leave behind. Lisa Acerbo's Death and Coffee playfully, and with great heart, turns this question on its head: What if our legacy is not what we leave, but the love and courage we carry forward, even beyond death itself? This is a supernatural tale that is far more about life, choice, and defiant humanity than it is about the end.

Acerbo has crafted a truly delightful and clever premise. Prudence, a young woman wronged by history's cruelest superstitions, finds not oblivion but a surprising new vocation and agency as a reaper. Her journey from a victim of 1661 to a competent, if rebellious, immortal is a fantastic metaphor for reclaiming one's power. The "zany" and thrilling elements the horse demon, the office politics of the afterlife, the banished lovers in purgatory are all executed with a witty, engaging charm that makes the pages fly.

But at its core, this is a story about the forces that truly define an existence. Prudence's "crime" is not defying death, but embracing love and compassion in a system designed for detachment. Her quest to save her lover and the world from a coven's plot is not just an adventure; it is a profound statement that connection is the ultimate magic. The journey to "harness her innate powers" is a journey of self-acceptance, of integrating a painful past to forge a powerful future.

Death and Coffee is a joyous, thrilling, and surprisingly poignant reminder that our choices to love, to fight, to defy cold fate are what give any life, or afterlife, its meaning. It earns its four stars for being a perfect blend of humor, heart, and high stakes supernatural adventure that leaves the reader feeling wonderfully uplifted. A truly refreshing read.

[Ené · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dark but fun, slow-paced read. It's a fun combination of annoying and lovable co-workers, caffeine dependency, a manual you can't deal with reading anytime soon, and a system of death to fall in. It jumps about from past to present to reveal the hows and whys of Prudence's current actions and thoughts.

I would usually have connected with the characters, but this felt hard to do for me. And the pacing did little to let me learn to love them. Especially when characters I thought would stay, left. And the plot switch around 48% made me wonder if I was still reading the same book, that I had to go back to check the blurb. It left an odd taste in my mouth to keep going when many questions I had were left unanswered. And the consequences didn't much feel like consequences. It was more of an "Ah, I was frantic about what could've happened, but now that we're here, it seems like I shouldn't have worried about it at all" kind of deal.

That said, I did have to DNF this. Because I quite understand the sentiment of following where your love goes, but their love didn't feel worthy of that devotion as of yet. I probably would have enjoyed it better had it been fleshed out a little bit more and seen it grow. It was a slower-paced book; it could've done that.

But I did enjoy Prudence's sense of humanity even after the years that passed. Death and reapers I enjoyed a whole lot, a refreshing take on the concept. The evolution of methods and systems they used as time had progressed. I enjoyed Goose. Goose was great. Get a Goose.

Got my copy courtesy of NetGalley.

[Oops I ARC'd Again · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, romantic, and completely addictive.

“She gets just what she asks for when she wishes for death.”

Death and Coffee grabs you right from the edges of grief. Prudence witnesses her mother’s wrongful witch conviction in 1661, and in her pain, she makes a wish that changes everything. Recruited as a reaper, she becomes immortal, tasked with escorting souls, feeding a demon horse, and navigating jealous coworkers… and then, of course, she falls in love with someone she absolutely shouldn’t.

Prudence isn’t perfect. Her job is brutal, her choices are messy, and when love enters, it detonates everything she’s built, her purpose, her safety, her identity. Hospital doctor Daxone, forbidden love, defying Death, being exiled to purgatory, it’s all here, and it hits with emotional weight. Magic isn’t just a backdrop; it’s bound up in duty, sacrifice, and secrets from centuries past.

The book thrives in its tension: immortal beings forbidden from loving mortals, witchcraft, betrayal, and power struggles within Death itself. The stakes feel real, not just for the world, but for the heart. Yes, some plot beats lean dramatic, but they carry the story forward rather than distract.

If you love stories where death is more than an ending, where immortality comes with scars, love with guilt, and power with price, this one will consume you.

[Corinne Harkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want something chaotic, unhinged, humorous, and you too would prioritize your caffeine fix before saving the world (cause girl same) this might be the book for you.

We open up with Prudence our FMC in 1661 and her mother is on trial to be executed for witchcraft. After this ordeal she decides this life isn’t one she wants to be living and is approached by one of deaths employees with an offer to become a reaper. Helping souls get from one life to the next is an actual job complete with a kazillion page employee manual, coworkers you love, coworkers you can’t stand, and requires coffee to get through the day just like any other job. We hop between present day and the past, seeing Pru’s journey through the centuries.

Personally, this book wasn’t for me. The plot skipped more than a scratched CD, I didn’t feel I was given enough to connect with any of the characters (except demon horse noble steed), and the love story went from 0-100 in RECORD time.. I genuinely have seen nothing like it.

I do think this would make a cool anime - got the right level of unhinged chaos so if that’s your vibe you might enjoy this book.

[Theresa Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death and Coffee by Lisa Acerbo is a creative and charming urban fantasy with a distinctive voice and an imaginative premise. The story offers a unique sapphic reaper/witch dynamic, blending supernatural elements with humor and emotional depth in a way that stands out within the genre.

The writing has a conversational, often witty tone, and the main character is engaging and memorable. The world-building is thoughtful, and the relationships are given space to develop naturally.

The book takes its time unfolding, with a slower progression that allows for character exploration and atmosphere rather than rushing the plot.
While the pacing is more gradual than action-driven, it suits the reflective, character-focused nature of the story. Readers who enjoy immersive urban fantasy with sapphic representation and a cozy-but-dark vibe will likely appreciate the approach.

Overall, Death and Coffee is a well-crafted, imaginative read that balances heart, humor, and the supernatural. A solid choice for fans of sapphic fantasy and stories that prioritize character growth over nonstop action.

[Candace's_Book_Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a page turner for sure! My absolute favorite part of this book is the way Lisa Acerbo weaved the past and present of our amazing FMC, Prudence, together. This story was written in a way that allowed natural character development and allowed the plot to twist and deepen as it went. Every chapter was a new adventure and another reason to keep turning the pages! The banter was witty, the love was soulful, and the ending, absolutely worth the wait. I often found myself getting lost in the pages and tuning the world completely out as I followed Prudence from her past to her present. I knew she was meant for something more, from the hardships she endured in the very first chapter. By the end, she was so much more than just Prudence.

[Katie Tinkham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Prudence, a pilgrim who's turned into a Reaper in 1661 and her subsequent life afterward. The first of the book felt very much like the invisible life of addie la rue with chapters going back and forth between Prudence's past adventures as a reaper and present day. The first half and the second halves of the book felt a little disjointed since the plot changed. It made sense why the change happened but it felt a little disjointed. You do get Prudence's true heritage toward the end which I liked and I liked her overall as a FMC.

This book is cute, kind of morbid, sapphic and filled with coffee. Recommend it as a cozy book for the fall!

[Dominique Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death and Coffee is an unexpectedly enchanting blend of dark fantasy, historical fiction, and romance that pulled me in from the very first page. Prudence is a refreshingly complex heroine. She is gritty, witty, and heartbreakingly human despite her immortality. The book masterfully weaves different time periods with modern supernatural intrigue, creating a story that feels both timeless and urgent. The pacing is sharp, the dialogue is entertaining, and the chemistry between Prudence and Daxone is enticing. This isn’t just another reaper story; it’s a beautifully written piece on love, loss, and redemption. I couldn’t put it down.

[Saini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a local book event where the author was there signing and had a bedazzling station where you could bedazzle the gem / cover. Great marketing and the cover of the book is cool.
I started off loving the book; it had Midnight Library/Addie Larue vibes, weaving some real like people/ events into the story and I loved that.
The second half of the book about the witches lost me. To me, there was too much back and forth with the Witches and fell like it could've been shortened a bit.
There was a lot of banter, which was fun. Fun read over all. I would give it 3.5 stars but can't do halves, so...

[Melissa Kirkman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Death & Coffee felt to me like it was two books/stories and I am still not really sure how I felt about it. The first about her work with Death and the second about witches. While I enjoyed the story I felt it didn't dive deep enough into the characters and they felt quite surface level. I loved the idea of the story but I think the author needed to wind more of the witchy vibes in through the first part as well as a lead up.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Skila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolutely page turner!!! I love the idea of the FMC being a witch/reaper.
The author really took the time to give thought to every detail of this book allowing the characters and bonds build, flow and develop through every page!! Definitely recommend this if you are into urban fantasy!

[Heather Molin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully quirky book full of enough suspense and horror to keep you on the edge of your seat while also being well balanced with a dash of romance, friendship and a mother’s love that spans centuries. I hope there will be more books so we can watch Prudence continue to grow into her magical powers as well as get to know more of the world of death reapers.

[Kimberly Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing the plot was very interesting and the characters were written so well the speed of the book was also very nice didn’t fell rushed at all.

I love the chemistry the both of them had and the way that you could feel the emotions in the book the humor that you got along the way too.

[Delilah Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing 🤩 the plot was very interesting and the characters were written so well the speed of the book was also very nice didn’t fell rushed at all and i absolutely loved that I can’t wait to see what else is in store for future books

[Anastey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Lisa Acerbo for sending me this advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

DNF 40%

The number of flashbacks and time jumping back and forth made it really hard to keep everything straight. I couldn't get through it.

[Tay (Read With Tay) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death and coffee…. Now, what could that book possibly be about? How about a sapphic reaper who loves coffee? Yes please. I don’t even know what to categorize this book as because it’s got so many amazing genres in one—LGBTQIAP+, historical, romantasy…. It’s amazing! The way the storylines weave is fantastically done.