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Die for Me
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19 days and 12:55:45
20 copies available
U.S. only
What my eyes are showing me can’t be possible. Can’t be real. Because if they are, then I have to accept that Julian Conrad has been alive for a very long time.
Too long to be human.
A stay-up-all-night, smart, spicy romance following a doctor who finds herself falling for an alluring, much-younger man with a deadly secret
Sean’s not in the market for love. The only female, let alone Black, interventional cardiologist at her hospital, she’s watched too many of her male colleagues divorce their first wives to marry younger models—and then there’s the abusive relationship she’s spent the better part of her early 30s healing from. Her passions are reserved for her best friend, her goddaughter, and her job.
Then she meets Julian. Brooding, beautiful and eleven years her junior. In short: A bad idea.
Julian pursues her in a way that sets off alarm bells in her mind, but she finds herself unable to resist their undeniable chemistry—even starts fantasizing about him in dreams that feel altogether too real. They also have a lot in common despite their age gap. So, to hell with it: If men can date younger, why can’t she? But the more Sean gets to know him, the more impossible Julian seems: He has a depth and sorrow to him that’s beyond his years, and sometimes there’s a look in his eyes that’s less than human, and leaves her feeling more like prey. Plus, Sean herself has been exhibiting odd symptoms—memory lapses, a lack of restraint that's unlike her, persistent exhaustion—that all trace back to Julian, making Sean feeling more than a little afraid. Who—or what—is she falling, irrevocably, in love with?
Extraordinarily transfixing, suspenseful, and addictive, Die for Me is nothing short of a seduction.
Too long to be human.
A stay-up-all-night, smart, spicy romance following a doctor who finds herself falling for an alluring, much-younger man with a deadly secret
Sean’s not in the market for love. The only female, let alone Black, interventional cardiologist at her hospital, she’s watched too many of her male colleagues divorce their first wives to marry younger models—and then there’s the abusive relationship she’s spent the better part of her early 30s healing from. Her passions are reserved for her best friend, her goddaughter, and her job.
Then she meets Julian. Brooding, beautiful and eleven years her junior. In short: A bad idea.
Julian pursues her in a way that sets off alarm bells in her mind, but she finds herself unable to resist their undeniable chemistry—even starts fantasizing about him in dreams that feel altogether too real. They also have a lot in common despite their age gap. So, to hell with it: If men can date younger, why can’t she? But the more Sean gets to know him, the more impossible Julian seems: He has a depth and sorrow to him that’s beyond his years, and sometimes there’s a look in his eyes that’s less than human, and leaves her feeling more like prey. Plus, Sean herself has been exhibiting odd symptoms—memory lapses, a lack of restraint that's unlike her, persistent exhaustion—that all trace back to Julian, making Sean feeling more than a little afraid. Who—or what—is she falling, irrevocably, in love with?
Extraordinarily transfixing, suspenseful, and addictive, Die for Me is nothing short of a seduction.
416 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 14, 2026
11725 people want to read
About the author
Shirlene Obuobi
6 books1,306 followersShirlene Obuobi is a Ghanaian-American physician, cartoonist, and author who grew up in Chicago, Illinois, Hot Springs, Arkansas and The Woodlands, Texas. When she’s not in the hospital (and let’s be honest, even when she’s in it), she can be found drawing comics, writing on her phone, and obsessing over her three cats. She currently lives in Chicago, where she is completing her cardiology fellowship.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I think DIE FOR ME is going to end up being one of my top romances of 2026. Shirlene Obuobi won me over with her sparkling debut, ON ROTATION, and when I found out her most recent project was a dark paranormal romance, I immediately set out begging for an ARC. Color me surprised and grateful that I actually managed to finagle a copy!
This book... it felt like it was made for me. Sean Sullivan is a cardiologist, which I am not, but everything else about her was so relatable. Her need to be competent to feel valued, her difficulty trusting people, the way she puts up shields and comes across as cold to keep from getting hurt, her emotional trauma... I cried several times while reading this book because I felt so seen. Sean is such a flawed and realistic character, with so many layers and nuance, and I loved her so much. She was so strong and so damaged and so real.
And Julian! I loved the way this book navigated the reverse age-gap trope. I also thought he walked a fantastic line between charming and dangerous. There was something so old skool about him that made him feel like a throwback to one of those old Harlequin heroes who might sweep you off your feet, but made you wonder when you'd feel the drop. While reading this, I kept thinking about all those paranormal romances I devoured as a young woman, like L.J. Smith and Twilight, and how this feels like a sexier, grown-up version of those books, but with a heroine who makes smarter, more informed decisions.
I want to say so much more but I don't want to spoil it for anyone else before the book comes out. I will say, I thought this would be a dark romcom but it actually feels like a retro paranormal romance or a Harlequin, and it's surprisingly poignant and heart-wrenching and full of difficult choices. There's also a cancer subplot at one point in the book (not for one of the main characters btw), and it was the same cancer my father died of, so that was a little hard to read, but it was handled so well here that I ended up feeling more validated than triggered. Ultimately, this book is a precious reminder that life is short and ought to be filled with as much love and joy as possible while there's still life to live.
Thanks to the author/publisher for sending me a copy!
5 stars
This book... it felt like it was made for me. Sean Sullivan is a cardiologist, which I am not, but everything else about her was so relatable. Her need to be competent to feel valued, her difficulty trusting people, the way she puts up shields and comes across as cold to keep from getting hurt, her emotional trauma... I cried several times while reading this book because I felt so seen. Sean is such a flawed and realistic character, with so many layers and nuance, and I loved her so much. She was so strong and so damaged and so real.
And Julian! I loved the way this book navigated the reverse age-gap trope. I also thought he walked a fantastic line between charming and dangerous. There was something so old skool about him that made him feel like a throwback to one of those old Harlequin heroes who might sweep you off your feet, but made you wonder when you'd feel the drop. While reading this, I kept thinking about all those paranormal romances I devoured as a young woman, like L.J. Smith and Twilight, and how this feels like a sexier, grown-up version of those books, but with a heroine who makes smarter, more informed decisions.
I want to say so much more but I don't want to spoil it for anyone else before the book comes out. I will say, I thought this would be a dark romcom but it actually feels like a retro paranormal romance or a Harlequin, and it's surprisingly poignant and heart-wrenching and full of difficult choices. There's also a cancer subplot at one point in the book (not for one of the main characters btw), and it was the same cancer my father died of, so that was a little hard to read, but it was handled so well here that I ended up feeling more validated than triggered. Ultimately, this book is a precious reminder that life is short and ought to be filled with as much love and joy as possible while there's still life to live.
Thanks to the author/publisher for sending me a copy!
5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you netgalley & viking penguin for the eARC—all thoughts are my own!
✦ publication date: july 14, 2026
i started this book with a lot of excitement. i love paranormal romance, and i was very much drawn to the reverse‑age gap (fmc is 11 years older hehehe), the strong, independent and interventional cardiologist. all of those things sounded perfect for my taste.
the story follows shane, a successful interventional cardiologist who, after an abusive relationship, swears never to marry or have children. while attending a wedding with her goddaughter, she meets julian, the man‑of‑honor for her best friend’s ex‑husband’s new wife. julian is eleven years younger than shane, handsome and charming. he is everything shane says she wants to avoid, yet she can’t keep him out of her thoughts. their chemistry is HELLA HOT, and the tension between them feels like a spark that could light a fire.
the first half of the book delivered exactly what i was hoping for: steamy scenes, banter, and a strong fmc who knows what she wants. the romance felt so intense, and the age gap dynamic was handled in a way that kept me wanting for more.
around the midpoint, the paranormal elements appear. this is where the story loses some of its momentum for me. the supernatural side felt rushed and a bit bland, and it never quite matched the strong emotional pull of the romance. as the plot moves forward, i felt that shane was losing her touch, and the secrets and betrayals start to feel more confusing.
the ending was the biggest let down. important plot points are left unexplained, and the resolution feels hurried. i wanted a clearer wrap up for both the romance and the paranormal part.
⤿ paranormal romance
⤿ reverse age gap
⤿ found family
⤿ mystery/suspense
⤿ spicy
⤿ lots of tension
౨ৎ ⋮ more by shirlene obuobi
— between friends and lovers
✦ publication date: july 14, 2026
i started this book with a lot of excitement. i love paranormal romance, and i was very much drawn to the reverse‑age gap (fmc is 11 years older hehehe), the strong, independent and interventional cardiologist. all of those things sounded perfect for my taste.
the story follows shane, a successful interventional cardiologist who, after an abusive relationship, swears never to marry or have children. while attending a wedding with her goddaughter, she meets julian, the man‑of‑honor for her best friend’s ex‑husband’s new wife. julian is eleven years younger than shane, handsome and charming. he is everything shane says she wants to avoid, yet she can’t keep him out of her thoughts. their chemistry is HELLA HOT, and the tension between them feels like a spark that could light a fire.
the first half of the book delivered exactly what i was hoping for: steamy scenes, banter, and a strong fmc who knows what she wants. the romance felt so intense, and the age gap dynamic was handled in a way that kept me wanting for more.
around the midpoint, the paranormal elements appear. this is where the story loses some of its momentum for me. the supernatural side felt rushed and a bit bland, and it never quite matched the strong emotional pull of the romance. as the plot moves forward, i felt that shane was losing her touch, and the secrets and betrayals start to feel more confusing.
the ending was the biggest let down. important plot points are left unexplained, and the resolution feels hurried. i wanted a clearer wrap up for both the romance and the paranormal part.
⤿ paranormal romance
⤿ reverse age gap
⤿ found family
⤿ mystery/suspense
⤿ spicy
⤿ lots of tension
౨ৎ ⋮ more by shirlene obuobi
— between friends and lovers
March 7, 2026
Get ready to sink your teeth into this book.
Finding an early copy of Die For Me was a fluke for me and I’m still in shock that it happened.
I first discovered this book because Shirlene shared the cover art on social media. It stopped me instantly. I didn’t read the synopsis, I didn’t check the publisher’s page I just knew I wanted to read it. It’s rare for me to not do research about a book, and after finishing it ahead of it's release, I’m incredibly glad I trusted my instincts.
From the very first chapter, Die For Me pulls you in and refuses to let go.
Julian is magnetic, think of a combination of Lestat and Louis (from the tv adaptation of Interview with the Vampire), but also has the live-wire energy of Smoke and Stack (from the beloved Sinners). It’s an intoxicating narrative that makes every scene feel dangerous and seductive but rooted in duality. His voice is such a key part of the narrative and it doesn’t take long as a reader to be locked in on his scenes. Meanwhile, Sean offers the perfect balance, she’s grounded, fiercely dedicated to her career, and deeply committed to the life and to the one’s she loves.
What was an absolute surprise for me was the novel’s commentary on aging and time. In a culture obsessed with youth, Die For Me explores the beauty and inevitability of growing older with remarkable nuance (seriously romance authors deliver such great ideation in over-arching concepts). There’s this desire to cling to youth, that has been romanticized in the romance genre but Julian and Sean makes it more complex and unsettling here. There’s tension and contemplation (that I very much appreciate!)
Shirlene articulates a truth that I quietly contemplate: every wrinkle, ache, and lesson earned with time is part of living.
Yes, the supportive blurb from Ali Hazelwood will undoubtedly bring many readers to this book (if that’s the case for you, hello!). But I hope readers stay for what truly sets Die For Me apart: the sultry, almost dreamlike prose and bold originality. Shirlene has written something strikingly unique. Weaving together themes of womanhood, desire, and carnal mythology with impressive confidence. I simply NEED MORE.
The result is a story that feels both seductive and deeply thoughtful. I’m thrilled to see that Die For Me is gaining visibility. Trust me, you simply need to get a copy.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the early copy!
Finding an early copy of Die For Me was a fluke for me and I’m still in shock that it happened.
I first discovered this book because Shirlene shared the cover art on social media. It stopped me instantly. I didn’t read the synopsis, I didn’t check the publisher’s page I just knew I wanted to read it. It’s rare for me to not do research about a book, and after finishing it ahead of it's release, I’m incredibly glad I trusted my instincts.
From the very first chapter, Die For Me pulls you in and refuses to let go.
Julian is magnetic, think of a combination of Lestat and Louis (from the tv adaptation of Interview with the Vampire), but also has the live-wire energy of Smoke and Stack (from the beloved Sinners). It’s an intoxicating narrative that makes every scene feel dangerous and seductive but rooted in duality. His voice is such a key part of the narrative and it doesn’t take long as a reader to be locked in on his scenes. Meanwhile, Sean offers the perfect balance, she’s grounded, fiercely dedicated to her career, and deeply committed to the life and to the one’s she loves.
What was an absolute surprise for me was the novel’s commentary on aging and time. In a culture obsessed with youth, Die For Me explores the beauty and inevitability of growing older with remarkable nuance (seriously romance authors deliver such great ideation in over-arching concepts). There’s this desire to cling to youth, that has been romanticized in the romance genre but Julian and Sean makes it more complex and unsettling here. There’s tension and contemplation (that I very much appreciate!)
Shirlene articulates a truth that I quietly contemplate: every wrinkle, ache, and lesson earned with time is part of living.
Yes, the supportive blurb from Ali Hazelwood will undoubtedly bring many readers to this book (if that’s the case for you, hello!). But I hope readers stay for what truly sets Die For Me apart: the sultry, almost dreamlike prose and bold originality. Shirlene has written something strikingly unique. Weaving together themes of womanhood, desire, and carnal mythology with impressive confidence. I simply NEED MORE.
The result is a story that feels both seductive and deeply thoughtful. I’m thrilled to see that Die For Me is gaining visibility. Trust me, you simply need to get a copy.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the early copy!
March 28, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
(Rounded up to a 4 for Goodreads)
A compulsively readable, mesmerizing paranormal story that doesn’t fit inside of any typical box.
This story following main character Sean and the people she holds close feels like a strong women’s fiction read but then comes Julian and we’re thrown into an eerie, tense, sensual and toxic romance where something is right but also not quite right.
I loved the concept of this book. The characters in their late 30’s, the hospital setting, the focus on life choices, the sexy and tense romance, the spice, the undertones of the supernatural that built in a crescendo, the uniqueness of the paranormal elements.
For me personally, the pacing was a bit all over the place and too many times it felt a few steps beyond purposefully slow. There were times it would build only for it to be followed with more monotony. I wish we got more paranormal elements or tense moments instead of shifts at the hospital and day to day life. This was also very wordy in terms of inner dialogue. I did love being in Sean’s mind and traveling through her choices, but it did start to drag.
Overall, if you’re a fan of both women’s fiction and paranormal romance, this maybe for you because it’s a great blend of both! Unique enough to be memorable and with enough depth to feel worth the read.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
(Rounded up to a 4 for Goodreads)
A compulsively readable, mesmerizing paranormal story that doesn’t fit inside of any typical box.
This story following main character Sean and the people she holds close feels like a strong women’s fiction read but then comes Julian and we’re thrown into an eerie, tense, sensual and toxic romance where something is right but also not quite right.
I loved the concept of this book. The characters in their late 30’s, the hospital setting, the focus on life choices, the sexy and tense romance, the spice, the undertones of the supernatural that built in a crescendo, the uniqueness of the paranormal elements.
For me personally, the pacing was a bit all over the place and too many times it felt a few steps beyond purposefully slow. There were times it would build only for it to be followed with more monotony. I wish we got more paranormal elements or tense moments instead of shifts at the hospital and day to day life. This was also very wordy in terms of inner dialogue. I did love being in Sean’s mind and traveling through her choices, but it did start to drag.
Overall, if you’re a fan of both women’s fiction and paranormal romance, this maybe for you because it’s a great blend of both! Unique enough to be memorable and with enough depth to feel worth the read.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Die for Me is a wholly hypnotic read that enthralled me from the get-go. This is my first reading experience with a novel by Shirlene Obuobi, and it certainly will not be my last. The evocative writing seduced me alongside the FMC, Sean, while the eerie undertone that shrouded the allure had me questioning everyone and everything. I often felt as unsure and disoriented as Sean, which was thrilling. I don’t want to go into too much detail here because I think a reader would best enjoy this story by jumping in as blind as possible. Keeping that shroud firmly in place is key.
Things I Loved:
🚥 Julian - The captivating Jekyll/Hyde-esque MMC who initially had some glaring red flags, but this is fiction after all soooo hello there, sir.
🏥 Sean - The take-no-sh!t FMC who served some delightful clapbacks about double standards.
🌌 The Mystery/Suspense Element - Addictive to the “one more chapter turns into finishing the entire book” point. Suspicious illnesses, questionable dreams, what’s not to love?
🎹 The Tension - Taut-as-a-bowstring thanks to Sean and Julian’s inexplicable, yet undeniable, chemistry. I need to learn piano, stat.
👥 The Supporting Characters - Their behaviors sparked immense intrigue and made me feel constantly on edge.
💕 The Found Family - Complete with a true ride-or-die friendship that only heightened the stakes.
Things I Struggled With:
⚠️ Pieces of the Second Half - The story slightly lost me here with a few choices, hence the one-star reduction.
Despite the minor hiccups I experienced later in the story, Die for Me is truly a roller coaster ride I didn’t want to disembark from, especially after that epilogue. Can we also, please, give it up one time for that beautiful cover because wow?!
** Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this text in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
Things I Loved:
🚥 Julian - The captivating Jekyll/Hyde-esque MMC who initially had some glaring red flags, but this is fiction after all soooo hello there, sir.
🏥 Sean - The take-no-sh!t FMC who served some delightful clapbacks about double standards.
🌌 The Mystery/Suspense Element - Addictive to the “one more chapter turns into finishing the entire book” point. Suspicious illnesses, questionable dreams, what’s not to love?
🎹 The Tension - Taut-as-a-bowstring thanks to Sean and Julian’s inexplicable, yet undeniable, chemistry. I need to learn piano, stat.
👥 The Supporting Characters - Their behaviors sparked immense intrigue and made me feel constantly on edge.
💕 The Found Family - Complete with a true ride-or-die friendship that only heightened the stakes.
Things I Struggled With:
⚠️ Pieces of the Second Half - The story slightly lost me here with a few choices, hence the one-star reduction.
Despite the minor hiccups I experienced later in the story, Die for Me is truly a roller coaster ride I didn’t want to disembark from, especially after that epilogue. Can we also, please, give it up one time for that beautiful cover because wow?!
** Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this text in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
March 19, 2026
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.
“But I’ve seen enough people die young to know the truth. That even with all its inconveniences, growing old is a blessing.”
what intrigued me about this book was the cover (stunning), and the contents absolutely exceeded my expectations.
reading this felt like entering a dreamscape, but it was also reminiscent of early 2000s classic paranormal/supernatural romance media (in the best way possible). the writing, storyline, and characters were all incredibly hypnotic and enthralling. it was eerie and confusing and swept me in right alongside the main character. the author did an excellent job at evoking a sense of dread mingled with (or, honestly, hanging over) the seduction. even though i had a good idea of what to expect, my heart was practically pounding out of my chest each time something slightly off happened and the main character grew suspicious.
sean is easily one of my new favorite main characters. she’s immensely strong and secure in herself (and her mortality) and doesn’t allow anyone to walk all over her. the way she handled the situation she found herself in was so admirable and i’d like to think that if i were ever in her shoes, i’d react similarly. i adored her love for herself, her dog, and her chosen family - it was so palpable and real.
i also truly loved the commentary on aging, especially as a woman, in today’s society. very very well written and it had me, once again, grateful for every moment i get to experience in this lifetime.
this author’s writing style was truly fantastic and it was so easy to get lost in the pages as i read. I will absolutely be reading her other works, hopefully as soon as possible.
“But I’ve seen enough people die young to know the truth. That even with all its inconveniences, growing old is a blessing.”
what intrigued me about this book was the cover (stunning), and the contents absolutely exceeded my expectations.
reading this felt like entering a dreamscape, but it was also reminiscent of early 2000s classic paranormal/supernatural romance media (in the best way possible). the writing, storyline, and characters were all incredibly hypnotic and enthralling. it was eerie and confusing and swept me in right alongside the main character. the author did an excellent job at evoking a sense of dread mingled with (or, honestly, hanging over) the seduction. even though i had a good idea of what to expect, my heart was practically pounding out of my chest each time something slightly off happened and the main character grew suspicious.
sean is easily one of my new favorite main characters. she’s immensely strong and secure in herself (and her mortality) and doesn’t allow anyone to walk all over her. the way she handled the situation she found herself in was so admirable and i’d like to think that if i were ever in her shoes, i’d react similarly. i adored her love for herself, her dog, and her chosen family - it was so palpable and real.
i also truly loved the commentary on aging, especially as a woman, in today’s society. very very well written and it had me, once again, grateful for every moment i get to experience in this lifetime.
this author’s writing style was truly fantastic and it was so easy to get lost in the pages as i read. I will absolutely be reading her other works, hopefully as soon as possible.
arc-tbr
February 28, 2026
March 29, 2026
somewhere around 4.25/4.5 stars // i saw someone say in their review that this was hypnotic and i have to completely agree. i read this in two sittings in a complete haze, reading as fast as i possibly could to figure out what was going on, why this was simultaneously so sensual and so sinister. i had no idea what i was getting into and made assumptions based on the cover and boy, was i completely off the mark. i recommend going in blind so i wont talk about the story at all but this was excellently written. i really was admiring the prose the entire time i was reading, and i think the story achieves the exact goal Shirlene likely set out to do. definitely one of the most unique stories ive read this year!
March 8, 2026
A desire that seems too good to be true. A gut feeling that can’t be ignored.
Sean and Julian were a duo for the books. Their chemistry was instantaneous and continued to burn until it died out. I enjoyed how realistic this story was and the relatability of all the characters. The dialogue flowed between characters and added debt without weighing the storyline down. I especially enjoyed the nod to black people, especially women, in medicine along with introducing us to various art forms and worlds.
Sean and Julian were a duo for the books. Their chemistry was instantaneous and continued to burn until it died out. I enjoyed how realistic this story was and the relatability of all the characters. The dialogue flowed between characters and added debt without weighing the storyline down. I especially enjoyed the nod to black people, especially women, in medicine along with introducing us to various art forms and worlds.
February 21, 2026
ARC review from NetGalley
I was super lucky to get an ARC for “Die for Me” when they became available on NetGalley. “Die for Me” is such an engaging and interesting read - you’re totally pulled along on Sean’s journey and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I had to put the book down. I knew there was something supernatural going on but was just dying (see what I did there?) to see the how and why things were happening. Shirlene Obuobi does an incredible job weaving in the medicine side but not making it the central focus. She’s definitely become an auto-buy author for me and I can wait until my physical copy comes in the mail in July!
I was super lucky to get an ARC for “Die for Me” when they became available on NetGalley. “Die for Me” is such an engaging and interesting read - you’re totally pulled along on Sean’s journey and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I had to put the book down. I knew there was something supernatural going on but was just dying (see what I did there?) to see the how and why things were happening. Shirlene Obuobi does an incredible job weaving in the medicine side but not making it the central focus. She’s definitely become an auto-buy author for me and I can wait until my physical copy comes in the mail in July!
2026
March 2, 2026Black History Month TBR
Halloween TBR
Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books
Halloween TBR
Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books
Did Not Finish
March 28, 2026I am deeply uncomfortable by the author attacking reviewers on social media for giving the book less than 5 stars. As a reviewer I understand that my job is to give honest feedback about a book in exchange for the gifted copy and the author should not be interfering in that process. if she does not want to be tagged in reviews, there is the option to turn off tagging on Instagram. 4 stars is not a bad review, not everything deserves 5 stars.
March 29, 2026
My review is for the book only independent from the author.*
I wanted to like this so bad. I really truly did.
One of my favorite genres is contemporary romance with paranormal elements.
I loveeeeee an older, independent, educated FMC who is raising the bar.
I loveeeee reading books with lots of diversity from races, ethnicities, body types, ages, sexualities, etc.
This checked off all the boxes for me.
And do you see this gorgeous cover?! The cover immediately pulled me in to the point where I threw my entire TBR out the window and pulled this one up.
I was ready to EAT this upppppppp.
The bones of the plot and the ideas of the overall storyline were very captivating. However, I am disappointed to say that this really did fall flat for me continually.
I was very interested in the main characters Sean and Julian and I really did like them both. Sean was a bad ass and I loved her embracing her age, her natural beauty, and her body. This was so meaningful to read about. I loved that she was intelligent, caught onto things quickly, figured stuff out on her own without having it had to be spoon fed to her. Excellent.
I was so curious what the twists would be and that’s what ultimately kept me engaged to want to keep reading.
But I would say the plot finally picked up and really begun around the 60% mark.
And then everytime we would pick up steam with the story would ebb and flow with pockets of filler.
The beginning chunk of the story is really Sean Sullivan’s entire work day from 9am-5pm over and over and over. It was cool to see the day to day of a cardiologist written by a cardiologist herself but it didn’t *really* contribute to the plot and became monotonous.
I wish we got more time with Julian and Sean as a couple to really buy their relationship more. I will say the passion was there and the scenes they did have together were veryyyyyy steamy.
Die For Me was written well as in you can tell the author is intelligent and has a lot of great thoughts and points to make. And the overarching theme in the last section really is profound and thought provoking. Maybe if this book was edited differently and cut about 150 pages it would have done the trick and hit the marks I was hoping it would hit. But at the end of the day it just was not for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I wanted to like this so bad. I really truly did.
One of my favorite genres is contemporary romance with paranormal elements.
I loveeeeee an older, independent, educated FMC who is raising the bar.
I loveeeee reading books with lots of diversity from races, ethnicities, body types, ages, sexualities, etc.
This checked off all the boxes for me.
And do you see this gorgeous cover?! The cover immediately pulled me in to the point where I threw my entire TBR out the window and pulled this one up.
I was ready to EAT this upppppppp.
The bones of the plot and the ideas of the overall storyline were very captivating. However, I am disappointed to say that this really did fall flat for me continually.
I was very interested in the main characters Sean and Julian and I really did like them both. Sean was a bad ass and I loved her embracing her age, her natural beauty, and her body. This was so meaningful to read about. I loved that she was intelligent, caught onto things quickly, figured stuff out on her own without having it had to be spoon fed to her. Excellent.
I was so curious what the twists would be and that’s what ultimately kept me engaged to want to keep reading.
But I would say the plot finally picked up and really begun around the 60% mark.
And then everytime we would pick up steam with the story would ebb and flow with pockets of filler.
The beginning chunk of the story is really Sean Sullivan’s entire work day from 9am-5pm over and over and over. It was cool to see the day to day of a cardiologist written by a cardiologist herself but it didn’t *really* contribute to the plot and became monotonous.
I wish we got more time with Julian and Sean as a couple to really buy their relationship more. I will say the passion was there and the scenes they did have together were veryyyyyy steamy.
Die For Me was written well as in you can tell the author is intelligent and has a lot of great thoughts and points to make. And the overarching theme in the last section really is profound and thought provoking. Maybe if this book was edited differently and cut about 150 pages it would have done the trick and hit the marks I was hoping it would hit. But at the end of the day it just was not for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 18, 2026
Received ARC from Netgalley
If I'm being honest, I didn't even read the synopsis for this book. The cover is so stunning and captured me immediately. Sean, the feminine lead, takes no shit! She carved a place for herself and she's going to make sure you respect that. The way her story is written is so captivating that it had me thinking about this book after I put it down. Something that did bother me was how time passed. I feel like there were moments where it wasn't clear how much time had gone by until later when a character said "the past six months".
I highly recommend you pick this up if you enjoy suspense in your romance. The tension that Shirlene Obuobi managed to write in this novel is AMAZING.
If I'm being honest, I didn't even read the synopsis for this book. The cover is so stunning and captured me immediately. Sean, the feminine lead, takes no shit! She carved a place for herself and she's going to make sure you respect that. The way her story is written is so captivating that it had me thinking about this book after I put it down. Something that did bother me was how time passed. I feel like there were moments where it wasn't clear how much time had gone by until later when a character said "the past six months".
I highly recommend you pick this up if you enjoy suspense in your romance. The tension that Shirlene Obuobi managed to write in this novel is AMAZING.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟹.𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚙, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
I'm not sure how to feel about this one.
On one hand, I really enjoyed it. This had a lot of potential, but past the 65 - 70% mark, it just felt stagnant, or rather a little lacklustre? I liked the reveal of what paranormal creature they were, but from the categories/tags on GR, "vampires" is not accurate at all (which I was expecting vampires... but was a bit disappointed when they were something else completely) LOL I guess in a way "sucking the life essence of their victims" type of vibe makes sense BUT THEY ARE NOT VAMPIRES!!!
Honestly, I got Twilight vibes when Bella was kidnapped in book 1 buy crazy psycho guy
I loved the author's writing; it was so descriptive and well thought out... so I will definitely be checking out her other books
RTC!! I need a bit of time to process this one
⁀➷𝓹𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
Thank you for the ARC, Penguin Books! I can't wait to start this!
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
│ ⊹ 𝟹.𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚙, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
I'm not sure how to feel about this one.
On one hand, I really enjoyed it. This had a lot of potential, but past the 65 - 70% mark, it just felt stagnant, or rather a little lacklustre? I liked the reveal of what paranormal creature they were, but from the categories/tags on GR, "vampires" is not accurate at all (which I was expecting vampires... but was a bit disappointed when they were something else completely) LOL I guess in a way "sucking the life essence of their victims" type of vibe makes sense BUT THEY ARE NOT VAMPIRES!!!
Honestly, I got Twilight vibes when Bella was kidnapped in book 1 buy crazy psycho guy
I loved the author's writing; it was so descriptive and well thought out... so I will definitely be checking out her other books
RTC!! I need a bit of time to process this one
⁀➷𝓹𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
Thank you for the ARC, Penguin Books! I can't wait to start this!
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
April 29, 2026
book 10 of my 24hr arc readathon!
i am so sad to rate this a 3 stars cuz honestly the first half was SOOO good!! like i was expecting it to be a 5 star read and have it be my entire personality. but then once it hits 50ish% is when the fantasy stuffs started to come in and the pacing started to drag? like i just wanted the book to be over.. anyways, full rtc!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
wait so i got approved??? i'm so excited omg
i am so sad to rate this a 3 stars cuz honestly the first half was SOOO good!! like i was expecting it to be a 5 star read and have it be my entire personality. but then once it hits 50ish% is when the fantasy stuffs started to come in and the pacing started to drag? like i just wanted the book to be over.. anyways, full rtc!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
wait so i got approved??? i'm so excited omg
Currently Reading
April 1, 2026got an arc 💞 will be reading soon i can’t wait 😚
tbr-netgalley
May 6, 2026Top (paranormal) romance read of the year. Hands down. This story sank its teeth into me and demanded my attention from beginning to end. We have a strong FMC (older, cardiologist, independent woman vibes) and a charismatic MMC (11 years her junior, mysterious, not all the way human (?) vibes), and their dynamic was beyond addictive. This is my first story from Shirlene Obuobi, and it will surely not be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Viking Penguins team for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Viking Penguins team for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Books for this ARC!
Shirlene Obuobi’s prose is always such a wonderful time to read!
I really enjoyed Sean as an FMC. She was fleshed out and entirely her own person outside of her relationship with our MMC, Julian.
Julian was an interesting character. Charming and seductive. But unfortunately I didn’t grow to care for him too much.
I think the pacing worked well up until about 45-50%. Around this point, I really wanted things to speed up and while I didn’t think the overall ending was bad, I definitely expected more.
Shirlene Obuobi’s prose is always such a wonderful time to read!
I really enjoyed Sean as an FMC. She was fleshed out and entirely her own person outside of her relationship with our MMC, Julian.
Julian was an interesting character. Charming and seductive. But unfortunately I didn’t grow to care for him too much.
I think the pacing worked well up until about 45-50%. Around this point, I really wanted things to speed up and while I didn’t think the overall ending was bad, I definitely expected more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2026
I got to read an early NetGalley ARC of this book from Viking Penguin publishers. I absolutely adored this book! It’s such a beautiful, suspenseful and sexy story.
The story was addicting! I couldn’t get enough of it. The cover made me think it was would be a beautiful yet predictable vampire love story that’s not what I got and I’m so happy that it wasn’t. What I got an instead is a truly heartwarming and heartbreaking story about aging, healing from past traumatic relationships and learning to choose yourself. At times I thought I knew where this story was going but was surprised when it lead in a completely opposite direction. I love that the author made even the side characters multidimensional. The depth in the side characters had me rooting for them too and I found empathy with the antagonist.
I couldn’t decide I who fell in love with more, the main female character or the main male character. They’re both so witty and sexy. The banter between the two love interests is so good.
There are some parts of the story that kind of threw me off just because it felt like a slight departure from the story but when pushed through it I was happy about where it went. I think this really just points to the unpredictable storyline and how fresh and new it is.
This is one of my favorite stories I read all year. Before I even finished it I ordered a physical copy.
Thank you to for Viking Publishers for allowing me the pleasure of reading this book early!
The story was addicting! I couldn’t get enough of it. The cover made me think it was would be a beautiful yet predictable vampire love story that’s not what I got and I’m so happy that it wasn’t. What I got an instead is a truly heartwarming and heartbreaking story about aging, healing from past traumatic relationships and learning to choose yourself. At times I thought I knew where this story was going but was surprised when it lead in a completely opposite direction. I love that the author made even the side characters multidimensional. The depth in the side characters had me rooting for them too and I found empathy with the antagonist.
I couldn’t decide I who fell in love with more, the main female character or the main male character. They’re both so witty and sexy. The banter between the two love interests is so good.
There are some parts of the story that kind of threw me off just because it felt like a slight departure from the story but when pushed through it I was happy about where it went. I think this really just points to the unpredictable storyline and how fresh and new it is.
This is one of my favorite stories I read all year. Before I even finished it I ordered a physical copy.
Thank you to for Viking Publishers for allowing me the pleasure of reading this book early!
March 3, 2026
A BLACK paranormal romance! Sign me up! The characters were so flushed out and grow and change. The plot was super interesting if the paranormal aspect wasn’t apart of it, it would still stand well! Also I was KICKING MY FEET SO MUCH! The paranormal aspect in the beginning is sprinkled in and it’s not a huge in your face thing which I think is great! I feel like the book focused on establishing a relationship with the love interests you know and then had hints of “hmm that’s weird why did he do that???” The paranormal bits. All in all I really enjoyed it. It was a great ride that had me hooked with honestly a great mix of genres!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much for this ARC!
Shirlene is a new-to-me author, and, like Sean throughout the book, I fell into some sort of trance or alluring energy, because this book hooked me and I couldn't stop thinking about it when I paused my reading to do my tasks for the day. I don't blame her for letting herself fall into Julian's orbit because the way that this was written had me falling into his orbit too. It was beautiful and mesmerizing and I couldn't look away even if I had tried.
Shirlene is a new-to-me author, and, like Sean throughout the book, I fell into some sort of trance or alluring energy, because this book hooked me and I couldn't stop thinking about it when I paused my reading to do my tasks for the day. I don't blame her for letting herself fall into Julian's orbit because the way that this was written had me falling into his orbit too. It was beautiful and mesmerizing and I couldn't look away even if I had tried.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book so much. The best part were the characters. Sean was an amazing, intelligent, self assured MC. Sometimes in paranormal romances you are screaming at the characters for being so reckless but not in this book. I also loved the strong female friendship aspect.
Read
February 21, 2026RTC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you are like me and were absolutely feral for Twilight back in the day, then this book is about to feel like the sophisticated, grown up evolution of that obsession. This is what happens when you take that intoxicating paranormal longing, sharpen it with adult stakes, layer it with smart writing, and center it in a world that feels real, grounded, and deeply intentional.
This was my first book by this author, and I was genuinely blown away. Her prose is elegant without being overwrought, lyrical without losing momentum. The writing has this polished, almost cinematic quality; between every glance, every charged pause, every moment of doubt or desire feels purposeful. It’s romantic, yes, but it’s also smart and restrained in a way that makes the tension simmer instead of explode too quickly.
Sean is such a compelling FMC. A Black interventional cardiologist, which is already a powerhouse concept, who is fiercely competent, guarded, and deeply aware of the emotional scars she carries. I loved the irony woven through her storyline: this woman who treats failing hearts for a living slowly experiencing symptoms she refuses to believe could be happening to her. The medical representation felt authentic and thoughtful without ever bogging the story down. It added texture and credibility, and it made Sean feel fully realized. She’s brilliant, stubborn, vulnerable, and painfully human.
And then there’s Julian. Oh, Julian...
Julian is the brooding, magnetic, devastatingly confident man that I couldn’t look away from. He’s younger than Sean by eleven years which I LOVED. The age gap reversal was so satisfying. Watching Sean wrestle with that double standard (“If men can do it, why can’t I?”) felt both empowering and realistic. And knowing that Julian has, in truth, been around for far longer than he appears? That just adds another layer of delicious tension.
Their chemistry is unreal. Hot, passionate, deeply charged. The push and pull between them is electric. I will say that especially in the beginning, Julian’s persistence borders on too much, like sir, please breathe. There were moments where I wished he’d back off a fraction sooner. But I also understood that this relentless confidence is baked into who he is: a man who has lived for over a century, who knows exactly what he wants, and isn’t shy about pursuing it. It felt intentional rather than careless. And once Sean starts meeting him halfway? It got even better than I thought possible. They are perfectly matched in intensity.
What elevates this beyond a standard paranormal romance is the atmosphere. There’s an undercurrent of unease that never fully dissipates. Julian isn’t just mysterious, but he’s unsettling. There are moments when Sean feels less like a love interest and more like prey, and that tension hums beneath even their most intimate scenes. The suspense builds in a way that’s genuinely addictive. I was not just rooting for them but questioning everything alongside her.
I also adored the side characters, especially Winona. The friendship provided grounding contrast to the supernatural swirl consuming Sean’s life. The backstory of the book of attending the wedding and meeting Julian was perfect.
And I have to say how much I appreciated that this is a paranormal romance written by a POC author featuring POC characters, without that feeling like a marketing bullet point. It’s simply woven into the fabric of the story. Sean’s experience as the only Black female interventional cardiologist at her hospital informs her worldview in subtle, powerful ways. It adds depth without ever becoming heavy handed.
Ultimately, this book feels like an elegant seduction of Sean, of me as the reader, of anyone who ever loved a dark, immortal love story but now wants something more layered and grown. It’s romantic and sensual, suspenseful and sharp. It made me nostalgic for my teenage vampire era, but grateful I’m reading this version now.
Read if you want brooding immortality, reverse age gap tension, high stakes longing, and prose that feels elevated and addictive!
I loved this so much! I’m officially a Shirlene Obuobi fan.
Thank you to NetGalley, Shirlene Obuobi, and Penguin for the eARC of this book.
This was my first book by this author, and I was genuinely blown away. Her prose is elegant without being overwrought, lyrical without losing momentum. The writing has this polished, almost cinematic quality; between every glance, every charged pause, every moment of doubt or desire feels purposeful. It’s romantic, yes, but it’s also smart and restrained in a way that makes the tension simmer instead of explode too quickly.
Sean is such a compelling FMC. A Black interventional cardiologist, which is already a powerhouse concept, who is fiercely competent, guarded, and deeply aware of the emotional scars she carries. I loved the irony woven through her storyline: this woman who treats failing hearts for a living slowly experiencing symptoms she refuses to believe could be happening to her. The medical representation felt authentic and thoughtful without ever bogging the story down. It added texture and credibility, and it made Sean feel fully realized. She’s brilliant, stubborn, vulnerable, and painfully human.
And then there’s Julian. Oh, Julian...
Julian is the brooding, magnetic, devastatingly confident man that I couldn’t look away from. He’s younger than Sean by eleven years which I LOVED. The age gap reversal was so satisfying. Watching Sean wrestle with that double standard (“If men can do it, why can’t I?”) felt both empowering and realistic. And knowing that Julian has, in truth, been around for far longer than he appears? That just adds another layer of delicious tension.
Their chemistry is unreal. Hot, passionate, deeply charged. The push and pull between them is electric. I will say that especially in the beginning, Julian’s persistence borders on too much, like sir, please breathe. There were moments where I wished he’d back off a fraction sooner. But I also understood that this relentless confidence is baked into who he is: a man who has lived for over a century, who knows exactly what he wants, and isn’t shy about pursuing it. It felt intentional rather than careless. And once Sean starts meeting him halfway? It got even better than I thought possible. They are perfectly matched in intensity.
What elevates this beyond a standard paranormal romance is the atmosphere. There’s an undercurrent of unease that never fully dissipates. Julian isn’t just mysterious, but he’s unsettling. There are moments when Sean feels less like a love interest and more like prey, and that tension hums beneath even their most intimate scenes. The suspense builds in a way that’s genuinely addictive. I was not just rooting for them but questioning everything alongside her.
I also adored the side characters, especially Winona. The friendship provided grounding contrast to the supernatural swirl consuming Sean’s life. The backstory of the book of attending the wedding and meeting Julian was perfect.
And I have to say how much I appreciated that this is a paranormal romance written by a POC author featuring POC characters, without that feeling like a marketing bullet point. It’s simply woven into the fabric of the story. Sean’s experience as the only Black female interventional cardiologist at her hospital informs her worldview in subtle, powerful ways. It adds depth without ever becoming heavy handed.
Ultimately, this book feels like an elegant seduction of Sean, of me as the reader, of anyone who ever loved a dark, immortal love story but now wants something more layered and grown. It’s romantic and sensual, suspenseful and sharp. It made me nostalgic for my teenage vampire era, but grateful I’m reading this version now.
Read if you want brooding immortality, reverse age gap tension, high stakes longing, and prose that feels elevated and addictive!
I loved this so much! I’m officially a Shirlene Obuobi fan.
Thank you to NetGalley, Shirlene Obuobi, and Penguin for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sean's a masterclass in work-life balance - as the only black, female interventional cardiologist at her hospital, she runs her cases, sees patients, makes time for friends and family, takes time for hobbies and, and dedicates time to mentoring and other projects with scalpel-like precision. Dating is certainly not on her schedule - especially after years of watching her male colleagues trade in their first wives for younger models (including, unfortunately, one of her close classmates). Combined with her own misgivings following an abusive relationship that she spent the better portion of her 30s recovering from, Sean knows her time is better spent on her best friend, her goddaughter, and her job.
So naturally it's a bad idea when Julian - the brooding, beautiful, eleven-years-her-junior best man at her classmate's wedding - quite literally sings himself into her good graces. Right? Right???
Soon Sean finds her days - and for some reason, her nights and her dreams - consumed with thoughts of Julian, and against her better judgement, decides to take a chance on him and their undeniable chemistry - after all, if her male counterparts can date younger, why can't she? But as She gets to know him better, Sean is struck by how impossible he seems, from the depth and sorrow that seem to age hum beyond his years, to the look in his eyes that’s less than human. Even more impossible are the newfound symptoms she finds herself influenced by when she's around Sean - memory lapses, a lack of restraint that's unlike her, persistent exhaustion. Is this what falling in love feels like, or is there more to the person - or thing - she's falling in love with?
I will read every single thing Shirlene Obuobi writes, so when she announced that she was doing a paranormal doctor X ??? romance I sunk my teeth into it faster than any number of sparkly vampires could outrun me, and IT ATE. I grew up reading paranormal romance after paranormal romance, and one of the things that's been harder as an adult is being able to relate to yet another 18-20-year-old chosen one who inexplicable ends up with a 300-year-old creepy teenager again and again and again (and don't get me wrong, I still like those stories, but please, a single story with someone whose knees crack when they stand up, I beg). THIS is a love song to every grown woman who loved those kinds of stories, but who also lives in a world full of its own horrors - the realities of aging; the responsibilities of adulthood; the grief of realizing the people you loved and trusted when you were young could turn out to be the bad guys in your story; the rage of sexism, classism, ageism, and racism and the inequality that still chokes the narrative like an invasive species; the warmth and redemption of finding someone who sees YOU for exactly who you are in a shallow and often vapid world; and the chance for new beginnings even as the greys in our hair become more than just the occasional stray.
I cannot sing the praises of this book strongly enough - it was witty and banter-y without being trope-y (sometimes I feel like stories pick a trope and forget that the characters are supposed to be people, and I feel like I could know every single one of these characters in real life); it took the well-loved and thoroughly explored idea of a paranormal creature X human pairing and made it breathtakingly fresh and new; it juxtaposed paranormal horror with the much more present and insidious horror of cultures that value hypocrisy, vanity, patriarchy, and a caste-like system based on race/age/profession/gender with expert attention to detail; it was sultry and swoon-worthy without being explicit for the sake of being explicit; and it showed what a healthy, functioning relationship built on trust, acknowledgement, mutual interest, and respect (and the consequences of loss of any of those values) can look like. This is an incredibly unique paranormal take on the things that haunt our dreams (literally and figuratively and an absolute must-read for those who like the strange and unusual haunting their already haunted 30-something narratives. TL;DR, magnificent, give me 14 more of them right now.
So naturally it's a bad idea when Julian - the brooding, beautiful, eleven-years-her-junior best man at her classmate's wedding - quite literally sings himself into her good graces. Right? Right???
Soon Sean finds her days - and for some reason, her nights and her dreams - consumed with thoughts of Julian, and against her better judgement, decides to take a chance on him and their undeniable chemistry - after all, if her male counterparts can date younger, why can't she? But as She gets to know him better, Sean is struck by how impossible he seems, from the depth and sorrow that seem to age hum beyond his years, to the look in his eyes that’s less than human. Even more impossible are the newfound symptoms she finds herself influenced by when she's around Sean - memory lapses, a lack of restraint that's unlike her, persistent exhaustion. Is this what falling in love feels like, or is there more to the person - or thing - she's falling in love with?
I will read every single thing Shirlene Obuobi writes, so when she announced that she was doing a paranormal doctor X ??? romance I sunk my teeth into it faster than any number of sparkly vampires could outrun me, and IT ATE. I grew up reading paranormal romance after paranormal romance, and one of the things that's been harder as an adult is being able to relate to yet another 18-20-year-old chosen one who inexplicable ends up with a 300-year-old creepy teenager again and again and again (and don't get me wrong, I still like those stories, but please, a single story with someone whose knees crack when they stand up, I beg). THIS is a love song to every grown woman who loved those kinds of stories, but who also lives in a world full of its own horrors - the realities of aging; the responsibilities of adulthood; the grief of realizing the people you loved and trusted when you were young could turn out to be the bad guys in your story; the rage of sexism, classism, ageism, and racism and the inequality that still chokes the narrative like an invasive species; the warmth and redemption of finding someone who sees YOU for exactly who you are in a shallow and often vapid world; and the chance for new beginnings even as the greys in our hair become more than just the occasional stray.
I cannot sing the praises of this book strongly enough - it was witty and banter-y without being trope-y (sometimes I feel like stories pick a trope and forget that the characters are supposed to be people, and I feel like I could know every single one of these characters in real life); it took the well-loved and thoroughly explored idea of a paranormal creature X human pairing and made it breathtakingly fresh and new; it juxtaposed paranormal horror with the much more present and insidious horror of cultures that value hypocrisy, vanity, patriarchy, and a caste-like system based on race/age/profession/gender with expert attention to detail; it was sultry and swoon-worthy without being explicit for the sake of being explicit; and it showed what a healthy, functioning relationship built on trust, acknowledgement, mutual interest, and respect (and the consequences of loss of any of those values) can look like. This is an incredibly unique paranormal take on the things that haunt our dreams (literally and figuratively and an absolute must-read for those who like the strange and unusual haunting their already haunted 30-something narratives. TL;DR, magnificent, give me 14 more of them right now.
March 1, 2026
This novel had me hooked from beginning to end. 10/10 — I would absolutely recommend it! I think it’s safe to say that this story of love and self-discovery completely possessed me. Throughout the eight days I spent reading this novel, I was constantly on edge with every chapter — not just wanting to know what would happen next, but questioning why the characters felt certain emotions and made certain choices in response to each other’s decisions.
Because Die for Me is told solely through Sean, the female main character’s, point of view, you’re left to wonder what Julian might be thinking and feeling — what thoughts provoke him to act the way he does. I think that’s part of the beauty of it. As readers, we’re free to interpret scenes involving him in different ways because we only know what he says and does. And in every case, his actions speak louder than words. The way he expresses himself to Sean is refreshing, especially considering that both characters come from very different backgrounds and carry their own baggage. I loved watching them navigate through tough waters and build a stronger bond despite unexpected external forces.
If you’re looking for chemistry and spice in this romance, you won’t be disappointed — trust me, you’re in for a ride. Many might assume their age gap would be an issue in this electrifying romance, but if anything, Julian’s wisdom and outlook on life are enough to make Sean reconsider whether she could date someone younger.
With all the curveballs thrown your way and the hilarious yet steamy banter between these two, you won’t want to put this story down. There were several times I reread scenes two or three times just to make sure I hadn’t missed anything — or that my eyes weren’t deceiving me. Julian is bold and knows exactly what he wants and that is Sean. The mouth on that man deserves its own case study. The way his words and comebacks roll off his tongue so effortlessly left me speechless — and I’m still trying to find the right words even as I write this. I wouldn’t have lasted as long as Sean did. Props to her, because I would have folded the minute they met. I just know he would be fine if he were a real person.
Sean is beautiful inside and out — smart, witty, intelligent beyond just book smarts, and confident in her worth. But when it comes to love, she’s still healing from the wreckage her ex left behind. Julian recognizes that and gives her the space to decide what she truly wants. What I loved most is that he never let her forget he would wait for her — that whenever she was ready, all she had to do was call. And he was more than happy to take her out on a date.
I was just as happy to stumble across this novel and get the chance to read it before publication. Thank you to NetGalley, Shirlene Obuobi, and her team for allowing me to dive into this thrilling paranormal world. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to see it adapted into a screenplay someday. Until then, I’ll definitely be checking out more books by this author.
Because Die for Me is told solely through Sean, the female main character’s, point of view, you’re left to wonder what Julian might be thinking and feeling — what thoughts provoke him to act the way he does. I think that’s part of the beauty of it. As readers, we’re free to interpret scenes involving him in different ways because we only know what he says and does. And in every case, his actions speak louder than words. The way he expresses himself to Sean is refreshing, especially considering that both characters come from very different backgrounds and carry their own baggage. I loved watching them navigate through tough waters and build a stronger bond despite unexpected external forces.
If you’re looking for chemistry and spice in this romance, you won’t be disappointed — trust me, you’re in for a ride. Many might assume their age gap would be an issue in this electrifying romance, but if anything, Julian’s wisdom and outlook on life are enough to make Sean reconsider whether she could date someone younger.
With all the curveballs thrown your way and the hilarious yet steamy banter between these two, you won’t want to put this story down. There were several times I reread scenes two or three times just to make sure I hadn’t missed anything — or that my eyes weren’t deceiving me. Julian is bold and knows exactly what he wants and that is Sean. The mouth on that man deserves its own case study. The way his words and comebacks roll off his tongue so effortlessly left me speechless — and I’m still trying to find the right words even as I write this. I wouldn’t have lasted as long as Sean did. Props to her, because I would have folded the minute they met. I just know he would be fine if he were a real person.
Sean is beautiful inside and out — smart, witty, intelligent beyond just book smarts, and confident in her worth. But when it comes to love, she’s still healing from the wreckage her ex left behind. Julian recognizes that and gives her the space to decide what she truly wants. What I loved most is that he never let her forget he would wait for her — that whenever she was ready, all she had to do was call. And he was more than happy to take her out on a date.
I was just as happy to stumble across this novel and get the chance to read it before publication. Thank you to NetGalley, Shirlene Obuobi, and her team for allowing me to dive into this thrilling paranormal world. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to see it adapted into a screenplay someday. Until then, I’ll definitely be checking out more books by this author.
February 24, 2026
Shirlene is already an auto-buy author for me! But when I saw she was releasing a paranormal romance... baby I rannnnn to NetGalley!!!
The dedication alone had me so excited to jump in: "And finally, for my Black girls who squinted at the pages of the paranormal romances of the early aughts, wishing to see themselves there. Die for Me is for everyone, but it’s especially for you."
Because yes, us black girls have been longing to see ourselves in the paranormal/fantasy/otherworldly spaces and I love that so many more authors are creating more of this for us to see ourselves in.
Let me start by saying Shilene's writing is always... idk how do you describe cinematic for books because that's what it is 😭 every scene is written out perfectly to the point the pictures were just flowing through my brain!! One thing I love about her writing is that I never have to second guess something, or stop to think "huh??" it just all flows amazingly!
But let's get into these characters...
Sean: This woman was nothing less of a powerhouse! A whole inspiration to black women, both young and old everywhere! She was so fierce, even while being emotionally guarded (although she was 100% aware of this and not ashamed to admit it!) but I loved that about her. She never gave hesitant about who she was, or what she wanted. She was a little older than Julian and that gave her the scares for a bit but she eventually got over it because if men can date younger women why can't we?? And that's absolute factsss! Women always get side eyed for dating down. But men can do it with no worries 🙄🙄🙄 not to mention the girl is smartttt she was like a whole lil nancy drew for a bit.. let me be the first to say I wouldn't have figured out not a damn thing 😂 would've been out there like Brandon not suspecting a single thing 😭😭
Next Juliannnnnn!! I've never read a more broody, sensual, confident (but not arrogant) character! I felt like Sean, in the sense that I couldn't pinpoint whether to be annoyed by his confidence or head over heels for it! While Sean was stressing over being (I think 10 years) older than him... Julian has been around for wayyy longer than he let off 😂 I don't even know what else to say for Julian. He was so caring, and everything he did at the end was just so.. wow.
Their chemistry was everything!! It was hot, it was passionate, it was all I could ask for and more. The constant push and pull between them kept me rooting for them and screaming for them to get their shit together. All the action, and mystery towards the end had me scrolling through pages like crazy 😂
The dedication alone had me so excited to jump in: "And finally, for my Black girls who squinted at the pages of the paranormal romances of the early aughts, wishing to see themselves there. Die for Me is for everyone, but it’s especially for you."
Because yes, us black girls have been longing to see ourselves in the paranormal/fantasy/otherworldly spaces and I love that so many more authors are creating more of this for us to see ourselves in.
Let me start by saying Shilene's writing is always... idk how do you describe cinematic for books because that's what it is 😭 every scene is written out perfectly to the point the pictures were just flowing through my brain!! One thing I love about her writing is that I never have to second guess something, or stop to think "huh??" it just all flows amazingly!
But let's get into these characters...
Sean: This woman was nothing less of a powerhouse! A whole inspiration to black women, both young and old everywhere! She was so fierce, even while being emotionally guarded (although she was 100% aware of this and not ashamed to admit it!) but I loved that about her. She never gave hesitant about who she was, or what she wanted. She was a little older than Julian and that gave her the scares for a bit but she eventually got over it because if men can date younger women why can't we?? And that's absolute factsss! Women always get side eyed for dating down. But men can do it with no worries 🙄🙄🙄 not to mention the girl is smartttt she was like a whole lil nancy drew for a bit.. let me be the first to say I wouldn't have figured out not a damn thing 😂 would've been out there like Brandon not suspecting a single thing 😭😭
Next Juliannnnnn!! I've never read a more broody, sensual, confident (but not arrogant) character! I felt like Sean, in the sense that I couldn't pinpoint whether to be annoyed by his confidence or head over heels for it! While Sean was stressing over being (I think 10 years) older than him... Julian has been around for wayyy longer than he let off 😂 I don't even know what else to say for Julian. He was so caring, and everything he did at the end was just so.. wow.
Their chemistry was everything!! It was hot, it was passionate, it was all I could ask for and more. The constant push and pull between them kept me rooting for them and screaming for them to get their shit together. All the action, and mystery towards the end had me scrolling through pages like crazy 😂
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I first picked up Die For Me because Shirlene posted the cover, and it stopped me cold. I wanted to read this book with everything in me. THIS cover is beautiful!
From the very first chapter, this story sinks its teeth in and refuses to let go.
Julian is utterly magnetic, and dangerous. Every scene he’s in feels charged seductive, volatile, and threaded with this intoxicating duality that keeps you slightly off-balance. His voice alone is enough to hook you. And then there’s Sean, who grounds the entire story beautifully. She’s sharp, self-assured, deeply committed to her life and the people she loves and she never lets herself disappear in someone else’s orbit.
What completely surprised me, though, was the depth of the book’s exploration of aging and time. In a culture obsessed with youth, Die For Me leans into the beauty, inevitability, and even the discomfort of growing older, especially as a woman. It’s thoughtful, layered, and at times unsettling in the best way. Where romance often romanticizes eternal youth, this story complicates that desire, adding tension and introspection that really lingers.
There’s a quiet truth woven throughout: every wrinkle, every ache, every lesson earned is part of what it means to truly live.
I agree with other reviews, this gave a very nostalgic feeling but sharper, darker, and far more haunting. The writing, the tension, the characters it’s all hypnotic. There’s this constant undercurrent of dread tangled up in the seduction, and even when I thought I knew where things were going, my heart was still pounding every time something felt just slightly… off.
And Sean? She’s easily one of my favorite protagonists in a long time. She’s strong in a way that feels real secure in herself, grounded in her mortality, and unwilling to be diminished. I admired her constantly. Her love for herself, her dog, and her chosen family feels so vivid and genuine it practically radiates off the page.
This book intrigued me with its stunning cover but what I found inside far exceeded anything I expected.
Shirlene has crafted something bold, atmospheric, and deeply original an intoxicating blend of womanhood, desire, and myth that lingers long after the final page. I’m already desperate for more. Definitely, will be reading everything from this author.
From the very first chapter, this story sinks its teeth in and refuses to let go.
Julian is utterly magnetic, and dangerous. Every scene he’s in feels charged seductive, volatile, and threaded with this intoxicating duality that keeps you slightly off-balance. His voice alone is enough to hook you. And then there’s Sean, who grounds the entire story beautifully. She’s sharp, self-assured, deeply committed to her life and the people she loves and she never lets herself disappear in someone else’s orbit.
What completely surprised me, though, was the depth of the book’s exploration of aging and time. In a culture obsessed with youth, Die For Me leans into the beauty, inevitability, and even the discomfort of growing older, especially as a woman. It’s thoughtful, layered, and at times unsettling in the best way. Where romance often romanticizes eternal youth, this story complicates that desire, adding tension and introspection that really lingers.
There’s a quiet truth woven throughout: every wrinkle, every ache, every lesson earned is part of what it means to truly live.
I agree with other reviews, this gave a very nostalgic feeling but sharper, darker, and far more haunting. The writing, the tension, the characters it’s all hypnotic. There’s this constant undercurrent of dread tangled up in the seduction, and even when I thought I knew where things were going, my heart was still pounding every time something felt just slightly… off.
And Sean? She’s easily one of my favorite protagonists in a long time. She’s strong in a way that feels real secure in herself, grounded in her mortality, and unwilling to be diminished. I admired her constantly. Her love for herself, her dog, and her chosen family feels so vivid and genuine it practically radiates off the page.
This book intrigued me with its stunning cover but what I found inside far exceeded anything I expected.
Shirlene has crafted something bold, atmospheric, and deeply original an intoxicating blend of womanhood, desire, and myth that lingers long after the final page. I’m already desperate for more. Definitely, will be reading everything from this author.
May 7, 2026
Seductive. Mysterious. Thrilling.
This book was so intoxicating! This story immediately draws you in and the mystery and eeriness of the story leaves you enraptured. The chemistry between the two main characters is so electrifying it feels palpable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Sean, a black female interventional cardiologist who happens to be the only one at her hospital, isn’t looking for love after a bad relationship she’s still healing from and witnessing betrayals from men far too close to home. That is until she meets the enigma that is Julian, an ethereal younger man who she helplessly and dangerously can’t escape the allure of.
I loved Sean as an FMC. She didn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of her goals. She thrived in a male dominated field and she lived by her own terms even when societal norms would name her as an odd ball of a woman. I loved how she loved the people she cared about and the confidence she exuded that most women in her position would probably lack.
Julian was mysterious, sexy and haunting. I loved his relentless pursuit of Sean. He had me giddy and ready to crown him as my new book boyfriend! I loved how mysterious his character was and how it seemed like you had to peel back layers and layers of him and still couldn’t fully figure him out.
This book was great. I love the awareness and discussion of the grace older men in successful fields are afforded where women in those exact same fields are not. A lot of gems were dropped into this book of what it means to be a woman in society and the types of odds stacked against us . Even the value of life and death is explored so intricately.The social commentary invites necessary conversation about beliefs of what it is to be human.
My only issue with this book is that at the 60% mark all the steaminess, excitement and intenseness of the book seemed to fizzle out. Certain parts started to drag and I found myself less interested in it than I was when I started it. Some characters got away with things that I feel they shouldn’t have been able to. There were some answers I wanted that I didn’t get. I guess that just adds to the eeriness of the story that made it what it was.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book. Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Books for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book was so intoxicating! This story immediately draws you in and the mystery and eeriness of the story leaves you enraptured. The chemistry between the two main characters is so electrifying it feels palpable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Sean, a black female interventional cardiologist who happens to be the only one at her hospital, isn’t looking for love after a bad relationship she’s still healing from and witnessing betrayals from men far too close to home. That is until she meets the enigma that is Julian, an ethereal younger man who she helplessly and dangerously can’t escape the allure of.
I loved Sean as an FMC. She didn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of her goals. She thrived in a male dominated field and she lived by her own terms even when societal norms would name her as an odd ball of a woman. I loved how she loved the people she cared about and the confidence she exuded that most women in her position would probably lack.
Julian was mysterious, sexy and haunting. I loved his relentless pursuit of Sean. He had me giddy and ready to crown him as my new book boyfriend! I loved how mysterious his character was and how it seemed like you had to peel back layers and layers of him and still couldn’t fully figure him out.
This book was great. I love the awareness and discussion of the grace older men in successful fields are afforded where women in those exact same fields are not. A lot of gems were dropped into this book of what it means to be a woman in society and the types of odds stacked against us . Even the value of life and death is explored so intricately.The social commentary invites necessary conversation about beliefs of what it is to be human.
My only issue with this book is that at the 60% mark all the steaminess, excitement and intenseness of the book seemed to fizzle out. Certain parts started to drag and I found myself less interested in it than I was when I started it. Some characters got away with things that I feel they shouldn’t have been able to. There were some answers I wanted that I didn’t get. I guess that just adds to the eeriness of the story that made it what it was.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book. Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Books for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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