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Die for Me
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45 copies available
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“I'm obsessed. Die for Me is utterly unique and still at its core about the most universal of about a woman vanquishing fear through love.” —Ali Hazelwood
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 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 If men can date younger, why can’t she? But the more Sean gets to know him, the more impossible Julian 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.
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 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 If men can date younger, why can’t she? But the more Sean gets to know him, the more impossible Julian 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.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 14, 2026
About the author
Shirlene Obuobi
6 books1,355 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 202 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. **
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 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.
tbr
May 19, 2026Thanks to Viking Penguin, Penguin Books and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
Want to Read
May 20, 2026Pre-read (20/05/2026): Just got approved for this one! Thank you Quercus Books, Shirlene Obuobi and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC. Die for Me will be out 14th of July.
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
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.
June 8, 2026
⭐️3.75
“Except my drug of choice isn't heroin, it's a man 🩸🩸
Okay once I got through the first half it got soooo good! I wasn’t seeing it at first but yeah I enjoyed this. I loved the villain in this and the ending 👏🏾 -full rtc
“Except my drug of choice isn't heroin, it's a man 🩸🩸
Okay once I got through the first half it got soooo good! I wasn’t seeing it at first but yeah I enjoyed this. I loved the villain in this and the ending 👏🏾 -full rtc
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
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
Currently Reading
April 1, 2026got an arc 💞 will be reading soon i can’t wait 😚
May 16, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5
This was so many things in one and I loved it!
Sean is everything I wish I was brave enough to be. She is smart, independent, strong willed, but also fragile enough to be a good friend in tough times.
Around the 80% mark I did have a hard time following along for a little bit but it did all come together in a way that made sense.
It was extremely well written, entertaining, spicy, and I would recommend!
4.5
This was so many things in one and I loved it!
Sean is everything I wish I was brave enough to be. She is smart, independent, strong willed, but also fragile enough to be a good friend in tough times.
Around the 80% mark I did have a hard time following along for a little bit but it did all come together in a way that made sense.
It was extremely well written, entertaining, spicy, and I would recommend!
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.
May 31, 2026
*3.5*
⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5 Stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for providing me with an ARC of Die for Me in exchange for an honest review.
Die for Me is a paranormal romance that follows Sean, a successful Black cardiologist, and Julian, a seemingly younger trust-fund heir whose interest in her is immediate and intense. The two meet at a wedding and quickly develop a strong attraction, setting the stage for a story that blends romance, suspense, and the supernatural.
My biggest issue with this book was the pacing. For roughly the first 40% of the story, the narrative focuses heavily on Sean's day-to-day life as a cardiologist. While I appreciated seeing such a competent and accomplished Black female lead on the page, the story often felt repetitive and slow-moving. The romance also develops very quickly, and I found myself wanting more emotional buildup between Sean and Julian. While later revelations help explain some of the intensity on Sean's side, I never felt like I fully understood why Julian became so captivated by her so quickly.
Then, around the 40% mark, the entire book seemed to shift gears. What initially felt like a paranormal romance suddenly transformed into a suspense-filled thriller, and from that point on I found myself flying through the pages. The second half was much more engaging for me, but the transition felt abrupt. At times, it almost felt like I was reading two different books: a slow contemporary romance in the first half and a paranormal suspense novel in the second.
I think the story would have been stronger if those elements had been woven together more seamlessly from the beginning. A slightly shorter page count may have also helped tighten the pacing and create a smoother reading experience overall.
That said, I genuinely loved the concept. One of the most interesting aspects of the story was that the paranormal elements didn't revolve around a single character or family. Instead, there are multiple interconnected histories and relationships unfolding beneath the surface, and I really enjoyed discovering how those seemingly separate lives were tied together.
I also want to highlight Shirlene Obuobi's writing. Even when the pacing wasn't working for me, her talent absolutely shines through. There is a level of intelligence and intentionality in her storytelling that makes it clear she knows exactly what she wants to convey. Her prose is immersive, and she creates a strong emotional atmosphere throughout the novel.
The intimate scenes were another standout. They felt purposeful, emotionally grounded, and important to both the character development and the overall plot. Rather than feeling inserted for shock value, they helped deepen the connection between the characters and added meaning to the story as a whole.
Overall, Die for Me is a unique paranormal romance with a fascinating premise, strong writing, and compelling supernatural elements. While I wish the pacing had been more balanced and the romance had been developed more gradually in the first half, I still found a lot to appreciate. I'm excited to see what she writes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5 Stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for providing me with an ARC of Die for Me in exchange for an honest review.
Die for Me is a paranormal romance that follows Sean, a successful Black cardiologist, and Julian, a seemingly younger trust-fund heir whose interest in her is immediate and intense. The two meet at a wedding and quickly develop a strong attraction, setting the stage for a story that blends romance, suspense, and the supernatural.
My biggest issue with this book was the pacing. For roughly the first 40% of the story, the narrative focuses heavily on Sean's day-to-day life as a cardiologist. While I appreciated seeing such a competent and accomplished Black female lead on the page, the story often felt repetitive and slow-moving. The romance also develops very quickly, and I found myself wanting more emotional buildup between Sean and Julian. While later revelations help explain some of the intensity on Sean's side, I never felt like I fully understood why Julian became so captivated by her so quickly.
Then, around the 40% mark, the entire book seemed to shift gears. What initially felt like a paranormal romance suddenly transformed into a suspense-filled thriller, and from that point on I found myself flying through the pages. The second half was much more engaging for me, but the transition felt abrupt. At times, it almost felt like I was reading two different books: a slow contemporary romance in the first half and a paranormal suspense novel in the second.
I think the story would have been stronger if those elements had been woven together more seamlessly from the beginning. A slightly shorter page count may have also helped tighten the pacing and create a smoother reading experience overall.
That said, I genuinely loved the concept. One of the most interesting aspects of the story was that the paranormal elements didn't revolve around a single character or family. Instead, there are multiple interconnected histories and relationships unfolding beneath the surface, and I really enjoyed discovering how those seemingly separate lives were tied together.
I also want to highlight Shirlene Obuobi's writing. Even when the pacing wasn't working for me, her talent absolutely shines through. There is a level of intelligence and intentionality in her storytelling that makes it clear she knows exactly what she wants to convey. Her prose is immersive, and she creates a strong emotional atmosphere throughout the novel.
The intimate scenes were another standout. They felt purposeful, emotionally grounded, and important to both the character development and the overall plot. Rather than feeling inserted for shock value, they helped deepen the connection between the characters and added meaning to the story as a whole.
Overall, Die for Me is a unique paranormal romance with a fascinating premise, strong writing, and compelling supernatural elements. While I wish the pacing had been more balanced and the romance had been developed more gradually in the first half, I still found a lot to appreciate. I'm excited to see what she writes next.
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!
June 7, 2026
“That even with all its inconveniences, growing old is a blessing.”
“But that night? When I told you I love you? I meant it. Every word. Life at your side would feel meaningful enough to end.”
“ Is that what you want? To fix me, I mean.”
“No, I want to know you.”
This story was beautiful. This is my first book by this author and WOW will I be picking up more of her books because the writing was everything. Descriptive and immersive. I felt like I was in the story and it was a hard one to put down.
JULIAN CONARD add him to your book boyfriend list becauseeeeeee what do you mean he was cocky and arrogant, but also the most attentive and sensitive man ever. Let me tell ya he was laying it DOWN too. Like so hot. I also really loved Sean, beautiful, confident and head in her male dominated field. She truly was extraordinary, and made one of the toughest decisions for herself and Julian.
Outside of the romance, there was such a deep meaning to this story that will remain in my heart forever. The want of choosing life, and how important that has to be to you. This book truly held such a beautiful and deep rooted meaning and I am thankful this is something that the author highlights.
“But that night? When I told you I love you? I meant it. Every word. Life at your side would feel meaningful enough to end.”
“ Is that what you want? To fix me, I mean.”
“No, I want to know you.”
This story was beautiful. This is my first book by this author and WOW will I be picking up more of her books because the writing was everything. Descriptive and immersive. I felt like I was in the story and it was a hard one to put down.
JULIAN CONARD add him to your book boyfriend list becauseeeeeee what do you mean he was cocky and arrogant, but also the most attentive and sensitive man ever. Let me tell ya he was laying it DOWN too. Like so hot. I also really loved Sean, beautiful, confident and head in her male dominated field. She truly was extraordinary, and made one of the toughest decisions for herself and Julian.
Outside of the romance, there was such a deep meaning to this story that will remain in my heart forever. The want of choosing life, and how important that has to be to you. This book truly held such a beautiful and deep rooted meaning and I am thankful this is something that the author highlights.
June 19, 2026
This was such an interesting paranormal romance. Firstly i really liked the fmc and the fact that shes a middle aged woman in Stem. The mmc is mysterious and immediately there is so much tension between them. This author wrote the chemistry and tension very well cause the mmc is fascinating and like the fmc i was also trying to figure out more about him. Even though this is a romance there is a mystery element to the book as the fmc tries to figure whats happening to herself and a friend. There is romance, paranormal people and a lot going on. Overall a good romance and mystery. Thanks to the publisher for this arc.
June 19, 2026
*review of advance copy*
I first want to say the storyline is super unique and intriguing. I really loved the story elements and the idea of a succubus is one we haven’t really seen in romance in a while. Where the story fell flat for me was about 80% onward, things were wrapped up too quickly and second (or third or fourth) conflicts were introduced without adequate time to be resolved. I also did not care for the final act breakup and just a few pages about how he shows up five years later.
I first want to say the storyline is super unique and intriguing. I really loved the story elements and the idea of a succubus is one we haven’t really seen in romance in a while. Where the story fell flat for me was about 80% onward, things were wrapped up too quickly and second (or third or fourth) conflicts were introduced without adequate time to be resolved. I also did not care for the final act breakup and just a few pages about how he shows up five years later.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
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