What do you think?
Rate this book
You'll Be the Death of Me
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26Cole is spending the rest of his eternity as an overworked Afterlife Clerk, reaping souls for the Afterlife Administration. But when he accidentally reaps the wrong Verdella Rodgers, Cole and Verdella must race to fix his cosmic blunder—and try not to catch feelings along the way. A swoony and whimsical romp, You'll Be the Death of Me is a romance to die for.
Verdella “Dell” Rodgers is at the top of her game. As the chef de cuisine at San Francisco’s hottest new restaurant and on the cusp of marrying the mayor’s son in the social event of the season, her life is perfect. That is until the week before her wedding when she wakes up and find herself very much dead.
Enter Cole, a charming but bumbling entry-level clerk in the Afterlife Administration who accidentally confuses Dell for a 95-year-old woman in Kansas with the same name, reaping the wrong soul. When Cole tries to fix his mistake, their worlds collide in life- and death-changing ways.
Now walking the city as a ghost only visible to Cole, Dell is frantic to get back to her perfect life but soon learns that it wasn’t what it appeared to be, particularly when it came to the man she was about to marry and his high-profile family.
Meanwhile, Cole has no memory of who he was before working for the Afterlife Administration. As they try to uncover Cole’s past and remedy Dell’s future, they realize the mistake that brought them together might just be a twist of fate. With time running out to bring Dell back to the land of the living, she’ll have to decide if the life she left behind is truly what she wants, or if Cole’s untimely appearance could lead to an unexpected change that she didn’t know she needed.
Verdella “Dell” Rodgers is at the top of her game. As the chef de cuisine at San Francisco’s hottest new restaurant and on the cusp of marrying the mayor’s son in the social event of the season, her life is perfect. That is until the week before her wedding when she wakes up and find herself very much dead.
Enter Cole, a charming but bumbling entry-level clerk in the Afterlife Administration who accidentally confuses Dell for a 95-year-old woman in Kansas with the same name, reaping the wrong soul. When Cole tries to fix his mistake, their worlds collide in life- and death-changing ways.
Now walking the city as a ghost only visible to Cole, Dell is frantic to get back to her perfect life but soon learns that it wasn’t what it appeared to be, particularly when it came to the man she was about to marry and his high-profile family.
Meanwhile, Cole has no memory of who he was before working for the Afterlife Administration. As they try to uncover Cole’s past and remedy Dell’s future, they realize the mistake that brought them together might just be a twist of fate. With time running out to bring Dell back to the land of the living, she’ll have to decide if the life she left behind is truly what she wants, or if Cole’s untimely appearance could lead to an unexpected change that she didn’t know she needed.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 11, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.75 ⭐️
・❥・ Verdella–Dell– Rodgers is living a full and successful life. Being the chef de cuisine of a popular restaurant in San Francisco and marrying the mayor’s son in a week, Dell has everything she wants and tries to prevent anything from going wrong. Until she wakes up one morning as a ghost. Enter Cole, a handsome, charming, and bumbling clerk at the Afterlife Administration, who is responsible for Dell’s untimely death and returns to earth to help remedy his mistake by helping Dell find out where she went wrong in her life. But as they try to return Dell to her body, they also try to figure out who Cole was when he was alive, since the man has no recollection of his life at all…and maybe try to ignore the spark and attraction they feel for each other, one that almost feels written by fate itself.
꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ: A Thousand Years by John Michael Howell, JVKE, ZVC
1:30 ───ㅇ───── 2:59
・❥・ I learned something about myself that I did not know before–I like stories with ghosts/spirits. Ask me a year ago if I would read a book about ghosts, and I’d politely decline and run away as fast as my short legs could carry me because I didn’t like stuff like that. It scared me. 😂 But after watching movies and reading books with ghosts, I have realized that I really, really enjoy it. Hence, why I wanted to read this book. Not only is the cover so freaking gorgeous, but the story was so sweet and made my heart happy. 🥹🫶🏼 I knew from the moment Cole entered the scene that we would get along well. His shy, introverted, and bumbling nature reminded me of myself, and it made me smile when he was constantly apologizing for his mistakes and trying to make Dell happy. With Dell, it took me a bit longer to warm up to her, but I eventually loved her character as well because even though she was successful and worked to get what she wanted (you go, queen! 👏🏼), she noticed where she fell short in areas of her life, took accountability, and fixed them if she could since she was, after all, a ghost. But together, Cole and Dell were so cute! 🥰 They complemented each other so well since they were so different yet similar in some ways. Ugh, I love them so much! And the side characters, especially Jason and Robbie, were also amazing. I can’t forget to mention them. ☺
The plot was so good! I was curious in which direction the story would go, especially after the 60% mark, since there aren’t that many chapters, and I was just waiting for crap to hit the fan. And, to be honest, I was not expecting it to go down the route it did, but it was perfect! 🤌🏼 My jaw dropped to the floor; I was pumping my fist in the air; I was giggling and kicking my feet, and I was holding a hand over my heart with a smile on my face when I read the very last words to the book. I know this won’t be everyone’s jam, and I totally get that, but I’m so glad that I loved this, so much so, I want to read it all over again! 🤭 I rate books 5 and 4 stars because they were so dang good, but sometimes I can’t see myself rereading them because once feels like enough. But this one, I can definitely see myself reading again and feeling the same way I do about it now.
Overall, this was such an amazing book, and I loved it! I totally recommend it if you are into books like this one! 💖
✬ Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. Pub date is 08/11/2026! ✬
❗Content Warnings❗
Death, mentions murder, intoxication, & using substances like weed and mushrooms.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶/5)
・❥・ Verdella–Dell– Rodgers is living a full and successful life. Being the chef de cuisine of a popular restaurant in San Francisco and marrying the mayor’s son in a week, Dell has everything she wants and tries to prevent anything from going wrong. Until she wakes up one morning as a ghost. Enter Cole, a handsome, charming, and bumbling clerk at the Afterlife Administration, who is responsible for Dell’s untimely death and returns to earth to help remedy his mistake by helping Dell find out where she went wrong in her life. But as they try to return Dell to her body, they also try to figure out who Cole was when he was alive, since the man has no recollection of his life at all…and maybe try to ignore the spark and attraction they feel for each other, one that almost feels written by fate itself.
꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ: A Thousand Years by John Michael Howell, JVKE, ZVC
1:30 ───ㅇ───── 2:59
・❥・ I learned something about myself that I did not know before–I like stories with ghosts/spirits. Ask me a year ago if I would read a book about ghosts, and I’d politely decline and run away as fast as my short legs could carry me because I didn’t like stuff like that. It scared me. 😂 But after watching movies and reading books with ghosts, I have realized that I really, really enjoy it. Hence, why I wanted to read this book. Not only is the cover so freaking gorgeous, but the story was so sweet and made my heart happy. 🥹🫶🏼 I knew from the moment Cole entered the scene that we would get along well. His shy, introverted, and bumbling nature reminded me of myself, and it made me smile when he was constantly apologizing for his mistakes and trying to make Dell happy. With Dell, it took me a bit longer to warm up to her, but I eventually loved her character as well because even though she was successful and worked to get what she wanted (you go, queen! 👏🏼), she noticed where she fell short in areas of her life, took accountability, and fixed them if she could since she was, after all, a ghost. But together, Cole and Dell were so cute! 🥰 They complemented each other so well since they were so different yet similar in some ways. Ugh, I love them so much! And the side characters, especially Jason and Robbie, were also amazing. I can’t forget to mention them. ☺
The plot was so good! I was curious in which direction the story would go, especially after the 60% mark, since there aren’t that many chapters, and I was just waiting for crap to hit the fan. And, to be honest, I was not expecting it to go down the route it did, but it was perfect! 🤌🏼 My jaw dropped to the floor; I was pumping my fist in the air; I was giggling and kicking my feet, and I was holding a hand over my heart with a smile on my face when I read the very last words to the book. I know this won’t be everyone’s jam, and I totally get that, but I’m so glad that I loved this, so much so, I want to read it all over again! 🤭 I rate books 5 and 4 stars because they were so dang good, but sometimes I can’t see myself rereading them because once feels like enough. But this one, I can definitely see myself reading again and feeling the same way I do about it now.
Overall, this was such an amazing book, and I loved it! I totally recommend it if you are into books like this one! 💖
✬ Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. Pub date is 08/11/2026! ✬
❗Content Warnings❗
Death, mentions murder, intoxication, & using substances like weed and mushrooms.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶/5)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely LOVE ghost romances, so I'm always on the lookout for new ones. And this cover? Stunning. When this book started, I was pretty into it! The heroine was accidentally chosen to die by the hero, who works for the afterlife. He realizes he chose the wrong person with the same name, and asks the administration if he can correct his error. The heroine wakes up as a ghost and the hero is trying to help her get on the "right path" and they run around together. She uncovers the truth about people in her life, wants to get revenge, they fall in love. This entire book takes place over 48 hours, and I just don't think that was enough time for me to really care about these characters or buy this romance. This is also single POV, so we never get to see anything from the hero's perspective, and he has no memory of his time as a human before he died and started working for the afterlife. Since the heroine was so focused on herself, I feel like we never really got to know the hero or who he was as a person until he recovered his memories. I just didn't connect with him, and so I didn't really buy the romance between these two. A lot of things also happened very conveniently to move the plot along, which made it less fun in my opinion.
April 9, 2026
This was actually amazing. I want this book to be injected into my veins forever.
arc-tbr
February 7, 2026
Want to Read
November 13, 2025once again sucked in by beautiful cover art
March 27, 2026
Thank you to Avon & Netgalley for the ARC!
You'll Be the Death of Me by Holly Michelle is an addictive, fast-paced, & witty romance novel that had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. It follows Verdella "Dell" Rodgers, head chef, & Cole Lewis, ghost/Afterlife clerk. When Cole mistakenly calls for the wrong Verdella's life, he's given three days to right his wrong. Dell & Cole work together to find the "wrong turn" in her past in hopes to bring her back to life.
Dell & Cole are two lovely & fun characters that I adored so, so much!!! Dell is headstrong, driven, powerful, witty and passionate. I loved her "steamroller" personality & related so much to her need to make those she loves happy. Her growth throughout the story is at the forefront of the plot and I really enjoyed getting to see that all unfold!!! Cole is an absolute bumbling sweetheart & I love him dearly. He's gentle, caring, understanding, & an anxious rule follower. I loved his wit & how it matched up with Dell's. I loved getting to discover pieces of his past & his character, it all made me adore him even more!!!
Dell & Cole's romance is a bit of a slow burn and I loved every second of it. They're complete opposites in so many ways & it makes for the best dynamic. The banter, chemistry, and tension between them is so so good. I loved seeing Dell help Cole step outside his comfort zone & I loved seeing Cole help Dell grow throughout the story. They're just so heartwarming & lovely & I just adore them!!!
The writing is addictive, the plot is intriguing and unique (to me at least) and I loved how it all came
together. I didn't want to put this one down!!! Highly recommend!!!
You'll Be the Death of Me by Holly Michelle is an addictive, fast-paced, & witty romance novel that had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. It follows Verdella "Dell" Rodgers, head chef, & Cole Lewis, ghost/Afterlife clerk. When Cole mistakenly calls for the wrong Verdella's life, he's given three days to right his wrong. Dell & Cole work together to find the "wrong turn" in her past in hopes to bring her back to life.
Dell & Cole are two lovely & fun characters that I adored so, so much!!! Dell is headstrong, driven, powerful, witty and passionate. I loved her "steamroller" personality & related so much to her need to make those she loves happy. Her growth throughout the story is at the forefront of the plot and I really enjoyed getting to see that all unfold!!! Cole is an absolute bumbling sweetheart & I love him dearly. He's gentle, caring, understanding, & an anxious rule follower. I loved his wit & how it matched up with Dell's. I loved getting to discover pieces of his past & his character, it all made me adore him even more!!!
Dell & Cole's romance is a bit of a slow burn and I loved every second of it. They're complete opposites in so many ways & it makes for the best dynamic. The banter, chemistry, and tension between them is so so good. I loved seeing Dell help Cole step outside his comfort zone & I loved seeing Cole help Dell grow throughout the story. They're just so heartwarming & lovely & I just adore them!!!
The writing is addictive, the plot is intriguing and unique (to me at least) and I loved how it all came
together. I didn't want to put this one down!!! Highly recommend!!!
May 7, 2026
The problem with having a first name like Verdella is people assume you’re old—even after life administrator Cole accidentally transitions a young Verdella (who goes by Dell) instead of the 96-year-old he was meant to process. Now Cole is sent to Earth to help Dell figure out where things went wrong and get her back into her body… the issue is, Dell has a lot of wrong turns to choose from.
This one was really fun! Definitely a bit silly in how the plot unfolds, but I loved it. And the fact that Dell was haunting her fiancée? I was laughing so loud. The rulebook alone had me cracking up. 😂 I didn’t expect a book about the afterlife to be this funny, but I genuinely couldn’t stop laughing.
The first half was so fast-paced I couldn’t put it down—the prose and adventures were honestly addicting. It did slow down about halfway through. I was still enjoying it, but it lost that “I can’t put this down” feeling. As the story went on, it became more emotionally deep and Dell really started to see herself and her life more clearly, which shifted the pacing into something more reflective rather than chaotic and plot-driven.
The romance was probably the most disappointing part for me. The chemistry just didn’t hit the way I expected, especially since I’ve really enjoyed Holly’s romances before. I think because the plot is doing so much, the romance ends up feeling secondary to the world-building and overall story.
Overall, this was a super fun, quirky read with hilarious dialogue and a really creative premise. I’d call it magical realism first, romance second.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This one was really fun! Definitely a bit silly in how the plot unfolds, but I loved it. And the fact that Dell was haunting her fiancée? I was laughing so loud. The rulebook alone had me cracking up. 😂 I didn’t expect a book about the afterlife to be this funny, but I genuinely couldn’t stop laughing.
The first half was so fast-paced I couldn’t put it down—the prose and adventures were honestly addicting. It did slow down about halfway through. I was still enjoying it, but it lost that “I can’t put this down” feeling. As the story went on, it became more emotionally deep and Dell really started to see herself and her life more clearly, which shifted the pacing into something more reflective rather than chaotic and plot-driven.
The romance was probably the most disappointing part for me. The chemistry just didn’t hit the way I expected, especially since I’ve really enjoyed Holly’s romances before. I think because the plot is doing so much, the romance ends up feeling secondary to the world-building and overall story.
Overall, this was a super fun, quirky read with hilarious dialogue and a really creative premise. I’d call it magical realism first, romance second.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
March 7, 2026{ This is an ARC review - thank you to Avon Books for sending me this Advance Readers Copy!! }
You'll Be The Death of Me by Holly Michelle
𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 • 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘆 • 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗱
| 𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴– WHAT TO EXPECT |
☆ paranormal romance 👻
☆ second-chance (at life & in love) 🩷
☆ she's a chef, he was a professor ✨
☆ soft/shy boy x overly-ambitious girl 🤭
☆ san-fransisco setting 🌁
☆ open-door spice (1 scene) 🔥
| 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 |
I absolutely ADORED reading this book!! Definitely picking up a copy when she releases in August!! If you're like me and liked Good Spirits by B.K. Borison, you would absolutely LOVE this book. It has a similar vibe, but is a COMPLETELY fresh story ✨
Magical-realism love stories are always so much fun to read, but this one is definitely my new favorite when it comes to ghosts 🩷 You'll Be The Death of Me was fluffy, campy, and hilarious, but also hit all the tender emotional beats and punched you in the feels–which is the perfect combo imo. Plus, there was some action towards the end that had my heart racing!!
The love story between Cole and Dell was SOOO precious. Definitely 2000s romcom coded. I'm always going to love a nerdy, soft mmc and Cole was perfect 😍 I was instantly endeared to him. Dell was also so easy to root for as an fmc. I was inspired by how much confident and brazen she was. I love that they both helped each other grow with their strengths/weaknesses.
All of the side characters were also SO good (JASON AND ROBBIE APPRECIATION) 🩷
The biggest thing I appreciated about this book was how Holly Michelle WOLRD-BUILT. Seriously the best I've personally ever read with the magical-realism genre. Something that tends to be a pet-peeve of mine with these kinds of stories is just how OUT THERE they can be sometimes–which maybe is the point, but I personally like to have some level of explanation. Holly Michelle did a truly phenomenal job answering all the questions that would pop up in my brain and stayed consistent to the "rules" she built for the afterlife. Even down to simple things, like "why can Dell go through this door but not this door?" Genuinely in awe of the attention to detail 👏🏼 Of course, not EVERYTHING was explained (or it wouldn't be magic hehe) but I need to know/guess because the author did such an amazing job at world-building hat I could suspend my belief when necessary ✨
Make sure to pick this one up when it comes out!! I know I will!!
✨ Please note: I don’t rate ARCS on GoodReads. I only write reviews. I don’t want to affect star averages before pub dates. I view my job with an ARC as an opportunity to share honest feedback for prospective readers, not to categorize or score ✨
You'll Be The Death of Me by Holly Michelle
𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 • 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘆 • 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗱
| 𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴– WHAT TO EXPECT |
☆ paranormal romance 👻
☆ second-chance (at life & in love) 🩷
☆ she's a chef, he was a professor ✨
☆ soft/shy boy x overly-ambitious girl 🤭
☆ san-fransisco setting 🌁
☆ open-door spice (1 scene) 🔥
| 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 |
I absolutely ADORED reading this book!! Definitely picking up a copy when she releases in August!! If you're like me and liked Good Spirits by B.K. Borison, you would absolutely LOVE this book. It has a similar vibe, but is a COMPLETELY fresh story ✨
Magical-realism love stories are always so much fun to read, but this one is definitely my new favorite when it comes to ghosts 🩷 You'll Be The Death of Me was fluffy, campy, and hilarious, but also hit all the tender emotional beats and punched you in the feels–which is the perfect combo imo. Plus, there was some action towards the end that had my heart racing!!
The love story between Cole and Dell was SOOO precious. Definitely 2000s romcom coded. I'm always going to love a nerdy, soft mmc and Cole was perfect 😍 I was instantly endeared to him. Dell was also so easy to root for as an fmc. I was inspired by how much confident and brazen she was. I love that they both helped each other grow with their strengths/weaknesses.
All of the side characters were also SO good (JASON AND ROBBIE APPRECIATION) 🩷
The biggest thing I appreciated about this book was how Holly Michelle WOLRD-BUILT. Seriously the best I've personally ever read with the magical-realism genre. Something that tends to be a pet-peeve of mine with these kinds of stories is just how OUT THERE they can be sometimes–which maybe is the point, but I personally like to have some level of explanation. Holly Michelle did a truly phenomenal job answering all the questions that would pop up in my brain and stayed consistent to the "rules" she built for the afterlife. Even down to simple things, like "why can Dell go through this door but not this door?" Genuinely in awe of the attention to detail 👏🏼 Of course, not EVERYTHING was explained (or it wouldn't be magic hehe) but I need to know/guess because the author did such an amazing job at world-building hat I could suspend my belief when necessary ✨
Make sure to pick this one up when it comes out!! I know I will!!
✨ Please note: I don’t rate ARCS on GoodReads. I only write reviews. I don’t want to affect star averages before pub dates. I view my job with an ARC as an opportunity to share honest feedback for prospective readers, not to categorize or score ✨
February 11, 2026
Massive thank you to Avon & NetGalley for the eARC!!
4.5 🌟
The premise of this book drew me in immediately (and the cover is really cute too, so that helped) — MMC is a soul reaper for the ‘Afterlife Administration’ and he accidentally gets the wrong girl because they happen to have the same name, but then they’re trying to fix the situation and fall in love… sign me up. The execution was SO GOOD! It took me a second to get into because it’s 3rd person and I’m used to 1st person but once I was hooked, I was flying through it. I oddly love how their love story was the focal point of the story but it wasn’t in my face the whole time. They didn’t know each other so why would they fall in love right away, right? Hehehe, I can’t say anything to spoil BUT I do wish there was a little more tension and yearning before they did wind up together.
Cole had to loosen up a bit and take more charge of his life, and Dell had to be less selfish and single-minded; they are exactly what the other needed. Often times in romance books, I can’t help but think, why are you two even together other than being attracted to each other? Do you make each other better? With these two, even in their limited time together, they made such a big impact. They quite literally changed each other’s lives. The writing was super easy to read and the characters were fully fleshed out, including our two main side characters Jason and Robbie - love them btw. I DO wish we got a little bit of final clarity for Robbie, but with the ending I’m not sure how that would’ve worked properly.
There were a few little bits and bobs throughout that I think needed a bit of plot-hole-covering (is that even a thing?) in my opinion, but that’s almost inevitable with this genre-bend. Overall, I love our characters, I love their story, and I really loved the book! This is perfect for anyone who loved ‘The Love of My Afterlife’ by Kirsty Greenwood, ‘Good Spirits’ by B.K. Borison, or ‘The Dead Romantics’ by Ashley Poston — very similar vibes.
“You are the biggest risk of my life, but I’ve never wanted anything more.” SWOON 🤍
4.5 🌟
The premise of this book drew me in immediately (and the cover is really cute too, so that helped) — MMC is a soul reaper for the ‘Afterlife Administration’ and he accidentally gets the wrong girl because they happen to have the same name, but then they’re trying to fix the situation and fall in love… sign me up. The execution was SO GOOD! It took me a second to get into because it’s 3rd person and I’m used to 1st person but once I was hooked, I was flying through it. I oddly love how their love story was the focal point of the story but it wasn’t in my face the whole time. They didn’t know each other so why would they fall in love right away, right? Hehehe, I can’t say anything to spoil BUT I do wish there was a little more tension and yearning before they did wind up together.
Cole had to loosen up a bit and take more charge of his life, and Dell had to be less selfish and single-minded; they are exactly what the other needed. Often times in romance books, I can’t help but think, why are you two even together other than being attracted to each other? Do you make each other better? With these two, even in their limited time together, they made such a big impact. They quite literally changed each other’s lives. The writing was super easy to read and the characters were fully fleshed out, including our two main side characters Jason and Robbie - love them btw. I DO wish we got a little bit of final clarity for Robbie, but with the ending I’m not sure how that would’ve worked properly.
There were a few little bits and bobs throughout that I think needed a bit of plot-hole-covering (is that even a thing?) in my opinion, but that’s almost inevitable with this genre-bend. Overall, I love our characters, I love their story, and I really loved the book! This is perfect for anyone who loved ‘The Love of My Afterlife’ by Kirsty Greenwood, ‘Good Spirits’ by B.K. Borison, or ‘The Dead Romantics’ by Ashley Poston — very similar vibes.
“You are the biggest risk of my life, but I’ve never wanted anything more.” SWOON 🤍
February 20, 2026
This is definitely a quick, enjoyable read with a unique plot and full cast of characters. I found myself engaged in the world and following along with Dell and Cole, eager to see what scenario would take footing for the solidification of their relationship.
That being said, I found the dialogue very stilted and became distracted by the lack of contractions every time someone spoke. It removed an element of characterization that would have otherwise served them well— a utilization of subtle differences in speaking patterns to give way to each person’s personality. Instead, each character tended to speak in the same style, and shifts in perspective also appeared frequently enough for me to wonder as to the validity of Dell’s narration.
While no doubt an unreliable narrator, I would have rather learned aspects of the plot along with her than have noticed planted seeds that were entirely too convenient to ignore for the development of the plot. From arbitrary mentions in dialogue to a ski accident and her allergy to walnuts, I understood immediately how these would be utilized in the “mystery” of Dell’s fatal mistakes.
Despite these concerns, I did become gripped onto her relationship with Cole and the interesting world that is the Afterlife Administration. While predictable, I still liked her and Cole’s “opposites attract” dynamic and loved their ultimate resolution.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this ARC!
That being said, I found the dialogue very stilted and became distracted by the lack of contractions every time someone spoke. It removed an element of characterization that would have otherwise served them well— a utilization of subtle differences in speaking patterns to give way to each person’s personality. Instead, each character tended to speak in the same style, and shifts in perspective also appeared frequently enough for me to wonder as to the validity of Dell’s narration.
While no doubt an unreliable narrator, I would have rather learned aspects of the plot along with her than have noticed planted seeds that were entirely too convenient to ignore for the development of the plot. From arbitrary mentions in dialogue to a ski accident and her allergy to walnuts, I understood immediately how these would be utilized in the “mystery” of Dell’s fatal mistakes.
Despite these concerns, I did become gripped onto her relationship with Cole and the interesting world that is the Afterlife Administration. While predictable, I still liked her and Cole’s “opposites attract” dynamic and loved their ultimate resolution.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this ARC!
March 16, 2026
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC**
Well to start off, the cover of this book is the sweetest thing and drew me in immediately and I’m crying at the attention to detail from the story that translated over to the cover. This was a very light hearted and cozy type of romance but as the book goes on it makes you reflect on the relationships you have with the people in your own life. I also aspire to be as good a friend as Jason was to Dell throughout the ENTIRE book. Holly Michelle had a great balance of making me laugh throughout the story and being on the verge of ugly crying (Chaucer has my heart). Also holding out hope for a possible sequel concerning two particular best friends. In closing I would die for Dell and Cole, even though that is a bit of a sore subject…
4/5 ⭐️
February 14, 2026
I went into You’ll Be the Death of Me thinking it would be a less seasonal version of BK Borison’s Good Spirits. And as someone who happily reads books and watches movies that repackage similar love stories, that was fine by me!
But beyond the shared bureaucracy of death, Holly Michelle’s take felt different.
FMC Dell wakes up dead after afterlife admin Cole accidentally transitions the wrong person. They then work together to fix the mistake, forcing Dell to confront truths about her high-achievement lifestyle and the people she surrounds herself with.
At times silly, but somehow poignant, this was a quick read and a lovely reminder to pause every once in a while to take stock of the life you’re living.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the e-ARC! All opinions are my own.
But beyond the shared bureaucracy of death, Holly Michelle’s take felt different.
FMC Dell wakes up dead after afterlife admin Cole accidentally transitions the wrong person. They then work together to fix the mistake, forcing Dell to confront truths about her high-achievement lifestyle and the people she surrounds herself with.
At times silly, but somehow poignant, this was a quick read and a lovely reminder to pause every once in a while to take stock of the life you’re living.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the e-ARC! All opinions are my own.
April 19, 2026
I initially chose this book based on the title and the description. For some reason I seem to enjoy books about friendly ghosts and redeeming wrongs - like a happier and non festive Christmas Carol.
This story follows Dell who is wrongfully selected to die. The mistake is made by Cole who then has to visit Earth and help Dell discover where she went wrong in life in the hope of reversing her mistaken death.
This book was such a fun and easy read - completed in 24 hours.
A lot of hurdles were very easily cleared with absolutely no difficulty for the main characters which is what I think made the story so easy to read.
Both the main characters are very likeable and I felt myself rooting for them all the way through.
Thank you Little Brown Book Group and Holly Michelle for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 9, 2026
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for this romantically funny ARC. I was so absorbed in this story I couldn't put this down. This had all the feelings of "Good Spirits" by B.K. Borison combined with the movie Eternity. The FMC Dell was such a powerhouse and truly a woman on a mission that could not be stopped by anyone, even by death. The MMC Cole, was the ultimate rule following sweetheart, who Dell slowly brings back to life in all senses of the word. The chemistry between the two was undeniable and I loved the journey they took throughout the book. I loved the "what if moments" and how those brought these two characters together, based off one snowy day. Any true romantic would love this read and fall in love with two people that brought one another back to life.
February 24, 2026
What a GORGEOUS cover. That alone had me making grabby hands for it.
If you're looking for a fast and short read that's cozy and sweet, this is perfect for you. This was uber cute!! Very whimsical and fluffy. It felt like reading a hallmark movie. I think my only complaint was that it was a little stiff at times, but overall the writing was great.
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me the e-arc!
If you're looking for a fast and short read that's cozy and sweet, this is perfect for you. This was uber cute!! Very whimsical and fluffy. It felt like reading a hallmark movie. I think my only complaint was that it was a little stiff at times, but overall the writing was great.
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me the e-arc!
Want to Read
April 2, 2026I need more Afterlife romances. Any romances that has a life and death scenario in it and I’m in! Requesting this ARC
March 23, 2026
this book was super cute and light hearted. Big fan of both the FMC and MMC. It was cute and touching.
Thanks NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!
Thanks NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!
tbr-netgalley
February 20, 2026First, that cover? Gorgeous.
Second? This was such a fun, wholesome romance. I was hooked on the plot and characters from beginning to end. Cole is an overworked Afterlife Clerk who makes the world’s worst workplace mistake, reaping the wrong soul (aka Dell). No pressure, just a tiny cosmic error. Watching Cole and Dell run around as ghost-and-reaper trying to undo his blunder was such a good time. Their banter is fun, their chemistry is so sweet, and I loved the opposites-attract vibes. If you're looking for a fun plot, swoon worthy moments, and full of charm - pick this up!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Avon and Harper Voyager team for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Second? This was such a fun, wholesome romance. I was hooked on the plot and characters from beginning to end. Cole is an overworked Afterlife Clerk who makes the world’s worst workplace mistake, reaping the wrong soul (aka Dell). No pressure, just a tiny cosmic error. Watching Cole and Dell run around as ghost-and-reaper trying to undo his blunder was such a good time. Their banter is fun, their chemistry is so sweet, and I loved the opposites-attract vibes. If you're looking for a fun plot, swoon worthy moments, and full of charm - pick this up!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Avon and Harper Voyager team for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2026
Thank you so much to Holly Michelle, NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for access to this ARC. This is an open and honest review.
"In everything that had gone wrong, kissing him felt supremely right."
Cole lives a peaceful but mundane (after)life working at the Afterlife Administration, assigning souls to their placements as they leave the worldly plain. He patiently bides his time, waiting for the day his own case is settled and he's released from purgatory, only to make the terrible mistake of reaping the wrong soul. Instead of moving on elderly woman who had lived a full life, Cole ends the life of the younger and inspiring chef Verdella Rogers with the press of a button. Horrified by his mistake, Cole finds his way back to the world of the living to help Dell in her search to return to her body before its too late to (literally) save her soul. And if doing that requires breaking a few rules along the way? Well, Cole quickly discovers there's very little he wouldn't do to make Dell smile.
You'll Be the Death of Me is easily a 4.5/5 star read for me! Dell's intensely persistent and occasionally reckless personality made for such a fun and chaotic read. Combined with Cole's timid and softer personality, the two make an adorable couple that I was rooting for from the first page. Something about the setting and the familiar warmth in their interactions reminded me of those formulaic rom-coms that were released in the early and mid 2000's. A misguided by strong willed female lead, a handsome and gentle male suitor, and an atmospheric love story that transcends time and space itself. A very cozy read, all in all!
The side characters were quite lovable as well. Jason cracked me up so many times with his off-handed comments and commitment to doing whatever it took to help Dell's ghost. Even the villain(s) of the story were satisfyingly motivated. I wish the ending hadn't felt so rushed after a relatively late climax to the story. A lot of time was spent building up to the big reveal, but the fall out of that revelation wasn't quite as fleshed out. Despite that, I adored the notion of a rulebook for the afterlife that acts as a foundation for the story.
Still, for readers who love ghost romance stories, or just bright and hopeful romance in general, this is a fantastic read. I'll definitely be picking up my own copy!
"In everything that had gone wrong, kissing him felt supremely right."
Cole lives a peaceful but mundane (after)life working at the Afterlife Administration, assigning souls to their placements as they leave the worldly plain. He patiently bides his time, waiting for the day his own case is settled and he's released from purgatory, only to make the terrible mistake of reaping the wrong soul. Instead of moving on elderly woman who had lived a full life, Cole ends the life of the younger and inspiring chef Verdella Rogers with the press of a button. Horrified by his mistake, Cole finds his way back to the world of the living to help Dell in her search to return to her body before its too late to (literally) save her soul. And if doing that requires breaking a few rules along the way? Well, Cole quickly discovers there's very little he wouldn't do to make Dell smile.
You'll Be the Death of Me is easily a 4.5/5 star read for me! Dell's intensely persistent and occasionally reckless personality made for such a fun and chaotic read. Combined with Cole's timid and softer personality, the two make an adorable couple that I was rooting for from the first page. Something about the setting and the familiar warmth in their interactions reminded me of those formulaic rom-coms that were released in the early and mid 2000's. A misguided by strong willed female lead, a handsome and gentle male suitor, and an atmospheric love story that transcends time and space itself. A very cozy read, all in all!
The side characters were quite lovable as well. Jason cracked me up so many times with his off-handed comments and commitment to doing whatever it took to help Dell's ghost. Even the villain(s) of the story were satisfyingly motivated. I wish the ending hadn't felt so rushed after a relatively late climax to the story. A lot of time was spent building up to the big reveal, but the fall out of that revelation wasn't quite as fleshed out. Despite that, I adored the notion of a rulebook for the afterlife that acts as a foundation for the story.
Still, for readers who love ghost romance stories, or just bright and hopeful romance in general, this is a fantastic read. I'll definitely be picking up my own copy!
February 5, 2026
You’ll Be the Death of Me was a fun, short and sweet romcom that was delightful to read. I give it a 4/5 stars.
Cole Lewis, overworked Afterlife Clerk who’s in charge of reaping souls for the Afterlife Administration, makes his work complicated after accidentally reaping the wrong Verdella Rodgers. He’s determined to right his wrong and then get back to work. Cole was a nerdy, passive, follow the rules, character who was lovable. Verdella “Dell” Rodgers was his exact opposite. She was a badass type A, ultra-competitive, take charge and stubborn woman who is intent on making sure she achieves each and every goal set for herself. They couldn’t have been more different from each other and yet they fit with each other so effortlessly.
The journey they go on to fix Cole’s mishap was so entertaining. They uncover some hard truths about themselves all while going through a few unorthodox events. I mean, how sweet is it that they both work together to “haunt” someone (who totally deserves every bit of it by the way)??
The last 15% of the book was so entertaining and I could not stop reading. I just had to find out how and/or if they were even gonna get their happily ever after.
My one gripe about the book was I felt like there wasn’t enough romance overall. It had enough but I think there could have definitely been more. I think it was obvious there were feelings for each other from when they first meet but because the time span in the book was short, we didn’t even get to experience something simple like a first date.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading You’ll be The Death of Me. This book was different and lighthearted. It was easy to read and able to keep my attention throughout. It had romantic moments, emotional moments and a lot of comical moments. I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun, easy and unique romcom to read.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Cole Lewis, overworked Afterlife Clerk who’s in charge of reaping souls for the Afterlife Administration, makes his work complicated after accidentally reaping the wrong Verdella Rodgers. He’s determined to right his wrong and then get back to work. Cole was a nerdy, passive, follow the rules, character who was lovable. Verdella “Dell” Rodgers was his exact opposite. She was a badass type A, ultra-competitive, take charge and stubborn woman who is intent on making sure she achieves each and every goal set for herself. They couldn’t have been more different from each other and yet they fit with each other so effortlessly.
The journey they go on to fix Cole’s mishap was so entertaining. They uncover some hard truths about themselves all while going through a few unorthodox events. I mean, how sweet is it that they both work together to “haunt” someone (who totally deserves every bit of it by the way)??
The last 15% of the book was so entertaining and I could not stop reading. I just had to find out how and/or if they were even gonna get their happily ever after.
My one gripe about the book was I felt like there wasn’t enough romance overall. It had enough but I think there could have definitely been more. I think it was obvious there were feelings for each other from when they first meet but because the time span in the book was short, we didn’t even get to experience something simple like a first date.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading You’ll be The Death of Me. This book was different and lighthearted. It was easy to read and able to keep my attention throughout. It had romantic moments, emotional moments and a lot of comical moments. I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun, easy and unique romcom to read.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise hooked me immediately, Dell waking up dead a week before her wedding because of an administrative mix-up in the Afterlife Administration is such a strong, slightly absurd starting point. The ghost-in-San-Francisco setup and the celestial bureaucracy gave the story a light, whimsical tone that carried it through.
That said, I didn’t love that it wasn’t written in first-person POV. I tend to prefer the intimacy of first person in romance, and here I sometimes felt a bit removed from the characters’ emotions. The more cinematic narrative style works with the concept, but I personally would have connected more deeply with Dell and Cole in first person.
Dell’s journey from tightly controlled perfection to questioning what she actually wants was satisfying to watch unfold especially as she starts to see cracks in her seemingly ideal relationship. Cole, the slightly bumbling afterlife clerk with no memory of his past, brings a softer energy to the story. Their dynamic develops gradually, and the romance feels sweet and earned rather than overly dramatic. The light mystery surrounding his past adds just enough intrigue without overpowering the rom-com feel.
If you enjoyed Good Spirits by B.K. Borison, this is definitely in the same vein, magical twist, emotional growth, and a gentle, character-driven romance.
Thank you NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for this ARC!
That said, I didn’t love that it wasn’t written in first-person POV. I tend to prefer the intimacy of first person in romance, and here I sometimes felt a bit removed from the characters’ emotions. The more cinematic narrative style works with the concept, but I personally would have connected more deeply with Dell and Cole in first person.
Dell’s journey from tightly controlled perfection to questioning what she actually wants was satisfying to watch unfold especially as she starts to see cracks in her seemingly ideal relationship. Cole, the slightly bumbling afterlife clerk with no memory of his past, brings a softer energy to the story. Their dynamic develops gradually, and the romance feels sweet and earned rather than overly dramatic. The light mystery surrounding his past adds just enough intrigue without overpowering the rom-com feel.
If you enjoyed Good Spirits by B.K. Borison, this is definitely in the same vein, magical twist, emotional growth, and a gentle, character-driven romance.
Thank you NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for this ARC!
March 10, 2026
This was a treat! I was struggling again in the first half…and I think it was the third person POV (sometimes it just simply doesn’t work for me) and I think instead of just reading and experiencing the story I was trying to figure out where it was going?! It was lacking in the romance for a while which MAKES SENSE once I got to the romance!! It was written so well!! Everything was complicated and chaotic and SO well thought out!!! I just was trying to figure out where the romance was going to be, what was happening, I wanted something!!!
And do not worry the something DID happen! It was so worth the wait too! I don’t even want to say too much bc I don’t want to ruin anything. But I reaaaaaaally loved Cole and Dell! They were just SO GOOD for each other!!!
And a moment for the COVER!!! It’s PERFECT!!! And I’m so happy I was drawn in by it so I could read this!
Thanks to Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
And do not worry the something DID happen! It was so worth the wait too! I don’t even want to say too much bc I don’t want to ruin anything. But I reaaaaaaally loved Cole and Dell! They were just SO GOOD for each other!!!
And a moment for the COVER!!! It’s PERFECT!!! And I’m so happy I was drawn in by it so I could read this!
Thanks to Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
April 6, 2026
Oh my god, I loved it. Truly. Couldn’t put it down. I saw it described as The Good Place meets The Dead Romantics and when you mention 2 of my favorite things, there is no way it’s not going to hit.
This is one of those books that sucks you in immediately. I can see the movie playing out in my brain from the first scene. I’m already casting Dell and Tommy, Jason and Mariana. And then you have Cole. My sweet sweet cinnamon roll, risk-averse, play-by-the-rules Cole. It’s impossible to not immediately fall for Cole.
Magical realism is such a fun genre to read and this book really makes you think about how you choose to live life. How the decisions we make every day influence everything around us. And how important it is to not live with blinders up with a one track mind because that sole focus means you might be missing out on a lot of joy.
Huge thanks to Avon for this early copy! I will continue to tell you to add this one to your TBR. It’s worth the wait for August!!
This is one of those books that sucks you in immediately. I can see the movie playing out in my brain from the first scene. I’m already casting Dell and Tommy, Jason and Mariana. And then you have Cole. My sweet sweet cinnamon roll, risk-averse, play-by-the-rules Cole. It’s impossible to not immediately fall for Cole.
Magical realism is such a fun genre to read and this book really makes you think about how you choose to live life. How the decisions we make every day influence everything around us. And how important it is to not live with blinders up with a one track mind because that sole focus means you might be missing out on a lot of joy.
Huge thanks to Avon for this early copy! I will continue to tell you to add this one to your TBR. It’s worth the wait for August!!
February 26, 2026
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me an arc in exchange for my honest review!
the end of this book was almost bittersweet, and it helped me come to terms with what i feel like this story was about.
small and what can seem minuscule choices can change our lives in so many different ways. it can be something as simple as trying to force yourself into a box like dell or to just go through the motions like cole.
books like these really help me believe in soulmates, because regardless of what choices you make you somehow always end up with the one you were meant to.
minus the ghosts and the D.A.D. 🤭
if you’re looking for an enticing read with ghosts and administrative workers from the afterlife (kind of like beetlejuice almost if you catch my drift) this is the book for you.
the end of this book was almost bittersweet, and it helped me come to terms with what i feel like this story was about.
small and what can seem minuscule choices can change our lives in so many different ways. it can be something as simple as trying to force yourself into a box like dell or to just go through the motions like cole.
books like these really help me believe in soulmates, because regardless of what choices you make you somehow always end up with the one you were meant to.
minus the ghosts and the D.A.D. 🤭
if you’re looking for an enticing read with ghosts and administrative workers from the afterlife (kind of like beetlejuice almost if you catch my drift) this is the book for you.
May 19, 2026
This is the very definition of a whimsical romance. I’ve been really into ghost magical realism romances lately and this might be my favorite! It was jam packed with angst, funny moments and hauntings 👀
Dell thinks everything’s going to plan. She’s getting married in a week and has her dream business/career. Until one day she wakes up no longer in her body. She must team up with Cole, an after life administration clerk, to find a wrong she made in her past. Only this wrong will make all things right and bring her back to life.
This was such an interesting premise! It had amazing characters and so much emotion and depth. I definitely recommend picking this up! I can’t wait to see what else Holly Michelle will put out in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review!
Dell thinks everything’s going to plan. She’s getting married in a week and has her dream business/career. Until one day she wakes up no longer in her body. She must team up with Cole, an after life administration clerk, to find a wrong she made in her past. Only this wrong will make all things right and bring her back to life.
This was such an interesting premise! It had amazing characters and so much emotion and depth. I definitely recommend picking this up! I can’t wait to see what else Holly Michelle will put out in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review!
March 20, 2026
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an eARC.
This book is everything. The premise is an absolute 10/10! Cole, a ghost working in the Afterlife Administration, has accidentally transitioned the wrong Verdella. Verdella, now also a ghost has to work with Cole to fix the wrong in her life so she can go back to living (and no longer be a ghost).
This was such a fun and quick read and I absolutely adored it. The characters, including supporting characters, were fun and the story came together in such a great way. This is a must read! 5⭐️
This book is everything. The premise is an absolute 10/10! Cole, a ghost working in the Afterlife Administration, has accidentally transitioned the wrong Verdella. Verdella, now also a ghost has to work with Cole to fix the wrong in her life so she can go back to living (and no longer be a ghost).
This was such a fun and quick read and I absolutely adored it. The characters, including supporting characters, were fun and the story came together in such a great way. This is a must read! 5⭐️
Did Not Finish
March 31, 2026no thanks actually
Want to Read
April 16, 2026Okay but I'm obsessed with this cover
May 3, 2026
✈️ Read this book if you want to travel to the place you go after death (with a lot of modern-day Boston mixed in)! ✈️
For fans of B.K. Borison’s Good Tidings, this book combines the search for personal truth, unexpected love, and ghosts. This book was such a pleasant surprise! I found the people-pleasing FMC relatable and realistic. The nerdy, awkward MMC was a refreshing change from the typical broody, muscled, classically handsome males in romance novels.
Definitely pick this one up if you want to laugh, cringe a little, and find out what happens when someone’s life prematurely ends due to a clerical mix-up!
For fans of B.K. Borison’s Good Tidings, this book combines the search for personal truth, unexpected love, and ghosts. This book was such a pleasant surprise! I found the people-pleasing FMC relatable and realistic. The nerdy, awkward MMC was a refreshing change from the typical broody, muscled, classically handsome males in romance novels.
Definitely pick this one up if you want to laugh, cringe a little, and find out what happens when someone’s life prematurely ends due to a clerical mix-up!
March 31, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a very light-hearted and cozy read. It was fast-paced, the plot was intriguing and I was really curious about how it would pan out, and I loved the progression of the connection between the two MCs. Even though they didn't spend a lot of time together, it felt like a very natural build. I really loved the world building, and think the corporate afterlife was really interesting. The book is also full of really sweet, tender moments between the more action-packed scenes, and they were all really nice. I was invested in the MCs, and there were some great supporting characters as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and it's exactly right if you're looking for an easy-going, cozy romance. It's basically a Hallmark book, and I mean that in the best way possible.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a very light-hearted and cozy read. It was fast-paced, the plot was intriguing and I was really curious about how it would pan out, and I loved the progression of the connection between the two MCs. Even though they didn't spend a lot of time together, it felt like a very natural build. I really loved the world building, and think the corporate afterlife was really interesting. The book is also full of really sweet, tender moments between the more action-packed scenes, and they were all really nice. I was invested in the MCs, and there were some great supporting characters as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and it's exactly right if you're looking for an easy-going, cozy romance. It's basically a Hallmark book, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews