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You'll Be the Death of Me
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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
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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)
July 30, 2026
AHHHHH This was so adorably perfect and swoony and FUN!
If you liked the movie Just Like Heaven, you MUST read this!
This was laugh out loud funny and a bit outrageous (complementary).
I’m obsessed with the concept and storyline and it was executed perfectly.
Audio Narration: 5/5
Narrator:
Length: 10 hrs 12 mins
Style: Single narration
Thoughts: Just call me a Kelli Tager fan! This is my second audiobook narrated by her and it won’t be my last! She does absolutely phenomenal voices for the male parts and her inflection and style really bring the book to life. Absolutely nothing negative to note. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more books narrated by her! !
5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
If you liked the movie Just Like Heaven, you MUST read this!
This was laugh out loud funny and a bit outrageous (complementary).
I’m obsessed with the concept and storyline and it was executed perfectly.
Audio Narration: 5/5
Narrator:
Length: 10 hrs 12 mins
Style: Single narration
Thoughts: Just call me a Kelli Tager fan! This is my second audiobook narrated by her and it won’t be my last! She does absolutely phenomenal voices for the male parts and her inflection and style really bring the book to life. Absolutely nothing negative to note. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more books narrated by her! !
5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
I absolutely adore the paranormal, so I rushed to get this book. But right from the start, I was either bored or just irritated by certain moments. I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters. The chemistry and the romance felt nonexistent and honestly unnecessary; even as it developed later on, the love story just felt forced and dry to me.
I really disliked how the fmc forced her way into someone else's body, completely ignoring the word 'no.' It felt unethical and just wrong. The second time she did it, she only decided to negotiate after the person pushed back (which isn't surprising). It left me with so many questions about why she didn't look for another way, but she clearly has zero patience. And then possessing a woman’s body just to eat? Great, she apologized, but that didn't make me like her any better.
As for the mmc, I figured out who he was instantly—there was absolutely no shock value or mystery for me.
The book isn't terrible, and I was curious about how it would end (which was the only thing keeping me going). I decided to finish it simply because it’s short and an easy read.
I absolutely adore the paranormal, so I rushed to get this book. But right from the start, I was either bored or just irritated by certain moments. I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters. The chemistry and the romance felt nonexistent and honestly unnecessary; even as it developed later on, the love story just felt forced and dry to me.
I really disliked how the fmc forced her way into someone else's body, completely ignoring the word 'no.' It felt unethical and just wrong. The second time she did it, she only decided to negotiate after the person pushed back (which isn't surprising). It left me with so many questions about why she didn't look for another way, but she clearly has zero patience. And then possessing a woman’s body just to eat? Great, she apologized, but that didn't make me like her any better.
As for the mmc, I figured out who he was instantly—there was absolutely no shock value or mystery for me.
The book isn't terrible, and I was curious about how it would end (which was the only thing keeping me going). I decided to finish it simply because it’s short and an easy read.
April 9, 2026
This was actually amazing. I want this book to be injected into my veins forever.
July 30, 2026
Read this in one sitting so it gets an auto 5 stars
this was ADORABLE
- hot ghost (our MMC) working in the corporate afterlife, aiding people’s transitions from Earth to After, accidentally takes the wrong Dell (our FMC)
- he bargains for a chance to make it right & send her back to earth
- hijinks ensue
if you enjoyed Love of my Afterlife - this has a very similar vibe
fast paced. adorable. highly recommend.
this was ADORABLE
- hot ghost (our MMC) working in the corporate afterlife, aiding people’s transitions from Earth to After, accidentally takes the wrong Dell (our FMC)
- he bargains for a chance to make it right & send her back to earth
- hijinks ensue
if you enjoyed Love of my Afterlife - this has a very similar vibe
fast paced. adorable. highly recommend.
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.
July 6, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! It feels like the perfect mix of B.K. Borison's Good Spirits and the movie Just Like Heaven—exactly the kind of romance paranormal realism I adore.
Della and Cole - 🩶 them; I loved how he acts as her perfect opposite. As a naturally suspicious reader, I was worried everyone in Della’s life—from Mariana to Tommy and Jason—was trying to screw her over. Thankfully, I was wrong about most of them! I can’t help that I am a naturally suspicious reader!
I love that Chaucer could sense/see/feel the spirits and was so cute. In fact all of the stuff at Cole’s family home was incredible warm and feeling.
I loved the ending and people still getting what was deserved. The only thing was, there were some people that helped Della and Cole along the way that were not included in the ending, it would have been nice to see that they were still part of Della’s life and their efforts were appreciated. But that is me liking everything in a neat box. But still a 5⭐️ book.
Della and Cole - 🩶 them; I loved how he acts as her perfect opposite. As a naturally suspicious reader, I was worried everyone in Della’s life—from Mariana to Tommy and Jason—was trying to screw her over. Thankfully, I was wrong about most of them! I can’t help that I am a naturally suspicious reader!
I love that Chaucer could sense/see/feel the spirits and was so cute. In fact all of the stuff at Cole’s family home was incredible warm and feeling.
I loved the ending and people still getting what was deserved. The only thing was, there were some people that helped Della and Cole along the way that were not included in the ending, it would have been nice to see that they were still part of Della’s life and their efforts were appreciated. But that is me liking everything in a neat box. But still a 5⭐️ book.
July 29, 2026
This is by far my favorite read of the summer! It was such a captivating story that kept me HOOKED. It was lighthearted, funny, and cute. If you're into romcom's, or not sure where to start, START HERE. You will not be disappointed, I promise.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this book BLIND! Truly I picked it because I loved the cover! It just beautiful book cover but boy oh boy was I surprised with the books theme in this book! I mean accidental death, wild murder plot, ghost/angels, body snatching and of course LOVE! I had so much reading this one it truly was cute and funny and a wild ride!!
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 🤍
July 21, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Holly Michelle for the ARC of You'll Be the Death of Me!
Also, thank you to HarperAudio Adult for the ALC! This audiobook was narrated by Kelli Tager.
This book follows Dell, who seems to have everything going for her: she's a successful chef in San Francisco with her own restaurant, she's engaged to the mayor's son, and she comes from a well-off family. That is, until she wakes up dead one morning and finds herself paired with a ghost named Cole, who accidentally claimed the wrong soul and caused her untimely death. Sent by the Afterlife to fix his mistake, Cole must also help Dell figure out where her life may have taken a wrong turn. This unlikely pair has to work together to correct Cole's mistake and, hopefully, give Dell a second chance at life.
This was such a hilarious journey featuring a type-A, takes-no-crap FMC and a shy, rule-following MMC. Their reluctant-allies dynamic slowly grows into something more, making for a sweet, slow-burn romance.
I will say that some parts of the story were a little predictable, but that didn't take away from the fun. Between the laugh-out-loud moments, the heartfelt romance, and the satisfying happily-ever-after, I had a great time with this one. If you're looking for a paranormal romance with a touch of magical realism, this is definitely worth picking up.
Kelli Tager also did a fantastic job with the audiobook. Even as a single narrator, she gave each character a distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and bringing the story to life.
Overall, this was a fun and heartwarming read with plenty of humor, lovable characters, and just the right amount of romance. If you enjoy quirky paranormal rom-coms with a slow-burn love story, I'd definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.
Also, thank you to HarperAudio Adult for the ALC! This audiobook was narrated by Kelli Tager.
This book follows Dell, who seems to have everything going for her: she's a successful chef in San Francisco with her own restaurant, she's engaged to the mayor's son, and she comes from a well-off family. That is, until she wakes up dead one morning and finds herself paired with a ghost named Cole, who accidentally claimed the wrong soul and caused her untimely death. Sent by the Afterlife to fix his mistake, Cole must also help Dell figure out where her life may have taken a wrong turn. This unlikely pair has to work together to correct Cole's mistake and, hopefully, give Dell a second chance at life.
This was such a hilarious journey featuring a type-A, takes-no-crap FMC and a shy, rule-following MMC. Their reluctant-allies dynamic slowly grows into something more, making for a sweet, slow-burn romance.
I will say that some parts of the story were a little predictable, but that didn't take away from the fun. Between the laugh-out-loud moments, the heartfelt romance, and the satisfying happily-ever-after, I had a great time with this one. If you're looking for a paranormal romance with a touch of magical realism, this is definitely worth picking up.
Kelli Tager also did a fantastic job with the audiobook. Even as a single narrator, she gave each character a distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and bringing the story to life.
Overall, this was a fun and heartwarming read with plenty of humor, lovable characters, and just the right amount of romance. If you enjoy quirky paranormal rom-coms with a slow-burn love story, I'd definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What to Expect:
Magic Realism
Second Chance vibes
Paranormal Romance
Forced Proximity
I was suckered into the cover (it's stunning!) and while I was interested in the concept of the romance, I don't feel like I connected with the storyline or the characters. But there will be people who will eat this book up like candy.
When Dell is accidently chosen to move into the afterlife by Cole, they have to team up to unravel and try to correct the mistake. Along the way, they have several mysteries to solve, including a murder plot and a chance meeting neither of them were expecting.
Again, the concept was very interesting and I went into the story wanting to love the book, but I struggled with a couple of things. First it felt like the book moved way to fast. The characters only had a couple of days to find out the truth so they seemed to be constantly moving and bouncing from event to event and it felt like it was too much too quick. Additionally I did not feel like I connected with either character. While Dell does grow, she starts as a very self-involved character and I struggled to connect with her. And Cole, I don't feel like I was able to learn much about him beyond that he was shy and not assertive. Lastly I struggled with the idea that they would retain all the memories of what they experienced, especially for Cole.
This book will be great for the right audience. Unfortunately it did not connect with me. Thank you so much to Holly, Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the early copy of You'll Be the Death of Me.
Magic Realism
Second Chance vibes
Paranormal Romance
Forced Proximity
I was suckered into the cover (it's stunning!) and while I was interested in the concept of the romance, I don't feel like I connected with the storyline or the characters. But there will be people who will eat this book up like candy.
When Dell is accidently chosen to move into the afterlife by Cole, they have to team up to unravel and try to correct the mistake. Along the way, they have several mysteries to solve, including a murder plot and a chance meeting neither of them were expecting.
Again, the concept was very interesting and I went into the story wanting to love the book, but I struggled with a couple of things. First it felt like the book moved way to fast. The characters only had a couple of days to find out the truth so they seemed to be constantly moving and bouncing from event to event and it felt like it was too much too quick. Additionally I did not feel like I connected with either character. While Dell does grow, she starts as a very self-involved character and I struggled to connect with her. And Cole, I don't feel like I was able to learn much about him beyond that he was shy and not assertive. Lastly I struggled with the idea that they would retain all the memories of what they experienced, especially for Cole.
This book will be great for the right audience. Unfortunately it did not connect with me. Thank you so much to Holly, Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the early copy of You'll Be the Death of Me.
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!
July 17, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC!!
This one hooked me pretty quickly. The mystery kept me guessing, and I had a lot of fun trying to piece everything together alongside the characters. Holly Michelle does a great job balancing the suspense with the character relationships, so it never felt like it was all plot and no heart. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something else would happen that made me second-guess myself.
I also really enjoyed the cast of characters. They all felt different enough that I stayed invested in what happened to each of them, and their friendships and dynamics made the story feel more grounded. There were a few moments where I wanted a little more tension and a couple of reveals felt a bit convenient, but it never took away from how entertaining the book was overall.
The audiobook was easy to listen to and kept the story moving at a great pace. The narrators did a great job, it really felt like the characters were written for them.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mystery that kept me engaged from start to finish. If you’re looking for a fast-paced read with twists, memorable characters, and enough suspense to keep you turning the pages, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC!!
This one hooked me pretty quickly. The mystery kept me guessing, and I had a lot of fun trying to piece everything together alongside the characters. Holly Michelle does a great job balancing the suspense with the character relationships, so it never felt like it was all plot and no heart. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something else would happen that made me second-guess myself.
I also really enjoyed the cast of characters. They all felt different enough that I stayed invested in what happened to each of them, and their friendships and dynamics made the story feel more grounded. There were a few moments where I wanted a little more tension and a couple of reveals felt a bit convenient, but it never took away from how entertaining the book was overall.
The audiobook was easy to listen to and kept the story moving at a great pace. The narrators did a great job, it really felt like the characters were written for them.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mystery that kept me engaged from start to finish. If you’re looking for a fast-paced read with twists, memorable characters, and enough suspense to keep you turning the pages, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
July 24, 2026
2.5 ⭐️ rounded up
This one sadly fell flat for me which is such a bummer because this cover is GORGEOUS and I loved the last book I read by this author. There were a few things that bothered me. First of all, Dell really bothered me. I’m all for a fiercely independent FMC, but she carelessly makes choices with ZERO context or knowledge, and refuses to back down. She does not care one iota how her actions affect others, specifically Cole. Secondly, we know almost nothing about Cole until around the 75% mark. At this point, we are so far into the story with only information about one main character that the relationship felt so shallow and rushed.
(Slightly not super spoilery below)
These two were professing their undying (pun intended) love for one another after knowing each other for ONE DAY. One. Day. I think she was maybe going for fated mates here but still, this just did not jive with me at all.
Anyway, it was still a cute paranormal romance but sadly the things I didn’t like piled up by the end.
This one sadly fell flat for me which is such a bummer because this cover is GORGEOUS and I loved the last book I read by this author. There were a few things that bothered me. First of all, Dell really bothered me. I’m all for a fiercely independent FMC, but she carelessly makes choices with ZERO context or knowledge, and refuses to back down. She does not care one iota how her actions affect others, specifically Cole. Secondly, we know almost nothing about Cole until around the 75% mark. At this point, we are so far into the story with only information about one main character that the relationship felt so shallow and rushed.
(Slightly not super spoilery below)
These two were professing their undying (pun intended) love for one another after knowing each other for ONE DAY. One. Day. I think she was maybe going for fated mates here but still, this just did not jive with me at all.
Anyway, it was still a cute paranormal romance but sadly the things I didn’t like piled up by the end.
July 17, 2026
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
A sweet paranormal romance perfect for readers looking for an easy, fast-paced story with side characters that shine and an unexpected ending that makes you want more.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3.25 ⭐
2 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
He looks like a poetry professor had a love child with a Jane Austin hero.
"Maybe we should add 'has masochistic tendencies toward overachieving' to our wrong-turn list."
"No one would be happy to lose you from their life."
"You're the type of beauty people write poems about."
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
When high-flying chef Dell’s soul is accidentally reaped by entry-level clerk Cole days before her wedding, she’s stuck in limbo. Visible only to Cole, they team up, but the longer she spends outside her life, the less she wants to return...
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
2️⃣ Second Chance Romance
🔗 Forced Proximity
💘 Insta-Love
🧲 Opposites Attract
👤 Who-Dunnit Mystery
🕰️ Time Travel (ish)
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
💔 Infidelity (not MCs)
🩸 Attempted Murder
🪦 Death + Grief
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Cool Concept
+ Interesting Side Characters
+ Sweet Moments
+ Surprising Ending
+ Easy Read
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Faster Pacing
- MCs felt a little Flat (he was too tropey, she was too perfect)
- Not enough Conflict
- Rushed Emotional Journey
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me!
Personally, I enjoy a slower burn with more expansion on a story and it's characters but the page count meant this was on the more fast-paced side. The timeline of the story only covers 3 days and within that, Dell dies, realises she doesn't love her husband to be (amongst other things) and manages to fall for the ghost that condemned her to this half-life.
Speaking of Cole, he felt like a walking character trope in the first half of the book. He's supposed to be a goody-two-shoes rule follower, but all he ever says is that they can't do anything against the rule book and doesn't really expand on why he's that way until much later. It was very rinse and repeat between Dell asking to do something, Cole saying they can't, and Dell doing it anyway.
Dell somehow has this innate strength which means she's perfect at being a ghost from the jump. She seems to always know exactly what to do even when the rug's pulled out from underneath her, and she breezed past most of the conflicts (term used loosely as despite the overarching threat of permanently being dead, this is a pretty low-stakes book).
However, that's not to say there wasn't anything I enjoyed. I loved the premise of this story, especially all the magical things ghosts have access to! I really enjoyed anything with Robbie in it (I would've loved to have seen more of him, or even experience some chapters from his POV!), and there were some super sweet moments with family grieving loved ones.
I also thought the ending was a surprise! I didn't know how it was going to play out, despite having suspicions about one particular twist a bit earlier on. It was a fun, easy read that had a cool concept but didn't really nail the execution for me!
Thank you to Holly Michelle and Little Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A sweet paranormal romance perfect for readers looking for an easy, fast-paced story with side characters that shine and an unexpected ending that makes you want more.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3.25 ⭐
2 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
He looks like a poetry professor had a love child with a Jane Austin hero.
"Maybe we should add 'has masochistic tendencies toward overachieving' to our wrong-turn list."
"No one would be happy to lose you from their life."
"You're the type of beauty people write poems about."
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
When high-flying chef Dell’s soul is accidentally reaped by entry-level clerk Cole days before her wedding, she’s stuck in limbo. Visible only to Cole, they team up, but the longer she spends outside her life, the less she wants to return...
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
2️⃣ Second Chance Romance
🔗 Forced Proximity
💘 Insta-Love
🧲 Opposites Attract
👤 Who-Dunnit Mystery
🕰️ Time Travel (ish)
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
💔 Infidelity (not MCs)
🩸 Attempted Murder
🪦 Death + Grief
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Cool Concept
+ Interesting Side Characters
+ Sweet Moments
+ Surprising Ending
+ Easy Read
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Faster Pacing
- MCs felt a little Flat (he was too tropey, she was too perfect)
- Not enough Conflict
- Rushed Emotional Journey
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me!
Personally, I enjoy a slower burn with more expansion on a story and it's characters but the page count meant this was on the more fast-paced side. The timeline of the story only covers 3 days and within that, Dell dies, realises she doesn't love her husband to be (amongst other things) and manages to fall for the ghost that condemned her to this half-life.
Speaking of Cole, he felt like a walking character trope in the first half of the book. He's supposed to be a goody-two-shoes rule follower, but all he ever says is that they can't do anything against the rule book and doesn't really expand on why he's that way until much later. It was very rinse and repeat between Dell asking to do something, Cole saying they can't, and Dell doing it anyway.
Dell somehow has this innate strength which means she's perfect at being a ghost from the jump. She seems to always know exactly what to do even when the rug's pulled out from underneath her, and she breezed past most of the conflicts (term used loosely as despite the overarching threat of permanently being dead, this is a pretty low-stakes book).
However, that's not to say there wasn't anything I enjoyed. I loved the premise of this story, especially all the magical things ghosts have access to! I really enjoyed anything with Robbie in it (I would've loved to have seen more of him, or even experience some chapters from his POV!), and there were some super sweet moments with family grieving loved ones.
I also thought the ending was a surprise! I didn't know how it was going to play out, despite having suspicions about one particular twist a bit earlier on. It was a fun, easy read that had a cool concept but didn't really nail the execution for me!
Thank you to Holly Michelle and Little Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Did Not Finish
July 19, 2026Firstly, thank you to Avon and Holly for the advanced copy. All options are my own.
I usually never mind the pov, first or third if the story is good I’m in, but in this particular book? I was bothered from jump.
Perhaps Verdella would have been less insufferable truly seeing and feeling all her thoughts with “I” statements rather than just reading about how “Dell didn’t mean to cut him off”…
I found that what was intended as “quirky” came off as rude. Dell couldn’t identify her brothers because they are twins, she couldn’t stop saying how “bussy” she was and her type A vibe was, in my opinion, narcissistic with a side of “please exclusively my parents” attitude. Also, I understand the story is about her, her accidental death and how her life was not everything she believed, but if it’s a romance I want for both characters to have relevance, not to feel like I’m watching a one-woman-show.
Cole felt like a plot device rather than a character. He was the one that started the mess, made things happen to move the mess and then help solve the mess…all the while he had no memories which made him as flat as cardboard.
And while I’ll believe anything, two days…truly two days? Couldn’t we have given a week? Maybe a “I knew her” moment or something to aid the reader belive in the connection between these two?
This premise was truly intriguing but I was let down by the execution.
I usually never mind the pov, first or third if the story is good I’m in, but in this particular book? I was bothered from jump.
Perhaps Verdella would have been less insufferable truly seeing and feeling all her thoughts with “I” statements rather than just reading about how “Dell didn’t mean to cut him off”…
I found that what was intended as “quirky” came off as rude. Dell couldn’t identify her brothers because they are twins, she couldn’t stop saying how “bussy” she was and her type A vibe was, in my opinion, narcissistic with a side of “please exclusively my parents” attitude. Also, I understand the story is about her, her accidental death and how her life was not everything she believed, but if it’s a romance I want for both characters to have relevance, not to feel like I’m watching a one-woman-show.
Cole felt like a plot device rather than a character. He was the one that started the mess, made things happen to move the mess and then help solve the mess…all the while he had no memories which made him as flat as cardboard.
And while I’ll believe anything, two days…truly two days? Couldn’t we have given a week? Maybe a “I knew her” moment or something to aid the reader belive in the connection between these two?
This premise was truly intriguing but I was let down by the execution.
May 30, 2026
5⭐️
This book was such a refreshing read! From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and genuinely never felt bored once. The story perfectly balances romance, humor, mystery, and a touch of heartbreak, making it impossible to put down.
Dell and Cole were such lovable characters. Dell’s journey of discovering that her seemingly perfect life wasn’t actually what she wanted was beautifully done, while Cole completely stole my heart with his awkward charm and determination to fix his mistake. Their chemistry felt natural and sweet, and I found myself rooting for them from the start.
The afterlife administration was a fun and creative concept, and I loved how whimsical the world-building felt without taking away from the emotional depth of the story. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but also some surprisingly touching scenes that really stayed with me.
What I loved most was how the story explored second chances, self-discovery, and finding the courage to choose your own happiness. It was funny, romantic, heartfelt, and wonderfully unique.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was an absolute delight to read, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a charming romance with a magical twist.
This book was such a refreshing read! From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and genuinely never felt bored once. The story perfectly balances romance, humor, mystery, and a touch of heartbreak, making it impossible to put down.
Dell and Cole were such lovable characters. Dell’s journey of discovering that her seemingly perfect life wasn’t actually what she wanted was beautifully done, while Cole completely stole my heart with his awkward charm and determination to fix his mistake. Their chemistry felt natural and sweet, and I found myself rooting for them from the start.
The afterlife administration was a fun and creative concept, and I loved how whimsical the world-building felt without taking away from the emotional depth of the story. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but also some surprisingly touching scenes that really stayed with me.
What I loved most was how the story explored second chances, self-discovery, and finding the courage to choose your own happiness. It was funny, romantic, heartfelt, and wonderfully unique.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was an absolute delight to read, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a charming romance with a magical twist.
July 10, 2026
I received this arc through NetGalley and it was a fun, quirky, paranormal romance that flows seamlessly! This was such a cute cozy read I finished it in half a day!
*Fav Character: Jason, Cole
*Fav Quotes:
~“He looks like a poetry professor had a love child with a Jane Austen hero. There. Are you happy?”
~“That wasn’t all me though. When I walked in to him looking like he’d escaped Shutter Island, I knew something was up. You’re one scary dead bride.”
~“That’s why you smell like snow to me, and why I keep seeing visions of us. In the snow!”
~“Sorry,”—“I just wanted to test and see if kissing you again would snap us both back to life. You know, in case you’re correct about this being the wrong turn.”
~“It was a possibility. But look! I smashed into you instead.”
~“I love you, and I’m glad you don’t follow rules anymore,”
*Fav Scenes: The Haunting. Testing The Wrong Turn. Epilogue. IYKYK.
*Fav Character: Jason, Cole
*Fav Quotes:
~“He looks like a poetry professor had a love child with a Jane Austen hero. There. Are you happy?”
~“That wasn’t all me though. When I walked in to him looking like he’d escaped Shutter Island, I knew something was up. You’re one scary dead bride.”
~“That’s why you smell like snow to me, and why I keep seeing visions of us. In the snow!”
~“Sorry,”—“I just wanted to test and see if kissing you again would snap us both back to life. You know, in case you’re correct about this being the wrong turn.”
~“It was a possibility. But look! I smashed into you instead.”
~“I love you, and I’m glad you don’t follow rules anymore,”
*Fav Scenes: The Haunting. Testing The Wrong Turn. Epilogue. IYKYK.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
July 24, 2026
SO SO SO SO SO GOOD
What a fun fast paced read that keep me entertained the whole way through. From the moment I picked it up it was so hard to stop reading!
I adore ghost romances and if you liked Good Spirits you’ll really love You’ll Be The Death Of Me!
It was such a refreshing concept, as our FMC Dell had to figure out what wrong turn she took so she can be brought back to life. Since someone (our MMC Cole) accidentally took her off earth…to say the least 😂
Side note: LOVED THE SIDE CHARACTERS
There were so many twists and turns that really left me rooting for Dell! She’s strong willed and I loved that about her! I really feel Dell & Cole really complimented each others personality nicely as well. They were perfect for each other and truly MEANT to be. I just love them so much!!
You’ll find…
💕 second chance
✨ magical realism
👻 paranormal romance
🎀 opposites attract
🔒 rule follower x rule breaker
What a fun fast paced read that keep me entertained the whole way through. From the moment I picked it up it was so hard to stop reading!
I adore ghost romances and if you liked Good Spirits you’ll really love You’ll Be The Death Of Me!
It was such a refreshing concept, as our FMC Dell had to figure out what wrong turn she took so she can be brought back to life. Since someone (our MMC Cole) accidentally took her off earth…to say the least 😂
Side note: LOVED THE SIDE CHARACTERS
There were so many twists and turns that really left me rooting for Dell! She’s strong willed and I loved that about her! I really feel Dell & Cole really complimented each others personality nicely as well. They were perfect for each other and truly MEANT to be. I just love them so much!!
You’ll find…
💕 second chance
✨ magical realism
👻 paranormal romance
🎀 opposites attract
🔒 rule follower x rule breaker
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.
July 20, 2026
3.5 rounded up. I’m a sucker for books set in the Afterlife! Dell is mistakenly sent to the Afterlife by Cole, who must return to Earth with Dell to try and fix the mistake.
This was a really cute second chance romance. There were a lot more paranormal elements (possession and haunting!) than I was anticipating but it was all good fun.
Biggest complaints were that this story basically takes place over three days and also third POV romances are always a bit tough for me. I didn’t feel super connected to either main character because it was written this way.
Perfect for fans of The Love of My Afterlife and Good Spirits, You’ll Be the Death of Me is out August 11! Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy.
This was a really cute second chance romance. There were a lot more paranormal elements (possession and haunting!) than I was anticipating but it was all good fun.
Biggest complaints were that this story basically takes place over three days and also third POV romances are always a bit tough for me. I didn’t feel super connected to either main character because it was written this way.
Perfect for fans of The Love of My Afterlife and Good Spirits, You’ll Be the Death of Me is out August 11! Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy.
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!
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