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You'll Be the Death of Me
Cole 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 finds 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 finds 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.
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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)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
”𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰’𝒅 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍, 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐’𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕. 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆.”
so, we got a corporate version of the afterlife, where the mmc accidentally reaps the fmcs soul.. now he has to try and get her ghost back into her body to fix his mistake? loved every chaotic moment, this book was soooo much fun and the romance was cute as hell.
Dell is someone who doesn’t pay the most attention to the little details, since she’s so focused on furthering her career and being successful. Cole is your standard rule follower, but can’t seem to remember bits of his life before he died.. which naturally makes him panic in her presence since Dell is willing to do literally anything to get answers and return to her life.
there’s something so entertaining about watching two people who couldn’t be more different trying to solve the same problem. the character growth throughout this was my fav part, but i also loved Dell’s best friend Jason and the lengths he went to in order to help her. the romance was gradual and felt so authentic to them, but the ties they had to each other before it all and the way they fought to be together afterwards made me love witnessing their connection a whole lot more 🧡
➺ many thanks to NetGalley, the author, Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc, all opinions are my own.
so, we got a corporate version of the afterlife, where the mmc accidentally reaps the fmcs soul.. now he has to try and get her ghost back into her body to fix his mistake? loved every chaotic moment, this book was soooo much fun and the romance was cute as hell.
Dell is someone who doesn’t pay the most attention to the little details, since she’s so focused on furthering her career and being successful. Cole is your standard rule follower, but can’t seem to remember bits of his life before he died.. which naturally makes him panic in her presence since Dell is willing to do literally anything to get answers and return to her life.
there’s something so entertaining about watching two people who couldn’t be more different trying to solve the same problem. the character growth throughout this was my fav part, but i also loved Dell’s best friend Jason and the lengths he went to in order to help her. the romance was gradual and felt so authentic to them, but the ties they had to each other before it all and the way they fought to be together afterwards made me love witnessing their connection a whole lot more 🧡
➺ many thanks to NetGalley, the author, Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc, all opinions are my own.
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.
August 10, 2026
☆ 5 stars
You’ll Be the Death of Me by author Holly Michelle is a deeply reflective and fast-paced paranormal romance that you’re not going to want to miss upon its release. Do you ever read a book that just makes your heart happy as you’re left with a deep sense of contentment? That’s exactly what my experience has been after finishing this delightful tale that masterfully blends humour and wit alongside compelling dialogue that packs an emotional punch. The exploration of death and grief feels written to its greatest intent with deep emotional impact in its own special way. This is a topic that is sensitive for many and I’m personally thrilled to see this theme of ‘life after death’ romance books coming to the forefront of this year as one cannot exist without the other. I’m truly so impressed at the way these themes and conversations are addressed respectfully whilst also maintaining a cosy and light narrative to stop it from feeling too heavy to endure. I adored the ‘opposites attract’ elements explored between the two main characters as they continually find themselves on an unexplainable journey throughout as they attempt to work together to undo Cole’s mistake. Their chemistry feels electric from their very first interaction and I loved how effortlessly Dell and Cole fit together as their story leads them towards a path of self-reflection and discovery. I honestly didn’t want to put this book down and wished I’d picked it up off a free day so that I could’ve binged it in its entirety.
Verdella ‘Dell’ Rodgers is a woman in her early 30s who seems to have it all. A thriving career as a renowned restaurant owner that is booked out weeks in advance, an affluential and handsome fiancé that she is due to marry within the week, and is surrounded by her devoted friends and family that always encourage the best from her. And yet when she wakes up to discover that her soul has been accidentally reaped after an undead corporate mistake… suddenly Dell is being forced to view her life from the outside to determine which ‘wrong turn’ she has taken has the power to bring her back. I adored Dell from the beginning and I found her journey to be very thought provoking as her eyes slowly begin to open towards everything that she has missed. I loved the concept of getting to be a silent observer to the life that you have lived after death and the lessons that can be found in acknowledging what you would do differently should you have the chance. There’s no denying that Dell is a kind and passionate woman that has always thrived in her position to give back to the community around her. Her dialogue and actions throughout left me grinning regularly as her boldness shines through in a variety of situations that keeps her rule following companion on his toes. Her ability to jump into any circumstance with minimal fear is as equally awe-inspiring as it is stressful to see as she refuses to be consumed by the ‘what ifs’ and potential consequences. Dell is a woman that likes to take control of every situation around her and it was interesting to watch how much mischief and mayhem she manages to sweep herself into in her desperation to regain her life. Most of all I greatly appreciate the reality that whilst she is not an innately bad person whom always strives to be the best version of herself… this doesn’t mean that Dell isn’t without flaws. She is driven and ambitious to a point of self-destruction and it was endearing to see her recognise how little experiences she has allowed herself as a result. Seeing her gain a greater appreciation for the wonderful group of people that surround and love her is a journey worthwhile reading in its significance. You truly get to witness the growth that Dell undergoes within such a short period of time and I loved every single moment of her journey from beginning to end.
Cole Lewis may have made a colossal mistake is ‘transitioning’ the wrong woman but that doesn’t change the fact that in my eyes this man can do no wrong. I’m waving the green flags enthusiastically to the point of exertion in my commitment to showcasing just how deeply I have fallen for this kind and empathetic fictional being. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding his character and the way that we manage to unveil the lost memories of his past as the story continues to progress. Cole is a deeply feeling and caring soul who desperately tries to live his (undead) life by following every rule in the book. The breakdown in his apathy to his missing memories as he works towards regaining them had me feeling so many emotions at once as my heart felt both fractured and healed. I loved seeing how despite his fears and uncertainties, Cole manages to embrace the chaotic journey that he follows Dell on in his commitment to do right by her. His personality really begins to shine throughout his interactions with Dell and it felt really heartfelt to see him regain his vibrancy for life after a year of feeling stuck in his circumstances. Cole truly is a wonderful character and I adored every moment of his growth as he learns how to fight for the life that was taken from his too early.
You’ll Be the Death of Me is such a wonderful story filled with so much hope and vibrancy that I could not recommend any higher with the return of the gloomy, colder months. This seamlessly blends mystery and self-discovery with an effortless romance that’s going to leave you squealing and kicking your feet by the end. I greatly hope to see more by this author because I have every intention of this story being my first but not my last from her… especially if it means getting to revisit this world through the narrative of the several wonderful side characters we are introduced to in this one. If (like me) you’ve greatly enjoyed the Ghosted series by author B.K. Borison then I strongly urge you to pick this one up during spooky season.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
You’ll Be the Death of Me by author Holly Michelle is a deeply reflective and fast-paced paranormal romance that you’re not going to want to miss upon its release. Do you ever read a book that just makes your heart happy as you’re left with a deep sense of contentment? That’s exactly what my experience has been after finishing this delightful tale that masterfully blends humour and wit alongside compelling dialogue that packs an emotional punch. The exploration of death and grief feels written to its greatest intent with deep emotional impact in its own special way. This is a topic that is sensitive for many and I’m personally thrilled to see this theme of ‘life after death’ romance books coming to the forefront of this year as one cannot exist without the other. I’m truly so impressed at the way these themes and conversations are addressed respectfully whilst also maintaining a cosy and light narrative to stop it from feeling too heavy to endure. I adored the ‘opposites attract’ elements explored between the two main characters as they continually find themselves on an unexplainable journey throughout as they attempt to work together to undo Cole’s mistake. Their chemistry feels electric from their very first interaction and I loved how effortlessly Dell and Cole fit together as their story leads them towards a path of self-reflection and discovery. I honestly didn’t want to put this book down and wished I’d picked it up off a free day so that I could’ve binged it in its entirety.
Verdella ‘Dell’ Rodgers is a woman in her early 30s who seems to have it all. A thriving career as a renowned restaurant owner that is booked out weeks in advance, an affluential and handsome fiancé that she is due to marry within the week, and is surrounded by her devoted friends and family that always encourage the best from her. And yet when she wakes up to discover that her soul has been accidentally reaped after an undead corporate mistake… suddenly Dell is being forced to view her life from the outside to determine which ‘wrong turn’ she has taken has the power to bring her back. I adored Dell from the beginning and I found her journey to be very thought provoking as her eyes slowly begin to open towards everything that she has missed. I loved the concept of getting to be a silent observer to the life that you have lived after death and the lessons that can be found in acknowledging what you would do differently should you have the chance. There’s no denying that Dell is a kind and passionate woman that has always thrived in her position to give back to the community around her. Her dialogue and actions throughout left me grinning regularly as her boldness shines through in a variety of situations that keeps her rule following companion on his toes. Her ability to jump into any circumstance with minimal fear is as equally awe-inspiring as it is stressful to see as she refuses to be consumed by the ‘what ifs’ and potential consequences. Dell is a woman that likes to take control of every situation around her and it was interesting to watch how much mischief and mayhem she manages to sweep herself into in her desperation to regain her life. Most of all I greatly appreciate the reality that whilst she is not an innately bad person whom always strives to be the best version of herself… this doesn’t mean that Dell isn’t without flaws. She is driven and ambitious to a point of self-destruction and it was endearing to see her recognise how little experiences she has allowed herself as a result. Seeing her gain a greater appreciation for the wonderful group of people that surround and love her is a journey worthwhile reading in its significance. You truly get to witness the growth that Dell undergoes within such a short period of time and I loved every single moment of her journey from beginning to end.
Cole Lewis may have made a colossal mistake is ‘transitioning’ the wrong woman but that doesn’t change the fact that in my eyes this man can do no wrong. I’m waving the green flags enthusiastically to the point of exertion in my commitment to showcasing just how deeply I have fallen for this kind and empathetic fictional being. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding his character and the way that we manage to unveil the lost memories of his past as the story continues to progress. Cole is a deeply feeling and caring soul who desperately tries to live his (undead) life by following every rule in the book. The breakdown in his apathy to his missing memories as he works towards regaining them had me feeling so many emotions at once as my heart felt both fractured and healed. I loved seeing how despite his fears and uncertainties, Cole manages to embrace the chaotic journey that he follows Dell on in his commitment to do right by her. His personality really begins to shine throughout his interactions with Dell and it felt really heartfelt to see him regain his vibrancy for life after a year of feeling stuck in his circumstances. Cole truly is a wonderful character and I adored every moment of his growth as he learns how to fight for the life that was taken from his too early.
You’ll Be the Death of Me is such a wonderful story filled with so much hope and vibrancy that I could not recommend any higher with the return of the gloomy, colder months. This seamlessly blends mystery and self-discovery with an effortless romance that’s going to leave you squealing and kicking your feet by the end. I greatly hope to see more by this author because I have every intention of this story being my first but not my last from her… especially if it means getting to revisit this world through the narrative of the several wonderful side characters we are introduced to in this one. If (like me) you’ve greatly enjoyed the Ghosted series by author B.K. Borison then I strongly urge you to pick this one up during spooky season.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
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!!
August 11, 2026
I LOVED Last Night was Fun by Holly Michelle, and this cover is GORGEOUS, so I was very excited about this book.
To be clear, it has a great premise and paranormal romance is my jam. Sadly, this story just didn’t work for me. Dell, the FMC, drove me crazy. She is fiercely independent (a trait I usually love in an FMC), but in this case, she forces her opinions on others without a care for the consequences. Unfortunately, several times these negatively affect others, usually the MMC.
I liked the MMC, Cole, but ultimately the story revolved around Dell and her life, understandably so—to a point. By around the 75% mark, I realized I basically knew NOTHING about him and he was a very flat, boring character. We do finally get some background for him at this point, but unfortunately, imo, it was too late into the story to care.
Aaaaand finally, my biggest issue: the romance itself. This part might be slightly spoilery so only read at your own risk!
These two, by the end of the main story, know each other for a day. A. Day. They start professing their love for one another and I just could not buy into it at all. The romance felt forced and I sadly didn’t feel a connection between the characters.
So this one didn’t really work for me, but HEY. A ton of readers I respect loved this one, and I think I’m very much in the minority, so if you want to read it—I support you, please do! I did like how the afterlife was set up in this book, and I found the drama surrounding the FMC humorous and original, if a bit far-fetched. I just ultimately wanted more from the characters themselves.
🎧Kelli Tager did a good job voicing Dell, but in my opinion struggled with male voices, especially Cole. It did sadly take me out of the story many times and I struggled taking his character in particular seriously because of this.
To be clear, it has a great premise and paranormal romance is my jam. Sadly, this story just didn’t work for me. Dell, the FMC, drove me crazy. She is fiercely independent (a trait I usually love in an FMC), but in this case, she forces her opinions on others without a care for the consequences. Unfortunately, several times these negatively affect others, usually the MMC.
I liked the MMC, Cole, but ultimately the story revolved around Dell and her life, understandably so—to a point. By around the 75% mark, I realized I basically knew NOTHING about him and he was a very flat, boring character. We do finally get some background for him at this point, but unfortunately, imo, it was too late into the story to care.
Aaaaand finally, my biggest issue: the romance itself. This part might be slightly spoilery so only read at your own risk!
These two, by the end of the main story, know each other for a day. A. Day. They start professing their love for one another and I just could not buy into it at all. The romance felt forced and I sadly didn’t feel a connection between the characters.
So this one didn’t really work for me, but HEY. A ton of readers I respect loved this one, and I think I’m very much in the minority, so if you want to read it—I support you, please do! I did like how the afterlife was set up in this book, and I found the drama surrounding the FMC humorous and original, if a bit far-fetched. I just ultimately wanted more from the characters themselves.
🎧Kelli Tager did a good job voicing Dell, but in my opinion struggled with male voices, especially Cole. It did sadly take me out of the story many times and I struggled taking his character in particular seriously because of this.
Want to Read
August 3, 2026Release day : August 11th
I need more Afterlife romances. Any romances that has a life and death scenario in it and I’m in! Requesting this ARC
I need more Afterlife romances. Any romances that has a life and death scenario in it and I’m in! Requesting this ARC
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 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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Cole works as a clerk in the Afterlife Administration, tasked with reaping souls but one mistake changes everything. After accidentally reaping the wrong woman, he's desperate to make things right and is sent back to the land of the living to prevent Verdella (Dell) from actually dying.
I absolutely adored Cole and Dell's journey together. Dell makes every moment so much fun with her unapologetically bold personality and willingness to break all the rules. I loved how fearless she was. Cole, on the other hand, is the complete opposite, a dedicated rule follower, so watching him constantly try to rein her in, especially at the beginning, was so funny to see.
Kelli Tager's solo narration was phenomenal. She brought the entire story to life effortlessly and perfectly captured both characters and their evolving relationship from beginning to end.
This was such a fun, charming audiobook, and I highly recommend giving it a listen!
Thank you, Holly Michelle and Harper Audio for the ALC.
I absolutely adored Cole and Dell's journey together. Dell makes every moment so much fun with her unapologetically bold personality and willingness to break all the rules. I loved how fearless she was. Cole, on the other hand, is the complete opposite, a dedicated rule follower, so watching him constantly try to rein her in, especially at the beginning, was so funny to see.
Kelli Tager's solo narration was phenomenal. She brought the entire story to life effortlessly and perfectly captured both characters and their evolving relationship from beginning to end.
This was such a fun, charming audiobook, and I highly recommend giving it a listen!
Thank you, Holly Michelle and Harper Audio for the ALC.
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.
August 3, 2026
4⭐️
Very cute story of two people who had to realize that there was more to life than work. The FMC, Verdella or Dell, for short, is an extremely ambitious woman who doesn’t know how to take it easy and actually enjoy life. She succeeds at everything she puts her mind to but she often gets tunnel vision around her and doesn’t pay attention to the ones closest to her. The MMC, Cole, is a reaper or “transition specialist” who accidentally ended Dell’s life and now must fix it. Cole plays it too safe, to the point he’s unhappy with how his afterlife is going but is too nervous to do anything about it. When he meets Dell, she forces him to take risks and live and enjoy the world around him, while Cole forces Dell to open her eyes and pay attention to the little details. You’ll Be the Death of Me is a sweet, funny story about grief, life, and everything in between with a murder subplot and a glimpse into the afterlife which is basically “Corporate Hell”. I enjoyed it very much and finished the book in 2.5 sittings, I would’ve finished it earlier but I fell asleep while reading 😂.
Thank you to Holly Michelle, NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Very cute story of two people who had to realize that there was more to life than work. The FMC, Verdella or Dell, for short, is an extremely ambitious woman who doesn’t know how to take it easy and actually enjoy life. She succeeds at everything she puts her mind to but she often gets tunnel vision around her and doesn’t pay attention to the ones closest to her. The MMC, Cole, is a reaper or “transition specialist” who accidentally ended Dell’s life and now must fix it. Cole plays it too safe, to the point he’s unhappy with how his afterlife is going but is too nervous to do anything about it. When he meets Dell, she forces him to take risks and live and enjoy the world around him, while Cole forces Dell to open her eyes and pay attention to the little details. You’ll Be the Death of Me is a sweet, funny story about grief, life, and everything in between with a murder subplot and a glimpse into the afterlife which is basically “Corporate Hell”. I enjoyed it very much and finished the book in 2.5 sittings, I would’ve finished it earlier but I fell asleep while reading 😂.
Thank you to Holly Michelle, NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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 ⭐️
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