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Dead Girls Don't Forget

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Ten years ago, they burned my family alive.
Tonight, I start collecting.

Harper has a new face, a sharpened blade, and four names on a list. She enrolls in their university, walks into their territory, and waits. One by one, she will make them pay for what they took from her.
But nothing prepared her for Jackson Black.
The alpha's son is everything she should hate: powerful, possessive, and bound to the bloodline that destroyed her. Yet from the moment their eyes meet, an undeniable pull ignites between them.
He is the last man she should want. Yet with every stolen glance and every charged collision, resisting him becomes impossible.
As Harper crosses names off her list, the alpha's empire begins to crack. Long-buried secrets, corruption, and bloodshed threaten to tear the pack apart, forcing Harper and Jackson onto the same side even as her endgame demands his father's death.
She came here to finish what was started ten years ago. She did not expect to find someone worth surviving for.

Dead Girls Don't Forget is a standalone dark shifter romance of revenge, obsession, buried trauma, and an impossible love. Ends with a HEA.

425 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2026

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About the author

Thalia Nova

5 books87 followers
Thalia Nova writes dark psychological fiction about revenge, betrayal, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. Her stories are about second chances, bad decisions, and what people are willing to do when they finally get the chance to change how their story ends.

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5 stars
159 (57%)
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77 (27%)
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31 (11%)
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6 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for Jetscarbie.
1,092 reviews74 followers
September 2, 2026
In this book, Chapter 36 is where you want to be aware of the TWs (I do spoil that chapter in my review for those who want to know beforehand)

I was scared going into this book because there were no spoilers out when I started. I saw one that mentioned the Mindf*ck series, but I have not read that yet.

I thought most of this was predictable, but I was still in a chokehold throughout the book waiting for the reveal.

📍No virgins. No cheating. No sharing. MMC isn’t a manho
There is OW drama (explained in my review), but MMC isn't interested in them. There is plenty of spice. I didn’t think it was super spicy…probably a 2.5 out of 5. 🤷‍♀️

Possible spoilers ahead

Harper (heroine) starts the book out by brutally 🔪🔪🔪🔪 and ☠️ this guy named Colton. Colton happens to be one of the pack alpha’s enforcers. It’s clear Colton and 3 other men did something awful to Harper’s family.

Harper then starts college. She meets Jackson. Jackson happens to be the Alpha’s son- the same Alpha that Harper plans to ☠️☠️.

Harper is no doormat. She’s been training for years to fight.

There’s OW drama from 2 different women. OW1 wants to be Jackson’s Luna eventually. They had a past hookup years ago. Jackson doesn’t care about this psychopath at all.
The OW2 happens to be one of his BFF. It was clear Lia had a thing for Jackson that he didn’t see.

Jackson falls quickly for Harper. If you’ve read enough shifter books, it’s clear they’re probably *mates*

Harper is not a wolf; she’s a panther. When Harper was a cat, they were the funniest parts of the book. Her cat was playful, whereas Harper is very withdrawn. I loved any time Jackson’s wolf and Harper’s cat were playing around. Especially when they first ran into each other out in the woods. The cat would be a shameless flirt, and Harper would be yelling at her, “What are you doing? NO” 😂😂

Harper starts to fall for Jackson, but she tries hard not to.
Threaded all within the basic college, meeting friends, and OW drama- Harper is also working in the background taking down and ☠️☠️ the 3 other guys on her list. They’re all tied to the Alpha, so the cases are definitely connected.

There is also a moment where a real kitten becomes intertwined in this story. The kitten distribution system strikes. Jackson being extremely jealous of this kitten made me laugh.

Jackson gets involved during Harper’s #3 ☠️☠️☠️. This man helps her clean up her mess. Then he’s like, TELL ME WHAT’S GOING ON. Harper comes clean


📍📍Chapter 36. Big spoiler. Don’t read if you don’t want to know📍📍


The author does have TWs at the start of this chapter. It’s rough, but I did read the chapter. There were enough breadcrumbs along the way, so it wasn’t too shocking. Harper was 13. Her sister, Harmony, was 16.
Basically, THAT night….Harper’s dad had been dead for 2 years. The alpha shows up at their house that night. gRapes Harper’s mom in front of the 2 girls. Then all the men gRape the 2 girls. It’s vague enough…but it’s also not.
Harper’s mom is dead. Harper and her sister Harmony are still alive but barely. The alpha orders everything burned down. Harper has a very emotional moment trying to get her sissy up. 😭😭 She’s not able to. Harper makes it out. Her aunt and uncle know something bad happened, so they pulled strings and got Harper out of the hospital. Then Harper was claimed dead. Her uncle spent years training Harper to fight.

Every single one of these 4 men deserved to ☠️.

Anyway, everything starts to collapse. The two crazy OW kidnap Harper, but Jackson makes it in time to save her. This man is DOWN BAD for his woman.

Somewhere during all this, we learn that Daddy Alpha actually killed his brother and family to take his alpha spot. There’s also this missing Noah- who should be alpha.

Jackson ends up challenging his dad for the alpha spot. He wins. Dad is arrested for all his crimes. Daddy spent a decade being the worst person ever. Sex trafficker, murderer, rapist, thief, etc….

Harper sneaks out and goes to confront the Daddy ex-alpha. He confesses that Harper’s dad did not die in a car accident; he murdered him. Why? Because Harper’s dad dated his woman in college….until he met Harper’s mom *fated mates*

The alpha could not stand the fact that his wife was with Harper’s dad. When they all met up later at a summit, he could feel his wife through the mate bond when she saw Harper’s dad again. He felt the “tug”……so basically he was a jealous ahole.

Harper worked out all her therapy on alpha dad with 🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪. Jackson made it in time to help her clean up, which basically means they burned the place to the ground.

Long-lost heir, Noah, shows up to challenge Jackson for Alpha. (Paraphrasing) Jackson is like…” dude, you can have this damn seat, HERE! I bow to you. Take it” 😂😂😂 Jackson really did NOT want to be alpha.
Noah congratulated MC’s on their pregnancy, and they’re both like “what?” Yep.

6 months later and we finally get a Jackson POV. ❤️ We find out what we already suspected. This man has been down BAD for Harper from the very moment he saw her.


Random thoughts….
Anybody remember the Petit family murders? That case absolutely gutted me. A lot of this book reminded me of that case.

I loved the light-hearted moments in this book with the wolf and panther. I also loved Harper’s friend and all her talk about cults. Jackson and the kitten had me laughing. I would’ve loved more of an epilogue and an update on where everybody is. Maybe something 2 or 3 years later?

I’m very invested in seeing what this author does next.
Profile Image for Amy Spoils Books (Beware).
258 reviews26 followers
September 4, 2026
Chokehold… couldn’t put it down…
More to come after I gather my thoughts.

5 stars. I could not put this book down from the very first two chapters. It starts with a huge, shocking event, and the way it was written immediately had me thinking, Holy smokes, what did I just get myself into? The first 282 pages delivered such a ridiculously satisfying amount of revenge while somehow balancing all that darkness with humor, goofiness, romance, and just enough breadcrumbs about Harper’s past to keep me desperate for the next piece without ever feeling like the story was withholding too much. Every chapter had a purpose—nothing felt like filler. Something was always happening that was shocking, hilarious, satisfying, or immediately made me want to send a screenshot to my best friend.

Chapters 36 and 37 were difficult to read, and once Harper’s full story is revealed, the tone of the book noticeably changes. I did miss some of the humor and especially the cougar antics from the earlier part of the story, but by then I was so invested that there was absolutely no putting it down. The ending was incredibly satisfying and tied up an impressive number of threads without feeling like the book was checking boxes.

My biggest complaint? I wanted more. I finished 425 pages and somehow wished this were the beginning of a seven-book series following Harper and Jackson for the next several years. I want to know everything about Harper’s cougar. I want more of Jackson dealing with both of his cats. I want more of this entire ridiculous little world. And, most importantly, I still need someone to explain why everybody was so shocked that man fed her a sandwich. 😂

This is now the third Thalia Nova book I’ve read and the third one I’ve given 4+ stars. After finishing, I went through her website and realized she apparently just knows exactly how to write for me. She writes revenge that is genuinely satisfying, but she balances the darkness with humor and outright ridiculousness so well that I never feel like I need to put the book down and read something cheerful just to recover. At this point, if Thalia Nova writes a revenge book, apparently I’m reading it.
Profile Image for eve (semi hiatus).
156 reviews106 followers
Read
September 14, 2026
She moved like a phantom. He followed like a shadow that refused to be shaken.

The writing was too mechanical, couldn’t fully connect to the MCs.

Plot at the start was interesting, then it started to drag and became boring. I started to skim towards the end.

You’re the first thing in my head when I wake up and the last before I sleep. Everything in between is just noise until I see you again.


SAFETY
Both experienced.
No cheating, sharing.
OW drama - throughout the story there were two main OW present, H doesn’t feel anything for them - jealous ex hookup of H, they slept when they were younger, and childhood friend of H who wants him.
OM drama - ex hookup of h’s shows up very briefly.
20 reviews
September 10, 2026
To start i actually did enjoy this book in whole however upon reading within the first 15 pages ive realised it is literally the mindf*ck series in a paranormal setting with one book instead of a series which is why its not as detailed. Now I can understand pulling inspo from people you admire but this is kind of ridiculous.
Mindf*ck: she is tortured and repeatedly s/ad by a group of people in her home town, her brother dies during the same interaction with the same people This book: She is tortured and repeatedly s/ad by a group of people in her home town and her sister died during the same interaction
Mindf*ck: her parents are murdered by the main big guy in town( its the sheriff in mindf*ck) This book: her parents murdered by the alpha..
Mindf*ck: she is so badly injured after attack she is transferred to hospital further away and she has multiple surgeries which lead to her looking completely different and taking on a new identity This book: shes so badly injured/burned that she has multiple surgeries and looks completely different and takes on a new identity
Mindf*ck: her brothers boyfriend is the only person who knows and is a hacker and helps her get to a point where she can go back for revenge
This book: her uncle is the only person who knows and is a hacker and helps her get to a point she can go back for revenge
Mindf*ck: she counts turns they took and cuts off fingers etc. This book: within literally 15 pages says you took this many turns and cuts off fingers.
Mindf*ck: falls in love with the good guy along the way and eventually tells him about whats going on and he doesnt turn her in
This book: exactly the same only difference is hes not FBI hes the alphas son

Even the torture scenes for her victims sound similar down to her saying the alpha needs to suffer more and it cant be quick etc.- like i said some inspo is fine, if the torture scenes sounded similar cool, but the whole lay out is exactly the same but in mindf*uck its more detailed and thought out even with side quests like killing another characters step dad who abused them- in this is college interactions instead wheres shes kidnapped so there are some differences but the similarities are too many to ignore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ana Maria Batista.
9 reviews3 followers
September 1, 2026
Got an ARC in exchange for an honest review, so here I go...
First of all, is the book worth reading? YES! But does that mean it's perfect? Nope.
I really enjoyed the author's What Goes Around Duet, so I had high expectations for this one, but they weren't quite met. The story itself is great, but the beginning is pretty confusing. We get no background whatsoever, which made it hard to connect with the FMC. The MMC is way too possessive, moves too fast, and sometimes feels like he doesn't listen to Harper. Boy, she is a badass—she fights, she knows how to protect herself, so calm down.
Also, the character Blake served no real purpose. He didn't add anything to the story, had zero development, and was just thrown in the middle only to be forgotten the next second. The intimate scenes (including the knotting) felt the same way, with no real build-up in the plot. On top of that, the main villain had a weak motive; when he finally explained it, my reaction was just, "All that for this?" Despite being 500+ pages long, some parts of the book still felt rushed.
All that aside, there were plenty of good things! Once everything was finally revealed—Harper's motives, her family dynamics, and the rest of her background—I truly connected with her and completely understood her mindset and preparations. Harper is an amazing character: strong, capable, intelligent, and prepared. She trained, she planned, she did her part, didn't take crap from anyone, and is an amazing friend to Cassidy (who was a fun character). I also liked the dynamic between Harper's personality and her cat's, which led to some fun moments. I loved Jackson's courting style—all the things he did for her cat side were adorable, and overall, he is a very supportive boyfriend.
I would rate it 3.75 out of 5 stars.
That's it! I hope I didn't dissuade you from reading it. I'm all for you trying it out and forming your own opinion! ♥
PS.: I wrote the review myself, but as english isn't my 1st language asked Gemini to correct any gramar mistakes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for alba ʚïɞ.
267 reviews2 followers
October 14, 2026
i ate this up so bad. i love shifter romances and dark romance so this was the perfect combination for me.

i absolutely loved harper. i loved how no nonsense and strong she was. she handled everything perfectly, even bullshit social interactions.

jackson was truly perfect for her. he was so protective but supportive of her actions. as soon as he learned about her plan, he was ready to stand by her.

my only (very small) issue was the length. it would’ve been perfect being 50 pages or so shorter because the university scenes about them going to class were very repetitive.
Profile Image for Rachel.
73 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2026
The Perfect MMC and FMC

Amazing!
I read this book in waves. The angst was everything and I was so scared to continue at times because previous books had let me down with how authors handled these dynamics of OW and OM drama but not our Thaila Nova! I was not once disappointed and this story was everything I had hoped it would be.

I’ve read all 3 of her books and she is on my immediate release list for the next one (I will be looking out for it)! If you haven’t already read the duet (what goes around/ comes around), do it now!
Profile Image for Mona.
877 reviews14 followers
Did Not Finish
October 8, 2026
I couldn’t get into it, so I skipped read this 🫣 and probably bc I’m not really a dark romance girly. I mean I’ll dabble in it and I do love morally gray mmc’s, but it’s gotta like suck me in and I was sucked in for the first couple of pages but then I was just not into it. I really liked this author’s previous books but this was not for me.
Profile Image for Deborah.
738 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2026
I'm pickier when it comes to shifter romances and I didnt enjoy how it was done in this book.
1,513 reviews42 followers
September 11, 2026
Ten years ago, they burned my family alive.

Tonight, I start collecting.

Harper has a new face, a sharpened blade, and four names on a list. She enrolls in their university, walks into their territory, and waits. One by one, she will make them pay for what they took from her.

But nothing prepared her for Jackson Black.

The alpha's son is everything she should hate: powerful, possessive, and bound to the bloodline that destroyed her. Yet from the moment their eyes meet, an undeniable pull ignites between them.

He is the last man she should want. Yet with every stolen glance and every charged collision, resisting him becomes impossible.

As Harper crosses names off her list, the alpha's empire begins to crack. Long-buried secrets, corruption, and bloodshed threaten to tear the pack apart, forcing Harper and Jackson onto the same side even as her endgame demands his father's death.

She came here to finish what was started ten years ago. She did not expect to find someone worth surviving for.

Tropes: Forbidden Romance, Revenge Romance, FMC Falls for the Enemy, Possessive Alpha MMC, Undeniable Attraction, Slow-Burn Tension, Love Versus Vengeance, Star-Crossed Lovers, Unexpected Alliance, He Becomes Her Reason to Survive, Alpha’s Son, Wolf-Pack Politics, Pack Hierarchy, Territorial Shifters, Corrupt Alpha, Power Struggle Within the Pack, Possible Fated-Mates or Mate-Pull Elements, Pack Rebellion/Overthrowing the Alpha, Female Vigilante, Assassin Heroine, Kill List, One-by-One Revenge, Infiltrating the Enemy, Undercover at a University, New Identity / Changed Face, Traumatized Survivor, Dead Family as Motivation, Ten Years Later, Long-Planned Revenge, Morally Grey Heroine, Knife-Wielding FMC, Secrets and Corruption, Hidden Truth About the Past, Destroying an Empire from Within, The Sins of the Father, Loyalty Versus Love, Revenge Threatens the Romance, Choose Love or Complete the Mission, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden Romance, Revenge-Driven FMC, Alpha’s Son, Love Versus Vengeance, Dark University Intrigue, Corrupt Wolf-Pack Politics.

Dead Girls Don’t Forget is A Dark Shifter Romance by Thalia Nova. Dead Girls Don't Forget is a standalone dark shifter romance of revenge, obsession, buried trauma, and an impossible love. Ends with an HEA.

From the very beginning, Thalia Nova’s Dead Girls Don’t Forget captures you with its themes of revenge, secrets, and a surprising love story.

A quick warning: be prepared for Chapter 36, as it contains intense content and includes a content warning. The truth revealed in that chapter is utterly heartbreaking, and every statement will leave you gasping.

I was continually on edge throughout the entire time I read it. Finding spoilers online was very difficult, and no one really explained how it related to the Mindf*ck series. Fearing that I might encounter an unresolved plot hole, I never relaxed my guard at all.

Even though some of the twists were easy to predict, the tension remained high.

Each small twist seemed to matter, and as a result, I just kept turning the pages without stopping to have a drink of water.
Profile Image for Maelle C.
342 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2026
It's almost impossible not to think about the Mindfck* series while reading Dead Girls Don't Forget.

And honestly? That's not a bad thing for me at all.

I absolutely loved that series, so give me another FMC with a revenge list and a very personal reason for crossing names off it, add shifters and an entirely different world around her, and you've definitely got my attention. There are obvious similarities in the initial concept, but Dead Girls Don't Forget also brings enough of its own elements to the story that I was still curious to see where Thalia Nova would take it.

And this book grabbed me almost immediately.

Harper was easily one of the reasons why. I love a strong FMC, and I especially appreciated that falling for someone doesn't suddenly erase everything that made her who she is. She has a purpose, she's determined, and Jackson entering her life doesn't magically turn her into someone who needs a man to take over or fight her battles for her.

I also really enjoyed Harper and Jackson together. Their attraction is there from the beginning, but their relationship has much more working against it than simple romantic hesitation. Considering who they are and everything surrounding their families, there is an underlying tension to their connection that made their relationship interesting to follow.

The shifter element also gives the story its own identity. It adds another layer to the politics, power dynamics and conflicts surrounding Harper's revenge, and that helped separate the book from the revenge romances it inevitably reminded me of.

My biggest disappointment, however, was actually the revenge plot itself.

That was the element that initially hooked me, and I loved the beginning when Harper's mission was at the forefront of the story. But there is a fairly significant stretch where the revenge takes a back seat while the focus shifts much more heavily toward Harper and Jackson's relationship.

I understand why that time was needed to develop them as a couple, and I did enjoy their relationship, but I really missed the intensity and momentum of Harper actively pursuing the reason she came there in the first place.

For a story that starts with such a strong revenge-driven premise, I wanted that thread to remain more consistently present throughout the entire book rather than feeling like we temporarily put the list aside.

I also found some of the twists fairly easy to predict. They didn't ruin the story for me, but there were definitely moments where the reveals confirmed what I was already expecting rather than genuinely surprising me.

Still, this was a really good read. It pulled me in from the first few pages, Harper was exactly the kind of FMC I enjoy reading about, and the combination of revenge, romance and shifters made for an addictive story.

I just wish the revenge had remained as relentless as the woman seeking it.
Profile Image for Sonia.
429 reviews2 followers
October 26, 2026
Okay, I went into this book for the revenge, the dark romance and the morally complicated characters, and I was definitely not disappointed.

Harper is the kind of heroine I love reading about. She has been through something absolutely horrible, and instead of letting it destroy her, she comes back with a plan. She knows exactly what she wants, and she isn't there to make friends. She's there to make the people responsible pay for what they did to her family.

And of all the people Harper could have fallen for, it had to be the son of the man she wants revenge on. Seriously, girl, could this get any more complicated? 😂

I loved the tension between them because there's so much standing in their way. Harper has every reason to hate his family, and Jackson is the last person she should be getting involved with. But feelings don't always care about your plans, do they?

What I really liked was that Harper had her own reasons for being there, and falling for Jackson didn't suddenly make all of that disappear. She still had things she needed to do, and I was curious to see how she would handle everything when her feelings and her plans started working against each other.

The revenge plot was also a big part of what made this book so interesting for me. There are secrets, corruption and plenty of reasons not to trust anyone. I liked not knowing exactly how everything was going to play out.

I also have to say that I love when a romance makes things genuinely difficult for the couple. Jackson isn't just some random guy Harper can walk away from without a second thought. He's connected to everything she's trying to destroy, which makes their relationship so much more complicated.

This was definitely a darker read, and I wouldn't recommend going into it expecting a sweet, fluffy romance. There's a lot of pain, anger and some pretty heavy stuff, but that's also what makes Harper's story so compelling.

Honestly, I just wanted Harper to get the revenge she came for AND find some happiness along the way. After everything she's been through, she deserves both.

If you love dark romance with revenge, shifters, a possessive hero and a heroine who refuses to be a victim, this one is definitely worth checking out. ❤️.
Profile Image for Yugie Caroline.
434 reviews8 followers
September 9, 2026
Thalia Nova is a new author to me, and I picked up this book of hers because I was intrigued by the blurb. Turns out, my instincts were right. I got so hooked on this book that I managed to finish it in the span of 24 hrs. That's how I know the book is really good, because I couldn't bear to put it away for too long!

The revenge trope is one that easily gets me hooked on a story, especially when the character hell-bent on the revenge plot is the heroine who has been terribly wronged. I loved how badass Harper was in this story. I love stories about women who've learned how to fight skillfully and wield weapons and therefore were not to be messed around with. She was also one not to easily cower with intimidation and could care less about the people who would harass or ridicule her. She knew her strengths, and that was all the knowledge she needed.

I likewise loved how unquestionably good and decent the MMC was in this story. Being the son of the villain, I'd expected some amount of morally gray vibe to him. But no, Jackson was a walking green flag all the way through. I loved how he was loyal to Harper right from the beginning, and how he never wavered in his stance towards her. Give me a man so protective and possessive over me like that, and surely I'd want him around forever!

The other-woman drama in this story was likewise substantial, so any reader who enjoys that trope will be much satisfied. Oh the comeuppance that would befall them in the end, so well-deserved!

This was truly a fantastic story that I'm so lucky to have picked up. I'm eager now to look into the author's other written works, because if her other books are as good as this, then sign me up for those too!

I'm immensely grateful to have been granted a free review copy of this book. I write this review fully voluntarily.
104 reviews2 followers
September 9, 2026
I went into Dead Girls Don't Forget expecting a dark paranormal romance, but I honestly didn't expect to get this hooked.

Harper was easily my favorite part of this book. She isn't waiting for someone to save her, and she definitely isn't interested in forgiveness. She has spent ten years preparing to take revenge on the men who destroyed her family and her life, and I loved how unapologetically ruthless she was about it. Give me a competent, morally gray FMC with a revenge list and I'm already invested.

And then there is Jackson.

The fact that Harper falls for the son of the final man on her list made the romance SO much better. I loved the tension of knowing exactly who his father was while watching Jackson fall for her. He's protective without taking away her strength, completely devoted once he chooses her, and very much the kind of MMC who will stand beside his woman while she handles her own enemies.

I also really enjoyed the shifter/fated-mates element, especially the dynamic between Harper's cougar and Jackson's wolf. Their animals basically figuring things out before the humans did was one of my favorite parts.

But what really worked for me was that the romance never erased Harper's revenge story. She doesn't suddenly decide that love has healed everything and abandon what she came there to do. Jackson learns the truth about her, about his family, and about what she's done—and he still chooses HER.

Dark, violent, romantic, addictive, and surprisingly emotional.

Revenge-driven FMC ✔️
Fated mates ✔️
He falls hard ✔️
Protective/possessive MMC ✔️
Morally gray heroine ✔️
Family secrets ✔️
Touch her and die energy ✔️
Actual revenge ✔️
HEA ✔️

This was exactly my kind of paranormal romance.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for IshyaDolphin.
136 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2026
This book was like a lovely cup of hot cocoa, just the right temperature, beautiful in all the ways possible, and not overcompensating for chemistry or anything of the sort.
The characters are believable and lovely. I can feel the growing romance between the two. Personally, this was a very cut and dry book, you could kinda predict what was gonna happen before it did, but the author used that to her advantage, writing the scenes with such perfection that the predictability worked in her favor. I love Cassidy, the FMC's bestie, and how the story has two distinct characters meeting and changing for the better together. Character development was subtly done, but it is there. Honestly, I just loved this as a palate cleanser, something that you can spend your time on without investing the better part of your brain to understand. It felt beautiful, and comfortable, and just lovely. Also, I really loved the writing, how every word is measured and said with its own undertone and the dialogue was amaziznggngng!!!!
If you love romance, FMCs that grow bc of their past not despite it, MMCs who are possessive in all the healthy/unhealthy ways, and a cat competing for his mama's attention with the MMC, you will love this book! This is an MF romance and do keep an eye out about the triggers, because the backstory of the FMC is dark and on page, kinda explicit.

Love,
Ishya
Profile Image for Michele.
1,108 reviews16 followers
September 11, 2026
Enjoyed this book immensely. Harper heads to a new school with an agenda -- eliminate the four men who had killed her mother and sister as well as assaulting her and leaving them all for dead. A mistake they will come to regret.

Jackson comes to school a few days after it has started. He is interested in Harper and unfortunately for him, he is the Alpha's son. The Alpha is one of the men on Harper's list. He and Harper have chemistry -- he works diligently to gain her trust and affection. And once he learns her secret, he is onboard to help her.

Cassidy -- she is Harper's self-appointed best friend. She forces Harper to be social -- I think their friend dynamic was hilarious.

There is OW drama -- Naomi, who feels she will be Jackson's luna. He has no interest in her, but her delusions have her claiming territory that is not hers to claim. Then there is Lia, one of Jackson's friends who has unrequited feelings for him. Once they both realize that he likes Harper, they collaborate to eliminate her.

This story had my full attention from the beginning. I like when Harper and Jackson's shifted forms play together -- they are really in tune.

Loved how both OWs get their karma - it was epic.

The ending was very satisfying -- this book will go on my re-read list.

Profile Image for Lucy.
1,448 reviews27 followers
September 13, 2026
Basically, take the Mindf*ck series, add some shifters, set it in college, and you've got Dead Girls Don't Forget. I didn't really go into this with any expectations but this still managed to be exactly what I wanted. Dark, no virgins, plenty of other woman drama mattered to the plot beyond just drama, and a FMC that doesn't weaken the moment a man gets involved.

I loved the characters in this. Both Harper and Jackson were well written throughout and they worked well together as a couple. The chemistry made sense and even when Harper was actively trying to avoid Jackson, he never gave predator vibes but more seriously interested man. Both of these characters felt like actual people on their own, although Harper was the stronger character of the two (substance wise.)

The pacing was done fairly well. There is a slow down in the middle when the focus moves from the revenge plot to a more pure relationship building focus. There's still some background drama that keeps the plot moving forward but it does slow down when the relationship starts to progress. Overall, a fantastic read and a great find to stumble upon.
Profile Image for Dewey.
2,425 reviews
October 18, 2026
I had stopped reading shifter stories because they all had the same lame plots. But this one had me enthralled from the first chapters. This is the vengeance one expects for the crimes they committed. (There are some college campuses she could visit once her mission here is completed.) Of course the 'fated mate' element is present too although different. She is a cougar, a true mountain lion; so glad not another little wolf. She's stealthy, quiet and deadly as she stalks her prey. I like it when she goes hunting.

Do check the TWs. “You took two turns.” His face twisted. “Two what? Who the fuck are you?” “I was thirteen the last time you saw me.” The OW stuff (Naomi & Lia) was glaringly obvious, but then I remember these are college students. It is still a shifter romance though so there's lots of sex and of course 'the knot.' The writing isn't as nuanced as I like; the author lets us know way ahead of time that something bad is going to happen.

One glaring error though that really annoyed me; good editing should have fixed it. An entire paragraph was repeated AND changed.
Profile Image for Lauren Reads.
332 reviews2 followers
September 4, 2026
I absolutely loved this - after the what goes around duet I knew I had to read this.

Only reason this wasn’t a a 5 star read was because I would have liked there to be a bit more of a build within the relationship because it felt a little rushed. However as with the last duet of hers I read the relationship really is secondary to the revenge plot anyway!

Other than that I couldn’t fault this. We had a great plot and a badass FMC out for revenge, the shifter aspect was a good addition to the story and it had minimal spice but it was still impactful.

It had great characters. I loved our FMC strength and ruthlessness in her quest for revenge. Jackson was a bit too intense off the jump but his undying dedication was well written. I also liked that we were kind of in the dark about what happened and it slowly uncovered through the story. The chapters of the actual explanation to her plan were devastating.

Fantastic revenge story I just loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dee.
5,398 reviews65 followers
September 11, 2026
Hang on get comfortable because trust me you won’t be putting this one down until the very last page has been turned. Wow… Harper is an all-time star she has been through so much watching her mother be brutalized, then the men yes more then one turned their attention to them and after the abuse burned the house while they were still alive all for their land but what they didn’t know was that she got out. Her aunt and uncle helped her live teaching her how to fight, how to survive, and how to achieve her one singular goal revenge on the four men who broke her 13-year-old body and murdered her mother and sister. So, she attends school in the same territory but she never counted on the son of the very man who led the group being her mate and a partner in her need for revenge but where are they headed, will she get her revenge, will they find out it is her who takes them all out, will he put an end to his father, and is there some form of happiness for her?
Profile Image for Pink_Candy.
51 reviews
September 7, 2026
Dead Girls Don't Forget is a masterclass in unapologetic, high-octane revenge and razor-sharp dark romance. Thalia Nova delivers an elite, hyper-competent heroine who refuses to let trauma define her—choosing instead to forge herself into a lethal weapon and claim her own cold, bloody justice without waiting for a savior or a moral redemption arc. The mate-bond dynamic with Jackson is absolute perfection: a fiercely protective, zero-hesitation MMC who doesn't try to soften her rage, but actively aligns with her darkness and helps her burn her enemies to the ground. Fast-paced, deeply satisfying, and completely devoid of weak female rivals or unnecessary miscommunication, this is a brilliant 5-star read for anyone who craves true female agency, ruthless payback, and unwavering possessive devotion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
33 reviews11 followers
October 31, 2026
Fantastic book. Highly recommended.

When I read a book I often, in my imagination, place myself in the character’s position. If this happened to me, would I do the same? If this happened to me, would I feel the same? With this book the answer was always yes.

It felt like all the events and people, both good and bad, shaped Harper in a way that felt realistic. Okay I know it’s a shifter book, but for me, it all worked.

I know I have only read two of Ms Nova’s stories, but both had a scene or two from the H’s perspective towards the end and I loved that. It felt like a gift and, for me, was much appreciated.

This author has become an auto buy for me and I look forward to her upcoming works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kassandra Sanchez.
14 reviews
September 4, 2026
Female rage is the the subject 👌 Harper is a survivor with and agenda. Revenge is the thing that's been fueling her since the night her life was completely changed. And just when she's in the middle of getting it our ML comes along and even though she tries to avoid getting entangled with him he wasn't having it. Jackson is just my favorite type of ML, the one who knows what he wants and isn't afraid of going after it. The chemistry between them was on point and their scenes together were just delicious.
All in all I really enjoyed this story Thalia is easily becoming one of my favorite authors. Can't wait for her next book.
1 review
September 11, 2026
This is one of my favorite authors this year! I have read all of her books and all have been 5 star re-reads for me. The writing is suspenseful, romantic, with tones of the paranormal and erotic without being overwhelming. The OW and OM drama was done with a chief’s kiss of perfection however, I LOVED the comeuppance for the OW in her previous books more. I also felt the FMC in her other series, her trauma, her revenge, her pain and her rise up to a better life was just more impactful in the other series. Having said that, this novel is a must read for anyone that has an interest in OW romance novels. Excellent job! I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
131 reviews
September 3, 2026
I’m here for it

I absolutely love this style of writing What really makes me want more is the way the character development plays out. Harper is a total baddie! Would have like a few more chapters with Jackson’s POV so, we see how obsessed and devoted he was to Harper. So, a little more for the vibe of their relationship but in the end it all came together beautifully. This is the third book I’ve read and definitely recommend reading this one. It’s a great pallet cleanser for me…I usually read Pitch Black so this got me out of my slump.
Profile Image for Lindsay M Perks.
30 reviews
September 6, 2026
I think it was difficult to give Dead Girls Don't Forget a higher rating because Nova's previous duet was just THAT good. My expectations were super high, and this didn't quite measure up. I gave 4 stars but that was a round up from a 3.5.

I did love the connection between Harper and Jackson. I especially loved that there was no miscommunication between them and that she shares everything with him!

What really set me back on this one was the Noah thing.... I wasn't really a fan of that ending.

All that being said, I will definitely read more of Nova's work as it comes out!
Profile Image for Tania  Harris.
74 reviews5 followers
October 6, 2026
I have read all of Ms Nova's novels. This one did not disappoint. Throughout it maintained a level of mystery that kept the reader wondering about the journey Ms Nova was taking them on. Harper, a determined h, fixated on getting revenge for her family and herself. A H that endeared himself to the reader

The OW drama was classic, to a point, with a slight twist towards the end.

It is important for the TW's to be noted, as there are definitely some graphic scenes scattered within the book.

This is one I would definitely recommend as a must read
Profile Image for Beckie Orms.
92 reviews2 followers
September 3, 2026
Fierce FMC and lovable MMC, perfection

Harper was an amazingly strong FMC. I rly enjoyed her character, and she didn't fall into the mean girl drama trap, which was refreshing. Jackson was great from jump, he knew exactly who he wanted and didn't mess around. I also love that he wasn't a man whore. I loved Harper when she shifted, her cougar was the playful side she shlda been but cldnt be. This was a rly good read.
Profile Image for Should_be_reading82.
60 reviews6 followers
September 4, 2026
Got an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Harper is fantastic, she's prepared, she's centered, she's determined, she doesn't put up with any BS from anyone. She did remind me of Lana Myers in the best way.

Jackson is a green flag, if you've read wolf shifter books, you know how possessive they are, how fast they're all in, and how loyal they are. Jackson is all of this and more.

I really loved this book, and I highly recommend it.
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