You'll Be the Death of Me

by Holly Michelle, Holly James

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 find herself very much dead.

Enter Cole, a charming but bumbling entry-level clerk in the Afterlife Administration who accidentally confuses Dell for a 95-year-old woman in Kansas with the same name, reaping the wrong soul. When Cole tries to fix his mistake, their worlds collide in life- and death-changing ways.

Now walking the city as a ghost only visible to Cole, Dell is frantic to get back to her perfect life but soon learns that it wasn’t what it appeared to be, particularly when it came to the man she was about to marry and his high-profile family.

Meanwhile, Cole has no memory of who he was before working for the Afterlife Administration. As they try to uncover Cole’s past and remedy Dell’s future, they realize the mistake that brought them together might just be a twist of fate. With time running out to bring Dell back to the land of the living, she’ll have to decide if the life she left behind is truly what she wants, or if Cole’s untimely appearance could lead to an unexpected change that she didn’t know she needed.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Paranormal, Contemporary, Romantasy

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 11, 2026

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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)

[jenny reads a lot]

| IG | TikTok |

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Kaitlyn]

once again sucked in by beautiful cover art

[jenna 💘✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!!

[Gracelyn Cate]

{ 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 ✨

[ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 🤍

[hannah nagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Lena Bahret · Rating 4 out of 5]

**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 ⭐️

[Missyreadsromantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into You’ll Be the Death of Me thinking it would be a less seasonal version of BK Borison’s Good Spirits. And as someone who happily reads books and watches movies that repackage similar love stories, that was fine by me!

But beyond the shared bureaucracy of death, Holly Michelle’s take felt different.

FMC Dell wakes up dead after afterlife admin Cole accidentally transitions the wrong person. They then work together to fix the mistake, forcing Dell to confront truths about her high-achievement lifestyle and the people she surrounds herself with.

At times silly, but somehow poignant, this was a quick read and a lovely reminder to pause every once in a while to take stock of the life you’re living.

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the e-ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a GORGEOUS cover. That alone had me making grabby hands for it.

If you're looking for a fast and short read that's cozy and sweet, this is perfect for you. This was uber cute!! Very whimsical and fluffy. It felt like reading a hallmark movie. I think my only complaint was that it was a little stiff at times, but overall the writing was great.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me the e-arc!

[Madelyn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was super cute and light hearted. Big fan of both the FMC and MMC. It was cute and touching.

Thanks NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

[heba]

First, that cover? Gorgeous.
Second? This was such a fun, wholesome romance. I was hooked on the plot and characters from beginning to end. Cole is an overworked Afterlife Clerk who makes the world’s worst workplace mistake, reaping the wrong soul (aka Dell). No pressure, just a tiny cosmic error. Watching Cole and Dell run around as ghost-and-reaper trying to undo his blunder was such a good time. Their banter is fun, their chemistry is so sweet, and I loved the opposites-attract vibes. If you're looking for a fun plot, swoon worthy moments, and full of charm - pick this up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Avon and Harper Voyager team for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sol✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Holly Michelle, NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for access to this ARC. This is an open and honest review.

"In everything that had gone wrong, kissing him felt supremely right."

Cole lives a peaceful but mundane (after)life working at the Afterlife Administration, assigning souls to their placements as they leave the worldly plain. He patiently bides his time, waiting for the day his own case is settled and he's released from purgatory, only to make the terrible mistake of reaping the wrong soul. Instead of moving on elderly woman who had lived a full life, Cole ends the life of the younger and inspiring chef Verdella Rogers with the press of a button. Horrified by his mistake, Cole finds his way back to the world of the living to help Dell in her search to return to her body before its too late to (literally) save her soul. And if doing that requires breaking a few rules along the way? Well, Cole quickly discovers there's very little he wouldn't do to make Dell smile.

You'll Be the Death of Me is easily a 4.5/5 star read for me! Dell's intensely persistent and occasionally reckless personality made for such a fun and chaotic read. Combined with Cole's timid and softer personality, the two make an adorable couple that I was rooting for from the first page. Something about the setting and the familiar warmth in their interactions reminded me of those formulaic rom-coms that were released in the early and mid 2000's. A misguided by strong willed female lead, a handsome and gentle male suitor, and an atmospheric love story that transcends time and space itself. A very cozy read, all in all!

The side characters were quite lovable as well. Jason cracked me up so many times with his off-handed comments and commitment to doing whatever it took to help Dell's ghost. Even the villain(s) of the story were satisfyingly motivated. I wish the ending hadn't felt so rushed after a relatively late climax to the story. A lot of time was spent building up to the big reveal, but the fall out of that revelation wasn't quite as fleshed out. Despite that, I adored the notion of a rulebook for the afterlife that acts as a foundation for the story.

Still, for readers who love ghost romance stories, or just bright and hopeful romance in general, this is a fantastic read. I'll definitely be picking up my own copy!

[bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’ll Be the Death of Me was a fun, short and sweet romcom that was delightful to read. I give it a 4/5 stars.

Cole Lewis, overworked Afterlife Clerk who’s in charge of reaping souls for the Afterlife Administration, makes his work complicated after accidentally reaping the wrong Verdella Rodgers. He’s determined to right his wrong and then get back to work. Cole was a nerdy, passive, follow the rules, character who was lovable. Verdella “Dell” Rodgers was his exact opposite. She was a badass type A, ultra-competitive, take charge and stubborn woman who is intent on making sure she achieves each and every goal set for herself. They couldn’t have been more different from each other and yet they fit with each other so effortlessly.

The journey they go on to fix Cole’s mishap was so entertaining. They uncover some hard truths about themselves all while going through a few unorthodox events. I mean, how sweet is it that they both work together to “haunt” someone (who totally deserves every bit of it by the way)??

The last 15% of the book was so entertaining and I could not stop reading. I just had to find out how and/or if they were even gonna get their happily ever after.

My one gripe about the book was I felt like there wasn’t enough romance overall. It had enough but I think there could have definitely been more. I think it was obvious there were feelings for each other from when they first meet but because the time span in the book was short, we didn’t even get to experience something simple like a first date.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading You’ll be The Death of Me. This book was different and lighthearted. It was easy to read and able to keep my attention throughout. It had romantic moments, emotional moments and a lot of comical moments. I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun, easy and unique romcom to read.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[✨Poppy✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise hooked me immediately, Dell waking up dead a week before her wedding because of an administrative mix-up in the Afterlife Administration is such a strong, slightly absurd starting point. The ghost-in-San-Francisco setup and the celestial bureaucracy gave the story a light, whimsical tone that carried it through.

That said, I didn’t love that it wasn’t written in first-person POV. I tend to prefer the intimacy of first person in romance, and here I sometimes felt a bit removed from the characters’ emotions. The more cinematic narrative style works with the concept, but I personally would have connected more deeply with Dell and Cole in first person.

Dell’s journey from tightly controlled perfection to questioning what she actually wants was satisfying to watch unfold especially as she starts to see cracks in her seemingly ideal relationship. Cole, the slightly bumbling afterlife clerk with no memory of his past, brings a softer energy to the story. Their dynamic develops gradually, and the romance feels sweet and earned rather than overly dramatic. The light mystery surrounding his past adds just enough intrigue without overpowering the rom-com feel.

If you enjoyed Good Spirits by B.K. Borison, this is definitely in the same vein, magical twist, emotional growth, and a gentle, character-driven romance.
Thank you NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for this ARC!

[Sophia LB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a very light-hearted and cozy read. It was fast-paced, the plot was intriguing and I was really curious about how it would pan out, and I loved the progression of the connection between the two MCs. Even though they didn't spend a lot of time together, it felt like a very natural build. I really loved the world building, and think the corporate afterlife was really interesting. The book is also full of really sweet, tender moments between the more action-packed scenes, and they were all really nice. I was invested in the MCs, and there were some great supporting characters as well.

But for the sake of objectivity, I do have a few issues with it. While the plot was interesting, it was fairly predictable, with a few too many heavy-handed hints about certain 'plot twists' that I saw coming a mile away. It was also very contrived at times, with things happening way too conveniently to move things along. There were also a few plot holes and inconsistencies that hopefully will be amended by the time the book is released. The ending was also predictable, but I still enjoyed it immensely.

Overall, I really enjoyed it, and it's exactly right if you're looking for an easy-going, cozy romance. It's basically a Hallmark book, and I mean that in the best way possible.

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a treat! I was struggling again in the first half…and I think it was the third person POV (sometimes it just simply doesn’t work for me) and I think instead of just reading and experiencing the story I was trying to figure out where it was going?! It was lacking in the romance for a while which MAKES SENSE once I got to the romance!! It was written so well!! Everything was complicated and chaotic and SO well thought out!!! I just was trying to figure out where the romance was going to be, what was happening, I wanted something!!!

And do not worry the something DID happen! It was so worth the wait too! I don’t even want to say too much bc I don’t want to ruin anything. But I reaaaaaaally loved Cole and Dell! They were just SO GOOD for each other!!!

And a moment for the COVER!!! It’s PERFECT!!! And I’m so happy I was drawn in by it so I could read this!

Thanks to Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me an arc in exchange for my honest review!

the end of this book was almost bittersweet, and it helped me come to terms with what i feel like this story was about.

small and what can seem minuscule choices can change our lives in so many different ways. it can be something as simple as trying to force yourself into a box like dell or to just go through the motions like cole.

books like these really help me believe in soulmates, because regardless of what choices you make you somehow always end up with the one you were meant to.

minus the ghosts and the D.A.D. 🤭

if you’re looking for an enticing read with ghosts and administrative workers from the afterlife (kind of like beetlejuice almost if you catch my drift) this is the book for you.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an eARC.

This book is everything. The premise is an absolute 10/10! Cole, a ghost working in the Afterlife Administration, has accidentally transitioned the wrong Verdella. Verdella, now also a ghost has to work with Cole to fix the wrong in her life so she can go back to living (and no longer be a ghost).

This was such a fun and quick read and I absolutely adored it. The characters, including supporting characters, were fun and the story came together in such a great way. This is a must read! 5⭐️

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC courtesy of NetGalley

Tropes: Second Chance Love

Spice: 3/5

The cover of this book initially drew me in and then the summary had me hooked. I wish I could say that it lived up to my expectations, but unfortunately it fell flat. I do hope that by the time that it is published, it is ready to be recommended to others. Regardless, I applaud the author for writing a book, especially one that is about death and grief. I do feel that the bones of the story is there, it only need refinement and some oomph to really stand out.

The story follows a thirty something woman (thank you for not being 21) who is constantly chasing her ambitions. She will make her family proud by marrying someone of significance, she will open her own restaurant, she will maintain her close friendships, she will work in soup kitchens, etc and etc. She is a woman of movement and nothing will slow her down. That is, until she actually dies. A young soul in the afterlife meant to take the soul of a elderly lady but accidentally reaps the soul of our FMC. He is an adamant rule follower who cannot believe he just offed the wrong individual. He is given three days to fix his mistake be helping her determine where her perfect life took a wrong turn.

This story approaches grief with a comedic outlook; it also gives the reader the highlight of haunting an ex, letting our imaginations run rampant with rage and revenge. We all wonder about the afterlife and this story gives us a new take on the in-between stage of life on earth and the ultimate passing.

I have two major problems with this story and hopefully they are addressed by August. The first is that this story read as train of thought writing. I like refinement within the writing, even if we are following a specific point of view. I do not enjoy reading run on sentences or the over use of "so" "maybe" "and then." Those words or phrases feel immature and unnecessary. I did not come here to read a journal entry.

My other problem is that every moment had the same level of intensity, i.e. no level of intensity. The supposed high moments did not feel exhilarating and the low moments did not feel dreadful. Everything was the middle of the road. I tried to predict some plot twists, but there were none. Numerous moments felt like throwaways or missed opportunities for heightened plot lines.

Tacking onto that, I was shocked when this entire story took place in maybe 48 hours? I understand that they had three days to fix her mistake, but we didn't even get to the end of that timeline. I am here for mutual attraction that hits hard and intense but falling in love that quickly? You have lost me. Without giving away any spoilers, I do understand that there is more to their initial attraction, but I did not feel it. Observations or movements made by the characters felt jerky and out of place on the page.

I still give this story a 3/5 because the overall concept is great and I read this within a handful of hours.

[Stella Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance reader copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tropes: Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Romance, Cinnamon Roll MMC, Love At First Sight, Forced Proximity, Soulmates, Amnesia, Character Growth

I was so excited to read this one, and it did not disappoint. I have been realizing that I love romances with ghosts and spirits. Also, this cover is absolutely gorgeous.

Our MMC, Cole, reaps the wrong soul, Dell, and is sent to Earth to try to fix it. On paper, Dell’s life is picture perfect. She is living in her house in San Francisco, owns her own booming restaurant, and is days away from marrying the mayor’s son. However, we soon find that not all is as it seems.

This book honestly had so many twists and turns that I was genuinely shocked. I was not expecting so much mystery-solving in this romance novel. The whole point is to figure out where Dell’s “wrong turn” was and to set her on the right path.

I loved the side characters in this story, most notably Jason and Robbie. Jason is Dell’s best friend and is so ride or die, which I loved. Robbie was a surprising and precious addition. The experience of being a ghost and seeing the reactions from all your friends and family to your death has to be shocking. Dell, being the steamroller she is in the best way, takes matters into her own hands and helps Cole live a little and grow as well.

You can tell right away these two have a spark, almost love at first sight. You just know they are meant to be together, and I could not help speculating about how these two would get their HEA.

The first 50 percent of the book focuses mostly on the two of them trying to solve mysteries and figure out how to get Dell back to life. Then they realize what they are doing is not working, so they pivot. Once we got to this point, the story really took off. We learn so much about Cole, and the two of them truly fall in love. It was so sweet. The last 15 percent of the book was so fast paced that I could not stop reading. The epilogue was precious.

Overall, this was a fantastic, whimsical, cozy fantasy paranormal romance with beautiful characters, lovable side characters, and so much character growth.

[joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

alexa play “invisible string” by taylor swift!!!

umm… i literally inhaled this book in one sitting. to start off, holly michelle’s writing is actually so addictive. i’m not a fan of third-person narration, however this worked so incredibly well. i completely forgot i was even reading in third person because the writing was so seamless and immersive. at times, i felt like i was watching a movie unfold in real time. the premise alone had me hooked from the start… cause what do you mean someone from the afterlight adminstration accidentally grim reapered the wrong person?!?

the plot was so fast paced, clever and so easy to get lost in. the book was also so funny, holly michelle does such a great job weaving together elements of magic and humor. she creates such a wonderful story that feels whimsical and grounded at the same time. she handles topics like death and grief so meticulously and thoughtfully that it never feels overwhelming or heavy that takes away from the story. rather it adds depth and emotional weight making the characters and their journeys feel even more meaningful and real.

i absolutely loved dell & cole’s relationship. obviously, it starts off pretty rocky with dell accidentally “killing” her. but dell’s accidental death forces her to confront everything she’s been previously avoiding in her life with the choices she’s previously made and the version of herself she’s been setting for. her determination to makes things right added emotional depth and growth to her character and the story. in the first half of the story, i wasn’t really feeling dell & cole’s chemistry since it leaned pretty heavily into dell’s personal arc (with her accidental death) and the overall build up of the plot. but holly’s pacing of the book is definely a “trust the process,” because dell & cole’s relationship is literally defined by the invisible string theory — i absolutely loved how holly was able to blend topics of love, humor and magic with themes of grief, regrets and second chances.

this is such a wonderful story and i cannot wait for this to be out in august!!! thank you avon & netgalley for this arc!! ⭐️

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Avon, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for providing me with an E-ARC!

So I had previously tried to read The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood, and I ended up DNFing it. I loved the concept but hated the execution. So many things didn't work for me with that one, but I still wanted more from the premise. I was immediately hooked by the blurb for You'll Be the Death of Me.

This is everything I was hoping for! It's such a fun, ghosty rom-com with a great cast of characters. Dell was instantly likeable, despite her stubbornness and her tendency to steamroll over others Cole was a great match for her with his caution and introversion. I loved that the plot was a good mix of ghostly pranks and character growth and introspection. Dell and Cole have 3 days to fix a past mistake in order to set her life on the correct path. When she was alive, Dell was so driven by her success that every decision she made was selfish and short-sighted. In death, Dell had a lot to come to terms with, and she was very open to acknowledging her flaws with the new understanding she gained of how her life was affecting others. I loved that despite the time crunch, Dell still felt the need to help Cole understand his own death, and the plot became equally about his own path. I had no idea how the ending was going to go. I knew what I wanted from it, but I had no idea how it could be done. The ending was so much better then what I anticipated. Tense, action-packed, romantic, and a little over-the-top. It made perfect sense for the characters, and answered a few world-building questions I had about Dell and her second chance at life.

Cute, romantic, steamy, original, great characters. Interesting world-building . Some emotional moments and laugh-out-loud ones. I cannot recommend this enough. I know this review is coming in before the release date, but if you like cozy romances with a bit of magical realism or the paranormal sprinkled in, put this one on the top of your Autumn Tbr list.

[Dotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Michelle’s You’ll Be the Death of Me is a cute romcom about death, life and happy endings. Our main character, Dell, gets a huge surprise when she is accidentally reaped through a clerical error. She and her handler, Cole, must spend three days finding out how to get Dell back into her body and learning lessons along the way.

This story was very silly and fun, really leaning into romcom elements. This book follows general ghost lore (possessions, moving objects, and more) but wraps them in a thin veneer of administrative bureaucracy. There are no supernatural elements outside of the ghost things, though there are some fun details about the afterlife (and the administrative buildings around it). The idea that death is riddled with administrative errors and bureaucracy is not a new one, but the author does an excellent job making it feel fun.

Dell and Cole’s romance is well developed, with the characters having solid chemistry initially and also developing over time. Both characters are flawed in different ways, which allows them to help each other grow during their time together. There is one detailed explicit scene lasting multiple pages.

This book is paced like a romance book, though the third act conflict is external rather than internal. The pacing is solid and doesn’t drag; I found myself reading basically in a single sitting, it was so fun. The ending to the book is very satisfying, giving a clever conclusion that feels engaging and appropriate.

Altogether, this was a great romcom about ghosts in love. The pacing was well done, the characters grew well and the plot was cheeky. If you love a good romcom and you don’t mind some ghosts, this is a great book for you!

Thank you to Harper Collins for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[phantom · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It was… everything. The beginning and the end. The sun and the moon. The answer to every question she’d ever asked.”

ˋ°•*⁀➷ 3.5 stars

Thank you to Avon and Harper for this advanced copy!!

This was cute and a little unexpected at times with a twist or two, but there were definitely some areas that it fell a little flat for me. The writing did suffer at times from the “main character syndrome” dilemma. It would set up the rules of the fantasy element of this universe only for the main character to blow through it and do the “impossible” because well… she’s the main character. I would have loved it if she didn’t always succeed immediately. Let her mess it up a few times and then if she blows through it once or twice, it’s more forgivable. I liked the MMC but I felt like his character was a little mis-characterized? I don’t know if that’s a real way to say that but he was set up as a bit more of a strict rule follower and yet, as the FMC blows through the roles, he just shrugs it off. There were just a few too many times where it felt like his actions and words didn’t quite match his characterization.

I do think the book overall would be stronger if you cut it down a little and made it in a long novella rather than pushing the 300 page mark and extending it. There isn’t quite enough “world-building” to keep me fully engaged for the whole length of it and I think with the style of writing that was a bit more “tell instead of show”, it would lend itself really well to a novella.

However, regardless of these critiques, it’s still an enjoyable read by all means. It’s got a good level of humor that I think works for the situation in the book. It’s a bit predictable, minus a few twists, but for a little weekend read, I think it will be perfect for a lot of audiences. It reminded me a bit of Lynn Painter’s style so I’m sure fans of her will get a kick out of this!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you woke up as a ghost one day and you had to find out what was the one thing you needed to do to reverse it? And in 3 days.

Dell (seemingly) had everything going for her. She had a restaurant that just got an excellent rating from a food critic, an amazing best friend, a great family, a wedding coming up, and a bunch of things on her plate. She doesn't worry about it, she's got it. She's ambitious, driven, and on her a-game. So why does she wake up dead next to her fiance Tommy one day? And what does she discover once she's dead? She only has three (3) days to figure out what is the one thing that can reverse her death, and how does she know Cole (the person who accidentally mixed her name up and killed her).

I reallllly loved this book, mainly because I didn't know where it was going to go next. It's a fun mix of a murder mystery (except you know why she died) plus a slow burn on the romance. I will note most of the romance is near the end, and this focuses a lot on relationships with other people (her best friend, people she worked with and interacted with a lot, her family, and others) vs just focusing on romance alone. I honestly loved her relationship with her best friend and the depths of that, plus the guy Robbie they always heckled.

This reminded me as like a reverse version of the Mediator series by Meg Cabot - highly recommend it. What I will say is this is lighter on romantic relationships (there is still one), and more so on relationships with everyone else.


Tropes:

* Second chance
* Ghost x ghost
* Revenge plot :)
* Hauntings (hehe)
* HEA

Spice: Near the end, not high level, but not nothing either

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for an ARC :) Opinions are my own.

[hannah⁷ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this eARC!

2.5*

This was such a fun and vibrant story. I adored Cole, and while Dell wasn't my favorite at the start, she definitely grew on me. As someone who relates more to Cole, her willingness to break rules and impulsiveness made me a bit anxious, LOL. The concept was also great (this was what initially drew me in...along with the BEAUTIFUL cover art).

I did have some issues with this, though:

While I enjoyed the idea of the novel, there were some inconsistencies with the rules surrounding it that drew me out of the story. Too many things were way too easy and convenient for the characters, and it got to the point where I was a little too focused on the logistics rather than the story. I'm not going to spoil any scenes, but there was one instance of this where a character trait was just kinda thrown in at the last minute and excused as something that Cole "just remembered" at the perfect moment. Another example: Dell is somehow way too good at everything she does. Sure, it fits her personality and overall character, but again, this removed too much conflict and made things too easy.

I like that this book doesn't take itself too seriously, but there were points where it did read slightly YA. I found the dialogue a bit unnatural at times, and the prose to be a bit clunky, too.

The romance itself was a bit rushed because Cole and Dell only spent a few days together. This wasn't a huge issue for me...while it took me out a little, I did like them as a couple! Plus, Dell deserved better after what happened with her ex-fiancé...

And I loved the epilogue! I enjoyed a lot of the sweet moments between Dell and Cole, and I'm so glad they got their happy ending :).

[Anna Christodoulou-Vega · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: You’ll Be the Death of Me By Holly Michelle 💀🤍✨👻

Okay but WHY was this so unexpectedly emotional and adorable at the same time?! 😭💕

This story had me hooked from the start with its quirky, whimsical premise but what really got me was the HEART behind it.

Verdella “Dell” goes from having the perfect life (dream career, high-profile wedding, everything planned to perfection)… to waking up DEAD a week before her wedding. 💀😳 And honestly? That chaos set the tone for everything that followed.

Enter Cole 🥺 our awkward, overworked Afterlife clerk who accidentally takes the wrong soul (oops). What starts as a cosmic mistake turns into something so much deeper, sweeter, and more emotional than I expected.

Cole is SUCH a lovable mess. Charming, a little chaotic, but so soft and genuine. And Dell? I loved her journey. Watching her go from “everything is perfect” to realizing maybe it wasn’t that self-discovery hit HARD. 💔✨

The chemistry between them?? SO GOOD.
✨ forced proximity (but make it ghost edition 👻)
✨ opposites energy
✨ “we shouldn’t… but we do” vibes
✨ slow emotional unraveling

And let’s talk about the themes because this book sneaks up on you:
💫 finding yourself
💫 questioning the life you thought you wanted
💫 second chances (in the most unexpected way)
💫 fate vs. choice

It’s funny, swoony, a little chaotic, and surprisingly deep. One minute you’re smiling at their banter, and the next you’re sitting there like… wait why am I emotional right now?? 😭

If you love:
✨ whimsical romance with a twist
✨ afterlife / magical realism vibes
✨ soft, awkward MMCs
✨ self-discovery journeys
✨ a little angst with your swoon

then this is 100% for you 💕

Thank you for the ARC—this one was such a fun and heartfelt ride! 🤍💀✨

[Sam Walicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun wholesome romcom!!! 🥹🥹

I have to be completely honest that I requested this on NetGalley because I loved the cover and little synopsis. When I started the book it took me a bit to get into and I was kinda throw off that it wasn’t written from either characters point of view. That one little bump in the road may have had me convinced I was not going to enjoy this (silly I know!!!!!)

Cole & Dell were such a TREAT! Dell is a type A, overachieving, takes no shit kind of woman… except for the fact she’s so over consumed in being a people pleaser and filling shoes she doesn’t need that that she somehow ends up in a loveless relationship. Cole on the other hand is our sweet little nerdy transition specialist from the afterlife department. That’s about all we get because he has no idea who the fuck he is/was. All he knows is the hell (quite literally but more like purgatory?) that is an office job in the afterlife.

Without giving anything away watching these two fall in love and help each other in the afterlife was the most wholesome little story! Cole teaches Dell to pump the breaks and evaluate life while Dell teaches him to break some rules & live a little (as much as one can in the afterlife) I couldn’t have even see the twist that came at the end which made me laugh because it was right in my face the entire time!!

Will definitely be recommending this to friends & anyone I meet along the way!! (Fingers crossed we get a movie adaptation of this someday because it would be PERFECT!)

Thank you NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review! Hope everyone falls in love with Cole & Dell the same way I did! 🩵

[Christina L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just the book that I have needed to get me out of my reading slump. It was wonderfully unique, and I loved every bit of it. It all kicks off when a (dead) guy that works basically at the afterlife cooperation accidentally makes the wrong person die, and then has to work with her to discover where she went wrong in life so that she can continue living. This honestly is just the book I have been looking for after watching (and becoming obsessed with) Eternity. The story is quite different but the vibes feel the same--could mostly be because of the corporate/capitalist hell that is the place just after death. So, if you liked that movie, I think you will enjoy this book as well.

As a whole, I was pulled in from the beginning with this book, and quite literally read it in two sittings, and would have probably read it in one sitting if I hadn't started the book at 10pm. I loved Dell and Cole (especially with all their quirks and flaws), and I thought their romance was such a good slow burn (as much of a slow burn as it can be in one book). additionally, although this book dealt with a lot of heaviness surrounding grief, it is ultimately a book about the joy that is life, and how death makes you appreciate it for what it is. I loved this book, and the world building that went into it, and even though it will probably never happen, I desperately hope that the author writes another book in this world, as I am still so curious about the world of the corporate afterlife.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.