Allison Rogers began creating stories at a young age. She and her brother would sit cross-legged for hours, immersed in their made-up worlds and multidimensional characters. Since then, Allison has always been a sucker for tragic outsiders, a sardonic sense of humor, and absorbing portrayals of growing up. Now, as an adult, she has moved on from daydreaming to writing YA novels. Allison lives in New England with her husband. They share an allergy to cats and dogs, which most people find heartbreaking, but also kind of romantic.
Sometimes all it takes is a book to make you want to stay.
Thank you Allison Rogers & BookSirens for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes It’s hard to really get your morals to allign- especially on topics of life and death, drug use, and interpersonal relationships. Is it worth it, to do things a specific way? Would it even matter to try, in such a short lifespan?
Maybe it doesn’t matter in the moment, maybe the way you're feeling will simply pass. But everything sticks with you if it matters. And these questions, these feelings matter- This book helped me solidify that.
I started reading Six Feet Somewhere expecting it to be a fun Paranormal Romance, and it was, at some parts...but mostly it just broke me; My tears were everywhere. Allison Rogers writes greif and longing so truthfully, so real. Being empathetic comes easily to me, and I'll tell you my empathy for these characters practically ran them over. It’s so hard not to get attach to them, especially with how they feel so human. Just some teenagers who were at the wrong/right place at the wrong/right time (you'll get it when you read it).
The relationships in this story ran deep, you could just feel it growing and growing with each page. It felt like I was right there with them, walking around their school, going to their houses, watching them cry, fight, connect.
On a lighter note- the banter bewteen Vera and Marty was amazing, I was kicking my feet throughout the entire slow burn (which was done right). No offense to anyone, but I haven't had the most positive experience with older people, but in the story, the interactions between the teens and older women felt so sweet, so wholesome. It made me crave both relationships, having support from all sides and from all ages.
It’s crazy how happy and depressed I felt while reading this story; With each chapter I felt both emotions, sometimes even more. This was an incredible read, the way it hooks you from the start, how it makes a slow burn seem fast paced, the emotions it brings out, and the characters & connections you swear are real.
Thank you Allison Rogers.
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Quotes
> Wasn’t allowed to use the word hate to describe the things I mildly disliked, but my dislike was never mild. It was fierce and all-encompassing. A rotten swell of emotion that burst out of me without warning.
>“Can I touch you then?” It sounded juvenile, but it was the only test that came to mind, save a gunshot to the face.
>“What is this? A thirteen-year-old’s birthday party? Up next, Seven Minutes in Heaven.” Marty grinned. “I mean, you wouldn’t have to convince me.”
>"I can hear your heartbeat like it’s pressing against me."
>That feeling when you don’t belong in a single place. Fighting through crowds of people who know you, but you don’t know them.
>“That’s sort of dismal, isn’t it? That after an entire lifetime, the things we miss the most are the things that were relatively minor in the first place?”
>He pressed his forehead to mine and smiled. “That’s really nice and all, but I was only there for you, Bradley.”
“That’s sort of dismal, isn’t it? That after an entire lifetime, the things we miss the most are the things that were relatively minor in the first place?”
Thank you Allison Rogers and BookFunnel for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this book not knowing what to expect, and it ended up surprising me. While it took a few chapters to fully pull me in, it quickly became an emotional, quietly addictive story. It’s very character-driven rather than plot-heavy, with layered, flawed characters and a romance that’s a true slow-burn full of tension and yearning.
There were a few things here and there that didn’t fully work for me, and I felt like some of the story’s and character's potential wasn’t explored as much as it could have been, but overall I really enjoyed it. The book is bittersweet and reflective, dealing with themes of grief, addiction, healing, and finding purpose.
📚 The Plot (no spoilers) Vera is focused on escaping her small town with a college scholarship. With one parent gone and the other in recovery, Vera has learned to rely only on herself. Then the charming new kid, Marty, turns her plans upside down. What she doesn’t expect is that Marty is already dead. As they grow closer, both start questioning what it really means to move on, live, and let go.
🔁 What to Expect • YA romance/coming of age • Themes of grief and addiction • Small-town high school setting • Grumpy x sunshine • Slow-burn with lots of yearning/pining • Hurt/comfort, angst • A quiet, tension-filled, reflective vibe rather than a typical paranormal story
💌 The Characters • Vera is not your typical FMC. She is rude, guarded, and sometimes a little hard to like. But once you understand her past, her rough edges make sense, and you can’t help but root for her as she grows throughout the story. • Marty is charming, soft in unexpected ways, and emotionally layered beneath his humor. Watching him adjust to being dead while still caring about the living felt very bittersweet. I wish we would have learned more about him. • Their dynamic is a slow-burn. It's tension-filled, sometimes awkward, tender and very earned. I would have liked even more of these two together! • I also liked the side characters, especially Vera's family and her best friend Kate.
✍️ Writing Style • The writing is atmospheric and emotional. It's beautiful. The focus is more on feelings and character moments than much action and it's easy to understand. • The tension between Vera and Marty builds gradually and keeps the story going. • The ending felt a little rushed and I felt like some potential wasn’t fully explored. I would have liked a few more conversations on certain topics and more scenes with Marty and Vera together.
🎯 Read this if you’re… into slow-burn, bittersweet romance, looking for a YA romance that feels deeper than average or are craving a quiet, tension-filled, reflective vibe.
*Also… can we talk about how beautiful the cover is?
I'd like to thank Book Sirens and Allison Rogers for the opportunity to read this eARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Short Summary: Six feet Somewhere follows Vera Bailey, the top student in school no thanks to her home life. All she wants is to leave, to go to Stanford and leave her tiny little town. As she leaves school one day she bumps into the new kid at her school Marty Kolesnik, and catches him doing something nobody was meant to see. He ends up explaining to her that he's dead, and that he can prove it, so he does. Dragged together by fate or coincidence, they start a friendship, where she learns more about herself and others and whether she wants to go, and Marty has to come to terms with his own "life" now that he's stuck in limbo.
Thoughts: I loved this book. From the second I picked it up, I was sucked in and didn't want to put it down. I lost sleep over it, I stayed up so late that the sun came up and the birds were chirping before I finally pulled myself away from the book to sleep.
I love Vera's character, she's so uniquely created, complex and multi-layered, an incredible character that deserves so so much from the world. Her tough exterior, her anxiety, her depression, her thoughts and hilarious blunt comments. She's perfectly made, so incredibly human. I, of course, also love Marty. I love the soft hearted gentle boys in fiction, the ones who show their emotions, who are so easy yet so difficult to read how they feel. I love Vera and Marty together also, they fit so well together and match each other perfectly. They're exactly what the other needs, and you can feel the care they have for each other through the pages with every small eye movement and action they take.
While this book was tragic, it was also heartwarming, it made me laugh, cry, and remember all the things that make me love reading. I loved Rogers' other book It Only Hurts at First when I read it last year, but Six Feet Somewhere is my favorite of hers. I love her writing and her characters so much. I think I could live in her brain. I will read anything she ever writes. Six feet Somewhere hit so well for me because even if I don't relate much to the plotline or to Vera's challenges, this book still healed something in me.
Also I accept zero criticism on this book, it's perfect.
Trigger Warnings I Gathered: parent death, drug abuse (mentioned), alcoholism (mentioned), car accident, bullying, suicide, suicide ideation, underage drinking, toxic friendship, ableism
I started reading "Six Feet Somewhere" yesterday, and ended up staying awake until 4 AM because I simply couldn't put it down.
The main character, Vera, a strong-willed and independent-minded 17-year-old, knows a college scholarship is her only way to succeed in life. She has everything planned and everything under control, then Marty arrives. Marty is on paper the kind of guy that she despises as social life comes easy to him, but they're bound to form an unexpected connection after she finds him interrupting his suicide attempt. Technically, he isn't alive at all. He died a month ago, but instead of passing, he woke up in New Jersey, newly enrolled in high school and with grandmother to assist. Both stuck in the same small town and searching for a way out, Vera and Marty discover they have far more in common than they realized.
I liked the way the paranormal element was built inside the deeply realistic world the characters are in. I loved the main characters' interactions, the banter (which was not all over the place, thing that I appreciated) and the way their relationship progressively develops (it felt natural). I appreciated that the author took their time to build up their relationship: I enjoyed going through the development of their connection and progressive mutual understanding.
For once, the parents felt real, too. I really appreciated the relationship and interactions among Vera's family members. Even the secondary characters such as the school counselors felt more than just non-playable characters.
I think this novel is well written, the prose is not heavy and the pacing kept me hooked. The book gets you right in your feels. The main characters felt incredibly real and easy to connect with, which made the story hit even harder. The narrator had a credible teenager attitude, I liked Vera's voice and thoughts.
Not a 5 star just because the ending felt a bit rushed… and maybe there were some time-related paranormal-related time inconsistencied
It reminded me of what it felt like to be completely absorbed in a story, like when I was a teenager and would read through the night. I can't wait to read more from this author!
I thank Booksirens for this ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I just wanted to start by thanking Allison Rogers and the BookFunnel Team for allowing me the honor of reading and reviewing an ARC.
The main character, Vera, is dead set on going to Stanford for college. She's strong willed and the valedictorian of her class. Most would think that would make her one of the popular kids or at least well liked. However, this is not the case for Vera. Most of her classmates see her as being rude or offensive, I chalk that up to her childhood trauma and inability to be a kid. No one other than her best friend, Kate, had ever taken the time to get to know her... until Marty.
Marty, the charismatic new kid that started in the middle of the school year obviously fits in with everyone. Everyone loves new kids, probably because they are so mysterious.
Vera and Marty truly connect with each other when Vera stumbles upon him trying to shoot himself in the head in the woods behind campus. Only, he can't die. He is already dead, or so we are led to believe.
This novel is emotional as it explores grief from a highschool perspective which can be overwhelming when you're going through that at such a young age. The characters are raw in the way they discover things about themselves and challenge each other to do so. They push each other to grow and step out of comfort zones which some definitely do. Though the end does give you some hope for the two main characters and that is all I can say without revealing the end.
Oh my god?? I'm genuinely so speechless. THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. Not only was the plot so unique and well executed, the slow burn romance was phenomenal and truly showed the essence of yearning and experiencing your first love. But back to the plot—holy??? I haven't been this enthusiastic about a book in YEARS, truly.
Miss Rogers, you have outdone yourself, and I will be immediately checking out all your other works. This book immediately gripped me AND kept me on the edge of my seat through out the *entire* thing. It was such an interesting concept with a great plot twist and foreshadowing as well.
I found the FMC to be so … raw and real, but I don't want to look too deep into what that says about me. And the MMC? Not bad at all—which I feel like says a lot given today's state of romance novels. Mind you, I've read about 65 books in the last couple months alone, and not ONE has made me feel strong enough to broadcast my enjoyment of it.
I received an advanced copy of the book to read before it got published and i feel so blessed, truly. It was a complete blind read too, which honestly enhanced the story for me
Possible tags: grumpy-x-sunshine-but-the-girl-is-the-grumpy- one, slow-burn, yearning, pining, hurt/comfort, angst
TL;DR: well-executed EVERYTHING; An absolute must read!!!.
Vera is an academically gifted but socially stunted high school senior. She's made herself exceedingly unlikeable and seems to thrive on the negativity. To the point that she has alienated almost everyone except her best friend Kate and the new kid Marty.
Marty is an enigma. New to school; he's instantly popular, and drawn to Vera. Also, he's dead. While the two navigate their unusual situation, friendships start to change, Vera starts to live a little more and realize that maybe other people aren't so bad.
Grief is a funny thing and I like how the author handled the topic in the book. What frustrated me a little was how incredibly horrible Vera was to everyone. I get being unpleasant especially considering her life circumstances; losing a parent, having an alcoholic one, but she was extreme. I'm also a huge fan of magical realism and suspension of disbelief but had a hard time just accepting the plot twist. That needed a little more than a glossing over at the end of the book.
I'll add this one to the 'may be someone else's favorite' pile.
Thank you Book Sirens for the copy of this book. This review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own.
Six feet somewhere by Allison Rogers Published date January 24, 2026 Thank you for this ARC in exchange of an honest review
Being a teenager sucks already but Vera was something else entirely. Losing one parent and one recovering from his addiction made Vera grow up since a kid.
All she had planned was to finish high school and get accepted at Standfort to get out of her town forever, maybe boring but stable. A new kid (Marty) at her school enters and changes everything. He's actually dead and stuck on her town, she's the only one who knows.
Six feet somewhere is a paranormal romance book and a coming of age. A pure love with yearning from both sides of the story. At first I thought it will be a darker book but it was cozy and reminded me of many movies like "The perks of being a Wallflower", a bit of "Teen wolf" for the town vibe. This book was so good, I didn't wanna stop reading it. Something I thought would happened is that Greg would have a crush on Vera (I know love triangles are so used) but in the contexts of a normal life he would offer, something Marty couldn't . But the ending was perfect and made sense, im glad.
6 Feet Somewhere is a thoughtful, emotionally rich read that explores grief in a way that feels honest without being overwhelming. While the central theme revolves around loss, this is not a sad or depressing book. Instead, it balances moments of genuine humor with heartfelt emotion, making the story feel very human and relatable.
What I appreciated most is how the book focuses on the idea that grief—and the actions of others—do not define who you are. The characters are allowed to be messy, reflective, and real as they navigate loss, growth, and self-discovery. Rodgers handles these themes with care, offering moments that linger without weighing the reader down.
I gave this book four stars because it delivers depth and emotional resonance while still leaving space for warmth and hope. If you’re looking for a story that acknowledges grief but doesn’t dwell in darkness, 6 Feet Somewhere is a meaningful and worthwhile read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was SO GOOD! I'm a high school teacher and I write YA, I've read a lot of YA, and when I say this is one of the top ones I've read in a long time, just take me at my word.
The voice was spot on, the banter - perfect, the emotional range of these characters? WOW! I could tell this book was going to make me cry before I finished the first chapter, and I was right. I did cry. Several times.
Ugly crying at 2 in the morning because I literally could not PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! Even when it gave me anxiety for the characters that I haven't felt since I read I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. And then the ending… no spoilers, but *sob!*
My philosophy is that if a book can illicit a strong emotional response that's a testament to the author's skill and automatically deserving of 5 stars, which I happily give this book! I cannot wait for its release because I will definitely be ordering a copy for my school's library.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a wonderful book! At first I was a bit thrown off by the dead boy angle since that’s not my usual speed but Allison’s first book was so good I dived in anyways. I’m so glad I did!!
Both Vera and Marty are so loveable in their own ways. As our protagonist, I have to say about Vera in particular she feels so three dimensional. Her relationship to her peers and the way she views them (and how they view her) is very grounded and had me in my feels at multiple points.
And of course, the dynamic between Vera and Marty is so special. All I’m going to say on this front is that it made me cry on more than one occasion and I love them both.
The last thing is that this book is filled with lots of great one-liners that hit you right in the feels. I cried twice in chapter 19 alone at “You have no idea.” And “… I couldn’t remember a time I had.”
I completely recommend this book. Such a joy (and pain, the good kind) to read. No surprise after It Only Hurts at First was so good
I was beyond excited to get an ARC copy of this book. As soon as I started reading, I pretty much didn’t want to put it down…I only stopped once, and that was because it was 3am, but I picked it right back up in the morning because I had to know what happened between Vera and Marty next. One of my favorite things about this book is that you can feel Vera’s raw pain and emotion. The twist at the end was not something I expected, but loved. Honestly, I think everyone should read this book. It reminds you that sometimes bad things–overwhelming things–happen. Life isn’t sunshine and daisies 24/7. More people should tell stories about young adults and their struggles, because they exist in our world. I appreciate stories that aren’t afraid to touch on sensitive subjects, and Allison hits the mark again.
I haven’t been able to read a book in a while because of a reading slump, but when I received the author’s newsletter in my inbox saying a second book was coming out, I got super excited! I started reading it on release day.
This book pulled me right into the story. It was so good that I couldn’t stop reading. It gets you right in your feels. Even though it deals with some heavy topics, it’s written beautifully! The main characters felt so real and easy to connect with, which made the story hit even harder. I loved them so much that I honestly wish the book had been even longer because I wanted to know more about them!
I really enjoyed the author’s first book (It Only Hurts at First), and ended up loving this one even more! I highly recommend it and can’t wait to read more from this author!!
I loved this book. As soon as I started reading, I pretty much didn’t want to put it down…I only stopped once, and that was because it was 3am, but I picked it right back up in the morning because I had to know what happened between Vera and Marty next. One of my favorite things about this book is that you can feel Vera’s raw pain and emotion. The twist at the end was not something I expected, but loved.
Honestly, I think everyone should read this book. It reminds you that sometimes bad things–overwhelming things–happen. Life isn’t sunshine and daisies 24/7. More people should tell stories about young adults and their struggles, because they exist in our world. I appreciate stories that aren’t afraid to touch on sensitive subjects, and Allison hits the mark again.
I’m still reeling a bit, because this book pulled me into the story from the very first page. I simply couldn’t put it down! It hit me right in the heart. Despite the heavy themes, it’s written so beautifully and with such vulnerability that it never feels overwhelming. The main characters felt so real and tangible to me, which made their story hit even harder. Honestly? I didn’t want to say goodbye to them at all and I’m actually bummed that the book is over—I could have read about them for hours!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was my first time reading this author, but I’m officially sold. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to read more of her work!
Despite being more of a slow burn, Six Feet Somewhere hooked me right away. It was honest, charming, and bittersweet all at once.
This book had everything a lot of romances are lacking these days (which is always very appreciated). The plot was unique, the characters were raw and realistic, and what I loved most was the slow, tension-filled buildup to their relationship.
The ending was a little rushed, but that didn’t really bother me with how enjoyable the rest of the story was. Recommend to anyone looking for an emotional and heartfelt read!
Thank you to BookFunnel & Allison Rogers for the ARC!
IInteresting story with a nice twist. It was a fast read, but not always an easy one. High school can be very hard for people even when they don't have additional personal pain to deal with. Marty is dead, but ends up in a high school far from home and has to wrestle with the prospect of eternity trapped in this school. Vera is academically brilliant but she is in her own way as trapped as Marty and has not made peace with the death of her mother.
The story pulled me in and I felt the characters' emotions. The ending, though very interesting, felt rushed. Despite that, an excellent read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was everything. Absolutely fell in love with Marty, and Vera was a perfect blend of “don’t mess with me,” deserving of better life circumstances and loyal to a fault. The plot was crazy and I kept wondering how it would work out, but it was explained well at the end. There were so many sweet yearning moments and heartfelt grief that made this book so beautiful. The AA scene… tears.
Loved it, would read again and recommend. To the author… please write more, maybe even a little bonus chapter or two for these characters?
Thank you for the arc Allison Rogers, this review is voluntary.
I really enjoyed this book. It has very good descriptions and it handles the topic of grief well.the plot twist was a bit unexpected but a very nice one. Although the ending was too abrupt for me and I feel like there could have been more Overall a very good read and I can’t wait to read more from the author.
She wants to leave town as one parent is dead while the other is recovering. So things all change when a new boy arrives and grows in popularity which she hates. At least that is what she tells everyone, he is dead and it may just change for her. See where her life will now lead her I received an advance copy from hidden gems and this is a wonderful read
I read this book in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down, the story is good with a great telling of the characters. I felt like I was there with the main characters which is probably why I couldn’t put it down!
The subjects raised in the book are very emotive, but handled well.
it was a little short and because of that, felt a bit rushed at the ending for me. but overall, it was very well written. it was able to let the audience go through the emotions with care and a lot of thought. a really nice read!
I absolutely loved this book! From the first chapter I couldn’t put it down! I was so intrigued on the background of these characters. How they ended up in the position and what the next move was. Such a great read!
OMG this book was SO GOOD. The angst, the drama, the complex relationships between the main and her family, friend, classmates... SO WELL WRITTEN. And holy rollercoaster batman, THE TWIST. Chefs kiss. I wish I could read this for the first time again. I will read anything this author writes.
Second book I’ve read from this author and I love her style of writing ! This book had me captivated the whole way through and I could not put it down!
Thank you soooo much for this ARC copy! It was an enjoyable read and definitely kept me busy!
This book was definitely a slow burn, but undeniably Allison Rogers. Very much a “trust the process” kind of read. And the ending felt a bit short lived but if you take the time to comb through the story line and look deeper it’s a very engaging story with incredibly deep main characters.