Wandering Souls

The Atlas Cliffs #1

by Angela van Liempt

Letting go is not an option.

In the coastal town of Atlas Cliffs, seventeen-year-old Drew Harlow has a secret. She can see the dead. She’s always seen them, and they’ve always left her alone.

Until now.

Drew’s final year of high school should have been fun. It should have been carefree. It would have, if not for the accident that took the life of her boyfriend, Shane. Now, it’s all she can do to keep her head above water. But Drew can’t shake the feeling that something was missed.

Move forward. Let go. There’s no way Shane could’ve survived. That’s what her best friend Piper keeps telling her. Except, if Drew can see the dead, why can’t she see Shane?

Drew embarks on a mission to uncover the secrets of Neptune Point, the scene of Shane’s accident. As she digs into the mystery, she exposes unexpected darkness that has been buried for too long. But someone doesn’t want the truth to come out, and they will protect it at all costs. Even if it means silencing Drew.

She cannot turn back now.

Choosing to ignore what is in front of her is no longer an option.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Thriller, Mystery, Romance, Urban Fantasy

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2022

About the author

Angela van Liempt is a small-town girl with big dreams. Music inspires her and she creates a playlist for every book she writes. The Atlas Cliffs series emerged from her curiosity with the paranormal, but along the way, she discovered a passion for weaving romance into her stories.

She lives on the east coast of Canada with her family and her beloved dog, Harley, otherwise known as ‘Pippy’ or ‘Harley-Quinn’. A lover of the ocean, full moons, and sunsets, she’d choose to be barefoot on a beach any day over big city life. Escaping into fictional coastal towns with characters who feel like real people is one of her favorite pastimes.

Reviews

[Ashley | A Pair of Readers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives me Veronica Mars meets Ghost Whisperer vibes. Angela van Liempt's YA paranormal fantasy follows a grieving Piper. Still dealing with the death of her boyfriend, she has retreated into her self. She even goes as far as to try and ignore her gift -- to talk with the dead.

But the dead won't be ignore and Piper is soon tasked with helping some wandering souls discover what happened to them and putting her at the center of a large big mystery. As Piper continues to dig, she exposes old town secrets that some would rather leave buried.

Piper's character is a fun one to follow. She is a bit reserved, but I loved watching her growth from the beginning of the book to the end. I also enjoyed meeting the secondary characters, such as her best friend and Nico -- who added powerful relationships to the story.

If you like YA paranormal mysteries with Veronica Mars vibes, definitely check this one out.

[Kari Thorsdottir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not the typical YA reader, but I have been experimenting with different genres this year. Wandering Souls is a creative story told by a skilled author. I cared about the main character, Drew, right from the start. Drew has been experiencing visits from the souls of those who have passed on, but she is not familiar with them. After her boyfriend is in an accident, she can't understand why he won't visit her, too.

I really liked the author's writing style: it was well done, and not overly fussy. An honest-to-goodness page turner with constant bits of action and intrigue. I'm already looking forward to book 2 in the series!

[Cassidy Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and will be recommending it to friends and family. It felt like a great YA introduction into the mystery/thriller genre. I can’t wait to pass it onto my daughter for her to read one day. A great debut novel!

[E.M. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wandering Souls is an Indie paranormal YA mystery about Drew, a high school student with a lot going on.

She's convinced her missing boyfriend is still alive, navigating life with an absent father and an adoring grandmother, and dealing with a mean girl at school. And on top of all of that, she can see ghosts.

Drew's boldness drives this story and if there were moments where the parent in me was shaking her head, I have no doubt I would have eaten this up and come back for more when I was Drew's age.

[saramyeon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a hard one for me… I thought the theme of the book was really interd and intriguing but I didn’t like who the story was told. I thought that it was very slow and I had a hard time finishing this book.
I loved the idea but not the execution and I sometimes had a hard time understanding the feelings of the female lead.

[Chelsea Pena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing paranormal mystery that gave me Nancy Drew vibes but different because she can see and help ghosts while solving a crime in her home town. Twists that you don’t expect and just when you think you have solved it bam it takes a turn you don’t expect. Excited that book 2 is out already and can’t wait to read it asap!

[Danielle Paquette-Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping thriller with a different twist

This book is so good!!!! Okay I've wanted to read this book for a long time. I started it, got stuck into it, and then life happened 😂 So overall it took me way too long to read this book. But honestly, it is so good! I'm definitely reading the next one.

I was gripped by the story and the characters. I've been trying all kinds of theories to try and guess what happened. Some of them were very wrong, others were right. I was delighted that I couldn't guess all of the intrigue!

Oh yeah did I mention the main character can see the wandering souls of dead people?

Van Liempt's writing is amazing and she's also super sweet and kind. I definitely recommend!!

[Nishell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved most about Wandering Souls was watching Drew, a 17-year-old who initially fears her ghost-seeing ability, gradually embrace it while searching for her boyfriend. Even though everyone believes he's dead after his car is found in the river with no body, Drew refuses to give up hope. Her growth felt incredibly authentic, and I found her journey both compelling and relatable. The story kept me hooked with its engaging mystery and well-placed clues that made it easy to follow. Drew’s reckless decisions were true to her age, adding depth to her character. The spice level is a 1, focusing solely on the mystery. I’m genuinely excited to see where Drew’s story goes in the next book!

[Cassidy Paredes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Captivating

I loved diving into Wandering Souls and exploring Atlas Cliffs. With beautiful description, character development, and perfect plot-pacing, this was an exciting and truly captivating read. Thanks, Angela, for portraying grief, loneliness, friendship, and family so perfectly. I loved experiencing Drew’s adventure and uncovering the clues and mysteries with her. Can’t wait to read the next book in the Atlas Cliff series.

[Cassandra Aston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of stories that don't feel entirely supernatural. The kind where you could actually imagine yourself in this life and then the story takes a turn and suddenly you ask yourself if the world you live in could hold more secrets than you know. This is exactly the type of story we have with Wandering Souls.

Drew is a character that you feel a connection with and have a vested interest in from the start and the beautiful descriptions throughout make really help you visualize the story.

I highly recommend checking this book out and it's available in ebook, audio, and print! (For the girls who read in three formats)

[W.L. Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A YA story filled with twists and turns that will have your head spinning, and that’s just the scenery! I enjoyed the characters, plot, and setting, and I loved the paranormal aspects of this book. I listened to the audible version read by Megan Hudgins, and it was fabulous.

[Madz Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing 😊 I enjoyed this book very much. I would highly recommended this book. 😊

[Leah Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute but spoooooky

I enjoyed this. Really well done to Angela Van Liempt! I was creeped out, invested, enthralled. I Definitely recommend this!

[Kimberlie Matteau · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a great read for your teen I highly recommend this book…and you may just enjoy it yourself! Both my son and I loved it!

[Kearstin Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read that lead me
On Drew’s search for Shane.

The book is completely a different experience, drew can speak to those who have passed and in a sense it
Helped her find the answers she was looking for.

The ending is a perfect cliffhanger
For book two

[L. Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing from start to finish!

I honestly do not have enough words to do this story justice. I have just read Wandering Souls on Kindle unlimited and literally could not put it down. The plot and pacing were perfect. The twists and turns were believable and every chapter kept me hooked. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the next in the series. Well worth the read.

[Kat B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reads the way an adult imagines teen dramas to be. It had great promise in the beginning, with the main character detailing her encounters with lost souls...then quickly devolves into her lamenting over and over again about her missing and presumed to be dead boyfriend. Yes, I get it, she is sad and wants to solve the mystery....but the overuse of melodramatic phrasing (How many times will she mention her dark circles from lack of sleep?) just had me imagining Drew as someone who constantly looks into the distance while her palm is pressed against her forehead. The mystery of her boyfriend is pretty easily solved if you've watched any made for TV thriller. The story of the Enid and Ezra though, now that should have been the center of the tale.

[Meaghen Hustler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s not my typical read at all. I entered a contest on TikTok to win a copy for my Mom who enjoys this genre, and when I won I downloaded it on Kindle to take a shot at reading it myself.

It was a bit slow to get into, but I appreciated the build up. It wasn’t a complicated read, rather easy and engaging and kept me hooked until the end. Some parts were fairly predictable but the story still flowed and captivated me.

The ending definitely had me interested in keeping up with this series and I’ll be looking forward to Book Two.

[Kelsey Attwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story didn’t get interesting in a mystery sort of way until half way.

I personally thought the story line was gonna be more about her powers of seeing the dead so I was surprised that in the first few chapters she was denying it.

The writing was fine, it did a lot of showing and then explicitly telling obvious things. The dialogue wasn’t great between most characters and I found I cared more about the ghosts than any of the characters alive.

There seemed to be a few plot holes scattered throughout but the premise of the book and the thriller part kept me DNF’ing the book

[Donna (BookDragonGirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This supernatural mystery was so original and totally hard to put down!! Drew is a wonderful, real character that had me invested before the end of chapter one!! I highly recommend this if you enjoy mysteries, the supernatural, romance and plenty of action, with a fast pace that keeps you flipping those pages!!

[Larae Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin with Wandering Souls by Angela Van Liempt? This book didn't just capture my attention; it reached into the depths of my soul and spoke to the very essence of who I am. From the haunting beauty of Drew Harlow's journey to the achingly real portrayal of grief and loss, every word felt like it was written just for me.

Drew's ability to see the dead struck a chord deep within me. It's not something I share with her, but the way she navigates her world, grappling with the unseen while trying to hold onto the tangible, mirrored my own internal struggles in a way I never expected. As she searches for answers amidst the wreckage of Shane's accident, I found myself on a parallel quest for understanding, piecing together fragments of my own past in the hopes of finding solace.

And Atlas Cliffs... what can I say about this fictional town that hasn't already been said? Angela Van Liempt's masterful descriptions painted a picture so vivid, I felt like I was wandering its streets alongside Drew, the salt tang of the ocean filling my lungs and the weight of its secrets heavy on my shoulders. It's a testament to her skill as a storyteller that I was so completely immersed in this world, every detail etched into my memory long after I closed the book.

But it's not just the setting or the plot twists that made Wandering Souls unforgettable; it's the characters, particularly Drew and her best friend Piper. Their bond was a lifeline in the darkness, a reminder that even when everything else feels lost, friendship endures. Their journey together touched me in a way that few stories ever have, leaving an imprint on my heart that I know will never fade.

In the end, Wandering Souls isn't just a book; it's a companion on my own journey of self-discovery and healing. Angela Van Liempt has crafted a masterpiece that spoke directly to my soul, weaving a tale of love, loss, and the courage to keep moving forward even when the path seems impossibly dark. If you're looking for a story that will touch you in ways you never thought possible, look no further than Wandering Souls. It's more than just a book; it's a testament to the power of storytelling to heal and inspire.

[Jade Farmilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the first few pages you are pulled into Drew’s world of love, loss and her passion to find out what happened to her boyfriend Shane after he mysteriously disappeared. I love how Drew refuses to just roll over and accept that Shane is dead and move on like everyone keeps telling her. She knows in her gut that there has to be more to it than meets the eye.

In the early stages of her investigation to unravel the mysteries surrounding Shane’s disappearance, we learn that Drew has the ability to see the dead. After being afraid of her ability for so long will she embrace her gift or still see it as a curse?

Each new day brings more confusing information and the closer Drew comes to unraveling the tangled web of lies and secrets, she realises that this is so much bigger than just Shane’s disappearance, one false move could set off a domino effect that not only puts her life in danger, but the lives of those who are closest too her. It’s a race against the clock, can Drew solve the mystery and keep her self and those close to her safe or is she in way over her head?

I LOVED this book, I honestly couldn’t put it down, every spare moment I had between looking after my newborn daughter I would be reading this book. This book will have you on the edge of your seat and constantly keeps you guessing, I was hooked after the first few pages. I desperately wanted to know the outcome, but I didn’t want it to come to an end either. I would Highly recommend this book to everyone, not just young adults. I think Angela Von Liempt has really started something here.

Wandering Souls is book one in the Atlas Cliffs Series and I am so excited to read what Angela Van Liempt has in store for us in book two and to find out what Drew gets up to next.

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This blends small-town mystery with a supernatural edge, and the result is an addictive YA novel that feels like Veronica Mars -- with ghosts!

Drew is an easy protagonist to root for. Her relentless curiosity and inability to leave loose ends untied make her not just compelling, but active in her own story. She doesn’t just stumble into answers; she digs, pries, and occasionally gets herself into some pretty serious trouble trying to uncover the truth. Her grief over Shane feels raw and believable, and her growth throughout the story—both in confronting her trauma and accepting her abilities—was handled well.

The supernatural elements are woven in seamlessly. They enhance the mystery rather than overshadow it, keeping the focus on Drew’s investigation while adding an interesting, atmospheric layer. It’s a tough balance to strike, but the author nails it.

The relationships—romantic and platonic—feel authentic, and every character has depth beyond their surface role. The romance arc is well-paced and emotionally satisfying without distracting from the central plot. The plot is tightly constructed, with just the right amount of twists to keep you flipping pages. The coastal town of Atlas Cliffs feels vivid and alive, with just enough moody atmosphere to match the story’s darker themes.

YA high school settings can often feel stale, but Wandering Souls sidesteps those clichés with sharp writing, engaging characters, and a central mystery that is interesting from start to finish. I didn’t want to put it down and I wouldn’t mind spending more time with Drew and her ghostly world. Can't wait to pick up the next!

[Gareth Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoroughly entertaining supernatural mystery. It's billed as "young adult" - and certainly the protagonist and many of her allies and adversaries are in their last year of high school, with much of the associated angst - but I think the story stands up to any audience. The heroine, Drew, has grown up an outsider in a small town on the (Canadian?) coast, partly because of absentee parents and partly because she can see the dead. Or at least, in slightly less terrifying Sixth Sense style, certain of the dead show themselves to her, awake and in her dreams, and finally start talking to her. Against her will, she is drawn into a web of years-old secrets that threaten not only her life but the lives of everyone she cares about.

This wasn't an easy book to put down. The ghost encounters were well-written, sometimes empathetic, sometimes terrifying. It's been a long time since I was in high-school, but Drew's interactions with her peers, family, and other adults rang true to me. The villain of the piece was definitely that, with an intriguing backstory to boot. While I enjoyed the redemption arcs of a couple of characters, I would have liked to seen more accomplices to the villainy than faceless goons. That's a minor quibble, though, and I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 in the Atlas Cliffs Series. I suggest reading in order as there is a lot of backstory that will come up as you read the series and that information is relevant.

Oooooooh I cannot believe I waited as long as I did to start this series. Not only am I in love with the characters, I am enjoying the spooky vibe along with the ,mystery to the story. The book focuses around Drew who is a teenager getting ready to graduate from High school. Her boyfriend past away in a car accident but his body was never found. Drew is devastated and cannot move on. Her best friend Piper is trying to help but it's rough. Then you have Nico, the childhood best friend who relationship has faded over the years but has been rekindled with a bit of romance. Oh, did I mention that Drew can see and speak to ghosts???? Throw everything together plus a brand new mystery to solve and you have one heck of a story to read!!! the bonus is there are 2 more books after this one and I cannot wait to dig in!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping & Fulfilling

Gripping & fulfilling are the first words that came to mind as I finished this book.

We are led to believe Dominic is the villain from the beginning, but is he? This is an intense, gripping, multifaceted mystery, edging into the "thriller" genre. This deep mystery impacts people long dead, people now living, and Drew. Drew's grief is so very well drawn, as is her slow growth forward. Drew sees the dead, ignores them mostly, until she cannot disregard them. Seeing Drew become more herself is so very fulfilling. I am also impressed at how the teens and adults are so realistically portrayed age wise. I love the quality of the writing!

The villain is unmasked--so satisfying! It was so good to see, I didn't care that in real life it does not happen quite that way!

Content: occasional swearing, no grahic sex , some violence, but no graphic violence.

I am off to find book two! Happy reading!

[Erin Saulpaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend you read this book. This was such a fun read. This is also a YA. I read this book with my kids. They loved it. The mystery portion is what kept them interested. We also loved the fact that she was able to communicate with spirits. We all wanted to know if her boyfriend was dead or not. With him not coming to her in the afterlife. Made us believe he was alive. I'm not saying he was alive after all. No, that would be too easy. You need to read it for yourself to fund out the truth. Drew is in high-school and is also dealing with a mean girl at school. As if she isn't going through enough already. She sees ghosts her dad is no longer with us and she lives with her grandma. The mom in me wanted to tell her not to put her life in danger and that some of this was to risky. Instead I talked to my kids about my safety concerns....
This was very well written! We can't wait for book 2.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time ever "officially" rating a book. I really enjoyed this book. I searched on tiktok for books that gave off "Nancy Drew" vibes and this series appeared! It's definitely up my alley with notes of, mystery, thrills, romance(light romance), comfort, scenery, investigation, ghosts, a town by the sea. I want to rate it a 4.5 out of 5 only due to the fact that I wished emotions were described better with the characters. But I also understand that most YA novels don't get super nitty gritty with explanations. This is an easy read and I was able to finish it in 7 days! I definitely wanted to read more and more to find out what was gonna happen next! I'm excited to start the second book tonight.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an enjoyable read. The plot was great. The beginning felt a little slow, but the pacing was good through the rest of the book. The dynamic and dialogue between the FMC and her peers felt age appropriate.
I liked all the characters, and the villain was exactly that, villainous. Some parts of the FMCs monologue were quite irritating, but she had a great development towards the end of the book.

I would have loved for the story to be a little more unpredictable by giving me an alternative villain.

The paranormal aspect makes the story extra thrilling. The story is suitable for young adults and adults alike.
I listened to this on Audible, and the narrator did a great job.

[Chelle Cypress · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me a bit to get through but it was primarily because I’m currently in editing mode.

It’s been on my tbr for a while a YA mystery with Ghost Whisper vibes.

Drew sees dead people, her boyfriend has died, she’s estranged from her parents and lives with the grandmother. Life has been unpredictable for her over the past year, and these spirits continue to haunt her. Needing to make sense of her boyfriend’s death she’s guided by spirits to uncover the truth.

Overall, it was a really good book. I enjoyed the twists and turns, and the layers between the ghosts and the mysteries.

4.5 out of 5