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A Ghost Story #1
Don't Fade Away
What's the only thing worse than being stuck haunting a share house?
Being ignored by the first person to sense your presence in years...
Ever since her unfortunate demise, Elle's been forced to watch her living housemates come and go with nothing to fill her days except a crush on longstanding housemate, Dean, who literally doesn’t know she exists. Talk about unrequited love.
Just as she despairs at being stuck halfway to the other side for the rest of her afterlife, the newest resident sparks hope for something more.
As far as mediums go, Ethan barely knows he is one. He just wants a place to knuckle down and finish his degree. But as soon as he moves in, he senses a presence. He tries to ignore it – but Elle is insistent…
The more Ethan uncovers about Elle, the more he suspects her death was no accident. Can he help her move on before she really does fade away?
Don’t Fade Away is a spooky contemporary ghost story combining humor, romance and mystery that will tug at the heartstrings!
Being ignored by the first person to sense your presence in years...
Ever since her unfortunate demise, Elle's been forced to watch her living housemates come and go with nothing to fill her days except a crush on longstanding housemate, Dean, who literally doesn’t know she exists. Talk about unrequited love.
Just as she despairs at being stuck halfway to the other side for the rest of her afterlife, the newest resident sparks hope for something more.
As far as mediums go, Ethan barely knows he is one. He just wants a place to knuckle down and finish his degree. But as soon as he moves in, he senses a presence. He tries to ignore it – but Elle is insistent…
The more Ethan uncovers about Elle, the more he suspects her death was no accident. Can he help her move on before she really does fade away?
Don’t Fade Away is a spooky contemporary ghost story combining humor, romance and mystery that will tug at the heartstrings!
- GenresParanormal
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2023
25 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Pearce
4 books11 followersNatalie loves writing almost as much as she loves reading and believes all stories should contain at least a little romance and a dash of humor.
Don't Fade Away is her first published novel, but more ghost stories are on the way!
She lives in Australia with her supportive husband and loves spending her free time with her pets.
Don't Fade Away is her first published novel, but more ghost stories are on the way!
She lives in Australia with her supportive husband and loves spending her free time with her pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 14, 2023
This is a wonderfully written ghost story and love story, with a little bit of darkness thrown in. I was totally captivated from beginning to end. Suitable for readers from YA upwards. This is the first book I have read by this talented author, it won’t be the last! Thank you to Natalie Pearce, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
July 14, 2023
Don’t Fade Away: A Ghost Story by Natalie Pearce isn’t a ghost story as such. It’s more a ghost’s story. It’s about Elle who died several years before and is stuck between here and there. Not only that, she is stuck in the boarding house where she died. She can’t leave it and she can’t even see beyond the windows and walls.
Over the years, many people have moved into the house, lived there for a while, then moved out. Dean is the current occupant, along with his steady stream of girlfriends and one-night stands.
Life, or should I say death, is pretty boring for Elle. All she can do is watch Dean and his hectic sex life.
Until Ethan comes along and everything changes.
I really felt for poor Elle, and I enjoyed Ethan’s fear and confusion as he comes to terms with what is happening in the house.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It doesn’t frighten the reader because it’s not that sort of book. It’s part tragedy, part romance, with a good helping of paranormal, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story.
Over the years, many people have moved into the house, lived there for a while, then moved out. Dean is the current occupant, along with his steady stream of girlfriends and one-night stands.
Life, or should I say death, is pretty boring for Elle. All she can do is watch Dean and his hectic sex life.
Until Ethan comes along and everything changes.
I really felt for poor Elle, and I enjoyed Ethan’s fear and confusion as he comes to terms with what is happening in the house.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It doesn’t frighten the reader because it’s not that sort of book. It’s part tragedy, part romance, with a good helping of paranormal, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story.
June 29, 2023
I absolutely loved this book!! It was such a quick easy read. I loved the characters in this book. I love a good ghost story but this wasn't what I was thinking and I just loved it. It was nice to have some humor, heart and some emotional moments. I couldn't imagine being dead like Elle and stuck in a house where no one knows you exist. Then one day Ethan walks in and you figure out he can actually see you. There story is so interesting and I highly recommend this book. This was my first read by Natalie and I can't wait to read more of her books.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for allowing me to read this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for allowing me to read this ARC.
February 12, 2023
A big thank you to Netgalley & Natalie Pearce for providing me with an EARC in exchange for a review ❤️
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I really enjoyed this one! I was consumed with Elle and the mystery of why she remained in the share house after her death. I came to love and adore Ethan who also comes into his own along Elle’s journey. The story was engaging and really easy to read. I found myself wanting to keep reading it more and more. The ending was great and gives the reader lots of feels. I’m so glad I read this and love that more ghost stories are going to follow.
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I really enjoyed this one! I was consumed with Elle and the mystery of why she remained in the share house after her death. I came to love and adore Ethan who also comes into his own along Elle’s journey. The story was engaging and really easy to read. I found myself wanting to keep reading it more and more. The ending was great and gives the reader lots of feels. I’m so glad I read this and love that more ghost stories are going to follow.
January 26, 2023
Don't Fade Away is a truly unique book. I went into it expecting one thing and got a completely different thing, but in a good way. This book is beautiful and emotional, I really worked through feeling so many things reading this. Having lost my oldest and dearest friend last year it made me think a lot. Especially if he was still about and if he too felt like Elle did.
This book in my opinion is a general adult fiction with a paranormal aspect. It's about friendship, discovering yourself and acceptance. It's funny (The voyeurism with Dean made me laugh out loud!), it's sad and at times VERY frustrating. Told from Elle and Ethan's points of view there is only a few characters in the book, so much of it is taken up with their inner thoughts. I won't talk about the story or what happens. I will however mention Levi as he deserves a very special mention. This is definitely a slow burner, but well worth seeing through till the end. Did it end how I thought? I suppose in a way yes, as the perfect ending I'd have liked would have taken this book in a totally other direction.
Natalie (Author) is definitely someone to watch. Her down to earth writing was just what I needed and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Her characters were real and my heart went out to Elle so much in this book (And probably Ethan at times too). I highly recommend this to be added to your TBR shelf, 4 stars.
Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This book in my opinion is a general adult fiction with a paranormal aspect. It's about friendship, discovering yourself and acceptance. It's funny (The voyeurism with Dean made me laugh out loud!), it's sad and at times VERY frustrating. Told from Elle and Ethan's points of view there is only a few characters in the book, so much of it is taken up with their inner thoughts. I won't talk about the story or what happens. I will however mention Levi as he deserves a very special mention. This is definitely a slow burner, but well worth seeing through till the end. Did it end how I thought? I suppose in a way yes, as the perfect ending I'd have liked would have taken this book in a totally other direction.
Natalie (Author) is definitely someone to watch. Her down to earth writing was just what I needed and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Her characters were real and my heart went out to Elle so much in this book (And probably Ethan at times too). I highly recommend this to be added to your TBR shelf, 4 stars.
Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
January 17, 2023
This story was beautiful. Elle has been spending her after life time walking around the house she died. She doesn't remember much but she knows that she wants more. She wants to move on but she doesn't know how.
Queue, enter Ethan. The second he moves in, he knows there is something going on. He feels a presence but he knows he has to ignore it. That's what he has done all his life since he realized that he could feel ghosts!
Ethan decides to fight his fear and insecurities and help Elle. But the more he investigates what happened in the night of Elle’s death the more question he has. What really happen? And does he truly want to know?
Totally recommend this book! It’s sweet and there is a little of mystery.
Queue, enter Ethan. The second he moves in, he knows there is something going on. He feels a presence but he knows he has to ignore it. That's what he has done all his life since he realized that he could feel ghosts!
Ethan decides to fight his fear and insecurities and help Elle. But the more he investigates what happened in the night of Elle’s death the more question he has. What really happen? And does he truly want to know?
Totally recommend this book! It’s sweet and there is a little of mystery.
July 31, 2023
Elle’s been stuck in the same house she died in 4 years ago, watching roommates come and go, crushing (and peeping) on player-with-a-heart Dean, who’s been there the longest yet never sees or hears his ghostly roomie. Pearce's writing brings Elle's character to life, making you empathize with her longing to escape the house or connect with another person, especially when reluctant ghost-whisperer Ethan enters the scene.
From the moment Ethan moves in, he senses Elle's presence, though his own difficult past and mistreatment by those who didn’t believe his childhood claims have him ignoring his new roomie. Elle's persistence and Ethan's reluctance create a delightful dynamic, especially when they finally do make a connection. And, then, the mystery behind Elle’s death deepens. Secondary characters like Elle’s former bestie Amelia, who I wasn’t too keen on for most of the story, and Ethan’s medium-in-training nephew Levi, who I loved throughout, add intrigue and charm, respectively, to the story.
The final showdown is tense and the resolution of Elle’s journey is bittersweet, but satisfying, leaving the reader with a heartwarming feeling that lingers long after the last page.
From the moment Ethan moves in, he senses Elle's presence, though his own difficult past and mistreatment by those who didn’t believe his childhood claims have him ignoring his new roomie. Elle's persistence and Ethan's reluctance create a delightful dynamic, especially when they finally do make a connection. And, then, the mystery behind Elle’s death deepens. Secondary characters like Elle’s former bestie Amelia, who I wasn’t too keen on for most of the story, and Ethan’s medium-in-training nephew Levi, who I loved throughout, add intrigue and charm, respectively, to the story.
The final showdown is tense and the resolution of Elle’s journey is bittersweet, but satisfying, leaving the reader with a heartwarming feeling that lingers long after the last page.
July 15, 2024
This is a character-driven young adult novel with dual POVs between the two main characters Elle (our ghost) and Ethan (our medium).
First off, this book was very well-written and was quite easy to read! There were no jarring sentences, no odd grammar, and no funky dialogue. I was truly impressed by the the readability of this book!
While I went into this book thinking it would be more plot-driven, I was pleasantly surprised to see how the characters are the ones instigating the story line, events, and dialogue, and it really works with how it is done. The character reactions are good, not over the top, believable, and feel genuine. The plot does a good job of giving the reader insight into Elle and Ethan's backgrounds, prospectives, and motivations while also balancing a tactful amount of mystery and suspense. While I knew Ethan would eventually be able to see and hear Elle (since it's in the book blurb), the book takes nearly half the story before they can fully and completely communicate, so it was interesting to try and figure out how they would get to the point.
My only minor (very minor) frustration is Elle's frequent commentary on observing Dean. I forgive it mostly because it does make sense to some degree, but she is a little too focused on it for my taste (setting aside the moral and ethical issues). However, the rest of the book is wonderfully done, and her tendencies shift during the book to where this is less commented on as things get more exciting.
This book set up the sequel well, and I am looking forward to reading it next!
First off, this book was very well-written and was quite easy to read! There were no jarring sentences, no odd grammar, and no funky dialogue. I was truly impressed by the the readability of this book!
While I went into this book thinking it would be more plot-driven, I was pleasantly surprised to see how the characters are the ones instigating the story line, events, and dialogue, and it really works with how it is done. The character reactions are good, not over the top, believable, and feel genuine. The plot does a good job of giving the reader insight into Elle and Ethan's backgrounds, prospectives, and motivations while also balancing a tactful amount of mystery and suspense. While I knew Ethan would eventually be able to see and hear Elle (since it's in the book blurb), the book takes nearly half the story before they can fully and completely communicate, so it was interesting to try and figure out how they would get to the point.
My only minor (very minor) frustration is Elle's frequent commentary on observing Dean. I forgive it mostly because it does make sense to some degree, but she is a little too focused on it for my taste (setting aside the moral and ethical issues). However, the rest of the book is wonderfully done, and her tendencies shift during the book to where this is less commented on as things get more exciting.
This book set up the sequel well, and I am looking forward to reading it next!
February 17, 2023
4.25/5
*Read via NetGalley. Published January 1, 2023*
Oh my gosh, this story! After a couple of duds from NetGalley, I wasn’t too sure how this one would do, but I absolutely loved it!
Elle is most definitely dead, but not quite gone. She’s been stuck lingering around her (antemortem) residence for years, watching as one housemate after another obliviously moves in and out of her (after)life. That is, until Ethan moves in…
Under normal circumstances, I don’t do ghost stories. Not in my books, not in my movies, and most certainly not in real life. But this one seemed like such a cute story that I had to give it a shot. As it turns out, ghost stories where the ghost in question is *not* a homicidal maniac are actually right up my alley. This is definitely the story for you if you’d like to check out a paranormal book without the risk of losing sleep at night.
The characters were enjoyable, the plot moved at an excellent pace, and the writing kept me engaged and entertained. It only took me a day to read, but it felt complete. There’s also a novella set prior to this book that I haven’t had a chance to read yet, but I can’t wait to get a hold of it! The author also left a note at the end of the book indicating that she’ll be releasing another book sometime this year, and I think I’m going to have to add it to my wishlist. Overall, this one was a definite win, and you should most certainly check it out.
#DontFadeAway #netgalley
*Read via NetGalley. Published January 1, 2023*
Oh my gosh, this story! After a couple of duds from NetGalley, I wasn’t too sure how this one would do, but I absolutely loved it!
Elle is most definitely dead, but not quite gone. She’s been stuck lingering around her (antemortem) residence for years, watching as one housemate after another obliviously moves in and out of her (after)life. That is, until Ethan moves in…
Under normal circumstances, I don’t do ghost stories. Not in my books, not in my movies, and most certainly not in real life. But this one seemed like such a cute story that I had to give it a shot. As it turns out, ghost stories where the ghost in question is *not* a homicidal maniac are actually right up my alley. This is definitely the story for you if you’d like to check out a paranormal book without the risk of losing sleep at night.
The characters were enjoyable, the plot moved at an excellent pace, and the writing kept me engaged and entertained. It only took me a day to read, but it felt complete. There’s also a novella set prior to this book that I haven’t had a chance to read yet, but I can’t wait to get a hold of it! The author also left a note at the end of the book indicating that she’ll be releasing another book sometime this year, and I think I’m going to have to add it to my wishlist. Overall, this one was a definite win, and you should most certainly check it out.
#DontFadeAway #netgalley
September 5, 2023
A quick, mostly satisfying read, this book reminded a little of Christopher Pike's Remember Me--definitely a positive thing--but maybe if it had been mashed up with New Girl or something else more modern and quirky. I very much enjoyed Ethan's character and would love to read more of him some day. The concept of there only being one person out there who can communicate with you is pretty intriguing, and I like how Ethan isn't immediately jumping at the chance to communicate, rather having realistic fears and motivations.
The narration sometimes staled or the point-of-view changes were not smooth enough to not just be confusing, but for the most part it held my attention strongly enough to finish this in one sitting. Perfect material for a 'all I am going to do today is envelop myself in the world of a book' kinda day, and I'll probably be sitting here for awhile wondering if there's a ghost watching ME do boring or embarrassing things all while having an entertaining internal monologue. There were some ghost-world rules that didn't quite add up/make sense which was irksome, and felt a little half-baked at times, but it was a relatively minor issue.
The narration sometimes staled or the point-of-view changes were not smooth enough to not just be confusing, but for the most part it held my attention strongly enough to finish this in one sitting. Perfect material for a 'all I am going to do today is envelop myself in the world of a book' kinda day, and I'll probably be sitting here for awhile wondering if there's a ghost watching ME do boring or embarrassing things all while having an entertaining internal monologue. There were some ghost-world rules that didn't quite add up/make sense which was irksome, and felt a little half-baked at times, but it was a relatively minor issue.
June 16, 2023
Good interesting ghost read
Elle just died. For the past four years she has been stuck in the house where she died. It was a share room and the story starts with Elle narrating the various people visiting her room. Though Elle cannot step out of the house she is able to narrate the experiences of the people who live there and that forms the basis for the readers.
It is only when Ethan, a med student, comes to the share room that things begin to change for Elle. It is clear that Ethan is some sort of medium and she can communicate with him.
The initial meeting between Elle and Ethan was fun and the fact that Elle was dead made the meeting far more interesting.
The story moves on as Ethan is able to find out the real reason why Elle died and that brings in the reason why Elle is still stuck in this house. Overall the characters - Adam, Amelia, Ethan and Elle herself were unique and it was an interesting way to look at the afterlife.
With a simple mystery and back story of the ghost and how she comes in terms with it, the book was a good read.
Elle just died. For the past four years she has been stuck in the house where she died. It was a share room and the story starts with Elle narrating the various people visiting her room. Though Elle cannot step out of the house she is able to narrate the experiences of the people who live there and that forms the basis for the readers.
It is only when Ethan, a med student, comes to the share room that things begin to change for Elle. It is clear that Ethan is some sort of medium and she can communicate with him.
The initial meeting between Elle and Ethan was fun and the fact that Elle was dead made the meeting far more interesting.
The story moves on as Ethan is able to find out the real reason why Elle died and that brings in the reason why Elle is still stuck in this house. Overall the characters - Adam, Amelia, Ethan and Elle herself were unique and it was an interesting way to look at the afterlife.
With a simple mystery and back story of the ghost and how she comes in terms with it, the book was a good read.
February 6, 2023
Thank you Natalie Pearce and collaborating publishers for this ARC. The following review is voluntary.
I’m in awe of this story! I was skeptical of the plot because paranormal books written from the POV of the ghost could be hit or miss. However, this author did an amazing job! This book isn’t a single location plot, but it’s very close, where the primary of the book takes place in the ghost’s home. I enjoyed the duel narration from the 3rd person point of view. I think the narration could have been excelled better as 1st person POV to help the reader connect more with the characters. However, this was written in a way where you could truly feel the emotions of our resident ghost and her clairvoyant roommate. Also, a mini love story between a ghost and an human?! Sign me up. Overall, I love this take on how the veil, afterlife, and special “skills” could create a thought-provoking ghost story. Equal parts cute, equal parts creepy!
I’m in awe of this story! I was skeptical of the plot because paranormal books written from the POV of the ghost could be hit or miss. However, this author did an amazing job! This book isn’t a single location plot, but it’s very close, where the primary of the book takes place in the ghost’s home. I enjoyed the duel narration from the 3rd person point of view. I think the narration could have been excelled better as 1st person POV to help the reader connect more with the characters. However, this was written in a way where you could truly feel the emotions of our resident ghost and her clairvoyant roommate. Also, a mini love story between a ghost and an human?! Sign me up. Overall, I love this take on how the veil, afterlife, and special “skills” could create a thought-provoking ghost story. Equal parts cute, equal parts creepy!
November 23, 2023
A charming ghost story
This novel was enjoyable to read and often made me smile – not what one might expect when reading a plot including a haunting spirit who is stuck inside the house she passed in; a house where medical students and workers rented given its proximity to the hospital. The novel has mystery, drama and even a bit of romance, all involving well developed characters. There were enough turns that kept the novel going, its pace quite steady throughout. I thought the author did a lovely job pulling this story together – its one that many ages including young adults could read and it is certainly not a ‘haunting’ read that could get anyone freaked out.
I gave the story five stars given I found it to be quite enjoyable and was always happy and eager to pick it up each night to carry on with the next chapter. The story has an ending that brings everything together quite nicely.
This novel was enjoyable to read and often made me smile – not what one might expect when reading a plot including a haunting spirit who is stuck inside the house she passed in; a house where medical students and workers rented given its proximity to the hospital. The novel has mystery, drama and even a bit of romance, all involving well developed characters. There were enough turns that kept the novel going, its pace quite steady throughout. I thought the author did a lovely job pulling this story together – its one that many ages including young adults could read and it is certainly not a ‘haunting’ read that could get anyone freaked out.
I gave the story five stars given I found it to be quite enjoyable and was always happy and eager to pick it up each night to carry on with the next chapter. The story has an ending that brings everything together quite nicely.
January 17, 2023
I feel sad thinking about Elle, stuck in one place for years until Ethan come to help her go. The positiv side Ethan learn more about his gift possibly pass it out to his nephew. I would like to read another Ethan story.
Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.
#DontFadeAway #NataliePearce #ARCProvidedbyVictoryEditing #VictoryEditing #NetGalley #NetGalleyCoop #ARC
Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.
#DontFadeAway #NataliePearce #ARCProvidedbyVictoryEditing #VictoryEditing #NetGalley #NetGalleyCoop #ARC
November 12, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! Without giving too much away, it's a story about a girl who died and is trapped on "this side" for reasons unknown. She has been stuck in the house where she passed for quite some time. She can't leave and she can't even really see out the windows. All in all, it's pretty freaking boring.
Enter Ethan. I very likable guy who has sort of a six sense. They're able to not just communicate but build a friendship. The other characters are wonderful. We have the stereotypical jock, Dean, who is also likable in a fun kind of way. We also, have the antagonist, Adam who we all universally hate.
I don't want to say more, other than that this was such a fun, original book. I love the cover and I love everything inside. If you're looking for a great, fun read with a little bit of everything this one is for you. Highly recommend!
Enter Ethan. I very likable guy who has sort of a six sense. They're able to not just communicate but build a friendship. The other characters are wonderful. We have the stereotypical jock, Dean, who is also likable in a fun kind of way. We also, have the antagonist, Adam who we all universally hate.
I don't want to say more, other than that this was such a fun, original book. I love the cover and I love everything inside. If you're looking for a great, fun read with a little bit of everything this one is for you. Highly recommend!
March 17, 2024
This book is a well written, character driven story. It's part supernatural with a tad romance, but it's also a bit of a mystery. It's a satisfying engaging read. This isn't my usual genre but I definitely enjoyed my time with this book and am looking forward to seeing how the characters evolve in the next book.
March 2, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing and Natalie Pierce for this ARC!
What a wonderful romance ghost story! It really captivated me from the start until the end. The friendship and the discovering oneself is what kept me most engaged but it can also be frustrating at times, but in a good way! Imagine that you die, is this case Elle, and have to walk around the house you died in unable to move on. That’s when Ethan moves in the house. He starts feeling a presence but doesn’t know what it is or how to grasp it. The story is told from a 3rd person’s perspective; however, I feel that we would have been able to connect more with the characters if it had been written in the 1st person, however, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the story anyway! Great read!
What a wonderful romance ghost story! It really captivated me from the start until the end. The friendship and the discovering oneself is what kept me most engaged but it can also be frustrating at times, but in a good way! Imagine that you die, is this case Elle, and have to walk around the house you died in unable to move on. That’s when Ethan moves in the house. He starts feeling a presence but doesn’t know what it is or how to grasp it. The story is told from a 3rd person’s perspective; however, I feel that we would have been able to connect more with the characters if it had been written in the 1st person, however, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the story anyway! Great read!
September 1, 2025
I can’t wait for the next one
A heart-wrenching story of a spirit trapped in the house where she died, unable to interact with the living inhabitants. This book was beautifully written with relatable characters and a vivid narrative that was hard to put down.
A heart-wrenching story of a spirit trapped in the house where she died, unable to interact with the living inhabitants. This book was beautifully written with relatable characters and a vivid narrative that was hard to put down.
September 19, 2025
Wow
I was pulled deeply into this book. The people became almost real to me. The pacing is very good. I thought I knew where the plot was going, but I ended up surprised. I’m sure I will be rereading this one.
I was pulled deeply into this book. The people became almost real to me. The pacing is very good. I thought I knew where the plot was going, but I ended up surprised. I’m sure I will be rereading this one.
March 8, 2023
I don't seek out ghost stories, but this seemed promising. This is nicely executed and I enjoyed the story and characters. Nicely done.
I really appreciate the free review copy for review!!
I really appreciate the free review copy for review!!
July 15, 2023
Don't Fade Away was an entertaining read. It is not your average ghost story, which is one reason I chose to read it, after checking other readers reviews. There are moments of tension, followed from more light-hearted ones and humorous ones as well.
Elle is dead after an accidental fall from the stairs, but her ghost is stuck inside her former house, and she endlessly bored at the idea of spending the eternity watching people moving in and out from the house. No one can see or hear her, and that's quite annoying to her. But everything changes when Ethan moves in because it looks like he can hear her. While it takes a while for the two of them to make an actual connection, when it happens, the story finally moves on.
For a ghost story, this one is quite cosy, therefore don't expect to be terrified, because you'd be disappointed.
Elle is dead after an accidental fall from the stairs, but her ghost is stuck inside her former house, and she endlessly bored at the idea of spending the eternity watching people moving in and out from the house. No one can see or hear her, and that's quite annoying to her. But everything changes when Ethan moves in because it looks like he can hear her. While it takes a while for the two of them to make an actual connection, when it happens, the story finally moves on.
For a ghost story, this one is quite cosy, therefore don't expect to be terrified, because you'd be disappointed.
March 6, 2023
This one was something special. I love the idea of the ghost as the main character! And she's a snarky ghost! It was a lot of fun to read. I loved the humor early on and although there are humorous moments throughout the book, it does take a slightly darker turn as it goes on and the mystery builds. It's a slow burn in some ways as Elle and Ethan start to communicate and bond, but very sweet. And the emotional twist at the end really caught me in the feels! Any book that makes me shed a tear but still leaves me with a big smile on my face at the end, deserves 5 stars from me! I'm looking forward to the next book.
July 9, 2023
I haven't read many books that have points of view from the ghost - at least not as extensive as in this book. I enjoyed it, even though her story was sad. We also get points of view from Ethan - a medium who has been trying to hide and suppress what he can do. While their connection gets stronger, we learn more about what happened to Elle and how Ethan was treated throughout his life, which made him reluctant to even be in the house when he first moved in. The characters were well-written, and I quickly became invested, needing to know how Elle died and if Ethan was going to step up for her (and his nephew, but that's veering into spoiler territory).
I really enjoyed it, but I will say it needs a little more proofreading.
I really enjoyed it, but I will say it needs a little more proofreading.
February 23, 2023
*Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was really good. Elle was really an interesting character with a lot of layers in her personality that you couldn't help but fall in love with her.
Ethan and Amelia were really interesting too. The story had a lot of potential and I got really emotional especially in the last chapters.
So why 4.5 stars you ask me? Maybe it's just me, an agnostic, but I didn't love the way Ethan realized that death wasn't permanent. That there is a beyond the light if you know what I mean.
Also I couldn't connect with Amelia. Ok we know that she broke up with Adam when she learned the truth but come on, really?
But other than that it's a solid 4.5 stars.
This book was really good. Elle was really an interesting character with a lot of layers in her personality that you couldn't help but fall in love with her.
Ethan and Amelia were really interesting too. The story had a lot of potential and I got really emotional especially in the last chapters.
So why 4.5 stars you ask me? Maybe it's just me, an agnostic, but I didn't love the way Ethan realized that death wasn't permanent. That there is a beyond the light if you know what I mean.
Also I couldn't connect with Amelia. Ok we know that she broke up with Adam when she learned the truth but come on, really?
But other than that it's a solid 4.5 stars.
August 11, 2023
Talk about sharing your living space with a ghost? You can count me out for this one. However, this author has delivered a wonderful tall tale of a ghost name Elle who had died for 4 years from falling down the stairs. Then, the story begins when the property rented and became Elle’s roommate. You can say roommate from the other side? The new renter, Ethan was lucky enough to have sixth sense to see Elle roam the halls. The rental place setting is rundown looking which makes it very scary. You can say, it set the mood for the many scenes to come. Elle has a loveable personality that makes the relationship with Ethan a much more enjoyable read. Yes, there is a bit of romance involving that makes the book story the way it is. This story sort of reminds me of Casper, the friendliest ghost. Ethan helps her how to re-trace her death and how it all happened. This is basically the plot of the story. Through it all, Ethan and Elle had drawn a much closer relationship. The story is very heart-warming.
November 29, 2023
I find myself loving a good ghost story more and more!
Elle had died several years before and she is stuck between here and there. She is stuck at the dorm house where she died. She can’t leave it and she can only see the windows and walls.
Over the years, she watches the people move into the house, live there for a while, then move right out. But when Dean who is the current occupant, along with his steady stream of girlfriends and one-night stands move in Elle watches his crazy life with humor.
Death is pretty boring for Elle she can’t remember how she died. All she can do is watch Dean, that is until Ethan comes along and soon everything changes. It’s soon apparent Ethan can see Elle, at first he’s scare and then pretends he can’t, but soon they become close and they begin to work together to figure out what happened to Elle.
I really felt bad for Elle, and I enjoyed Ethan’s fear and confusion as he comes to terms with what is happening in the house.
I really enjoyed this book. It doesn’t frighten the reader, It’s more of a tragedy, part romance, with a good helping of paranormal, this was a quick read for me!
Elle had died several years before and she is stuck between here and there. She is stuck at the dorm house where she died. She can’t leave it and she can only see the windows and walls.
Over the years, she watches the people move into the house, live there for a while, then move right out. But when Dean who is the current occupant, along with his steady stream of girlfriends and one-night stands move in Elle watches his crazy life with humor.
Death is pretty boring for Elle she can’t remember how she died. All she can do is watch Dean, that is until Ethan comes along and soon everything changes. It’s soon apparent Ethan can see Elle, at first he’s scare and then pretends he can’t, but soon they become close and they begin to work together to figure out what happened to Elle.
I really felt bad for Elle, and I enjoyed Ethan’s fear and confusion as he comes to terms with what is happening in the house.
I really enjoyed this book. It doesn’t frighten the reader, It’s more of a tragedy, part romance, with a good helping of paranormal, this was a quick read for me!
May 8, 2023
This starts off as a lighthearted easy read but becomes quite engaging and emotional. There are some fun spooky moments too! I loved Elle and Ethan and all the supporting characters were interesting and added to the story. I would definitely read a sequel!
June 21, 2023
Elle is the protagonist of the story, but she's already dead. Having died 4 years prior due to a nasty fall down the stairs, she's stuck as a ghost doomed to roam the halls of her rundown rental property. Elle's been living with Dean for years until he gets a new roommate, Ethan. While Dean has always been unaware of Elle's presence, Ethan appears to have a sixth sense and it's the first time Elle feels truly alive.
Elle is a likeable character. She's quirky, witty, and you can feel how bored she is sitting in the house all day. I will say that she's a little outspoken to the point that some of the quips she makes sound a little harsh, but I wrote that off as a girl who had nothing for entertainment. Besides, she's had no human interaction for years so I guess I could give her a pass. She does seem to grow up a little when she finally figures out how to communicate with a male lead, Ethan.
Ethan is a ball of nerves when he shows up. There's anxiety oozing from every pore of that man, but eventually, he finds the courage to explore his ability. He ends up using his skills to help Elle which leads to them figuring out why she doesn't remember her death. And with each chapter, these two get closer and closer.
The plot was interesting enough, but I felt the pacing of the book was a little slow. The author did a great job with describing each emotion that each character was feeling but after a while it became repetitive. There was a lot of staring and blushing that I thought could've been dialed down because it didn't add much to the plot. It almost made the characters sound like they were standing around doing nothing most of the time. It even stalled the dialogue flow between characters to the point that I was a little frustrated while reading. To say, the least, it was somewhat excessive, but once I was past most of that, I was able to get back to the meat of the book.
I wouldn't say this book is necessarily a romance, although I could see where there might be some appeal. To me, it was more of a paranormal mystery and I was completely okay with that. It was pretty obvious what was going on from the beginning with Elle's death, but the author did a good job keeping my interest in the relationship of the characters with one another. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a feel-good ghost story.
Elle is a likeable character. She's quirky, witty, and you can feel how bored she is sitting in the house all day. I will say that she's a little outspoken to the point that some of the quips she makes sound a little harsh, but I wrote that off as a girl who had nothing for entertainment. Besides, she's had no human interaction for years so I guess I could give her a pass. She does seem to grow up a little when she finally figures out how to communicate with a male lead, Ethan.
Ethan is a ball of nerves when he shows up. There's anxiety oozing from every pore of that man, but eventually, he finds the courage to explore his ability. He ends up using his skills to help Elle which leads to them figuring out why she doesn't remember her death. And with each chapter, these two get closer and closer.
The plot was interesting enough, but I felt the pacing of the book was a little slow. The author did a great job with describing each emotion that each character was feeling but after a while it became repetitive. There was a lot of staring and blushing that I thought could've been dialed down because it didn't add much to the plot. It almost made the characters sound like they were standing around doing nothing most of the time. It even stalled the dialogue flow between characters to the point that I was a little frustrated while reading. To say, the least, it was somewhat excessive, but once I was past most of that, I was able to get back to the meat of the book.
I wouldn't say this book is necessarily a romance, although I could see where there might be some appeal. To me, it was more of a paranormal mystery and I was completely okay with that. It was pretty obvious what was going on from the beginning with Elle's death, but the author did a good job keeping my interest in the relationship of the characters with one another. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a feel-good ghost story.
February 20, 2024
Wholesome paranormal romance – plot 4 stars, execution 3.5 stars
Don't Fade Away is an easy to read psychic romance with humour and a central mystery. I liked the premise of a shared house being haunted by a recent occupant, Elle, who cannot understand why she's a ghost, unable to move away from there. She has developed a bit of a crush on the existing tenant, Dean, so that gives the opportunity for a few humorous asides. Then there's Ethan, a medical student, and the latest housemate, who immediately senses a psychic presence. We soon learn he has been able to do so since childhood but has tended to ignore it. He and Elle make a connection and he decides he wants to help her to 'move over' to where she should be. In doing so, Ethan uncovers the circumstances of Elle's death. The characterisation is well done and I enjoyed the light-hearted humour throughout the book. This is more of a paranormal romance than a ghost story, so don't expect grisly scenes.
Author Natalie Pearce's writing is engaging, flows well and I found the manifestations of the ghostly appearances both believable and smoothly done. She has clearly researched psychic and paranormal evidence and with some assured writing has managed to make her descriptions and characters plausible. However, the story is very much dialogue-based and the author has added details such as facial expressions and gestures to almost every piece of speech. Unfortunately, there is a lot of repetition in terms of lips, hair, raised eyebrows, hands etc, and once I noticed them it was hard to ignore them. The story itself was quite slow to get going and at times lacked a sense of time passing, but the second half of the book had more pace and direction. I found the last few chapters quite poignant and nicely done. 'Don't Fade Away' is a wholesome and quite engaging story, and there's the potential of further books to come as Ethan develops his psychic abilities. If you like clean romance and enjoy a touch of the paranormal or psychic, there's much to enjoy in this book.
Don't Fade Away is an easy to read psychic romance with humour and a central mystery. I liked the premise of a shared house being haunted by a recent occupant, Elle, who cannot understand why she's a ghost, unable to move away from there. She has developed a bit of a crush on the existing tenant, Dean, so that gives the opportunity for a few humorous asides. Then there's Ethan, a medical student, and the latest housemate, who immediately senses a psychic presence. We soon learn he has been able to do so since childhood but has tended to ignore it. He and Elle make a connection and he decides he wants to help her to 'move over' to where she should be. In doing so, Ethan uncovers the circumstances of Elle's death. The characterisation is well done and I enjoyed the light-hearted humour throughout the book. This is more of a paranormal romance than a ghost story, so don't expect grisly scenes.
Author Natalie Pearce's writing is engaging, flows well and I found the manifestations of the ghostly appearances both believable and smoothly done. She has clearly researched psychic and paranormal evidence and with some assured writing has managed to make her descriptions and characters plausible. However, the story is very much dialogue-based and the author has added details such as facial expressions and gestures to almost every piece of speech. Unfortunately, there is a lot of repetition in terms of lips, hair, raised eyebrows, hands etc, and once I noticed them it was hard to ignore them. The story itself was quite slow to get going and at times lacked a sense of time passing, but the second half of the book had more pace and direction. I found the last few chapters quite poignant and nicely done. 'Don't Fade Away' is a wholesome and quite engaging story, and there's the potential of further books to come as Ethan develops his psychic abilities. If you like clean romance and enjoy a touch of the paranormal or psychic, there's much to enjoy in this book.
June 6, 2023
I expected Don’t Fade Away to be more of a rom-com type of story, perhaps because of the cover, which seems to show a woman’s frustration in a humorous way. There is definitely humor in this book, but a lot of the story has a gray sadness to it.
I felt sorry for Elle, one of the main characters who died in her prime and spends a lot of time at the bottom stair where she fell to her death. Dean is the good-looking housemate whom she lusts after but can’t have, and Ethan is the nerdy guy with good intentions who moves in and becomes the second main character alongside Elle.
I liked the fun-loving vibe author Natalie Pearce conveys as these young-adult characters find their way in life both romantically and professionally. On the flip side, this is also an eerie, slow-burning mystery novel in which the facts come out at a leisurely pace, often as the characters talk their way through past events.
Flashbacks can work well in novels, and I think adding them in this one would have been an effective way to show readers what happened to Elle on the fateful night of her death, rather than always explaining things through dialogue.
There is also a “bad guy” in the book, and you can figure out how he’s involved in the night in question long before the book ends. I was hoping Pearce might throw a curveball to prove me wrong, but no such luck. Don’t Fade Away might have had more edge and oomph to it if this particular character had intruded on these people’s lives more often in the tale.
I did appreciate the in-depth conversations between these characters and the realistic way that Elle and Ethan discover one another. It didn’t happen in a lightning-bolt sort of way; instead, Pearce drew it out in a manner that felt authentic, and the same can be said of an unexpected romance that blooms between two of the characters. In the end, authenticity and the bonding of friendships is what makes Don’t Fade Away a worthy read.
I felt sorry for Elle, one of the main characters who died in her prime and spends a lot of time at the bottom stair where she fell to her death. Dean is the good-looking housemate whom she lusts after but can’t have, and Ethan is the nerdy guy with good intentions who moves in and becomes the second main character alongside Elle.
I liked the fun-loving vibe author Natalie Pearce conveys as these young-adult characters find their way in life both romantically and professionally. On the flip side, this is also an eerie, slow-burning mystery novel in which the facts come out at a leisurely pace, often as the characters talk their way through past events.
Flashbacks can work well in novels, and I think adding them in this one would have been an effective way to show readers what happened to Elle on the fateful night of her death, rather than always explaining things through dialogue.
There is also a “bad guy” in the book, and you can figure out how he’s involved in the night in question long before the book ends. I was hoping Pearce might throw a curveball to prove me wrong, but no such luck. Don’t Fade Away might have had more edge and oomph to it if this particular character had intruded on these people’s lives more often in the tale.
I did appreciate the in-depth conversations between these characters and the realistic way that Elle and Ethan discover one another. It didn’t happen in a lightning-bolt sort of way; instead, Pearce drew it out in a manner that felt authentic, and the same can be said of an unexpected romance that blooms between two of the characters. In the end, authenticity and the bonding of friendships is what makes Don’t Fade Away a worthy read.
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