#BookReview: I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark by @RissMNeilson @HenryHolt

Synopsis: From the author of Deep in Providence comes a paranormal young adult romance that follows a teen convinced that her best friend–turned-enemy is possessed by a ghost, perfect for fans of White Smoke and Twilight.

Seventeen-year-old Aria Cayetano dreams of ghosts. She used to see them too, but thanks to a special tea brewed by her grandfather, Aria’s connection to the spirit world has been severed. Until a decades old rosebush suddenly dies across the street, convincing Aria that something supernatural is happening in her neighborhood.

She aches to investigate it, but the rosebush sits on her ex best friend Derek Johnson’s front lawn, and she can't question him because he hates her now. Aria doesn't know what drove them apart years ago, but she does know Derek's been acting strange for weeks, sneaking out in the dead of night to who knows where.

Then, days after the rosebush dies, Derek begins speaking to her again. At least Aria thinks it’s him. Until she discovers there’s a ghost inside of Derek that will take his life if it doesn’t find what it’s searching for. As Aria and Derek race to uncover the mystery, another kind of magic takes them by surprise: love. But Aria has to decide how far she’s willing to go to save Derek, especially when helping the ghost means tapping into whatever the tea has buried inside of her.

Bone-chilling and spellbinding, I’m Not Supposed to Be in the Dark is an alluring ghost story that’s about exorcising the past to find a future to believe in.



Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: This was a wonderful paranormal story with a hint of romance.  I think readers will really enjoy this one if you like slow burn stories where you are not exactly sure what is going to happen.  It kept me on my toes as it weaved a wonderful tale of magic and mystery.  

Review

"In her mesmerizing and atmospheric second book, Riss M. Neilson blends themes of family and love with an undercurrent of the supernatural to create a story that is both vivid and beautifully told." ―Lyndall Clipstone, author of The World at the Lake’s Edge duology & Unholy Terrors 

"Stirring, raw, and beautiful, like a dream that stays with you all day, I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark will haunt you long after the conclusion. I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark is about the power of magic, love, and feeling seen in the face of tragedy." ―Mads Vericker, co-owner, Heartleaf Books

"This dreamy and ethereal story combines mystery and romance with the paranormal world of magic and spirits. It’s atmospheric, evocative, and just the right amount of chilling. . .Lushly written and full of emotion." ―Kirkus Reviews

"The rekindling of Aria and Derek’s friendship, and their budding romance, is vibrantly depicted against haunting descriptions of ghosts and mortality, making for an intriguing juxtaposition of life and death. Through Aria’s sarcastic first-person narration―interwoven with her illuminating journal entries and eerie dream sequences―and a vivid portrayal of Providence, R.I., Nielsen spins a slow-burn paranormal mystery that examines grief, damaging and healing relationships, and complicated mixed-race family dynamics." ―Publishers Weekly


Praise for Deep in Providence:

Finalist for the 2022 New England Book Award
A Buzzfeed New LGBTQA+ YA Novels You Need This Spring Selection

"A magical debut novel from a writer to watch.” ―Emily M. Danforth, national bestselling and award-winning author of The Miseducation of Cameron Post

“Magic runs like a glittering thread through this densely woven tale of friendship, grief, and identity." ―Melissa Albert, New York Times–bestselling author of the Hazel Wood series and Our Crooked Hearts

“A spellbinding tale of friendship and grief told with startling tenderness and emotional truth.” ―Ryan Douglass, New York Times–bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston

"Enthralling, magical, and haunting―a beautifully written story of family and friendship, loss and love.” ―Sue Lynn Tan, bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess

"Deep in Providence will have you mesmerized from the first page." ―Goldy Moldavsky, New York Times–bestselling author of The Mary Shelley Club

"Riveting, deeply moving, and full of heart." ―Kirkus Reviews

--This text refers to the hardcover edition.

About the Author

Riss M. Neilson is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Rhode Island College, she won the English department’s Jean Garrigue Award, which was judged by novelist, Nick White. She is from Providence and lives for the city’s art and culture scene. When she’s not writing, she’s watching anime or playing video games with her two children. Deep in Providence is her debut novel.  --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Did you know that comments are DELICIOUS? Well they are and if you comment on any of these posts you could win some awesome goodies! 

Don't forget to check out our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and out other social media found on the side bar! 

 Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."  Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. Buying via these links allows my site to get a % of the sale at no cost to you. 

FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. If am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored. 

Posted in: 4 Stars, Edelweiss, Henry Holt and Co., Review, Young Adult