Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing around 10%. The premise was intriguing, but the writing style just wasn’t the right fit for me. I’m sure other readers will connect with it more than I did.

So... Dead Poets Sorority wasn’t quite the right fit for me, and I ended up setting it aside around chapter 5. That said, I still really liked the concept, title, and cover because they’re so fun and creative! I’ll be keeping an eye out for what Sofia Shelley writes next.

This book is definitely different from what I usually read. The writing took a bit to get used to; it’s very wordy and has some run-on sentences. On the flip side, I did enjoy the playful Gen Z humor and slang (“shizz,” “unalive,” “newb”). As an elder Gen Z, it made me laugh.

Even though I wasn't quite the target audience for this, I think it will find its audience among readers who enjoy dark academia that's a little silly at the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me, and became a DNF. Will try and get back to it soon.

Dead Poets Sorority had such a unique premise—a secret society of college girls summoning long-dead literary figures sounded like the perfect mix of dark academia and romance. I enjoyed the humor and the idea of Emma stumbling into a romance with a brooding poet from another century. Unfortunately, while the concept was clever, the execution fell a bit flat for me. The pacing dragged at times, and the chemistry between Emma and Nathaniel didn’t fully pull me in. Overall, it was a quirky read with potential, but it didn’t quite live up to its promise. ⭐⭐⭐½/5

DNF @ 15%

I was super intrigued by this book but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.
Things felt all over of the place and the writing style was confusing. Thank you for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review.

While this novel had a slow and somewhat disjointed start, the emotional payoff in the final chapters made the journey worthwhile. Initially, I expected the story to focus more on sorority life, but it turned out to be a romance-driven narrative. Once I grew attached to the characters, the emotional depth of the ending truly resonated—those familiar with the story will understand just how impactful it becomes.

Characters: 3/5
Although I eventually connected with the characters, it took significantly longer than expected. The main character’s quick emotional investment wasn’t fully convincing at first, making it harder to engage early on.

Plot: 2/5
The plot felt underdeveloped in several areas, almost as if it were a condensed version of a more complex story. Key developments were rushed or glossed over, leaving gaps in the narrative.

Atmosphere: 5/5
The setting and tone were a standout feature. The atmosphere was beautifully suited to the story, with hints of dark academia that added richness—though I would have loved to see that theme explored even further.

In summary, while the book may not deliver on all fronts, readers who stick with it might find themselves unexpectedly moved by the conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review! I unfortunately had to DNF this book at 10%, as I couldn't get past the writing style. There were parts that fit the ‘Dark academia vibe’ that I was expecting, but most parts were wordy and convoluted. This meant that details were hard to follow, and it didn’t allow me to get into the more enjoyable aspects of the story. I’m sure that this book hits the spot for some, but sadly it didn't whet my appetite like I was expecting.

I do really appreciate the publisher sending me this, but it just didn’t work for me unfortunately. I think the premise had potential (it felt unique!), but the execution was lacking.

The writing style just wasn’t for me. It desperately needed some edits (and all mentions of ‘taco slap’ removing); the grammar was off in places, wrong words were used (‘I knew you fitted in’), and some of the sentences were run on. This took me over 2 and a half months to read because I really struggled with the writing.

The universe isn’t explained at all really. Is this something where magic is known to be real, or is it a contemporary romance where she somehow summons a ghost? I still don’t know, having read the book. He’s non-corporeal because he can walk through walls, but he’s corporeal enough to have sex. Which is it?

With some edits this could be a super cute fantasy rom com, but at the minute it’s just not there alas.

3/3.5 stars!
This book was a cute, dark academia, magical ride. It blends sorority vibes with mystery and absolute chaos.
At the center is Emma, who somehow manages to juggle way too much while also accidentally falling for a ghost boyfriend. The paranormal romance angle was unexpectedly sweet, especially with how the author tied in her love of graveyards. Personally, I'm not huge on paranormal romances but I really ended up enjoying this one! The ending in particular stood out, turning a place usually associated with loss into one of hope and new beginnings.
The tone is definitely silly and unserious, so don’t go in expecting something deep or perfectly polished. The banter between the love interests was fun, and the dark humor plus gothic touches made it perfect for a light pre spooky-season read.
That being said, the story isn’t without its flaws. The romance is very insta-lovey I didn't feel like it was anything that impacted my experience but just something to keep in mind before diving in. Unfortunately, the side characters never felt fully fleshed out and at times, the plot jumped around so much that I was left wondering what exactly had just happened.
I also had a lot of lingering questions about how the “ghost rules” worked in this world.
Even with the loose ends, I did have a good time reading. If you’re looking for a chaotic, atmospheric, and slightly ridiculous paranormal romance to curl up with during spooky season, this one delivers.
Just don’t overthink it—lean into the weirdness and enjoy the ride.

Dead Poets Sorority, by Sofia Shelley, is a light-hearted, dark academia rom-com. There is an investigation of a secret sorority to unveil their trickery, but not all the magic is fake. It seems that at least one dead poet may have risen to the calls. I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC ebook that I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Sofia Shelley's "Dead Poets Sorority" is an interesting and unique blend of romance, mystery, and the supernatural, which revolves around a secret society of college girls who are resurrecting long-dead literary poets. The protagonist, Emma Reeves, is an ambitious student journalist who accidentally summons the spirit of a never-quite-famous poet, Nathaniel Harker, during her undercover investigation of the sorority.

The novel's initial chapters are a bit slow-paced, as the author takes her time to set up the premise and introduce the characters. However, this slow start does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book, as it allows readers to immerse themselves in the world that Shelley has created.

The true strength of "Dead Poets Sorority" lies in the relationship between Emma and Nathaniel. Their tender moments are beautifully written, and their connection transcends the boundaries of time and space. Shelley's portrayal of Nathaniel as a brooding, romantic figure from the 19th century is both charming and alluring, making it easy for readers to understand why Emma would be drawn to him.

As Emma and Nathaniel's relationship deepens, the suspense in the novel builds, with the sorority sisters becoming increasingly suspicious of Emma's involvement with the supernatural. This adds an element of danger to the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they wonder if Emma will be able to protect Nathaniel from the sorority's wrath.

One of the most compelling aspects of "Dead Poets Sorority" is its exploration of the themes of love, loss, and the power of human connection. Through Emma and Nathaniel's relationship, Shelley examines the idea that love can transcend even the most profound of barriers, including death itself. This poignant message resonates with readers, making the novel a touching and emotional read.

In conclusion, "Dead Poets Sorority" is a captivating and well written novel that explores the power of love, the allure of the supernatural, and the dangers of dabbling in the unknown. While the beginning may be slow, the tender moments between Emma and Nathaniel, as well as the suspenseful plot, make this book a must-read for fans of romance and the supernatural. Sofia Shelley has crafted a unique and memorable story that will stay with readers after they've turned the final page.

Dead Poets Sorority is an addictive and clever read that blends dark academia vibes with sharp wit and mystery. Sofia Shelley’s writing is atmospheric and full of twists that kept me hooked until the very end. The characters are layered and messy in the best way, making the story feel both dramatic and real. I loved every moment and would happily give it five stars.

DNF

I just couldn't get with the writing. The premise sounded promising but from the very beginning, the fmc gave "I'm not like other girls" vibes and I can't get with that. Plus she was wearing a "Lois Lane is my spirit animal" t-shirt...

Yeah, no thanks.

⭐️⭐️ (DNF at 20%)

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

I really wanted to love Dead Poets Sorority—the concept is original and has a certain unbothered charm. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into the writing style. I spent twenty days with this book and only made it to 20%. The prose often felt difficult for me to grasp; there were many sentences I couldn’t quite understand, which slowed me down a lot and kept me from sinking into the story.

I think this may be more about me than the book itself—I might just be in a bit of a reading slump. Still, I wanted to share my experience in case others feel the same. For now, I’ll set it aside, but I can absolutely see how this could resonate with the right reader.

It was a struggle to get through this book. The pacing was all over the place and there were a lot of run-on sentences that could've been shortened. The story also jumped around quite a bit and it was hard to follow at times. It was a cute romance, but I didn't feel a connection to anyone in the book sadly.

I really struggled with this book. I had high hopes for it after reading the description but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me unfortunately.

I loved the inclusion of a playlist at the beginning of this book, but felt like there wasn’t really a continuation of that throughout which I expected. I felt like I was missing something at various points, like the story jumped and talked about something that I hadn’t read about - it was difficult to keep up at times. The writing was jumpy and disconnected and I felt like I was always left a little confused.

The characters in the book feel very surface level and I’d have loved to have heard more from some of them, especially since the epilogue unexpectedly comes from one of those characters who we don’t really hear from throughout. At times I felt like I just wanted to finish the book and it became a bit of a chore because I just really struggled to engage.

Great story that had boarding school vibes with a secret society. Love and fun throughout the story. Thank you for my copy in exchange for a fair review.

3⭐️

A light, spooky story about sorority girls who are up to no good. Aka, they bring their boyfriends back from the dead.

It is a perfect for those looking for a light read this spooky season. But personally, I wanted a little more—especially in terms of Emma, and even her friendships.

The romance was cute, but did feel a little instalove and predictable, but very sweet.

Accompanying it there’s a side of good banter between the characters, ghost boyfriends and a bit of dark humour to keep you going!

I wanted to understand a bit more at certain elements (like the sorority) and I wished to understand Emma a bit more.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC for my honest review.

A decent read!

Fun quick non serious romance! Took a while to actually get into the story. The first couple of chapters felt all over the place & I got confused?
A good read for the autumn (spooky) months! Insta love between the main characters & and overall entertaining read!

This was such a fun read - spooky, academia, but also sweet and heartfelt. This would be the perfect fall read for spooky season because it is an easy read and you won’t be able to put it down until the end.