Dead Poets Sorority
by Sofia Shelley
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Pub Date 25 Sep 2025 | Archive Date 25 Sep 2025
Avon Books UK | Avon
Description
‘Dead Poets Sorority is a witty, sexy concoction brimming with evil sorority machinations, ghostly cats and the hottest dead lover since Patrick Swayze in Ghost. It's utterly ectoplasmic.’ Hazel Graves, author of Four Weddings and a Funeral Director
He's handsome, funny, and a real Romantic. Unfortunately, he’s dead.
When student journalist Emma Reeves goes undercover to investigate a secret society resurrecting long-dead literary icons, she expects to discover nothing more than a group of bored college girls with Ouija boards. What she doesn't expect is to accidentally summon the spirit of never-quite-famous poet, Nathaniel Harker.
Now, Emma's got a brooding, besotted 19th-century poet following her around. But whilst initially determined to write the article of a lifetime, she quickly discovers that the lure of her very own love-struck tortured poet is hard to resist…
However, as they fall for each other, Emma realises the sorority sisters are onto her ghostly secret. It’s up to her to keep her poet safe no matter what the cost – but will protecting Nathanial also mean losing him forever?
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9780008763503 |
| PRICE | £2.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 181 members
Featured Reviews
This reminded me so much of the movie "Lisa Frankenstein". I found this book to be very entertaining, especially if you enjoy dark humor.
I really liked our main character Emma. She's smart, curious and funny. Plus she's determined too. She was a great character to have as the lead. Nathaniel was a cutie! Romantic and adorable. I enjoyed them together too. The steamy scenes were a nice addition.
The plot is wacky and a lot of fun. I couldn't figure out how this was going to end which kept me glued to the story. I felt the conflict was believable too.
This was utterly delightful and I cannot wait to tell other people about it. A great read for spooky season! Would recommend if you like dark humor, paranormal romances and fighting an evil sorority.
4.5/5 Oh my goodness, this was so much fun!
This is like Bunny by Mona Awad but so much better! So I would highly recommend to the Bunny fans out there!
This takes place at a college (at a sorority to be specific) and follows a group (sorority) of girls who bring to life their boyfriends.
This was a super fun and easy read, I gobbled it up. I read most of it last night before bed and then absolutely zoomed through the rest of it this morning.
If you're looking for a fun and slightly spooky time, I would highly recommend. I loved this and will definitely be looking out for more books by this author! I really don't know what else to say about this book besides that, give it a read!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.
Bookseller 539999
Dead Poets Sorority evokes in me a fascinating sense of the collision between the old world and the new, between romantic ideals and modern realities. Sofia Shelley seems to have found the delicate balance between humor and darkness - a tone that few authors can master.
Dark academia stories are my favorites. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this new title. Dead Poets Sorority explores complex friendships, academics, and much more. It moves fast and captures your attention immediately. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Emma goes undercover for her student journalist piece, trying to get the scoop on the Dead Poets Sorority - only to learn that the organization is centered around long dead poets and bringing them back to life. During a night lacking sobriety, Emma winds up bringing up the spirit of a poet who did not quite gain fame, Nathaniel Harker. He instantly latches onto Emma, and she must decide on a love that transcends time or following through with her article and career.
This was a really bizarre and fun premise for a book, and I for one loved the storyline. It had some spooky vibes, but also was just really crazy and I found myself reading through this quickly!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this! Great play on words. If you're a millennial or older I know you got a cackle out of the title. Also, as someone who suffered in a sorority this book was absolutely perfection in displaying the true psychopaths/mean girl behavior.
First of all thank you for approving my request!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.
I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley.
Dead Poets Sorority is a dark academia romance that delivers a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and supernatural intrigue. From start to finish, this story keeps you hooked with its quirky premise and engaging writing style. If you're a fan of romantic comedies with a ghostly twist, this book will be right up your alley. The witty and clever dialogue adds charm and sparkle to every character interaction, while the overall tone balances the eerie with the entertaining. It’s a truly fun read that combines supernatural elements with romance in a fresh, creative way. Weird in the best possible sense, the storyline is unique and utterly enjoyable—I was all in.
Emily L, Reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This quirky, gothic, dark academia romance is a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and romance that will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you love stories that mix the supernatural with a touch of classic romance, this book is a must-read.
Plot and Characters: The story follows Emma Reeves, a student journalist who stumbles upon a secret society and accidentally summons the spirit of Nathaniel Harker, a 19th-century poet. The dynamic between Emma and Nathaniel is both charming and intriguing. Emma's modern sensibilities clash hilariously with Nathaniel's old-fashioned manners, creating a unique and engaging relationship.
Humor and Writing Style: The writing is witty and engaging, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The author does a fantastic job of balancing the comedic elements with the more serious, romantic undertones. The dialogue is sharp and clever, making the characters' interactions a joy to read.
Themes: The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, and the lengths we go to protect those we care about. Emma's journey from skeptic to believer is both touching and relatable, and her relationship with Nathaniel adds a layer of depth to the story.
Conclusion: Overall, this book is a fun, heartwarming read that combines the best elements of romantic comedies and ghost stories. It's perfect for anyone looking for a lighthearted yet emotionally satisfying read. Whether you're a fan of dark academia or just love a good romance, this book is sure to delight.
Happy reading! 📚👻💖
A fun, gothic, romantic read, Emma and Nathaniel are great characters, I hope there’s more in this universe.. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.
This was a ton of fun with a mysterious vibe throughout the book. I really enjoyed the concept of a journalist going undercover to do an expose and then getting sucked in to the world they’re reporting on. There were a few characters that even after finishing the book, I don’t have a full idea of who they are and what their motivations were mostly Kimberly, Erin, and Emma‘s best friend. I loved the relationship that developed between Emma and Nate, especially the suspense that was built around Nate’s safety in regards to the sorority and him being a ghost. There were times I questioned every person‘s motives and while I figured out what the ending was probably going to be, it happened in a way I didn’t expect. The epilogue left me with so many questions and it was interesting that it was in a different character’s point of view.
Emma A, Reviewer
Being a dark gothic romance novel, it will be the perfect autumn read. I flew through this book. I was hooked from the very first page and I kept reading until the end. The story was easy to follow, had a great cast of characters and good pacing. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
What a fantastic four-star read, this could have been a five-star read, but I feel like I’m still wondering so, so much, as I have so many unanswered questions. There were so many storylines that just didn’t need to be there and left me with more questions, but I enjoyed the overall story. Emma and Nate did make me smile, even though you know that she isn’t taking care of herself, its still sweet, it doesn’t make sense until you read it.
This book wasn’t for me but I was so grateful to have the opportunity to read and get to know the characters within but unfortunately I couldn’t connect with them I would love to be able to read more from this author
Samantha T, Librarian
This was really fun! As I read in another review, it's very similar to Bunny by Mona Awad, which is true. I really liked the humor in this book, as well.
Adored this book! Cosy, gothic and a ton of fun! The characters were great, I hope we get more in this universe, I think these are perfect for an autumn/spooky season read!
I loved this one! It had fun, academic vibes with a secret society-like sorority full of mystery. You follow Emma, a young girl accidentally falling in love while trying to carry out more tasks than any college student should.
I loved the chapter number art.
I also enjoy how the author tied her love for graveyards into the book. It made the ending really sweet and heartfelt in a place usually reserved for loss and heartbreak. A place to start anew rather than a place of finality.
Educator 1162248
Hm. This book should have worked but perhaps I just was misaligned with its sense of humor? It wasn't that I wasn't finding the humor funny, I didn't understand it at all (I'm a Millienial if that matters). I think this book is actually more niche in terms of audience than I realized. So I will take the blame for diving into something that was wrong for me from the start and give it 4 stars.
Librarian 1273232
Dead Poets Sorority is a witty and darkly funny gothic romance that perfectly blends dark academia with romcom charm. Student journalist Emma Reeves goes undercover to investigate a secret society of college girls who claim to resurrect long-dead literary icons. Instead of boredom, Emma accidentally summons Nathaniel Harker, a brooding 19th-century poet who is handsome, funny, and very much dead.
As Emma grapples with her unexpected ghostly companion, she finds herself falling for this tortured Romantic figure. But danger looms when the sorority sisters begin to suspect Emma’s secret. Balancing humor, mystery, and romance, Sofia Shelley delivers a unique tale about love that transcends the grave and the risks of protecting the ones we cherish.
Emma writes for her school newspaper and has been given her biggest task yet. She is to go undercover to spy on the Phi Omega House. She is specifically supposed to expose the head of the sorority, Kimberly. This story is full of humor, lighthearted moments, and love. Emma struggles with her relationships and how to fit everything in. Her time management skills definitely need some work. She thinks infiltrating the sorority will be easy until she accidentally summons a dead poet named Nathaniel. Emma's conflict with her best friend Vivian, her boss, Erin, Kimberly, and her ex were some of the most interesting parts of the story. My favorite part was definitely the relationship between Emma and Nathaniel. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like the book really picked up until about halfway through, and there were many plot points that I wish would have been fleshed out better. All in all, it was a fun read.
Librarian 1546600
The perfect paranormal spooky season read! I laughed so much morethan I expected to and loved the darker side. This rivals Lights Out and Butcher & Blackbird for humor and romance. I hate sorority/ frat vibes but this book was an absolute exception. Emma and Nathaniel had some great banter and tension as well.
I wish I could read this again for the first time. I loved this whole book. This book is like if Wednesday Addams got a literary degree and joined a dark academia girl gang.
With gothic charm, swoony secrets, and create your own boyfriend moments, you seriously can’t put this story down.
If you’ve ever wanted to wear black lace, drink espresso at midnight, and recite Sylvia Plath while solving campus mysteries.. Congrats, this one’s your aesthetic soulmate.
Darkly delightful, hauntingly heartfelt, and full of BANTER, BANTER, BANTER!!!!!!!! AHHH.
10/10, 5/5, I DON’T CARE.. This was gold for my emo heart.
You had me at Sorority! This book was totally - WTF weird and dialogue bout nothing but I liked it. If you liked Bunny which was also a book where after you read it, you're like - what did I just read, then you'll love this too. It's just different - let's leave it at that.
Reviewer 378873
Debut author Sofia Shelley, published by Avon Books, delivered a gothic academy romance, pnr.
A fun and witty read that was nothing like I expected.
It took me a minute or two to get into her writing style, but the storyline is good and I was entertained by sorority girls, an undercover journalist student and Nate the poet/ghost, 3,75 stars.
A very poetic story for the love between a young woman and a dead poet. Emma and Nathaniel really were star crossed lovers in this novel. Dead Poets Sorority gave us the drama of sorority life with the whimsical of poetry. There were some lulls in the book but my opinion is that this only happened because most of the chapters are extremely long for my taste. However I was able to put the book down mid chapter and come back and pick right back up where I left. I really enjoyed the love story once I understood to dynamic between Emma and Nathaniel. Overall I really enjoyed the book and would love to read more by Sofia Shelley in the future.
Laura M, Educator
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.
Laura H, Reviewer
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.
Reviewer 1657288
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.
Smart, witty, romantic and ghostly? Yes Please!!!! Fantastic read I did not want to put down. There's nothing better than resurrecting long since dead literary icons.
This was such a fun book! I struggled a little at the beginning but I lovedddd the banter and the whole premise of the sorority! I wish I had a sorority to conjure ghosts now, but I’ll def be buying this for my shelf!
thank you so much Avon for this gifted arc
J R, Reviewer
if Mona Awad wrote Bunny as a romance, this is... about what you'd get, and I love it for that. chemistry is also sizzling. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Nicola B, Reviewer
Emma is a proud journalist for her university newspaper. She's one of the star reporters and she detests, loathes sorority. So of course her Editor picks her to go undercover at one the local sororities in order to topple her nemesis. She and her fellow pledges are in for a wild ride and some of the rites of passage make poor Emma want to run for the hills! The pledges are trying to basically bring actual book boyfriends to life! Imagine a college girl trying to bring My Darcy to life!
Enter Nate. He's the perfect book boyfriend from a historical novel 0 except he's an actual ghost! Now with Emma's help he's trying to determine how to stop the pledges unleashing hell on the unsuspecting locals because not everything or everyone they "bring over" is going to be as friendly as him.
Emma and Nate are a great pairing - her the cynical, modern woman coming to care for the gentle, courteous, dashing Nate. Sure you might need to dispense with a bit of normality, the belief in physics and/or ghosts but if you just go along for the ride it's a great read.
I would have enjoyed a bit more back story or involvement by the supporting characters, some of them just felt a bit flat and useless to the story. However I did enjoy the final scenes where it would seem we've not seen the last of this world!
📚 Dark-ish Romcom Vibes
🏛 Academic Setting
🎀 Sorority Drama
💀 Paranormal Romance
👻 Ghost Boyfriend (Swoony + Charming!)
🔥 Opposites Attract
⏳ Slow Burn
🕵️ Secrets & Schemes
⠀
𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 was such a fun (darkish) academia read and the perfect vibe for spooky season. Emma brings this quirky, chaotic energy that bounces so well against Nathaniel’s romantic and effortlessly charming presence. I loved watching their relationship grow—it was the kind of slow unraveling that made me smile, swoon, and root for them the entire way.
Of course, nothing is simple with Kimberly, the utterly maniacal sorority president, constantly scheming in the background. Emma is stuck trying to balance her journalist’s need for a story with her determination to keep 'ghost boy' Nathaniel safe, and that tension kept me hooked.
But honestly? The real star of this book for me was Nathaniel. He’s 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 not to adore—every scene with him had me swept right into his charm and wishing I could tag along. Add in the séances, spells, and ghosts, and you’ve got a slightly spooky, magical vibe that’s as fun as it is haunting. ⠀
⠀
This was a cute and fun read- very nerdy in a good way. Of course I expected secret society vibes- love accidental romance
Jill M, Reviewer
This was a great premise and I really enjoyed the characters. I think it would have helped to have more backstory, but I did enjoy the writing overall.
Georgina N, Reviewer
Sweet, melancholy and beautiful. I was obsessed with Nate and Emma and the mystery.
So funny and yet deep all at once. A sweet love story with a fun academia setting. I enjoyed the growing love for Sorority community despite her detest of being part of sorority. A light-hearted take on the gothic genre and a great romcom the use of dead poet boy as a pet name is both endearing and entertaining.
The romance, the espionage and the poetry - a perfect storm that made for a brilliant read.
If you're looking for something funny, spooky, and genuinely swoony, this is it. Dark academia girlie behavior at its finest. The way Shelley writes that collision between Emma's modern skepticism and his very earnest 19th-century romanticism—You don't always get that kind of comedic timing paired with genuine heart in these books, so hats off for that.
Dead Poets Sorority was such a blast! Emma goes undercover for her college paper and ends up joining the Dead Poets Sorority, plus she has to summon a dead poet, which is just as wild as it sounds. The book is full of clever, funny moments that had me grinning the whole time. The story gets pretty chaotic at points, but in the best way. I also loved the touch of magical realism, it gave the whole thing a quirky, unpredictable vibe. Totally a fun, entertaining read!
Aurora H, Reviewer
I loved this book! the characters were awesome and the storyline is very well written. Sofia Shelley did an awesome job with making this story and I can't wait to Read more from her!
Gillian F, Reviewer
Fun premise which is well executed. I really enjoyed the quirkiness of this book whilst also satisfying my need for a wee romance book.
Definitely worth a read.
I enjoyed this premise of this story and tried enjoy it but it was a slow read for me. I pushed through but reading it felt a bit like work. I’m not sure if it was so far out of the norm for me or what. It’s a well written story and very interesting, maybe it just wasn’t my cup of tea. But I’m grateful for the experience of read this book Loved the romance
Dead Poets Sorority is a charming tale about a student journalist digging into the mysteries of a unique sorority for a story. It took a bit to hook me, but the idea of reviving a dead poet as a spirit was intriguing. All in all, a pleasant read.
Jill H, Reviewer
This was such a fun read! It has all the feels and was a great mix of everything you want in a book. I loved the cast of characters and really thought they each brought something to the story. Such a great story!
This book absolutely wrecked me—in the best, most soul-stirring way. Dead Poets Society captures that fragile moment between youth and adulthood, where you’re trying to decide who you want to be before the world tells you who you should be. Reading it feels like breathing in autumn air—crisp, aching, and beautiful. The boys of Welton Academy—Todd, Neil, Knox, Charlie—each carry pieces of longing, rebellion, and fear that still feel painfully relatable. And Mr. Keating? He’s the teacher everyone dreams of having, the one who reminds you that words matter, that art and love and passion are worth fighting for, even if the cost is high. Every page radiates with that mix of hope and heartbreak, and I could practically hear Robin Williams’ voice saying, “Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys.” It’s nostalgia, grief, and inspiration all tied into one.
This will forever be a five-star book for me—not because it’s perfect, but because it makes you feel everything. The way it explores conformity, individuality, and the quiet, desperate ache of wanting to live a life that’s truly your own—it’s timeless. Even knowing how it ends, I still found myself holding my breath, hoping things might change. The themes of artistry, queerness, courage, and loss hit differently as an adult; they reminded me why stories like this matter. It’s not just a book about poetry—it’s about finding your voice and daring to use it.
This book was such a fun, easy read for fall! I absolutely flew through it! The tone and style are so enjoyable, but also give a gothic undertone that is mystical and dark.
If you’re after something that’s equal parts fun and a little spooky, this is the perfect pick. I loved every bit of it and will 100% be keeping an eye out for more from this author. Honestly, I don’t even know what else to say—just go read it!
Reviewer 287380
This was nice, but I think it's maybe being let down by its marketing? I thought it would be funnier, so when it wasn't it dampened my enjoyment. I think I also thought it would be more spooky! If I'd gone into this book knowing it was quite straightforward then I think I'd have enjoyed it a lot more, so it's not that the book isn't good, it's just that you'd be disappointed if you thought you were about to eat a gooey chocolate brownie but instead you took a bite (presumably blindfolded) only to discover it was rice pudding.
If you adjust your expectations, or the reader went in knowing it wasn't a super funny spooky book, then I think it would be very enjoyable, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 3.
Dead Poets Sorority is witty, romantic, and delightfully strange. I loved the mix of dark academia, ghostly charm, and campus chaos, all wrapped in poetic gothic flair. A fun, atmospheric read perfect for spooky season.
A clever premise with a mix of dark academia and sisterhood that really intrigued me. The prose was beautiful, occasionally veering into overly flowery territory, but it fit the aesthetic. I especially liked the exploration of grief, art, and ambition among the characters.
“For thine flowers will wilt, thy bones shift to dust, The world will turn on. Every day that passes the sun rises anew And you are lost but never forgotten,”
Overall I really enjoyed this. It was a fun and beautiful story, and I adored the mix of gothic elements, romantic poetry, and girly sorority happenings. The pacing was slightly off for me for maybe the first half of the book, but once it gets going it is wonderful. I loved both the FMC and the MMC. I also really enjoyed Vivian and Griffin (two side characters). I would have loved to see more of them. The ending for me was perfect (although be prepared that the epilogue is a little unsettling) and so very emotional. If you like a fun, gothic paranormal romance then this is absolutely the book for you.💖🖤
✨I read an ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review voluntarily✨
Witty, gothic, and unexpectedly romantic — Dead Poets Sorority is a hauntingly charming read that feels like The Dead Poets Society collided with a paranormal rom-com. Sofia Shelley blends campus intrigue, ghostly romance, and literary nostalgia into a story that’s both eerie and heartfelt.
Emma Reeves is a sharp, skeptical journalist who finds herself way over her head when she accidentally resurrects Nathaniel Harker — a forgotten poet with charm, melancholy, and the kind of swoon-worthy lines only a 19th-century romantic could deliver. Their chemistry is the perfect mix of witty banter and wistful longing, and I loved watching Emma’s cynicism melt under Nathaniel’s old-fashioned devotion.
Shelley’s writing has an atmospheric flair — equal parts cozy academia and ghost story — with clever nods to the literary greats. The tension between Emma’s modern world and Nathaniel’s ghostly existence gives the story real emotional pull, especially as the sorority’s dark secrets close in.
A clever, enchanting debut perfect for fans of The Dead Romantics and If We Were Villains — this one lingers like a poem you can’t stop rereading. 🖋️💀❤️
3.5 Stars!
This was a fun spooky read for October and it is perfect if you are a fan of dark academia setting with lots of banter, paranormal romance (iykyk).
The pacing was a little off at times but I honestly couldn't fault it for being such a fun read. Nothing serious but will definitely recommend to friends who love the idea of a ghost boyfriend and some dark humour.
Thank you Avon Books so much for the arc of this!
A charming, funny, and hauntingly romantic story about a modern girl who falls for the ghost of a long-dead poet—and learns that love, like art, can defy even the afterlife.
Shannon C, Librarian
For readers who crave a swoony, bittersweet fantasy-romance where the ache of impossible love outweighs every plot twist, served in velvet, candle-scented atmosphere.
Librarian 1157146
The story centers around Emma Reeves, a sharp, ambitious student journalist with a nose for a good story. Her current assignment: to go undercover and investigate a mysterious secret society known as the Dead Poets Sorority, rumored to be resurrecting long-dead literary icons. Emma, ever the skeptic, expects to uncover nothing more than a group of bored college girls dabbling with Ouija boards and a penchant for dramatic flair. What she absolutely doesn't expect, however, is to accidentally conjure the spirit of a genuine, if "never-quite-famous," poet from the 19th century: Nathaniel Harker.
Initially driven by the journalistic scoop of a lifetime, Emma finds herself increasingly torn. The lure of her very own love-struck, tortured poet proves incredibly hard to resist, igniting a forbidden romance that challenges her professional ethics and her heart. As Emma and Nathaniel navigate their impossible connection, falling for each other amidst the backdrop of modern college life, a new and dangerous threat emerges. The sorority sisters, whose shadowy rituals Emma was meant to expose, are onto her ghostly secret. Now, Emma's priority shifts from breaking a story to a far more perilous mission: keeping Nathaniel safe at all costs.
Overall, this book is a great blend of paranormal romance, campus intrigue, and a dash of journalistic ambition. I highly recommend.
This book is chaotic, weird, spooky, and honestly kind of hilarious. Dead Poets Sorority gave me dark academia vibes but with ghost romance and secret society drama, and I was absolutely here for it.
Emma joins a sorority thinking she is just digging for a story, but instead she ends up summoning the ghost of a nineteenth century poet who decides to stick around. Cue the chaos: sorority secrets, shady rituals, and Emma trying to pretend her new dead boyfriend is totally normal.
Is it a little unhinged? Yes. Did I laugh, swoon, and keep turning the pages anyway? Also yes. Dead Poets Sorority is like if The Secret History got drunk with Casper and a stack of gothic poetry, and I mean that as a compliment. And honestly, who didn’t swoon when Devon Sawa swaggered his way to Kat in Casper? Core memory unlocked. This book definitely taps into that vibe and then cranks it up with more gothic, messy fun.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.