Aria Cayetano is a determined and smart young teen. This story shows you what happens when secrets are allowed to grow. Aria shows her love for her friend Derek as she tries tirelessly to save him from a ghost, all while trying to uncover her true destiny.

4/5 stars

When a teen who used to see ghosts is convinced that her best friend-turned-enemy is possessed by one, she embarks on a mission to reconnect with the spirit world to save him.

What I liked:

I appreciated the tension-filled storyline and quick pacing that kept me turning pages. Aria’s voice was engaging and her personality I really enjoyed. I thought it neat the way Riss M. Neilson incorporated Aria’s journals as a way to advance the story instead of writing out some of those scenes in “real time.” This was a fun way to see what was happening while also getting a stronger insight into Aria’s personality. Aria’s journey of reconnecting with her past self and the memories she believed she lost was something I could relate to in a way, and it was healing to see her journey as she navigated family tensions and learned to stand up for herself and establish boundaries despite her family’s expectations for her. Riss M. Neilson’s writing is very clean and straightforward, making it a quick read.

What I didn’t like:

There’s genuinely nothing I disliked about this book. It’s very well-written (focused writing, clear goals and conflicts, a solid ending). The only reason it isn’t getting 5/5 stars is because I didn’t fall in love with the book. The writing itself is great and there is nothing objectively wrong with it—it just didn’t evoke a very strong emotional response from me. It’s rare for books to get that kind of response from me, which is why I reserve 5/5 stars for those instead.

Overall:

I’m Not Supposed to Be in the Dark is a great story that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys YA that explores reconnecting with yourself and learning to accept your gifts.

Magic, secrets, family, and complicated history.

This is my first read by Riss M. Neilson and it will not be the last. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. It’s creepy yet lovely. There was a tad bit of romance that was included about 65% into the book. That is unfortunate, but I appreciated what was given. Who doesn’t like enemies to lovers? I’ll take even a little bit lol.

3.5⭐️

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

A thriller from beginning to end. Elders are to be respected and listened to. Aria wants to see what will happen when she stops drinking her special tea. Add in grief and curiosity surrounding the strange things going on and we have a winner. Themes include family, friendship, grief and coming of age.

I didn't know what to expect with this books, but gosh did it hit my deep. Who would think a YA paranormal romance would have me so invested? Beyond the layers of coming of age, young love, and spirits with unfinished business was also a lesson on embracing who you are and where you come from. A family trying to help when letting us fly can do so much good. Great book!

I received this book as an arc from Netgalley

Wow, I was impressed by this book. It follows Aria who drinks a special tea that prevents her from seeing ghosts. Her grandfather and mother stress the importance of her drinking the tea. However, Aria is curious and when something happens to her neighborhood and her ex-best friend, she decides to stop drinking the tea to find out. This book starts off very slow and we are following Aria's struggle to find answers to her questions. Finally, we are getting absorbing reveals past 50% of the book. The author was so good at creating a creepy atmosphere that if Aria was not the main character, I felt like something really going to happen to her. For me, the spirit world was the most interesting part although we do not get many details. Hopefully, there is a sequel because of that ending??????????????!!!!!!!!!

I was a massive fan of Riss M. Neilson’s Deep in Providence, and I couldn’t wait to dive into her sophomore book.

From the moment I started reading Aria’s story, Riss’ writing immediately pulled me in. Her writing is what I like about her books the most. It’s haunting, mystical, creepy but also incredibly moving. I’m Not Supposed to Be in the Dark is a layered story, and I love to pull off layers one by one and let the book surprise me and touch me in ways I didn’t know it would. I also need to highlight how fully fleshed out the characters are, especially Aria, and I loved her growth throughout the story. And even though the book isn’t really focused on romance, I liked that there was a little love story involved, and I’m a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers troop!

And finally, I want to spotlight the cover! It’s so gorgeous!

Initially, I wasn't sure I would like this YA supernatural / suspense / romance book. The story started off slow and a little bit confusing. I'm really glad I stuck with it because once I was about about a quarter of the way into the story, I was hooked. The author does a wonderful job of developing our wonderfully complex heroine Aria. The story is told completely from her perspective and we get to experience an awakening of sorts right along with her. The ending did feel a tiny bit rushed but overall it was a great read.

It was mysterious and chilling, but also heartwarming and lovely. Aria's journey of discovering her power was bittersweet. It was not easy. Everyone wanted to protect her, but by doing so they were putting her in grave danger. By finding out her power, she discovers more about herself and what she could do with the power she is trusted with. The journey also changed all of those around her, and I love how Neilson portrayed the story. Love Derek, he is such a sweetheart. But I also love Marcus.

Great storytelling, chilling but lovely atmosphere, little detective/sleuthing, and angsts... loveeee!

I’m Not Supposed to Be in the Dark is a magical, beautifully agonizing novel. This book will sweep you under a spell and hold your hand as it plays on your emotions.

Riss M. Neilson showcases her brilliant and awe-inspiring writing style and craft, once more, in her sophomore book. It was easy to fall into the story, become entranced, and feel as though you were watching it from just over Aria—the main character’s—shoulder. This book was very clearly and noticeably filled with heart, emotion, passion—so many things that jump out at and file into the reader while reading.

Neilson has incredibly strong character development. Aria is the sole main character in Dark, and she is as lively and thought-provoking as she appears on page one. Filled with curiosity and the realization that something is amiss in her world and some of the people surrounding her, she is forced to face a lot of hard and hidden or stolen truths throughout the book. Her growth from beginning to end was well-written and beautifully done. At the start, Aria was a bit rash and impulsive about the things she wanted to know and do—and while that is not necessarily a bad thing, it sometimes left bad repercussions on the people she loved. As she came to understand this, the noticeable shift in how she goes about her actions and inquiries made her character stronger and showcased a sense of maturing that was necessary for her story.

The side characters were easy to adore, as well. Derek, as well as the spirit possessing him, became easy favorites. Two completely different personalities, and even then, they often complimented each other at different points of the plot. Along with this, Aria’s mother, grandfather and best friend Bri all had strong grips in the storyline, as well. While some of the actions were incredibly frustrating, the explanations that eventually came up quelled them a bit and made it possible to understand and create a different level of adoring them.

However, it was a bit difficult to be satisfied with Aria’s sister playing a part in the story. It can be felt that there was a bit of a loose thread with explaining why she was so often unavailable—was it just due to the level of pressure and necessary attention needed to dedicate toward college? Was there something else going on? It can be assessed that a bit more information was needed there, but otherwise, Adelia was a wonderful character in the parts readers got to see her.

Lastly, the plot and storyline that Neilson provided readers was thoroughly enjoying, imaginative, and awe-inspiring. There were several twists, multiple unseen turns that crept up almost like the spirits Aria saw in the story. Every imagery detail was vibrant, and the pacing was spot-on for what Dark needed. There is not a single thing that can be seen as needing to change because it was all wonderfully woven and intricately placed throughout.

Overall, I am once again blown away by Riss M. Neilson’s work. There were tears of joy, sadness, longing, and so much more. Laughter, gasping, and shaking in anticipation. I’m Not Supposed to Be in the Dark has fitted itself onto my favorites list–right next to Neilson’s debut Deep in Providence—and I will be thinking about it for a very, very long time. For that, I give this book a starred rating. This book left off on a somewhat open note, so I do feel the need to mention—if Riss is given the opportunity to pursue future projects with Aria, I will absolutely be on board and eagerly awaiting it. There is so much potential still to be had, and I do hope that Henry Holt and Co/Macmillan takes notice of that.

This is a great YA fantasy romance with a very immersive narrative voice that makes it hard to put the book down. The plot was twisty enough to keep me turning the pages as fast as I could, too.

I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark by Riss M. Neilson is a spectacular YA paranormal story full of intrigue that kept my interest from page one.

What worked for me
1.The cover art is beyond lovely and is what drew me in.
2.Riss M. Neilson has a beautifully lyrical writing style that is a joy to read.
3.Pacing and dialogue were handled expertly.
What didn't work as well for me
1.This book was recommended to me as a paranormal romance and is definitely more of a paranormal coming of age with late romantic elements.
2.I would love a sequel and as of yet none have been announced.
Who I would recommend this book for

This Story will be a wonderful read for YA fantasy fans wanting to dip their toes in the paranormal and horror spheres of reading.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.
This was a great ghost story with a tad bit of romance, and I’d love to read a sequel if there is one. The beginning was a bit slow, but it really picks up 20% in. At that point, I was completely engaged in the plot, and starting to feel connected to the characters.
I think the worldbuilding made this book a bit difficult to begin with, as the reader finds out about the spiritual world along with the MC, meaning it’s slow going. However, the plot was amazing as it had enough surprises to keep me entranced without overwhelming me.
While this book was described as a paranormal romance, I hope it’s advertised more in the thriller/horror genre as the romance came into play pretty late (about 70% in). The ending felt complete, but with enough questions were it would make sense to have a sequel. This book is a great read for anyone who loves ghost stories, solving mysteries, or tales of growing up.

I highly enjoyed this book. I love a good paranormal book that have ghost in it. This book really reminded me of whote smoke i cant not wait to read more from this author because it blew me away

Such a great read!!!! I was constantly confused and intrigued by Aria's powers and the mystery behind Derek's odd behaviors. Lolo's store was also a mystery that kept me hoping Aria would finally be able to work there and learn more about her family and the family business. This book just has so many mysteries happening and Aria is determined to figure them out that I was easily brought along for the ride.

Although I’m not normally a fan of paranormal romance, this book sucked me right in and kept me turning the pages until I got to the end. Just enough horror to be creepy and keep me up at night, just enough romance to be satisfying at the end.

Creepy and hauntingly beautiful. Riss M. Neilson builds a ghost story like we don't often get to see, full of magic, secrets, complex histories, and family.

For me, the true beauty of this book was the slow build of the world. With each new discovery we're given another layer to the complexities of life. What happens when we learn enough about our history we start to yearn for what we've lost? Especially when that yearning takes away from what is actually in front of us?

What happens when our family tries to protect us from ourselves but we grow out of needing protection? What about when we defy out parents to desperately try to build our connection to ourself and our magic? There's no real answer for any of this and we all handle all of these things differently. But Neilson manages to remind us that these questions are just a part of life and a part of who we are.

History is complex and messy and everyone in these stories are real people. We often do things that we think are best even if they may not be. We hide things from each other in order to protect each other. This may be a ghost story with a pinch of magic but Neilson brilliantly crafts a deeply human story in I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC.

I wasn't sure what to expect from I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark in terms of what the story would entail, but much like Neilson's previous work, I was enraptured. From the characters to the setting to the intricate plotlines woven throughout the story, this is yet another masterful tale which challenges my idea of what a ghost story can be.

There is a wonderful cadence and rhythm to the sentences that Neilson writes; everything sounds effortlessly poetic, but there is a strong voice grounded in the storytelling, told through Aria's voice.

What starts off as a mystery story involving ghosts and a failed friendship grows into something far more complicated. Interweaving ideas of familial trauma, as well as bodily autonomy, play a major role within this story. Like Neilson's previous works, INSTBITD is layered. There are likely things that I missed on this first reading that I would be delighted to discover on my second. Another fascinating thing about the book is that while it includes a friends-to-lovers trope, Neilson never gives her characters any happy endings easily, leaving me on the edge of my seat. The stakes are high throughout the story, which is why this is such an engrossing read.

Eerie and haunting, yet full of heart, this captivating love story will live in my mind for years to come.

Thank you, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, for allowing me to read I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark early.

The cover is stunning! I loved Riss M. Neilson's debut a lot, so I looked really forward to her second book. And it didn't disappoint. I really loved this one too!

This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our list for order this year and will recommend it to students.