Though I am only ranking this book three stars, I did enjoy this read (though it started off really slow).

This book followed Olive, who had a health scare and ended up being dead for five minutes. After her brush with what she called The Nothing, she pulls away from everyone. Everyone, but a dear friend Ms H, an elder woman whom she had a strong relationship with. When she passes, Olive is afraid for what The Nothing means for Ms H. She’s all alone? Afraid? In the dark? Olive is determined to find out what happens after you die, even if she has to summon the spirit herself!

I think that’s about all I can say without getting into spoiling the plot or ending. Overall, this was an interesting read and really like diving into something different and paranormal.

Between the title of the first chapter and the first sentence of the book, I was immediately engaged.

Dark, gothy ambiance and classic ghost story vibes, but with modern and diverse characters that bring a refreshing depth to the story. Very clever exploration of what comes after we die—and how to appreciate life while we have it

I ended up really enjoying Here Lies Olive by Kate Anderson.
I finished this one quickly as once I hot into the story I couldn't put it down and I really liked the main characters, Olive and Jay!
I definitely recommend this book especially if you are looking for a cozy horror read that's perfect for Halloween!

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

this was a really good! I liked the characters, and they were super well-developed. the plot was super cool and fun to read, and the writing was also smooth and easy to understand
highly recommend

<i>I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Struggling with grief, Olive attempts to summon a spirit to answer her questions about death, only to meet Jay, a ghost trapped in the woods behind the poorhouse where he died. While Olive agrees to help Jay find rest, someone or something starts targeting Olive’s classmates, and the longer Jay lingers, the more serious the attacks become.

A solid debut. While I really warmed to Jay and felt a strong sense of atmosphere and dread of the unknown, I was hoping for something darker in tone, especially considering the themes explored in Jay's death and the treatment of the patients in the sanitorium. In my opinion, choosing to tonally lean in to the age bracket rather than the subject matter left, for me, a lack of emotional depth, which meant my personal enjoyment of the book was somewhat limited. Ultimately, 'cosy horror' doesn't really work for me as a blend.

I loved this book so much. Here lately I am enjoying middle grade novels much more than adult. One thing is I love magical realism and I love supernatural. The adult magical realism novels I have read of late, just don't quite hit the mark.
This novel is indeed, magical. A novel about a young lady who is afraid of what happens to us after we die. Who isn't? I could relate to her so very much. There are ghosts, and the town is spooky. This is just the perfect book for me. Maybe I just need to stick with middle grade, even though I'm a 48 yr old woman. 😂

Accidentally summoning ghosts, Young Reapers, paranormal-adjacent world, sign me up!

I really enjoyed this cozy YA horror from Anderson. Olive was a great, young protagonist who really conveyed the uncertainties and desperation of today's teenagers, coupled with a great coming-of-age arc. White Haven was really interesting as a setting, and I wouldn't mind more stories set in that world, because I can imagine there's a lot there! I loved the relationships and the mystery and the slow trickle of darkness in the book. I think anyone who likes paranormal stories, ghost stories, a touch of wonder and a touch of horror will enjoy this book!

Thank you to the publishers – Flux and North Star Editing – for giving me access to this book as an E-ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This review will be published on my Goodreads-account on May 4th, 2023.

This was a quick little read that packed some suspense and light horror elements. Our main character Olive lives in, what the blurb calls, the “dark tourism capital of the United Stated”. Most everything in her hometown seems to be centred around death and the macabre. It was once the home of a large sanatorium for the sick and poor where the patients were treated extremely poorly. This dark history has a big part of the overall story.

This is part a ghost story and a teenage drama. It mixes quite well.

"I say this like I know, like I actually do stuff with other people, like I won't be sitting alone in my room lighting candles and muttering made-up spells to summon the dead" - I mean, girl, SAME 🧙‍♀️
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This was such a sweet YA horror book that deals with themes of death/friendship/found family/coming of age with some paranormal fun sprinkled on top, the character of Olive is so relatable and likeable and I was rooting for her from the start, she is angsty but its not overdone. The writing was engaging and witty, I loved the setting of White Haven and how spooky it was, if you like feisty female leads and books that might make you a lil sad (in a good way) you will 100% appreciate Olive and her journey, plus how gorgeous is the cover! Releasing 24th october (perfect for a halloween read) thanks to the author, netgalley and fluxbooks for the eARC!