Thank you Netgalley for an arc of You're Dead to Me. This was really good and a fun read. I enjoyed it and I'd recommend reading it. I rated this 4 stars.

OMG, this book is like Gossip Girl meets Happy Death Day, sprinkled with a dash of Grudge vibes, and it’s giving everything!

From the first page, Ruby Toller pulls you into her chaotic, drama-filled life as Oleander High’s outcast and the mastermind behind the anonymous gossip blog.

But the tea? She’s also her own murder mystery victim—and prom night is her deadline.

👻 The Premise: Ruby sees her own ghost (yes, you read that right) wearing a blood-splattered prom dress, and the clock starts ticking. Someone wants her dead, and she has one week to unmask her killer before her vision becomes reality. But wait, there’s more—her town is also dealing with a serial killer known as the Mannequin Man. Secrets are spilling, trust is crumbling, and Ruby has no idea who to trust... except maybe her ride-or-die BFFs, Anton and Xavier.

🏰 The Setting: Wonder Park—a run-down theme park Ruby’s family owns—is as quirky as it gets. Between feeding bears (hi, Flapjack!) and wrangling alligators, this backdrop adds layers of charm and danger. I could literally see it as a Netflix mini-series already.

💔 The Drama: While juggling her ghostly visions, her crush on Alexander (rich boy alert 🤑), and her messy reputation fallout, Ruby uncovers the not-so-glamorous secrets of Oleander Bay’s elite. Trust me, these “bling brigade” kids make the Upper East Siders look tame.

🕵️‍♀️ The Mystery: The twists? Chef’s kiss. I side-eyed everyone except Anton and Xavier, who are the ultimate BFF goals. Ruby’s ghost keeps showing up with new clues (a bloodied prom dress, bullet wounds—yikes!), making this a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller with a whodunnit twist you won’t see coming.

If you love dark secrets, messy scandals, and murder with a side of sass, You’re Dead to Me is the read you didn’t know you needed.

✨ Are you ready to solve Ruby’s murder? Let me know if you figure it out before prom night! 🩸🎟️

I really tried to give this a chance. But I got so bored. I didn’t care what was happening or anything. I had to give it a DNF

Gossip Girl meets Cruel Summer with a supernatural sparkle, You’re Dead to me was.a tense and exciting story. I loved the setting of the Florida Everglades. Excited to see what this author has coming next.

This book is Veronica Mars meets The Ring with everything I loved about both. A girl who’s excluded from the in-crowd in a small town uses her super sleuth skills to get justice for her family. Plus a bunch of dead bodies and a foretelling of the FMC’s own death that needs to be stopped. There’s also a serial killer, tarot card readings, an ouija board session…
I’m not usually a fan of mysteries but the fast-pace kept my attention. The characters are complex. The plot is well-written and not predictable. There’s enemies to lovers romance when the scholarship girl and a boy from the rich clique fall for each other. I enjoyed the twists and the false ending. I only have one thing left to say:
Movie! Movie! Movie!

This book is a fast-paced young adult thriller. And a thriller it is. There is a paranormal mystery lurking between the pages, too. I couldn’t help but cheer for Ruby and not like several other characters – but that’s the point. The story is well written and the author did a great job of concealing the mystery to catch me off guard at the end. This read has a bit of everything for all readers. Well done.

“You’re Dead to Me” by Amy Christine Parker is a gripping young adult thriller that masterfully intertwines elements of mystery, horror, and social commentary. Set in the elite Oleander Bay Academy, the story follows Ruby, a scholarship student who secretly runs the notorious TikTok account @reputationkiller, exposing the misdeeds of her affluent peers. When her identity is unexpectedly revealed, Ruby becomes a pariah, and her life takes a terrifying turn as she begins to encounter visions of her own ghost, ominously foretelling her impending murder on prom night.

Parker’s narrative is fast-paced and filled with unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The supernatural elements are skillfully woven into the plot, creating a palpable sense of dread and urgency as Ruby races against time to uncover her would-be killer. The author’s portrayal of a small town rife with secrets and the dark underbelly of high school social hierarchies adds depth to the storyline, making it not just a tale of survival but also a commentary on the consequences of exposing hidden truths.

The characters are well-developed, with Ruby’s determination and resilience standing out as she navigates the treacherous waters of betrayal, fear, and the quest for justice. Her relationships with her friends, Anton and Xavier, provide a grounding counterpoint to the escalating tension, showcasing the importance of loyalty and support in the face of adversity.

Critics have praised the novel for its suspenseful plot and engaging writing. Kirkus Reviews notes that “twists and jump scares keep coming in this taut, fast-paced work that will keep readers up at night.”  Additionally, Kelly Coon, author of “Gravemaidens,” describes it as “a twisty thriller with a bloody ending you’ll never see coming.” 

“You’re Dead to Me” is a standout addition to the YA thriller genre, offering a compelling blend of suspense, horror, and insightful commentary on the perils of social media and the complexities of teenage life. It’s a must-read for fans seeking a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

The marketing called this book Gossip Girl meets Happy Death Day. As a GG aficionado, the influence here is clear but still it's own thing. Ruby owns the Tik Tok account Reputation Killer, that she uses to anonymously out her fellow students, particularly the Bling Brigade, for their malevolent deeds. At least she does until she's caught. You would think that would be her biggest problem, but you'd be wrong. No, the major problem is when she sees herself, as a murdered ghost. Then it's a race against time to save herself before prom.

The characters are great. Ruby, who starts as an angry, vengeance obsessed girl, shows incredible growth as she slowly learns that her picture perfect classmates' lives aren't as black and white as she thought. It's hard not to fall for this book. Honestly, don't even try. Suspend your disbelief and go on the ride the author wishes to take you on. It's worth it.

🐊🐊🐊🐊/5.

Thank you to the author for offering me a copy of this book for the purposes of review. My thoughts are my own and, as always, honest.

Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for having me, and for the book for review!

This is a solid YA thriller. The characters are entertaining and unique. The pacing is good. The ending was good. This is an enjoyable YA thriller that I would recommend! Special Thank You to Amy Christine Parker, Random House Children's and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

You’re Dead to Me by Amy Christine Parker is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that delves into the complexities of loyalty, revenge, and high school drama. With sharp, compelling characters and plenty of twists, Parker crafts a gripping narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish. A must-read for fans of psychological suspense and dark teen mysteries.

This definitely thought this would have Carrie vibes, but it ended up being a pretty unique story in and of itself.

We followed Ruby and her friends as she tries to solve her own murder before it happens. The twists and turns that this took were pretty crazy. A lot tied in at the end that made sense once you go back and think about previous events. I really enjoy when thrillers tie up the ends that way.

I love finding books in the horror genre for my eighth graders to read. Many want something that is more along the lines of a suspenseful/thriller/scary movie they might watch, and YOU’RE DEAD TO ME does this wonderfully. This is wonderfully accessible (not intimidating in length or content), and I think this will be a great addition to my choice units.

A fun, fast-paced horror thriller with Gossip Girl and Death Day vibes. Ruby is a scholarship student at her private prep school and constantly targeted by the Bling Brigade. To get back at the snobby elite, she has a secret account on Tik Tok called @reputationkiller where she exposes their secrets. When she sees her own ghost in a prom dress after exposing one student, she has to figure out how to prevent her own death and figure out who is trying to kill her. Is it The Mannequin Man, the serial killer who is targeting South Siders like herself, after her, or is it one of the Bling Brigade? With only 8 days til Prom, time is ticking!

I liked how fast-paced & short the chapters were in this one, and the mixture of thriller and horror elements set against a Florida backdrop (hello....someone gets eaten by a gator!) made for an exciting read that would make this a good choice for more reluctant readers. I also loved the support from Ruby's queer besties and how they were always willing to support her shenanigans. And the help from Bling Brigade Alexander who has eyes for Ruby also added a nice dynamic. Like most recent YA thrillers, there are, however, a lot of characters and lots of plot points to keep up with, and a little editing could make this story stronger. Is everyone gunning for a TV show adaptation with all the characters? The ending felt a bit rushed, but the twists made it fun!

Thanks to Netgalley and Delacorte for the e-arc!

Thank you to Amy Christine Parker and TBR and Beyond Tours for this gifted copy.

From the first page, “You’re Dead to Me” gave me major Gossip Girl flashbacks since the main character runs a Twitter account named Reputation Killer and aims to take down the elite. When she is unmasked, things start to get complicated.

👗What did you love the most?
Going into this book, I knew it would feature teen characters and teen drama. It was fun to dive into this world (big Maxton Hall vibes) as Ruby, the FMC, tries to juggle a serial k*ller on the loose and a ghost who is warning her of her impending doom. I loved how everyone was a suspect in this novel, and the characters were very well developed.

👗Read if you like:
🐊YA mystery
🐊Teen characters
🐊Fast-paced plot

👗How was the pace?
Fast with short chapters.

👗Do you recommend this book?
There are a few things where you had to suspend belief, but I didn’t mind since this is a YA book with paranormal elements, so it made sense to me. The end was so fast-paced that I had to re-read a few sections to ensure I understood all the reveals. Lastly, the found family and friendship elements in this novel were adorable. Overall, if you are looking for a YA mystery with some horror elements, a paranormal twist, and short chapters, this is the book for you.

If you like Gossip Girl/Riverdale vibes with a bit of the supernatural, You’re Dead To Me is for you! This book had A LOT of things going on, but I felt like it did a pretty good job of not being too overwhelming or confusing. I was very invested in the characters and the story from the beginning and I really enjoyed where the plot took us. Ruby was definitely a very interesting and complex FMC and I really enjoyed her narration. I loved her friendship with Anton and Xavier, who were both utter delights. I also loved how atmospheric the book was! One thing I do wish is that we got a bit more of an explanation as to why Ruby was seeing her ghost. Other than that, I really enjoyed this YA thriller!
Mini spoiler: there is a scene with animal death. It’s not gory or gruesome, but just very sad.
CW: animal death, gun violence, bullying, death, mentions of suicide, child abuse

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an advanced digital readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I was reading the synopsis I realised that this was not your usual Young Adult Thriller. Here we have Ruby who to me was not as snowy white as you would expect but that is what I liked about the book. I loved the friendship group of Anton and Xavier they were so cute and funny.

I loved how Amy plotted the story during and after an event which no one will ever forget and adds another element which I am not going to say but what you get is a very clever addition. Then afterwards you think Amy will be finished but oh no she has an extra little something up her sleeves.

I highly recommend if you are looking for something extra in the Young Adult Thriller genre You're Dead to Me is a perfect read.

For all the above reasons You're Dead to Me receives 4 stars.

5 Reasons to Read You're Dead to Me by Amy Christine Parker

Thrilling Blend of Gossip & Horror: Think Gossip Girl meets Happy Death Day—this YA novel serves up juicy drama, sinister secrets, and a pulse-pounding race against time.
Unforgettable Heroine: Ruby’s snarky, flawed, and determined character makes her a relatable underdog worth rooting for as she unravels a deadly mystery.
High-Stakes Mystery: With a blood-splattered prom dress and her life on the line, the tension stays high as Ruby digs into Oleander Bay's darkest secrets.
Small Town with Big Secrets: The picturesque coastal setting hides layers of scandal, corruption, and deceit that make the mystery all the more addictive.
Prom Night Gone Deadly: What’s more iconic than a YA thriller revolving around a prom night countdown? It’s classic, creepy, and oh-so-entertaining!
If you love fast-paced YA horror with social commentary, scandal, and heart-stopping twists, You're Dead to Me is a must-read!

You're Dead to Me is a spooky and exciting young adult thriller which has plenty of twists and turns. The plot follows Ruby and her friends Anton and Xavier as they try to uncover who is her murderer after she has a vision of her own ghost. However, the more investigating they do, the more secrets of the town are discovered making this an intriguing read with lots of scares and shocking revelations.

The story begins with Ruby preparing to take down another Oleander Elite on her anonymous account @reputationkiller and from there everything starts to unravel. She is soon found out and when she sees her ghost, she realises someone is out to get her and that it is a race against time to find out who kills her before prom night to stop it from happening. Not only is she worried about her death, there is also a serial killer on the loose, dubbed the mannequin man who adds even more tension to the story. Will Ruby and her friends make it out alive?

Even though the blurb clearly says she sees her own ghost, I wasn’t expecting this to be a full on supernatural book. I thought it would be more about the investigation but there are a few scary moments that happen at unexpected times! The supernatural element isn't explained which left me feeling a little confused by the end and I was surprised that it was such a big part of the book.

I loved the 3 main characters and the friendship between them which showed that they would really do anything for each other to keep them safe. Even though Anton and Xavier are a couple, they never make Ruby feel like a third wheel and I enjoyed getting to know these characters throughout the story. I also enjoyed the setting of the Wonder Park and its back story, Ruby and her mother’s home that was inherited from her grandparents which is currently struggling financially. The animals were cute and dangerous and added an extra layer of complexity to the novel.

I also liked that each chapter name was a song title which gave the book a unique feel and felt like it had its own playlist. The chapters were quite short which kept me saying ‘just one more’ and as the story begins to reach the end, the plot really starts to pick up and you won’t want to put the book down until you find out the reveal and the reasons why which all comes together nicely. I did think that the ending was slightly rushed because so much happens and all at once but overall this is a thrilling and fast paced read with a horror vibe that will keep you on the edge of your seat

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this ARC.

Synopsis
Ruby, a sharp-tongued scholarship student at elite Oleander High, is outed as the anonymous gossip blogger ReputationKiller, turning the entire town against her. When she sees a vision of her ghost in a blood-soaked prom dress, Ruby realizes someone wants her dead—and she has less than a week to uncover the truth. As she investigates the dark secrets of her seemingly perfect town, Ruby races against time to unmask the killer before prom night becomes her final curtain call.

Things I Liked:
I loved the loyalty and warmth of Ruby’s friendships, which balanced the darker themes, and there was one twist near the end that genuinely surprised me.

Things I Didn’t Like:
Some parts of the story felt predictable, and the climax was a bit too convenient. The ending, while tied up neatly, felt rushed and left a few unanswered questions about the ghostly phenomena.

Who It’s For:
This is a quick, suspenseful read for fans of YA thrillers with a mix of mystery, and strong friendships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children/Delacorte Press Publishing for this advanced reading copy in return for my honest review.

Ruby is the scholarship kid at her prestigious school in Florida, but that does not stop her from finding the juicy details of the wealthy and reporting it on her secret TikTok account as the @reptuationkiller. When she tries to get her last revenge before the end of the school year, things backfire as the Bling Brigade uncovers her true identity and airs it on all social media accounts. The kicker in this is that Ruby keeps seeing a ghost of herself in a prom dress with various indications of how she will die. She can’t help but try to prevent her death while also trying to uncover who wants to kill her before prom. With her friends and a new possible love interest, she uncovers a plot more sinister than she expected.

When reading the summary and the book’s first few chapters, I thought Rudy needed to mind her business! They already look at you differently, so don’t cause too much attention to yourself, but as I read the story, I understand the reasoning behind Rudy’s intentions. I loved the story’s supernatural element; it was intriguing but also added a unique element because the reader never really understands why Rudy sees herself dead and what it all adds up to. It added to the thrill and mystery of the book and plot. I loved the characters! Especially her two best friends, Anton and Xavier! I loved the support they gave her throughout their whole experience and protected her no matter how outrageous she sounded. I’m not from Florida, but the Wonderland amusement park her family owns seemed like a staple of Florida culture.

Overall, I gave this book a five-star review. The book got right back into it and didn’t miss a step. The book flowed and continued to thrill, adding mystery to every chapter until the end. I figured out two parts of the mystery, but there were still some mysteries the author added in the end that summed the story right up. Once I picked up this book, I could not put it down. This book came out on December 10th, so if you are interested or have been eyeing it, I suggest you pick it up!