How to Date Dead Guys (Witch's Handbook, #1)

by Ann M Noser

[kimbacaffeinate]

How to Date Dead Guys by Ann M. Noser intrigued me from the title to the synopsis. A tragic accident, a book of shadows and a young, awkward woman who tries to right a wrong made for a captivating tale. I expected a book filled with paranormal woo-woo and humor, but this tale also offered character growth, and an interesting mystery. Noser weaved in fleshed-out characters and life lessons.

The tale begins when we meet Emma Roberts, a shy sometimes-awkward college sophomore who dresses like a tomboy and blushes when speaking to the opposite sex. She is studious and her roommate is outgoing, a girlie girl who is more interested in boys than textbooks. When she drags Emma along to a frat-party, she meets Mike a fellow sophomore. When a tragic accident occurs, and Mike ends up dead, Emma is blamed. When her roommates’ friend leaves a Book of Shadows behind in their room, Emma decides to bring back the dead. The tale that unfolds is filled with romance, mystery, and life lessons. I found myself lost within the pages of How to Date Dead Guys and quickly consumed this.

The characters are all unique, and the departed we soon learn have unfinished business. Noser’s spin on their return was clever. Emily loves literature and math in fact, books and math make more sense to her then people. It was fun witnessing her personal growth as she befriended these dead guys. She is a natural with the Book of Shadows, yet the reader cannot help feeling uneasy about its power. All of the dead guys’ stories were interesting, and their personalities very different. I ended up caring about each of them. Secondary “living” characters weaved into the tale adding to the mystery and suspense. A local police officer suspects Emma knows more then she is letting on. Her appearance at past victims homes only reinforces his suspicion.

How to Date Dead Guys has a strong storyline from the witchcraft under the Blood Moon, to the overall mystery involving drowning victims. While romantic feelings develop on Emma’s part, this tale focuses on helping the dead guys and the mystery surrounding their deaths. Through it all we see Emma grow, mend fences and find herself. An overall arc develops and the ending hints of things to come. The case regarding our dead guys wraps up in this tale and will satisfy readers. I am anxious to see where Noser takes Emma next.

If you are looking for a paranormal tale that offers a mystery and character growth, you will be delighted with How to Date Dead Guys. Fleshed out characters, suspense, humor and connections made this a blast read.

Copy received from author in exchange for unbiased review that originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer