This was a really riveting paranormal romance. I was instantly intrigued by Aria’s story. I liked the unique take on magic and magical abilities.

I wanted to enjoy this book, I really did. YA Horror and YA Thriller books usually tend to be my jam, but this one was hard to get into and stay interested in. I picked it up because of the promise of representation of a minority and a different take on magic and ghosts from books I've been reading. However, that was about the best thing about this book. I struggled to get interested in the main plot of this one so much that I almost DNF ed it a couple times along the way

I'm Not Supposed To Be In the Dark
Author: Riss M. Nielson
Genre: Paranormal Romance I Young Adult
Release Date:
Dates Read: February 25-27, 2025
Rating: 3⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of this rerelease!

I’m Not Supposed to Be In the Dark is a paranormal young adult romance that follows a teen convinced that her best friend turned enemy is possessed by a ghost. This novel is an alluring ghost story exorcising the past to find a future to believe in.

I was immediately drawn in by the cover, unfortunately this story just honestly bored me. I would have DNF’d this book if it hadn’t been sitting in my NetGalley account for almost two years. I wanted more! I think that is what it simply boils down to, I just wanted more story, more reason to care about the characters and more romance. The backstory of why the FMC’s powers were hidden from her left a lot to be desired. It left me with more questions than answers, are the powers hereditary? Are these powers somehow connected to the small town where the story takes place? Just really so many questions, so I am very disappointed in this novel, but the author’s next novel is one that I hear a lot of people really enjoy so I will be checking it out from my library. This one missed the mark for me but here’s to hoping that the next book is one I will enjoy.

Book Review of...

I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark by Riss M. Neilson

Riss M. Neilson is the perfect author for teens and young adults who are looking for a story that spills magic out of every page. The way she writes makes the whole experience of reading her books enchanting. I was completely hooked on this book from beginning to end. With a perfect combination of suspense, cute teen romance, magic, and special teas, this is the perfect book for the witchy at heart.

I highly recommend it.

#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #imnotsupposedtobeinthedark #mustread #witchybooks

Aria's story grabbed my attention quickly. This YA paranormal book (hopefully the first in a series) was intriguing in it's concept and the author successfully portrayed them in her writing and storytelling. The magic system and Aria's abilities were quite unique and the way her family reacted and suppressed her abilities both stressed me out but also was believable in it's concepts of them wanting to protect her in their own way with Grandpa LoLo's tea concoction. Neilson writes fully fleshed out 3-dimensional characters that pull you in to their plight and storylines. As a first time reader of hers I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The way she showed the growth of Aria is one thing that impressed about her writing and makes me want to read more.

Even though I am a huge romance and romantasy reader I'm glad that the romance was really in the background in this story. Aria's learning of her magical abilities and determination to save her former friend Derek was in the forefront and if it was different I truly believed it would have diminished my rating of the book.

I received an ARC from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, this cover is absolutely gorgeous! This paranormal fantasy/romance was very enjoyable and I'm so glad I picked it up!

This paranormal YA romance had me at the edge of my seat the entire time! I have been recommending it to those who love romance, ghost stories, and things that go bump in the night!

thank you netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

haunting is a word a lot of reviewers have used and they’re right. the sense of foreboding is strong in this one. i would’ve liked more of the romance but altogether an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy in exchange for an honest opinion. Review has been posted on Amazon.

I was hesitant to read I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark, because I do not do well with creepy stories. I'm scared of anything that goes bump in the night. It turned out to be more than I expected.

It starts off heartbreakingly as Aria is still mourning the end of her friendship with her best friend Derek. It's been two years, but stings all the same everytime he ignores her. As strange things start to occur and Derek begins speaking to Ava again, she starts to suspect something is wrong with Derek. Uncovering the root of his odd behavior, Ava learns she may be the only one who can help him exorcise Marcus, ghost who is slowly taking over his body.

It is an eerie read laced with pain and loss. Even as I hoped Ava would find a way to save Derek, it was difficult not to grieve for Marcus and understand his motives. It moves beyond the common ghost story as it highlights the complexities of family bonds and the desire to accept one's self, faults and all. After I finished the book, the feeling that remained was how hauntingly beautiful the story was.

I truly thought that this book was a fantasy read in the ya section. It wasn't. It's more of a thriller horror genre in the ya selection. And I don't like to read horror books at all. It's not my taste at all. Don't find it appealing to read at all. And I truly didn't enjoy while I read this book.

This book is not for me personally but I can see how YA spooky readers will really enjoy it and I would definitely add it to teen libraries where spooky books are popular.

I had my spook girl era this year and this did not disappoint. I’m so glad I started reading Ross M Neilson and want to read whatever she writes!

This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it.

One of my favorite reads of 2023. I loved the family secrets, magic and emotions of this book. Kept me on the edge of my seat

I liked this one, but felt it dragged a bit in the middle to rush the ending. Like the end was just a lot fit into like 3 chapters but then the middle was just very slow in coming to conclusions about things. The writing was fabulous though. Very well written, but not my favorite.

got about one third of the way into the book before I realized I didn't have a gd clue what I was reading. Specifically I got to the part where the MC got a dog bite or something so her friend took a box cutter and sliced himself so deeply he needed stitches just so she wouldn't be the only one with a scar and I said you know what... I'm out

A good, spooky read. I read through it fast and it kept me held in its grip the whole time. The main character was engaging and the storyline intriguing.

When I first started this book it captured all my attention immediately. While reading I wanted more & more I couldn't even put it down.
I love that the author grasp the readers attention with the mystery, romance & horror. Following aria journey throughout the book has really been a pleasure of mine to experience. Wow Even the cover is a beautiful piece of work. In the future I can't wait to discover more books written by this author.

Hauntingly beautiful. I read this twice in less than two weeks. What an introduction to a very talented author. I’m completely sold.