ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That ending though!!! What???? Love this one!! Check it out!!!!!

3.5/5 ⭐️: Every ten years someone from the town of Lennon, CA wins a lottery that lets them bring one person back to life for thirty days. This year the lucky winner is Wilson Moss, who decides to bring back her estranged best friend, Annie LeBlanc. Seems like a good idea, right? Except there was a MAJOR falling out between Wilson, Annie, and their other best friend Ryan Morton. Now Annie's back and the trio has to figure out how to handle the rest of the summer.

This was an enjoyable read and I sped through it. The scenes are cute and funny and the overall tone of the book is pretty light-hearted. I'm torn because I wanted to rate this higher but a lot of the scenes felt like we were wrapping up really quickly. I wanted to linger! Still, this was adorable. While it is certainly geared more towards a YA audience I had a good time flying through this.

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

In a small town, residents are are able to call a dead person back to life once every ten years; the returned person has 30 days of new life. Wilson wins the lottery to bring someone back, and she chooses her former best friend Annie. What ensues is a story about how friendships begin and end and what happens when you don't want them to end, and also why it's hard to be friends if you've in love with your friend. It's a lovely, gentle, sapphic romantasy that I think will appeal to YA readers.

What a dear little coming-of-age — coming-of-death? — book. Molly Morris had me crying tears of frustration, sorrow, and joy and my heart was very much warmed. It’s a wacky concept that works, this strange little town of Lennon, and an altogether lovely story with wonderful bi/pan representation.

I thought this had a very cute premise and it was nice getting to see a slice of these characters’ lives (or death). I don’t think I noticed going in that it was a YA book, funnily enough. The protagonist’s voice was a little erratic but rang true, and the plot and motivations were a little hard to follow here and there. Overall it was enjoyable to read.

This is a really unique premise that delivered! Set on the backdrop of magical realism, this coming of age tale really shines with it's main character's heart and personality. The world building in terms of the the magical realism was well done, and didn't distract from the character development. Overall I really enjoyed the author's writing style, and her pacing. I would recommend this title to teens coming into my library, and look forward to more works by this author!

There's books you read that fill you with sadness, or pride, or adoration -- this book was a mixture of all three bundled up into an overwhelming feeling of giddiness. Reading this was just so fun, even when it was sad. I was really, truly rooting for all these characters and I love the way the author explores their journeys and relationships, regardless of age. It was plotted beautifully, set in the cutest town, and filled with the perfect fiction tropes to make a wonderful story.
Going into Annie LeBlanc Is Not Dead Yet, I was curious and hopeful, but had minimal expectations. So it was pleasantly surprising when I got a few chapters in and became instantly hooked to Wilson's world and all of the side characters in it. The premise is fun and complex, but the execution of it is what makes the book masterful. I loved the touch of each chapter being a countdown, it felt like I was growing and experiencing the 30 days with them. And the writing was also so lovely -- Wilson's character, with all her flaws and fears, feels very relatable and lovable. I thought the way she navigated her way through life was both admirable and sad, and it made me really care about resolving her issues with her mother and other characters.
Wilson, Ryan, and Annie's relationship as BFFs is at the forefront of the novel and I loved every moment of them. Their conflicts and banter are written so effortlessly it feels like a real friendship, with all its flaws laid out. Compiling this plot with the premise of Annie coming back to life for 30 days is so so brilliant as a plot device it makes me giddy!!
I honestly just had such a wonderful experience reading this book. I felt attached to Wilson and her relationships because of the similarities I felt to her character, her anxieties, her struggles. My only, minor, grievance is the love triangle between her Ryan, and Mark (why do we need to get siblings involved??) that I think is unnecessary and would have saved a lot of awkwardness. But regardless, from chapter one to the epilogue, it was all done brilliantly. Especially the vague hinting in the epilogue that was crept in so subtly before the big reveal!
I loved these characters and their journeys, and reading this just brought such a bright smile to my face :)

Rating: 4.75/5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was fun! The writing sucked me in. There were parts that def seemed a bit slow for me. I’m not totally sure about the ending. Will there be a sequel?

That ending!! Annie LeBlanc is Not Dead Yet is a great book that deals with understanding your sexuality and growing in friendships that I believe a lot of queer people have experienced in their lives ( I know I did). You really felt Wilson's confusion with growing up with a young mom and the struggles she faced. I wish there was slightly more with her mom and the development there but it did not take away from the story in itself. I breezed through this.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I wish we could know more about this town and the Welcome Back! I feel like we got so little of how it works, why it’s a thing, what’s so special about Lennon. It made it feel more like Annie was just back for a summer vacation than back from the dead with how little people seemed to care.

The plot was fine, I found Wilson to be a little selfish at times though. She jumped to conclusions a lot and didn’t see Annie as a person, more like this object she wants back.

The romance was cute, wish it was more throughout rather than rushed at the last minute. This book just has some pacing issues, and needs some sort of lore drop for the town.

Annie LeBlanc is Not Dead Yet is set in the very unique town of Lennon California. In Lennon, they hold a raffle once every 10 years and the winner can bring back one person from the dead for 30 days. The story begins with teenage Wilson Moss at the return party. She was the winner and her former best friend is returning after drowning. I enjoy books that include a touch of magic and this interesting element added to the story. The author explains the magic well and it is primarily a background aspect of the story.

I liked the premise of this story and I felt that the author authentically presented a wide variety of emotions connected to the story. From Annie, who has returned from the dead to Wilson, who is desperate to reconnect and repair their broken relationship, and Annie's parents who have their daughter back, I was happy that each was given credence. While the story started slowly for me, I enjoyed the second part of the book more. Wilson is less in her head during this part of the story and there is more action and revelations. This angsty YA story has a sweet romantic element as well and it fits easily into the story without overwhelming it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book's premise was so interesting. I wasn't sure how it would play out and the author did a great job of keeping you guessing.
Having the main characters sort of replay the past (I'm not describing this right) to possibly change the future was really interesting. To have a second chance to find out what went wrong in the past, and to unravel what other people were thinking and feeling, was such a unique story line.
It really makes you think about how your own personal view of something is not necessarily the only view and being able to see other's views can change your reality too.
Enjoy!

2.5/5 ⭐️
This book definitely is for someone, it just wasn’t for me. I will admit I’ve gotten insanely picky about the kind of writing styles I can tolerate nowadays, but there were many times I would have preferred to
eat those atomic bomb candies than read this book. And it started when an insane amount of time was dedicated to talking about the protagonist loving atomic bomb candies. It literally had nothing to do with the plot, just trying to make the FMC seemed quirky. Just like her wearing “nerdy” shirts and reading comics. However, those details were annoying to me because they feel like cliche props. I love reading stories with FMCs who enjoy niche fandoms, but lean into. Make it an aspect of the story. (Ex. Dungeons and Drama, she was a theater-girlie whose whole goal was to make sure the spring show wasn’t cancelled and often sang show tunes while forced to play D&D. Or Twelfth Knight where the FMC’s into role play games and it’s how her and the love interest interact). Here, it was a prop that felt like to me like, ooh isn’t she quirky. She’s not like other girls. I REALLY didn’t like when she literally called herself “the resident virgin dork.” I’m SO over this being a trope.
Besides that, I just didn’t mesh with the writing style. I cannot tell you exactly why I think this, but it came across as fairly new to writing. The writing was a little clunky and repetitive and didn’t flow well. The dialogue was awkward too. However, I think this had serious potential. I loved the concept and saw what it could’ve been if it simmered on the back burner for a little longer. The ingredients were mostly good, the construction of the ingredients needed a little more work. I think scenes could’ve been cut or condensed.
Overall, I see how this story can be enjoyable and liked by others. However, it was not for me. I think this author has potential, but unfortunately I’m currently in the phase of my reading career where I’m more picky about the writing style.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

This book was a whirlwind from the start and it kept me guessing at each word I read. A stunning piece about a small town with an interesting and intriguing secret, they bring an individual back to life for a limited amount of time if you won the random drawing. A game of chance that everyone takes a chance on, especially not knowing who will be coming back.
My favorite things included in this story were the character dynamics, in particular the intense friendship dynamics, the way details were given to us were splendid, and the deep, intimate feelings of our main character being shared with us gave it a journal feel which made me connect with her even more!

Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the eARc!

This book has so many levels and I appreciate them all.

First we have Wilson the adultified teenage daughter of 90s reject, Jody. Wilson's self-esteem is in the toilet due to being ditched by her best friends and then having one die.

Which would be the end of things but Wilson lives in a town where you can wish someone back to life for 30 days. Which is an absolutely bonkers premise for a book and I adore it.

Molly Morris doesn't really elaborate much on the details which I'm sure will annoy some folks but actually worked for me especially considering the ending.

Second layer. Wilson's relationship with Ryan and Annie. Wilson's biggest issue is also her mother's: living in the past. And this is handled so deftly.

Third layer. The Walking Dad. I want this to be a thing. Please make it so.

Okay, the actual third layer. Wilson's relationship with Jody. I spent most of the book despising Jody due to her selfish behavior. But there was one scene that actually gutted me as a parent. Excellent job.

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I was immediately intrigued by the premise: in the town of Lennon, the dead can come back to life. Residents--who are "chosen" by the town--can enter a lottery to bring back one person from the dead. Seventeen-year-old Wilson is the youngest winner in town history, and she chooses to bring back her former best friend, Annie LeBlanc. I was really captured by the magical realism aspects of this plot point! However, I struggled through the first half of the book. I just generally didn't understand the friendship dynamic between Annie, Wilson, and Ryan, and I wish the explanation of why their friendship ended came earlier in the book. Also, one of the most emotional aspects of the book--Annie telling the story of what her life was like at her new high school and how she died--didn't have enough follow-up. I wish the book had an extra chapter or two after that reveal (or the reveal came earlier in the book) to really show how that conversation changed the characters' perspectives and relationships. I also didn't love the amount of pop culture references. I often prefer when references aren't to super contemporary media because that can make a book feel dated, but Wilson's taste in music (and her discussion of contemporary musicians, like Olivia Rodrigo) often made her feel a little "not like other girls" to me.

A fun, quirky queer love story. Fans of the current wave of sapphic YA will find a lot to like about this one. I look forward to reading what Morris writes next!

This was so well crafted. I really cared about all of the characters, and the book was so readable. I love seeing queer stories for young people come out into the world. There were also so many relatable things outside of queerness, like a parent becoming a different and in some cases better version of themselves that they were unable to provide you, and all the bitterness and difficult emotions associated with that. There's a place in the middle where the pacing is a little slow, but I would recommend to stick with it until the end. Overall for me it's a five star read that tackles a lot in a fun way.

This book was an absolutely adorable, heartwarming read!! In the fictional town of Lennon, California, a unique tradition unfolds every decade or so: a lucky raffle winner earns the opportunity to bring a deceased Lennon native back to life for 30 days. Enter 18-year-old Wilson Moss, who nominates her best friend Annie for the chance to reconnect. Winning the raffle comes as a shock to Wilson, who never anticipated her selection.

Now faced with the unexpected return of Annie, Wilson grapples with mixed emotions. Despite their once-close bond, she and Annie had drifted apart in the year leading up to Annie's death. Determined to mend their fractured friendship, Wilson endeavors to keep Annie in Lennon beyond her allotted 30 days. Complicating matters is Ryan, another key figure in their shared history. Still nursing a year-old grudge against Annie, Ryan adds another layer of tension to Wilson's mission to reconcile past conflicts and rebuild their trio's bond. As Wilson navigates the complexities of friendship, forgiveness, and second chances, she finds herself on a poignant journey to heal old wounds and embrace the fleeting gift of time with Annie.

The premise of this book immediately drew me in and the interesting characters and plot kept me entertained the entire way through!

Annie LeBlanc is Not Dead Yet was a heartwarming story of a girl who brings her ex-best friend back from the dead (for one month only) and you get to live that month along with them, the good, the hope, the fear, and the bad.

This book felt like it had a raw realness to it and I appreciated the way I read through the whole thing in basically one sitting. I wish the ending had been just a *tad* clearer -- but that might be a personal preference, otherwise A++