Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a honest review. I promise my review is 100% accurate to me.

I was hooked on the first page. The characters are insanely lovable and rather funny. I love the imagination Mary Janice Davidson shows all her books

An entertaining story about Death's daughter and her struggle with joining the family business. It has a unique perspective of the death gods, their duties, personalities and how the process works. The author is Mary Janice Davidson so of course there is dark humor, sass and great pacing. There was good use of inserting snippets of past events from the perspective of both Amara and Graham, the 2 main characters, to show us why they have such a strong bond. I enjoyed the almost comical situation when they are coming to the realization that they might not just be besties. My only criticism is there probably should be a trigger warning about the child abuse suffered by Graham that is discussed throughout the story.

I devoured this book just this morning, on a cool but beautiful fall-feeling day, and it was just exactly what I needed to get myself geared up for spooky season! I was not expecting this book to have such a delicious mystery at the heart of it, but I loved going along for the ride with Amara and Gray. Amara's father, the real-life Death, is sick, and getting sicker by the minute. Why is he deteriorating so rapidly, and who is going to Reap souls in the meantime? Why are some of the souls not able to be found when she comes for them? And why does Gray look so good in his silly sleep shirt?! All questions Amara is going to have to answer.

The side cast of death gods gave such a great backdrop to Amara's journey of stepping into her role as the new Death. Stories about the Reaper can always be a little hard-no one wants to acknowledge that their time (and the time of their loved ones) will come one day, and I always love the idea of a warm and friendly guide to greet us and welcome us along. And although she may have started out by wanting to reject her birthright, Amara ends up being just what the people of the Midwest need in their Death. The romance, although a subplot, was also sweet and endearing and enduring, full of loyalty--a "You don't have to do this alone, I'll go with you" cushioned in friendship type of love.

I have read and enjoyed other books by Mary Janice Davidson, including the "Undead and Unwed" series, and highly recommend this and her other works for anyone who loves sassy-yet-vulnerable heroines like Buffy, and the twists and turns of Supernatural!

Favorite Quote:
"Dusk was quickly shifting into night, and the uncountable stars over their heads were brilliant pricks of fire. It was impossible to take them in and not feel insignificant. And Death's daughter liked feeling insignificant."

Fun and sweet and cozy but not frivolous. so glad I requested this. I had forgotten about Davidson and I had loved her Betsy books!
thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Another great book from MaryJanice Davidson. Her vivid descriptions of characters and places, as well as her trademark snark, keep you fully engrossed in this alternate version of the upper Midwest.

Mary Janice Davidson over 10 years ago was my ontro into the paranormal romance world and think it will continue to be a nostalgic thing for me, and I wa honored to be given this chance and was super excited to continue to be able to hear the authors voice

A truly unique and hilarious take on the grim reaper, death and the gods in charge of it. The snark and sass were top notch. The perfect murder mystery mixed with romcom.

I love the chick-lit, almost comedic cover style, with the female, who we learn is Amara Morrigan, the contrast of the rather dressy, red dress and matching high heels with the black reaper cape and scythe! The cover hints and humour and the book delivers!

Amara is trying to live a “normal” everyday life, she takes temp jobs or jobs that she only sticks at for a week or two. In fact, the book begins where Amora has just been fired by her current boss Billy/William. Amara has sent Billy/William’s financial details to his soon to be ex-wife to aid her in her divorce case.

Amara’s best friend is Graham Gray, or Gray as she calls him, she once saved him from suicide and ever since they have been inseparable friends. Gray constantly teases Amara about her job-hopping antics. When Amara tells him he needs to pay out on their bet she would be fired he quips back that she only lasted as long in the job because her boss wanted to get in her pants!

Amara already has a job she is destined to do, it is expected of her that one day she will take over the family business, one she will inherit when her father dies. Amora is hoping that day will never come, not just because she doesn’t want her father to die but because she really doesn’t want the job. Amara has convinced herself the day will never come as her father is a God, the God of Death! Her family are all Gods and Goddesses.

When Baron La Croix a “family friend” arrives with a message that Amora’s father is seriously ill she packs a bag and heads home with Gray in tow.
Gray is introduced to Amara’s mother Hilly or to give her correct, full name Frejya Brunhilde, a Valkyrie and Goddess of love, beauty and fertility. Hilly loves cooking and feeding everyone, Gray has never seen so much food. Slowly Gray meets all the others who have been summoned to Deaths side now he is ill. There’s Penny & Hank (Persephone & Hades), Arawn and his hellhounds, and Amara’s old tutor and friend Skye (Scathach) and lastly Chernobog. Hilly really is in her element cooking the large amounts of food needed to feed all these people!

Whilst Death is incapacitated it is necessary for Amara to finally accept her role and go and reap the souls of those dying. Gray having nothing else to do other than eat all the food Hilly keeps cooking decides to accompany Amara. When Amara visits those dying no one else can see her and she warns Gray that they will be in a bubble so people will not see him, but strangely those that are dying can see both Amara and Gray. Amara just shrugs off this anomaly as she has to work out what is happening with her father whose condition is worsening by the day. Amara soon realises she has been “set up” that Death is faking it to get her to accept her role as reaper. However, things become more complicated when Death’s health doesn’t start improving. It then occurs to Amara that someone is trying to poison her father, she has to work out fast who, why and stop them too.

With everything going on Amara turns more to Gray and their friendship soon becomes more complicated when they realise, they have feelings for each other. Only they had been holding them back for fear of losing their great friendship. The Gods and Goddesses all like Gray and seem to think he would be the perfect love match/partner for Amara. Theres only one problem they all know that Gray is due to die soon, so how can he and Amara have a future together?

I loved the character of Gray who had an awful childhood, attempted suicide but Amara saved him and they became best friends. I thought it was endearing the way Amara had been paying his parents to stay away from him and leave him to live his life in peace, free of them. The other character I adored was Baron La Croix who though he could eat himself could only enjoy food etc through being near others enjoying food etc.

I loved the banter between the characters, It was amusing and in character for Persephone and Hades to keep sneaking off with each other and them not to be able to keep their lust for each other suppressed, it was funny.
The Gods and Goddesses were humanised as well as staying fairly true to mythology. I adored how Arawn answered to Arwen as that is what Amara called him when she was younger. It was also cute how he had hellhound puppies, that Gray became obsessed with feeding tidbits of food to despite Arawn repeatedly telling him not to.

My immediate thoughts were that this book is a quirky mixture, mash-up of humour, mystery with some romance and mythology thrown in and I really enjoyed it. It was a totally different genre and book pace to what I had been reading so initially I found it difficult to relax into and enjoy but as soon as the banter started flowing and the comedy elements, I felt pulled in. Definitely recommend if you want a light hearted read full of wise-cracks. It certainly made you think of “Death” in a totally different light!

Summing up a funny, banter filled book where the characters are true to the Gods and Goddess mythology that are also given human quirks and habits. Great if you want a light read with some romance and mystery and a relatively happy ending.

Cute mystery, fantasy, romance… Love is fierce in all of its forms-self, platonic, romantic- Amara shows her fierceness for those she loves. She is forced to grow up and evaluate herself and what she really wants out of life when she’s called home for an emergency. Gray & La Croix come along. As a mystery unfolds, Amara needs to decide where her loves fit.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful surprise! If I could give half stars, this would be a solid 4.5 - I absolutely loved this book.

Amara, daughter of Death and the Goddess of Fertility, wants nothing to do with the family business. Unfortunately, some powers are inescapable - like being able to see the exact time and manner of death for everyone she meets, including her best friend Graham Gray. She's built her life around dead-end jobs, emotional distance, and staying far away from the family compound. But when another death god brings disturbing news about her father, Amara finds herself racing home instead of away. Reluctant or not, someone needs to keep the family business running.

What made this work so well:

- Fantastic characters - Strong, relatable Amara; Graham as the goofy-yet-tough best friend/potential love interest; a zany cast of death gods; and three absolutely adorable hellhounds
- Perfect tone - Davidson takes the serious topic of death and makes it entertaining and surprisingly heartwarming
- Great pacing - Funny, witty, and fast-moving with just enough mystery to keep you guessing
- Easy accessibility - Real-world setting means light world-building but plenty of fantastical elements

This was my first MaryJanice Davidson book, and I'm definitely picking up more of her work. The ending left me wondering if this might become a series - I'd absolutely read more Amara and Gray adventures!

Perfect for: Readers wanting light, entertaining romantasy with heart, humor, and just enough supernatural elements without heavy world-building.

This was a super quick read for me. I loved the whole premise of this book. The fact that Death's Daughter wanted nothing to do with the family business? OMG sign me up. The snark level in this was amazing. I was giggling at all the banter throughout. Also the hellhounds.......so freaking cute. As a romance reader, I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery aspect of this story.

This story’s for you if you like a snarky rollercoaster of a ride with death’s daughter who really does not want the top job.
Having to return home because her dad is dying Amara must solve this mystery with plenty of humour and unusual relationships along the way.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 — The Reluctant Reaper by MaryJanice Davidson

What first drew me to The Reluctant Reaper was the eye-catching cover and the intriguing premise — the daughter of Death himself. The synopsis had me curious, especially about one odd detail: why on earth does Death reside in North Dakota? (Not necessarily plot-critical, but I had to know!)

From the start, the characters pop with personality. Gray, in particular, is exuberant — he speaks (or rather, thinks) at a million miles a minute, and while it’s entertaining, it sometimes made me feel like I was trying to keep pace with a whirlwind. Amara, our main character, has a quick wit and a sharp tongue, reminding me of Lorelai Gilmore in her snarky, fast-paced banter. It makes her fun to read, though at times I found myself working to keep up with both her dialogue and the shifting points of view.

The concept of being able to sense someone’s death is both morbid and fascinating, and I loved how it was woven into the plot. And yes — I did finally get my answer about why Death lives in North Dakota!

There’s an emotional gut-punch tucked in here as well. Gray’s backstory is intense, and I think a trigger warning page would have been a thoughtful addition for readers.

Ultimately, at around the 50% mark, I decided to DNF — not because it was a bad book (the writing is strong and the humor is sharp), but because I was personally struggling to stay connected to the story. This is absolutely a case of “it’s not you, it’s me.” If you love snappy banter, high-energy characters, and a paranormal twist on life-and-death themes, this could very well be your next favorite read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved the concept and blurb for this book but was sadly underwhelmed by most aspects of The Reluctant Reaper by MaryJanice Davidson.

I think part of what I found disappointing was that it was marketed as a romance; while it does have the obligatory HEA there is very little actual romance in the book. Yes, the FMC has been in love with her best friend for a very long time and vice versa and they end up together after denying themselves for years... but there is otherwise very little to drive the romance genre. It feels a bit like a Fantasy book with a side of romance that is trying to capitalize on the popularity of romance than that it's actually a romance. Yes, the protagonist's dominant motivation is that of romantic/platonic and familial love but the transition from friends to lovers felt to abrupt to capture this romance readers emotions.

Also the "mystery" that had to be solved in this book wasn't clearly enough foreshadowed that when the FMC stated her revelations many of them came across as "oh that's what that was supposed to hint toward?". And many of the characters felt underdeveloped and hinged on stereotypes... and while I get that they were often supposed to be the archtype of said stereotype they did feel very 2D at times.

*spoilers*
The concept for this was fun, I just found the book as a whole to be a bit underwhelming. It’s lighthearted and enjoyable as a quick breather book which isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing, just depends what kind of mood you’re looking for. I did read this between some heavier books so I appreciated that. I think overall a big thing holding back some stars for me was the lack of yearning I felt with the romance and build up to them ending up together didn’t make me feel super invested in their relationship and the general story

The Reluctant Reaper is a whimsical mix of romance, fantasy, and a bit of dark humor, as Amara Morrigan, daughter of Death, reluctantly steps into the family business. Amara’s struggle with her destiny is relatable, especially when paired with her growing affection for Gray, her best friend who’s unknowingly on the clock for an early departure.

Davidson’s writing is playful, and the premise of a young woman trying to avoid taking over her father’s cosmic role adds an interesting spin to the typical "family legacy" trope. The dynamic between Amara and Gray is sweet but tinged with sadness due to Amara’s knowledge of his looming fate. While the book holds promise with its unique concept and light-hearted tone, it’s a bit slow and hard to get through at times, particularly when the pacing lags and the emotional weight becomes overwhelming.

If you enjoy quirky fantasy with a touch of romance and aren’t deterred by moments of heaviness, The Reluctant Reaper may still capture your attention. It’s an interesting exploration of duty, destiny, and relationships under extraordinary circumstances.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
4.5 stars!

I could not put this book down, finished it in just a few hours! I've always been a fan of MaryJanice Davidson's writing and was so stoked when I was approved for the arc read!!

This book was such a fun ride...quirky, sharp, and full of surprises I did not see coming. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, it flipped everything upside down in the best way.

Amara is stubborn, flawed, and real, which made me root for her even more and Gray? Absolute favorite. Loyal, funny, and way too good to have the life he had prior to meeting Amara.

This book has attitude, humor, and heart. It’s sharp, it’s weird in the best way!

The Reluctant Reaper is a witty, heartfelt twist on the romantasy genre. Amara Morrigan wants nothing to do with the family business—especially when it means becoming Death.

Hilariously irreverent, despite while dealing with topics like death and child abuse. The depth and tragedy sneaks up on you amidst the humour and underlying romance.

Amara Morrigan lleva una vida poco convencional: salta de trabajo en trabajo, deja una estela de jefes humillados a su paso y puede sentir cuándo alguien va a morir. Lo que pocos saben es que es la hija de la Muerte, literalmente. Huyendo de su herencia sobrenatural y de su disfuncional familia de dioses de la muerte, Amara ha hecho todo lo posible por vivir una vida "normal" lejos de Minot, su hogar natal.

Pero todo cambia cuando una ola de señales (vultures, cuervos y psychopomps ) comienza a rodearla. La situación se vuelve imposible de ignorar: su padre, el mismo Señor de la Muerte en el Medio Oeste, está muriendo (si es que eso es posible). Forzada a regresar a casa con su mejor amigo Gray, el único que conoce su secreto y sigue a su lado, Amara deberá enfrentar su pasado, aceptar su identidad y tomar una decisión que puede cambiar el equilibrio del mundo de los vivos y los muertos.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.