Dead Poets Sorority
by Sofia Shelley
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Pub Date Sep 25 2025 | Archive Date Not set
Avon Books UK | Avon
Description
‘Dead Poets Sorority is a witty, sexy concoction brimming with evil sorority machinations, ghostly cats and the hottest dead lover since Patrick Swayze in Ghost. It's utterly ectoplasmic.’ Hazel Graves, author of Four Weddings and a Funeral Director
He's handsome, funny, and a real Romantic. Unfortunately, he’s dead.
When student journalist Emma Reeves goes undercover to investigate a secret society resurrecting long-dead literary icons, she expects to discover nothing more than a group of bored college girls with Ouija boards. What she doesn't expect is to accidentally summon the spirit of never-quite-famous poet, Nathaniel Harker.
Now, Emma's got a brooding, besotted 19th-century poet following her around. But whilst initially determined to write the article of a lifetime, she quickly discovers that the lure of her very own love-struck tortured poet is hard to resist…
However, as they fall for each other, Emma realises the sorority sisters are onto her ghostly secret. It’s up to her to keep her poet safe no matter what the cost – but will protecting Nathanial also mean losing him forever?
Available Editions
EDITION | Ebook |
ISBN | 9780008763503 |
PRICE | £2.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

This reminded me so much of the movie "Lisa Frankenstein". I found this book to be very entertaining, especially if you enjoy dark humor.
I really liked our main character Emma. She's smart, curious and funny. Plus she's determined too. She was a great character to have as the lead. Nathaniel was a cutie! Romantic and adorable. I enjoyed them together too. The steamy scenes were a nice addition.
The plot is wacky and a lot of fun. I couldn't figure out how this was going to end which kept me glued to the story. I felt the conflict was believable too.
This was utterly delightful and I cannot wait to tell other people about it. A great read for spooky season! Would recommend if you like dark humor, paranormal romances and fighting an evil sorority.

4.5/5 Oh my goodness, this was so much fun!
This is like Bunny by Mona Awad but so much better! So I would highly recommend to the Bunny fans out there!
This takes place at a college (at a sorority to be specific) and follows a group (sorority) of girls who bring to life their boyfriends.
This was a super fun and easy read, I gobbled it up. I read most of it last night before bed and then absolutely zoomed through the rest of it this morning.
If you're looking for a fun and slightly spooky time, I would highly recommend. I loved this and will definitely be looking out for more books by this author! I really don't know what else to say about this book besides that, give it a read!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Dead Poets Sorority evokes in me a fascinating sense of the collision between the old world and the new, between romantic ideals and modern realities. Sofia Shelley seems to have found the delicate balance between humor and darkness - a tone that few authors can master.

Dark academia stories are my favorites. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this new title. Dead Poets Sorority explores complex friendships, academics, and much more. It moves fast and captures your attention immediately. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Emma goes undercover for her student journalist piece, trying to get the scoop on the Dead Poets Sorority - only to learn that the organization is centered around long dead poets and bringing them back to life. During a night lacking sobriety, Emma winds up bringing up the spirit of a poet who did not quite gain fame, Nathaniel Harker. He instantly latches onto Emma, and she must decide on a love that transcends time or following through with her article and career.
This was a really bizarre and fun premise for a book, and I for one loved the storyline. It had some spooky vibes, but also was just really crazy and I found myself reading through this quickly!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this! Great play on words. If you're a millennial or older I know you got a cackle out of the title. Also, as someone who suffered in a sorority this book was absolutely perfection in displaying the true psychopaths/mean girl behavior.

First of all thank you for approving my request!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.
I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley.
Dead Poets Sorority is a dark academia romance that delivers a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and supernatural intrigue. From start to finish, this story keeps you hooked with its quirky premise and engaging writing style. If you're a fan of romantic comedies with a ghostly twist, this book will be right up your alley. The witty and clever dialogue adds charm and sparkle to every character interaction, while the overall tone balances the eerie with the entertaining. It’s a truly fun read that combines supernatural elements with romance in a fresh, creative way. Weird in the best possible sense, the storyline is unique and utterly enjoyable—I was all in.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This quirky, gothic, dark academia romance is a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and romance that will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you love stories that mix the supernatural with a touch of classic romance, this book is a must-read.
Plot and Characters: The story follows Emma Reeves, a student journalist who stumbles upon a secret society and accidentally summons the spirit of Nathaniel Harker, a 19th-century poet. The dynamic between Emma and Nathaniel is both charming and intriguing. Emma's modern sensibilities clash hilariously with Nathaniel's old-fashioned manners, creating a unique and engaging relationship.
Humor and Writing Style: The writing is witty and engaging, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The author does a fantastic job of balancing the comedic elements with the more serious, romantic undertones. The dialogue is sharp and clever, making the characters' interactions a joy to read.
Themes: The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, and the lengths we go to protect those we care about. Emma's journey from skeptic to believer is both touching and relatable, and her relationship with Nathaniel adds a layer of depth to the story.
Conclusion: Overall, this book is a fun, heartwarming read that combines the best elements of romantic comedies and ghost stories. It's perfect for anyone looking for a lighthearted yet emotionally satisfying read. Whether you're a fan of dark academia or just love a good romance, this book is sure to delight.
Happy reading! 📚👻💖

A fun, gothic, romantic read, Emma and Nathaniel are great characters, I hope there’s more in this universe.. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This was a ton of fun with a mysterious vibe throughout the book. I really enjoyed the concept of a journalist going undercover to do an expose and then getting sucked in to the world they’re reporting on. There were a few characters that even after finishing the book, I don’t have a full idea of who they are and what their motivations were mostly Kimberly, Erin, and Emma‘s best friend. I loved the relationship that developed between Emma and Nate, especially the suspense that was built around Nate’s safety in regards to the sorority and him being a ghost. There were times I questioned every person‘s motives and while I figured out what the ending was probably going to be, it happened in a way I didn’t expect. The epilogue left me with so many questions and it was interesting that it was in a different character’s point of view.

Being a dark gothic romance novel, it will be the perfect autumn read. I flew through this book. I was hooked from the very first page and I kept reading until the end. The story was easy to follow, had a great cast of characters and good pacing. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.

What a fantastic four-star read, this could have been a five-star read, but I feel like I’m still wondering so, so much, as I have so many unanswered questions. There were so many storylines that just didn’t need to be there and left me with more questions, but I enjoyed the overall story. Emma and Nate did make me smile, even though you know that she isn’t taking care of herself, its still sweet, it doesn’t make sense until you read it.

This book wasn’t for me but I was so grateful to have the opportunity to read and get to know the characters within but unfortunately I couldn’t connect with them I would love to be able to read more from this author

This was really fun! As I read in another review, it's very similar to Bunny by Mona Awad, which is true. I really liked the humor in this book, as well.

Adored this book! Cosy, gothic and a ton of fun! The characters were great, I hope we get more in this universe, I think these are perfect for an autumn/spooky season read!

I loved this one! It had fun, academic vibes with a secret society-like sorority full of mystery. You follow Emma, a young girl accidentally falling in love while trying to carry out more tasks than any college student should.
I loved the chapter number art.
I also enjoy how the author tied her love for graveyards into the book. It made the ending really sweet and heartfelt in a place usually reserved for loss and heartbreak. A place to start anew rather than a place of finality.

Hm. This book should have worked but perhaps I just was misaligned with its sense of humor? It wasn't that I wasn't finding the humor funny, I didn't understand it at all (I'm a Millienial if that matters). I think this book is actually more niche in terms of audience than I realized. So I will take the blame for diving into something that was wrong for me from the start and give it 4 stars.

Dead Poets Sorority is a witty and darkly funny gothic romance that perfectly blends dark academia with romcom charm. Student journalist Emma Reeves goes undercover to investigate a secret society of college girls who claim to resurrect long-dead literary icons. Instead of boredom, Emma accidentally summons Nathaniel Harker, a brooding 19th-century poet who is handsome, funny, and very much dead.
As Emma grapples with her unexpected ghostly companion, she finds herself falling for this tortured Romantic figure. But danger looms when the sorority sisters begin to suspect Emma’s secret. Balancing humor, mystery, and romance, Sofia Shelley delivers a unique tale about love that transcends the grave and the risks of protecting the ones we cherish.

Emma writes for her school newspaper and has been given her biggest task yet. She is to go undercover to spy on the Phi Omega House. She is specifically supposed to expose the head of the sorority, Kimberly. This story is full of humor, lighthearted moments, and love. Emma struggles with her relationships and how to fit everything in. Her time management skills definitely need some work. She thinks infiltrating the sorority will be easy until she accidentally summons a dead poet named Nathaniel. Emma's conflict with her best friend Vivian, her boss, Erin, Kimberly, and her ex were some of the most interesting parts of the story. My favorite part was definitely the relationship between Emma and Nathaniel. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like the book really picked up until about halfway through, and there were many plot points that I wish would have been fleshed out better. All in all, it was a fun read.

The perfect paranormal spooky season read! I laughed so much morethan I expected to and loved the darker side. This rivals Lights Out and Butcher & Blackbird for humor and romance. I hate sorority/ frat vibes but this book was an absolute exception. Emma and Nathaniel had some great banter and tension as well.

I wish I could read this again for the first time. I loved this whole book. This book is like if Wednesday Addams got a literary degree and joined a dark academia girl gang.
With gothic charm, swoony secrets, and create your own boyfriend moments, you seriously can’t put this story down.
If you’ve ever wanted to wear black lace, drink espresso at midnight, and recite Sylvia Plath while solving campus mysteries.. Congrats, this one’s your aesthetic soulmate.
Darkly delightful, hauntingly heartfelt, and full of BANTER, BANTER, BANTER!!!!!!!! AHHH.
10/10, 5/5, I DON’T CARE.. This was gold for my emo heart.

You had me at Sorority! This book was totally - WTF weird and dialogue bout nothing but I liked it. If you liked Bunny which was also a book where after you read it, you're like - what did I just read, then you'll love this too. It's just different - let's leave it at that.

Debut author Sofia Shelley, published by Avon Books, delivered a gothic academy romance, pnr.
A fun and witty read that was nothing like I expected.
It took me a minute or two to get into her writing style, but the storyline is good and I was entertained by sorority girls, an undercover journalist student and Nate the poet/ghost, 3,75 stars.

A very poetic story for the love between a young woman and a dead poet. Emma and Nathaniel really were star crossed lovers in this novel. Dead Poets Sorority gave us the drama of sorority life with the whimsical of poetry. There were some lulls in the book but my opinion is that this only happened because most of the chapters are extremely long for my taste. However I was able to put the book down mid chapter and come back and pick right back up where I left. I really enjoyed the love story once I understood to dynamic between Emma and Nathaniel. Overall I really enjoyed the book and would love to read more by Sofia Shelley in the future.

Dead Poets Sorority, by Sofia Shelley, is a light-hearted, dark academia rom-com. There is an investigation of a secret sorority to unveil their trickery, but not all the magic is fake. It seems that at least one dead poet may have risen to the calls. I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC ebook that I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Sofia Shelley's "Dead Poets Sorority" is an interesting and unique blend of romance, mystery, and the supernatural, which revolves around a secret society of college girls who are resurrecting long-dead literary poets. The protagonist, Emma Reeves, is an ambitious student journalist who accidentally summons the spirit of a never-quite-famous poet, Nathaniel Harker, during her undercover investigation of the sorority.
The novel's initial chapters are a bit slow-paced, as the author takes her time to set up the premise and introduce the characters. However, this slow start does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book, as it allows readers to immerse themselves in the world that Shelley has created.
The true strength of "Dead Poets Sorority" lies in the relationship between Emma and Nathaniel. Their tender moments are beautifully written, and their connection transcends the boundaries of time and space. Shelley's portrayal of Nathaniel as a brooding, romantic figure from the 19th century is both charming and alluring, making it easy for readers to understand why Emma would be drawn to him.
As Emma and Nathaniel's relationship deepens, the suspense in the novel builds, with the sorority sisters becoming increasingly suspicious of Emma's involvement with the supernatural. This adds an element of danger to the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they wonder if Emma will be able to protect Nathaniel from the sorority's wrath.
One of the most compelling aspects of "Dead Poets Sorority" is its exploration of the themes of love, loss, and the power of human connection. Through Emma and Nathaniel's relationship, Shelley examines the idea that love can transcend even the most profound of barriers, including death itself. This poignant message resonates with readers, making the novel a touching and emotional read.
In conclusion, "Dead Poets Sorority" is a captivating and well written novel that explores the power of love, the allure of the supernatural, and the dangers of dabbling in the unknown. While the beginning may be slow, the tender moments between Emma and Nathaniel, as well as the suspenseful plot, make this book a must-read for fans of romance and the supernatural. Sofia Shelley has crafted a unique and memorable story that will stay with readers after they've turned the final page.

Dead Poets Sorority is an addictive and clever read that blends dark academia vibes with sharp wit and mystery. Sofia Shelley’s writing is atmospheric and full of twists that kept me hooked until the very end. The characters are layered and messy in the best way, making the story feel both dramatic and real. I loved every moment and would happily give it five stars.

This was such a fun read - spooky, academia, but also sweet and heartfelt. This would be the perfect fall read for spooky season because it is an easy read and you won’t be able to put it down until the end.

Smart, witty, romantic and ghostly? Yes Please!!!! Fantastic read I did not want to put down. There's nothing better than resurrecting long since dead literary icons.

This was such a fun book! I struggled a little at the beginning but I lovedddd the banter and the whole premise of the sorority! I wish I had a sorority to conjure ghosts now, but I’ll def be buying this for my shelf!
thank you so much Avon for this gifted arc
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