Synopsis

WATTYS 2023 SHORTLIST

Cara, a troubled college dropout, finds herself slowly falling for a handsome stranger - who turns out to be Death incarnate. But the arrival of a mysterious being puts Death's home for lost souls and his very existence at risk, forcing Cara to help his stubborn spirit residents achieve their unfinished business.

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Reeling from a tragic personal loss and armed with a life-altering secret, interior designer Cara Rossi leaves behind the bustling New York streets in search of tranquility and finds herself enchanted by the quaint town of Neverton, Massachusetts. In fact, Cara is so devoted to finding inner peace that she doesn't bat an eye when a friendly local asks her to renovate a decrepit Victorian mansion straight out of a horror film.

The renovation turns out to be the least of her worries, though, when she meets the devastatingly handsome owner of the home - who turns out to be Death himself. But this version of Death is nothing like you see in the movies; he wears cozy sweaters, makes home-cooked meals, and runs a home for lost souls with unfinished business where he helps them cross to the other side.

When the very existence of Death's home is threatened by a mysterious stranger called The Auditor, Cara feels obligated to help him pass on the undead residents. But Neverton has a way of breaking down people's walls, and as Cara spends more time with Death she must face the most horrifying thing of all: her own heart, and her growing feelings for an Immortal.

Content and/or Trigger Warning: Death is a recurring theme in this novel and may upset sensitive readers. There are also some instances of homophobia that may be a trigger for some readers. Reader discretion advised.

[[Word Count: 65,000-70,000]]