I really had high hopes going into this book.. I mean hello seeing ghosts and helping them finish business they didnt complete in life or correcting wrongs I mean Hello that sounds great however, the book was a flop with me.. I felt it came off as a childish point of view and it felt to me or was more about romance and flirting rather then trying to get things done.. I just wanted to jump more into the meat and potatoes of the story then the slow burn we were trying to work up to..

This one left me craving a follow up and isnt that just the best indication of a books quality. There were issues I had with some of the writing and there were places where the writing dragged or moved too quickly, but overall a nice concept and one I'd be keen to revisit.

The premise of this book really intrigued me and I thought I would really enjoy it! However, unfortunately I found my mind drifting elsewhere so often when I was reading, I just didn't find the story captivating enough. Overall, it was okay but I probably wouldn't re-read.

I’m ready for the next one In the series! I got this in the mail at 6pm and devoured it in one night. Each time I ended a chapter, I had to continue to find out more. I really enjoyed this book!

On Aria's 22nd birthday, her whole world is turned upside down: it turns our that she has inherited a gift to see dead people, and as such she is not expected to become part of a cooperation that helps dead people to cross over. This takes a lot of training and devotion.This moment has also shattered the trust she had felt towards her family as she learns more and more about what had been kept form her. On top of this, a ghost demands Aria's help and goes to extreme measures get it ...

"The Mortician's Daughter" is the first book in the "Death Singer" series, and as such a lot of time is spent building the world. The readers learns the ins and outs at the same time as Aria does - who had been clueless about this part of her life. And I love the idea! I like that they would have those small supernatural elements which are not fully explained, and that over time - as the world become more industrialized, so did the organisation. They ended up with front desk jobs, back office jobs, really weird but necessary jobs, judges and attorneys for ghosts, as well as school system for the rookies. It sounds a little absurd but at the same time, it works perfectly with the story and it becomes a believable idea in the urban fantasy genre.
While this seems a little ridiculous at the beginning of the book, the book plays a little with self-deprecating humour. After all, helping ghosts to cross over to the next plane of existence must be Serious Business In Capital Letters. At the same time Aria calls her training "ghost school" and never stops using that term. It always made me chuckle a little.

While I do not mind a little bit of humour stewed in between the story, Aria did not feel like a 22 year old woman. Yes, she faces a big change but reacted to it like a 16 year old girl. She never considers what her parents' thought might have been, and when she wants to talk to them, she is clearly out for confrontation. There is also the fact that she does not want to get help "form an adult" despite the fact that she herself is 22 and as such an equal!

One could argue that this stems from the fact that nothing in her life has ever gone wrong - despite the fact that she was not allowed to drink orange juice - but in the end, it was frustrating to read. Especially so because Aria never reflects on that behaviour and unlike characters in YA literature, she has no growth in that regard.

This also means that the conflict with her family was never really solved. In the epilogue the result is briefly mentioned but I would like to see it, thank you. Instead the book focuses more on how her relationship with Sloane has developed.

Actually, the love story between Aria and Sloane felt natural, and it is enjoyable to read. They start as awkward besties, and it starts to develop into more as the story progresses. They have cute little moments and work together to get through this mess. Despite this being a queer relationship the story never treats it as such, which was refreshing to read. Everyone already knows that Aria is queer and cool with it.

So as much as I liked seeing a happily ever after for these two, the ending felt rushed. The whole story was resolved within 50 pages or less. On top of this Sloane throws in a different possibility and instead of pitching these option against each other, it is simply accepted. The fallout afterwards and what the first theory caused is not looked at again. Furthermore, there are some plot holes left: such as why Aria could see priors despite not being released ... and a few more unanswered questions.

The ending felt like Higgins was writing a story for an exam and realised in the last half hour that she needed to finish it, and that was the result. Which was a bit frustration because, while I know deadlines in the publishing world exist, there would have been enough time left to explore all those issues!

In the end, "The Mortician's Daughter" has a great concept and idea which is let down by a weak plot and execution.

When Aria Jasper turns twenty two she learns that she can communicate with ghosts. She has to give up her blossoming music career in order to join the family company, After Corps, and start a new job helping ghosts to pass on. During training, she meets Sloane, the only other student in the business, and they quickly become close. When a ghost claims that something evil is happening at After Corps, and accuses Aria's father of being evil, Aria and Sloane need to work together to sort things out.

The Mortician's Daughter is a fast, fun read with a unique premise and appealing, engaging characters. I found it really easy to get into the world and the story, and once I started reading I couldn't put it down. I absolutely love the premise. The idea of a corporation helping ghosts, with courts and lawyers, and punishments for crimes committed whilst living, was really intriguing.

I also really liked all of the characters. I felt so bad for Aria having to give up her planned career, and all of the internal turmoil she had coming to terms with her new life. I loved the contrast between Aria and Sloane in that way, with Aria being the reluctant 'chosen one' and Sloane being the one who is desperate it. I also loved Macy, Aria's best friend. The budding romance is super cute, and I really appreciated how organically the romance happens. There's a time and a place for big coming out scenes and dealing with homophobia, but this book doesn't deal with those things and it was actually a breath of fresh air, in my opinion.

The plot had me hooked all of the way through. I won't give spoilers, but I thought the ending was great!

I had been looking forward to reading this book. But sadly it wasn’t quite the hit I imagined. It fAiled to grab my attention. I found it rather dull and unimaginative.

This is a fun fantasy read with a sweet romance and a great premise.
I love the premise of this story. I love the secret group designed to help people into the after life. I love this different types of jobs at AfterCorps and how well thought out it all is. Great world building.
Aria and Sloane's relationship is definitely the highest point of the story. The have a sweet romance and are both really great characters. I also really enjoyed Aria's best friend Macy is also a super great character who adds a lot to the story.
This book is well written and although I had a few issues with the plot the writing always kept me engaged.
There are a few things that were with poorly explained or made no sense at all in regards to the plot, the villain's whole plan didn’t make much sense especially for how meticulously it was planned out. I also took real issue with Aria being forced against her will into this awful situation and everyone just telling her to have a good attitude.
Overall I enjoyed this read and look forward to future works by Nan Higgins.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bold Strokes Books, and author Nan Higgins for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

Book Review!!
The Mortician’s Daughter by Nan Higgins
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

What a sweet and spooky novel! I was initially drawn to this title due to the fact that I am a licensed FD. This was such a fun twist on the death care industry that I know and love.

What a genius concept.. A business hiding behind the facade of a funeral home that helps ghosts who are stuck move on. I loved every aspect of this story and it was well thought out, down to every last detail. Can I also praise to the heavens the LGBTQIA+ representation here!? Sloane & Aria’s relationship was so freaking cute, and that one scene... 😳 PHEW! I may or may not have wanted more ¿ But seriously. Their relationship was approached like it was totally normal; and as a lesbian myself that was so refreshing to read. Not one person turned up their nose and it was just accepted, no problem. I loved it.

So, if you like spooky stories set in a funeral home/the death care industry with the cutest lesbian couple EVER, grab Nan’s book. She is a sweetheart and so, so talented. Please tell me there’s another one coming? 😂

(Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC).

This is one of those books that you start thinking, mmm I’m not sure, by chapter 3 you’re thinking mmm ok, and by chapter 5, you want to know what happens next. It’s well written, has an enjoyable plot and nicely developed characters.

I think it’s a YA book rather than my age group (retired) as the 3 main characters are in their 20’s but act younger. Aria seems to me far younger than 22 and her decision making is like a bad horror film - don’t go into the big abandoned house - but given that’s her favourite genre and all that she and her friend Macy watch, it kind of makes sense.

I enjoyed the book, Ms Higgins did capture some of the confusion and mistrust that Aria would no doubt feel knowing her parents had deceived her. But overall I needed more meat on the bone, more angst from several characters and more anger from Aria. I’ll be interested to see how the series develops and I’ll read the next one to give Aria and Ms Higgins another chance.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

A quite interesting concept opening up a new world with an interesting lead character in Aria Jasper.

The book felt quite short and was a pretty easy read, with enough pace to keep the reader entertained.

Although entertaining and interesting, with a captivating style, I felt the ending was too rushed. Aria's parents didn't feel real to me, not one of their choices made sense no matter how they justified them. However, I liked Aria's relationhip with Sloane and their chemistry. It felt more natural, one of those head-over-heels cases that make you forget the rest of the world and live it up. Really liked those girls and the first half of the book. The second one, on the other hand, lack the charm of the first and the tension I expected.

dnf 42%

I feel really bad for dnfing this book but it's just... not working for me. Like other reviews said, it feels very juvenile and not like the protagonist is a grown up adult graduated from college at all.

To be honest the whole book started bothering me from the beginning. The protagonist, Aria, finds out she can see ghosts, and then just... hangs out with a friend. Ok. Then her dad interrupts the movie, tells her she can see ghosts just like him (which felt like she accepted really easily? Like no questioning if ghosts are even real and stuff?), then says he can't say more and they'll talk later??? Why put such a random conversation in the middle like this instead of waiting??

When the whole ghost company thing showed up it vaguely reminded me of Beetlejuice, but without all the fun parts. Aria accepts she sees ghosts, that there's a GHOST COMPANY, she has to take GHOST CLASSES, and she CAN'T LEAVE for God knows what reason??? Hey, just a tip @ Aria's dad: if you want to keep someone in by saying there will be bad consequences, perhaps... tell them what they are??? Will she die??? Do I care??? No.

The romance so far also felt...really awkward. Not only I don't care for Aria and her crush (who apparently is "becoming more" at 40% even if they've interacted for like a few days only) but their first meeting was so... ugh. It was like:

dude: its so rare to see and hear a ghost!
both girls: we did it :D
dude: like being left handed!
both girls: we are! :D
protag: its like we're soulmates or smth! :)

Also I don't really get Aria as a character or person at all?? She just accepted she has to do it, just accepting the whole job and crying over her lost career of being a singer. Can't she like. Do both. Maybe. Am I thinking too much of Meg Cabot's Mediator series where an actual teenager (and not an adult that reads like a teenager) kicks ghost ass and also if I remember correctly wants to date one? Yeah lol. Your life isn't over because you now see ghosts, Aria, please.

I thought this was going to be a creepy thriller about a mortician’s daughter who can talk to ghosts, but it was… not that. Despite the dour cover, it’s actually a pretty lighthearted mystery-romance with a supernatural twist! Who’d a thunk?!

Aria Jasper is on her way to having the music career of her dreams. She’s just finished her degree, and her whole future is ahead of her… until she sees a ghost and learns that she’s inherited a family legacy as an ‘interpreter’ for the dead. And one of the aforementioned dead believes that her Father is part of a nefarious plot to keep them earthbound. The big plus is that Aria’s classmate at ‘ghost school’, Sloane, is quite the cutie. Can Aria find a way to follow her dreams? Or is she doomed forever to life as a death singer?

The really shocking part of all of this is that what I enjoyed most about this novel was the romance. *checks temperature* No, I’m not ill. Aria and Sloane’s budding romance was the highlight of the book for me, because a) I’m a sucker for cutesy queer romances and b) Aria’s feelings towards Sloane are the most realistic emotions in the whole novel. Seriously, I’m a deeply indecisive person (insert indecisive bi+ joke here) but WHAT THE HELL ARIA. Her emotions yo-yoed so frequently that it was difficult to keep track and kind of confused the narrative. Which was a little confused in the first place. We’re not given a huge amount of information about this secret society of interpreters, and the mystery plot is predictable and a bit so so action wise. There wasn’t really any tension, and it took it’s damn time getting there.

If you’re looking for a pacey supernatural mystery, this ain’t it. But if you’re in the market for a cute romance with a not-too-taxing supernatural mystery plot, this book is for you!

As the first in a series, Ms Higgins has the daunting task of introducing characters, situations doing some worldbuilding in a relatively short amount of page space. It's an interesting premise - the idea that there's a whole organization (corporation) that works under the radar to process those who have died and help them cross over - conveniently hidden within the world of mortician's and funeral homes.

When Aria Jasper discovers, much to her and her parent's dismay, that she is a late bloomer and has the ability to see and interact with the dead, her plans of becoming a professional singer and moving to the coast are pretty much gutted. Forced into a training program, Aria finds out just how much information her parent's have hidden from her and her disappointment and suspicion grows - further fed by a recurring ghost of a woman who keeps begging for Aria's assistance.

This is more of a Young Adult novel - and at times I found the main character Aria to be a bit more on the Young side than the Adult side and none of the characters really resonated with me or felt completely developed. There was a lot going on in the book - but things felt rushed and superficial, leaving me with questions and the feeling that I was missing something.

I'm hoping that the next book in the series will give a bit more depth to both the characters and the worldbuilding

I really loved the title and cover of this book. I had high hopes due to those two things but it fell short for me. It felt more young adult for me, which is fine (except for the sex scene). I didn't expect the female/female relationship either, but I'm an open person, but not typically my kind of book. I was hoping for more death and horror but I did enjoy the ghost affects and paranormal activity it presented. I'm open to reading the next book as I feel this will turn into a series.

2.5 stars

Quick impression: An intriguing premise that wasn't quite solid. The characters are 22 but felt younger (high school), with insta-love happening after days (?).

I am all for a well developed urban fantasy. This was a great idea, but didn't feel well developed. I mean, there are dozens of people working in the basement of a funeral home - where do they park? how do folks not see them coming and going? I know a florist who works more than full time, how can that be a side job?

The pacing felt weird. I couldn't tell if Aria and Sloan are students together for days, weeks or months. They liked each other the first minute and were in love the next week? But there wasn't really any chemistry. I skipped the sex scene because it didn't feel earned on in place.

The parents were all terrible people. The build up to various reveals was disappointing. The lack of communication amongst everyone was baffling.

Now that I see this is the beginning of a series, I am hopeful the setting can be further explained and more paranormal activities introduced.

DNF at 55%

Okay so this is the second book I read lately that is advertised like being a ghost story. But there's absolutely nothing creepy or remotely scary about it. Which is kinda disappointing 😅

It took me a while to realize why the main character bothered me so much : she sounds sooooo young and immature, definitely not like a university grad. If she had been 16, it would've been a lot more believable. I also didn't understand how she abandoned her life-long dream without much of a fight. That's another problem : there is a whoooooole lot of talk in this book, and not much action.

Anyways. This story can definitely be an entertaining fast read. But I never actually felt like picking it up, that's why I ended up DNFing it. Enough is enough 😅 Oh. Also. Insta Love.

On the night of her twenty-second birthday, Aria Jasper discovers she comes from a long line of people who communicate with ghosts. She’s confused, of course, because naturally, her Father told her nothing of his abilities or the fact that she may one day have abilities of her own.

Now that the truth is out and Aria can see and speak to the dead, she is expected to pledge her service to his company, AfterCorps. Her new job will be to help rookie ghosts get their earthly affairs in order so they can make their final transfer to the Afterlife.

With her dreams of being a professional singer dashed by this new happening, she begins her training.
The only other student, Sloane, is a beautiful AfterCorps new recruit who has planned her whole life for the moment she can join the most dangerous branch of the organization: the Criminally Demonic Unit.

As Aria and Sloane grow closer, they begin to suspect all is not as it seems. A terrified ghost claims that Aria’s father is evil and keeping her earthbound against her will. She begs for their help to cross over, but Aria and Sloane may not be prepared for the consequences of defying an organization powerful enough to exert influence in both the land of the living and the dead.

There is a nice little slow burn romance happening between the two female leads and Aria will finally feel what falling in love is like.
I enjoyed the book, even if the premise is not a new one, it is one that is well done and very readable.

I received this book free from Boldstrokes Books and Netgalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Definetly a promising new author. I always appreciate and am impressed by people who can create new worlds and have them make sense. The whole separate agency from the Funeral home, and how that was organized was very well detailed. And on top of that, is sounded really fun and unique. Kudos there.

There was also a cute little love story mixed into Aria's quest to find the truth of what is happening to her, but it isn't the main story. This book is mostly centered upon her learning of her ability, her family's background that she knew nothing about, and the family business. All of which was entertaining.

I did have a feeling who the "bad guy" was, but others may be surprised.

Overall, it was a fun and unique read. Nothing outstanding, but a fun time nonetheless.