Existence

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first—*another* YA romance with Death? But *Existence* won me over by committing fully to its own weirdness. Ashley Litz’s narration is the secret weapon here. She nails Pagan’s mix of bravado and exhaustion, a girl who’s spent years being the town’s resident “crazy chick” because she sees things no one else does. When Dank finally speaks (and oh, does he ever), Litz drops her voice into a register that’s less *human* and more *force of nature*—like if a thunderstorm could whisper in your ear. It’s ridicuously effective, especially in the early scenes where his presence is more felt than seen. The story itself is a masterclass in slow-burn tension. Glines doesn’t rush the romance; instead, she lets the unease simmer. Dank’s obsession with Pagan isn’t romanticized—it’s *interrogated*. There’s a scene where he admits to watching her sleep for *years*, and the audiobook makes it chilling, not cute, thanks to Litz’s delivery. That said, the middle act drags slightly with repetitive will-they-won’t-they beats, and the small-town drama (mean girls, nosy neighbors) occasionally feels like filler next to the high-stakes supernatural plot. But the payoff—a climactic confrontation that’s equal parts heartbreaking and steamy—is worth it. My only real gripe? The ending wraps up a little too neatly for a story that otherwise thrives on moral ambiguity. Still, if you’re craving a paranormal romance that’s equal parts sweet and sinister, with narration that’ll give you chills (the good kind), this is a standout.