A Black interventional cardiologist is irresistibly drawn to a younger man with deadly secrets in Shirlene Obuobi's smoldering paranormal romance, Die for Me.
Thirty-eight-year-old Sean is established in her career and still recovering from an abusive relationship. Her colleague and former best friend, Brandon, is getting married to much-younger Leila after cheating on Sean's other best friend, Winona. At the wedding, Sean meets charming groomsman Julian, who looks about 24 but is an extremely wealthy angel investor with the kind of art collection that takes decades to build. His vagueness about his family and background leave her with more questions than answers. All she knows is she can't stop thinking about him.
Sean soon falls for Julian but starts experiencing odd, vivid dreams and a host of symptoms her doctors can't pin down. After Sean's locs begin growing in white, Julian cuts off their physical relationship, even as he steps up his wooing. Meanwhile, Brandon grows increasingly ill and behaves out of character. Sean is determined to find out what is happening with Julian and to Brandon, but the answer will put her relationship, her friends, and even her life in danger.
A cardiologist herself, Obuobi brings authenticity to Sean's professional life. She also depicts Sean's experiences with abuse with care. Sean is a supportive friend and auntie, and her relationships with Winona and Winona's daughter are a grounding force throughout. Die for Me is a fresh take on the contemporary paranormal romance genre and a great fit for fans of Karen Marie Moning and grown-up readers of YA classics like Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver. --Suzanne Krohn, librarian