Dickens & Rumi

book

Seven Minutes in Heaven

Sara Shepard · 2013

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Seven Minutes in Heaven by Sara Shepard. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, LGBTQIA characters; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 6 · The Lying GameSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5 · LGBTQIA characters 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Creativity & curiosity 2/5
Series positionBook 6 · The Lying Game
Recommendation2.3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 3/5
Recommendation 2.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • LGBTQIA characters3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity2/5
  • Good role models2/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

  1. Book 1 · LYING GAMEAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Alcohol or drugs3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 1 · THE LYING GAMEAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets gentler
  3. Book 2 · NEVER HAVE I EVERAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5
    Gets more intense
  4. Book 3 · Two Truths and a Lie
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 4 · Hide and Seek
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler
  6. Book 5 · Cross My Heart, Hope to Die
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  7. Book 6 · Seven Minutes in Heaven
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5
    Gets more intense

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What’s in it?

Products & advertising2/5
Why this rating?

Status, wealth, designer fashion, and social image recur in the characters' world, but the book does not function mainly as advertising or a merchandise tie-in.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The premise revolves around the murder of the main character's twin.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Violence is described, but not in a graphic, visceral manner.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional strong language common in contemporary YA fiction.

LGBTQIA characters3/5
Why this rating?

Emily's lesbian identity and relationships are a meaningful, sympathetic part of the ensemble storyline rather than a brief background detail.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Teen dating and romantic entanglements are central to the plot and character motivations.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Repeated threats, stalking-like danger, secrecy, and suspense create a noticeably tense atmosphere for teens, though the story is not primarily horror and extreme frightening detail is limited.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Contains suggestive talk and teen sexual activity, though generally not explicit.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Underage characters are frequently shown at parties with alcohol.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

The series involves investigation of a murder; threats and occasional physical confrontations occur.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonists repeatedly investigate danger and confront threats, though some choices are reckless rather than principled.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Focuses on complex mystery plotting and social deception.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Limited focus on diverse cultural backgrounds in this specific social set.

Kindness & empathy1/5
Why this rating?

Kindness is rare in this cutthroat social environment.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes consequences of secrecy, manipulation, betrayal, and unethical choices, although its suspense thrives on melodrama.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters often make poor, deceptive choices; they are flawed rather than idealistic.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Seven Minutes in Heaven would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Seven Minutes in Heaven, and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

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