I’m a tactile person, so I really like minis and tokens. No flat character cutouts though please, I’ll sometimes 3D print minis to replace those.

Recently picked up Moonrakers, which has little starships and metal coins for counters, and it lights my brain up like a Christmas tree.

I had a similar issue with books two and three and unfortunately stopped reading after them. They were well written but I read to relax; I can deal with a little darkness but those books were downright bleak.

If you like teens fighting ghosts, with a little bit of interpersonal drama tossed in, it’s a fun romp. There’s a little of Stroud’s typical subtext about social class in there too.

Netflix had a show based on it a few years ago but of course they dropped it after one season, even though it was quite good IMHO.

Rereading Lockwood and Co. I like reading YA books when I’m stressed and Stroud is quite clever.

A bunch of randos on the 'net won’t be able to tell you any better than she can. If she says she’s fine reaffirm your friendship and tell her you’re there if she needs to talk and otherwise carry on. Not much else you can do without jeopardizing the friendship.