Cover Image: The Dead Romantics

The Dead Romantics

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I absolutely adore everything Ashley Poston writes and this was no exception! Even though I guessed the ending's surprise early on, I was delighted with how it played out. My only complaint was that I wish it had been longer! I devoured it and then spent the next week wishing I had more to read! :-)

Was this review helpful?

The Dead Romantics was tender, heartwarming, and absolutely delightful! I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book, Ashley Poston’s writing spoke to me in ways I wasn’t expecting. I adored everything about this romance! I wasn’t sure how it was going to end at first with Ben being a ghost, but I had hope of how I wanted it to end and I was so delighted when I realized that was the direction it was going in. I quite literally could not put this book down and I can’t wait to read more of her books!

Was this review helpful?

Florence Day is a ghostwriter for a famous romance author, but now she doesn’t believe in romance anymore. She’s been stuck and hasn’t been able to finish her latest novel. She meets with her new editor, Benji Andor, who insists that she finish the book. Then, Florence is called home when her father dies suddenly. When she’s at her family’s funeral parlor, she opens the door to find a handsome ghost, who also happens to be Benji. Now Florence has to plan her father’s funeral, finish her novel, and figure out how to help Benji complete his unfinished business and move on. But she may find her own unexpected romance with a forbidden ghost.

This was such a great romance! I love stories with ghosts. Florence not only had the ability to see ghosts, but she was also a ghostwriter who wrote romance novels for a famous author. I loved the forbidden romance between Florence and Benji since he was a ghost and they couldn’t be together. I guessed one of the big twists involving Benji, but there was another one later that really surprised me. I will say that this story had a happy ending!

The Dead Romantics is a fun romance!

Thank you Berkley Romance for providing a digital copy of this book.

Content warnings: death, car accident, coma

Was this review helpful?

This was just an adorable book to read, and it was very clever, too. I usually don't like books with ghosts in it, but this one didn't bother me at all. It really was charming. I definitely would recommend this one.

Was this review helpful?

A heartfelt meditation on life, death, and romance, this book sometimes gets a bit too caught up in its own prose to really deliver a satisfying romance.

Was this review helpful?

When I first read this, I gave it three starts, but I ended up knocking it down to two after our book club discussion about exactly how many scenes, plot points, and sometimes dialogue was just straight ripped from other books and movies.

The biggest problem with this book - aside from too much pop culture name-dropping and the fact that the main character is completely insufferable for at least the first 25% - is that so much of the plot has been done before, and this brings nothing new. We've seen the creative who can't create because they don't believe in love anymore, we've seen the exploited muse, we've seen that specific surprise ending (that was anything but a surprise, come on), we've even seen the whole Ghost Whisperer thing. Despite that, though, I didn't hate it. I just think she wrote the wrong book. If she had focused on Florence's relationship with her family and her grief, with dealing with her past and the town, and even sprinkled in the charming ghost bits, without the shoehorned-in romance and writer's block nonsense mucking it up, that would have been a great book. I could have even enjoyed the writer's block if there was a different reason than a fully grown adult refusing to believe love exists because her relationships didn't look like a fairy tale. There is a good story in there. We just didn't fully get it.

Was this review helpful?

📖 BOOK REVIEW

🎧 THE DEAD ROMANTICS
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: contemporary romance
Did I cry: yes
Published in 2022

💭: I can’t believe i waited so long to read this! I was a little hesitant because I read THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP first & it wasn’t a love but this one blew me away! I absolutely loved the characters. I think they all were developed really well and had such distinct personalities, which played specific roles in the story. I think the entire concept of it was so unique. The plot was for sure the best part of the book. It was so clever — centering the storyline around the idea of a ghost writer doubled with the concept that romance is dead. I never really knew what was coming and was totally just along for the ride.

I love love loved the handling of loss & grief and portraying how grief looks different for everyone. The ending had me bawling it was a perfect wrap up for everyone & i loved how everyone had an ending, not just the main characters. Truly a unique, swoon-worthy romcom that I’m kicking myself for not reading sooner!

Was this review helpful?

I don't know how I missed out on reviewing this books but Poston's creativity knows no bounds. What a unique story, a rarity in the romance genre, I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

Was this review helpful?

This one revolves around the death of a father and the failure of work success by the daughter who had moved away. It is always cathartic reading about an awesome Dad that has passed, especially during the holidays.
There was also a bittersweet romance between two people that couldn’t be together. But then it wrapped up so sweetly.
Loved all the friends, siblings and parents. The fathers wisdom and words throughout and their shared visions of dead people. Though hated her ex, yuck.
Loved Benji! Climb that tree girl!

Was this review helpful?

This was a delightful book even though it's filled with such a sad event. Florence has always wanted to be a writer and has struggled with getting published. She is currently working as a ghost writer, but because she had a horrendous breakup she doesn't believe in love anymore. She is struggling to finish her last contracted book, but before she cam she gets a phone call that her father has died. Now she has to go back home where she hasn't been in 10 years to help her family bury her father, but is afraid because last time she was home she helped solve a murder by working with the young man's ghost. Because her and her father were able to see ghosts. When she gets home the doorbell rings and she finds the ghost of her new editor. Now she has to figure out how to help her hot new editor ghost figure out how to move on into the afterlife all while struggling to put on the strange funeral her father requested. As she slowly falls in love with her editor's ghost, she also reconnects with her family and friends that she left behind. There were a lot of good moments in this story, though the timeline felt off multiple times. Also, I figured out after the ghosts third or fourth appearance what was really happening and how it was going to end, but it was still a fun read. I was annoyed for the last moment of conflict because I just felt it was unnecessary and hated that her ex was able to get in her head one last time, but a sweet and happy ending.

Was this review helpful?

**I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Though this has been described as a romance, there is a deeper and darker side to this novel that makes romantic scenes seem like a secondary element. That said, I simply loved it. Poston's writing is beautiful, the way a scene is captured or Florence Day thinks about her feelings is written eloquently and almost poetically. I felt connected to Florence's insecurities and her view of life - a number of tissues were used as she comes to terms with grief, moving forward, evaluating her life, and understanding the power of hope. There are laugh out loud moments, and the characters in the novel are in some ways stranger than fiction. But, that makes the novel more relatable. I would love to meet these characters.

A book that can stir so many emotions for me, and in a good way, is a keeper. This one is a keeper. I am so glad I finally had the opportunity to read this.

Was this review helpful?

A unique take on romance that explores grief, self esteem, and family relationships. Many readers will likely relate to Florence. Recommended for romance readers looking for something a little different.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first Ashley Poston book. I enjoyed reading about Florence and her journey to rediscover her writing muse, and to reconnect with her family. I kept wishing for Florence to grow up a little bit, and I got just a little bit bored by the constant reminder of how she was having a writer's block.

It was an interesting read, and I'll definitely read more of this author's works.

Was this review helpful?

What makes The Dead Romantics so lovely is the mix of romance, family, fantasy and revisiting the past. I liked that Ben got to see Florence at an immensely vulnerable time. It allowed him to get to know her on a deep level. Having Ben appear as a ghost used Florence's ability to communicate with ghosts to work through her issues and change her feelings about her gift. The journey they went on revealed many meaningful things, including Xavier knowing about the ghostwriting, how Ann offered Florence her job and how Ben is a fan of Florence's one published book. It was beautiful to peel away these layers. I will also fondly remember the dandelion scene, avoiding Officer Saget in the graveyard and their creative way of turning each other on.

Although Xavier was only present in spirit, he got to see his family reunite and mend misunderstandings. Mixed in with their grief and tackling of unexpressed issues were moments embodying all of the joy and love that Florence missed out on. Standout scenes included Florence's mom hugging her tightly upon her arrival in Mairmont, the family dancing to Build Me Up Buttercup after the wake and the family figuring out that Ben was helping Florence at the card game.

This refreshing take on romance was a welcome addition to my bookshelf. It captured a deep connection between the main couple and family reconciliation amidst grief in a way that was endearing, tender and humourous. I can't wait to see what else Ashley Poston writes for the adult romance genre.

Was this review helpful?

Just like everyone else on Bookstagram, I absolutely loved this book!!! Loved the writing style, the plot, the characters, and especially how the story flowed.

Was this review helpful?

This book is SO GOOD! I wasn't sure what to expect but I just adored the whole story. Highly recommended. I don't typically re-read books but I will be reading this one again to visit all the characters.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely adored this book! Was it perfect? No. Was it exactly what I wanted and needed? Absolutely! This book discussed death and grief in such a tender way that had me nearly in tears(which never happens) and had me laughing and smiling along the way. The bittersweet romance was touching and so cute, I loved seeing not just the two love interests connect, but also watching as she reconnected with her family and the town she was born in. So many sweet moments that made the story into something that examined life and death, moving on and moving forward in a beautiful way. Highly recommend and I will be reading more by this author!

Was this review helpful?

This has been the perfect transfer from summer to fall romantic comedy! I could easily see this one being made into a movie. Florence and Ben are so funny in their interactions and the characteristics of their small town just made it so perfect, loved that the mayor was literally a dog! So funny! I laughed out loud a few times.

Was this review helpful?

"The Dead Romantics" by Ashley Poston is a whimsical and heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the unexpected connections that can reshape our beliefs. Florence Day, a talented ghostwriter, grapples with her own skepticism about love following a painful breakup. As she juggles her career and personal struggles, a chance encounter with an enigmatic ghost sets the stage for a unique and captivating story.

Poston's narrative draws readers into Florence's world, masterfully intertwining themes of romance and the supernatural. Florence's journey to return home for her father's funeral brings her face-to-face with her past and forces her to confront the complexities of her relationships and emotions. Poston deftly navigates the tension between Florence's love for her eccentric family and the town she left behind, highlighting the internal conflict that has kept her away for a decade.

The novel's charm lies in the dynamic between Florence and the ghost, as they both grapple with their unfinished business. The witty banter and unexpected connection between them add layers of intrigue and emotion to the story. Florence's interactions with her family and the townspeople reveal the richness of small-town dynamics and the warmth of close-knit communities.

The juxtaposition of romance, both the ghostly and the human kind, drives the narrative forward. As Florence unravels the mystery surrounding her editor's unfinished business, she finds herself questioning her beliefs and reevaluating her stance on love. This exploration of self-discovery and the power of human connection adds depth to the novel's lighthearted moments.

While the story incorporates familiar elements of romance and the supernatural, it is Poston's engaging writing style and well-crafted characters that elevate it. Readers are drawn into Florence's emotional journey and find themselves invested in the outcome of both her personal growth and her blossoming feelings for the ghost.

"The Dead Romantics" beautifully captures the essence of love's complexities, both in life and beyond. Ashley Poston skillfully weaves together romance, humor, and the paranormal, creating a story that invites readers to believe in the transformative power of love, even when faced with the challenges of loss and skepticism.

Was this review helpful?

As someone who is not a romance girly, I was hoping this book would get me into my romance era because it had a ghosty element-which I always love. I think this is a fun book but ultimately, it is best for romance girlies and not for me!

Was this review helpful?