Who knew ghosts could be hotties?! The Dead Romantics was a cutie ghosty romance filled with lots of self discovery, forgiveness, and wholesome family moments. It was a very solid read. I was definitely skeptical about the love interest being a ghost but I think it worked! However, some of the pacing felt clunky and the chemistry didn’t jump off the page. Still a 4 star though for the creative concept!

From the beginning, I could tell that this was a book that the author enjoyed writing. It was filled with humor despite the morbid situations that were presented, and the puns were alive even if the characters were not.

I had no idea what I was walking into when I started this book, but the last thing I expected was for the main character’s new boss to show up at her childhood home when she returns home for her father’s funeral. And I most definitely didn’t expect this new boss to be dead.

Florence Day can talk to and see ghosts. So could her dad. But telling anyone outside of her family had only ever resulted in backlash. So she kept it to herself. But why keep anything a secret from a ghost?

In an attempt to recover her own connections with her family and her hometown, Florence attempts to help her new boss figure out why he’s stuck behind and how to move forward in the afterlife. The bond, playful banter, and genuine friendship that they share pulled at my heartstrings and almost made me wish I could have a ghost boyfriend (but I’ll keep my very-much-alive husband for now, thanks). Even though I predicted what would happen after only a few chapters in, the journey the characters take together is entirely worth reading.

A debut novel for Ashley Poston, I know I will be seeking out any and all books she writes in the future. This book is easily one of my favorites this year.

Florence and Benji were likeable and the story was sweet like hot marshmallows. I found myself rooting for them, and the ending was unexpected but satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Short synopsis: Florence is a ghost writer for a bestselling romance author. She’s way behind schedule on her next manuscript and her new editor Ben is mad. When her dad dies she goes back home for the services, and sees a handsome ghost in the parlor of the funeral home the family runs.

My thoughts: This started out so strong, I loved the witty humor and talk about books. The real life author name dropping was done so perfectly, and included some of the very best in romance! The middle drug on in my opinion and the ending was so cute. Just the best/sweetest ending.

I loved the lessons Florence learned about herself and asking for help from others, and thought the paranormal aspect was a fun twist on a romance. This was also fun to see some of the process of a romance author (who doesn’t believe in love) write romantic (or completely unromantic) scenes.

Read if you’re a sucker for:
* Family drama at Waffle Houses
* Night walks in graveyards
* Murders of crows
* Deadly puns

“Buying books always made me feel better, even if I never read them” - The Dead Romantics (chapter 2)

Florence Day’s family owned and operated a funeral home. Ghostwriting for the critically acclaimed bestselling romance author has been her career. Juggling between her next manuscript deadline, overcoming a messy breakup, and going home to help with her father’s funeral, Florence discovers her editor is a… ghost. What ties does she have with this ghost? Why is she the only one who can see her? How does she help him? But most importantly, how is he so hot?

BOOtiful! SPOOKtacular! This was deadly good, y’all. It’s my first Poston book and I was absolutely pleasantly surprised at how much I adored her writing, Florence’s voice, and all the intricate details, connections, the romantic development with a hot ghost. So much emotion, along the lines of grief, and the the mystery solving around Benji’s ghost. It was a joy of a read!

“Love isn’t a matter of time, it’s a matter of timing.”

When Berkley sends you a book there are a few necessary steps you must take...

1. Drop what you are doing
2. Leave work
3. Get home, take your bra off
4. Cuddle on up with the book
5. Don't stop until you finish

HOLY FREAKING SMOKE!!! Did I just get approved for a Berkley book? Not only was it a publisher that I admire but this book is absolutely amazing. I would like to give a big thankful hug to Netgalley, Berkley and of course Ashley Poston for allowing me to read and review this mind blowing book before the June 28th release!

This was my first time being introduced to Ashley Poston but it will not be my last. I fell in love with this author with every flip of the page. To say it gets better and better is an understatement. I was instantly captivated.

Do you know the feeling you get when you walk into a carnival and it's sensory overload? You can smell the cotton candy, taste the cheesesteaks, become consumed with all the lights and sounds from nearby games and rides? That is the feeling I got as I read this book. I could taste, smell, and see everything that was being described to me.

The characters are multi-dimensional and you fall in love with each and every one of them. Can you fall in love with a ghost? I did. Over and over again. Be prepared to laugh, and maybe even shed a tear or two. This book has it all!!!

This is going to be the HOTTEST book this summer. Anything short of 5 stars would be an insult. My gratitude is radiating from my body from being given this opportunity. This is a book that will be talked about for years to come and suggested amongst our social media communities. I can not wait to recommend The Dead Romantics to my book club for July!

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this one, and I mean that in the most positive way. I loved the premise, the plot, and the characters.
Florence is a ghostwriter for a famous romance author and she can talk to ghosts. It’s something only she and her father can do. Her family runs mortuary/funeral home in her SC small town, but she’s moved to NYC after the townspeople find out about her ghostly talent.

She’s having trouble with her next romance book because she’s lost her belief in love. She goes to see her new editor, a handsome guy named Benji, with whom she shares a spark. Hw won’t give her a deadline extension, but none of it matters after she finds out her father has died.

She goes home to SC only to find her Benji waiting for her. Unfortunately, he’s dead. Can Florence discover her romantic spark again - with a dead guy?

I loved the relationships Florence has with her family. The book is funny and sassy, especially when she’s talking to Benji. This is one of the best books I’ve read all year. 5 stars.

Synopsis
A disillusioned millennial ghostwriter who, quite literally, has some ghosts of her own, has to find her way back home in this sparkling adult debut from national bestselling author Ashley Poston.

Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem—after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. It’s as good as dead.

When her new editor, a too-handsome mountain of a man, won’t give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye. But then she gets a phone call she never wanted to receive, and she must return home for the first time in a decade to help her family bury her beloved father.

For ten years, she’s run from the town that never understood her, and even though she misses the sound of a warm Southern night and her eccentric, loving family and their funeral parlor, she can’t bring herself to stay. Even with her father gone, it feels like nothing in this town has changed. And she hates it.

Until she finds a ghost standing at the funeral parlor’s front door, just as broad and infuriatingly handsome as ever, and he’s just as confused about why he’s there as she is.

Romance is most certainly dead . . . but so is her new editor, and his unfinished business will have her second-guessing everything she’s ever known about love stories.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

I received a gifted galley of THE DEAD ROMANTICS by Ashley Poston for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, PRHAudio and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

THE DEAD ROMANTICS follows Florence, a young woman who is used to keeping parts of herself locked away. She has to keep her vocation a secret since she’s the ghost writer for a much beloved romance author (a problem since she’s pretty much given up on love herself). She has a new editor to clue in both to her ghost writer identity and her current writing troubles.

She also has kept her ability to see and talk to ghosts under wraps, after this ability had her leaving her hometown and her family’s funeral home business in her rear view. When a family tragedy has her coming home, she has to confront all that she’s been keeping secret.

This book really sucked me in and I wound up flying through the audiobook in barely more than a day. It even got me out of bed early to finish up before starting work the next morning! All that said this is a book I would definitely recommend going into with eyes open. It deals in heavy topics of grief and loss and it is one that should come with some tissues at the ready!

I went into this book without checking out the synopsis, so there were a few surprises along the way. I will say that I did pick up on the big twist fairly early on in the book, but it still left me wondering how things would play out and it didn’t diminish my enjoyment at all.

I really enjoyed this book and I love the author’s writing. I enjoyed the author’s AMONG THE BEASTS & BRIARS, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this very different type of story, but I loved this one even more!

THE DEAD ROMANTICS is out today!

What I Liked: The concept for this book is what caught my attention for its uniqueness—a woman who has to confront the ghosts of her past while she literally sees ghosts? I wasn’t sure this was an idea that could be pulled off effectively and my fear was that the “seeing ghosts” aspect would be too over the top and not fit into the romance story. However, Poston managed to create a believable love story despite the hero being a ghost and pulls off the “quirky heroine” trope quite well. Florence’s family was a hoot and I wanted them to be real so I could live in a world where people like them exist. Despite her family’s oddness, their problems were believable, especially the issues Florence and her sister are dealing with. This book is also a wonderful reminder that everyone grieves in different ways and that grief takes time, sometimes more than you think.

What I Didn’t Like: I had a hard time believing in the romance at first because Florence seemed too all over the place and Ben seemed too put together for them to ever find the other attractive.

Who Should Read It: Fans of offbeat, weird stories will find this book fun. And if you’re a romance reader who is looking for something different, this would be a great pick.

Review Wrap Up: This book may be too “twee and quirky for the sake of being twee and quirky” for some but for me it was exactly what I was looking for at exactly the right time-a book that took me away from the real world for a few hours and made me laugh and cry happy tears. If you’re willing to immerse yourself in the world Poston has created and not think too hard, I thik you’ll enjoy this one.

Favorite Quote: “Love wasn’t a whisper in the quiet night. It was a yelp into the void, screaming that you were here.”

4.5 stars

The Dead Romantics was such a touching and unique novel. Once I started, the writing hooked me right away and I didn't want to stop. There is a wonderful paranormal romance, but I think Florence's personal journey is the highlight of the book. Watching her heal, gain confidence, and come into her own was really inspiring. I was not expecting this book to be so emotional though (grief is a major plot point), so readers should be aware of the content warnings prior to starting.

Things to look forward to:
- Favorite tropes like: small town, workplace romance, forced proximity-ish, forbidden romance
- A great paranormal/sixth sense premise. This type of twist has been done before, but The Dead Romantics managed to do it in a fresh and unique way. I really loved the funeral home spin and the name "Days Gone" was chef's kiss.
- A sweet love story. Yes, it's instalovey, but it worked for me. I loved Ben and Florence's progression from slightly disastrous meet cute to friends and then more. The unique circumstances that brought them together allowed them to be their most bare and vulnerable selves.
- Florence's character arc. Right from the get go I was rooting for her and it was so satisfying to see her grow and really shine. It's an emotional ride (that phone call and the journey home really hit me in the feels) and I thought Ashley Poston captured grief and healing so well in this novel.
- A wonderful cast of secondary characters and townspeople. Special shoutout to Florence's BFF, Rose, who was ride or die the entire novel and who added the perfect amount of comic relief. Even Lee played his villainous role so well and I loved to hate him.

I know some of you may be wondering how this could possibly have a happy ending when the MMC is a ghost (I know I had my doubts), but just trust the story and Ashley Poston's amazing writing. It all works out in the end ;)

CW: death of loved one (on page) as well as mentions of past loss, grief, panic attack (on page), car accident, family/sibling tension, discussion/mentions of: MMC's cheating ex-fiancé (past), bullying (past, as well as an on page encounter), and murder of FMC's classmate (past)

*I voluntarily read a review copy of this book*

This was an incredibly unique romance, diving into the paranormal. It's quirky, funny, sad, emotional and swoony all together and will definitely make those who are looking for something "different" pleased!

Florence Day is not your average 28-year-old. She’s living in NYC with her best friend, Rose, successfully ghostwriting for Ann Nichols, a famous romance author, after a childhood spent helping her family run their small town Days Gone Funeral Home.

Oh yeah: and she talks with ghosts.

It’s an ability she shared with her dad and the thing that drove her out of little Mairmont, South Carolina, and has kept her away for the last ten years. I guess people think you’re pretty weird when you talk to people they can’t see.

Now, after her ex betrays her past secrets, she’s decided love is dead, which presents one big problem: How is she supposed to finish her last book for Ann, when she no longer believes in the very ideas her books are built on? Her deadline is tomorrow, and Ann’s handsome new editor, Benji Andor, isn’t budging on it.

As fate would have it, death intervenes in more ways than one, and Florence finds herself back in her hometown meeting a shockingly familiar and attractive new ghost who, ironically, may be just the right person to bring her hopes for ‘happily ever after’ back from the dead.

This is Ashley Poston’s adult fiction debut after a number of YA books, and while it took me just a minute to warm up to, I thought it ended up being pretty darn adorable overall.

Florence’s relationship with her wacky but wonderful family felt authentic, as we all know being around family can bring out our less than mature qualities! Her interactions with her ghostly new gentleman were sweet and charming (and even a bit spicy!), and I loved that the story approached romance in a uniquely different way for a change. This was full of fun characters, the story had nice LGBTQ+ representation, and there were some fantastically funny lines.

My recommendation? Don’t overthink this one. There are some logical inconsistencies with how this story’s ghost world works, but if you can suspend that disbelief yet again you may just have a delightful time!

★★★ ½ (rounded to 4)

Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley, and author Ashley Poston for this digital ARC which I’ve reviewed honestly and freely. It publishes on June 28th, 2022.

I'm not going to lie, i absolutely ADORED this book. The characters were funny and memorable and real, with deal drama. It was a romance that had so much else going on and yet I totally teared up and cheered at the end. It had all the emotions going!

Florence Day possesses a different view on death after being raised by undertakers in a small Southern town. Oh yeah, and she can see and talk to ghosts. She's been living in NYC for ten years and working as a ghostwriter for an extremely famous yet reclusive romance writer after her own novel failed. Her new editor, Benji, wants the ending of her new book, pronto; however, she hasn't been able to write a love story since the end of her own relationship a year before. When her beloved father suddenly dies, she has to return home for the first time since leaving for college to help make sure her father gets the sendoff he deserves. For some reason, Benji, the hot new editor, who she spontaneously kissed in a bar the night before, has followed her there... As a ghost. As Florence patches things with her family and her past, figuring out why Benji is attached to her becomes another priority.

For a book about a romance writer, there is surprisingly few sexy times. And I didn't care. The parts that had tension were GOOOOOD. I loved Benji so so so much. Seeing Florence and her family deal with their own grief after helping so many others through theirs was sad but refreshing. I ugly cried on my balcony a few times. I also loved Florence's family, particularly Alice. This was a lovely, unique romance, and I am here for more from Ashley Poston!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

A tender, puntastic romcom about a ghostwriter who falls for her editor. I really enjoyed this adult debut from Ashley Poston that sees Florence returning home when her father dies only to start seeing the ghost of her new editor Ben. Disillusioned with love, Ben helps her find her way again and her voice to start writing her own happily ever afters. Highly recommended for fans of The Kindred spirits supper club. This was a closed door romance but I didn't mind a bit. If you love books about books and writing and the sweetest of cinnamon roll heroes, you don't want to miss this one! Much thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for my advance review copy!

That was my first book by Ashley Poston and it did not disappoint. I was interested in this for awhile, but then I learned that it was going to be one of B&N's monthly picks (which is where I work) so I decided I was DEFINITELY going to read it. I read it in a single day. It was such a sweet exploration of grief and discovering one's self.

This book was perfection for me from start to finish in a way that I was totally not expecting.

I want to start this out with a trigger warning. The death of a parent is a very strong central part of this story. The main character is very much in the beginning grieving stages of losing her dad. So please keep that in mind if that may be triggering for you.

Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most well-known romance authors in the industry. But after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love, making finishing up the last book in her contract impossible. When her new editor, who also happens to be extremely good looking, refuses another extension on her manuscript, she knows her career is over. But sadly, that takes the back burner when she receives a phone call that changes her life. With her father gone, she has enough on her plate. It just gets more complicated when the ghost of her new editor turns up at the funeral parlor’s front door.

This is the most beautiful book in only the way a book set in a funeral home, with “I see dead people vibes” and all I could think about was how in the world am I falling for a ghost could be. One of the things I loved so much was that this was so different but in such a refreshing way. I pretty much read this in one sitting. The way the author wrapped up this story was *chef’s kiss*. The mention of SO many current well-known authors was such a treat. Plus, they eat breakfast at the Awful Waffle (Waffle House). They are definitely my people. This one was delightful in every kind of unexpected way.

Pick this up if you like:
-“I see Ghosts” stories
-Coming back home
-A delicious cast of supporting characters. I loved every single one of Florence’s family members
-A story that you are not 100% sure how it’s going to wrap up
-Fantastic and relatable family dynamics
-A raw portrayal of the overwhelming grief that losing a family member can bring
-A little bit of a dark sense of humor. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But I loved it

This was the summer ghost story I didn’t know I was missing!

This is an absolutely transcendent debut from Ashley Poston. I likely would not have picked this book up on my own since “paranormal romance” definitely isn’t my thing. But I am so so glad I did because it is easily one of my favorite reads of the year so far. And it made me cry, multiple times.

This book is full of such lovely reflections on life and love, death and grief. Florence’s family and the scenes of them together were my absolute favorite. It’s so rare to get a full and nuanced view of death and grief, but Poston nails it. The dynamics between Florence and Ben were also excellent. The snark and loving sarcasm, mixed with hilarious puns and dad jokes - these two spoke each other’s language and their connection was effortless.

I cannot wait to see what else Poston writes. Her style and voice are so unique!

Content warnings: References to death by heart attack and car accident; bullying.

Thanks to Berkley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I adored The Dead Romantics! It’s fun and funny, heart-warming and heart-breaking, and so touching. Ashley Poston moves effortlessly through so many genres, and has firmly cemented herself as one of my favorite authors.

The story follows Florence, a ghostwriter for a bestselling romance novelist who no longer believes in love. When she receives tragic news, Florence returns home to her family, their funeral home, and the town who ridiculed her as a child for talking to ghosts. Surprisingly, while home Florence sees the ghost of her handsome new editor, a man she shred one electrifying kiss with. Florence helps her editor with his unfinished business while facing family wounds, loss, love, and more.

Florence is such a compelling protagonist. A ghostwriter who sees ghosts, Florence doesn’t believe in love and has a big case of writer’s block. As her deadline looms, she can’t find the ending her book deserves. Though going back to the place where she grew up to bury her father isn’t the respite she wants, Florence ends up exactly where she needs to be, with the help of a surprising friend. A layered and dynamic character, Florence’s growth throughout the story is fantastic, and I love that she learns so much about herself, her relationships, and what is important to her. She also learns a lot about love.

Returning home to her family is difficult for Florence, as she wasn’t treated well by the townspeople after helping to solve a murder when she was a teen. Being back brings up a lot of unresolved feelings for her and her family. However, it’s also very cathartic for her, and by facing the past, she slowly learns more about herself and what she wants her life to look like. I like that the story explores complicated family relationships and how differently people are affected by them.

Much of the story focuses on death – how people are affected by it, how we approach it, and how we grieve for those we love and lose. I think a lot of what she feels as she prepares for her father’s funeral is relatable. My mother died twelve years ago, and Florence’s feelings still resonate with me. But as much as it’s about death, it’s also about love. It’s about connection and how deeply we love. “Grief…wasn’t the absence of everything you lost-it was the culmination of is all, your love3, your happiness, your bittersweets, wounds tight like a knotted ball of yarn.” How beautiful is that? The story definitely made me think about death and loss in a different way.

I also love the relationship Florence develops with Ben. They had such a great connection at the start of the story, and I was shocked when something very unexpected happens, and their paths end up crossing when she goes home. They form such a wonderful connection, though their future appears finite. I love their banter and flirtations, and their chemistry is off the charts!

I adored this moving and layered story. It is bittersweet and sometimes sad, but it also has so much hope, warmth, and happiness. Plus, the romance!!! It’s the kind of story that makes you laugh and cry and think, and I can’t recommend it enough. Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

The Dead Romantics was a charming and light-hearted story about healing and self-discovery wrapped in a cozy paranormal with romance woven throughout. Florence is a ghostwriter who sees ghosts - and when she sees the ghost of her new editor on the steps of her family's funeral home after her father's unexpected passing and her recent struggles to finish her most recent novel - small town antics and family squabbles ensue. Lots of great banter - not only between Florence and Ben, but the Day family as a whole. And plenty of puns, sarcasm, and gallows humor to make you laugh out loud. While the writing was definitely engaging and I finished the entire book in just a few hours, I didn't really feel for the character dynamics or relationships in the story. While I could easily believe the history there with Florence's family, the romance with Ben and her friendship with Rose was lacking for me.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review