Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5

Callum Flannelly runs Willow Haven, a funeral home in Ireland which has been in his family for generations. In order to keep the parlor under his ownership, Callum’s grandfather stated in his will that Callum must be married by his 35th birthday.

Lark Thompson is an animation art director who has moved to Ireland for a new job opportunity and lives next door to Callum. We’re not sure how exactly Lark came to be in Ireland, except that she seems to be on a new adventure in order to forget her past.

Lark bursts into Callum’s life as his quirky and eccentric neighbor, and the two quickly become friendly. When Lark confesses about his grandfather’s will, Lark makes it her personal mission to help Callum find a wife before time runs out and he loses Willow Haven. As their relationship develops and tension between Lark and Callum grows, they find it harder to focus on finding a wife for Callum, when the perfect woman might be right in front of him. But things are not as easy for Lark, who is battling with some demons from her past.

I thought this book was so, so, so stinking cute and fun! I loved the juxtaposition between our FMC and MMC, and loved how their careers were a direct reflection of their personalities. I was SO frustrated by Lark’s work rival, and was immensely satisfied when that was resolved. The storyline of our FMC’s journey to work through her grief was incredibly heartwarming, and I loved how the author dealt with our MMC’s stutter. It was so endearing! I highly recommend this book.

Tropes in this story:
✨Fish out of water
✨Grumpy/cagey MMC, social butterfly FMC
✨He falls first... but there is mutual pining!
✨Dirty talk in Gaeilge
✨”Let’s just get it out of our systems” (yeah right!)
✨Friends with benefits

This story touches on loss of a loved one and grief. All potentially sensitive themes are mentioned by the author in the Author’s Note at the top of the story.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley, but my review is all my own.

I loveddddd this.

Lark has just moved to Ireland for a job, and her new neighbor is a cutie, introverted mortician. Lark also fled Texas due to a personal tragedy, and is trying to focus on moving forward. Getting into a relationship is not in the cards for her, but Callum’s friendship and connection is to die for (hehe).

The banter and jokes between Lark and Callum is hilarious! Callum is SOOOO sweet. The way he talked/thought about Lark was so precious. I related to him in that he hates social settings. I loved how Lark tried to get him out of his shell without overdoing it. Their chemistry felt so natural. The tension!!

I was surprised by all of the hints of Texas, and I loved it! From HEB, whata, Austin, Spurs, etc.

Ngl Lark was irking me towards the end. She chose flight mode when she had a good thing going. It just wasn’t my fav thing.

I wanted to love this so badly, and I just fell in like with it. It's very cute, but given the title/cover/marketing, I felt like we were sold a different book. I wasn't expecting so much sweetness/earnestness. There's plenty to like here, and some very cute banter, but I think that's just what we're left with- a lot of cute.

I really loved this book and thought it was incredibly charming. I loved Lark and Callum together and how they already balanced each other out and brought the best out of each other. Only rated 4 stars bc it took me awhile to get into the story (about 20% through) but once I was in I was hooked.

How do I explain that this book made me so SAD, but I LOVED it. This book DELIVERED all the feels. The MMC’s demisexuality, the FMC’s grief, their connection and chemistry - these things wrapped up together into an emotional ride, and I loved it.

The characters were the best part, next was the writing. The author sprinkled in these nuggets of beauty, and it made the story so much more rich.

Ended up at a 4.5 for me (took off .5 because the slow burn was just a liiiittle too slow for me), but still a great read!

4.5 rounded up, and this was definitely a situation where I didn't expect to like this book NEARLY as much as I did. It was fun to learn about the job of art directing, I loved the Irish setting, and I like a book where all of the characters (except the villain) are actually nice.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ivy Fairbanks, and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam Publishing for access to the e-Arc of this book in exchange for a honest review.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After loosing her husband two years ago Lark, our FMC, decides she needs a fresh start and accepts a job offer in Ireland. Lark is an energetic and carefree ball of sunshine from Texas with an overactive imagination. When she receives a package full of body bags meant for her neighbor, her imagination runs while about whether or not she lives next to some crazy serial killer. Determined to find out who her neighbor is, she goes to introduce herself.

Callum, our MMC, is a mortician and the owner of Willow Haven funeral home. Calling is a quiet, grumpy, and socially awkward man. Calling grandfather passed and left him the funeral home in his will with the exception that he marries before his 35th birthday or the funeral home will go to his father who wants to sell it to the competitors.

We follow both characters as they deal with the friend of loosing their loved ones and building a friendship in the process. After building a friendship, Lark helps Callum in his search for someone to marry in the next six months. However, what happens when Lark and Callum’s feelings start to build in the process.

This was a cute and cozy, slow burn romcom with some morbid references. Callum is a mortician and Lark does live next to a funeral home. A perfect romcom to read in the fall/Halloween time of the year.
Grumpy x Sunshine, friends with benefits, friends to lovers, dual POVs

I really wanted to love this because it was such a cute idea but it kind of fell flat for me. I think I had a hard time with the Irish aspect of it and the mortician part was not something I jumped on board with. I could have gotten more on board if this was more cozy mystery but the romance was tough for me. The writing is great and it is a cute idea, just not for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Morbidly Yours is absolutely a lovely book, just not for me. And the fact I can recognize that is I think a testament to the talent of Ivy Fairbanks.

The concept and milieu is charming, the characters are deeply personalized, and I was absolutely rooting for their love story. The side characters were also a delight and I look forward to where she takes the next book, assuming this will be a series (she's definitely set up enough lovable characters to achieve that, particularly Saoirise, my personal fave). My only comment about the characters is Sean, one of the main antagonists. I found him to be a little underwritten and bad only for bad's sake.

Personally, the chapter length was too short for my taste and not many scenes lasted long enough for me to really sink into. I found myself shocked at how quick we were onto the next moment, making the passage of time, especially given the plot surrounding Callum's inheritance, a bit confusing. Also, the book was vibier than I usually like. Again, personal preference.

Overall, the book is charming and delightful and would serve as a great gateway for new romance readers

find myself thoroughly impressed by this unique and intriguing take on the paranormal mystery genre. This story weaves a narrative that's rich with gothic elements and tinged with a delightful sense of the macabre, which kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. The protagonist is brilliantly crafted, blending vulnerability with a curious and resilient spirit that fits perfectly within the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere of the book. The authors' writing style is compelling and detailed, striking a perfect balance between dark, atmospheric descriptions and a fast-paced plot. The dialogue is sharp and adds depth to the characters, making their interactions memorable and meaningful. It’s a must-read for fans of the genre looking for something that's both captivating and distinctly eerie.

COZY. CUTE. A LITTLE SEXY. FUN. SILLY. IMMERSIVE. LOVING.
Just a couple adjectives to describe Morbidly Yours.

I SO appreciated this book. Ivy Fairbanks treated death with reverence mixed with love and joy. As someone who has seen her fair share of death, I was a little cautious going into this book... but all the potential subject matter was treated with such loving care. Don't get me wrong, there were still some tears but they were from such a happy and wistful place. Just thought I would throw that out there since Callum is quite literally, an undertaker.

And what an undertaker he is. Both MC's were interesting and nuanced. Their love story is sweet and fun. I appreciate a couple the clearly communicates, and Callum and Lark definitely do that. I enjoyed this book, It's like a cozy hug while drinking a cuppa Irish Tea. Which speaking of, THE SETTING. I'm a sucker for a setting in Ireland - but just knowing and loving where this book takes place really helped love the story for me. I don't know if this would be a re-read but I had no problem powering through this book in a sitting or two. AND I will absolutely read if this becomes a series (or has companion sequels)

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and G.P Putnam Sons for the E-ARC!

This is a fun comedic romance, and I really enjoyed the story! The grumpy-sunshine vibes from this story were just so sweet! The story is about a woman named Lark who is seeking a fresh start in Galway Ireland - transplanted from Texas. Unwittingly, she moves into an apartment next door to a funeral home. When a box of body bags gets delivered to her, she is suspicious of what's going on next door in what she believes to be a Bed and Breakfast. Lark soon learns the house next door is a funeral home and she meets the handsome mortician Callum.

This story was very sweet with Lark's outgoing, positive personality and Callum's aversion to strangers, conversations, and crowded places. I enjoyed the build of the story and love that there will be more in the Love in Galway series. There's so much to come and I'm here for it!

It's a great first book in the series and I am looking forward to more. The story was great and kept me up past my beditme reading. (I couldn't put it down).

WOW WOW WOW.
I really loved this book. Fairbanks does a great job showing demisexual representation with Callum.
The chemistry between the main characters is on FIRE and the spice was phenomenal. The author tackles the subjects of death and grieving in a graceful way; showing readers that there is love after death.
4.5/5 only because I wish they got together a little earlier in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley & PENGUIN Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am OBSESSED with this book - I read it in less than two days and I found it nearly impossible to put down. Lark and Callum are so complex and interesting, and I love how their relationships to themselves, each other, and grief changed and grew throughout the novel. I was surprised to learn a lot about animation and mortuary science in this read, and I loved all of the Irish culture and language that was woven in. Callum is a godtier MMC in my book, and I can't wait to post a more in-depth review when this releases in August!! I was surprised to find out this was Ivy Fairbanks's debut novel, and I'm really excited to see what's next!

Alright, bestie, buckle up, because you’ve gotta meet Lark—she’s exactly what her name suggests, as happy as a lark and packed with sass and sunshine. After complications related to her previous marriage, she’s itching for a fresh start in a new spot. And who’s her neighbor? None other than Callum, the quirky hottie across the hall, who’s got a touch of Victor Van Dort (from Corpse Bride) about him. They’re opposites in that oh-so-perfect way… until they’re not. See, Callum's got this family mortuary business that’s his everything, but there's a catch—he’s gotta marry before hitting 35, thanks to his granddad's will. Lark, on the other hand, has a complicated past with marriage, and watching that all get untangled is like a rollercoaster of emotions.

The pace of this book? Chef’s kiss! Unlike most books where you first get to know the characters separately and then they come together, this one does something special—you learn their stories as their friendship and relationship unfold. The side characters are also amazing.

And girl…. It’s spicy! 😏

All in all, it’s such a cute read, and I can't wait to dive into more of these books!

Tropes:
Extrovert FMC/Introvert MMC
Neighbors
Friends to lovers
Widow
Disability Rep: Stutter, Anxiety
Demisexual undertaker
Grieving animator
Setting: Galway, Ireland

Updated debut.

Writing about grief is hard. Reading about grief can surface feelings. Reading about grief while actively mourning the loss of two family members has been a challenge. After receiving this ARC, I had to prioritize a few others first before I put myself in a position to face this head-on.

The story is missing the flow and connectivity that would make this an exceptional read. It was very stop and go, disjointed, and missing the build behind character actions that made me feel it was uncharacteristic.
Lark’s choice to lie by omission and not own it only hurts herself as Callum and Maeve see right through her.

I’m not sure if Lark had much character growth. Work was always first, and she didn’t make her big gesture until after she squared away her professional setting first.

Overall, a 3 star read for me. Like I shared above, it was disjointed, dragging some moments and speeding in others.
The glossary in the front and back of the book to assist with the Gaelic pronunciations was helpful!

Some of my favorite quotes:

Lark notes “Lonely recognizes lonely.”
“Life had trampled me. Some days I galloped again. Others were closer to the scene where Artax succumbed to the swamp of sadness in The NeverEnding Story.” —> IYKYK.

Callum notes “…as exciting as making out with a loaf of soda bread.” 😆

Maeve: “We show the people we love the ugliest parts of ourselves, and we tell them the truth even when it hurts, because that’s what intimacy is.”

Thank you NetGalley and GP Putnam and Sons for the 2024 eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Morbidly Yours

In this book you meet Lark…who is happy as a lark! She’s sassy and full of sunshine. She’s somewhat fresh out of her last marriage and looking for a new start in a new place. Her neighbor, and pilot opposite, is Callum who is a little Gomez Addams. They are opposites in the perfect way….until they’re not. In order to keep the family mortuary business, which is his life, he has to marry before he’s 35 due to the conditions of his grandfathers will. Lark has a complicated past with marriage and watching it be sorted was a roller coaster of emotions.

This book kept SUCH a good pace! In most books I feel like you learn the characters first separately and then the characters relationships comes together…in this one you learn about each of their stories WHILE their friendship and relationship are developing. The side characters were also fantastic. Hand on your heart for Maeve and Deirdre. 🩷

It was spicy! 3 out of 5 pearls clutched. 😂

Overall, it was SUCH a cute read and I look forward to reading more of them!

Sadly I didn't enjoy this book very much. I'm also in minority about this so I'm pretty sure the problem is me and not the book. As with many rom-coms, I liked the premise of Morbidly Yours a lot: a woman moves to Ireland to forget her past, and meets up with a mortician and they fall in love. The mortician stuff was interesting, and I liked the MC's job as an animator. However, this book felt like the debut novel it was. A lot of the scenes were a little stilted, and some of the big, dramatic beats of the story lacked the emotional oomph that I expected from them. That's not to mention the fact that all the ooey gooey lovely HEA moments - the successful proposal, the I Dos, the pregnancy announcements and/or births, etc. - all happened off page and readers were only told about them after the fact in a rather rushed epilogue. My main issue though came with the plot progression. It stagnates due to the age old conflict of not talking to each other. I can understand, to a certain degree, why some people would withhold their feelings and important life events from another person. It just didn’t work for me and left me feeling frustrated when I felt like the better answer was a conversation. Also, I felt alot of the coworker drama felt out of place, and I saw the friendship chemistry between Lark and Callum, but did not feel any romance between them. But I just want to say it again that this is not a bad book at all. However, there were things about it that just made me feel a little frustrated reading it.
Overall, it was a cute read, but it was very basic and slightly underwhelming.

This. Was. So, CUTE.

In the weirdest way.
I loved both callum and lark- but Callum is just … *chefs kiss*. I loved their genuine friendship and genuine love for one another- even through the most raw and tough issues they dealt with. And they dealt with them as best as I feel realistically one can.

I’d love to have seen more on callum’s work though, but that’s just creepy me.

I seldom enjoy romance books because it’s not “real”. But this felt real. 5 stars from me! Cannot wait till publishing date!


Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a perfect cute little book. I confess, this is way more cozy and more contemporary than the paranormal romance I typically read for escape, so I was unsure how much I would enjoy it. I love how 'real' the main characters felt, with real quirks and faults. The setting was great, and even the main character jobs were interesting. Normally I don't love a slow burn, but it worked here. They both had things to work on and had some stumbles before their true HEA. I hope the new author continues to write. Truly a charming blend of sweetness and light with dry humor and devotion. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC opportunity.