This was an absolute delight. It was heartwarming to return to Galway (a place I have admittedly only been for an afternoon over a decade ago) and see these two beautiful characters find each other. I was very happy to see demisexual representation, and the characters truly took my heart on a roller coaster.

I saw a lot of hype surrounding Morbidly Yours, and I just need to confirm that it absolutely lives up AND BEYOND. I’m obsessed with this book. I preordered a copy before I even finished half of this ARC.

I love a grumpy/sunshine and Callum and Lark were the perfect personification of this trope. You really feel for both of them with everything they’ve been through and find yourself wanting everything good for both of them very quickly.
Getting to follow alongside them as they become closer and eventually fall for each other was truly special and so cute. I loved all the banter, inside jokes, and unique connections they form.
Ivy Fairbanks does such a good job of creating space for you to feel alongside her characters. I felt Lark’s grief and her resolve to keep her promise to her late husband. I felt Callum’s hopelessness at the circumstances of his inheritance qualifications. I felt the warmth of sinking into an easy companionship as Lark and Callum became closer. I absolutely felt the anger and resentment towards Séan.
The setting was beautiful and I loved the Irish language additions.
I truly did not want this book to end.

Morbidly Yours is such an endearing, enjoyable book. I loved everything about it and I hope we get to go back to Galway soon.

Thank you to the author, and Penguin Group Putnam for my gifted ARC through NetGalley.
Publication date 8/20/24

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC in return for an honest review!</i>

4⭐️ to this cute book! This story follows Lark, who is a bubbly, southern animator who temporarily moves to Ireland to complete a show based on an Irish hero. She just so happens to live next door to a grumpy, shy mortician. They meet unexpectedly when Lark receives body bags at her door. Definitely a wholesome friends to lovers romance.

This book contains discussion of grief and trauma from loss, which adds so much depth to the characters and the growth was so sweet to read.

The grief that the characters went through definitely felt real and genuine, as they were both going through different grieving processes and struggles with death. The way Lark was so loving, caring and bubbly, but really put so much on herself and blamed herself for the death she was mourning was so sad and emotional. She really felt as though she didn’t deserve to love and be loved, but Callum definitely helped her heal and realize she does in fact deserve everything.

Callum struggling to open up to others and really wanting a true love was so sweet. Although this had potential to be a marriage of convenience with a certain situation, I really like that it was different and didn’t go in that direction. Lark and Callum developed true friendship and a bond that surpassed anything.

I absolutely loved the grumpy sunshine trope in this story! It was done so well and I adored how Lark showed him how to get out of his shell and explore things he normally wouldn’t. Also, this book had some great spicy scenes that I was not expecting! Loved that.

I thought the beginning was a tiny bit slow and I wanted a little more at the end, but overall this was a fantastic, sweet, fun, wholesome and deep love story. This was also a great debut for the author! I’d definitely read her work again. I’m excited to see who book 2 will be about!

Sharp-witted, funny, and such a pleasure to read, MORBIDLY YOURS by Ivy Fairbanks was a fast-paced, wonderfully well-wrought story that dropped me into a different worlds of funeral homes, grief, and dating under extreme pressure to find the one or lose everything. I enjoyed the banter, the feels, all the twists and turns of people who felt like friends I want to know better. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

Callum Flannelly has an atypical job, running his family's undertaking business, but it's a job he loves and is at risk of losing if he cannot find someone to marry before his 35th birthday. With the deadline rapidly approaching, and his inclination to spend time with the dead rather than the living, Callum is in quite a predicament. Enter Lark Thompson. Lark is running away from everything back in Texas after getting a dream contract position in Galway. To avoid thinking about her relatively new status as a widow, Lark pours all her energy into helping her neighbor Callum find a wife before the impending deadline. But what happens once they begin to realize that maybe their connection is the strongest of all?

While some parts of this book felt a bit far-fetched, it was all done in the cutest romcom way. I could envision the montage of their dates and see them falling in love over the course of the book. The main characters went beyond your typical one-dimensional romcom characters. The MMC has a stutter and the FMC is a young widow, learning how she can love two people over the course of a lifetime. I thought the grief was well portrayed. As an extrovert that enjoys adopting introverts, I related to Lark. The setting was incredibly vivid and, having been to Galway, I could imagine everywhere that Lark traveled. Lark collected such a wonderful and eclectic group of friends, and I enjoyed loving and hating (her co-worker) the secondary characters.

The amount of Irish slang was a bit much at times, and I struggled to believe that Lark did not open any of the emails from her sister-in-law. I'm not sure that that storyline added much to the overall plot, but I do respect its role in addressing her grief.

This one kind of reminded me of Kilt Trip, so if you enjoyed that book, definitely consider picking up this one! I cannot wait for Ivy Fairbanks to continue this series, and am definitely planning on reading more from her in the future.

A book about an undertaker has no right to be this adorable.

Lark has run away from Texas to Ireland to start over after her life fell apart, with oaths to herself that she should take back and deeply unresolved grief set up to get in her way. Her hot neighbor Callum is a deeply demisexual man under the pressure of getting married in 6 months or losing his generations old family business. Surprisingly, him needing to get married is the least dramatic part of this book and this is NOT a marriage of convenience story.

In the end, Callum learns to take chances and Lark learns to stand up for herself. It was hella cute. I can't wait for more in the series.

Morbidly Yours is an sweet, emotional love story. Two people, grieving the loss of loved ones, find themselves falling for each other. This is exactly what the heart needs to truly love again for Callum and Lark.. From its setting in Ireland to the lush array of tropes, he falls first, grump x sunshine and friends to lovers, this slow-burn romance has chemistry, witty banter and a cute little mouse.

Fairbanks debut is a must for romance readers.

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons

I remember this getting a lot buzz in the romance community when it was indie published so I knew I wanted to read it this time around.

Morbidly Yours was such fun, especially if you are a fan of grumpy x sunshine trope. Absolutely loved both characters. Their dynamic is super cute and fun. They truly balanced each other out: he understood her grief and she taught him to loosen up. The romance made me swoon & giggle.

I thought the plot was interesting and kept me engaged. I don't think I have ever read a book where one of the main characters is demi sexual. I enjoyed learning about this and thought the author did a great job portraying a demi sexual person. Plus it made it seem extra special when Callum started developing romantic feelings towards Lark. So sweet!

This did have some steamy moments as well. Pleasantly surprised by the amount of heat this had!

This book made me just want to jump on a plane heading to Ireland. The descriptions sound beautiful.

A wonderful debut romance! For fans of opposites attract, forced proximity, meet-disasters and Ireland.

Friends to lovers books are my favorite so this was perfect for me! I loved that it was set in Ireland and Lark's job in animation was interesting to read about. It was a little slow through the middle of the book but I enjoyed the ending and it did pick back up. I loved the characters and their development so 3.5/4 stars from me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam/Penguin Books for the ARC!

Read if you like:
🇮🇪 Ireland Setting
👱🏼‍♀️ Texan in Ireland
🍀 Irish Phrases
🌤️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🏘️ Boy Next Door
💋 Demisexual MMC Rep
😔 Sad Girl FMC

Omg, the Ireland setting, the Irish phrases from a hot Irishman, a sad girl FMC from Texas running for her past, the boy next door, the grumpy x sunshine vibes (but really he is sweet and shy) the slow burn and the oh so good spice… and so much more… I truly loved this one so much and will absolutely be biting my nails waiting for book 2 as I neeeed it!!!!

This book covers more complex topics with open communication regarding sexuality for our Demisexual MMC and what that means for his lived experience and his relationships…

I also enjoyed how our FMC was running from the trauma of her past marriage and the imploding of her whole life back home as a result, and how it wasn’t danced around that she had trauma that needed to be handled… especially where she vowed to never marry or love again after her marriage.

And to make matters more complex, the hottie next door needs to get married asap to keep his family mortuary business he has been running as the stipulation in his grandfather’s will.

I truly loved all the topics covered and the small town vibes and workplace bits we get from both our MC’s work and how work really does impact us in so many ways.

Thank you so so so much to Putnam for my ARC and finished copy in exchange for my honest review! I truly loved this debut so much and can’t wait to read more from Ivy!

Thank you to Putnam and Netgalley for sending an ARC of Morbidly Yours in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars

Ok, so this was a slow burn, which admittedly is not my favorite romance trope because I like my spice soon-ish. It took a while, for me, for the plot to really pick up. It was kinda slow up to the halfway point and then things moved quick, both between the mains and my reading. It took me a week to get to this point then I devoured the rest of the book in half the time, especially the last 30%. All that to say, the plot moved slower than I was expecting because it wasn't described as a slow burn. But at least they went at it like rabbits after all that tension. This book was a lot spicier than I expected (I'm not complaining!). I like my romances super spicy and graphic and, it's true, it's those quiet ones that surprise you *heh*.

I like my FMCs confident and strong. Lark was not that for most of the book. She didn't want to rock to the boat - at the expense of not standing up for herself. That was the most frustrating part. I just wanted to yell at her to SPEAK UP. I know it's a plot point but it made parts of the book harder to read. She also refuses to be happy. The book explains why but it still boggles my mind that people would rather be miserable. This is all personal preference though and my own gripes in the real world that bleed into my reading.

Meanwhile, Callum - oh my heart. Precious man. Quiet, sweet, stable, KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS. Again, this may be my own traumas informing my opinion but it's refreshing when the MMC is not a tortured, broken, toxic, panty-chasing soul. Where can I get myself a Callum???

All in all a solid book. Slow in parts. Funny in others. Mix of spicy and sweet.

This was a bit heavier than I was expecting but I still overall like this book! It has so many components that make this a book I would immediately reach for:
-grumpy sunshine
-friends to lovers
-beautiful setting
-male main character with an Irish accent (I may need to check out the audiobook now 👀)
Need I say more?

This book follows Lark, a Texan who moved to Galway for a job but also to escape her past. Her neighbor Callum is a reclusive funeral home director. And somehow, it works!!

I was very intrigued by the asexual rep in here as I haven’t read many books with asexual characters. I am not the authority on the topic but it seemed to be done in a mindful and realistic and respectful way.

My favorite part of the book was simply Lark and Callum’s friendship. Their first meeting did make me cringe a little - very much qUiRkY FMC moment - but I can forgive that for the great journey that followed. We got two people who bring out the best in each other, they get each other, and the BANTER? Fantastic.

Don’t let the cartoon cover fool you though. This book also deals with grief as Lark lost her husband prior to her move to Ireland. This showcases how grief can change our perceptions and how we think and what we hope for the future.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this. It was something pretty different than a typical rom com but still delivered on the rom and the com. 4.25 stars

Story follows Lark as she moves to Ireland for a new job opportunity. Her first day a mistaken package delivery introduces her to her next door neighbor, Callum, a literal undertaker. In order to keep the family business in the family, Callum must marry before his 35th birthday. Hopelessly awkward, demisexual Callum is terrible at dating and the miniscule amount of months he has left to find a wife aren't helping.

I absolutley loved this novel. Lark and Callum are amazing together with great chemistry and both characters had wonderful arcs where they grew as people independent of each other.

This was absolutely adorable! I loved the setting and the characters. This story does such a good job discussing grief but not in a heavy way. Lark & Callum are complete opposites but the chemistry was on point! Can’t wait to read more from this author.

This debut from Ivy Fairbanks was devourable. I halted everything in my life to gobble it up. The premise is so unique, the characters even more so, and throw in Gaelic and a hot Irish grump… my kryptonite! I am so excited to read more in this series and from this author.

What I Loved Most:

The characters, OMG. A grieving widow and a mortician. Grumpy and sunshine. Friends to lovers. THE MEET CUTE! She’s finding her voice and he’s finding his joy. Banter and beautiful moments between them. It’s just so swoony!

Acknowledging the sexuality spectrum… but when he’s attracted, OH GAWD, is he ready for all of the spicy goodness.

Nickname. I’m a sucker for a unique nickname, and Callum’s name for Lark is spot on.


Favorite Quotes:

Callum’s reluctant smile was like lightning in a thunderstorm. Brief yet brilliant.
Was he so used to tamping down his joy around other people’s grief that he subconsciously dimmed his positive emotions?

“Mo chuisle . . .” Translation unknown, his voice was sweetly urgent.

Oxygen was inconsequential compared to her bliss.


After a beat, he smiled. Cautiously, like wearing a piece of trendy clothing he wasn’t fully comfortable in.



If you’re a lover of romance, it would be a missed opportunity to ignore this book. I recommend 10000% and hope to see more from the author soon.

Thank you to Ivy Fairbanks and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and offer an honest review.

5 stars

What an odd romance for me to love so much, but a bubbly animator and a quiet mortician really did it for me. I loved how despite her grief and fear of facing mortality, Lark still went into the friendship with her reserved neighbor full force. Their friendship was sweet and grew naturally into more. They were both honest with each other throughout (mostly) and navigated their differences in needs and wants with respect. A surprisingly not morbid story despite every thing making you think otherwise (widow, funeral home, the title, the death of an elderly friend). Death is such a huge part of the human experience and I felt this book handled it beautifully.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book! I read the original indie-published version and loved it, so I was really happy to get to read the traditionally published version early. I thought that the extra scenes in this version added to the story, and overall I had a great time rereading this book! I absolutely adore Lark and Callum, and I love their relationship with each other and how it develops throughout the novel. There are some heavy themes in this, and the author handles them with care and writes them well. Overall, I completely recommend this book and can't wait to read whatever Ivy Fairbanks writes next!! :)

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
Rating: 4 stars
Steam: 3 chilis
Pub date: 8/20

Thank you so much, Putnam Books, for my advanced copy!

This is a quirky romance that brings together two people dealing with grief in their own ways. Callum Flannelly is a shy mortician who needs to get married before his 35th birthday to inherit the family funeral business. Lark Thompson, an American cartoonist looking for a fresh start in Galway, Ireland, isn’t thrilled to find herself living next door to a funeral home. But when Lark learns about Callum’s situation, she decides to help him find a wife—only to realize that she might be the one falling for him.

The dynamic between Callum and Lark is just adorable. He’s the quiet, sarcastic type, while she’s extroverted and all about embracing life. Their chemistry sizzles, making their growing connection feel really natural and heartwarming. The book does a great job of touching on grief without getting too heavy. The third-act conflict felt a little unnecessary and one-sided, and while it bothered me at first, it didn’t ruin the overall vibe of the story.

One thing I wasn’t ready for was how descriptive the funeral home parts would be. There’s a lot of detail about the cadavers and what it takes to get them funeral-ready, so if you’re squeamish, just be prepared!

Overall, this was a fun, feel-good read! If you like grumpy-sunshine pairings and stories that mix humor with heart, it's definitely worth checking out.
Read if you like:

*hot Irishmen
*disability rep
*opposites attract
*neighbors
*dual POV
*open door spice

This book was interesting. The storyline was unique I think. It really wasn't anything that I have read anything like it before. I really liked the writing as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing the ARC.

This book was so much more than a transplant and a mortician coming together in a romance. It was an exploration of sexuality, of grief, and of finding yourself and your voice. Lark is still reeling from the death of her husband, feeling completely insecure in every aspect of her life. Callum has always been painfully shy and introverted, preferring to be alone. But when a seemingly insurmountable deadline looms, how can these two even come together.

I love how Lark and Callum were great complements to each other. Lark drew Callum out of his shell and Callum provided the calm stability Lark needed to really start processing her grief for her husband. They had fits and starts as they tried to navigate their own stressful situations together, and it just goes to show much feeling seen and understood is so essential to the success of any relationship. I loved these two so much.

You won't want to miss this one!