Callum Flannelly, the presumptive heir to a generation’s old funeral parlor in Galway, is in a jam. His Granda's will explicitly states that in order to inherit, he must marry before his thirty-fifth birthday. And Cal is regrettably thirty-four and four months old. Lark Thompson, a young widow and professional animator, absolutely bolts from her life (and grief) in Austin, Texas, after receiving a job opportunity in Ireland. She believes she has rented a quaint, sparsely furnished apartment next to a bed and breakfast until, whilst unpacking her belongings, she opens a box of brand new body bags meant for the "bed and breakfast" next door. Lark quickly finds out that her neighbor is actually the local family-operated undertaker. Lark and Callum become fast friends, and after relaying his dilemma, Lark offers to be Cal's matchmaker which will totally absolutely work with zero complications.

If you didn't think a cozy romance could involve embalming, you were gravely mistaken. Heh. As a seasoned griever, this book felt absolutely perfect. I cannot believe it's a debut novel! Morbidly Yours is a little bit rom com, a little bit sexy slow burn, a lot a bit tender, and an overall lovely exploration of how grief and death impact all of us. It's really just feckin' beautiful. Callum and Lark complimented each other so well that you couldn't help but root for them right out of the gate.

If I could give this one more than 5 stars, I would!

TWs: grief, death, descriptions of embalming process

3 ⭐️ It's good! It just wasn't quite for me


I wanted to die. Conveniently, I now lived next door to a funeral parlor.


WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ ireland setting
✨ she's a widowed animator looking for a fresh start
✨ he's a reclusive mortician in need of a wife
✨ somber x sunshine
✨ neighbors / forced proximity
✨ "I'll help you date"
✨ slow burn
✨ opposites attract
✨ he falls first
✨ tension and longing
✨ friends with benefits
✨ asexual rep
✨ size difference
✨ 2.5/5 🌶️
✨ family drama
✨ found family
✨ 3rd act breakup
✨ HEA
✨ dual POV
✨ TW: death of loved one (spouse and grandpa/guardian)


My Thoughts:

First off, I want to say that my 3-star rating 100% has to do with my own personal taste and less to do with the quality of this book.

Objectively, this is a well-written story! There are good pros, the plot is solid, and the romance has many swoon-worthy moments. Lark is a ball of sunshine and Callum is a sweetheart cinnamon roll that should be protected at all costs. 🫶 I truly adore Cal. He's so shy and stoic at first, but once Lark brings him out of his shell, we start to see the sweet, thoughtful, charming man beyond the mortician. Their grief and loneliness draws them together, but they're able to find comfort and joy together, and see each other for who they truly are. Their beautiful friendship is easily my favorite part of the story.

With that being said, here's what I didn't enjoy.

While I think Lark is so sweet and I love the joy she brings into Callum's life, I did not connect with her at all. I know everyone handles grief differently but she was so avoidant that it started to irritate me halfway through the book, especially when it was at Cal’s expense. Lark would have greatly benefitted from grief therapy right after the death of her husband. And even though it took two years and almost another heartbreak, at least she finally gets there (you find out she's in counseling during the epilogue). I am sure that there are some people who wouldn't be bothered by Lark's avoidance, and there's probably many who find her relatable, but she wasn't to me, so I didn't enjoy her journey. If I had, I could easily see this book being 4-5 stars.

Since the second half of the book deals more with Lark's avoidance, I found it tedious to read. So, I skimmed a lot of non-dialogue.

One of the best cozy romances I have read in a long time! I think fans of the film The Holiday, would love this premise and novel! Normally I am not one for cozy romances, but the plot and premise drew me in. Fairbanks is excellent at building the tension and setting the foundations for genuine friends to lovers romance. It felt real and natural and the characters were written so well! I honestly would love a trilogy focused on these two. I also love the setting and the backgrounds of both characters. This is also my first romance with a MC being Irish and I absolutely loved it. There are so many sweet and emotionally satisfying moments throughout this novel.
Add it to your list!

***Publishing August 20, 2024****

Imagine moving from Texas to Galway, Ireland and being welcomed by a package of body bags mistakenly delivered to your door instead of your neighbors, which turns out to be a funeral parlor. This is exactly what happened to Lark!

Callum runs his family’s funeral parlor, but the catch is he has to be married in 6 months, or he loses it. His Granda left the business to him with the stipulation that he wants Callum married in order to carry on the family legacy! Can Callum marry in time?

After the awkward first encounter between Callum and Lark with the body bags, they keep running into each other. Callum’s only viable option is Lark. Will he be able to convince her to marry him, or will the awkwardness pursue without a future?

A page turner that was filled with friendships, drama, love and death, which made it hard to put down once you started reading, as you wanted to find out their fates! I loved how the story alternated between the grumpy undertaker, Callum and the happy-go- lucky American animator, Lark. It made for an entertaining story with laugh-out-loud moments! A great book to take on vacation! Also, a great book club pick that leads to many interesting discussions!

Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam (G.P. Putnam's Sons), I was provided an ARC of Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Had not been for an invitation from the Publisher, I probably would’ve have scrolled right by this ROM COM with the cartoon cover-it didn’t appeal to me-but now I understand it and it fits! But DON’T let it fool you-this is one SPICY 🌶️ book which leaves NOTHING to the imagination.

Callum Flannelly is an Undertaker who can only inherit the family business under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. And, he only has 5 months left to find a wife. He finds dating awkward-and the APPs aren’t working for him.

Lark Thompson is a vivacious American cartoon creator and animator from Texas who came to Galway, Ireland for a fresh start away from the memories of losing her husband. Turns out her accommodations are right beside a funeral home. Not great for anyone, let alone a Widow.

When Lark learns of her neighbors dilemma, she agrees to help him. Because she has sworn off of finding love for herself, they are able to become friends-taking all of the pressure off. But, as their friendship grows-so does their mutual attraction.

Will she really be able to watch him connect with someone else? And, will he really let her return to the United Staes?

While I enjoyed some aspects of the story, such as the friendships and “found family” other aspects were a BIG MISS for me.

The bedroom door is WIDE OPEN, and if you are a reader like me, who prefers to SKIM past these scenes, you will be skimming through MOST of the entire second half of the book. There is even an Irish/Gaeilge Pronunciation and Translation guide included in the back which will teach you the translations of all of the spicier/cruder terms used for sexual acts and our more intimate body parts. Not for me.

This will be a more satisfying read for those who prefer the door open, and for those who enjoy the humor in the book. It’s the first in the Love in Galway series, but it’s not a series that is a fit for me.

TW: Death of loved ones and brief depictions of caring for those departed in a funeral home.

AVAILABLE August 20, 2024

Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. These are my candid thoughts!

This was a solid 3.5 and what a cute debut!
I do love a slow burn and Morbidly Yours delivered. I loved that Callum was shy and sweet and I think the handling of grief was very well done. I also loved the banter between Callum and Lark.

"Morbidly Yours" is a beautifully crafted novel set against the lush, haunting backdrop of Ireland, where the characters navigate the complex emotions of grief and love. The story weaves through the lives of its protagonists, who are burdened by their past losses yet find solace and hope in unexpected second chances. The author's portrayal of the Irish landscape adds a poignant and mystical layer to the narrative, enhancing the emotional depth of the characters' journeys. Each character's struggle with grief is handled with sensitivity and realism, making their eventual paths to joy and healing all the more impactful. The romance that blossoms amidst sorrow is both tender and believable, offering a heartwarming contrast to the darker themes. The novel’s exploration of second chances is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, reminding readers that joy can be found even in the most unlikely of circumstances. "Morbidly Yours" is a moving and unforgettable read, rich with emotion and the promise of renewal. Hopefully a book two with Cal and Lark!!

Quirky, smart, funny, and well written. Romance lovers will delight in "Morbidly Yours" unique take on the fake marriage trope.

soooo good! i would love to read this again closer to spooky season, as the premise had that vibe entirely while still bringing in enough originality i enjoyed it outside of that aspect. the characters were incredibly lovable and i quite enjoyed ivy’s writing. would love to read more from her!

cute and spicy!

i enjoyed the chemistry between the characters and how well-defined they were as people. the sex scenes were really well written, and i liked that the mmc was especially layered. and that the characters who interfered with their love story were actually very likable on their own!

i wish the side stories felt as important or fully realized as the love story, because i felt like some of them were there just to provide unnecessary roadblocks. to be honest, the whole marriage plot was also felt like an unnecessary roadblock at times. and ultimately, the confessions of like and then love in a circle with no resolutions started to get a bit draining.

a good start as a debut, would read more!

Lark takes a 9-month contract position in Ireland hoping to clear her head & get a fresh start. Callum is still coming to terms with losing his grandfather and now has to deal with finding a wife within 8 months or he loses everything. Will opposites truly attract or will they both end up broken?

I liked the premise of this book & the character development but for some reason I could never fully get into it. I was hoping for a can’t put down story but got more of a read when the mood strikes me story. I would definitely be willing to read more by Fairbanks but this one just didn’t knock it out of the park for me.

Thank you #netgalley for providing me with an ARC for my honest review.

Overall Rating: 2.5⭐️

Making a mortician sound appealing is a challenge, yet Ivy Fairbanks succeeded. The love story was surprisingly delightful, with the setting in Ireland and the unique vocabulary adding an enjoyable twist. Initially a slow burn, the narrative eventually finds its pace, making it a refreshing departure from typical romance novels.

I ate this up and loved every minute. Easy read, fantastic build up. I would DEFINITELY read this author again

DNF at 7% - I'm really disappointed by this as I think this book looks so cute and features demi rep! But the writing style really wasn't vibing with me right off of the bat. And this book is also clearly going to be about grief but I started a job as a hospice social worker after receiving approval for the ARC and I just can't read books about grief right now since it's basically my every day. Also there was a lot of dead body descriptions for only being 7% into the book. Ultimately just not for me right now

DNF. Morbidly Yours wasn't for me. There were a few things that led to my DNF. I thought the writing style was a little stilted. Some of the dialogue and monologues felt unnatural. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters. I didn't feel the chemistry between Lark and Callum. I sort of found Lark a little annoying. Lastly, I thought the setting could have used some tweaking. Besides the sporadic Gaelic, I would have assumed this story was taking place somewhere else. I didn't get to the demisexual part of the story, but based off of reviews, that could have used some editing too. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC.

I adored this book. Absolutely loved it. I can count on one hand the number of romance novels that I’ve read and had no notes. Not a single decision I would have made differently. Nothing I would have changed. This book is one of them. It was, for me, the perfect romance novel. I loved the story. It was an easy read which a cadence that ebbed and flowed beautifully. I adored the characters. I am such a sucker for grumpy/sunshine and the main characters were the epitome of the trope. All of the tropes, including the tropes that were teased but not used, were wielded masterfully. It made for a journey that had emotion and heart. Where you couldn’t help but root for the main characters happy ending. The side characters were wonderful too, bolstering the narrative while also being interesting themselves. And the end was perfect. No bullshit love fixes all, but an honest and real end filled with hope. And a lawyer who didn’t suck! Extra bonus points for that. And there were not one but two epilogues?? You know I love an epilogue and these didn’t disappoint. Genuinely so impressed by this debut novel and dying already for more.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Seeking a fresh start from the grief that surrounded her, Lark fled Texas for Ireland. One of the first people she met was Callum, the local mortician who must marry by his birthday or forfeit the family business. Unfortunately, Callum suffered from social anxiety, and struggled when speaking with and connecting with women. Well, that was until Lark came barreling into his world.

I was drawn to this book because of its rom-com label and setting, but I truly fell in love with the story because of Callum and Lark.

Lark was a young widow who really never came to terms with her husband's death. She had been drowning in her grief for about two years. When she was offered an art director position with an indy animation studio, she jumped at the opportunity to relocate to Ireland leaving her past behind. But everyone knows you can't outrun your past, and Lark had to confront it in order to be able to open her heart and love again.

I adored Lark. She was the personification of bright colors. I swear, sunshine followed her wherever she went. I know this seems quite at odds with her grief, but she did a good job of burying her pain when necessary. Her cheerfulness was contagious, and I loved that she infected Callum with it. He needed more light in his world.

Callum grew up surrounded by death. As the third generation to run the family funeral home, he dealt with death on a daily basis, but was also bullied for where he lived and due to his stuttering. Rejected by his parents, he was raised by his grandparents and with his granda's recent passing, he was alone and at risk of losing the only home and the only world he had know.

Being a mortician cannot be easy, but Callum was a positive part of the death industry. He showed respect for the dead and their families as he attempted to ease some of their pain with thoughtful final farewells for their loved ones. I think the universe knew he needed some warmth and levity in his life, and that came in the form of Lark. She did such a magnificent job pulling him out of his shell and encouraging him to be a little more foot-loose and fancy free. Though Lark appeared super vocal, she was a people pleaser who often put her needs last. Callum helped her find a way to voice her desires and advocate for herself.

Callum was such a mush who was all about finding the one and making real connections. I loved him! When he whispered Irish endearments into Lark's ear or waxed poetic about her in his head, he brought the swoon. There were also some great supporting characters who brought something special to this story. I have a feeling Lark's cousin will be featured in future installments of this series, and I am very much looking forward to returning to Galway.

Overall, this was a heartwarming tale of healing and love that was filled with fun rom-com moments and quirky characters who won my heart.

The first 50% was pulling teeth for me, but I started to enjoy once it started getting a little spicier. The build up was well done, but this just wasn't it for me.

This was a very interesting premise. I loved the idea behind it. However, I feel like it wasn’t executed in a way that I enjoyed. It felt really long and not very compelling. I, unfortunately, found Lark to be stereotypical and wasn’t invested in her as a character. I liked Callum‘s character, and felt like he stood out in a sea of book characters that are often cut from the same cloth. The premise of this book was very unique. I’ll give it 3.5/5 stars.

This was not my cup of tea solely for the writing style. The premise is good but it just didn't tickle my fancy. Definitely worth a read though!