Thank you @putnambooks
Debut indie romance set in Ireland
New friends to more slow burn mortician & widow
Super steamy talk but in Irish
Banter and angst

Lark Thompson has moved she can heal and rebuild her life. Callum owns a funeral business. Which he is afraid he might lose. Let me just say this. I can't imagine loving another couple more than Lark and Callum. They are absolutely amazing together. Their banter was hilarious. The character development was so good in this story. I honestly felt like I knew these people. I couldn't stop rooting for them separately and as a couple. This book just made me feel happy. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book.

As a demisexual, I couldn't handle a lot of this book.

I get that every demisexual is different, but I felt like Callum's attraction to Lark moved way too fast and that the demi aspect was tossed in as an afterthought as a way to add more pages to the book.

I tried to find a way to connect with Lark for so much of the book and I just couldn't. The workplace drama felt out of place, it was jarring when compared to the rest of the plot. Her unresolved grief and the possessiveness she got with Callum on the day of her dead husband's anniversary really soured me on her, too. There were too many issues around the character when a lot of that could've been simplified to make her flow better.

Callum was still loveable and very sweet.

I couldn't stand Lark at all.

This was an adorable, funny, and charming story. Both Lark and Cal are interesting and loveable characters with a great dynamic. The different layers of drama kept the story engaging and I was so happy the final resolutions weren't just the obvious or easy answer. The characters where true to themselves the whole story leaving the end extremely satisfying.
Definitely a wonderful and quirky contemporary romance. I really enjoyed the demi representation in this story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I hate to say it, but I really didn’t enjoy this book. It was so repetitive and just dragged on and on with very little actually happening. There was no depth, the characters were flat, and the writing just didn’t flow well for me. Certainly an interesting premise, although I’m not sure I needed to know how corpses are made to look life-like in quite so much detail.

“I want Lark to stay the night. To stay forever. I wanted more. Strings very much included. Tangled, woven, knotted strings.”

This book made me physically unwell. Callum and Larks relationship squeezed my soul in such a special way. There were times that the tension was too much and I almost passed the fuck out. Also the demisexual representation and their complete and utter respect for one another was so admirable! I loved that Lark is from Austin because I love being able to connect with characters through places dear to my heart.

This was a beautiful cozy read full of fun banter yet talks of grief, death, and the little things that come with it. This is friends to lovers and done so well!! It really had me on my toes and I kept waiting for them to just, GET TOGETHER. I thought the setting made the book and it had me settled in so excited to see what came next! Mortician love with a grieving widow who’s moved to Ireland for a quick escape. I definitely recommend!

This was super cute! I loved the couple together and I'm curious if more books in the series are coming because I'd definitely read them. Thank you for the early read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this debut novel from Ivy Fairbanks!

Lark moves to Ireland after a personal tragedy to start anew, while pursing her passion of working in animation, as a director. She meets her neighbor, Callum, an undertaker who works at the funeral home next door. They both have their own tribulations to work through between keeping her job in Ireland and his opportunity to own his granda's funeral home. Two opposites attract and bring funny banter, friendship, and smoking hot chemistry! The romance was very spicy, too. I'd say a good 3.5/5 spicy rating.

The topics discussed in this novel can be a trigger. Topics discussed in this book are about the lose of a spouse and a close loved one, grief and guilt, and death.

Tropes:
-Grumpy/sunshine
-Neighbors
-Opposites attract
-Friends to lovers

I absolutely loved this debut novel! The writing flowed well, the character development was real, and I fell in love with these characters. I was rooting for them the entire book. I fell in love with both of them as they experienced life together. I can't wait to see if there will be more exploration of the characters we met in Galway, Ireland!

I read this book in less than a day and literally could not put it down. I loved the characters so much. The representation was so nice, especially with Callum’s speech and quirks, as well as his Demisexuality which I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book that’s included it, especially as a main feature.

((Spoiler)) Honestly I hate a third act break up more than anything, and I still think this book deserves 5 stars. The writing pulled me in immediately, and the concept was something I hadn’t read before. It’s also so rare for me to find a book that balances the story so perfectly with the amount of spice. It didn’t seem vulgar, the spice was there for the story and not just for the sake of sex scenes, and I appreciate that so much.

I spent a lot of time looking up pronunciations, and then cackled when I found the dirty pronunciation guide at the end.

Morbidly Yours shares heartache through grief and starting to live again. After her husband's death 2 years ago, Lark is ready to move on and decides a fresh start in Ireland is right for her and changes scenery moving to Ireland and a new company. However, despite trying to get away from death and grief, her new neighbor, Callum, just so happens to be a mortician. When Callum's grandad passed he made it a condition that Callum must be married by his 35th birthday in order to inherit the family mortuary. When Callum and Lark become fast friends, Lark makes it her mission to get Callum married; however, that is easier said than done when she finds herself falling for him. Turns out, the quiet and shy Callum is an undertaker, running his family business after losing his grandfather. Which is in danger of being sold right for under him, Lark soon finds out. His greedy absentee father has discovered the clause in Grandda’s will; Callum must marry by the time he’s 35 or lose the business. He has nine months. Really enjoyed the Gaelic language add ins and the sweet storyline friends to lovers. Thanks Netgalley, the author and publisher.

This book was on my radar forever, but of course by the time I was ready to read it, it had been picked up by a trad publisher (hooray!) and I had to wait until its new release. Color me lucky when I was approved for the ARC!

Callum is just the most awkward sweetheart ever! I’d say bless his heart but the thing is that I’m being genuine and that sounds like I’m being mean. But, bless him, truly. He is so earnest and quiet and chronically uncomfortable around just about everyone- except Lark. He tries so hard not to wear his heart on his sleeve but it keeps slipping out anyway. He is so thoughtful and the all-around calming presence Lark really needs at this point in her life.

Lark, on the other hand, is chatty, bubbly, and way more fun than Callum has ever dared to have. She breaks him out of his shell in the best way and I loved watching the way he put his trust in her and embraced her crazy ideas- why no, how about you DON’T hang your head over the side of a cliff, maybe??- and realizes he CAN have fun and feel good in his own skin. I really liked watching her start to feel safe in her own skin as well, and learn to forgive herself for the past and be able to open up her heart once again.

The spice in this one was very fun, especially with Callum speaking Gaeilge I mean come ON. He had me swooning and trying to book a trip to Ireland to meet a man while my husband snored away next to me at 2am. JK kinda.

I think I maybe wanted a little bit more personal growth from Lark in order to fully invest in her character. Her lack of voice when it came to the employees on her team, and standing up for herself, was frustrating at times, even when I felt like she should have gained the confidence to finally stand up for herself. I was frustrated during the scene with Sean and Callum and her reaction and handling of everything. If she had shown a little more growth or given me a little more in general, I think this could have been 5 stars.

SPOILER- I really liked that the epilogue ended in the very near future, without Callum and Lark married nor with a baby on the way. Both of these felt like a huge pressure for them to decide on throughout the book, and I actually appreciate the fact that the author didn’t make that choice for them at this point. It’s fun to see the full HEA play out before us, but it’s fun to just let the characters live in their moment too. -END SPOILER

This was a really fun read, especially being from Texas and laughing at the little Texas things she threw in- like Lark’s mom’s encounter with someone at H.E.B. (our dominant grocery store and all-around mediocre substitute for a WInco, in my previously Californian opinion, but this isn’t a grocery store review it’s a book review). I can’t wait to see what Ivy Fairbanks gives us next!

Morbidly Yours was a gripping, sweet romance that I could not put down. I loved the MMC, Callum, with his initially reserved attitude that bloomed over the course of the novel. Lark was an entertaining and sympathetic FMC, and I appreciated the way she loved her friends and family. However, Lark's inability to deal with confrontation - though unfortunately relatable - was incredibly frustrating throughout the novel, turning the workplace subplot into chapters that I dreaded reading. The resolution was satisfactory, but I honestly could have done without Sean and the drama. I also found Callum's reactions to Sean off-putting, particularly the third-act confrontation.

I enjoyed Morbidly Yours best when it stayed focused on grief and comfort. The author's emotional scenes in those realms felt most complex and authentic. I hope we'll get a return to Galway to see how things play out for Lark's cousin!

Are you worthy of love if you took it for granted once before? Ever been in love and feel like you don’t deserve this person or they deserve better? This book will pull at your heart strings. I loved Callum and his patience with Lark. She just needs to get out of her head and listen to your heart.

Also, I will need this in audio too so I can hear a sexy Irish accent!

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

Morbidly Yours is a slow burn romance between a widow and an undertaker. After her husband's untimely passing, Lark finds herself moving from Texas to Ireland for a fresh start. There, she meets her neighbor, Callum, an undertaker who needs to find a wife in 8 months or else he'll lose his business to his father.

I enjoyed the premise of this book however it took a while for me to warm up to the characters, especially Lark. I did not like the way she acted or presented herself, especially socially (like when she met Callum), but she did grow on me midway into the book. The romance was quite interesting given both Lark and Callum's situations. I thoroughly enjoyed it, along with the good amount of humor and banter. 3 stars

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Ivy Fairbanks for this ARC!

Thank you to Penguin Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC!

I found this book to be very adorable and fun to read! I loved the characters, the way they acted with each other, and seeing their romance play out. But, slow burn is not one of my favorite tropes and I found myself getting bored with it. Slow burn has to be done right for me, but i still did really enjoy this book. I also very much enjoyed the career choices within this book; that made it so fascinating. I am glad I read this book.

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes so that was a plus! But the romance was a slow burn and I felt it dragged at times . It touched on heavy topics such a grief and anxiety, which were all handle really well. Overall an okay read

This was simply adorable! I loved Callum and Lark so much! This book is a super cute grumpy/ sunshine romance set in Ireland and it's filled with deep emotion and humor.

Lark is an American cartoon creator and Callum is an Irish mortician. The two of them strike up an unlikely friendship and then end up falling in love.

I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to Penguin Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC!
I was so blown away and inspired by this book, especially considering this is the author’s debut. Both leads were beautifully fleshed out, especially the female lead, Lark. In addition, Ivy Fairbanks managed to craft a swoon-worthy male lead that is now a top-tier book boyfriend. Callum offers wonderful representation to several different communities, and even the peripheral cast of characters were crafted with genuine diversity. Although it started slow, the beautifully written characters and well-crafted plot had me hooked. I cannot recommend this book enough!

This was a 4,25/5 star read for me. I really enjoyed it and thought that it was a very sweet and cute romance. The characters were so easy to relate to and care about. I loved the plot and thought that it was well written. It was pretty predictable though and I didn't like the big misunderstanding near the end. If it weren't for those two things, I would have rated it a five star. However, I would definitely recommend this book! It's a quick palate cleanser and worth a read.