Title: ZomRomCom
Author: Olivia Dade
Shelf Placement: Middle Shelf

Olivia Dade takes one of the most absurd combinations imaginable, zombies and romance, and somehow makes it work in the most charming way. This isn’t just about surviving the apocalypse; it’s about finding humor, humanity, and maybe even love when everything else is falling apart.

The premise is simple but fun: two people are thrown together in the middle of a zombie outbreak, and while fighting to stay alive, they end up developing a connection that’s equal parts banter, teamwork, and genuine chemistry. What I loved is how Dade leans into the ridiculousness of it all while still giving us characters who feel real. There’s a balance between over-the-top zombie mayhem and quieter, emotional beats that sneak up on you.

The leads are both likable and well-drawn. Their banter feels like a tennis match, quick volleys back and forth that keep you grinning. And while the humor is what drives the book, the romance doesn’t get lost in the chaos. The tension between them builds naturally, even when they’re in the middle of running from the undead.

Is it groundbreaking? No. But it’s not trying to be. This is a comfort read in the most unconventional way possible, something you pick up when you want a few laughs, a bit of gore, and a happy ending that still feels earned.

Vibe:
Lighthearted apocalypse with plenty of laughs and a soft, slow-burn romance buried under the zombie guts. Think Shaun of the Dead with more kissing.

Who I’d Recommend It To:
Fans of rom-coms who don’t mind a little horror, Olivia Dade loyalists looking for something playful, and readers who want a love story that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“Teaming up with your neighbor during a zombie outbreak is a no-brainer, but if it turns out he’s a vampire . . . the stakes couldn’t be higher”

I’ve loved Olivia Dade ever since I read (and reread and reread) “All the Feels”. When I saw this book on NetGalley as a “read now” I don’t ever think I’ve pushed that button as fast as I have before…and I’m so glad I did.

Not only was this book absolutely hilarious, but the banter itself made everything worth it. I loved that the FMC wasn’t some skinny 20 something, but a 38 year old plus sized girlie. Add that against a grumpy vampire with some paranormal plot twists and you’ve got the makings of a great book. Comedic gold! I can’t wait to read more paranormal stuff by Olivia!!!

A special thank you from NetGalley, Berkley, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an amazing read! Thank you so much to @acebookspub and @berkleyromance for sending me a copy of this book! If you are a lover of romance, paranormal (zombies and vamps), suspense, and the perfect amount of humor and hilarious moments, you will want to pick this book up! This book had me laughing, had me on the edge of my seat, and had me totally enthralled. I was rooting for Edie and Max (Gaston) the entire time!

This was a fun and fairly cozy RomCom, with zombies! On top of that you get vampires, fae, witches, trolls, and other supernatural beings. It’s a crazy mix I would never think to create, and yet it worked. I maybe would have liked a little more world building in regard to the creation of the zombies. However, I feel we get enough to be able to follow the story just fine, and this is in fact a romcom so I don’t expect crazy world building.
I love the idea that this is dystopian zombie world, like Walking Dead, and yet still fairly modernized with technology and such. For example, I think it is hilarious and adorable that is a soap maker. Her interactions with Max are cute and I LOVE the many renditions of “Gaston” she comes up with. I also found it weirdly adorable that he constantly refers to her as “human,” especially when he’s annoyed or teasing her. I would think I should find it condescending, but I don’t.
I really enjoyed when they decided to get help with their plans, and all the characters we ended up meeting. It was the funniest ragtag group of beings and they entertained me endlessly. I especially loved the trolls.
The ending was dramatic and cute all at once. I really liked how it was done and I loved the hint towards where we will go with the next installment.

Olivia Dade never fails to entertain.

This was something completely different for this author — the world build was kind of Walking Dead meets Shaun of the Dead with romantic twist.

I loved it. I can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s not my usual genre, but I live for a good frenemies to lovers. especially written with Dade’s usual spice level. 🥵

As usual, Dade’s characters are written with depth — there are undertones of more serious topics, including grief and prejudice. But despite that, overall, it was a wild and fun read. Definitely recommend it, especially if you’ve wanted to see what it would be like for the type of characters that Olivia Dade writes in a post apocalyptic world. 🧟🧛🏻‍♂️🧌

Thank you to the author, publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy; this review is my honest opinion and feedback.

This book was so silly goofy.

Imagine all supernaturals creatures are real and are dealing with a zombie invasion.

Edie’s only neighbor was about to be attacked and sweet human sunshine Edie went to help him out not knowing he’s a vampire posing as a “Chad” archetype.

This leads them to find out that there is a second zombie breach and no one is helping them even after alerting authorities.

I know the premise was supposed to be non serious but the jokes got kinda tired… and after meeting a few of the secondary characters at the back half of the book I was kinda over the book itself.

But if you’re in the mood for something non serious and features paranormal romance, this one is for you!

I loved this book! To start with the positives, I love the way that Olivia Dade is always able to make a character's sense of humor seem natural to them. Every joke cracked is individual to their sense of self and it was amazing. Sometimes the world building was a little confusing when it came to the zones and the walls. I loved getting to know all of the different types of supernatural characters included in this book. Honestly? Wish we got more of Chad flashbacks because him posing as that character to drive her away SENT me over the edge with a case of the giggles.

Stars: 3.5 rounded up

I’ll start with this book was a highly anticipated read for me as I really like Olivia Dade’s other books, and while I had fun, the book fell a little flat for me.

The good: I found myself enjoying the book and found myself interested in continuing to pick it up. I also enjoyed Dade’s particular brand of quirky humor combined with an older plus sized FMC with mental health rep. As always, consent is a number one focus in her spicy scenes and this book is no different. I also appreciated the flamboyant clothing for the MMC. Love to be introduced to an MMC in sheepskin backless chaps.

However, the book was a little too over the top for my taste as the plot was uneven and I didn’t totally understand it at times. Moreover, the romance was too instalust for me with two spicey scenes by the 45% mark and continued at that pace throughout the book. I also did not jive with the cringy dirty talk or the really odd nick names used in the book (my flea as a term of endearment is definitely a choice). Also, as others have mentioned, the Gaston jokes were cute at first but got kind of old pretty fast. I’ll add that I expected to this to be a standalone and was surprised by the ending indicating there will be a sequel. I will probably read the sequel.

Thank you to Olivia Dade and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for providing an ebook. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

I just wanna start out and say a huge thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

Review:

I really wanted to like this book, I really did. I was super excited going into it because I love anything zombie apocalypse related and this one had supernaturals thrown in too, Fae, demons, trolls… literally everything was in here 😂

But I think I was expecting more of a survival of the fittest kind of story. Instead, the world still had stuff like YouTube, Etsy, and Instagram, which kind of threw me off. It didn’t feel like the end of the world it felt like regular life with zombies and magic in the background.

One thing I did love was the plus size rep. You don’t see that often, and I really appreciated that the main character was just existing as she was and not constantly trying to shrink herself or change to fit in.

Now… the romance. Yeah. The tension between the MFC and MMC was kind of awkward. Some moments were cute, but a lot of it just felt cringy. And she kept singing the Gaston song whenever the MMC did something cocky or sweet which was funny at first, but got old fast.

Also, the pacing dragged for me. It felt like it took forever to get to the actual point of the story. A lot of things in the middle could’ve been cut or at least trimmed down. when we finally got to the ending, it didn’t feel complete. I’m not sure if there’s going to be a second book, but it definitely left things hanging in a way that didn’t feel super satisfying.

I love Olivia Dade, I love vampires, I love curvy FMCs, so this was a win win win for me!! Such a fun romp.

This was a fun Zombie story! I liked that in this world we have other types of supernatural beings that exist as well as Zombies.

I do wish we had a bit more backstory as opposed to just being dropped into the world with sprinkles of how we got here. But overall it was a funny and quick story.

Precious! Was a fun quick read for spooky season coming up! It was nice to see a fun, wild take on zombies, adventure, and vampires, with a romantic comedy vibe ! The book didn’t take itself too seriously, making for a fun and heartfelt ride. Plus it was wonderful to see positive representation and support for a plus size FMC! You will laugh and then get all the feels from this book, with everything a romance reader is looking for in the fall. Don’t go in with expectations that it’s going to be life changing, but it’s definitely adorable and has a whole lot of heart!

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#BerkleyPartner #Berkley

“I want nothing more than this. Nothing more than you. You’re mine, ma puce. Mine to protect. Mine to keep and cherish as long as I draw breath on this earth, and possibly after that too, if I have my way.” 🥹

Zomromcom by @oliviadade is a scarily funny and sexy good time! 😍🧟‍♂️

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 x A Million Zombies!

ZOMROMCOM IS EASILY ONE OF MY FAVORITE NOVELS I READ THIS YEAR!!! And I’m not saying this for sh*ts and giggles. This book was such an entertaining ride, especially as I am a fan of The Walking Dead for a while now! 🤩

It was so refreshing to see a portrayal of someone in the zombie apocalypse who is plus-size and close to 40! Edie is so sweet, and her inner thoughts made me cackle/swoon at times. Her backstory was so tragic, but gave a depth to the character and how compassionate she was about saving her world! 😊

Oh, Gaston (Max), my vampire man! He has such a dirty mouth and sexy scowl. As soon as I was introduced to him, I fell in love with him IMMEDIATELY!!! Max’s dedication/everlasting love towards Edie was so tender and beautiful. Their chemistry is fantastic and had me craving for more! 🥵

The side characters made the book even more amazing! They were all so hilarious and crazy, especially the trolls and the Girl Scout troops. I wanted to read more about Gwen, as she was so intriguing to me! Probably in the second book, we will know more.

Zomromcom is one of those rare gems that is un-put-down-able! It has sizzling romance, intense action scenes, and hilarious yet heartwarming encounters. In other words: READ THE DANG BOOK, MA PUCE!!! 💖

Thank you to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the opportunity to read/review this ARC! 🤩📚

🏷️: #zomromcom #oliviadade #review #bookrecommendation #bookstagram

I’m honestly not sure how I felt about this one. I had a really hard time connecting and getting connected to the e characters and invested in what they want. But at the same time I’ll also say I kept thinking Beauty and the Beast the entire time and I love that. Maybe it was the him gruff and her wanting to always help.

The humor is quirky. At the start of the zombie apocalypse, Edie is armed with a burrito. There is tons of banter between not only Edie and Max but all the characters.

I loved the voice Joy Nash does for Max in the audiobook. A quirky French accent that I liked even more when he was frustrated with Edie.

There is definitely some spice. One part started as I was sitting at the drive thru and it took me a second to go oh no can they hear that and pause it. 😂

And I eventually did connect and root for them. I think I had to get used to how often Edie reminded me she was overweight. I love when underrepresented characters are front and center in a book but get frustrated when I’m reminded over and over what they’re representing.

Back to Joy Nash and the audiobook. She was fantastic bringing the offbeat humor and quirky situations to life and making them seem so normal. Kudos.

If you’re a fan of the wannabe couple fighting to save humanity, then this is your book. And it seems based on the ending that this is the start of a series. Maybe.

ZomRomCom is exactly what it promises--a gloriously absurd, sexy, and surprisingly tender romp through a zombie outbreak with a vampire hero you’ll want on your side when you battle hordes of zombies in the future (I'm just being realistic here, if we're getting zombies I better also be getting other paranormals and aliens). Edie and Max’s romance starts fast, but quickly turns into a grumpy-sunshine dynamic packed with fierce loyalty, sizzling tension, and plenty of “touch her and die” energy. Max is pure cinnamon roll under all that broody undead scowl, and Edie matches his devotion with her own fiery protectiveness. The zombie-filled world is vivid and cinematic, even if I wanted a bit more history on how we got to this point (I have been a zombie fan since I was young), and the humor is razor-sharp with puns and pop culture references sprinkled like confetti.

The middle slows slightly, but Olivia Dade more than makes up for it with her signature, gloriously open-door spice--especially her celebration of plus size and feeling comfortable in your own skin. I have always loved the way that her writing doesn't feel like it's adding in size as an afterthought, but instead carefully and organically. It’s the kind of romcom that knows it’s ridiculous, leans all the way in, and still manages to melt your heart while making you laugh out loud.

This book was bonkers in the best way! I was a little confused by the worldbuilding but I fell hard for the characters. Their banter had me cackling in public. Amidst all the humor was a whole lot of yearning and I ate it up. Max a delightfully brooding grump and watching him be dragged into Edie's adventures was so fun. Real life has been hard for me lately and this was just the perfect light book I needed. If you're looking for a silly and heartfelt read definitely check this one out!

Thanks to NetGalley for access to a review copy.

I very much enjoy Olivia Dade's books and this was no exception. Light and lots of fun. I don't think this Dade's best work (thus the three stars), but I did enjoy it and I think it has wide appeal.

Zomromcom was a departure for Olivia Dade, bringing us into a land of zombies, vampires, witches, faeries and enhanced humans. The adventures and escape plot lines of the main characters were fun, but some of the quips and banter between them was a little too cheesy for my taste. I know Olivia Dade often deals in cheese, but this veered a little too close to cringey for me, personally. That said, the romance scenes were spicy and the imagined post-apocalyptic vibes of the world she was describing were good and grounding. The overall story was interesting and I’d happily recommend this book to anyone who likes these types of stories and doesn’t mind too much wink-wink, nod-nod cheese.

Zomromcom is an undeniably quirky and fun paranormal romance that blends zombies, vampires, witches, and soap making into a wild, sometimes silly mix. The premise, government-created zombie super soldiers breaking loose and threatening the world, has definite potential, and the sharp humor, witty banter, and charming characters kept me entertained. Edie, a sassy, plus-sized soap maker with a heavy past, and Max, an ancient vampire with a biting wit and unexpected tenderness, make a fun, if occasionally awkward, romantic pair. The FMC’s body positivity and emotional strength stand out as a refreshing and welcome representation.

However, the book struggles with pacing and world-building. The story plunges you right into a supernatural apocalypse with little explanation, making it sometimes hard to fully grasp the setting or stakes. The romance felt rushed and leaned heavily on insta-love, which clashed a bit with the potential for a slow burn, tension filled connection. Some of the banter came off as forced rather than natural, and the sex scenes occasionally felt cringe-worthy rather than steamy. The ending was abrupt and left several threads dangling without resolution or epilogue.

That said, the book embraces its own ridiculousness wholeheartedly, from zombies that somehow speak French to Max’s fashion-forward vampire antics, and there is a lot of genuine warmth beneath the zaniness. The mix of campy gore, serious discussions about grief, and playful humor creates an uneven but often enjoyable read. Fans of lighthearted paranormal romcoms with a dash of chaos and heart might find this one worth a try. For me, it was an amusing distraction but not quite a standout, landing solidly in the middle with room for growth in future installments.

Honestly, this is wild especially since the big fight is literally one chapter but I laughed out loud a million times and I’ll never watch Beauty and The Beast the same again.

When I was telling my husband about the plot, he said it was like the movie ‘Warm Bodies’ so if that’s your vibe, I’d definitely recommend. I’m glad I read it but zombie books are not really for me (I will lay down and die at the very beginning of the apocalypse) but I enjoyed it. It’s my first Olivia Dade and possibly not the last.