Laugh aloud funny, Olivia Dade puts the Com firmly back in RomCom with ZomRomCom. She also puts the Zom first and foremost–this is a very bloody, harrowing book! I expected monsterfucking (which I got, I guess, if you're into vampires) but the focus really does feel like the plot over the romance. Which–great. Someone immediately grab the rights and turn it into a show.

Once my expectations for the book fell away, I had an amazing time, especially when more characters came into play.

No...one...

Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me. The opening chapters are clunky and I lost interest pretty quickly. I love that the MC is a plus size woman though

I have enjoyed some of Olivia Dade’s contemporary romances, and the cover and premise hooked me immediately. The book itself, however, feels quite literally half-baked. Like someone grabbed a bunch of theoretically compatible ingredients, did some test kitchen experiments, and pulled the final product out of the oven way too early. There was a lot of info dumping, and while the characters were fun, their attitudes and motivations made very little sense in context. This was a pretty chipper and goofy bunch of people, considering they’re living in a zombie death zone. Max was the most confusing to me. I couldn’t square his species characteristics (vampire) with his backstory (sad, no spoilers) or his attitude towards Edie (insert confused emoji here). This either needed to be almost entirely about Edie and Max finally getting to know each other and fall in love, with some zombie survival stuff thrown in, or a full-on paranormal with proper world-building, with the romance as a subplot. As it is, we got a lot of long-winded exposition and a relationship that felt spoon-fed to both the characters and the reader. There was a lot of spice, but the cake it was baked into, which should have been fluffy, fell flat.

3.5/5
The first line of this books just sets the tone immediately, a romcom set with zombies, vampires and other supernatural beings. The banter and humour is top notch. The characters are quirky.
Edie lives in a zombie containment zone. After losing her parents 20 years ago in a zombie attack, she tries to keep an eye out and protect her neighbourhood. Enter her weird euro bro neighbour "Chad" - who Edie saves from a zombie, only to figure out he's not who he says he is. Chad is actually a vampire and extremely lethal as well as hiding many secrets of his own. When the attacks continue, Edie and Chad go on an adventure to discover the bigger plot/ scheme at play and save the day.
This was a fun read. It started off a little clunky and disjointed for me and then built up nicely to a good flow.
Some structural issues in the writing and plot, but overall it was a good read! Love the representation of plus size heroines.

YIKES with all the respect possible, i am dnf’ing this one halfway through. i have read and loved every oliva dade yet and this being her paranormal debut, i was more than willing to tag along this genre shift but i don’t think it’s my cup of tea 🫣 now if that sounds perfect for you, i would i
highly recommend, she’s a great writer with laugh out loud moments and plenty of steam.

thank you netgalley and berkley for this arc, and i will not provide a public review currently! 💙

Zomromcom by Olivia Dade is a total gem—a perfect mix of humor, action, and heart that kept me glued to the page from beginning to end. This book blends zombies, vampires, and romance in a way that feels fresh and fun, while also packing in plenty of emotional depth.

Edie Brandstrup is a character you can't help but root for. She's brave, compassionate, and fiercely determined to protect others, even when the world is falling apart around her. When a zombie breach forces her into the middle of a life-or-death situation, she’s shocked to find that her seemingly harmless neighbor, Max Boucher, isn’t quite what he seems—he’s actually a centuries-old, incredibly surly vampire. Despite his gruff exterior, Max is surprisingly protective of Edie, and their dynamic is pure magic. The banter between them is sharp and witty, with just enough tension to make their blossoming romance feel irresistible.

The plot is fast-paced and full of twists, keeping you on your toes as Edie and Max team up to uncover a dangerous conspiracy to release zombies on the world again. Their journey is equal parts thrilling and funny, with a solid balance between high-stakes action and heartfelt moments. The romance between Edie and Max builds gradually, and it’s so satisfying to see them grow closer, even as they’re fighting for their lives.

What makes Zomromcom stand out, though, is the cast of secondary characters. The quirky, lovable allies they encounter add so much charm and humor to the story, giving it the perfect balance of lightness and tension. Dade’s writing is sharp, fast, and full of wit, effortlessly blending humor with the darker elements of the plot.

At its core, Zomromcom is about fighting for what—and who—you believe in, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Watching Edie and Max navigate their complex feelings for each other while trying to save the world from another zombie apocalypse had me hooked. The book’s ending (without giving anything away) is sweet and satisfying, leaving you with all the feels.

If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly emotional read that mixes romance, humor, and a dash of danger, Zomromcom is the perfect pick. Olivia Dade has created a unique and wildly entertaining story that’s sure to make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even cheer.

Possibly my favorite Olivia dade ever which is high praise. I cannot wait for more books in this world. The world building is fantastic.