Vada is a mourner for hire, she will pretend to be your long lost daughter, your secret lover, or help your child grieve your death. Dominic “Dunner” runs the local bar but had other dreams he was unable to follow. The two meet during a traffic jam when Vada’s bladder is about to explode and spend a meaningful night together. Months later Dominic finds out that his mother hired Vada but he doesn’t know the particulars and thinks Vada is a scammer who took advantage of his mother. Months go by and these two start to understand each other and Vada starts to get her childhood memories back. Lots of fighting, loving, sand, and a little bit of deaths spirit.

This book intrigued me because of Vada being a funeral mourner, I wanted to see how the author handled it, which they handled very well. I was laughing at some of the funeral scenes and overall it didn’t feel morbid or disrespectful. This book is not dark, it’s light and at times comedic. I didn’t like Dominic for most of the book, I realize he was mourning his mother but he didn’t need to lash out at Vada. Vada on the other hand handled him pretty well. The story wrapped up well and didn’t feel rushed. HEA

Mourner for Hire by Caitlin Moss
This was my first time reading this author’s work and although I enjoyed the premise of the story and Vada’s unique profession and perspective, I got about 50% of the way through before I put it down. Why? Let’s start at the beginning…. Vada and Dominic’s “meet cute” was captivating and full of chemistry. At the very beginning, he was aware of her profession but when his mother hires Vada for her own funeral ( as part of a long term plan to help Vada discover her past and Dominic to see Vada is his future), he loses his mind. Throughout the book his grief turns to an anger heat seeking missel . The way he treats her gets progressively worse. All of his friends and supporting characters even tell him Vada is a good person and undeserving of his ire, but he can’t seem to stop himself. To the point he goes to the cabin his mom stipulated that Vada renovate and gets into an argument with Vada which ends with him punching the wall. That was it for me. Skimming the following pages, she forgives him with very minimal grovel and signs that Dominic has learned to deal with grief.

3.5+ rounded up to a 4 - a quirky, funny read.

Vada has an unique job that leaves her in precarious situations, sometimes giving some 'lol' moments. When she is back in the small town of Shellport to fulfill a clients last wishes (part of her job) and being followed by her client's spirit. That spirit is a hoot, haha but also guiding Vada through some past trauma that Vada endured in the past.

MMC, Dominic was a twat-waffle through a good portion of this book, I am slightly mad about it. He is going through some stuff and while some of his attitude can maybe be justified (everyone deals with things differently), some things he did to Vada was just kind of like a "really?!" moment for me. Yes, this is an enemies to lovers book, I can't explain why I was not on board with some of his attitude, Vada is there just to do her job!? However, Vada - loved her. Stood her ground and faced the town despite what she knew they were all thinking about her. Tough cookie to say the least.

Thank you to Netgalley and Caitlin Moss for a e-copy of an ARC.

So I really didn't know what to expect from this book. A lot of novels follow the same patterns, which when you love a subject, it's still exciting even when you know a third-act breakup is up next. This book, however, was funny, thought-provoking, emotional and had trust the right amount of romance. It gave a new perspective on career that most people would never even think to highlight in a romance novel. Vada and Dominic are both strong lead characters, with so much depth, giving the book a great story line.

I will defiantly will be checking out Caitlin Moss' previous novels and I look forward to seeing this one be the topic of discussion for many in the coming months.

Grief, funerals, and being haunted by the ghost of someone who employed you are all difficult things to go through but those same things are what made this story so unique and interesting. I loved reading about someone who works as a professional mourner. I really liked Vada. She showed so much respect and actually grieved for the people who hired her to mourn her as a professional mourner. She was overall a great and lovable character.

Dominic and Vada’s feelings for each other alternated between attraction and hate towards each. His anger towards Vada became too much and he was too disrespectful towards her. He didn’t have good enough redeeming qualities for her to have forgiven him so easily. She was way too good for him.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book made me feel every emotion, from happiness to sadness and back again. I loved this cozy small town romance with a dash of mystery and paranormal bits mixed in! Vada was such a cool and relatable character. I felt her journey so deeply and watching her fall for Dominic was both hilarious and heartwarming. Now I’m crying, but only happy tears. 5 stars!!

I thought the synopsis of this book sounded really interesting, but I didn't expect to love it the way that I did and to read it in one sitting.

I've never read any books by the author previously, but I'll definitely be reading more.

Vada's job is definitely an unusual one, as a professional mourner, and so it could have easily became quite a morbid book but the author kept it surprisingly light, with some dark humour sprinkled through at times. I was not expecting to laugh and come close to crying as much as I did! There were definitely parts of the story that were just beautiful and emotionally sucker punched me in the best kind of way.

This was almost perfect and the only reason it didn't quite get the full marks was just for the way that Dunner spoke to Vada at times. I tried to put myself in his shoes and so I really do understand that grief can make us say things and act in a way that we wouldn't normally, coupled with the fact he thought Vada had scammed his mother. And I think I could have forgiven him for that, but then he also seems to question whether Vada is just too unconventional and weird for him and I just felt so protective of her🙈 it made me slightly question if he was good enough for her.

But this was still so enjoyable for me and I've already recommended it to others.
I loved the character of Annabelle especially and although she irritated Vada throughout, I think the reasons for everything she did became so clear and special and it was a great conclusion.

4.5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

I love books where the lead has an unusual job and what is more unusual than a Mourner for Hire. Whether you want to bring some extra drama and mystery to your funeral or just ensure you have at least one attendee, Vada is your girl. When she is hired by a woman with an extensive wishlist that will take months to complete, she cannot say no to the huge paycheck that will come with it. When she arrives at the funeral, she finds out that the son is no stranger, but the bartender once she shared a heated kiss and hasn't seen since. The situation seems tense, so let's throw in the ghost of the deceased to really put the pressure on Vada!

I loved every minute of this book! This is definitely a quirky romcom with a touch of mystery, but it also has so much depth. The various portrayals of grief and heartache and dealing with the tragedy of death are raw and honest, while simultaneously joyful and funny. I loved the main characters and their tension. I wouldn't necessarily classify it as enemies to lovers, but instead, "I can't stand you, but I want you".

Perfect read for spooky season and would recommend it to any romcom lover! Thank you Caitlin Moss for providing this arc via NetGalley.

Will be posting video review to Tiktok before the end of the month.

I was immediately drawn into this book because of the unusual nature of Vada's job. She is a "Mourner for Hire", which is more complex than you might think. She completes tasks for people after they've passed. It may be attending a funeral, pretending to be a long lost daughter, or sleeping at the cemetery.
Vada's mom died when she was 8 and she has repressed most memories of her childhood. When she's hired by a woman from her hometown, she begins to have snippets of her memory return.
This book has some great characters (here's looking at you, Anabelle), and a lot of emotional growth.
Overall, this was a quirky rom-com that wrecked me at the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and Caitlin Moss for an early copy for review.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely adored this read, and I’ll be reading more by the author and recommending it to friends.

* small coastal town
* fall vibes
* enemies to lovers
* deep emotional growth

Vada is the mourner for hire from the title. Due to emotional trauma stemming from losing her mother at a young age, she can’t remember her childhood at all. She channels her grief and confusion by providing comfort to people after their death, fulfilling their funereal wishes. This might be simply attending the funeral so that the dead are not alone, but it could also be much more humorous. She shares a moment with bar owner Dunner in Shellport, Oregon while meeting a new client. But almost a year later, when she returns to carry out the wishes of her client, she finds out Dunner is the son of the deceased. He knows what she does and he is angry, devastated and confused. Throw in a lengthy to-do list provided by the deceased and a ghost, and here we are.

There is so much emotional growth in this story. While working through her contractually obligated list of tasks, Vada recovers memories of her childhood and this emotional awakening guides the course of the story. At the same time, Dunner is navigating the crushing grief of losing his mother and blaming Vada for being there. She’s a scapegoat for his anger but no matter how angry he is, he can’t escape his physical attraction and emotional connection to her. There’s a strong cast of side characters and it creates a well-fleshed world. Both characters learn to heal as they learn to trust and love each other. The author does an amazing job showing the effects of grief and healing.

Thank you so much Caitlin Moss for sending me an early copy of this amazing book. Thank you NetGalley for being an avenue for amazing Indie Authors to share their work!
Once again Caitlin had me crying throughout this book. Mostly toward the end where I was walking on the treadmill and couldn't see anymore. I relate to this book in so many ways, some might think I am a bit morbid. But really, who doesn't or hasn't thought about "Will anyone show up at my funeral" "Will my kids fight over all the things", "Will I be remembered in a good way?" So many thoughts. I laughed out loud so much in this book, in true Caitlin writing fashion there was funny MFC and the MMC too hot to describe. I ate this book up and you should too!

“I want your gray skies, your lost memories, your haunted nights, and your bad days.” 🖤

Mourner for Hire by Caitlin Moss was the quirky little rom-com I didn’t know I needed. I fully judged this one by the cover and title (guilty!), but it totally delivered—and I’m so glad it did.

The story kicks off with an adorable spark between Vada and Dominic. Vada’s job? She’s a professional mourner—yep, she gets paid to attend funerals. Clients hire her before they pass for all sorts of personal, emotional reasons, and I actually loved reading those little backstories. Her job isn’t exactly easy, but it’s strangely touching and totally unique.

Then comes Dominic. Their meet-cute is sweet and full of instant chemistry… until Vada shows up at his mom’s funeral. Yep. Plot twist: Annabelle (Dominic’s mother) hired Vada before her death, and left her in charge of flipping the family’s beach house. Cue the grief, the awkwardness, the attraction—and, oh yeah, the ghost of Annabelle who’s not ready to be quiet just yet.

As Vada spends more time in this small coastal town, she uncovers pieces of her own forgotten past, all while renovating a house, navigating ghostly visits, and slowly rebuilding trust with Dominic. It’s funny, emotional, spooky in the softest way, and full of heart. I laughed, I teared up, and I rooted so hard for these two to get the ending they deserved.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Net Galley, publishers, and Caitlin Moss for an arc in exchange for a review.

I loved this book! It was fun, entertaining, quirky, and thought provoking! The story was original, who can say they've read a book about a mourner for hire who ends up falling in love with her dead clients son while also fulfilling her duties as told in a will and learning about her forgotten past? Yeah, me neither. If you like dark romantic comedies I suggest trying this one out! It's a fast paced read that is funny, emotional, reflective, and a little bit swoon worthy! I loved the characters and their development and banter throughout the book.

TW- Grief and death

This was a definite 5 stars for me. I loved it from the get go, I loved the promise I loved the small town vibes and I loved the characters. A beautiful read that I didn’t want to end.

This was a fun, cozy fall read.
I enjoyed the atmospheric setting, solid tension, and bit of spookiness. This was such a unique story full of love, grief, and discovery.

I'd recommend Mourner for Hire to those who love a small-town enemies to lovers story.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

When a professional mourner with a knack for blending grief and grit is hired to cry at a stranger’s funeral, she stumbles into a mystery that’s equal parts haunting and heartfelt. Returning to her hometown after 20 years, will she spend more time here than necessary or stay for the job and only the job.

What unfolds is a surreal, spellbinding story laced with dark humor, tender longing, and the kind of quirky found-family dynamics that linger long after the last page. Our fmc's voice sparkles with sardonic charm, but beneath the snark lies deep emotional nuance, especially when navigating grief, identity, and the messy mechanics of closure.

Filled with quips and charming small town vibes, perfect fall read. Distinctly gilmore girl vibes

Okay I just LOVED Mourner for Hire!

You will also love this if you are into:
💪STRONG FMCs who know who they are, even if they are dealing with some shit
☂️Jobs that are a little bit different! Vada is a professional mourner!
⚰️Funerals
🖤Broody AF MMCs who are grumpy, miserable and angsty in the BEST POSSIBLE WAY
❤️‍🔥Enemies to lovers and this was done SO well in this book!!
🔥Slow burn filled with pretend-ish hate
🌶️Nice and spicy when they finally get it on! (3/5 medium spice level)
💔Characters each navigating their own grief
💖Secrets from the past being slowly revealed
🌙Characters finding themselves, each other and pursuing their dreams
👻A GHOST

I throughly enjoyed this and I think this is one of those books that is going to stay with me for a long time.

If you're thinking about picking this up, GRAB IT NOW!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the early review copy in exchange for an honest review! 🙏

I loved this book! It is the perfect romantic comedy!

Picture this you’re a mourner for hire and your one-night stand is now the son of a woman who hired you before she passed to not only attend her funeral but also remodel the home meant for her son…cue the theatrics cuz he’s not happy about it, and is not a fan of your job. Will they put aside their differences? Can she remember her childhood? And why is the house and man so familiar? Oh, and now the mother keeps popping up as a ghost. PERFECTION. It worked so well.

There is a bit of magical realism (a ghost appears), realistic processing of grief, amazing main characters, a bit of mystery, perfect small-town vibes, and authentic enemies to lovers!!

The sentence flow and prose are also amazing. I couldn’t put the book down!

Obsessed with Vada and Dominic’s coffee order btw, shot of espresso in it and two Splenda, 10/10 recommend.

My book reviews are usually so much longer but I have no notes- it was that good. The concept alone should interest people in reading, adding in the mystery of Vada’s childhood, and Dominic just made it even better.

will post a link to an Instagram review on publication date

I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced release copy of this book. A different take but it was pretty good.

I found this a really different and interesting concept for a romance novel. It was a really good and in depth exploration of grief, and I was particularly pleased that there was a trigger warning at the start. Always appreciate that in a light book which deals with tough themes. Whilst I enjoyed the book overall, I wasn’t gripped by it and couldn’t quite get invested in the main characters, although I did enjoy the wider characters and small town charm.