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.

😮‍💨 Okay. First off YES.
The end.

Just kidding…

Veda has the unconventional job of making sure the deceaseds last wishes are carried out at their funeral. Anything from just making sure someone shows up to creating a little bit of scandal and everything in between. All requests come right from the “deceased” before it’s their time to go. When just another job brings her back to her childhood town she’s haunted in more ways than one.

LOVED THIS. She had me right from the dedication to weird girls. I’m not a rom com / romance book gal. This one is interesting because there’s some spice (ooooooooh there’s spice) but it also weaves in and out of some more serious subjects like grief. Yes it’s a romcom yes is a romance, but it felt a bit deeper. Disclaimer if you’re not a little bit weird / maybe a little morbid this probably isn’t for you.

PS. Annabelle is my ghost goals.

Thank you Caitlin Moss via NetGalley for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Mourner For Hire is a refreshingly original romantic comedy that blends grief, humor, and the supernatural in a way that’s both touching and wildly entertaining. Caitlin Moss introduces us to Vada Daughtry, a professional mourner with a mysterious past, whose life takes a sharp turn when she crosses paths with Dominic Dunne—and his very opinionated ghost of a mother.

The enemies-to-lovers tension between Vada and Dominic is deliciously slow-burn, and the coastal town of Shellport is the perfect backdrop for this emotionally rich, slightly spooky tale. The core story shines with wit, warmth, and a surprising amount of heart.

Perfect for fans of paranormal romance with a twist, this book is a delightful reminder that sometimes, the dead have the most to teach us about living.

Funny, fresh, and just the right amount of morbid—Mourner For Hire is such a smart, sharp read. The voice is unforgettable, the concept is so unique, and I tore through it. Weird in all the best ways.

I adored this story. I was a bit hesitant at first but after the second chapter I was hooked and read as quickly as I could.

Both main characters were endearing in their own way. The enemies were enemy-ing in the perfect way and then the lovers loved just as beautifully. The premise was unique and the execution was so well done. I especially loved the weirder elements, it's nice when a romance is in its own little adjacent reality.

I have already recommended this book to multiple weird romance loving friends, it's such a fun little ride that had me laughing then crying then laughing again.

Thank you to the author, Caitlin Moss, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Mourner For Hire is quirky, heartbreaking, humorous, and romantic. Vada, a professional mourner, gets paid to attend strangers’ funerals and invent tender memories for the bereaved. The story explores grief, unexpected love, and finding meaning in unconventional places.

The story takes off when Vada encounters Dominic at his mother’s funeral. Their crackling tension and witty banter evolves into something tender and emotionally rich. The chemistry feels authentic, and their slow-burn romance adds depth to an already layered narrative.

✨ What stands out:
-Original premise
-Unforgettable lead
-Emotional balance of sorrow and humor
-Strong character development
-Vibrant dialogue
-A thoughtful look at loss, healing, and identity

Overall, it’s beautifully written, fast-paced, and full of heart.

🔖 trigger warnings: death, grief, emotional trauma

Wow I don’t know if I laughed more or cried more! This was an easy, fast paced, light hearted read. It tackled serious topics like death and grief, but somehow found the light in them. I loved the fmc and her quirkiness, her unique job and the struggles she overcame especially in her childhood. I loved the chemistry between her and the mmc, even though it was complex. I wasn’t expecting the paranormal vibe to the book but honestly that just made it even better somehow! Such an unexpectedly fantastic read, and one of the easiest 5 stars I’ve given a book in a while

I really liked the premise of this story. Young lady orphaned at age 8 sustains a memory loss that affects her decisions and career opportunities to where she creates a business to fulfill people’s individualized expectations at their funerals. She meets Annabelle nine months before her demise and the request is to renovate her beach cottage, follow a to-do list, and “find” something. The twist occurs when Annabelle materializes to make sure her instructions are followed!
I thoroughly enjoyed this clever, heartfelt, and romantic story of connections.

This was a very interesting story with a lighthearted take on Ghosts and haunting. As someone who has lost a loved one very recently, the overall plot occasionally rubbed me the wrong way. The main male protagonist came of as very immature and petty at times, while the main female protagonist was too forgiving. The story had a very cute and wholesome conclusion that tied up all the loose ends very neatly.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this and give my unbiased opinion.

They say, “Never judge a book by its cover.” but everyone knows we all do it anyway and if you say you don’t, suuuure *wink wink*. I knew I was going to love this book before I ever started reading it. Sometimes you just get that feeling. The absolute emotional rollercoaster this book sends you on! There’s explosive chemistry, then (the best) hate fueled banter with a heavy side of sexual tension with sprinkles of vulnerability before being gut punched and then set to rights again. I love the way the author made everything come full circle by the end and the little glimpse of the future we get in the epilogue was perfect. If you enjoy books by Ashley Poston, you’ll love this one too! I personally cannot wait to add a physical copy to my trophy shelf when it releases!

Thank you NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved every second of this. It starts off really strong and carries that momentum throughout. Plus there is a great small town atmosphere.

The main characters have a great dynamic and I enjoyed their dialogue with one another. They also have fantastic chemistry, even just from the first meeting the chemistry was there, and then later some fun banter.

I only read the blurb and not the entire synopsis, so I didn't realize there would be a ghost, but I didn't mind even though I was expecting just a regular cute romcom, I did like the paranormal incorporation.

There are light and humorous moments, but also some emotionally heavy ones as well. I was teary-eyed so many times.

Only complaints, and very minor, were some slight inconsistencies. At one point it says she grabs her jeans off the floor and puts them on, though she was wearing a dress, and then shortly after mentions that she put her dress on backward, so what happened with the jeans? The jeans that actually shouldn't have been there to begin with.

I’m such a fangirl for Caitlin Moss’s writing. She writes romance in ways that aren’t always traditional or expected. Sometimes it’s really messy and frustrating. That’s what life really looks like. Mourner for Hire is a romance dipped in grief with a twist of magical realism. I’m here for it all.
Vada attends funerals hired by the deceased to fulfill one last dying wish. She doesn’t expect that her latest client will unlock some unresolved memories from her past and take her on a journey through her grief.
Dominck “Dunner” has just lost his mother to cancer and now he has to fight through his own grief while trying to process his mother’s wishes that have been written in her will. Their two paths will intersect and it makes the most interesting enemies to lovers love story.


Sometimes in this type of trope, there really isn’t a valid reason for the hate or it gets resolved so quickly as to not warrant the title of rage to lovers. This story is filled with all the emotional baggage and the rage feels genuine and heavy but as the story progresses, it’s obvious Vada is just the vehicle for the emotions to be poured upon. I know at times it was pissing me off how worked up he was but it really felt true and raw and their attraction never felt too far from the surface. Just loved their connection.


Truly a beautiful story of a mother’s love for her son and a daughter’s love for her long-lost mother along with a love story.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received an ARC of Mourner for Hire by Caitlin Moss from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.


This is a quirky, grief-infused contemporary romance about a professional mourner who gets paid to cry at strangers' funerals, and occasionally carry out their last, death related requests, which is an absolutely wacky, delightful premise that sadly doesn’t get nearly enough page time. I was expecting more funeral shenanigans, and instead got a small-town slow-burn romance with a side of ghostly guidance, simmering family drama, and a lot of wandering through grief and memory. Which is fine! It’s just not quite what I signed up for based on the premise, and the bait-and-switch left me a little cold.

Let’s start with what worked: Vada. I loved her voice, her emotional complexity, and her genuine weirdness. She’s someone I’d want to be friends with, someone trying her best, even when she’s clearly in over her head. I loved the idea of her job so much—it’s morbid and theatrical and surprisingly poignant—and I would’ve happily read 100 more pages of funeral-related antics. There are moments of sharp, moving prose that catch you off guard, and I did genuinely care about Vada's journey of grief and self-discovery. The problem was that everything else around Vada kinda fell flat. For example, Dominic was… a hot mess. I get that he’s grieving. That’s the whole point. But the way he treats Vada for most of the book is borderline cruel, and the fact that all is forgiven after one half-hearted apology didn’t sit right with me. There should have been so much more groveling. If you’re going to emotionally wreck someone, at least make it worth it.

Then we have the townspeople. Too many people in this small town seemed to know who Vada was (Marylou, Mrs. Nettles), which made it incredibly frustrating that they all just watched her flail around, clueless, for most of the story. Why did no one just tell her the truth? Dramatic tension is great, but this just felt like a contrivance. And poor Connor was set up as a perfectly nice romantic option, then unceremoniously dropped halfway through the book after being weirdly maligned for… existing? And bestie Morgan gets two throwaway references and one (admittedly amazing scene) and then nada. It’s like Moss created a few too many characters for her to keep track of.

Things I loved: Vada’s weird little job. The few glimpses we got of her professional mourning expertise were amazing (especially the secret sisters bit). Also, as much as Dominic was an ass, he and Vada did have some really good banter. For what it’s worth, he felt like a real person (even if his internal monologues/character voice sounded a little too much like Vada’s at times).

Things I didn’t: The lack of grovel, for starters. Vada forgave Dominic way too easily. Also, god help me but Annabelle was annoying as fuck. This is a grown ass woman with zero boundaries and a penchant for meddling beyond the grave, and even though every goddamn character kept saying how charming she was, I just was not picking up on that charm. I was just getting increasingly frustrated on Vada’s behalf. And, I will never be a fan of “accidental nudity” as a plot device, and that fact that it happened twice in the span of like, 4 chapters was a bit much.

That said, I can still see this working for a lot of readers. It’s got a unique voice, a strong central character, and a slightly off-kilter sense of humor that works more often than it doesn’t. I just wish it had committed more fully to its wild premise. I give this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Perfect for fans of: small towns, slow burns, second chances, meddling ghosts, emotionally constipated love interests, morbid jokes, personal growth bucket lists, K-drama plot twists, and accidental nudity

This was a five star read! I enjoyed the balance of emotional drama and romantic comedy throughout. The characters were complex yet realistic; that Annabelle was a hoot! It is rare I find a story that can make me laugh out loud, but also also make me weep and cry at times. Beautiful balance. Readers will appreciate the trigger warnings. I will be recommending this!

Mourner For Hire is about love and loss and all the ways people deal with it-- whether it a loss of one's self or the loss of a loved one. The story is told through dual POV following Vada, a mourner for hire, and Dominic, a town local and bartender.

I enjoyed the dynamic between Vada and Dominic. Two people who have experienced parental loss but deal with the situations different ways. This story has small town beach vibes and a chemistry filled relationship between the two main characters. There is definitely more than meets the eye with this romcom, a slight "magical" aspect with the ghost of Dominic's mom making appearances and the twists and turns as Vada spends more time in Shellport.

Docking a star because I think Dominic's attitude could've been a bit better or handled with therapy. I understand he was going through it but as a grown man why are you taking your anger out on Vada... get up!!