This was a quirky, emotional slow-burn romance with a lot of heart. The idea of a professional mourner pulled me in right away, and I liked how the story explored grief and love in such a thoughtful way. Vada and Dominic were both complex and felt real, and their enemies-to-lovers tension had me hooked. Some parts dragged a little, but the ending was so satisfying that I didn’t mind. A perfect book to curl up with on a quiet weekend.

3⭐

The last 1/3 of this book was absolute perfection. I laughed, cried, swooned and felt pretty much every emotion in between. It was beautifully written, profound, heartwarming and heartbreaking. However, the first 2/3s of the book were not as good for me. The pacing felt off (it was VERY slow burn) and parts felt quite repetitive.

Mourner for Hire follows Vada, a mourner for hire. She completes client's requests after they pass away (whether this is crying at their funeral or outing their surviving family members' betrayals). On her way to visit Annabelle, her latest client, she gets stuck in traffic and decides to pull in to a local bar. There she meets Dominic (Dunner) Dunne. After a nearly one night stand, they part ways and expect to never meet again. Until Annabelle passes away, and she learns that she was Dunner's mother. Annabelle's unusual requests lead her to stay in Dunner's town (which is her hometown) whilst navigating a love(ish) - hate relationship with Dunner. Until they realise that maybe the love outweighs the hate...?

The start of this book was really solid. Unique, funny, comfy, then it got a little too slow and repetitive for me. Honestly, sadly, this book was nearly a DNF for me at around 50%. However, I'm really glad I persevered for the ending alone. To me, the start of the book felt very repetitive and long. The dual narrative often just told the same scene again from the other's perspective (but it was basically just hatred all round so not necessarily different enough to warrant this in my eyes) and phrases like 'I just want her to leave town' or 'I just want to leave town' were used far too much for me. it also felt like suddenly Dunner flipped a switch, forgave her, understood her job and all his other issues with her were iron out in the blink of an eye which felt quite jarring. It felt like the start of the book could've been much shorter and the ending would've still had the same impact.

That being said, the ending was perfection. I don't want to spoil it for future readers but I really loved it and flew through it in 2 sittings (despite the rest of the book taking over a week to read).

The book (especially the ending) explores deep topics well. Such as grief, death of a parent (and both parents), trauma and mental health. For me, it was just a pacing issue. That being said, I would recommend the book purely for it's ending if you like a slow burn romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. 🖤👻🏡

Adorable cozy romance with some humor and ghosts tied in. Vada is the kinda girl I'd want as my best friend. I loved watching her stand her ground and defend herself wheenmoody Dominic is pushing her buttons. They manage to figure it all out, even Vada's lost memories surface. Would 100% recommend.

I can see how many people would love this book, but It was not for me, This was on me but I did not realize Dominic's mother passes of cancer.. Some of the quotes about grief were hard hitting and difficult to digest. .I also found some of the time jumps to be a little clunky. While I liked the main characters individually I was not buying the relationship aspect. Overall 3 stars.

This was just a fun, enjoyable story with a little bit of haunting, a slightly unconventional job, and a very happy ending. Vada is a professional mourner for hire and is on the way to meet a client when she makes a pit stop at the local bar... cue the sexy bartender/bar owner. After an interesting night, she leaves to meet her client and and the night is just a pleasant memory... Until her client passes away and she has to attend her funeral. This is where the chaotic fun, lust/hate relationship continues with our two main characters.

I really enjoyed this book, especially the banter of all of the secondary characters. I just really like good banter and side characters, I think.

Thanks to netgalley for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

What a truly unique set up for a romance novel and I really enjoyed the little twists as well. Vada is a professional mourner which means she works with people and executes their final wishes at their funerals. She meets a young man while in her hometown meeting a new client and things take a really unexpected turn. Without spoiling too much, Vada’s job takes her back to her hometown and this man to fulfill a final request.

This book also touches on parental death with both main characters and it’s interesting to see how grief is handled at wildly different life stages (child and adulthood). I also found this book to be very funny with a great cast of interesting side characters. I really enjoyed the small, sleepy beach town setting and I liked experiencing the renovation along with Vada. I was so proud of her for finishing! Overall, this was an emotional but funny read that has a truly unique premise that was really refreshing to read.

An interesting concept of being a mourner for hire. Wish that idea had been explored more fully rather than the fantasy twist of a ghost. Unnecessary use of offensive speech did not add to the storyline. Missed opportunity for highlighting value of Vada’s role as mourner for hire.

✨ARC Review✨

I don’t even know where to start… I really enjoyed this book.

Although it wasn’t what I expected. There was a lot more to the plot than I thought there would be. Vada is everything I dreamed she would be and more. The depth to her character really moved me, honestly, I was expecting to love her so much. Dominic needs a good slap across the face most of the book but that’s so fine… he grovels a little 🤭

There really isn’t much I can say without giving too much away so I guess you will have to read it for yourself!

Thank you to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for this ARC opportunity 🫶🏼

This book grabbed my heart and squeezed it in so many good ways. I felt it all as I read Vada and Dominic’s story. Tears and happiness were equal parts of that heart squeeze.

Vada is a unique character. She handled situations with a mature outlook, refusing to let someone else’s opinion weigh in on her self-worth. Her job is even more unique, but it fits her.

I can’t wait to read more from Caitlin Moss. I am an instant fan!

This was such a fun and quirky read! It would be a great read for a chilly, rainy fall day! Veda is a professional mourner who attends funerals of those who have hired her. She also agrees to renovate a small cottage but is met with the owners grumpy son. Will Veda be able to help him see past his grief, and grumpiness? Will things heat up and cause an undeniable attraction?

This was so good! I hadn’t ever read anything as creative as this story! I love Caitlin’s novels and this one is no different! An absolute gem!

What a wild gem of a book!

It follows Vada — a professional mourner (yep, that’s a thing!) who’s hired to carry out the final wishes of the dearly departed. Cue: awkward funerals, ghostly side quests, and one very grumpy bar owner.

There’s also a dreamy seaside cottage renovation, one meddling spirit, a cast of beautifully odd characters, and a male MC who might just make you want to throw the book… before winning you over

This story is warm, witty, and just the right kind of weird. I laughed, I got teary, and now I kind of want to become a ghost therapist or at least move into a haunted beach shack.

If you love a story with heart, humour, and a touch of the supernatural, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

If you could hire someone to do anything at your funeral, what would it be—and how much would you pay?

That was the idea that sparked this story, and let me tell you—I had so much fun writing it. The chemistry, the tension, the funerals... all of it was a blast.

🍂 Loathe to Love
🪦 Dark Humor
🍂 Grumpy Cinnamon Roll MMC
🪦 Quirky FMC
🍂 A Meddling Ghost
🪦 Slow Burn
🍂 All the Tension
🪦 Set in a Small Beach Town

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc.

This book portrays grief in a multitude of forms. There is anticipatory grief, recent grief, and traumatic grief. For the anticipatory grief, it discusses it in ways that give those who are dying a sense of control. They get to hire Vada to portray this mourner to be dramatic, stay their first night with them at the cemetery, or help fix up a house.

This book portrayed grief in a way that the love stays with them even after everything has resolved. It’s such a powerful book, and it’s written in an unexpected way that I wanted to know what the “it” was that Vada had been hired to look for.

Mourner For Hire is a book that will catch you by surprise in the very best way.
This story focuses on Vada Daughtry, a mourner that can be hired to help people carry out their final wishes at their funeral, and Dominic Dunne, a hometown bar tender with a strong love for family. When Vada stops off at Dominic's bar due to a traffic pile up, neither of them know the adventure that is about to unfold. Vada and Dominic go a year without speaking, until Vada shows up to a funeral she was hired to attend.
Everything was business as usual until she realizes the deceased is no other than Dominic's mother. This sets off a heartwarming story of love, loss, memories, and cozy beach vibes.
On the surface, this books seems as if it will be a romance story, but it goes so much deeper. As you read Vada and Dominic's story you get elements that touch your heart and completely make you fall in love with these characters, and honestly the whole town. The way Caitlin Moss writes makes it impossible not to get mental images of small towns, cozy beach cottages, town markets, and apple cider donuts. Moss uses beautiful metaphors in this book that are hard not to get emotional over.
Overall, this book surprised me in a way I wasn't expecting. Moss took a unique idea, mixed it with wonderful literacy elements, and made an undeniably lovable story that many can enjoy.

The premise of this book was so weird, but so, so damn good.

Vada has a night with a handsome bar owner, Dominic, and they part ways. Only for Vada to be hired by Dominic's dying mother to take care of some after-death tasks for her. The relationship between Vada and Dunner shifts as they both navigate their personal grief and the tiny sparks between them that threaten to ignite.

It's hard to properly describe this book with giving too much away--there are somany layers. You'll just have to trust me that the odd premise is worth it and it all works together beautifully.

I found myself reading slower at the end because I just didn't want it to end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book.

4-Star Review – A Perfect Summer Read Full of Laughs, Love, and Heart

☆ I genuinely adored this book—it’s the kind of story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. A fantastic summer read, it had me laughing out loud, giggling like a teenager, and staying up until 4 AM just to read “one more chapter.” I finished it in just three days because I simply couldn’t put it down.
☆ The story opens with a bang—Pastor Edwin proposing in the very first chapter—and I was immediately stunned. The main character’s voice is so sharp, witty, and relatable. By just 4% into the book, I already felt completely connected to her. Her humor, her take on her job, and the way she navigates the world had me hooked right away.
☆ Meeting Dunner added a whole new layer. At first, I wasn’t sure about him—he gave off major red flag vibes with some serious anger issues—but as the story unfolds, he reveals himself to be all rough edges and golden softness. His character development is beautifully done. When the dual POV is introduced (perfectly timed, in my opinion), it deepens the story in such a meaningful way. Getting a glimpse inside Dunner’s head made everything feel richer and more impactful.
☆ The chemistry between Vada and Dunner is electric. Their slow-burn love story, full of buried tension and clever banter, mirrored my own relationship in ways that felt deeply personal. I loved every moment of it—from the tension, to the emotional build-up, to the tiny moments of vulnerability. The banter, especially, was top-tier and brought me so much joy.
☆ What stood out to me even more was how grief was handled throughout the book. It was raw, honest, and incredibly well balanced with all the lighter moments. I found myself crying with Vada as she read the letters her mom left her. It struck such a deep chord in me. I thought about my own parents, especially my relationship with my mom, and it made me realize just how much we take time for granted. It reminded me to appreciate the moments we still have together and not to let petty arguments get in the way of something so important. That emotional weight gave the story a depth I wasn’t expecting, and I’m so grateful for it.
☆ I also loved the way the book touched on memory and the fuzziness of childhood. Vada’s search for her lost memories was both gripping and reflective. It made me think about my own past—the things I’ve forgotten or distorted—and added an unexpected layer of emotional depth.
☆ As a book lover myself, I appreciated Vada’s book addiction. It made me feel seen. I also adored Dominic’s goofy, charming presence and how he perfectly matched her vibe. His sense of humor was a delight, and the way he asked for consent before kissing her? Absolute king behavior.
☆ Lines like “I feel like I need to quickly be held together with duct tape” had me laughing out loud like a maniac. This book genuinely made me feel everything—joy, nostalgia, love, grief, and comfort.
☆ My only critique is the epilogue. While I normally dislike endings that center a woman's fulfillment around pregnancy, in this case, I can understand why it was included. It fit the characters and their journey, even if it reinforced a trope I usually avoid. Still, it was handled with care, and I respect the choice even if I don’t personally connect to it.
☆ In the end, this book was sweet, emotional, hilarious, and unforgettable. I truly loved it and wholeheartedly give it a well-deserved 4 stars.

I was pleasantly surprised by the tone of Mourner for Hire. Looking at the title, I was expecting it to be a bit darker, but instead the author has crafted a unique romcom alongside a deeper story that examines the many forms of grief.

The thing I really enjoyed about this book was the originality of Vada's job as a mourner for hire. The characters who hired her all had such distinct motivations for wanting her to attend their funeral, and I thought it made Vada complex as a character for finding purpose in this work. I liked Vada and how straightforward she was, but I wish at times she would have been a little bit more fiery, especially when it came to standing up for herself. I loved the small town, beachside setting and I could picture the cast of eccentric locals so clearly.

What didn't work for me as much was Dominic as an MMC. I found him really hard to empathise with, and thought he was way too vindictive towards Vada. I understand why he would have reservations about her work and about her connection to his mother, but he jumped straight to assuming that Vada had conned his mother and behaved incredibly aggressively towards her for it. There was a part about 60% in where Dominic loses his cool, and honestly, there was no coming back for him in my eyes. I just couldn't get on board with him as a character after that, especially because he has no reflection or growth as to how wrong his behaviour is, and the story just moves on.

I'm so sorry I didn't love this one more because I really was enjoying it, but the MMC in particular just did not work for me. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Caitlin Moss for providing me with an ARC of Mourner for Hire in exchange for my honest review.

Mourner for Hire by Caitlin Moss is a full length, stand alone. An emotional read that had me in tears more thanone time, had me laughing, and mad at the characters too.
Vada is a professional mourner for hire, and she's good at her job. Her latest job tasked her to renovate a cottage back in her childhood hometown.
To make matters complicated, Dominik Gunne, the son is strictly opposed to everything she's tasked with. All the while secrtely pining for Vada.
A beautiful story, nothing like I expected, but everything I could have wished for, except, I really, really disliked the mc.
Highly entertaing slow burn with some tiny lengths, a great read 4,5 stars.

if I could describe this book in three words, it would be these:

stunning
fabulous
addicting

Before I get into this review, I wanna say thank you to Caitlin Moss for approving me to be an ARC reader, and thank you to Netgalley for pushing this book towards me.

This story is honestly one of the most realistic loathe to love plot lines I have read. It’s messy, it’s tragic, it makes you laugh and linger and not want to put the book down. It tackles heavy topics in light ways (which I love) and you honestly do not want to put the book down. Seriously. I got into the pool with my kindle in hand because I didn’t wanna stop reading.

As someone with memory loss as a result of trauma, Vada (who I kept picturing as the girl from My Girl, btw) was an INSANELY well written character, and I related to her a lot. Especially her crush on Dominic because me too girl 😭😭

All in all, I would 1000% recommend this book to fans of Ashley Poston (romance with magical sprinkles)! It will be one of those books I think about for the rest of my life.

The book started strong, capturing my attention from the very first pages with the electric chemistry between Vada and Dunner at the bar. Their initial interactions were filled with intriguing tension and promise, leading me to believe that the story would unfold into a compelling romance.

However I found Dunner's transformation into a jerk disappointing. Instead of deepening the love connection, it felt forced and detracted from the chemistry we had seen earlier. The shift in his character created a disconnect that left me yearning for the meaningful bond I had hoped for.

On a positive note, I really enjoyed Dunner's mom and her ghostly interactions with Vada. This aspect added a unique twist and provided some delightful moments that I appreciated.

While there were enjoyable parts overall, I couldn't fully embrace the story. The initial spark between Vada and Dunner was promising, but the love connection faltered, leaving me with mixed feelings about the book.