Book Review: ‘The Dead Romantics’ by Ashley Poston (ghostly TikTok romance)
I added this romance to my wishlist as soon as I spotted it on TikTok and bought a copy soon after. I’m so glad I did - it’s a whole lot of fun. It’s one of my favourite romances of the year so far.
I love a good romance and I love them even more when there’s a supernatural element, so a ghost romance? Absolutely fits the bill.
Florence Day is a ghost-writer with one big problem. She’s supposed to be penning swoon-worthy novels for a famous romance author but, after a bad break-up, Florence no longer believes in love. And when her strict (but undeniably hot) new editor, Benji Andor, won’t give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye.
Although when tragedy strikes and Florence has to head home, the last thing she expects to see is a ghost at her front door. Not just any ghost, however, but the stern form of her still very hot – yet now unquestionably dead – new editor.
As sparks start to fly between them, Florence tells herself she can’t be falling for a ghost – even an infuriatingly sexy one. But can Benji help Florence to realise love isn’t dead, after all?
I really, really loved ‘The Dead Romantics’. It hit all of the romance notes for me: strong writing, swoony romance, characters I fell in love with, fully -fleshed supporting characters and a really strong sense of place. It actually reminded me a lot of the TV show ‘Pushing Daises’ in the concept, but it had the feel of Emily Henry’s ‘Book Lovers’ with the depth and complexity of the familial relationships which is something that’s missing sometimes.
Florence’s family back in North Caroline run a funeral home and I love the tongue-in-cheek nature of that, but also the room it gives Florence and the author to explore death, grief, and also home and family in the same space. Lots of the family-focused scenes following Florence’s dad’s death are that pitch perfect sadness tinged with contentment and familiarity, even as resentment and anger and loneliness lie underneath the interactions.
It’s not a particularly spicy romance (the dude is a ghost so…), but it wasn’t lacking anything. The undercurrent of attraction and burgeoning love was more than enough to keep it going and any ghostly attempt at spice would have just given me the ick, I think! The romance between Florence and Ben was so engaging that it didn’t need anything else - Poston just nailed it.
I can’t recommend ‘The Dead Romantics’ enough, especially for anyone still clinging onto summer and wanting a last sparkling romance of the season before it’s over. And even if you’re reading this review in the dead of winter, read it anyway. You won’t regret it.
Written by Sophie
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