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Reviewed by: Taylor Coonelly, Elementary School Librarian Title: The Dead Romantics
Author: Ashley Poston
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 11-12, Adult Genre/Type of Book: Romance/speculative fiction/magical realism
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Grief and parental loss, a little scene of sex (not super explicit though)
Recommended for a school library: Depends on your patrons
Reason(s) for choosing the book: I love Ashley Poston as an author, and the concept intrigued me
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: Love lives on - in life and in death - in this wonderful romance story
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Review:
Florence Day once believed in love - having found it for herself and seeing it herself in the lives of her parents. Though failing at a solo writing career, she ghostwrites for the bestselling romance author Ann Nichols, weaving her experiences with her characters. After a devastating breakup over a year ago, Florence can't bring herself to write anything resembling love, and goes to meet her new editor to ask for yet another extension to the last book in her contract. Her new editor, however, is the attractive and straight-laced Benji Andor, whose reaction sends Florence spiraling. A chance encounter at a bar with Benji and her ex boyfriend leaves her shaken, but her father's sudden death sends her into an unescapable sense of loss and grief. She returns home to assist with the funeral, and come to terms with her hometown and all it's history. And then Ben shows up at her family's door - and he's dead?
This book combines popular romance elements with speculative fiction twists that elevate the story. Our main character Florence can talk to the dead, and falls in love with Ben in the story while he is a ghost, and it is a really cute and sweet romance. There is a bit of spice, but only slightly referencing to sex. Their relationship is really based on forming a connection and changing each other's perspectives on what love really is, and not just how it is portrayed in the romance books that center their professional lives. I love the Day family, who are all quirky and comfortable with death and more 'occult' things, while still being a happy and loving family with real life problems. They are very fleshed out by the author, and add to the story and Florence's journey throughout the book. This book really hits home on the topic of grief and loss, which should absolutely be noted when going to pick it up to read. This book was emotional, but still lighthearted and lovable for the reader in a way that makes the mentions of grief softer. This book hones in on the ideas of grief and second chances, in a way that is sweet and uplifting to the reader.
I honestly can't think of a curricular activity that could be done with this book, it is a truly 'for pleasure' read, but I think it could be a fun highlight around valentines/February to spotlight romance books with an interesting twist! I would recommend this book to romance readers, and fans of speculative fiction with subplots of romance that makes you smile.
*Trigger warning: this book does mention the death of a parent suddenly, and the main character Florence and her family struggle with grief in different ways. I think it is important to recognize that, especially because of how powerful the author writes the familial bonds and love within the characters.
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