Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Dead Romantics: Roman

A very sweet and—despite being about ghosts—realistic look at loss, love, and life events. This isn’t strictly a romance, but the romance found within the pages is tender and charming and at times, a little sad and a little bleak. But that’s what makes it feel so real. The writing reminded me of Beth O’Leary meets Sally Thorne.

In a word, this story was unexpected. I was expecting more of a cute paranormal romance, but that’s not really what it was. I was expecting it to go in many different directions than it did. In the end, I really loved where it went.

I would also say this book is like (the family drama of) The Haunting of Hill House mixed with a touch of Sixth Sense meets Ghosts (UK version all the way) with a little Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Just Like Heaven and Six Feet Under. If that gives you any idea at all of the genres this novel encompasses. In other words, a great book for the season that isn’t scary!

AND great LGBTQ+ rep in this one!!

Content Warnings

gemin1reader's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

3.0

A sweet read, perfect for spooky season. The plot felt a little obvious to me and I think I’m fed up of reading romance books about romance authors now, but it was enjoyable enough.

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bookishflower's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Dead Romantics is for the eldest siblings, people with anxiety, those who escape into books, the 'tis the damn season lovers, people who were bullied in school, the hopeless romantics who have been hurt by love but keep trying, and the people who long for things that only exist in their memories.

This cute, spooky book hurt , but was so comforting at the same time. A beautiful exploration of grief, family, love, and learning to trust again.

The perfect read for an autumnal night when you want something cosy, human, and full of heart.

Thank you HQ/ HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

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imstephtacular's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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kfmcf's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was a solid read overall. It was quick and enjoyable. I liked the premise, I liked the characters, it was a good time.

I really liked the town of this story. I understood the people, it felt like a real town but with a little extra magic. Florence's family was also fun and the dynamics were enjoyable

her never seeing her dad as a ghost was the correct choice. It would have been really hard to pull off well so I think her seeing the ghost of him in what he left behind was far more effective </spoiler >

I was frustrated by a few things:
1) the twist.

this twist was not hard to see and that's fine, it doesn't need to be mind blowing. But obviously Ben was in a coma. I wish Florence had known and was working with him to wake up instead. It could have still worked without Ben knowing he wasn't dead. The twist about her being a literal ghostwriter tho was fun.

2) Ben was unbelievable as a real guy. He felt very much like a geeky girl's dream. I wanted a bit more depth from him. I like The Princess Bride as much as the next but oy the quote.

I also found it hard to believe that her book, that sold extremely poorly, changed his whole outlook on novels (romance in particular). Especially if his grandmother was so prolific.

3) the NAME dropping my gosh. We get it you read. This book made so many references to other authors and books and every time it just completely yoinked me out of the story.

I also want to say, that when the MC is supposed to decompress by writing smut - you expect the spice to be great. And it really wasn't. It was very late and felt super tacked on. I think the chemistry between the two leads not being the best might have contributed.

These complaints are more nitpicky than they seem - I did still really enjoy the book and will pick up what the author writes next.

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msradiosilence's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Tldr; the characters are flat, I want more of Florence’s ability, but the grief is well-written.

Read my full review at: www.rainyreader.com/single-post/the-dead-romantics.

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laurenkimoto's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Ahhh the sun-genre that is romance books about people who read/write/edit romance books
It is a romance but it’s also about processing grief, love, life, anger and more

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lauramparis's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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