Scan barcode
wilybooklover's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Bullying, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Terminal illness
Minor: Gore, Ableism, Car accident, and Child death
chainsiren's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Car accident, Child death, Alcohol, Cursing, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Sexual content
mabellene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Sexism, Bullying, Abandonment, and Ableism
Minor: Child death and Pregnancy
rickireadss's review against another edition
3.75
ugh, i wanted this to hit for me but it fell short, which makes me sad because i LOVE this cover, the tropes, and the title soooo much. there were moments i was really invested, but they didn't come until like 60-70% in. i started to get really irritated with the tiptoeing around what happened to lark's husband, and then the reveal??? just made me want to throw my kindle. not my favorite, but it wasn't horrible either.
⚠️: death, grief, ableism, bullying, car accident, workplace harrassment, sexism, body horror, child death
⚠️: death, grief, ableism, bullying, car accident, workplace harrassment, sexism, body horror, child death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Sexism, Bullying, Ableism, and Body horror
Minor: Child death and Car accident
krisalexcole's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Medical content, Ableism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Gore, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, Child death, Gaslighting, Sexism, Violence, and Xenophobia
thereadedit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Plot: 5/5
Series: NA
Place: Austin TX 🛫 Galway, Ireland
Tropes: Rom Com, Mortician, Undertaker, Grumpy x Sunshine, Friends To Lovers, Friends With Benefits, Marriage Of Circumstances, Inheritance
TW: Death, Morgue, Grief, Terminal Illness, Ableism, Mortician Tasks
Main Characters: Lark & Callum
Where do I even begin with this beautiful book?? This book gave me ALLLLLL the feels. I laughed (A LOT), I swooned sooo much, I felt some serious tingles, and cried. Lord did I cry. I'm not a crier when I read, but this one did it to me.
Lark & Callum are the exact opposite of each other. But perfectly compliment and make each other better versions of themselves.
With trauma comes self blaming, self preservation, and distancing. All the things someone thinks they need but in reality need people who understand to support them. Not having to death with triggering events around trauma can be super hard. It's unfortunate that there isn't anything someone can say to ease the pain.
“I haven’t wanted to kick anyone’s arse in a long time, b-b-but when he started in on you…” “It’s not a big deal. Being compared to a Barbie doll? I’ve heard much worse.” The thought of what she might mean made the tea curdle in my stomach. But she smiled. “You do kinda look like a vampire, though. And you keep coffins conveniently on hand for naps. I haven’t ruled out the possibility you’re a day-walker.” I shook my head at her affectionate tease. “Sun’s about to set. Let’s walk the canal and watch the hookers.”
Lark was such an amazing woman. She was the sunshine after the rain, the laugh when you couldn't stop crying. She made life soooo much better, and brought Callum out of the darkness. She helped him be his true authentic self because of who she was. She was authentic in who she was. She made me laugh so much throughout this book. She had the same humour that I have and love seeing in someone else.
“Guess you’re picking where we go next time. Since this one was such a resounding success, you’re stuck with me now. I’m the human form of loose glitter.” She pretended to sprinkle some around me, like a possessive pixie.
Callum couldn't have been a more perfect person for Lark. I absolutely loved his humor and his wittyness. He was the most rational person, who was able to see through the dark. For an undertaker, he was such a emotional and feeling person. He knew and felt those emotions that so many people don't think undertakers feel. There is a stigma that they don't have feelings. But they are like so many others, they feel their feels in their ways.
“There’s a reason I choose to primarily work with people who can’t speak.” Callum considered my dilemma to the tune of a weepy steel guitar. “Maybe this Seán fella can take an ‘extended holiday.’” “Holy crap. Did you really just reference Nine to Five?” I shoved his arm softly. Only it wasn’t soft. Under the cable knit were taut muscles I shouldn’t have noticed. “I appreciate where your head’s at. However, kidnapping my office nemesis might create a new host of issues.” “Remember, I move corpses all the time, and cremation gets rid of any evidence.”
A ruined arch in the background framed Callum perfectly. Celtic crosses studded the attached graveyard, and even I could appreciate the gothic romance of the overgrown estate. “Hold still. I want a photo of you in your natural habitat.” I lifted my phone to catch a rare, bashful smile. Crinkles formed at the corners of his eyes. He didn’t look carved out of stone anymore, but approachable. Handsome. A little happiness made him endearing. “Now lean on that gravestone, drop your hip and give me a saucy wink over your shoulder like this,” I joked, demonstrating a Bettie Page-worthy pose. “Come on. We can start our own website, call it MournHub.” “We’ll be rich.” I snapped another while his teeth flashed. Coaxing out Callum’s delightful laugh felt like a worthy achievement.
I received a complimentary copy via the author and Booksprout. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Plot: 5/5
Series: NA
Place: Austin TX 🛫 Galway, Ireland
Tropes: Rom Com, Mortician, Undertaker, Grumpy x Sunshine, Friends To Lovers, Friends With Benefits, Marriage Of Circumstances, Inheritance
TW: Death, Morgue, Grief, Terminal Illness, Ableism, Mortician Tasks
Main Characters: Lark & Callum
Where do I even begin with this beautiful book?? This book gave me ALLLLLL the feels. I laughed (A LOT), I swooned sooo much, I felt some serious tingles, and cried. Lord did I cry. I'm not a crier when I read, but this one did it to me.
Lark & Callum are the exact opposite of each other. But perfectly compliment and make each other better versions of themselves.
With trauma comes self blaming, self preservation, and distancing. All the things someone thinks they need but in reality need people who understand to support them. Not having to death with triggering events around trauma can be super hard. It's unfortunate that there isn't anything someone can say to ease the pain.
“I haven’t wanted to kick anyone’s arse in a long time, b-b-but when he started in on you…” “It’s not a big deal. Being compared to a Barbie doll? I’ve heard much worse.” The thought of what she might mean made the tea curdle in my stomach. But she smiled. “You do kinda look like a vampire, though. And you keep coffins conveniently on hand for naps. I haven’t ruled out the possibility you’re a day-walker.” I shook my head at her affectionate tease. “Sun’s about to set. Let’s walk the canal and watch the hookers.”
Lark was such an amazing woman. She was the sunshine after the rain, the laugh when you couldn't stop crying. She made life soooo much better, and brought Callum out of the darkness. She helped him be his true authentic self because of who she was. She was authentic in who she was. She made me laugh so much throughout this book. She had the same humour that I have and love seeing in someone else.
“Guess you’re picking where we go next time. Since this one was such a resounding success, you’re stuck with me now. I’m the human form of loose glitter.” She pretended to sprinkle some around me, like a possessive pixie.
Callum couldn't have been a more perfect person for Lark. I absolutely loved his humor and his wittyness. He was the most rational person, who was able to see through the dark. For an undertaker, he was such a emotional and feeling person. He knew and felt those emotions that so many people don't think undertakers feel. There is a stigma that they don't have feelings. But they are like so many others, they feel their feels in their ways.
“There’s a reason I choose to primarily work with people who can’t speak.” Callum considered my dilemma to the tune of a weepy steel guitar. “Maybe this Seán fella can take an ‘extended holiday.’” “Holy crap. Did you really just reference Nine to Five?” I shoved his arm softly. Only it wasn’t soft. Under the cable knit were taut muscles I shouldn’t have noticed. “I appreciate where your head’s at. However, kidnapping my office nemesis might create a new host of issues.” “Remember, I move corpses all the time, and cremation gets rid of any evidence.”
A ruined arch in the background framed Callum perfectly. Celtic crosses studded the attached graveyard, and even I could appreciate the gothic romance of the overgrown estate. “Hold still. I want a photo of you in your natural habitat.” I lifted my phone to catch a rare, bashful smile. Crinkles formed at the corners of his eyes. He didn’t look carved out of stone anymore, but approachable. Handsome. A little happiness made him endearing. “Now lean on that gravestone, drop your hip and give me a saucy wink over your shoulder like this,” I joked, demonstrating a Bettie Page-worthy pose. “Come on. We can start our own website, call it MournHub.” “We’ll be rich.” I snapped another while his teeth flashed. Coaxing out Callum’s delightful laugh felt like a worthy achievement.
I received a complimentary copy via the author and Booksprout. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Blood, Chronic illness, Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
doseofromance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Such a lovely and tender book, I absolutely loved it. Callum and Lark both got some stuff to work on, and they do, but they just fit together. I'm of the opinion that you shouldn't need to be in a relationship, but I'm not a fan of the thought that you should always wait until you've completely healed on your own. Lark and Cal are the perfect example of that. They're not putting their issues on the other, they're just accepting each other's support.
Callum is the absolute sweetest. In general I'm just a sucker for shy heroes that are a little bit starchy or stuck up and Cal ticks that box in the best way. I loved that he was demi-sexual and it was integrated into the book organically and without awkwardness or shaming by anyone. Onto his job. He took the responsibility of it so wonderfully seriously and he's truly the mortician I'd like at my side. There are a couple of graphic scenes of him preparing bodies, so do be aware of that, but I liked that his job was not just mentioned as a backdrop. It's truly a huge part of his personality and who he is and I think it illustrates how this occupation SHOULD be done. Because unfortunately every one of us will have to say goodbye to our loved ones at some point and knowing you've got a Cal to do that with instead of some price gouging undertaker, would truly take a lot of the burden of. But enough of that. Cal was just so sweet and adorable and hot and adored Lark. He realized he snagged himself a queen and he took that seriously. Good on him.
Lark is honestly a perfect Barbie, if you will. She's gorgeous, funny, bubbly, smart, and fantastic at her job. She's an animator and new to Ireland, but she takes to the culture shock so well. Bringing someone into a completely new culture as a part of the plot can be iffy, because you need to be respectful of both cultures. The author does it very well though and it made me even more determined to go to Ireland soon. Lark's professional life wasn't always easy to read about, as a work conflict is a major plot point, but was unfortunately rather realistic. I loved that she had a lot of lovely and diverse colleagues that were open to her and excited to work with her.
Finally, Cal needing a wife was the main driver of the story and really moved it forward a lot of the time in a natural way. It added the needed - for a lack of a better word - stress for Lark and Cal to act, because both of them are somewhat stuck in their positions. The set up for the storyline made sense, which I think is the main trouble with a trope like that, and I liked the resolution. The only thing I didn't like about it (and about the book as a whole) is that Cal only meets comically weird women. I think him meeting at least one woman through an app that he could have been into, would have fit a little bit better and I just really doubt out of all of the dates he went on, not one woman was just "normal".
Some final unconnected thoughts:
Lark's personal illustrations were *chef's kiss*.
Lmao at Cal trying to bring disco skating back.
Houdini the mouse really added a lot to the story line.
Cal being an awkward undertaker dressed in three piece suits the whole time was indescribable.
CW/TW: short on-page scenes of preparing a body, work place harassment, sexism, (past) death of a partner and family members
I received an advance copy of the book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.
Callum is the absolute sweetest. In general I'm just a sucker for shy heroes that are a little bit starchy or stuck up and Cal ticks that box in the best way. I loved that he was demi-sexual and it was integrated into the book organically and without awkwardness or shaming by anyone. Onto his job. He took the responsibility of it so wonderfully seriously and he's truly the mortician I'd like at my side. There are a couple of graphic scenes of him preparing bodies, so do be aware of that, but I liked that his job was not just mentioned as a backdrop. It's truly a huge part of his personality and who he is and I think it illustrates how this occupation SHOULD be done. Because unfortunately every one of us will have to say goodbye to our loved ones at some point and knowing you've got a Cal to do that with instead of some price gouging undertaker, would truly take a lot of the burden of. But enough of that. Cal was just so sweet and adorable and hot and adored Lark. He realized he snagged himself a queen and he took that seriously. Good on him.
Lark is honestly a perfect Barbie, if you will. She's gorgeous, funny, bubbly, smart, and fantastic at her job. She's an animator and new to Ireland, but she takes to the culture shock so well. Bringing someone into a completely new culture as a part of the plot can be iffy, because you need to be respectful of both cultures. The author does it very well though and it made me even more determined to go to Ireland soon. Lark's professional life wasn't always easy to read about, as a work conflict is a major plot point, but was unfortunately rather realistic. I loved that she had a lot of lovely and diverse colleagues that were open to her and excited to work with her.
Finally, Cal needing a wife was the main driver of the story and really moved it forward a lot of the time in a natural way. It added the needed - for a lack of a better word - stress for Lark and Cal to act, because both of them are somewhat stuck in their positions. The set up for the storyline made sense, which I think is the main trouble with a trope like that, and I liked the resolution. The only thing I didn't like about it (and about the book as a whole) is that Cal only meets comically weird women. I think him meeting at least one woman through an app that he could have been into, would have fit a little bit better and I just really doubt out of all of the dates he went on, not one woman was just "normal".
Some final unconnected thoughts:
Lark's personal illustrations were *chef's kiss*.
Lmao at Cal trying to bring disco skating back.
Houdini the mouse really added a lot to the story line.
Cal being an awkward undertaker dressed in three piece suits the whole time was indescribable.
CW/TW: short on-page scenes of preparing a body, work place harassment, sexism, (past) death of a partner and family members
I received an advance copy of the book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
cover2covertx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
RTC! :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexism, Ableism, Misogyny, Body horror, and Car accident
More...