The Dead Romantics | Ashley Poston | Book Review| An engrossing rom-com with heart
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston is a heartfelt rom-com that will have you totally engrossed in the story throughout. With a ghostwriter who has lost her mojo, and a stern editor who suddenly finds that he is now a ghost, this book had me splits one second and sniffling the next! So, read the book summary, genre, book release date, reading age, book quotes, and book review of The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston in this post below.
About The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston:
No. of Pages: 368
Publication Date: HQ (29 September 2022)
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Adult Romance, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Books about Books, Fantasy Romance, Chick Lit
Reading Age: 18 years and above
Can be read as a standalone? YES
Buy From: AMAZON
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Summary:
Florence Day is a ghostwriter who has lost the motivation to write happy romances after her ex exploited her. But with a fast approaching deadline for the last book of the bestselling series by her client, she is under pressure to deliver. And her new, strict yet undeniably hot, Editor Benji Andor has refused to give her any leeway. Then on the eve of her deadline she kisses Benji and before she can process what just happened, her life is upended when she gets the news of her father’s death.
Florence has the ability to see and talk to ghosts. And it was this unusual ability that made her infamous in her small town, ultimately making her run away to the big city where no one knew her! Now, heartbroken after losing her father and feeling guilty for creating a distance with her family, she returns home.
Returning home comes with its own set of challenges, and unresolved baggage but she is hopeful of meeting her beloved father’s ghost for one last goodbye. However, the ghost that she meets is someone totally unexpected. She meets Benji Andor’s ghost. Unable to come to terms with the fact that the man she kissed just hours ago is now dead, they are both bewildered as to why this is happening. So, now saddled with a confused ghost who follows her everywhere, and her family who all love her and yet harbour old hurts, Florence is faced with baggage she had carefully buried in her past.
Why is Benji’s ghost here?
What is the last unfinished business that has left him stuck here as a ghost?
Will Florence be able to mend damaged fences with, and hurt hearts of her family?
Will she ever get her writing motivation back?
And what is this shocking and forbidden chemistry she is experiencing for Benji? He is a ghost!
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Review:
I had just finished and absolutely adored reading “Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella” when I came across this book. And high from reading a rom-com with a sassy ghost, I jumped to read this book.
I loved this book so much. It had me in splits one second and then sniffling with tears in my eyes the next. So, a book that took me through a rollercoaster ride of emotions, I also swooned at the slow burn sizzle of the chemistry between Florence and Benji. Talk about being on tenterhooks and oscillating between eagerness to see how the author worked this romance between a human and a ghost, and cringing, fearful of something too unrealistic, ultimately I was totally won over!
Things I liked:
Book Title, Cover, and Synopsis:
Right from the unconventional book title, and captivating book cover, to the interesting synopsis, this book will surely attract readers to check it out.
Plot and Narration:
I was so fascinated by the plot idea of a woman falling for a ghost. And was attracted towards this book because of that. Then I loved the execution of the plot. The author kept my interest alive all through with well-calculated twists, emotional highs, realistic romantic sizzle, and then suspenseful turns.
I also loved the fluid, connectable narration that sucked me in right from the start, and held me captive until the very end. The narration is such that it feels like a friend is telling you their story. And I adored following Florence as she stumbled her way to happiness. Her problems, fears, vulnerabilities, and challenges are so relatable that it will resonate with each one of us. We all have faced these at one or the other times in our lives.
This quote about regretting the past is so relatable.
"Would've, should've, could've. Hindsight is such a bitch.” -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston + #BookReview and more #BookQuotes on #NjkinnysBlog #NjkinnyRecommends @HQStories Click To TweetWould’ve, should’ve, could’ve. Hindsight is such a bitch.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
The author also takes up bullying, lack of self-confidence, fear that we aren’t good at what we do, loneliness, professional jealousy and backstabbing, love we have for our family, and finally the fear that we won’t ever find true love.
Florence’s grief at losing her beloved father, and yearning for one last chance to say goodbye to him is so poignant and heartbreaking. This quote about grief is so apt and beautifully describes this emotion.
"I'd always written how grief was hollow…But I was wrong…It was full and heavy and drowning because it wasn't the absence of everything you lost -it was the combination of it all."-#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston @HQStories Click To TweetI’d always written how grief was hollow. How it was a vast cavern of nothing.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
But I was wrong.
Grief was the exact opposite. It was full and heavy and drowning because it wasn’t the absence of everything you lost – it was the combination of it all, your love, your happiness, your bitter sweets, wound tight like a knotted ball of yarn.”
World Building:
The world building is realistic and immersive. I felt a part of the story all through. And loved getting a behind-the-scenes experience being a ghostwriter. Then Florence’s family run a funeral home and it’s a family business which was again something I had no idea about. So, it was such fun watching her family carry about their duties with love and passion. The paranormal elements are also so beautifully woven that everything right from Florence’s ability to see ghosts to Benji being a ghost seems so believable.
Characterisation:
"They fought and disagreed, of course, but they always came back together like a binary star, dancing with each other through life.” -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston + #BookReview, more #BookQuotes on #NjkinnysBlog @HQStories Click To TweetThey fought and disagreed, of course, but they always came back together like a binary star, dancing with each other through life.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
Another highlight of this book are the varied and endearing characters. They are all complex, multi-layered personalities who complement each other, and beautifully take the story forward.
Florence:
Florence and I are just the same. This quote had me nodding my head in agreement!
"I hated that I cried when I was angry, upset, or annoyed…hated that I cried at the slightest flux of emotional nuance…I hated how helpless I felt…”-#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston on #NjkinnysBlog @HQStories Click To TweetI hated that I cried when I was angry, or upset, or annoyed. I hated that I cried at the slightest flux of emotional nuance. I hated how helpless I felt. I hated how I wanted to both march up to him and give him a fistful of my thoughts and run as far away from him as I could.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
I totally connected with Florence. Her insecurities, fears, and woes seemed so relatable. I have felt similarly and adored how strong she was to get ahead of every taunt, every bullying she experienced as a kid. Then her lack of confidence in her ability as a writer hit so close to home. I also connected with her in her guilt trip where she regretted so many of her past actions.
I share the same feeling for my enemy- anxiety!
"Speaking of lowest, I would also like to give a very enthusiastic fuck you to my anxiety. Thanks for, as always, being the worst.” -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston + #BookReview and more #BookQuotes on #NjkinnysBlog… Click To TweetSpeaking of lowest, I would also like to give a very enthusiastic fuck you to my anxiety. Thanks for, as always, being the worst.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
So when she bravely tackled every challenge without becoming bitter, and ultimately got her happy ending, I loudly rejoiced!
This quote had me going teary eyed as I nodded eagerly in agreement. It conveys a reader’s feelings for impactful books and authors so beautifully.
"I can't begin to express how much your book helped me.I could get lost in your words, and…it felt like everything would be okay. So, thank you for giving me words when I didn't think there were any left.” -#BookQuote @AshPoston Click To TweetI can’t begin to express how much your book helped me. I could open it and get lost in your words, and in those moments, it felt like everything would be okay. So, thank you for giving me words when I didn’t think there were any left. I hope you never stop giving the world your words.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
I would have happily helped her exact revenge from her backstabbing ex too.
An important life lesson to adapt.
"There is no happy ending, there's just. . . happily living. As best you can.” -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston + #BookReview and more #BookQuotes on #NjkinnysBlog #NjkinnyRecommends @HQStories Click To TweetThere is no happy ending, there’s just. . . happily living. As best you can.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
Then I totally connected with her over her love for books.
This quote aptly describes the feelings of all book lovers when it comes to book shopping!
"Buying books always made me feel better, even if I never read them." -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston + #BookReview and more #BookQuotes on #NjkinnysBlog #NjkinnyRecommends @HQStories Click To TweetBuying books always made me feel better, even if I never read them.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
This quote about loss is so profound and hopeful.
"Everything that dies never really goes. In little ways, it all stays.” -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston + #BookReview and more #BookQuotes on #NjkinnysBlog #NjkinnyRecommends @HQStories Click To TweetEverything that dies never really goes. In little ways, it all stays.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
I loved this quote about grief which is uplifting and a soothing balm on the wound of loss.
"you don’t ever lose the sadness, but learn to love it because it becomes a part of you, and bit by bit, it fades. And you’ll pick yourself back up & find that you’re okay. And eventually, it’ll be true.”-#BookQuote @AshPoston Click To Tweetyou don’t ever lose the sadness, but you learn to love it because it becomes a part of you, and bit by bit, it fades. And, eventually, you’ll pick yourself back up and you’ll find that you’re okay. That you’re going to be okay. And eventually, it’ll be true.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
Benji:
"This is exhausting, he agreed softly. All of it. Pretending to be okay while the world changes around you and leaves you behind to sit with whatever loss you found.” -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston #BookReview @HQStories Click To TweetThis is exhausting, he agreed softly. All of it. Pretending to be okay while the world changes around you and leaves you behind to sit with whatever loss you found.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
Mr. Stern Editor is such a misunderstood character. I actively disliked him at the start. His refusal to give Florence any leeway with her submission timeline had me convinced I would never like this snobby character. But what a splendid development to his character in the whole book! I ended up absolutely adoring this lost, sometimes confused, always honest, and a wise man who ended being a hopeless romantic!
His banter with Florence, and their sizzling hot chemistry had me sighing in pure bliss. And I enjoyed every second following this unconventional couple to their happily-ever-after.
This quote is just so romantic.
"Love wasn’t a whisper in the quiet night.It was a yelp into the void, screaming that you were here." -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston + #BookReview and more #BookQuotes on #NjkinnysBlog #NjkinnyRecommends @HQStories Click To TweetLove wasn’t a whisper in the quiet night.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
It was a yelp into the void, screaming that you were here.”
This quote for ghost stories will have all romantics smiling.
"Because ghost stories were just love stories, about pockets of happiness and moments that resonated long after their era. They were stories that taught you that love was never a matter of time, but of timing.”-#BookQuote @AshPoston… Click To TweetBecause ghost stories were just love stories about here and then and now and when, about pockets of happiness and moments that resonated in places long after their era. They were stories that taught you that love was never a matter of time, but a matter of timing.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
Supporting characters:
This quote describes Florence’s family so beautifully.
"We might've been a family in black, but our lives were filled with light and hope and joy.” -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston + #BookReview and more #BookQuotes on #NjkinnysBlog #NjkinnyRecommends @HQStories Click To TweetWe might’ve been a family in black, but our lives were filled with light and hope and joy.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
The supporting cast of characters are just as beautifully developed as the protagonist pair. I loved the Day family. They are a varied bunch and yet their unconditional love for each other is so endearing. Now I am so eager to read the individual stories of the Day siblings.
"Your grandma told me once that the wind is just the breath of everyone who came before us.They’re still in the wind. And they’ll always be in the wind, singing. Until the wind is gone. Do you hear them?”-#BookQuote @AshPoston @HQStories Click To TweetYour grandma—my mother—told me once that the wind is just the breath of everyone who came before us. All the people who’ve passed on, all the ones who’ve taken a breath—” And he took a breath himself, loud and dramatic, and exhaled.
They’re still in the wind. And they’ll always be in the wind, singing. Until the wind is gone. Do you hear them?”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
Conclusion:
"love wasn’t dead, but it wasn’t forever, either. It was something in between, a moment in time where two people existed at the exact same moment in the exact same place in the universe." -#BookQuote The Dead Romantics by @AshPoston Click To Tweetlove wasn’t dead, but it wasn’t forever, either. It was something in between, a moment in time where two people existed at the exact same moment in the exact same place in the universe.”
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Book Quote
All in all, I loved each second spent reading this funny, witty, introspective, emotional, hot, and immersive romantic comedy. So, 4.5 out of 5 stars to The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston. Njkinny recommends this enchanting and memorable romance to all romantics, and book lovers.
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