I absolutely loved this unique contemporary romance by Ashley Poston. I gave “The Dead Romantics” a 4.9/5 stars. It was written all in one point of view, first person-past tense.
Here’s my live thoughts while reading:
Florence Day is a ghost writer for a best selling author. The new (hot male) editor somehow doesn’t know this and believes she’s the assistant. He informs Florence that the author needs to hand in the manuscript by tomorrow or legal action will commence. Unfortunately Florence is stuck because she no longer believes in romantic happily ever afters so the book isn’t finished.
“Local girl solves murder with ghosts” was not a predictable part of her backstory lol. Wow I honestly have no idea where this is headed.
I love the mirroring that Florence can’t write the typical action beats of a romance and this book also seems to go out of typical order when death happens earlier in the story than usual.
I love the Asheville, NC shout out! Since I’m reading in Raleigh, NC.
Wait! What? The surprise visitor?! … How? What happened? Did she hallucinate? I have so many questions.
At page 90 I love how unpredictable this is, in the best of ways.
The way this specific character died was bad timing for me to read personally because a 38 year old friend died the same way last week in my church community so it’s hitting a little too close to home. Obviously this isn’t a grief book but the way she’s processing death feels too light and easy… but I know it’s fiction.
I’m hoping it’s the same plot as Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo.
Is she going to fall in love with a ghost or is something else going to pop up and throw me for a loop?
When the phrases “off limits” and “can’t get involved with” are used then it makes me feel like he’s in a coma somewhere.
At the halfway mark, she’s very relatable because she hides and runs from her feelings and doesn’t let herself sink into the uncomfortableness of vulnerability.
Ah I flew through the second half. It ended the way I wanted it to and I’m so glad it worked out the way I’d hoped. There was a bit in there where I wasn’t confident on the ending. Unique novel that I’ll definitely remember and it stands apart from other contemporary romance books.
Cassie Swindon 