THE DEAD ROMANTICS – Ashley Poston
Jove
ISBN: 978-0593336489
June 28, 2022
Romantic Comedy with Paranormal Elements

Mairmont, North Carolina – Present Day

Florence Day sees ghosts. It’s not something she sought out, but when she was younger, she solved a murder with the help of a ghost that only she could see. Of course, no one believes her tale and she left her hometown far behind her as she pursued her dream of becoming a published romance writer. Her one published romance flopped, and she ended up being hired as a ghostwriter for an elderly popular author. Florence has one more book to finish in the series, but she has a bad case of writer’s block. She’s been unable to write after learning that her then boyfriend was writing a book about her experiences with ghosts. Now all she can do is stare at a blank page.

Florence has a new editor that she has only just met. His name is Ben and as far as she can tell, he has no experience in romance writing and is not aware that she is the ghostwriter because he refers to her as the author’s assistant. While Florence is contemplating how to inform him of the truth, she learns that her father has died. Returning home to a family she loves but who thinks she is a little strange; Florence isn’t sure how she will be welcomed. She has barely arrived when she gets a call from her co-worker and friend. Ben has been hit by a car. As Florence absorbs the shocking news, she turns around to discover Ben in a ghostly form standing there.  

THE DEAD ROMANTICS is an offbeat tale, to say the least. Florence always had dreams of becoming an author, but they were like her secret dreams. She did publish one novel, but it was a failure. But she was given the opportunity to ghostwrite for Ann Nichols, a bestselling author. Things were going well, and she made good money while she dreamed of one day getting a second crack at being a bestselling author herself. However, after learning that her boyfriend was stealing her ideas—and telling her life story, she mentally froze when it came to creativity. That last book in the series for Ann Nichols must be completed.

Fast forward to the present day and Florence coming face to face with her dead editor’s ghost, Ben. They really hadn’t known each other well. In fact, they’d just met when she’d gotten the phone call about her father. Only Florence can see Ben and he is there for her to talk to and be a sounding board. It also ends up bringing them closer. If only he hadn’t died… Throughout THE DEAD ROMANTICS, there are funeral preparations going on. The Day family owns the only funeral home in town, so guess who has to prepare the funeral? Florence’s family is quirky, to say the least, which only adds to the fun and charm of this tale.

By the time we come to the end of THE DEAD ROMANTICS, I had pretty much figured out what the twist in the story would be, but it was still cute to see. Ah, yes, something that is a dark romantic comedy can be fun. If you’re looking for something to read that is a bit different, then don’t miss THE DEAD ROMANTICS.

Patti Fischer