**I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Though this has been described as a romance, there is a deeper and darker side to this novel that makes romantic scenes seem like a secondary element. That said, I simply loved it. Poston's writing is beautiful, the way a scene is captured or Florence Day thinks about her feelings is written eloquently and almost poetically. I felt connected to Florence's insecurities and her view of life - a number of tissues were used as she comes to terms with grief, moving forward, evaluating her life, and understanding the power of hope. There are laugh out loud moments, and the characters in the novel are in some ways stranger than fiction. But, that makes the novel more relatable. I would love to meet these characters.

A book that can stir so many emotions for me, and in a good way, is a keeper. This one is a keeper. I am so glad I finally had the opportunity to read this.

A unique take on romance that explores grief, self esteem, and family relationships. Many readers will likely relate to Florence. Recommended for romance readers looking for something a little different.

This was my first Ashley Poston book. I enjoyed reading about Florence and her journey to rediscover her writing muse, and to reconnect with her family. I kept wishing for Florence to grow up a little bit, and I got just a little bit bored by the constant reminder of how she was having a writer's block.

It was an interesting read, and I'll definitely read more of this author's works.

What makes The Dead Romantics so lovely is the mix of romance, family, fantasy and revisiting the past. I liked that Ben got to see Florence at an immensely vulnerable time. It allowed him to get to know her on a deep level. Having Ben appear as a ghost used Florence's ability to communicate with ghosts to work through her issues and change her feelings about her gift. The journey they went on revealed many meaningful things, including Xavier knowing about the ghostwriting, how Ann offered Florence her job and how Ben is a fan of Florence's one published book. It was beautiful to peel away these layers. I will also fondly remember the dandelion scene, avoiding Officer Saget in the graveyard and their creative way of turning each other on.

Although Xavier was only present in spirit, he got to see his family reunite and mend misunderstandings. Mixed in with their grief and tackling of unexpressed issues were moments embodying all of the joy and love that Florence missed out on. Standout scenes included Florence's mom hugging her tightly upon her arrival in Mairmont, the family dancing to Build Me Up Buttercup after the wake and the family figuring out that Ben was helping Florence at the card game.

This refreshing take on romance was a welcome addition to my bookshelf. It captured a deep connection between the main couple and family reconciliation amidst grief in a way that was endearing, tender and humourous. I can't wait to see what else Ashley Poston writes for the adult romance genre.

Just like everyone else on Bookstagram, I absolutely loved this book!!! Loved the writing style, the plot, the characters, and especially how the story flowed.

This book is SO GOOD! I wasn't sure what to expect but I just adored the whole story. Highly recommended. I don't typically re-read books but I will be reading this one again to visit all the characters.

I absolutely adored this book! Was it perfect? No. Was it exactly what I wanted and needed? Absolutely! This book discussed death and grief in such a tender way that had me nearly in tears(which never happens) and had me laughing and smiling along the way. The bittersweet romance was touching and so cute, I loved seeing not just the two love interests connect, but also watching as she reconnected with her family and the town she was born in. So many sweet moments that made the story into something that examined life and death, moving on and moving forward in a beautiful way. Highly recommend and I will be reading more by this author!

This has been the perfect transfer from summer to fall romantic comedy! I could easily see this one being made into a movie. Florence and Ben are so funny in their interactions and the characteristics of their small town just made it so perfect, loved that the mayor was literally a dog! So funny! I laughed out loud a few times.

"The Dead Romantics" by Ashley Poston is a whimsical and heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the unexpected connections that can reshape our beliefs. Florence Day, a talented ghostwriter, grapples with her own skepticism about love following a painful breakup. As she juggles her career and personal struggles, a chance encounter with an enigmatic ghost sets the stage for a unique and captivating story.

Poston's narrative draws readers into Florence's world, masterfully intertwining themes of romance and the supernatural. Florence's journey to return home for her father's funeral brings her face-to-face with her past and forces her to confront the complexities of her relationships and emotions. Poston deftly navigates the tension between Florence's love for her eccentric family and the town she left behind, highlighting the internal conflict that has kept her away for a decade.

The novel's charm lies in the dynamic between Florence and the ghost, as they both grapple with their unfinished business. The witty banter and unexpected connection between them add layers of intrigue and emotion to the story. Florence's interactions with her family and the townspeople reveal the richness of small-town dynamics and the warmth of close-knit communities.

The juxtaposition of romance, both the ghostly and the human kind, drives the narrative forward. As Florence unravels the mystery surrounding her editor's unfinished business, she finds herself questioning her beliefs and reevaluating her stance on love. This exploration of self-discovery and the power of human connection adds depth to the novel's lighthearted moments.

While the story incorporates familiar elements of romance and the supernatural, it is Poston's engaging writing style and well-crafted characters that elevate it. Readers are drawn into Florence's emotional journey and find themselves invested in the outcome of both her personal growth and her blossoming feelings for the ghost.

"The Dead Romantics" beautifully captures the essence of love's complexities, both in life and beyond. Ashley Poston skillfully weaves together romance, humor, and the paranormal, creating a story that invites readers to believe in the transformative power of love, even when faced with the challenges of loss and skepticism.

As someone who is not a romance girly, I was hoping this book would get me into my romance era because it had a ghosty element-which I always love. I think this is a fun book but ultimately, it is best for romance girlies and not for me!

I devoured this book in one sitting! I was reminded of the movie Just Like Heaven but the guy is the ghost in this one. This book is magical and not just because Florence can see ghosts, it's moving and engaging, and makes you believe in love. The chemistry between Florence and Benji was crazy and I rooted for them soo hard, I had no idea where the story was going to go or what would happen to them. This isn't just a romance book, it also deals with grief and family expectations, all handled beautifully, definitely a story you'll want to revisit again and again.

This was such a delightfully unique romance, with a touch of mystery and some twists to keep you guessing along the way.

Florence Day is a ghostwriter for a well-known romance author, but she's completely blocked. It doesn't help that she no longer believes in love after a nasty breakup. Oh, and did I mention she can see and hear ghosts? And her family runs a funeral parlor?

She returns home to help bury her beloved father and things take a strange turn. Her hot new editor turns up to see her...as a ghost.

Loved it!

There is something so wonderful about an Ashley Poston novel. The wit, the heart, and the fabulously entertaining story in THE DEAD ROMANTICS made this a perfect rom-com for me.

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was a page-turner and a quick read about Florence who is a ghost writer and also sees ghosts. As she's trying to write the last book in her contract, she has a terrible breakup and decides that she can't believe in love any longer. Her new handsome editor won't give her an extension and then she gets the call that her father has died. She travels back to her hometown that she felt never understood her and which she hasn't visited in 10 yrs. She misses her loving and wonderful family but she realizes nothing has changed in the town and hates being there...and then a handsome ghost is standing in the funeral parlor her family owns and it stirs up feeling for her. Although this started out with promise to be a different type of romance novel, the outcome was pretty obvious. Enjoyable all the same. 3.5 stars.

I admit it, I'm a sucker for romances and a happily ever after (HEA). When I ran across Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston and read the blurb I couldn't resist. Really, take the time to read the Book Description by clicking on the Show Official Info link at the top of this review – I'll wait. See, I just couldn't resist.

A ghostwriter, Florence Day, has written the last three best sellers for one of the best romance writers in the industry. She considered it the best job ever, except no one knows she's actually written them. Now the last book for the contract; the one that will finish her commitment, and she can't finish it. She knows the characters, she knows the problems they've had, but she's blown past three extensions and she just can't write the final scene. She no longer believes in love or HEAs.

A year ago, her boyfriend treated her love as trash and broke her heart. It was one of the worst break-ups ever in her life and she just can't get beyond it. Now she has a new editor--a super sexy and handsome one--and he's refused to extend the deadline and threatens to bring in the lawyers. Readers know that this is the time when Florence is thinking things can't get any worse.

Evidently, they can. She gets the phone call, the one all children dread, whether they know they dread it or not. Her father has died and she needs to go home again; to a town she couldn't wait to escape and hasn't been back to since she left.

Well, this has to be rock bottom but ... it does get worse. Florence and her dad had an interesting gift they shared. They both could see and interact with ghosts. Florence has suppressed this gift/curse/whatever since she left town. But when she answered the door when someone knocked--it was her new sexy editor and he was a ghost. Slamming the door didn't help; he just kept showing up. She was just going to have to convince him he was dead and help him find a way to move on. Why show up on her doorstep? What did he need her to do? He thought he needed her to finish the book. She thought she just needed to apologize or something actually doable. How was this all going to work out?

The book was unputdownable! Honestly—cross my heart, it was. The characters were quirky, 3-dimensional, and real enough to get you to hope to meet them someday (except for the ex-boyfriend that is). The story steamed along with witty smart dialogue, interesting scenes, building tension between siblings as well as Florence and the ghost, and of course some interesting discussions on love, grief, loss, and life.

In other words, I really enjoyed Dead Romantics and I hope you will too—if you give it a try.

I absolutely loved this book! This book feels like a giant hug. It’s sad but it’s also so freaking lovely. It’s like when all you see is darkness and then there’s this light - that’s what this book was. I loved the mixture of ghosts, small town, and just a lot of romance and love all around. The one scene when he’s in ghost form and she’s in her hotel 🥵🥵 daddy ghost!! Lol

This was overall such a great read and I hope you love it as much as I did!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

I don't know why it took me so long to read this book! I loved every moment of it. This is such a unique rom-com and so well worth all the hype it has gotten. The characters are just so lovable and this story is a gem.

I absolutely adored the dead guy/ghost angle of this book. The parts about publishing seemed very realistic but also almost too realistic. Looking forward to more books from this author.

What happens to a romance writer when she stops believing in romance? You get The Dead Romantics. Florence is a ghostwriter for a famous romance novelist, but after a rough breakup, she is convinced romance is dead and can't finish the final book in her romance book contract. Florence plans to ask her new editor for an extension, but is shocked to find that only is her new editor completely hot, but also not willing to give her more time. When Florence is called back to her hometown for a family emergency- a place she hasn't been in more than 10 years- her world is turned upside down. Not only is she forced to stare down this deadline, but the ghosts of her past.

This book made me roll my eyes in some spots, but overall, it was a very strong story that packs an emotional punch. Definitely worth a read, as it was enjoyable and I didn't want to put it down once I got going!