OH EM GEE! WHAT A CUTE BOOK & A DEFINITE MUST READ.

After choking on a burger alone in her flat, Delphie winds up at Evermore in her "shine like a star" nightie. She is met by her Afterlife therapist, Merritt, who informs Delphie she has just died. At first she is in disbelief and walks away and bumps in Jonah, who she finds dreamy. They share a handshake, which causes Delphie to feel sparks but Jonah is sent back to Earth after someone yells that there's been a mistake.
Merritt tells Delphie that Jonah was one of her five soulmates; and she will let Delphie live if she finds Jonah and has him kiss her. Only thing is, Delphie has 10 days to do so. Delphie is not the friendliest person and has always kept to herself (putting up an iron guard. Her only friend is her neighbor Mr.Yoon). Now Delphie must spend the next 10 days looking for this mystery man to save her life.

Soooo, I actually gave this book a 4.3 but rounded down. But this was such a cute read that actually had me smiling the entire time.
I did not like Delphie at first. She was rude, obnoxious and just plain bitchy. HOWEVER, I enjoyed her character development. She went from being a character I could not stand to a character I would have loved to be friends with.
This book has every romcom trope imaginable.. but it all works so wonderfully. There's romance, a bit of suspense (not thriller suspense but it's just suspenseful lol) and a magical realism aspect. I definitely did like the magical realism aspect because it was enough to be believable.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book.
This is one of the cutest reads I have ever read and makes me want to keep reading romcoms (& I am NOT a romcom person! Anyone who knows me knows that I despise romcoms so saying I absolutely adored this means that it is a definite MUST READ)

A cute and fun read, my first book by Kirsty Greenwood. Delphie choked on a microwaveable burger and died. She meets her soulmate in the after life. She is sent back to her earthly life for 10 days to find this perfect stranger. With the help from her friend Cooper, they search for a guy named Jonah. In 10 days if she doesn't find Jonah, she has to leave earth and return to Evermore.

This book is fun, touching, and quirky at times. Full of entertainment!

Charming, Pure Joy, and Happiness! 3.5 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This booked will be released 7/2/24.

What a pleasant surprise! I thought this was just going to be an easy breezy funny story but it had so much depth. Very enjoyable! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

DNF @ 60%

I don’t know if I can explain this well, but I’ll give it a shot. This was written incredibly well- so well, in fact, that I physically could not read it due to my levels of secondhand embarrassment on the main characters behalf. I think this story will resonate extremely well with millennials and find a hugely supportive audience. I look forward to reading this author’s next work!

Delphie is sent to the afterlife after a choking incident but is given the chance to go back to earth and stay if she finds and gets her mystery man/ soulmate to kiss her. As she searches for this man, she begins to come out of her shell, learns some important life lessons and forms friendships she never thought she’d have.

I cannot explain the feelings I had when I was reading this. My heart felt so full, especially with the amazing cast of side characters, and the humor was unexpected and laugh out loud funny. I absolutely loved Delphie’s quirky character, her compassion for those around her, and her self discovery. There were references to popular romance tropes along with book and author mentions that made it fun to connect with as a big reader. Plus, the themes of finding love when you least expect it and living your life to the fullest always resonate with me. I listened to some chapters on audio because I could not put the book down, and thought the narrator did an amazing job with Delphie’s character.

Read if you like: Magic realism, London setting, Grumpy x grumpy, He falls first, Only one bed , The Good Place, Ashley Poston books

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

DNF 41%

This may be a it's not you, it's me situation. I was really excited for this book because it had such an interesting premise, but I guess I wasn't jiving with the execution.

The storyline itself is not what I expected it to be. It's very clearing pointing in a different direction the whole time, which makes the primary part of the storyline actually seem a little annoying. And the secondary storyline, for me, isn't being developed enough either, so I really wasn't connecting with much.

And the characters were 50/50. There were a couple banter moments and one liners that really made me laugh, but for the most part everyone in this book just seemed EXTRA and unrealistic.

Haven't DNF'ed in awhile so I figured I was due for one soon 😟

When Delphie wakes up in what seems to be a bright pink laundromat after choking on her microwave burger, it takes a moment to realize she literally choked *to death.* To make matters worse, she's in her most embarrassing pajamas in front of the man of her dreams, who seems equally into her--despite the awkward nightgown. When he's sent back to Earth--his time not yet there--her afterlife therapist gives her another chance: go back, find him, and get him to kiss her in ten days, and she can stay on Earth. But Delphie is the definition of a virgin who can't drive and more reclusive that any hot redheaded 27 yo should be, so it's easier said than done. But maybe she can learn more in her ten days on Earth than how to land a man.

This book is just so much fun. Perfect for fans of The Good Place and The Dead Romantics, this book manages to tackle death in such a light-hearted way. Delphie is a fascinating character, the epitome of someone who isn't really living until they're dead. I loved seeing her journey to having friends, hobbies, and potentially a relationship, compared to her admittedly sad life pre-burger-choking. This book really took me through the gauntlet of emotions, making me both chuckle and tear up. It was such a wonderful path, and I can't recommend it enough.

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC and finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10

REVIEW: The Love of My Afterlife ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (4.5)

This was my first book from Kristy Greenwood, but it won’t be my last. I went into The Love of My Afterlife with little information, and I really enjoyed it a lot.

The Love of My Afterlife combines romance, magical realism, science fiction, and some paranormal. Kristy does a great job balancing these genres and allowing them to work together.

The premise of the story is unique. Delphie dies from choking and ends up in Evermore, where people who die go. She meets a guy there, and she instantly feels that he is her soulmate; however, he isn’t supposed to be dead because he is just unconscious, so he is sent back. Dephie makes a deal that if she can get him to kiss him within ten days, she can live again. With his memory wiped and only having his first name, Delphie gets to work.

The Love of My Afterlife is filled with twists and turns, making it a fascinating read. You can tell that Kristy Greenwood is a romance book fan because the story includes many book references, titles, and romance tropes. There were a few emotional moments, many that made me laugh out loud, and also slow-burn spiciness that paid off. It was an outstanding balance of feelings. I also liked how the book discussed soulmates and whether or not they are true.

The characters in this book were fabulous. Dephie was quirky in the best way. I could strongly connect with not only the main characters but also the side characters. Kristy Greenwood gave each character so much heart, personality, and backstories that you care so much about them. Even the connections between the characters had great chemistry and strong friendships.

Overall, I enjoyed reading The Love of My Afterlife very much. It snuck up on me and surprised me. This book is perfect for anyone who loves romance stories with magical elements and lots of laughter.

Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

#bookreview #bookrecommendations #arcread #bookstagram #books #booklover #bookish #bookaddict #igreads #bookcommunity #igreads #readingbooks #bookishpost #readersofinstagram #reading #alwaysreading #romancereadersofinstagram

This book has every trope imaginable from fake dating to only one bed at the inn during a storm; it was chaotic and messy but absolutely delightful. I went from cringing with second-hand embarrassment at the FMC's utter lack of filter, to tearing up at her not hesitating to help her elderly neighbor with his hygiene tasks.

Delphie is recently deceased after choking on a microwave hamburger; she finds herself in an afterlife waiting room alongside the most attractive man she's ever seen. When he is returned to the land of the living on a technicality, Delphie is offered a deal of ten days back on Earth during which she must convince her potential soulmate to kiss her, willingly. Did I mention that Delphie has never dated in her twenty-seven years of life? She was bullied and traumatized as a girl and is now utterly alone in the world, aside from looking after her elderly neighbor Mr. Yoon. She has no idea what the stranger's last name is or where he lives; she will need to connect with people in her community and ask for help her for the first time in her life.

This book seemed more about found family and personal growth than the actual romance, about taking chances to be alive. I loved the peripheral characters who were so open to friendship with Delphie and saw through her grumpy self-protective walls. At times Delphie's actions were so cringe I literally closed the book and said 'noooo' out loud, but then she would go and do something so caring that I loved her in spite of everything.

Thank you so much to Berkley and Netgalley for this ARC!

Thank you #partner @berkleyromance for my #gifted copies. 💕 #berkleyromancepartner #berkleyig #penguinrandomhousepartner

The Love of My Afterlife
Kirsty Greenwood
Available 7/2

📖 A recently deceased woman meets “the one” in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on earth before ten days are up…

💭 This dazzling British romp begs to be turned into a romantic comedy film! It's fresh, fun, and wholly unexpected. It's not often a romance novel takes me by surprise, but this one sure did! The highlight for me here, aside from the swoony romance, was Delphie's incredible character growth. I adored this, and I think you will too! (4.5 ⭐ rounded up)

Delphine doesn’t die of embarrassment but she is quiet embarrassed when she does die; in a silly nightie after choking on a microwave burger. She meets her dream man in the afterlife, only for him to be sent back to Earth. Devastated, Delphine is given a deal to go back to find him and connect.

A new favorite of mine! This book was so smart, unexpected, and fun. I love a magical realism twist within a serious plot. The two main characters are hilarious. Their banter is biting and clever. The plot is a little out there but I loved every second of it. There’s a touch of many romance tropes in it, as romantic fiction plays into the story as well.

“Here lies Delphine Denise Bookham. She died just as she lived: alone, perplexed,
and wearing something a bit shit.”

The Love of My Afterlife comes out 7/2.

The story begins with Delphie in the waiting room of the afterlife. She is 27 and still a virgin (not that there's anything wrong with that). While there she literally bumps into a hot stranger and there is a connection and spark. They are interrupted when her hot guy Jonah is whisked away because his appearance was premature. Through a loophole Delphie is offered the chance to return to earth for ten days. If she can find Jonah, a potential soulmate, and get him to kiss her willingly, she can stay on earth.

The quest isn’t as easy as it sounds as it takes quite a while for her to find a Jonah T. that lives in London. In the meantime Delphie is living her life, helping care for her elderly neighbor Mr. Yoon and getting help from grumpy neighbor Cooper. There are some funny moments and Delphie is very quirky. Some of the story is predictable but that doesn’t make it less enjoyable. For me this is more general fiction than romance because so much of the story is spent on trying to find Jonah even though there is a romance and HEA. It is a subtle difference.

This is a light fantasy and a fun read. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

i want to give this more than five stars. it deserves so many stars. all of the stars. it was funny and heart wrenching and frustrating and perfect. i have never highlighted a book more. there was just so much to love here. i want to reread it again and again and recommend it to everyone i know. it was every romance trope rolled into one perfectly. it was the dead romantics meets the good place, just as described but somehow better and completely it's own thing. i am in love with this book.

I flipping loved this book!

You have Delphie who just died from choking on a microwave hamburger. When she dies she goes to this placed called Evermore. She meets her Afterlife therapist and some hot guy that she feels a spark with. Turns out he is not really dead. Just close. So back to earth he goes.
Her Therapist lovvvves romance and decides to bend the rules and give Delphie ten days to find that guy and get him to kiss her.

The things is Delphie hates being around people. She only interacts with her neighbor Mr. Yoon but he does not talk...so there is that.

This book was fun then the damned thing even made me cry. I wasn't expecting much so I was sooooo pleasantly surprised to find it! (You know how it is when you pick up a book you expect nothing but fluff)

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Words can’t begin to describe how much I loved this-one of those “stay up half the night just to finish it” books.
After a very embarrassing way to die, Delphie wakes up in an afterlife waiting room, where she finds an immediate spark with another new arrival…her soulmate…only to realize he was there temporarily. She’s offered a deal to return to earth and have another chance at life, but with a catch: she must find that same soulmate who will have no memory of them meeting, and within 10 days get him to kiss her of his own free will, otherwise it’s back to the afterlife. But for what had been a sad, lonely life before, this second chance also gives her the opportunity to realize just what an incredible community is in her corner and life doesn’t have to be so lonely.
I laughed, cried, and couldn’t stop smiling. Such a cute story with some big twists. I was drawn in by the immediate humor (choking on a microwave burger?!) and as it progressed, I just couldn’t put the book down until the end, invested in every character from Delphie and Cooper to Mr Yoon and Deli Dan. This was my first of Greenwood’s books and I can’t wait to read her others now.
Thank you to Berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I've just hit the opposite of a reading slump. In the past month of the 26 books I have read, I rated 11 as five stars. This is an amazing lucky streak of books that I absolutely love and will want to recommend over and over again.

Delphine lives, or lived, a lonely existence. But she really wasn't ready to die. Especially not dressed as she was, choking on a hamburger bun, in her apartment, only in her twenties and still a virgin. She's met by an afterlife therapist and through an extraordinary turn of events is given 10 days back on earth. If she can convince her "soulmate" Jonah to kiss her, she can remain on earth. Only thing all she knows his first name and that he lives in London.

Searching for Jonah leaves Delphine open to new experiences, asking for help and returning favors. Along the way she amasses the quintessential found family. This book will make you laugh and squeeze your heart at the same time.

I read Kirsty Greenwood's The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance years ago and loved it! When I saw this on Netgalley I knew I had to read it, I am loving all of these contemporary paranormal ghosty romances like Dead Romantics! This isn't actually a ghost romance, Delphie dies but then is pretty much immediately brought back to earth for a second chance at life if she can convince her soulmate to kiss her of his own free will in 7 days! Delphie is a loner who's only friend is her little, old, mute neighbor, Mr. Yoon. Her “AfterLife therapist” Merritt was such a frigging hoot and when she sends her back to life, the parts I enjoyed most were Delphie learning to open up and creating a found family type of group which was so sweet! I don't wanna spoil the romanctical parts of the story because they took my off guard in the best way possible. I was delighted by our hero and he truly brought out the best in Delphie and helped her expand her point of view! The ending is surprising and beautiful, 10/10 recommend!!

Delphie Bookham is a 27-year-old woman who's never had a romantic relationship or the *perks* that come with one. After years of bullying in high school and basically being abandoned by her parents, she’s sworn off getting close to others, apart from her elderly neighbor Mr. Yoon. Unfortunately, this means she’s alone when a bite of burger gets stuck in her throat!

Next thing she knows, she finds herself in Evermore where she’s greeted by an outgoing, ambitious, romance-loving Afterlife Therapist named Merritt who’s getting a little bored upstairs. When Merritt notices sparks fly between Delphie and another incoming “Dead” named Jonah who gets whisked back to earth because it’s not his time yet, she decides to have some fun. She’ll bend a rule to allow Sophie to return to her life IF she can find Jonah and get him to kiss her within ten days. If not, Delphie gets a one-way ticket back to Evermore!

Can Delphie find her soulmate Jonah and get that kiss in time?

It’s a delightful premise and the beginning hooked me right away, but it’s the unexpected story AFTER Delphie gets sent back that truly won my heart!

This is a love story about LOVE STORIES! The frequent nods to familiar authors and books, the meta references to popular romance tropes, the heartwarming threads of found family and magical realism, and the overarching theme of living the life you’ve been given to its fullest ALL make for one of the sweetest, most life-affirming stories I’ve read this year. I went into the story thinking I knew where it was going, but I was so wrong and I couldn’t be happier that I was!

Delphie’s journey isn’t just about finding love and pursuing her ‘happily ever after’, it’s also about discovering her love for life itself and all the joys that come with letting people in. Yes, I wanted to shake her for a good half or so of the book and tell her to stop being so darn grumpy, but she wasn’t that way without reason, and seeing her evolution as a character was worth the patience.

If you enjoy a funny, heartwarming enemies to lovers story with a brilliant cast of side characters, great chemistry, a satisfying story arc and a decent amount of emotional depth involving grief, bullying, loneliness, caring for the elderly, and setting healthy boundaries, this is well worth a look! I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from Kirsty Greenwood!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romcom, Paranormal Romance, Magical Realism
Spice Level: Pretty hot
Language: Pretty bad (as in a lot of swearing)

This is the book for you if, you love:

- found family
- fake dating
- love triangle
- forced proximity
- one bed
- enemies to lovers
- love after death
- irreverent take on the afterlife
- god-like deals for love (reminds me of the impossible situation of The Little Mermaid, Disney version with Ursula)

This is a breezy book; a beach read. I was really looking for a sweet romance without swearing, and this book didn't work out for that reason. I think other romance readers will love it when looking for a light-hearted read.

Happy reading!

Thanks for the free book @berkleyromance @netgalley #berkleypartner #berkleybooks !!

@kirsty_greenwood is a new-to-me author and again I feel as if I’ve been hiding under a rock for having missed her previous books. This book was the contemporary romance plus a bit of the spooky that I was looking for - a romp, if you will, featuring a grumpy girl protagonist falling for her brooding, snarky, curly haired neighbor.

Delphie is a 27 year old recluse by choice. She’s got an absentee mother, was horrifically bullied at school by an ex-best friend, and does not want to let anybody in except for her 86-year-old neighbor Mr. Yoon, who she cares for (she’s a secret softie, of course). Her colleagues at the pharmacy where she’s a pharmacist are afraid of her because she’s a stone cold bitch. Forget about Cooper, the hot Lothario downstairs with his noise and endless parade of women, she *hates* him (you know where I’m going with this, right?) Anyway, Delphie dies when she chokes on a piece of microwaved bodega beef burger (idk what the stores are called in London, my bad).

She meets her afterlife therapist, Merritt, an extrovert to the extreme, and Merritt an obsession with romance novels. When Jonah T appears in the afterlife because he’s too high on dental drugs, he and Delphie have a moment. As a result, Merritt and Delphie strike up a side contract where Delphie can remain alive if she can get Jonah to kiss her in 10 days or less.

Back to her body Delphie goes, but she’s such a recluse that it’s going to be a Herculean task to meet Jonah. She doesn’t have much help — maybe Cooper can prove himself to be useful for once?

Mad Shenanigans ensue as Delphie realizes there’s a whole life out there waiting for her, and as she chases after the elusive and seemingly perfect Jonah, I really wanted Cooper to win.

This book is really great, and I really don’t want to spoil the end for you guys, but needless to say it’s wacky, it’s a little deus ex machina, but aren’t the best stories when the win comes out of nowhere when you think it’s lost? Anyway, throw this on your TBR, you don’t wanna miss it, I promise.