This book has such a fun, unique premise—a ghostwriter literally writing a memoir for a ghost—but it didn’t quite work for me. Adam, a washed-up ex-Mormon writer, is hired to tell the life story of action star Roland Rogers, who wants to come out as gay… after his death. The catch? Roland is a ghost and communicates through electronics. It’s a wild concept with a lot of potential, but the execution didn’t land for me.

While it’s marketed as a rom-com, it felt more like contemporary fiction with paranormal elements. The humor was there in spots—some moments genuinely made me laugh—but I just couldn’t connect with the characters. Adam spends most of the book wallowing in his faded success, and Roland comes off as shallow and self-absorbed until the very end. Zola, the other key character, felt like a stereotypical “mean girl,” and the late introduction of a fourth character didn’t add much.

The biggest issue for me was the lack of chemistry. For a story with romantic elements, I didn’t feel any real connection between Adam and Roland. Add to that some pacing problems, heavy reliance on monologues, and weird formatting in the Kindle version (titles randomly popping up mid-page), and it was a struggle to stay engaged.

That said, I loved the creativity of the premise, and if you’re willing to lean into the weirdness and suspend disbelief, there’s definitely some fun to be had. Unfortunately, the characters and storytelling just didn’t click for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the ARC!

How do you define this book? It's queer literary fiction, with a wee lil sprinkle of spiritual sci-fi wizardry and more than a dash of romance. It's funny, utterly clever, tender and unapologetically queer. It will tug on your heartstrings in heavy and feet-kicking ways, and keep you on your toes with the plot. One of my favorite things about Allen's writing is that you truly never know where she's going to take a story, but it's always satisfying.

For my friends that want everything single plot point answers and a perfect bow at the end of a book, that's not how she writes and I LOVE IT. She carries stories so damn well, and this one was absolutely weird and beautiful in the best way.

Content to be mindful of before reading: suicidal ideation, homophobia, familial and religious estrangement."

I was NOT given the heads up that the incredible Samantha Allen had a new book out so as soon as I heard, I ran to @netgalley to request and thankfully Zando was nice enough to let me have a sneak peek! PATRICIA WANTS TO CUDDLE is one of my favorite books from the last 5 years, and I just knew anything else that Allen has to write will be incredible.

Happy to report - I was right! ROLAND ROGERS ISN'T DEAD YET is both a departure, and not a departure, from her debut novel. Equipped with the same humor, heart, unexpectedness, and a high concept pop culture story, it is clear Allen now has a unique voice in fiction and I simply can't wait for more.

Quick plot premise - Adam, a gay writer who had a hit memoir but not much recently, is summoned to the home of mega movie star Roland Rogers (I was picturing Tom Cruise but there are lots of options to cast in your head) to ghostwrite his memoir. This movie start is about to come out of the closet. But there is one hitch - one that I didn't know going in so I don't want to spoil for you either! Just know that the book is super fun, has tons of great cultural references, and the ending made me WEEP! It's so touching and heartfelt. Gah, I loved this book and I love Samantha Allen.

Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet by Samantha Allen, Roland Rogers is the most recognized action star in Hollywood who I pictured as being like Dwayne Johnson like hot, but could also be funny, etc. After a movie shoot, he decides to go to his cabin and Utah alone for a couple of days falls off a cliff at the same time as an avalanche and gets buried under it and dies. When he wakes up in his Malibu mansion, he still dead and is just a ball of energy. pretending to still be alive, he learns how to get inside computers so he can send his manager an email. he wants to finally tell along held secret and this is why he wants to write a book something his British agent isn’t happy with, but does anyway, and this is how Adam Gallagher shows up at his house. Adam is an author who became famous because he got kicked out of a Mormon church or maybe it was the whole religion IDK and wrote a book about being gay his religion and gay marriage that was produced in 2010 it is 15 years later and he has yet to match his first success and feels like a has been, but is over the moon that he gets to be the ghost rider for Roland Rogers, such a manly man. The problem start soon after Adam arrives because no one is there to greet him not a maid not an assistant, not even Roland Rogers. It isn’t until he is in the kitchen with the Alexa en Roland‘s voice talks to him, but things really get crazy when he tries to explain to Adam that he cannot come out because he is dead. The story is told between Adam and Rowland‘s POV. It is during Rowlands POV that we learn if Adam is hungry somehow Roland feels the sensation and when Adam eats it sends Roland into ecstasy. if only the two could get along after all, Adam once admired the hunkey star. I just want to say at a certain point in the book Roland‘s beard girlfriend Zia shows up, and I did not like her at all, not even a little bit. Everything else, however, like Adams dreams about Richie and when he kept telling Adam to eat, so much of this book is hilarious and it’s a book. I definitely recommend. They don’t have any kind of sex scenes in it at least not detailed sex and the ones they do have or in the book to make you lol and they certainly did. this book was so much fun to read and I read it right after reading another funny book and I still could not get enough of it. #NetGalley#ZandoPress, #SamanthaAllen, #RolandRogersIsn’tDeadYet,

Thank you, NetGalley and Zando books for this ARC for review. This book was ADORABLE 🥰 I read this author’s previous book, Patricia Wants to Cuddle, so I knew not to expect a “normal” rom-com, per se. This book was even better!! Roland Rogers is a buff film star and looking to write his memoir and Adam Gallagher is just the man to do it. Adam wrote his own memoir about being a ex-Mormon, among other things. Adam can be Roland’s ghost-writer. Except Roland really is a ghost…. This writing thing is going to tricky! This book is so sweet and so touching and at times, laugh out loud funny!

Samantha Allen's Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet is interesting, exciting, and awkwardly funny. She writes compelling, engaging and diverse characters. This story is odd, quirky, and a bit strange but also incredibly brilliant, funny and again, engaging. Honestly, the premise of this novel feels a bit odd initially but after reading this novel I am ready for more from this author.

Roland Rogers a former movie star turned ghost hires a ghost writer to write his memoir in which he finally comes out. Ghostwriter Adam wrote his own sensational and successful memoir, about being a gay man growing up as a Mormon. Since then he has struggled to find that success with his subsequent novels. The problem is that they are on a timeline - 30 days..

What an intriguing and compelling book - it’s got an extremely imaginative story, with sympathetic characters. There’s a disembodied ghost who is only mostly dead, who talks via electronic devices and who wants his memoir ghost-written (yup we said it) and a former Mormon who is a struggling writer with something to prove, and their relationship is complicated and even, somehow, sensual. They each learn so much about themselves and each other in the process. The ending is not exactly what I was expecting or hoping for, but it gets the poignant point across in a well-written, thoughtful novel, with a beautiful statement: “Life is one long messy middle,” Roland says, “— and that’s precisely what makes it worth living.”

I never know where Allen's story will go but it is never someplace that's uninteresting, unexciting, or unfunny.

Roland Rogers the former movie star turned ghost arranges for a ghost writer to write his memoir so he can finally come out. Adam having written his own sensational and successful memoir, about being a gay man growing up as a Mormon, has struggled to find that again with his subsequent novels. Both of them will have a month to make this happen.

The books third act in part feels unnecessary, if the book ended after the second it would be functionally the same. Not to say that I didn't enjoy what happened but I wish that element had been introduced earlier. Other than that I thought this was funny as well as heart-breaking. Being in or out as a queer person is a choice and no one knows what the consequences will be. Adam and Roland and two very different people and while they don't admire certain aspects about the other, there is still that envy. How could have their lives been different? And how can Adam's life still change?

Allen deserves some applause for her unique take on ghosts. I don't think anyone has met an apparition that goes throughout afterlife as Roland does.

Interesting idea. Good storytelling. Enjoyed the book but didn't love it. It felt like it took too long to get into the meat of the story

Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet is a story about a Hollywood star, who has died and asked a writer to hear his story and write his memoir.

My favourite part about this book is the backstories of the characters. Of course, we get to read about Roland Rogers's life, but I also liked reading about the experiences of Adam, who got his fame by writing a book about being gay in the Mormon community he used to be in. If I compare the book with The Seven Husbands of Evelin Hugo, I do have to say that I preferred Evelin Hugo's story, as it contained more depth, but this book is also worth reading, especially if you like a more light-hearted story with an mlm romance.

I like how the ghost only existed as an invisible orb that's only able to communicate through electrical devices. It's refreshing to see ghosts pictured differently than usual. (Also I couldn't help imagining that if this book gets adapted to the screen, the actor playing Roland will be some handsome Hollywood hunk, only barely be pictured (but they can still cast someone with a sexy voice))

Thank you NetGalley and Zando for giving me access to an e-arc for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I read this book months ago and really loved it. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of his ex I loved the way the story was presented and how we got deeper looks at all the characters involved and their motivations. It really made me wish they had met so we could have seen how things played out. This was a sweet and heartbreaking tale of two people who met when they needed each other most.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

Samantha Allen’s Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet is a quirky, heartfelt rom-com that masterfully blends humor, romance, and a touch of the supernatural. The premise is irresistible: Adam Gallagher, an ex-Mormon ghostwriter with a checkered past, is hired to pen the memoir of Roland Rogers, an A-list actor who happens to be dead. Roland is not only a ghost but also an enigma, with a secret decades in the making that he wants to finally share with the world. What follows is a whirlwind journey of writing, revelations, and the unlikely bond that forms between the two.

The charm of this book lies in its unique premise and the snappy, witty dialogue that propels the plot. Adam is a wonderfully relatable protagonist, his internal struggles and sharp observations giving the story a grounded, authentic feel. Roland, while a bit more of a mystery, becomes a captivating figure, his charm and vulnerability emerging as the layers of his life—both past and present—are slowly peeled back. Their banter is a highlight, offering a balance of humor and tenderness that keeps the pages turning.

What makes the book truly stand out is its exploration of identity and self-discovery. Roland’s struggle with his closeted sexuality and the heavy weight of his secret is poignant, and watching him open up to Adam about his past is both moving and uplifting. The theme of coming out isn’t just about revealing a secret; it’s about finding the courage to be truly seen. The dynamic between Roland and Adam evolves in a way that feels natural, with their relationship growing as they work through their differences, both personal and professional.

The supernatural element, with Roland’s ghostly presence, adds a fun and unusual twist to the usual rom-com formula. While the ghostwriting aspect might sound like a trope, the book offers fresh takes on it by delving into the emotional toll of writing someone else’s story, especially when that someone is no longer alive to help guide the narrative. The conflict between Roland’s vision for his memoir and Adam’s more pragmatic approach creates an interesting tension that makes for some delightful moments of growth for both characters.

However, the book isn’t without its flaws. The pacing can sometimes feel a bit uneven, especially as the narrative focuses more on the relationship between the two men and less on the plot-driven elements. Some readers may also find the supernatural aspects—such as Roland’s method of communication through kitchen speakers—hard to fully accept, though it does add a quirky charm to the story.

Despite these minor issues, Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet is an engaging and heartwarming read. It balances humor, heart, and a touch of the paranormal in a way that will appeal to fans of authors like Ashley Poston and Casey McQuiston. The chemistry between Adam and Roland is undeniably sweet, and the novel’s exploration of identity, love, and second chances gives it an emotional depth that elevates it beyond the usual rom-com fare. This is a book that will leave readers laughing, thinking, and maybe even wiping away a few tears by the end.

can always count on Samantha Allen for a unique premise! had lots of fun with this book and read almost all of it in one sitting!

Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet by Samantha Allen was a super unique and heartwarming story with heavy topics.
I just really enjoyed reading this book and it did not disappoint.

Sometimes you read a book and you finish and it's like "that was so crazy but it didn't work" -- this book was not that though! This book was crazy and it DID work! I highly recommend going into it without knowing very much at all (like I did) because it'll be the ride of your life!

What a quickly little story! It deals with some deep philosophical questions like identity, gender norms, and sexuality as well as religious and cultural pressures, all within a humorous, richly detailed and highly unusual plot. Seriously, I’ve never read a book with a plot quite like this!

The two main characters were interesting and compelling, with relatable backstories that pointed out the struggles of queer people in religious and celebrity situations. Their highly unorthodox relationship still managed to be poignant and emotional.

The setting was unusual in that, other than some flashbacks, the entire book takes place in the same location. The multimillion dollar mansion, described in detail, made for a great metaphor to how trapped the two main characters were.

The plot was interesting and engaging and definitely made me wonder about how it was going to be resolved. There was some off the page spice and a dramatic conclusion that I found satisfying.

Overall I’d say this was a thoughtful and entertaining story that helped me think deeper about the parts of society where queer people are not free to be themselves.

Thank you to Netgalley and Zando Projects for the chance to review this ARC.

You know that feeling when you finish a book and just think to yourself "What the actual f*ck did I just read" because prior to reading this book I really don't think I have ever read a book this truly just, insane. About half-way through I remember thinking to myself "there's only one way this can go isn't there" and well, yeah, it went there, and I can honestly say I am unsure how I feel about it. The writing itself was good its just- the plot- I can't. I'm sure there's an audience for it though.

I went into Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet without reading the synopsis and I highly recommend you do the same! It is full of surprises and I loved how original this story was.

This is not your typical romance in a lot of ways. I felt like I really got to know the characters of both Roland and Adam and became really attached to the story. I actually couldn’t stop reading and once I got going I read most of it in one day! The writing is really engaging and I ended up loving this book.

If you like queer stories or romances with some magical realism- pick this one up! It’s a delight. 4.5 rounded up

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This was a wonderfully campy take on the afterlife with a lot of heart!

The book starts off with Adam Gallagher, a gay former devout Mormon turned author, getting the opportunity to get out of his writing slump. Adam’s first book about coming out and the religious trauma surrounding his sexuality was a big hit… 10 years ago. His career has been all crickets since then.

His agent lets him know action star and Hollywood hunk Roland Rogers has chosen Adam to ghostwrite his tell-all, coming out memoir. There’s just one minor detail - Roland is dead and no one but Adam knows.

The book follows Adam and Roland’s ghost as they hurry to boost Roland’s confidence enough to get pen to paper before anyone can find out he’s dead. This emotional roller coaster has a great balance of humor, compassion, tension, and unexpected romance as it deals with the very real topic of how safe it is for a public figure to come out, even now. I also really loved the unique take on what happens to us when we die.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the ARC!

i love samantha allen. i still think about and recommend patricia wants to cuddle all the time. so it was a no-brainer to pick up this book.

here we have adam, hand-selected by renowned celebrity roland rogers to write his memoir. roland loved his book way back in the day, thinks that adam is the right person to tell his story. why? because roland is ready to tell the world he's gay, his way. the problem? roland rogers is... well, he's dead.

they communicate through the internet of things - roland will share messages on the screen on the fridge, tell stories via alexa. i think injecting this kind of humor is where samantha allen really excels in writing and i'm glad that she didn't shy away from it here, especially when ghost roland develops a feeder thing and insists that adam order and eat a bunch of fast food for his own personal pleasure.

at the crux of the story though is a lot of heart. a life lived in the closet, a life lived in fear. roland is a pretty notable celebrity in this world, rich in a way that most of us can only dream. yet, despite all of his worldly possessions you very quickly begin to realize how little that stuff matters when you're not living authentically.

the only place this book really failed for me was in the character zoya, roland's once public flame. it's a shame, because i think she had some very real things to say regarding celebrity and the way women are treated vs. men, but she ultimately became a snidely whiplash caricature of a person, utterly unlikable and cruel beyond my understanding.

so, 4 stars.