*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: August 20, 2024

The first act was slow going for me but by the second act, I found myself helplessly invested in these characters. This is a spicy, open door, friends to lovers romcom set in Ireland between Callum (grieving Irish mortician, looking to take over the family business) and Lark (grieving Texan widow, escaping to Ireland for a new job in animation).

This book is wildly heartfelt with a solid cast of side characters. Callum sometimes seemed too good to be true—it was apparent a female was writing him—but I gratuitously enjoyed!

Oh how I loved this book! I’m not ordinarily thrilled by books that heavily feature grief but I was just too intrigued by this book’s premise. And I was not disappointed!

Lark and Callum are such special and well-developed characters. Their instant connection had me hooked almost instantly. I also loved how they had their found family at their workplaces. All the supporting characters added such a vibrancy to the story.

I really felt for how hesitant Lark was to fall in love and commit to Callum because of her grief. The pacing of the story felt very realistic. And the way they ultimately found their way back to each other was so beautiful. I was also glad they both got a win in their careers by the end. I just loved all of it!

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks is fascinating & emotional adventure of a romance. Ivy Fairbanks has an incredible writing style that will enrapture your heart & intrigue your mind.

Morbidly Yours has the tropes/rep of…
🖤 Romantic Dramedy
🖤 Opposites Attract
🖤 Friends to Lovers
🖤 Demisexual Hero With a Stutter

Because of the dramedy nature of this, it is a bit outside of my usual realm & thus took me a little bit before I was able to get lost into it. However, I am so glad I listened to the reviewers & recommendations because this was such a beautiful story. It’s wickedly unique in so many avenues. This is like a breath of fresh air in the romance genre.

I could honestly see this becoming a movie with the Texan in Ireland & the shy mortician neighbor…that is what dreams are made of. I am so curious to see what this author writes next & would love to read more from them.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & G. P. Putnam’s Son’s for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

“Morbidly Yours” is a charming mix of romance and small-town life set in a picturesque Irish village. Callum Tannely, the sweet and likable protagonist, must marry before his 35th birthday to inherit his family’s undertaking business. Enter Lark Thompson, a lively American cartoonist who moves in next door brought down, she steps in to help him navigate the tricky world of dating, while trying to establish a life after immense grief for herself.

Callum is a standout character—his sincerity and understated humor make him instantly lovable. The chemistry between Callum and Lark is electric, with their witty banter and evolving friendship giving the story a delightful spark. Their gradual shift from friends to something more is engaging, though the “will they, won’t they” tension felt like it stretched a bit too long, and I wished their relationship had come together a little sooner.

The supporting characters add warmth and depth to the narrative, creating a well-rounded and endearing cast. They enhance the story’s charm, balancing out the romance with humor and heart. Overall, Ivy Fairbanks delivers a heartwarming and memorable read in “Morbidly Yours,” with its unique setting and delightful characters sure to leave readers with a smile.

this was so fun and awesome. i didn’t expect to love an undertaker romance as much as i did. it was such a beautiful look at grief and sexuality and friendship. i loved it. loved these two so much.

Morbidly Yours is a fabulous debut by Ivy Fairbanks and I hope to read more of her work in the future!

The story opens with Lark and Callum meeting for the first time. They are as different as can be. She's an animator with a bubbly personality and he's a shy mortician who's used to his alone time. They don't exactly hit it off at first, and yet he can't seem to keep her off his mind. Morbidly Yours is a story about two people who find each other when each of them is in need of a friend.

But like all romance novels, there has to be a hook. A conflict. And the big issue in this story is that Callum has to get married by his 35th birthday in order to meet the guidelines in his grandfather's will. If he can't meet the demands, he forfeits his right to the family mortuary business. And Callum is quickly running out of time.

One of my favorite tropes is friends to lovers and so I really enjoyed this story. Both Callum and Lark were so sweet and I loved reading as neighbors became friends, and then friends became more. Add to the fact that this story is very slow burn with the two of them denying their feelings for each other for way, way too long. And then they just can't seem to work the timing out.

This story felt really unique and I loved that it takes place in Ireland. The dialogue is filled with Irish phrases that Callum teaches Lark, and so it was also a bit educational. A mortician and an animator are both very interesting and unique careers which added to some of the intrigue in this story.

I highly recommend if you like contemporary romances, but remember to read the trigger warnings first. This story discusses difficult subjects like death and grief and although it it handled respectfully, it may also be hard for some readers to read about.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the chance to read and review this book. I really enjoyed Ivy Fairbanks debut novel and hope she publishes more in the very near future.

This book is so much fun tp read. Callum and Lark had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. Their chemistry was on fire, the banter was hilarious, and the slow burn gave me all the butterflies. I loved that they were best friends before anything else, and the death humor had me cracking up.
Callum is the definition of a sweet, soft boy, and his inner monologue were just the best. Lark's bubbly personality made them the perfect pair, though she did go back and forth on her feelings a bit, which was frustrating at times.

The ending of this book worked so well for the story! I love that parts mentioned in the book were concluded. I have a good idea of who the next two characters will be for book two & that has me excited.

Thank you @putnambooks for my #gifted copy! Morbidly Yours is out today! Very excited to see where this series goes!

This book follows a bubbly, colorful woman from Texas who moves to Ireland for a job. She isn't, however, aware that her neighbor happens to be the city's recluse undertaker in a mortuary.

How about opposites attract! Quiet, sweet Irish Callum and fun, outgoing Lark with a southern drawl! Well they have chemistry, that's for sure!

The death puns in this story are absolutely fantastic. I laughed, cackled, and even snorted a few times. 😂 The "That’s convenient. The undertaker’s come to pick up the remains of your career!” It was endless. Also Lark saying she was the "equivalent to loose glitter." The accuracy 😂😂😂

A little too much spice for me, but all in all a fun read and SO different from other books I have read. I for sure will be picking up the others.

*Romance- multiple open door
*TW- death of loved ones, grief, descriptive morgue scenes

#pubday #morbidlyyours #ivyfairbanks
#putnam #indietotrad #newrelease #augustbooks #deathpuns #theundertaker #ireland #grimreaper #oppositesattract

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for an advanced readers copy of this book.

I've been putting off writing this review because I don't even know where to start. I LOVED IT. I fell in love with sweet and shy Callum, but shot over the moon for the new and improved Callum plus Lark. I loved how she naturally brought out the best in him... and how she eventually allowed him to bring out the best in her. Plus, he punched an a-hole for her. *swoon*

Some might find the talk of death and the handling of bodies after death a tough nut to swallow, but the author did a great job giving just enough detail without being really gross. Although, there's your warning - you've been warned. (Death, dead bodies, funerals, etc.)

While a little predictable, this was a perfectly cute little story. I spied a set up for the next installment... and I'll be the first in line to read it. I'm very much looking forward to what Ms. Fairbanks gives us in the future.

📚Trope(s): Grumpy/Sunshine, Friends-to-Lovers, Marriage for Convenience
What you get: 🪦💖🛵✈️🐁
⭐️Plot: 4/5
🔥Chemistry: 5/5
🌶️Spice: 4/5

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
351 pages

“𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩.”

this is my first @ivyfairbanksbooks and i adored it! Callum and Lark are the cutest little black cat and golden retriever couple 🖤

this is an open-door, sloooooow burn kinda book. these two dance around each other forever, BUT it was so worth it once they finally get together. 🥵 their chemistry was amazing!!

also! this book features an asexual and demiromantic mmc. Callum can only be with someone who he has feelings with and it’s so sweet how he develops and leans in to Lark. it was so nice to get more representation in a spooky fall read!

if you’re looking to add more to your cozy spooky fall reads, you HAVE to add this one! 🪦🥹

Absolutely adored this book! It was steamy. It was quirky. The main characters are beautifully described so you really fall in love with them. The setting is something I can so easily picture in my mind based off the writers words. The way both character’s grief is handled and described is beautiful. Highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a romance read!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks is an enchanting romantic dramedy that masterfully blends humor, heart, and a touch of the macabre. This delightful tale follows Callum Flannelly, a shy Irish mortician who faces an unusual dilemma: to inherit his family’s funeral business, he must marry before his 35th birthday. Enter Lark Thompson, a Texan widow seeking a fresh start in Galway, who moves in next door to Callum's funeral home and unwittingly becomes part of his journey.

Fairbanks excels at creating a unique and engaging premise. Callum’s character is wonderfully complex—painfully shy yet deeply caring, his struggles with social anxiety are both relatable and endearing. Lark, on the other hand, is vibrant and full of life, despite the shadows of her past. Their contrasting personalities set the stage for a charming opposites-attract romance that feels fresh and authentic.

The chemistry between Callum and Lark is palpable as they navigate their shared experiences. Initially focused on helping Callum find a suitable partner, Lark’s project soon leads to unexpected emotions and connection. I appreciated how Fairbanks deftly explores themes of grief, healing, and the courage it takes to open one’s heart again.

The writing is witty and poignant, filled with delightful banter that kept me laughing while also tugging at my heartstrings. Fairbanks has a knack for creating vivid imagery and capturing the essence of Galway, making it a character in its own right.

Overall, Morbidly Yours is a delightful read that balances humor with depth. It’s a story about love in unexpected places, the healing power of connection, and the importance of embracing life’s uncertainties. If you’re looking for a charming romance that offers both laughs and heartfelt moments, look no further—this book is a must-read! 🌟💀❤️

I really enjoyed this unique love story. Everything from the idyllic setting, to their professions, personality differences and the themes of loss and grief were done so well that you truly felt like you knew Lark and Callum. They were the perfect match for each other and were truly grounding presences in their lives. Lark brought Callum out of his shell turning his monochromatic world into a brightly colored kaleidoscope of sunshine. Callum’s heart and presence slowly melted the frozen wall around Lark’s heart and gave her the safe space to grieve and grow and to accept the love she thought she didn’t deserve again in her life.

I hope to see more books from Ivy Fairbanks in the future especially a book for Lark’s cousin because I would love updates on where Lark and Callum are in their happily ever after lives.


Thank you publishers and netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback

This was such a charming, sweet, fun story! Death and grief can be a rough topic to cover, Ivy dealt with it so well. It's a great story about how we move forward in life after losing the person we love most in the world... honoring them and their memory while trying to figure out who we are and allowing ourselves to find joy in life without them. I got mad every time I had to put it down once I got started. Already received my first order of the book and put it on my staff recs shelf.

A fun and funny romantic comedy set against the wholly unromantic backdrop of an Irish funeral home. Lark is a Texas girl who who, after the death of her husband, emigrates to Ireland. She meets the socially inept Callum, who owns (for now, at least) his family’s funeral home. They have an easy and warm connection that makes the reader root for them from the jump. And generally speaking, the writing is smart and sharp, making Fairbanks a debut author to watch for me.

For me, Callum’s ultimatum to get married or lose the funeral home is a bit too contrived and dampens my overall enthusiasm for the story, while Lark’s approach to grief is a underdeveloped and sometimes hard to grasp. The pacing also starts to lag as the book focuses too much on the Lark’s co-workers and Callum inheritance drama, but the steamy second half of the book makes this one a memorable read nonetheless.

This is not a story I typically gravitate towards, but Fairbanks’ writing makes this one an easy book to recommend for fans of the genre.

Thanks very much to GP Putnam’s Sons & NetGalley for the Arc.

I loved Morbidly Yours as an indie book, and adored it as a traditionally republished book.

Lark and Callum are the epitome of what a good romance should be. Ivy Fairbanks is a breakout voice in the genre - fresh and brilliant.

What a delightful twist on the marriage of convenience, modern romance. It was also a tasteful treatise on grief and the residual pain it causes. Impressive debut that takes a sweet spin on the slightly spooky, but utterly loveable funeral director and the nosy neighbor next door. Ivy Fairbanks is someone I'll definitely be keeping an eye on.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

A huge thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the eARC! This was such a delightful romance. I read with the audio in tandem and was absolutely enamored with the narration. Angela Dawe (known for narrating the Finlay Donovan series) kills it as Lark and Callum’s narrator had me swooning!

I adored how the characters and their relationship as a couple was handled. The side characters were diverse and well-rounded, making the setting and environment feel realized. I was rooting for Callum and Lark throughout and I truly enjoyed the plot aspects that were separate from their romance as well. I’m so glad that we’re going to get another book (sounds like another interconnected standalone series - my fave!). This is an absolutely perfect spooky season romance. Add this to your TBRs, immediately.

The perfect fall romance. Cozy, sweet, and funny. It deals with heavier topics, so be mindful of triggers. The neighbors to friends to lovers vibes were fantastic. This one’s a winner!

Cute rom-com focusing on moving on after grief but in an unlikely way as Lark finds love after the loss of her husband with an undertaker. I enjoyed the characters, especially Callum's experiences of social anxiety. I wish there was a bit more character development and exploration of love after grief.