Okay I’ll admit I have never read a romance book involving an Irish mortician falling in love with a Southern sweet Texas gal, but the combo was so ridiculously good! Morbidly Yours is a page turner debut novel by Ivy Fairbanks. Her story is one melded with unique characters, beautiful Irish territory background, and some marriage for convenience drama. It also feels like Dexter and P.S I love You wrapped in there.

Both main characters, Lark and Callum are COMPLETE opposites. Lark is a bubbly, charming creative animator who relocates to Ireland after the death of her husband. Her shy neighbor, Callam is a quiet mortician, who prides in alone time both in and outside the office. What could bring these two characters together besides the close proximity of their houses? The looming threat that Callam can lose his family mortuary business if he doesn’t get hitched before his 35th birthday. Oooph that sucks!
Lark sees the bat signal for Callam’s distress and decides to swoop in and utilize her fixing abilities that not all of us on this green Earth possess. (You know who you are out there and I am jealous of your fix- it mentality when I just want to wallow in distress.) I digress…
One of my favorite tropes in this story is friends to lovers and Fairbanks did a seamless job weaving this trope in her story. There is a real slow burn in each page as the two realize how hard it is to deny their feelings for each other.
Morbidly Yours is a story about letting go of your past and forgiving yourself in order to move forward and find happiness. I cannot wait for the next book in Fairbanks series.Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the chance to read and review this book.

I LOVED this witty and heartwarming romance. Do not let the title fool you, there is nothing dark or morbid about this book! Lark moves to Ireland after the death of her husband looking for a fresh start; she moves next door to Callum, the owner of a funeral home. Cue jokes about hearses and death. But there is so much more to both of these characters, their depth was one of my favorite parts of the book and Fairbanks' writing. While either/both of these characters could have easily become caricatures they are both so real and their lives are so relatable. There were moments of tenderness, love, grief, frustration...you name it. Lark and Callum have a true friends to lovers romance and it was a pleasure to read. I loved their love story and I think you will too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

This is a fun and beautiful story, full of tropes including he falls first, friends with benefits, and grumpy x sunshine. Callum and Lark were so cute and healthy for each other; they fit perfectly. Callum is an undertaker, running his family business after losing his grandfather and he must marry by the time he’s 35 or lose the business.

A slow burn romance set in Ireland and leveraging a glossary of common 🌶️ sayings.

I was only medium on it. I will give it points for unlikely love story between an undertaker and an artist, but the pacing felt off to me and I felt myself wanting to skim sections.

Thanks for the advanced reader copy Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons.

I received a copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for a review. I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to four.

I think part of my interest in reading this book was because in high school we took those career aptitude tests and one said I should be a funeral director, but I chose not to pursue that haha.

I liked Lark and Callum, and I liked how Callum was on the ace spectrum, and seeing how that was dealt with by both of them. I thought Lark’s job issues sounded realistic and I enjoyed how they concluded, but there were times I just wanted to shout “make HR listen to you!” Also, I think Lark’s mom is horrible.

Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Cute story. Love that it's based in Ireland. It did move a bit slow for me, but I liked the characters enough to stick with it and glad I did.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I was very excited to read this book because I wanted to read more books with characters who are demisexual, and the description of the hero being in that spectrum appealed to me. I did like quite a few things about this book, but I didn't like the way that this subject is handled. For a book about a character who is demisexual, this book is presented in a way that is heavily sex-focused. It is my personal opinion that if two people are getting to know each other and navigating this identity and how characters interact when they are on the asexual spectrum, it seems to be defeating the purpose to focus so much on sexual attraction and physical body traits and sexualizing those characters.

Some readers may appreciate the juxtaposition in the hero (Callum) and the heroine (Lark) and how they interact. I got to a point where I was just frustrated, especially when the heroine seems to want to pursue a relationship on her terms that is based more on her needs than on the interplay between her needs and the hero’s needs. I feel that their friendship is a very good foundation of this book, and I would have liked that to be a much stronger part of the book without constantly having the heroine’s sex-focused dialogue. The hero’s feelings do involve some attraction, but they seem to focus more on how he is drawn to her as a person and how he feels emotionally for her. For the heroine, it’s almost always tied to her sexual attraction.

I feel like the presentation of demisexuality in this book is somewhat problematic. Yes, there is a spectrum, but Callum’s demisexuality is portrayed in a way that contradicts itself. (He seems to require strong emotion/connection to be sexually attracted, but then he says he can have sex without being in love. So which is it?)

I got to the point that I just didn’t want to read this book anymore. Maybe I will go back to it at some point because I do like the setting and I do care about both characters. I don’t know I would ever view the heroine as a favorite based on her viewpoints on sex (in the context of this book) and how she behaves and even states she is pretty selfish and doesn’t seem to want to grow out of that selfishness despite lessons she has had in her life.

I found the setting charming. Ireland has such a wonderful personality that comes through in this book. I loved that Lark’s profession was in animation (I love animation and I actually took some animation classes. I have a lot of respect for animators). I liked that Callum’s profession as a mortician and a funeral director is such a big part of the book. That was dealt with very well. It’s such an important job and people just think about it as being morbid and gross. If I was going to review this book at this point, I would give it 2.5 stars. Maybe it might get better as it goes along. Perhaps I will try to finish this book one day.

Really cute and fun romance. The best part for me was the atmosphere! A great read for the spooky season if you're looking for a bit of a darker, spookier edge.

A little spooky style spice, hello a Halloween TBR! While it wasn't necessarily as spooky vibes as I had hoped, it was still a fun easy read. I am a sucker for an Irish man with a sad past. The spice was SPICY and I know there are some moms who will eat this up! It was definitely a fun romance with a unique setting.

*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! 🪦🥹