Sadly I didn't enjoy this book very much. I'm also in minority about this so I'm pretty sure the problem is me and not the book. As with many rom-coms, I liked the premise of Morbidly Yours a lot: a woman moves to Ireland to forget her past, and meets up with a mortician and they fall in love. The mortician stuff was interesting, and I liked the MC's job as an animator. However, this book felt like the debut novel it was. A lot of the scenes were a little stilted, and some of the big, dramatic beats of the story lacked the emotional oomph that I expected from them. That's not to mention the fact that all the ooey gooey lovely HEA moments - the successful proposal, the I Dos, the pregnancy announcements and/or births, etc. - all happened off page and readers were only told about them after the fact in a rather rushed epilogue. My main issue though came with the plot progression. It stagnates due to the age old conflict of not talking to each other. I can understand, to a certain degree, why some people would withhold their feelings and important life events from another person. It just didn’t work for me and left me feeling frustrated when I felt like the better answer was a conversation. Also, I felt alot of the coworker drama felt out of place, and I saw the friendship chemistry between Lark and Callum, but did not feel any romance between them. But I just want to say it again that this is not a bad book at all. However, there were things about it that just made me feel a little frustrated reading it.
Overall, it was a cute read, but it was very basic and slightly underwhelming.

This. Was. So, CUTE.

In the weirdest way.
I loved both callum and lark- but Callum is just … *chefs kiss*. I loved their genuine friendship and genuine love for one another- even through the most raw and tough issues they dealt with. And they dealt with them as best as I feel realistically one can.

I’d love to have seen more on callum’s work though, but that’s just creepy me.

I seldom enjoy romance books because it’s not “real”. But this felt real. 5 stars from me! Cannot wait till publishing date!


Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a perfect cute little book. I confess, this is way more cozy and more contemporary than the paranormal romance I typically read for escape, so I was unsure how much I would enjoy it. I love how 'real' the main characters felt, with real quirks and faults. The setting was great, and even the main character jobs were interesting. Normally I don't love a slow burn, but it worked here. They both had things to work on and had some stumbles before their true HEA. I hope the new author continues to write. Truly a charming blend of sweetness and light with dry humor and devotion. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC opportunity.

This is a cute grumpy/sunshine love story. Lark is bubbly and creative and Callum is stoic and handsome (in that unconventional way). This book started out slow but by the end I was loving it! I related to both main characters and loved their back and forth banter. I recommend this book.

I love all of the different representations in this book! From stuttering to a demisexual character to grief. This book truly gives a great prospective on these things that not everyone is familiar with.

The story is a slow burn and I feel like the MMC, Callum, is a but neurodivergent as well. He likes to keep to himself until he gets caught in the Texas whirlwind that is Lark. I loved that we get to see truly how grief can change a person in more ways than one as they each are dealing with loss.

Both main characters are well developed and honestly there has to be people out there just like them in real life. That's how amazing Ivy Fairbanks has created the world in this book.

I am definitely not a fan of Rom-Coms but this book had me hooked from the description and I was not let down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ivy Fairbanks, and the publishers for allowing me access to the e-Arc.

I really enjoyed this book. The two main characters were meant to be together and their tension was palpable. This is a true friend’s to lovers story. I appreciate all the talks of grief. At times those moments were hard to read but it just made the characters more relatable and realistic. I look forward to reading more in this series.

I highly recommend it!

Callum is a stuffy, shy and sweet grave digger residing in Ireland. His path crosses with Lark by chance, a bubbly, vivacious American on vacation in Ireland. They make a deal, Lark to marry Callum so he can receive his inheritance. As most marriages of convenience, feelings are felt, acted on, and make for a great read. This book was very cute, and I look forward to reading more from Ivy.

Thanks to Netgalley & PENGUIN GROUP- Putnam for the E-ARC! This was so cute! Loved the characters and the whole concept. Also loved the romance!! Definitely will read more from this author.

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: death of a spouse (recounted), mentions of child death (non-descriptive), descriptions of mortuary work, death of a friend (non-descriptive), workplace harassment, sexual harassment, sexism, terminal illness, bullying (stutter)
standalone: book 1 in the Love in Galway series
final thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this medium paced book about a grumpy, reclusive mortician and a bubbly, outgoing animator. From their first encounter to their epilogues, I laughed, cried, and cheered along with these characters. I loved their dynamic, the way the ace/demi spectrum was explained, and their chemistry.
This book had great representation, great main (and side) characters, and dealt with heavy topics while also being a romcom. I’ll definitely be reading more books by this author in the future!

read this book if you love

😬 angst
🏝️ forced proximity (neighbors)
🤫 hidden secrets
💓 slowburn
😡 grumpy/sunshine
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 great side characters
🔀 opposites attract
🌈 LGBT+ representation (ace/demi)
🎣 fish out of water
💞 friends-to-lovers
🤕 hurt/comfort
💖 marriage of convenience needed
🍪cinnamon roll MMC
🫡 big MMC
😏 kinky (outdoor scenes)
🥰 nicknames
💞 neighbors-to-lovers
😂 romcom
🛏️ friends with benefits

From its captivating cover to its heartwarming storyline, this book stole my heart from the very first page. Lark, a spirited American on a quest for solace in Ireland, unexpectedly finds herself entangled in a mystery when she discovers her neighbour's package. As she grapples with this chilling revelation, she forms an unlikely bond with Callum, a reserved undertaker facing familial pressures and the looming threat of losing his heritage.

Despite their differences, Lark and Callum embark on a journey of companionship, with Lark reluctantly agreeing to help Callum find a spouse to save his family business. Amidst the uncertainty of their futures, their relationship blossoms, drawing them closer together.

The endearing chemistry between Lark and Callum, with their contrasting personalities, was simply irresistible. As their love story unfolds against the backdrop of impending deadlines and visa expirations, the stakes are high, keeping readers eagerly turning pages.

I was completely enchanted by Lark and Callum's journey, filled with warmth and sincerity. Without giving away spoilers, I can only say that the conclusion left me thoroughly smitten. My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for granting me the opportunity to discover and review this delightful gem.

I don’t think I have enough words to describe how much I love this book. I loved it when it was an Indie book I randomly found, and I love it even more now that the word is out on how amazing this book is!

This book is stunning. The messages it sends to the readers, the scenery, and of course Callum. My new book boyfriend who has raised the standards I will now set for men!

I loved how Callum wasn’t perfect and neither was Lark. They both were perfectly imperfect and together they were just perfect. I don’t have one negative thing to say about this book.

Please please please go read this book!

What a stunning debut by Ivy Fairbanks! I loved this one and will definitely read more from this author. It was cozy and super cute. Callum is a different MMC than we are used to in a romance novel and that's a GOOD thing. I would love to see more characters like this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance e-copy of Morbidly Yours in exchange for an honest review.

After the devastating loss of her husband two years prior, Lark yearns for a fresh start. She decides to relocate to the charming countryside of Ireland, hoping to distance herself from the pain that lingers. However, fate has a peculiar plan in store for her. Her new neighbor, Callum, turns out to be a mortician, a profession that brings her face to face with the very emotions she seeks to escape.

Despite their initial reservations, Lark and Callum develop an unlikely friendship. As they spend more time together, Lark discovers that Callum is a kind and compassionate soul, burdened by his own grief after the loss of his grandfather. When Callum reveals that his grandfather's will stipulates he must be married by his 35th birthday to inherit the family mortuary, Lark sets out to help him find a suitable partner.

However, as Lark immerses herself in Callum's world, she finds herself drawn to his quiet charm and gentle demeanor. Their friendship deepens into a passionate affair, blurring the lines between their personal and professional lives.

While grief remains a significant theme throughout the novel, Fairbanks handles it with sensitivity and nuance. Through Lark's journey, we witness the different ways in which grief manifests, from numbness to overwhelming sadness. Yet, amidst the pain, love emerges as a beacon of hope, offering solace and healing to those who have lost.

Callum and Lark are utterly charming characters. Callum's shy and awkward nature is perfectly complemented by Lark's outgoing and optimistic personality. Their interactions are filled with humor, banter, and an undeniable chemistry. The supporting cast of characters, including Callum's best friend and Lark's eccentric aunt, further enriches the story.
Whether you are a fan of romance novels, stories about grief and loss, or simply enjoy heartwarming tales of human connection, 'Morbidly Yours' is an exceptional read that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.

Really cute book loved the twist of being in Ireland and the main character being a mortician definitely made this book stand out. I really loved both the main characters and their stories. Rating this 3.5/4 stars and look forward to reading more from Ivy Fairbanks. I want to thank NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! It was a super cute story with a just-unique-enough plot to help it stand out amongst others in this genre. I loved the sarcastic MMC and the spontaneous FMC and the banter between them.

Please drop everything and read this!

I knew before I was even halfway through that this was going to be a contender for one of the best books I’ve read this year. I laughed, cried, and wanted to shout from the rooftops. Incredible plot, loveable characters, the banter, comedic relief while tackling real life situations and problems, amazing representation of diversity in people, the real rollercoaster that is grief and how people process it so differently, the writing, and (IYKYK) THE CHESS SCENE 🫠🫠🫠! Easily my favorite book this year. 10/10 recommend, a million stars. I am literally obsessed and I cannot wait to read more from Ivy Fairbanks! Please see trigger warnings and take care of yourself while reading ♥️

Tropes:
Grumpy Sunshine
Opposites Attract
Friends to Lovers
Marriage of Convenience
Inheritance
Slow Burn
Dual POV
Rom Com
Love after Loss

TW:
Death of a spouse (off page)
Death of a friend
Funeral home director
Mortician and mention of tools and acts of preparing and caring for the deceased
Grief
Corpses
Terminal illness
Misogyny
Sexual content
Bullying
Gaslighting

3.75 stars but I rounded up! This was such a cozy romance! The dual pov really added to the character depth for both Lark and Callum. This is a perfect neighbors, to friends to lovers tale featuring a grieving widow and a stuttering undertaker who bring out the best in each other.

This book was so cute! It was sweet, heartfelt, funny and emotional. I liked the demisexual representation and the realistic depictions of grief.

This book was cute! i loved Callum and Lark's relationship. They tried denying their feelings for soo long and I loved the tension. i loved how they both helped each other grow so much throughout the story. The story was sweet, but also had spicy and hilarious moments.

*i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.*

“morbidly yours” is a novel that’s been on my tbr for a while, for the times i felt like reading a romance and i’m definitely glad i got a copy from netgalley, becausse if was the perfect book to take me out of this neverending slump. it’s such a cute story, with a wonderful cast of characters, but it also touches on some heavier subjects like grief with tact.

the writing style was easy to digest, as it definitely fits the romance genre quite well - it’s not poetic by any means, but it’s good. the dialogue especially was so well-written, i absolutely loved the banter between callum and lark. they were funny together. the times when we got more insight into the character’s past and feelings were also woderfully crafted.

even though the book was a blend of characters & plot, i think the characters made the story for me - they have very unique personalities and the author did a good job at keeping them consistent throughout the action. i also really liked how the MMC wasn’t the typical romantic interest - he still fits the description physically, but he’s an undertaker and he’s shy and reserved, which was refreshing to see. granted, i haven’t read that many romance books, so maybe i’m not the best judge on that, but you get the point. lark was a bit annoying at times because of some decisions she takes, but i think that can be looked over, since she’s been in a bit of a trauma. overall, i think they’re both very well crafted.

the romance was a slow-burn and i enjoyed how the author took their time with it - we get to see them become acquintances and then friends and, eventually, lovers, so nothing felt rushed or poorly done. i think the weeding subplot was a bit dragged out and i didn’t really like how lark constantly gave mixed signals to callum, as it got a bit repetitive towards the end, but that did not hinder my enjoyment that much. i also liked how we got to see a bit of their jobs - reading about an undertaker was more interesting than i expected and i’ve always loved animation, so that was a plus for me.

besides being very cute and swoon-worthy, the book also talks about grief, anxiety and some mentions of sexuality, which were well handled. there’s also a bit of smut involved, so if that’s not your cup-of-tea, maybe avoid it. it’s nothing too over-the-top, but still.

overall, “morbidly yours” is definitely worth reading if you’re in the mood for a romance between two polar opposites characters. i think it’s quite easy to read and it definitely puts you in a good mood. i’m so looking forward to reading the author’s future works.