I truly enjoyed this book! This book was emotional, yet uplifting. I loved the characters in this book and their background stories! I did fall in love with quirky Callum and enthusiastic Lark. I loved seeing how their relationship evolved and how they initially became friends (hilarious!). I’ve actually never read anything with a character who is asexual, so that was really interesting to me! Especially about how they can experience a building of a relationship to something deeper. I am also a sucker for anything Ireland related!
I also appreciated the glossier of Irish terms. I liked being able to pronounce the sayings correctly.

Thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and Ivy Fairbanks for the ARC read!

Sunshine/grump with a side of marriage of convenience that doesn't quite get pulled off. (Look, I love a marriage of convenience, and when there's a perfect MOC setup but they don't get married?!? I don't love it.) But also, the sunshine is a widow who left her home in Texas to move to Galway where she meets the grumpy, a socially anxious demisexual with a stutter and a funeral home.

While I ended up a little disappointed in the MOC-that-was-not-to-be plot, the characters were complex and fun. I suspect that if you love contemporary romance, this will work even better for you.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Morbidly Yours is a TikTok sensation being republished by Putnam Books; so while this isn’t exactly a new book, I just wanted to preface that in case there were any distinct edits from this version and the independent publication.

I wanted to love this book, I really did. An Irish undertaker is right up my alley, and Callum was an interesting character, but Lark was a little annoying to me. Her introduction to Callum felt downright rude, and I found myself wanting Callum’s POV more than hers. Their romance was just okay, nothing huge but definitely not dry.

Another complaint I have is with the “antagonist” of this novel, the asshole animator at Lark’s job. I get his role in the story but a lot of his actions and dialogue felt unrealistic. I also found Maeve to be an interesting character, but she fell victim to the classic mentor ending, which I found to be too cliche.

The prose and dialogue in thai book was lovely:

“‘But all we can control is how we choose to move through life. With honesty. With Bravery. With Love…’”

And on top of that, the banter between the love interests was pretty entertaining, and— I’m not one to usually say this– the spice was spicing. Well-written, passionate, and they never felt too long or out of place.

Finally, I think this book handles grief well. Lark’s behavior and beliefs, being a widow, were handled well. Her not immediately marrying Callum out of respect for Reese for example was nice, as I was afraid they’d just rush into the marriage of convenience trope.

Overall, a solid read. Not anything I’d swoon over but definitely has some great moments.

Morbidly Yours is a delightful slow burn romance that proves love can blossom in the most unexpected places—like the morgue! Callum and Lark's story is a refreshing take on the friends-to-lovers trope, with Cal's endearing awkwardness and Lark's sunshine personality.

The perfect blend of spice and sweetness, this book has likable characters and fun adventures through the Irish countryside. Lark's relatable journey through grief adds depth to the story, showing that healing and love can coexist. And let's not forget Cal, the cinnamon roll MMC who steals hearts with his stutter and Irish charm.

From quirky adventures to steamy moments (complete with Irish pillow talk), Morbidly Yours is a must-read for fans of forced proximity and slow-burn romance. So dig in and get ready for a love in the morgue!

I first came across this book on Tiktok through another author whom I love, and was immediately drawn in by the cover. I'm a sucker for a cartoon cover, but one in a cemetery with clear grumpy/sunshine color palette vibes? Sold. This was a sweet, emotional story about finding love after loss and how pervasive grief can be. It is a true friends to lovers slow burn with excellent demi and grief rep. At first, Lark comes across as very manic pixie dream girl and I wasn't a fan, but several chapters in the author really settles in and we see the character blossom. Callum, in my opinion, was perfection from the start. I am so excited to see what Ivy Fairbanks does moving forward and I am keeping my fingers crossed for Saoirse's story.

Callum can inly take over his family's undertaking business if he is married by the age of 35 therefor he must do something he absolutely dreads....dating. Lark Thompson has lost her husband and is now on a trip to embrace life. when Lark finds about Callum's predicament she is determined to help him find "the one". As their friendship grows so does their mutual attraction. Lark begins to dread Callum finding a match and Callum begins to dread Lark returning home. Will they be able to ignore the attraction and remain friends or will it grow into something more?

This is a true slow-burn with high tension. the relationship is build on more then just an instant attraction as Lark and Callum learn to lean on each other for support. the relationship is extremely healthy and makes for a good cozy read. I also love the tropes he falls first and grumpy x sunshine which he has both of. Grief is portrayed throughout this book but never gets too heavy.

This was cute and had some swoon-worthy quotes. But it didn’t capture my attention until about halfway through.

4.5⭐️ This was on my TBR when it was independently published and my biggest regret is putting it off. It’s such a beautiful and unique story that was an easy day-binge for me. It had me giggling and angry, warm-hearted and sad.

The FMC, Lark, a Texas-born ray of sunshine, moved to Ireland after becoming a widow and stepping away from her job. The MMC, Callum, an introverted, dry-humored mortician that struggled with confidence, emotion and connection, became her new neighbor. Instantly these two were headed down the road of friendship—Lark and her bold personality challenged Callum—and Callum balanced her out by teaching her the beauties of grief.

Their relationship was a friends to lovers, slow burn style and it was filled with jokes and tension. Their love was organic and their story, though frustrating at times, was beautiful.

The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the third-act “breakup”/conflict. I just dislike those, but it also made the FMC address some of her internal conflicts, so I guess I’ll let it slide.

This was a really sweet, slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance that was fun to read. The MMC is a mortician and the FMC is escaping to Ireland after the death of a spouse, so it does touch on some dark topics, but I thought it was well done and didn't feel too heavy to read. The dual POV was actually enjoyable. 4/5 steaminess and the smut scenes did not make me cringe. You never know what you're going to get with a romance, and I was pleasantly surprised by "Morbidly Yours".

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for a honest review.

I loved this book. Kept me engaged the whole time. I found myself wanting to read more and more and not want to put it down. If you are looking for a quick entertaining read, give it a shot.

This was a fun read from a debut author. Callum and Lark’s story got off to a slow and somewhat silly start, but the story was a fun slow-burn. I appreciated the author’s care in portraying social anxiety, grief, and disordered speech. I’d love to read more from Ivy Fairbanks!

One of my favorite romance reads of 2023 is back with a traditional publisher and it is just as lovely as ever. Is it weird that the only way I can think of describing a romance between a grieving widow and an undertaker is that it's completely lovely? Oh well, this book is completely lovely.

Lark is a bubbly Texas tumbleweed who fled the country just two years after the death of her husband, Reese, in a car accident. Unpacking in Ireland, where she's landed a job as an animator, she's surprised to open a box containing five body bags and labeled to go to the B&B next door. When she drops the package off, she's chagrined to find that it's not a B&B she's moved in next to, but a funeral home. A funeral home headed up by a tall, dark, and handsome undertaker. What a meet cute!!!

That undertaker is Callum, who's battling his own grief after the death of his beloved granddad. That grief is tempered by uncertainty, as his will indicates that the only way that Callum can inherit is if he marries. For an introverted demisexual with no prospects at hand, it seems like an insurmountable challenge.

This is a friends-with-benefits, opposites attract, contemporary romance with a lot of heart and just enough bittersweet moments to play with your emotions. When I say it is lovely, I really mean it, and it's an impressive debut by Fairbanks. The new version brings a bit more spice, as well as more of Callum's POV at the conclusion (though the ARC didn't have the original extended epilogue).

* Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for picking up one of my favorites and for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

Lark is a cute and bubbly animator dealing with life altering grief. Originally from Texas, she lands a job in Ireland after the loss of her spouse. It is after the move that she becomes friends with Callum who happens to be a mortician and quite the grumpy introvert. Callum is in a unique predicament as the terms to saving his family's funeral home are strange requiring him to be married by the age of 35. Lark becomes Callums unofficial wing man (or woman) as she has vowed never to remarry after losing her lover. This becomes more of a challenge than expected as Callum's birthday is quickly approaching and all of his dates are a bust. What happens next... well you will have to read to find out.

This was a cute one, a little different than my normal reads.. but still enjoyable. I am truly drawn to books with good characters. The male and female main characters were so relatable and fun. Both going through their own struggles in life just making them that much more relatable. I loved the realistic and quirky overall feel of this story. The Irish setting was a fun added touch. I did find the overall progress of this book to be a bit slow at times but overall rather enjoyable. The overall storyline was cute and lighthearted with a touch of drama, romance, grief to keep you intrigued.

The prose is fine, the story seems to move along, and it reads easily. I stopped after chapter 2 (5%), but I'd guess a solid 3 to 4 stars for the target audience with 5 for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

Bravo on this debut !!! Slow burn, friends to lovers, grumpy ( ish ) / sunshine. I really loved how the author dealt with friendship, forgiveness, grief, self worth and social anxiety. Morbidly Yours was a funny, smart and charming read.

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I looooooved this book. It definitely had more heart than I expected. Both characters were so fleshed out that I felt like I knew them, and really liked the people they were.
The plot, the issues that arose, it was explained so well by the author that I felt all the boxes had been ticked. Insane chemistry? Check. Fun banter? Check. Felt like justice had prevailed? Check. Good people supporting each other? Check.
What a wonderful debut by this author. I'll be recommending this book 100%.

Why do a feel like this is a cute rom-com for halloween time and not August 🫣. This was cute and very enjoyable. Definitely great for october

Give me dual POVs and I’m hooked!

I really enjoyed this book and loved the characters! It was a little slow in the beginning and that made it a little hard to get into but I’m glad I stuck through.

I was so annoyed with Lark but she had a lot of wounds and trauma that she needed to heal. I was not in love with how she took advantage of Callum’s feelings and friendship. I am glad she pulled her head out of her behind and decided to let herself be vulnerable. Overall I loved the progression of the story and the slow burn felt like it was just the right pace.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. Dnf at 36%.Guys I went into this book with such expectations. One of those expectations (which I think is reasonable for a romance) is some pretty graphic depictions of the embalming practice within the first few chapters . I’m not a prude. In my mystery/horror, the more graphic the better. Add to that a female pick me girl with no spine. Struggle bus. When I found myself dreading reading, I knew it was time to call it. I do think this book will have its audience. Just not for me.

“The butterflies in my own stomach fluttered as Callum met my eyes. I needed to take scissors to those wings.”

🪦 TROPES & THEMES 🪦
✔️ American in Ireland
✔️ Love after loss
✔️ angst and chemistry is 10/10
✔️ Dual POV/Romcom
✔️ Demisexual rep
✔️ Friends to Lovers
✔️ Shy Mortician meets Bubbly Animator
✔️ spicyyyy 😎

I picked this book up on a whim because the cover and the blurb just sounded like so much fun!! If you know me, you know I don’t dive out of my romantacy/pnr genre much - but gosh am I glad I did! I had the best time reading this book!!

Not only was I laughing out loud to so many parts of this book, but I was teary eyed too with the heavier themes about loss and grief. The author did an outstanding job touching all the emotional bases and making the reader feeling them all.

I loved hearing Callum’s Irish sayings, and Lark’s commentary back. Watching Cal’s shy persona open up with help from her was so precious and adorable! I was over here swooning at the absolute butterfly filled moments we got to see!

The pacing kept me invested, the banter had me swooning - and yep, the spice, when it hit, was hot and I loved every page of this book!! It was such a unique, refreshing read!!