Casket Case is a debut small town romance novel about Nora, a woman unexpectedly leaves her big city aspirations behind to run her family’s casket business. As she adjust to being back in her hometown and processing grief, Nora finds herself single and lonely. When an unexpected stranger wanders into her shop, Nora thinks she may have met the answer to her problems… until she learns that he works for Death.

I admit that I was drawn to Casket Case purely based upon its pretty cover, hoping that it was a “spooky season” romance. When I read the first few sentences of the synopsis, I was intrigued and knew I needed to read it. I love the idea of a macabre love story with death as an industrial complex. Unfortunately, this romance novel lacks any Halloween or fall themes other than death and does not explore the world in which it occurs.

Casket Case ended up feeling more like a book about grief with a side of love story than a book driven by romantic feelings. Even the third act breakup (which was completely unnecessary and felt contrived) revolves around Nora’s grief. While the novel is told in third person narration focusing on both protagonists, I felt the emphasis was truly on Nora and her life.

The romance plot further suffered from a lack of chemistry and connection between protagonists. It ended up feeling like instalove, where everything was told rather than shown. This was no doubt exacerbated by not having first-person narration. In addition, I was not fond of the dispensable love triangle or the contrived third act breakup. My favorite part of the novel was actually Nora’s relationship with her grandfather.

Casket Case‘s strong points are its realistic approach to grief, exploration of the death industrial complex, and intriguing concept. However, there was much room for improvement as all of these lacked detail and development. I wanted more world building, emotion, and editorializing. When you consider the book’s page number and its under development, it is really quite long.

Casket Case is Lauren Evan’s first novel, and I think its writing is reflective of this. I found her writing to be clunky and the dialogue stiff. I wanted more witty banter and flirting. As I previously mentioned, I also think the book would have benefited from being written from the first person perspective with dual points-of-view. This seems to enable authors to better capture characters’ feelings and emphasize their actions less.

Overall, Casket Case has a strong underlying concept but lacked in execution. I was hoping for more of a flirty, fun romcom that explored the death industry but found little of that. If you are interested in novels about grief, I think you may like this.

Casket case approaches the concept a relationship involving a partner with a difficult job with a sort of spooky twist. Eleanora owns a casket store passed down from her family and Garrett works for death. Seeing as how Garrett working for death was mentioned on the back of the book, I feel like the reader should have found out exactly what that meant before halfway through the book. Overall, I think this book tries to approach too many plot points and would have been a lot better if several of them had been cut out to allow for the others to be built out better. I love Nora and my heart goes out to her and all she faces and I wish she had a story written in a way that I could get behind more.

'Casket Case' is one part exploration of grief, two parts romantic comedy, a dash of self-discovery, and a heavy helping of magical realism. Its unique and intriguing premise captures your attention, but its execution falls short, preventing it from being a higher rated read. Despite its flaws, it has a certain charm that keeps you invested in the story and curious about what comes next.

After her parents' death, Nora reluctantly returns to her teeny tiny hometown of Rabbittown, Alabama, to run Rabbittown Casket Company, her family’s casket business. It's not an easy or glamorous job, but somebody’s got to do it. Being a single 30-something constantly surrounded by death is rough, but Nora's not the type to wallow in her grief. Instead, she tackles it head-on with a mix of humor and vulnerability. Nora's inner monologue is often laugh-out-loud funny, even as she struggles to reconcile her feelings and beliefs about life and death. Her sarcastic wit and relatable struggles make Nora a character you can't help but root for as she navigates the weird—and strangely cutthroat—world of funeral directing.

Things start to look up for Nora when a handsome stranger walks into Rabbittown Casket Company to ask for directions. Enter Garrett, an incredibly charming guy who works in Logistics—for Death. Garrett is both swoony and frustrating. On one hand, he's handsome, mysterious, and brooding, and his chemistry with Nora is undeniable. On the other hand, he's keeping some major secrets and has a job that causes him to travel frequently, work long hours, and late nights. Nora and Garrett’s relationship is sweet and endearing, but at the same time, it sometimes feels rushed and a bit too perfect. 

'Casket Case' had the potential to be phenomenal, but unfortunately, it missed the mark in several areas. The book's uneven pacing often disrupts the flow of the story. Just as one plot line gains traction, it's abandoned for something new, and this constant shifting makes it difficult to become fully invested in the story. It's like trying to watch a TV show while someone keeps changing the channels. Also, the supporting characters lack depth and feel more like sketches than fully realized people. The lack of secondary character development makes it difficult to connect with anyone other than Nora, and the story ultimately feels a bit hollow because of it.

Would I recommend it?
Maybe. The unique premise and thoughtful exploration of life, death, and grief set it apart from the typical rom-com. Evans has a knack for finding humor and heart in heavy subjects, and if she improves her pacing and character development, her next novel will be a huge hit. As it stands, 'Casket Case' is a solid three-star read that will appeal to readers who enjoy quirky, offbeat stories or want a rom-com with a bit of a macabre side. Overall, 'Casket Case' was an enjoyable debut novel, and I'm excited to see what Evans does next.

This book made me sad. There were some shining moments of romance, the typical “I’m over him” time, small town friends and family, but I finished the book just very sad.

I guess I should have known this was coming from the description but maybe I thought there would be more quirky goodness or lightheartedness to break up the truly dark depression scenes. Nora lost her parents and has given up her career to run her family’s local casket business. She is still firmly entrenched in her depression when she meets Garrett, who just so happens to work for Death. It was very much like that show Dead Like Me, where he gets dispatched to help people not die alone. He hides this from Nora, but pursues her pretty intently.

The truth ends up coming out, because, hello, it’s a very small town where everyone knows everything about each other, but when it does, Nora goes back into a tailspin of depression. If you’re following along, that means you will need to trudge through two separate phases where we are in this with her. It was tough. Eventually we trudge to a happy ending, but then we cap it off with a truly heartbreaking ending. The writing was good, but you need to be mentally prepared to go through all this with Nora.

The premise of this book is super unique, and I was really excited to read it! I truly wish I had enjoyed it more. I think it's possible I'm just not a fan of instalove, so I'm still giving this 3 stars to be fair.

The MMC fell for the FMC and then they were dating pretty much right away. After that, it felt like there wasn't anywhere to go with the story and so unnecessary elements were added for drama (love triangle, etc.). I wish this would have been a slower burn!

This was a cute read with a clever concept! My 4-star rating is a combination of the book reaching me after a slump of dull 3-star reads + the beginnings of spooky season. The dark, heavy themes are perfect for fall!

Yes, it's morbid, but if you've got a dark sense of humor this will be a delight.

Nora sometimes made questionable choices and I hated the miscommunication trope but was willing to look past it given the unique premise.

Ready to get morbid? Yeah? OK cool, let’s dive into Casket Case, a paranormal rom-com that takes a Meet Joe Black-style approach to death. Lauren Evans’ book is a sweet, sentimental read with a touch of spookiness that perfectly aligns with the Halloween season. But to cut to the chase . . . well, ultimately it just wasn’t for me.

As far as story, the basics are: grief-plagued casket seller Nora ends up unknowingly dating a version of the Grim Reaper in small town Alabama, causing her to rethink everything she knows about life and love. What kills me about this one is that I genuinely really liked Nora as a character and Lauren Evans’ writing has so much heart & charm. Unfortunately the specifics and pacing of the story, as well as its male lead, maaaaajorly dragged things down.

You can read my full review for this one on the blog, where I go into these issues in more detail, but the main flaw is just how bad of a Book Boyfriend™️ Garrett is. Hoo, boy. Like, truly atrocious. The walking, talking embodiment of a man not sorry he lied, but sorry he got caught. A human red flag. That, in addition to some odd creative choices in terms of storytelling and pacing, was the proverbial nail in the coffin. (Har, har.)

Shout out to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Casket Case by Lauren Evans is a captivating and darkly humorous exploration of life, death, and the unconventional relationships that shape our experiences. From my perspective, Evans’ writing is engaging and witty, expertly balancing elements of comedy and poignancy throughout the narrative. The protagonist's unique journey through the world of funeral homes and the eccentric characters she encounters make for an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

I appreciated how the story delves into themes of grief, acceptance, and the complexities of human connection in unexpected places. Evans’ ability to infuse humor into darker subject matter keeps the pacing lively and adds a refreshing twist to traditional narratives about death. However, there were moments when the tone felt inconsistent, which occasionally took me out of the story.

Overall, Casket Case is a unique and enjoyable read that left me chuckling while reflecting on the fragility of life. It’s a fantastic choice for readers who appreciate dark humor and unconventional storytelling, and Evans’ talent for weaving together comedy and heartfelt moments makes this book a memorable experience.

This book had me crying and laughing out loud. It hurt my soul, in the best way, and I read it in less than a day. I'm sorry this book is getting so many low ratings because the author really nails the numbness of grief and how sadness can put a damper on your personality for a while. Nora's relationship with her grandpa was adorable and reminded me of a Frederik Backman novel. If you like rom-coms, love at first sight, and don't mind a bit of morbidity, this book is for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

How can Whimsy and whimsical can be in the same category as something that is entertaining and yet, unpredictable? this novel is exactly one of those times. I thought the cover was adorable, and the cover was definitely fitting of a romcom. The only problem is I don’t consider this novel enough of a romcom to label it as such. yes it has romance, but I would almost clarify this is more of a paranormal romance, and I believe the cover should be much darker to portray that genre better. Those that are thinking they’re getting a cute sea romcom for the whole length of the novel based on the cover are going to be very upset. And by not having a cover that depicts the dark, morbid ins and outs of death that are disgusted inside the book, the author is missing out on those readers.

Oh man. This book...tragically let me down so much. I was so excited about the premise—a romance between Nora, a funeral home owner, and Garrett, who does logistics for Death, set in a Southern small town. It felt like the perfect step into autumn season.

However great a premise Lauren Evans had, it just didn't deliver across the board. I found the plot severely underdeveloped and the interesting aspects of the novel brushed aside/given very little attention. It took long to get to understanding what Garrett's job was (not even just Nora, but the readers themselves) and then when we did, we barely scratched the surface of possibilities.

I also felt the romance was too fast and almost forced. I didn't feel the chemistry between them and I felt like they were saying 'I love you' without barely knowing each other.

And then there's just the random complaints—various chapters in POVs that we never saw again, plot lines that were too briefly mentioned, a weird third act romance that felt like it came out of nowhere.

I do think there's a fun story in here. But, I feel like Casket Case needed several more rounds of editing before it was published.

This was a trip. A young woman returns home to run a casket business but falls in love with someone who works for death. I couldn't believe this was a debut. It was charming and very original. It was morbid and funny, and it will be great for those who love this type of niche writing. This is a spooky Halloween with a touch of screaming death romance.

Tropes:
-He Falls First
-Second Chance
-Small Town
-Spicey

Arc received from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own. I have purchased my own copy.

DNF at 34%

I honestly did not enjoy this book very much I felt like the love story was way too insta-lovey, like they were in love in the first few chapter. Also the writing style made the characters seem too one dimensional and sort of boring. The discussion of grief felt very one dimensional as well and did not delve deep into the character’s experience. The FMC almost seemed stereotypical and the whole story just fell flat for me I had no motivation to keep going past that point.

This was a struggle the whole way through, which is disappointing because I was super excited for this one based on the blurb.

Nora inherits her family’s casket store after they pass away & Garrett works for Death. It’s insta-lovey but not in a good way IMO - they’re saying the three words before the 40% mark.

I really wanted to love it, but it just fell very flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

In a small town in eastern Alabama, Nora grieves. She grieves her parents, tragically lost one year ago in a devastating car accident. She grieves her former life and a career in finance she enjoyed, left behind as she moved home to manage her parents’ affairs and work at the family business selling caskets. It’s not until Garrett Bishop walks through the door of her shop that things begin to change. He’s handsome, well-dressed, polite, and he has some mysterious business in the area, working a “logistics” job that Nora doesn’t quite understand. But still, they’re drawn to each other. Can Nora learn to trust someone, and begin to live a life for herself again?

I’ll start with what I liked about Casket Case. There are so many people who are afraid to talk about death and dying, even when it’s one of the few things we can depend on. Nora herself avoids the topic when she can, even as she works in a casket store. But there are scenes in the book - particularly an awards ceremony toward the end of the novel - where you see how people are supported through their grief by the memories they share about loved ones who have died. It’s so important to remember that healing through grief can come with connection - that disconnection often makes us feel worse. Stories like this one help people who have experienced loss feel less alone.

I have read novels within the romance genre that run the gamut of “spice” levels, and this one is like a giardiniera level of heat. It’s there, but it’s not going to set you on fire. For those who are uncomfortable with sex scenes taking place to the detriment of the narrative (Fifty Shades being the egregious example, but some Tessa Bailey books also fall into this category), Casket Case will be a welcome relief. I also liked, as a non-religious person, to see depictions of characters engaging with their religion without proselytizing to the reader. Nora comes across as a realistic example of a contemporary religious woman. She believes in God, attends church alongside other members of her community, yet is willing to have premarital (safe) sex because she takes her time until she’s sure of a person before jumping into bed. It’s nice to see.

One other really great thing was how Lauren Evans took the time to give some additional immersion to the readers in the form of “spooky love” playlists and special recipes, some of which were passed down through her family. I always appreciate the time and energy it takes to curate a menu for an important scene in a book, and then to share the finer details with the readers in an appendix. It takes a lot of love for the final product to do that.

Now onto what was less successful for me. The majority of the book is told from Nora’s perspective. There are some chapters from Garrett’s point of view (almost 1 for every 2 Nora chapters), but they are shorter and they become more spread out after the midpoint of the novel. I think for the dual perspective to be effective, there needed to be more time spent with Garrett - with him and his family, with his coworkers, with his job, with his hobbies. I finished the book not knowing much about Garrett except that he is good looking, self-sacrificing, drives a fancy car, takes care of himself, is from North Carolina, and likes basketball. The emotional turmoil that his career puts him through (explored in books like the Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Shusterman) was only touched on in a few scenes with Nora, and each time she tries to dive deeper with him, Garrett brushes her off. It’s a shame we don’t get to see him work through the hard aspects of his job, or learn how to lean on a romantic partner when things become too heavy.

There were some inconsistencies and ideas that felt unfinished, as well. Nora has some worrying coping mechanisms for her more extreme feelings of fear and sadness. For example, her boyfriend of a few weeks goes off on a work trip, and she immediately spirals into thinking he’s unfaithful, with impulses to drive by his apartment to see if he’s actually there instead of where he says he is. After talking herself out of doing that, she self-medicates with alcohol, junk food, comfort TV, and the advice of “Instagram therapists” - the pinnacle of mental health treatments, to be sure. While we see her try to garden or exercise to work through her feelings, she either overdoes it or other characters try to talk her out of doing those things. Her self-deprecation and her use of drinking as a crutch for not engaging with her feelings is not explored at all. Another inconsistency - for all that Garrett’s job is in “logistics”, we as readers are left in the dark on the mechanics of how his primary task works. He explains it to Nora in one scene, then later, when we finally *see* him at work, he does something entirely different. There were various points in the story where we see Garrett approaching his next “client” and then the chapter ends and the narrative swerves back to Nora. I would have loved to see *how* he’s good at his job - adjusting his approach for different situations, onboarding new staff, navigating the tricky issue about “bystanders” when in a public place, that kind of thing. It would have been nice to see Garrett talk to his boss about navigating a better work-life balance that involves dating and settling down.

One other part of the novel that left me perplexed had to do with the character Johnny. We see him in two scenes earlier in the story, then we get several scenes with him around a big conference later in the book. Nora and Johnny grew up in the same circles (the families more or less having a rivalry), so they have an established history and, if I’m being honest, more chemistry than Nora and Garrett do. Some of the more heartwarming scenes of the novel involve Johnny supporting Nora when she’s struggling and Nora bringing out more genuine emotions from the usually-sardonic Johnny. Certainly, there are choices Johnny makes in the story that disqualify him from getting to be in Nora’s Happily-Ever-After. But I was left wondering what the book would be like if Garrett were never included in the story and Johnny were the romantic lead instead - or at least, if they struck some kind of business deal together.

Ultimately, I finished reading this book wishing for more. Nora used unhealthy coping techniques throughout the story without gaining any new ways to deal with her jealousy or sadness (or even recognizing she had a problem to begin with). She was wholly in the right to be upset with Garrett for lying, but it was Nora who was left “getting over” her issues in the end. I hoped for more out of Garrett’s character, too. His job is the whole conflict of the story but the reader sees such a small snapshot of it. I wanted to explore how a “global corporation” explores cluing in the employees’ family members on the details of the job. I wanted him to not be as creepy/pushy as he was after the Third Act Misunderstanding, and I wanted to see *him* grow and change like we saw Nora make changes. I can see what Lauren Evans was trying to say here - that we can grieve our loved ones without being consumed by death - but I think the message got muddled along the way. And the final result just wasn’t a hit for me.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Lauren Evans, and Penguin Random House (Ballantine Imprint) for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

This is poorly written. It’s very “telling” instead of showing. Each time the narrator mentions something there is a brief tangent to explain who/where/why something is. The book feels like a lot of tangents.

This book had a really interesting concept with the little bit of magical realism and exploration into grief. But, the book fell flat for me because of the weird pacing and stilted dialogue. The FMC fell in love with the MMC very quickly to the point where it didn't feel realistic at all and it really messed up the tone for the rest of the book. They didn't seem to have that much chemistry before falling into bed together, metaphorically and literally. However, I enjoyed the FMC's relationship with her grandfather and other people in town. I liked the exploration into grief and moving past it and acceptance. Sadly, those two highlights of the book weren't enough for me to really enjoy the book.

2.5 stars rounded up. This book was a case of cool concept, meh execution for me. The idea of a casket saleswoman falling for one of Death's employees sounded really fun and perfect for the spooky season.

I'd say the story was just cutely bland though. Fast burns/instalove stories aren't my thing, so that part didn't appeal to me. I can see how it would appeal to others though.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

What do I even say about this? The prospect of someone working for death seems so interesting, but it was absolutely uninteresting. Nothing happens in the first half of this book, and the romance is so insta-love that I didn’t buy it one bit. The characters are mostly flat and underdeveloped. The ending, however, did pick up and was the only part I really enjoyed. This had such a good premise, but unfortunately, it fell terribly flat.