First thing’s first: Thank you Netgalley for my ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book was interesting and I really liked the premise. I love that they were able to fall in love without ever actually knowing or seeing each other. However, I do feel like that developed rather quickly. I was definitely fully invested in the story, it was easy to listen to. I didn’t love the ending, but overall I did enjoy this one and recommend it!!

3.5⭐️

✨ Review ✨ Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet by Samantha Allen; Narrated by Chris Henry Coffey, Nick Mills

Thanks to Zando and Recorded Books and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Okay - first off, this book is kind of weird and definitely won't be for everyone!

I was intrigued by the premise though that Adam goes to write the memoir of Roland Rogers, famous Hollywood actor under some strange circumstances. When he gets there, he finds Roland died in a ski accident and his returned to his Malibu mansion as a ghost. This is such a wild premise that I was hooked before I even started.

I loved all sorts of things about this:
-that Roland and Adam found such a meaningful connection
-the wild way that Roland was able to communicate through electronics was a fun new twist on ghosts
-the addition of Roland's ex-gf into the mix
-the tackling of serious issues like coming out, Mormon identity and ex-communication, and disordered eating

Some of the other pieces were ... weird .. and I won't spoil them here, but also intriguing and so overall I found this interesting and unusual

🎧 I enjoyed the audio for this, and it kept the pace up more than reading the text I think.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
Genre: m/m romance, contemporary fiction
Setting: Malibu
Length: 7 hours 38 minutes
Pub Date: Dec 03 2024

If you too are a fan of Samantha Allen's previous lesbian Sasquatch-related work, well, I actually have no idea if you will like this or not. It's completely different. Instead of horror, we've got romance, instead of reality TV satire, we've got an aging movie star coming out of the closet (while being a ghost). And the "sex" in this . . . you've just got to read it. I cannot describe it you, and anyway I don't want to ruin the surprise.

As the title says, Roland Rogers is a ghost, but he's not fully gone. Having woken up dead in the snow and laboriously dragged his incorporeal self back to his house, learned to email with nothing but his lingering effervescence, and then contacted his agent, he's ready to tell his life story, and finally come out of the closet as gay—and he needs to do it before his body is found under the snow. Enter our main character, Adam, an ex-Mormon writer, most famous for having written a coming out memoir about being a gay Mormon. Roland read this book and liked it a lot, so he thinks of Adam first thing. Adam, who hasn't been having great luck with his career after his buzzy debut, and this would be a HUGE break for him.

It's great fun watching the two "meet" and learning to work with Roland's "condition" in order for Adam to get the story he's being paid a lot of money to write. The story is very, very silly at times, in a very weird way. And it will also resist giving you what you want, so just be prepared for that. I am not calling this a romance novel for a reason, because that comes with expectations. But even while it's being very weird, there is also a strong emotional core here. Even dead, Roland has some things to work through that he couldn't in life. And Adam hasn't exactly been thriving.

The only reason I didn't give this five stars is Roland's best friend, a woman he was fake dating for a very long time, and who views Adam as competition. I just felt weird about her and didn't quite get what the author was going for with her (besides providing conflict). Still, even with that complaint, this was a really good time.

I wonder what genre Samantha Allen will bring her weird to next.

Not what I was expecting - which isn't a bad thing. I don't know if the execution was fully what I wanted towards the end, but I really did enjoy the relationship between Roland and Adam.

This book was not for me.

I wanted to give it a shot, but it was too strange of a concept. I DNF'd at 20%.

Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook!

I'd previously read Patricia wants to cuddle so I was excited to get another absurd queer story from Samantha Allen. This did not disappoint! The story has a lot of heart and touching moments and also a few laugh out loud moments with the whole having sex with a ghost plot. The narrators did a fantastic job and I look forward to seeing what wild tale Allen releases next!

For fans of:
- The Space Between
- Fated

This book is about a has been author who is hired to write a coming out biography for a movie star. When I started "Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet" I was very skeptical. The premise of the book sounded weird, not really supernatural, but not a classic literary fiction either. However, this book totally shocked me with its profundity.

This book includes:
- ex-mormon story
- coming out story
- a fabulous beard
- a ghost with a plan
- a fatal deadline
- a washed up writer
- Dual POV
- TW: off page hate crime against member of LGBT character

This book left me in tears. Somehow it was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, and I can't stop thinking about it. I have no idea how a romance between a loser and a haunted Amazon Alexa was so impactful on me, but here we are. If you're looking for a story about regret, new beginnings, honestly, longing, friendship, and true love - I highly recommend "Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet." With fantastic, emotive narrators and fantastic story crafting, this is a must read.

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Samantha Allen, and RBmedia for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Roland Rogers isn’t dead yet by Samantha Allen

This book was weird AF and I loved every second of it.

So Roland needs a ghostwriter to write his memoir.. big screen actor.. he is ready to put pen to paper.. except he physically can’t. He’s dead and a ghost. He manages to get an email out to his team to get Adam Gallagher out to his house to write it but how is he going to explain the situation when Adam arrives?

This book was hilarious. It was really touching too. When Adam finally understands what is going on, he takes it in stride and manages to pull things out of Roland that Roland didn’t know he could talk about. A gay man, not out of the closet.. never took a lover. It was sad. It was really sad and Adam and Roland end up falling in love even though they can’t be together. My heart.

There was some really weird stuff in it though 🤣

Seriously thought it was a solid book, great narration and I enjoyed the heck out of it.

4.5 stars!

I have to say, I ended up enjoying this more than I expected. It was an unusual premise, but I found both main characters to be likable and believable.. This is a sweet romance that digs deeper into how we see ourselves, how the world sees us, and how much we let that govern our decisions. Good read.

This is unlike anything I've read before. I have mixed feelings about it. Unbelievable, yes. Entertaining, moderately. 3 stars

Many thanks to Net Galley and RB Media for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet is a hilarious and heartwarming read that’s equal parts comedy, drama, and sheer originality. The story follows a washed-up, one-hit-wonder author hired to ghostwrite the biography of a famous actor. The catch? The actor is dead. When the author arrives at the actor’s seemingly empty home, he’s shocked to find the actor communicating through an Alexa—because, as a ghost, he can manipulate electronics.

With a tight deadline and a secret that’s bound to come out, the stakes are high, but the book delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, sweet “aww” moments, and just the right touch of drama to keep things moving. The quirky premise is matched by sharp writing and witty banter that makes the ghost-author relationship unexpectedly endearing.

If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted read with a unique twist, Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet is an absolute delight. Perfect for fans of offbeat humor and feel-good stories with a splash of the supernatural. Highly recommended!

Despite the incredibly sad ending, this was such an uplifting book and one that will make people feel so seen. I love how it highlights the importance of not hiding the embarrassing parts of yourself because they can help you connect to others, but also because it helps pass on the bravery to stand up to others.

Alongside all this is a lovely romance story, even if it doesn't end with an HEA. It still has you laughing while you cry.

wow i was not expecting to feel this many feelings! I like to go into books relatively blind and this one was no exception to that rule. This was as heartwarming as it was devastating. I fell in love with these two men, and I’m sure readers everywhere will do the same. Samantha Allen, you've done it again!

rep: gay man MC & LI

spice: allusions to kinky ghost sex

tw: fall from a height, skiing accident, death of a major character

This one surprised me. Initially it feels like just a fun, light read, but it has a surprising emotional depth. Either vibe is a good fit for the audiobook version, which is how I read it.

Adam is charismatic but down bad, which is relatable and comfortable. A perfect choice of narrator for the material; this is the voice of Adam for sure. Roland is roguish and charming, a good balance. Roland’s voice is good too, although the best fit is for Adam.

The premise for this book was intriguing for me even without the supernatural bent. I haven’t read many lgbt books from the male perspective so it feels fresh to me. But that plot line, too, is up my alley. And the fact that Roland is in the state he’s in is ripe with some really fun and novel exploration of a plot that on the surface has been done a few times from what I’ve seen in popular fiction recently.

When you get to Roland’s first POV chapter, him reading Adam to filth was hilarious, I laughed out loud at some parts, which I don’t usually do. Roland has a great voice and personality to carry the narrative.

The book gets strange and wacky, and it treads into Chuck Tingle territory. I guess I should have seen that coming from the premise. Anyway, you’ve been warned.

Overall it was a fun one, 4/5 stars, check it out.

*An uncorrected proof of this book was provided by the publisher at the reviewer’s request in exchange for a fair and uncompromising review.

I don't know what to say about this book, except that it was absurd in the best way. I kept hoping that Roland wasn't actually dead yet and that him and Adam would have a chance to be together in this life. There were so many laugh out loud, funny moments but there was also a substance to the story that I wasn't expecting. Allen was able to create something truly special that was at times escapism at it's finest and others, a commentary on the intricacies of living, loving, and running out of time.

When I tell you that a gay, paranormal romance featuring a Hollywood A-lister and an excommunicated Morman memorist was not on my bucket list, believe me. When I tell you I went into this audio book completely blind, I was open and man did this book surprise me in all the best ways.. I was sobbing at the end.

Adam Gallagher came out about 15 years ago. He wrote a splashy, tell all about his Mormon faith and gained moderate national praise for his effort. But, since then, it's been difficult. Reconciling his devout youth and forging a path forward as been HARD and has hardly paid the bills.

Adam's agent (who he thinks will drop him) contacts him with an enigmatic request. He will be tasked to ghostwrite the memoir and "coming out" story of famed Hollywood royalty, Roland Rogers. Rogers has been lead in a few major Hollywood action franchises and he is the GUY.

As Adam approaches Roland's Malibu home, something is off. There are no "people." No support staff. Roland takes 45 min to open the front gate. He is appalled at the lack of hospitality. (This is when I am glad I signed up on this for VIBES.) Because, Roland is DEAD.

Roland uses electricity to communicate and that's where I will leave you. (It's not cheesy. Promise!)

Adam begins to interview Roland and a beautiful exchange and understanding develops between the men. This book is intimate but not explicit. It is tender, funny and WEIRD in the best of ways.

3.5 stars

This was a great concept for this story, and although there are definitely places that it could’ve been improved, I overall liked it (even if I wasn’t a fan of its ending).

I think it is very misleading for the description of this book to include the word “romcom,” because although it is a romance and there are funny moments, it very much lacks a traditional happily ever after and if anything has a very bittersweet ending. Maybe it’s my fault for expecting something else that ultimately was never the author’s intention to deliver (and is likely the fault of a publisher for advertising the book that way).

The pacing of the book was one of the main things that bothered me. The book was pretty slow to get started, with it taking quite a while for Adam to find out that Roland is dead, and even longer for them to actually get started on the memoir. The actual development of their relationship was really fun to read given their unique circumstances, but for some unknown reason their transition from friends to friends with benefits happens OFF THE PAGE. That’s right, they have a moment of extreme sexual tension, the chapter ends, then next thing you know Adam is describing all of the escapades they’ve had. I thought this was a romance! Why are you leaving out a major transition point in their relationship to only be described later?? I was in shock that this decision was made and truly can’t understand what the point of it was.

I also agree with a lot of the other reviews saying the part with Zoya could’ve been done better. It felt very shoehorned it at the end.

This review is pretty overly negative, but I promise this book was actually good. I liked the dual POV and I thought the perspectives of Roland and Adam were done very well. Given Samantha Allen’s background, it’s clear she put a lot of herself into Adam, and that care really shows in the character. The commentary in the book on success, getting older, identity, etc. was interesting too. I’d recommend if you’re okay with reading something without a HEA.

Adam Gallagher, an ex-Mormon and memoirist, is tasked with ghostwriting the life story of Roland Rogers, a dead Hollywood hunk who communicates through a kitchen speaker. As they clash over the narrative, both men are forced to confront their pasts, with time running out and truths unraveling along the way.

I absolutely ADORED this book. It was such an interesting concept and I was immediately bought into the story. Roland and Adam alternating chapters and narration (which was FABULOUS) only made the story so much better. I loved Adam’s history and Roland’s reluctance to tell his whole story. Their connection felt so genuine and beautiful that I kept rooting for Roland to not be dead (lol) because I would have loved them together.

I fully recommend reading this beautiful story. It’s full of wit, charm, love, fear, and growth.

*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced listening copy for review*

Thank you, NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for this ARC audiobook for review. This book was ADORABLE 🥰 I read this author’s previous book, Patricia Wants to Cuddle, so I knew not to expect a “normal” rom-com, per se. This book was even better!! Roland Rogers is a buff film star and looking to write his memoir and Adam Gallagher is just the man to do it. Adam wrote his own memoir about being a ex-Mormon, among other things. Adam can be Roland’s ghost-writer. Except Roland really is a ghost…. This writing thing is going to tricky! This book is so sweet and so touching and at times, laugh out loud funny!

I absolutely loved this ridiculous and heart felt book! It's a romance of sorts between an A list actor and a failing author, brought together by a bizarre set of circumstances that involves the death of one of the characters. I thought I knew how it would turn out, but there were several points in the story where it goes in a direction that I was not at all expecting and so it felt refreshing and surprising in contrast to the usual predictability of romances. I loved all the back story that really fleshed out the characters and I really felt that I knew these people intimately. The book also deals with topics such as being gay in the Mormon church and dealing with being closeted as someone in the public eye. It's silly, but it's also complex and the writing style has really got me wanting to immediately go and read Samantha's previous novel, because that sounds just as quirky! Highly recommended!