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!

A ghostwriter writing for an actual ghost? Genius! This quirky and unique premise hooked me right away, and the story totally delivered. It’s the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud moments, emotional depth, and just the right amount of awww.

The queer romcom vibes were everything I wanted—sweet, heartfelt, and sometimes downright ridiculous (in the best way).

If you’re in the mood for something clever, funny, and full of heart, pick this one up! It might just haunt you (in a good way).

4.5**
I really really really liked this one. The blurb gives a lot of what this story is about, but without the deeper emotions. I couldn't stop listening to it and was excited when I got to pick it up every time.

This book is so quirky but in the best way possible. Unlike anything I have really read before.
The way I NEEDED this book to be written for Roland was insane. Their immediate kind of ahole banter was great and by the end I was teary eyed.

Thank you for this end of year read!

In Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet, poor Roland dies in an avalanche before he can come out and tell the world who he really is. But his ghost is still around…

Ever since Adam wrote a best-selling book based on his experience coming out (or being outed) and subsequent excommunication from the Mormon church, he’s struggled to find magic in writing again and can barely survive as a ghostwriter. When he gets a call to ghostwrite a memoir for celebrity actor Roland and make tons of money, he jumps at it (even with some weird stipulations).

So off Adam goes to Roland’s oceanfront Malibu mansion, and the adventure begins…The weirdest thing? Roland is dead—he’s a ghost who’s found ways to communicate and wants to tell his story. Quickly. Before the world actually figures out he’s no longer with the living.

I loved Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet! The creativity, quirkiness, and fun really drew me in and kept me enjoying the book. But the emotions and character development sealed it and kept me interested. There were funny moments, heartfelt moments, tense moments, and everything in between. Even though they’re not physically together, you sense their closeness and really root for them, and hope they find a way to be together. There are potentially heavy topics, but Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet is light and just so much fun to experience.

I listened to the audio version and loved the narration as well. Highly recommend!

Thank you to @netgalley for the advance listening copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

This was nothing like I was expecting. A little odd of a book, but still enjoyable. Adam Gallagher is hired to write down Roland Rogers life story in a book as a ghostwriter. Except, when Adam arrives at Roland's home, he finds that he is dead and communicates with Adam through electronics. Roland is a ghost. There are some very weird things that occur. They are calling this a rom com, but not in my opinion. It felt more like contemporary fiction. There are some laugh out loud moments throughout the story. I didn’t feel the connection between Adam and Roland, there was no chemistry. Some of the pacing felt off but overall, it was an entertaining read.

I’m not sure how I felt about this book. Was it entertaining? Absolutely. It made me laugh in a few spots and I enjoyed getting to know Adam and Roland. I even liked their relationship, such as it was. This was heartwarming in the sense that they were both trying to find themselves and their place in the world; they managed to do so, too, somewhat, and that was nice. I guess the part that lost me was the whole Zoya angle. I see where she was sort of instrumental in the plot but it she was just so unlikeable that she ruined the story for me. Otherwise, I found this story creative and different; I am glad that I did read it.

"Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet" by Samantha Allen is a quirky, heartwarming paranormal romance that had me hooked from the start. The story follows Adam Gallagher, a struggling writer hired to ghostwrite the memoir of A-list actor Roland Rogers—who turns out to be an actual ghost. What follows is a hilarious and touching journey of self-discovery for both the living and the dead, with a sweet romance at its core.

Allen’s writing is witty and moving, perfectly capturing the courage it takes to live (or haunt) authentically. The chemistry between Adam and Roland is so genuine, it makes their unconventional relationship both believable and utterly charming.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s equal parts funny, heartfelt, and otherworldly, this book is a must-read. It’s a fresh take on love, fame, and finding truth in the most unexpected places.

One of the strangest romances I ever listened to and I loved every minute of it! A highly original story that had me both laughing and crying throughout. Chris Henry Coffey and Nick Mills did a great job narrating for both Roland and Adam.

This was an emotionally packed story about two men finding comfort in each other in the most inopportune moment, after one of them passes away. Roland is a Hollywood A-Lister, who is known for his good looks and charisma. Adam is an ex-Mormon, who wrote a memoir revealing his sexual identity to the world, becoming almost famous. Now, down on his luck, Adam decides to take a job as a ghostwriter for Roland Rogers. Little does he know that the job is going to entail much more than writing.

When he arrives at Roland's house, Adam finds out that Roland has died in a skiing accident. Roland is still able to communicate if he focuses really hard and wants to get his life story written before anyone else finds out he's dead. He wants to finally come out to the world and believes Adam is the perfect person to write his story. Sparks fly as both men grow closer and reveal so much about themselves to each other.

This was a heartwarming story with heavy topics such as coming out, religious trauma, fame and homophobia. Samantha Allen does a great job of balancing these elements along with her humor. I laughed out loud many times while listening to this book. Also, the dual perspectives for this book were perfect. I loved hearing the story from both Roland and Adam.

3.5

From the author of Patricia wants to cuddle comes a new contemporary paranormal M/M romance between a closeted dead mega celebrity actor and the gay, former Mormon he enlists to ghost-write his posthumous coming out memoir.

This was an utterly original concept that had me laughing and crying in equal parts as Roland shares his story of trauma and career success with struggling author, Adam. If readers can suspend their disbelief, this story is sure to move them and make them cheer for Roland to find peace in the afterlife.

Great on audio narrated by Nick Mills and Chris Henry Coffey and perfect for fans of authors like Steven Rowley or Timothy Janovsky. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a strange wonderful book. I’m a sucker for a ghost story and while the plot line wasn’t my typical fair I thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself rooting for the main characters, especially Adam. Such a quirky fun listen!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Audio Narration: fabulos

Review: Samantha Allen is easily one of my favorite writers. I loved Patricia Wants to Cuddle and I am happy to say this did not disappoint. Allen seems to be able to write stories of varying genre's and do them well. Her stories always come from the heart while weaving in heavy hitting topics in an intellectual and satirical way. Both Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet and Patricia Wants to Cuddle are shorter books but easily feel like the story is being fully told and it doesn't need to be any longer (by shorter I think they are both between 220-270 pages).

In this story, Allen tackles a lot of very important issues (coming out, religious trauma, fame). Though there is a lot of sadness, there is also a lot of elements that are silly and fun (this is where I think the book shines, balancing these two). Roland can't communicate with anyone except through speakers and that added, small detail really cracked me up throughout the story.

I have no complaints about this novel. The pacing, characters, writing, plot, ending, everything is just a banger. I hope you will give this a try. I would highly recommend and gave it an easy 5 stars.

Alternative Title: Two Gays, One Book

I loved this book. I received early access to the audio, thank you NetGalley and publishers, and I highly recommend it. Both narrators embodied the characters very well; their voices similar but individual enough to mirror our main characters.
Having not read the synopsis but read Samantha Allen's other fiction: Patricia wants to Cuddle, therefore going in blind, I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this but I can say it was a pleasant surprise. I think it's themes come across so vastly different from Patricia Wants To Cuddle but this just shows that Allen isn't bound by genre. So while the fantastic ideas are found in both, if you’re expecting another twisted horror novel…well you’d better go read the synopsis.

I’ve found that Allen’s writing challenges the need for “token characters” and rightly so. The story flows quite succinctly and the dual POV keeps you engaged in both characters' sides of the story.

In a struggle to keep this spoiler free I will say as little as possible. I wasn't too sure what I wanted from the ending throughout most of the book but honestly Allen nailed it. In my opinion, to keep it from falling into the trap many romance books do, it has to stay realistic, as much as you can anyway with a ghost coming through your kitchen speaker.

Overall I really enjoyed listening to this book and can say it certainly earned its 5 stars.