Member Reviews
I have been looking forward to this book every since I saw it announced and it did not disappoint! I think I got lucky with the timing of when I read it because wow did I need the message that it's ok to laugh and joke even when your world is falling apart. I think I have a new favorite trope which is plus sized women making fun of stoic and very serious vampires. We need a name for it. Maybe grumpy sunshine with fangs, curves and humor?
I loved the world building here. I was intrigued by the details I learned but also felt like the romance was the focus. I can't wait for the next book to learn more about this world. I love the idea of humans being the ones with fated mates. I must know more!
I’ve never read Olivia Dade before so I had no idea what to expect. This was cute all around but the writing style wasn’t my favorite and it took me a bit to get into.
Ummm...okay. I've read most of what Olivia Dade has written and I've enjoyed some of them a lot, and one or two not so much. This is very firmly in the "not so much" category. I honestly skimmed most of it because I just simply did not care. There's a LOT going on, and I think Olivia Dade bit off a bit more than she can chew with this kind of story. I'm all for a genre mush-up but this just did not hit for me.
Have you ever read a book that is so bonkers crazy that you just stare at a wall and ponder, what the heck did I just read?!? Then do I have a book for you 😂
In all seriousness I had zero expectations going into Zomromcom by Olivia Dade. Heck I didn’t even read the synopsis before reading this book. I just saw the cover and went a paranormal romance set during a zombie apocalypse say less. I will admit I haven’t had the best luck with Olivia Dade books. They’ve been hit or misses. Zomromcom however as wacky as it is definitely falls in more of the hit scenarios. Zomromcom is a fun mix of humor, action and romance. I promise you will be hooked from the very first chapter all the way through to end.
I really loved our MFC Edie, she’s relatable and genuinely cares about everyone around her. You can’t help but root and fall in love with her. Then we have our MMC Max, our grump in this grumpy v sunshine dynamic. He’s a vampire that may or may not be harboring a secret crush towards his adorkable neighbor Edie. I cannot stress enough how much I loved Max. He may act like a grump but he’s secretly a golden retriever boyfriend and I love him dearly for it. I love him and Edie together. Their protective nature towards each other, their tenderness and banter carry throughout the entire book.
Even though I enjoyed a lot of moments of this book I still found parts that I didn’t love. For a romcom this had so many side characters. Like I lost track of who everyone was amount of side characters. That’s not say some didn’t stick out. But I think in this books case less would’ve a meant more to the story. Also the dystopian world that Olivia Dade set up is a lot especially for a romcom. I had to go back and re-read some parts just to make sure I was understanding the SEC dynamics in this world. And for those looking for an easy romcom might hate that component.
Overall, even with those minor gripes I still had a ton of fun reading Zomromcom and I highly recommend it when it releases later this August. Bug thank you to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for providing me an arc in exchange for my honest review.
Laugh aloud funny, Olivia Dade puts the Com firmly back in RomCom with ZomRomCom. She also puts the Zom first and foremost–this is a very bloody, harrowing book! I expected monsterfucking (which I got, I guess, if you're into vampires) but the focus really does feel like the plot over the romance. Which–great. Someone immediately grab the rights and turn it into a show.
Once my expectations for the book fell away, I had an amazing time, especially when more characters came into play.
No...one...
I LOVE YOU OLIVIA DADE THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS FUCKING GEM OF A BOOK.
I can’t think of a more fun book to read tbh. The banter is top tier but that’s expected from Dade (if you’ve read others by her, you’d know) and the spice is spicin. 100/10 can’t wait to add this beauty to my trophy shelf
Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me. The opening chapters are clunky and I lost interest pretty quickly. I love that the MC is a plus size woman though
I have enjoyed some of Olivia Dade’s contemporary romances, and the cover and premise hooked me immediately. The book itself, however, feels quite literally half-baked. Like someone grabbed a bunch of theoretically compatible ingredients, did some test kitchen experiments, and pulled the final product out of the oven way too early. There was a lot of info dumping, and while the characters were fun, their attitudes and motivations made very little sense in context. This was a pretty chipper and goofy bunch of people, considering they’re living in a zombie death zone. Max was the most confusing to me. I couldn’t square his species characteristics (vampire) with his backstory (sad, no spoilers) or his attitude towards Edie (insert confused emoji here). This either needed to be almost entirely about Edie and Max finally getting to know each other and fall in love, with some zombie survival stuff thrown in, or a full-on paranormal with proper world-building, with the romance as a subplot. As it is, we got a lot of long-winded exposition and a relationship that felt spoon-fed to both the characters and the reader. There was a lot of spice, but the cake it was baked into, which should have been fluffy, fell flat.
3.5/5
The first line of this books just sets the tone immediately, a romcom set with zombies, vampires and other supernatural beings. The banter and humour is top notch. The characters are quirky.
Edie lives in a zombie containment zone. After losing her parents 20 years ago in a zombie attack, she tries to keep an eye out and protect her neighbourhood. Enter her weird euro bro neighbour "Chad" - who Edie saves from a zombie, only to figure out he's not who he says he is. Chad is actually a vampire and extremely lethal as well as hiding many secrets of his own. When the attacks continue, Edie and Chad go on an adventure to discover the bigger plot/ scheme at play and save the day.
This was a fun read. It started off a little clunky and disjointed for me and then built up nicely to a good flow.
Some structural issues in the writing and plot, but overall it was a good read! Love the representation of plus size heroines.
YIKES with all the respect possible, i am dnf’ing this one halfway through. i have read and loved every oliva dade yet and this being her paranormal debut, i was more than willing to tag along this genre shift but i don’t think it’s my cup of tea 🫣 now if that sounds perfect for you, i would i
highly recommend, she’s a great writer with laugh out loud moments and plenty of steam.
thank you netgalley and berkley for this arc, and i will not provide a public review currently! 💙
Zomromcom by Olivia Dade is a total gem—a perfect mix of humor, action, and heart that kept me glued to the page from beginning to end. This book blends zombies, vampires, and romance in a way that feels fresh and fun, while also packing in plenty of emotional depth.
Edie Brandstrup is a character you can't help but root for. She's brave, compassionate, and fiercely determined to protect others, even when the world is falling apart around her. When a zombie breach forces her into the middle of a life-or-death situation, she’s shocked to find that her seemingly harmless neighbor, Max Boucher, isn’t quite what he seems—he’s actually a centuries-old, incredibly surly vampire. Despite his gruff exterior, Max is surprisingly protective of Edie, and their dynamic is pure magic. The banter between them is sharp and witty, with just enough tension to make their blossoming romance feel irresistible.
The plot is fast-paced and full of twists, keeping you on your toes as Edie and Max team up to uncover a dangerous conspiracy to release zombies on the world again. Their journey is equal parts thrilling and funny, with a solid balance between high-stakes action and heartfelt moments. The romance between Edie and Max builds gradually, and it’s so satisfying to see them grow closer, even as they’re fighting for their lives.
What makes Zomromcom stand out, though, is the cast of secondary characters. The quirky, lovable allies they encounter add so much charm and humor to the story, giving it the perfect balance of lightness and tension. Dade’s writing is sharp, fast, and full of wit, effortlessly blending humor with the darker elements of the plot.
At its core, Zomromcom is about fighting for what—and who—you believe in, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Watching Edie and Max navigate their complex feelings for each other while trying to save the world from another zombie apocalypse had me hooked. The book’s ending (without giving anything away) is sweet and satisfying, leaving you with all the feels.
If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly emotional read that mixes romance, humor, and a dash of danger, Zomromcom is the perfect pick. Olivia Dade has created a unique and wildly entertaining story that’s sure to make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even cheer.