Looking for The Dead Romantics summary before you buy? I’ve got you covered.
I recently finished Ashley Poston’s paranormal romance, and I want to share my honest thoughts with you. This book mixes ghosts with love stories in a way that caught my attention.
In this review, I’ll break down the plot, characters, and what actually works (and what doesn’t). I read this with fresh eyes, and I’ll give you the real deal. You’ll know if this book is worth your time by the end.
Here’s what I’ll cover: the full story overview, character breakdowns, my critique of the writing style, and my final rating.
Let’s get into it.
What Are Dead Romantics?
The Dead Romantics is a paranormal romance novel by Ashley Poston, published in 2022. It tells the story of Florence Day, a romance writer who stops believing in love after a breakup.
When her editor dies and returns as a ghost, she’s forced to confront her feelings about love, loss, and second chances. The book mixes humor with heartfelt moments, set against the backdrop of a small-town funeral home.
It’s a standalone adult romance that asks: can you fall in love with someone who’s already dead?
Book Overview
A look at the plot, main conflicts, and core themes that drive this paranormal romance story.
Plot Summary
Florence Day writes romance novels for a living. But she has a problem. She stopped believing in love after a bad breakup. Now she can’t write anything good.
Her writer’s block gets worse when her editor, Ben, dies suddenly. Florence has to go back to her small hometown for her father’s funeral. She hasn’t been home in years.
Here’s where things get weird. Ben shows up as a ghost. He needs Florence’s help to move on to the afterlife.
Florence has to deal with her grief, her complicated family, and a dead editor who won’t leave her alone. Oh, and she’s still trying to finish her book.
The story follows Florence as she reconnects with her family. She works at the family funeral home. She faces her past. And somehow, she falls for a ghost.
Main Themes
Love shows up in different forms throughout this book. Romantic love, family love, and self-love all play important roles.
Grief takes center stage. Florence deals with losing her father. Ben deals with his own death. The book asks: how do we move forward when we lose someone?
Self-discovery happens slowly for Florence. She figures out what she wants from life. She learns to open her heart again.
The supernatural angle adds a unique twist. Ghosts, the afterlife, and paranormal encounters create the foundation for the romance.
Family connections matter deeply. Florence’s relationship with her brother and mother shapes her growth. Her hometown pulls her back for a reason.
Character Analysis
Meet the main players in this story and see how their relationships shape the narrative.
Florence Day
Florence is quirky and relatable. She’s sarcastic. She’s hurting. She’s real.
Her internal voice carries the story. You hear her thoughts, her fears, and her jokes. This makes her easy to connect with.
She grows throughout the book. At first, she’s closed off and bitter about love. By the end, she’s willing to take risks again. Her emotional growth feels earned, not rushed.
Ben / Benji
Ben serves as the main love interest. He’s charming, kind, and unfortunately dead.
His ghostly state creates obvious complications. How do you date someone who’s not alive? The book handles this better than you might expect.
The chemistry between Ben and Florence works. They banter well. They challenge each other. Their connection builds gradually, which I appreciated.
Supporting Characters
Florence’s family adds depth to the story. Her brother is supportive and funny. Her mother runs the family funeral home with strength.
The town innkeeper provides comic relief and wisdom. These side characters feel like real people, not just background noise.
The book includes diverse characters. It doesn’t make a big deal about it, which feels refreshing.
Writing Style & Storytelling
How Poston’s writing choices affect the reading experience, from dialogue to pacing and plot development.
Prose and Readability
Poston writes in a way that’s easy to follow. The sentences flow smoothly. You can read this quickly without getting confused.
The chapters are short. This keeps the pace moving. You’ll find yourself saying “just one more chapter” often.
The overall writing style matches the genre perfectly. It’s light, fun, and accessible.
Dialogue & Tropes
The dialogue shines in many scenes. Florence’s sarcasm lands well. Her conversations with Ben feel natural most of the time.
But sometimes the dialogue feels forced. Certain lines sound like they’re trying too hard to be funny. It doesn’t happen constantly, but it’s noticeable.
The tropes are predictable. You’ve seen these romance beats before. The “return to hometown” plot. The “opposites attract” dynamic. The “learning to love again” arc. None of this breaks new ground.
Plot Twists and Surprises
The book throws a few small twists near the end. I won’t spoil them, but they add some tension.
These surprises don’t change everything dramatically. They’re more like course corrections that make the ending feel complete.
The impact on the reading experience is positive. You get just enough unpredictability to stay interested without feeling blindsided.
Personal Critique
My honest assessment of what works and what doesn’t in this paranormal romance.
Strengths of the Book
The storyline is genuinely fun. Mixing ghosts with romance creates fresh scenarios. I enjoyed seeing how Poston solved the “dead boyfriend” problem.
Florence feels like someone you could be friends with. Her struggles with grief and love are authentic. The romance doesn’t fix all her problems, which I respect.
The supernatural twist adds something different to the typical romance formula. It’s not just another meet-cute story.
Weaknesses of the Book
Some dialogue made me cringe. Characters occasionally say things that no real person would say. It pulls you out of the story momentarily.
Certain romantic moments happen too fast. Florence goes from one emotional state to another without enough buildup. I wanted more time with some developments.
The humor doesn’t hit as hard as other rom-coms I’ve read. It’s cute, but it’s not laugh-out-loud funny. If you want sharp, witty comedy, you might feel disappointed.
Overall Impression & Rating
My final thoughts on who should read this book and whether it’s worth your time.
I enjoyed The Dead Romantics more than I expected. It’s a solid beach read that kept me entertained.
The book works best for paranormal romance fans. If you like supernatural love stories with emotional depth, pick this up. It’s light and easy to finish.
Rom-com fans should adjust expectations. This leans more heartfelt than hilarious.
I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s good, not great. The story satisfies without being groundbreaking, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
About the Author
A quick look at Ashley Poston and her other works in the romance genre.
Ashley Poston writes contemporary romance with a geeky twist. She’s known for mixing fandom culture with love stories.
Her most popular book is Geekerella, a modern Cinderella retelling set at a comic convention. It launched her career and built a loyal fanbase.
The Dead Romantics marks her move into paranormal territory. It shows she can handle different subgenres while keeping her signature warmth.
Her writing style stays consistent: accessible, sweet, and character-focused. If you enjoy this book, check out her other titles for similar vibes.
Conclusion
The Dead Romantics offers a sweet mix of romance, grief, and ghosts. It has flaws, but it also has heart.
I think it’s worth reading if you’re in the mood for something light with emotional depth. Don’t expect perfection. Expect a good time.
Now I want to hear from you. Have you read this book? What did you think about Florence and Ben’s relationship? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. And if you haven’t read it yet, maybe this review helped you decide if it’s your next read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Dead Romantics a standalone book?
Yes, this is a complete standalone novel. You don’t need to read any other books before or after. The story wraps up fully by the end.
Does The Dead Romantics have spicy scenes?
The romance is fairly tame. There are some steamy moments, but nothing explicit. It’s more fade-to-black than detailed. Consider it a sweet romance with some heat.
Is this book sad or happy?
It deals with grief and loss, so there are sad moments. But overall, the tone stays hopeful. The ending is satisfying and uplifting, not depressing.
Who should read The Dead Romantics?
Fans of paranormal romance will enjoy this most. If you like books about second chances, small towns, and supernatural love interests, give it a try. It works for people who want emotional depth with their romance.
How long is The Dead Romantics?
The book is around 370 pages. It’s a medium-length novel that reads quickly. Most people finish it in a few days of casual reading.
