Book Review: The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
From the moment I stumbled across The Dead Romantics, I knew I was in for an intriguing ride. A ghost writer who sees ghosts? A family running a funeral home? And the twist—a love interest who’s just died? I mean, where do you sign up for this cocktail of quirkiness? Ashley Poston’s unique blend of romance, supernatural elements, and earnest exploration of grief immediately caught my attention, making it impossible to resist diving into its pages.
The novel follows Florence Day, our delightfully awkward heroine who has a complicated relationship with love—one that takes a nosedive after a disastrous breakup. Her life spirals further when she’s reluctantly dragged back to her small town, tasked with carrying out her father’s "unreasonable" funeral wishes and engaging with her quirky family. And that’s just the setup! The plot thickens as she grapples with her career as a ghostwriter and the arrival of her hauntingly handsome love interest, Ben.
What I truly loved about Florence is her earnestness. While she initially fits into that "quirky heroine" trope, she transcends it—it’s not just about the oversized tweed coat or cactus she brings to meetings; it’s about her struggle with identity and belonging. This earnestness resonates deeply, especially in a world that often skews towards irony and cynicism. There were moments where her vulnerability struck all the right chords, making me feel both connected and invested in her journey. It’s a delicate balance—often hard to maintain in literature—but Poston navigates it well.
The writing style is equally engaging, marked by a refreshing blend of humor and poignancy. I found myself laughing out loud at Florence’s misadventures while simultaneously feeling gut-punched by her emotional struggles. The pacing felt right—swift enough to keep my interest, but slow enough to let moments of reflection sink in. One memorable line that encapsulates the book’s essence is when Florence realizes, “Love wasn’t dead, but it wasn’t forever, either.” It’s a beautiful and bittersweet sentiment that lingers long after the page is turned.
However, I can admit that the narrative does have its peculiarities. Moments of intense earnestness occasionally tiptoe into cringe-worthy territory, and certain plot points felt juxtaposed—a particularly awkward alley make-out session felt compressed and unearned. Yet, I couldn’t help but admire how Poston weaves familial grief and the complexities of love, especially as Florence navigates her love life with a ghostly partner.
Ultimately, The Dead Romantics is a book I thoroughly enjoyed despite its quirks. It tackles weighty themes with a lightness that’s hard to come by, combining both whimsy and poignancy. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to readers who appreciate unconventional romances that delve into the messy complexities of life, love, and loss. If you’re looking for a heartfelt read that’s oddly cathartic, then Ashley Poston’s latest offering might just be your next favorite book.
In the end, The Dead Romantics isn’t just a novel about ghosts; it’s about understanding that love can manifest in unexpected ways—even when it’s complicated by the boundaries of life and death. And isn’t that what makes reading such a rich experience?