“You’re not broken. You’re just… unfinished.” – The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

If you’re a fan of romance with a magical twist and a bit of ghostly fun, The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston is a book you won’t want to miss! It’s a heartwarming and emotional story that mixes romance, family, grief, and the power of second chances.

The main character, Florence Day, is a ghostwriter for a famous romance author. The only problem? After a painful breakup, she no longer believes in love—and that’s a big deal when your whole job is writing happy endings.

But things really take a turn when Florence sees the ghost of her brand-new editor… and falls in love with him.

Let’s see into everything you need to know about The Dead Romantics—from the plot and themes to the characters and reader reviews.

Plot Summary of The Dead Romantics

The Dead Romantics is a unique romantic comedy with a supernatural twist. It follows Florence Day, a ghostwriter who’s lost her belief in love after a rough breakup. She’s on a tight deadline to finish a manuscript, but she can’t bring herself to write a happily-ever-after.

Then, her editor, Benji Andor, is introduced—tall, serious, and a little mysterious. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem interested in giving her any extensions. Things go from bad to worse when Florence learns her father has died, and she has to return to her small hometown in South Carolina for the funeral.

But when Florence gets there, something shocking happens. She sees the ghost of her recently deceased editor, Ben, standing in her family’s funeral home. Turns out, Florence has been seeing ghosts since she was a kid, but this time it’s different—she’s falling for this ghost.

As Florence deals with her grief, reconnects with her family, and helps plan her father’s funeral, she also gets to know ghost-Ben. Their bond deepens as they spend time together, and Florence begins to question what it means to love, to grieve, and to move on.

With heart, humor, and a little supernatural sparkle, this book explores how love can reach across any distance—even beyond life itself.

Genre and Themes in The Dead Romantics

“I’d stopped believing in love stories. But maybe love hadn’t stopped believing in me.” – The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

The Dead Romantics is a contemporary romance with a twist of magical realism. It’s not your typical love story—it blends real-life issues like grief and burnout with ghostly visits and unexpected second chances.

One of the main tropes is a second chance at love. After her heartbreak, Florence thought she was done with romance. But through her connection with ghost Ben, she finds hope again.

Another fun trope is grumpy sunshine, where one character is serious, and the other is more emotional or free-spirited. Florence is full of feelings and ghost jokes, while Ben is the quiet, brooding type—at least at first.

Then there’s the small-town setting. Florence returns to her quirky hometown, full of familiar faces, family memories, and charming funeral home chaos. If you love cozy, character-filled communities, you’ll enjoy this backdrop.

And, of course, there’s paranormal romance, thanks to the whole falling-in-love-with-a-ghost thing. It’s sweet, funny, and surprisingly emotional.

If you like stories that are romantic, reflective, and just a little spooky, this book checks all the boxes.

Readers’ Ratings and Reviews

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston has received lots of love from readers, and here’s a quick look at what people are saying:

Goodreads Ratings: The book has an average rating of 4.08 out of 5 stars, based on over 142,000 ratings and 22,000 reviews.

Amazon Ratings: It has an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and more than 16,000 ratings.

Reader Reviews

Marianne on Goodreads: Marianne called it “a love story, a grief story, and a ghost story all in one.” She appreciated how it made her both laugh and cry and gave it 5 stars.

Samantha L. on Amazon: Samantha said, “This book healed a piece of my heart I didn’t know was broken.” She loved the mix of humor, heartbreak, and hope.

The Nerd Daily Review: It described the novel as “an unforgettable rom-com with a gothic heart,” praising its originality and emotional depth.

The book was also a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards in 2022 in the romance category.

Overall, The Dead Romantics has been embraced by readers who want more than just a simple love story. It offers depth, emotion, and a touch of the unexpected.

Who Should Read the Dead Romantics?

“Sometimes love is letting go. Sometimes it’s holding on.” – The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

The Dead Romantics is the perfect book for anyone who loves emotional, funny, and slightly magical stories. If you enjoy romance books that make you feel all the things—this one’s for you.

It’s great for fans of books like The Love Hypothesis or Me Before You, especially if you like your romance with a touch of the supernatural and a lot of heart.

This story is also perfect for readers who’ve experienced grief or burnout and want a story that handles those themes with care, humor, and hope.

Content Warning: The book deals with grief and loss (especially of a parent), so keep that in mind. There are also some romantic scenes, but they’re not overly explicit, so it’s suitable for older teens and adults.

If you’re looking for a book that’s romantic, original, and deeply moving, this is one you’ll want to curl up with.

Similar Books if You Liked the Dead Romantics

If The Dead Romantics stole your heart, here are some other stories with similar vibes:

1. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood: A STEM-based rom-com with great chemistry and emotional moments. Ideal if you love slow-burn love stories with humor.

2. The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun: A heartfelt and inclusive romance about two very different men who fall for each other while filming a dating show. Deep emotions and lots of laughs.

3. Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon: A workplace romance with emotional depth and great banter, plus a main character navigating mental health and love at the same time.

4. Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood (novella): A forced-proximity romance with great character growth and just the right amount of steam.

5. One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston: Another magical realism romance, where a girl meets the ghost of a woman stuck on a train. Full of emotion, time travel, and queer love.

These books all share themes of unexpected romance, emotional healing, and lovable characters. If you liked The Dead Romantics, you’ll feel right at home with these.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Dead Romantics is a fresh, touching, and funny story that brings something new to the world of romance. It’s not just about falling in love—it’s about healing, believing again, and finding connection when you least expect it.

Florence and Ben’s story will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even believe in ghosts (and love) again. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you long after the last page.

So if you’re in the mood for a sweet, ghostly love story full of heart, humor, and hope—give this one a read. It’s totally worth it!

More from The Author

Ashley Poston is known for her heartfelt and creative stories that blend romance with a little magic. If you enjoyed The Dead Romantics, check out these other books by her:

1. The Seven-Year Slip (2023): A story about time travel, love, and second chances. When a woman finds her apartment linked to the past, she falls for someone from another time.

2. Geekerella (2017): A modern-day Cinderella retelling set in the world of fandom and conventions. It’s sweet, nerdy, and super charming.

3. Bookish and the Beast (2020): A fun, book-themed Beauty and the Beast retelling filled with wit and adorable moments.

Ashley Poston’s stories are perfect for readers who love romance with a twist—blending emotion, fantasy, and lovable characters in every story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Dead Romantics a standalone book?

Yes, it’s a standalone novel, so you don’t need to read any other books to enjoy it.

Is The Dead Romantics Sad?

The book deals with grief and loss, but it’s also full of humor, healing, and love—more bittersweet than depressing.

Is There a Happy Ending?

Yes, without giving away spoilers, the ending is satisfying and full of hope.

What Genre is The Dead Romantics?

It’s a romantic comedy with a magical realism twist. Think of it as part romance, part ghost story, and part emotional journey.