The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston: Book Review

Hook & Introduction

What happens when a romance author who no longer believes in love encounters the ghost of her manuscript’s leading man? Ashley Poston‘s The Dead Romantics answers this question with a delightful blend of humor, heart, and supernatural charm that will make readers believe in love all over again.

This genre of romance meets paranormal fiction in Ashley Poston’s adult debut, a refreshing departure from her previous works. Florence Day, a disillusioned millennial ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, finds herself facing both a looming deadline and an unexpected encounter with the afterlife.

Ashley Poston’s adult fiction debut successfully combines small-town charm with supernatural elements, creating a romance novel that’s both quirky and emotionally satisfying. This book review gives The Dead Romantics 4.5 out of 5 stars for its unique premise, engaging characters, and perfect balance of comedy and genuine emotion.

Plot Summary

Florence Day is the ghostwriter behind critically acclaimed romance novelist Ann Nichols‘ bestselling novels, but she’s struggling with an impossible situation: how can someone who refuses to give readers ever afters continue writing romance when love is dead to her? When her new editor refuses to give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence must return home to her family’s funeral home for her dad’s funeral—her first time in a decade returning to the town that never understood her.

The town has changed, but Florence’s ability to see ghosts hasn’t. What she doesn’t expect is to encounter Benji Andor, the ghost of her new editor, who appears to have unfinished business. Ben and Florence find themselves entangled in both a supernatural mystery and an unlikely romance that challenges everything Florence believes about love and loss.

Set against the backdrop of her family’s bookstore and the pressures of publishing industry deadlines, Florence and Ben navigate the complexities of a relationship that literally transcends life and death. The story follows Florence as she confronts both her dead dad‘s legacy and her own fears about vulnerability and connection.

Character Analysis

Florence Day

Florence serves as a relatable protagonist whose journey from cynical ghostwriter to someone who can embrace love again resonates deeply. Poston writes Florence’s character development with authentic emotional beats, showing how grief and professional burnout can close someone off from the very thing they help create for others. Her struggle as an overworked book publicist turned ghostwriter captures the modern millennial experience of feeling disconnected from one’s passion.

Ben Andor (The Ghost)

He’s a ghost, but Benji Andor is far more complex than typical supernatural love interests. Ben and Florence‘s dynamic works because Poston gives him depth beyond his otherworldly status. His unfinished business creates both romantic tension and genuine stakes for their relationship, making readers invested in both characters’ growth.

Supporting Characters

The supporting cast, from Florence’s family to the townspeople, adds authenticity to the small-town setting. Ashley Poston’s writing shines in these relationships, showing how family funeral circumstances can bring both healing and conflict. The diversity in the cast feels natural rather than forced, contributing to the story’s overall warmth.

Writing Style & Craft

Ashley Poston’s writing demonstrates a mature evolution from her previous works. Poston writes with a perfect balance of humor and genuine emotion, never letting the comedy overshadow the real grief and growth her characters experience. The way Poston handles the supernatural elements feels grounded and believable within the story’s world.

The pacing flows smoothly between Florence’s present-day struggles and flashbacks that illuminate her relationship with both writing and her hometown. Ashley Poston’s dialogue feels natural, even when Florence is conversing with a ghost. The rom-com elements blend seamlessly with deeper themes, creating what feels like a warm southern night captured in book form.

Poston’s world-building deserves particular praise for making the paranormal elements feel like a natural extension of the small-town setting rather than an intrusive fantasy element.

Themes & Messages

The Dead Romantics explores grief and healing with remarkable sensitivity, showing how loss can both paralyze and ultimately liberate. Florence’s journey represents the creative struggles many writers face—the pressure to produce while feeling disconnected from their craft.

The theme of family and belonging runs throughout, as Florence must reconcile her big-city writer persona with her small-town roots. Poston uses the literal ghost to explore how love can transcend boundaries, both metaphorical and supernatural. The story ultimately gives hope to the romantics by showing that vulnerability and connection are worth the risk.

Strengths

Much better than Ashley Poston’s previous works, this adult fiction debut showcases her growth as a storyteller. The unique premise sets it apart from other paranormal romances—how many books feature a ghostwriter falling for an actual ghost?

The emotional impact hits consistently, particularly in scenes dealing with Florence’s relationship with her dead dad and her rediscovery of what makes romance meaningful. Ashley Poston balances humor with genuine heart, creating moments that will make readers both laugh and cry.

The representation feels authentic, and Poston’s handling of grief resonates across different types of loss. Florence and Ben’s relationship development feels earned rather than rushed, making their connection believable despite the supernatural circumstances.

Areas for Improvement

While The Dead Romantics succeeds on most levels, some romance readers might find the supernatural elements occasionally overshadow the romantic development. The publishing industry backdrop, while interesting, sometimes feels underdeveloped compared to the supernatural and family dynamics.

Certain plot points could have been explored more deeply, particularly Florence’s decade-long absence from her hometown and some of the ghostwriting industry details. The resolution, while satisfying, comes together somewhat quickly after a careful buildup.

Comparisons & Context

Better than Ashley Poston’s previous adult works, this book stands out in the paranormal romance genre for its fresh take on both ghostwriter protagonists and supernatural love interests. Readers who enjoyed works like “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” or “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” will appreciate the blend of romance and supernatural elements.

This book would appeal to fans of small-town settings, publishing industry insider stories, and anyone looking for a romance that doesn’t shy away from deeper themes. Ashley Poston book enthusiasts will find this a mature evolution of her storytelling style.

Final Verdict & Rating

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for its successful blend of supernatural romance, genuine emotion, and engaging character development. This romance book proves that love can indeed transcend boundaries—even death itself.

Book club discussions will find plenty to explore in themes of grief, creativity, and small-town dynamics. Ashley Poston’s adult fiction debut shows remarkable growth and promises even better things to come from this talented author.

Romance readers looking for something fresh and Goodreads reviewers seeking their next best book will find The Dead Romantics a perfect blend of supernatural intrigue and heartfelt romance. This kind of book reminds us why romance is most certainly worth believing in.

The most memorable aspect remains Florence’s journey from someone who no longer believes in love to discovering that some connections are worth fighting for, even beyond the grave.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5 stars)

Call to Action & Engagement

Have you read and reviewed The Dead Romantics? What did you think of Florence and Ben’s supernatural romance? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know which Ashley Poston book you’d recommend next!

Join the conversation on social media using #DeadRomantics and #AshleyPoston—we’d love this book to hear your take on this ghostly romance novel!