Scan barcode
A review by pagesplotsandpints
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
4.0
Read Completed 3/22/23 | This was so lovely! It did take me a while to warm up to, so I didn't fall head over heels for it like I had hoped, but I was so hooked by the end.
The beginning of the book was 3 stars for me. I was sure I wouldn't fall for this book and I just didn't feel connected to the vibe of the story. I had a hard time getting a grip on the tone... and maybe the pacing? Florence's time in NYC felt important and then we're rushed away to SC due to the death of her father and I just didn't know if the whole book would take place there, if we'd go back to NY... She ended up kissing Ben so randomly and quickly that it was just kind of weird? Then the book really finds its footing later on.
I also took a while to warm up to the setting at home. With the funeral home / seeing ghosts concept, I was expecting a bit *more* quirky.... and yet I ended loving where the book went with that, saying they didn't have to be like the Addams Family just because they ran a funeral home. That it was about love, telling someone's story, and not about being obsessed with death or darkness. I really did like how all that rounded out, but naturally I had some expectations!
And it also took me a while to warm up to Ben. He took a bit to come out of his shell, which is also natural since he's figuring out firstly that he IS a ghost and then exactly what that means to him and to Florence and his life, or lack thereof. Again, once we got further into the book and their relationship started to develop, I was absolutely smitten.
I wish I had connected to the beginning of this book, because by the end, it was something that I really loved and that will stick with me! If I had been able to be absorbed early on, it would have easily been a 5 star read for me. For now, we stick with 4.
The beginning of the book was 3 stars for me. I was sure I wouldn't fall for this book and I just didn't feel connected to the vibe of the story. I had a hard time getting a grip on the tone... and maybe the pacing? Florence's time in NYC felt important and then we're rushed away to SC due to the death of her father and I just didn't know if the whole book would take place there, if we'd go back to NY... She ended up kissing Ben so randomly and quickly that it was just kind of weird? Then the book really finds its footing later on.
I also took a while to warm up to the setting at home. With the funeral home / seeing ghosts concept, I was expecting a bit *more* quirky.... and yet I ended loving where the book went with that, saying they didn't have to be like the Addams Family just because they ran a funeral home. That it was about love, telling someone's story, and not about being obsessed with death or darkness. I really did like how all that rounded out, but naturally I had some expectations!
And it also took me a while to warm up to Ben. He took a bit to come out of his shell, which is also natural since he's figuring out firstly that he IS a ghost and then exactly what that means to him and to Florence and his life, or lack thereof. Again, once we got further into the book and their relationship started to develop, I was absolutely smitten.
I wish I had connected to the beginning of this book, because by the end, it was something that I really loved and that will stick with me! If I had been able to be absorbed early on, it would have easily been a 5 star read for me. For now, we stick with 4.