The Dead Romantics By Ashley Poston Book Review

I stayed up until 3 AM last week, completely absorbed in Ashley Poston’s The Dead Romantics. This paranormal romance follows NYC-based ghostwriter Florence Day, who finds herself haunted by the spirit of her recently-departed book editor Ben. After reading over 300 romance novels this year alone, I can confidently say this ghostly love story stands apart from typical paranormal romance fare.

This New York Times bestseller and Good Morning America Book Club pick caught my attention because of its unique premise – a romance between a ghostwriter and an actual ghost. What makes this book special is Poston’s seamless blend of humor and heartbreak, creating a story that made me laugh out loud one moment and tear up the next. Published by HQ Fiction in August 2022 with 368 pages, this adult debut from the nationally bestselling YA author tackles themes of grief, family legacy, and creative passion.

Florence Day, a ghostwriter for a prolific romance author, has a deadline looming over her like a storm cloud. Unfortunately, after a break-up that left her heart shattered, Florence no longer believes in love. When her strict editor Benji Andor dies suddenly, Florence returns to her hometown for his funeral – only to discover his ghost haunting her childhood bedroom.

Personal Reading Experience and Literary Analysis

Reading The Dead Romantics felt like discovering a hidden gem in my local bookstore on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. I picked it up expecting a light paranormal romp but found myself mentally scarred by the raw emotional honesty Poston brings to grief and creative struggle.

The opening chapters immediately establish Florence as a relatable protagonist drowning in deadline pressure and existential doubt. Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem—after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. Her cynicism feels authentic rather than performative, rooted in genuine disappointment with love’s promises.

When Benji materializes as a ghost in her childhood bedroom, I expected typical paranormal hijinks. Instead, Poston crafts something far more sophisticated – a meditation on how relationships continue evolving even after death. Their banter crackles with wit, but underneath runs a current of genuine grief and longing that kept me emotionally invested.

Character Development and Psychological Depth

Florence’s character arc represents one of the most convincing transformations I’ve encountered in contemporary romance. Her journey from jaded ghostwriter to someone capable of love again unfolds gradually, without shortcuts or magical fixes. Poston allows Florence to sit with her grief, exploring how loss affects creativity and relationships.

The supporting cast brings authentic small-town energy without falling into stereotypes. Rose, Florence’s psychic grandmother, emerges as the book’s emotional anchor – wise without being preachy, supportive without enabling. Her interactions with the supernatural feel grounded in genuine spiritual practice rather than Hollywood theatrics.

Benji presents a fascinating challenge as a love interest. How do you develop chemistry with a character who’s dead? Poston solves this through shared vulnerability and intellectual connection. Their relationship develops through conversations about books, writing, and dreams deferred rather than physical attraction alone.

Writing Style and Narrative Structure

Poston’s prose sparkles with personality while maintaining emotional authenticity. She writes dialogue that sounds like actual human conversation – funny, awkward, interrupting itself. The humor never undercuts serious moments but provides necessary breathing room between intense emotional beats.

The dual timeline structure, weaving between Florence’s past relationship with her family and present romance with Benji, creates natural momentum. Past events illuminate present choices without feeling forced or manipulative. Poston trusts readers to make connections rather than over-explaining thematic parallels.

Her handling of grief deserves particular praise. Death often gets sanitized in popular fiction, but Poston captures the messy, ongoing nature of loss. Grief isn’t something Florence “gets over” but learns to carry differently.

Comparative Analysis and Genre Context

The Dead Romantics occupies interesting territory between traditional paranormal romance and women’s fiction. Unlike most ghost romances that focus on supernatural mystery, this book grounds itself in psychological realism. The paranormal elements serve the emotional story rather than driving plot mechanics.

Compared to similar works like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue or Beach Read, Poston’s novel feels more intimate and immediately accessible. She avoids the pretentious literary flourishes that sometimes plague literary romance, focusing instead on genuine character connection.

The book shares DNA with contemporary romance authors like Emily Henry and Christina Lauren, but Poston brings her own voice – slightly edgier, more willing to sit with uncomfortable emotions rather than rushing toward resolution.

Element	The Dead Romantics	Typical Paranormal Romance	Contemporary Romance
Supernatural Stakes	Low (personal growth)	High (world-ending)	None
Character Development	Deep psychological	Surface-level	Variable
Humor Integration	Organic to character	Forced comic relief	Hit-or-miss
Grief Handling	Realistic, ongoing	Plot device	Often avoided

Critical Evaluation: Strengths and Weaknesses

The book’s greatest strength lies in its emotional intelligence. Poston never takes shortcuts with difficult feelings, allowing characters space to be messy and contradictory. Florence’s resistance to love feels psychologically accurate rather than frustrating plot manipulation.

The small-town setting comes alive through specific details – the funeral home Florence’s family runs, the local diner where everyone knows everyone’s business, the bookstore that becomes a sanctuary. These locations feel lived-in rather than decorative.

But I’ve gotta be honest – the middle section drags slightly. Florence’s internal monologue becomes repetitive around the halfway point, cycling through the same doubts without clear progression. The pacing stumbles when Poston lingers too long on Florence’s uncertainty rather than advancing the relationship dynamics.

Benji, while charming, remains somewhat underdeveloped compared to Florence. His backstory emerges in fragments that never quite coalesce into a fully realized character. This limitation affects the romance’s impact – it’s hard to invest completely in a relationship where one partner feels more like a plot device than a person.

The resolution feels slightly rushed after the careful setup. Certain plot threads – particularly around Florence’s writing career and family business – wrap up too neatly for a story that’s been so honest about life’s complexity.

Thematic Analysis and Social Commentary

At its core, The Dead Romantics explores how creativity survives grief. Florence’s writer’s block represents more than professional frustration – it’s a symptom of disconnection from hope and possibility. Her journey back to writing parallels her journey back to love, both requiring faith in unseen outcomes.

The book offers subtle commentary on publishing industry pressures, particularly how ghostwriters remain invisible despite creating beloved stories. Florence’s relationship with fame and recognition feels authentic to freelance creative life – the tension between artistic integrity and commercial demands.

Family legacy emerges as another major theme. The Day family business represents generational expectations versus individual desires. Florence must decide whether honoring her father means continuing his work or pursuing her own path.

Target Audience and Reader Recommendations

This book will absolutely delight readers who loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or The House in the Cerulean Sea. Fans of paranormal romance seeking emotional depth over supernatural action will find much to appreciate.

Contemporary romance readers who enjoy character-driven stories about second chances will connect with Florence’s journey. The book works particularly well for anyone who’s experienced creative blocks or struggled with family expectations around career choices.

Reader Type	Recommendation Level	Why It Works
Paranormal Romance Fans	High	Fresh take on ghost romance
Contemporary Romance Readers	High	Strong character development
Literary Fiction Fans	Moderate	Accessible prose, emotional depth
Young Adult Romance Readers	Moderate	Adult themes, some language
Grief/Loss Fiction Seekers	High	Authentic handling of grief

Content warnings: Death of parent, grief, mild language, some drinking

Technical Writing Assessment

Poston demonstrates impressive technical skill in her adult debut. Her dialogue feels natural without becoming too colloquial, maintaining readability across different character voices. The supernatural elements integrate smoothly rather than feeling tacked-on or gimmicky.

The book’s structure supports its themes effectively. Alternating between past and present creates natural tension while allowing character development to unfold organically. Poston avoids common romance pitfalls like miscommunication-driven conflict or third-act breakups that feel contrived.

Her prose style hits the sweet spot between accessible and sophisticated. She doesn’t talk down to readers but avoids purple prose that would alienate the genre’s core audience. The writing flows smoothly, making for easy page-turning despite the emotional weight of the subject matter.