The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
Love, Loss, and the Magic in Between
I have always been captivated by the touch of magical realism this author weaves into her stories. While this book sat on my “currently reading” shelf for way too long, it turned out to be the perfect “pick me up” that kept me happily turning pages until the very last. After giving her previous book five stars, this was a solid four for me, and it definitely solidified my plans to tackle A Novel Love Story in 2026.
The heart of this story for me was Florence. I felt so close to her because her journey through loss felt incredibly real. Having lost my own father, seeing Florence cope hit way too hard—but in a way that I loved because it was so natural and honest. My dad was a shoulder I clung to from my very first breath; he shaped every aspect of my life, and living through the reality of him no longer being here is something I could never have fully imagined until it happened. Reading this was a sad experience, but a beautiful one, because it captured that specific grief so well. It also made me reflect on how much of a total rockstar my mother is. Even though my bond with her has always been my strongest, losing a parent makes you realize just how much you lean on the ones who are still here, and she has been an absolute pillar of strength.
As for the romance, Ben was everything! I loved his “grumpy-cute” editor energy and how much he truly cared for Florence. I went into this expecting a normal romance, and while there is a massive supernatural twist with Ben that changes everything, the author managed the “impossible” nature of their relationship so well. The slow burn in this one truly lasts until the very end—the frustration was through the roof, but in the best way possible. It was sweet, a little cheesy at times, and exactly the kind of story that delivers on the high hopes I had for it. Overall, a beautiful exploration of how love and memories keep us connected.
