Quick Synopsis

TikTok sensation Morbidly Yours, an opposites-attract romantic dramedy about a shy, demisexual Irish mortician who must marry by his 35th birthday to keep his beloved family business, and the Texan widow escaping her past who moves in next door.

Publisher’s Synopsis

Falling for the wrong person? Bury your feelings.

Painfully shy Callum Flannelly would rather dive into an open grave than take a stranger to dinner. But he can only inherit the family undertaking business under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. Texan animator Lark Thompson moved to Galway, Ireland, to restart her life and career, not be reminded of losing her husband by moving in next to a funeral home. 

But when she learns of Callum’s dilemma, Lark’s certain she can help him find The One, even if she’s sworn off love herself. Though as the dating project progresses and Lark spends more time with straight-laced, sarcastic Callum, he starts to crack the ice around her grieving heart. And the more joy that vivacious Lark brings to Callum’s grey existence, the less he can imagine letting her return to Texas.

If they think they can ignore their connection, they’re dead wrong.

Book Review

Let me start off by saying that there should absolutely be more demisexual representation in books, particularly romance novels. I was initially intrigued by Morbidly Yours‘s title and cover image and completely won over by the synopsis. After all, what was the last novel you read that featured an undertaker?

Morbidly Yours is a cozy, slow-burn opposites attract romance about Lark, a Texan animator, who moves to Galway, Ireland for a fresh start. Little does she know, Lark is moving in next door to a funeral parlor and her new best friend, the mortician Callum. Filled with enough humor to overcome those real-life awkward moments, this novel is sweet, emotional story that really allows for Lark and Callum to get to know one another before becoming open door in the second half.

The plot of this novel includes an inheritance clause, overcoming loss, and adjusting to a new place. Somehow, Ivy Fairbanks is still able to keep it from feeling dark or a downer. I almost feel like the plot is secondary to the development of friendship and more between the two main characters – in a way that is definitely not disappointing. I would have rated Morbidly Yours higher, but the third-act break-up and the characters actions seemed trumped up and unrealistic. 

Overall, Morbidly Yours is a solid debut for those who love shy, soft-spoken, slightly awkward but adorable male main characters (who are a bit Autistic coded) and have the patience for feelings to realistically build up. It also provides representation of aspec characters, those with stutters, and grief after loss. I recommend it if nothing I have noted turns you off a book!