The Dead Romantics By Ashley Poston

 

 

 

Hello fellow readers! Sometimes, you pick up a romance novel because you want to live inside a world where you’re at least 85% positive that there’ll be a happily-ever-after at the end. And sometimes though that was the original aim, we close that novel either being fulfilled in that purpose, disappointed, or fulfilled plus a little extra zing of surprise extras. Perhaps that little extra is a laugh here or there, pulled from our bellies or throats suddenly like a flash of lightning. Or maybe it’s discovering a hidden or unexpected depth in the story or characters themselves, something to prove our brains, so good at predicting plot arcs and rising action that sometimes it’s all we’re able to see or remember about a story.

            The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston is all and both of those things. And after that long-winded explanation, tl;dr: The Dead Romantics is a fantastic romance novel and an extraordinary novel even ignoring the romantic plotline. It deals with issues like distance and childhood trauma creating rifts within previously close-knit family circles, dealing with imposter syndrome in any career no matter how naturally the actions associated with it ever came to you, and even the realistic human reactions to giving your heart to someone and having them callously return it, without even really realizing they’ve broken you at all (aka, the aftermath of dating and loving a narcissist). Those are only a few complex issues that Poston weaves into her narrative through the voice of Florence our protagonist and surrounding characters. 

            And yes of course, our leading man is also fantastic for so many reasons but I personally love Rose, our gay roommate *winks*. 

            One of my personal reasons why this story will forever call me back to read it again is Florence’s narrative voice, artfully curated and crafted to deal both hard yet captivating truths as well as ridiculous statements that make you laugh even if you try and fight the feeling. An example, and a personal favorite line: ““I drink the battery acid juice so I can go zoom-zoom.” Anyways. If you’re having a wonderful summer, or really going through it, or somewhere in-between, or if you have someone who loves you or you don’t, please pick this up. I promise it’ll be worth your time, and leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside, either from the romance, or the family dynamic, or just through the catharsis of Florence’s experiences.

 

Happy Reading!

 

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58885776-the-dead-romantics?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=nMiFSKaM6J&rank=1