Dead Romantic

by C.J. Skuse

Camille wants to find the perfect boy, with an athlete's body and a poet's brain. But when she's mocked at a college party, she knows there isn't a boy alive who'll ever measure up. Enter Zoe, her brilliant but strange best friend, who takes biology homework to a whole new level. She can create Camille's dream boy, Frankenstein-stylee. But can she make him love her?

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Zombies, Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, Science Fiction

328 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2013

About the author

C.J. SKUSE is the author of the Young Adult novels PRETTY BAD THINGS, ROCKOHOLIC and DEAD ROMANTIC (Chicken House), MONSTER and THE DEVIANTS (Mira Ink). She was born in 1980 in Weston-super-Mare, England. She has First Class degrees in Creative Writing and Writing for Children and, aside from writing novels lectures in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. C.J. is currently working on adult novel SWEETPEA for HQ/HarperCollins (out April 2017).

C.J. loves Masterchef, Gummy Bears and murder sites. She hates carnivals, hard-boiled eggs and coughing. The movies Titanic, My Best Friend's Wedding and Ruby Sparks were all probably based on her ideas; she just didn't get to write them down in time. Before she dies, she would like to go to Japan, try clay-pigeon shooting and have Ryan Gosling present her with the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

You can find C.J. Skuse on Facebook or on Twitter www.twitter.com/CeejaytheAuthor.

Reviews

[Jasprit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dead Romantic was a hilariously spunky tale of Camille trying to find her one true love. She’d fancied the school hottie Damian, but he didn’t show the slightest bit of interest, just for a quickie. And Camille didn’t want this she wanted something more deep and meaningful. That’s where the creepy girl Zoe from school comes in, there have been tons of rumours about Zoe and her unstable dad, but Camille doesn’t believe a word of it and when Camille’s friends are more occupied with their own friends Zoe’s the only girl Camille can turn to. Zoe comes up with the idea to create the perfect boyfriend for Camille, all the guys at school are a disaster anyway and Zoe’s learnt to bring loads of things back to life from her dad anyway such as hamsters, so how hard can a human be?

I truly felt for Camille, with all her friends pairing off with guys, she felt a little left out, so she was fully up for Zoe’s plan. But then as soon as Zoe started going full steam ahead, Camille started getting suspicious, so many people were going missing, was Zoe getting the body parts for her dream guy from them? And would her plan even work?

Zoe and Camille’s adventure was made fun along the way with the endless snooping around they had to do. But what I enjoyed the most was the shenanigans they got up to with Damian and Louis. Damian and Louis accidently kind of discovered Zoe’s big plan, but instead of running away scared decide to help out. The snarky comments and banter between these four characters when they clearly didn’t want to spend time together made Dead Romantic one heck of a hilarious read. I just wished we got down to the making of Camille’s dream of a boy a lot sooner, there was so much build up and then everything went crazy at the end and left me wanting more! But other than that Dead Romantic was a fun mission which I enjoyed being a part of.

[Dave Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those "YA-for-MG" books. I think. Although some of the subject matter suggests it's more of a YA book, only much more simply written than they used to be. Let's say it's for YA readers who might struggle with a grown-up novel but who are attuned to TV and movies. (An observation, not a dig.)

The narrator isn't too bright. I liked her. She's got a distinctive voice and the style is nice and lively. The author evokes a complete world and a believable set of characters, and puts in plenty of nice imaginative touches - possibly with an eye on the movie. There are a lot of kids' books that would make worse movies than this.

What I most enjoyed: the novel finds a way of examining the core theme of Frankenstein - whether labelling somebody a monster will make them a monster - in a fresh way. The plot owes more to H P Lovecraft than Mary Shelley, and has nods to both. It's kind of Lovecraft-meets-Whedon. That's not a bad thing.

One criticism is that the book could do with being about 10% shorter. The narrator keeps giving us stage directions in the middle of dialogue-driven scenes - where somebody is standing, what they're doing - and that breaks the flow of what would otherwise be pretty good dialogue.

The bits I really have to grumble about are mainly the responsibility of the editor. The narrator, Camille, tells us her mother got pregnant when she was 50. That puts her parents in their late 60s at the time of the novel. Yet Camille's grandparents drive round for a visit, which seems like it might merit a remark since they must be at least 90. Her mum fancies the prime minister because he was in a band when she was a teenager - yet the last UK PM who was even close to 70 was Harold Macmillan. Elsewhere a character talks of "taking the wrap" for someone else. And while I'm nit-picking, there's a scene where the narrator takes a dog on a lead into M&S food hall - inspired, very funny, would not happen in any British town even if that was a guide dog. This is what is meant by a darling that needs to be killed.

Those glitches aren't Ms Skuse's fault and I'm not docking her any stars just because her editor slipped up. I'm highlighting them because we keep hearing from the traditional publishers about low standards in indie publishing, so it's worth calling them out on their own editing.

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I only had one word for this book review it would be: splendorific.

Somewhat worse for wear Camille walks home after making a fool of herself at a college party. On her journey she comes across a girl digging in the cemetery. The girl is question is Zoe, genius and social outcast. The two strike up an unlikely friendship.

There is something very sweet about Camille. She doesn’t have a great deal of confidence in herself. After the girls decide to build SDB (Sexy Dead Boy) Camille has a pig-out in a café. No more diets. The boy they are making will love her just as she is. It is little moments like this that make Camille so loveable, as is her loyalty to Pee Wee and Zoe.

C J Skuse has a way with words, I loved Camille’s vocabulary and how clear her voice comes across in the narration. Dead Romantic is so hilarious in parts I couldn’t help but laugh. Yet at the same time you have a wonderful story about friendship and love with a few body parts along the way.

I had high hopes for Dead Romantic and I wasn’t disappointed.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read the summary and the reviews I got my hopes up, thinking I'd have a Louise Rennison-Frankenstein mash-up. I was utterly disappointed when I discovered the book wasn't actually focused on the relationship with Sexy Dead Boyfriend but on building him.
A relatively good read to pass the time, a bit silly and some things were relatable. I loved Pee Wee! I was going to give it 3 stars until I reached the ending, such a cliffhanger! I thought there was another book but apparently there's not so, I'm left with a thousand doubts.

[Heather James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with Dead Romantic. The reading group I run at school is taking part in the Booktrust book awards and when we read the blurbs of the novels last month, I thought this sounded like the best. My main issue with it came from the constant use of slang, which never felt very authentic to me and just made Camille sound incredibly dim. It really grated as I was reading (although maybe this is just a sign that I'm getting old? The kids at school definitely don't speak like Camille though...)

[sen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel some how disappointed with this book. There were no events passing in the whole book except in the last quarter of it and when it finally started to get better... it finished with no ending. Where's the ending? I mean, what happens after that? There has to be a proper ending to it, and the thing is that it seems there is no sequel to it. What happens to Thomas and Zoe? Ughh this book is making me frustrated and mad.

[Graffda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally got the time and motivation to finish it. Story was interesting, plot more or less what expected from the start and in the middle, but when I was already thinking that the story can't really pull of a matching (more or less equally good) ending for the story it kind of proved me wrong. Still hating the cover so much tho

[Emmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had such potential. It was really different and had a spooky Halloween, Frankenstein theme mixed in with a little bit of fantasy and sci/fi all based in high school, so had the usual social and romantic dramas associated. But what WAS that ending, it was like the author just couldn’t be bothered to finish the book, I actually thought that the audiobook I was listening was corrupt, I couldn’t believe it. Would have gotten another star or two even if it had been adequately finished.
Wouldn’t bother reading this book, completely unsatisfying ending don’t see the point in reading it.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

To begin, I really enjoyed this book. I know that from the cover it might look kinda silly and girly, but as the expression goes '' Don't judge a book by the cover''. This book had all the different elements; comedy, romance and a little bit of horror. The main character, Camille, is a typical teenage girl at college. Then she meets Zoe, an eccentric genius who is trying to create life through science. The two of them form an unique and interesting friendship that we watch them grow into the best of friends. Camille is a little predictable, but the plot twists and turns her life upside-down. When i finished this book, it left me asking '' Will there be a sequel?''

My favourite character is Zoe, because she is funny and sarcastic. I had my doubts about her whilst reading the book, because imagine if she really was crazy and was just chopping people up for the sake of it, but as we get to know her we understand that she is just misunderstood. Even though she is my favourite character, my favourite quote came from Camille, as she expressed their friendship through the quote. ''Camille:" so come on," I said " what does it matter? Lets just bring him to life. Forget everyone else. This is just for you now. Come on. What are you waiting for? Crank up the battery Zoe!''. It is my favourite quote because it symbolizes there newfound friendship. I thought she used to be ditzy and a girly-girl, but this quote made me feel like she had depth and an actual personality.

I choose this book because the cover looked cool, which is almost the only reason i ever pick up a book. The cover looked quite dark- and frankin-stein-like. i thought that the bright green and pink looked really good against the dark scary background. I also thought the layout was quite good, as even though the authors name wasn't overwhelming, i could still read it. I think on the bingo board it comes under..........(to be put in once i look at the bingo board). I have kind of given up on the wide reading part of this, sorry. I have however extended my reading branches and have set the goal to read more widely during the holidays thanks to the bingo board. #gettinganotachieved

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a cute little book that is still interesting.

[James Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the kind of book I usually read, but when I read the first few chapters, I realised that this is a really good book. It is a unique blend of comedy, romance, drama, fantasy and horror. Initially, it can be quite difficult to identify with the protagonists, as they are nothing like anybody I know or have ever met! But their uniqueness is what makes the book what it is. It has a gripping plot and whilst it is rather dark in places, it makes use of real-life social issues in the plot (Camille's desperation for a boyfriend, which is vital to the story; Zoe being alienated for being a "nerd"; and plain-old school idiots (Damien in the beginning of the book). I found it a bit of a strange book at first, but eventually you learn to be OK with this dark comedy to the point where stealing a giant fish tank in a stolen hearse seems normal! It can be difficult to see exactly what genre this book is supposed to be, because it has realistic characters and a realistic setting, but then Skuse introduces an element which is totally implausible, so to really appreciate this book, you must stop analysing as though it were supposed to be real, and simply allow the plot to engage you; plausible or otherwise. The book does have some minor swearing in it (and once stronger at the end, for emphasis, but generally, the book shies away from using that word until the end, for one emphatic line) but would be suitable for teens and older. Most importantly: this is not a teen-girl's book; it will deliver a gripping plot and a good read to anybody of any age or gender.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

An interesting take on the Frankenstein story. The doctor and 'assistant' are teenage girls.

Camille is a college student, desperate for a loving boyfriend. Zoe is a science whizz, desperate to have her dead father's work on regeneration vindicated. Is there a way they can both get what they want? With a few stolen body parts, there just possibly might...

Camille is mostly a witty and likeable narrator (silly abbreviations aside), with some funny malapropisms and honesty about her loneliness. Zoe is more two-dimensional, blowing hot and cold and not as well drawn. The male characters develop through the book and are pretty funny, especially lover-boy Damian.

The ending was a little sudden for me, and left it all open. Is there a sequel planned?

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was witty and well written, the characters were likeable and in particular I loved Camille and her awkwardness! I don't often read YA Fiction but the subject matter piqued my interest and I'm glad I read it, however I am a must know person! I must know everyone's story, I must know if they all live happily ever after and I have absolutely no bloody idea what happened to Sexy Dead Boy! So that spoiled it a bit for me, if another book was on its way it would be forgivable but I don't see anything online. Disappointing.

[Tris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this book. I assumed from the synopsis that the book would mostly be about the main character trying to get the boy she created to love her, however the book itself is actually about creating the boy. It was rather cliche and cheesy so while I'd recommend it to anyone that wants a trashy holiday book, don't read if you're looking for a gripping or serious novel. I can't even call it comical, just dull and an effort to read.

[Hed · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audio. It was weird and really lame. I just couldn't connect with the characters. I think if I had read this physically I wouldn't have bothered finishing. Also, it turns out there are more to the series as it's left with a cliff hanger. I am not that interested to find out what happens...

[Jacqui · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I was a little mislead by the back of the book and expected something a little different. Basically this book ended up being a bit set up for the main event. All the dramas leading up to the climatic unveiling. I skim read most of it just to find out what happened after things were dragging in the first few chapters.

[Night · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I liked the premise of the book I found that I skipped and skimmed through it. I found the main characters interesting. I could relate to the main character. I hoped for more as it progressed maybe I will re read this at a later date but as of now I do not think I will. A good-read but you will need to be in the mood of reading to get through this book.

[Hayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved her other two books but me and this one did not see eye to eye at all.

[Assma Benmussa · Rating 1 out of 5]

ugh such a stuoid book..I hated it..complete waste of time

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did not impress me at all. For one thing the main character, Camille, was so dumb. A sixteen year old girl who doesn't know what Ebola is? really? She has terrible taste in friends because the "good friends" she has abandon her for boyfriends and when she finds a friend she actually likes, it turns out that Zoe is kinda crazy. Most people want the kind of love Camille wants and how convenient that Louis is everything she ever wanted(love Louis btw). AND the ending sucked a lot. No closure at all, it's just let's go kill the dead guy we spent THE ENTIRE BOOK CREATING. Also why does Damian all of sudden care about Zoe? Because Zoe won't let him bang her? The story moves in kind of a choppy fashion (much like this review, but hey it's late and I am feeling a lot of negative emotions towards the plot). Most of the time Zoe is a moody ho who is mean to the one girl who wants to be her friend. Then, after Camille jumps to conclusions(again) about how Zoe is a murdering psychopath, she feels really bad about it. Camille is shocked that she could ever think this body part-napping, socially distant, chopper of limbs would kill someone. OF COURSE SHE WOULD! Zoe is really weird and I feel like if you can chop a corpse up with a blank face, there should be SOME concerns about your morals. It's only after Zoe has been in a fire does she think wow Camille, the only person who cares for me (besides Damian), is pretty cool. Also the whole stealing a fish tank to electrocute the body was preposterous. They break into the store, GET AWAY WITH STEALING A FISH TANK, but they set off an alarm and get involved in the chase with the cops. I guess I shouldn't judge to hard because nothing in this book makes sense at all. Plus Damian is a douche-bag for the entire book, but at the very end he starts to have feelings? I just couldn't handle the main plot at all.

Don't get me wrong, there were parts of this book I enjoyed. I love the flirting between Damian and Zoe and his later concern for her. Camille and Louis are very cute and I'm glad their relationship could make it through Camille's stupidity. I wish Skuse would write a second book or even a novella where the gang finds the reanimated corpse and maybe they become friends. Or a story about the corpse finding love and how Zoe deals with her father's brain loving another girl. I wanna see the two main couples progress in their relationships and the different things they have to over come.

[Soobie is expired · Rating 1 out of 5]

That was bad!!

First, the author uses a sort of juvenile language and it was as if I've never studied English before. It's one of those books that make you realize you'll never be fluent enough in a foreign language.

Second, the main protagonist is obnoxious. She lets herself be humiliated by her peers just to belong. Then she agrees on Zoe's suggestion of creating a Sex Dead Boyfriend. Because this is what people normally do: they build the perfect boyfriend. It kind of reminds me of Virtual Sexuality, which is also a book I've read when I was a teen, this one Virtual Sexual Reality. But here the perfect boyfriend will be made with pieces of corpses. People always kept spare body parts around. I also didn't like when she referenced something (movie or TV series) by describing it without giving the title. I could understand the reference most of the times. But there were times where I didn't know what she was talking about.

Third, the book doesn't have a proper ending. I don't know if it was intended to be the first in a series or a stand-alone but... Jeez, the story stops abruptly with a lot of threads left unsolved. Was a second book planned or the author just wanted to make fun of her readers?

Fourth, some scenes don't really make sense. No way a hearse could escape a police car, come on...

OK, let's forget about it!

[Culture-Vulture · Rating 2 out of 5]

Both stars are for the funny dialogue and narration, and for the cute romance.

However, the plot's utterly ridiculous. The story is atmospheric, but the narrative thread is weak. The ending is bizarre.

The three docked stars are for the utter lack of plot and that pointless cliffhanger of an ending. If this was part 1 of a series, that ending might have made sense (maybe!). But since it's a stand-alone, that ending was UTTER rot. It was a non-ending! It just leaves you hanging. I felt like I wasted my time reading this story, given that it doesn't even lead to a conclusion!!

There were several errors/inconsistencies in the story, which means the beta readers and editors weren't doing their job.

Despite the well-written humour and interesting characterisations, I wouldn't recommend this novel to anyone. The plot was just meh, and that ending was total and utter rubbish.

Also, in what world can you steal, run from the police, then burn down a college, but still get away with it all?! Even minors have to face the law for large infractions.

[Beatrice Clarke · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the most random books I think I've read. Was quite cringy at times. I'm surprised I finished it. Obviously aimed at a younger audience. But yeah read it...
After how long the story took to get going the ending was so rushed...

[Meem · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could've been fun to read as a short story. I like how it's neither MG nor YA but pole vaults from one to the other. A 328 page book needs to be far better written, though.

[Frances Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was a really great take on Frankenstein. I really enjoyed it. Different.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gruesome, funny, and so good!

[Luca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waste of time...

[Limbo Cookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

[Sally Debrowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed but so annoyed with the ending, aaah

[Princess Potatohead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked it up in charity shop cause it was annotated by previous owner, honestly expected it to be awful but it was a really fun read

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good, could really see this as a teen mini series . Captures the teenage-hood I remember (minus the Frankenstein)