Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations

by Sophie Andrews

Death is an awkward matchmaker…

When my brother suddenly passes away, shattering my family, I’m left to pick up the pieces.

Then Vince Mancini knocks on my door. My brother’s best friend from high school—and the boy I loved—is a funeral director, and he promises to answer whenever I call.

With his steadfast nature and warm smile, he becomes the anchor in the storm, willing to hold me up as everything falls at my feet. He sees through all my bluster, and it’s easy to remember why I’d hung on his every word when I was younger.

Now, he thinks he can fix me, even though there’s a lump of clay where my heart used to be.

Which makes the fluttering in my chest all the more disconcerting. And this hurt? It’s too much too soon.

First published May 31, 2024

Reviews

[Wobilba · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

What an emotional rollercoaster?! Though it starts out slow and a bit melancholic, it was real, raw, emotional and an honest story. It had me sobbing one minute then laughing the next. I loved Cassie. She was such a phenomenal character. I don't know why I went in expecting a cute romcom but this was a story focused heavily on Cassie’s healing journey and self discovery after the loss of her brother. I did enjoy her love journey with Vince(despite his unfortunate profession), although romance was an auxiliary plot.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the ARC!

[The Bibliophile Doctor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I requested this book coz of the beautiful purple colored cover and the title. I see all these glowing reviews and I'm trying too hard to see what did I miss.

I even tried reading it again just to make sure if I'm missing something. Nope , not for me. This book in my personal opinion isn't that well written. The main character Cassandra is whiny, I just felt that her life didn't suck as much as she thought it did. I thought it will be a book dealing with grief and loss intermingled with comedic relief but it is not. It is boring and insufferable and just not good.

Every character according to Cass is bad in some way or even horrible person. There's hardly anything positive she has to say about anyone in the book maybe except for Vince or for a second or two for Sunny. I found the conversations unreal and totally immature. There was just something off about whole book. I found it poorly written.

I wish I could say something positive about the book but I don't have anything to offer.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[Sundy Tr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a veeeery emotional book. We witness the heroine’s journey through grief and how she manages to stand on her feet.
The subject is rather delicate, death of a sibling and it’s not an easy read.
Cass suffered a lot, her family too, each one in their own way but she had an ally, Vince, in this difficult path who made it easier to get through the tragedy.

I liked this book. It’s 80% drama and 20% romance.
I guess I would have liked it more if we had seen more interactions between Cass & Vince, or some chapters from his POV would have been nice.

-Single 1st person POV (FMC)
-Spice: 🌶️ (minimal)

Overall: 3.75/5 ⭐️ for me.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather Mynx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up on NetGalley thinking it would be more of a romance than it actually was. There IS romance, but I would say the majority of the book is about grief and how differently each person can cope with it. It follows Cassandra (Cassie) after the loss of her brother on Valentines' Day. Her life was already a bit of a mess, but the tragedy of losing her brother and trying to be strong for everyone around her kind of pushes her over the edge.

I lost my stepdad last year in the midst of getting divorced and I could really empathize with the feelings Cassie goes through. Her feelings are so real and so raw. I cried several times while reading this book and thought the author did an amazing job exploring this different stages of grief. Cassie's journey of self-healing was inspiring.

I loved her relationship with Vince and how he was there to support her through everything. I just wish there was more of their relationship in the book than the bits we got. I was disappointed he didn't play a bigger part in the story and the ending felt a little... too easy. This was the reason this book gets 4 stars instead of 5.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rasa || beviltiska_romantike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eyeing this book for several weeks, something about the cover and the title called to me, finally, couldn't resist anymore and asked for the arc.

I read the blurb of the book, I saw the title, and still didn't expect it to be so emotional and so heavy and so focused on grief. I bawled through the first third of the story, then again and again, and when it seemed that there were no tears left, I cried some more. And I loved it. It was unexpected, raw and honest. And though the love line was secondary, it blended beautifully within the story. BTW, Vince, despite his name, is a perfect book boyfriend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

[Zabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating:❤️/5
Spice:🌶️4/5
Read in May 2024:🌻26/20
Goodreads Challenge:📚129/240

♥ [𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚊 & 𝚅𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎] ♥

📌 loss & grief
📌 depression & mental health issues
📌 right person, wrong time
📌 childhood crush
📌 brother's (childhood) best friend
📌 second chance
📌 angst

Let's face it, in romance (as in most genres, I guess), the narrative pattern is often the same. A meeting (or re-meeting), characters getting to know each other, a love story born, the trials and tribulations that threaten to tear the budding couple apart, passion, tenderness, and a happy ending. And that's all you want when you open a romance, so that's fine.



But sometimes you come across a book that turns these codes on their head, and that's why I wouldn't call 'Love at a Funeral...' a romance as such.

First and foremost, it's Cassandra’s story, who is confronted with a loss she never imagined, and faces consequences she never expected. It's the story of a family destroyed by sudden grief, and how they come to terms with it (or don't). So, yes, it's a love story, since through the horror of this loss, Cass meets her childhood crush again and rekindles a very strong bond with him. But sometimes you meet the perfect person at the wrong time, and that's very much the story of Cass & Vince, who fall in love with each other while the foundations that should allow Cassandra to stand on her own two feet have crumbled.

Although absolutely beautiful, this love story is ultimately placed in the background. This novel is above all the story of Cassandra's grief and the stages she goes through to move on.



So here's what you'll find in this book: very raw, very deep emotions. A very endearing female main character who questions herself deeply and goes through hell. A magnificent love story that doesn't happen at the right time. An incredible male character who will make your heart skip a beat. A happy ending (because you can't break all the codes either). All so beautifully written, it’ll make ou cry.



You're welcome.

_____________________________

🇫🇷On ne va pas se mentir, en romance (comme dans la plupart des genres, j’imagine), le schéma narratif est souvent le même. Une rencontre (ou re-rencontre), des personnages qui apprennent à se connaître, un amour qui naît, des épreuves qui manquent de séparer ce couple naissant, de la passion, de la tendresse et une fin heureuse. Et c’est tout ce qu’on veut quand on ouvre une romance, donc c’est très bien comme ça.

Mais parfois, il arrive de tomber sur un livre qui bouleverse ces codes, et voilà pourquoi je ne qualifierai pas ‘Love at a funeral…’ de romance à proprement dite.

Avant tout, c’est l’histoire de Cassandra qui, confrontée une perte qu’elle n’aurait jamais imaginé, fait face à des conséquences auxquelles elle ne s’attendait pas. C’est l’histoire d’une famille détruite par un deuil soudain et de la façon dont ils parviennent (ou non) à l’accepter. Alors oui, c’est une histoire d’amour, puisqu’à travers l’horreur de cette perte, Cass retrouve son crush d’enfance et renoue avec lui des liens très forts, mais cette histoire est finalement placée en arrière plan. Ce roman, c’est surtout l’histoire du deuil de Cassandra et des étapes qu’elle traverse pour avancer.

Il arrive parfois qu’on rencontre la personne parfaite au mauvais moment, et c’est tout à fait l’histoire de Cass & Vince, qui tombent (et retombent) amoureux l’un de l’autre alors que les fondations qui devraient permettre à Cassandra de tenir debout par elle-même se sont effondrées.

Alors voilà ce que vous trouverez ici : des émotions très brutes, très profondes. Un personnage très attachant qui se remet profondément en question et qui traverse l’horreur. Une histoire d’amour magnifique qui ne tombe pas au bon moment. Un personnage masculin incroyable qui fera chavirer votre cœur. Une fin heureuse (parce qu’on ne peut quand même pas briser tous les codes non plus). Le tout écrit d’une main de maître.

[Shiney Readss · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very good at conveying the pain and sadness Cass experienced after the loss of her brother. That’s about it though. It is already a little bit of a weird concept, this book, but it was just made worse since their romance started to blossom so soon after the death. Like let the girl breathe.

I definitely felt bad for Cass but my god was she one of the worst characters I have ever read about. She was really annoying and rude and apathetic, and the way she reunites with Vince at the end of the book just lacked basic respect. I felt like the relationship with Vince to begin with was so separate from Cass’s brothers death, and when they did intertwine it was so forced.

Beyond that, I think the Instagram posts were really weird and cringey and didn’t really add anything to the story. I started skipping them about halfway through the book. The writing was also very boring and at one point I was just looking forward to the book ending. I am now glad that it has.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversions by Sophie Andrews is an emotional journey through the grief of a woman after losing her brother. She experiences an array of emotions as she navigates how to not only cope emotionally but also how to hold her family together. With her parents emotionally absent, her only support comes from the director of the funeral home that buried her brother... who also happens to be her brother's high school best friend and her crush.

This book is so raw and candid but also has a story of self-discovery and love as well. I haven't seen many novels that address the death of a sibling, let alone the emotions and stages of grief that come with it and it was sad but significant.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for early access to read this memorable story in exchange for an honest review. It was a great read.

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK...let me take a breath before I get started. I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for review. Do not let the cute fun cover fool you. This book is very much focused on the grieving process of a family in all its' forms. It is very detail centric in experiencing the aftermath of losing a loved one. As someone who has lost her mother at a young age, I could relate to a lot of it.

I would not classify this book as a romance. It is more centered on the loss and going through that process. There, of course, is a romance...but it is secondary. There is a teeny bit of spice. I liked the writing style and felt the characters were well developed. The MMC was a cinnamon roll and so likable and patient. I know some would say he allowed her to walk all over him, but until you deal with loss you never know how that would be expressed. I think he understood that in his profession. At times, I found the FMC unlikable but I feel like that was the point. When you lose someone you almost have to find yourself again. Some parts absolutely felt unnecessarily dramatic, but a good portion of it felt authentic. It may help people to know they aren't alone in their experience.

This book can be triggering for anyone who has experienced a traumatic loss. Please keep that in mind.

3.5 stars

[Mary Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the saddest book I’ve ever read and I loved every minute of It. I was crying from start to finish and I could never put It down. The way the author handles the stages of grief and how different people drive was just so real. Sometimes you just have to face the fact that it’s okay not to be okay and you just need to give yourself time to heal. Everyone handles grief differently but trust there are people there who want to help you.

[Juli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took on both romance and grief, and it did so incredibly eloquently. The content was relatable and moving. I think sometimes authors gloss over some of the difficult nuance of things like grief, worried it'll bring down the story - and this book didn't shy away from sadness and strife. But, in leaning in to that, the characters had so much more depth and the story was so much richer. I highly recommend this read!

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations by Sophie Andrews

Release Date: May, 31st, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars


After Cass’s brother's sudden death, Vince Mancini, her brother's best friend and her childhood crush turned funeral director, becomes her unwavering support. Despite her shattered heart, his presence feels like a lifeline. He sees through her facade, aiming to mend her, though her heart feels irreparably broken. Yet, against all odds, she feels a flutter of something unfamiliar in her chest, complicating an already overwhelming situation.

This book took me by surprise; despite its title and blurb, I wasn't prepared for its emotional depth and focus on grief. I cried my way through the first third and beyond, moved by its raw honesty. It's a poignant exploration of self-discovery and love amidst tragedy, shedding light on the rarely discussed topic of sibling loss. While romance is present, the core of the novel lies in Cass's journey of coping with her brother's death.


Thank you to The Publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op , The Author Sophie Andrews & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

[Mae (bookishpremed) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
Grief
Brother's friend
Forced proximity (?)

There are some books out there that surprise you and this has to be one of them. To tell you the truth, I was captivated by this cover and that is the main reason why I chose it, but the book was captivating all on its own.

Cassie, the main character, suffers a sudden loss in the family and through her POV, it navigates the ugly truths about grief. They say that there is no proper way to deal with grief, and it is very evident in Cassie's family that they are all suffering in their own ways. Cassie reunites with one of her brother's old friends from high school, Vince, and he helps her find some light in the darkness that she is experiencing.

This book made me cry in many ways, because I think we've all dealt with loss at one point of our lives and it's hard to see that she is clearly burdened with the responsibility of holding her family together. People criticize that this book didn't focus enough on Vince and Cassie and I think that's valid since this was categorized as a romance book, but personally, I liked how it focused more on her and how she was coping with everything. I also really liked how they even posted her posts too! I didn't realize what they were at first, lol, but once I did, it added another dimension to the book!

Thank you NetGalley and Sophie Andrews for letting me review this book. It was amazing <3

[BasilReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much NetGalley, Sophie Andrews, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to read this amazing novel.

This was a very sad book but has an uplifting message. The death of a loved one is hard, especially if it's a sibling. Who are you after loss, what are your interests now, what do you do with your life? Those are what Cass was experiencing.

Vince is the funeral director/older brother (deceased) best friend was there for Cass during every emotion she experienced while she processed her brother's death. He was the sun to her storm, he was patient and everything you would ever want in a partner during a rough time in your life.

One big thing about this book is to not go in thinking it's a romance, it truly isn't. There's romance sprinkled in throughout the story, but the main point of the novel is how Cass processes her brother's death.

Trigger Warnings
. Death of a loved one
. Emotional details of the funeral
. Parental abandonment due to loss

[jamadoria reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that I didn't expect to be such a genuinely heartfelt and honest representation of what losing a sibling is like and how it can impact the entire family.

Cass's brother unexpectedly dies and she is left to navigate everything needing to happen after a death, as her parents aren't emotionally available for her. All while drowning in her own grief. She gets some help from Vince, her brother's best friend, and a funeral director, so he's got experience in helping people deal with the details after a death.

There is a lovely romance that blossoms between them, but I was not prepared by how much this book would make me cry - this book is definitely centered on grief and its impact - it definitely brought up reminders of my own grief and how hard it was to navigate. It is so beautifully written and heartfelt.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions in my review are my own and freely given.

I just reviewed Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations by Sophie Andrews. #LoveataFuneralandOtherAwkwardConversations #NetGalley

[shelby | shelbybooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this one.

When Cass loses her brother unexpectedly, she's left to pick up the pieces after her parents are too grief-stricken to help her.

Vince is her the funeral director and her brother's best friend from high school that she had a huge crush on but hasn't seen in a few years.

This story is more about grief and learning to live in the new normal after losing someone you love than a love story. However, the love story was important to Cass's journey and I simply adorned the way it was woven into the plot. Vince was a dreamboat and his patience with Cass was so soft and so kind. There was some humor trickled in that I really appreciated, as I definitely have some tendencies toward dark humor.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love Sophie Andrews’ writing, and this book did not disappoint! What a moving, awful, back-and-forth saga of grief. After Cass’s brother drops dead of a heart attack at the age of 30, there are ripples of upheaval through the family—-his wife, parents, and Cass. The resulting sorrow and its effects are largely the story here, but there’s another part pertaining to Cass herself and Vince, her brother’s close friend and the funeral director. This one, like any good book, made me want to get back to it when I was forced to put it idown.

My thanks to the author for the gifted copy. My review is voluntary.

[Elizabeth Carter Fayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional honest depiction of grief, love, and growing up.

Cass is in a little bit of a rut. She moved home from NYC after her writing aspirations never quite picked up steam. She's living in her parents basement, waitressing at a bikini bar, and doesn't really have friends. Well one way to break out of routine is some good ole fashioned trauma in the form of her older brother, and best friend, dying unexpectedly. In a single moment her world comes crashing down. Her mom becomes catatonic, her dad decides to opt out of being a parent, leaving Cass in charge of planning her brother's funeral. Cass finds comfort and help from the funeral director Vince, who also happens to be her brother's best friend from high school and her childhood crush. As Cass learns to navigate this new world without her brother she is able to lean on Vince through the ups and the downs.

This is such an honest tale of grief and all its emotions, despair, jealousy, and hope. Andrews does such a great job balancing some of the hardest aspects of losing a loved one with the hope of a better tomorrow. I cried, giggled, and "awwwed" all the way through this book.

[Yuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love at Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations" by Sophie Andrews is a collection of heartfelt moments about love, relationships, and coping with loss.
It's a great read if you enjoy feeling connected to the ups and downs of life.

[Vanessa Brackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a tear-jerker. I can’t even begin to imagine the death of a sibling. Working through the grief process with Cassandra was so sad. I felt nothing but remorse for everything she experienced.

I’m so glad she found love through the time of grief. And with an old crush, ugh I love it.

[McKayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ✨
Sophie created a beautifully crafted book that explores the rawness of what a grief journey can look like. Families crumbling at the seams, the pressure to be the rock that everyone can rely on, and struggling with allowing more love to push through the wall erected because of losing a loved one. Through excruciating heartache and unbelievable strength, we walk alongside our main character as she navigates her new life after loss. It’s hard. It’s guttural. It’s a reality that so many of us have faced and will eventually face. But oh, is it ever beautiful.
An amazing portrayal of grief intertwining with the sweetest love story. This is a must read.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

have you ever nonstop cried throughout an entire book??? i have

[Keisha Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly picked this up because I was going to Indies Invade Philly and wanted to read a book by a new to me author! The cover appealed to me, so I jumped in (without reading the synopsis). I was sucked in immediately…. Up at 2am crying in my bed because this book is real and emotional. At the convention I sold the author how much she made me cry, and she was so sweet!! Will read more by Sophie!

[The Library Lass · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book has 4-star quality, it just wasn't for me. It wasn't that the book was bad, it was just that I had a hard time connecting to the main character. Maybe it's because I have never experienced that level of grief, maybe it's because I am an only child, but I couldn't get invested. I do give the book a lot of credit though for its depiction of grief, especially since it's based on the author's real life. You could feel on the page just how personal and authentic it is. It felt less like a romance book and more like a story about the love and grief that comes along with losing a sibling. I would recommend this book to someone who has lost a close relative, as I believe they would be able to get the most out of it.

This book was provided to me virtually to review by NetGalley.

[Miranda Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day because I literally couldn’t put it down. The emotions are so raw and beautifully woven into the story line. I felt very connected to Cass’ grief as it mirrored feelings that I had not revisited for some time from my own experiences of losing a loved one. I found this narrative about grief to be healing and validating, specifically the family dynamic. The love story is swoon-worthy and I feel like everyone needs to experience a “Vince hug.” This story is charming, sweet, real, and captivating. Sophie has a funny, relatable voice that carries the story along. There is not one part of the book that didn’t hold my attention or my heart. This is a must-read for all romance lovers!

[Diana Almeida · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting a cutesy romance (which I got btw) but it was not the main focus of the book.

The main focus of this book was grief and how everyone handles such a heavy topic. We see several different reactions throughout the book, how they deal with the news and how they deal with the afterwards. This book broke my heart time after time...

The story follows Cass as she deals with the loss of the brother. Her inner thoughts were so real and so raw that I just wanted to give her the biggest hug possible... I'm just glad Vince was able do it for me. Their relationship and how it developed was super cute and, above all, realistic, considering all the inner demons that Cass was fighting.

Although this is a story of grief and self-healing, I wished the romance element was more present in the book. I really enjoyed Cass and Vince's relationship and wanted to see more of them together as a couple, hence my rating.

And finally, thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a love letter to grief and it’s been done so beautifully.

Definitely a different one! But I enjoyed this one :)

[Lily Hope Everhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride, delving into the aftermath of Ray's passing and exploring how his friends and family navigate the grief. While the narrative touches on various characters, it primarily centres on Ray's sister, who grapples with finding her identity amidst her profound loss. Before her brother's death, she lived in his shadow, escaping the pressure of constantly pleasing others. However, with his absence, she finds herself thrust into the spotlight, forced to confront her own desires and needs.

The storyline unfolds as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, undergoing significant character development along the way. The slow burn trope adds depth to the narrative, though occasionally, her interactions with Vince evoke frustration, albeit understandable given her inner turmoil. The complexity of loving someone while struggling to love oneself resonates throughout the narrative, offering poignant insights into human relationships and inner battles.

While the plot captivates, there are occasional distractions in the form of fragmented passages that detract from the overall flow. These instances, whether grammatically flawed or conceptually unclear, momentarily disrupt the immersive experience. Nevertheless, the book compensates with numerous thought-provoking and relatable quotes. Lines such as "I want to make my life better, but I can’t, so when I finally get something good, I mess it up" and "the family I knew doesn’t exist anymore" encapsulate the characters' emotional depths and existential struggles.

Amidst the turmoil, the narrative highlights the importance of steadfast companionship and resilience. Quotes like "Everyone should have a friend like mine, to help you up from the bottom and who shares an umbrella in the storm" underscore the significance of supportive relationships in navigating life's storms. Ultimately, the protagonist's journey towards independence and self-reliance, symbolized by her reluctance to lean on Vince or anyone else, reinforces themes of personal growth and empowerment amidst adversity.

[Rita Maria Haykal · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the tragic, sudden death of her older brother, Ray, Cass is left alone to not only mourn his death but also try to hold her family together. She finds comfort in Vince, the funeral director and her brother's best friend, whom she also had a crush on a few years ago.

I usually steer away from topics like death, grief, and loss because I try to lean toward happier subjects when I read (why look for more sadness). But something about this book made me very curious.

Sophie Andrews dives into the raw stages of mourning the loss of a loved one in the most candid ways I've ever seen. She doesn't sugarcoat it. At all. She perfectly demonstrates the sadness, anger, and resentment one feels towards not only the people around them but also the loved one she lost. Cass mentions multiple times how it angers her how people are "selfishly" living their lives, while her brother is gone.

I loved how Andrews gave the theme of "love and loss" so many layers. mourning the death of a loved one, a marriage crumbling amidst the terrible grief of losing a child, and the struggling relationship between Cass and her parents who are neglecting the only child they have left. I loved how she wove them together so seamlessly.

For the story between Vince and Cass, I think it added a whole other layer to it. It showed us how Cass's inner turmoil with her struggle with self-love was seeping into her relationship with Vince, and how she felt like she was using him as a temporary fix and as an escape from her reality. I loved that she acknowledged what she was doing, instead of stringing him along. I felt like their relationship was very realistic and raw, and I appreciated that it wasn't a fluff piece for the story and it actually added depth to it.

I could write a whole essay on this book, but I'll sum it up and say that I loved this book! It was different from anything I've ever read, and I can't wait to read more of Sophie Andrews's books!

I just reviewed Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations by Sophie Andrews. #LoveataFuneralandOtherAwkwardConversations #NetGalley
https://www.netgalley.com/book/361207...

[Morgan Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Releases 5/31/24

“I would wait for you forever, but I’m glad you’re not making me”

Let me just say.. this is anything but what I expected but in the most amazing and fulfilling way. This is not a a story of love but rather a story of grief and loss that leads you to finding someone who truly understands. I love that this wasn’t a typical romance story but rather a romance sub plot!

Blurb 📖

Cass is faced with an expected loss that causes a hurricane of emotions through her family. Forced to be the strong one Cass must do what she can to mend the bond between her mother and father while also trying to balance her own grief. Could her brother’s childhood best friend be the answer to her pain?! Or is she not quite ready to fall head over heels for the undertaker

Thoughts 💭

This book blew me away. It left me utterly speechless, smiling, laughing and most importantly sobbing. As someone who’s lost a family member this book hits so close to home. Cass’s grieving journey was so similar to my own and this is the first time I’ve really felt like someone could relate to my grief. Sophie does an incredible job of bringing to life the pain and anxiety losing a love one brings. It’s unexpected, it’s excruciating and there’s nothing in the world like it.

Vince is so perfect for Cass. I like how we got to see how much her grief is affecting them starting a relationship and how much growth someone can have after losing a loved one and having to start your life without them all over again. Thank you so much Sophie and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading such a beautiful book.

I highly recommend you all go preorder this right now. It’s so beautifully written and it really brings forth all the emotions 🤍🤍