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Nearly Departed: A feel-good, funny love story about grief, ghosts, and having a second shot at finding your soul mate
'Witty, moving and eminently readable, Nearly Departed is the millennial Truly Madly Deeply we've all been waiting for' Mike Gayle
'A sweet, sometimes spiky rom-com that takes in the stickiness and complexity of grief'The Times
'Wonderfully tender, funny, and quietly profound'Service95
LOVE READING Romance Book of the Month
Joel Foster is a hapless twenty-something. His girlfriend, Beth Lewis, would likely have been a hapless twenty-something, too, had she not been obliterated by a very large cement truck. Some time after Beth's tragic death, Joel is still trying to juggle grief with the world of modern dating. And while he still feels like a widower, he has to find a new love before three years is up.
The catch? Just as Joel thinks he's finally falling for someone, he starts getting haunted by Beth.
It's not a ghost story, it's a love story. With ghosts.
'A sweet, sometimes spiky rom-com that takes in the stickiness and complexity of grief'The Times
'Wonderfully tender, funny, and quietly profound'Service95
LOVE READING Romance Book of the Month
Joel Foster is a hapless twenty-something. His girlfriend, Beth Lewis, would likely have been a hapless twenty-something, too, had she not been obliterated by a very large cement truck. Some time after Beth's tragic death, Joel is still trying to juggle grief with the world of modern dating. And while he still feels like a widower, he has to find a new love before three years is up.
The catch? Just as Joel thinks he's finally falling for someone, he starts getting haunted by Beth.
It's not a ghost story, it's a love story. With ghosts.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
March 20, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive a proof of Oakeley’s debut and oh my, what a debut it is! At once funny, tender and poetic, Nearly Departed is everything I hoped it would be. I found myself laughing aloud at many points (a rare treat in my reading experience), and I was reluctant to finish the book and leave behind the exquisitely-crafted characters and their poignant story! This novel will stay with me for a long time, and I can’t wait to see what the author - undoubtedly a remarkable writer - does next. 5 stars!!!
August 31, 2025
Nearly Departed is a refreshing take on the afterlife, blending humor with genuine heart.
The characters are vibrant and three-dimensional and its themes are delivered with wit and poise. I was hooked from the first page and thoroughly enjoyed its originality and the way it handles the non-linear and unpredictable emotions associated with grief.
A must-read for anyone looking for a fun, imaginative, and touching story with just the right amount of humour!
The characters are vibrant and three-dimensional and its themes are delivered with wit and poise. I was hooked from the first page and thoroughly enjoyed its originality and the way it handles the non-linear and unpredictable emotions associated with grief.
A must-read for anyone looking for a fun, imaginative, and touching story with just the right amount of humour!
June 13, 2026
really enjoyed this!! funny and moving
August 31, 2025
Its amazing to see someone I know has written a published book!!! And one so funny and sweet too.
I absolutely loved it, and whizzed through it really quickly - even taking a break from a house party so I could go finish it in a quiet room.
Lucas writes so well about what it feels and looks and smells like to be young and living in London in the 2020s, and there are loads of really witty insights in there about dating culture in particular.
The parts that really excelled for me were the passages about food and visual art - Lucas writes so beautifully about the way that these make his characters feel, and how they connect us to each other.
Overall, it was giving major Richard Curtis Classic British Rom Com energy, and I was very MOVED at the end.
Write more books Lucas the people demand it!!!
I absolutely loved it, and whizzed through it really quickly - even taking a break from a house party so I could go finish it in a quiet room.
Lucas writes so well about what it feels and looks and smells like to be young and living in London in the 2020s, and there are loads of really witty insights in there about dating culture in particular.
The parts that really excelled for me were the passages about food and visual art - Lucas writes so beautifully about the way that these make his characters feel, and how they connect us to each other.
Overall, it was giving major Richard Curtis Classic British Rom Com energy, and I was very MOVED at the end.
Write more books Lucas the people demand it!!!
September 27, 2025
Took me an embarrassingly long time to finish this one. Every time I put it down, I’d somehow find myself reading literally anything else — shampoo bottles, takeaway menus, the back of the Weetabix box.
The premise is actually quite sweet: Joel, still reeling after the sudden death of his girlfriend Beth, gives himself three years to fall in love again. Enter Nina, just as things are finally looking hopeful. And then — because fate clearly has a dark sense of humour — Beth reappears as a ghost. Awkward doesn’t even cover it.
It’s tender and bittersweet, sure, but for me it never quite caught fire. Pleasant enough, but not exactly satisfying.
The premise is actually quite sweet: Joel, still reeling after the sudden death of his girlfriend Beth, gives himself three years to fall in love again. Enter Nina, just as things are finally looking hopeful. And then — because fate clearly has a dark sense of humour — Beth reappears as a ghost. Awkward doesn’t even cover it.
It’s tender and bittersweet, sure, but for me it never quite caught fire. Pleasant enough, but not exactly satisfying.
August 30, 2025
The set up for this book was an interesting concept and I sometimes find quirky main characters to be a plotline I love to follow. Joel Foster is a hapless twenty-something. His girlfriend, Beth Lewis, would likely have been a hapless twenty-something, too, had she not been obliterated by a very large cement truck. Some time after Beth’s tragic death, Joel is still trying to juggle grief with the world of modern dating. And while he still feels like a widower, he has to find a new love before three years is up. (this forced timeline is all of his own making).
The catch? Just as Joel thinks he’s finally falling for someone, he starts getting haunted by Beth.
It’s not a ghost story, it’s a love story. With ghosts.
Who wouldn't find this a little intriguing?
It was, and then it wasn't. I guess for me we were stuck in Joel's head a lot and it's at times not very interesting. I don't want to spoil the ending but it's a little anti-climatic. I guess the people who loved this story are probably the audience for a meandering, insecure character such is Joel. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
The catch? Just as Joel thinks he’s finally falling for someone, he starts getting haunted by Beth.
It’s not a ghost story, it’s a love story. With ghosts.
Who wouldn't find this a little intriguing?
It was, and then it wasn't. I guess for me we were stuck in Joel's head a lot and it's at times not very interesting. I don't want to spoil the ending but it's a little anti-climatic. I guess the people who loved this story are probably the audience for a meandering, insecure character such is Joel. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
September 8, 2025
”Love is simple. It’s about trying. But not too much, just the right amount—and as often as you can.”
This lovely, surprising novel strikes an impressive balance between the lighthearted charm of romantic comedy and the rawness of a story about grief and healing. Oakeley did a great job of weaving together humour and heartache, creating a novel that is both accessible and moving. ❤️🩹
The pacing kept me engaged from start to finish, and I loved the witty prose that easily could’ve undermined the story’s emotional impact, but it didn’t. Joel is a relatable and convincing main character. His journey of healing is portrayed in such a way that you can’t help but be frustrated with him and root for him every step of the way. Watching him gradually find his footing again was just heartwarming af 🫶🏼.
The audiobook production deserves special mention, the narrator’s delivery perfectly captures the story’s tone. He was a great choice!! 🎧 Thank you so much to NetGalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for this ARC!
This lovely, surprising novel strikes an impressive balance between the lighthearted charm of romantic comedy and the rawness of a story about grief and healing. Oakeley did a great job of weaving together humour and heartache, creating a novel that is both accessible and moving. ❤️🩹
The pacing kept me engaged from start to finish, and I loved the witty prose that easily could’ve undermined the story’s emotional impact, but it didn’t. Joel is a relatable and convincing main character. His journey of healing is portrayed in such a way that you can’t help but be frustrated with him and root for him every step of the way. Watching him gradually find his footing again was just heartwarming af 🫶🏼.
The audiobook production deserves special mention, the narrator’s delivery perfectly captures the story’s tone. He was a great choice!! 🎧 Thank you so much to NetGalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for this ARC!
August 22, 2025
Couldn’t recommend this more highly, if you’ve ever been in your late twenties, or just plan to be in them one day, you’ll find relatable, funny, poignant and just overall a great read.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Can’t wait for the next one!
April 6, 2026
This played out like a rom com and I loved to imagine Daniel Radcliffe as Joel 😂
Very good and sweet but some messy plot points lost it a star for me.
Very good and sweet but some messy plot points lost it a star for me.
July 15, 2026
Holiday book #3. Not bad, simple story good enough to fly through in a day. A bit too many cultural references throughout that became like wallpaper, but following this author on Instagram for a while makes me somewhat reluctant to criticise too much because I like his posts and book reccos and that is my bias and that is okay !!
July 22, 2025
Thank you to Lucas Oakeley, Bedford Square Publishers and NetGalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Trying to date when your ex won’t leave you alone is rough. Especially when she’s dead.
This is so nice! Unexpectedly tender and quietly profound.
Joel is trying to find love again after losing the woman he thought was it. But the universe? She’s got jokes. Especially when his one true love starts popping up… even though she’s, well, dead.
Lucas Oakeley’s debut is witty, warm, and just the right amount of ghostly. A heartbreaking exploration of grief, awkward dating, and trying to move on when your past won’t stay buried.
As a debut, this is phenomenal. Lucas, you smashed it. I’m watching your next move like a hawk.
Trying to date when your ex won’t leave you alone is rough. Especially when she’s dead.
This is so nice! Unexpectedly tender and quietly profound.
Joel is trying to find love again after losing the woman he thought was it. But the universe? She’s got jokes. Especially when his one true love starts popping up… even though she’s, well, dead.
Lucas Oakeley’s debut is witty, warm, and just the right amount of ghostly. A heartbreaking exploration of grief, awkward dating, and trying to move on when your past won’t stay buried.
As a debut, this is phenomenal. Lucas, you smashed it. I’m watching your next move like a hawk.
December 28, 2025
i literally cannot think of anything better than a book that is a love story with ghosts
August 2, 2026
This was such a unique take on second chance love and trying to move on.
Joel is a hapless twenty something who is dating Beth who also is or was a hapless twenty something also until she was as obliterated by a cement truck. Grieving and stuck in pretend windowerhood as they were not yet married and tiptoeing into the worlds of modern dating, he meets Nina and he starts to see the light.. until he sees something or should I say someone else.. Beth. The clock is ticking and he had set the goal of 3 years to move on, but now that it was here it all of a sudden felt urgent. He think he might be falling for Nina but is terrified of falling out for Beth. Turns out Joel is being haunted by his dead girlfriend.
A romcom is always a good vibe and I really enjoyed parts of this. I loved the no filter on the feelings which felt so intensely raw amongst just not strangers. I adored the attention to detail in snippets of conversation and how both Nina and Joel banked that information due to the simple art of listening. They unofficially helped each other grieve the loss of a loved one whilst leaning into the blossoming of new beginnings.
Personal opinion but Beth confused the fuck out of me and quite frankly gave me the shits. Like are you hung up in love and jealous or are you a petty bitch who came back to just break his heart a second time round? This back and forth and the winy ‘I have something to tell you’ and then didn’t for the whole book length long was beyond annoying. Her character was inconsistent.
This is a little woo, so it ghosts and clairvoyants etc aren’t your thing, this book likely won’t be either. But if you are open to all that than this will surely bring you a smile.
Joel is a hapless twenty something who is dating Beth who also is or was a hapless twenty something also until she was as obliterated by a cement truck. Grieving and stuck in pretend windowerhood as they were not yet married and tiptoeing into the worlds of modern dating, he meets Nina and he starts to see the light.. until he sees something or should I say someone else.. Beth. The clock is ticking and he had set the goal of 3 years to move on, but now that it was here it all of a sudden felt urgent. He think he might be falling for Nina but is terrified of falling out for Beth. Turns out Joel is being haunted by his dead girlfriend.
A romcom is always a good vibe and I really enjoyed parts of this. I loved the no filter on the feelings which felt so intensely raw amongst just not strangers. I adored the attention to detail in snippets of conversation and how both Nina and Joel banked that information due to the simple art of listening. They unofficially helped each other grieve the loss of a loved one whilst leaning into the blossoming of new beginnings.
Personal opinion but Beth confused the fuck out of me and quite frankly gave me the shits. Like are you hung up in love and jealous or are you a petty bitch who came back to just break his heart a second time round? This back and forth and the winy ‘I have something to tell you’ and then didn’t for the whole book length long was beyond annoying. Her character was inconsistent.
This is a little woo, so it ghosts and clairvoyants etc aren’t your thing, this book likely won’t be either. But if you are open to all that than this will surely bring you a smile.
October 16, 2025
This was lovely!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a nice job. The writing itself was funny at times, and Oakeley really has a great way with words.
I thought the whole challenge of finding a partner within three years was quite weird, I didn’t see much sense in it. But it does get explained towards the end, and from that point on I was totally fine with the motives of the main character. Speaking of the end, it was really well executed. I really didn't see a certain development happen, but it was needed and the best way to wrap up the book.
Extra points for the English vibes and pop culture references.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a nice job. The writing itself was funny at times, and Oakeley really has a great way with words.
I thought the whole challenge of finding a partner within three years was quite weird, I didn’t see much sense in it. But it does get explained towards the end, and from that point on I was totally fine with the motives of the main character. Speaking of the end, it was really well executed. I really didn't see a certain development happen, but it was needed and the best way to wrap up the book.
Extra points for the English vibes and pop culture references.
January 20, 2026
Full of dark humour and millennial references, this is an emotionally charged debut novel, that shines a light on how we navigate grief and the prospect of attempting to move on from the love of your life at young age.
Told in multiple perspectives from various characters, including dead ex-girlfriend Beth, the different POVs made for an interesting and entertaining read.
I did feel that some parts of the main character's POV went on a little too long, with some of the jokes dragged out - perhaps an intentional character flaw? But overall, I'd recommend this for anyone interested in finding a bit of a comfort read around the subject matter of love and loss.
Told in multiple perspectives from various characters, including dead ex-girlfriend Beth, the different POVs made for an interesting and entertaining read.
I did feel that some parts of the main character's POV went on a little too long, with some of the jokes dragged out - perhaps an intentional character flaw? But overall, I'd recommend this for anyone interested in finding a bit of a comfort read around the subject matter of love and loss.
January 4, 2026
Probably a 3.5 but I like the blokes insta content so I’m giving it a 4.
Funny and immensely readable. At times felt a bit like a barrage of references and similes but was an enjoyable read all in all. Good plot concept although did have a slight feeling it was a bit too hopeful to be made into a BBC Three series.
Would make an ideal sun lounger read, shame I read it in January in South London. Can’t have it all.
Funny and immensely readable. At times felt a bit like a barrage of references and similes but was an enjoyable read all in all. Good plot concept although did have a slight feeling it was a bit too hopeful to be made into a BBC Three series.
Would make an ideal sun lounger read, shame I read it in January in South London. Can’t have it all.
May 3, 2026
Started out strong but lost me half way. Alice and Sam could have been combined into one character for all the narrative they are required for. I didn’t really care about Nina and I do wish they hadn’t ended up together at the end. I think the revelation of Beth’s feelings for Joel should have meant more to the outcome of the story rather than it leading to him just going out on a bender. Also the bit about Beth’s mum being unmedicated bipolar felt a bit distasteful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2025
Enjoyed this! I feel like it’s really clear how much the author is a 90s baby and grew up with the David Nichols, Nick Hornby yearning men characters. Even to an extent the light humour of Helen Fielding. This really does feel like an ode to the hazy, optimistic 90s/00s rom coms
October 27, 2025
A 99p kindle book for my weekend city break to Madrid (aka to survive the Hell that is Stansted airport during half term). Did the trick but nothing special xxx
November 19, 2025
Nearly 4 stars
January 7, 2026
I’m sure it’s been said a hundred times but I really wish good reads did half stars! Not good enough for a 4 but a 3 seems harsh. Decent, easy to read book. The main character, Joel was a bit irritating but not unbearable.
May 6, 2026
a hidden gem of a book. Heart-warming yet devestating, I think a lot of people could resinate with this book in some way.
July 4, 2026
[3.5] Schöne Geschichte, in der zwei Menschen nochmal die Chance kriegen alles auszusprechen, was sie sich vorher nicht getraut haben.
Hier und da etwas langsames Tempo, aber sonst ganz unterhaltsam.
Hier und da etwas langsames Tempo, aber sonst ganz unterhaltsam.
July 8, 2025
Usually not into ghosts but I’m into this, 5 starrrrrrs
November 29, 2025
I’m sorry but what the hell was that narration? The POV kept shifting between sentences and I never knew whose perspective i was looking at. Besides that, the story itself, while heartbreaking, was just boring. Not much happened at all. It didn’t really catch my attention at all.
I really struggled through this one, so 2 stars, at best.
I really struggled through this one, so 2 stars, at best.
September 12, 2025
I found the book to be very boring. It had no real plot or story line. Beth’s character does not really have an ending or resolution to her problems - would have liked more information surrounding this. Would not recommend.
July 31, 2025
A Tender, Witty, and Unforgettable Exploration of Love After Loss
Nearly Departed, Lucas Oakeley’s debut novel, is a bold, genre-blending story that left a deep impression on me. It's a heartfelt, darkly funny exploration of grief, healing, and the strange, winding paths we take to find love again—even when the past refuses to stay buried.
The novel opens with Joel, whose long-term girlfriend Beth has died suddenly, leaving him shattered. The depth of Joel’s grief is palpable, and Oakeley does a remarkable job of portraying that raw emotional landscape. The premise alone—Joel makes a reluctant promise to fall in love again within three years of Beth’s death, only for Beth to return as a ghost just as he meets someone new—sets the tone for a story that is both emotionally resonant and unexpectedly playful.
Beth’s ghost is a standout character: sharply drawn, emotionally intelligent, and full of life (ironically). Her chapters add richness and texture to the story, offering a refreshing perspective that deepens our understanding of both her and Joel. The supernatural twist isn’t just a gimmick—it’s woven meaningfully into the emotional core of the novel, allowing for a beautiful exploration of unfinished love and the complexities of moving on.
Oakeley writes with honesty and a touch of irreverence, capturing the contradictory nature of grief—how it can be sad, absurd, awkward, and even funny, sometimes all at once. There are moments that made me laugh out loud and others that completely caught me off guard with their emotional truth.
Joel is a deeply introspective protagonist, and while his journey is often messy and uncomfortable, that’s what makes it feel real. His connection with Nina is gently developed and believable, and while she may seem "too good to be true" at times, she brings light into the story exactly when it’s most needed.
This book won’t be for everyone—but it was definitely for me. I found it original, affecting, and full of humanity. Oakeley has a real talent for capturing the awkwardness and authenticity of love in all its stages, and I’m genuinely excited to see what he writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Nearly Departed, Lucas Oakeley’s debut novel, is a bold, genre-blending story that left a deep impression on me. It's a heartfelt, darkly funny exploration of grief, healing, and the strange, winding paths we take to find love again—even when the past refuses to stay buried.
The novel opens with Joel, whose long-term girlfriend Beth has died suddenly, leaving him shattered. The depth of Joel’s grief is palpable, and Oakeley does a remarkable job of portraying that raw emotional landscape. The premise alone—Joel makes a reluctant promise to fall in love again within three years of Beth’s death, only for Beth to return as a ghost just as he meets someone new—sets the tone for a story that is both emotionally resonant and unexpectedly playful.
Beth’s ghost is a standout character: sharply drawn, emotionally intelligent, and full of life (ironically). Her chapters add richness and texture to the story, offering a refreshing perspective that deepens our understanding of both her and Joel. The supernatural twist isn’t just a gimmick—it’s woven meaningfully into the emotional core of the novel, allowing for a beautiful exploration of unfinished love and the complexities of moving on.
Oakeley writes with honesty and a touch of irreverence, capturing the contradictory nature of grief—how it can be sad, absurd, awkward, and even funny, sometimes all at once. There are moments that made me laugh out loud and others that completely caught me off guard with their emotional truth.
Joel is a deeply introspective protagonist, and while his journey is often messy and uncomfortable, that’s what makes it feel real. His connection with Nina is gently developed and believable, and while she may seem "too good to be true" at times, she brings light into the story exactly when it’s most needed.
This book won’t be for everyone—but it was definitely for me. I found it original, affecting, and full of humanity. Oakeley has a real talent for capturing the awkwardness and authenticity of love in all its stages, and I’m genuinely excited to see what he writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2025
When Joel's girlfriend of five years, Beth, dies suddenly, he feels like his life is over. He thought they'd be together forever, and he doesn't know how he is supposed to start all over again with someone new. Reluctantly, he makes a promise to himself to fall in love again before three years elapses since Beth's death, and, with this milestone fast approaching, he can't believe his luck when he meets Nina. Beautiful, honest and funny, Nina could be the woman Joel thought he would never meet. But, just when he starts to imagine that falling in love again could be possible after all, Beth is back, and her ghost has plenty of ideas of what Joel should be doing with his life in her absence.
Nearly Departed, Lucas Oakeley's debut novel, has a unique premise which unfortunately fell down in execution for me. Joel is a mopey, introspective protagonist, which is the point, but I just didn’t find his rambling narration engaging or sympathetic. Asides from peripheral characters, such as Joel's friend Alice, don't add anything much and feel like a waste of story space. Beth's ghost is by far the strongest presence and most defined character, and the chapters which are written from her perspective are those which really drive the narrative towards a resolution. They also give the reader a new perspective on Joel's hapless nice guy persona.
There are moments, especially when Joel reminisces about his and Beth's sex life in off-putting detail, where a neon sign might as well announce, 'This was written by a man.' I don't think Oakeley intended for the line 'he filled her mouth with his penis' to be uncomfortably aggressive, but that's how it read to me. I wasn't invested in the burgeoning romance between Joel and Nina, who seems like far too much of a catch to invest as much time as she does in this weirdo.
There are amusing moments, and I did think that Oakeley did a good job of capturing the long-term experience of grief and its myriad associated, often contradictory, emotions, but ultimately this one wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Nearly Departed, Lucas Oakeley's debut novel, has a unique premise which unfortunately fell down in execution for me. Joel is a mopey, introspective protagonist, which is the point, but I just didn’t find his rambling narration engaging or sympathetic. Asides from peripheral characters, such as Joel's friend Alice, don't add anything much and feel like a waste of story space. Beth's ghost is by far the strongest presence and most defined character, and the chapters which are written from her perspective are those which really drive the narrative towards a resolution. They also give the reader a new perspective on Joel's hapless nice guy persona.
There are moments, especially when Joel reminisces about his and Beth's sex life in off-putting detail, where a neon sign might as well announce, 'This was written by a man.' I don't think Oakeley intended for the line 'he filled her mouth with his penis' to be uncomfortably aggressive, but that's how it read to me. I wasn't invested in the burgeoning romance between Joel and Nina, who seems like far too much of a catch to invest as much time as she does in this weirdo.
There are amusing moments, and I did think that Oakeley did a good job of capturing the long-term experience of grief and its myriad associated, often contradictory, emotions, but ultimately this one wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews