Letters From My Dead Ex-Girlfriend

by Emily M. Syn

"She was the love of my life, but she was also my best friend. Losing one of those is excruciating. Losing both is almost unsurvivable."

When seventeen-year-old Liv loses the love of her life, she can’t imagine a world without Alyson Cooper. But even though Cooper is gone, she hasn’t left Liv completely alone. A month after her death, Liv receives a box of letters from her lost love–but there’s a catch.

Liv survives from letter to letter, feeling she has nothing else to live for. Then, she meets Evelyn St. James–the new girl with fiery hair and a personality to match who seems to love making Liv even more miserable than she already is. But as circumstances throw them together again and again, Liv’s feelings toward Evie take an unexpected turn.

Liv can’t imagine loving anyone but Cooper. Is there room in her heart for another, or will Cooper’s letters–once her only lifeline–keep her tethered to the past?

Genres: Queer, Young Adult, Romance, Lesbian, Realistic Fiction

316 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2025

About the author

Emily M. Syn writes high fantasy with sapphic main characters. Of Flesh & Fable (Book I in the Darkling series) is available now. Of Venom & Virtue will release in 2026. She currently lives in NY with her wife and daughter.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to be an ARC reader is an honor, especially for a book as powerful as this.

Letters from My Dead Girlfriend is a tear-jerking, emotional rollercoaster (in the best ways!) that I wish had been around when I was in school and figuring myself out.

We meet Liv, who is struggling after losing her girlfriend, Cooper. Her heart aches and she's so drowned in her grief, it's difficult for her to focus on anything. Getting through the school day, the only thing keeping her going is the memorial of her girlfriend's locker. After a weekend, the memorial is gone and in comes Evie, the new girl with a spit fire personality that challenges Liv at every turn.

Throughout the book, Liv and Evie go from head cutting rivals to something else, with Ariana along for the ride, trying to play mediator in the beginning.

Every step of this book was crafted beautifully, and the characters were so easy to relate to: Liv and her overwhelming grief from losing Cooper, Ariana being stuck between two friends, and Evie who had a troubled, religious upbringing.

If you read this, keep a box of tissues handy. You're going to need them.

[Caoimhe · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: death of loved one, grief

First of all, allow me to thank the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think I should preface this by saying that one of the core subjects of this book - the grief of losing a partner - is something I have not experienced and hope I never do, so my view on this may be very different from someone who has. Nonetheless, I found this to be a beautiful story of a young woman finding herself and finding love again after a devastating loss.

We follow Liv in the aftermath of the loss of her girlfriend, navigating that grief as she returns to high school for her final year. We start with her feeling absolutely hopeless and trapped in despair, and how this changes with the arrival of both a bundle of letters and a new girl at her school, Evie St James.

I really felt for Liv throughout this book, and felt for her in the way that something devastating happening in your life can also change the way you react to those around you. The book moves forward at a steady pace - not too fast, not too slow - and it does to me feel like a natural progression for each of these characters. It deals with some tough themes - the aforementioned loss as well as religious homophobia - and I think these are handled really well and sincerely. The one aspect I would have liked to have seen a little more of was Liv’s time in counselling, which I think could have been interesting to see.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and found it to be a really unique story amongst all of the romances I’ve read. It’s a beautifully told YA Romance which I believe a lot of people will be able to relate to in one way or another. I’d highly recommend!

[DQ Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most wholesome book I have ever read. This book touches on so many complicated emotions that everyone experiences in middle school and high school — and it’s not talked about enough!! Representation matters so so so so so so much.
Not only does the author talk through emotions, but she also talks through homophobia, grief, questioning your sexuality, experiencing different connections with others, miscommunications and how to resolve them, etc.
I was an ARC reader for this book and another book for this author - Emily Syn crafts a beautiful, inclusive, loving, and understanding world. Her writing is literally like a warm hug.

[Emilie Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I truly loved the characters in this book from the first chapter. This book is somehow light and heavy all at once. It touches on first love and love after the loss of a partner so carefully and honestly. I was rooting for Liv and Evie from the initial page that Evie was introduced. The main characters are so love able. Liv has so much growth from the start of the book to the finish. It was very refreshing to read a book featuring a young queer love. This is exactly what I would have wanted to read in high school but didn’t exist at the time. Thank you to the author for creating this.

[Sam Tilbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

So appreciative that I got an ARC of this book! It’s a beautiful and raw depiction of grief; the way Liv holds onto every last bit of Cooper after losing her is such a visceral experience that will move anyone to tears. I only wish we got to see more of Evie and her story, but there is definitely enough there for her to feel as grounded as the rest of the story does. Highly recommend to anyone, especially those looking for a good wlw YA book :)

[Rebecca I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letters from my Dead Ex-Girlfriend is a heartfelt sapphic love story that gracefully explores grief, healing, and the power of new beginnings. The characters felt like old friends from the very beginning - relatable, emotional, and warm. A younger version of myself found a lot of healing in this story; it felt so affirming to walk alongside Liv and Evie through the emotional ups and downs of their shared journey.

I’m so honored to have been an ARC reader for this book. I can’t wait to read Emily Syn’s next work - whatever that may be! This story was sweet, raw, and beautifully balanced between heartbreak and healing. I loved it!

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for this, and I cannot begin to explain how beautiful the story is. As a queer woman who spent most of high school wrestling with those feelings, this book absolutely resonated with me. I cried more times than I can count on one hand, and I feel such a connection to the characters. The concept of new love and grief coexisting is just absolutely vital for any human with empathy to understand. This has become one of my favorite reads that I will enjoy time and time again.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of Letters From My Dead Ex-Girlfriend. As always, all opinions are my own and this review is being left voluntarily. ✨

✨ Sapphic YA Romance
✨ First Person POV
✨ 0.5/5 Spice Level
✨ Grief/Loss
✨ Coming of Age
✨ Standalone

> micro-tropes and content warnings after review

Let me start off with saying: This book is SO good. I had read Emily’s previous book, Of Flesh and Fable, of which I am looking forward to the sequel. I really enjoyed it, and I was curious how Letters From My Dead Ex-Girlfriend would stand up to it considering it is a very different genre (Letters being a YA romance and Fable being an adult high fantasy). Well, I was not disappointed. Emily not only delivered but surpassed, in my opinion. I was already crying by the 11th page.

This book is heavy, the subject matter is heavy, but… it also felt cathartic. Even if you’ve never experienced the loss of your first love, the grief the main character goes through is relatable. All the stages she goes through resonated with me deeply (especially the anger and irritability toward the beginning of the book).

The letters take you on a journey through so many emotions. I won’t spoil, but the last letter had me crying again… I felt like once I was done reading I had a book hangover where I was super in my feels. When that happens, I know that means the book was something special.

I highly recommend this book (and don’t let that “Young Adult” stop you!), the writing is solid, and I think Emily just became an auto-buy author for me. I cannot wait to see what comes out next.

(beware potential spoilers below)

Micro-tropes
✨ airport reunion
✨ dislike to lovers
✨ love after loss

Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
homophobia (including sl*rs and religion-based), maladaptive daydreaming, grief (all the stages), de*th, cancer (resulting in de*th), fatal car accident (past)

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

I enjoyed this book overall. Its well written with a good premise that drew me in. The grief felt strong and poignant, especially at the beginning. I liked Liv and I liked Evie and felt they meshed well as a couple overall. A few typos here and there that weren't enough to pull me out of it.

Unfortunately, what holds this book back the most for me was Ariana, Liv's friend who much of this book revolves around in some capacity. Its stated early on that she is Liv's "closest friend" outside of Cooper and I have to wonder if thats only because... Liv has no other friends?

At no point did I feel a bond between Liv and Ariana. It hardly felt like they knew each other at all. There is nothing shown on the page to hint at being close other than being directly told that they are. Not only that, but... Ariana kinda sucks? She never offered any sort of support that didn't come after being kinda crappy to Liv first and she is REALLY quick to make Liv feel guilty for being a mess only weeks after a horrible loss. She lies and hides things from Liv while simultaneously overreacting when Liv hides things from her.

At one point she even weaponizes Liv's grief against her by guilting her into going to an event with "oh, but Cooper would want you to" (Made worse when Ariana immediately abandons her at that event to pursue her own love interest). She also does that whole thing of "well I lost her too and you haven't been there for me" while absolutely NOTHING is shown to even hint that she is even mildly affected by Cooper's death? She is obsessed with her own crush from jump and never comes across as sad at all... just selfish.

I didn't see Ariana as a friend, let alone a "good friend". If anything, she feels hollow and serves only as a point of conflict later in the story.

My beef with Ariana aside, the book also feels mildly rushed. I know they are teenagers and strong feelings can come and go very quickly, but with the depth of grief described early on... its kinda crazy how fast Liv moves on to me? This whole story takes place over about 4 months I think, with Cooper passing only a week before its start. I would have preferred this to be more spread out, to see more moments between Liv and Evie and more exploration into Liv finding herself first before immediately falling in love again. Instead, the ending kind of undercuts and invalidates the start a bit.

Still, it kept me hooked through the end which is why it still gets a 3.5. As a pretty quick read, it is still enjoyable.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the one hand, this sounds like it would just outright pulverize your heart. And I won't lie, those moments were there. On the other hand, it was anything but a sad or depressing book -- if anything it was fun, emotional, and hopeful.

To me, it was one of those fantastic YA books because of the super-size YA feelings. Of course it begins with grief; Liv did lose Cooper shortly before the story begins. Her grief tends to transform into anger, with Ariana and Evie the not-entirely-deserving recipients. And then, the letters.

The whole story transformed into a YA classic of trying to understand those unexpected feelings -- the ones that spring out of finding yourself in unexpected moments of honesty and vulnerability, and discovering that you're maybe not as alone as you had pictured in your head? And, once you can get past the secrets and assumptions, finding something amazing below the surface. Except, of course, you stir up some problems with others along the way, plus there's only a path forward if you can grow your heart beyond your first, lost, love.

There was just no part of this I didn't love. The characters, the story, the struggles, the emotions, the everything. It was fantastic.

Discussion with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKecvjrOI68/

[Meagan Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letters from My Dead Ex-Girlfriend is a deeply emotional and affirming YA novel about grief, love, and the slow, messy process of healing. Liv is trying to survive her final year of high school after the death of her girlfriend, Cooper. The weight of that grief is heavy, but the story never becomes hopeless. It’s tender, real, and unexpectedly full of warmth.

From the beginning, Liv’s pain is palpable. Her anger, confusion, and isolation are written in such a way that they feel honest, not dramatized. The arrival of Evie St. James brings a shift. Their connection builds gradually and feels completely earned—awkward and tentative at times, but sincere. And the letters Liv begins receiving from Cooper are heartbreaking and beautiful, adding depth to Liv’s journey rather than pulling her backward.

Emily Syn explores grief, identity, religious homophobia, and emotional miscommunication with a lot of care. The characters are well-drawn and feel grounded in reality, and I loved how complicated and layered the relationships were.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys. We need to find a way to get this book in the hands of all the middle/high school queer girls around the world. This, even as a lesbian in a beautiful, life-fulfilling relationship and no longer a "young adult", was so beautiful and heart-wrenching but also so soothing to the soul.

This book is stunning, emotional, self-growth filled, pained, joyful, and literally every emotion a sad-to-happy romance can make you feel.

FMC1 is a young woman in high school, over her head in her grief and barely making it through each day. Hiding from existence and snapping at friends and family, she never expects to find joy in a world without her first and only love.

When a new girl shows up at school and doesn't step on eggshells around her, instead pushing back against FMC1's attitude, FMC1 finds an immediate dislike for her.

As time goes on, using her late girlfriend's letters, FMC1 finds a way to continue tackling each day. Existence begins to get a little easier and before long FMC1 finds happiness in her life and a surprising romance appears.

[Erika Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letters from My Dead Ex-Girlfriend is a gut-punch wrapped in tenderness—a raw, beautiful book that speaks directly to the spaces grief leaves behind. I didn’t just read this book; I felt it. Every letter was a fragment of healing, a moment of memory, a step forward through the shadow of loss.

What struck me most was how authentic and affirming the story felt. It’s a powerful read for anyone who’s loved and lost, but especially resonant for LGBTQ+ YA readers. The queer representation isn’t just present—it’s real, layered, and emotionally honest in a way that’s so often missing.

This book didn’t try to offer easy answers or cliché comfort. Instead, it walked beside me like an old friend, letting me cry, smile, and breathe again. If you’ve ever loved deeply and lost painfully, this story will hold you in that ache and help you find your way through it.

For me, it hit home—and stayed there.

[Bookish Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters from My Dead Ex-Girlfriend is a beautifully written, fast-paced story that pulled me in right from the start. It's a cute and emotional read, filled with heartfelt moments and plenty of ups and downs. The story focuses on love, loss, healing, and second chances, wrapped in a poignant and compelling narrative. The emotional rollercoaster the main character goes through feels raw and real, and I loved how immersive the entire journey was.

One of the highlights for me was the strong friendship dynamics - Ariana was a fantastic character, and her bond with the protagonist added so much depth and warmth to the story. The romance was sweet and genuinely touching, though I did feel the transition from grief to new love happened a bit too quickly for my taste. That said, the connection between the characters still felt meaningful and earned.

Overall, I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy emotional contemporary romance with a touch of the bittersweet.

[Vervada · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

As a story about grief, loss and healing it deserved 5 stars and as a romance it deserved 4 stars, so 4.5 stars it is. I really liked Liv, she reminded me a tiny bit of myself as a teenager, though, luckily, I never had to go through something quite that traumatic. Her mom and Ariana were great, understanding of her pain but not willing to let her drown in despair. Evie was quite interesting too, but it felt like the romance was too abrupt, like they spent too little time interacting (without arguing) before they fell in love. Don't get me wrong, they were very cute, I just would have liked more scenes featuring the two of them.

A beautiful story about finding the strength to love again after a terrible loss.

[Lindsey Soucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The story was so sad and lovely at the same time. Live and Cooper's love was something very special and getting to see it even in just glimpses was amazing. My daughter is right around Liv's age and just came out so reading this story was touching in a personal way. There was no spice so this book is perfect for older teens and young adults.

Reading the letters was hard and many tears were shed but in the end it was worth it to me as a reader and to Liv as she navigates life without Cooper. I loved watching Liv and Evie's relationship too. Very nice touch.

The ending was sweet and wrapped things up nicely. I highly recommend this book even if you aren't queer it's a great story that explores love young and grief.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a post on this book on Instagram and immediately knew this was a book for me, grief, angst and heightened teen emotions. On publication day I purchased and read the book and what an amazing read. My heart was first crushed in the best way and then healed and perfectly full, that feeling is hard to beat. This book is now up on my top 3 list of all YA books I have ever read. I recommend this book to everyone that want to feel something when reading, it was such a beautiful read.

[Franzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful story. It made me cry, laugh and just feel all the love, too. Such a perfect sapphic YA story about working through grief, finding love again, and friendship.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast sapphic YA read that is spectacular on capturing the grief of losing a loved one and the challenges of moving forward. I had an advanced reader copy of this book and I personally loved it.

[Shula McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story. I cried over most of the letters, but I also laughed a few times. This book has such a good description of grief, mourning, and loss in a healthy way that I think everyone should read it. We’ve all lost someone, so we can definitely relate to it.