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Dearly Departed
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26"THE romance book of 2026." —Sara Cate, New York Times bestselling author of the Salacious Players' Club
For fans of MM romances like Heated Rivalry and The Entanglement of Rival Wizards, a sexy Hades-inspired gay rom-com, in which the former god of the Underworld turned grumpy funeral director must find a loophole in the Immortal Retirement Act that banished him to Earth, until the florist next door begins to unravel all his carefully laid plans.
Hope is a dangerous thing for gods. Even former ones.
Hayden Harlow, once the mighty Hades, has spent centuries quietly resenting his fall from immortality. Stripped of his godhood by the allegedly irreversible Immortal Retirement Act, he now runs Harlow and Sons Funeral Home—a front for his eternal sentencing among mortals, and a bleak reminder of the purpose he's lost. Still, he's determined to claw his way back...if only the Fates at City Hall would stop toying with him.
Enter Levi a florist with an artist's heart, an infectious smile, and a gift for finding beauty in life's messiest moments. When Hayden storms into Levi's shop to complain about a bouquet of sunflowers—an offensive choice for a funeral, in his opinion—their worlds collide. Hayden is all restraint and shadows; Levi is all sunshine and charm. But beneath the clash lies an undeniable spark neither can ignore.
As their connection blossoms, Hayden finds himself caught between the life he once knew and the bright future Levi dares him to imagine. But trusting Levi means risking the walls he's kept in place all these years—and it's not just his heart on the line. Because in the threads of fate, one choice can change everything.
For fans of MM romances like Heated Rivalry and The Entanglement of Rival Wizards, a sexy Hades-inspired gay rom-com, in which the former god of the Underworld turned grumpy funeral director must find a loophole in the Immortal Retirement Act that banished him to Earth, until the florist next door begins to unravel all his carefully laid plans.
Hope is a dangerous thing for gods. Even former ones.
Hayden Harlow, once the mighty Hades, has spent centuries quietly resenting his fall from immortality. Stripped of his godhood by the allegedly irreversible Immortal Retirement Act, he now runs Harlow and Sons Funeral Home—a front for his eternal sentencing among mortals, and a bleak reminder of the purpose he's lost. Still, he's determined to claw his way back...if only the Fates at City Hall would stop toying with him.
Enter Levi a florist with an artist's heart, an infectious smile, and a gift for finding beauty in life's messiest moments. When Hayden storms into Levi's shop to complain about a bouquet of sunflowers—an offensive choice for a funeral, in his opinion—their worlds collide. Hayden is all restraint and shadows; Levi is all sunshine and charm. But beneath the clash lies an undeniable spark neither can ignore.
As their connection blossoms, Hayden finds himself caught between the life he once knew and the bright future Levi dares him to imagine. But trusting Levi means risking the walls he's kept in place all these years—and it's not just his heart on the line. Because in the threads of fate, one choice can change everything.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 16, 2026
4051 people want to read
About the author
Chip Pons
3 books730 followersChip Pons grew up in a small lake town in Northern Michigan, where he discovered the kind of stories that make you believe in magic, love, and second chances. Now based in Washington, DC with his dream of a husband and their pup, Margot, he writes romances rooted in queer joy and the belief that everyone deserves their happily ever after.
When he isn't writing, Chip can be found wandering through bookstores, daydreaming about new characters, or shouting about his favorite reads on Bookstagram. And snacking, like, all the time.
When he isn't writing, Chip can be found wandering through bookstores, daydreaming about new characters, or shouting about his favorite reads on Bookstagram. And snacking, like, all the time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
January 17, 2026
getting so emotional over sunflowers here (and queer joy)
listen if your man cleans house at death related trivia all while nonchalantly eating a burger you lock him DOWN and then force him to participate in more group activities
here for letting hades show you his collection of cool trinkets
thank you to edelweiss for providing the advance review copy. full review to come
Bookstagram | Blog
listen if your man cleans house at death related trivia all while nonchalantly eating a burger you lock him DOWN and then force him to participate in more group activities
here for letting hades show you his collection of cool trinkets
thank you to edelweiss for providing the advance review copy. full review to come
Bookstagram | Blog
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my first book by Chip Pons and it 100% won't be my last, actually as soon as I finish this review I'm running to get his other book.
Dearly departed was wonderful, it had everything I could wish for in a romance book. It made me long for an open, supportive and loving community, even though I'm an introvert to the core and all these social gatherings would kill me inside. But that's how you know a book is good, when you yearn for something just because of how good it was described on page. It also takes the shadow daddy trope to a whole new level, it even has… shadow play?!(I won't elaborate, you'll have to find out for yourself just know it was HOT)
I have only two little complaints that aren't really complaints: how dare you not give me more Seby!! I love grumpy characters with cute but nonchalant cats, it's a weakness of mine. And I thought it was a little too long for me, but that's a personal preference and many people will argue it's not long enough lol.
The romance was so cute and if you have some type of family trauma this was so nice to read, I'd go as far as say it's healing.
I really enjoyed dearly departed and I highly recommend if you like mm romance!
Thank you Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC!
Dearly departed was wonderful, it had everything I could wish for in a romance book. It made me long for an open, supportive and loving community, even though I'm an introvert to the core and all these social gatherings would kill me inside. But that's how you know a book is good, when you yearn for something just because of how good it was described on page. It also takes the shadow daddy trope to a whole new level, it even has… shadow play?!(I won't elaborate, you'll have to find out for yourself just know it was HOT)
I have only two little complaints that aren't really complaints: how dare you not give me more Seby!! I love grumpy characters with cute but nonchalant cats, it's a weakness of mine. And I thought it was a little too long for me, but that's a personal preference and many people will argue it's not long enough lol.
The romance was so cute and if you have some type of family trauma this was so nice to read, I'd go as far as say it's healing.
I really enjoyed dearly departed and I highly recommend if you like mm romance!
Thank you Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC!
February 13, 2026
Oh my, Hayden! Chip Pons’s “Dearly Departed” is sweet, fun, and spicy, spicy, spicy.
We follow Hayden, a seemingly ageless funeral director and the town’s curmudgeon, as he carries on with his life helping families plan and say goodbye to loved ones. After an odd bouquet of flowers is delivered for a funeral, Hayden has had enough and goes straight to the source, colorful and life-enjoyer, Levi, the owner of the town’s floral shop. The two throw a bit of shade at each other (though, Hayden has some help in that area given he’s the freaking (former) god of the underworld) and begin to run into each other more and more … and well, you know where this is heading. The banter is cute and the flirtation between the two is fun but it’s in the spicy section that Pons has only gotten better since “Winging it With You.” (Side note: That too was great.)
Without spoiling anything, Pons has deployed some CREATIVE writing in these more intimate scenes. I haven’t read scenes like these between Hayden and Levi ever before. He goes all out with [redacted] and [redacted]. There’s literal [redacted] love making. Woooooo.
There are some hiccups here but mostly minor — the (somewhat) insta-like between our two leads and the third act turbulence in the relationship are tropes I have a hard time stomaching but everything Pons has done here helps smooth out the overall enjoyment. You’re in for a treat.
I’m excited for more to check out Pons’s latest and hopeful this isn’t the last time we see these characters. Can definitely see another following a certain brother or two. My thanks to Pons for donating an ARC to the Unbound auction. Super honored to be one of the first to read it!
We follow Hayden, a seemingly ageless funeral director and the town’s curmudgeon, as he carries on with his life helping families plan and say goodbye to loved ones. After an odd bouquet of flowers is delivered for a funeral, Hayden has had enough and goes straight to the source, colorful and life-enjoyer, Levi, the owner of the town’s floral shop. The two throw a bit of shade at each other (though, Hayden has some help in that area given he’s the freaking (former) god of the underworld) and begin to run into each other more and more … and well, you know where this is heading. The banter is cute and the flirtation between the two is fun but it’s in the spicy section that Pons has only gotten better since “Winging it With You.” (Side note: That too was great.)
Without spoiling anything, Pons has deployed some CREATIVE writing in these more intimate scenes. I haven’t read scenes like these between Hayden and Levi ever before. He goes all out with [redacted] and [redacted]. There’s literal [redacted] love making. Woooooo.
There are some hiccups here but mostly minor — the (somewhat) insta-like between our two leads and the third act turbulence in the relationship are tropes I have a hard time stomaching but everything Pons has done here helps smooth out the overall enjoyment. You’re in for a treat.
I’m excited for more to check out Pons’s latest and hopeful this isn’t the last time we see these characters. Can definitely see another following a certain brother or two. My thanks to Pons for donating an ARC to the Unbound auction. Super honored to be one of the first to read it!
November 11, 2025
SHADOW. DADDY.
February 9, 2026
4.5 / 5 stars - Rounded up.
This is Chip Pons' first foray into the fantasy genre ... and what a debut in that realm. Well-executed concept? Check. Uniqueness to the premise? Check. World building? Check. All the elements are here, and they work. I loved that this was a departure for him, because it really paid off.
If there's one thing Chip is going to do, he's going to give you 2 fully formed male main characters who are lovable, human, and complex. He will make you grow attached to them, empathize with them, and root for them. Readers will adore Levi and Hayden.
Lots of important topics explored here -- with grief being at the center of the story. Watching the characters learn what grief means and how it has impacted their lives for years really adds a human quality to the entire plot. It highlights the complexity of emotions related to death and loss, and I loved that.
It will be hard to top Winging It With You, so this book had its work cut out for it -- and while that remains my favorite of Chip's 3 novels, Dearly Departed really gave it a run for its money!
Thank you to NetGalley / Chip Pons for an eARC of this lovely book!
This is Chip Pons' first foray into the fantasy genre ... and what a debut in that realm. Well-executed concept? Check. Uniqueness to the premise? Check. World building? Check. All the elements are here, and they work. I loved that this was a departure for him, because it really paid off.
If there's one thing Chip is going to do, he's going to give you 2 fully formed male main characters who are lovable, human, and complex. He will make you grow attached to them, empathize with them, and root for them. Readers will adore Levi and Hayden.
Lots of important topics explored here -- with grief being at the center of the story. Watching the characters learn what grief means and how it has impacted their lives for years really adds a human quality to the entire plot. It highlights the complexity of emotions related to death and loss, and I loved that.
It will be hard to top Winging It With You, so this book had its work cut out for it -- and while that remains my favorite of Chip's 3 novels, Dearly Departed really gave it a run for its money!
Thank you to NetGalley / Chip Pons for an eARC of this lovely book!
January 22, 2026
“Stars wouldn’t shine without darkness to hold them,” I whisper gently. “Maybe darkness isn’t emptiness. Maybe it’s what makes the light matter.” 💫
Chip Pons, is a beautiful genius. He crafted these characters to be so achingly broken yet longing for love that I am afraid my soul is never going to be letting them go. 🫶🏼
“You say broody; I prefer delightfully grumpy with a surprisingly gooey center.”
Hayden ‘Hades’ Harlow, broke the mold for grumpy shadow daddy. At his core he is a man that has spent his entire existence trying to belong. In a world where he is only ever known as an omen of death, all he needed was a ray of pure sunshine to bring him back to life. This man had a cloak of grey surrounding him, but slowly he let Levi in and once you see the real Hayden, he’s EVERYTHING!
“Levi, you’ve shown me what it means to live again. Truly live. Out of the shadows, out of the rules I chained myself to.”
Levi, our sunshine boy, was so dang sweet. He was also very dynamic because no one can be sunshine all the time. It is often the ones that shine the brightest that have internal struggles hidden away. Seeing Levi consumed by his grief, but learning to face it and stand in with Hayden by his side was incredibly special.
“Grief doesn’t come with an expiration date, baby. It doesn’t finish. You just learn to live with the hole it leaves.”
Now, it’s time to talk about the spice. Holy heck y’all. These men are so insanely consumed with each other that the chemistry sizzles off the page. An added bonus? Hayden’s shadows like to actively participate! I mean come on, what’s hotter than that? 🫠❤️🔥
“My good boy. Look at you . . . taking both of us. Taking it all for me.”
I really enjoyed Chip’s take on the gods & the fates! It’s a very bureaucratic society. The fates especially, with their constant antics and meddling, were a trip to read about. I am keeping my fingers crossed Hayden’s brothers get books of their own, because I am beyond curious of their mortal lives!
If you are ready to experience queer joy that will consume you completely, add Dearly Departed to your summer TBR! I can’t wait to listen to this one on audio one day!
“Under their light, with him warm in my arms, I don’t feel forgotten. I feel kept.”
Tropes:
🌻 Grumpy x Sunshine
☠️ Retired God of the Underworld
🏳️🌈 Queer Joy
🤭 Shadows That Love to Participate
🏠 Small Town
❤️🩹 Overcoming Grief & Loss
🫶🏼 Caretaking
❤️🔥 Spicyyy
🪡 Meddling Fates
Chip Pons, is a beautiful genius. He crafted these characters to be so achingly broken yet longing for love that I am afraid my soul is never going to be letting them go. 🫶🏼
“You say broody; I prefer delightfully grumpy with a surprisingly gooey center.”
Hayden ‘Hades’ Harlow, broke the mold for grumpy shadow daddy. At his core he is a man that has spent his entire existence trying to belong. In a world where he is only ever known as an omen of death, all he needed was a ray of pure sunshine to bring him back to life. This man had a cloak of grey surrounding him, but slowly he let Levi in and once you see the real Hayden, he’s EVERYTHING!
“Levi, you’ve shown me what it means to live again. Truly live. Out of the shadows, out of the rules I chained myself to.”
Levi, our sunshine boy, was so dang sweet. He was also very dynamic because no one can be sunshine all the time. It is often the ones that shine the brightest that have internal struggles hidden away. Seeing Levi consumed by his grief, but learning to face it and stand in with Hayden by his side was incredibly special.
“Grief doesn’t come with an expiration date, baby. It doesn’t finish. You just learn to live with the hole it leaves.”
Now, it’s time to talk about the spice. Holy heck y’all. These men are so insanely consumed with each other that the chemistry sizzles off the page. An added bonus? Hayden’s shadows like to actively participate! I mean come on, what’s hotter than that? 🫠❤️🔥
“My good boy. Look at you . . . taking both of us. Taking it all for me.”
I really enjoyed Chip’s take on the gods & the fates! It’s a very bureaucratic society. The fates especially, with their constant antics and meddling, were a trip to read about. I am keeping my fingers crossed Hayden’s brothers get books of their own, because I am beyond curious of their mortal lives!
If you are ready to experience queer joy that will consume you completely, add Dearly Departed to your summer TBR! I can’t wait to listen to this one on audio one day!
“Under their light, with him warm in my arms, I don’t feel forgotten. I feel kept.”
Tropes:
🌻 Grumpy x Sunshine
☠️ Retired God of the Underworld
🏳️🌈 Queer Joy
🤭 Shadows That Love to Participate
🏠 Small Town
❤️🩹 Overcoming Grief & Loss
🫶🏼 Caretaking
❤️🔥 Spicyyy
🪡 Meddling Fates
February 2, 2026
First of all, thank you Chip and NetGalley for this ARC!
Second of all, I have so many things to say about this book (all good obviously) but to its core this story is beautiful. I felt so seen in both Levi and Hayden and it’s very rare for me to see traits of myself in both MMC’s of a book. Chip has created a story that’s not only about love but about finding yourself, sitting with grief, and letting life be messy and rolling with it anyway.
Some things I want to highlight that really stuck out to me:
-flirty texts (I love flirty texts in books)
-queer joy
-the prepping scene (thank you Chip for showing that it does take work and you wrote it in a fun way that wasn’t clinical or boring)
-the grumpy/sunshine of it all
-no third act break up
-Levi and Hayden both knowing what the other needs without the other having to say anything
-the friend group (I love found family)
-the shadows (why were they so sexy???)
Okay I really could go on and on about how much I love this book. Chip continues to out do himself and I cannot wait for you all to read this! Out 6/16/26
Second of all, I have so many things to say about this book (all good obviously) but to its core this story is beautiful. I felt so seen in both Levi and Hayden and it’s very rare for me to see traits of myself in both MMC’s of a book. Chip has created a story that’s not only about love but about finding yourself, sitting with grief, and letting life be messy and rolling with it anyway.
Some things I want to highlight that really stuck out to me:
-flirty texts (I love flirty texts in books)
-queer joy
-the prepping scene (thank you Chip for showing that it does take work and you wrote it in a fun way that wasn’t clinical or boring)
-the grumpy/sunshine of it all
-no third act break up
-Levi and Hayden both knowing what the other needs without the other having to say anything
-the friend group (I love found family)
-the shadows (why were they so sexy???)
Okay I really could go on and on about how much I love this book. Chip continues to out do himself and I cannot wait for you all to read this! Out 6/16/26
Want to read
February 9, 2026🖤 Dearly Departed 🖤
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2026
📝 Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2026
📝 Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
January 16, 2026
move over, xaden riorson, there’s a new shadow daddy in town
January 20, 2026
Hayden Harlow is looking for a loophole. An ACT presented by the fates, signed by him and his brothers has left him in an immortal yet mortal and mundane existence as the towns grumpy funeral director.
Hayden has spent years trying to figure out a way to get back to his old self - you know… a God and ruler of the underworld.
Enter Levi Wilder. A sunflower in human form who shows Hayden maybe mortality isn’t so bad when you have someone to spend your life with. 🥹🥹
I loved absolutely everything about this book!! It tackled the hard topic of grief in such a beautiful way as well as being so lighthearted and funny throughout with the PERFECT amount of spice. Hayden’s unintentional comedic timing was absolutely top tier and everyone needs the golden ray of sunshine that is Levi Wilder in their lives.
Oh and did I mention Hayden has sentient shadows that LOVE Levi and enjoy bedroom shenanigans? 🤭
Hayden has spent years trying to figure out a way to get back to his old self - you know… a God and ruler of the underworld.
Enter Levi Wilder. A sunflower in human form who shows Hayden maybe mortality isn’t so bad when you have someone to spend your life with. 🥹🥹
I loved absolutely everything about this book!! It tackled the hard topic of grief in such a beautiful way as well as being so lighthearted and funny throughout with the PERFECT amount of spice. Hayden’s unintentional comedic timing was absolutely top tier and everyone needs the golden ray of sunshine that is Levi Wilder in their lives.
Oh and did I mention Hayden has sentient shadows that LOVE Levi and enjoy bedroom shenanigans? 🤭
January 29, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The concept of this story is that the former god of the underworld is living as a funeral director in New Jersey. He is a sort of town mystery because he never goes out and always wears black, blah blah blah. He meets Levi, owner of local flower shop and a very sunshiny personality. Grumpy/sunshine to the max. In my eyes, their relationship escalated pretty quickly. There were long passages and conversations in this book that felt really unrealistic and like real people would not be saying those things. I understand that grief was a big part of this book but overall it was taking itself too seriously. Like, Hades is living in Jersey? That’s silly and fun. Not a bad story, but it was too long and the tone didn’t feel quite right.
The concept of this story is that the former god of the underworld is living as a funeral director in New Jersey. He is a sort of town mystery because he never goes out and always wears black, blah blah blah. He meets Levi, owner of local flower shop and a very sunshiny personality. Grumpy/sunshine to the max. In my eyes, their relationship escalated pretty quickly. There were long passages and conversations in this book that felt really unrealistic and like real people would not be saying those things. I understand that grief was a big part of this book but overall it was taking itself too seriously. Like, Hades is living in Jersey? That’s silly and fun. Not a bad story, but it was too long and the tone didn’t feel quite right.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 11, 2026preread: umm okay you're telling me i got the arc?? assdfghjk-
January 20, 2026
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
Huge thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Dearly Departed early. I am still thinking about this one.
Hayden Harlow, once the god Hades himself, has been stripped of immortality and sentenced to a very mortal existence running a funeral home. Bitter, guarded, and stuck in the shadow of who he used to be, Hayden feels like a man frozen in time. Enter Levi Wilder, a florist with a sunshine soul, an artist’s heart, and an uncanny ability to find beauty in grief. When a disastrous sunflower arrangement brings them face to face, sparks fly immediately, and I was hooked.
This opposites-attract dynamic worked so well. Hayden’s darkness and restraint paired with Levi’s warmth and charm created a tension that felt electric on the page. Chip Pons is a god when it comes to writing sensual M/M romance—pun intended. The chemistry is unreal, the spice absolutely delivers, and the greenhouse scene? Let’s just say shadows are officially a major turn-on now.
What truly elevated this story for me, though, was the emotional depth woven throughout. Beneath the romance is a thoughtful, tender exploration of grief, loss, and how differently those experiences live inside each of us. I loved every character and found myself especially excited whenever they were all together, waiting to see what would happen next.
Dearly Departed is romantic, emotional, sexy, and surprisingly heartfelt. It has everything I want in a queer romance. The book hits shelves on June 16, 2026, and this is absolutely your sign to preorder it now. And whoever is planning Chip Pons’s book tour… Massachusetts better be on that list.
#ChipPons #DearlyDeparted #MMRomance #ARCReview #NetGalley
Huge thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Dearly Departed early. I am still thinking about this one.
Hayden Harlow, once the god Hades himself, has been stripped of immortality and sentenced to a very mortal existence running a funeral home. Bitter, guarded, and stuck in the shadow of who he used to be, Hayden feels like a man frozen in time. Enter Levi Wilder, a florist with a sunshine soul, an artist’s heart, and an uncanny ability to find beauty in grief. When a disastrous sunflower arrangement brings them face to face, sparks fly immediately, and I was hooked.
This opposites-attract dynamic worked so well. Hayden’s darkness and restraint paired with Levi’s warmth and charm created a tension that felt electric on the page. Chip Pons is a god when it comes to writing sensual M/M romance—pun intended. The chemistry is unreal, the spice absolutely delivers, and the greenhouse scene? Let’s just say shadows are officially a major turn-on now.
What truly elevated this story for me, though, was the emotional depth woven throughout. Beneath the romance is a thoughtful, tender exploration of grief, loss, and how differently those experiences live inside each of us. I loved every character and found myself especially excited whenever they were all together, waiting to see what would happen next.
Dearly Departed is romantic, emotional, sexy, and surprisingly heartfelt. It has everything I want in a queer romance. The book hits shelves on June 16, 2026, and this is absolutely your sign to preorder it now. And whoever is planning Chip Pons’s book tour… Massachusetts better be on that list.
#ChipPons #DearlyDeparted #MMRomance #ARCReview #NetGalley
January 24, 2026
Thank you so so much to the author and Putnam for an early copy of this book.
I feel like I don’t have the words or skill to properly explain how fantastic this book is, but I’m sure going to try.
I was immediately gripped by the blurb of this story, but woefully unprepared for how much this book would make me feel. The author is an absolutely fantastic writer. He paints such vivid descriptions, not just of settings and characters, but of emotions. The highlighter function on my kindle has never worked so hard.
This story was so balanced in all aspects. There’s a fun backstory, a cute setting, delicious spice, and wonderfully well rounded characters. And it’s all wrapped up in a writing style that gives us depth, humor, and joy. There are so many clever and funny moments in this story bookended by whimsy & joy and grief & sorrow. And through it all, Dearly Departed is a beautiful romance showcasing queer joy and found family.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the shadows (ofc) because Hayden is THE shadow daddy for me. He is the perfect grumpy and shadows to Levi’s sunshine and freckles.
What I thought was going to be a fun spin on a Hades story, left me feeling vulnerable and raw in the best way. The discussion on grief this story provides came to me at a perfect moment. I don’t think I’ll be able to shut up about this book for a long time. What happens when you find your top read of the year before January is even over???
I cannot wait until this becomes available in audiobook format later this year because I absolutely will be rereading when it does.
I feel like I don’t have the words or skill to properly explain how fantastic this book is, but I’m sure going to try.
I was immediately gripped by the blurb of this story, but woefully unprepared for how much this book would make me feel. The author is an absolutely fantastic writer. He paints such vivid descriptions, not just of settings and characters, but of emotions. The highlighter function on my kindle has never worked so hard.
This story was so balanced in all aspects. There’s a fun backstory, a cute setting, delicious spice, and wonderfully well rounded characters. And it’s all wrapped up in a writing style that gives us depth, humor, and joy. There are so many clever and funny moments in this story bookended by whimsy & joy and grief & sorrow. And through it all, Dearly Departed is a beautiful romance showcasing queer joy and found family.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the shadows (ofc) because Hayden is THE shadow daddy for me. He is the perfect grumpy and shadows to Levi’s sunshine and freckles.
What I thought was going to be a fun spin on a Hades story, left me feeling vulnerable and raw in the best way. The discussion on grief this story provides came to me at a perfect moment. I don’t think I’ll be able to shut up about this book for a long time. What happens when you find your top read of the year before January is even over???
I cannot wait until this becomes available in audiobook format later this year because I absolutely will be rereading when it does.
January 19, 2026
This was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Everything about this made my heart SO incredibly happy!! I’m having a hard time processing that!!! It was so tender and sweet and full of so much joy and navigating grief in a way that both consumes you and sets you free. Chip captured it all so well. I am so so grateful to have found him and his books they are full of so much love, so much joy, so much queer joy!! This is a beautiful place to be.
Hayden and Levi are EVERYTHING to me. they are the most beautiful opposites attract pair. Levi is literal sunshine and Hayden is literally from the underworld and they just WORK. Watching them fall together so easily, so seamlessly, but also taking the time to get to know each other, to feel comfortable with each other was SO beautiful. And they were fun together! Levi really brought so much sunshine to Hayden’s life in so many different ways and it changed them both for the absolute best.
I also love love love the little family Levi has for himself and how easily Dominic and Elijah folded Hayden right into the chaos! There is nothing I love more than a found family and this one was perfect!!
I love this book! I can’t believe it’s not out for six months!!! I will be thinking about it (and likely rereading it) very free moment that I can until then!!!
Thank you so much to Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!
Hayden and Levi are EVERYTHING to me. they are the most beautiful opposites attract pair. Levi is literal sunshine and Hayden is literally from the underworld and they just WORK. Watching them fall together so easily, so seamlessly, but also taking the time to get to know each other, to feel comfortable with each other was SO beautiful. And they were fun together! Levi really brought so much sunshine to Hayden’s life in so many different ways and it changed them both for the absolute best.
I also love love love the little family Levi has for himself and how easily Dominic and Elijah folded Hayden right into the chaos! There is nothing I love more than a found family and this one was perfect!!
I love this book! I can’t believe it’s not out for six months!!! I will be thinking about it (and likely rereading it) very free moment that I can until then!!!
Thank you so much to Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!
January 22, 2026
I fell in love with Winging It With You last summer — Theo, Asher and mozzarella sticks had my whole heart. Now I’m completely in love with Levi and Hayden. Dearly Departed is perfect. A slow burn that crept up on me and stole my soul. Huge thanks to @booksovrbros for the early ARC of this stunning book.
Romantasy isn’t usually my thing, but I’d read a shopping list if Chip wrote it — so I dove in headfirst. What I found was a deeply heartwarming story of love, loss, grief and chosen family. The exploration of grief hit me harder than I expected and completely took me by surprise. It’s rare to see grief captured so honestly — how it lingers, how it shapes you, no matter how much time has passed. The way Chip handles grief and loss in this book is breathtaking, and I’ve never felt more seen.
Dearly Departed is fun, epic and emotionally raw. It has heart, it has spice (hello, shadow daddy), and it celebrates queer love loudly and unapologetically. This is a book that will stay with me. Chip is officially an auto-buy author, and I cannot wait to see what he does next. Dearly Departed hits shelves on 16 June.
Romantasy isn’t usually my thing, but I’d read a shopping list if Chip wrote it — so I dove in headfirst. What I found was a deeply heartwarming story of love, loss, grief and chosen family. The exploration of grief hit me harder than I expected and completely took me by surprise. It’s rare to see grief captured so honestly — how it lingers, how it shapes you, no matter how much time has passed. The way Chip handles grief and loss in this book is breathtaking, and I’ve never felt more seen.
Dearly Departed is fun, epic and emotionally raw. It has heart, it has spice (hello, shadow daddy), and it celebrates queer love loudly and unapologetically. This is a book that will stay with me. Chip is officially an auto-buy author, and I cannot wait to see what he does next. Dearly Departed hits shelves on 16 June.
February 9, 2026
Review: I absolutely adored this book. I thought the way that Pons addresses grief and love and letting go was so real and so honest. I loved the dynamic between Hayden and Levi, and I loved how at different times they were each other's comfort zone and strength. This book had everything I wanted it to: humor, heart, and heat. I HIGHLY recommend this book and I'll be thinking about it for a long, long time. Bravo, Chip!
Synopsis: Hayden Harlow, once the mighty Hades, has spent centuries quietly resenting his fall from immortality. Stripped of his godhood by the allegedly irreversible Immortal Retirement Act, he now runs Harlow and Sons Funeral Home—a front for his eternal sentencing among mortals, and a bleak reminder of the purpose he’s lost. Still, he’s determined to claw his way back…if only the Fates at City Hall would stop toying with him.
Enter Levi Wilder: a florist with an artist’s heart, an infectious smile, and a gift for finding beauty in life’s messiest moments. When Hayden storms into Levi’s shop to complain about a bouquet of sunflowers—an offensive choice for a funeral, in his opinion—their worlds collide. Hayden is all restraint and shadows; Levi is all sunshine and charm. But beneath the clash lies an undeniable spark neither can ignore.
As their connection blossoms, Hayden finds himself caught between the life he once knew and the bright future Levi dares him to imagine. But trusting Levi means risking the walls he’s kept in place all these years—and it’s not just his heart on the line. Because in the threads of fate, one choice can change everything.
Synopsis: Hayden Harlow, once the mighty Hades, has spent centuries quietly resenting his fall from immortality. Stripped of his godhood by the allegedly irreversible Immortal Retirement Act, he now runs Harlow and Sons Funeral Home—a front for his eternal sentencing among mortals, and a bleak reminder of the purpose he’s lost. Still, he’s determined to claw his way back…if only the Fates at City Hall would stop toying with him.
Enter Levi Wilder: a florist with an artist’s heart, an infectious smile, and a gift for finding beauty in life’s messiest moments. When Hayden storms into Levi’s shop to complain about a bouquet of sunflowers—an offensive choice for a funeral, in his opinion—their worlds collide. Hayden is all restraint and shadows; Levi is all sunshine and charm. But beneath the clash lies an undeniable spark neither can ignore.
As their connection blossoms, Hayden finds himself caught between the life he once knew and the bright future Levi dares him to imagine. But trusting Levi means risking the walls he’s kept in place all these years—and it’s not just his heart on the line. Because in the threads of fate, one choice can change everything.
February 1, 2026
Incredible. No notes. Full review to come soon!
A big thank you to Chip & his publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! 🫶🏼
A big thank you to Chip & his publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! 🫶🏼
October 22, 2025
GUYS I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! Chip Pons has been teasing us about this book and I can’t wait to read it. I know it’s going to be ELECTRIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 22, 2026
Chip Pons has done it again with such an incredible book.
The entire time reading this book I did not want it to end.
Hayden and Levi have become some of my favorite MMCs as the layers to them hit me hard.
Hayden was complex, Brutty, doesn’t think he needs anyone and is okay exisiting.
Levi? Golden retriever man who is sunshine. Who has his own struggles but puts on a happy face to everyone he believes needs it. Until Hayden.
These men loved each other in the most beautiful way where the other was able to break down their walls and be their purest self.
I love when an author can make you feel vulnerable as the characters become vulnerable and Chip did just that.
Also the spice scenes? Holyyyy shadowwwww daddy….. Like I was unprepared. Ugh I loved this.
Hades and his golden retriever sunflower.
Alsoooo I loved the brothers…. I would love to see more of their stories 😭
I loved everything about this book and I adore Chip for writing it
The entire time reading this book I did not want it to end.
Hayden and Levi have become some of my favorite MMCs as the layers to them hit me hard.
Hayden was complex, Brutty, doesn’t think he needs anyone and is okay exisiting.
Levi? Golden retriever man who is sunshine. Who has his own struggles but puts on a happy face to everyone he believes needs it. Until Hayden.
These men loved each other in the most beautiful way where the other was able to break down their walls and be their purest self.
I love when an author can make you feel vulnerable as the characters become vulnerable and Chip did just that.
Also the spice scenes? Holyyyy shadowwwww daddy….. Like I was unprepared. Ugh I loved this.
Hades and his golden retriever sunflower.
Alsoooo I loved the brothers…. I would love to see more of their stories 😭
I loved everything about this book and I adore Chip for writing it
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars. Welcome to the stage, the new king of m/m romance - Chip Pons! Listen, WINGING IT WITH YOU was cute and sexy, but DEARLY DEPARTED has my heart. A small-town supernatural romance between Hades and an adorable flower shop owner? Hell yea. The king of the underworld and ultimate shadow daddy has been living on earth as Hayden, working as an undertaker at a funeral home in the quaint town of Stonevale, New Jersey. Enter Levi, the ray of sunshine and freckled face redhead that works at the flower shop around the corner. After their worlds collide, the immortal and mortal fall for each other in a way that transcends and defies any sort of mythological fate. Cute, right?
These two are so damn adorable - the juxtaposition of Hayden’s dark qualities and Levi’s bright qualities create a wonderful dynamic because as they say, stars don’t shine without the darkness. Levi reminds Hayden that life is messy and vibrant and doesn’t alway have to be lived in isolation and despair. They truly see each other for who they are and support each other in times of need, learning that to risk being known is to risk being understood. Luckily, they have the patience to get to thoroughly know one another. Their banter is actually so great and who knew that Grindr messages could be so charming? Usually I’m just getting pelted by dick pics when I’m on there. (Not that I’m complaining). There’s something so funny about Hades being on Grindr. Even Hades gets horny.
Speaking of, let’s talk about the spice. I love the nuances that come with an m/m romance being written by a gay man - the douching, the jocks, the poppers, the anal prep - it feels so real. And Chip, you took me out with that bussy lingo. There are some very hot scenes that combine lust with care and take place in various locations like green houses, flower shops and more. And did I mention that Hayden’s shadows have a mind of their own and might even partake in the fun? Purr. I too want a hot shadow zaddy to make me a charcuterie board dong out. And the fact that Levi has no problem with Hayden seeking clarity or checking in to feel better about their relationship status is such a green flag to me. Also the fact that Hades loves being on his knees. God, I wanna be wrecked and worshipped at the same time too. I need a boyfriend.
There are so many things that I adore about this rom-com. I love the emphasis on found family and friendship and how we should let ourselves be taken care of sometimes. While Levi’s besties might sound like annoying stock characters half the time, their intentions are always good and I can’t fault them for being constants in Levi’s life. There are also flamboyant men that sound exactly like them in the real world and we need that representation too. I love the family reconciliations that’s happen with both Levi and Hayden, and there’s something really fun about seeing Zeus and Poseidon in mortal form. Might need to see some spin-offs of their gay asses. Spice aside, I love that these two show up for one another, but also give each other the space to do their own thing, while still celebrating their individual successes. Healthy kings. The meditations on grief are very good and I loved that they learned that love isn’t about outrunning grief, but learning to live beside it.
Admittedly, the gardening metaphors do become a tad cheesy and played out, but I can respect that we’re in the world of a rom-com, it’s not that serious Linda. I'm not a fan of insta-love so that’s a trope I’m always going to have a hard time with, BUT I’m so grateful to Chip for sending me an early advanced copy of this book, and I can’t wait to fan boy over whatever m/m romance he writes next. Truly flattered to be one of the first to read this one. Chip could shape up to be the Abby Jimenez of m/m romances if he keeps it up! Oh, and bonus points for the inspirational lyrics from Dr. Taylor Alison Swift in the beginning of his romances - as a die-hard Swiftie, I respect it. Pick up DEARLY DEPARTED next summer, it’s the perfect beach read.
These two are so damn adorable - the juxtaposition of Hayden’s dark qualities and Levi’s bright qualities create a wonderful dynamic because as they say, stars don’t shine without the darkness. Levi reminds Hayden that life is messy and vibrant and doesn’t alway have to be lived in isolation and despair. They truly see each other for who they are and support each other in times of need, learning that to risk being known is to risk being understood. Luckily, they have the patience to get to thoroughly know one another. Their banter is actually so great and who knew that Grindr messages could be so charming? Usually I’m just getting pelted by dick pics when I’m on there. (Not that I’m complaining). There’s something so funny about Hades being on Grindr. Even Hades gets horny.
Speaking of, let’s talk about the spice. I love the nuances that come with an m/m romance being written by a gay man - the douching, the jocks, the poppers, the anal prep - it feels so real. And Chip, you took me out with that bussy lingo. There are some very hot scenes that combine lust with care and take place in various locations like green houses, flower shops and more. And did I mention that Hayden’s shadows have a mind of their own and might even partake in the fun? Purr. I too want a hot shadow zaddy to make me a charcuterie board dong out. And the fact that Levi has no problem with Hayden seeking clarity or checking in to feel better about their relationship status is such a green flag to me. Also the fact that Hades loves being on his knees. God, I wanna be wrecked and worshipped at the same time too. I need a boyfriend.
There are so many things that I adore about this rom-com. I love the emphasis on found family and friendship and how we should let ourselves be taken care of sometimes. While Levi’s besties might sound like annoying stock characters half the time, their intentions are always good and I can’t fault them for being constants in Levi’s life. There are also flamboyant men that sound exactly like them in the real world and we need that representation too. I love the family reconciliations that’s happen with both Levi and Hayden, and there’s something really fun about seeing Zeus and Poseidon in mortal form. Might need to see some spin-offs of their gay asses. Spice aside, I love that these two show up for one another, but also give each other the space to do their own thing, while still celebrating their individual successes. Healthy kings. The meditations on grief are very good and I loved that they learned that love isn’t about outrunning grief, but learning to live beside it.
Admittedly, the gardening metaphors do become a tad cheesy and played out, but I can respect that we’re in the world of a rom-com, it’s not that serious Linda. I'm not a fan of insta-love so that’s a trope I’m always going to have a hard time with, BUT I’m so grateful to Chip for sending me an early advanced copy of this book, and I can’t wait to fan boy over whatever m/m romance he writes next. Truly flattered to be one of the first to read this one. Chip could shape up to be the Abby Jimenez of m/m romances if he keeps it up! Oh, and bonus points for the inspirational lyrics from Dr. Taylor Alison Swift in the beginning of his romances - as a die-hard Swiftie, I respect it. Pick up DEARLY DEPARTED next summer, it’s the perfect beach read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this book means EVERYTHING to me and more, this was hands down the most beautiful i have read to date and i dont think i will be getting over levi & hayden any time soon. this was an infinite star read for me, 5 stars could never be enough to convey just how amazing i think this book is nor will anything i write truly be able to express my deep love for this book. 😭
i am so devastated that im finished with this book 😭 every part of me wanted to binge read it from the moment i opened it but i forced myself to take my time (aka only let myself read it at bed time lol) so here we are almost two weeks later, i am deeply in love with levi, hayden and stonevale and i am now officially in mourning 😭
levi and hayden are THE grumpy x sunshine trope final boss, these two had me giggling and kicking my feet from the moment irene suggested hayden go have a word with the florist who dared to send sunflowers and i never stopped (until we all got the inevitable sads at the end, ANYWAYSSSS).
watching these two gradually start interacting and taking up small amounts of space up in one another’s lives to witnessing the sweet and inevitable way they fall for each other during this process was truly the highlight of my life, there was just something SO special and beautiful about watching these two open up a little more every day and becoming more vulnerable with one another while falling so head over heels in love 😭.
as much as i love hayden and levi and could sit and write paragraphs of every single thing they did that i loved i desperately want to talk about just how STUNNING and VISCERAL the writing and imagery of this book is. every time i opened this book i felt like i was transported into stonevale, i felt like i was there for every conversation, every hang out with elijah and dominic, sort of maybe like i was sitting in the cuck chair in certain scenes (lol), etc. its very easy for me to fall in love with MCs but its not usual for me to fall in love with every last aspect of the way a book is written and chip blew this one out of the park because romance doesnt get more romantic than the contents of this book. i wholeheartedly believe i got really lucky in finding my favorite book of the year this early in.
this is officially my new comfort read, it is something i will be recommending to anyone who asks for a book rec, it is the one book i would choose to take with me if i were stranded on an island… for me this book feels timeless, i dont think there will come a day in my life where i will never not love this book with everything in me and i truly hope that this wont be the one and only time we visit stonevale.
to chip pons and chip pons only if you ever happen to see this review, thank you for putting this beautiful masterpiece into the world. thank you for the endless amounts of queer joy you bring to the romance community and congratulations on such a wonderful work of art <3
i am so devastated that im finished with this book 😭 every part of me wanted to binge read it from the moment i opened it but i forced myself to take my time (aka only let myself read it at bed time lol) so here we are almost two weeks later, i am deeply in love with levi, hayden and stonevale and i am now officially in mourning 😭
levi and hayden are THE grumpy x sunshine trope final boss, these two had me giggling and kicking my feet from the moment irene suggested hayden go have a word with the florist who dared to send sunflowers and i never stopped (until we all got the inevitable sads at the end, ANYWAYSSSS).
watching these two gradually start interacting and taking up small amounts of space up in one another’s lives to witnessing the sweet and inevitable way they fall for each other during this process was truly the highlight of my life, there was just something SO special and beautiful about watching these two open up a little more every day and becoming more vulnerable with one another while falling so head over heels in love 😭.
as much as i love hayden and levi and could sit and write paragraphs of every single thing they did that i loved i desperately want to talk about just how STUNNING and VISCERAL the writing and imagery of this book is. every time i opened this book i felt like i was transported into stonevale, i felt like i was there for every conversation, every hang out with elijah and dominic, sort of maybe like i was sitting in the cuck chair in certain scenes (lol), etc. its very easy for me to fall in love with MCs but its not usual for me to fall in love with every last aspect of the way a book is written and chip blew this one out of the park because romance doesnt get more romantic than the contents of this book. i wholeheartedly believe i got really lucky in finding my favorite book of the year this early in.
this is officially my new comfort read, it is something i will be recommending to anyone who asks for a book rec, it is the one book i would choose to take with me if i were stranded on an island… for me this book feels timeless, i dont think there will come a day in my life where i will never not love this book with everything in me and i truly hope that this wont be the one and only time we visit stonevale.
to chip pons and chip pons only if you ever happen to see this review, thank you for putting this beautiful masterpiece into the world. thank you for the endless amounts of queer joy you bring to the romance community and congratulations on such a wonderful work of art <3
January 19, 2026
🛁 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 🛁
“Stars wouldn’t shine without darkness to hold them,” I whisper gently. “Maybe darkness isn’t emptiness. Maybe it’s what makes the light matter.”
Synopsis: Hayden Harlow, once the god Hades, has spent centuries resenting his fall from immortality after being stripped of his power by the Immortal Retirement Act and sentenced to run a funeral home among mortals. When he storms into a florist shop to complain about an “inappropriate” sunflower arrangement, he collides with Levi Wilder, a warm, optimistic artist who finds beauty even in grief. Opposites in every way, their unexpected chemistry forces Hayden to confront the life he lost and the future Levi dares him to imagine.
I’ve been a fan of Chip and his account, @booksovrbros, for a long time. So when I innocently slipped a “sharing is caring” gif into his thread about NetGalley widgets for his newest paranormal romcom, I was elated to find the link slid into my DMs by none other than the author himself. Thank you Chip and Putnam books for an advanced copy of this absolutely lovely and nuanced romance.
I loved basically everything about this books. The characters were fully realized and every single one - from mysterious and quiet Irene to Dominic and Elijah, our comic relief - had character development from the start of the book to the end. That’s not an easy feat when you’re writing a small town romance with tons of zany side characters, but the author managed to allow these characters to “bloom” naturally and authentically. It was beautiful to witness.
Next up: our main characters. Levi, the beautiful, bold, explosion of color and freckles, is both matched and heightened by our broody, retired god of the underworld, Hayden. The quote I chose above was the perfect way to express how they bring out the best in each other: light needs darkness to shine as bright as possible, and darkness needs light to guide them home. These two found home in one another, and it was stunning.
Outside of ALL of that, I loved the exploration of grief through something light like a romance. This book managed to make every conversation about it feel so genuine. It was truly so gorgeous and added an extra layer of depth to this story.
In addition, the spice was PHENOMENAL and abundant without being superfluous (the helm scene 🤤), the lore behind Hayden’s coming to be in Stonevale was perfectly fleshed out with no plot holes, and the queer joy and found family woven through this story will keep you coming back for more. I cannot wait to continue to read every book by Chip Pons, and for you to all meet Hayden and Levi when their story is finally published. ✨📚🛁
“Stars wouldn’t shine without darkness to hold them,” I whisper gently. “Maybe darkness isn’t emptiness. Maybe it’s what makes the light matter.”
Synopsis: Hayden Harlow, once the god Hades, has spent centuries resenting his fall from immortality after being stripped of his power by the Immortal Retirement Act and sentenced to run a funeral home among mortals. When he storms into a florist shop to complain about an “inappropriate” sunflower arrangement, he collides with Levi Wilder, a warm, optimistic artist who finds beauty even in grief. Opposites in every way, their unexpected chemistry forces Hayden to confront the life he lost and the future Levi dares him to imagine.
I’ve been a fan of Chip and his account, @booksovrbros, for a long time. So when I innocently slipped a “sharing is caring” gif into his thread about NetGalley widgets for his newest paranormal romcom, I was elated to find the link slid into my DMs by none other than the author himself. Thank you Chip and Putnam books for an advanced copy of this absolutely lovely and nuanced romance.
I loved basically everything about this books. The characters were fully realized and every single one - from mysterious and quiet Irene to Dominic and Elijah, our comic relief - had character development from the start of the book to the end. That’s not an easy feat when you’re writing a small town romance with tons of zany side characters, but the author managed to allow these characters to “bloom” naturally and authentically. It was beautiful to witness.
Next up: our main characters. Levi, the beautiful, bold, explosion of color and freckles, is both matched and heightened by our broody, retired god of the underworld, Hayden. The quote I chose above was the perfect way to express how they bring out the best in each other: light needs darkness to shine as bright as possible, and darkness needs light to guide them home. These two found home in one another, and it was stunning.
Outside of ALL of that, I loved the exploration of grief through something light like a romance. This book managed to make every conversation about it feel so genuine. It was truly so gorgeous and added an extra layer of depth to this story.
In addition, the spice was PHENOMENAL and abundant without being superfluous (the helm scene 🤤), the lore behind Hayden’s coming to be in Stonevale was perfectly fleshed out with no plot holes, and the queer joy and found family woven through this story will keep you coming back for more. I cannot wait to continue to read every book by Chip Pons, and for you to all meet Hayden and Levi when their story is finally published. ✨📚🛁
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
• arc review •
release date - june 16, 2026
thank you to putnam for a gifted arc copy of dearly departed, in exchange for my honest review.
———————
"People like him remind people like me how to let a little color in."
I fell in love with Chip Pons writing after I read Winging it With You last year, and when I found out this book was coming out I screamed. I needed to read this book so badly and i mean, look at them on the cover!!! The cover eats tbh. I was so excited when I got the approval for this arc I stopped every other book I was reading to pick this one up.
Levi and Hayden have my whole heart. I love them so much, and they are literally one of my favorite couples ever. They are so perfect for each other and I miss them already (I finished this book last night). Levi is so sunshine, golden retriever vibes and Hayden is SO broody and dark and they're polar opposites but that's why they work. And don't even get me started on the shadow play and the spicy scenes because wooo lordy.
"Stars wouldn't shine without darkness to hold them," I whisper gently. "Maybe darkness isn't emptiness. Maybe it's what makes the light matter."
QUEEEEEER JOYYYYYYYYY!!!
This was such a beautiful love story and I love that Levi's besties, Dominic and Elijah just welcomed Hayden into their little group with open arms. Also, Naomi?! Such a badass I love her. Found family is one of my favorite tropes and Pons did a fantastic job!! I also love that grief was a big part of this story because it just shows that grief is different for everyone and people carry things differently, and that's okay. Cue the water works during chapter [redacted] because WOO!
"The thing about falling for someone, really truly falling, is you rarely notice it in real time. It's not fireworks or orchestral swells or some grand revelation. It's quieter. Walls crumbling you didn't know you built. A person weaving into your life so seamlessly you can't remember any of it before them."
Dearly Departed doesn't release until June 2026, and best believe I will be talking about it weekly until it comes out because if you love shadow daddy x golden retrievers then.. PREORDER THIS BOOK.
release date - june 16, 2026
thank you to putnam for a gifted arc copy of dearly departed, in exchange for my honest review.
———————
"People like him remind people like me how to let a little color in."
I fell in love with Chip Pons writing after I read Winging it With You last year, and when I found out this book was coming out I screamed. I needed to read this book so badly and i mean, look at them on the cover!!! The cover eats tbh. I was so excited when I got the approval for this arc I stopped every other book I was reading to pick this one up.
Levi and Hayden have my whole heart. I love them so much, and they are literally one of my favorite couples ever. They are so perfect for each other and I miss them already (I finished this book last night). Levi is so sunshine, golden retriever vibes and Hayden is SO broody and dark and they're polar opposites but that's why they work. And don't even get me started on the shadow play and the spicy scenes because wooo lordy.
"Stars wouldn't shine without darkness to hold them," I whisper gently. "Maybe darkness isn't emptiness. Maybe it's what makes the light matter."
QUEEEEEER JOYYYYYYYYY!!!
This was such a beautiful love story and I love that Levi's besties, Dominic and Elijah just welcomed Hayden into their little group with open arms. Also, Naomi?! Such a badass I love her. Found family is one of my favorite tropes and Pons did a fantastic job!! I also love that grief was a big part of this story because it just shows that grief is different for everyone and people carry things differently, and that's okay. Cue the water works during chapter [redacted] because WOO!
"The thing about falling for someone, really truly falling, is you rarely notice it in real time. It's not fireworks or orchestral swells or some grand revelation. It's quieter. Walls crumbling you didn't know you built. A person weaving into your life so seamlessly you can't remember any of it before them."
Dearly Departed doesn't release until June 2026, and best believe I will be talking about it weekly until it comes out because if you love shadow daddy x golden retrievers then.. PREORDER THIS BOOK.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book :)
I think that this book is wonderful, and it has potential to be incredible. Since I am reviewing for the publisher I think it's fair to say that once the finished product is put out there I will revisit my review, and even if nothing is changed I will still enjoy it again! Especially if it has an audiobook at some point :-D
The only critiques I could really think of is just the overuse of the word bloom and blooming, I feel like if they were to ctrl F on the copy and type in Bloom it would come up with more than it's fair share. I absolutely understand WHY they might overuse it due to the flower shop but for me personally, it was a little too on the nose and loud with the amount of times. Also, the third act conflict wasn't really my jam and I didn't quite understand it...but maybe that is just a me thing.
Now that the hard part is out of the way, I will say that I felt a depth of love for the black cat/sunshine vibes of Hayden and Levi. Hayden is such a dynamic character with many many layers, one of which being he is the former ruler of the underworld, Hades. Levi is the opposite, a bright sunshine of a man whose goal in life is to bring joy to everyone around him...even at the cost of his mental health at times.
Watching them interact, one very outgoing and the other an introvert, was so special coming as an absolute introvert who needs an extrovert to really bring me out of my shell. I love how Hayden was pulled to Levi so much that he ended up extending his boundaries (hello Trivia night?!) Levi has some darker hidden things going on as well dealing with grief. The way that Hayden is the only one who can reach him on his dark days was so very special and endearing, and the love those two have is explosive off the page.
HELLO SHADOW DADDY?!!! I won't spoil it, but oh my god the spice and the shadows give Xaden a run for his money. So sexy, so well thought out, so complete.
The side characters are incredible too, Dominic and Elijah are the perfect found family and I loved all the townspeople and even the fates as well. Definitely give this a read!
I think that this book is wonderful, and it has potential to be incredible. Since I am reviewing for the publisher I think it's fair to say that once the finished product is put out there I will revisit my review, and even if nothing is changed I will still enjoy it again! Especially if it has an audiobook at some point :-D
The only critiques I could really think of is just the overuse of the word bloom and blooming, I feel like if they were to ctrl F on the copy and type in Bloom it would come up with more than it's fair share. I absolutely understand WHY they might overuse it due to the flower shop but for me personally, it was a little too on the nose and loud with the amount of times. Also, the third act conflict wasn't really my jam and I didn't quite understand it...but maybe that is just a me thing.
Now that the hard part is out of the way, I will say that I felt a depth of love for the black cat/sunshine vibes of Hayden and Levi. Hayden is such a dynamic character with many many layers, one of which being he is the former ruler of the underworld, Hades. Levi is the opposite, a bright sunshine of a man whose goal in life is to bring joy to everyone around him...even at the cost of his mental health at times.
Watching them interact, one very outgoing and the other an introvert, was so special coming as an absolute introvert who needs an extrovert to really bring me out of my shell. I love how Hayden was pulled to Levi so much that he ended up extending his boundaries (hello Trivia night?!) Levi has some darker hidden things going on as well dealing with grief. The way that Hayden is the only one who can reach him on his dark days was so very special and endearing, and the love those two have is explosive off the page.
HELLO SHADOW DADDY?!!! I won't spoil it, but oh my god the spice and the shadows give Xaden a run for his money. So sexy, so well thought out, so complete.
The side characters are incredible too, Dominic and Elijah are the perfect found family and I loved all the townspeople and even the fates as well. Definitely give this a read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 ⭐️ This is my first book by Chip Pons and it was great. Hayden is a funeral director in New Jersey, but he is actually the god Hades, confined to a immortal(ish) life on Earth now. He drifts through life not really happy and keeps to himself. He meets Levi, a florist, when he goes to confront him about a flower arrangement for a funeral. They have a connection, but Hayden is reluctant to act on anything at first.
This book was deep and heartfelt along with a found family element. I love that Levi was able to draw Hayden out of his shell. Hayden is snarky and funny, but has a gooey center. You can see he cares deeply about people and just wants to help them through their grief. I absolutely loved when Levi supported and took care of Hayden after an especially difficult funeral took a heavy toll on Hayden. Those scenes were beautiful.
Levi lost his brother at an early age but never dealt with the grief, so when the anniversary of his brother’s death arrives and he crashes hard Hayden stepped in and help Levi carry the grief. Again this was another wonderful part of the book. These two men cared so deeply for one another, and they truly saw each other.
There was an ongoing storyline of Hayden trying to find a loophole to the Act that removed him as a god, and that all comes to a head in the final part of the book. I will say that storyline and it not always being clear is what kept this from being a 5 star book for me. I didn’t always understand what was going on, and the three women being the Fates didn’t make that any easier. I get that they are cryptic on purpose, but they just seemed cruel over all.
There is a third act breakup, and while I don’t love those, I can understand why this one happened. Overall this book was beautiful, deep, and heartwarming. Hayden and Levi’s love was so deep and real that it was palpable. I want to thank Putnam and NetGalley for the copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to leave a review.
4/5 on the Spicy Scale
M/M
Grief, death
Contemporary Romance
This book was deep and heartfelt along with a found family element. I love that Levi was able to draw Hayden out of his shell. Hayden is snarky and funny, but has a gooey center. You can see he cares deeply about people and just wants to help them through their grief. I absolutely loved when Levi supported and took care of Hayden after an especially difficult funeral took a heavy toll on Hayden. Those scenes were beautiful.
Levi lost his brother at an early age but never dealt with the grief, so when the anniversary of his brother’s death arrives and he crashes hard Hayden stepped in and help Levi carry the grief. Again this was another wonderful part of the book. These two men cared so deeply for one another, and they truly saw each other.
There was an ongoing storyline of Hayden trying to find a loophole to the Act that removed him as a god, and that all comes to a head in the final part of the book. I will say that storyline and it not always being clear is what kept this from being a 5 star book for me. I didn’t always understand what was going on, and the three women being the Fates didn’t make that any easier. I get that they are cryptic on purpose, but they just seemed cruel over all.
There is a third act breakup, and while I don’t love those, I can understand why this one happened. Overall this book was beautiful, deep, and heartwarming. Hayden and Levi’s love was so deep and real that it was palpable. I want to thank Putnam and NetGalley for the copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to leave a review.
4/5 on the Spicy Scale
M/M
Grief, death
Contemporary Romance
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The stars above are witnesses. But here? He’s my whole fucking universe.
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Hayden Harlow (also known as Hades) has spent years keeping himself at a distance, while he tries to find a way out of the Immortality Retirement Act. What he is not expecting is for his plans to run astray after he meets Levi Wilder - practically sunshine personified - and the local florist.
Ahh I loved this! Getting to see Levi and Hayden meet and fall in love is everything - the way they are such opposites but such a perfect match has my heart. They really do compliment one another and the way we get to see them both be there when they’re needed was so well done.
Carefully woven in to the romance and the incredibly written spicy scenes is the ache of losing family and feeling like you have to stay strong, and that is handled so thoughtfully as well. The messages about grief in this will stay with me for a long time, and had my heart aching for both of them at times.
The way the mythology fits into this story so cleverly was also such a great element - it’s impossible not to love Hayden (“Good boys get the helm” - hello!!!!!) but the fates and his family and the bits of winks woven in, I loved that. I also loved so many of the characters - the town feels so lived-in and I adored the scenes with Irene and Dominic and Elijah.
This was a beautifully written book filled with love and letting yourself be loved and doing your best to heal after holding things together - I really enjoyed reading!!
Tropes & Tags:
🌻 opposites attract
🖤 mm romance
🌻 queer joy
🖤 florist x god of the underworld
🌻 grumpy x sunshine
🖤 found family
🌻 family grief
🖤 shadow play
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Chip Pons, NetGalley, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons! 📖]
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Hayden Harlow (also known as Hades) has spent years keeping himself at a distance, while he tries to find a way out of the Immortality Retirement Act. What he is not expecting is for his plans to run astray after he meets Levi Wilder - practically sunshine personified - and the local florist.
Ahh I loved this! Getting to see Levi and Hayden meet and fall in love is everything - the way they are such opposites but such a perfect match has my heart. They really do compliment one another and the way we get to see them both be there when they’re needed was so well done.
Carefully woven in to the romance and the incredibly written spicy scenes is the ache of losing family and feeling like you have to stay strong, and that is handled so thoughtfully as well. The messages about grief in this will stay with me for a long time, and had my heart aching for both of them at times.
The way the mythology fits into this story so cleverly was also such a great element - it’s impossible not to love Hayden (“Good boys get the helm” - hello!!!!!) but the fates and his family and the bits of winks woven in, I loved that. I also loved so many of the characters - the town feels so lived-in and I adored the scenes with Irene and Dominic and Elijah.
This was a beautifully written book filled with love and letting yourself be loved and doing your best to heal after holding things together - I really enjoyed reading!!
Tropes & Tags:
🌻 opposites attract
🖤 mm romance
🌻 queer joy
🖤 florist x god of the underworld
🌻 grumpy x sunshine
🖤 found family
🌻 family grief
🖤 shadow play
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much Chip Pons, NetGalley, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons! 📖]
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was… wow. Just genuinely beautiful.
First of all, yes, there is officially a new shadow daddy in town and his name is Hayden Harlow, better known as Hades. Former god of the underworld, current grumpy funeral director, walking cloud of shadows with a soft center he absolutely does NOT want you to see. And listen... I was down bad when that man casually dominated death related trivia while eating a burger like it’s nothing, and I could understand why Levi was head over heels.
I loved Levi, who is basically a sunflower in human form. Warm, colorful, full of life, and somehow able to stand in the middle of all that darkness without dimming himself. Watching Levi slowly pull Hayden out of the shadows and back into the world was everything to me. Grumpy x sunshine will forever be my weakness, especially when it’s done like this.
This book handles grief in such a gentle, honest way. I feel like Chip Pons just lets it exist, alongside joy, love, laughter, and healing. There’s something really special about a story that can make you laugh, get emotional, and feel deeply comforted all at the same time. The queer joy here is immaculate, healing, and so very necessary.
And yes, the spice. It’s spicy. Like spicy spicy. Hayden’s shadows absolutely deserve their own fan club. That’s all I’m saying. And honestly, I have never EVER read some of the details and intricacies of these spicy scenes before. Very unique and different and I appreciated how refreshing and new this was.
I cannot express how awesome this book was, in so many ways. Unique, different, hot, emotional, and everything I could want for an MM romance novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Chip Pons, and Putnam for the eARC of this book.
First of all, yes, there is officially a new shadow daddy in town and his name is Hayden Harlow, better known as Hades. Former god of the underworld, current grumpy funeral director, walking cloud of shadows with a soft center he absolutely does NOT want you to see. And listen... I was down bad when that man casually dominated death related trivia while eating a burger like it’s nothing, and I could understand why Levi was head over heels.
I loved Levi, who is basically a sunflower in human form. Warm, colorful, full of life, and somehow able to stand in the middle of all that darkness without dimming himself. Watching Levi slowly pull Hayden out of the shadows and back into the world was everything to me. Grumpy x sunshine will forever be my weakness, especially when it’s done like this.
This book handles grief in such a gentle, honest way. I feel like Chip Pons just lets it exist, alongside joy, love, laughter, and healing. There’s something really special about a story that can make you laugh, get emotional, and feel deeply comforted all at the same time. The queer joy here is immaculate, healing, and so very necessary.
And yes, the spice. It’s spicy. Like spicy spicy. Hayden’s shadows absolutely deserve their own fan club. That’s all I’m saying. And honestly, I have never EVER read some of the details and intricacies of these spicy scenes before. Very unique and different and I appreciated how refreshing and new this was.
I cannot express how awesome this book was, in so many ways. Unique, different, hot, emotional, and everything I could want for an MM romance novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Chip Pons, and Putnam for the eARC of this book.
January 22, 2026
A new Chip Pons book? Sign me right up please 🙌🏽
Dearly Departed follows Hayden Harlow, the now mortal former God of the Underworld Hades, as he tries to find a way back to being a god after being banished to Earth. As he tries to find a loophole in the contract he signed, he comes across Levi Wilder, who awakens something within himself 🫠
Ok so there is much more to the plot but that would cross into spoiler territory and we can’t have that! Let’s first start with the fact that I’m a huge fan of Chip and his book, Winging It With You, not only was it my favourite book of 2025 but it’s one of my favourite books…ever! That’s some big shoes to fill and I was so excited and honoured when I got an ARC!
Chip brings something different with this book…it’s a romantasy book! He taps into Greek mythology and plays around with supernatural elements! And don’t even get me started on those spicy scenes. There were some extremely hot moments 🥵 Chapter 27 👀 Say hello to your new favourite Shadow Daddy: Mr. Harlow 😏
That being said this book is more than just a romantasy book. At its core, it’s a book that explore grief, letting go of the past, of loved ones, accepting who you once were and who you are now, allowing yourself to love and be loved in return. It’s got some deep stuff going on and all framed through the eyes of Levi and Hayden 🫶🏽
It’s unfair to compare it to Winging It With You because they are different genres and whilst they explore similar themes, they are fundamental different. That being said this book is still an incredible addition to Chip’s collection! Extremely grateful for the opportunity to have read this before its publishing date 🥰 and can’t wait to see what Chip does next 🫶🏽
Dearly Departed follows Hayden Harlow, the now mortal former God of the Underworld Hades, as he tries to find a way back to being a god after being banished to Earth. As he tries to find a loophole in the contract he signed, he comes across Levi Wilder, who awakens something within himself 🫠
Ok so there is much more to the plot but that would cross into spoiler territory and we can’t have that! Let’s first start with the fact that I’m a huge fan of Chip and his book, Winging It With You, not only was it my favourite book of 2025 but it’s one of my favourite books…ever! That’s some big shoes to fill and I was so excited and honoured when I got an ARC!
Chip brings something different with this book…it’s a romantasy book! He taps into Greek mythology and plays around with supernatural elements! And don’t even get me started on those spicy scenes. There were some extremely hot moments 🥵 Chapter 27 👀 Say hello to your new favourite Shadow Daddy: Mr. Harlow 😏
That being said this book is more than just a romantasy book. At its core, it’s a book that explore grief, letting go of the past, of loved ones, accepting who you once were and who you are now, allowing yourself to love and be loved in return. It’s got some deep stuff going on and all framed through the eyes of Levi and Hayden 🫶🏽
It’s unfair to compare it to Winging It With You because they are different genres and whilst they explore similar themes, they are fundamental different. That being said this book is still an incredible addition to Chip’s collection! Extremely grateful for the opportunity to have read this before its publishing date 🥰 and can’t wait to see what Chip does next 🫶🏽
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
When I said I didn't like shadow daddies I was not talking about Hayden Harlow because he and his shadows can absolutely get it.
This book had the perfect mix of fun lightheartedness and emotion and I really liked the way grief was handled throughout without making the book feel too heavy or dark. Levi and Hayden balanced each other out perfectly - they were such opposites in so many ways but they really brought out the best in each other.
Levi was sunshine-y and outgoing and helped pull very introverted and closed off Hayden out of his shell. I really enjoyed how Hayden was so incapable of resisiting Levi's charm and how smitten they were with each other. Their relationship was so sweet and the more I got to know about these characters the more I loved them. Everything with Levi's grief and his strained relationship with his family was very emotional and the way Hayden handled it and was impacted by it added so much depth to the story and was really crucial for both Hayden and Levi's character development. They were both working through so many things and the moment when they were able to understand each other on a deeper level felt really important to the story.
I also feel like it wouldn't be right to not mention the spice - it was very well done and added a lot to the character develop but most importantly, there was some very creative use of shadows that I really enjoyed.
This was such a fun concept for a romance and I feel like Chip Pons really captured all the emotions of being a human - from the good to the bad and even all the boring parts. Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
When I said I didn't like shadow daddies I was not talking about Hayden Harlow because he and his shadows can absolutely get it.
This book had the perfect mix of fun lightheartedness and emotion and I really liked the way grief was handled throughout without making the book feel too heavy or dark. Levi and Hayden balanced each other out perfectly - they were such opposites in so many ways but they really brought out the best in each other.
Levi was sunshine-y and outgoing and helped pull very introverted and closed off Hayden out of his shell. I really enjoyed how Hayden was so incapable of resisiting Levi's charm and how smitten they were with each other. Their relationship was so sweet and the more I got to know about these characters the more I loved them. Everything with Levi's grief and his strained relationship with his family was very emotional and the way Hayden handled it and was impacted by it added so much depth to the story and was really crucial for both Hayden and Levi's character development. They were both working through so many things and the moment when they were able to understand each other on a deeper level felt really important to the story.
I also feel like it wouldn't be right to not mention the spice - it was very well done and added a lot to the character develop but most importantly, there was some very creative use of shadows that I really enjoyed.
This was such a fun concept for a romance and I feel like Chip Pons really captured all the emotions of being a human - from the good to the bad and even all the boring parts. Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
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