23 Dates with My Dead Dad

by Corey McAuliffe, Spirit

What if death is not an ending, but a doorway to a more profound connection?

When Corey McAuliffe’s father died, she thought their cherished monthly dates would end forever. But when the number 23 began appearing everywhere—on receipts, clocks, and even trail markers—Corey realized her father was still reaching out. What followed was a journey unlike anything she could have imagined.

Through unexpected signs, quiet spiritual practices, and moments of startling synchronicity, Corey discovered a way to keep the conversation going with her dad—whether on nature hikes, winding city streets, or road trips that felt guided by something more than chance. Along the way, she faced the challenges of a pandemic, a PhD defense, and a life-altering diagnosis, each moment further illuminated by her father’s presence and wisdom from beyond the veil.

From unraveling questions she’d carried for her entire life to finally tracing her family’s roots in Ireland, Corey’s story is one of self-discovery, wonder, and healing. With warmth, humor, and unflinching honesty, 23 Dates with My Dead Dad invites us to see grief not as a final goodbye, but as an opportunity to love and listen to our departed loved ones in new, unexpected ways.

348 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2025

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection. Beautifully crafted. Soul bearing yet soul encouraging. Excellent debut, looking forward to more from this incredible author.

[Carolee Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartfelt journey through grief, illness, and soul searching has you traveling the world, speaking with spirits, and laughing and crying with the author as they navigate their ‘perfect storm’. For anyone who has lost someone they loved, been diagnosed with a life changing illness, found a calling to adventure this is a book you will not be able to put down. A triumphant first book with humor, soul, and wisdom.

[Madeline Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corey’s memoir leads the reader on a deeply personal and inspiring journey, one centered around healing and self-discovery. The overlapping timelines of both her childhood with her father and now her adulthood without him created an intricate experience of how our families can influence our entire lives, and that it is up to us to change the narratives that may need to be healed. I enjoyed her witty, grounded, thoughtfully-paced words in a way that kept me intrigued in the story, and also held space for my own reflections.

It is a gift to know Corey in real life and know her deeper through this book. It is a wonderful guide to navigating grief, change, love, and trusting of oneself ✨

[Holly Lear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a privilege to go along on this journey. I have also lost my Dad, and his illness and death also lead me towards spirit in a way that was completely new to me. It made me curious and reading this book had me nodding and folding down page corners to mark those connections. It reaffirms a desire to listen and feel for spirit every day.

[Nancy McAuliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

23 Dates with My Dead Dad is a heartfelt and uplifting book that offers a fresh way of thinking about love, loss, and ongoing connection. The author shows that a relationship doesn’t end when someone we love passes—it can continue in meaningful and healing ways.

This book provides gentle insight into how memories and intention can keep loved ones present in our lives. Her authentic voice makes it an easy, engaging read that opens your heart while offering comfort and hope.

I would recommend this book to anyone grieving a loss, to those who want to stay connected to loved ones who have passed, and to readers who enjoy thoughtful, accessible stories that quietly expand how we see the world. It’s a touching book that stays with you.