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The Gravedigger's Handbook
Lucien Morel’s quiet life at St Aubin’s Rest unravels when he forms an unexpected bond with a young man who should not still be walking among the graves.
As caretaker of a forgotten cemetery above Pontarçon, Lucien is accustomed to solitude. But after a burial that refuses to settle, the appearance of a troubled artist—caught between life and death, carrying secrets he barely understands—draws Lucien into a fragile, slow-burning connection. Within the graveyard’s crumbling walls, memories linger, the past refuses to rest, and what begins as quiet companionship deepens into something more intimate and uncertain.
Tender rather than terrifying, The Gravedigger’s Handbook is a queer gothic romance shaped by grief, mercy, and the question of how to love when time itself is unstable.
For readers who
Queer gothic romance
Emotional slow burn
Haunted cemeteries and rural settings
Gentle supernatural elements
Intimacy shaped by grief and forgiveness
As caretaker of a forgotten cemetery above Pontarçon, Lucien is accustomed to solitude. But after a burial that refuses to settle, the appearance of a troubled artist—caught between life and death, carrying secrets he barely understands—draws Lucien into a fragile, slow-burning connection. Within the graveyard’s crumbling walls, memories linger, the past refuses to rest, and what begins as quiet companionship deepens into something more intimate and uncertain.
Tender rather than terrifying, The Gravedigger’s Handbook is a queer gothic romance shaped by grief, mercy, and the question of how to love when time itself is unstable.
For readers who
Queer gothic romance
Emotional slow burn
Haunted cemeteries and rural settings
Gentle supernatural elements
Intimacy shaped by grief and forgiveness
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2025
About the author
Jern Tonkoi
18 books6 followersJern Tonkoi writes introspective LGBTQ+ fiction that spans genres but shares one emotional core: stories of longing, identity, and the quiet ache of becoming. Her work often explores queer lives caught between worlds—geographical, cultural, or internal—and the fragile beauty of connection across time.
Split between Thailand and the UK, she writes with a cross-cultural eye and a lyrical touch. Her novels offer intimate portraits of love, friendship, and the spaces between people that make us human.
Split between Thailand and the UK, she writes with a cross-cultural eye and a lyrical touch. Her novels offer intimate portraits of love, friendship, and the spaces between people that make us human.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 16, 2026
Thank you to BookSirens for sending me an eARC of this book!
This was so quietly beautiful, a story that cuts straight through the bone before you even notice you're bleeding. There is something about this writing, this gentle prose, that resonates with me so deeply, it made my heart ache as I read it. From almost the very beginning, this felt like a clear five-star read. And even though none of the revelations truly surprised me, the emotional weight still crept in slowly and stayed with me until I found myself sobbing through the final pages.
A haunting, tender read, I imagine, will linger long after it ends.
This was so quietly beautiful, a story that cuts straight through the bone before you even notice you're bleeding. There is something about this writing, this gentle prose, that resonates with me so deeply, it made my heart ache as I read it. From almost the very beginning, this felt like a clear five-star read. And even though none of the revelations truly surprised me, the emotional weight still crept in slowly and stayed with me until I found myself sobbing through the final pages.
A haunting, tender read, I imagine, will linger long after it ends.
December 31, 2025
I'd like to start by saying this book was beautifully written. The author is very talented in that area. The storyline , without giving it away … I will say that I have NEVER seen this done before and I read over 200 books a year. This is quite impressive . I'd think you'd have to be extremely clever and talented to come up with an actual fresh new idea. I will say that I actually saw the twist coming very early on, however, that's not against the author. I just read a lot of books and have learned how to predict extremely well.
The way these two men slowly fell in love was so natural and beautiful. Their tragedies were beautifully written. The Old Chap was something that tugged at my heart in particular. A soldier waiting for orders that would never cry I think is something that would give any stoneheart a little tug.
I was pleased with the ending. It's the ending that needed to happen regardless of what we (readers) wanted. It was perfectly rounded to the story.
I gave this four stars . There's a couple things that could have made this 5 stars for me. The first is that , while the poetic prose was nicely done and didn't feel forced….it was bit too abundant for me.
The second is the overdescribing of the scenes. There's only so many times you should describe in detail what the sun is doing, what the air smells like, what the soil smells/looks like. It was too much. The word "air" is in the book 240 times and it's a 202 page book , if you get what I mean. It was a bit exhausting.
And lastly , it felt like the barrow and the lantern were main characters in the story. Lamp/lantern was mentioned 90 times. Like I said about describing the air , it's just a bit much for a 200 page book.
All that being said , overall the story was beautiful . Tragedy often is in a way. I wish I could write how it made me feel without spoiling it for others but their relationship was so organic and gorgeous. The way Nat made Lucien finally see himself , it was just glorious. I'm looking forward to seeing more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The way these two men slowly fell in love was so natural and beautiful. Their tragedies were beautifully written. The Old Chap was something that tugged at my heart in particular. A soldier waiting for orders that would never cry I think is something that would give any stoneheart a little tug.
I was pleased with the ending. It's the ending that needed to happen regardless of what we (readers) wanted. It was perfectly rounded to the story.
I gave this four stars . There's a couple things that could have made this 5 stars for me. The first is that , while the poetic prose was nicely done and didn't feel forced….it was bit too abundant for me.
The second is the overdescribing of the scenes. There's only so many times you should describe in detail what the sun is doing, what the air smells like, what the soil smells/looks like. It was too much. The word "air" is in the book 240 times and it's a 202 page book , if you get what I mean. It was a bit exhausting.
And lastly , it felt like the barrow and the lantern were main characters in the story. Lamp/lantern was mentioned 90 times. Like I said about describing the air , it's just a bit much for a 200 page book.
All that being said , overall the story was beautiful . Tragedy often is in a way. I wish I could write how it made me feel without spoiling it for others but their relationship was so organic and gorgeous. The way Nat made Lucien finally see himself , it was just glorious. I'm looking forward to seeing more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 26, 2026
A free ARC of this book was made available to me through BookSirens. My review was optional and contains only my honest opinions.
This book is a melancholy, bittersweet read; everything about it warns you of that fact, from its description to a little disclaimer at the beginning. Though I didn't feel like I needed it reiterated to me that it would be a book about grief, I did appreciate that the author notes it's intended to be read as a more literary book. I think genre helps a person understand how a book should be read, and that label comes with expectations: character studies, a slower pace, an emphasis on specific themes, strong character voice, perhaps a more experimental style... all of these things can be found in The Gravedigger's Handbook.
The plot follows a structure that'll be familiar to those who enjoy the romance genre, but there's a moodiness and aching resignation to it. I was able to guess some of the turns the story took, but I see this as a good use of foreshadowing and subtle exposition rather than as predictable.
Its main characters, Lucien and Nat, are easy to like and to grieve alongside. The story is told through Lucien's point of view in a first person, present-tense narration: not a common choice in my usual reads, but one I quickly acclimated to. At times there was perhaps an overabundance of imagery and style, but it never chafed quite enough to turn me off of the read entirely as other books have in the past. I also found the poetic nature of the prose an interesting contrast to how brief and clipped Lucien's dialogue was.
While I enjoyed The Gravedigger's Handbook, two things would have elevated it further for me.
The first is a slightly more rigorous edit; some of the prose could get a bit repetitive in a way that felt more redundant than meditative, and there were one or two cases where it seemed a word was missing entirely from a sentence.
There were also a few aspects of the story that felt a little unclear to me, such as the precise time period or how far the physical intimacy between the two leads had progressed. In the case of the latter, did I appreciated how the line between platonic and romantic physical intimacy blurred over time, but I would have appreciated more clarity; Lucien has led a very isolated and touch-averse life, and the manner in which Nat desires him is a running theme.
The second is just... more. The glimpses we get of the two leads interacting are compelling, but feel a bit sparse and distant. Given the book's subject matter, I expected the two of them to open up a lot more about their lives and their experiences with grief. For reasons that would tread into spoiler territory, I can understand why some of that vaguery was necessary, but it still felt like we were only given a piece of a broader relationship. I didn't feel like both characters quite reached the peace and acceptance they seemed to be working towards, which made the ending skew far more into the bitter side of bittersweet for me.
It's a book I enjoyed and would recommend to someone intrigued by the themes and description, but one I wish had gotten a little more depth, breadth, and polish to take advantage of everything it has to offer.
This book is a melancholy, bittersweet read; everything about it warns you of that fact, from its description to a little disclaimer at the beginning. Though I didn't feel like I needed it reiterated to me that it would be a book about grief, I did appreciate that the author notes it's intended to be read as a more literary book. I think genre helps a person understand how a book should be read, and that label comes with expectations: character studies, a slower pace, an emphasis on specific themes, strong character voice, perhaps a more experimental style... all of these things can be found in The Gravedigger's Handbook.
The plot follows a structure that'll be familiar to those who enjoy the romance genre, but there's a moodiness and aching resignation to it. I was able to guess some of the turns the story took, but I see this as a good use of foreshadowing and subtle exposition rather than as predictable.
Its main characters, Lucien and Nat, are easy to like and to grieve alongside. The story is told through Lucien's point of view in a first person, present-tense narration: not a common choice in my usual reads, but one I quickly acclimated to. At times there was perhaps an overabundance of imagery and style, but it never chafed quite enough to turn me off of the read entirely as other books have in the past. I also found the poetic nature of the prose an interesting contrast to how brief and clipped Lucien's dialogue was.
While I enjoyed The Gravedigger's Handbook, two things would have elevated it further for me.
The first is a slightly more rigorous edit; some of the prose could get a bit repetitive in a way that felt more redundant than meditative, and there were one or two cases where it seemed a word was missing entirely from a sentence.
There were also a few aspects of the story that felt a little unclear to me, such as the precise time period or how far the physical intimacy between the two leads had progressed. In the case of the latter, did I appreciated how the line between platonic and romantic physical intimacy blurred over time, but I would have appreciated more clarity; Lucien has led a very isolated and touch-averse life, and the manner in which Nat desires him is a running theme.
The second is just... more. The glimpses we get of the two leads interacting are compelling, but feel a bit sparse and distant. Given the book's subject matter, I expected the two of them to open up a lot more about their lives and their experiences with grief. For reasons that would tread into spoiler territory, I can understand why some of that vaguery was necessary, but it still felt like we were only given a piece of a broader relationship. I didn't feel like both characters quite reached the peace and acceptance they seemed to be working towards, which made the ending skew far more into the bitter side of bittersweet for me.
It's a book I enjoyed and would recommend to someone intrigued by the themes and description, but one I wish had gotten a little more depth, breadth, and polish to take advantage of everything it has to offer.
December 22, 2025
I received this book and am writing a voluntary book review.
The Grave Digger’s Handbook, by Jean Tonkoi, is a gothic, paranormal romance about learning to cope with grief and how to accept Death’s embrace, no matter how painful it may be.
Lucien is a gravekeeper for St. Aubin’s rest. After a horrific freight train accident that left him mutilated, scarred, and abandoned, he found his home in the cemetery and has been its caretaker ever since. One day, he meets a strange entity named Nat, the ghost of an artist who doesn’t realize he’s died. Fascinated by Lucian, Nat requests that he draw Lucien as a way to help him mourn his brother’s death, Jonathan. Believing that it would help Nat pass on, Lucien acquiesces, only to stumble upon a world full of life, insecurity, and love.
I loved Odette. She’s an embodiment of one of my greatest fears if my husband should ever die first. I absolutely love roses, black ones, to be specific, and though my husband is rather terrified of my aesthetics and desires, he tries to make do. When we’re shopping for oddities, he’s the one who would point out whether or not a skull is real or fake. He’s taken an interest in different independent bookstores, and will actively search with me for literary tomes to fill our ever-growing library. He’s a good man, even though his hyperfixations are a bit of an issue sometimes. I see a lot of myself in Odette, and I fear how grief will warp my mind. The book that Lucien carries around only emphasizes the inevitability of the end, that the longer time passes, the less likely you'll become.
The relationship between Lucien and Nat was also special to me, reminding me of a more intimate version of Dante and his muse, Beatrice. It’s much less creepy, with Lucien and Nat actually having meaningful conversations. The fact that Nat immortalized Lucien so that he wouldn’t be another forgotten soul in the cemetery illustrates the strength of the bond these two possess. I wish they spent more time together, though.
The atmosphere carries an elegant, mournful feel that carries the characters’ weight. I enjoyed the cast and how they intertwine with the plot. Although I would’ve liked there to be more development between Lucien and Nat, especially with the romantic scenes, I liked this book. As of now, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy gothic romances such as The Gift of Youby Chloe York and Lamb, Stag, and Wolf by Airic Fenn.
The Grave Digger’s Handbook, by Jean Tonkoi, is a gothic, paranormal romance about learning to cope with grief and how to accept Death’s embrace, no matter how painful it may be.
Lucien is a gravekeeper for St. Aubin’s rest. After a horrific freight train accident that left him mutilated, scarred, and abandoned, he found his home in the cemetery and has been its caretaker ever since. One day, he meets a strange entity named Nat, the ghost of an artist who doesn’t realize he’s died. Fascinated by Lucian, Nat requests that he draw Lucien as a way to help him mourn his brother’s death, Jonathan. Believing that it would help Nat pass on, Lucien acquiesces, only to stumble upon a world full of life, insecurity, and love.
I loved Odette. She’s an embodiment of one of my greatest fears if my husband should ever die first. I absolutely love roses, black ones, to be specific, and though my husband is rather terrified of my aesthetics and desires, he tries to make do. When we’re shopping for oddities, he’s the one who would point out whether or not a skull is real or fake. He’s taken an interest in different independent bookstores, and will actively search with me for literary tomes to fill our ever-growing library. He’s a good man, even though his hyperfixations are a bit of an issue sometimes. I see a lot of myself in Odette, and I fear how grief will warp my mind. The book that Lucien carries around only emphasizes the inevitability of the end, that the longer time passes, the less likely you'll become.
The relationship between Lucien and Nat was also special to me, reminding me of a more intimate version of Dante and his muse, Beatrice. It’s much less creepy, with Lucien and Nat actually having meaningful conversations. The fact that Nat immortalized Lucien so that he wouldn’t be another forgotten soul in the cemetery illustrates the strength of the bond these two possess. I wish they spent more time together, though.
The atmosphere carries an elegant, mournful feel that carries the characters’ weight. I enjoyed the cast and how they intertwine with the plot. Although I would’ve liked there to be more development between Lucien and Nat, especially with the romantic scenes, I liked this book. As of now, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy gothic romances such as The Gift of Youby Chloe York and Lamb, Stag, and Wolf by Airic Fenn.
March 7, 2026
Lucien is the caretaker of a cemetery set in a beautiful landscape somewhere in a country that seems, more or less, like France. His days are quiet: he sweeps the paths clear of fallen leaves, tidies a carelessly dug grave to prepare it for the next day's funeral, cuts supports for a lightning-struck cypress. The caretaker's job comes with tenancy of a cottage on the cemetery grounds, which Lucien appreciates: dreadfully scarred by burns incurred in a childhood auto accident, he avoids human contact -- the staring, the pity. He has been living in the cemetery ever since its previous caretaker took him on as a foster child.
Lucien also sees and talks with ghosts. He doesn't understand why some linger even as they grow more detached from their memories of life. Eventually, though, they all leave. To go where? This, also, Lucien doesn't know.
One day, however, he meets Nat Graye, who speaks of the young man in Jonathan Graye's grave as "him" -- as if they weren't the same person, as if Nat weren't trying to distance himself from his own death. Nat is disconcertingly real-seeming. He carries a satchel with a sketchpad and charcoal, and he's always following Lucien around and drawing him; he speaks of "returning," as if he can bring himself back to life if he can only get his work to come true. He gives Lucien the affectionate nickname Lucy and over time coaxes him to show more and more of his scarred body as a model for Nat's art. They become lovers, though Lucien is always painfully aware that Nat's time with him will be short: once Nat succeeds at whatever he's striving for in his art, he will evanesce like every other ghost -- won't he?
Occasionally Jern Tonkoi's prose strains too hard for poetry. The medical detail isn't accurate (second-degree burns wouldn't cause extensive, disfiguring scarring like Lucien's). Some details of Lucien's work may not make sense in retrospect. And all that having been said ... this is a beautiful, painful story about coming back to life -- a term whose meaning is complicated by the story's end.
Not me crying at the bottom of the subway stairs because I couldn't bear to interrupt my reading of the last few pages long enough to walk two blocks home.
Thanks to BookSirens and the author for the ARC.
Lucien also sees and talks with ghosts. He doesn't understand why some linger even as they grow more detached from their memories of life. Eventually, though, they all leave. To go where? This, also, Lucien doesn't know.
One day, however, he meets Nat Graye, who speaks of the young man in Jonathan Graye's grave as "him" -- as if they weren't the same person, as if Nat weren't trying to distance himself from his own death. Nat is disconcertingly real-seeming. He carries a satchel with a sketchpad and charcoal, and he's always following Lucien around and drawing him; he speaks of "returning," as if he can bring himself back to life if he can only get his work to come true. He gives Lucien the affectionate nickname Lucy and over time coaxes him to show more and more of his scarred body as a model for Nat's art. They become lovers, though Lucien is always painfully aware that Nat's time with him will be short: once Nat succeeds at whatever he's striving for in his art, he will evanesce like every other ghost -- won't he?
Occasionally Jern Tonkoi's prose strains too hard for poetry. The medical detail isn't accurate (second-degree burns wouldn't cause extensive, disfiguring scarring like Lucien's). Some details of Lucien's work may not make sense in retrospect. And all that having been said ... this is a beautiful, painful story about coming back to life -- a term whose meaning is complicated by the story's end.
Not me crying at the bottom of the subway stairs because I couldn't bear to interrupt my reading of the last few pages long enough to walk two blocks home.
Thanks to BookSirens and the author for the ARC.
December 11, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🫑
full review - with spoilers- here: https://literarystitchsociety.blogspo...
The Gravedigger’s Handbook is one of those quiet, haunting stories that slips under your skin before you even notice. Set almost entirely in an old cemetery above Pontarçon, it somehow manages to feel weightless—following the rhythm of the seasons, the hush of the graves, and the slow pulse of life returning where you least expect it.
Lucien’s solitude is drawn in delicate strokes, and the same goes for the characters who cross his path: just a few lines, a handful of moments, and yet they leave you with the exact impression they would leave in the world—fleeting, wind-touched, unforgettable in their own fragile way. Even the ghosts drift in and out like memories you’re not sure you dreamed.
I genuinely didn’t see the twist coming, and when everything unfolded… it hit hard. There’s this beautiful, heartbreaking idea running under the whole book: the dead helping the living find a way forward, and in doing so, finding peace themselves. The ending is bittersweet in the best possible way—sad, tender, and strangely uplifting. The kind of conclusion that leaves you crying with a small smile on your face.
If you’re in the mood for queer gothic intimacy, emotional slow burn, atmospheric rural settings, and a nostalgic, immersive story that wraps around you like fog… this is absolutely the one to pick up. Not a traditional HEA, but a quiet, non-conventional one that feels exactly right for these characters.
Spice: 🫑
full review - with spoilers- here: https://literarystitchsociety.blogspo...
The Gravedigger’s Handbook is one of those quiet, haunting stories that slips under your skin before you even notice. Set almost entirely in an old cemetery above Pontarçon, it somehow manages to feel weightless—following the rhythm of the seasons, the hush of the graves, and the slow pulse of life returning where you least expect it.
Lucien’s solitude is drawn in delicate strokes, and the same goes for the characters who cross his path: just a few lines, a handful of moments, and yet they leave you with the exact impression they would leave in the world—fleeting, wind-touched, unforgettable in their own fragile way. Even the ghosts drift in and out like memories you’re not sure you dreamed.
I genuinely didn’t see the twist coming, and when everything unfolded… it hit hard. There’s this beautiful, heartbreaking idea running under the whole book: the dead helping the living find a way forward, and in doing so, finding peace themselves. The ending is bittersweet in the best possible way—sad, tender, and strangely uplifting. The kind of conclusion that leaves you crying with a small smile on your face.
If you’re in the mood for queer gothic intimacy, emotional slow burn, atmospheric rural settings, and a nostalgic, immersive story that wraps around you like fog… this is absolutely the one to pick up. Not a traditional HEA, but a quiet, non-conventional one that feels exactly right for these characters.
January 17, 2026
Lucien Morel is the only living resident at St. Aubin’s Rest. His work at St. Aubin’s is very important to him. The office is at the end of the lane just inside the main gate. He works with a very kind and quiet lady by the name of Odette. There are times when Odette has hired casual labor and they don’t stay long. Lucien calls them “strangers to the dead.” He often keeps watch on the work that they do and he believes they are not very good. St. Aubin’s is a very beautiful place to Lucien, he knows every inch of the place and anyone who is there. Some of the graves are very eroded, but this is Lucien’s heart. In the eyes of Lucien he is very dedicated to this place.
I praise Jern Tonkoi for her writing and deep descriptions of St. Aubin’s Rest and those that are a big part of the this beautiful and tragic place. There is also a wonderful line-up of characters besides Lucien: Jonathan Graye, Odette, Old Chap, Mrs. Arnaud, Lads that wait for war and others.
In all, the author will spring a twist on the reader, to bring to light a beautiful and tragic story of Lucien and Jonathan. There is also Lucy and Nat that progress with a special relationship throughout the story.
“Gravediggers Handbook” is a novel that will surely immerse readers to a new dimension and is worth reading again.
I praise Jern Tonkoi for her writing and deep descriptions of St. Aubin’s Rest and those that are a big part of the this beautiful and tragic place. There is also a wonderful line-up of characters besides Lucien: Jonathan Graye, Odette, Old Chap, Mrs. Arnaud, Lads that wait for war and others.
In all, the author will spring a twist on the reader, to bring to light a beautiful and tragic story of Lucien and Jonathan. There is also Lucy and Nat that progress with a special relationship throughout the story.
“Gravediggers Handbook” is a novel that will surely immerse readers to a new dimension and is worth reading again.
February 16, 2026
I've just finished reading "The Gravedigger's Handbook" by Jern Tonkoi and I feel overwrought with emotion that I'm not sure I can put into words. This was a deeply thoughtful, quiet sort of book, but one that leaves an impression on your soul, I think.
The characters are flawed, as we are in real life. The storyline is interesting, and it's haunting. It's also beautiful, and sweet, and serene, and oddly comforting at times. It's a book that makes you think about life and death and what it means to be alive, to let go, to love, to live. I'm having a lot of thoughts, right now. A lot.
The best thing about this book, aside from everything I've said so far, is that it isn't at all what I expected it to be when I started reading it. It was a surprise, a genuine, lovely, moving, but highly emotional surprise. Love without the flash, without the façade, love raw and real.
I should mention that I was given the opportunity to read this book early with the expectation that I would leave an honest review. I'm not sure there's more I can say here without revealing too much. It's really a book you need to read to appreciate, and as I've said, it's not a book with flash. There aren't any fireworks or rollercoaster rides, but there are trees, soil, flowers, gentle breezes, and a whole lot of heart.
The characters are flawed, as we are in real life. The storyline is interesting, and it's haunting. It's also beautiful, and sweet, and serene, and oddly comforting at times. It's a book that makes you think about life and death and what it means to be alive, to let go, to love, to live. I'm having a lot of thoughts, right now. A lot.
The best thing about this book, aside from everything I've said so far, is that it isn't at all what I expected it to be when I started reading it. It was a surprise, a genuine, lovely, moving, but highly emotional surprise. Love without the flash, without the façade, love raw and real.
I should mention that I was given the opportunity to read this book early with the expectation that I would leave an honest review. I'm not sure there's more I can say here without revealing too much. It's really a book you need to read to appreciate, and as I've said, it's not a book with flash. There aren't any fireworks or rollercoaster rides, but there are trees, soil, flowers, gentle breezes, and a whole lot of heart.
January 10, 2026
I really thought the writing here was lovely. It isn't a bubbly read by any means, and I found I had a nervous energy while reading it. There are a couple of twists that I thought I knew were coming, but they unfolded in a way I did not expect them to. The main characters' dynamic was really cautious and sincere. I really enjoyed the dynamic the carer taker had with the dead. It does read like a novella where a lot is left unexplained throughout the book and you kind of have to read it with that in mind and decide to be comfortable with it. In that sense, it feels like you are sort of floating along the surface of the book. There is a potential for this to have been fleshed out and twice as long with more explanation. But, as far as reader experience, maybe that would not have allowed the unsettling feeling I had reading it. Overall, I enjoyed it. I did leave the book feeling sad and had to start an idiots-to-lovers to recover. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 26, 2026
Thank you to booksirens and to the author for an EARC copy in exchange for a review.
First of all, this books writing is gorgeous. I fell in LOVE with it. The prose and tone was beautiful and delightfully gothic. I could see, smell and feel the descriptions of the rain, the soil.
These characters were extremely well written and had depth. And the ghost characters?? So thought provoking about life and love. The romance was incredibly intimate and I loved reading about Lucy and Nats love.
I called the ending but I loved reading up to the conclusion. I thought it was well paced leading up to the ending and I couldn’t stop reading. I got emotional at the end too, this book tugged on my heart strings!
I thought maybe some of Lucien’s everyday life to be a bit boring and repetitive but that could be the point. It just dragged on a little too long.
Overall a really well written book about love, grief, life, death, with ghosts, all wrapped up in a pretty gothic bow.
4.5/5⭐️
First of all, this books writing is gorgeous. I fell in LOVE with it. The prose and tone was beautiful and delightfully gothic. I could see, smell and feel the descriptions of the rain, the soil.
These characters were extremely well written and had depth. And the ghost characters?? So thought provoking about life and love. The romance was incredibly intimate and I loved reading about Lucy and Nats love.
I called the ending but I loved reading up to the conclusion. I thought it was well paced leading up to the ending and I couldn’t stop reading. I got emotional at the end too, this book tugged on my heart strings!
I thought maybe some of Lucien’s everyday life to be a bit boring and repetitive but that could be the point. It just dragged on a little too long.
Overall a really well written book about love, grief, life, death, with ghosts, all wrapped up in a pretty gothic bow.
4.5/5⭐️
January 6, 2026
I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review and I am so glad that I asked to read it.
Firstly, the story was beautiful but it was the atmosphere of the book which turned it into a five star review. For me the whole thing was magic. It is basically set in a graveyard and there are some incredible characters who appear and disappear. I don't want to say too much because I am hoping that if you read the book you will feel the same as me. I was surprised at the end to say the least but I am not going to say any more about this.
The book is short and you wont want to put it down until you read it.
I loved it.
Firstly, the story was beautiful but it was the atmosphere of the book which turned it into a five star review. For me the whole thing was magic. It is basically set in a graveyard and there are some incredible characters who appear and disappear. I don't want to say too much because I am hoping that if you read the book you will feel the same as me. I was surprised at the end to say the least but I am not going to say any more about this.
The book is short and you wont want to put it down until you read it.
I loved it.
January 6, 2026
3.7/5
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a light read, but it’s generally not my cup of tea. There are many things I didn’t enjoy about the book, and I still can’t wrap my head around it. I struggled to get into it, and throughout the book, I still didn’t. It's great work, though. I appreciate the writing, but that’s just it.
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a light read, but it’s generally not my cup of tea. There are many things I didn’t enjoy about the book, and I still can’t wrap my head around it. I struggled to get into it, and throughout the book, I still didn’t. It's great work, though. I appreciate the writing, but that’s just it.
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January 24, 2026I REALLY, REALLY LOVED this book!!! I don't know why it is listed as gothic horror. Its really not. To me this was a timeless love story. It made me cry so hard. It was beautifully written and I think everyone will love this book. So go read it!! Its the best book I have read by far.
I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review
I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review
January 2, 2026
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A young caretaker of a graveyard can see ghosts and spends more time trying to understand the dead than the living. When a young man is buried, they wind up connecting as tlboth try to work through their pain.
This story deals in grief and unresolved traumas, the complexity of family and the inability to move forward. Our two main characters each have issues they need to work through as we move through the story, with some surprises along the way. What we get by the end is a bittersweet queer love story and two young men who learn to accept the difficult emotions that rule their lives.
My biggest complaint here is that the story was so short and I would have enjoyed a bit more development in the characters. I also felt some scenes, particularly when Lucien went about his daily work, felt repetitive. 4.25/5 stars.
A young caretaker of a graveyard can see ghosts and spends more time trying to understand the dead than the living. When a young man is buried, they wind up connecting as tlboth try to work through their pain.
This story deals in grief and unresolved traumas, the complexity of family and the inability to move forward. Our two main characters each have issues they need to work through as we move through the story, with some surprises along the way. What we get by the end is a bittersweet queer love story and two young men who learn to accept the difficult emotions that rule their lives.
My biggest complaint here is that the story was so short and I would have enjoyed a bit more development in the characters. I also felt some scenes, particularly when Lucien went about his daily work, felt repetitive. 4.25/5 stars.
December 28, 2025
It's both a ghost story and a love story with a couple of plot twists that I didn't expect.
The writing style is really beautiful and the setting, a graveyard, almost magical. I also loved the wounded, flawed but still kindhearted characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing style is really beautiful and the setting, a graveyard, almost magical. I also loved the wounded, flawed but still kindhearted characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 15, 2026
This book is hauntingly beautiful. It's heartbreaking at times, uplifting at others, and gorgeously atmospheric and emotional all the way through.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 24, 2026
This book had my heart from the first few pages. The characters are so sweet and the writing style and descriptions are gorgeous. I loved Lucy and Nat so much; the way their relationship progressed was so sweet to see, and getting to see their personal growth over the course of the story was wonderful. They made my heart so soft. I’m glad I got the chance to read this book; it was touching and poignant and exactly what I needed. I will for sure be reading this again. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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