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Dear Dead Husband
A razor-sharp, darkly funny novel about love, loss and finding your way back…
Eliza never expected to marry until she met Joseph.
He made everything better, never minded about her habit of saying the wrong thing or her chronic nervous sweatiness. Their life together was perfect—well, okay, not perfect, but pretty damn good.
Until he died. On their wedding anniversary.
With the second anniversary of his death looming, Eliza is still grieving. What’s worse, her meddling mother-in-law and her casserole-wielding, platitude-giving busybody neighbours won’t leave her alone.
Blackmailed into going to therapy, Eliza has no choice but to comply.
Ever the rebel, complying doesn’t mean she has to cooperate. When her therapist suggests writing letters to her husband to get at her feelings, Eliza pens off a sarcastic response written to her Dear Dead Husband.
What follows is a series of rants aimed at everyone around her.
From the so-called friends who never showed up for the funeral to the village gossips who are secretly grateful their husbands aren’t dead, no one is safe from her harsh brand of truth-telling.
But there’s one truth Eliza won’t admit, even to herself.
( Contains graphic descriptions of casserole violence. Reader discretion advised.)
Dear Dead Husband is a women’s fiction novel about a woman’s unconventional journey through grief. If you like laughing through the tears, unforgettable characters and stories of redemption, you’ll love Carla Young’s hilariously touching novel. Grab your copy of Dear Dead Husband today.
Eliza never expected to marry until she met Joseph.
He made everything better, never minded about her habit of saying the wrong thing or her chronic nervous sweatiness. Their life together was perfect—well, okay, not perfect, but pretty damn good.
Until he died. On their wedding anniversary.
With the second anniversary of his death looming, Eliza is still grieving. What’s worse, her meddling mother-in-law and her casserole-wielding, platitude-giving busybody neighbours won’t leave her alone.
Blackmailed into going to therapy, Eliza has no choice but to comply.
Ever the rebel, complying doesn’t mean she has to cooperate. When her therapist suggests writing letters to her husband to get at her feelings, Eliza pens off a sarcastic response written to her Dear Dead Husband.
What follows is a series of rants aimed at everyone around her.
From the so-called friends who never showed up for the funeral to the village gossips who are secretly grateful their husbands aren’t dead, no one is safe from her harsh brand of truth-telling.
But there’s one truth Eliza won’t admit, even to herself.
( Contains graphic descriptions of casserole violence. Reader discretion advised.)
Dear Dead Husband is a women’s fiction novel about a woman’s unconventional journey through grief. If you like laughing through the tears, unforgettable characters and stories of redemption, you’ll love Carla Young’s hilariously touching novel. Grab your copy of Dear Dead Husband today.
340 pages, Paperback
Published April 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 20, 2026
Dear Dead Husband is about a woman coping with the loss of her husband, but it’s written in such a warm and relatable way that you can’t help but connect with the characters. It had moments that were incredibly funny, along with parts that were sad and heartfelt, and it really made you feel for Eliza and everything she was going through.
I especially loved the casserole theme and how vividly Carla Young described Eliza’s dinners, and sometimes even her breakfasts. Those details made the story feel cozy and real. Carla Young is a very talented author, and she has a way of pulling you into the book so it feels like you’re right there, living life alongside Eliza. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys heartfelt stories with humour, warmth, and characters that stay with you.
I especially loved the casserole theme and how vividly Carla Young described Eliza’s dinners, and sometimes even her breakfasts. Those details made the story feel cozy and real. Carla Young is a very talented author, and she has a way of pulling you into the book so it feels like you’re right there, living life alongside Eliza. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys heartfelt stories with humour, warmth, and characters that stay with you.
March 27, 2026
I can’t believe this is a debut book. This has everything from love, grief, family dysfunction, and more. I read it in a day! Congrats, Carla!!
April 29, 2026
I started this one thinking it was going to be a sad, heavy story… and I couldn’t have been more wrong. It completely surprised me.
I love unique, unconventional stories, and this one made me laugh and get emotional at the same time.
There’s something about Eliza’s character that completely won me over, she really made the story for me.
Not your typical grief story, and that’s exactly why I loved it.
I love unique, unconventional stories, and this one made me laugh and get emotional at the same time.
There’s something about Eliza’s character that completely won me over, she really made the story for me.
Not your typical grief story, and that’s exactly why I loved it.
August 10, 2026
I am sad to have finished. I loved everything about it.
July 24, 2026
Wasn’t great for me. Just ok.
May 16, 2026
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🕷️ have ever had a “pet” spider
🙂↔️ would be fine never eating another casserole again
✍🏻 write letters to people who have passed on
🙃 use sarcasm as a coping mechanism
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Eliza never expected to marry until she met Joseph.
He made everything better, never minded about her habit of saying the wrong thing or her chronic nervous sweatiness. Their life together was perfect—well, okay, not perfect, but pretty damn good.
Until he died. On their wedding anniversary.
With the second anniversary of his death looming, Eliza is still grieving. What’s worse, her meddling mother-in-law and her casserole-wielding, platitude-giving busybody neighbours won’t leave her alone.
Blackmailed into going to therapy, Eliza has no choice but to comply.
Ever the rebel, complying doesn’t mean she has to cooperate. When her therapist suggests writing letters to her husband to get at her feelings, Eliza pens off a sarcastic response written to her Dear Dead Husband.
What follows is a series of rants aimed at everyone around her.
From the so-called friends who never showed up for the funeral to the village gossips who are secretly grateful their husbands aren’t dead, no one is safe from her harsh brand of truth-telling.
But there’s one truth Eliza won’t admit, even to herself.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was an incredible and moving debut that spoke to me on so many levels. While I haven’t shared in Eliza’s loss, I, too, use sarcasm as a coping mechanism, and I related to her heavily throughout this story. It’s so easy to wallow in your feelings and forget about the world, and I felt that Carla did an amazing job of bringing Eliza to life. The story moves along at a nice clip, and I enjoyed getting to see her open up about her husband through her letters. I also hate casseroles (unless eaten hot and fresh), and the amount she was given overwhelmed me! This is a moving and inspiring story about how grief is not a straight line, but a curvy, bumpy journey with no clear end.
🕷️ have ever had a “pet” spider
🙂↔️ would be fine never eating another casserole again
✍🏻 write letters to people who have passed on
🙃 use sarcasm as a coping mechanism
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Eliza never expected to marry until she met Joseph.
He made everything better, never minded about her habit of saying the wrong thing or her chronic nervous sweatiness. Their life together was perfect—well, okay, not perfect, but pretty damn good.
Until he died. On their wedding anniversary.
With the second anniversary of his death looming, Eliza is still grieving. What’s worse, her meddling mother-in-law and her casserole-wielding, platitude-giving busybody neighbours won’t leave her alone.
Blackmailed into going to therapy, Eliza has no choice but to comply.
Ever the rebel, complying doesn’t mean she has to cooperate. When her therapist suggests writing letters to her husband to get at her feelings, Eliza pens off a sarcastic response written to her Dear Dead Husband.
What follows is a series of rants aimed at everyone around her.
From the so-called friends who never showed up for the funeral to the village gossips who are secretly grateful their husbands aren’t dead, no one is safe from her harsh brand of truth-telling.
But there’s one truth Eliza won’t admit, even to herself.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was an incredible and moving debut that spoke to me on so many levels. While I haven’t shared in Eliza’s loss, I, too, use sarcasm as a coping mechanism, and I related to her heavily throughout this story. It’s so easy to wallow in your feelings and forget about the world, and I felt that Carla did an amazing job of bringing Eliza to life. The story moves along at a nice clip, and I enjoyed getting to see her open up about her husband through her letters. I also hate casseroles (unless eaten hot and fresh), and the amount she was given overwhelmed me! This is a moving and inspiring story about how grief is not a straight line, but a curvy, bumpy journey with no clear end.
May 3, 2026
A story about grief can sometimes be daunting, but Carla Young comes at the grief process with such honesty and warmth that it never feels overwhelming or heavy.
Eliza finds herself a widow in her thirties, and after two years, the grief is still raw. The casserole dishes from well-meaning neighbors and friends are still piling up, too.
Her mother-in-law has forced her to go to therapy. The therapist suggests she write to her dead husband, telling him her feelings. Eliza starts with her grocery list, not quite what the therapist intended. Eliza is more open with the spider in the corner of her bedroom.
This was a charming, quirky, yet poignant and introspective look at Eliza’s journey. I loved the genuineness of Eliza. With humor, vulnerability, even snarkiness, she finds her way through the cloud of despair.
There are some nuggets of wisdom in here. And I loved that a theme of showing kindness towards others, family, neighbors, and even strangers, is a golden thread that is woven throughout the narrative. Watching Eliza begin to blossom again was incredibly heartwarming, but I don’t know if I’ll ever send another casserole to anyone again!
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @CarlaYoung for this gifted eBook.
Eliza finds herself a widow in her thirties, and after two years, the grief is still raw. The casserole dishes from well-meaning neighbors and friends are still piling up, too.
Her mother-in-law has forced her to go to therapy. The therapist suggests she write to her dead husband, telling him her feelings. Eliza starts with her grocery list, not quite what the therapist intended. Eliza is more open with the spider in the corner of her bedroom.
This was a charming, quirky, yet poignant and introspective look at Eliza’s journey. I loved the genuineness of Eliza. With humor, vulnerability, even snarkiness, she finds her way through the cloud of despair.
There are some nuggets of wisdom in here. And I loved that a theme of showing kindness towards others, family, neighbors, and even strangers, is a golden thread that is woven throughout the narrative. Watching Eliza begin to blossom again was incredibly heartwarming, but I don’t know if I’ll ever send another casserole to anyone again!
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @CarlaYoung for this gifted eBook.
May 25, 2026
Eliza is still trying to get past the death of her husband and yet everyone seems to think they know what she should be doing or not doing at this stage in her grief and life! Nosy casserole dropping neighbors, an overbearing always right mother-in-law and her recommended therapist who doesn't agree with Eliza's way of journaling her feeling to her husband. This was at times a laugh out loud heartfelt read, and yet you could feel the hurt and grief Eliza was dealing with. Death, no matter how "prepared" we are is never easy and Eliza's character was so relatable in a lot of ways. Many times I wanted to scream at her mother-in-law on her behalf and I loved all the internal thoughts that helped deepen Eliza's character. I really enjoyed this storyline and the characters that made up Eliza's life after the passing of her husband. We all handle grief differently and yet at some point there will be hope and strength to move forward even when it seems impossible. Thank you to the author for the complementary ebook and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
May 17, 2026
This is both poignant and bittersweet. And at times a little funny. Eliza never expected to be a widow. Yet alone at such a young age. She’s coping the best she can but to some, it seems she isn’t. In order to stay in her home, she’s required to see a therapist who has her write letters to her dead husband.
This book encompasses so many emotions. Of course Eliza is sad and grieving, but it also shows her sass and their love leading up to Joseph’s death. Her highs and lows during the grieving process.
I appreciated all of Eliza’s stages of grief”moving on” and observations of how others participate whether they always know they are.
I smiled at the casseroles that ran through the book and how we get a full circle moment with them.
This was an enlightening and both heartbreaking and sassy look at the grieving process.
One thing I will take away from this is to make sure and show up at more than just the beginning.
This book encompasses so many emotions. Of course Eliza is sad and grieving, but it also shows her sass and their love leading up to Joseph’s death. Her highs and lows during the grieving process.
I appreciated all of Eliza’s stages of grief”moving on” and observations of how others participate whether they always know they are.
I smiled at the casseroles that ran through the book and how we get a full circle moment with them.
This was an enlightening and both heartbreaking and sassy look at the grieving process.
One thing I will take away from this is to make sure and show up at more than just the beginning.
May 22, 2026
Who needs another fucking casserole?! I just couldn’t put Dear Dead Husband down. This is the kind of read you can totally get lost in (my sunburn confirms this). It’s an entertaining look at grief, with all too familiar family and friend relationships, plus power struggles that engage the reader at every turn.
Carla has mastered the development of amazing characters that are so relatable that as you read you are immersed as a spectator alongside Eliza as she navigates grief, love, friendships and of course, the mother-in-law.
You’ll discover that grief sometimes demands stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing a little rebellion to find the answers you need in order to move forward.
So grab your popcorn 🍿 and get ready for Dear Dead Husband to spill the hot tea and keep you wanting more.
I fully support turning it into a movie!
Oh — and a bold nod to Queen Hilda, who knowingly or unknowingly helped Eliza keep things relatively together.
Carla has mastered the development of amazing characters that are so relatable that as you read you are immersed as a spectator alongside Eliza as she navigates grief, love, friendships and of course, the mother-in-law.
You’ll discover that grief sometimes demands stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing a little rebellion to find the answers you need in order to move forward.
So grab your popcorn 🍿 and get ready for Dear Dead Husband to spill the hot tea and keep you wanting more.
I fully support turning it into a movie!
Oh — and a bold nod to Queen Hilda, who knowingly or unknowingly helped Eliza keep things relatively together.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dear Dead Husband is a wonderful story of a young widow’s steps toward healing and growth as she navigates multifaceted relationships with others in her family and community. The author has a unique and authentic voice in her writing that drew me in from the very first line. A combination of grief, sarcasm, introspection, and sass keep the momentum going without the story becoming too heavy, considering the subject matter. I remained emotionally engaged with the main character throughout and found myself variously chuckling, nodding along, mildly outraged, or misty-eyed as the story wended its way to a satisfying conclusion. NGL, the last pages elicited ye olde waterworks - but in a good way. The book lends itself to a sequel as I WANT TO KNOW EVEN MORE about what comes next for Eliza! I recommend this book without hesitation.
September 30, 2026
This book isn’t just a story. It’s a journey. It wasn’t my typical read, but I was captivated nonetheless. There are so many emotions rolled up into this gem. From the outside looking in, you may think it a sad subject and the loss of a love is, but it’s so much more. It is filled with charm and wit. From the casserole brigade to the befriended spider, Hilda, there were many smiles and laughs. There was the monster-in-law, where you say “I know someone exactly like that.” There were moments of raw grief and flashbacks to the love of her life. And then, there was hope. I won’t ruin the story by spoiling it but I do highly recommend it. It was a page turner for me and with my schedule, it’s its own miracle I finished in under 2 weeks. If you’re on the fence, give this one a try. You’ll be glad you did.
May 2, 2026
I laughed. I cried. I felt for Eliza, a 39 year old widow of two years, as she still struggles from grief.
As Eliza is blackmailed by her mother-in-law into therapy, she writes letters to her “dear dead husband.”
Through the use of these letters as well as a past and present timeline, Eliza and her relationship with her husband blooms to life.
There is a “pet” spider named Hilda, a garden gnome named Gary, and an unwanted back garden freshening up. From the sarcasm as a coping mechanism to the casserole brigade loading Eliza up with tuna surprises, this is a story of how people grapple with unexpected loss.
As Eliza is blackmailed by her mother-in-law into therapy, she writes letters to her “dear dead husband.”
Through the use of these letters as well as a past and present timeline, Eliza and her relationship with her husband blooms to life.
There is a “pet” spider named Hilda, a garden gnome named Gary, and an unwanted back garden freshening up. From the sarcasm as a coping mechanism to the casserole brigade loading Eliza up with tuna surprises, this is a story of how people grapple with unexpected loss.
May 6, 2026
This was kind of a darkly, sometimes comedic look at one person's grief after losing her husband of not very long.
Eliza (or any other name according to her therapist's receptionist 🤭) is dealing with losing her husband, an overbearing mother in law with an ultimatum of sorts over Eliza's head, and feeling adrift as she writes letters for therapy to her "dear dead husband".
I liked how snarky Eliza was even in her grief. I like her little "pet" throughout that kept her company in her house. I felt as overwhelmed with casseroles as she surely did🤣. But I love the lesson that she learns at the end.... That she wasn't alone in her grief.
Eliza (or any other name according to her therapist's receptionist 🤭) is dealing with losing her husband, an overbearing mother in law with an ultimatum of sorts over Eliza's head, and feeling adrift as she writes letters for therapy to her "dear dead husband".
I liked how snarky Eliza was even in her grief. I like her little "pet" throughout that kept her company in her house. I felt as overwhelmed with casseroles as she surely did🤣. But I love the lesson that she learns at the end.... That she wasn't alone in her grief.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got an advance copy of the book from Carla. This was an enjoyable read with a few surprise twists. As a woman who has had my heart broken (more than once) and one who is short-tempered because of perimenopause I could relate to the letters she would write to her "Dear Dead Husband". Of course her perspective of things changes as she works through the grief and it has a nice ending.
Side note: as someone who grew up in the Midwest, I've prepared, eaten, been gifted many casseroles so those made me both laugh and feel nostalgia.
Side note: as someone who grew up in the Midwest, I've prepared, eaten, been gifted many casseroles so those made me both laugh and feel nostalgia.
May 8, 2026
I loved this book so much. Eliza is grieving the death of her husband, seeing a therapist, accepting endless lackluster casseroles, and dealing with her overbearing mother-in-law, yet the story never feels too heavy. She infuses a lot of humor into Eliza's inner dialogue along with all of the confusing emotions that go along with grief. It's very relatable and Eliza's journey is beautiful in it's own way and carries the thread of hope that keeps us all moving forward even in the worst of times.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2026
Dear Dead Husband does a really good job showing how everyone processes grief differently and no one’s timeline is the same. While I don’t like the reasons her mother-in-law pushed the therapy so hard I think it was a good idea for Eliza. I related to Eliza’s humor and how that is the way she could think about her situation without crying. I really enjoyed how the time hops let the reader see their dynamic as a couple over the years and the letters were another great insight. There was some good advice and lessons learned. I really liked how everything was wrapped up and the conversations they had.
May 20, 2026
A razor-sharp, darkly funny novel about love, loss, and finding your way back. It’s emotional, funny, awkward, heartfelt, and somehow full of sarcasm while tackling grief. Eliza carried the story — her snarky inner dialogue, vulnerability, and slow journey back to herself felt incredibly real. The story balanced heavy moments with humor and warmth without ever feeling too dark. The letters, the quirky community moments, and the endless casseroles made this a memorable and touching debut. Are there plans for a sequel?
Review of advance copy received from Author
Charming and funny, this engaging novel about grief and recovery will transport you to a world of cozy coffees, caustic wit, and casseroles! Set in a quiet yet gossipy English village, and narrated by a quirky and unforgettable widow, the story takes you on one woman's path through the stages of loss to moments that are entirely different--and poignantly hilarious. So settle in with a hot cuppa and maybe a bag of crisps for a real treat: I know you'll enjoy it as much as I did!
May 21, 2026
I never thought I could find a book centered around the death of a beloved husband to be funny, but here we are.
I don’t generally enjoy being sad, so this was a gift.
I loved the characters.
I loved the therapy sessions.
I even understood about the roses.
As Eliza learns to deal with her grief (and the ridiculous number of casseroles received) through journalling, she grows so much, and made me snicker. OUT LOUD.
Can’t wait to see what this author does next.
I don’t generally enjoy being sad, so this was a gift.
I loved the characters.
I loved the therapy sessions.
I even understood about the roses.
As Eliza learns to deal with her grief (and the ridiculous number of casseroles received) through journalling, she grows so much, and made me snicker. OUT LOUD.
Can’t wait to see what this author does next.
August 12, 2026
Grief is a powerful task master…
I was afraid to read this book because I lost my husband two years ago, just three days after our 40th anniversary. It’s funny how everyone’s grief is different, but grief itself is so universal. This book had all the “feels” and it was an engaging, emotional, enjoyable read from start to finish. Clara Young hit a home run with this one. I’m so glad that I decided to put my big girl panties on and read it. I’ll be looking for more books by her!
I was afraid to read this book because I lost my husband two years ago, just three days after our 40th anniversary. It’s funny how everyone’s grief is different, but grief itself is so universal. This book had all the “feels” and it was an engaging, emotional, enjoyable read from start to finish. Clara Young hit a home run with this one. I’m so glad that I decided to put my big girl panties on and read it. I’ll be looking for more books by her!
October 1, 2026
I don't like casseroles, but I don't want to cook for myself, so I eat them anyway but keep complaining about how they taste and the way I put on weight.
I don't tell anybody what I think or how I am feeling, I just mutter passive-agressively in my head about everyone and everything.
What an annoying character. I stuck with it a long time, hoping it would get better, but she just kept going on and on... Finally gave up. 2 stars for the idea of the story, could have been a lot better.
I don't tell anybody what I think or how I am feeling, I just mutter passive-agressively in my head about everyone and everything.
What an annoying character. I stuck with it a long time, hoping it would get better, but she just kept going on and on... Finally gave up. 2 stars for the idea of the story, could have been a lot better.
April 24, 2026
Carla Young is an amazing writer, and this witty, fast-paced novel will make you cry, laugh, and feel every emotion in between. Following young widow Eliza as she navigates meddling in-laws, nosy neighbours, and unhelpful therapy through sharp humour and heartfelt “Dear Dead Husband” letters, the story balances pathos with rom-com charm and delivers a deeply satisfying emotional arc.
May 28, 2026
Eliza won me over right off the bat, and I could hardly put her story down. She was a mess in some ways, but also seemed so real and relatable. My heart broke for her, but I loved getting a glimpse of her sarcasm and humor as she dealt with her pain. I had a feeling I would enjoy this book after reading the synopsis, but had no idea how much I would LOVE it!
July 29, 2026
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book - thr title told me it was going to involve grief and books about a grieving widow aren't typically funny, but this isnt your typical book. The main character is grieving but she's doing it her way, with wit and sarcasm, much to the dismay of her mother in law. The characters are endearing and the writing is fantastic. I couldn't put it down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I so enjoyed this book! Eliza’s messy grief journey was dysfunctional, vulnerable, and incredibly relatable. I loved the humour (more deeply appreciated my own therapist) and was in tears at the end. Congratulations Carla! Can’t wait to read more of your work.
August 10, 2026
As a widow of two years, this book was spot on for me. I felt like Eliza understood me and what I’ve been feeling and going through (minus the MIL). I’m so happy I have this book in my library to read again.
August 29, 2026
This book started off a little slow for me, but the pace picked up nicely around the midpoint. Once it found its rhythm, the story became genuinely enjoyable. I think I would rate this 3.75, but the story didn't deserve the 3 star rating.
October 20, 2026
Dear read husband
It has taken me a lot longer to read as I related to the character so much .Its been a hard read it has brought out so many emotions in me . A very good read especially if you have lost a loved one.
It has taken me a lot longer to read as I related to the character so much .Its been a hard read it has brought out so many emotions in me . A very good read especially if you have lost a loved one.
Read
August 23, 2026A very emotional tale! Looking forward to seeing what Young does next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews