How to Woo the Undead

by Lizzie Strong

Austin Rosemont has been undead for countless years. As Lord Sebastian Rosemont's first creation, he is the blueprint. The protector, the lab assistant, and up until recently, the ray of sunshine. It's become apparent to his loved ones that he's grown distant but Austin doesn't know how to shake this hollow feeling in his chest. Which is entirely why his creator decides to take matters into his own hands, quite literally.

When the pair come across a freshly murdered woman in the woods, having scared off her killers, it truly would be a waste to leave such fine clay in the woods to rot! They bring home the pretty, albeit dead, Fae woman and stitch her back together. Hyacinth awakens and she's extremely curious about shy Austin, who is afraid for her to see his face. Despite his desire to be kept in the shadows, she can't help but feel lured in by his sweet nature, his comforting presence, and the fact he knows what it's like to be made.

There is something terribly, terribly wrong with the woods. Righteous cleric's threatening to cleanse Rosemont Manor, a murderer on the loose in King's Fall, and the woman in all red who haunts Hyacinth, danger lurks around every corner. But could there be love as well? Can Austin teach her what it means to follow her heart, even if it's stopped beating?

The thrilling third installment in The Rosemont Manor Series, How to Woo the Undead invites readers back for another spooky, smutty tale. Fans of The Addams Family, The Grudge, and Crimson Peak will devour this delicious Gothic Monster Romance.

435 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2026

About the author

Lizzie Strong is A Monster Romance Author, where the monsters are spooky scary, and the romance is cute and cuddly. Queer Representation, Smink ;) friendly, consent heavy. A Florida swamp gremlin masquerading as a functioning human and author. The DM for a D&D podcast, previous retail and restaurant manager, constant worry wort, and romantic, Lizzie is always in between a brilliant idea and a dumb one. Inclusive books with magical nonsense, filled with monsters (you may or may not love) and mayhem. Find out more about her, the books coming out, and her nonsense at lizziestrongauthor.com

Reviews

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

Hyacinth and Austin were both innocent sweetie pies and neither were the sharpest tools in the shed. Hyacinth was trying to figure out who she was and struggled to feel like a whole person, as someone undead who was new to the world. She was silly with some sass and loved screaming. Austin had a lot of trauma, some from the previous books in the series that I won’t spoil here. He felt like he wasn’t a good enough protector and was depressed. They both leaned on each other in different ways and became more whole people by the end. The gothic mystery of it all was a nice touch and helped them grow as people.

Spice: 3/5

Content Notes: Book starts with a graphic on page murder, body horror (humanoid in nature), monster horror (zombies, undead monsters, etc), bugs, worms, murder, blood, gore, sacrificial gore(Ch. 22), implied vore, PTSD, Suicidal Ideations (Heavily featured in ch. 26), depression, NPC Suicide(Ch. 32), intrusive and impulsive thoughts, burning at the stake, religious zealotry and bigotry, grief, murder of children (past), serial killing, night terrors, possession

[Lisen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 3 🌶️
Tropes: undead ogre x undead fae • found family • AuDhD Rep • size difference • a hint of femdom

I received an advance review copy (ARC) and am sharing my honest, unbiased review.

How come so many of Lizzie Strong's books leave me feeling "So that happened...?" and why do I love it every single time???

Her weird and wonderful mind conjured up another completely bonkers story for the Rosemont Manor series, and this time sweet, caring, loving - and very not alive - Austin gets a friend. Or rather finds a murdered woman and Sebastian makes him a friend... That's seriously literal and seriously haunted - aaaaaand we are off!

This book is one crazy turn and twist after another, and by Dragons you have to hang on tight not to get lost in the pages. This is not your light I'm-kinda-sleepy read, it requires some focus, but the payoff is there in a sweet, scary, romantic, gory, beautiful, haunted love story. Which are words that usually go together...

A little note, while this book can be read as a standalone, you really, really shouldn't. Not only will you miss a wonderfully insane storyline, but the book is hard enough to keep track of, without having to figure out why there is an eldritch god in the kitchen making pudding 🤣

This book is for you if you want a ghost story, a love story, an insane bunny story and Frankenstein's Monster's Bride story, and you only want to read one book!

[SupremelyBooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Lizzie, for the amazing arc.

I was so hyped for Austin's story because I loved all the little snippets that we got about the gentle giant in the two other books and man Lizzie didn't disappoint. Austin is lonely and longs for a companion, so when Sebastian and Austin find a dead fae in the forest near Rosemont manor they bring her back to life. When Hyacinth wakes up confused and not knowing who she is, Austin helps her navigate her new world. It was so adorable how patient he was with all her questions, taught her sarcasm, found her the cutest bunny companion, and how much he yearned to just be in her presence. He is the perfect cinnamon roll who would do anything to please her, and I ate up how Hyacinth knew what she wanted, the dom-sub play was perfection. They were just so sweet and naive together, their relationship felt like a breath of fresh air in monster romance. I loved so much that he helped her feel like a person, not the undead.

"I do! I feel like a person. Like this is me. I am Hyacinth, I am a person and not just a floating soul trapped in a body. And there's no Hyacinth without Austin."

I adore them so much and I'm so sad to leave Rosemont Manor. Go pick this book up if you're looking for an absolutely adorable cute as all get out monster romance.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exciting gothic horror monster romance is the third book in the Rosemont Manor series and is best enjoyed in order.

MMC undead Austin is the Rosemont family’s protector, but he has been sad and lonely, so lich Sebastian takes the opportunity to create an undead companion when they come upon a gruesome murder.

I loved this book! I already adored this series, but this installment was fantastic. I liked how the FMC had to discover everything and figure out her own personality and place in the world. Austin has been a favorite for a long time, so it was nice to see him get his happily ever after. There were also a lot of really spooky elements, especially with the manor and the plot, which is hard to explain without giving spoilers.

Overall, this was a phenomenal read. I’m not sure if there will be more books in this series, but I can’t wait to see what happens next in the King’s Fall universe.

Spice 4.5/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 5/5

*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Kate Brasington · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨✨ARC REVIEW✨✨

I loved getting to be back at the manor!!! And this time it’s AUSTIN’S STORY!!! As a side character in the first two books Austin had a special place in my heart and I was so excited to finally see him get his happily ever after.
Hyacinth is such a perfect match for Austin. I love that she’s kind of a Dommy mommy?? I feel like I haven’t read a book where the lady knows ✨✨exactly✨✨ what she wants and doesn’t mind demanding it, in a while so this was perfect to see! I also adore how Austin is patient with Hyacinth and gives her everything she asks for …within reason, he reminds me of my husband 🤪
If you are looking for a monster romance series with a gothic atmosphere and a wild group of beings that you don’t typically see in monster romance books Rosemount Manor is going to be the perfect t series for you? Thank you Lizzie for having me on your ARC team and for sending me this book!

[Chelsea | Mrs Viking Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up ⭐️

This was a fun, quirky read and very much in line with what Lizzie Strong does best. The gothic atmosphere, lovable monsters, and offbeat humour made this an entertaining addition to the Rosemont Manor series.

I was especially happy that Austin finally got his happily ever after. He and Hyacinth were absolutely adorable together, and I loved watching their relationship develop. Their connection felt sweet and genuine, and Austin’s journey towards finding happiness was easily the highlight of the book for me.

That said, I wasn’t quite as invested in the Sabine plotline. While it added to the overall story, I found myself struggling to stay engaged whenever the focus shifted in that direction. As a result, some parts of the book felt slower than others.

Overall, this was a cute, spooky monster romance with plenty of charm, heart, and Lizzie Strong’s signature kooky energy. I had a good time with it and was glad to see Austin get the ending he deserved.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get you a bestie who will make you an undead companion to have and to hold 💕. GOALS

LOVED being back in King’s Fall and seeing Austin find his HEA. And Austin and Hyacinth have the most cozy and earnest love story ever. Austin is a giant green flag of an undead ogre (he sews her a teddy bear, folks!) and Hyacinth is disarmingly literal. And I loved the whole setting of being back with the Rosemonts - you get this deliciously cozy love story set against a macabre background of corpses, brain eating and carnivorous mutant bunnies.

The spice be spicin’ because Lizzie ALWAYS delivers what we want. Hyacinth is definitely the one in charge and her plant magic gives her plentiful bondage supplies. And sweet Austin with his changeable peen is a dream. I do not know which one I preferred more.

Kidding, it’s the tentacle one.

Thanks so much to the author for the review copy! All opinions are my own.

[Kaitlyn Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC REVIEW***

LISTEN.

WHEN I SAY I LOVE BEING IN ROSEMONT MANOR.
Sebastian still has my entire heart.
I love this little family with everything in me.
I love getting to see everyone interact and come together.

Lizzie has created yet another amazing story. And this time Austin meets his match in Hyacinth.

The two of them go on such a journey together and I loved getting to experience it.
BUT I AGREE WITH SMITH. CAN WE NOT DO THAT AGAIN PLEASE AND THANK.

But watching Hyacinth come into her own and relearn who she was after everything. And Austin FINALLY finding love and happiness even when dealing with all the craziness of Kings Fall.

It was perfect ♥️

But also....Lizzie.....Can we talk about the interchangeable.....parts? CAUSE ITS GENIUS AND I NEVER EVEN THOUGHT OF THAT BEING POSSIBLE 🤭🫣😬

So if you havent read the Rosemont Manor books, you do gotta read them in order but its SO WORTH IT.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC READER**
😭😭 omg I loved them so much, Austin and Hyacinth were such sweet beans to be dropped together into the same home. I’m so happy to see Austin happy and man if you are working through imposter syndrome feelings/not being good enough man this will reach into the DEPTHS of your soul. The story twists and turns, there’s murder and gore as eldritch horrors will tend to do. Though deep down there’s a found (created) family that loves eachother and just wants to live.

We all definitely need stories with that background message. Also though this is a smut book and Austin is *customizable* 😉

[Jilly]

This exciting gothic horror monster romance is the third book in the Rosemont Manor series and is best enjoyed in order, for best enjoyment and understanding of the storyline and the characters.

Back to the Manor and its gothic atmosphere, lovable monsters, and this time it's Austin story.
Really enjoyed  Austin and hyacinths cemetery and they  were so sweet and loveable.
A lot of twist and turn and unexpected curveball in the story that  will have you hanging on every page.

If you want a book With romantic gothic mystery vibes i really recommend this book.

[Smut Minotaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austin, the zombie orc assistant to Sebastian comes across a freshly killed fae woman. They work to revive the body as a new person, Hyacinth. Hyacinth was created as a partner for Austin, and he wants her to like him on her own, not just because she was created for him. Austin helps her deal with the old fae spirit trying to possess her. They have to find the source of the fae power and stop her. Austin uses multiple peens and attachments to pleasure Hyacinth. They have a rabbit companion that eats raw meat and has a tentacle mouth.

[Kenna Penn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite series from Lizzie and it makes me so happy that Austin gets his HEA! He’s just so sweet and innocent and it’s a fun change from the usual MMC you get in this sort of book, and it makes for a refreshing change. I also really liked the way the horror elements were written, and balanced really nicely with the banter and spice. Lizzie’s books are always a good time and I’m so thankful that I get to be a part of her ARC team 💕

[Kat Reads Skulls]

SUCH a cute sequel for the wacky pack! I’m a huge fan of the Rosemont series and sad to see it ending, but love that sweetheart Austin got his HEA finally!

Snuffles effortlessly stole the show for me and the scuffles with Haversham made my day! Sweet baby just wants to protect Hyacinth and eat a rare steak 🖤 Hyacinth herself took me a minute to figure out, but (as with the rest of the family) after a bit she was adopted and could do no wrong.

I enjoyed the idea of Sabine and body sharing/snatching, that’s one lingering question I have for any story with necromancy, and I love this take on it! The subplot of religious zealotry was also very timely and in a gothic-ly fun story, unexpected but welcome!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

You KNOW I fuck with a Rosemont Manor book. I loved Sabine and the way her story unfolds. hyacinth and austin's story was very cute and very sweet - just as you would expect it to be