The Dead Romantics

The Dead Romantics (Berkley, 2022) is an adult romantic comedy by Ashley Poston. Florence Day is a ghostwriter struggling to complete a manuscript after a bad breakup ruined her belief in romance. When her father dies, she flies to the hometown she escaped 10 years ago after being ridiculed for her ability to see ghosts. There, she encounters one more ghost: Benji Andor, the editor for her book that’s overdue. As Florence deals with her father’s funeral preparations and reconnects with her grieving family, she also tries to help Benji discover his unfinished business so he can move on—even if, as she gets to know him better, Florence wishes he could stay.

Poston’s previous books include young adult fantasy and romance. The Dead Romantics is her first novel for adult readers. The book was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, a pick for the Good Morning America book club, and a NYT Notable Book of 2022. This guide refers to the 2022 paperback edition.

Plot Summary

Florence Day, who’s been a writer since she was young, must confront her new editor with the news that she doesn’t have the book that’s due. Florence has ghostwritten three books for the enormously successful romance author Ann Nichols. After a rough breakup a year ago, Florence lost her faith in romance and hasn’t been able to finish the fourth. Her new editor—tall, handsome Benji Andor—insists that Florence meet the deadline, and Florence sees her career going up in flames.

Florence’s roommate tries to console her by taking her to an open mic at a bar, and who should be there but Florence’s ex, Lee Marlow, who not only broke her heart but also stole stories about her family and childhood and turned them into a highly anticipated forthcoming book. Florence made the mistake of telling Lee that she can communicate with ghosts. Florence’s parents run a funeral home in the small town of Mairmont, South Carolina, and Florence grew up with an unconventional attitude toward death. Lee’s betrayal devasted Florence’s hopes that she, too, could have a grand love story, and echoes the humiliation that made her flee Mairmont for New York City 10 years ago. Florence escapes the bar to find Benji Andor outside and, in a reckless moment, kisses him. A phone call from her mother interrupts the kiss, informing Florence that her father is dead and she needs to come home.

Florence meets her family at the funeral parlor to discuss the series of odd last requests left by her father when Benji Andor knocks on her door—in ghost form. Benji, or Ben, is just as shocked as Florence to learn he’s dead. Florence’s roommate, Rose, says Ben was hit by a car while leaving work. Florence doesn’t want to have to deal with Ben’s ghost while also making funeral arrangements for her dad, but she’s reminded that her father always tried to help people, dead or alive. Her family was proud that, when she was 13, Florence helped a young ghost solve his own murder, though the case made headlines and turned Florence into a subject of gossip and ridicule.

As she sets out to fulfill her father’s last requests and struggles to write his obituary, Florence learns more about Ben. He lost his parents and was raised by his grandmother, and he has loved romance novels since he was young. Florence is surprised that he read and enjoyed her first novel, which wasn’t a success. As they spend time together walking through the cemetery, the bookstore, and the town square, Florence thinks Ben’s unfinished business is her manuscript, but he suggests he can help restore her faith in love.

Florence chides herself for her growing attraction to a ghost, but Ben helps her deal with her grief over her father’s death, just as she helps him face all the things he wanted to do in his life but didn’t. Florence manages to write her father’s obituary once Ben makes her see that Lee wronged her and her mother insists their family’s story is a love story—something Florence once believed, too.

Florence begins to reconnect with her past self. She confronts the woman who spread the rumors about her in school and visits the Ridge, where she found the body of her young classmate who was murdered. Her father’s wake gives her the chance to resolve the distance between her and her sister, Alice, who was hurt when Florence left.

Florence realizes she has become deeply attached to Ben when he spends the night at her B&B with her. But at her father’s funeral the next day, Florence must say goodbye—not just to her father but to Ben, who says he has to leave and disappears before her eyes.

Rose tells Florence that Ben woke up from his coma, and Florence flies back to New York to see him. When she runs into Lee in the hospital and sees that Ben’s ex-fiancée is with him, she worries that this isn’t her love story after all.

She sits down and finishes the manuscript. When she turns it in, she meets with Ben to give him a copy of her book. He realizes that he wasn’t dreaming while in the coma but really spent time with Florence. They kiss, and Florence brings Ben to Mairmont to celebrate her brother’s wedding and their own happily ever after.