The Love of My Afterlife by Kristy Greenwood is a romantic comedy tale of a woman who died tragically, young and alone, and finds herself on a wild journey to find her soulmate.
Delphie died alone in her apartment, choking on a microwaved hamburger. And that’s where readers begin The Love of My Afterlife. She wakes up in the great beyond, with her afterlife therapist ready and eager to make this transition easier for her.
But Delphie died without ever having really lived, and when a random man who was not accidentally meant to show up in the afterlife appears, Delphie’s afterlife therapist decides to give her another shot at life. If she can find the man, her soulmate, and get him to kiss her of his own free will within ten days, she can have her life back. Delphie embarks on a frantic journey to find her soulmate and discover herself along the way.
One doesn’t often discover a romance novel, especially a romantic comedy, with a dead main character, so that immediately piqued my interest. I started this book wearing a Beetlejuice t-shirt, which felt right for this book exploring the dynamics of the dead. And I was correct in comparing the two in the first chapter. Not only does the book reference this iconic film, but they share a humorous treatment of death that I always appreciate.
Beyond the clever premise, I wasn’t loving this book in the beginning and I couldn’t put my finger on why. I thought maybe it was just a little too cutesy for me. I kept reading because the writing is good and the characters are intriguing. Then, despite the fact that I correctly figured out exactly where this book was going 20% in, by 30% it had hooked me nonetheless. Yes, it was cutesy, but it was also touching and clever, with characters you can’t help but love. And, essential for a rom-com story, it was a page-turner.
Merritt, Delphie’s afterlife therapist, is my favorite character in the entire story. She’s eccentric and over-the-top, and a sheer delight to read, even when she’s so deeply frustrating for the poor main character. This is one of those stories that makes the main characters shine, but also artfully includes many wonderful side characters helping the story move along, and giving the whole experience a rich and layered feeling.
Ultimately, this book made me cry, in a good way. Even my creepy black heart loves a good romantic comedy every once in a while. The Love of My Afterlife is perfect for fans of the likes of Lucy Score, or anyone who is looking for something moving and sweet to get started in the romance genre.
Writing: 4
Spice: 1.5
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