This was such a cute, thought provoking and witty read with a nice touch of paranormal and cozy vibes. Vada's career as a Mourner for Hire is such a brilliant concept and the overlap of past and presents really got at my heart strings. The resilience I see in Vada is a refreshing take because too often authors use those types of characters to play these roles where the character becomes bitter and difficult. Not Vada, she's sassy and heartwarming. Dominic is fine, not swoon worthy in my opinion and he's a bit of a whiner but he complimented Vada well.

3.5⭐️ Vada, a professional mourner for hire, was raised by her father who was a stranger until her mother passed away in a car accident. Now, she’s a professional mourner hired to attend funerals to help ensure funerals go as planned for the deceased. Dominic, aka, Dunner is a local bartender in Vada’s hometown where she is passing through for a funeral, and returns to a year later, as she was hired by his mom to restore her cottage after she passes away. I enjoyed parts of this story, particular Vada’s interactions with Dominics mom’s ghost after her funeral. However, I really didn’t enjoy the romance between Vada and Dominic due to Dominic being a complete asshole for the first 75% of the book for seemingly no reason. It didn’t feel like an enemies to lovers romance; they just felt like enemies. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I would definitely give work from this author a chance in the future.

This book was everything I hoped it would be. The perfect mix of humor, depth, and connection. I immediately fell in love with the characters and storytelling and would’ve read this in a day had other obligations not gotten in my way. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Mourner for Hire follows Vada Daughtry, a professional mourner who gets paid to grieve, invent memories, and bring a touch of sorrow to funerals where it’s needed. Her drifting life of anonymity and detachment takes a sharp turn when she meets Dominic, a bartender in a small coastal town. One fleeting night changes everything for them both, only for Vada to vanish, as she always does. Nearly a year later, she shows up at his mother’s funeral, and everything changes.
I really enjoy this author’s writing style. There’s a sharpness to the dialogue, a rawness to the emotions, and a touch of whimsy that makes the story stand out. I did wish there had been more time spent on building a positive relationship between Vada and Dominic. So much of their page time together was wrapped up in anger, mistrust, and fighting, and I found myself craving more tenderness to balance it out. On the flip side, I absolutely loved the ghost of Annabelle. She was witty, stubborn, and unexpectedly heartwarming, often stealing the scene and giving the story its most memorable moments. She gave the story both humour and depth, and I loved every scene she was in. Overall, this is another creative and emotional story from Caitlin Moss, one that blends grief, love, and a touch of the supernatural in a way that’s wholly her own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Vada attends funerals for a living. Hired by the deceased before they die, she does everything from make sure someone is at least there, to stirring up a little drama when necessary. When she takes on a job in the hometown where she left as a kid after her mom’s death, she has no idea just how much it’s going to change her life…..especially when she finds Dominic, the son of the woman who died, is the hot bartender she almost hooked up with nine months before and mad as hell that she’s in his life now. Taking on a final task of renovating Annabelle’s cottage, Vada begins to recover her own childhood memories and heal longtime trauma while finding home.
This was a great read that I couldn’t put down. After also losing my mom, I related a lot to Vada’s character and experiences. The paranormal addition was also a fun twist!
Thank you to Caitlin Moss for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Only Caitlin Moss can make me love a slow burn! Also what a unique concept for a book! I was skeptical at first but I should have just trusted CM, she’s never let me down before!

Dominic.. you lucky you redeemed yourself and had me swooning at the end!! I was ready to come through that book and give you a not so loving tap to where the sun don’t shine!

If you want banter, quirky characters, ghosts, and lots of fun, then read this book!

- small town
- dislike to love
- paranormal element (she speaks to a ghost)
- no third-act breakup
- 🌶️.5/5
- dual pov

What a concept! Vada is literally a mourner for hire, but the last thing she expects is to return to the small PNW coastal town of her childhood and meet her next client. That client pays her to renovate her beach cottage… upon her death nine months later.

Naturally, her son Dominic is not thrilled. The whole thing gets even messier because they shared a charged moment during her single night in town, and he hasn't stopped thinking about her since – like naming a drink at his bar after her level of obsession.

Add to that his mother’s ghost haunts Vada (yes, really 😂), and the tension is off the charts. Dominic wants her gone, but every day she stays makes it harder to fight his feelings. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic simmers until it explodes, and when it does, Dominic is the one begging her to stay.

Caitlin’s signature blend of heartfelt and humorous writing shines. This story is about grief in two different forms, about finding home again, about embracing life’s quirks and weirdness, and about the charm of small towns.

If you want a romance that’s fresh, funny, and full of heart, Mourner for Hire is it.

⭐️ 3.5/5 Stars

This one was such a unique romantic comedy—equal parts quirky, emotional, and just a little ghostly. The story follows Vada Daughtry, a professional mourner who gets paid to cry at funerals, invent memories, and keep the past buried. But one wrong turn, a mojito-soaked night with bartender Dominic Dunne, and a haunting from his late mother set her life spinning in a direction she never expected.

What I really enjoyed:
💜 The main characters were fun to follow, especially since the enemies-to-lovers tension felt real. I liked that it wasn’t mutual hate—Dominic definitely saw Vada as his enemy, while she didn’t quite feel the same, which gave their dynamic a fresh twist.
💜 Vada’s job was fascinating and so different from anything I’ve read before—it instantly hooked me.
💜 Dominic’s mom, even as a ghost, brought some great comic relief that lightened the heavier moments.
💜 The side characters added depth and charm to the small coastal town setting.

There was a bit of insta-love, which isn’t usually my favorite, but I didn’t mind it too much here since the banter and tension carried the romance.

If you enjoy ghostly meddling, coastal small-town vibes, and enemies-to-lovers with a twist, this is a fun one to check out!

This book was unexpected. I requested a digital ARC from Netgalley and Caitlin Moss, because the title and cover were very cool. The story was really compelling from the very beginning. Vada meets a wonderful man on her way to an appointment, and they have a sweet night for her to later finds out that he is the (very unhappy) son of her current deceased client. What seems a lot like infatuation at first site quickly turns to hate, at least on Dominic's side. But as much as he doesn't want her around, he also can't seem to leave her alone.

Vada is one of those quirky characters that is fun to embody by reading for a few hundred pages. She and Dominic are a very interesting pair. They are both very drawn to each other, but he is very resentful of her place in his mother's life, and she is trying to give him all the space she knows his grief requires. I really enjoyed this story. It wanders around a few places, and that is part of its charm. It isn't a super linear romcom type story. I knew where it would end, but wasn't positive exactly what ground it would cover on the way. Thanks to Caitlin Moss for the opportunity to preview this book- I recommend it for those who enjoy quirky romance.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

This cover—PERFECT. I have been in such a fall autumn book season and I am loving it so much. This was such a great romcom that was fast paced and kept you locked in. Giggles around all the corners and lots of reflective moments along the way. I didn’t even know that a ‘professional mourner’ was a thing but MAN OH MAN was it such a great addition to this story. I loved Vada. Full of dark humor, slow burn and tension, this was such a fun read. I suggest you pick this up.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Dark Humor, Small Town, Cozy, Autumn Read, Mourning, Slow Burn, Tension, Reflective, Cute Characters

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as CAITLIN MOSS

Mourner for Hire is about Vada, a mourner for hire and Dominic a bar owner. Vada and Dominic have a unforgettable night together when Vada's bladder makes her stop off at Dominic's bar. Then they don't see each other again until about a year later when Vada comes back to town because she was hired to attend Dominic's mother's funeral as well as a few other random tasks like fix up the family's old cottage. The connection is a surprise for both of them. And neither Vada nor Dominic would ever guess what his mother had planned.

This one was a tough one for me. I loved the setup of the book but when Vada comes back in town Dominic is obviously grieving and he treats Vada as his emotional punching bag. The entire town grows to love her but yet he just cannot get over himself. It got a little tiring. But the end wraps up so beautifully. I even cried. Overall I ended up giving it a 4 star review because of the last 20% but if it wasn't for that, with Dominic childish behavior this might as been as low as a 2 star.

This one is a cozy ghost story romcom with a little bit of mystery. The pacing is good. The overall concept is great and entertaining. It gets emotional in some area especially if you have ever dealt with death and mortality. Vada is quirky. There were a few spots I laughed out load. And you get a small amount of spice. If this sounds like the things you like then I'd try this one.

Huge fan of this book! Witty yet still emotional. Perfect for fans of Ashley Poston (like myself).

Thank you publisher and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Amazing!! One of the top reads of 2025!
So I am a funeral director/embalmer and I’m usually pretty picky about related field stories. I read one with a death doula that was crap!

But this!! This!! I actually don’t know if professional mourner is a real thing (I don’t think so) but it was hilarious! I can fully believe people would pay Vada to do this stuff!! I have seen men with lifelong moustaches, pass away only to have the widow say “I hated it, shave it off” 🤣

But from the initial meet cute, the hatred, and eventually reconciliation, Dominic and Vada were perfect! I loved their banter and wit. Both are more than they seem, with complicated back story and depth. Dominic was definitely an ass, but we know men don’t know how to deal with feelings. The pining and slow burn was TORTURE!!

Annabelle was a riot!! I loved her!! She was a mastermind. Of course we don’t know if that’s how things would play out but it was perfection!

Vada’s memory loss was such a unique angle too! I was just hoping and praying for everything. It was just so perfect

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5 stars)

Mourner for Hire is one of those books that sounds quirky on paper and then completely surprises you with how much heart it has. Caitlin Moss takes a weird premise- a woman who gets paid to show up at funerals and play whatever role the deceased wanted- and turns it into something funny, raw, and thought-provoking.

Vada is a professional mourner, which means she’s seen grief in just about every form, but she’s also using her unusual job to run from her own past. When she ends up at the funeral of Annabelle Dunne, things get complicated, because Annabelle is the mother of Dominic, the bartender Vada once had a fleeting connection with. To make matters messier, Annabelle’s last wish involves Vada sticking around to renovate her cottage… and her ghost isn’t taking no for an answer.

What I loved most about this book is how it blends humor with heavier themes. The ghostly meddling, the bizarre funeral requests, and Vada’s dry wit made me laugh, but there’s a real emotional weight here too. The exploration of loss, healing, and the ways people try to control their legacies was surprisingly moving. I also thought Vada’s job raised some fascinating ethical questions, I honestly could’ve read even more about the mourner-for-hire side of things.

Where it didn’t totally work for me was the romance. Dominic had his reasons for being standoffish, but his hot-and-cold treatment of Vada dragged on a little too long, and it made their eventual connection feel a bit rushed. I wanted more time with them as an actual couple rather than as adversaries. Still, once the walls came down, I did enjoy their chemistry.

Overall, this is a clever, original, and unexpectedly heartfelt read. If you like your rom-coms with a little darkness, a little ghostly mischief, and some sharp insights into grief and love, this one’s worth picking up.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

So original! A different kind of romance! I love it! All this tension between the characters!
Thank you to Netgalley for this book 🧡

THIS WAS SO GOOD?

Let's be real, based on the cover alone, I was expecting a typical silly-goofy romcom. While there were definitely a couple silly-goofy moments, this book had so much more depth than I was expecting.

The first chapter introduces Vada's profession as a Mourner for Hire in what I think is the funniest way- aspirational levels of petty from the deceased, really- and manages to keep that momentum up for almost the entire book.
The interactions between Vada and Dominic, the MMC and son of one of her clients, were messy and took on a life of their own. I thought Dom was a little over-the-top sometimes, but it was always pretty clear where his anger was coming from.

There's a SMALL blip of 15ish pages about 75% in where I was losing interest, and that's really the only bad thing I have to say.

I really loved this and would 100% read this author again.

Thank you NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for providing me with this ARC.

I’m usually not big on ghost stories, but this author had good reviews from trusted sources, and I got curious. I’m so glad I did, because I absolutely adored this book!

Vada attends funerals for money. Usually, it’s a one-day gig, until Annabelle, whose dying wish is for Vada to renovate her beach cottage.

When Annabelle dies, it turns out that her son is Vada’s almost-one-night-stand. He accuses her of manipulating his late mother, and she tries to wriggle out of the deal. But then Annabelle starts haunting her…

I expected this book to be silly, but despite its dark humor and Vada’s weirdness (I liked her, so we won’t be calling her quirky), it was surprisingly poignant. The emotions, both the happy and the sad, were beautifully written. I even cried a little. There was a bit of a religious undertone to the story, but it wasn’t preachy and didn’t bother me.

Vada and Dominic had great chemistry, even when they were fighting. Dominic was a jerk to Vada at the beginning, but it made sense: he was devastated and confused. His mom had really pulled a prank on him by leaving her beloved cottage to a stranger.

The transition from enemies to lovers was rather abrupt, but I didn’t care. Once they got together, it was my favorite kind of romance; no drama, no lies, no third-act breakup, just two adults in love. 😌

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the arc. All opinions are my own.

4.25⭐️

This concept was so freaking fun! I loved the idea of essentially being a "professional" funeral mourner and helping the deceased live out their wishes! I really loved Vada's character from the beginning. Dominic took a little while for me to warm up too just because of how he acted in the first half of the book. Everyone grieves differently so I am overlooking that. Annabelle's ghost was truly the comedic relief that some parts of the story needed and I appreciated the way she was still pulling strings even from beyond the grave lol!

The pacing of the book was perfect for me and kept me engaged throughout the book! Overall I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to picking up another book by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for this digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

One dark (not stormy) night, a mourner for hire, Vada, stumbles into a bar in order to escape traffic. Dreading a visit to the town where she lived early in her life, Vada overly confides in the hunky tattooed bartender and hometown hero, Dominic. Little does Vada know, it is Dominic’s mother who has hired her to carry out her after-death wishes. As Vada follows these plans, she must encounter a newly adversarial Dominic and her complicated past.

There are many unique aspects of this book that I appreciate. The heroine is quirky but principled, and even though she is unusual, she is not a stereotypical manic pixie or a flighty disaster. The dialogue between Vada and Dominic shows Moss’ capacity for humor and for lively character dynamics. I also value this unprecedented take on a hometown romance. Moss takes this common trope and makes it memorable.

When I started this book, I didn’t anticipate the small dose of magical realism that exists. While these elements can certainly be explained in various ways, the transition in and out of ghosts and mysticism felt (at times) jarring. The plot also continues to twist and turn until very late in the book, but many readers may enjoy this layered drama.

I would recommend this book to those who love rom coms but also the show, Wednesday. Many readers may love the chance to merge their joyful and gothic selves. I want to thank the publisher and @NetGalley for this opportunity ! Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

This book was such a surprise, in a great way! I was expecting a pretty straightforward romance {not that I would have complained about that!} but it had a fun supernatural element that added an extra layer to it. The emotions ran the gamut on this one and while the romance was of course a major part of it, I think the concepts of death, loss and moving on were all explored almost as much as the romance bit.

I thought this was a beautiful story that provided plenty of opportunity to pause and reflect. It made me think about loved ones I've lost, my aging relatives, and my own mortality. It also made me wonder what requests I might have if I hired my own mourner- the variety of tasks Vada found herself doing for her clients was definitely interesting!