3.75 ⭐️ Some aspects of this were so great and some just fell a tiny bit short.

I loved the setting, it’s so clear that the author is from the PNW and she really captures it so perfectly. I loved the descriptions of everything, I felt like I knew exactly what everything looked and smelled like. I really enjoyed Vada, I could have hung out with her for ages. I was also thoroughly intrigued by the plot, and the end made my chest ache.

The writing fell short in some areas. Some things got repeated in the same page for really no reason. I didn’t mind the slow burn aspect at all, especially because it was clear they were interested in each other so it didn’t feel jarring when they got together. However, Dominic’s issues with the transactional side of her career got swept away with a make out session and that bothered me.

Overall, a good read. Great for early fall, an interesting and unique plot, and characters that I really enjoyed!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC <3

Really enjoyed this, especially the mourner for hire concept. I've never read that before so that was refreshing and new to me. I agree with Dunner though, that it is a bizarre profession for a [lovable] wierdo but definitely not a deal breaker. It would take a lot of empathy to execute that job. There was plenty of chemistry between Vada and Dunner, a lot of pent up frustration, a lot of vulnerability they both had to show to get to a good place and I enjoyed the wild ride from their first meeting to their happily ever after. This was a very easy and fun read.

I don't think being haunted by a ghost was for me but if you're in to paranormal activity, this may be right up your alley!

Big ticks for me were well written spice, comedic relief (Dunner's pranks!), small town wholesome vibes, cinnamon roll MMC and I also love a good renovation/restoration project. I felt like I was watching the beachside cottage transform myself.

There were a few things about being haunted by a ghost that felt unresolved to me but this was an ARC and I would definitely read Caitlin Moss again!

This story follows Vada who is a mourner for hire where she is paid to go to people’s funerals and fulfill their last wish whatever that may be. She is sweet and kind and stands up for herself.

She is hired by Annabelle to go to her funeral and stay on to renovate her beach cottage in the place Vada spent her childhood but Annabelle’s son Dominic thinks she’s just a scammer. Dominic is a grumpy cinnamon roll who is trying to navigate his grief and rediscover his dreams after life through him a curveball

Mourner for hire is a cosy heart warming read that made me feel all the feels and I highly recommend it

So soo beautiful! Loved it!

This book made me laugh, sob, and feel all the love in the world. The writing was absolutely stunning—light and flowing, yet it hit me hard when it came to loss, grief, and the memories we carry and the ones still waiting to be made. It all came through in such a heartfelt, beautiful way. And without ever letting go of the humor and charm of a romcom, there were so many funny and touching moments.

The story follows Vada, a young woman with a very particular job: she’s a professional mourner, hired to attend funerals and help fulfill people’s final wishes. I completely fell for her—her warmth, her wit, her vulnerability, and how deeply she cared. She felt so real and full of heart.

And then there's Dominic, a man lost in grief. His pain absolutely crushed me, but watching him slowly find his way back, start chasing his own dreams, and fall for Vada was such a moving journey. Their love story felt so unique and tender and genuine. I adored them together.

The plot itself was original and hooked me from the very beginning. I genuinely adored this book and I’ll definitely be reading whatever Caitlin Moss writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC! 🧡💐🌘

The female main character is named Vada- an homage to My Girl? Not sure, but I freaking love that movie, and I loved this book! It’s such an interesting premise- her job is to help live out something for the deceased who hire her before they pass. Be it make the funeral entertaining, call someone out, be a nameless mourner, she does it. Then she gets a more in-depth requests, and there is of course a love interest- this is a romance. All in all the book was absolutely fantastic. There is a side story line about remembering your past maybe with a ghost as well. Great banter, unique story- would recommend to any and everyone!

5 ⭐️
Tropes: slow burn, second chance romance, grumpy cinnamon roll, small beach town romance, enemies to lovers, paranormal romcom

This was such a fun read, definitely recommend it! It had humor, tension and hilarious banter. Dominic and Vada had amazing chemistry the night they met - all thanks to a traffic jam that had Vada barreling into his bar. They shared a night that knocked Dominic off his feet but she was gone from his life just as fast as she came into it because she was only in town for work… Vada is a “Mourner for Hire” and it is exactly what it sounds like - the soon to be dead hire her to help with their dying wishes, with petty revenge, and something as small as having someone be there to say goodbye. Conversations are had, contracts are signed and then she returns upon their death to complete a job.

Vada eventually returns to the same town when her Google alert, alerted her she had a job to do but to her heartbreaking surprise once at the funeral she discovers her dearly departed client Annabel is Dominic’s mom and now he sees her with nothing but hate in his eyes because he knows exactly what she does for a living making her out to be the scum of the earth when he realizes why she’s back…

“My heart pounds as I realize I’ve become the villain in his story.”

Vada is now back in town wanting nothing more than to run away but she has a job to do and Dominic is making things incredibly hard for her. Now Annabel is pulling the strings one last time to make Vada and Dominic work things out and uncover a past that was forgotten before it’s too late.

Dominic is grieving and heartbroken after loosing his mom and he wants so badly to hate Vada but that same chemistry and magnetism they shared the night they met is still there. As much as he wants to hate her he can’t, and he hates how much she wants her. As he works through his grief and he gives into the pull they share he begins to heal with Vadas help.

“It’s okay. Someone told me you hurt quietly. I guess I should have listened to you hurting in the silence.”

I adored how quirky Vadas character was and I loved them when they were fighting and making up. This had a ton of laugh out loud moments and I had a great time reading it. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Humor & Satire Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, of course the idea of mourner for hire sounds weird. But as I read further into the story, it made more and more sense, and actually would be a really cool and kind thing to do.
That being said, let's get to the meat of this book, the combination of the enemies to lovers, and Vada's lost memories. I loved the way Vada fulfilled Annabelle's wishes, and slowly got re-integrated into her little home town. And the chemistry between Vada and Dominic was hawt!!
loved it, would like more stories in this town.

Years ago I remember seeing something circulating social media about how fun it would be to be hired to wear a veil and stand at a distance at a funeral to add mystery. That has stuck with me and I have always thought how cool that would be. Then I stumble across this gem and let me tell you, this book takes that plot bunny and runs so fast with it. It is everything I wanted and more. I never wanted this to end.

This is the perfect small town romantic comedy, with her unconventional (but still so cool) job and carefree attitude contrasted with his "my mom just died and I hate you for taking her money" vibes. I love that Vada doesn't really take anyone's crap and just lets things roll off her. Dominic gets pretty mean sometimes so her demeanor keeps everything light still. And all of the "mourner for hire" jobs that were described were so clever and I could not get enough.

If you want a cute romance, small town vibes, less enemies and more hatred with sexual tension- to lovers, laugh out loud moments, beach renovations, plenty of funerals, and ghosts then please read this. I'm rating it 5 stars for a reason. This needs to be on everyone's fall TBR.

CW: language, explicit sex

Thank you Netgalley and author Caitlin Moss for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is expected to be published September 9, 2025

I absolutely loved the first 30% of this book but then when Dominic turned into a jerk, it changed things for me and I never really thought he ended up redeeming himself!
It was a sweet twist in the end and I’m happy for Vada, but Dominic’s attitude just really turned me off.

I initially picked up Mourner For Hire because it had a cute premise and an even better cover. The book itself? It was absolutely beautiful and almost hauntingly so. It was bitter sweet and had so much to dive into.

Dominic and Vada have such a complicated and emotional relationship. It was incredible to read how Moss wrote their characters: the man who's got it bad with that hard exterior, and the woman who had her heart on her sleeve and just needed a hug. The ending? Such a tearjerker (unless you're emotionless with no soul).

There's emotional depth, a great storyline, darker romance and humor, and it is just an amazing read. Absolutely positively recommend!

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for the ARC.

The concept of a hired mourner is a new one for me, but Mourner For Hire was fun, unexpectedly emotional, and overall a fantastic read!

4.25 stars

As soon as I saw the cover and title of this book, I was hooked. I love the concept of a hired mourner, and the author did a good job of exploring the reasons someone would take that route, from funny to sad.

The writing was great, pulled me in from page 1. The characters were interesting and relatable (to a degree). I do wish the relationship between the MCs was fleshed out a bit more, but overall I loved Mourner For Hire.

*Thank you Netgalley and Caitlin Moss for the ARC.

I just finished the book “Mourners for Hire” What a wonderful read. The characters are wonderfully developed, and the writing is both beautiful and sharp, balancing moments of sadness with touches of humor. I loved it.

3.8 stars. This was pretty fun and emotional at times. The bits of humor laced throughout really helped balance the themes of grief. At times, this story really hit home and other times it felt like a miss. I liked both main characters but they are not without flaws. Of course, without some type of problem to be solved, there'd be no point in the book! I wish that Vada would've just plainly explained to Dominic that she didn't exploit his mom, but instead it's just a constant battle of blaming and accusing for a large portion of the book. The forgotten memories between the two of them was also frustrating and confusing at times. But once things got better and they realized their feelings for one another, I did enjoy their chemistry. One aspect that was annoying for me personally was the occasional talk about god and heaven, but that's because I happen to be very anti-religion so it won't bother everyone. Overall I did enjoy this and I think others will also. SPOILER: this does end in a marriage/pregnancy but only in the epilogue. Just fyi because I know some don't love that. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

“Mourner for Hire” was such a cute story—it really hits you in all the right places. It started off a bit slow for me, but once it picked up about a quarter of the way in, it didn’t let up until the very end. The plot was full of surprises, with just the right mix of longing and emotional depth. The romantic comedy elements were spot-on, making it a lovely, feel-good read. A must-read if you're into heartfelt rom-coms with a twist!!

3.75⭐️
Mourner for Hire was a cute rom-com with a twist.

Vada is a mourner for hire. Feeling lonely and need some to cry for you at your funeral? She’s your girl. She’s hired by her one night stands mother to stay and renovate her beach cottage after she’s gone.

This book was refreshing and unique, making for a great summer read! The first bit had me so intrigued, until MMC Dominic became a bit much and took things a little too far. Such a stubborn man. The ending was sweet, once he finally came around.

Thank you NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for the advanced readers copy!

Mourner for High is a rom-com with a supernatural twist. Vada didn’t expect to be haunted, but the ghost is more fairy godmother than fright.
Dominic is navigating grief, Vada’s falling for him, and the spirit hovering between them might just bring them together.


The short chapters make it a breeze to read (one is literally just two lines!), and the ghostly touch adds a quiet kind of magic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

🗓️ Release Date: September 09, 2025

✍🏻 Review: Parental death always gets me and by the end of this book I was absolutely sobbing. I enjoyed the banter between Vada and Dominic. I completely understood both sides and why they were fighting. My only issue was that Dominic seemed to go from hating Vada to completely in love with her in the turn of a page.

✔️ One Night Stand
✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Memory Loss
✔️ Ghosts
✔️ Parental Death

Excellent. I could not put this book down and even though the ending was somewhat predictable, there were definitely parts thrown in that I was surprised to read. The characters are all likable and unique, and it was a light-hearted read while also being somewhat emotional and nostalgic.

A splendid enemies-to-lovers story with such great tropes! Paranormal, small town, home renovation… the list goes on! The humor and wit of all the characters made this such a sweet, spicy, and enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy!



the ice cream phish food does not have peanut butter in it. i know that because it’s my favorite, and i don’t like peanut butter.
chapter 38, LOC 3463

chapter 38 LOC 3502 it should say “as a matter of fact, yes.” not “as a matter of fact, yet.”