4.5 ⭐️

This is one of those great stories where character growth takes precedence over the romance. In fact, if you took out the romance aspect entirely, you still have a beautiful story about overcoming grief and examining what we leave behind once we’re gone.

Vada’s story was layered and interesting to following from front to back. I think her growth was handed very well and I appreciate that it was mostly handled outside her relationship with Dominic. I did not know that it wasn’t “normal” to not remember your childhood, so I related to Vada a lot minus the flashbacks. I will maybe discuss this with a therapist.

I did not like Dominic’s sudden shift to asshole, but grief does do weird things to people. It felt forced (which I think it maybe is supposed to?) and made me more annoyed than anything. When he was actually in touch with his feelings, he was great!

If you’re looking for a light hearted, no stakes romance, leave this one for another day. If you’re into small town dynamics, explorations of grief and a little romance on the side, then definitely pick up Mourner for Hire!

A fun read for fall coming that has laughs, tears and a journey of moving on from grief!

We follow Vada who is a mourner for hire but also has to work through some mourner of her own! Dominic is the small town bar owner who has recently lost his mother. Annabelle, Dominic's mother, had a few plans up her sleep. Even from the grave.

Great for those who love
- a quick, fun read
- an FMC with a hilarious inner monologue
- a gentle and subtle world that helps the reader work through grief
- a loveable small town with lots of room for spin off stories
- a fantastic read to welcome autumn

Where it lost stars for me was
- the sheer man child behaviour of our MMC, although yes a redemption arc came, I was personally screaming at my kindle in the first 70% for Vada to remember her worth.
- Annabelle's character, although beautifully written and a wonderful character, her ... shall we say presence ... lost a little seriousness for me but that is a ME problem I think!

Thank you for letting me read this I will definitely be recommending this book for the fall season!

Thank you Net Galley and Caitlin Moss for the e-ARC.

I really enjoyed the book. I really liked the writing style. It was funny and somewhat light considering the topic in hand, which I do think was done beautifully. The writing style reminded me a lot of Emily Henry’s writing, which is my favourite romance author, so I will definitely be picking up some of Caitlin Moss’s past work.

From the first chapter I was hooked, with Vada introducing her job and us following her in one of the funerals, which I was cackling all the way through.

The vibes of this book were impeccable. Small town, autumn, sea side, apple cider every thing and sea shells.
I do think this is the perfect book for Summer to Autumn transition. It would be a perfect read for September/early October.

I love the banter that the two main characters have and I do think they’re really sweet and a perfect match. I did however feel a bit confused/disappointed on how some aspects went;
Dominic out of nowhere just turn on Vada and even after in his head he logically knows she is at no fault he continues being an idiot until he gets memories of her from his childhood. I understand he was grieving but he did a complete one eighty, from hating her to being completely in love with her. So for me the third end of the book had a weird flow. Cause we dragged the hating part for a really long time and out of nowhere they just love each other, without us or the character having breather or a paced process of falling in love. The only time they say they love each other is basically once, and when Vada does it it’s by text and it gets completely swept under the rug.
Also she was dating Connor, which I get she wasn’t into, but after their horse ridding date he never shows up again, and it just feels so weird that he just disappeared out of the surface of the earth just because she wasn’t into him. She didn’t even tell him she wasn’t into him. So i do feel like there were a few inconsistencies in those ends

Over all I did really enjoy the book and I will look for more of Caitlin Moss' work to read.

I am a HUGE @cailtinmossauthor fan

Sixteen Summers has always been my favorite of hers until Mourner For Hire

There is something about ghost stories and enemies to lovers that really just seals the deal for me. I really loved the premise of this one. A professional mourner for hire? Small town? Renovating a small beach cottage while being haunted by a ghost?!! Yes, please!

I knew Moss was going to bring more than just romance. She has a way of showcasing characters that are processing grief and such a vulnerable and real way. There is lightness and darkness in her stories that is so impactful. I think Vada will be a favorite character of the year for me.

This one comes out September 9th and should definitely be on your list!

This was such a unique and fascinating read!

I loved the concept. our FMC, Vada, works for the dead, attending funerals on their behalf as part of her job. It’s such an intriguing premise.

Her first encounter with our MMC, Dominic, is memorable. They have an instant spark, but then life pulls them apart until Dominic’s mother, Annabelle, passes away. Vada returns to town to fulfil Annabelle’s final wish, and that’s when things really take off.

Dominic and Vada’s relationship blends multiple tropes. Enemies to lovers, soulmates, and forgotten love, and it works so well. I especially adored Annabelle’s role. Even in death, she “haunts” Vada in the most endearing way. Her mischievous streak, especially when we hear about the playful pranks she played on Dominic, made her such a joy. The quest she leaves for Vada in her will was both heartwarming and fun.

The spice is minimal, with only a few scenes, but the chemistry and banter between the main characters more than make up for it.

Overall, Mourner for Hire is a refreshingly different story with great characters, witty exchanges, and a heartfelt core.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book

— 3.5 stars ౨ৎ

» First of all, thank you to Caitlin Moss and NetGalley for an early copy of this in exchange for an early copy of this in exchange for a honest review. Mourner for Hire is out September 9th, 2025.

꒰ my review ꒱
⌗ Vada is such a unique character. She works as mourner for hire, meaning people hire her before their death so she’ll do whatever she is asked to on their funeral. The same thing happens with Annabel Dunne, Dominic’s mother.
After a steamy evening in Dominic’s bar, where Vada only gets him to know by his nickname 'Dunner', she’s hired by Annabel. When Annabel dies and Dominic and Vada meet again, Dominic is furious with her after finding out what exactly Annabel wanted Vada to do.

In Mourner for Hire, grieving a parent is a very big topic. We get some comedic relief from Annabel’s ghost and some of the townspeople, but grief and coping stay the main topics.

Grief is handled very well and carefully, but I really wish Dominic didn’t go from full on hating mode to “oh I love her.” It’s clearly no insta-love, but I just wish there was a but more depth to that. Don’t get me wrong, every character had so much depth on themself, but I just didn’t really see any depth to the relationship.

Also, I really liked the whole plot around Vada’s mum and found it really well fleshed out throughout the first 60% of the book, but then it sadly felt so, so rushed and I wish Caitlin Moss would’ve really let it sink in along the end.

But other than that, Mourner for Hire is an incredibly unique and fun book, something I really haven’t seen anywhere yet. I’d recommend this to romance and Satire lovers, who focus more on character development than plot.

I finished this book like… 3 minutes ago. I still need to
Make my reviews on social media (I will add the links later) I really enjoyed the beginning of this story and the end. The middle and all the tension and dynamics between Dominic and Vada were not my favorite but the highs in the story definitely where high! All the times we got to see Vada working as a Mourner for hire really did it for me! And the supernatural element was also very good!!! I can’t wait to read more by this author. I think I enjoyed the development of Vada as a character more than the romance elements. But I won’t lie at the end I was happy for them and their happy ever after!!

I absolutely loved this book. The witty dialogue between the characters was so genuine and funny that I was laughing out loud, and the emotional climax had me reaching for a box of tissues by the end. The fantastic lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers storyline was captivating, and I found myself completely invested in their journey. I was initially drawn in by the intriguing title and the fact that it was by Caitlin Moss, and I'm so glad I gave it a read."

First of all I would like to thank NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book by Caitlin Moss and I was really impressed with it as it was a fun and entertaining read. There are some darker themes in this book (kind of a given from the title) but there themes of death and grief throughout which may not be suitable for some.

Overall a really good romcom and I’ll keep an eye out for other books by this author.

If Stars Hollow had a coastal sister it would be Shellport 🌊🐚

Vada is a 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 mourner, for a fee she will fulfill your wishes from beyond the grave at your funeral. Whether you’re in need of someone to cry, plant a (well deserved) seed of chaos, be the mysterious figure in the distance - whatever you need Vada’s your girl.

On her way to meet her client she finds herself stopping at a local roadside bar just off the highway, and like any good romance, is swept off her feet by a handsome bartender. For a 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 one night stand, obviously!

Until a year later, when her client has passed on, as “fate” would have it … Vada’s most recent client happens to be Dominic’s mother (that handsome bartender I mentioned earlier 👀) and he is 𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 about this whole arrangement. How could this witchy woman come into 𝒉𝒊𝒔 town, swindle 𝒉𝒊𝒔 mother and get away with it?!

Vada’s intentions are clear: fix up the cottage and get the hell out of this town. Despite the palpable tension between her and Dunner and being haunted by both her past 𝒂𝒏𝒅 Annabelle; the longer she stays the more she finds herself really enjoying this small cozy coastal town. Maybe, just maybe, there’s enough room for them to both stay?

For fans of:
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn Romance
💬 Witty Banter
☀️Grumpy X Sunshine
🗡️ Enemies to Lovers

Thank you to @netgalley and @caitlinmossauthor for the ARC ❤️

PS- Caitlin, I have to know: is Vada a “My Girl” Easter egg?!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: September 9th, 2025


Synopsis:

A romantic comedy about death, forgotten pasts, and unfinished business.

Vada Daughtry is a professional mourner. For a fee, she’ll cry at your funeral, whisper invented memories, and spin tales of heartbreak. It’s a job that keeps her moving—and keeps her past buried.

But when a wrong turn leads her to a roadside bar and a mojito-soaked night with bartender Dominic Dunne, something shifts. Then she vanishes, like she always does.

Nearly a year later, Vada shows up at a funeral… and realizes the deceased is Dominic’s mother.

Now he’s grieving, furious, and stunned to learn Vada’s been left a generous piece of his mother’s estate. He knows what she does for a living. He thinks it’s all a con. Vada wants to slip away quietly—again—but the late Annabelle Dunne has other plans: haunting Vada until she completes a list of posthumous demands, starting with renovating her crumbling seaside cottage.

Drawn back to the coastal town of Shellport, Vada and Dominic are forced to confront the truth—about the past, about each other, and about a ghost of a woman who isn’t done pulling strings.

Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers tension, slow burns, and ghost stories with bite.

Review:
Mourner for Hire by Caitlin Moss swept me up like a gust of crisp autumn air—aching, tender, and full of heart. With the perfect balance of ghostly charm and emotional depth, it’s a story that lingers long after the final page.

Vada, our fierce, empathetic, book-loving protagonist, had me from the moment she chose her e-reader over small talk. Her voice is sincere, feisty, and deeply relatable—especially in the way she stands up for herself even when grief and secrets weigh her down. I loved her complexity and the quiet strength she carries, especially when facing a love interest who, while emotionally scarred, could be incredibly harsh. Some of his words were unnecessarily cruel, and while I appreciated his eventual accountability, I felt every sting right along with Vada.

The mother-daughter/son relationships are the emotional backbone. So many scenes were heartbreakingly beautiful, especially the ghostly visits that wrapped me in warmth and sorrow at once. The MMC mother’s presence throughout was gutting yet comforting. And Lucy—what a gem!

This is truly one of my FAVORITE books. It was easily a five-star rating for me! I finished it in about 3-4 hours because I genuinelly could not put it down! I am forever a Caitlin Moss fan!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for this eARC!

When I start a new book and it immediately makes me laugh, I know I’m going to have a good time! The dynamic between the FMC and MMC…. Let’s just say the banter was bantering. This was a story with unique details and circumstances I hadn’t encountered before and I found it interesting! The FMC is, obviously, a mourner for hire. She completes whatever predetermined tasks the individuals want her to do at their funeral – cause drama, spill some tea about the unfaithful widow, spend the night on the grave of the newly deceased so they don’t have to be alone on their first night. Both Vada and Dominic have experienced loss. It was both heartbreaking and heartwarming to see a realistic portrayal of navigating grief, seeing how it affects you throughout your life, and how you heal and move on.

Some (very minor) concerns [slight spoiler warning!]: I wasn’t expecting the ghost aspect of the story to be included. Nothing wrong with it, it was just a surprise. Also, in the last ~50 pages or so of the book, it almost felt like someone else wrote it. To me, it seemed like a different writing style and/or the writing was rushed. There were also some seemingly random details mentioned that didn’t connect to the rest of the story. That being said, I would recommend this book!


Some funny, out of context quotes:
-“I need several minutes, six-hundred milligrams of ibuprofen, and an exorcism.” – Vada

-“The last coherent thing you said to me was that I smelled good for having a dog’s name. And forgive me, but I do like to be wooed a little bit before giving it all away.” – Dominic

-“Trust you? About condiments? They are literally my obsession. You should see my refrigerator. And, sir, respectfully, I’ve know you fifteen minutes.” – Vada
“Twenty-three.” – Dom
“Whatever.” – Vada

Loved this book! Loved the idea of a mourner for hire. Had never heard of this concept but it makes sense. People who are dying or know that they will be dying soon, might have loose ends they want tied up. By someone who is neither a friend nor family but one who will do what needs to be done as a job. Without any emotions or fuss - honoring a dying person's wishes.

These services are what our lead female character Vada advertises online. A lot of people reach out to her and one such person is Annabelle who is our lead male character, Dominic's mother.

At first when Vada and Dominic meet, sparks fly and they have an instant connection. The next time they meet, the circumstances have changed a lot and the sparks are still there but neither is willing to acknowledge them.

How they overcome their obstacles and reconnect is a beautiful journey that the author takes us along. A very unique romance with a touching storyline 💖

Highly recommend 👍🏻

This book absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible.

I went in expecting a quirky little rom-com about a girl who fake-cries at funerals and somehow ends up making out with a bartender. Cute. Fun. Lighthearted. I was WRONG. This book broke into my house, stole my emotional support hoodie, and whispered “deal with your feelings” before shoving me off a cliff of FEELS 😭

The premise? utterly unique and wildly original. A professional mourner, a ghost with unfinished business, a seaside cottage renovation, and a romance tangled up in grief and second chances. There is nothing else quite like it, and I adored every page.

Vada? My spirit animal. My Roman Empire. My unhinged queen who hides her soft gooey cinnamon roll heart under layers of sarcasm so sharp you could julienne carrots with it. She makes jokes like it’s a full-contact sport and yet she cares so deeply it’s almost painful 🖤

Dominic? Sweet, grieving, emotionally constipated man. I love him. I wanted to wrap him in a blanket burrito and feed him soup while also yelling “COMMUNICATE, SIR” at the top of my lungs. His slow unraveling into love felt so earned it hurt ♥️

Annabelle? Mother. Chaos demon. The afterlife’s answer to Kris Jenner. She’s meddling from beyond the grave with wine in one hand and a to-do list in the other, and I would 100% let her haunt me 👻

Enemies-to-lovers? ✅
Slow burn? ✅
Grief that grabs you by the throat while also making you cackle out loud? ✅

But here’s the thing: this book is also a friend to those of us who have lost somebody. A balm to the grievers. It sees you, it holds you, and it reminds you that love doesn’t end just because someone is gone. It’s tender and touching in a way that lingers long after the last page. By the end, I was ugly crying into my pyjamas

Thank you SO MUCH to @caitlinmossauthor for the ARC. This book didn’t just give me a story - it moved into my heart rent-free and redecorated 🩷

I went in blind with this one, not going to lie. I am kind of happy I did. I LOVED it. The whole concept is wild in the best way. The FMC does exactly what you would expect. She is paid to cry at funerals, albeit a little deeper than that. However, her encounter with a local bartender and what was supposed to be a one night stand becomes a little more complicated than that. Her personal and professional life clashes. Secrets are revealed, just a mess of a situation. The banter was great, the characters were likeable. It flowed well. A rom com romance that would make a great TV series or movie.
Thank you to the Publishers and Netgalley for this gifted e arc. All opinions are my own.

Such a sweet and innovative romance about Vada, who's business is to attend funerals and send various "messages" from the dead to the attendees, and Dominic, who's mom just died. In a small town in Oregon, Vada and Dominic have a "chance" meeting, and after an initial date, begin to grate on each other's nerve, and appear to hate each other. The story progresses and we get to know Vada's background and her particular emotional deficiencies, and how fate brings her back to health and joy. We get to know more about Dominic's relationship with his mom, and how his grief is stifling. There were a few sweet surprises and ultimately the ending, though fairly predictable, was satisfying.

I'm giving Mourner For Hire 3 stars because Dominic and Vada's relationship was so annoying, and somewhat unbelievable. I never learned to like Dominic, and Vada was ridiculous at times. The supernatural aspect of the story was fun, and the conclusion of the book lets us in on Vada's healing, and how her Mourner for Hire business led her to the healing and to love. This is a great book for a beach vacay!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Mourner For Hire.

Vanya Daughtry is here to bring her clients the best (and last gift) - for a fee, she'll bring the drama at your funeral, be the mysterious mourner on the outskirts of the plot, or otherwise make the beginning of your end interesting. Her job is fulfilling, if morbid, and happens to be the perfect conversation starter when a wrong turns ends with her in the right bartender's arms - if only for a night. Like the spirits, Vanya disappears with the dawn, off to haunt another graveyard with the memory of a perfect night to sustain her. But to her horror, the funeral she arrives at a year later on a work trip is the bartender - Dominic's - mother, and he's not very happy - in fact, he's incensed - to see her there.

A grieving Dominic feels his rage is warranted - after all, his mother has inexplicable left Vanya a hefty chunk of her estate, and believes with his core that his mother, Annabelle, must have been tricked by this con artist in her hour of need. Vanya is desperate to run out of town before Dominic can do it for her, embarrassed and mortified at this twist of fate, but there's one small problem - Annabelle is literally haunting Vanya from beyond the grave until she checks off all the items on her posthumous to-do list, starting with renovating her seaside fixer-upper cottage. Drawn by the strings of fate, Annabelle's meddling, and the secrets and people that remain to haunt the narrative for both of them, Vanya and Dominic will have to decide for themselves if the truth can banish the darkness once and for all, of if they're doomed to haunt each other forever after.

Ohhhhh, this was such a deliciously wacky, biting, frisky, and heartfelt story and I loved every minute of it! Caitlin Moss, where have you been all my life?? This book does several things very well - it incorporates tropes in a way that feels completely organic, it takes an insane premise and makes it feel totally believable, it leans into the magical realism of a haunted client in a way that feels authentic and addresses the real nitty gritty behind a jovial haunting, it captures the small town fall vibes of coastal Oregon in a way that has me itching for a credit card, it's steamy and simmering without being beyond belief, and it captures the breadth and depth of profound, prolonged grief in a way that many other books fail to do for me - it's a monumental task and Caitlin handled it masterfully!

I love books that can tip the scales between being a cozy small-town vibe, a gripping/engaging plot, and enough emotional damage (with associated emotional healing) - each of these things are great in their own way and I think it's reasonable to expect a book to do one or two of them well, but a book that can do all three is a gem to me, and "Mourner for Hire" is that book. I laughed out loud, I squeeeed at certain scenes and reveals, I cackled at Annabelle's scheming (she's like a fairy godmother version of that movie where the MIL haunts the new bride, in the best way), and I experienced my own grief as I moved through the more tender parts of the book. And of course, if you make something ~medical adjacent~ I'm going to be a sucker for it regardless. Thank you Caitlin for such a beautiful book, and I can't wait for everyone to fall in love with "Mourner for Hire" like I have - and just in time for spooky season!

I absolutely flew through this book. It’s one of those reads that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go. This book was a vibe by itself with its unique storyline. From the first page, I was signed, sealed, and locked in till the very last word!

If I had to sum what this book was about, I will tell you this. It’s about grief, regret & longing, about the ache of memories fading faster than we’re ready for, and the hollow search for closure when life gives you none. It’s about loss, love, and finding your footing again when the world stops making sense. It’s about home, in all its physical & emotional complexity. It’s also about the kind of romance that simmers beneath the surface; waiting, resisting, aching to bloom when the timing is finally right. Oh, and let’s not forget the charmingly eerie friendly presence watching it all unfold.

Caitlin’s writing was simply gorgeous. It’s immersive, heartfelt & delicately laced with both sadness and humor. I found myself laughing on one page and clutching my heart on the next. She showed grief without overexplaining it.

Vada was such a fierce force, funny, wore her heart on her sleeve, unapologetic about what she does, and shouldered such genuine empathy and quiet strength in the face of her past and present. Her present as in Dominic. A man unraveling under the weight of his own sorrow. He’s angry. Bitter. Hurting. Lashing out with cruel words as Vada is the only one who sees him clearly enough to still stand there.

Their dynamic? Electric. It’s a mix of fire and oil: flammable, intense, & so fun to watch. Their banter had me grinning & their emotional tension had me feeling everything. It’s witty, flirty, chaotic, heartbreaking & full of that good old-fashioned Ihateyoubutkindaloveyou spark. But when Dominic finally lets his walls crack? I melted. A crème brûlée of a man; hard shell, soft center. Total dreamboat.

A special shoutout to Annabelle, the eccentric elderly scene-stealer. Bossy, nosy, hilarious, sneaky and low-key manipulator. She brought charm and heart to the story exactly when it needed it.

Caitlin, I SEE YOU! You’ve got my full attention now.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and the chance to read and review this book.

Quaint beach town- ✔️
Family relationships- ✔️
Funerals and ghosts- ✔️
Vada has an unusual profession, she is hired by people before they die to complete a task upon their death. Yep, that can be to attend their funeral as a mistress, long-lost relative, friend, or, as in the case of Abigail, reunite with her past.
Vada lost her mom in a tragic car accident when she was 8. Her estranged father brought her to Seattle from the small beach-town of Shellport, Oregon and she lost all memory of her childhood before the accident.
Hired by Annabelle Dunne 9 months prior to her death, Vada agrees to an arrangement like none she's done before. After the funeral, her most prolific task among several others is to stay in Shellport and renovate Annabelle's seaside cottage. What Vada doesn't realize is that the hot bartender, Dunner, she kissed, cried on, and snuggled with the night before meeting with Annabelle, is actually Dominic Dunne, her son.
Vada and Dominic have a love-hate relationship with one shared goal- finish the cottage and leave. Memories and forgotten pasts are not as easy to move on from then either of them think. Especially with Annabelle's ghost in the mix!
I devoured this book, enjoying every bit of the plot, characters, and banter.

This story was such a unique gem—I devoured it. It’s been a busy month, but if I’d had the chance to read it in one sitting, I absolutely would have. Caitlin Moss does it again with another fantastic enemies-to-lovers romcom!

Vada is a mourner for hire. Yes, you read that right—her job is to attend funerals for clients or fulfill their final wishes after they’ve passed. But when she accepts an assignment in the hometown she left after her mom died, she discovers much more than just work waiting for her.

Quirky, heartfelt, and brimming with emotion, this story will have you feeling all the feels. If you’re looking for a bingeable, enemies-to-lovers romance with cozy fall vibes, this one’s for you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫