Mourner For Hire, Caitlin Moss.

I initially requested this book because I was looking for cozy, autumnal reads to start the cozy season with, which this book seemed to cover. I was also intrigued by the concept of having a 'mourner for hire' and was interested in what this could look like.

The story and writing were easy to read, but kept me engaged throughout. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters, and their banter. The inclusion of a magical element was fun to read about. Having a list of tasks the main character needed to do kept it engaging, alongside having to hunt for lost memories. There was a lot going on in this book which kept it engaging, but not so much that it got confusing or too unrealistic. The mourner for hire storyline stood out to me as it was interesting to hear more about why they did what they did and how it impacted other people. It was also interesting to see the main character stand up for herself and protect her peace and her career.

One thing that didn't fully land for me was how quickly the two love interests ended up falling in love. I really enjoyed the slow burn, banter, 'enemies to lovers' feel of the book, but their final falling for eachother felt a little bit rushed for me. I would still say it worked, I would have just enjoyed a little more.

Overall, I would recommend this book to romance lovers who want a cozy, romantic and slightly magical book to enjoy during cozy season.

Thank you to Netgalley and Caitlin Moss for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was such an emotional romcom. I know that doesn’t really make sense but I enjoyed this story so much!

Vada has the most intriguing of jobs and that’s being hired to show up your funeral to do whatever has been asked of her. There were some very funny scenarios when she had a job to do and I couldn’t stop giggling. While most of the book made me laugh, there were also moments that made me sad. Vada lost her mom at a young age and can’t remember what happened before the accident. When she takes on a job with a woman named Annabelle, she finds a lot more than she was expecting.

I loved Vada and Dominic. He falls first but he doesn’t see her for a year after they meet. When they meet again, it’s an enemies to lovers kind of scenario. Grief is a rollercoaster of a journey, that they both grow through together. I loved their banter so much and the silly pranks. Seeing them remember certain things was so sweet too. Things heat up a bit but not overwhelmingly so. I give it 2 🌶️ out of 5.

Some favorite moments: the drama of the funerals like the first one, the grocery store prank, Annabelle popping up every now and again, Vada finding her place.

This story was a fun one to read. Thank you NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I absolutely loved the fact that the main character was a professional mourner, I thought that was very original and interesting. This was a really good romantic comedy. I don’t usually go for romance books but once in a while I find one that interests me. This one really worked for me and I loved the authors writing.

This is one of those books that sneaks up on you. It’s quirky, darkly funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt. The premise itself is unique: a woman who gets paid to attend funerals, stepping into grief that isn’t hers until she’s forced to confront her own. What starts off feeling a little offbeat quickly deepens into a story about loss, identity, and finding connection in the strangest places.

I loved the mix of humour and melancholy; it’s written with a light touch but doesn’t shy away from heavier themes. Vada is messy and flawed, which makes her really relatable. Dominic is complicated and complex, which makes his character development unique. Some parts of the pacing felt inconsistent, but overall, it was a refreshing, original read with more heart than I expected.

If you like contemporary dark comedy fiction that’s witty, character-driven, and just a little weird, this one is worth picking up.

More than anything else, this is a story of grief, dark humor, and remembrance. Specifically, remembering the past but learning to live in the aftermath. Vada and Dominic have a complicated relationship. She's a professional mourner hired by Dominic's mother to renovate the beach cottage after Annabelle's passing. Dominic is grieving and doesn't want this woman in his hometown that is bringing up some complicated feelings and changing things up. Vada is incredibly unique and I love the journey she went on! Dominic is a very grumpy cinnamon roll that needs to deal with his grief without lashing out. Watching them clash is hilarious but heartwarming. I loved the banter between the two of them and there were so many side characters that just brought that extra spark to it and made it even more enjoyable. Overall, a romantic comedy that deals with the hard things with a touch of humor.

Okay but… where do I apply to be a professional mourner? Because Vada makes it look like the most oddly glamorous job ever. 🥹

And don’t even get me started on Dominiq. We all need a Dominiq in our lives .

This book flew by faster than my willpower at a bookstore sale. It’s the ultimate autumn vibe,cozy with just enough bite to keep you hooked. .

Thank you to the author for gifting me this arc 💕

I’ve added a review to Amazon but it’s waiting to be approved so I added my reviewer profile in the links 😍

This was such a fun and quirky read. It’s a dark romantic comedy centred around a professional mourner who slowly uncovers a past that’s been hidden from her. I adored this storyline and it had me teary in parts and laughing in others. The chemistry between our main characters was stunning and I was devouring this book page by page.

This book was an unexpected delight!

Well I guess I shouldn’t say unexpected because the reviews were outstanding before I read it, but what a fun premise, and the reviews were not wrong.

Vada is a mourner for hire who reconnects with a past fling on one of her jobs: his mother’s. But somehow it works! I really enjoyed it! This was something truly fresh and new and it only got better from there.

It has more depth than you would think with a lot of exploitations of grief and nuance, and had wonderfully-developed characters with great chemistry. I’m not sure I needed to the paranormal element, but it also didn’t hurt the story for me. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for the ARC.

I loved this book so so much!! It had perfect enemies-to-lovers tension, an emotional exploration of grief, and a sprinkle of paranormal elements.

Vada is a professional mourner. Her clients hire her to make their funeral exactly as they want it—she’ll cry, pretend to be someone special to the deceased, whatever they want. However, Annabelle Dunne has more extravagant ideas for after her death, and Vada agrees. At Annabelle’s funeral, Vada realize she has a history with Annabelle’s son and he is furious that Vada has been left a good portion of his mother’s estate.

Vada and Dominic had such a tumultuous relationship at first, but undeniable chemistry that kept bringing them together. They were constantly trying to work out their feelings for each other, and I found it so entertaining. I also really appreciated the exploration of grief in this story. Vada’s mother died in an accident when Vada was a child, and Dominic’s grief is more recent, but they were both figuring out how to live and love with their grief. Annabelle’s pot-stirring ghost haunts Vada, which added an extra element that I really enjoyed. The ending of the book had me in tears and I just adored every minute. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Caitlin Moss and NetGalley for this e-ARC; opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
💕 Enemies to lovers
💕 Stories of grief
💕 Paranormal elements
💕 Found family
💕 Small town romance

Does it count as a meet-cute if you were paid to be at his mother's funeral? Or only if you have never met him before said event? These are questions I never thought I would ask, yet here I am.

I thought I signed up for a romantic comedy type book with a main character with an unconventional job, enemies-to-lovers undertones, and meddling ghosts. What I got was all of that combined with a deep exploration of grief. How some want their life remembered once they are gone and what happens to those who get left behind.

Veda is a professional mourner. She gets hired by the maybe-soon-to-be-deceased to show up to their funerals and enact their last wishes, which range from an extra person to weep for them to a last chance for pettiness. When she shows up in her old hometown for the funeral of her latest client, Annabelle, a woman with highly specific and unusual requests, she realizes she was already intimately familiar with Annabelle's son. To say Dominic is not happy to see her is an understatement, but Veda won't be allowed to quit with a demanding ghost making sure the contract is honored.

I loved this; I'm not entirely sure what else to say. Honestly, I felt it hit all the marks: snarky humor, complex characters, an orchestrating ghost, and a quaint little town. I loved watching everything develop, from the lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers relationship to the renovations of the cottage. Dominic was a difficult character to read about. He was infuriating and inconsistent and angry, but we also knew that grief looks different to everyone and that he was just trying to come to terms with the cryptic final demands his mother left him with. Veda, on the other hand, is just there to do a job she was hired to do. She did not expect to fall in love with this beautiful town and to rediscover parts of her childhood.

There seems to be so much happening in this book, but it never feels overwhelming. On the contrary, it feels like everything feels natural, with a pacing that allows for enough time for each one to understand their own conflicting emotions. When those emotions finally explode, it feels like a foregone conclusion.

I am literally still tearing up while writing this review, but I am very happy about it. Not wanting to be dramatic, but I almost feel cleansed in a way. No amount of time will ever be enough with the people you love, but what you can do is enjoy every moment until then (and all their quirks).

Thank you to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.

What a unique and fun concept for a book! This would be perfect for a read that gives the spooky season vibe but is cozy, romantic, with hints of nostalgia and history.

Vada is a mourner for hire , making the last wishes of the dying come true from attending the funeral for support to causing a spectacle. When one interview takes her close to her hometown, a place she hasn’t frequented since her mother’s death, a traffic jam places her in Dominic’s bar. There is an instant intrigue and genuine connection but it lasts only one night, until they meet again at his mother’s funeral. Hired to carry out her last wishes, she’s back in Dominic’s life and this time she’s enemy #1.

This story definitely has enemies to lovers vibes with that underlying tension of former attraction. I thought Dominic’s inner monologue was frequently hysterical as he tried to talk himself into continuously hating Vada and her strong personality and pushbacks made him so frustrated and caused me love her even more. There is a little paranormal twist that had me giggling frequently, making one of the supporting character quite possibly a favorite!

There were sweet themes of self discovery and meaningful history throughout Vada’s time in Shellport, adding extra emotion to this story. Overall, I enjoyed this story and think it’s the perfect read for this season!

4.5/5

“You may hate every circumstance that brought me to you, but you will love what I do with the life that’s left. I promise.”

Alright, y’all know it’s hard for me to find the words when I love a book, because I always feel like nothing I say will ever be enough to explain how great it is, so I’ll just give it to you straight—You want banter? Read this book. You hate meddling family members, especially the ghost kind, but love reading about them? Read this book. You want a badass FMC with the patience & heart of a saint? Read this book. You want a grumpy, inked book boyfriend that you will probably want to strangle at first, but learn to understand & love? Read this book. You want fall vibes? Read this book. You want to laugh out loud? Read this book. You want to sob so hard you can’t breathe? Read this book. You want words so beautifully written, you have to force yourself to not post all the quotes? Read this book. You want something new, refreshing, & unexpected? READ. THIS. BOOK.

This book was such a pleasant surprise. I went in expecting a quirky small-town romance with humor and meddling ghosts (which it delivered on!), but I didn’t anticipate the emotional undercurrent around grief and memory loss. It kept the story heartfelt without ever feeling too heavy.

I especially appreciated that Dominic and Vada’s relationship didn’t begin with the usual instant-hookup. Their first encounter was awkward, emotional, and more meaningful than I expected—it really set the tone for their dynamic. Vada’s dark humor balanced the grief beautifully, and her work gave the deceased a voice that made those moments surprisingly moving.

Annabelle, the ghost, completely stole the show for me. Her meddling, wit, and larger-than-life personality added so much charm and levity. Secondary characters like Connor, Eli, and Trudy were great, but I would’ve loved to see them fleshed out more—especially Connor, who felt like he had untapped story potential.

The pacing leaned slow-burn (which worked here), and the ending delivered a satisfying sense of closure that hit the right emotional notes.

Overall, this was a funny, heartfelt, and unique romance that blends humor with deeper themes. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy small-town settings, quirky characters, and emotional slow burns with a touch of the supernatural.

🧡Thank you @caitlinmossauthor and @netgalley for the arc

This book was absolutely and completely delightful! It’s the perfect read for fall. The ghosty elements were the perfect touch and I didn’t want to put this book down.

Vada and Dominic had such a tension-filled relationship with so many layers. Grief, resentment, missed chances, and more. I was just screaming at them to kiss and make nice!

Overall, if Caitlin Moss writes it I’m reading it!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5

4.5 Vada is a mourner for hire. Yes, it’s exactly how it sounds. People hire her to mourn at their funeral, and sometimes the things they ask her to do are a little more… involved. Like when she has to renovate a beach house for Dominic’s mom, who may or may not be meddling from the afterlife. She has a tiny bit of history with Dominic, and also has history with the town.

I can always count on Caitlin Moss to bring the most fun magical realism twist to her stories. This book was so different and refreshing. I couldn’t get enough of the small beach town vibes. I loved Vada’s character and her job was fascinating. The push and pull between her and Dominic was delicious. He wanted to hate her so badly, I loved the banter.

I also teared up several times reading this, as both characters are grieving. It was such a unique story and I loved seeing Vada uncover her past and remember her mom.

ARC review

🖤Loathe to love
🖤Dark humor
🖤Grumpy cinnamon roll
🖤Quirky FMC
🖤A meddling ghost
🖤Small beach town
🖤Slow burn and tension

4.5⭐️

caitlin moss has quickly become an “if she writes it, i will read it” author for me.

vada has a very unconventional job, but she loves it and i think it’s nice that people who are dying can reach out to her to fulfill some last wishes, no matter how wild they may seem. and while her job seems like something only cold people could do, vada cares. she makes sure people’s wishes are fulfilled to the best of her ability.

dominic is grieving and i think caitlin portrayed that well. while i don’t agree with him taking the first stages of grief out on vada, he did need space to grieve and it can’t be easy for him since he has a little bit of imposter syndrome. the town is very supportive, though.

i loved the premise of mourner for hire and appreciate the care caitlin took when writing this book. it is about death and dying, after all.

This is one of the best books I've read this year! I loved the two points of view. I adored the characters. I laughed so hard. I cried. And I swooned. The romance is perfect. The plot unique. And Annabelle was a wonderful surprise. I couldn't put this one down. This is a must read!

Funny, witty, romantic, sad and just plain beautiful

Grief is such a delicate theme to navigate and Moss not only did a great job at it, but she made it funny and even swoony way, a great and easy 5 star read.

~Blurb~

Vads is a mourner for hire, and in her way to meet her newest client (Annabelle a woman from her hometown that she hasn't been in since she was 8y/o) a unexpected traffic jam forcesto rush to a roadside bar to use the bathroom, where she meets Dunner white whom she almost has a one night stand before she leaves town without looking back, only for when she comes back a year later to fullfill her mourner for hire duties to be faced with the fact that Dinner is her client's son.

When she says f this in not doing this job Annabelle shows up to count her into doing it step by step.

Tropes:

🧡Haunted FMC
🧡Black Cat MMC × Bratty FMC
🧡Enemies to Lovers
🧡Misplaced Memory
🧡Invisible String

Mourner For Hire by @caitlinmossauthor is out today make sure to check it out!

Thanks to Caitlin Moss and NetGalley for
sending this ARC in exchange for my honest review

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
🌶️🌶️

@netgalley #MournerForHire #netgalley #mournerforhirebook
#caitlinmoss #caitlinmossauthor #2025RomanceBooks #arcreview #ContemporaryRomance #RomanceBooks #RomanceRecs #Bookstagram #FallReads #NewBookRelease #booksbooksbooks #bookcomunity

From the second I saw the cover & read the blurb, I knew I’d enjoy this book! I love a little paranormal/spooky vibes with a romance & this was a great book for that!

This book is truly unlike any other I have read & it was a refreshing take on the subgenre for me! I will definitely read more by Caitlin Moss & recommend this book to friends!

Ok, I had to get this book solely for the title, never reading the synopsis and not knowing the author. I mean, how fun is that?!

Vada Daughtry is a professional mourner. She makes sure her client’s wishes for their funerals come true. Her world flips on its axis when Annabelle asks her to renovate her coastal cabin.

This was such a fun read with quite a bit of depth. It’s a slow burn romance but when Dominic finally pulls it together, oh it gets so cute! And Annabelle is a real star, feisty little thing.

Here’s what to expect:
👻 ghosts
👻 lots of pining
👻 small town charm

And how about these quotes?!? 🥰

Thank you @netgalley and @caitlinmossauthor for my early ebook copy! 🧡