Mourner for Hire surprised me in the best way. The pacing was great, the character development strong, and the small-town vibes (with all the quirky, charming characters that come with it) really pulled me in.

It’s definitely more layered than I expected. On the surface it’s a quirky rom-com with a touch of dark humor, but it also digs into grief, love, and the way death is treated as taboo when it shouldn’t be. I really loved how the book approached death with care and kindness - sad at times, but also funny and reflective.

Vada is a sunshine FMC with more depth than you’d think at first glance, and Dominic is a grumpy (well, grieving) MMC who put her through plenty. He’s not my pick for a book boyfriend, but I admired Vada’s strength throughout. My favourite character, though, has to be Dominic’s mom - her presence shaped so much of the story.

The slow burn tension kept me hooked, and the ‘mourner for hire’ concept is so original. I absolutely loved reading about the requests given to the FMC - it made the story so memorable. Honestly, I want a mourner for hire myself - any applicants for the job??

The cover is gorgeous and gives off perfect autumn vibes, so I’ll definitely be recommending this for fall TBRs.

Overall, quirky, original, a little dark, and very thought-provoking. Perfect for fans of dark comedy, slow-burn tension, and enemies-to-lovers with a twist.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC - I can’t wait to read more from Caitlin Moss!

Thank you to @caitlinmossauthor and @netgalley for the free arc 💖.

✨What it is about:
Vada makes a living mourning strangers. After a fleeting night with Dominic, she disappears, until his mom dies and mysteriously leaves Vada something in her will. Now Dominic’s furious, his mom’s ghost starts haunting her, and Vada’s stuck finishing her unfinished business… with him✨

💭My thoughts:
I will never shut up about this author’s books. I think I sound like a broken record. I keep telling you, over and over again, to give her a try because her books are just that good. LISTEN TO ME!!! 📢😂
Well, this one was no different. Caitlin knocked it out of the park once again with a unique and original concept, great characters, fun banter, a quirky twist, and lots of small-town charm. What a perfect fall read!
The writing is amazing, the details are well thought out, and the concept is like nothing I’ve read before. It was heartfelt, emotional, and so incredibly charming. The meddling ghost situation was hilarious at times, but also deeply touching in others—the balance was spot on! All the characters were well developed, and I personally related to Vada; like her, I don’t remember parts of my childhood, and it was moving to see her reclaim that through her journey.
I loved the emotional arcs each character went through, but most of all, the healing that unfolded along the way. This story balances humor and heart so beautifully.
Like I’ve said in previous reviews of her books, I love the feeling I get when reading Caitlin’s stories. She makes you feel everything, and no matter how dark or complex the plot, there’s always this underlying sense of comfort. LOVE that. Try Caitlin’s books, she’s a breath of fresh air.

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Read if you like:
🪦Loath to love
🪦Slow burn
🪦Dark humor
🪦Small beach town setting
🪦A quirky twist
🪦Magical realism
🪦Cozy comfort reads

⚠️CW: Themes of death (both sudden and expected), including car accidents, ALS, and cancer. On page funeral services, discussions of burial and cremation, dissociative amnesia, death of parents, mentions of sexual assault and attempted drugging. Grief, sexual content.

Mourner For Hire by Caitlin Moss is a fun slow-burn-romcom with all the laughs.
I love Caitlin’s writing style so much. Easy to read and always leaves you feeing all the emotions.
The chemistry between Vada and Dominic was electric from the start.
The author skillfully weaves past and present timelines, providing vivid imagery, and engaging writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this read!

I really enjoyed this book! It was quirky and original. While emotional and thought provoking, it was perfectly balanced with clever banter to keep it from being too heavy.

Vada is a professional Mourner - meeting with people before their passing, then fulfilling their final wishes at their funerals. On her way to meet a new client, Vada stops at a roadside bar and has an encounter with Dominic. Nearly a year later, she returns to the coastal town for the woman's funeral only to find out she is Dominic's mother!!

My only complaint was that it felt like it could have been tightened up a little in the middle. Overall, 4.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 5). I will definitely be reading more from Caitlin Moss!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

This was my first book I’ve read by Caitlin Moss, but not the last!
First of all, the whole vibe was amazing. Obviously we know there is going to be some sense of spookiness to it by the title/cover but having a beach setting, so unexpected but enjoyable!
This was such an amazing “grief” story. The dark humor was nice but the emotional depth was so appreciated here.
Dominic took me a minute to like, but he is devastatingly grumpy and it works.
It’s not everyday a book has me tearing up, but this one did. I loved it and am happy to recommend it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for sending me an ARC of Mourner for Hire.

When Vada Daughtry is fulfilling Annabelle Dunne's wishes, by attending her funeral as a mourner for hire, she doesn't expect to lock eyes with Dominic Dunne, the bartender she shared a night with almost a year ago. In that mojito-soaked night she told him about her job, so when he recognises her at his mother's funeral he is furious to find out she is in her will.

Follow Vada as she completes her task list set out by Annabelle, whilst trying to be ran out of town by her grieving son. Did I mention Annabelle finds herself staying along for the journey?

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, but I must say I absolutely loved every bit of it. I wish I could give a hug to Vada and Dominic, best believe they need one. The amount of times my eyes watered throughout this story though, oh my, when small snippets of memories were coming back and old faces becoming familiar once again.

While I loved both Vada and Dominic so much, Annabelle was my far my favourite character in this, she was so damn sweet and gave such wholesome vibes the whole time, you just know everyone loved her.

I didn't want this story to end, the characters were so well written and loveable, and the story itself was just perfect I wish it was longer.

4.5 rounded to 5. I loved this book so much and it would have been 5 stars but I hated the epilogue. This is might least favorite way to Epilogue a story. I don't want to give any spoilers.
I loved Vada and Dominic. Their relationship was a fun back and forth. Annabelle was such a great character. I walked into this book thinking this was going to be a fun lighthearted rom com. While it definitely delivered on that - it was also emotionally heart wrenching. I cried a few times. It was such a beautiful story with moments of grief and memories. I feel like I can't stop saying good things about it. I am so happy that I was provided with an early copy of this book and I can't wait to see what this author does in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a unique premise! I loved that Vada's job continued to play into the plot and we learned more of her from these uniquely different circumstances surrounding death. I also appreciated a timeline that made sense for the character development. Annabelle was a delight as a ghost - although I think we all appreciated that she stayed away in the spicier moments! I didn't love a few of the more slapstick moments of naked gardening and torn skirts, but the ending was lovely and very satisfying.

This was my first read of a Caitlin Moss tale and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The characters were well developed, quirky and all around fabulous. I loved that Veda is a professional mourner and she navigates that space with such grace. Caitlin Moss obviously has a deep understanding of grief and social mourning. This book was just the right amount of dark/twisty with some rom/com thrown in. I would totally watch this on Netflix! A lovely, cozy fall read just as the weather begins to turn....Read this! You will be glad you did. Thank you to NetGalley and the Caitlin Moss for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Just devoured Caitlin Moss’ Mourner For Hire and I’m blown away! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Equal parts haunting, witty, and moving, this story had me hooked from the very first page. Moss has such a unique voice—she balances dark humor with raw emotion in a way that feels completely fresh. The premise is original, the characters are unforgettable, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you long after you’ve finished. Easily a five-star read.

Sorry, this book is not for me. I’m not interested in speculative fiction. I guess I missed that part in the book description. Also, the graphics aren’t readable through text-to-speech.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC

I’m such a fan of Caitlin Moss! I’ve read nearly all her books, and while I usually gravitate toward the angsty goodness she delivers, I really enjoyed this more lighthearted (though still emotional) romantic comedy with its fun, ghosty paranormal twist.

Vada is a professional mourner, hired by individuals to perform specific tasks at funerals. It’s a super quirky, totally unique premise that, if I had to compare, felt like Lynn Painter and Ashley Poston had a book baby. Her career was hilarious on the surface, and I loved reading about the different funerals she attended, but the reasoning behind her choices was so heartwarming, too!

One particularly unusual job brings Vada back to Shellport, a coastal town with mysterious ties to her past—and also the hometown of Dominic, the tatted man she shared a heated moment with a year earlier, who now turns out to be the son of the deceased woman who hired (and is hilariously haunting) Vada.

If you love a grumpy character, Dominic was certainly that. His hot-and-cold jealous possessiveness drove me batty at times, but given his grief and suspicion that Vada conned his mother, I could get behind his mixed emotions. And he definitely makes up for it. The fiery chemistry and pent-up tension between them kept me hooked. Whew!

I really loved the balance of humour and emotion here. There’s thoughtful messages around grief, trauma, and the ways we carry it with us, and the mystery all comes together in a beautiful, full-circle ending. And don’t worry, if ghosts aren’t your thing, the supernatural element is small, charming, and never overpowering. Definitely a great pick for the fall season. Or anytime, really!

I’m simply obsessed with these two…

Black cat FMC who is a professional funeral attendee meets grumpy bar owner. She is tasked with something before a d3ath of a client, which seems almost impossible. Loathe to love, laugh out loud with all the swoony moments. This little town was so cute, and add some paranormal elements. Caitlin’s side characters and the way she writes could just keep me reading forever.

Top book of the year for me.

Absolutely Loved this cozy autumn read set in the Pacific Northwest with one of the most unique careers I've ever heard of. Mourner for Hire is just like the name applies, Vada, a woman who is "professional mourner" and will do just about anything a soul asks (within her moral compass). When she meets Dominic Dunne at a roadside bar, her life is irreparably changed.

The way I flew through this book, should be shocking to no one who is already a Caitlin Moss fan. Her books have a way of being quick & comedic but still give you a shocking depth to her characters. Her books have always left me in tears and Mourner for Hire gave all this with a fun twist of some paranormal flair added in for good measure. This book will have you laughing out loud with it's dark, quirky humor and later asking yourself why you're crying on the floor into your kindle. For a light breezy book, the emotions that crept up on me, got me good this time.

If you're looking for a cozy enemies-to-lovers autumn book, this is the book that you should be picking up for the season. I guarantee Caitlin Moss will have you waiting to move a beachside Pacific Northwest town by the end too. 4.5 stars rounded up. Pub date is Sept 9th

Thank you Net Galley for the advanced readers copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love how original Caitlin Moss's romance books are. Her storylines feel unique and even the magical realism aspects in this one just add to the interestingness. Both Vada's missing childhood memories and her unusual job lead her into Dominic's circle, but the true draw between the two characters is what pulls them together even as they fight against their desires. There are moments in the book where Dominic's grief manifests as anger, but it just adds to the reality of his character. The small town and the friends that Vada makes there add to the delight of the story. For a romance with such heavy topics in it, I found each chapter a delight and am sad to leave these characters behind.

I received an early copy of this book through Net Galley and the publisher and I am so grateful! This book is the perfect fall read for someone who doesn’t love mystery/trillers and leans more towards romance! The main character is a mourner for hire and she completes final wishes of the dead at their funerals. When she goes to the town she was born in,to have a business meeting, her life is thrown into a tail spin. You watch the characters grieve and get to know one another. Grief is not linear and you can see this throughout the book, but it also shows the harmful sides of grief. This book took me on a roller coaster of emotions and just made you look at life in a bigger picture. I definitely recommend this book to someone who is looking for a good fall tbr read and someone who loves a good deep but fun read!

I'd never once considered mourners for hire being a thing, but this was a really interesting read! I'm still not the biggest fan of the enemies to lovers trope, but I was pleasantly surprised by the balance between banter and emotional depth. And I really appreciated the exploration of death as a taboo in a rom/com context.

Obviously content warnings include death and grief, but honestly that's on you if you aren't expecting that.

I love a good cry. When it’s not because of something wrong in my life but just because all of the emotions together are finally being expelled like a too long held breath and Mourner for Hire gave me the best cry. It also gave me sweet chuckles, moments of recollection and a hope that the characters were given the peace and love they needed.

Vada is a Mourner for Hire. She takes the wishes of dying people and makes arrangements to complete them upon their death. Little does she know that one clients wishes, no matter how strange will be the ones to put so many things into perspective.

If you want a book that’ll help you experience all of the emotions, this one is for you. It gave me some Ashley Poston magical realism vibes.

Caitlin Moss’s Mourner for Hire is a romantic comedy that expertly balances humor with heartfelt moments, exploring themes of death, forgotten pasts, and unfinished business. Vada Daughtry, a professional mourner, makes a living by attending funerals, weaving invented memories and providing comfort to grieving families for a fee. But when a chance encounter with bartender Dominic Dunne leads to a wild night, and a mojito-soaked morning, Vada vanishes, as she always does.

Nearly a year later, fate brings her back into Dominic’s life at his mother’s funeral, where Vada is shocked to discover she has inherited a portion of Annabelle Dunne’s estate. Dominic is furious, suspicious of Vada’s profession, and deeply grieving. But Vada soon learns that Annabelle, even in death, is still pulling strings—literally—by haunting her and leaving a list of posthumous demands, including the renovation of her crumbling seaside cottage. This leads Vada and Dominic back to the coastal town of Shellport, where they’re forced to confront their tangled feelings, the ghostly demands, and the truths of their shared past.

Moss cleverly layers the story with humor, tension, and a slow-burn romance as Vada and Dominic’s undeniable chemistry simmers throughout. The quirky and unexpected ghostly demands, like the renovation of Annabelle’s cottage, provide delightful moments of humor amidst the emotional rollercoaster. This book is ideal for fans who enjoy enemies-to-lovers stories with a touch of the supernatural and a deep exploration of grief and healing.

"Mourner for Hire" was an interesting and atmospheric story that blends grief, mystery, and identity in a way that feels both original and haunting. I was hooked from the start, the idea of a professional mourner navigating not only the grief of strangers but also of that her own hidden losses. I really enjoyed the author’s prose, it was so lyrical without ever feeling strained. This was my first time reading work by her and I was so impressed by the emotional depth and vivid storytelling. At times the pacing dipped a bit, but still I overall enjoyed the story. I would definitely recommend it for fall time for readers! I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.