<i>”Love is simple. It’s about trying. But not too much, just the right amount—and as often as you can.”</i>

This lovely, surprising novel strikes an impressive balance between the lighthearted charm of romantic comedy and the rawness of a story about grief and healing. Oakeley did a great job of weaving together humour and heartache, creating a novel that is both accessible and moving. ❤️‍🩹

The pacing kept me engaged from start to finish, and I loved the witty prose that easily could’ve undermined the story’s emotional impact, but it didn’t. Joel is a relatable and convincing main character. His journey of self-discovery and healing is portrayed in such a way that you can’t help but be frustrated with him and root for him every step of the way. Watching him gradually find his footing again was just heartwarming af 🫶🏼.

The audiobook production deserves special mention, the narrator’s delivery perfectly captures the story’s tone. He was a great choice!! 🎧 Thank you so much to NetGalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for this ARC!

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting but in all honesty I don’t know what I was expecting.
This was a fun, light easy read.
I really enjoyed the story and the characters.
I loved how the story dealt with grief and made this relatable.

Weird to describe a book about grief as light hearted but despite there being heavy aspects this book just made me smile and warmed my heart.

Nearly Departed by Lucas Oakeley – Short Review

This debut novel blends romantic comedy with ghostly intrigue, following hapless twenty-something Joel as he tries to move on after the tragic death of his girlfriend, Beth. Just as he begins to fall for someone new, Beth’s ghost reappears—complicating everything. With sharp wit and emotional depth, Nearly Departed explores grief, awkward dating, and the messiness of healing. It’s tender, funny, and quietly profound—a love story with ghosts, and a fresh take on what it means to let go.

The set up for this book was an interesting concept and I sometimes find quirky main characters to be a plotline I love to follow. Joel Foster is a hapless twenty-something. His girlfriend, Beth Lewis, would likely have been a hapless twenty-something, too, had she not been obliterated by a very large cement truck. Some time after Beth’s tragic death, Joel is still trying to juggle grief with the world of modern dating. And while he still feels like a widower, he has to find a new love before three years is up. (this forced timeline is all of his own making).

The catch? Just as Joel thinks he’s finally falling for someone, he starts getting haunted by Beth.

It’s not a ghost story, it’s a love story. With ghosts.

Who wouldn't find this a little intriguing?
It was, and then it wasn't. I guess for me we were stuck in Joel's head a lot and it's at times not very interesting. I don't want to spoil the ending but it's a little anti-climatic. I guess the people who loved this story are probably the audience for a meandering, insecure character such is Joel. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

This was such an enjoyable debut novel to read! This novel was funny, tender and poetic, Nearly Departed is everything I hoped it would be. I found myself laughing aloud at many points and I was reluctant to finish the book and leave behind the characters and their poignant story!

As a millennial I found parts of the book really relatable which I really enjoyed. This novel will stay with me for a while, and I can't wait to see what the author - undoubtedly an enjoyable writer comes up with next.

Thank you to Thank you to #NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book (#NearlyDeparted) in exchange for an honest review.

A tender and funny love story with a twist- I found the book utterly charming and done with a lot of care and joy.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nearly Departed is a witty and bittersweet twist on the romcom, blending ghostly interference with the messy reality of dating after loss. Joel Foster is still grieving his girlfriend Beth, who died in a bizarre cement lorry accident. Just as he starts to fall for someone new, Beth returns as a ghost complicating his already tangled emotions.

Lucas Oakeley balances humour with heartfelt moments, using the supernatural more as an emotional device than a source of scares. The banter is sharp, and the premise is undeniably fresh, though the pacing in the middle occasionally slowed for me. Joel’s indecision can be frustrating, but it also makes him human, flawed, grieving, and trying to work out what comes next.

A charmingly offbeat romance with a spectral twist, perfect for readers who like their love stories equal parts funny and bittersweet.

This was funny and sad and neurotic. I really enjoyed listening so thank you NetGalley for letting me listen and review.

I admired "Nearly Departed" more than I enjoyed it. The book begins with Beth ruminating on life, before she is promptly fridged so the readers can hear about her boyfriend, Joel's take on love. Joel is sweet enough and the cast of characters surrounding him are interesting. The beginning isn't the last we hear from Beth and that is bittersweet.