This was such a messy book but in a good way!

Poppy is still mourning the death of her sister Dandelion (what a great name) and after breaking her phone she starts to use her dead's sisters as a replacement. Looking through the phone, she realises her sister was on dating apps and, as Dandelion's 40th birthday approaches, she decides to go on a date, as Dandelion, with Jake.

Although only intended to be a one-off date, there is instant chemistry between them however can a relationship which is built on a lie ever work out? Read on to find out......

Now, this sounds like a rom-com that would feature Julia Roberts on screen and would be funny, full of mishaps etc. however this is not that type of novel. There are some incredibly funny moments (and I do think it would work on screen) however this is a complex, deep, tender, powerful novel about grief, love, siblings, family and a whole lot more.

Definitely a book that will long remain in my head and one of my favourite books this year.

I really enjoyed this one! Poppy pretending to be her sister on a dating app is such a fun, messy setup, and the sparks between her and Jake kept me hooked. It’s funny, a little heartbreaking, and totally relatable in how it deals with love, loss, and figuring yourself out. Definitely a feel-good, twisty read!

Dandelion is Dead is a tender, thoughtful and quietly heartbreaking book that explores grief, identity and the complicated ways we try to hold on to the people we have lost. The premise is immediately gripping. Poppy discovers a message in her late sister’s dating app and, in a moment of aching loneliness, decides to step into Dandelion’s shoes for just one meeting. It is the sort of mistake born from love, grief and desperation, and it sets the tone for a story that is both moving and painfully believable.

Poppy is a beautifully drawn character. Living in the shadow of her vibrant sister has shaped so much of her life, and stepping into Dandelion’s world is equal parts comforting and suffocating. Her connection with Jake feels genuine from the very first moment, and that is what makes the lie so heavy. The way the book explores her guilt, longing and confusion feels incredibly true to life. Grief is messy, and Rosie Storey captures that perfectly.

Jake is just as compelling. His own life is unravelling, his sense of self shaken, and the quiet grief he carries makes him easy to root for. The connection between him and Poppy has a tenderness that feels natural and unforced, even as the entire relationship is built on a deception that cannot last.

The emotional weight of the story is handled with real care. There are no big melodramatic flourishes. Instead, the heartbreak builds slowly in the small moments – the texts Poppy sends, the memories she clings to, the way she tries to protect everyone but herself. The tension grows not from danger, but from the knowledge that truth always finds a way to surface.

Warm, bittersweet and full of humanity, this is a beautifully written debut that captures the ache of grief and the fragile hope of second chances. A compelling and emotional read that lingers long after the final page.

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