I struggled to half way in this book and just couldn't finish it, it felt like nothing was happening

Casket Case has such a unique concept, I had such high hopes for this book when I read the blurb, but it was nothing like I expected.

Our MC Nora owns and operates a casket store after the tragic death of her parents, the previous owners. A little lost in her life, Nora thinks things are finally moving in the right direction when she meets Garrett a handsome stranger who calls in to ask for directions. The pair hit it off and start to date. It turns out that Garrett works for Death himself, and as Nora has to come to terms and try to process that her world once again implodes.

This book could have been so good, this is such a novel concept that if written well, would have been brilliant. Sadly, the only thing I enjoyed about the book was her granddad and the general community spirit in pulling together for funeral services. The pace of the book and Nora's general character was just all over the place and I didn't really feel like I got to know her very well or in fact get to like her or Garrett. I just expected so much more.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was perfect for a themed romcom in the run up to spooky season! I loved it! Nora and Garrett's characters were interesting, and I really wanted to know how their story continued with every page turn.

I love the new trend of seasonal romances, and Halloween and autumn themed ones are no exceptions. This was such a cute story with two very believable and loveable characters who you want to root for.

A fab read, the story of Nora and Garrett that keeps you guessing while you are hoping for everything to work out for them. Some surprises along the way.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Casket Case' by Lauren Evans

'Casket Case' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Lauren discusses/includes death and grief.

This book definitely gave me mixed emotions. On one hand I absolutely loved the unique storyline concept and unique is always good when it comes to books for me as I have read so many books that I have started to struggle to find one with a storyline that has not been done before. However, on the other hand certain events in this book such as how Garrett declares his love for Nora so quickly seemed a bit rushed to me. In this unique storyline we meet Nora and Garrett who meet when Garrett asks Nora for directions. It does not take long for Garrett to tell Nora that he is in love with her. Nora is 30 years old and sells caskets after taking over the family business in a quiet town in the middle of nowhere. It is not a dream job, her friends are all older than her and her life is comfortable but she finds herself wanting more out of her life. In comes Garrett who sweeps her off is feet, his handsome and sweet but death seems to follow him everywhere he goes. Will their romance survive when everything around him doesn't? When she finds out is secret will she run for her life? With a storyline filled with romance, grief, love triangle, friendship, death, love and more this is an intriguing read that I devoured in one siting. I actually enjoyed the fact that it wasn't all flowers and butterflies and that it included some morbid-ness and eeriness but I understand that this is not for everyone. I would definitely recommend giving it a go though as you have nothing to lose but may just find a lovely new author to try. I, personally, am looking forward to seeing what Lauren comes out with next and will definitely be getting a copy. The fact that Lauren has such a vivid and creative imagination and that she can create such a unique storytelling definitely intrigues me into knowing what she is going to come out with next!! As I previously mentioned Lauren includes death and grief in her storyline but does so in a sensitive way while weaving these difficult topics into a lovely storyline. She also does an absolutely fantastic job of weaving both multiple protagonist perspective and multiple timelines together smoothly and in a way that will not leave the reader in any confusion. I found the characters to be intriguing but again it wasd a mixed bag of emotions where on one hand I found Garrett to be sweet on the other I found his declaration of love a bit too swift considering how slow the burn was up to it. Nora I wanted to hug her one moment then shake her the next, I thought that she spent too much time drinking and personally, in a way, surely Garrett's business would bring her more business which I cannot see how this could be a bad thing. She also annoyed me when she seemed to jump from one thing to another but I really cannot say more as I do not want to risk spoiling the storyline for other. Most definitely mixed feelings and I would rate it 3.5 but rounding that up to 4. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what Lauren will write next!!

Overall an intriguing and unique storyline that I read in one sitting.

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Casket Case was such a cute novel full of emotion. Nora Clanton is still grieving the deaths of her parents a year ago. She took over their casket sales business, cooping herself up either there or at home. She barely has a social life and very little desire to one out. That is, until a stranger walks through the front door, asking for directions.

Garrett Bishop is looking for one of the small-town's residents. He wasn't expecting to feel a connection with the local casket salesperson. He can't get enough of Nora and does everything he can to keep seeing her.

When Nora finds out what Garrett's job is, though, she starts questioning their entire relationship.

Casket case has a great premise. The description is what drew me in and the great characters and story kept me engaged. I love the uniqueness of the story. The characters are wonderful. I was excited at the opportunity to read the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC

A sweet small town romance. The book had a fascinating concept and I like dreading about a more unique spin on the regular romance novel. I liked that the mc's were a bit older (in their thirties) and were more mature. I thought it was a bit slow-moving but liked how it explored themes of grief. It gave the story more substance.

I was really looking forward to reading this, just after reading the blurb and it sounded right up my street,

However, I was dissapointed by the reality of it. The blurb made it sound as if Nora found out early on that Garrett works for Death but we actually get over halfway through before she finds out.

I think it was a good premise and, under different circumstances, I may have enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I think the execution was lacking and I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected to.

I really loved the Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, Love of My Afterlife and the Ghosted series and was expecting this to be in the same vein. Sadly, I continue the hunt for good, quirky paranormal reads!!

The book was well written, it just didn't do anything for me.

This was a fun read by a new to me author. The characters were likable and I found the writing easy flowing.
If you enjoy small town romances that are quirky and sweet then this may be one for you.
I enjoyed it.

This review is being posted as part of the Casket Case blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.

Casket Case is the debut novel from author Lauren Evans. This unique and heartfelt paranormal romance is set in a small and sleepy town in Alabama and is the perfect read for the upcoming spooky season.

Nora and Garrett made a really nice couple. Their meeting explores the idea of finding love in the most unexpected places and they have quite a fast-burn relationship in the early chapters of the story. There is a third-act breakup which I’m not typically a fan of but it did feel necessary for the story and was well-written.

Both Nora and Garrett are in their thirties and generally they demonstrated a maturity that was a breath of fresh air. Nora was a fantastic protagonist whose inner conflict regarding her future was a nice addition to the story. I loved her relationship with her Grandpa.

I also liked Garrett as a MMC, particularly his confidence and maturity. The flashback chapters exploring his past were really interesting and actually ended up being some of my favourites in the book as they helped us to really understand the somewhat complex concept of his job. If gift giving is your love language, you’ll absolutely adore the meaningful gift Garrett gives Nora for her birthday towards the end of the novel.

Although Casket Case is primarily a romance novel, it is also a powerful exploration of the theme of grief and how people approach the topic of death very differently. A real comfort can be taken in the idea of Garrett’s job, with the idea that nobody is alone when they die. Nora lost her parents around a year before the start of the story so her grief plays a key role in her character and the story, which was well written.

The epilogue made me a really emotional. It was something I had predicted quite early on but I was still caught off guard by how much it captured my emotions and brought a tear to my eye in the final pages of the story. It ended the book on a really powerful note, which is testament to Lauren Evans’ fantastic writing ability.

I really liked the small-town setting of Rabbittown and it’s inhabitants. The idea of the small town everyone knows you and everything about you vibe really worked well in the story.

Overall, Casket Case is a heartfelt romance story which is an easy yet emotional read, perfect for fans of The Good Place. It’s a great debut novel from Lauren Evans and I’m excited to see what we see next from her.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️ 🌶️ / 5 (Fade To Black / Closed Door)

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk

*Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Evans, Orion and Rachel’s Random Resources.

I wanted to read this book because I found the blurb intriguing as there's not a lot of books that deals with death or Death (there's DEATH but it's part of a different world).
I found this novel entertaining and moving, a story that doesn't sugarcoat the grief and the loss and how we related to death.
Nora wanted to be something else, but the loss of her parents changed her plans and she's working in the family business: selling caskets. She's lonely and with nearly no relationship with people of her age.
Gareth is the nearly perfect man if you don't care for his profession and how death follows him (no, he's not a serial killer).
A small town, two person who could be perfect, but they will have to face their own inner demons before any possible HEA.
Nora is not a very likeable character but she's realistic and her raw grief is one of the strongest points in this story.
This is a story difficult to classify: you smile but you're also moved. The main theme, I think, it's not the romance but the relationship with grief and death.
My main issue was the pace as it's very slow and after a brilliant start it drags a bit.
I enjoyed it and would like to read other books by this author.
Many thanks to Orion and Rachel’s Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

2⭐
Genre ~ contemporary women’s fiction
Setting ~ Alabama
Publication date ~ September 10, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 396 (18 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 16 minutes
Narrator ~ Sean Patrick Hopkins, Bailey Carr
POV ~ dual 3rd, present tense
Featuring ~ debut, multiple timelines, small town, insta~love, slow burn, no steamage

Nora (30) & Garrett meet when he interrupts her General Hospital watching to ask for directions. Then he’s back soon after asking her to go out on a date. Soon after that they're declaring their love.

Nora was super frustrating and annoyed me to no end. She’s back and forth and all over the place. Listen I feel bad for her, of course I do, she lost her parents to an auto accident only a year ago. Now she’s taken over their casket business and lives in their house. She gives off a younger vibe and I never really warmed up to her.

Fun fact:
“Caskets have a hinge on the side. Coffins are the old wooden things where vampires sleep. The ones you see at Halloween.”

Garrett works for Death and Nora has a tough time accepting that. Which is odd since it’s inevitable and would help her business. She drinks a good bit too much to pass the time while she hems and haws over it. I thought he should just run for the hills and never look back.

Then they’ve broken up and she starts hanging out with Johnny, owner of the local funeral home and someone she’s interacted with frequently due to their common field of business. I didn’t like this part of the story that brought in unnecessary conflict.

Although the premise was very interesting and the tone somber as expected, this one didn’t really work for me. I did love the title, the cover and Nora’s relationship with her grandpa. The last chapter was expected and I thought that was well done. Also, I enjoyed her speech that she was really nervous to give.

Well, not sure what to say, this look me the longest time to read, I wasn't sure about the characters attraction to each other, the pace was slow throughout, but then had odd moments of speeding up. Then a love triangle, which spiced the storyline, but overall the romance part didn't work for me.
What did work was the discussions around grief, death and working in that industry. I thought that was interesting and led to me thinking more about acceptance.

Unfortunately, I had to put this down as DNF - 30% - which I really hate to do on books - but the style of writing is a struggle from the start, being disjointed and feeling like things are being summarised and like this was a first draft rather than a finished novel.

Lauren Evans’ debut novel, Casket Case, offers a charming and unconventional take on the rom-com genre. Set in the quaint, Southern town of Rabbittown, Alabama, the story follows Nora Clanton as she returns home to manage her family’s casket business after a personal tragedy. Her predictable life takes a turn when she meets Garrett Bishop, a seemingly perfect stranger who shows up at her shop asking for directions—and a date. With his charismatic demeanor and mysterious profession as a logistics coordinator, Garrett initially seems like a dream come true.

However, the plot thickens as Nora discovers that Garrett's job is far from ordinary; he coordinates logistics for Death itself. This twist introduces an intriguing blend of romance and fantasy, but the execution feels somewhat uneven. While the premise is unique and the characters endearing, the narrative struggles to balance its whimsical elements with the emotional depth required for a truly engaging love story. The novel’s pacing is also a bit sluggish at times, which can detract from its overall charm. Despite these shortcomings, Casket Case remains a warm-hearted read with a refreshing, if slightly imperfect, spin on romance. It’s a light, enjoyable book that will appeal to fans of quirky, small-town stories with a supernatural twist, earning it a solid three stars.

I don’t think I have ever read a book like this one and I have plenty of paranormal romance. I mean a woman who inherits her family casket business and a guy who works logistics for Death. Talk about relationship issues! Although if you get right down to it they both work in the same field. The creativity of this really called to me and I am so glad I took a chance on it.

Let me start off by saying the pacing of the story was a bit slow but overall I enjoyed it. The relationship between Nora and Garrett also moves more at novella speed for the slowness of the story. So I do think both of those areas were something that could have been better.

I loved how Lauren Evans tackled grief though. A lot of books either gloss over it or make it unbearable. She didn’t do that here. She made it real which made the book better. Nora was a bit wishy-washy for me but she also reminded me a bit of my mother in her grief. The difficulty she has moving on and the emotional struggle with it. That could be why I wanted to hug her and then tell her to “Snap out of it” at times.

Overall I enjoyed this book and the unique story that it presented. There were some things that I felt could have been improved on but in the end it’s a good story. Take a read for yourself and see what you think.

Casket Case follows Nora, who inherits her family’s casket shop after her parents pass away. Things start to shake up when Garrett, a mysterious stranger, comes looking for directions and ends up changing her life.

I went into this hoping for the same charm as Dead Romantics, but sadly, it didn’t quite hit the mark. The romance felt rushed, and the pacing was all over the place. I was invested enough to finish it, but it left me feeling a little underwhelmed.

The chapter lengths were inconsistent, making the flow kind of awkward. Plus, some weird continuity issues kept pulling me out of the story, like random jumps in time and little details that didn’t add up.

Overall, it's not a bad read, just not what I was expecting.

Casket Case is an intriguing, quirky romance that centers around Nora, who finds herself in her small hometown running the family casket business after her parents’ passing. Enter Garrett, a handsome stranger who stumbles into her shop asking for directions—and ends up asking for a date too. What starts as a chance meeting turns Nora’s life upside down as she navigates her grief, family responsibilities, and a mysterious new relationship.

The premise really grabbed me, and I was drawn to the idea of a love story set in such an unusual place. Despite focusing on death, the book didn’t feel overly dark or depressing. Sure, there are some heavy moments—Nora and Garrett have both experienced loss—but there’s an underlying optimism throughout the story. The romance between them is sweet, though it leaned a little too close to “instalove” for my taste, making their connection feel rushed.

That said, I loved how the book explored Nora’s journey of healing and self-discovery. The setting in Rabbittown, Alabama, added a cozy, small-town vibe, but it also gave Nora this sense of being stuck, especially since her career options in town were slim. The plot takes an interesting twist when Garrett’s job as a “logistics coordinator” starts to raise eyebrows—he’s been spotted at the scenes of several local deaths, which isn’t exactly romantic! When the truth comes out that he works for Death, Nora has to decide if she can accept both the man and the eerie job that comes with him.

While I appreciated the unique concept, the execution felt uneven. The pacing was a little off, with some chapters flying by while others dragged, and the third-act conflict didn’t quite resolve satisfyingly. There were also a few small continuity issues that disrupted the flow, like odd jumps in time and tiny inconsistencies in the details, which made things a bit frustrating at times.

However, as a debut novel, Casket Case does show a lot of promise. The writing is solid, and the combination of romance, mystery, and humor makes it an engaging read. If you’re a fan of quirky love stories with a touch of the supernatural, this is worth checking out. Just be mindful of the trigger warnings around death and grief before diving in, as those themes play a central role in the story.

All in all, I’d say it’s a fun and heartfelt read, even if it doesn’t hit all the marks. If you’re looking for something different with a dash of romance and an unusual twist, Casket Case might just surprise you!

I jumped on the chance to read this book, it sounded right up my street. The premise hooked me in, unfortunately the storytelling fell short. I found Garretts lack of explanations throughout frustrating and didn't see why Nora kept giving him more chances.
I think the author has lots of fantastic potential and I look forward to reading future work.