Casket Case by Lauren Evans

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Nora thought she was finished with Rabbittown, Alabama, for good. But an unexpected tragedy turned her life upside down, and she's found herself back in her tiny hometown running the family casket business.

There aren't exactly a lot of prospects for a single woman in her thirties in a place like Rabbittown. Until Nora Clanton's ordinary, casket-selling day is interrupted by a handsome stranger wandering into her shop and asking for directions--as well as a date.

Garrett Bishop seems like the ideal guy. He's thoughtful, he's kind, and he has a lucrative job as a logistics coordinator, for which he seems to have a passion. She's not totally sure what "logistics" entails, but she knows it means long hours, lots of travel, and urgent calls in the middle of the night.

When a few of Rabbittown's residents suddenly pass away--a heart attack here, a car crash there--and Garrett is spotted at the scenes of, well, all of the deaths, his frustratingly vague job description starts to become increasingly . . . suspicious. What is it that Garrett actually does for a living?

He's a logistics coordinator for Death.

My Opinion

Lauren Evans has written a debut novel with an interesting premise. I have seen some mixed things about Casket Case but personally I enjoyed it and was able to read the majority in one sitting. Nora and Garrett were both great characters, one working for death and one selling caskets.

With a debut like this I can't wait to see what else Lauren Evans has in store.

Rating 4/5

DNF
The blurb of this book intrigued me but the story itself was kinda disappointing. I liked the writing style but the story itself wasn’t for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for this arc.

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down once I’d started it! It’s such a great mix between romance but with an edge that leaves you questioning everything. I would recommend to anyone.

*"Casket Case" by Lauren Evans is a delightfully quirky and darkly humorous mystery that delivers an unforgettable blend of wit and suspense. Evans crafts a unique story set in the unusual world of funeral homes, where the protagonist finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, scandals, and, of course, a mysterious death. With its eccentric characters and clever plot twists, *Casket Case* keeps readers guessing while offering plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Evans’ writing shines with its mix of dark comedy and intrigue, making this a thoroughly entertaining and offbeat mystery that readers will love.*

I found this quite difficult to read to be honest! I was expecting something like the dead romantics where it’s a quirky book about dying but it’s still fun to read but this was just sad?? I wasn’t fully invested in the romance between Nora and garrett and it was so rushed. It didn’t feel believable or give me butterflies when reading, I felt like their relationship progressed quickly with no actual show of love. Also, why did we have a love triangle so near the end and Garrett just basically disappeared until the last 5% of the book!! And the ending with Grandpa what??? I think this had potential however it didn’t shine for me.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this one at around 20%. I wasn’t expecting the instalove and it was a real turn off for me. While I liked both characters they couldn’t make me care enough to continue through the lack of build up in their relationship.

The premise sounded great which is what drew me towards this book and I know that I’ll still be recommending this to friends who like instalove even though it wasn’t for me as I found it very readable outside of this trope.

This felt like a different type of love story and felt very fresh to me. The darker and sadder elements coupled with love made it a perfect read.

I LOVED this book!!!

I cannot believe that this is the authors first novel! I received this from Netgally as an ARC It is without a doubt the best ARC I’ve read!

This story had all the elements of your classic instalove romantic comedy but with twists and turns throughout! I almost wish that the blurb didn’t tell you about Garrett’s job because the time line hopping between his life would have left me with so many questions.

I felt that this was a really unique story and that’s probably why it stood out so much amongst other books that market themselves as supernatural or “spooky” vibes.

I also don’t usually like instalove (enemies to lovers fan) but I actually believed their relationship due to the character building.

DNF at 20%. I tried to give this one a fair shot as the concept sounds interesting and I think a great romance could have come from it but sadly, it all felt really bland and the conversations between characters incredibly stilted and awkward. I didn't get much sense of personality from the fmc or the mmc and their budding relationship all seemed very rushed and sadly lacking in any chemistry or connection. Hopefully this will be the perfect book for another reader!

DNF at 37%

A simple romance with a focus on death, grief, and overcoming hardships. Nora lost her parents one year ago and fell into taking over the family business as she couldn't stand the thought of selling. Garrett, an agent of death, stumbles into the casket parlor one afternoon looking for directions to his latest 'client', and a few dates later the two have fallen deeply for one another...

I don't DNF lightly, and I like to give books a fair chance as often it's not until the end I feel like I really can judge a story. However, Casket Case really wasn't working for me.

This has a strange blend of perspectives, shifting mainly between Garrett and Nora but with a random shop owner thrown in as well. It cuts back on a lot of the tension, and also highlights how static the characters are written. Nora's anxiety and self deprecation is realistic and heartfelt at first but then quickly you realize this is her only assigned character trait beyond getting drunk and watching Cheers. She frequently mentions Instagram therapists (red flag for me tbh, but sure - professional help is expensive so I'll give her this), but clearly has no interest in really examining her traumas. Garrett is similar in that his main characterization centers around him being hot, being a morning person, and being obsessive about his job. His page time contributes little other than to reinforce her really likes Nora and is worried she'll hate his work. Even their interactions with one another are shallow, and I felt like every moment of their relationship was cliché, rushed, or repetitive.

Often, I felt like I was reading a summary of events. The pacing is off, and you hardly have time to really connect with any of the events. This was my main issue with the book, as I just felt disconnected. There are so many times where the story halts to then give a synopsis of how things have progressed, giving little to no real details. Plus, there is little to no plot which doesn't help the feeling that nothing of real substance is occurring.

I wanted to like this book as the main idea is so interesting and it felt like it could be so different from other paranormal romances, but unfortunately it just didn't hit for me.

I had high hopes for this book but sadly it came a bit short. The premise of the book really intrigued me but I felt like throughout the book the plot was a bit weak. The writing was pleasant though and as mentioned before the whole “he works for Death and she owns a casket store” has a lot of potential but I felt like it wasn’t explored properly. The switching of pov’s without mentioning it beforehand was at times also a bit confusing. I did enjoy how the topic of mourning and dying was handled. Some thought the book to be morbid at times but I just found it realistic and refreshing.
What I didn’t understand was the need to make a sort of love triangle with the main characters a bit later on in the book. It just didn’t fit at all. The chemistry between the MC’s wasn’t all that either.

I decided upon 3 stars since I think this author does have an interesting mind and I want to see what they have in store for the future.

I was immediately drawn to this novel by the cute cover and intriguing blurb and was very much looking forward to a quirky romcom featuring the business of death and passing to the other side.

Unfortunately my expectations were not met and I struggled to finish this book.

I did not find any humour in it that would help me class it as a romcom. I also found it very slow going.

I pushed on to finish it, but more to find out if the story picked up and was more reflective of the blurb.

Not one for me.

An compelling romance between a casket seller, and a man working for death. Nora and Garrett have excellent chemistry, and it was both delightful and stressful to watch them fall in love while the secret of Garrett's job hung over their heads. Full of twists and turns, and a truly genuine emotions and insight into grief, this was a wonderful read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

This was my first time reading a book by this author. While the concept had potential, the execution fell short. I struggled to finish it because the plot and writing were basic and choppy, which felt more like a rough draft. The main characters seemed robotic and uninteresting, lacking personality. Their relationship developed too quickly, and the writing failed to convey their connection and chemistry, leaving me indifferent to their story.

Casket Case by Lauren Evans
Rating: 3.5/5
Release Date: 12 September 2024

"Casket Case" is a debut rom-com that blends small-town charm with an unusual supernatural twist. The story follows Nora, a woman in her 30s who reluctantly returns to her hometown of Rabbittown, Alabama, to run her family's casket business after an unexpected tragedy. Her life takes an intriguing turn when she meets Garrett Bishop, a handsome stranger with a mysterious job in "logistics."

As their relationship develops, Nora discovers that Garrett's job is far more extraordinary than she could have imagined – he works for Death itself. This revelation forces Nora to confront her own feelings about mortality and love, creating a unique premise for a romantic comedy.

The novel's greatest asset is its raw and unvarnished portrayal of grief. The author doesn't shy away from the messy, often uncomfortable realities of loss, presenting a refreshingly honest depiction of the grieving process. This authenticity adds depth to the story and will likely resonate with readers who have experienced similar struggles.

However, this commitment to realism comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in relation to the protagonist, Nora. While her emotional turmoil is entirely justified given her circumstances, her character can be difficult to connect with at times. Her dialogue often carries a sharp edge of hostility, and her persistent state of depression, though realistic, may test the patience of some readers.

This portrayal creates a complex dynamic for the audience. On one hand, Nora's behaviour is a truthful representation of how grief can manifest, showcasing the author's skill in character development. On the other hand, her constant negativity and occasional abrasiveness might alienate readers looking for a more traditionally likeable protagonist.

The author walks a fine line between maintaining narrative authenticity and reader engagement. For some, Nora's journey will be deeply moving, offering a cathartic exploration of the grieving process. Others might find themselves frustrated by her seeming inability to move forward, wishing for more moments of levity or growth to balance the emotional weight of her struggles.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of Nora's characterisation will largely depend on individual reader preferences and experiences. Those who appreciate unflinching emotional realism may find her character compelling and relatable, while readers seeking a more uplifting or escapist narrative might struggle to fully engage with her story.

Despite these character issues, "Casket Case" offers an original take on the rom-com genre, exploring how love and loss intertwine in unexpected ways. It's a story that reminds us that while death is an inevitable part of life, it doesn't have to be as frightening as it seems.

This debut novel shows promise in its clever premise and its willingness to tackle difficult themes within a lighthearted genre. Readers who enjoy unconventional romances with a touch of the supernatural may find "Casket Case" an engaging and thought-provoking read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group, and the author, Lauren Evans, for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

There is promise in the idea of this book but unfortunately the execution really isn’t there. It was a real chore to finish.
The insta love seems so false. Neither character had much going for them, particularly Nora who is spectacularly whiny and thinks she has a moratorium on grief. Asking for space then constantly moaning about how Garrett isn’t calling her was one of the most frustrating parts of the book. The love triangle 70% through the book with a man who she’s never really liked and appears to just randomly decide is handsome is also jarring.

Despite the rapid pace of the relationship the book is pretty slow and even though I’ve literally just finished it I can barely remember anything that happened. There’s very little plot involved other than the relationship.

I was hoping for vibes along the lines of the undertaking of hart and mercy but this just wasn’t it.

2/5 wouldn’t recommend

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.