Mourner for Hire

by Caitlin Moss

A romantic comedy about death, forgotten pasts, and unfinished business.

Vada Daughtry is a professional mourner. For a fee, she’ll cry at your funeral, whisper invented memories, and spin tales of heartbreak. It’s a job that keeps her moving—and keeps her past buried.

But when a wrong turn leads her to a roadside bar and a mojito-soaked night with bartender Dominic Dunne, something shifts. Then she vanishes, like she always does.

Nearly a year later, Vada shows up at a funeral… and realizes the deceased is Dominic’s mother.

Now he’s grieving, furious, and stunned to learn Vada’s been left a generous piece of his mother’s estate. He knows what she does for a living. He thinks it’s all a con. Vada wants to slip away quietly—again—but the late Annabelle Dunne has other plans: haunting Vada until she completes a list of posthumous demands, starting with renovating her crumbling seaside cottage.

Drawn back to the coastal town of Shellport, Vada and Dominic are forced to confront the truth—about the past, about each other, and about a ghost of a woman who isn’t done pulling strings.

Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers tension, slow burns, and ghost stories with bite.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Halloween, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance

370 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 2025

About the author

Caitlin Moss is the author of swoony romance books that give you all the feels.

She is a writer turned stay-at-home-mom turned author and currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three children, and two golden doodles.

Instagram: @caitlinmossauthor
Tiktok: @caitlinmosswrites
Threads: @caitlinmossauthor

https://linktr.ee/caitlinmoss

Reviews

[molly lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

⁀➷ 3.5 stars ☆

A witty yet emotional and thought-provoking read about love, loss and everything in between.

‘Mourner for hire’ is everything its title suggests. It follows Vada - a professional mourner running from her past. Upon your death she will fulfil your final wishes - from crying at your funeral to standing mysteriously by a tree like some lost lover. One client, however, has the unusual request of renovating her home after her death. When Vada turns up at the funeral, she realises the late Annabella Dunne is the mother of Dominic - the handsome bartender she spent an unforgettable night with a year ago. However, Dominic knows exactly what Vada does for a living and he is oh so not happy to see her. Vada is determined to slip away quickly (for the second time), but the deceased has other plans…

˖⊱ 𝑴𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ᝰ.ᐟ

The plot is imaginative and original, the writing fast paced and easy to bomb through. I appreciated how CM was able to make a sad story morbidly comedic without completely removing the sorrow and grief the characters go through.

However, and colour me shocked, I didn’t enjoy the romance! Romance is usually my favourite part of a novel and yet is my least favourite in this. I just could not connect to Dominic’s character. I understand his reasons for being stand-offish and horrible to Vada, but it doesn’t mean I could get behind it. He called her a coward, a witch, did everything he could to make her feel unwelcome. The part in the story where the couple finally gets together didn’t feel natural considering how much he loathed her throughout.

˖⊱ 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 ᝰ.ᐟ

Nevertheless, whilst I wouldn’t say this is a strong romance novel, I would absolutely recommend this to those searching for an insightful read about life’s complexities - CM completely succeeded in addressing themes of loss, grief and healing in a humorous yet delicate way.

━━━━ ⊱⋆⊰ ━━━━
˖⊱ 𝑷𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 ᝰ.ᐟ

The premise of this one sounds really intriguing, I have high hopes 🤞🏻.

⤿ Thank you to NetGalley and author Caitlin Moss for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: Sep 9th 2025

[TheConnieFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was brilliant! It was such a fun and entertaining read! It is quirky, original, captivating and thought provoking! It is a dark romantic comedy where the female main character is a professional mourner. It is a fast paced read that is extremely emotional, funny and reflective. This book is the perfect balance of humor and tragedy. I had laughed a lot throughout the book, but it also made me feel sad and cry. The fact that this book also comes with romance, was an added bonus! The characters in this story are strongly developed and lovable. It is beautifully written, had a well rounded plot and a clear storyline!

“Mourner For Hire” centers around a woman named Vada Daughtry. She is a professional mourner. She gets paid to cry at funerals, even whispers invented memories. She does this to keep her past buried. However, one day she ends up at a funeral with someone that she knows, a guy named Dominic. Dominic is attending his mom’s funeral. Vada knows Dominic, because he is a bartender in their hometown. He knows what she does and does not like it at all. There’s a lot of banter between them, but then things start to get serious and they become romantic. As the story unfolds, will they end up happily ever after and will she continue doing her mourner for hire job? It is a book that you have to keep reading till the end! Overall, I give this a rating of 5 out of 5 stars!

I think fans of an emotional depth storyline, along with dark romance and humor, would really enjoy reading this! Content warnings include death and grief.

Thank you to NetGalley and author Caitlin Moss for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on September 9, 2025!

[Anna (annareadit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
— loathe to love
— dark humor
— grumpy cinnamon roll
— quirky FMC
— slow burn
— tensionnnn
— small beach town

I just started reading it — it has a similar vibe to May I Help You?.
I really enjoyed this original story — especially the way it explores the theme of death as a taboo. The way the female main character approaches it with such kindness and respect truly impressed me. This book made me feel a whirlwind of emotions — from laughter to tears — all in a single moment.

To be honest, when I first saw the ARC on NetGalley, I skipped it and didn’t pay much attention (I seem to have the curse of someone who always falls for pretty covers... and sometimes suffers for it). To be fair — the cover isn’t bad, it just didn’t catch my eye.

Thanks so much to @kerosene.lit for putting this book and its amazing author on my radar! ❤️

This story reminded me of my favorite k-drama, May I Help You?

Thank you to Caitlin Moss and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 / 5 Stars
I found a lot of aspects of this book really exciting but the romance was just not for me. Vada is a mourner for hire. People hire her while they are alive to perform certain tasks when they die – exposing a cheating spouse at a funeral, showing up to their funeral in case no one else does, whatever it might be (within reason). It’s a weird job but Vada loves helping people get closure and have some control of their passing. As she heads back to the town that she grew up in to meet a new client, Annabelle, she stops at a bar and has an instant but fleeting connection with a bartender named Dominic. When she comes back to town a year later to complete Annabelle’s wishes, she learns that Dominic is Annabelle’s son and he is not happy to have Vada back in town. Annabelle asked Vada to renovate her cottage and left her a pretty penny to do so and Dominic is convinced that Vada swindled his mom. And he makes his feelings known to everyone who will listen. Vada wants out of her contract but Annabelle’s ghost shows up and won’t let her go until she completes the task. Dominic’s hate plus a meddling ghost plus some unresolved feelings between Dominic and Vade make her time in town complicated, to say the least.

You will probably like this book if you like:
👻 Hate to love
👻 Meddling ghost
👻 Grumpy MMC x Quirky FMC
👻 Discussions of grief and mourning
👻 Small Pacific Northwest town

I could have read a full fiction book about being a mourner for hire. It’s a fascinating career choice and there are interesting ethical questions that come up that this book delves into. I even want to know more about the logistics and would have loved more on each passing person’s backstory. The career made complete sense for Vada and why she would be interested in helping people in this last part of their lives, so give me more please!

I also felt like there was some really great writing about grief and death. There were a lot of different interesting perspectives with Vada’s mother passing away when she was eight, Dominic’s dad passing away when he was away in the army, and Dominic’s mother passing and leaving this convoluted plan. There were some really poignant pieces.

This book did slightly feel like a grab bag of ideas: mourning for hire, a ghost that only Vada can see, Vada’s memory lose (I didn’t even know how to get that into the synopsis but she has dissociative amnesia after her mother’s passing and being in town starts to bring some memories back), interior design, figuring out life’s purpose. To me, it felt disjointed at times.

And I just didn’t connect with the romance at all. Dominic is convinced that Vada conned his mom even though everyone around him reminds him that 1) his mom would never allow herself to be conned, 2) loved meddling and stirring the pot, and 3) Vada is a good person. But nope, Dominic really leans being the star of a Katy Perry song by being incredibly hot and cold. And yes, he is grieving and confused about his mom’s intentions, but he is mean, rude, and cruel to Vada and then possessive when she talks to another guy? Make it make sense. Vada gives him a lot of grace but I have less of it. HIs hate felt repetitive and lasted way too long for my taste (until like 75% into the book).

That being said, there are friends who really liked this book so I highly recommend reading BookiskKB’s thoughts for an alternative opinion.

Thank you Caitlin Moss and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: September 9, 2025
_____________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I picked this up because I am so fascinated by the idea of hiring a professional mourner for your own funeral (truly an amazing concept). How you make that into a romance? I don't even know but I guess we're about to find out. 😂

[linda *ੈ✩˚⋆☁︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.8 rounded up)

Mourner for Hire by Caitlin Moss swept me up like a gust of crisp autumn air—aching, tender, and full of heart. With the perfect balance of ghostly charm and emotional depth, it’s a story that lingers long after the final page.

Vada, our fierce, empathetic, book-loving protagonist, had me from the moment she chose her e-reader over small talk. Her voice is sincere, feisty, and deeply relatable—especially in the way she stands up for herself even when grief and secrets weigh her down. I loved her complexity and the quiet strength she carries, especially when facing a love interest who, while emotionally scarred, could be incredibly harsh. Some of his words were unnecessarily cruel, and while I appreciated his eventual accountability, I felt every sting right along with Vada.

The mother-daughter/son relationships are the emotional backbone. So many scenes were heartbreakingly beautiful, especially the ghostly visits that wrapped me in warmth and sorrow at once. The MMC mother’s presence throughout was gutting yet comforting. And Lucy—what a gem!

Some standout moments:
🍂 The small-town fall festival, radiating Pacific Northwest coziness
🌘 The total solar eclipse scene—breathtaking and symbolic
💬 The quick, clever banter that kept the emotional weight from becoming too heavy
📚 The introvert-in-a-new-town vibes (relatable!)
💔 And yes, those few emotionally abusive moments made it tough—hence the 4.8—but they also served to highlight Vada’s growth and boundaries

Favorite quotes:

"Vada is a gem. Vada is a dream. Vada is sunshine in the dead of winter..."
“I am sunset walks and bonfires on the beach [...] I am empathy and resilience. I am my mother's daughter and the town that welcomed me back home.”

And I can’t leave out the acknowledgments, which warmed my heart just as much as the story itself. Caitlin Moss’s words are tender, loving, and such a beautiful reflection of her soul and the care she poured into this book. It felt like a hug after the emotional journey, and it reminded me why I love stories like this—ones that honor grief, growth, and the messy beauty of being human.

This book made me laugh, tear up, and reflect—and I can’t wait to read more from Caitlin Moss. Her storytelling is fresh, vivid, and full of soul.

[Kayla_Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

If you like your romcoms on the darker side with just as much emotional depth as banter and chemistry, this might just be the book for you.

Vada is a mourner for hire. If you need someone to come to your funeral to cry, share memories, reveal a cheating spouse, or even stand mysteriously behind a tree in a black veil, she’s your girl. Her newest client has a very unique request that goes outside of Vada’s normal job description. Remodel my beach house along with a list of other requests once I’m gone. Only problem is the client’s son Dominic who thinks she’s a fraud and doesn’t want her in his mom’s beach house. I loved this book so much and will definitely keep an eye out for more from the author. 4.5 stars rounded up

[Dab · Rating 5 out of 5]

👻 Happy Publication Day! 👻

I’m usually not big on ghost stories, but this author had good reviews from trusted sources, and I got curious. I’m so glad I did, because I absolutely adored this book!

Vada attends funerals for money. Usually, it’s a one-day gig, until Annabelle, whose dying wish is for Vada to renovate her beach cottage.

When Annabelle dies, it turns out that her son is Vada’s almost-one-night-stand. He accuses her of manipulating his late mother, and she tries to wriggle out of the deal. But then Annabelle starts haunting her…

I expected this book to be silly, but despite its dark humor and Vada’s weirdness (I liked her, so we won’t be calling her quirky), it was surprisingly poignant. The emotions, both the happy and the sad, were beautifully written. I even cried a little. There was a bit of a religious undertone to the story, but it wasn’t preachy and didn’t bother me.

Vada and Dominic had great chemistry, even when they were fighting. Dominic was a jerk to Vada at the beginning, but it made sense: he was devastated and confused. His mom had really pulled a prank on him by leaving her beloved cottage to a stranger.

The transition from enemies to lovers was rather abrupt, but I didn’t care. Once they got together, it was my favorite kind of romance; no drama, no lies, no third-act breakup, just two adults in love. 😌

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the arc. All opinions are my own.

———

There were a few things that would’ve thrown me off in another book, but I loved this one too much to be bothered. 😌💗

[Em (semi-hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wins points for its unique concept, though the second half turns flat and meandering. Dominic’s cruelty toward the heroine feels less like tortured-hero angst and more like emotional punching bag auditions. He knows he is being unfair, but pinning all his frustration on her stripped away any chance of me sympathising with him. For the most part, the chemistry felt more manufactured than magnetic. The ending was cute, but the execution never lived up to the promise.

[ahmeeka · Rating 4 out of 5]

a blend of silly and whimsy and the perfect spooky autumn / fall read 🍁🍂🐻🪵🐈‍⬛ full review to come

[mili ⋆˚✿˖° · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release date: September 9, 2025.

5 ⭐️ So soo beautiful! Loved it!

This book made me laugh, sob, and feel all the love in the world. The writing was absolutely stunning—light and flowing, yet it hit me hard when it came to loss, grief, and the memories we carry and the ones still waiting to be made. It all came through in such a heartfelt, beautiful way. And without ever letting go of the humor and charm of a romcom, there were so many funny and touching moments.

The story follows Vada, a young woman with a very particular job: she’s a professional mourner, hired to attend funerals and help fulfill people’s final wishes. I completely fell for her—her warmth, her wit, her vulnerability, and how deeply she cared. She felt so real and full of heart.

And then there's Dominic, a man lost in grief. His pain absolutely crushed me, but watching him slowly find his way back, start chasing his own dreams, and fall for Vada was such a moving journey. Their love story felt so unique and tender and genuine. I adored them together.

The plot itself was original and hooked me from the very beginning. I genuinely adored this book and I’ll definitely be reading whatever Caitlin Moss writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC! 🧡💐🌘

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

(heat level: 2 open-door scenes, moderate details)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL THE DAMN STARS WITH THIS ONE!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was the definition of hauntingly beautiful. It was so much more than a little rom com with a cute cover. You know a book is good when it tells more than one story. You would think by looking at the cover it was about finding love, right? It was so much more. It was about finding something that has been lost to you, that feeling of home; being a mother, a daughter, a son, finding yourself, losing yourself, picking yourself up and putting yourself back together, losing a parent and coping with loss. This book had so many layers to it, it was just simply bitter sweet.

The relationship between Vada and Dominic was so complicated yet so beautiful. That man had it so bad for her that he really didn’t know how to deal with his emotions and I wanted to break that hard shell and get to the ooey-gooey center of him. And Vada, ugh she literally wore her heart on sleeve. I seriously wanted to give her the biggest hug and tell her it would all be okay. Then Annabelle? My girl had me dying. She was so damn funny. Like poor Vada really didn’t look like a crazy person when she was around. Then the ending? My god, if you weren’t a sobbing mess like I was at the end of the book, then you have no heart.

This book broke me, put me back together, broke me again and then slowly put me back together…with a lot of band aids. I went through half a box of tissues after this book. I really could go on and on about how beautiful this story was. I am definitely a fan of Caitlin Moss after this and cannot wait to read more of her books. If it is anything like this one, make sure you have your tissues close to you.

[elizabeth rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a unique romcom! 💐⚰️

Vada is a professional mourner who turns up at strangers’ funerals and follows the requests of the recently departed. Enter Dominic, the grumpy bartender whose mother’s funeral puts Vada right in his path again… except this time, his ghostly mum won’t let her slip away. 👻

This book is:
✨ quirky & original
✨ enemies-to-lovers with slow-burn tension 🔥
✨ full of meddling ghosts, seaside charm, & laugh-out-loud banter

It’s equal parts funny, heartfelt, and surprisingly moving. If you like your romance with bite, banter, and a supernatural twist, Mourner for Hire belongs on your TBR. 📚💜

[liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We had a good run, didn’t we? A good life.”
I nod. “It wasn’t long enough.”
“It never is.”

This book was absolutely mesmerizing from start to finish. I laughed. I cried. I giggled. I kicked my feet. I swooned. I mourned. Truly one of my favorite contemporary romance reads of all time. At the true heart of it it’s about living (really living) your life after loss.

The plotline is SO unique. Our main character, Vada’s job is a professional mourner at funerals. She meets with people who know they are going to die and attends their funeral according to their wishes. She cries, she starts drama, she stands mysteriously in a corner, etc. everything. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Our girl Vada is so witty, dry, sarcastic and just genuinely fun. She is full of so much love and so much empathy. She looks at the world in such a bright but also dark and morbid way. She doesn’t take herself seriously but she also is so strong and sure of herself. I adored her so much.

Our boy Dominic is a dreamboat. I loved loved loved him. Hes so multidimensional. He can be funny and fun but also vindictive and spiteful. Watching him grieve his mother killed me. But I loved watching him grow and heal.

And our third main character / comic relief…..I’ll let you find that one out on your own!

The way this is written is also stunning. The way everything comes back full circle took my breath away. I couldn’t have adored it more. It’s so charming and wholesome and thought provoking. It is SO funny, so ridiculous at times. It makes you feel everything and more that you want to feel. It’s perfect.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Caitlin Moss for this eARC of now one of my most treasured reads. You wrote the HELL out of that one. Gonna go run and read everything you’ve ever written now!

[ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me giggling, tearing up, and questioning my career choices. 😆 Vada gets paid to mourn at funerals (yes, that’s her real job) — until she ends up fake-mourning the actual mom of a guy she ghosted after a tipsy night at a bar. Awkward.. Now there’s drama, a bossy ghost, a seaside cottage that’s falling apart, and some slow-burn romantic tension. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and somehow made faking tears at funerals feel… kinda sweet? Loved it! 🫶🏻

Release Expected: 09/09/2025

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own!

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mourner for Hire by Caitlin Moss is a heartfelt and quirky romantic comedy about Vada Daughtry, a professional mourner who attends funerals for a living, fulfilling people’s final wishes and helping them craft the way they are remembered, only to find herself tangled up in a slow burn romance and unexpected emotional reckonings when a past connection reappears at a funeral that hits far too close to home.

From the moment I learned about Vada’s unusual profession, I was swept up in how Moss blends whimsy, grief, and genuine warmth with such artistry. The premise felt both fresh and surprisingly profound, drawing laughter and tears from me in equal measure as Vada navigates the strange intimacy of funerals, the weight of old memories, and the complicated pull of love. Though the early hostility between Vada and Dominic, the bartender whose mother’s funeral brings them back together, made my heart ache at times, it also grounded their eventual connection in raw, imperfect humanity that felt achingly real. The seaside setting of Shellport and the humorous yet poignant ghostly presence of Dominic’s mother added layers of charm and reflection that lingered with me long after I turned the final page.

Rating: 4 out of 5. My score reflects how genuinely moving and inventive this story feels, especially in its exploration of grief, connection, and healing through unexpected avenues. I was charmed by Vada’s resilience and humbled by the honesty with which Moss portrays the messy, glorious human heart, even if certain relationship beats didn’t land perfectly for me.

[Yesmina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an extraordinary book!

FMC is a mourner for hire. She simply does whatever her clients want during their funerals: some people want her to sob and cry/ some other want her to deliver a specific message ect.

Working that kind of job is taxing especially when FMC already has a complicated relationship with death loosing her mother at a young age along side all her childhood memories due to head trauma.

When she comes back to her childhood hometown to meet a potential client, she runs (literally) into the MMC. He's not your typical small town buddy and has a lot going on for him.

And these two keep on meeting and being thrust into each other lives (I don't want to spoil it) but let's say: the client the FMC is meeting in town is someone very close to MMC.

Having the pleasure to read this book for a novella that has Beach Vibes for my Bingo Challenge (Even though the novel is set in September and October: it is also set at a beach town/ a beach house/ a lot of sea/ summer activities)


25⭕ ┃37⭕┃87┃13┃68⭕┃40⭕┃32┃59┃76┃44
10⭕┃86┃4 ┃45⭕┃47┃98┃50⭕┃14⭕┃85┃75
88┃51┃ 9⭕┃2┃42⭕┃29⭕┃ 24┃92⭕┃ 82┃1⭕
100┃34⭕┃17⭕┃96┃43⭕┃49┃64⭕┃70┃15⭕┃38⭕
84⭕┃31⭕┃ 62⭕┃7⭕┃21┃73┃28⭕┃46⭕┃90⭕┃77
3⭕┃12⭕┃80⭕┃ 69⭕┃52⭕┃ 65⭕┃54⭕┃ 91⭕┃23⭕┃ 72⭕
18┃95┃ 22��99┃93┃74⭕┃41⭕┃8┃35⭕┃ 58⭕
57⭕┃94┃ 16⭕┃56┃ 5⭕┃60⭕┃78⭕┃ 26┃81┃ 61
97┃48⭕┃ 79⭕┃67┃ 53⭕┃30⭕┃ 6⭕┃36⭕┃89⭕┃ 33⭕
71⭕┃19⭕┃ 39⭕┃66⭕┃ 55⭕┃27⭕┃ 20⭕┃63┃ 11⭕┃83

[Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Need a mourner for hire? Then Vada is your girl! As a professional mourner, she’ll cry at your funeral, pose as a mysterious past lover, or stir up just enough drama to make people talk.

After a one-night stand with Dominic, a small-town bartender, Vada meets him again—one year later—at his mother’s funeral. Dominic is furious, convinced she’s a fraud, and does his best to run her out of town. But Anabelle isn’t about to rest in peace just yet—she starts haunting Vada with a list of posthumous to-dos, the first being a full renovation of her decaying seaside cottage.

This was my first book by Caitlin Moss, and it was such a delight! It’s original, quirky, and hilarious. Vada is so feisty—I loved her! And the banter? Top notch. I couldn’t put this one down. But don’t let the cover fool you—it also explores grief and loss in such a tender, beautiful way. It has the emotional depth I’ve been craving.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a story that balances laugh-out-loud humor with heartfelt emotion. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Caitlin Moss!

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. It starts off really strong and carries that momentum throughout. Plus there is a great small town atmosphere.

The main characters have a fun dynamic and I enjoyed their dialogue with one another. In their first meeting they have fantastic chemistry, and then later some fun banter. But if this was just Vada's POV I don't think I wouldn't like Dominic very much, he's kind of too mean, but at least his pov chapters help alleviate that some.

There are light and humorous moments, but also some emotionally heavy ones as well. I was teary-eyed a few times.

I only read the blurb and not the entire synopsis, so I didn't realize there would be a ghost, but I didn't mind even though I was expecting just a regular cute romcom, I did like the paranormal incorporation.

[adriana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The synopsis of this book was interesting and unique so I was really excited for it. I enjoyed the first few chapters.

I love an enemies to lovers trope but this one just didn’t do it for me - he is so unnecessarily mean to her throughout the majority of the book, it just didn’t make sense to me for a 29 year old man to behave that way, even while grieving. I feel like that ruined his character for me because even when he understands her job and is in love with her in the end, it felt too little too late for me because I didn’t enjoy any of his actions leading up to it.

And not to be rude but there were several sentence mistakes and any time that happens, it just completely takes me out of a book.

Overall, it was a unique premise but the execution fell flat for me.

[Paige | bookmark.thispaige · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Mourner For Hire by Caitlin Moss
Pub Date: September 9, 2025
4.5/5

“You may hate every circumstance that brought me to you, but you will love what I do with the life that’s left. I promise.”

Alright, y’all know it’s hard for me to find the words when I love a book, because I always feel like nothing I say will ever be enough to explain how great it is, so I’ll just give it to you straight—You want banter? Read this book. You hate meddling family members, especially the ghost kind, but love reading about them? Read this book. You want a badass FMC with the patience & heart of a saint? Read this book. You want a grumpy, inked book boyfriend that you will probably want to strangle at first, but learn to understand & love? Read this book. You want fall vibes? Read this book. You want to laugh out loud? Read this book. You want to sob so hard you can’t breathe? Read this book. You want words so beautifully written, you have to force yourself to not post all the quotes? Read this book. You want something new, refreshing, & unexpected? READ. THIS. BOOK.

Thanks to Caitlin Moss & NetGalley for the e-ARC! 🫶🏻

What to expect:
•loathe to love
•sloooow burn
•small beach town
•a meddling ghost
•grumpy cinnamon roll MMC
•dark humor
•banter
•dual POV

[Julie Dreamland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дивна, кумедна, зворушлива й трохи примарна історія. Для всіх тих, кому колись казали, що вони "трохи дивні" — і хто навчився жити з цим із гідністю. Дуже влучна присвята вийшла у пані авторки.

Мені дуже сподобалося, як авторка поєднала чорний гумор із роздумами про втрату, пам’ять і те, що залишається після нас. Це одночасно й дивно, й тепло і дещо трагічно. І саме в цьому вся магія.

Вада — головна героїня, яка за гроші плаче на чужих похоронах і вигадує історії, щоб іншим було легше прощатися. Іронічно, бо саме вона — та, хто з усіх сил тікає від власного минулого.
Її дивакуватість і незграбна щирість викликають усмішку, навіть коли теми — важкі. Я всім серцем прикипіла до неї.
А Домінік… ну, скажімо так, мені дуже хотілося струсити цього дурбелика, щоб він нарешті перестав звинувачувати Ваду за все на світі, а особливо за те, що вона виконує свою роботу, хоч і таку незвичну.

Загалом історія вийшла скоріше меланхолійною — не про сміх, а про те, як дивно живуть мертві в наших спогадах. Змушує задуматись, а якими залишимось ми у чиїйсь пам'яті.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mourner for Hire made me laugh out loud so many times and it made me cry! It is an amazing balance between a rom-com and a tear-jerker.

Vada has an interesting job. She is hired by people to perform a service after they die. It could be to tell a certain story at their funeral, or to stand mysteriously to the side at the funeral to create intrigue. She is a beautifully written, well rounded character.

Dominic is a bartender who cut his dreams short to be with his mom while she battles cancer. After Vada gets hired by Dominic’s mom life gets messy. They have amazing banter and once they get together are super sweet.

I really loved reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves emotional romances or romcoms!

Thank you to Caitlin Moss and NetGalley for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest and timely review!

[kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Caitlin Moss for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

What a truly unique set up for a romance novel and I really enjoyed the little twists as well. Vada is a professional mourner which means she works with people and executes their final wishes at their funerals. She meets a young man while in her hometown meeting a new client and things take a really unexpected turn. Without spoiling too much, Vada’s job takes her back to her hometown and this man to fulfill a final request.

This book also touches on parental death with both main characters and it’s interesting to see how grief is handled at wildly different life stages (child and adulthood). I also found this book to be very funny with a great cast of interesting side characters. I really enjoyed the small, sleepy beach town setting and I liked experiencing the renovation along with Vada. I was so proud of her for finishing! Overall, this was an emotional but funny read that has a truly unique premise that was really refreshing to read.

[Abigail | Books with Babby · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first scene, you can tell this isn’t your average rom-com book. The premise is so original, and the magical realism elements just adds to it! Also…can we talk about the tension between Vada and Dom 😅 Anddddd this one will have you wiping your eyes from crying and laughing 🤭 Overall, a great read to add to your fall reading list!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read many books by Caitlin Moss (yet) but this one went straight to one of my all time favs!! I'm a sucker for a good paranormal romance and this one had it all and would make a perfect #SpookySeason or Fall read!

It has a ghost, great chemistry and banter between the main characters, emotional depth, tons of laughs (and tears), small town charm and some of the hottest and sweetest lines I've ever read!!

Vada Daughtry (queue the subtle nod to My girl) is a Mourner for hire and because of a childhood accident has disasociative amnesia and doesn't remember her mother or anything before her mom died tragically. For a living she helps people execute their last wishes, often involving attending their funerals but sometimes her clients ask for extraordinarily bizarre things. Such is the case with Annabelle Dunne, the mother of Vada's one night (almost) stand with a hot bartender.

Three years after meeting Dominic, Vada is back in Shellport, Oregon where she is tasked with renovating his mother's beach cottage much to Dominic's outrage. Despite his best efforts to drive Vada away, Vada digs in her heels, determined to meet all of Annabelle's requests and move on.

Annabelle has other motives in mind and I loved her meddling ghostly ways in this book!! While Dominic ran a bit hot and cold throughout a lot of the book and it did drive me a little mad at times, I could forgive him since he was dealing with his grief the best way he knew how.

Eventually Dominic and Vada give in to their feelings (in the most SATISFYING way) and Vade discovers the real reason Annabelle wanted her to come back to Shellport. This book will make you laugh and cry but the emotional ride is ABSOLUTELY worth it!

Recommended for fans of Ashley Posten and books like Marjorie and me by Melissa Grace or One foggy Christmas by Kortney Keisel. Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!

⚠️CW: death of a parent from cancer, death of a parent following a car accident, memory loss

Fav quote:
"I want your gray skies, your lost memories, your haunted nights, and your bad days. Your absolute worst. And I'll still think you are the very best thing to ever happen to me, and I'm going to love you for the rest of my life."

[Ayeley 𐙚 ·˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭒ ⭒
3 stars


♰ This book was such a ride for me emotionally! starting off strong, nosediving hard, and then clawing its way back in the final act. I almost hated it. I almost loved it. In the end, I settled somewhere in between.


જ⁀➴ When I started reading, I actually liked it. The first few chapters? Super solid. The dynamic between Vada and Dominic when they first met had a charm to it, and I was invested. There was a nice undercurrent of humor, and the whole “mourner for hire” premise was fresh and interesting.

I was into it… until I wasn’t.

���⁀➴ By 30% in, I realized Dominic is kind of a bitch. And honestly, that realization tanked my experience. I tried…like REALLY tried to keep reading without holding that grudge, but he just kept being INSUFFERABLE

જ⁀➴ I was 80% in and still side-eyeing everything he said and did. His entire thought process was just flawed. Like… he literally knew from his own dead mother that the people who are dying are the ones hiring Vada. Yet he’s out here accusing her of being a scammer and “feeding off the grieving”? Make it make sense.

જ⁀➴ Yes, the book tries to frame it as “he’s projecting his grief” but to me, that doesn’t cut it. I’m a firm believer that trauma doesn’t excuse you being a trash person to others. And he was trash to her consistently. Even the townspeople were like, bro, chill. That should say everything.

જ⁀➴ And Vada? Vada, girl. I liked her as a character, but I kept wishing she had more backbone. He was mean and disrespectful, and her response was basically “lol fuck off 😄.” Like, where’s the fire? It made me frustrated to see her endure that just because “his mom died.”

જ⁀➴ And don’t even get me started on when they had sex because the switch flipped right after that. Suddenly he understands her job. Suddenly he wants her to stay. Suddenly he’s all mushy and tender. Like… oh, so you had to sleep with her to start treating her like a human being? That’s what we’re doing now?



જ⁀➴ But then came the twist (the memory thing)and I was like, okay, okay. That moment made me stop and reassess. The emotional punch landed. The writing pulled through. And I remembered that I actually do like the humor, I like Vada, and the writing style is genuinely strong.

જ⁀➴ So in the end, I settled on 3 stars. It’s not a bad book. It just hit some wrong notes for me (mostly because of Dominic) But it is clever, well-written, and if you’re into complicated grief, weird jobs, and slow-burn healing, there’s something here for you. Just be prepared to really dislike the love interest before you can maybe tolerate him.


Thank you netgalley and Caitlin Moss for this arc. All thoughts are mine

[Kaity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio:
5 stars for Zachary Webber
5 stars for Andi Eloise

Book: 3 stars

Started out great with the banter and the teasing, but once they started to hook up, it was no longer as good… idk it became cheesy and didn’t fit their characters… oh well the audio was a delight though!

I did think it was Vada’s job interesting (mourner for hire), and wished that we saw more of her doing that.. we did get a few funerals she attended, but very brief!

Also didn’t get too much character development with either character… idk I felt like I was missing memories like Vada.. that was just ehh.. oh well!

[Caitlin Fetterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this book up! I loved it so much I laughed. I cried. I got frustrated at times. It was just so good. I loved all the characters. I loved her writing. There was a little bit of spice but overall the book was 5 star!!!

[Mollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the author, Caitlin Moss, for sending me this ARC!

The chemistry between Vada and Dominic was instant, and I loved their banter. The concept of Vada's job was very interesting, and I loved her integrity with the way she followed her client's wishes, no matter how silly or outlandish they were. Vada's connection to the dead was unexpected, and I wish this was explored more - how amazing would it be for her career if the dead could help guide her in what they want at their funeral and see it through with her!

As expected, grief came up a lot within the plot, and I felt that it was discussed in a really sensitive way that was honest and respectful.

My only downside is that sometimes the love declarations or hopeful messages came across as a bit corny and took me out of the moment.

Overall a good read, 4 stars!