The Love of My Afterlife

LoveReading Says

Romance publishing is enjoying a supernatural moment right now, which suits me just fine, as I love a big shiny high concept. In Kirsty Greenwood’s The Love of my Afterlife a romance-obsessed angel gives newly-dead Delphie a loophole – if she can find her soulmate on earth and have him kiss her within ten days, she’ll be allowed to live. But back alive, Delphie sees life in a whole new way, including the bad-boy-next-door-neighbour she thought hated her… 

Considering this novel starts with a death and takes place in purgatory, it never makes the afterlife or mortality feel terrifying, focusing more on its opportunities for frivolity rather than depths of existentialism or grief. As well as its shiny supernatural hook, The Love of My Afterlife also ticks every romcom trope in the bookshop, including forced proximity, sharing a bed, a quirky cast of supporting friends (including a chronically helpful librarian) and countdown to love, and enemies-to-lovers arc. It also self-referentially mentions a lot of modern romantic comedies and authors throughout, from Nicholas Sparks to Schitt’s Creek (and I’d wager the romantic lead is named after Jilly Cooper?) – so if you’re a voracious romance reader you can feel clever for getting the references. 

Billy Lindon

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