Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks: A Slow-Burn Romance That Balances Love, Loss, and Hope

Hi Bookish Besties! You know I love a romance novel that does something a little different, and Ivy Fairbanks’ debut Morbidly Yours absolutely blew me away. It’s tender, witty, heartbreaking in moments, but ultimately so hopeful. I first read it for consideration in the fall reading guide, and then had the chance to chat with Ivy—and wow, this book is every bit as layered as it sounds. Yes, it’s a romance. Yes, it’s about a mortician. And yes, it works beautifully.

You can get a copy of Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks on Amazon or Bookshop.

What Morbidly Yours Is About

At its heart, Morbidly Yours tells the story of Callum, a painfully shy Irish mortician who discovers he must marry by his 35th birthday to inherit his family’s undertaking business. He doesn’t just want a marriage of convenience though—he wants to fall in love for real. Enter Lark, a Texan widow on the run from her own past. When she learns of his predicament, she agrees to help him navigate Galway’s dating scene.

What follows is a heartfelt slow-burn romance as these two opposites—an introverted, death-facing mortician and an extroverted widow still carrying grief—grow closer while helping each other heal. I loved how Ivy handled their baggage: Lark, still haunted by guilt and landmines of memory, and Callum, who grew up steeped in other people’s grief but still longs for connection.

This isn’t just a quirky romance setup—it’s a story about second chances, about the possibility of joy after loss, and about finding love in unexpected places.

Why I Picked Morbidly Yours

I chose this book for our fall guide because it’s fresh, surprising, and ultimately uplifting. I love that Ivy didn’t fall into the paranormal trap (no, Callum’s not secretly a vampire or serial killer—he’s just a mortician). That alone felt refreshing. What made me stay was how deeply human and tender the story is.

If you’re a reader who loves:

• Slow-burn romance with emotional depth
• Opposites attract stories (introvert vs. extrovert, Irish vs. Texan)
• Stories of grief that still honor past love while making space for new beginnings
• Cozy small-town vibes with a twist

…then this book is absolutely for you. For me, it was the kind of story that lingers after the last page. It made me teary, yes, but it also gave me that swoony, hopeful lift at the end that the best romances do—the kind that convinces you these two are true soulmates.

The Setting: Galway, Ireland

Ivy sets the story in Galway, Ireland, a city she has roots in but hasn’t yet visited. And honestly, the choice was perfect. Galway has this rich blend of history and modern vibrance, which mirrored Callum and Lark’s contrasting personalities beautifully. Lark herself brings her Texan warmth and humor into the story, and that cultural clash adds a lot of charm (plus, as a Texan’s wife, Ivy sneaks in plenty of Whataburger and H-E-B references that made me laugh).

You can get a copy of Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks on Amazon or Bookshop.

Final Thoughts on Morbidly Yours

What I admire most about this novel is how Ivy balances grief and romance without minimizing either. Lark’s first marriage is never brushed aside—her love for her late husband is honored, even as she learns it’s okay to fall in love again. That nuance made the book feel honest, heartfelt, and real.

When I closed the last page, I felt hope. And that’s exactly what I think Ivy wanted readers to carry with them: the permission to grieve, the permission to love again, and the reminder that sometimes joy shows up when you least expect it. And good news—this is just the beginning. Ivy confirmed that Morbidly Yours is the first in the Love in Galway series, with more love stories (and familiar faces!) on the way. I, for one, cannot wait.

So, readers—have you picked up Morbidly Yours yet? Do you enjoy romances that mix tender love stories with deeper themes like grief and healing?