I have read one other romance from Olivia Dade, Spoiler Alert, back in 2020. And I really liked it. But since then, I just haven't picked up another by her. No reason. Just...as always, there are too many books and not enough time. However, when I saw this on NetGalley I requested it *so fast.* I knew I liked her writing and I know I love paranormal romances. So this was a no-brainer (zombie pun very much intended). 

 

Ok so, in this world where the government created zombies to "help" them fight back against newly discovered supernatural forces (werewolves, vampires, goblins, witches, etc.), our MC Edie is just your normal girl trying to make a living by selling her made-to-order fancy soaps on Etsy. But she is forced into teaming up with her insufferable neighbor, who turns out to be an ancient vampire, to defeat a zombie horde that has escaped in their neighborhood. It is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds. And it works, because Dade leans hard into that vibe. There is a perfect balance of plot and drama, wrapped up in interactions and dialogue that are just straight up hilarious. It all was exactlyyyyy what I wanted. 

 

A few specifics. For this Disney-loving (and especially Beauty and the Beast loving) reader, the entire running Gaston song gag was top notch. As we know, I am also a sucker for any  paranormal/supernatural stuff - any iteration, any interpretation, any level of intensity or seriousness. And this new trend of irreverent paranormal romances (see also: My Roommate is a Vampire and My Vampire Plus One), is my absolute escapist perfection. Also, y'all, did anyone else grow up watching The Swiss Family Robinson and Home Alone (the third one, specifically...don't @ me)? Because I did, and it has made me a sucker for a good booby trap ending. And this one was varied and creative and in some cases even funny. 

 

As far as Edie and Max (or Gaston, or his many humorous nicknames throughout), I loved their relationship. Their connection build feels authentic and believable and I kinda like this bubble situation they are in, where the real world does exist around them but there are no side characters to get in the way of their growth together. Again, Dade makes it work. And just when it might seem like too much, or not realistic, we do get a very fun cast of side characters that join for the "big fight finale." Re: the titular zombies. They add a little intensity and spice to the story without it being too much (though content warning for violence and blood and injury, for sure). Speaking of spice, we get some of that too. And it's well written. The dialogue from our MCs is great - snarky and endearing - my favorite. All in all, they are a fantastic grumpyXsunshine, which is a trope I do really enjoy. Final note, and major bonus for me, Edie’s internal monologue (which we get a lot of, because she's our narrator) is non-repetitive, super cogent, and self-aware. I’m here for that level of knowing oneself and refusing to settle for denial and miscommunication and really thinking things through as far as both actions and words from Max/Gaston (I love a good mid-30s romance heroine for that). 

 

Dade’s "Acknowledgments" start with “drafting this book was absurdly fun” and I can only concur that reading it was the same. This had everything I love and so, unsurprisingly, I loved it. 

 

“I can’t control what others do. I can only control what I do, and I have to look at myself in the mirror every morning and be able to live with what I see.” 

 

“There were certain memories too dangerous to touch without some kind of self-protection. Make unguarded contact, and the third rail of your past could incinerate you.” 

 

“Vampires are pansexual.” (YESSSSSS) 

 

“Well, she hoped the end wouldn’t be bitter. But if it was, so be it. Some things were important enough to justify any risk.”