Dearly Departed - by Chip Pons (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

"Pons writes romance that burns with heart, humor, and spectacular heat. I'm obsessed with this!" --Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception

"THE romance book of 2026." --Sara Cate, New York Times bestselling author of the Salacious Players' Club

For fans of MM romances like Heated Rivalry and The Entanglement of Rival Wizards, a sexy Hades-inspired gay rom-com, in which the former god of the Underworld turned grumpy funeral director must find a loophole in the Immortal Retirement Act that banished him to Earth, until the florist next door begins to unravel all his carefully laid plans.

Hope is a dangerous thing for gods. Even former ones.

Hayden Harlow, once the mighty Hades, has spent centuries quietly resenting his fall from immortality. Stripped of his godhood by the allegedly irreversible Immortal Retirement Act, he now runs Harlow and Sons Funeral Home--a front for his eternal sentencing among mortals, and a bleak reminder of the purpose he's lost. Still, he's determined to claw his way back...if only the Fates at City Hall would stop toying with him.

Enter Levi Wilder: a florist with an artist's heart, an infectious smile, and a gift for finding beauty in life's messiest moments. When Hayden storms into Levi's shop to complain about a bouquet of sunflowers--an offensive choice for a funeral, in his opinion--their worlds collide. Hayden is all restraint and shadows; Levi is all sunshine and charm. But beneath the clash lies an undeniable spark neither can ignore.

As their connection blossoms, Hayden finds himself caught between the life he once knew and the bright future Levi dares him to imagine. But trusting Levi means risking the walls he's kept in place all these years--and it's not just his heart on the line. Because in the threads of fate, one choice can change everything.

Review Quotes

A Library Journal Romance Pick of the Month

One of Bibliolifestyle's Best New Romance Books for Summer 2026
One of Fangirlish's Best Romances of June
One of GoodReads' Most Anticipated Romantasies for 2026
One of Nerd Daily's Most Anticipated Book Releases for 2026
One of Eulalie Magazine's Must-Read LGBTQIA Books of June

"A love story that blooms amid greenhouse, gods, and grief. . . Dornet delights as Levi, bringing out all the warmth and light of his personality even as he struggles with the loss of his brother. Graves nails his portrayal of Hayden, completely disappearing into the god of the underworld and capturing his desire to belong in this small town. Both narrators beautifully capture grief, hope, and the desire for connection." --Kirkus Reviews

"If you've been waiting for a romance that delivers laughs, blushes, and a few tears all in the same chapter, Chip Pons' Dearly Departed is it. . . . Fans of small-town charm and found family will enjoy this pair. A love interest with underworld baggage makes Hayden and Levi irresistible to readers." --Eulalie Magazine

"A heartfelt romance that balances mythology, grief, humor, and sizzling chemistry while celebrating queer joy at every turn. Rather than dwelling solely on loss, the novel embraces healing and reminds readers that love can arrive in the most unexpected places." --Gayety

"A warm hug of a novel . . . It's cozy, it's queer, it's small-town, and Eddie said the writing wraps you up in a way that just feels good. If you're a fan of mythology romance, cozy settings, and queer joy, add this one immediately." --Edward Schmit, What to Read Next

"Love the tale of Hades and Persephone, but wish that Persephone were a sexy, copper-haired florist named Levi? . . . A beautifully written tale that explores loneliness, grief and what happens when you let someone in. Even though this book is set in the middle of winter, the steam factor is perfect for summer." --Seattle Times

"A great, unexpected beach read. . . It puts a marvelously macabre spin on the 'grumpy/sunshine' trope." --BookRiot

"Heartfelt, hilarious, emotional, and very, very hot all at once." --Gayety

"Just delightful. And a fun subversion of greek mythology too. . . A Hades-inspired queer rom-com that doesn't skimp on either the comedy or the emotion." --Phrasemaker

"A heartwarming, original story that will touch your heart by the time you finish reading it. With passionate scenes, and a chemistry that is off the pages, this is a perfect gay rom-com." --Red Carpet Crash

"Tender, sexy, supernatural, and honestly so sweet . . . I loved the opposites-attract dynamic, but what really got me was the way the book handles grief, loneliness, queer joy, and being seen fully by someone else. This is for readers who want a romance that feels cozy, emotional, and a little magical." --Bibliolifestyle

"Chip Pons is quickly becoming a must-read voice in queer romance and nails the grumpy sunshine trope in this one. He does such a great job balancing emotional vulnerability, steam, and humor with Levi's warmth slowly breaking through Hayden's loneliness and isolation." --She Reads Romance Books

"Dearly Departed highlights a lot of beloved tropes--like grumpyxsunshine, forced proximity, and small-town romance--and does it in such a divine way." --Book Riot

"This supernatural take on the opposites-attract trope is unexpectedly sweet, spicy, and touching. While the primary couple is incredible, the secondary characters are just as nuanced and lovable, and Pons handles heavy subjects with a light and subtle hand. The queer joy is as profoundly well handled as the loneliness and grief, and both factors work together to help Hayden and Levi find connection and comfort amid the chaos surrounding them. Tender and sexy; readers will want to return to this world and these characters over and over again." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Pons' [entrancing] new grumpy/sunshine paranormal romance brilliantly takes a steamy sexual connection and turns it into something seriously romantic, all while simultaneously exploring topics like grief and family relationships with a deft hand. Written with an addictively acerbic sense of wit and graced with a captivating cast of characters, this is an otherworldly love story worth savoring." --Booklist (starred review)

"[Dearly Departed] is chock full of steamy scenes and squeal-worthy romance, but Pons also spends plenty of time exploring the complicated, tangled lives of his lovingly crafted lead characters. . . Readers will likely seek out this book for the sensual paranormal romance, but the affecting story will stick with them long after the final page. A sexy, romantic, and heartfelt twist on a familiar myth." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Pons puts a hilarious and magical spin on the popular grumpy-sunshine trope. . . Emotional explorations of grief and loss add layers to this small-town romantasy, which is perfect for readers who want a potent blend of whimsy and eroticism." --BookPage

"Chip Pons is delivering a love story to die for. . . . The author puts queer love on full display." --E! News

"The premise is original and enjoyable--it's especially fun when Hayden's godly powers contribute to the passionate sex scenes." --Publishers Weekly

"Chip Pons brings a modern romcom spin to paranormal romance in this setup that balances humor, longing, and emotional depth really well." --She Reads Romance Books

"An adorable and quite steamy romantic comedy that delves deep into grief, the ways in which it changes us, and how we can grow with it . . . If you are looking for a gay romance with mythology, heart, and lots and lots of hot sex, this one is perfect for you. I think Dearly Departed would be an awesome beach or camping read for the summer and beyond." --Write Through the Night

"Listen, I'm always sat for a Shadow Daddy, but Hayden Harlow took that chair out and had me on my knees with one effortless shadow flick--and I'm not really complaining here. With the freshest voice and chemistry that leaps off the page, Dearly Departed hits every mark a paranormal romance obsessionado like me could ever wish for. A small-town setting, a God of the Underworld living in disguise, and the utmost deliciousness of seeing him find his opposite and then irrevocably falling for him. Pons writes romance that burns with heart, humor, and spectacular heat. I'm obsessed with this!" --Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception

"Dearly Departed perfectly blends cozy, small-town romance with Greek mythology in a poetic exploration of grief and love. Come for the beautiful prose, stay for the spicy times with shadows!" --Sara Raasch, New York Times bestselling author of The Nightmare before Kissmas and The Entanglement of Rival Wizards

"Shadow Daddy is the love interest you didn't know you needed! Not only is Dearly Departed sexy as sin, funny as hell, and so goddamn charming, it's also incredibly heartfelt and one of the most genuine portrayals of grief I have seen in a romance novel. I need everyone to read this book immediately, and I'll be screaming from the rooftops that this is THE romance book of 2026." --Sara Cate, New York Times bestselling author of the Salacious Players' Club

"Brimming with cozy small-town charm, sizzling spice, and an honest look at grief and what it means to let ourselves truly belong, Dearly Departed is a romance not to be missed." --Catherine Cowles, New York Times bestselling author of the Lost and Found Series

"Fresh, poignant, and sexy as hell--Dearly Departed is a fun new take on a classic tale. Chip weaves a beautiful story full of lessons on loving, letting go, and all the good that can find us when we're not even looking. This one is really special!" --Lana Ferguson, USA Today bestselling author of Under Loch and Key

"Dearly Departed is both deliciously escapist and refreshingly grounded. Chip Pons wields prose in such a lovely and evocative way. I constantly found myself stopping to savor a particular line. Hayden and Levi's romance is fun, sexy, and wonderfully tender, with a thoughtful undercurrent about the lasting impact of grief and the ways we care for each other. Perfect for fans of small-town romance looking for a supernatural twist--I adored my time in Stonevale and fell in love with the entire vibrant community." --Rosie Danan, USA Today bestselling author of Fan Service

"A small-town romance with incredible banter and so much joy, Dearly Departed is a cozy delight, featuring an opposites-attract romance to die for. (It's also sexy as hell)." --Jenna Levine, USA Today bestselling author of My Roommate is a Vampire

"Deliciously alluring and addictive, Dearly Departed is the mythological small town romance every reader longs for. Pons crafts together a story of yearning, grief, healing, passion, and the unexpected joys hidden beneath the shadows. Hayden and Levi are to die for." --Julian Winters, USA Today bestselling author of Last First Kiss

"Dearly Departed is an underworldly delight! These characters gripped my heart with their stunning capacity for love, all rendered with Chip Pons's clever, deeply empathetic voice. The ultimate grumpy-sunshine romance." --Rachel Lynn Solomon, New York Times bestselling author of Business or Pleasure

"A warm hug of a novel, full of queer joy, with characters that leap out of the shadows and capture your heart. Chip Pons deserves all the flowers for this small-town story bursting with love and life." --Edward Schmit, author of The Open Era

"Filled to the brim with witty banter and unbridled joy, Pons delivers an at times poignant and belly-laugh-brilliant romance between the perfect opposites attract couple. The gentle approach to love, the softness between the characters beneath the brilliant banter, the swoon-worthy moments--all make my chest ache to read it all over again. Dearly Departed knocks it entirely out of the park! A must read!" --Peyton Corinne, USA Today bestselling author of Unsteady

"Funny, sexy, poignant . . . Dearly Departed is all of these things! Chip Pons's latest is a swoony, spicy romance with the broodiest of grumps and the sunniest of sunshines that made me laugh out loud at the romcom banter and also gave me tears with its on-point depiction of long-term grief. I'll be thinking about Hayden and Levi for a long, long time." --Jen DeLuca, USA Today bestselling author of Well Met and Haunted Ever After

"Achingly tender and outrageously hot, Dearly Departed is a small-town romance about what happens when you fall for the guy next door who just so happens to be a former god of the underworld. Chip Pons fully delivers on his irresistible premise with a love story that lingers long in the memory, and a world you will long to revisit." --Zac Hammett, author of See You at the Finish Line

"Chip Pons redefines 'sex god' with this raunchy and emotional romantic epic. I fell hard for Levi and Hayden, and their heartfelt story left me shattered and begging for more. With its god-level spice and super-smart twists on Greek myth, Dearly Departed takes queer romance to exhilarating new heights. In a word: legendary." --Josh Winning, author of Be Still My Unbeating Heart

"Only Chip Pons can take the Greek god of death himself--complete with seductive shadows--and make him fall mortally in love. This small-town, MM romance take on the classic myth that both defies everything you thought you know about Hades and delivers more than you could have ever thought possible--a tender yet passionate story that shines a light on the darkness in us all so love can bloom!" --Matthew Hubbard, author of The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge

About the Author

Chip Pons grew up in a small lake town in Northern Michigan, where he discovered the kind of stories that make you believe in magic, love, and second chances. Now based in Washington, DC with his dream of a husband and their pup, Margot, he writes romances rooted in queer joy and the belief that everyone deserves their happily ever after. When he isn't writing, Chip can be found wandering through bookstores, daydreaming about new characters, or shouting about his favorite reads on Bookstagram. And snacking, like, all the time.