The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

Synopsis

A recently deceased woman meets “the one” in the afterlife waiting room, scoring a second chance at life (and love!) if she can find him on earth before ten days are up…

If she wasn’t dead already, Delphie would be dying of embarrassment. Not only did she just die by choking on a microwaveable burger, but now she’s standing in her ‘shine like a star’ nightie in front of the hottest man she’s ever seen. And he’s smiling at her.

As they start to chat, everything else becomes background noise. That is until someone comes running out of a door, yelling something about a huge mistake, and sends the dreamy stranger back down to earth. And here Delphie was thinking her luck might be different in the afterlife.

When Delphie is offered a deal in which she can return to earth and reconnect with the mysterious stranger, she jumps at the opportunity to find her possible soulmate and a fresh start at life. But in a city of millions, Delphie is going to have to listen to her heart, learn to ask for help, and perhaps even see the magic in the life she’s leaving behind…

Rating

Review

“The Love of My Afterlife” by Kirsty Greenwood offers a whimsical twist on romance that transcends the bounds of life itself. Recently deceased Delphie finds herself in the afterlife’s waiting room in an embarrassing nightie, face-to-face with the most attractive man she’s ever seen. But just as sparks begin to fly, he’s whisked back to earth due to a clerical error, leaving Delphie with a tantalizing ‘what if.’

Thanks to a celestial bureaucratic mix-up, Delphie gets a rare chance: return to Earth for ten days to find this mystery man who might just be her soulmate. It’s a delightful premise that marries the quirkiness of the afterlife with the frantic pulse of a race against time on Earth.

Initially, Delphie’s character grated on me; her early portrayal felt more frustrating than endearing. However, as the pages turned, her growth into a more self-aware and considerate person was not just convincing but heartwarming. Greenwood skillfully redeems her protagonist, illustrating that everyone can change, often in ways that surprise us.

One of the story’s strengths is its exploration of soulmates, suggesting that any relationship can reach soulmate-level depth with enough patience and nurturing. This perspective is refreshing and imbues the romance genre with a dose of realism about the work relationships require to flourish.

Social interactions and their importance to human fulfillment are another key theme. Greenwood doesn’t just tell a love story; she underscores our intrinsic need for connection—whether with family, friends, or romantic partners. Additionally, the bureaucratic depiction of the afterlife adds a humorous, light-hearted layer to the narrative, making the celestial seem less mystical and more amusingly mundane.

Incorporating classic romantic tropes like enemies-to-lovers and love triangles, Greenwood weaves these elements seamlessly into the fabric of the story, enhancing the narrative without overwhelming it. Each trope plays a meaningful role in the development of the characters and their relationships, ensuring that nothing feels forced or out of place.

I received a review copy from the Viking imprint of Penguin Random House Canada via NetGalley, and I am delighted to award this charming novel four stars. “The Love of My Afterlife” is a recommended read for anyone looking for a romance that’s both sweet and seasoned with a dash of magical whimsy. It reminds us of the magic in everyday connections and the extraordinary possibilities that may await us, even beyond life itself.