eARC Review: Dearly Departed by Chip Pons
Romance
Dearly Departed
Book Info
Released Date: June 16th
Publication: Putnam
Pages: 400
Format: eBook
“A true slow burn done right.”
This author is officially an auto-read for me now. This is the second book I’ve read by them, and once again, they completely wrecked me—in the best possible way.
From the very first page, I knew this story was going to break my heart open. The kind of book you swear you’ll read “just one more chapter”… and then suddenly it’s the bitter end and you’re not emotionally prepared to let go. I didn’t want to stop reading for even a second.
I absolutely loved the retelling. I’m a sucker for anything connected to the Underworld, and especially Hades, so this hit all my favorite buttons. While the gods weren’t the main focus for me, the way the mythology was woven in—particularly anything touching on Hades and the Underworld—was delicious and atmospheric.
The romance, though? Perfection. A true slow burn done right. Nothing rushed, nothing forced—just two characters setting the pace together, supporting each other, and allowing the relationship to grow naturally. The emotional intimacy felt just as powerful as the physical connection, which made everything hit so much harder.
And the spice? Absolutely off the charts. Intense, well-earned, and deeply satisfying.
Queer, paranormal, emotionally devastating, and beautifully written—this book had me in a chokehold from start to finish. I already can’t wait to see what this author does next.
