Casket Case

A Novel

By: Lauren Evans

Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins, Bailey Carr

In this warm-hearted debut rom-com, a young woman returns home to run her family’s casket business and falls in love with a seemingly perfect stranger. But there’s just one problem . . . he works for Death.

“A charming, original love story about grief. I loved it.”—Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year

Nora thought she was finished with Rabbittown, Alabama, for good. But an unexpected tragedy turned her life upside down, and she’s found herself back in her tiny hometown running the family casket business.

There aren’t exactly a lot of prospects for a single woman in her thirties in a place like Rabbittown. Until Nora Clanton’s ordinary, casket-selling day is interrupted by a handsome stranger wandering into her shop and asking for directions—as well as a date.

Garrett Bishop seems like the ideal guy. He’s thoughtful, he’s kind, and he has a lucrative job as a logistics coordinator, for which he seems to have a passion. She’s not totally sure what “logistics” entails, but she knows it means long hours, lots of travel, and urgent calls in the middle of the night.

When a few of Rabbittown’s residents suddenly pass away—a heart attack here, a car crash there—and Garrett is spotted at the scenes of, well, all of the deaths, his frustratingly vague job description starts to become increasingly . . . suspicious. What is it that Garrett actually does for a living?

He’s a logistics coordinator for Death.

When Nora discovers the truth, she is unable to reconcile the wonderful man she knows with the unthinkably cruel job he loves. Will she ever be able to understand how he can do what he does, or will she have to lay her best chance at love to rest?

Casket Case is the heartfelt story of a small-town girl who feels surrounded by death—literally and figuratively. This clever, endearing, and romantic debut explores how love and loss are forever intertwined . . . but death might not be as scary as it seems.

Critic reviews

“A charming, original love story about grief. I loved it.”—Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year

“A modern take on Meet Joe Black, Casket Case is an original, witty, and heartfelt view into love in all its forms.”—Neely Tubati Alexander, author of In a Not So Perfect World

“Casket Case is a tender, sweet romance coupled with a poignant exploration of grief . . . A moving story of loss and love.”—Jamie Harrow, author of One on One

“Quirky and delightfully macabre, with the most unique rom-com premise I’ve read in ages. All the small-town feels really got me.”—Carlie Walker, author of The Takedown

“I laughed, swooned hard, and—of course—I cried! Such a tender and romantic book, and one that makes you face death head on but holds your hand while it does . . . Nora and Garrett are wonderful. Did I mention that I cried?”—Cressida McLaughlin, author of The Cornish Cream Tea Bus

“By turns melancholic and sweet, this is a warmhearted tribute to moving forward after loss and the healing power of steadfast love. Evans should win plenty of fans.”—Publishers Weekly​

Such a cute story

I’m not sure if “cute” is the description Lauren would appreciate but I grinned and chuckled listening to this. The characters are so relatable & since I am from Anniston I picked up on references as a local. I think she did a great job and hope she writes another story!

Witty and nostalgic!

Casket Case is one of the most nostalgic books I’ve read in a long time. I come from a small southern town, so I understand the references to Jack’s, Alabama football, and fried okra. But more importantly, I understand this protagonist. She’s a 30-something who has been unlucky in love for so long, she can’t trust a good thing when she sees it. This book offers a fresh take on what it means to grow into yourself through things we all experience—death, disappointment, grief, etc. But reading this book is not depressing at all. It is witty, sarcastic, and loud-out-loud funny at times, and which makes the death pill very easy to swallow. Casket Case is easy listening that (beware) will tug your heartstrings in the end!

Different in the best way!

This isn’t your typical rom-com. Nora is torn about Garrett’s job- a logistics coordinator for Death. You can picture Rabbittown perfectly. I felt like I lived there! The audio is well done and I was sucked in from the beginning, I’m SHOCKED this is her first novel.

Fake Romance Novel

To be romance novel, the relationship must be the plot line, and THERE MUST BE A H.E.A
Is this ending Happy? I never cry out of sadness in an epilogue. But here I am.
Nora has taken over her parent’s casket store. One day, in walks Death. Well an underling of death. He’s cute, funny and likes Nora. Lots of stuff happens and the book could be so much more than it is.

I could accept the story if it was marketed as fiction. The romance genre has survived for almost 100 years on HEAs. I feel duped. I used this book for my Romance book club. I’m going to have to buy better snacks for the depression we are going to feel discussing this book.

Refreshing and funny

This was such an interesting read. The setting was so vivid, the characters felt real and the plot was refreshingly different. I loved every bit of it! I will say I feel like the narrator fell flat on dialogue for the FMC but that’s the only negative here. Insta-love, family connections and a fun love triangle. Very very fun!