Chip Pons’ new book, “Dearly Departed” is shadows and spice and everything nice. A tale as old as time, Levi the small-town florist meet cutes and falls in love with local mysterious funeral director Hayden. It’s obviously a fairy tale because who ever heard of gay funeral directors and florists…oh also, Hayden is actually mythical god of the Underworld Hades, who is now doing the funeral director thing after an imposed retirement that he’s been fighting for millennia.
I went to Chip’s book release event in New York at The Ripped Bodice, no not a bondage club, but a romantic bookstore. Chip was in discussion with Peyton Corinne and Edward Schmit, sharing stories of their writing processes and their books. The shop is small and quaintly decorated with books and pages stapled to the walls. Located in an area of Brooklyn that’s like Breederland; I felt out of place without a stroller or crying baby in my arms. If you find yourself there, I highly recommend grabbing a bite at Electric Beets. It’s a delicious and healthy grab-and-go place with a few tables and stools; with the friendliest staff who helped me choose a meal I was in the mood for.
“Dearly Departed” is both fun and has depth dealing with grief. There are quirky friends and co-workers to add some com to this rom-com. The romance is a slow burn that turns hot once the two main characters start hooking up (ooops, sorry, spoiler alert) and bursts into flames when the sex turns supernatural. In my gay opinion, this book will make your summer much hotter.
