Drop Dead is classic Lily Chu in the best way

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Reading a book by Lily Chu is like diving into an eclectic library where every title offers unique jobs, themes, and concepts. This is the essence of her writing at its finest.

Though Lily Chu’s collection of published works may not be vast, each book offers unique concepts and subjects. The stories are captivating in their individuality, leaving me eagerly anticipating her future projects.

Titled “Drop Dead“, it sparked several thoughts in my mind initially. Yet, the actual book was far from what I had envisioned. Though her titles are typically straightforward, this particular one delves into deeper, thought-provoking themes.

I’m fortunate to have received an advance copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca, the publisher of Chu’s print books. If you’ve noticed

Drop Dead is a fun story about mistakes, friendship, and life.

The story “Drop Dead” kicks off with an enormous blunder, not a phrase I use lightly. The protagonist, Nadine, is an obituary writer who inadvertently announces someone’s death, but here’s the twist – Miss Dot Voline is very much alive and thriving. This sets off a chaotic sequence of events for Nadine. She gets demoted as a result, leading her to question her abilities, which is quite reasonable.

In an attempt to rectify matters, she pays a visit to Dot’s residence with the intention of offering an apology, but instead encounters Wesley, her previous competitor. This unexpected encounter sets off a contest between them, both aiming to win over Dot who initially appears unapproachable. Gradually, Dot permits their presence inside and shares more about herself. However, there’s one stipulation: they must wait until after she passes away before revealing the story publicly.

Amid their conversation and independent investigation, Dot tragically passes away. Now, they’re in a hurry to discover more about Dot’s life and the mysteries she kept hidden. Unfortunately, her nephew intends to sell the house, leaving them with little time to sift through Dot’s possessions and locate crucial information. As a result, these two find themselves unexpectedly sharing living quarters.

In Drop Dead, there’s a multitude of events unfolding, but Lily Chu skillfully introduces and endears you to the characters, with Dot being particularly captivating. Her demise plays a significant role in the narrative, leaving an indelible impact on the main characters. Despite this somber turn, the book maintains a sense of optimism as Nadine and Wes find themselves drawn to each other romantically. Chu’s candid exploration of death is surprisingly refreshing, as many novels shy away from such profound themes.

For individuals familiar with Chu’s work, you’ll recognize her insightful commentary on family dynamics, their impact on main characters. At certain points, this could be challenging to read, yet it underscored why Wes and Nadine were such a compelling pair. They had many complexities to explore, but their determination to face them jointly was evident. Although the romance wasn’t the primary theme, it added depth to the narrative.

Regardless if you’ve delved into Lily Chu’s novels before or if this is your initial encounter, rest assured that you won’t be able to resist the allure of her books. Her writing style is captivating and effortless to engage with. Moreover, these stories unfold in Canada, a setting that seems scarce nowadays. Consequently, Drop Dead appears poised to occupy numerous beach bags this summer.

Drop Dead by Lily Chu is out now, where books are sold.

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2025-05-07 01:44