Zomromcom by Olivia Dade Book Review: This Zombie Apocalypse Rom-Com is To Die For

Introduction

What do you get when you mix a full-blown zombie apocalypse, a grumpy vampire next door, and the signature wit of bestselling author Olivia Dade? You get Zomromcom, the most ridiculously fun, surprisingly heartfelt, and infectiously charming paranormal romance of the year. Released today, August 5th, 2025, this book marks Dade’s explosive entry into the paranormal genre, and she doesn’t just stick the landing—she shatters expectations. Known for her beloved contemporary romances that celebrate body positivity and geek culture, Dade now turns her brilliant pen to a world of the undead and the eternally undead. Zomromcom follows Edie Brandstrup, a woman who discovers her surly neighbor is a vampire right as the zombie apocalypse kicks off. It’s a high-stakes, high-steam, and high-hilarity adventure that is an absolute must-read for anyone craving a story that is equal parts terrifying, tender, and laugh-out-loud funny.

If you’re hunting for your next great love story, paranormal or otherwise, be sure to raid the book bunker at That Love Podcast's Romance Book Recommendations.

Book Summary

Edie Brandstrup is having a very bad day. A zombie breach—the first in two decades—has just upended her life. Her first instinct is to save her sweet, unassuming neighbor, Gaston "Max" Boucher. But when she rushes to his aid, she’s the one who ends up being saved—by Max and his massive, zombie-decapitating sword. It turns out her quiet neighbor is a centuries-old, incredibly cynical vampire. And yes, his first name really is Gaston, a fact that provides no end of amusement. Thrown into chaos, Max insists the safest place for Edie is his high-tech underground bunker. But Edie isn't the type to hide while others are in danger. She’s determined to help, and Max, despite his grumbling, refuses to let her go alone.

Their reluctant partnership quickly evolves as they uncover a sinister conspiracy behind the zombie outbreak. They're not just fighting mindless hordes; they're fighting a deliberate, malicious plot. Along the way, they team up with a delightful found family of allies, each ready to fight for humanity's future. The central conflict is a brilliant trifecta: surviving the apocalypse, unraveling a deadly conspiracy, and navigating the intense, inconvenient, and undeniable attraction growing between them. The book’s unique selling point is its masterful genre-blending. It’s a true zombie-romance-comedy, delivering on the horror, the heart, and the humour in a way that feels utterly fresh and wildly entertaining.

Author's Style and Craft

Olivia Dade’s transition from contemporary to paranormal romance is seamless and spectacular. Her signature writing style—warm, witty, and deeply character-focused—is on full display in Zomromcom. She brings a grounded, human touch to the most supernatural of circumstances, making the story instantly relatable despite the zombies and vampires. The narrative is propelled by a perfect balance of fast-paced, high-stakes action sequences and quiet, intimate character moments. Dade knows exactly when to ramp up the tension with a zombie attack and when to slow down for a heartfelt conversation or a sizzling, steamy encounter.

The pacing is relentless and addictive, driven by the dual threats of the zombie hordes and the unfolding conspiracy. Dade's dialogue is, as always, a masterclass in witty banter. The back-and-forth between the ever-optimistic Edie and the perpetually surly Max is the comedic and romantic core of the novel. Character development is rich and rewarding; Edie is a competent, compassionate heroine who is never a damsel in distress, and Max’s journey from cynical loner to protective partner is beautifully rendered. Dade proves that her gift for crafting lovable, authentic characters and laugh-out-loud situations translates perfectly to a world filled with gore and danger.

Themes and Deeper Meaning

Beneath the delightful chaos of its premise, Zomromcom explores a wealth of deeper themes. The most prominent is the concept of found family. As Edie and Max gather their "host of lovable allies," the novel beautifully illustrates that in the face of true crisis, the families we choose are the ones that give us the strength to endure. This makeshift team of survivors, with their diverse skills and unwavering loyalty, becomes a powerful symbol of hope in a dying world. The book also poignantly explores the theme of what it means to truly live. In a world defined by death, Edie and Max must decide what is worth fighting, living, and dying for.

As with all of Dade's work, themes of body positivity and self-worth are woven intrinsically into the narrative. Edie is a capable, confident, plus-size heroine, and her body is never a source of conflict or shame; it is simply a part of who she is. This normalization is a powerful statement in a genre where heroines have often been confined to a narrow physical ideal. The novel uses the zombie apocalypse as a backdrop to ask a timeless question: "Whether having a love worth living for also means having a love you'd die for." It’s a meditation on risk, trust, and the profound, terrifying vulnerability of loving someone at the end of the world.

Strengths

Zomromcom’s greatest strength is its fearless and flawless execution of a wild concept. Olivia Dade takes three distinct genres—zombie horror, romance, and comedy—and blends them into a cohesive, compelling, and utterly unique whole. The humour is genuinely hilarious, often stemming from the absurdity of domestic squabbles occurring mid-zombie-slaying. The romance is scorching hot and emotionally resonant, built on a foundation of mutual respect and life-or-death trust. The chemistry between the grumpy vampire and the sunshine-in-the-face-of-armageddon heroine is electric.

The world-building is efficient and effective, giving the reader just enough information about this version of a post-zombie-outbreak society to be immersive without getting bogged down in excessive exposition. The conspiracy plot adds a layer of intrigue that elevates the story beyond a simple survival narrative. Furthermore, Dade's continued commitment to writing diverse and positive body representation is a monumental strength. Edie is a fantastic heroine—smart, brave, and compassionate—and her portrayal is a refreshing and welcome presence in the paranormal romance landscape. This book is pure, unadulterated fun, brilliantly written and impossible to put down.

Areas for Improvement

While Zomromcom is a triumph of genre-mashing, its greatest strength could also be a point of friction for some readers. In trying to perfectly balance the "Zom," the "Rom," and the "Com," readers who strongly prefer one element over the others might feel a slight imbalance. Those seeking a hardcore, terrifying horror novel may find the comedic and romantic elements soften the scares too much. Conversely, readers looking for a pure, low-angst romance might be put off by the graphic zombie violence and high-stakes plot.

Additionally, while the world-building is streamlined for pacing, some fans of epic paranormal or urban fantasy might wish for a deeper dive into the lore. The history of the vampires, the specifics of the first zombie breach, and the societal structures are touched upon but not explored in great depth. This is clearly a deliberate choice to keep the focus on the characters and the immediate plot, but it might leave lore-hungry readers wanting a bit more. These are, however, minor quibbles about a book that so successfully and ambitiously achieves its primary goal: to be a wildly entertaining Zom-Rom-Com.

Comparative Analysis

Zomromcom carves out a unique niche but will delight fans of several other beloved authors and series. Its blend of humour, a competent heroine, a non-human hero, and steamy romance is highly reminiscent of Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarians. Like Georgie, Edie finds love and community in the most unexpected and dangerous of circumstances. For readers who love laugh-out-loud paranormal romance with a strong ensemble cast, the book is a perfect match for Shelly Laurenston's Pride series, starting with The Mane Event, which is famous for its witty, chaotic, and steamy shifter romances.

The action-packed conspiracy plot and the dynamic between a capable heroine and a lethal, morally grey hero will also appeal to fans of Jessie Mihalik's sci-fi romance series, The Consortium Rebellion, beginning with Polaris Rising. What sets Zomromcom apart is Dade’s signature contemporary voice, grounding the extraordinary events with relatable characters and real-world humour, creating a sub-genre that is all her own.

Target Audience

This book is tailor-made for existing fans of Olivia Dade who are excited to follow her into a new genre. It's also perfect for paranormal romance readers who are tired of the same old tropes and are looking for something fresh, funny, and modern. If you love grumpy/sunshine dynamics, found families, and heroines who can save the day and win the vampire's heart, this is your book. Given the explicit "open-door" steam level (a solid 4/5 on the spice scale) and the graphic zombie-related violence and gore, this novel is intended for an adult audience. Fans of authors like Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, and Shelly Laurenston will find themselves right at home.

Personal Impact

Reading Zomromcom was an absolute blast. As a longtime fan of Olivia Dade's contemporary work, I was both excited and nervous about her paranormal debut, and she exceeded every hope. This book felt like a jolt of pure joy. I found myself laughing hysterically during intense action scenes, swooning over the tender moments between Edie and Max, and genuinely gripped by the mystery of the conspiracy. It was a potent reminder that love and laughter can be found in the darkest of times, and that a story doesn't have to be serious to be meaningful.

Conclusion

Zomromcom is a brilliant, inventive, and outrageously enjoyable read. Olivia Dade has crafted a novel that is hilarious, heartfelt, and horrifying in all the right measures. With unforgettable characters, sizzling chemistry, and a plot that keeps you guessing, this is a phenomenal start to the Supernatural Entanglements series. It’s a love letter to genre fiction and a testament to finding your person, even at the end of the world. Don't walk, run (from the zombies) to grab your copy.

You can purchase your copy of Zomromcom today on Amazon.

For more book reviews and recommendations, visit That Love Podcast.

About the Author

Olivia Dade is the USA Today bestselling author of beloved, funny, and heartfelt contemporary romance novels. She is best known for her Spoiler Alert series, which celebrates fandom, friendship, and body positivity. A former high school teacher and lifelong lover of fanfiction, Dade infuses her stories with humour, steam, and characters who feel like real people. Zomromcom is her first foray into paranormal romance. She lives in Sweden with her family.

You can find more about Olivia and her books on her Official Website, follow her on X (formerly Twitter), and connect with her on Goodreads.

Enjoyed what you read? Subscribe to That Love Podcast’s newsletter for the latest blogs, updates, and exclusive giveaways! Share the joy—pass along our blogs and website to family and friends so they can join in on the fun. Let’s spread the love together!

For more inspiration on personal transformation, check out the Transform Your Life series at That Love Podcast and explore wellness tips at That Blissful Wellness Podcast.

Internal Links to That Love Podcast Book Reviews

• Book Review: "The Love Hypothesis" by Ali Hazelwood

• A Book Review of "It Ends with Us" by Colleen Hoover

• A Book Review of "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

• Book Review of "The Unhoneymooners" by Christina Lauren

• Book Review: "Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston

• A Book Review of "The Hating Game" by Sally Thorne

FAQ Section

1. Is Zomromcom a standalone novel? It is the first book in the new Supernatural Entanglements series, but it features a complete romantic arc for the main couple and can be enjoyed on its own.

2. What is the spice level of the book? The spice level is high, rated 4 out of 5. It features multiple explicit, open-door scenes.

3. Is this book similar to Olivia Dade's other contemporary romances? While the setting is paranormal, the book features Dade's signature wit, humour, heartfelt emotion, and positive body representation, so fans of her other work will feel right at home.

4. What tropes are featured in Zomromcom? The book includes grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, paranormal romance (vampire/human), apocalypse/survival romance, and found family.

5. What are the content warnings for the book? Please be aware of content warnings for graphic violence, zombie-related gore and horror, and explicit sexual content.

6. Who is the author, Olivia Dade? Olivia Dade is a USA Today bestselling author known for writing funny, smart, and steamy contemporary romances, most notably the Spoiler Alert series. Zomromcom is her paranormal debut.

7. Is there a lot of world-building in the book? The world-building is efficient and serves the plot, focusing more on the characters and action than on deep, complex lore.

8. Does the book have a happy ending (HEA)? Yes, the book features a happily-ever-after (HEA) for the main couple, Edie and Max.

9. What makes the heroine, Edie, stand out? Edie is a competent, compassionate, and confident plus-size heroine who is never a damsel in distress, reflecting the author's commitment to positive representation.

10. Is the book more scary or more funny? It's a true blend, but the "Com" and "Rom" elements are very strong, making it more of a horror-comedy with romance than a terrifying horror novel.