Lily Chu
Lily Chu is my go-to author when I’m in the mood for a romantic comedy. Consequently, I’ve titled this review after the author instead of the book to purposely draw attention to this amazing Canadian novelist. I have read several Lily Chu novels — audio versions of The Stand-In, The Comeback, and The Takedown (all available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook form) — and I can wholeheartedly recommend each of them. Drop Dead is Chu’s latest. At present, it’s only available as an audiobook, but the narrators are fantastic — well worth the trek outside your comfort zone if you’ve never listened to an audiobook.
So, what makes these books so wonderful? Well, besides the witty dialogue, I think it’s the relatability of the characters and their lives. Lily Chu’s characters and plot lines are true to life. The inner monologue of her main characters is at once familiar, hilarious, and revelatory. Chu’s fiction welcomes us into the joys and complexities of everyday life and new love, and she doesn’t shy away from weighty topics such as mental health, toxic work environments, and family dysfunction. Yes, these reads are a tremendous amount of fun, and yes, there’s romance, but I’m always left with pearls of wisdom to ponder for days (months) after I finish reading. Drop Dead, for instance, left me thinking about legacy.
The plot of Drop Dead revolves around two journalists. Nadine Barbault and Wes Chen have known each other since college, and they’ve been competing ever since. Working for rival newspapers has only sharpened their antagonism. Nadine sees a journalistic opportunity when she discovers a mystery connected to famous Canadian author Dot Voline. Determined to solve the mystery and regain former journalism glory, Nadine is infuriated to learn that Wes has the same idea in mind. Further complicating the situation is Voline’s stipulation that Wes and Nadine work together to find and publish the truth behind her bestselling novel. Despite their misgivings and years of mistrust, Nadine and Wes embark on a three-week challenge to solve clues, collect evidence, and puzzle out the true story that inspired Dot Voline’s work of fiction.
As with her previous novels, Drop Dead is the perfect combination of romance, humour, conflict, resolution, and character growth. The story takes place in Toronto (like her other novels), which I love for its Canadian setting and familiarity. But where Chu’s writing really stands out is in her adept management of beginning, middle, and end. The first chapters quickly present the main characters, a crisis, and the first mini cliffhanger. I was hooked after two chapters. The middle of the novel takes us on an engaging journey with those characters, and this journey includes a mystery to solve, issues to resolve, and lots at stake. The pacing is brilliant. I never feel like I’m stuck in a slow part or want to skip a few pages and read ahead. When the story concludes, the main characters have grown emotionally and faced their personal demons. Questions have been answered. There are hints of what the future holds. Most importantly, the reader can rely on Lily Chu for a satisfying dose of poetic justice at the end.
Stories are excellent teachers. Someone can tell you to set healthy boundaries, but a story can show you why and how. This author champions mental health and self-care in tough real-life situations. Workplace drama, family conflict, relationship hurt — Chu’s stories confront common struggles with honesty and hope. The insights into healthy relationships, self-esteem, and family dynamics are spot on. Sometimes, I suspect Chu’s fiction is really life-coaching in disguise.
I won’t lie — I find most romance novels excruciatingly cheesy. Not these books. A Lily Chu novel, in my opinion, is contemporary romcom perfection. I find myself nodding my head, not rolling my eyes. I laugh out loud, not because the dialogue and plot are so ridiculous, but because the humour is so good. For those of you who have never read or listened to a Lily Chu book, you’re missing out on some of the best romantic comedy available. Relatable real-life scenarios, happy-ending romance, and personal growth journeys that can encourage any reader? Yes, please!
___________________________
This book review of Drop Dead by Lily Chu is based on the August 2024 unabridged audiobook edition (© 2024 Lily Chu; ℗ 2024 Audible Originals, LLC) published by Audible Originals and narrated by Phillipa Soo and John Cho.