👀 First impressions:
I picked up Dandelion is Dead after seeing the tagline that immediately hooked me: “Jake has fallen head over heels for Dandelion. The only problem? Dandelion is dead.” That premise alone is the kind of thing that makes you stop scrolling and actually pay attention. This is the debut novel from Rosie Storey, a writing coach with a Master’s in creative writing, and it was published by Berkley in January 2026. It sits comfortably in the space between contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, and romance, though I’d argue it leans more literary than any of those labels might suggest.
Going in, I expected something light and maybe a little quirky. A catfishing story born out of grief sounded like it could go in a lot of directions, and I wasn’t sure whether Storey would play it for laughs or lean into the heartbreak. What I got was something messier and more honest than I anticipated, and I mean that as a compliment.
✅ What I Liked:
Where to start? The characters in this book are genuinely alive. Poppy is thirty-six, grieving the death of her older sister Dandelion, and feeling completely adrift. She’s disconnected from her job, her boyfriend, and herself. When she discovers unanswered messages from a man named Jake on Dandelion’s dating app, she does something impulsive and deeply human: she responds, pretending to be her dead sister. It’s messy and morally complicated, and Storey never shies away from that.
Jake is equally well drawn. He’s recently divorced, still carrying guilt over past mistakes, and trying to figure out who he is on the other side of a life that fell apart. He’s impulsive and romantic and a little bit ridiculous, but also kind and self-aware in ways that sneak up on you. I loved that Storey didn’t try to make either of these people perfect. They are flawed in specific, recognisable ways, and that made me care about them so much more than I expected to.
The structure of the novel is clever too. It’s told in three parts called The Lie, More Lies, and The Truth. You know from the beginning that things are going to get worse before they get better, and that tension keeps the pages turning even during quieter moments. The dual points of view between Poppy and Jake give the story real emotional depth, because you can see how the same lie is affecting both of them from completely different angles.
The writing itself deserves praise. Storey has a voice that balances sharp wit with genuine tenderness. There are moments that made me laugh out loud and moments that genuinely ached. The humour never undermines the grief, and the grief never drowns out the warmth. That’s a hard balance to strike, especially in a debut, and Storey handles it with a confidence that surprised me.
I also appreciated how the book explores the theme of identity and invisibility. Poppy has spent her whole life feeling overshadowed by her vibrant, fearless older sister. Pretending to be Dandelion isn’t just about grief; it’s about Poppy finally feeling seen, even if it’s through someone else’s name. That tension between wanting to be yourself and feeling like yourself isn’t enough is something I think a lot of readers will connect with.
❎ What I didn’t Like:
If I’m being honest, the miscommunication trope at the centre of this novel is a big ask. The entire story hinges on Poppy’s deception, and while Storey does a remarkable job of making you understand why Poppy does what she does, there were moments where the lie stretched my patience. There are points in the middle section where you want to reach into the pages and shake Poppy into telling the truth, and the story lingers in that uncomfortable space a bit longer than it maybe needed to.
Some of the supporting characters also felt a little underdeveloped. Poppy’s boyfriend, for instance, serves his purpose in the plot but doesn’t quite feel like a fully realised person. He’s more of a placeholder for the wrong life Poppy is living, and I found myself wanting more texture there.
The pacing in the second act also dips slightly. Once the initial thrill of the premise settles in, there’s a stretch where the story circles around the same emotional beats without pushing forward as urgently. It picks up again beautifully in the final act, but that middle section required a bit more patience than I’d have liked.
Finally, the setting of London is vivid and feels authentic, with all the messy, chaotic energy of real life. But at times, the very British atmosphere of heavy drinking and recreational chaos among the characters might feel a bit much for readers who prefer their fiction a little more restrained. Personally, I thought it added to the rawness, but it’s worth noting.
📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you love character-driven fiction that doesn’t flinch from complicated emotions, this book is absolutely for you. Fans of authors like Jenny Jackson (Pineapple Street) or Claire Daverley (Talking at Night) will find a lot to love here. It’s the kind of novel that would be perfect for book clubs, because there’s so much to discuss and debate about Poppy’s choices, the nature of forgiveness, and what it means to live authentically after loss.
If you enjoy stories about messy, real people navigating grief and love simultaneously, or if you’ve ever felt invisible next to someone who seemed to take up all the light in the room, this one will hit close to home. It’s also a great pick for readers who want something with the warmth and wit of a romance but with more literary depth and moral complexity.
💭 Final Thoughts:
Dandelion is Dead is one of those books that surprised me. I went in expecting something relatively light and came out having genuinely felt something. Rosie Storey has written a debut that is funny and heartbreaking and uncomfortable in all the right ways. The characters are vividly realised, the premise is original and compelling, and the writing has a warmth and sharpness that kept me engaged even when the pacing wobbled slightly.
It’s not a perfect book. The middle section drags a little, and the miscommunication trope will test some readers’ patience. But the emotional payoff is real, and the way Storey explores grief, identity, and the courage it takes to choose your own life over the ghost of someone else’s is genuinely moving. This is a confident, accomplished debut, and I’ll be watching to see what Storey writes next.
Final Rating ★★★★ – Messy, tender, and impossible to put down”
About the Reviewer
Minnie
Book lover, chronic over-reader, and firm believer that the best stories are the ones that leave a mark. I review fiction across all genres with a soft spot for anything character-driven and emotionally complex. Want to know more? Head over to my About page to learn the full story.
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