Hades Energy Meets Gay Rom-Com Chaos. A Review of Dearly Departed by Chip Pons

Every once in a while a book lands on my reading list that reminds me why I love romance so much in the first place. Not just the swoony kind or the steamy kind, but the kind where the characters immediately feel alive on the page and their chemistry is so sharp and effortless that you find yourself smiling through entire scenes. Dearly Departed by Chip Pons ended up being exactly that kind of book for me. I went into it expecting a mythology-adjacent romance with a bit of attitude, maybe something a little dark and a little seductive, but what I got instead was a wildly charming gay rom-com that plays with Hades energy in the most entertaining way.

One thing that’s important to say right away is that this isn’t really a Hades and Persephone retelling. Instead, it feels more like the story borrows the vibe of that mythological dynamic. The pull between darkness and light, the fascination with what lies beneath the surface, the magnetic draw between two people who probably didn’t expect to find each other. That inspiration runs quietly under the story without ever forcing the book to follow a mythological roadmap, which honestly made the whole thing feel fresher and far more character driven.

At the center of the story are two leads whose chemistry absolutely carries the book. From their first interactions there’s an undeniable spark between them that feels equal parts flirtation, curiosity, and the kind of tension that makes every conversation feel like it might veer somewhere unexpected. It’s the sort of dynamic that makes a rom-com really shine because the humor and the attraction are constantly feeding off each other. They challenge each other, tease each other, and slowly reveal pieces of themselves in ways that make their connection feel natural instead of manufactured

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And that connection builds in a way that feels really satisfying. Rather than rushing straight into romance, the story gives the characters space to circle each other a little, to test the waters of whatever is developing between them. There’s curiosity, there’s hesitation, and there are plenty of moments where the tension between them feels almost palpable. Watching that slow shift from playful interaction to something deeper is one of the most enjoyable parts of the book.

The humor woven throughout the story is another thing that makes it work so well. The rom-com tone never undercuts the emotional moments, but it adds this lightness that makes the entire reading experience feel fun and effortless. The dialogue in particular stands out here. Conversations between the characters are quick, witty, and full of personality, the kind of exchanges where the banter says just as much about their growing connection as any grand romantic gesture could.

And while the book absolutely leans into its rom-com energy, it’s also unapologetically sexy. The attraction between the leads is written with a confidence that makes their interactions feel charged from the very beginning. But the sensuality never feels like it’s there just for shock value. Instead, those moments grow naturally out of the tension that’s been building between them, turning what could have been simple flirtation into something much more intimate and emotionally layered.

What surprised me most while reading was how much heart sits underneath all of the humor and chemistry. Beneath the witty dialogue and the playful dynamic is a story about connection, about being drawn to someone who sees the parts of you that others might not fully understand. The characters are messy in the way real people are messy, which makes their journey toward each other feel all the more compelling.

By the time I reached the final chapters, I found myself slowing down a little, which is always a sign that a book has really worked its way under my skin. I didn’t want to rush through the ending. I wanted to stay with these characters a little longer, enjoy the rhythm of their conversations, and sit in that wonderfully chaotic space where humor, attraction, and genuine emotion all collide.

Dearly Departed manages to take the darker aesthetic inspiration of Hades mythology and weave it into something bright, charming, and irresistibly romantic. It’s funny without losing its emotional core, sexy without losing its sense of humor, and driven by characters whose chemistry makes every interaction feel worth savoring.

For me, this was an easy five-star read. If you’re someone who loves queer rom-coms with sharp dialogue, magnetic chemistry, and just a hint of mythological inspiration hovering in the background, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

Final Thoughts

What I ended up loving most about Dearly Departed is how effortlessly it balances all of its elements. The mythology-inspired atmosphere adds texture without ever overwhelming the story, the humor keeps everything feeling lively and engaging, and the romance at the center of it all feels genuine enough to carry the entire book.

It’s the kind of story that reminds me how much fun romance can be when the chemistry is right and the characters are given the space to fully exist on the page. And honestly, the more books I read that play with mythological inspiration rather than strict retellings, the more I find myself drawn to that approach.

There’s something really fun about seeing those familiar mythological echoes pop up in unexpected places.

And I have a feeling this won’t be the last time I go looking for that kind of story.

And honestly, I’m realizing more and more that these are the inspired by/pseudo retellings I tend to love the most. The ones that aren’t trying to recreate the original myth perfectly, but instead use it as a foundation to explore relationships, power dynamics, and emotional connection in new ways. It makes me want to dig deeper into the growing trend of mythological romance retellings and what makes some of them resonate so strongly with readers.

Which might very well turn into a future post.

xx, Crystal

Unbound releases June 16, 2026

I received an eARC of Dearly Departed

 in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts.