Nearly Departed

Nearly Departed by Lucas Oakeley, published by Bedford Square Publishers in August 2025, is a unique exploration of love and loss. This 320-page novel presents the story of Joel Foster, a twenty-something navigating the complexities of modern dating while grappling with the grief of losing his girlfriend, Beth Lewis, to a tragic accident. As Joel attempts to move on and find new love within a three-year timeframe, he is unexpectedly haunted by Beth’s presence, blending elements of romance and the paranormal.
Readers will find a humorous yet poignant narrative that delves into themes of family, relationships, and the intricacies of grief. Nearly Departed offers a fresh take on romantic comedy, intertwining the challenges of moving forward with the lingering memories of a lost loved one. The book captures the stickiness of grief while presenting a love story that is both witty and moving, making it a notable addition to the genre of fiction that explores love and the supernatural.
Official synopsis Publisher
It’s not a ghost story, it’s a love story. With ghosts.
‘Witty, moving and eminently readable, Nearly Departed is the millennial Truly Madly Deeply we’ve all been waiting for’ Mike Gayle
‘A sweet, sometimes spiky rom-com that takes in the stickiness and complexity of grief’ The Times
LOVE READING Romance Book of the Month
Joel Foster is a hapless twenty-something. His girlfriend, Beth Lewis, would likely have been a hapless twenty-something, too, had she not been obliterated by a very large cement truck. Some time after Beth’s tragic death, Joel is still trying to juggle grief with the world of modern dating. And while he still feels like a widower, he has to find a new love before three years is up.
The catch? Just as Joel thinks he’s finally falling for someone, he starts getting haunted by Beth.
It’s not a ghost story, it’s a love story. With ghosts.
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