Zomromcom by Olivia Dade launches the Supernatural Entanglements series with the audacity of a woman wielding a burrito against zombies—and somehow makes it work brilliantly. This paranormal romance doesn’t just blend genres; it throws them into a blender with extra chaos and serves up something unexpectedly satisfying.
A World Where Ordinary Meets Extraordinary
Dade crafts a near-future America where supernatural beings coexist with humans, all while zombies remain contained within government-controlled zones. The Containment Zone setting provides both intimate character development and broader world-building scope. Twenty years after the catastrophic “First Breach,” Edie Brandstrup lives in Zone A—a crumbling suburban wasteland where she’s one of the few remaining residents, making artisanal soaps and conducting daily zombie-scouting walks with admirable practicality.
The world-building feels lived-in rather than exposition-heavy. Dade seamlessly weaves details about the Supernatural and Enhanced Ruling Council (SERC), containment protocols, and the delicate balance between species without overwhelming readers. The bureaucratic machinery surrounding supernatural-human relations adds authenticity to what could have been pure fantasy escapism.
Characters That Defy Stereotypes
Edie Brandstrup: The Reluctant Hero
Edie emerges as a refreshingly grounded heroine who approaches extraordinary circumstances with remarkable pragmatism. Her opening gambit of charging a zombie with a burrito establishes both her impulsiveness and her fierce protective instincts. Throughout the novel, she maintains agency in her relationship with Max while never losing the vulnerability that makes her relatable.
Dade’s characterization of Edie avoids the typical “chosen one” narrative. Instead, she’s an ordinary woman thrust into extraordinary circumstances who rises to meet them not through hidden powers, but through determination, wit, and genuine care for others. Her decision-making process feels authentic—she makes mistakes, doubts herself, but ultimately trusts her instincts about people and situations.
Max/Gaston: The Vampire Next Door
The transformation of “Chad”—the seemingly harmless beer-bro neighbor—into Gaston “Max” Boucher represents one of the novel’s strongest character arcs. This centuries-old vampire initially appears as a stereotypical surly supernatural love interest, but Dade gradually reveals layers of trauma, nobility, and unexpected vulnerability.
Max’s backstory, involving betrayal by both his political ally and lover, explains his cynicism without excusing his sometimes condescending behavior. The revelation that he’s been protecting Edie from afar while maintaining emotional distance creates compelling romantic tension. His journey from detachment to engagement mirrors the book’s central theme about choosing connection over isolation.
The “Gaston” references from Beauty and the Beast provide ongoing comedic relief while cleverly subverting the original character. This Max saves rather than threatens, protects rather than conquers, though he retains enough arrogance to make the comparisons amusing rather than forced.
Romance That Balances Heat and Heart
The romantic development between Edie and Max unfolds with impressive emotional intelligence. Their relationship builds through shared danger, mutual respect, and genuine compatibility rather than instant attraction alone. Dade navigates the inherent power imbalances between human and vampire thoughtfully, ensuring Edie maintains agency throughout their courtship.
The intimate scenes blend tenderness with passion, reflecting both characters’ emotional growth. Max’s careful consideration of Edie’s humanity during physical intimacy demonstrates character development, while Edie’s confidence in claiming what she wants shows her strength. Their banter crackles with chemistry, particularly during the ongoing “Gaston song” jokes that somehow remain funny throughout the novel.
Action Sequences That Actually Work
Dade handles action scenes with impressive skill, maintaining clarity during chaotic zombie encounters while developing character relationships. The climactic battle sequence brings together various supernatural allies in a satisfying culmination of the novel’s themes about community and cooperation.
The zombie fights avoid becoming repetitive through varied settings and stakes. From the initial burrito-wielding encounter to underground lair confrontations, each action scene serves story and character development rather than existing purely for excitement.
Humor That Hits More Than It Misses
The comedic elements in Zomromcom generally land well, particularly the running gags about Max’s pretentious vampire behaviors and Edie’s determination to horrify him with processed foods. The “discussion questions” at the book’s end showcase Dade’s playful relationship with genre conventions and her own narrative choices.
Some humor feels forced, particularly certain pop culture references, but the character-driven comedy consistently works. Max’s mortification at Edie’s dietary choices and her deliberate provocation create genuine laugh-out-loud moments that enhance rather than undermine romantic tension.
World-Building Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works
The Containment Zone concept provides excellent dramatic tension while allowing for intimate character development. The integration of various supernatural species feels organic rather than forced, with each group bringing distinct capabilities to the central conflict.
Dade’s handling of government bureaucracy surrounding supernatural affairs adds believable complexity to the world. The existence of SERC and its political implications suggest larger stories waiting to be told in future installments.
Areas for Improvement
Certain aspects of the zombie creation and containment backstory feel underdeveloped. While the “secret government experiment” explanation suffices for plot purposes, more detail about the original research and current containment methods would strengthen the world-building foundation.
The conspiracy elements introduced in the latter portion feel somewhat rushed, though they clearly set up future books in the series. More gradual revelation of these plot threads might have improved pacing.
Writing Style and Technical Elements
Dade’s prose strikes an effective balance between accessibility and sophistication. Her dialogue captures distinct character voices while maintaining readability. The first-person perspective from Edie’s viewpoint allows for intimate character development while providing natural exposition about the supernatural world.
Pacing generally works well, though the middle section occasionally slows during extended planning sequences. The author handles multiple POV shifts smoothly during action scenes, maintaining clarity about whose perspective readers are experiencing.
Themes That Resonate
Connection vs. Isolation
The central theme in Zomromcom examines how trauma and fear drive people toward isolation, while love and community offer paths toward healing. Max’s centuries of emotional withdrawal contrast with Edie’s instinctive need to help others, creating a compelling dynamic that extends beyond their romance to encompass the broader supernatural community.
Duty and Agency
Both main characters struggle with conflicting obligations—Edie’s protective instincts versus personal safety, Max’s desire for isolation versus his recognition of duty to others. Their relationship helps each find balance between individual needs and broader responsibilities.
Acceptance and Understanding
The supernatural integration theme runs throughout the novel, reflecting real-world discussions about difference, prejudice, and coexistence. Dade handles these elements with a light touch that enhances rather than overwhelms the romantic plot.
Comparison to Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Zomromcom stands out in the crowded paranormal romance field through its unique blend of humor, action, and genuine emotional depth. Unlike many contemporary vampire romances that rely heavily on brooding angst, Dade creates a vampire hero who evolves beyond his initial cynicism through relationship building.
The zombie apocalypse elements distinguish it from standard supernatural romance fare while the contained setting prevents the story from becoming overwhelmed by world-ending stakes. This balance allows character development to remain central while providing sufficient external conflict.
Series Potential
The introduction of secondary characters like Gwen the oracle and various supernatural allies suggests rich material for future installments. The conspiracy elements and larger political implications of supernatural-human relations provide framework for ongoing series development.
The contained Zones setting allows for both intimate character-driven stories and broader political narratives, giving the series flexibility in scope and tone.
Similar Reading Recommendations
Readers who enjoy Zomromcom might appreciate:
- Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series – Urban fantasy with strong female protagonists and well-developed supernatural world-building
- Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series – Post-apocalyptic fantasy romance with humor and excellent character development
- Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series – Paranormal romance with diverse supernatural creatures and witty dialogue
- Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series – Futuristic paranormal romance exploring themes of psychic abilities and supernatural politics
- Julie Kagawa’s Blood of Eden series – Zombie apocalypse romance with strong character development
For readers seeking similar humor and genre-blending approaches, Christopher Moore’s supernatural comedies and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels offer comparable tonal elements, though without the romance focus.
Final Assessment
Zomromcom succeeds as both paranormal romance and series opener through its commitment to character development, world-building consistency, and genuine emotional stakes. While certain plot elements feel rushed and some humor occasionally forced, the novel’s strengths significantly outweigh its weaknesses.
Dade demonstrates impressive skill in balancing multiple genre elements without sacrificing narrative focus. The romance feels earned rather than inevitable, the action sequences serve character development, and the world-building provides foundation for future exploration.
Zomromcom works particularly well for readers seeking paranormal romance with genuine humor, well-developed characters, and sufficient action to maintain momentum. Those looking for darker, more serious supernatural fare might find the comedic elements off-putting, while readers preferring pure humor might want more romantic development.
Conclusion: A Winning Formula
Zomromcom establishes Olivia Dade as a significant voice in contemporary paranormal romance through its successful integration of humor, heart, and genuine thrills. The novel provides satisfying resolution to its central romantic arc while establishing sufficient groundwork for future series development.
Despite minor pacing issues and occasionally forced comedic elements, the book delivers on its promise of zombie-fighting, vampire-loving entertainment with unexpected emotional depth. Readers seeking escapist fantasy with substance will find much to appreciate in this delightfully unhinged romantic adventure.
The Supernatural Entanglements series launches with confidence and clarity of vision, promising continued adventures in this well-constructed world of bureaucratic supernatural politics, genuine human connections, and the occasional zombie attack interrupted by burrito-wielding heroics.