Full review and links to social will be posted as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank the publisher Magpie and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was delightfully spooky, but boy was there a lot going on! I think it was because I wasn’t expecting such an adventure to take place, but once I got my head around what was going on, I really enjoyed my time reading this. It’s a very lighthearted read; I flew through it and was completely engaged.
There’s a little rivalry going on between Zach and Cara, who then have to work together to save Zach from becoming forever-dead, and I loved their dynamic. I also liked that the story delves into intergenerational trauma - however, Cara was separated from her mother and grandmother for much of the story, so this didn’t have quite the emotional impact I think it was meant to.
I’m also intrigued by the epilogue - there’s definitely room for a sequel, and I would absolutely read one if there is!

I thought this book would be different, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I got. The plot is engaging, the characters interesting, and the pacing was good. There was genuine heart in the book.

The ending made it seem like its being set up for a series, but I personally hope it is kept as a stand alone, as the book works as one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

4 ⭐️

Going into this, I thought it was a paranormal romance, but there are a lot of fantasy aspects and I really enjoyed it.

Cara and zach travel through different parts of the liminal world in an effort to bring him back from the dead. Most are scary, and some are beautiful (the one represented on the UK cover especially).

They start as "enemies" (rivals is probably more accurate) and learn to tolerate each other as they go. You do feel them become more connected as they learn more about each other, but I do wish we didn't get the aspect of I've always liked you thrown in there.

Their 3rd travelling companion was a great addition, and I'd love to read more of her adventures.

I think the plot was well paced, and it kept you interested. There's definitely some unanswered questions, but given the ending there's probably a reason for that. I'm hoping this will also answer why the snake just gave up the cure they needed because I doubt it was so easy for what they traded for it.

I really was not expecting this to be a series, but this definitely feels like it's setting one up. Honestly, I think it makes a great standalone if you ignore the epilogue. But I would love to see more of these 3 together, maybe some training montages with the families for whatever is coming.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, Miranda Sun, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Although I think this book's execution might have been far better, the premise is still solid. More banter between Cara and Zach would be great, and the fact that the source of their rivalry was never fully revealed detracts from their lack of complexity. Furthermore, the magic system's lack of explanation makes it appear boring. I found some parts of this book to be enjoyable overall. If there is a sequel, I might be interested to read it.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

In this YA fantasy romance, main character Cara Tang is torn between her magical-heritage ghost grandmother and her magic-rejecting, over-protective (and highly critical) mother. And then there’s her bitter emnity with loathsome, cocky, school-golden-boy Zach Coleson to contend with. Oh, and she can see and speak with ghosts. As you can imagine, she’s pretty stressed out right from the start. And Zach then going and get himself killed as part of a wider supernatural just adds to her burdens.

Cue a cute enemies-to-lovers romance, alongside an adventure quest through a series of increasingly surreal liminal worlds, mixed with a large dollop of familial trauma and identity crisis coming-of-age drama. It’s an entertaining and compelling mixture!

With so much going on, it felt like quite a lot was left open or unanswered in the story – especially around ghostly grandma’s past – and the cliffhanger epilogue clearly points to this being the beginning of a bigger story, so I expect to see a sequel or even a series eventually emerge.

For me, the family drama and culture clash struggle were fascinating and really engagingly portrayed, and the fantasy elements hooked me in despite being a little confusing at times, but I wasn’t as keen on the sudden flip from constant personal attacks to soulmates in just a few – admittedly fraught! – days. I’m not a fan of the only-tormenting-you-because-they-like-you trope and while I believed that the pressure of circumstances and a greater understanding of each other could lead to mutual respect and friendship, I found the romance too great a leap for the length of the story.

So, while I really enjoyed this book, I don’t really feel it shows at its best as a standalone novel but it is definitely worth a read once there is a sequel to offer more explanation and a resolution.

This was cuuuuuute.

Cara is thrust into a world of ghosts and danger when she discovers the dead body of Zach, the town's golden boy. Despite her reluctance to be involved with spirits, Cara agrees to help resurrect Zach, leading her into a perilous realm of monsters and magic. As she and Zach grow closer, Cara's conflicted feelings towards him and her own powers force her to confront her deepest fears and desires.

I'll be honest, it isn't the most amazing YA fantasy/romance book out there, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't swept up in Zach and Cara's story. I really enjoyed the way their relationship grew, the amounts of sass that's thrown into their interactions, and the paranormal elements that I found were surprisingly grounded. While I think the writing faltered in parts, I can't deny that this was cute af and I had a good time.

A solid 3-star read.

This is one of those books that took me by surprise in the best of ways. Upon reflection, I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it? Think about magic realism but a high school setting, with an epic adventure quest. (Update: I wrote the previous sentences a few months ago and upon reflection, it reminds me a bit of Lockwood & Co. which is honestly high praise in my books because I adore that series so much!)

I think the thing I loved the most about If I Have To Be Haunted is how *fun* it was? We had serious themes that were well-integrated into the story, but overall it felt like a tale of adventure rather than something somber.

I’m so here for complicated mother-daughter relationships? This book pulled it off perfectly, it’s something I haven’t really seen in other books I’ve read previously.

I remember this vividly from the days of Miranda teasing this book during pitch wars but gosh, the slow, slow burn was well done. I’m an absolute sucker for rivals to lovers, and IIHTBH delivered!

There’s something special about trios too, for sure, Brittany was an unexpected treat, she added so much to the book. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more of Miranda’s books, especially with that ending?! If you’re a fan of magic realism, adventure quests, and rivals to lovers, this is absolutely the book for you.

If I Have To Be Haunted was a story I’d been looking forward to reading since it was first announced, and I’m glad to say that it didn’t disappoint!

The main character, Cara, is trying desperately hard to hide her magic as a ghost speaker, someone who can see and talk to the dead. Simultaneously, she’s finding herself at odds with a boy from her school, called Zach.

Without giving too much away, Cara and Zach end up on an adventure where the situation is life or death, but to go on such a ride she has to defy her mother (who wants her to ignore her ability entirely).

Throughout the story we get glimpses into her relationship with her mother, and we see how strained it is. It added another element and I couldn’t help but wish that the two would be able to settle their differences.

In terms of screen time though, the main romance definitely took the limelight. It’s a sweet, slow-burn, hate-to-love romance, with a wild adventure behind it throughout.

Overall there was a lot of emotion packed into this story, and I’m looking forward to anything else Miranda writes! 🦋

“But not everyone who deserved to die did, and not everyone who died deserved it. And you couldn’t undo death.”

I was really looking forward to reading this. The concept sounded so interesting unfortunately it just didn’t work for me. I didn’t feel the chemistry or tension between the characters and I just felt bored throughout the story.

Thank you for the opportunity to review if I have to be Haunted.
To be honest I thought this book would be different to what It actually was but nevertheless was pleasantly surprised. Connected with both main characters straight away and the worlds they travelled through where detailed and original. Throw in enemies to lovers and I was sold.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.

This was a paranormal romance I didn't know I need for. The spooky vibes on every pages. Miranda Sun became my new favorite author.

I really enjoyed this, I was drawn in by the cover but that wasn't a false sense of security because I thought that it was well thought out and the story played out well. I enjoyed the romance aspect and I I thought it was refreshing to read something with a bit of the paranormal in the pages whilst still remaining cosy and fantasy elements.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review!

I loved this book!!!! It reminded me of the Mediator series by Meg Cabot, which I adored but for a new audience, and it was just brilliant. There's a ghost of a tree!! What more could you want?

The writing is absolutely beautiful while still being accessible to even a younger YA audience, and it's coupled with hilariously morbid humour and genuine heart.

Cara is a wonderful protagonist with a complex, fascinating network of family and friends, and her story is just such a pleasure to read. Her and Zach make a well-matched team, and are both funny YET SENSIBLE! SENSE IN A YA NOVEL!! So good. Their relationship had me in pieces. The growth from school rivals to deep friendship to more is just... wow. I love them together.

I would LOVE to read more in this world, especially more Cara and Zach, but if Sun wants to write a prequel about Laolao's adventures, I would be obsessed.

Highly, highly recommend to anyone who likes ghosts, family, romance, spooks, adventures, or just great stories. Five stars.

This one let me down a bit. I was hoping for more sassy banter and back and forth, which is the best thing about any enemies to lovers, but most of it just seemed to be them telling the other how much they hated one another. Then there was the romance, which employed my favourite trope of them refusing to say that they like the other or see that the other clearly likes them when it's so obvious. I just wanted to bash their heads together to make them see sense.

I really liked the ghosts though. The ghost lore with the silver around so you could tell they were ghosts was really interesting and I liked seeing what they could and couldn't interact with. Like the fact that they could touch Cara but Cara couldn't touch them back. It was an interesting take on ghost lore that I've seen elsewhere.

I also liked the adventure. I liked seeing the different places they went to, especially the extinction meadow which is now one of the top places in a book that I'd like to visit.

All in all, this could have been better. It was mostly the romance and the lack of banter I didn't like, though that was because it was employing a trope I don't like. So if you like the trope, you might have a better time of it than me.

<I>”Hey, remember all those times you told me to go to hell?” He said. “Bet you didn’t think you’d be coming with me.”</I>

It took me a moment to get into this book. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it. I thought it would be more Meg Cabot ‘The Mediator’ style, with ghosts and romance and mysteries to unravel, but it instead felt like a mish mash of other novels squished into this (alot of Percy Jackson tbh) - quests through other realms(?), family drama, folklore, and a lovely bit of rivalry banter.
The beginning of this book felt very American teen and pop-culture references just don’t do it for me- I don’t know if this is what made it seem less original, but to mention PJO and then immediately have a scene that felt like when Percy, Annabeth and Grover went to Crusty’s Water Bed Palace was quite dissatisfying.

I did however love the banter between the two main characters. I loved the petty rivalry between them, the opposites attract chemistry.

Over all this was a fun and easy read, but I’m not sure how memorable it will be.

If I Should Be Haunted is a fast-paced, wildly entertaining ghost story about Cara, a teenager who can see and talk to spirits as she tries to live up to her impossible expectations. Mom, ignore your gifts and prepare for the life to come. The biggest problem in Cara's life is the most popular guy in school: her longtime nemesis, Zach, with whom she has argued since they were kids. However, things become even more complicated when Cara finds Zach's body in the woods near her home and quickly realizes that she is the only one who can see his ghost. Making a deal with Zach to revive him before the week ends and his soul is lost forever, Cara must adventure through many liminal dimensions, fighting spirits, cannibals, her own problems and an ancient snake to find a cure. to save Zach while discovering that the power of her ghostly words is more than she thought.

I really enjoyed this book and read it very quickly. Cara is a strong protagonist, under pressure from her overbearing mother to behave a certain way. Her mother disapproved of Cara's grandmother's influence and tried to pressure Cara into giving up her gift of ghostly speech as she had done. One particular scene in this book, where Cara is forced to face a fake version of her mother, seemed really great to me because it allowed Cara to become a more independent character. I love exploring culture and trying to honor your roots while establishing you as an individual, which is especially evident in Cara's scenes with her grandmother. I love Zach too, especially as we get to know him more beyond his arrogant personality and enjoy the friendship and romance that gradually develops through their partnership. The world building is very well written, especially as Zach and Cara travel through different worlds to find a cure. I think some of the supporting characters, especially ghost hunter Brittany, could have been better developed since she was halfway through. However, this is a very strong YA with a fast pace and at its heart is a very well-written message about celebrating your culture while trying to figure out who you are.

#childrenfiction #bookreviews #ifihavetobehaunted

3.5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advance reader copy of this book for an honest review.

The story follows Cara Tang who has ghost speaking powers but doesn't want to be haunted. Particularly because her overbearing mother does not want her talking to ghosts and wants her to surpress her power and be the perfect daughter.

Cara keeps getting into fights with the local golden boy Zacharias Coleson who irritates her incredibly. Then she stumbles across Zach's dead body in the woods and she is the only one who can see and save him.

With the help of her grandmother who also happens to be a ghost she agrees to help resurrect Zach putting her at odds with her mother. Cara and Zach travel together into the liminal world relying on each other to survive and Cara starts to think she might not hate Zach as much as she first thought.

I started this book and initially I wasn't sure it was for me I felt abit older than the demographic this seemed aimed at. However once the characters entered the liminal world I felt a bit more invested in the story and seeing how it turned out and that turned this from a 3 to a 3.5 star for me.

The perfect cosy fall read ready for Halloween for those who like spooky but not too spooky.

I enjoyed some of the magical elements throughout this story however there were aspects that seemed to wrap up far too easily for the characters. Again though this could be the fact that I am older than the demographic for this book.

Overall I found this an enjoyable cosy read and would recommend this for a fall read.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Harper Collins/Magpie for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

TW: death, violence, injury, parental abuse

“If I Have To Be Haunted” is a massively enjoyable, fast-paced ghost story that follows Cara, a teenager who can see and speaks to spirits (including her long-dead grandmother) as she tries to cope with satisfying the impossible expectations of her mother, ignoring her gifts and preparing for the life ahead. The biggest problem in Cara’s life is the most popular boy in school- her long-time enemy Zach, whom she’s been feuding with since they were children. However, things become even more complicated when Cara finds Zach’s body in the woods beside her home and it soon becomes apparent that she’s the only one who can see his ghost. Making a deal with Zach to resurrect him before the week is over and his soul is lost forever, Cara has to go on an adventure through multiple liminal spaces, battling spirits, cannibals, her own issues and an ancient snake in order to find the cure to saving Zach while also discovering that her ghost speaking powers are more than what she believed.

I really enjoyed this book and I read it very quickly. Cara is a strong main character under pressure from her domineering mother to behave a certain way, her mother disapproves of Cara’s grandmother’s influence and tries to pressure Cara into giving up her ghost-speaking gift like she did. One particular scene in this book, where Cara is forced to face a false version of her mother, was one that I felt really shone as it allowed Cara to become a more independent character. I loved the exploration of culture and trying to honour your background while also establishing yourself as an individual, this was particularly obvious in Cara's scenes with her grandmother. I liked Zach as well, especially as we got to know him better past his arrogant personality and I enjoyed the gradual friendship and romance that developed from them working together. The world-building was gorgeously written, especially when Zach and Cara were travelling through different worlds in order to find the cure. I do think that some of the side characters, particularly the ghost hunter Brittany, could have been better developed as she came in at the halfway point. However, this was a really strong YA with a fast pace and a beautifully written message at its centre about honouring your culture while trying to figure out who you are.

This YA novel had a promising premise, yet sadly I never gelled with it. This was in large part because I didn’t find Cara and Zach’s dynamic to be compelling. I understood why she didn’t like him – he was a complete jerk at the beginning – but the root of their mutual animosity was never fully explained. This meant their tit for tat seemed too immature for their age and it was difficult to imagine a convincing romance developing from it. Ultimately, I didn’t think their love story was all that captivating. The transition from annoyance to love could have been handled more smoothly. Their banter was lacking and as individual characters, I didn’t much care for Cara nor Zach.

Another aspect of the novel that I had trouble with was the off-putting tone. I understood that they were meant to be longtime rivals, but Cara seemed way too relaxed with the idea that Zach was dead. He himself barely freaked out. I always get annoyed in contemporary paranormal novels when the characters act too casually about things like death, ghosts and magic. It makes it harder to relate to the characters and thus immerse myself into the story.

The major plot line of trying to bring Zach from the dead saw the protagonists embark on a truly wacky adventure… Unfortunately, as the magic system was never properly explained, all these elements felt less surprising, and more just jarring. While a lot occurred on their adventure, I wouldn’t necessarily call it thrilling.

OVERALL: Despite having a lot of ingredients to make for an exciting and swoon-worthy read, this YA novel didn’t hook me due to its bizarre adventure storyline and unconvincing romance.