I liked the ghostly vibes of this book and the small town Vermont setting, with plenty of snow and spooky tales. It would have been nice if it fed more into the small town trope and brought in more of a community feel but the relationship Lex has with her best friend Nat and Nat's parents is lovely, even if Lex's relationship with her own family is strained - though I love a character arc and all is not lost on that front. Sadly, this story didn't grip me and I found myself skimming a lot of the descriptive parts. It was slow moving and not much exciting really happens. It's also very light on dialogue so it was a lot more tell than show and so it seemed the chemistry between James and Lex wasn't developed well and nor was their relationship when the book was so light on conversations. Lulu was a very sweet addition though and I really felt like her personality jumped off the page when she appeared - though she was a dog so not a key character! Overall the writing is fine, it's the writing style that I didn't gel with or the lack of key plot points creating any hook.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

This is a sweet fall romance, featuring a ghost hunter, a bookshop keeper and a dog called Lulu. Lex spent her teen years filming fake ghost stories for her blog with her bbf and years later a crew come into town hoping to see said ghosts. She falls head over heels for one of the guys and just doesn't mention that they made most of it up.

Oh and then we have her family to deal with too. Terrible parenting from mum and dad who basically let her and her sister think the other is the favourite and abandon Lex after she drops out of uni. This leaves a whole bunch of baggage and trauma for her to live with.

This all combines into a bit of a disaster for the act 3 breakup.

It was a good read and hit most of the buttons it was supposed to.

It's always a good time for a Halloweendese romance!

Haunt Your Heart Out brings us a romance perfect for the fall-winter season, and here we meet Alex who runs a small bookstore in his hometown when he suddenly meets a stranger named James, who is there to film a documentary about ghosts, as ghost stories abound.

A quick read with paranormal touches that entertain during the reading and a group of characters that will make you have a good time.

To get you through the transition from Halloween to the Christmas holidays this is your story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with access to this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a fun small-town romcom with a cute premise around ghost hunting. Alex and her best friend had a ghostly podcast back in the day and it's come back to haunt her 👻 Alex is working in a second hand bookshop and living in her grandparents' house. She's got a complicated relationship with her family and an ongoing wrestle with anxiety. Gorgeous James comes to town. He's making a documentary about ghosts, but he has his own family complications and secrets. There's plenty happening with side characters and subplots to keep it all moving.

These two are good for each other, but there is a lot of navigate - not least of all Alex's insecurities. She's holds her views very tightly and this makes it hard for those around her. I don't want to spoil it, so if you like small-town life, insta-love, stubborn fmcs, cinnamon rolls and complicated families, with some charming ghosting to hold it all together, try this!

Thank you NetGalley, Amber Roberts and Random House UK for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

We’re getting into cosy season and I was soooo excited for this Halloween-themed romance to grace my NetGalley shelf! It was a really cute romance for the season and I always love a bookshop owner romance bc it just feels like they’re living my fantasy 🫶🏻

That being said, for some reason this one didn’t really click with me romance wise. I think it might’ve just all happened a bit too fast to begin with, which had me a bit sceptical which I never really like to be when I’m reading a cute romance. The relationship did grow on me, however, and I did love some of the more tender moments and honest discussions. This book also features some found family elements that I loved!

All in all, a cute and quick festive read that’s a nice one to pick up if you have a rainy afternoon to curl up for a couple of hours with 🥰

This was such a great spooky romance, I fell in love with this book and it was perfect for this autumn season.

A really cute and unique romance. I love these new Halloween and autumn inspired romances and this is perfect for people who like Halloween but want just a little bit of spookiness. Really enjoyed the couple and found their relationship very sweet

2.5 stars.
This book follows Lex and James, who meet at the bookstore Lex works at, and they bond over ghost-hunting. James is in town to help his friend film a ghost-hunting documentary, and Lex decides to help when they become close as she had a ghost-hunting YouTube channel when she was younger. I liked the idea of this book, but for me, the execution was not great. I really liked James, and I found him relatable. I also liked Lex. However, she really annoyed me at certain parts. I also think that the relationship developed too quickly, and it didn't seem realistic. I enjoyed the sort of found family aspect of the book, and I love James' dog!

Cute, cosy small town romance with spooky vibes, Haunt Your Heart Out is an adorable read perfect for anybody who loves a HEA.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This is a book that slowly grows on you until you're punched in the face with its charm and grinning like a fool. I loved it!

Alex manages a used bookstore in Stowe, Vermont, and she loves her life as a local even if it means always being left behind. But when the witty out of towner crashes into the shop needing the bathroom, her rule to never risk her heart might just be broken...

Get ready for Halloween vibes in December because this romcom brings ghost stories, snow storms, and all the holiday feels. It's such a cozy read, and I found myself growing more and more attached to Alex, James, Lulu, Natalie, and the rest of the cast of characters as the book went on.

I think it's unfair to boil this down to a tag of 'like Gilmore Girls' though. Yes, there are definitely parallels like the small town atmosphere, overbearing families, need for coffee, and long standing dream of owning their own business, but it's also its own lovely, unique, heartwarming story.

Haunt Your Heart out is about living with anxiety, facing your fears, taking chances, standing your ground, communicating your needs, and learning when to reach out for help. It's about home, family, and friendship. It's about ghosts both real and imagined. I enjoyed the blend of serious conversations and sarcastic comebacks, and definitely recommend this if you're wanting a feel good time.

Quick and cosy read. Chemistry between the two leads James and Lex was a little lacking and the start was slow but otherwise story was alright. 2.5 🌟

Lex works in a bookstore, lives in the house her grandfather left her, and plans to stay in her small town forever, even if almost everyone else seems to leave her. She assumes James is just passing through, but when it turns out he’s part of a documentary crew looking for the ghosts she made vlogs about as a teen, this particular winter season takes an unexpected turn.
This could be a cozy tale with hints of paranormal, making the most of what is excellent chemistry and banter between the two main characters. However, there’s far more depth here, centred around family expectations and assumptions, and the realities of living with anxiety. Lex is a nuanced character, funny, sympathetic and frustrating by turns, and in James she finds her perfect foil (although I would have loved his point of view, just a little). They’re backed up by a very well-drawn supporting cast (including Lulu, who might just be my favourite) and evocative descriptions of the town, Lex’s very own snow globe. Definitely an enjoyable read for the autumn/winter season.

I love this book so much I've pre-ordered a physical copy.

Let me start by saying I loved this, it is a cosy, cute romcom with fantastic characters and some subtle Gilmore Girls vibes. Which honestly is all I thought I needed in a novel. Haunt Your Heart Out gets is even better though - Alex, the main character, is strong and independent but struggling to keep on top of her home repairs and fulfilling her dream of one day owning the bookshop she manages when in walks James (my new favourite love interest ever), a ghost hunter who is ever so slightly afraid of ghosts. Ghosts, found families, and small town hijinks ensue in a romcom that is probably going to become one of those books you reach for when you need a cosy little pick me up.

Not going to lie, I’m a little bit in love with James - his communications skills could use some work but otherwise 10/10 would recommend.

3⭐️

Haunt Your Heart Out is the perfect easy, cosy read. It has good banter between the FMC/MMC and a lighthearted story, although still a managed to touch on subjects such as anxiety and strained parental relationships.

The pacing at times was very inconsistent and I felt the third act was very rushed - I almost had whiplash from it! There is a ‘breakup’ and some bad miscommunication which I didn’t feel necessary at all.

There was times I struggled to connect with the FMC as well. For someone in their 30s, I felt she could be very childlike, resulting in some moments where I found myself rolling my eyes…

Despite this, I did enjoy the read. It’s a cute story and perfect for heading into Autumn/spooky season. If you’re looking for a quick, easy romance with a happy ending, this is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC of this!

If you're looking for a spooky Christmas romcom, this is your book! Yes, that's right - spooky Christmas.

Set in Vermont in the depths of winter, our main characters are Lex, a native Vermonter who wants to keep her roots firmly planted in her home town, and James, an out-of-towner here for a documentary. Lex works at a used bookstore and adores her job and the place whilst spending her free time with her childhood friend, Natalie. She wants to stay where she is, despite the insistence of her parents to move, and she's hesitant to start anything with James - no matter how attractive he is. James isn't from Stowe, Vermont, and he doesn't have plans to stay - not something Lex wants to entertain.

James, on the other hand, is searching for a place to eventually call home and, in the meantime, makes documentaries with his best friend, Julian. He's in Stowe to make a documentary on the haunted happenings that Stowe is famous for, hoping to win a film-making competition in the process.

I found James to be an enjoyable character, and for the most part, Lex was good, too. I did have issues with some of the pacing - the attraction felt far too soon, and I was confused as to why they felt so comfortable being so...intimate with each other so fast. You'll understand when you read. The other issue was that I found Lex to be annoying at times.

That sounds bad because she suffers from a lot of psychological traumas, such as abandonment, attachment problems, anxiety and depression. I understand why she had these issues and why they popped up, but it felt like she used them as a crutch sometimes to ignore things she didn't like. I guess this makes her more realistic because this kind of stuff happens all the time. But it was still annoying to see how blinkered she'd get, and how easily she'd spit venom when she felt slightly threatened. The good news is that the side characters had no qualms in calling out her crap - they were firm that she's more than allowed to have problems or issues, but she shouldn't use them as an excuse to be mean.

Even so, this was enjoyable and a fun read!

A heartwarming small-town romance that exudes coziness.
Lovely characters and an enjoyable combination between the spirit of Halloween and Christmas.
I was totally delighted by the books vibe.

Really enjoyed this book found my self laughing and feeling awkward with the main characters.

Such a cute book and can’t wait to read more from this author

haunt your heart out is a spooky, season and cozy romance perfect for the autumn vibes! There are definitely the Hallmark movies with the Gilmore girls vibes!
This book felt like an escape and i would say a very fun one! The characters are very easy lovable and i loved to read about their development.
The more you read the more the story improves and it takes a more emotional turn!
Thank you to Random House UK for gifting me a digital copy of Haunt Your Heart Out in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good ghost story.

Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts is a romance between Lex and James. Lex McCall knows where she belongs in life. She belongs in Stowe, in the house her grandfather left her, running her beloved bookshop. Sure, her family, friends and a few exes didn't stick around, but Lex knows what she wants, and she knows she can protect herself with one rule: No falling for 'out-of-towners', or anyone likely to leave her behind for that matter. Then James comes, and everything about him from his out of town license plates to the Yankees cap on his head tells Lex she should steer clear of him. But his reasons for being in Stowe mean he's connected to Lex, and she sees this as an opportunity to get the one thing she has always wanted; ownership of Dog-Eared Books and More. After all, it won't be long until James moves on, so what does it matter if Lex meses with him a little bit? But the longer they spend together, the more Lex finds herself falling for him, but can she let that part of her heart be vulnerable?

I have so many good things I want to say about this book, that I'm probably going to forget half of them, so I'm going to start this by saying simply, I really, really loved this book. Almost immediately, and I mean in the first 2 or 3 chapters, I was pulled into Lex's world. It felt so cosy straight away. Originally, I had thought the book was set during October, but it's set during December, and as someone who really loves Christmas, and the holiday vibes, I loved how this book felt so homely, which is a weird way to describe a book, but it's the only word that fits.

I really loved Lex and James. I felt like I could really get into Lex's head, the fears of being left behind, the complex family dynamic, the way she fiercely loves her books, and her home made me really invest in her as a character, to the point I actually felt okay with her not being completely truthful with James and the filmmakers, (I too would do pretty much anything if it meant owning a bookstore, that is very literally the dream). The banter between the two of them was absolutely perfect and there was more than one occasion where I was swooning. James going with a simple 'go out with me' to ask her out had me melting, and using his dog as an excuse to see her again, taping a note to the door of her bookshop, really set the bar high. The easy humour between them was so enjoyable, and it just really encapsulated how fun things were between them.

The only issue I had is that it felt a little bit quick between them. It wasn't that it felt rushed, but I personally would have loved a little more tension, and build up to the first kiss, but that's just me and something I personally enjoy in a romance. I also wish that there had been a little more Natalie and Julian in the book, but that's because I really enjoyed every time they were on the page, they really added to the overall humour of the book, and I just wish we had more of their story.

The premise of this book is what really stood out to me that had me wanting to read it. I am someone who loves a good scare (even if I do scare very easily) I love ghost stories, creepy stories and thoroughly believe my childhood home is haunted, so its something that I really enjoy reading about, even if I do usually feel more like James than I do Lex. I fully enjoyed the Haunted Happenings transcripts, and the ghost stories being told, you could really tell that Lex was enjoyed the stories she told, they always felt like they added to the story, and not over using rally worked well. They were so fun and interesting to me, and it is definitely something I would have loved to watch on YouTube. Add to that a really sweet romance, and I was hooked! Reading the author's acknowledgments and finding out the ghost stories are based on Amber Roberts' own experiences made it so much better.

Lex's love of books and Dog-Eared really tells you that it is a love letter to book stores, and especially second hand books, and it really made me feel nostalgic for the times I would always want to go to my local bookstore, and immediately finding the books in a charity shop. Mostly I really loved how this book always left me wanting more in the best kind of way. I was sad that it was finished because I wanted more of Lex's life, see more of her friends and family (through the limited time they had on page I became invested!)

I just loved this book so much its an easy 4 stars for me.

ARC provided by Random House UK through NetGalley, thank you for the opportunity to read this early copy, all thoughts are my own.

I really liked the way Lex interacted with James plus the way she pretended about the ghosts was hilarious. Perfect for the upcoming spooky season