Lex is perfectly content with her life, slowly making repairs to the house she inherited from her grandfather, running a second-hand bookshop according to the owner's old-fashioned specifications, and ignoring the constant stream of criticism from her parents. But then she gets involved with the handsome and flirtatious James, even though she knows he will only leave and break her heart, and even though it means letting him believe that the local hauntings he's making a documentary about are more than just the inventions of a teenaged Lex...

There's a lot going on in Haunt Your Heart Out, which is a little longer than your average romance read, and while the romance plot is at the heart of the book, I would say this one is more about the couple making their relationship work than it is about them getting together. I particularly loved the initial chemistry between Lex and James, as she is reluctant to get involved with an out-of-towner, especially one who knows exactly how good-looking he is, and there are a few steamy scenes, which I also loved. But my favourite storyline was actually the relationship between Lex and her sister. There's something for everyone here, and although the book deals with issues some people might find tough (there are content warnings, but I would say family relationships and anxiety are the most serious topics), it's generally a cosy read and not at all a tear-jerker.

The small-town setting of Haunt Your Heart Out really made this one for me, especially the wintry scenes, and I also loved how much books play a part in the story. The ghost-hunting premise brings something new to the genre, and adds to that cosy feel, although it ends up being less about the supernatural and more about the secrets Lex is keeping from James. This one wasn't quite a five-star read for me, but I fell in love with the characters and the setting, and I greatly enjoyed the time I spent with both.

I WAS TOO EXCITED FOR THIS ONE STOP. a million thank you’s to netgalley for gifting me this arc, i thoroughly enjoyed this and i can’t wait to reread it closer to spooky season!!!!!! it served allllll the vibes and i read it in one sitting

Releases 10th October!

A cutesy holiday romance but give it spooky romcom vibes? I'm in!

Though set during December this book felt perfect to read during autumn or Halloween, it had all the cosy, small town vibes combined with the old but quaint bookstore and the charismatic man who barges into the town with his adorable dog named Lulu.

Alex, the FMC, is practically rooted in her hometown, she works at a small bookstore and loves her job, but she can't help but to feel pressured by everything that begins to go wrong. The love interest, James, is on the road with a filmmaking crew to try and find himself, that's until he falls head over heels for Lex, who's unknowingly the inspiration behind his travels and the filmmakers goal to document paranormal happenings within the town (ones she made up!)

This book was definitely one of those feel good romances, whilst the plot was fairly straightforward, the pacing slow and the chemistry felt rushed, it still was a cute read. I liked how they both helped each other realise their dreams as well as helping each other heal from their family pressures. There were a couple of well written spice scenes, but their relationship mostly focused on their banter and quality time together.

Nat was such a great character and bestie to Lex, I'm really hoping she and Julian get their own novel! The third act breakup was short thankfully since I'm not a fan of them, and everything wrapped up perfectly with a neat little bow of an epilogue. I did feel like Lex's character development was sudden and pointless, especially with how the ending went, but regardless it was still a nice and almost comforting read.

3/5 🌟

Hallmark meets Halloween in this charming contemporary romance. It's not a paranormal romance or filled with real hauntings—think more Stars Hollow than Sleepy Hollow. I adored the Gilmore Girls and Good Witch vibes in this feel-good story about a small-town bookseller who reluctantly depends on tourists and seasonal business to keep her second-hand bookstore open.

Lex calls her hometown a "snowglobe of a town," and I completely agree. Her best friend makes a living through her family's Christmas-focused ventures, like a tree farm and horse-drawn sleigh rides. In their younger days, they spiced up local legends and ghost stories by filming supposed hauntings and ghost hunts for their YouTube channel. Though the channel is long defunct, its legacy continues to attract filmmakers to town, hoping to start their own ghostly investigations. This story is low-stakes and cozy, reminiscent of a made-for-TV Christmas movie.

The narrative takes a more emotional turn when Lex and her love interest bond over their shared struggles with lack of familial support. I resonated with Lex's fierce independence and her efforts to stand up for her own desires despite her parents' disapproval. Her battles with loneliness and mental health were very relatable, especially given the pressure to meet her parents' expectations. Watching Lex confront her family's troubling dynamics and her relationships with them added depth to what could have been a purely sweet romance plot.

Thank you to Alcove Press and Amber Roberts for providing this book for review through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.