ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a bit hit and miss for me. Usually the ghost aspect would be enough to throw me off a book but in this case, I actually really loved it! It was so well written into the book and it kept me wanting to keep reading! The romance aspect however, I found kind of lacking. Also didn’t really feel connected to any of the characters, I feel like there was still more to explore about them both of them.

Overall, I enjoyed it for the most part but feel like I was just expecting more

Romance with some paranormal twists yes, please. I have been in the best mood for some autumnal vibes and this hit the spot. Cassie has moved into a new home and it starts to show her she isn't the only one there. Getting some local help from a live long resident is obviously the best next step. Enter Nick... this book was cute and a lot of fun and it made me so happy!

Jen DeLuca is an auto buy author for me, and this book - a slightly paranormal twist on an easy romance - didn't disappoint. A fast read, it was nonetheless sweet and sassy in equal measure, with characters I adored and ghosts that I really wanted to find haunting me instead.

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

DNF @ 58%

This book is perfectly fine – the writing is solid and I liked the characters. It wasn’t shaping up to be a favourite but I was enjoying it. I DNF because of content I was not aware of, that I personally find triggering. This is not the book or the author’s fault of course – I just wasn’t in the right headspace to read it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

I really enjoyed Haunted Ever After from Jen DeLuca, it was such a quirky romance that worked so well. This is one you’re going to want to get in advance of spooky season.

Haunted Ever After is a duel POV romance that focuses on Cassie and Nick. It’s set in the small town of Boneyard Key in Florida, where Cassie had just bought a home, having left Orlando for a fresh start. Nick, meanwhile, has always called Boneyard Key his home and runs the local coffee shop Hallowed Grounds. Cassie is charmed by the small town, which definitely leans in hard to its haunted credentials. Assuming is all a gimmick to keep the tourists coming, Cassie is shocked (to say the least!) when the magnets on her fridge change to ‘my house’ one night. With Nick’s help they decide to team up to look into the former owners, and it doesn’t take long them to realise they have a connection based on more than just the paranormal.

There was so much to enjoy about this one. I loved how DeLuca wove together an absolutely glorious slow burn romance with a brilliant mystery surrounding Cassie’s house and its former resident Sarah Hawkins. Set all of this in a glorious small town, full of all the small town characters you’d hope for, add in some ghosts and honestly I was hooked.

Both Cassie and Nicky were great characters in their own right and worked wonderfully together. We hit a rocky patch with Nick midway through and I had my suspicions as to why and the reveal worked brilliantly. The supporting cast were excellent, especially Elmer; I’ll be honest I even shed a tear of his and Nick’s final conversation.

The ghost element of this story worked so well but I don’t really want to say much about it as the joy of it was in the revealing as it happened.

This book was such a treat and one I’d gladly recommend.

REVIEW
cw: misogyny, mentions of infertility

When Cassie Rutherford moves to Boneyard Key for a fresh start, she thinks the banners calling it the 'Most Haunted Small Town in Florida' are just a gimmick to draw in tourists. But when the magnets on her fridge start spelling out “MY HOUSE”, and can't charge her laptop, she seeks help from a grumpy but handsome coffee shop owner. Nick Royer is afraid to get too close to Cassie, despite feeling drawn to her. Everyone leaves Boneyard Key eventually. But as they grow closer, they have to contend with their own insecurities as well as both meddlesome and matchmaking ghosts.

This was such a great read, and the most exquisite slow-burn romance, with an added ghostly mystery element.
I loved Nick and Cassie immediately. They were so cute together.
I didn't get much in the way of grumpy vibes from Nick. more wary. Still, it made sense as we uncovered his story. He was so adorable, and I empathised with his fears of letting himself fall for someone who might leave. The set-up for their first kiss was adorable, and I loved the development of their relationship, from friends, to ghost hunters, to lovers. I wanted to hug him when he became a conduit and felt so sorry for him. The reconciliation between him and Cassie was initially so stinking awkward but ultimately incredibly cute, and I loved Ramon's input in the cafe. Nick had such a great sense of humour, and his response to the 'protein tourist' made me cackle.
Cassie was such a calm presence. Considering she'd bought a haunted house, and was suddenly living in a town full of literal ghosts, she took each new revelation remarkably well. I loved how hard she worked to give Sarah her voice and to get to the bottom of all of the strange happenings at her house. She was so kind, and I loved how she slowly opened up to Nick. Though it was a very slow burn, their feelings always felt palpable, even when they were just friends, and the payoff was worth the wait.
I figured out the twist quite early on, but it was a lot of fun watching Cassie, Nick, and Sophie piece everything together. Chapters 27 to 29 were so satisfying.
I loved all of the quirky town's characters, both alive and dead, and this set up the potential for new stories. I loved Sophie, the ghost tour guide and adored the enemies-to-lovers vibes between her and Theo, the owner of the bookstore. I also loved the little teases of Ramon (Nick's employee) pining over Libby, the granddaughter of the local medium. The theme of loneliness was particularly well-incorporated throughout the story and was explored sensitively, both from the POV of the living and from the POV of the town's ghosts. My heart broke for Nick when he spoke of his family, and I HATED the way Cassie's old friends in her hometown completely ignored her messages. It felt so mean-spirited, rather than simply being busy, so I was glad she found new friends in Nick, Sarah, Libby, and Sophie. Meanwhile, the revelations of Sarah Hawkin's (Cassie's ghost) life were incredibly moving, and, while Elmer (Nick's ghost) was often hilarious, especially when c**k-blocking, and I LOVED his meddling, sassy texts, I also felt for him, as well as the 'beach bum' as they must all have felt so lonely before Cassie and Nick. Still, I loved Sarah's obsession (no spoilers).
Even though it was ultimately a happy ending, I still shed a few tears at the end of chapter thirty-two. Who knew I'd get so emotional over a ghost? But the epilogue was perfect.
A surprisingly emotional but adorable romance.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. Haunted Ever After is out today in the UK*

This cosy small-town contemporary grumpy meets sunshine romance with magical realism and mystery is unique, cute, quirky and hauntingly beautiful! This is a tale I will be sure to pick up again and again because ahh I love it so, so much! 🧡 If you love puns as much as I do, you will simply die for (sorry not sorry) all the puns in here. Seriously, do read this. It is full of relatable self-discovery, humour, love – and of course a ghost or two. Perfect for the upcoming spooky season!

I have not read anything of Jen DeLuca yet nor have I read anything for ages that has a ghost story or is suited to Halloween so this was refreshing! I really enjoyed this and I am sure I will pick up more of DeLuca’s stories. I ultimately would give this one a 4.75 out of 5.

Wow, this whole story has really unique concepts! I mean, a ghost being able to text message to criticise your work, and another ghost that can use fridge magnets to say they want to watch your TV program? Ingenious idea! It had a decent amount of mystery that kept me turning the pages, which I was able to solve before the big reveal – but the fact I worked it out did not detract from the reveal at all, in fact I was all too pleased.

Though I am not in my thirties yet, I can relate an awful lot to the problems of having friends but not only finding it difficult to arrange to see them because of them being busy but also feeling like we are at different stages in life. I am Cassie, I am the single friend, I want to brag about my accomplishments but fear they will fall on deaf ears, just like that group chat of hers. DeLuca captured the problems of outgrown friendships so well here!

This really felt like a Hallmark film and I lowkey hope they make it into one!

Only negatives were:
I wish there had been more to some of Cassie and Nick’s relationship. We go from the “no strings attached” phase to being together quite quickly. It would have been nice if this had been fleshed out some more, or if the “no strings attached” phase happened earlier.
And where they have their first time. Really, Jen? Haha. No thank you!

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and publisher. I did also pre-order a physical copy after reading.

I absolutely loved this book! I’m not a huge romance reader but every now and then there’s an author who is just amazing and this is an example!

The setting is absolutely incredible. It’s a small town on the Florida coast and it happens to be haunted! All the local businesses really lean into the haunting and the store names are fantastic puns. The vibes of this small haunted town were wonderful, with the bookstore, coffee store and great places to watch the sunset on the beach, along with a cemetery island and local ghost tour!

This book does have a romance plot line, but that’s not the whole story. It’s also about changing your life, bravery, a fresh start and new adventures. I found the main character so relatable with how she was finding challenges with her friend group and being excluded as the only one without children. I loved how she decided to take control of her own life and look for opportunities and a place to belong.

Throughout this book we also uncover the history of the town, learning more about the ghosts, who they were and why they’re still around. There’s a narrative of righting past wrongs and unveiling the truth. All while dealing with some meddling ghosts! Not all of whom are bad (but some are).

Amazing setting, fascinating story and loveable cast of characters. What a thoroughly enjoyable book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Although, the premise, small-town setting, and beautiful cover were appealing, I found the book difficult to get through. The concept and characters definitely had potential, but the execution just wasn't it. Although the setup seemed perfect for a sweet romance, the conflict felt underdeveloped. and between Cassie's fear of ghosts and Nick's past trauma, it didn’t create the tension I had invisioned or hoped for. Their relationship was completely lacking the depth and chemistry needed for a dramatic and emotinal story. And Cassies inability to have kids and Nick's reaction to it wasn't my favourite. It was definitely dissappointing given the seriousness of the topic. Overall, the story fell flat for me and just wasn't for me.

THIS ONE HAS THE COZIEST VIBES I HAVE EVER FOUND IN A BOOK
I was in a bit of a slump so this book had everything to get me out of it. I absolutely adored the fmc and the mmc they were so cute and had very good chemistry.
The haunted vibes??? Checked
The found family vines?? Checked
They were so good i have no complaints about it, it was very well thought and blended together
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc

Haunted Ever After is about Cassie who moves into a spooky small town by the beach and finds out its haunted. This book has such a perfect mix of both summer and autumn vibes.

I loved the way Boneyard Key was described and thought the town was very atmospheric. The town and its residents felt so cosy to read about and I loved finding out more about the ghosts and the history of the town. I also really enjoyed the plot and how Cassie starts to investigate and find out more about the ghost who is haunting her house.

I found the romance to be okay but I felt that Cassie and Nick lacked chemistry. Their interactions felt a bit forced and I didn't feel a depth to their feelings for each other. I also didn't care for Nick's character and found him to be a bit standoffish.

Overall I really enjoyed the atmosphere and liked how cosy Boneyard Key sounded. I thought the mystery and investigation of the ghost haunting Cassie was interesting but felt the romance lacked chemistry. I do think Haunted Ever After has a cosy feel to it and would be a great read for both summer and autumn.

(I was sent a Netgalley arc of the book by the publisher to review)

I was so excited for this book and I absolutely devoured it in one sitting. I loved following Cassie and Nick's growing relationship.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this engaging book in exchange for my honest review.

Step into a haunted town in Florida, famous for its ghost tours and eerie attractions that draw thrill-seeking tourists. But what these visitors don't realize is that the locals aren’t just profiting off spooky tales—there might actually be some real paranormal encounters waiting for them!

Our story follows Cassie Rutherford, a native of Orlando whose life is turned upside down when her landlord decides to sell her apartment. With limited funds and nowhere else to turn, Cassie takes a leap of faith and buys a house in a quaint coastal town in Florida, completely unaware of its dark past. Leaving behind her bustling city life and friends who are settling into domestic bliss, Cassie is ready for a change.

However, this new town is missing some familiar comforts like Starbucks and Publix. But these minor inconveniences soon pale in comparison to the real issue at hand—the historic Hawkins house she’s purchased may be haunted by the vengeful spirit of the previous owner’s wife. Despite being a skeptic, Cassie starts experiencing strange and unsettling events, from malfunctioning appliances to chilling encounters. Seeking refuge in the local coffee shop, she meets Nick, the brooding but charming owner who makes the perfect hazelnut iced latte and serves up some of the best banana bread she’s ever had.

As their connection deepens, Nick reveals his own ties to the town’s restless spirits, adding even more mystery to the mix. When Cassie receives a chilling paranormal message one night, she turns to Nick for help.

Cassie now faces a tough decision: should she flee the town and give up on any chance of romance with Nick, or should she embrace the unusual life that comes with living in this ghostly community? Meanwhile, Nick grapples with his own fears of losing another woman while trying not to frighten Cassie away.

Can they find their happily-ever-after amidst all the supernatural chaos? With its paranormal twists and captivating storyline, this book is an absolute must-read that I highly recommend!

I’ve always enjoyed Jen DeLuca’s books and the same goes to this one. I found the movement away from the renaissance faire to be a great thing. I enjoyed the plot of the book regarding Mrs Hawkins and getting to the bottom of the mystery surrounding her.

I did enjoy Nick and Cassie, but it felt a bit too insta-love for me which I’m not a huge fan of. They had a really good lead up and then it dropped off the page once Nick got possessed, which they didn’t try to talk about, and I’m not keen on the miscommunication trope.

But all in all, it was an easy and sweet read. Jen will always be an auto-buy author for me.

Thank you to Jen Deluca, Michael Joseph and Penguin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book! From start to finish, it kept me absolutely enthralled and I fell in love with the characters and the beautiful setting of Boneyard Key, Florida.

Cassie and Nick’s first meeting was brilliant and the slow burn was definitely slow burning as the pair danced around each other for the majority of the book. The chemistry was wonderful and the romance a wonderful payoff at the end.. but what really made me love this book was the plotline and following Cassie as she figured out exactly what had happened in her house.

A perfectly cozy yet slightly spooky fun autumnal read, perfect for the season that we’re heading into!

A sweet and easy read with good use of setting. I felt that characterisation might have benefitted from a bit more complexity, but still a cosy read for autumn.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review

3.5 stars

This book felt like such a wholesome summer read whilst also giving off cosy autumnal vibes! If you are someone who prefers the plot of a book then this book is definitely for you, it kept me intrigued and wanting to know the answers the entire book because the mystery aspect is on point! Whilst I did enjoy this book it did feel a little lacklustre at times as the characters played a big part in this book but didn’t seem to have much chemistry with each other.

A moment of appreciation for the side characters in this book, especially Elmer because I absolutely loved seeing him pop up!

Thank you to the publishers Penguin Random House and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me.

It was meh and so boring. I gave it a star as I finished it. The characters were so incredibly one-dimensional as well.

Side note : I know I read an ARC copy, but the spelling and grammar mistakes were so distracting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Jen Deluca. I adored the Well Met series and this was a whole new cast of wonderful characters and a new setting to enjoy. Excellent as always. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC copy of Haunted Ever After ☺️

I found this book to be a cute/fluffy quick read for me. It’s a nice palette cleanser inbetween some of the other books that I have been reading recently. I would’ve liked to have seen more relationship development in the book however I loved each individual character nonetheless and the chemistry was clearly there. This book would be a perfect read for autumn during spooky season 👻

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️