Is the queer rep incredible? Heck yes! Do I love me a haunted house? Oh hell yeah. And is the friendship shown here impeccable, the characters diverse and wonderful in their depiction? Yes, very much.
I highly enjoyed reading this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a sweet book and it was perfect for my first of 2025. We see lots of growth between Cameron and Hugo and I always love seeing teenagers embrace themselves and fully accept who they are. The supporting cast of friends is great here and it always makes me wish I had friends like this in high school. The plot twists in here were actually very well done and I was really enjoying it the more I read. I will definitely have to read more of this author’s books because this was a delight. I’m always up for something creepy and queer.

The Haunting Between Us tells the story of Hugo Cruz who moves into a haunted House and Cameron Walsh the boy next door who is afraid of the house. The two start to like each other as they try to discover what is wrong with Hugo's new house with the help of their friends.

This book had a steady pace it didn't feel rushed with the ghost story or the relationship. Cameron and Hugo's relationship builds organically and it doesn't feel like it came out of nowhere like some YA books do. Their relationship is cute and maybe a tad cringe but not overly so. I also like that Cameron's friend group is so supportive of each other. They don't snipe at each other or be mean like in other YA books.

I wish this wasn't being compared to The Haunting of Hill House. I went in with certain expectations that I don't think the author delivered on. This is supposed to be a ghost story and those scenes fell flat to me.

As for the side characters, Abby and Chloe are the most fleshed out the others just seem to be there. The school bully has like 3 scenes but then falls away like nothing happened. It felt like there were too many characters that if you cut away those characters and gave their lines to someone else it would have been the same story.

The last part I didn't like was making the ghost be someone with mental health issues. She was born different, was treated differently, so obviously she must become a serial killer. That didn't sit right with me.

So overall this is an okay book for me. I liked the Scooby Gang vibes with the friend group but the ghost story element did not hit for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publishers for an ARC of The Haunting Between US.

The Haunting Between Us is marketed as The Haunting of Hill house crossed with YA horror crossed with Heartstopper, but it is so much more than that.
This book is a delightful oxymoron - a hopeful and joyful horror story that still manages to be heartwarming and spine tingling all at once, whilst tackling important topics like racism, body positivity, bullying, homophobia and family dynamics around a young person coming out.
The Haunting Between Us is chilling, but it also is vital work for young people as it allows them to explore their own sexuality, their own gender identities and their own experiences as people of colour in a safe way.
Whilst I say this - if you are young then do be aware that the characters are 16 in this novel and there are intimate scenes in this book which aren’t graphic in nature, but some innuendo and spicy comments are made.
I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I was in the target age group but I have rated it for a young adult, as ratings should be different for YA fiction vs adult fiction.

This is a well done dual POV novel, I did not find myself preferring one viewpoint as I usually do in books with more than one point of view, so I really recommend giving this a go.

Hugo moves into Crimson House, the abandoned haunted mansion opposite Cameron’s house. Cameron had a chilling accident there in the past and already feels uncertain cutting past the house on his route to school, until Cameron and his ghost hunting friend Abby spot gorgeous Hugo moving in.
Cameron once again feels drawn to Crimson House.
I don’t want to spoil too much of the plot, but “the guy of my dreams moves into the house of my nightmares” had me hooked from the get go.
If you love gay horror, found family, small town mysteries or just a spooky good time - you will LOVE this!

A huge thanks to Maelstrom Press and Paul Michael Winters for allowing me to read an arc, I had an absolute blast!

I loved the intersection of horror and queer romance, it has moments of being scary, romantic and heart-warming all at the same time

The story includes a remarkable romantic subplot that skillfully intertwines aspects of horror and the supernatural, resulting in a mesmerizing ambiance. The characters are thoughtfully developed, showing considerable growth as the narrative progresses, which increases reader investment. The pacing is praiseworthy, enabling readers to fully engage with the evolving plot without any sense of haste. Each chapter is easy to follow and pleasurable, fostering a fluid reading experience. Furthermore, the setting is compelling and enriches the narrative, elevating the work to an exceptional level. 4.5 stars!!!

A queer, modern day, story about a haunted house and mystery-solving teens? Yes! Cameron has lived across the street from the abandoned Crimson House his entire life. How is it that his dream guy (Hugo) has just moved in there, and will he be safe living with ghosts?

This coming of age story is a perfect mix of angst, friendship, love, and adventure. Navigating the teen years isn't easy in the best times, but adding in coming out and needing support can complicate it even more. The author has done a fantastic job writing the MMCs and their development through the story. Secondary characters were just as important and also well written. From start to finish the book was engaging and I couldn't put it down.

The story includes fantastic queer and mental health representation. Also, the lesson of how our actions can ultimately change the lives of others, and how being kind to all, even when they are different or have different abilities, is a great takeaway from the book.

If you enjoy a diverse, young love story happening amidst mystery, danger, and learning to find yourself in the world, get this book!

YA-level fade-to-black spice: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)

Overall this isn’t a bad book, I think I just wasn’t in the mood for horror when I read it. Maybe I’ll pick it back up closer to Halloween and try again.

I loved this. It’s like Heartstopper meets a ghost story. The pacing was great. There was never a dull moment as there were secrets to discover, friendships to make, and boys to fall for. It really felt like I was reading a TV show. I also enjoyed the premise. Cameron’s lived across the street from the haunted house his whole life and had an incident in the house when he was 12 whereas Noah recently moved into the haunted house since his dad is a house flipper, yet they’re both connected to the house. Cameron also has a diverse friend group full of queer identities and young love which really lent itself to the Heartstopper vibes.

Overall, I'd call this an enjoyable book! I loved the haunted house aspect (take me back to October, I beg), and thought the spooky/mystery element was done well in terms of vibes. Both of the main characters were really sweet, which was nice to see. I really don't get into the whole I'm-gonna-be-your-bully-first-then-fall-in-love-with-you dynamic. Makes me roll me eyes. So to watch these boys go from strangers to friends to more was really sweet. Sometimes their dialogue did get a bit immature and cringy, though, which was hard to read. But more often than not, it was sweet and fun.

I also really loved how much Cameron and Hugo helped each other. They both had things to overcome, and watching them genuinly care for each other and help each other was really sweet. I'm also a sucker for a good dad character, so I adored Hugo's dad.

The writing flowed pretty effortlessly, which was nice. Wasn't my favorite prose, or anything. But still carried me along the story with ease and didn't feel clumsy outside of some of the dialogue like mentioned above. I think the biggest factor was just the lack of emotional investment for me personally, but still a thoroughly enjoyable read.

This was SO FUCKING GOOD!!
It was advertised with Heartstopper but make it creepy, and I was a bit sceptical at first about this advertisement and if my expectations could be met this way. But it really is spooky Heartstopper, while definitely not being a copycat.
The theatre kids found family friends group has my heart and I wish for more books featuring these characters (especially the genderqueer character Taylor), maybe more Ghosthunting adventures? 🥹👉🏻👈🏻
The romance was sweet and while somehow YA (the MCs are 16, if I remember correctly), there is one open door scene, but this is really low spice. So much for the characters. Onto the haunting: This was so freaking creepy, I loved it. I'm not the biggest thriller/spookiness fan, and this was definitely near the knuckle for me personally (I needed to put the book away in the dark and not only once skimmed for the next jumpscare), but the whole vibe enhanced the book SO much. The story behind the haunted house was gorgeous and the whole suspense made me fly through the pages.
This was a REALLY good start to the new year.
CN/TW: There's bullying on page, homophobia and homophobic slurs and fatphobia/body dysmorphia

Thank you to NetGalley and Maelstrom Press for the early review copy of The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters.

This was my first paranormal queer romance, and I must say I was highly impressed.

Hugo is the new boy in town, and he moves into a large Victorian house haunted by the White Lady. He soon befriends Cameron, the boy across the street and the two of them begin to uncover the secrets of the famous haunted house. While Ghost hunting the bond they share starts to grow into something more than that of just friends.

I really enjoyed my time with this book, more so the romance and connection the MCs share than the paranormal side of the story. It was wonderful to see these two characters finding themselves and growing their relationship. Hugo's dad was also another favorite character of mine. I encourage anyone who loves queer romance to read this beautifully haunting story. I can't wait to read more by this author.

I didn't hate it, and there's a lot in there to enjoy, but it is overall just too much uwu cheesy love yourself for you who are for me. To be fair, that was basically stated in the description of the book, but it also advertises itself as a YA Haunting of Hill House so I went in with cautious trepidation and hoped for the best.

Unfortunately, it leans a bit too far from heartstopping scares that I wanted and a bit too far into the Heartstopper-esque world that YA queer fiction is entrenched in these days. I personally think selling a book like this with Haunting of Hill House as a direct call out ultimately hurts the whole experience.

The characters are fine. I enjoyed Hugo for the most part, but everything being focused on Cameron and the landmines that were his issues with body image and pretty much every other insecurity a teenage boy could have became too much by the midpoint that I almost stopped reading all together.

I feel bad because I enjoyed the authors previous book which more deftly balanced a YA heart with a horror environment, and I wish I enjoyed this one as much as I did Together in a Broken World.

I'm rounding up to a three because I do realize it wasn't for me and I don't want to penalize that too harshly, but I've also read a lot of YA that strikes a better balance than this one did so it's hard not to compare.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for granting me access to this arc. It was first time picking something from this author and I have a good time. If you love Heartstopper but you wished it was more of a supernatural/horror storyline this book is for you! I really loved the atmosphere in this and the ghosts I think were a nice touch. I really liked the characters Cameron and Hugo I liked the relationship it was really refreshing to see this type of representation in a horror. I think this would be a good introduction for people who want to try supernatural horror. I liked the writing style and I would pick up more the author in the future. Really liked this one 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters is a captivating and beautifully written novel that seamlessly blends the tension of a ghost story with the delicate complexities of first love. With its rich atmosphere and well-developed characters, this book is a standout for readers who enjoy both supernatural thrills and poignant emotional depth.

The story follows sixteen-year-old Cameron Walsh, a boy who is both terrified of the haunted Victorian mansion across the street and deeply intrigued by the mysterious new neighbor, Hugo Cruz. Cameron's complex journey is underscored by his struggles with bullying and self-esteem issues. The author’s portrayal of his fears—both supernatural and personal—feels real and relatable. The way Cameron grapples with his body image and the weight of societal expectations adds layers of authenticity to his character, making him someone readers can deeply sympathize with.

Hugo, on the other hand, is a character shaped by grief and uncertainty. Having moved around frequently with his father after his mother’s death, Hugo is haunted not just by the spirits in the house, but by the unresolved grief that lingers in his life. His evolving relationship with Cameron, as they uncover the house's sinister secrets, is both tender and tragic. Their budding romance feels organic, capturing the thrill and vulnerability of first love with grace and honesty. As Hugo comes out to his father, the exploration of his sexuality is handled with sensitivity, highlighting the internal conflict of a teenager seeking acceptance in a world that can be harsh.

The haunted Victorian mansion is a character in its own right. The ghost of the White Lady adds an eerie, unsettling element that builds tension throughout the book. The mysteries of Emily, the nanny, Luke, and the missing children are intricately woven into the plot, and the history of the house is revealed in a way that keeps the reader on edge. The ghosts are not just passive entities—they are active and sometimes violent, adding a chilling layer to the story.

Winters does an excellent job of fleshing out the supporting characters as well. Cameron’s group of friends, especially his ghost-hunting friend Abby, are fully realized and play an integral role in unraveling the mysteries surrounding the mansion. Their personalities are distinct, adding richness to the story without overshadowing the central romance and haunting.

The balance between the supernatural elements and the personal growth of the characters is expertly handled. Cameron and Hugo’s journey is a delicate dance between love, fear, and self-acceptance. The danger they face from the White Lady and the dark secrets of the house mirror their internal struggles, creating a tense but ultimately hopeful narrative.

In The Haunting Between Us, Winters crafts a hauntingly beautiful and emotionally resonant story about love, fear, and acceptance. The combination of mystery, romance, and rich character development makes this a standout novel, perfect for fans of both LGBTQ+ fiction and ghost stories. It's a gripping, heartfelt journey that lingers long after the last page is turned.

Okay so lets start this review thank you to the author for letting me read an ARC for this novel i was very excited for this one as i loved his first book and think hes great at writing! This cover caught my eye because the detail is amazing with all the colors and the cute photo this novel follows 2 guys after we learn that a house with history and eeriness is across the street from camerons house which he had something happened to him in that house and everyone always talks about that specific house on that street so then we meet a boy who moves into the actual house and cameron has eyes on him because he finds him cute a friendship at school later blossoms into a romance and i will say it was very wholesome and cute however they find themselves actually having to figure out whats going on with this house with a group of friends which i loved the whole group i thought it was so wholesome and the perfect friend group people would want in school! I loved the LGBTQ+ rep in this novel as well. This book definitely had me wanting to know the history of the house and why the strange things were happening i love how the author did such a great job explaining the history of the house as we read the novel and everything until the end comes together and we had twists and turns as well as really cute moments. I really love how supportive of eachother the whole group was and they all had one thing in common finding out the truth and stuff about the house. This novel had eerie moments as well which i loved. Paul did a great job making the reader really love both characters and the stories they shared about themselves and finding themselves regarding overcoming insecurities and coming out it was a really great novel! Great work paul! I look forward to more of your work in the future!

The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters is a delightful mix of spooky mystery and heartwarming romance. Think Ghost Adventures meets an adorable gay love story, and you’ve got this gem of a book. The story follows Cameron, the shy, brainy, boy-next-door who’s always been intrigued (and a little freaked out) by the abandoned house across the street. When a father-and-son house-flipping duo move in, they unknowingly stir up the house’s secrets—and Cameron’s heart.

The blend of ghostly chills and budding romance keeps the story engaging from start to finish. Cameron’s sweet, relatable personality and the charming dynamic between him and the new boy make this a standout read. The pacing is perfect, the scares are fun without being over-the-top, and the love story is swoon-worthy.

Whether you’re a young adult or just young at heart, The Haunting Between Us is an absolute joy. It’s equal parts mystery, romance, and feel-good fun—a must-read for anyone who loves a good ghost story with a side of heart. Highly recommend!

This story is a perfect blend of heartfelt romance and paranormal thriller. Paul did an excellent job with the paranormal plotline; it was creepy enough to give me chills while keeping me thoroughly engaged. I honestly didn't expect some of the twists that unfolded in the story. The connection between Hugo, Cameron, the house, and the ghost was just right for me. I also loved the friend group in this story—they were so welcoming to Hugo and eager to investigate the haunted house.

Telling the story from a dual point of view was an excellent choice, as it allowed me to learn about both characters and develop a connection with them. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys young adult fiction and horror. It has just the right amount of scare factor without being too frightening to keep you up at night. I will definitely recommend it to my friends and other young adults.

A classic haunted house story run through with a sweet, affirming queer romance, The Haunting Between Us starts slow. Introducing the reader to the world of Port Townsend, and our two leads, Hugo and Cameron. Hugo and his dad, both still struggling with the death of his mother years prior, have bought the infamous Crimson House, a property so named for its creepy 'bleeding' walls. Unaware of the home's history Hugo struggles to build relationships, but soon his friendship with Cameron flourishes... and ok, maybe it's more than just friendship.

Over the course of the narrative Hugo and Cameron, and their friends, uncover the history of the terrifying house, keep each other safe, and celebrate the joy and excitement of adolescent romance. Dealing with terrifying spirits and casual homophobia with the same levels of devotion, care, and intensity, this novel explores the darkest elements of humanity, and the inherent goodness of people.

Eminently readable, The Haunting Between Us is also deeply YA 'Heartstopper with ghosts' would be my pitch line here. That is not by any means an issue, but in my opinion this did struggle, as some YA books do, to find the balance between simplistic enough language to capture the weaker or more reluctant readers, and maintaining a tone appropriate for some of the more adult themes. I do also wonder about some of the insults / jibes used. I didn't grow up in the US, but some of those just didn't strike me as especially believable interactions, and it really undermined the scariness of the bullies.

Overall, this was a solid read. There are definitely places where I felt this could be tighter, but it is very readable, and an exciting and engrossing story. 3 stars.

{ 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℍ𝕒𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕌𝕤 }
by Paul Michael Winters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮: Heartstopper meets The Haunting of Hill House in this queer coming-of-age romance and ghost story.

Length: 378p
Source: ARC - NetGalley, Maelstrom Press
Release Date: January 7, 2025

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|| 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴. ||

What an absolutely FANTASTIC queer paranormal horror story. It played out exactly like it should have. The twists were twisty and the turns were 90 degrees. And the plot? The plot was SO GOOD. The romance? The SWEETEST.

|| “𝗜 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘇.”
“𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗮, 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗵.” ||

I’m serious, y’all. This was such a fun read. I really loved our MMCs, Cameron and Hugo. Hugo moves in across the street from Cameron. The only problem? The house Hugo moved into is called the Crimson House and it’s haunted.

Oh man, the story progression, the character development, the friend group and parental dynamics. Such a complex, well thought out story from start to finish.

|| 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲—𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻. ||

Sometimes a book just connects with you and this is one of those books for me. I love haunted stories and this one was, of course, a bit predictable but the execution was fantastic, so I enjoyed it anyway. And the epilogue was so cute and then that last scene! Loved it! This one will especially be a fun read during the fall!

{I received a complimentary copy of this book. All reviews are my own.}
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