Many thanks to Maelstrom Press for a complimentary eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Cameron Walsh lives opposite the scariest, most haunted house in town. Crimson House is haunted by a creepy White Lady - Cameron almost lost his leg the last time he went in, so he is in no hurry to ever return. But when Hugo Cruz and his dad move in, Cameron is irresistibly drawn back to the House and its secrets.

This is the second novel by author Paul Michael Winters, after his compelling debut novel, Together in a Broken World. This book is a real page-turner with its fair share of twists and genuinely spooky scenes. The chapters alternate between Cameron and Hugo’s viewpoints, giving us a window into their richly-drawn inner lives. Winters writes first love/puppy love really well: Cameron and Hugo are an adorable couple who you will instantly root for, just like Zach and Aiden in Together in a Broken World. The relationship and its development feel authentic: both Cameron and Hugo deal with serious issues all through the novel (note the content warnings), and as a result their growth and the emotional payoffs feel warranted towards the end.

The supporting cast are equally stellar, Winters has a knack for making even the characters with the smallest roles memorable. His descriptions paint such a vivid picture of each character, you could almost see and hear them in your mind. While homophobia and homophobic behaviour are present in this novel and treated with the seriousness it deserves, this is largely a world where most characters are supportive of Cameron and Hugo’s relationship. Matty and Cameron’s brother, Jack, are the awesome straight allies we all wish we had growing up. They have minor roles in the story, but characters like them make this a world that feels real and truly alive, despite the supernatural premise.

The Haunting Between Us is superbly well-paced and intricately plotted. I found myself going back to read sections that foreshadowed plot developments later on in the book. This is a book that draws you in and keeps you there until you reach the end (not unlike the novel’s White Lady with her tray of cookies!). Suitable for teen readers and above, this is a highly recommended read that I will go back to when spooky season comes along again next year. If you liked Winters’s first book, putting this on your shelf is a no-brainer. If you enjoy a suspenseful thriller mixed with an adorable coming-of-age story, this book is definitely for you.