This was a sweet, contemporary re-telling of The Phantom of the Opera, with low angst and a golden-retriever hero. It was certainly not what I was expecting. Going into this I thought that the MMC, Erik, would be the typical grumpy and broody Phantom-like hero. I was wrong. Erik is a self-deprecating sweetheart with emotional regulation problems. Christine, the FMC, was stronger and more self-reliant than how she is normally depicted- and I loved it! However, she had some significant daddy (and other) family issues. That’s not surprising, of course. We all have our own issues. Some are just easier to see than others. The struggles that both Erik and Christine were dealing with really rang true. As did the solutions, or help, that each character either received or sought. I loved how Ms. Morton took such care, not only of mental health, but also with physical disfigurement.

For a book that contained such low angst, I was surprised how heart-wrenching the third act was. I didn’t think the title really fit the book, but when I got to that point I understood (even though I'm not a fan of it). I hope people give this book a chance. It’s certainly worth the read, especially if you are a Phantom Phan. I am also hoping that this book undergoes some revisions to either to consistently keep it low angst, or to add more, depending on what type of story the author wants to achieve.

I want to thank NetGalley, CM Publishing, and Beth Morton for the privilege of reading this ARC.

As someone who saw Phantom of the Opera more than once on Broadway and countless times once the movie came out, this was such an amazing read! This was such a beautiful retelling!! I always get a little nervous when picking up retellings of stories that I love, but this was incredible. I loved all of it! It truly felt like it flew by -- I was so invested!! I started it and finished in one sitting.

4.5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for an exchange of my honest opinion!


AAAAA!!! I love The Phantom of The Opera, music and romance! I’m so glad I had privilege to read it early because what a book it was!

Modern retelling of POTO met all my expectations and hopes. I love Erik and Christine as well as backstory characters. I liked how MMC developed through the plot.

This book managed to keep me on my toes. It was a funny, well-written and exciting journey. I literally couldn’t put this book down.

I’m thankful for old elevators 🙌

This was a strong Phantom of the Opera inspired book, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from other books like this. It had that feel that I was looking for and was engaged with the characters going on with this. Beth Morton wrote this perfectly and was glad I got to read this.

Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “Phantoms, Ghosts, and Other Heartbreaks” by Beth Morton

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

Determined to secure a strategic marketing position at Gardner Industries, Christine Derring is balancing her demanding job at the Gardner Opera House while pursuing an MBA at Columbia. When a blackout during a work gala leaves Christine stuck in an elevator with Eric Gardner—the mysterious, masked CEO of Gardner Industries—she soon discovers that her life, and her heart, are about to change.
This debut novel by Beth Morton is a modern retelling of “The Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston Leroux, set in the post-pandemic 2020s. Morton’s world-building not only pays homage to the original novel and its celebrated musical adaptation but also effectively grounds the characters and their individual arcs in a contemporary context. The narrative explores themes such as workplace toxicity, stage fright, anger management, and the importance of overcoming inner fears through trust, boundaries, and communication.

While Christine and Eric’s dynamic begins on a rocky note, Christine’s character evolves into a confident, no-nonsense individual who asserts her agency and pursues her goals. Meanwhile, Eric, with Christine’s influence, learns to open up, manage his anger, and respect her wants and needs. The novel also features Reza, a reimagining of Daroga, a character from Leroux’s original work. This underrated character is important to note in the context of the history of the novelization as Daroga challenged the harmful “Orientalism” stereotype, making him ahead of his time in regards to the representation presented. Ready to start the new year by falling in love with “The Phantom of the Opera” all over again? Don’t miss this book when it hits online shelves on January 16, 2025!

Tropes to Expect: Contemporary Romance, Retelling, Billionaire Romance, Self-Discovery, Self-Healing, Shady Boss Antagonist, Academia Narrative, Opposites Attract, Slow Burn Romance, Masked Man Love Interest, Opera Marketer x CEO, Disability Representation, Forced Proximity, and Musical Exploration.

Trigger Warnings: Discussions of Generalized Anxiety and Stage Fright, Discussions of Internalized Ableism, Discussions of Anger Management, Trust Anxiety, Relationship Anxiety, Family Conflict, Workplace Conflict, Deaths of Family Members, Existentialism, and Discussion of Freak Accident.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 5/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

This was an amazing book! The story had great depth in the story and covered the harder topics really well! Would highly recommend!

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

Okay, buckle up, because I need to talk about how this book completely swept me off my feet, and I'm still a little dizzy from the emotional ride it took me on. From the very first page to the last, I was utterly captivated. This isn’t just another romance; it’s an experience.

What struck me most was how Beth handled the delicate subject of Erik’s disfigurement. It wasn't some side note, a little detail to be quickly glossed over. It was a core part of him, of his story, and the narrative treated it with such care and respect. You felt Erik’s pain, his vulnerability, and the walls he’d built around himself. And then you got to see Christine, bless her heart, slowly but surely break those walls down, not with pity, but with genuine acceptance and love. It’s not about looking past his scars, it's about seeing him, the whole man, and that journey was so incredibly moving. It made my heart swell with a tenderness I didn’t expect. Honestly, their acceptance of each other, flaws and all, is just beautiful.

And it wasn't just Erik that I found myself so connected to. Christine was far from perfect and that's what made me root for her so hard. She has her own battles, her own insecurities, and watching her navigate them made me feel like I was on her team. This wasn't a story where one character rescued the other, it was about both of them growing, both of them learning and becoming stronger together. It felt so real, so relatable, it made me ache with the desire for them to find their happiness.

The story unfolds with these small, intimate moments, the kind that make your stomach flip and your chest feel tight. You’re there in the elevator with them during the blackout, feeling the tentative connection forming between these two souls who were drawn together in such an unexpected way. You're there when Erik first unveils himself, feeling the sting of his vulnerability right alongside Christine, and you're there as they start having these meaningful conversations that slowly strip away their defenses. Each scene made the book feel more alive, more tender.

The way the feelings between Erik and Christine develop is so wonderful. It’s not an instantaneous, explosive kind of love; it’s a quiet burn, a slow, steady fire that grows and engulfs you. The kind of love that feels earned. It's about connection, understanding, and finding someone who sees you, really sees you, in all your flawed glory. And oh my goodness, I was head over heels for it.

This is a Phantom of the Opera retelling that took the core concept and made it new, fresh, and deeply heartfelt. It’s about the masks we wear, the secrets we keep, and the courage it takes to show our true selves. It's a story that made me laugh, made me tear up a little, and made me hold it close to my heart. If you're looking for a romance that will make you feel all the feelings, then pick up "Phantoms, Ghosts & Other Heartbreaks." Once it’s out! You won't regret it. It's a book I know I'll be revisiting again and again whenever I need a good dose of heart and hope.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, grumpy/sunshine, opposite attract, ceo mmc/opera marketer fmc, musical romance, age gap, forced proximity

Christine está cursando su MBA y consiguió un trabajo en el Gardner Opera House con el objetivo de conocer a Erik, el CEO de Industrias Gardner, para poder demostrar sus habilidades y conseguir un buen empleo. Un día, por fortuna o mala suerte, se queda atrapada en un ascensor con nada menos que Erik, quien lleva una máscara que le cubre la mitad de la cara. Al principio, ella no le presta mucha atención, se concentra en darle una buena impresión, le demuestra su conocimiento y le da algunas ideas para sus negocios. Todo parecía ir de maravilla hasta que, al regresar la luz, descubre que Erik ya no lleva la máscara puesta, y se da cuenta de que no tiene nariz y que la mitad de su rostro está desfigurado. Él, quien había mantenido en secreto su accidente durante años, se siente acorralado y le dice palabras hirientes. Sin embargo, pronto se da cuenta de su error y, al intentar disculparse, termina ayudándola a superar su miedo a hablar en público. Comienzan a pasar más tiempo juntos y desarrollan sentimientos, pero él sigue arrastrando traumas relacionados con su apariencia y cómo la gente reacciona cuando lo ve sin máscara. No cree qu pueda ofrecerle una familia debido a sus inseguridades.




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found this story to be enjoyable. It some nods to Phantom of the opera and the beauty and the beast trope. A few things I liked was that the author didn’t hide Erik’s injury and made it be what it was. I also enjoyed that Christine wasn’t written to be overly dramatic or emotional when regarding their relationship. I’m also a huge lover of Dual POVs so I loved that this had one. The reasons I couldn’t give higher stars is I found some of the story just went on and on and could have been removed. To me the spicy scenes were
abrupt and flowed weirdly into the story. Then during them the words characters were using just didn’t feel like ones they’d really say. It was like the author knew these are phrases in spicy scenes let me just throw them in here. It was just ehh. I’m not a fan of an 10 year age gap. At some points I felt the age gap was a little blah since he’s a little over 10 years older and read at times older than that or her same age. Overall, I found the book to be good but not great for me.

I’ve always loved Phantom of the Opera—I’ve seen the musical countless times. While the original story is beautifully tragic, I’ve always wished for a happier ending for Erik and Christine. This book delivered exactly what I was looking for.


Morton did such a great job retelling the story. The tragic characters and their struggles are still there, but they’re actually explored in a deeper way. The characters felt really well-developed, and I loved the attention to detail. The romance was so well-paced—it felt natural and built up really nicely.


One of the standout aspects of this retelling is the way Morton handles Erik’s disfigurement. It’s not brushed aside or treated as a fleeting detail—it’s an important part of who he is. The heroine’s acceptance of him as he is was truly heartwarming, adding layers of emotional richness to the story. Similarly, I loved that the heroine wasn’t perfect either. She had her own struggles to face, and the narrative gave both characters the space to grow individually while finding love together.


The steamy scenes? Wow. They were written in vivid detail—enough to stir emotions and bring a blush to my face! HAHA. I’d say this book is for readers who are comfortable with mature content because it doesn’t hold back on those moments.

That said, the story did feel a bit lengthy in parts, and some transitions could have been smoother. But overall, the writing was solid, and I had a great time with this story.

If you love Phantom of the Opera but wished Erik and Christine had a happier ending, this book is for you.

I think Morton did a wonderful job retelling this story. The tragic characters with their struggles are still there but they are actually worked on and acknowledged. I really liked how well developed the characters were and the attention to detail. I thought the romance was well paced and built up to nicely.

I also liked that the hero's disfigurement was not fleeting. The author is very direct about it. He is who he is and the heroine accepts him which is beautiful to read. I appreciated that the heroine also had issues of her own that she was struggling with. These two had personal journeys to go through while also finding love with each other.

I do think this was a bit lengthy at times and some of the transitions could have been smoother, but otherwise I liked the writing.

If you like the musical, definitely give this book a try!

This was such a great book! Loved the plot and the execution. This is definitely first of it's kind, I haven't seen a book this plot ever.

Where do I start? I’m not much of a romance reader, but I feel I ought to be because I can’t not read stories like this. I am a huge POTO enthusiast, I’ve seen the musical many times, I listen to the cast recordings daily, I’ve read the original book thousands of times, so I am knowledgeable when it comes to Gastón Leroux’s novel.

I was a bit skeptic when I requested this ARC, fearing it would be another The Phantom of Manhattan/Love Never Dies fiasco. And boy, was I wrong!!

This book is exactly what it promises to be, a magnificent retelling of a tragic story now turned romance. I have always been torn between The Phantom and Raoul, and it was very interesting to read a novel with a different outcome than the original.

I love how the idea was developed and executed, the characters were very interesting to read, overall I believe this was a very good book. I do find myself reading it again sometime soon. If you like POTO, I am sure you will enjoy this book.

A modern retelling of the Beauty and the Beast trope, “Phantoms, Ghosts & Other Heartbreaks”, by Beth Morton, features a hero with a serious disfigurement and a heroine with some issues but a gentle, nurturing personality.
The classic meeting in the broken elevator was potent, promising mystery and emotional intensity between Erik and Christine. I loved the suspense anticipated in this initial scene.
The hero’s disfigurement is severe. I appreciated the author’s directness about it. The external physical and psychological effects are obvious. Erik is a tortured, temperamental hero and is still hiding and trying to avoid the “new normal”.
Christine is dealing with her own issues. I liked how she dealt with them, with Erik’s help.
Notoriety, fame, success, financial struggles, loss and grief are explored in the story.
I felt this story could have been shorter. There was a lot of melodrama. The transitions to sex were a bit abrupt and I find the leads’ often crude verbiage didn’t match their personalities.
Because it was so radical, I was left wondering what would be the functional impact of the amputation.

Christine met the reclusive Erik during a blackout. He lashes out after the lights come on and his injuries are showed to her. He apologizes to her by helping her with her fears of public speaking... She goes viral at her first public speaking....

Love the reference to Phantom of the Opera. Love Erik and Christine together. Amazing dialogue. Really enjoy both characters.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

If you know POTO, if you don't, you'll enjoy this book. I greatly appreciated each and every character in this book. I understood going into this that it was based loosely off POTO, so I didn't go in with expectations that this would be a perfect romance. POTO is a very tragic romance that doesn't exactly end the way Eristine lovers would've hoped, of course, but I'm happy to report this book doesn't disappoint. Erik's temper is very reminiscent of the Phantoms, and I liked how over the course of things he learned how to let Christine and others into his life more. I also was overjoyed to see such wonderful disability rep, from Erik's anxiety, depression and his journey with disability aids via his prosthesis, but Christine's anxiety that she learns coping strategies for with the help of the people who care for her. It was so lovely seeing the characters develop the way they did, and I liked that 'The Persian' in POTO had a much bigger role as that's a character you don't really see much of in the film/Broadway adaptation or original novel. This book is perfect for Broadway, music, and theatre lovers in general. I do think that possibly the way Christine and Erik are may be a bit lost on those who aren't as familiar with the POTO world, so I would implore those who read and check out reviews to remember that this is heavily inspired off that before they get upset about the characterization and everything like that.

3.0 / 5.0

Phantoms, Ghosts, and Other Herat reads by Beth Morton is a Phantom of the Opera retelling. Christine is an orphan and Erik, 10 years her senior, is her billionaire guardian angel.

The story, characters, and stakes follow the musical beat for beat, but is set recently circa late 2023 into 24. There is references to modern events and societal offerings, such as the players on sport team rosters and TikTok, but the dialogue and setting is contrived and at times unbelievable. There are pages of text about people or places that’s grammatically correct, but it’s weighed down by incorrect details and superfluous, obviously forced drama. The characters build slow chemistry until half way through and suddenly, wham/bam they are hot and heavy. The FMC’s struggle with anxiety and stage fright completely belies her chosen profession and apparent competence. The switchbacks of forced emotion with these characters is messy and, though the themes of growth are important, the execution is novice.

Overall, I did enjoy this book but it needs significant development and editing. I was not motivated to keep reading and only ended up finishing it because I am such a fan of Phantom of the Opera.

Until Next Time,
MC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I promised myself I’d keep this succinct, but I have so many thoughts. One of my undergraduate degrees is in theatre performance, and I’m one semester away from finishing my graduate degree in Theatre. Needless to say, I kinda geek out about all things POTO—which heavily inspired this beautiful story. The cover got my attention, but the story kept me locked in from page one. But I’m going to put the theatrical part of this aside and focus on all of the other things I loved.

Erik—his character is so beautifully redeemed in this story. He has his shortcomings, and his temperament is off-putting, but he truly has a wounded heart. I wanted to scoop him up and hug him. I love that his friends are willing to be honest with him even at the risk of suffering his wrath. He has a beautiful tribe of supporters. His willingness to open up, to grow, to put aside his fears and anxiety… sigh He just… he has such a beautiful arc.

I loved everything about Christine. She is wickedly smart. She’s not overly emotional, and she stands on her own two feet. She works hard for her dreams, and in the end, she proves that she can do things on her own merit without external influences. She had a truly forgiving heart, and it’s one of my favorite things about her.

EVERY character in this story is distinct and memorable. I love that the author captured such varied personalities in even in the smallest roles.

It’s been a long time since I’ve highlighted so many things in a book, so bear with me as I dive into:

My Favorite Things:
· Line: He seemed unconcerned, if not amused by her response, but small children amused people. She wanted to impress him.
· The mask images as section breaks! Adorable!
· Quote: “I sense you trying to slow-walk me to some realization.” I cackled.
· Line: Impersonal. Short. It gave nothing away. Even his emails wore a mask.
· Quote: “I’m nearly twenty-six years old. I cannot possibly be breathing wrong!” So relatable. ANY person who has been trained in music or theatre understands this line with their whole soul. I remember making the same exclamation in my first ever voice lesson.
· Quote (and words to live by): “When all is said and done, you’re the one who must decide to succeed. If you decide to achieve your goals, you’ll set yourself up for success. Yes, you may fail, but if you prepare yourself to fail, that’s the only possible outcome.”
· Quote: “I’m not really a misanthrope. I’m a shut-in. Very different.” Hilarious.
· Quote: “I don’t want a relationship only on your terms.” YES, GIRL!
· Line: “Money doesn’t buy happiness, but poverty buys a heck of a lot of misery.” This line hits so hard for those of us who were raised in poverty. I felt this in my soul.
· Quote: “I’m thankful for old elevators.”
· Quote: “I’m prettier in the dark.” SOBS.
· Quote: “I was terrified and said I’d fall flat on my face. And he said he’d catch me if I did.” The full-circle moment here nearly took me out. Tears.
· Quote: “You’re so much more than anything I’ve ever done for you, or anything I could ever do for you.”
· Quote: “I want to be happy, but I don’t want to be rudderless. I want my boat to go somewhere…with purpose.”
· Vienna—just… every mention of it. It’s one of my favorite songs, so the whole Vienna tie-in is just lovely.
· The support group. The Zoloft. The light the author is spreading on the reality of mental health and necessary supports, both medical and emotional. All of it. Loved it.
· Omg. Erik called Rafe to come to the hospital… how beautiful.
· “Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo.” TOOK ME OUT.

Honestly, I could rave about this one until I’m blue in the face.

This is one I will always look back on fondly.

A personal note to the author—where in the world have you been hiding? Really, you were perfect.

…okay. Now I’m back in my POTO-obsessed era.