The Haunting Between Us

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.

The Haunting Between Us

5/5 stars 🌟

Where do I begin! This book was fantastic I received this as an eARC thanks to Paul Michael Winters and NetGalley.

I couldn’t put this book down, I read it during work, during my breaks and all night long to finish it!

The Haunting Between Us gives us too amazing Main Characters, Cameron and Hugo, one who is out and proud another who worries what his Pa will think of that! They are both described perfectly, when I read a book I love seeing the story like a movie in my head and all throughout this was a full scary romantic movie with twists and turns throughout so it’s 100% a must read!

Cameron’s insecurities hit hard and had me relating with his struggles in self-image and made him extremely easy to connect and feel protective over while Hugo’s willingness to stand up and look after everyone was appreciated and needed.

I love the mystery of Crimson House and supernatural references when it comes to the equipment and terminologies they used it felt like I was in a paranormal investigation! I had my thoughts on some of the facts and I was excited when the twist happened as expected! This book throws you a full historical moment and it’s great how much Paul (author) has put into really portraying the feeling that this is a real historical place with a full heritage!

Overall the Friend group, the side characters and the growing romance to the coming out moment held a place in my heart 💜 while making me sit on the edge of my seat scared of what could happen!

I will forever keep the thought of smelling cookies to be with this book! Please buy, read and SUPPORT this book when it becomes available January 7th 2025!

What a great story a boy moves into the most haunted house in town and makes friends with the boy across the street

With a plot points such as acceptance ,ghost hunting finding your self this really was a fantastic read.

This is like if The Haunting of Hill House and Heart Stopper had a baby.
It was awesome to read each character go through growth, the blossoming relationship between Cameron and Hugo, as well as them having a solid friendship group.
I honestly couldn’t put this book down, it was truly a great read, the romance was blooming, the horror was definitely spooky as hell and the twists 👀

Thank you Maelstrom Press and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Finished this one tonight! This supernatural thriller was so enjoyable! Cameron has spent his life in a small town wishing for a boyfriend, being bullied because he’s gay and unfit. Plus the house a crossed the street has haunted him since that night. It’s been vacant for years and is known to be haunted. On his way home he sees an old lady in the house but in one blink she’s gone. Did he just imagine it? Hugo had spent the years since his mom past moving from house to house with his dad. They flip houses and then move on. Never putting down any roots. Then they move into 16 Sycamore Lane. But weird things are happening and his dads being cagey about how they got the house. Cameron and Hugo’s worlds collide and there is an instant spark. Hugo hasn’t be anywhere long enough to really establish a relationship and he hasn’t come out to his dad. Cameron’s out but his dad doesn’t seem to want to understand. As their feelings grow so do the spooky circumstances with Hugo’s house. Can they figure out what is going on before anyone ends up hurt or worse? How will things go with their dads? A wonderfully queer supernatural story that had my flipping through the pages! Hugo and Cameron are so cute and I love their queer friend group! A spooky edge of your seat thrill ride with all the ghost hunter vibes! A not to be missed read!