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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.