I think about this book as what it would be like to go to X-Files High School. This gender-swapped contemporary take on Austen's "Northanger Abbey" begins with middle child Hattie Tilley trying to hold herself and her family together after the tragic loss of her father. When she gets assigned to be an ambassador for new student Kit Moreland, the last thing on her mind is buying into the ghost hunting thing that goes on in her high school, much less helping Kit with it! Witty and fun, a great read for spooky season.

Absolutely loved this! I have always been obsessed with paranormal shows and this fed into that. Also, the Jane Austen retelling was captured very well.

Tilney, a senior at Northanger Abbey High School, once loved all ghosty things before her father passed, but now she avoids them. Forced by her mother (the headmaster) she finds herself the guide for the new student, a ghost hunter named Kit Morland.

A fantastic YA retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, with gender-bent MCs, the most haunted high school in America, I love Northanger Abbey and wanted to read this book and I'm glad I did.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy for an honest review!!!

I’ve picked this one up a few times and I think this is just a case of right book wrong time.

I haven’t gotten really sucked into it like I was expecting. It could just be because I’ve been leaning towards more gothic and darker books lately.

But I’m not going to take it off my to be read list.

The concept is really intriguing to me because I was completely obsessed with paranormal investigation shows as a teen, and I LOVE romance books.

I plan on buying a physical copy because I love the cover and I know that I want to get back to it again, but I guess it’s just not the right time.

When I do finish it, I’ll post a full review on goodreads and most likely TikTok as well.

I really appreciate you allowing me to read this as an ARC. I will definitely revisit this again.

Thank you so much ❤️

This was a cute read! I’m not as familiar with northanger abbey so maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I were but overall it was nice. The grief aspect took a large portion of the story and I wasn’t quite ready for that. Kit was a sweet character and the moments with Hattie were so sweet to read.

"Ghosted" by Amanda Quain is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey." In this new twist, Quain introduces readers to Hattie Tilney, a young woman whose life revolves around her mother's expectations after her father's death. Set against the backdrop of Northanger Abbey in upstate New York, this novel skillfully weaves together themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the supernatural.

Hattie's life takes an unexpected turn when her mother asks her to be a student ambassador for Kit Moreland, an intriguing young man who loves ghost hunting. Hattie's meticulous façade, forged from her desire to gain her mother's approval, is about to crumble as she navigates this newfound partnership. The characters' interactions are filled with both wit and vulnerability, making their evolving dynamic a true highlight of the story.

The beginning narrative allows readers to familiarize themselves with Hattie's world, her struggles, and her aspirations. The initial chapters, while slower in pace, serve as a strong foundation for the emotional journey that follows. As the story gains momentum, the intricate relationship between Hattie and Kit takes center stage, drawing readers into their enthralling collaboration to prove or debunk the existence of the paranormal.

Quain does a good job of blending Austen's work with contemporary themes, combining Hattie's internal struggle with the overarching theme of self-acceptance.Hattie's efforts to be the person her mother desires are relatable and deeply resonant.

As Hattie and Kit delve into their journalism project, the story takes an unexpected turn. Their attempts to prove or disprove the supernatural lead them down a path of self-discovery and mutual understanding.

Towards the latter part of the book, emotions run high, and readers may find themselves on an emotional rollercoaster. Quain's writing leaves a lasting impact that will linger even after the final pages are turned.'

The book's concluding chapters offer a satisfying resolution while also paving the way for future installments.

Super cool book with an original plot. I felt that the characters were really developed and complex. The story tugged at my heartstrings and throughout the book I was laughing and crying. I was super into the book as a whole and by the end of it I was wishing I had more. I definitely suggest you read this book. And our library will 100% be buying it.

I feel this is partly me, partly the way the book was pitched. A gender-bent retelling with comparisons to X-Files should have been so up my alley. Unfortunately -- and maybe this would have been more apparent to me if I had been familiar with Northanger Abbey? -- it was an extremely heavy novel with grief in the driver's seat while the ghost hunting (and anything paranormal for that matter) felt tacked on as an after thought.

Fun and original with a great message and solid character development, this sweet story about loss and moving on left me wishing for more time with the characters.
Hattie Tilney started high school at a fancy private school where her mom is the headmaster and everyone believes in ghosts just after losing her ghost-hunting dad to an illness. She's spent the last three years hiding her love of ghosts and her true self behind a facade of a perfect overachiever that helps her survive. Meanwhile, her little brother hides away to the point that he's almost a ghost himself, her older sister left college and is slowly ruining her life, and her mother is cold and distant Dr. Tilney even at home.
Until Senior year arrives and with it Kit Morland, a Junior on a ghost-hunting scholarship, who gets assigned Hattie as his guide to the school and research partner for a paper on ghosts in Northanger Abbey. Kit's enthusiasm soon breaks through Hattie's walls and that of her little brother, pushing them both to be more open and experience life at Northanger complete with ghosts and new relationships.
It's a story full of revelations, heartbreak, and healing that constantly ups the sweetness factor while still giving Hattie and her family room to grieve. The plot moves at a solid pace and every interaction feels like it's there to move the story and Hattie's growth along without feeling forced.
A solid retelling of a classic that takes ownership of the story from beginning to end.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this excellent read!

Ghosted is a fascinating young adult book about finding oneself after a tragic loss and understanding you are not the only one grieving, and people grieve very differently. It’s learning how to deal with the guilt and anger which comes with this loss, and learning how to let go of it all so you can start anew and be the person you want to be and not be who you think others want you to be.

Hattie Tilney is a senior at Northanger Abbey. You would think she would be on cloud nine as she prepares her college applications and enjoys being with her friends. But unfortunately, Hattie’s dad, her best friend passed away prior to them arriving at the school which her mother had gotten the job as headmistress.

Her father had been so excited to move and explore Northanger Abbey because ghost hunting had been Hattie and her dad’s favorite pastime. It was their thing. And Northanger was notorious for their ghosts, even having a school club which hunted them.

But he never made the trip and now Hattie, her younger brother Liam, older sister Frankie and their mother are here, each dealing with the death of their father very differently. Hattie continues to mourn her father, Liam has gotten very quiet, Frankie dropped out of school and their mom, well she is never around, always at work.

Hattie copes by trying to please her mother and be the best daughter ever, never making waves even when she would rather be doing something else. But when her mother decides Hattie should take the new transfer student, Kit Morland, who is on a scholarship for the paranormal around and mentor him knowing that’s what Hattie and her dad use to do, well Hattie hates the idea. But as usual, anything to please her mother.

But what ends up happening is that through Kit, and their disagreements on do ghosts exist, something Hattie is now adamant do not! she begins to feel a change come over her and as their friendship begins to grow. Hattie starts to find her own voice and finally begins to understand the loss of her dad and how it has affected them all.

Not everyone is happy with the new Hattie. Her friends begin to see her change and don’t particularly care for it, her siblings don’t care for it either and her mother, well is she had been around more would perhaps have noticed something been available to help.

As her family continues to spiral out of control, Hattie has a crisis which could change her future forever. And that is the catalyst which begins the healing process for all of them as they bond together as the family they use to be and help her. That’s when her realization that her dad spent all his time searching for ghosts and when he died Hattie spent all her time trying to escape hers finally sets her free.

Ghosted is a terrific read about what happens when people are grieving but must continue to act as if nothing happened. It’s a heartfelt story with a bit of wit, romance and growing up all thrown together to make for a satisfying read.

Thank you #NetGalley #WednesdayBooks #Ghosted #AmandaQuain for the advanced copy.

"Ghosted" by Amanda Quain is a captivating and mysterious romance that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the unexpected connections that can arise from the past. This novel offers a blend of intrigue, emotion, and the journey of finding closure and healing.

Quain's writing style is atmospheric and emotive, immersing readers in a world of secrets, emotions, and the power of unspoken feelings. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their journey toward unraveling the truth creates a dynamic that is both engaging and heartfelt.

At the heart of the narrative is a tender exploration of second chances, forgiveness, and the lingering impact of unresolved relationships. The author skillfully weaves together elements of mystery and romance, creating a narrative that keeps the reader invested in both the characters and their journey of discovery.

"Ghosted" successfully balances the mysterious elements with moments of genuine emotion, resulting in a narrative that is both intriguing and emotionally resonant. The themes of closure, the importance of communication, and the transformative power of reconnecting with the past add depth to the story.

In conclusion, "Ghosted" is a beautifully written and emotionally engaging novel that captures the essence of love, forgiveness, and the healing process. If you're looking for a book that offers a blend of mystery and romance, along with a heartfelt exploration of human connections, this novel provides a captivating and satisfying narrative that will leave you moved and reflecting on the power of the heart.

This one would be fun to read during spooky season with the ghost hunting aspect. It’s a cute slow burn romance, but it is also a book about grief and I always love to read those. I really liked the characters and I think it’s a cute story. It’s a Jane Austen retelling but I am not familiar with the original and I don’t feel like I wa skidding anything.

A sweet young adult novel about battling one's ghosts - - in more ways than one.

Our main character, Hattie is deeply grieving the death of her father and the hole his passing has left in her family. Nothing is the same and they are all handling it differently. Instead of banding together - - her family has imploded, leaving her adrift at a new school where she's been trying to find her way ever since.

When a new student named Kit bursts onto the scene and represents pretty much everything that Hattie tries to avoid - - mainly the ghost hunting her school is often known for - - Hattie's world is rocked. When Hattie is assigned as his "ambassador" to show him the ropes around campus, she doesn't anticipate being assigned to a project with him or finding herself with feelings. But it all happens....further making her world feel unsteady.

But as she finds out, sometimes you need changes in your everyday routine to see what's missing and that you need to mix things up. This book takes a unique approach at showing family dysfunction and how you can find you way back to one another because you are family after all.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC so that I could read and review it.

Thanks for the advanced copy for review.

This was really good! I liked the dynamic between the main characters and also with the FMC's relationship with her family and friends. There was a lot going on and a lot to resolve and I thought it was done well.

Ghosts AND Jane Austen. Two of my favorite things of all time. A million stars. I immediately downloaded her other one.

Amanda Quain did it again! Another retelling of Jane Austen novels and I was hook. The story is a retelling of Northanger Abbey where Quain takes a character from the original novel and makes it go through some of the old problems in a modern setting. In this book Hattie hates the ghosts lore that make Northanger Abbey School a focal point for ghost hunters. She hates even more being paired with Kit Moreland to do a project about ghosts. However little by little she realized that Kit becomes the only person who she can be herself.

Ghosted is a brilliantly-crafted YA retelling of a literary classic. This coming-of-age story is an endearing tribute to the source material while creating a new tale for readers to enjoy. The love story is a charming one that never overplays its hand. There is a lot to love in this simple story of love, friendship and just a few ghosts. Beyond the romance, there is a sweet and poignant journey that’s worth taking.

Full Review below.

This was a nice gender bending retelling of Northanger Abbey. It was an engaging coming of age novel with a paranormal twist. The way the book dealt with Hattie’s grief was touching. I enjoyed this read.

This is my first book from this author. I adored her writing style. It's a modern day YA retelling of Northanger Abbey with paranormal twists. It's an engaging story and a fast read. I really liked the character development. Amanda did a terrific job with this one and I can't wait to read more of her books.

A sweet, thoughtful coming of age story about a girl grieving her father, left with the instructions to "take care of" her family, and being so overburdened by the task, she loses sight of her own wants and needs. The links to Northanger Abbey are loose, so readers shouldn't expect a direct retelling. Names are repurposed. The joyfully duplicitous Isabella remains a central figure, creating havoc among her peers. Morland adores ghosts while Tilney plays the skeptic, much like in Austen's original. But the plot and central character arc are entirely from Quain's imagination. The romance is chaste and sweet, with plenty of anticipatory butterflies, and the setting is fun, with the boarding school full of legends of its haunted past. A great fit for readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories that center around grief and family, with a thoughtful look at what it means to be left in charge at a time of life when first kisses, carnivals, snowball fights, and hunting for ghosts should fill one's time. And one's heart.