Sarah Adler has absolutely nailed it for her sophomoric novel. Happy Medium is right up there with Mrs. Nash’s Ashes.

Gretchen Acron is a con artist medium, who claims she can speak to people’s loved ones that have passed away. But she sets rules – give them enough joy until they can move on. Imagine her surprise when one of her favorite clients asks her to rid a friend of his ghost. What Gretchen doesn’t account for is the much younger (than anticipated), sexy owner of said farm and the resident ghost.

Now she has to get reluctant Charlie Waybill to believe that she can actually see a ghost and to NOT sell his farm. But Charlie has a deal; work his farm for a month and get him to believe that there is actually a ghost and that she should stay. If she can’t then she has to pay back his friend/her client.

Oh boy did this story tug at my heart strings. You have Gretchen who deep down wants to be good and to belong somewhere, who wants someone to see the real her and choose her. And Charlie, Charlie had become disillusioned, has lost the magic and joy of running his late grandparent’s farm… that is until Gretchen can make him see that it is fun. I absolutely adored the resident ghost Everett. I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated, I fell in love and swooned. This book has it all. Grab it immediately – you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the chance to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Adler and Berkley Publishing/Berkley Romance for a digital ARC of Happy Medium in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Sarah Adler book as I missed reading Mrs. Nash's Ashes in 2023 (it's on my TBR, though), so I was going in with a fresh, clean slate for this author with zero preconceived opinions or predictions. But, with the suggestion that Sarah Adler is great for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Emily Henry, Carley Fortune, etc. (basically my FAVES), I knew I needed to give her a shot!

I was not let down! This was a delightful & original paranormal rom-com that I devoured in one sitting!

This story follows Gretchen, a fake psychic (spirit medium) and Charlie, the super hot owner of a goat farm that needs cleansing of a ghost so that he can sell it and move on with his life. Obviously, Charlie, doesn't believe in Gretchen's abilities to speak with the dead, because, well, she's a con artist. But no one is more surprised than Gretchen herself when she can, in fact, speak to the ghost haunting Gilded Creek. A ghost who wants her to convince Charlie NOT to sell the goat farm and wants Gretchen to do everything in her power to keep Charlie from suffering the same ghostly fate of all those who came before him. To convince Charlie, Gretchen is going to have to dig deep within herself to pull this off in only one month. She's going to have to work hard & be honest, neither of which she is good at. Being a romance, obviously Gretchen & Charlie are going to develop feelings along the way!


This story was such a breath of fresh air! 2024 just started and this is book no. 4 for me and so for my favorite! It was fast-paced, charming, clever, witty, funny, sweet and just utterly perfect. I loved Gretchen, Charlie & Everett so much & couldn't stop clicking through the pages. I am 100% a Sarah Adler fan now and will be reading her first novel ASAP and signing up for all future books!

This was a 4.5 Star read for me, rounded to 5 Stars. It would be my honor to promote this title and the author on my social medium as publication gets closer. I know it's going to be a huge hit!

Oh my goodness how I loved this book. When I saw the description I knew it was for me, but I didn't realize how much it would hit me reading it. Gretchen is a fake, a fraud, but she always has the best intentions. When she is hired to do an "exercism" at a goat farm, she isn't expecting to actually be able to see the ghost haunting it. Charlie, the farm owner, hates Gretchen on-sight. He hates everything she stands for and just wants her to tell him the truth about who she is because he can tell she has so many lies built up in her. He can't help but be drawn to her, but he doesn't have to like it. Bit by bit as the two of them open up, we see more about what drives them and the reasons they are the way they are.
Everett, the old ghost haunting the farm, is such a magnetic presence and he brought so much depth to this story. In one moment he was talking about nostalgic TV shows and the next he was deep diving into emotions. At the end, I did even shed a tear or two. I felt all he connections this book had to offer.
Thanks to Berkley, Sarah Alder and Netgalley for an early copy.

I really enjoyed this paranormal romance! The romance, the humor, and the cute farmer make it a great read for typical romance readers. I see this being popular in a public library setting! The cover is so cute and will draw readers in.

Overall Take:
This was such a cute book, I highly recommend buying a copy

Star Rating:
5 stars

Genre:
Romance, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:
Gretchen is a con woman who pretends to be a spirit medium. One day she is asked by a long time wealthy client to help a friend free their property of a ghost. They offer to pay a hefty sum. So Gretchen jumps on the opportunity.

Gretchen doesn’t expect Charlie, a grumpy farmer who wants nothing to do with her and her conning ways. Just as Gretchen was leaving Charlie’s property defeated, she is shocked to run into Everett, the ghost who is haunting Charlies property. Turns out she really can see and communicate with the dead.

Thoughts:
This was such a fun and sweet story. I loved Mrs. Nash’s Ashes and this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year for me. And oh boy, did this one live up to my expectations and then it exceeded them.

The paranormal element to this book was exceptional and is really what made this book a five star read for me. Everett was my favorite character despite Gretchen being a lot of fun. Everett was so fun and witty and I just fell in love. I wish that if I could talk to ghosts, they would be like Everett. Oh, and then Charlie? Hot grumpy farmer alert. Yes please. I enjoyed that despite Charlie’s grumpy exterior, he had a real sweet side as well as evidenced by his hobbies and his memories with his grandparents and how he still cared for his grandfather. The way that the characters all worked together was amazing and their chemistry was phenomenal. The angst and tension between Gretchen and Charlie was just so real and present. I loved that Charlie took a lot of convincing to believe Gretchen, but then when he did, he was all in.

The farm setting was a breath of fresh air, I haven’t read one like this in I don’t know how long. And I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with baby goats, and I have been missing out! I need more baby goats in my life and you do too. I loved how Gretchen took the farm and pivoted and came up with some fresh and clever ideas to keep it afloat, truly clever.

Overall, this was such a fun read and I can’t wait for you to read it.

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing, @Berkley Pub, Berkley Romance @BerkleyRomance and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date:
April 30, 2024

This will be posted on my review during publication week.

I was lucky enough to win an e-ARC of HAPPY MEDIUM by Sarah Adler through a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and have a safe and healthy holiday season!

A cute witchy book! I would recommend to a beginner reader. I feel like this was an easy going read.

This book has a lot of heart and a little bit of heat. It is only told from the perspective of our heroine, although having a resident ghost who has been around the family for 100 years does help her (and the reader) fill in some gaps. Even though she is a con artist, she lives by one Rule: to always leave people better than she found them. Gretchen clearly has emotional damage and doesn't think she is a very deserving person, so it is nice to see how she can come into her own once she gets away from the city and is around people who really see her and like her anyway.

I haven’t read a paranormal-ish romance before, but I really enjoyed this one. Not only did I enjoy the plot, but the pacing was very well done. I wish certain plot points would have been fully tied up, but other than that, super enjoyable read!

Happy Medium was an entertaining paranormal romance. I enjoyed the premise of the story and the goat farm setting. I thought the main characters were well developed and a good match for each other. I did get a little frustrated with Charlie's skepticism with Gretchen. I felt that his "epiphany" about the curse and Everett should have been sooner. Having read this author's previous work (Mrs. Nash’s Ashes), I came in with higher expectations. Although this book wasn't my new favorite by her, I still enjoyed this read! Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

"Happy Medium" by Sarah Adler is a captivating and enchanting novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey filled with humor, romance, and a touch of the supernatural. The story centers around Gretchen Acorn, a self-proclaimed fake spirit medium, who finds herself caught up in a peculiar situation when she is hired to investigate unexplained phenomena at a struggling goat farm. Little does she know, this assignment will test her beliefs, challenge her abilities, and ultimately lead her to discover her true self. Initially motivated by financial gain, Gretchen sees the opportunity to "cleanse" the property as a means to help a retired old man and improve her own financial situation. However, what she encounters is far from what she expected. Charlie Waybill, her bridge partner and the owner of the farm, is a young and skeptical individual who questions Gretchen's abilities. As the story progresses, Gretchen is confronted by Everett, a very real and talkative ghost responsible for the chaos during open houses. Everett reveals a family curse that has haunted Gilded Creek for decades, and Gretchen realizes that she must save the farm, Charlie, and herself from the clutches of this curse. With only a month to convince Charlie not to sell the property, Gretchen faces a daunting task. However, as she spends more time with Charlie, she finds herself falling for him. Their relationship blossoms amidst the chaos, but Gretchen must also navigate the risk of losing Charlie to the spirit realm. As the deadline looms, Gretchen is compelled to be true to herself and employ her genuine abilities, honesty, and hard work to win over the stubborn farmer. Sarah Adler's writing effortlessly weaves together the paranormal elements of the story with a delightful blend of humor and romance. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own flaws and insecurities. Gretchen's journey towards self-discovery is beautifully portrayed, and readers will find themselves cheering for her every step of the way. The banter between Gretchen and Everett provides humorous moments, while the budding romance between Gretchen and Charlie adds a layer of warmth and passion to the narrative. "Happy Medium" is a book that captivates from the very beginning, with its unique premise and well-crafted storyline. Sarah Adler's storytelling prowess shines through, as she effortlessly combines elements of mystery, romance, and the supernatural. This novel is a delightful escape into a world where self-discovery and love intertwine, reminding us that being true to ourselves is the greatest con of all. "Happy Medium" is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance, paranormal fiction, and anyone looking for a charming, heartwarming tale that leaves a lasting impression.

Happy Medium by Sarah Adler immediately sounded like a fun read. But my gods, I did not expect to find myself 36% of the way in, fully sobbing over some goats. This book was a delicious and quick romance that combines some of the greatest parts of being in the DMV. I absolutely loved it, and can't wait to see what Adler does next.

A fake con-woman / medium is hired to perform an exorcism on a farm, with a grumpy skeptic owner. Only come to find out there really is a ghost…and a curse…and she’s the only one who can see and communicate with said ghost and hopefully save the day?

This book was light, easy and compelling. The author definitely has a gift - great writing style and voice, and the story was well paced. I really liked both of our main characters- they were both likeable in their own way and I enjoyed getting to know each of them and watching them get to know one another.

The story has jobs of a great underlying theme and redemption arc going throughout, while still remaining romcom-y. I found the story to be charming, it was a feel good read and the ending was both heartwarming and satisfying.

Im not normally one for a ghost element, but in this case it was really well done in a cozy fun way. The story premise itself felt pretty fresh and unique, though it did remind me of two other books I’ve enjoyed in a similar vein (Welcome To Temptation by Jennifer Crusie and The Mediator series by Megan Cabot).

I really look forward to trying more from this author soon 😊 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy! 💜 All thoughts and opinions are my own and freely offered.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

“Fake” medium Gretchen Acorn learns that she might actually have powers when one of her wealthy clients gives her an offer she can’t refuse: ten thousand dollars to perform an exorcism on her dear friend Charlie’s farm so he can sell it and move on with his life. The last thing she expected was to actually communicate with a very real ghost: one of Charlie’s ancestors who very much doesn’t want him to move.

Happy Medium is a charming, refreshing romance with a huggable cinnamon roll main love interest. Everett, the farm’s residential Spector, steals the show with his wit and unique perspective.
5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

A cute, light, easy read! I love enjoyed Sarah Adler’s other book, Mrs. Nashes Ashes. I liked this one too! It funny but also heart warming and I felt like I could relate to the characters.

Do you struggle with romance because so often the protagonist has no friends? Do you like ghosts but not scary stories? Are you okay with not every single loose end being neatly tied up before the book's conclusion? Then this is the book for you!

This book is not serious and it did not make me a better person. It made me happy, I was curious about what would happen next, and while not every loose end gets addressed, the author did a pretty fabulous job of answering the majority of plot holes that I tried to poke.

Above all else: come for the romance, stay for the friendship. I really loved this book.

While I thought the beginning and premise was good I became tired of the plot and the characters. I liked her first book but I didn’t feel anything for the characters in this one, nor care and thought the writing was mediocre at best.

I fell in love with Sarah Adler's writing style and wit when a friend recommended "Mrs. Nash's Ashes" to me. I was hoping that "Happy Medium" would at least be as good as that book, and incredibly, it was even better!

Gretchen Acorn is a fraud; she pretends to be a medium in order to help her clients grieve and move on, and if she gets paid for that, that's just a side benefit! When her wealthiest client asks her to check out her friend's struggling farm and find out what paranormal phenomena is causing sale after sale to fall through, Gretchen is eager to help.

What Gretchen never sees coming is the owner of said farm: Charlie Waybill. Nothing like the old man she was expecting to find, Charlie is young, hot, and very skeptical of Gretchen's abilities to speak with the deceased.

The most ironic thing is that, though she came to the farm set on using her fraudulent skills to collect a nice paycheck, she finds that she actually can talk to Everett, the chatty 1920s ghost that's been sabotaging his descendant's attempts at selling the farm.

Gretchen and Charlie must find a way to understand and trust one another in order to save the farm. Though it may be difficult when Charlie is determined to maintain his skeptical attitude toward her.

I giggled, I blushed, I swooned. This book was perfect!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Medium is BRILLIANT. Sarah Alder truly showcases her class act wit and humour with Gretchen, Charlie (and Everett). This book is an absolute delight; it is humorous, heartfelt, and horny. My perfect trifecta of a romance novel. Gretchen is a prickly heroine, and I would protect her with my life. The way that Adler allows her to be grumpy, and unlikeable at first (to some, but never to me, I loved her from the first word), but then with brilliant character development, shows what her hard shell is hiding. Charlie truly is Gretchen’s perfect match. They are each other’s happy mediums. I am constantly blown away by Sarah’s ability to pull me in to a story and make me weep at the most unlikely moments. I’m just goats about this book.