Couldn’t get into this book. I struggled staying interested and connecting with the characters. I loved the cover art for this book.

At first, even though I'm not usually into romance, I thought “If I Stopped Haunting You” would align with my interests in horror and dark fiction, but be light and fun enough to be a palate cleanser between heavier novels. There was the promise of a moody setting at a Scottish castle, after all - what wasn't to like?

Turns out, more than I anticipated. I almost sprained an optic nerve I rolled my eyes so much while reading this book. You could tell the author toyed with the idea of substance (tackling the topic of indigenous authors and horror representation, among other things), but it's more often than not overshadowed by the light hearted tone of the plot.

AGAIN, probably not the ideal reader for this novel as I typically go for full-fledged horror, but I also particularly like horror that handles social issues so this seemed like it would tick multiple boxes for me, even if it did tackle them lightly. It did not, however, tick ANY boxes.

The novel got off to a good start in the enemies portion of the enemies-to-lovers. There were challenging dynamics for the characters to deal with and unique situations were presented that frequently upped the ante. But the main characters were so obviously attracted to each other that the animosity the characters aimed at each other lacked that satisfying barb I wanted. Being that attracted to someone while simultaneously hating them can work, but it just felt off with these characters.

The lovers portion of enemies-to-lovers was worse though. It was like once the characters got together finally, there was very anticipation little left in the plot and the author filled it up with sex scenes instead. Not that I have anything against sex scenes, and these weren't poorly written… it was just they came at the most ridiculous moments. Plot getting good? Sex. Plot getting slow? Sex. Tired of the main characters having sex? Get ready for ghost sex. I was so fed up trying to get some sustenance out of this book that I almost didn't finish.

The scary parts would better be described as cozy-scary. There are a few gory descriptions, but nothing to make you lose your lunch or give you nightmares. In the end, not enough to sell an avid horror reader. But if you like your romance with a little something going bump in the night, this is the book for you.

I wouldn't knock this book for the right reader, because I can see how someone more familiar with romance would enjoy this story, but I just couldn't get invested personally.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for advancing me a digital copy for review.

A cozy romance in a truly haunted house. This is a fun and easy read for lovers of slightly spooky romance between enemies turned lovers.

An author that is pretending to be a POC right then there, huge red flag for me!

I wanted to like this book because the premise sounds so great and enemies to lovers is my favorite but this relationship made me so uncomfortable because the main character, Pen, was a borderline abusive, self-centered gaslighter. She assaults the love interest a million times, one time even scarring him, convinces him she's the reason she got canceled as an author (the real reason is because she assaulted him because she was jealous people liked his book more???) and spent the whole book breaking him mentally until he had no confidence and self worth. She has no remorse, no growth, no accountability, and this book ends with her getting everything she wants. It was giving wildly toxic relationship and I'm not here for that

If I Stopped Haunting You really stuck with me. It’s about a girl named Ettie who dies and ends up haunting her best friend, watching everything unfold after she's gone. It’s emotional but not over-the-top, and the ghost angle gives it a cool, unique twist.

The characters felt super real, and I connected with Ettie right away. The writing is thoughtful and a little poetic, but still easy to read. It’s mostly about grief, guilt, and learning to let go.

Definitely one of those quiet, emotional stories that stays with you. I’d recommend it if you’re into reflective, heartfelt reads.

I love a good ghost story and one where main couple was fun!!

This was such a fun read and Penelope was my favorite

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review

This was a fun premise! I liked the ghost story as well as the main couple. Penelope was a real one and I enjoyed that!

I was initially interested in the book because the premise sounded so fun! However when I started it was hard to get through and the main character was not great. I put the book to the side for a bit with the intention of coming back to it, but after the controversy about the author lying about her heritage came out I decided not to continue with the book.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc!

DNF @ 15%

I really wanted to like this as we move into the age of writing more spooky romances but it just wasn’t working out for me. I really love the cover of this one and the synopsis was drawing me in - but unfortunately, the characters & the writing of this one just didn’t do enough to keep me wanting to read more.

I also did not enjoy that the main character had something thrown at them right when this book started and i’m supposed to think that’s romantic?

I could not put this book down!! I loved the representation, the atmosphere, and the setting of the book. Penelope was everything to me!!!

I didn’t get a chance to read this but it looks so cute! Perfect book for spooky season if you don’t want something scary the whole month. I plan to read it in the fall

This was an enjoyable read of the spooky season. I liked the vibes of this story.
Here's what I liked about the story:
- Native American representation
- A book about writers always makes me happy
- Creepy setting for the win!

2.5 stars

Penelope and Neil are rival Native authors, both in writing slumps due to recent life events. When a mutual friend invites them to a writer’s retreat in Scotland, they both jump at the chance, not knowing the other is attending.

The premise of the story held so much promise, but sadly it just fell flat. I was really hoping for more horror and not so much cliche statements and actions from these characters. Disappointing.

This enemies to lovers romance features a pair of writers who had a very public falling out. They attend a 4-person writer's retreat at a haunted castle, and sparks and ghosts ensue. There are several spicy sex scenes, some very spooky moments, and a satisfying conclusion.

I was honestly bored and was unable to finish this book. I am unable to give it a fair review since I didn’t even make it halfway through before I had to put it down.

I actually really enjoyed this. The characters were cute and so was the banter. I like the romance with a little bit of the horror in it.

However, i have heard some not so great things about this author.

Rival authors end up on a writing retreat in a haunted Edinburgh castle.

While I’m semi-familiar of the controversy surrounding this author, I can’t help but wonder, did she foreshadow her own undoing? She describes the FMC as “too white” and “not Native enough”…Who decided to investigate this poor author under the microscope? Anyway, regardless of the controversy surrounding, I had an ARC and felt an obligation to eventually read it. To be honest, it wasn’t half bad, but it also wasn’t memorable. It was definitely a rocky start with a public physical assault that resulted in blood. I don’t typically read contemporary with this kind of assault but continued through. She does gaslighting the poor MMC but it seems to be a projection of her own insecurities which gave it a pretty realistic dynamic when it comes to some couples not communicating their actual feelings.
The side story of the haunted castle and ghost they are trying to figure out why is haunting them was cute but definitely a side story that was resolved rather quickly by the end.
Cute but forgettable.

If I Stopped Haunting You is a fun story about struggling writers, and sworn enemies, Pen and Neil getting tricked into spending a week together in a Scottish Castle for a writing retreat. Things start to heat up when the myths of a haunting turn out to be real, and Pen an Neil have a dangerous ghost on their hands. The book definitely has spice (more on that later), and more serious tones as well. The author touches on many struggles BIPOC authors face in the publishing industry as well as cultural pressures of the Native community, and I appreciated this commentary. When it comes to the spice, I will say some of it was weirdly timed. The culmination of the ghost story was also a little strange. Overall, a decent spooky season read.

A great Halloween read, or perfect to pick up any time of the year really. It's funny and lighthearted, a great choice when you need to unwind.

I had high hopes for If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens, but it ultimately disappointed. The blend of horror and romance lacked spark, with flat ghostly scares and a rushed enemies-to-lovers arc between Neil and Penelope. Their relationship jumped from hostile to intimate without real depth, and the numerous awkwardly written sex scenes didn’t help. Penelope, in particular, came off as manipulative and borderline abusive, making it hard to root for her. The haunted castle trope felt tired, and plot inconsistencies made the story feel disjointed. Sadly, this one just didn’t work for me.