Unfortunately I couldn’t stand the FMC, but I cannot begin to understand the rage she felt as an indigenous person. I don’t see how Neil and her had any connection, there was too much anger and immaturity on her part. I loved the premise, the friend banter and the paranormal/ haunted mansion setting.

The cover and description pulled me into this book, but unfortunately this one just didn’t work for me.

I love a raging female, but the beginning scene left me not caring for her at all.

I get that she’s got issues with this author and his writing, but to be so negative because he’s a more popular writer than her felt icky to me.

I actually found myself agreeing with Neil and I don’t understand how he ever fell for her even caught up in a spooky gothic mansion.

I do feel like the author might have been projecting her frustrations with publishing through her main character and I see potential in future novels. There were fun parts in it for sure.

I’ll definitely be watching for another one of her books.

This was a fast read but I admit I have nothing much to say aside from that. I didn’t enjoy the romance because I didn’t see any real connection between the main characters. They hated each other and then started liking each other without any meaningful interactions, and I never felt like they actually knew each other at a deeper level.

The writing was good and the setting was very interesting, though it annoyed me how the Scottish characters spoke. Seriously, there’s no need to write their dialogues with an accent! Mentioning that they’re Scottish is enough!

I do have the ARC of the author’s second novel because it’s F/F and the synopsis really makes me want to read it. I hope I have better luck with that one.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for the eARC!

On a roll for all the spooky season/fall reads. This is a good choice if you’re looking for something a bit more contemporary romance with some paranormal elements. I didn’t really feel like the “horror” elements could be described as such, but that’s a personal preference. If you’re someone who is just starting out with paranormal romance, this is a good starting point.

I liked paranormal stories and the character was enjoyable. Enemies to lovers stories are a plus to me and I took my time reading this story . I will be reading more from this Author.

In this enemies-to-lovers paranormal romance, two feuding writers end up on a writers’ retreat together at a haunted castle in Scotland. The mix of lustful romance contrasted with solving a ghost mystery shouldn’t work but it does and was so much fun to read! I had a hard time putting this one down because the pacing was brilliant. Another unique angle If I Stopped Haunting You brings to the romance genre is the representation of native writers and their struggles in the publishing industry. Both Neil and Penelope grapple with their native identity and how to be true to themselves while also writing a bestselling book that people want to read. Wilkens does a great job of creating a haunting gothic atmosphere with the castle setting and I honestly found myself feeling a little spooked as I read this book before bed! If I Stopped Haunting You was the perfect Halloween jaunt and I’m eager to read more from this author.

I wanted to like this so, so badly. But unfortunately I had to DNF after Penelope threw a book and hit Neil and left a scar. A scar! That is not what I expected in an enemies to lovers, spooky rom-com and I couldn’t get passed it, unfortunately.

The premise of this sounded so cute and interesting, but it unfortunately fell short for me. The relationship felt incredibly forced and superficial. What was supposed to be enemies to lovers felt more like insta-love. The haunted castle felt cheesy and not at all scary or suspenseful. Overall, it just fell flat.

Adorable premise, but unfortunately the FMC just doesn't resonate with me. She isn't someone I root for, but instead she comes off really toxic. Had a lot of hope for this book, but there wasn't enough redemption in the ending for me.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, this one wasn’t for me. The main character came across quite abusive. The relationship was toxic. I hate to give a bad review but this one wasn’t for me. :(

This book is a spooky romcom perfect for this fall. I love reading these kinds of books during the chilly season. Thanks netgalley and st martins press

Loved the premise but unfortunately I had to DNF at 25%. Pen just wasn't working for me I didn't like her attitude or how she spoke to people, the scene was not set up at all which left me lost on the whole reason they are at this writing retreat, and the reasoning behind being enemies??? Girl that is you're fault not his like it just didn't feel that serious (maybe I am wrong and it is, that is totally fine I just don't feel the need to stick around and find out).

The premise of this book sounded so cute and fun. I was excited for a romcom set in a haunted castle with two enemies/rivals romance.

So, what made this not work for me? The assault right up at the front. When someone intentionally throws a book hard enough to leave a scar? That’s honestly unsettling. If the roles were reversed and he hit her? Would that be okay? No. This could’ve been done with Pen missing Neil — but no.

I really wish things were done different but she gaslights and blames him. And I just feel it was toxic and not cute. Also way too many usages of “fingers”

This book, and this author aren’t for me.

This was not at all what I expected or wanted this book to be. I was hoping for a fun, paranormal romance but got an obnoxious, annoying main character that I did not want to read about.

If I stopped Haunting You follows two Native authors who are rivals turned enemies on a writer's retreat in a haunted castle. This book has so much potential. It was a mix of romcom and spooky haunted vibes that could have been a very cool combination. Unfortunately for me I think this fell short in the writing. A lot of showing, not telling. The issues were resolved so quickly and we were left with a still snarky FMC who was also mushy gushy somehow. The romance didn't work for.

I did enjoy that the two MCs were both Native and navigating what that means within the publishing world, and how they even had preconceived notions about the other.

This one was ok. I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers plot. I also enjoyed the haunted location. The ghosts added a fun twist. I just thought the story was a little slow. I was glad to get a resolution on the ghosts backstory by the end though.

I do not like writing negative reviews for books because guess what, a person spent a lot of time and wrote a book! This isn’t something I can say I have done, so I always try to keep things lighthearted.

I really struggled with book. I’ve read supernatural romances before, but I felt like the author was just doing TOO much. Some things I did nothing for the plot and really just made it seem like she was checking boxes. I also still don’t totally understand the main conflict with the ghost and what needed to be resolved. Things were repetitive and it took away from the story.

I think that there are good bones to this, but as it currently stands, this book was not for me.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The writing is lyrical and evocative, making every moment feel almost tangible. The tension between holding on and letting go is palpable, and you can’t help but feel invested in both characters’ journeys. The supernatural elements are woven seamlessly into the story, enhancing the emotional depth without overshadowing the human experiences at its core.

*If I Stopped Haunting You* is a touching, unique take on the romance genre. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy stories with a bit of the paranormal, but it’s the emotional resonance that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. This book is a five-star read that will haunt you—in the best way possible.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 30%

I was really trying to hold out in hopes the characters would suddenly stop being insufferable. Alas, here I am.

This book is based on the premise of a lot of publishing drama and began with the FMC throwing a book at the MMC's head? Honestly, that all I was able to retain from what little of his book I did read.

I tried.

“If I Stopped Haunting You” is a paranormal romance following two Indigenous authors, Penelope and Neil, both struggling with writers’ block, who attend a writers’ retreat at a haunted castle in Scotland. The two are bitter rivals, as Penelope criticizes Neil’s choices to make his work more palatable for white readers and also throws a book at his head, and Neil makes cutting comments about Penelope’s lack of sales for her own book. Brought together by happenstance and well-meaning friends, they go through the enemies-to-lovers storyline at this retreat, which is also haunted. I was hoping for a fun spooky atmosphere but was sorely disappointed, as everything describing the setting fell completely flat. I also couldn’t stand Penelope’s egregious levels of immaturity and defensiveness. Romance novels usually require some sort of miscommunication or misunderstanding in order to have a functioning storyline, but her complete inability to consider that other people might have thoughts and feelings was just excessive.