This book was so promising at first, but then it kind of fell flat for me. When the love interest started saying horrible misogynistic things, the plot twist became incredibly obvious, but I also didn't like how she just kind of glazed over it. From then on everything was very repetitive andC Cassie seemed kind of dumb to me.

There were several things I liked about this book. I liked that the heroine is unable to have children, and has some internal struggles with it (she's not sure if she would have wanted kids, but it's sad not to be able to make that decision, and I feel like that would be a very understandable reaction). I liked the chemistry between the hero and heroine, even if he did some severely boneheaded things (some of it his fault, some of it not). I very much enjoyed the ghosts that were among the major players in the story, as they had both had senses of humor and were probably lovely people to live with once you got used to them. The only thing I kind of struggled with was the characters not figuring out what was going on more quickly. Cassie I get, she was new to the ghost thing. But Nick grew up in a ghost town, he should have been able to figure out what was happening a lot faster than he did.

This was a very engaging, softly suspenseful book. I liked the humor style in this book, as I found it easy to laugh alongside the characters. The characters were easy to like as well. I have no criticisms. It was a really good book. I wish there were more books like it. I will have to check out more Jen DeLuca books now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the ARC!

I enjoyed this book way more than I was expecting to, and this was my first ever Jen DeLuca book! While romance is rarely my genre of choice, I requested this arc because the concept of a haunted small town that leans into its spookiness for tourism was just so captivating to me. Like a hallmark movie, but Halloween movie edition. On top of that, our MC Cassie buys a historic cottage that just happens to be haunted (of course) but what really solidified me requesting the arc was the mention of a coffee shop owner who sneaks her free treats. Haunted small town with ghosts with a cute coffee shop is giving a mix of cozy mystery vibes in the best way. The perfect mix of creepy and cute.

As soon as I read that Cassie had just moved into “the most haunted small town in Florida” I knew that I was going to like this book. It gives all the cozy small town hallmark feels but with a more interesting plot and a much more interesting town. I immediately loved this little small town, that decorates their streets like it’s Halloween everyday, even in April. Why has no one else written a contemporary romance set in a spooky small town known for their haunts? I love that this is going to be a series with continued adventures in Boneyard Key because this town makes the setting of any other contemporary romance feel lackluster in comparison (at least to me, someone who gets bored easily by contemporary romance unless it has something special going for it, like this book does with its marvelous setting).

Things get interesting immediately when you find out that Cassie’s new house is the infamous Hawkins House, one that makes locals raise their eyebrows. None of the tourists really take the ghost-y stuff seriously, but the locals know better. Most of them experience weird occurrences on the daily and they’ve learned to just roll with it. See why I love the setting so much? This book gave off the same energy as those cozy mysteries with its small town setting and many mentions of coffee, and even reminded me a bit of Legends and Lattes (but without the fantasy).

I would recommend this to readers like me that don’t typically enjoy reading contemporary romance but enjoy cozy mysteries because this felt even more like a cozy mystery than a romance. It’s cozy and comforting, while having more going for it than just a standard romance plot. This book is so quirky and cute and kind of reminded me of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, with ghosties and paranormal things occurring being normal and part of everyday life in Boneyard Key with no one batting an eye, and Nick himself even has a ghost friend as a roommate. Their friendship was so wholesome too!

I started this book at like 1 AM at night and woke up the next morning excited to read this with copious amounts of iced coffee, and those are the best kinds of books, the ones you wake up excited to read! I’m already looking forward to revisiting Boneyard Key in book 2. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkeley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

From the Ren Faire to a literal ghost town in Florida, Jen DeLuca once again pulls readers in and gives plenty of romance and low-angst drama in her first paranormal romance, Haunted Ever After.

Cassie wanted a break from her life in Orlando, so she set aside her coworker group chat, filled with talks of relationships and babies - neither of which she had, and moved to the Gulf coast tourist town of Boneyard Key. In Boneyard Key, Cassie would discover buildings haunted by ghosts and people haunted by their past. And one person in particular, a gruff cafe owner named Nick, ends up haunting Cassie’s thoughts as well. . . . Even when Cassie and Nick don’t see eye to eye on this whole ghost business, their chemistry is undeniable. But if Cassie doesn’t figure out how to remove a malevolent spirit from her house, she will end up being just another person who left Nick and Boneyard Key behind for good.

I was so excited when I heard that Jen DeLuca was branching out into the paranormal for her next book, and Haunted Ever After did not disappoint. I loved the idea of a haunted tourist town, and DeLuca crafted a town that was both realistic and believable in its hauntedness. It was easy to visualize life in Boneyard Key, supernatural elements and all. It was this ease of small-town life that made these ghosts just part of the community, more like ordinary neighbors and roommates rather than menaces (at least for the most part). I absolutely loved the creative ways DeLuca came up with for her ghosts to communicate with Nick and Cassie, and would honestly not mind being haunted if I had ghost roommates like these main characters did.

I really enjoyed Nick and Cassie’s story arcs. Both main characters needed to find their peace after feeling like their coworkers and family had moved on without them. Their stories paralleled the ghosts’ arcs so well; Cassie and Nick couldn’t move on and find happiness with each other until they laid their pasts to rest, and the ghosts couldn’t move on until they did the same. Learning how to move on, no matter how tough or heartbreaking it may be, was a beautiful allegory that just happened to come in the form of ghosts. However, once the ghosts were out of the way, there was plenty of steam between Cassie and Nick.

Haunted Ever After is a great paranormal gateway book for those who love Jen DeLuca’s previous romances, but maybe aren’t as familiar or comfortable with the paranormal subgenre. Haunted Ever After carries the same ease of reading as the Well Met series, just with some added ghostly elements. And even with that dreaded break up in the plot, I still really enjoyed reading Cassie and Nick’s adventures in Boneyard Key.

“Haunted Ever After” by Jen DeLuca is a delightful and charming romance novel set in a small coastal town in Florida. DeLuca weaves a captivating tale that combines love, ghosts, and a dash of mystery.

The story revolves around two unlikely characters: Nick Royer, the owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, and Cassie Rutherford, who recently purchased a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. The town embraces its ghostly reputation, and Nick, in particular, thrives on the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat. His spectral roommate adds an intriguing twist to his life, and he doesn't even need air-conditioning!

Cassie, on the other hand, leaves Orlando behind, seeking solace in her new home. Her cottage has its quirks—her laptop refuses to charge, and the poetry magnets on her fridge seem to communicate cryptic messages. But she's charmed by the colourful history surrounding her, and she can't help but notice the grumpy coffee shop owner who slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee.

As Nick takes Cassie on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists rarely hear, their connection deepens. Together, they explore the former owners of Cassie's haunted cottage, uncovering secrets and unraveling the past. Their chemistry is palpable, and DeLuca masterfully builds tension as they tiptoe around their feelings. Cassie fears she's in too deep with her (haunted) home ownership, while Nick hesitates to get too close, fearing Cassie might be scared away for good.

“Haunted Ever After” is a heartwarming romance that blends the supernatural with genuine emotions. DeLuca's writing is witty, and her characters leap off the page. The coastal setting adds to the enchantment, making it a perfect read for a lazy afternoon or a cozy evening by the fireplace.

If you're a fan of love stories with a touch of the paranormal, this book is a must-read. Prepare to be charmed, entertained, and maybe even spooked a little, but in the best way possible!


Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a strong start to this series, it had everything that I was looking for from the description. It worked with everything that I was looking for and enjoyed going on this journey with the characters. I enjoyed the way Jen DeLuca wrote this as I wanted more in this story. It uses the ghost elements perfectly and was glad it had that in this book.

This should have been super cheesy, but it wasn't. It was a nice, easy, summery, beachy romance and I really enjoyed the characters and plot. I know several patrons right off hand that will love it. We will be purchasing multiples for the collection.

Holy Hannah I loved this book! What a great story. I fell in love with the quirky little Florida town and would to read more about other characters. The chemistry between Nick and Cassie was great! I loved ALL of the quirky side characters and the backstory they created about the town. Probably my favorite book I have read in a while, I can’t wait to see what else Jen DeLuca writes in the future!

Thanks to Netgalley and Jen DeLuca for an eARC in return for an honest review.

I loved this book so much. It was hilarious and sweet all at once. i absolutely loved the stories involving the ghosts. It made me want my own ghost! The plot was easy to read and the romance had me hooked. I never wanted this one to end.

This had the vibes of a cozy paranormal mystery and for the most part it delivered. The romance aspect fell a bit flat for me. It was just a little too insta lovey. The small coastal town setting is where the story thrived. I hate Florida's hot weather and even this had me craving a beach picnic with some publix subs. A certain romantic conflict came out of left field, and was really puzzling. It almost made me want to dnf. But I'm glad I gave the book the benefit of the doubt, since the conflict was well resolved. I just wish I was more invested in the romance.

Okay, I thought this was going to be entirely cheesey the whole way through (FL, romance, coffee shop, haunted house, haunted ghosts, haunted town), but this was actually pretty cute.

There was only one part that was pretty cheesey - the long list, cc, vote, etc. You will know it when you read it, but honestly, it was fitting for that portion of the book.

Pretty cute, short, easy read. Perfect for a summer beach read or book club.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley (publisher) for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a big fan of Jen DeLuca's Ren Faire series and was excited to see she had something new. I loved getting to know Nick and Cassie amid the background of such a sweet, ghostly town. Their relationship felt related, even with Elmer giving lots of advice along the way.

Ahhh! I was so sad to leave the ren faire world behind but I love the ghosty Florida beach town too! Haunted sever After is giving me heather graham key west book vibes but make it cute and quirky instead of romantic suspensy. Which I loved, I love boneyard key and its various ghosts so much I hope we get to stay here a while.

Nick and Callie are def a bit insta love but also not? I loved Callie and found her very relatable as a fellow single gal in my thirties. Nick and Elmer’s relationship was fabulous, I love a sassy ghost. And oh Sarah, I not only loved her method of communication (magnetic word tiles!) but also her entire story.

As an avid mystery and pnr reader I def guessed a twist early on but that didn’t take any enjoyment out of this one for me.

Okay this book was great. The ghosts are absolutely hysterical, mostly Elmer lol.
Girl moves to a coastal town that's knows for its ghosts from Orlando. She meets the cute local cafe/ coffee shop owner and together they work to figure out the complex situation of her haunted new home.
I won't spoil anything, but this was a little bit of a mystery story! And when all the dots connected at the end I was like wowwwwww ok that makes so much sense & Ilove a good reveal!
As someone who lived in Orlando for 6 months when I was in college, I'm obsessed with all the Publix reference and now I'm DYING for a pub sub!!! (I live in NY) A
Also- I'm not going to lie, sometimes I don't read the acknowledgments. For whatever reason I did this time, and I am obsessed with her tribute to Jimmy Buffett. I was raised a parrot head even had a Jimmy Buffett themed bridal shower & I will definitely be reading more of this authors books now!

All opinions provided are my own. This blog post includes affiliate links.

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. This book is titled after one character—a night watchman who leads the fight against the US government’s “termination” bill—but really it’s about so many more, including Patrice, an employee at a jewel bearing company who ventures to a big city to find her sister & comes back again. The story has the feel of an epic & it’s great to listen to on audio, read by the author. This was a time & place & cause I knew little about & I’m glad to learn more about Native American history through this historical fiction piece. 4.25 ⭐️. (Read for the BookRiot Read Harder challenge.)

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca, out 08/13. I wanted to love this one but sadly, it didn’t really work for me. The hero & heroine have a cute dynamic that starts off on the wrong bad impression foot and the heroine’s thoughts on feeling left out & uncertain about where she is in her friend group and her life in general feel real. But aspects of the plot feel ludicrous to me & I couldn’t always understand the reasons underpinning some details. So in the end, I liked this one but didn’t love it. 3 ⭐️. (Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.)
​
Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo. This is the third KD book I’ve read & I’ve enjoyed them all so much. FaU has some really funny moments & of course some touching moments, too. Highly recommend this author if you’re looking for middle grade! 5 ⭐️.

Are any of these on your TBR?

Please read CW’s from a trusted reviewer before beginning.

I've been a fan of all of Jen DeLuca's books and I was so excited to see her dip her toes into some paranormal. There's nothing I love more than a fun ghost story. It has cute charming characters and a delightful setting. It made me want to go on vacation so badly.

Jen DeLuca has done it again! I admit that DeLuca caught my attention with her other series being set in a Renaissance Faire. I've spent so many hours at the Ren Faire that I had to pick those books up and they were phenomenal. I was so excited to see this title pop up. It's a completely different idea from the Well Met series and I couldn't wait to see what she would do with it.

This book ended up having a little of everything! Romance, humor, mystery. Ups and downs. And, truly, it was a mostly wholesome read. There was some innuendo happening throughout, but as is typical with DeLuca's books, it didn't get too spicy until near the very end. There were a few explicit scenes, all at the very end, which means that the majority of the book can be enjoyed by anyone, and those scenes could be very easily skipped over as there is obvious lead-in.

All in all, I really enjoyed the entire thing and sped through it. A delightful, feel-good romance that I won't be hesitating to recommend.

A haunting romance full of likeable characters, ghostly friends, and a sweet small town. When Cassie wants something different from the life she's been leading watching her friends move on without her, she moves to a touristy small town in Florida. Mistaken by everyone in town as a tourist herself, Cassie sets out to prove she might just have what it takes to make Boneyard Key her home.

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really love this one! Such a fun departure for the author (who has done a bunch of cute Ren Faire books prior to this), but it still had that signature charm. This will do really well with the romance girlies!