Happy (almost) publication day! This book comes out August 14, 2024. Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this e-book.

Haunted Ever After is a romance that takes place in a small town in Florida that happens to be haunted. Boneyard Key thrives on Florida (ghost) tourism. Cassie, desperate to leave Orlando, relocated to Boneyard Key, hoping for a fresh start. She begins to frequent the local coffee shop down the street where she meets the owner, Nick, and they slowly but surely hit it off. But will Cassie stick around in this haunted town, or will she get scared off?

This was a ghost story just as much as it was a romance story. I enjoyed the friendships in this book, and really loved the setting. The whole town is haunted and there are a few different ghosts that lurk around. But as a Floridian, what’s not to love about Publix lore and talks of our amazing sunsets? Great spice in this book!

FFO: paranormal books, pub subs, the state of Florida, slowburn romance

Haunted Ever After is a must read this spooky season! Boneyard Key has secured a unique niche in the tourism industry that so much of coastal Florida depends on. Ghostly tourism, featuring ghost tours and small businesses leaning into the town's connection to the paranormal, keeping the town's economy afloat. But what the locals know, and want to keep private, is that some members of the town's founding families can communicate with the spirits of previous residents that linger. Ghostly residents remain and some are even more involved in the current goings on than you'd expect.

Jen DeLuca always delivers engaging characters that you wish you could hang with in real life, and the residents of Boneyard Key are no exception! Cassie Rutherford is new to town, having just purchased the refurbished Hawkins House, but things immediately begin to go off the rails with some ghostly encounters and wonky outlets that won't charge her laptop. Working remotely requires her laptop! Readers will find Cassie authentic and her desire for friendship and a sense of community, relatable.

Nick Royer is the grumpy current owner of Hallowed Grounds. He mistakenly assumes Cassie is a rude tourist come in to use his internet access, while she makes some erroneous assumptions of her own. This scene is absolute perfection and the spark of attraction is instant! From the deceased former owner of Hallowed Grounds keeping tabs on the Nick's tinkering with the original banana bread recipe, to a ghost obsessed with reality television, even the afterlife has its share of interesting personalities.

When Cassie decides to learn more about Sarah Hawkins, she turns to Nick for help. As a member of one of the founding families, Nick has connections in the community and brings them together to help Cassie with her haunted house problem. Cassie quickly finds new friends and a place in the community. But will she stay or head back to Orlando?

“Haunted Ever After” is such a fun story! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read the blurb, because it had for ability to be super campy or more fiction than romance, but the blend of both the cute couple and the ghost plot had me beyond intrigued.

I really liked the balance of POV, and that it didn’t feel too formulaic or forced. Each perspective felt right and appropriate and necessary.

I LOVED Elmer and Sarah Hawkins. The ghosts were brought to life (pun intended). The mystery and unknown kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved that Elmer texted and Sarah used the magnetic words. I could absolutely see that happening in my own home. I kind of hoped that Elmer and Sarah would get together if the spirits moved them, but alas.

Would love to try the cinnamon banana bread. Sorry, Elmer.

I can’t wait to get to the bottom of the Beach Bum!

Haunted Ever After is the paranormal romcom of the summer! Jen DeLuca combined a variety of tropes together to create a singular spin on the genre. The setting of Boneyard Key was without a doubt my favorite part. The small, ghost-filled town was the perfect, quirky backdrop for Cassie and Nick’s meet cute and subsequent dates. Readers are aware of Boneyard Key’s spectral happenings but it reads more cozy than spooky which was right up my alley.

I loved learning about the ghosts themselves but Cassie’s relationship with her coastal cottage's resident apparition Sarah Hawkins was a true delight. As we slowly unraveled Sarah’s backstory, the mystery surrounding her death became a major plot focus. I thought it was clever how Sarah communicated with Cassie through the refrigerator magnets and I enjoyed working out my own theories to explain Sarah’s undead conflict. Cassie, Nick and the rest of the (living) side characters were another highlight of this book. Small town romances work best when the supporting characters are given a chance to shine, reinforcing the sense of community. Libby, Sophie, Nan, Theo, Ramon, and even Buster were bright spots in this adorable book.

I hope that DeLuca writes more novels set in Boneyard Key (maybe a Sophie and Theo story?) because I think there is still a lot of lore left to be discovered when it comes to this ghostly Floridian town!

Many thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I absolutely loved the Renaissance series, so when I was sent Haunted Ever After, I was so excited to read it! At first I wasn't sure how a haunted town would fit into a romance, but it was an amazing backdrop to the story--and even in the forefront. Cassie and Nick were adorable in the way they moved around each other, him knowing the ghosts in the town are real, her not ready or able to believe it to be so. Until the ghost who lives in her house makes herself known. This was funny, cute, a fresh idea for a romance, and I just loved it! I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the review copy!

This is the perfect fall, spooky season book for those of us who prefer lighter romcoms but still want some ghostie vibes!

Well Met is one of my all time favorite romcoms, so I always highly anticipate a new Jen DeLuca book!

Imagine moving to the most casually haunted small town and immediately falling for the grumpy cafe owner down the street? Cassie is living all of our dreams, for real.

The ghosts are the real stars of this book, and almost overshadow the romantic plot at times. What starts as a cutesy ghost story becomes a deeper feminine rage-getting-justice plot line, which I was absolutely here for!

We see enough of the townfolk that I have some guesses about who the next book might be about, and I’m looking forward to it!

Haunted Ever After is the most perfect mix of cozy, small town romance with the quirk of a colourful cast of ghosts who are in everyone’s business.

This book is a delight. Jen DeLuca has been on my to-read list for a while and when I read the synopsis for Haunted Ever After, I couldn’t say no. I love a small-town romance and Haunted Ever After gives me all the small town vibes. The twist? The small town happens to be very haunted and set in Florida. I love Florida, and you don’t find too many small town books set there. I enjoy the ones I do find because Florida has such an interesting history and such friction between the tourists and the people who call the state home.

The main characters of rHaunted Ever After, Nick and Cassie are such a delight. Nick is a local boy who loves his hometown. He can talk with ghosts and it’s just an everyday occurrence to him, especially Elmer, the ghost he lives with who, as a past owner of the coffee shop, also micromanages Nick on how he runs his business. Elmer is a total delight. Cassie is new in town. She’s moved there after feeling stuck in her life in Orlando. She has to get used to small town living, and then also has the shock of learning that all the stories about Boneyard Key are actually the truth. I find so many paranormal romances have the lead heroine as the one involved in paranormal and it’s normal the guy who has to catch up. The reversal was really fun to watch. Nick and Cassie have a slow burn romance. There’s, obviously, a lot going on in their lives, and I liked the slow pace they took, even though they were clearly really feeling each other. There’s miscommunication in this story, but ghosts are kind of to blame for it, which makes it work so well. The ghosts are also main characters in the story. I don’t want to give anything away, but I may have developed a little crush on Elmer.

Haunted Ever After is a quirky, funny and charming contemporary romance with the perfect addition of paranormal activity.

I absolutely loved this book, which was part romance and part cozy paranormal mystery. I loved all the ghost stuff, and the living/ghost friendships were so sweet! This was a slow burn relationship where the characters get off on the wrong foot but quickly straighten out their own issues. There is also no third act breakup for those readers who hate that. I typically like more conflict, but the pacing of this was so perfect that I didn't even notice. I'm so happy that this is a series and can't read to read book 2 (although I think another Ren Faire book will come first and am excited for that one too).

Spooky things are afoot. Cassie moves to a small town when her apartment is sold out from under her. Little does she know that the small town not having her big city ammineties will be the least of her worries.

Nick is the local coffee house owner and a bit of a grump. He takes her on a ghost tour and shares some town gossip.

Will they overcome the spooky conflicts that arise and find happiness in each other, or will Cassie run away in fear.

This book has some cute moments throughout the slow burn romance. It feels a bit rushed toward the end, but for the fall girlie's out there, it is a fun read.

Thanks to NetGalley for my eARC copy of this book.

Jen DeLuca leaves the Ren Faire and takes on the Florida coast with a paranormal twist… and I loved it. It leans more on the cozy rom-com side, cute with a bit of spice, and an easy to guess haunted mystery… but it was so enjoyable to read that I didn’t care about it being obvious. I just want to spend all the days exploring Boneyard Key and its residents, both alive and ghostie. I feel like this book is perfect for fall/cozy vibes.

Cassie and Nick have a contentious meet-cute that quickly becomes absolutely adorable. They’re flirting and fussing is so sweet. My only gripe is that they would occasionally move backward, thinking the other isn’t interested even after dates and kissing. It didn’t entirely make sense.

I hope we get more time in Boneyard Key and it gets an even bigger expansion, with more locales, lore, and paranormal entities to explore. Can’t wait to see what obstacles the next lovebirds will face in such a great space.

I really enjoyed Jen DeLuca's book Well Met, and I was disappointed to be denied review copies for the other books in the series. That being said, I saw Haunted Ever After, and I got excited about a new book by her. Unfortunately, I struggle a little with magical realism as a genre. So I firmly placed Haunted Ever After in the fantasy column in my mind, which I don't have any issues reading. This might not make sense to anyone else, but that's what works for me.

Cassie buys a house in Boneyard Key, Florida, because she works remotely. The price for a recently renovated beachside condo was too good to pass up, and she realized the cost was likely due to some unseen issues associated with the house. Likely a ghost. Boneyard Key is a town where ghosts stick around instead of passing on when they die. Cassie thought this was a tourist attraction, but she learned it was real.

Nick grew up in Boneyard Key. His family is one of the original families in the town. And well, he knows the ghosts are real because he lives with one. He owns the coffee shop Hallowed Grounds, which Cassie often comes to plug in her dead laptop. They get to know each other, and of course, there is attraction.

The drama comes when Cassie learns that her house is haunted. She didn't grow up with ghosts, and she's unsure if she wants to continue to share her home with a ghost. Nick has been hurt by others leaving him in the past, so he's worried about getting too close to Cassie only for her to leave. I have to say I didn't get why Cassie and Nick were "in love." Attraction, sure. But I didn't feel they shared enough to have reached the love stage.

One thing I wasn't expecting to like as much as I did was the subtle lesson about seasons in life. Cassie used to fit into her friend group before she moved. But now, most of her friends are in a different season of life. They're married and have kids now. Everyone can relate to friendships growing apart. People are often only in our lives for a season. We grieve when the season is over, but trying to force the season to stay usually does more damage than moving forward. It doesn't work any better than trying to hold onto summer as the weather transitions into fall and then winter.

Haunted Ever After was entertaining once I placed it in the fantasy genre in my mind. I wasn't surprised by the "twists." I did find Haunted Ever After a little predictable. But in this case, I didn't mind. Cassie and Nick had a quick relationship for me that went a little too fast, but I rooted for them all the same. I liked the history Jen DeLuca gave to the town and its residents and ghosts. Haunted Ever After gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Haunted Ever After? What did you think? Let me know!

👻Book review 👻

Haunted Ever After
by Jen DeLuca



"Haunted Ever After" by Jen DeLuca is a delightful blend of romance and ghostly intrigue set in the charming, haunted town of Boneyard Key, Florida. Cassie Rutherford moves to this coastal town, buying a historic cottage only to discover it’s haunted. She forms a connection with Nick Royer, the local coffee shop owner, as they delve into the mysteries of her new home. The story is engaging, with heartwarming moments at times and spicy scenes later on , slow-burn romance, and a unique, spooky twist that kept me hooked.
The found family vibe of the town, including its ghostly residents, adds warmth and depth. What i enjoyed more was the fact that the author is not doing anything over the top in here, the ghostly storyline doesn’t take over and it gives so much more momentum and room for the romance to grow and bloom into a beautiful story.
DeLuca's writing brings Boneyard Key to life, making it a perfect read for fans of cozy, paranormal romances.

“That meeting could have been an e-mail.”
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I knew I was going to like Cassie from that very first line. This was a fun rom com with all the ghosty vibes and mystery I was craving! Full of endearing characters (we’re getting a book for Theo and Sophie right??), and opinionated ghosts, it was the perfect start to spooky season!
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I will say the story/mystery is predictable and the confrontation at the end fell flat for me, but overall it was a fun read!

Many thanks to @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the #gifted digital and audio copies - below is my honest review.

Cassie Rutherford is leaving Orlando behind and looking to start fresh. She finds a fantastic deal on a historic cottage in Boneyard Key, a quaint coastal town that has embraced the lore of it being a haunted town - from haunted walking tours to all of the local shops embracing spooky names; ghostly tourism is the small town's economic engine. But when Cassie realizes that the townspeople believe they can communicate with ghosts, she questions her move. But then her refrigerator poetry magnets start rearranging into ominous phrases, her laptop refuses to charge, and she's wondering if there might be a haunted reason she got a deal on her house. All of this is how she finds herself spending mornings at the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, owned by Nick Royer. In between working and laptop charging, they strike up a rapport. As her connection to Nick grows, so does her understanding of this unique community, where not all residents are visible. As Cassie, Nick, and their friends delve into the haunting of Cassie's cottage, they uncover new truths about their tiny town.

If you are looking for a sweet & spicy slow-burn romance with a fun ghost story for a spooky season, this is a lot of fun. I enjoyed DeLuca's imaginary town of Boneyard Key and all of the lore she built around it. Cassie and Nick's romance was fun to explore as they were tentative and had insecurities. My favorite part of the story is the found family vibe of the entire town - people and ghosts - and the lengths they will go to to take care of each other. I am already looking forward to the next book! (Please say it's Theo's book!)

The audiobook is narrated solo, and Jeannie Sheneman does a lovely job of narrating both Cassie's and Nick's POVs.

Jen DeLuca introduces us to the charming and haunted town of Boneyard Key in her new series. I fell in love with Cassie and Nick, as well as their ghost roommates. With great secondary characters (I can't wait to see which couple is in the next book), this is a warm, cozy romance, best read with a slice of banana bread!

This was a fun book, and I really appreciated the opportunity to read it! I will recommend this book.

This is everything I want in a romance novel - humor, grounded history, high romantic tension, and ghosts. There’s always room for ghosts in romance.

Cassie moves to Boneyard Key for a fresh start and a house she can actually afford; it’s supposedly the most haunted city. When her laptop refuses to charge she ends up at the local coffee shop run by Nick, local grump. They strike up banter as she returns over and over for perfect hazelnut lattes and his electricity and wifi. Cassie learns each day that Boneyard Key is actually haunted, and that includes her own house.

Boneyard Key is great and I love the history and all the possibilities of stories. Cassie and Nick are great and the build up between them is so sweet. I enjoyed every minute of this.

Haunted Ever After by Jen Deluca is the 1st book in her new Boneyard Key series. The story centers around Boneyard Key, a haunted small town in Florida, that is known for its ghostly tourism. We meet Cassie Rutherford, who has recently purchased a historic cottage, and learns more about the town vibes, with some of the haunted houses that help the tourism in the town. Cassie thinks that the haunted places are not real, just giving the tourists a chance to visit.

Soon after she moves in, Cassie senses unusual things happening in her house; such as her laptop won’t charge up, other electrical issues, and soon her refrigerator leaves magnet messages from a ghost, who used to own the house. Cassie ends up going each morning for very good coffee and banana bread, at Hallowed Grounds local café, meeting the café owner, Nick; she also is able to get her laptop to work in the café. Nick goes out of his way to teach Cassie about the history of Boneyard Key, as well as talking about the ghosts that are possibly residents in town, or the cemetery across the lake.

Nick has his own ghost, Elmer, who texts him or talks in his head; Elmer was the previous owner of the Café, and he is a fun ghost, who tries to advise Nick. Cassie slowly begins to understand how The Hawkins House does have their own ghosts, especially after Sarah (the previous owner) leaves her those magnet messages. It was fun to see when Cassie watches a romantic tv show, Sarah in the background (she is unseen) also watches. Every-time Nick comes to visit Cassie, he gets strange static vibes, and in time they all discover that there is a mean spirit who rules the house and Sarah.

I really liked Cassie and Nick together, and I loved her friends, Libby and Sophia, as well as Libby’s grandmother, Nan: Nick’s cook, and two nice ghosts (Elmer & Sarah). It is Nan who is able to use her witch powers to try and stop the evil ghost. I will say that this was a slow burn romance for more than half the book, with Nick befriending and helping Cassie with her ghostly issues.

Cassie, with help from Libby and Sophia, will get Nan to perform her abilities to find a way to get rid of the evil presence in the house; the key was getting Nick to agree, since the bad man took over his body, and it was Cassie who will stand up to protect Nick, and defeat evil.
Haunted Ever After was a wonderful and fun story, that had a paranormal element (ghosts), which was entertaining from start to finish. I like that Sarah would still be around, but sad that Elmer finally moved on. Cassie needed to decide if she was going to stay in Boneyard Key, but once Nick told her he loved her, and she responded the same; and embrace their life in the ghostly community. Haunted Ever After was very well written by Jen Deluca. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book, with a few ladies having possible romances.

Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads @librofm and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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After just returning from a week in Florida this was a perfect Florida book!
Cassie decides to leave Orlando behind and head to a small Florida town called Boneyard Key known more for their ghost tours than their theme parks.
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When she hides out at the local coffee shop she meets the grumpy barista/owner. Nick doesn’t stay grumpy long. After Cassie tells him about the issues in her house he fills her in on the ghost stories of the town and perhaps they are more than just stories. This was a sweet paranormal cozy mystery with some romance.
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This was such a cute romcom with a side of ghosts! Cassie moved to Boneyard Key after getting a deal on a house. When she arrived in town, she realized the locals took their haunted history to the next level and really leaned into the ghost thing. Except, why was her house so cheap and why didn’t her laptop ever seem to charge at home? But the cute barista owner down the street had coffee and WiFi, so it wasn’t a total loss.
I thought this was a fun story with a little bit of a ghost mystery and great small town characters. And having just moved to Florida, I appreciated the ode to Publix Subs!
Overall, this was cute with just a hint of spice at the end, and I enjoyed the ghost drama. I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something light and fun and appreciate a little bit of paranormal in your contemporary romcoms.