A fun and spookily charming romance, Haunted Ever After follows Cassie as she moves from the hustle and bustle of a tourist city to a small and quaint town with some unexpected inhabitants.

Cassie is a great protagonist, and I really enjoyed her story. A bit lost since all of her friends are getting married and having kids, Cassie feels untethered and left behind. Moving to Boneyard Key is just the fresh start she's looking for. Boneyard Key is a small town known for its paranormal occurrences and inhabitants, and Cassie's new home, which has been empty for years, is one of the most haunted places in town. Of course, Cassie doesn't believe and thinks this is all a kitschy way to get visitors, but she soon realizes that not all of the haunted tales are fiction.

The blend of romance with a bit of mystery is great. Cassie learns so much about Boneyard Key and what happened to some of its residents. She also makes some new friends who are great, too, both spectral and human. Of course, Nick is my favorite. A grumpy coffee shop owner with a hilarious ghost in tow, Nick isn't prepared to have his world turned upside down by Cassie, but that's exactly what happens. She's the sunshine to his grump, and she makes him think twice about his rule to remain single and unattached. And underneath his brusque exterior is a big old softie, and I love that!

As Cassie becomes more enmeshed in the mystery surrounding the previous owners of her house, and she experiences some scary happenings, Nick and others help her in her search for answers. It's an intriguing mystery, as are all the different ways that the characters communicate with their ghostly friends and potential enemies. I loved all of the paranormal elements in the story and town. It kind of reminded me of a smaller, more charming version of Salem, Massachusetts without all the witch-hunt scariness.

I really enjoyed this story. It's fun and entertaining, and I loved some of the spectral friends and situations that come Cassie and Nick's way. Special thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed it and the characters will stay with me always. I’m gonna miss ol Elmer but I’m so glad Nick and Cassie got their HEA.

I loved this ghostly romance! It wasn't scary at all. I liked how the ghosts were just remnants of how they were in life so there was only one that was truly scary. The communication aspect was cute and I enjoyed the romance between Cassie and Nick. I can see potential for a couple of other romances among some of the characters in town and I look forward to reading more in the series.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summer is the season for beach read romances. Fall is the season for darker stories of mystery and delicious twists. Haunted Ever After fills the gap between the two like it was conceived to bridge it. A ghost story romance set in a small-town in Florida is the perfect read for the end of summer as the days grow shorter, and the supernatural veil begins to thin.

Cassie Rutherford is looking for something to call her own. In a crazy real estate market, she ends up buying a flipped home in the tiny coastal town of Boneyard Key which boasts of being the most haunted town in Florida. Tourist towns all have a bogus kitsch to bring in money, but when strange things start happening around her historical home, and the locals claim authenticity, she realizes she may have been a little hasty in her move away from Orlando. But the sunsets from her backyard beach can't be beat, and Nick Royer, the hunk who runs the cafe, might just be exactly what she's been looking for.

Boneyard Key is the quirky, lovable setting we love in a small-town romance. The punny shop names, the locals-only hidden gems, the colorful cast of characters, and, of course, the gossip no one can ever escape.

Nick is a BK native with an abandonment complex that leaves him resentful toward outsiders and defensive about the town he grew up in. When Cassie has to use his shop to plug in her laptop so she doesn't miss an important work meeting, he mistakes her for a workaholic tourist in a yummy, conflict-ridden meet cute I ate up like candy. Our lead characters both know who they are and are okay on their own, which makes their slow-fall romance all the more delicious.

The main conflict of the story is the mysterious haunting of the house Cassie bought. Abandoned for decades, she is the first person to reside in the house since the original owners in the early twentieth century. With the help of local historians, Buster the handyman, a bona-fide medium, and our hunky hero, they inch ever closer to the root of the issue.

I really appreciated that despite the twisty mystery, the tone remained in romantic comedy territory. This is a fun, light-hearted read that won't scare you away with any dark twists. It has themes of female empowerment, strong community, and giving yourself permission to grow, change, and move on. This isn't a psychological thriller, I had the twist figured out about a hundred pages before Cassie did, but it's an interesting conflict that entangles and complicates the rising action of the romance.

I'm so glad I was fortunate enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for this book. I had a smile on my face through the whole thing. It was a joy to read, and I recommend it for any fan of romantic comedies!

Also, I now have an undeniable craving for a buffalo tender sub sandwich from Publix and a sunset walk on the beach. Unfortunately, I live in Colorado, so neither is in my immediate future - ha!

This was a 3.5 star read for me!

I love a good kitschy small town, and Boneyard Key was just that. This was easy to read and had a light romance as well as a mystery subplot.

Cassie and Nick were a cute couple and I appreciate the way they helped each other heal from previous hurts. I also really loved all the ghosts and how they had their own personalities. It added a fun twist to an otherwise standard love story.

My main issue is that the climax of the story felt almost like a parody, and it didn’t really match with the vibes of the book. In a magical realism story, you obviously have to suspend your disbelief, but I felt like not enough explanation was given for how the whole afterlife thing works. The author could have gone in more detail instead of brushing over it.

All in all, this would be a great fall read even though it’s set in the summer time. It has just a hint of spookiness that makes for a great Halloween read.

I love a spooky small-town romance!!

The vibes from this book were so good; cute small town, falling for the coffee shop owner! the town and the characters were all so easy to love. I really love the little girl group that Cassie eventually gains.
I was rooting for Cassie and Nick from the start. I loved their initial awkward meeting; it was very cute. I did enjoy the ghost story/mystery over the romance, but it's all so intertwined! The ghosts were actually really interesting characters in the book; I liked how invested Cassie was in finding the truth. I wanted to stay in the world a little longer. This book really just felt like sweet, spooky, cozy, and it was so fun.

I recommend reading with a slice of banana bread! (Or Lemon loaf♥)

Unique rom-com with a dash of mystery and ghosties. "Haunted Ever After" is delightfully written around a creative plot. I would happily visit Boneyard Key and look forward to recommending this Jen DeLuca's latest offering to library patrons.

Synopsis
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca is a charming and unique romance set in the small town of Boneyard Key, Florida, known as the most haunted town in the state. Cassie, feeling left out in Orlando, takes a chance on a new home in this quirky town. She's enchanted by the place and especially by Nick, the grumpy coffee shop owner down the street.

However, strange things start happening in her new house—like her laptop charger refusing to work despite the electrician’s assurance that everything’s fine. Cassie begins to wonder if the town's ghost stories are more than just tourist bait. She's torn between dealing with a possibly haunted house and her deepening feelings for Nick, who fears she might get too spooked and leave.

My Thoughts
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I'd heard of the author's previous series but never got around to it, so I was excited to dive into this new release. Her writing style is great, and the plot is unique to me. I love romances with a twist, and this book delivered!

Cassie and Nick were delightful. I will say that I would have liked to learn more about them individually, as some aspects felt a bit surface-level. Despite this, I enjoyed how their relationship developed. They had a funny, not-so-meet-cute that I quite liked. But they quickly turned it around and handled things maturely, which was a nice balance for me. These two had plenty of spark and tension between them that I loved. The book was mostly mild and clean but still really packed a punch every time they interacted (and graced us with a fun, spicier scene towards the end, as well).

The plot was fascinating. I've never read anything quite like it, and the author handled it brilliantly. The paranormal elements were mild but added just enough spookiness here and there to keep things interesting. The story was a mix of heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, really highlighting the author's ability to create such a range of emotions. I didn’t quite know where the story was headed, which made it fun to piece things together as I read. It wasn’t super twisty or shocking, but it kept me engaged and curious.

My main critique is that the ending felt a bit cheesy and rushed, which took me out of the story a bit. It wasn't terrible but seemed less realistic compared to the rest of the book.

Despite that, I highly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series!


Thank you, NetGalley, for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Cassie's friends in Orlando are all getting married and having children, and Cassie feels on the outs in that friend group. To start anew, she packs up and moves to Boneyard Key and buys a cute little house near the beach. Only Cassie isn't alone; the mysterious Hawkins House may be haunted by a former resident. Nick has grown up in Boneyard Key. He owns the local coffee shop and has a ghostly roommate of his own. Can Nick show Cassie the charms of this haunted small town before she gets spooked and leaves? I really enjoyed meeting all the residents of Boneyard Key, living and otherwise. I look forward to the next installment in this series.

I totally love Jen DeLuca's Well Met series and was very excited about reading this story. I was heartbroken that I couldn't get into the writing. The story started slow and was just so slow. When I lost interest in the story, I couldn't get it back, no matter how hard I tried. If I have to "force" myself to continue reading, I knew it was time to throw in the towel.

What an eccentric mix of ghost story and small town romance, lol. Not enough romance for me, personally (or too much of a flawed one), but I actually did get pretty into the supernatural aspect. I can honestly say that I’ve never read a story quite like this one, and I enjoyed the unpredictability. It starts out strong, with some instant friction and spooky intrigue, before losing momentum somewhere along the way. The third person POV did leave me feeling a bit disconnected, but I also think the pacing of the romance didn’t help. It had some serious instalove vibes while also feeling woefully underdeveloped, so I struggled to become emotionally invested in the relationship. Much of this is solid, however, and I definitely think there’s an audience for this kind of hybrid reading experience.

The story follows Cassie, a woman who is excited to finally own a home. She’d just about given up on her home search until purchasing a house in a small Florida town - without ever stepping foot inside it. Sure, the town is known for being haunted, but Cassie is certain that’s a gimmick for tourists. At least… until she gets to know some of the locals, particularly one moody coffee shop owner. Though Cassie and Nick started off on the wrong foot, they soon find themselves growing closer. But Nick is unwilling to fall for a girl who won’t stick around, and living in a haunted house might be more than Cassie can handle.

I’ve been meaning to check out this new-to-me author, and this series starter seemed like the perfect place to begin. It kicks off a brand new small town series, and there was a lot of good stuff going on. I loved the community vibes and how much Nick’s hometown meant to him. He’s been living with ghosts all his life, so they don’t faze him anymore. Cassie, on the other hand, is entirely new to the supernatural experience, and she’s not sure how to feel about it. The ghosts and the stories behind them are central to the plot, with the romance often feeling like an afterthought. It sort felt like Nick took one look at Cassie and latched on to the only new girl living in town. I did like him, but there’s one particular scene that rubbed me the wrong way, and it was difficult to shake the feeling after that. I found myself more interested in the ghost story, and I’m exclusively a romance reader, so… yeah. There are definitely a lot of positives here though, and I’d consider checking out the next book revolving around this town.

I thought this was a super cute book. Got cozy vibes. Cassie and Nick are such a cute couple. And the chaos that ensues in a haunted town is very fun. I love the fact that how ghosts communicate can be different. This book takes place in summer for the most part, but this felt like the perfect fall read.
I love how sweet Nick was. And Cassie is the best independent FMC. I love the ghosts and the roles they played. I will definitely be recommending this book to others.

I thought this book was cute! I absolutely loved the small town vibes, the magical realism, the mystery, and the romance. I had liked but didn't love the Well Met series so I didn't have particular high expectations going in to this book; I don't know if that affected anything but I found myself pleasantly surprised.

I liked both of the main characters, loved the dual POV, and thought the whole book was just so charming. The romance was done well, but it does take a bit of a backseat to some of the other plot points. I wasn't particularly bothered by this, but if you're looking for JUST a romance, this won't quite hit that mark. Also, the middle dragged a little bit just because I thought that the answer to the mystery was quite obvious and the end wrapped up a bit quickly but overall I still had a great time while reading. I'm really excited for potential future books because the side characters that were introduced have tons of potential.

Looking for a fresh start, Cassie buys a home in the most haunted town in Florida.

After four fantastic books in the Well Met world, DeLuca transported me to Boneyard Key, Florida. I quickly fell in love with this small town, its history and lore, as well as all the colorful characters who inhabited it. I am a sucker for a small town, but here, part of the fun was that it was a tourist town. I never really lived somewhere that got invaded by tourists, so it was amusing to see all the different ways the locals reacted.

This wasn't any old town though. Boneyard Key was a place inhabited by many spirits, and one such spirit was making Cassie's life a bit difficult. Part of this story was getting to the root of Cassie's haunting. I thought this part of the story was interesting, and it gave me the opportunity to learn more about the town and the important members of the the community.

As much as I enjoyed this part of the story, I did think it overshadowed the romance a bit. I absolutely adored Nick and Cassie together, but there was a lot of stuff that needed to be dealt with before they could have their full-on romance. Regardless of the situation, they were a great pairing, and I was happy to cheer them on.

They were both so lonely in their circumstances. Nick had been left behind by those he loved. His sister left, his parents left, and his girlfriend left. He stayed. Nick felt Boneyard Key was his legacy as a member of the founding fifteen families, and he wanted to be a part of Boneyard Key's future.

Cassie was being left behind as all her friends married and had children. It's never easy being the only singleton in a group. I think it was difficult for her to move away from the friends she had known, but she knew changes were needed. I love that the universe brought Cassie and Nick together. They just clicked and understood each other on a higher level.

Overall, I thought this was a solid start to DeLuca's new series. I am excited to find out whose story will be next, and I am looking forward to returning to Boneyard Key.

This was such a cute, cozy romance mystery that takes place in a (fictional) small town in Florida which, I wishhhhh Boneyard Key was a real place because I would be booking my next trip there asap😂 I liked Cassie’s personality and humor, same with Nick. His personality was utterly adorable. I really enjoyed the plot because it wasn’t just your average romance, you get a mix of heartfelt situations, emotional situations and paranormal activity (no pun intended) 😆 this is the perfect book to read during the fall 🍂

Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the Arc.

Do you believe in ghosts? Ask anyone that lives in Boneyard Key and they will tell you they exist. The town embraces the spirit world and uses it to their advantage. When Cassie purchaes a newly renovated house and moves to town everyone's interest is piqued, including coffee shop owner Nick Royer.

This fun and lighthearted paranormal romance has me wishing Boneyard Key was a real place to experience. The author did a fantastic job of creating a small town that makes the reader feel as if they can picture the shops and stores in their head. As if one was pulling memories from a visit.
The romance was a slow burn and often took a backseat to the history and hauntings of Boneyard Key. It all worked for me. The main characters were believable and easy to root for. The side characters were delightful. I do believe this is a first in a series of books so I hope we find out more about Cassie's new friends and neighbors. My bags are definitely packed for the next trip to Boneyard Key.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early digital copy. Opinions and thoughts at my own.

This is the perfect fall read if you like cozy romance with a side of supernatural. I expected it to be a bit spookier but the ghosts were mostly sweet, not creepy. The book takes place in a cute small town on the Florida coast, with characters who are charming and fun to get to know. The story is told through alternating POVs from the two main characters, and though we're told they're into each other, I didn't really feel the chemistry between them. I would've liked more spice, more ghosts, and more from the other characters in the town. I also thought the end was a little rushed. But overall, I liked the book -- it's cozy, lighthearted, and the paranormal parts are low-stakes rather than stressful. Would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jen DeLuca, and Berkley for the ARC!

This is the first Jen DeLuca book that I have read and it was a very cute book to start with, I believe!

Cassie has moved away from Orlando and her fast paced life when it seems like her friends are moving on with their lives and leaving her behind. She has bought a house in Boneyard Key, a small town with a haunted history that they use to attract tourist. When Cassie has trouble with her electricity, she starts working at a local coffee shop where she initially butt heads with the shops owner, Nick. Soon Cassie finds out that the town's haunted history isn't just a ruse. It's all too real, and her own house is haunted! Nick and Cassie find themselves attracted to each other and working together to solve some of Cassie's haunted house's history.

It's a cozy book that I recommend to lovers of cozy romances.

This was a lovely and charming romance! I loved the twist that Mrs. Hawkins wasn’t the mean one and I loved how both Cassie and Nick engaged with the ghostly aspect of the town. As a native Floridian, I LOVED how Florida this book was! The discussion of missing pubsubs and the sub in question… the love for publix fried chicken were too real.

I really enjoyed this book and I imagine it will do well in my store!

3.5 STARS

On a whim, Cassie Rutherford relocates to a small coastal town with the spooky name of Boneyard Key. She was tired of being priced out of Orlando and feeling as if all her friends had either gotten married or were in relationships. Cassie’s new home happens to be a recently renovated cottage with a ghostly history. Ghosts are the main theme in this quirky town which uses its unusual affinity for spirits and haunted places to attract tourists. Business owner, Nick Royer, a local who runs Hallowed Ground coffee shop, has a ghostly roommate of his own. At first, his seemingly grumpy demeanor is off-putting to Cassie, but once they spend time together investigating the history of Cassie’s house, that begins to change.

Most everyone who lives in Boneyard Key either believes in ghosts, or has a connection to them with an ability to communicate with the spirits. Cassie does not buy into it at first until it appears she too has a ghostly housemate who wants to tell Cassie her story. Along with her ghost, another issue might be going on in Cassie’s house. Something or someone is certainly messing with her laptop sending Cassie to Nick’s coffee shop to get work done.

Nick is very interested in Cassie but relationship shy after feeling that family and friends have abandoned him over the years leaving his beloved hometown. Cassie has been feeling out of sync with her friends as they marry, have children, and then focus on things she has no connection to being single and now, living in another place.

This story is a new series and departure from Ms. De Luca’s previous books that focus on the Ren Fair life. If you enjoy stories where ghosts are real and part of everyday life along with romance that is helped and hindered by said ghosts, this book might be your idea of a fun summer read.