Boneyard Key plays up it's haunted history for tourists, but the ghosts the haunt the place are very real. Take, for example, Elmer, Nick's ghostly roommate and the former owner of his coffee shop. Elmer likes to let Nick know what he's doing wrong with the business.

Cassie has just moved to Boneyard Key, and she doesn't believe in ghosts; she assumes everyone has leaned into the schtick to get more tourism dollars. However, ghosts soon become startlingly real when Cassie finds out her new home is haunted by the ghost of mean Mrs. Hawkins. Cassie is starting to like the quirky town, and Nick in particular, but she isn't sure if she can stand being haunted.

Jen DeLuca had me with her Well Met series, and she continued to impress me with the first in the Boneyard Key series. Cassie and Nick had adorable banter and sizzling chemistry, and the backdrop of the Florida Keys was delightful. Add in a supernatural element, and I was hooked - the Mediator Series by Meg Cabot was a favorite as a child, so this hit me in the nostalgia while also being delightfully different and unique. I'm excited to see what relationship she's going to explore next - I have my suspicions, but I'll keep them to myself :)

This book takes you to the charming, eerie setting of Boneyard Key, Florida, where the warmth of summer mingles with the cozy vibes of fall. I loved the overall atmosphere!

Spontaneously moving from Orlando to Boneyard Key, purchasing a quaint historic cottage, Cassie soon discovers the history and spooky surprises within. Is it worth staying?

Nick, the local coffee shop owner with a knack for banana bread, is no stranger to the paranormal. Struggling to open his heart after a rough breakup, his endearing loneliness is only eased by his unconventional and persistently amusing roommate.

One aspect of the story took a strange turn for me in the second half, but if you’re open to a paranormal adventure with a fun mystery, I loved the heartwarming conclusion for these characters. It was a delightful mix of romance, ghostly thrills, revenge, and small-town charm!

Author Jen DeLuca leaves the Ren Faire circuit behind for a small, specter-filled town in Haunted Ever After. Nick and Cassie’s story is sweet, fun, and absolutely charming.

When Cassie uprooted her life and moved from Orlando to the small coastal town of Boneyard Key, she expected some changes…but none quite so dramatic as the ghost in her house. Nick has lived in Boneyard Key all his life and is very aware that ghosts are more than something used to get tourists’ money. So when Cassie bursts into his coffee shop, Hallowed Grounds, for a latte and a power source, the idea that a ghost may be tinkering with her electricity doesn’t faze him. It's Cassie that knocks him off his feet and for Nick, who hasn’t had a real relationship in a long time, that’s saying something.

Cassie and Nick are both charming, likeable characters. Cassie is at a crossroads in her life and she’s taking things in a new direction when she moves to Boneyard Key. I liked watching her find her place in the town and among the ghosts. It was fun learning about the supernatural residents of Boneyard Key; as much fun as it was meeting the living breathing residents of the town. Nick, in turn, is a sweetheart of a hero. He’s kind, a little vulnerable, and like Cassie is easy to be charmed by. Their romance is a slow burn one that is delightful. DeLuca saves the majority of the high drama for the ghosts, but what happens there I’ll leave readers to discover on their own.

Haunted Ever After is the first book in the Boneyard Key series and it’s an entertaining start. I loved the town DeLuca built and the supporting cast definitely has me looking forward to more haunt-filled love stories.

I found this charming and a welcome development on the author's strengths. I think the addition of a paranormal element that introduced an external conflict was a nice balance to the slow burn, small town romance I've come to enjoy from this author. I'm hoping we get a sequel with Sophie and Theo. All around - a fun & cute read with a more lighthearted tone for a paranormal than we sometimes get

CW - plot intentional/resolved misogyny

This is a solid ghost romance. Girl moves to "most haunted town in FL", buys a house on the cheap and finds messages from the beyond. Boy lives in and runs the local coffee shop with the long since deceased previous owner. There is a little mystery, a lot small town and a slow burn romance. I really enjoyed bits and pieces of DeLuca's Ren Faire series, but this might be a little more developed and have a smidge more heart.

"It's love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone's spirits in this new series from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.

Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn't have to run air-conditioning.

Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there's something unusual with her new home (her laptop won't charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn't read "WRONG" and "MY HOUSE" when she put them up), she's charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she's catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.

As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don't get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie's worried she's in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing...and Nick's afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good."

What's a ghost or two when love is on the line?

This book was just delightful - and it is the perfect fall book to snuggle up with a cozy blanket and a cup of tea. HAUNTED EVER AFTER is the first in a new series from Jen DeLuca and I am thrilled by the potential of this series! {Thank you to @berkleyromance for the #gifted ARC to read and review!} 👻🏠

You get a small, coastal town setting, found family and a great cast of characters, Florida things, the paranormal, cockblocking ghosts (yes.), a hot romance, and an exorcism - all in one book! But you get more than just a romance - but if you love a good paranormal thriller, then you also get a bit of a ghost mystery.

This book was cozy, funny, fresh, and just so so fun. I loved the whole cast of characters, which just makes me that much more excited for the rest of the series. It truly is the perfect book if you are ready to say goodbye to this hot hot weather and welcome in fall vibes!

HAUNTED EVER AFTER is out on August 13!

This was soo fun! Loved the theme of this one. It was the perfect paranormal romance book. A total must read!

Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca
Narrator: Jeannie Sheneman
Rating: 4 stars
Steam: 1 chili
Pub date: 8/13

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkley for my advanced copy and to PRH Audio for my complimentary audiobook. #prhaudiopartner

Cassie Rutherford is looking for a fresh start after feeling left out as her friends settle down, so she buys a haunted historic cottage in a coastal town known for its ghostly charm. Enter Nick Royer, the slightly grumpy but lovable owner of Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, who gives Cassie a place to work and a crash course in all things ghostly.

The supernatural element of the story was my favorite part! The spooky ghost stories and hauntings were a lot of fun and kept me flipping pages. Boneyard Key feels like it's straight out of a Halloween movie, with spooky decorations and a cozy vibe all year round. The town's unique personality shines through, making it a perfect backdrop for Cassie and Nick's budding romance.

The romance really took a backseat to the other side plots and ghostly elements. But the chemistry between Cassie and Nick is delightful, and the way they bond over ghost tours and late-night chats is heartwarming.

The narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life. In this case, I would have liked to experience a male narrator doing the voice of Nick, but it was still an enjoyable experience without.
I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series! If you enjoy romances with a cozy, supernatural twist, then this is the book for you.

Read if you like:
*supernatural vibes
*cozy mysteries
*ghosts
*dual POV

This paranormal romance landed with a thud for me. The insta-love went to quickly to be believable. I enjoyed the coastal oasis more the love story. I will say I agree, Publix subs are pretty amazing! I was NOT invested in this love story, contemplated a DNF multiple times.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley

Add this to your spooky season TBR! Small town romance with a haunted house! Even has a little bit of spice sprinkled in. Love this one and can’t wait for more in the series! Thank you Berkley Publishing / Romance for my digital ARC!

Cassie moves to a small town in Florida and buys , what she doesn't realize as, a haunted house. The whole town of Boneyard Key is haunted and she isn't sure if she believes it but she has some odd things happen and she starts to question things. When she goes into the coffee shop to get some work done, she meets Nick, who also has his own ghosts (real and metaphorical).
Nick doesn't do relationships, I know, I know... but he feels a connection to Cassie he can't explain and is at the point where he wants to at least try. As their friendship and eventual relationship blossoms, something is trying to keep them apart and they have to find out if it is the ghosts or themselves.
I thought the ghost/paranormal aspect of this book was great and it was so interesting and I loved the mystery. I didn't, however, feel the connection between Nick and Cassie. They seemed more like friends and I didn't get a strong romance vibe, but that didn't keep me from loving the story.
Thanks to Berkley, Netgalley and Jen DeLuca for an early copy.

This was delightful!!! I loved the small town vibe and the fun paranormal twist. The ghosts added so much personality to the story and served as really great side characters. I enjoyed the FMC and MMC as well: they were funny together and had nice chemistry. I only wish that there had been some other conflict. Yes, Cassie’s house was haunted and they were figuring that out, but the real weirdness with that felt like it took a while to pop up beyond the outlet/laptop. I had it figured out much before the reveal, which was okay. I'm not sure what an additional conflict might have been, but the stakes could have been higher for me. That said, I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up! The ending felt well-paced and was super sweet all around.

Step into the spooky world of Boneyard Key, Florida, where ghosts and history intertwine seamlessly. Meet Nick Royer, the charming owner of Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, who shares his space with a ghostly roommate and embraces the eerie tourism that keeps the town alive. And hey, at least he saves on AC bills, right?👻

Meanwhile, newcomer Cassie Rutherford finds herself in a pickle after moving to Boneyard Key to escape the monotony of city life. Her quaint historic home seems to have a mind of its own, with mysterious happenings like her laptop refusing to charge and eerie messages popping up on her fridge. With Nick as her guide on a ghost tour, Cassie delves deeper into the town’s past, uncovering secrets that may just shake her to the core.👻

Get ready for a paranormal romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Dive into this captivating tale of love, ghosts, and unexpected twists that will leave you wanting more.👻

3.5/5 - Cassie has bought a home in the small town of Boneyard Key, what she didn’t know, was that the town is haunted and ghosts are always around. Cassie has moved, unbeknownst to her, into a home occupied by its previous resident. Nick, the local coffee shop owner has lived in Boneyard Key his whole life. He soon becomes enamoured with Cassie. Nick helps Cassie uncover some of the ghost stories in the town, but are they perhaps working on their own love story?

I enjoyed this quaint seaside town romance. Jen Deluca did a great job transporting me to Boneyard Key, I felt like I was there, exploring the town with Cassie. Nick and Cassie’s romance was cute, but I thought that the romance aspect of the story took a backseat to the rest of the story. I wanted more of the romance since this is dubbed a romance.

There is a bit of mystery here, and I enjoyed that. I would have liked to get more mystery even! I thought it was great that even though it was a mystery, it didn’t veer into suspense territory, and kept itself in the rom-com genre.

I did not expect the paranormal aspect, and I think it didn’t work for me. That is not the author’s fault, but mine, for missing it in the description. If you like a little bit of spooky, but in a cute spooky way, this may be the book for you! Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

This one took a minute to get going. I wasn’t fully invested until the 40% mark.

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect. It kept me interested and engaged.

I wish the main characters had more chemistry. The romance as a whole felt like a side plot.

Overall, it was just fine. Wasn’t wowed. It started charming but unfortunately wasn’t consistent throughout.

Read if you like:
🧡Florida
🪄Paranormal romance
👻Ghost stories
🍌Banana bread
🔥Slow burn
🌹Roses
📝History

I went into this one pretty blind other than the synopsis, which didn’t really give me a feel for the story. (It wasn’t like anything I’ve read before and it all worked).

One haunted town in coastal Florida? Check.
Series starter!? Check.
Ghosts? Check.
Excellent Autum reading that isn’t spooky? Check.
Banter? Check.
Chemistry? Check.
Nick’s eyes? Check.

I grew up in a small East coastal town that drew a lot of tourist traffic and this is set in a small Florida coastal town that draws tourists - I could practically feel the humidity and smell the brine. I loved that. I found Haunted Ever After to be an adorable and fun read.

It was my first time reading the author although; It definitely won’t be the last.



Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the DRC

3.5/5 stars.

Well, this was FUN!

I love a small town story, and a cozy, seaside small town that’s also haunted? Double FUN.

I really enjoy Jen’s stories, and she’s really good at combining humor and romance in a charming setting and what results in the case of HUANTED EVER AFTER is a fun, enjoyable book.

HAUNTED EVER AFTER is the story of Cassie Rutherford and Nick Royer, and takes place in the fictional and ghost-inhabited tourist Flordia town of Boneyard Key. Cassie has recently moved (unknowingly) into a house occupied by a ghost of the town’s former resident. Nick, the local coffee shop owner, is soon captivated by newcomer Cassie, and the two embark on their journey of love, and the journey to uncover the secrets of Cassie’s house and the town of Boneyard Key.

First of all, I really appreciated this book’s acknowledgement of the superiority of Publix subs. This is very important and CORRECT.

I also loved this book’s sense of place — I *felt* like I was in Boneyard Key, like I was getting to know its residents and local haunts (pun intended). I loved the way this book felt familiar and cozy, while still full of spooky elements and ghost humor. Cassie and Nick’s relationship wasn’t something I was ~totally~ invested in, but overall, a fun read and a great new release from Jen DeLuca!

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. HAUNTED EVER AFTER is out 8/13/24!

Thank you PRHaudio, Berkley and Netgalley for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.


I really enjoyed listening to this on audiobook. The narrator was really easy to listen to. This was dual pov, but one 1 narrator.

This was a unique storyline that kept things interesting. This would be the perfect spooky season read! I wasn’t as invested in the relationship as I was with this ghost story and history of the town!

This is how I like my ghost stories - not too spooky and focused on the people. It was such a pleasure to read, smooth, well written, funny and serious all at the same time.

Cassie has moved to Boneyard Key and moved into a recently flipped house where her laptop never keeps a charge. Nick owns the local cafe where Cassie comes to charge up on electricity and caffeine. And there's a charge between them, too.

I really liked their chemistry - It seemed like it was going to be a contentious relationship, but they immediately reset and fell into friendship with uncertainty about somethings more. The book is not a steamy book though there's definitely desire woven through out and one big scene toward the end.

What makes this book special is the ghosts. They have their own personalities and goals, but they don't overshadow the living. Elmer, at the cafe, is a hoot. There's set up work being done for one or two sequels, and I will gladly return to Boneyard Key to see how the residents (living and dead) are getting along.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.