I love Jen DeLuca's Well Met series, but when she announced that her next contemporary romance series had GHOSTS? I was done for, I knew that I would absolutely adore Haunted Ever After and I did! Everything was thought out and paced in such a way that putting it down was near impossible!

Haunted Ever After is the first in a new series called Boneyard Key, which is where the novel takes place. Boneyard Key is a typical tourist town that has made a niche for itself. You can't go three feet in Salem, MA without seeing a witch and in Boneyard Key you can't help but notice all the ghosts! Except these ghosts aren't just to lure in the tourists, they're real! Boneyard Key felt like I could book a flight there tomorrow. DeLuca completely nailed the atmospheric vibe of a small touristy town! There's the locals who gossip like all small towners mixed perfectly with the tourist angle where everything is themed. There's a fine line between the two and if one is too heavy handed the atmosphere could fall apart but this was so well written!

As for characters? Both the living and the dead were fantastic! I thought Cassie and Nick had amazing chemistry and their story felt natural to me! Even with a lot happening plot wise, I was impressed by how much the reader learned about each of them and how developed they were. As with the Well Met series, the secondary characters are fleshed out enough that readers wish for their stories as well and I truly hope we get more books! From my completely biased POV being a ghost lover, the dead characters were the highlight of the book. Without any spoilers, both the main ghost characters were my favorite and I cried both happy and sad tears at the end. Edgar is my all time favorite forever and I'd like an Edgar novella spin off, please and thank you!

Sadly this didn’t work from the start, and no matter how hard I tried to convince myself it would turn around, it never did.

It felt like this book didn’t know what it wanted to be or how to balance the spooky element with the romance story. It felt like both elements were volleying for attention on the page and never really melded together.

Each MC felt way too surface level with slight tidbits about background given to explain their usually bad behavior or hesitation, but not really serving to further their arc or provide a solid understanding of their motivations.

Add to that a confrontation that occurs around the middle mark where the MMC says some truly asinine misogynistic things and I just couldn’t stomach this. There’s a supernatural explanation as well as a half ass “bad breakup” that allegedly fuels his actions but honestly it’s pretty flimsy. I’d absolutely never give another man a chance the moment they started spouting off about my career or whether to have kids.

There was zero swoonworthy about each MC and their banter was the equivalent of grunts and just not really there.

Sadly, a dud that I’m not sure I’ll get over to try the next books in this series.

The story revolves around Cassie Rutherford, a resident of Orlando, Florida, who is seeking a change in her life. Cassie decides to purchase a house in a quaint coastal town in Florida known as Boneyard Key.

True to its name, Boneyard Key is known for its nightly ghost tours and the ghostly theme in all of the town's shops. The local coffee shop, Hallowed Ground, is owned by Nick Royer, who gave me immediate Luke Danes vibes from Gilmore Girls, which I absolutely loved!

Cassie frequents Hallowed Grounds to work, she has nothing but issues while trying to charge her laptop at home. Eventually, she discovers that there is a ghost named Sarah living in the house with her.

Nick and Cassie's friendship blossoms into a romantic relationship over time. I particularly enjoyed the picnic date that Nick arranged, complete with Publix subs, knowing how much Cassie missed them.

All the characters in the book, including the ghosts Elmer and Sarah, are extremely likable. Elmer's humorous text messages and Sarah's love for reality TV were delightful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's a perfect read for the fall and Halloween season, featuring elements of small-town romance, paranormal activity, and a sense of belonging.

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Jen DeLuca is an author I’ve always wanted to like, because not only does she seem like a solid person based on her social media presence, but conceptually, her books sound right up my alley. But Well Met put me off for a reason I now forget, but I think it had to do with the writing. And while Haunted Ever After was more tolerable in that department, I found myself similarly underwhelmed.
To be fair, the things I expected to love drew me in, and were what made me stick with it instead of putting it down. The cozy small town setting is cute, with a quirky twist in how it embraces the ghost aesthetic. And as I got deeper into the book, the lore of the haunted house and ghosts themselves also intrigued me.
The characters were all right. Cassie’s journey is very relatable, with her feeling in a rut and worrying about all her friends getting married, starting families and moving on without her. Nick was also pretty cool, especially in his connection with the ghosts that played a role throughout the book.
But as a romance, it felt very bland. I don’t mind well-written instalove, but these two just didn’t have the chemistry to really justify it. There was enough going on that they were mostly tolerable after a while, but still not particularly memorable. And with them not being particularly deep, no one else stood out all that much either, so I’m not likely to continue the series.
This was an ok read, but I don’t think Jen DeLuca writes the books I’m interested in. However, I objectively have few complaints, and can see why other readers with different tastes do like her work. If this title piques your interest, especially if you’ve read her work before and had good experiences, I’d recommend you give a try for yourself to see what you think.

Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

This was such a fun unique read! I’m a huge Jen DeLuca fan and am so excited for her to start a new series!

Cassie recently moved to Boneyard Key and some weird things Lee happening like her laptop refusing to charge. She meets Nick at his coffee shop where she goes to work and they have a not so meet cute. Nick apologizes and they develop a bit of a friendship. Enough so that Cassie turns to him when she finds an eerie message on her fridge and finds out her house is haunted.

I loved the history of the house and how Cassie dug into to find out the truth. The romance took a bit of a backseat for me over the ghostly elements, but I still really enjoyed it. Jeannie Sheneman is a new to me narrator, but I thought she did a fantastic job. I hope we get more books set in Boneyard Key!

Read this is one sitting because how can you put a romantic comedy filled with ghosts, hauntings and romance down?!

Cassie, needing a change, purchases a coastal cottage in Boneyard Keys, FL not knowing that 1. Her house is haunted and is a stop on the town’s ghost tour and 2. That the whole town is essentially haunted and many spirits remain behind.

Luckily, Cassie isn’t too taken aback by this but is annoyed that the ghost in her house doesn’t allow her laptop to charge so she has to make her way to a coffee shop to get her caffeine fix and some free Wi-Fi.

What Cassie doesn’t expect- is a little scuffle to occur between her and the hottie owner of the coffee shop but they quickly make amends and are quite smitten with one another.

It was so fun to see Cassie find herself a friend group and finally feel as if she found a place where she belongs and watching her and Nick fall for one another (talk about slow burn!!!)

This is the perfect addition for any tbr!

Thank you NetGalley and Jen DeLuca for an eARC!

A haunted small Florida coastal town, ghosts, a mystery and romance, oh and an exorcism- what more could you need?!
This was a fun, light hearted romantic comedy - if you are a lover of small town romance, hauntings, friendly/humorous ghosts, I implore you to pick this one up.

Cassie decided she needed a change - so she packed her bags, said goodbye to her life in Orlando and bought a house in Boneyard Keys, Florida.

I enjoyed how quickly Cassie came around to the idea of the haunted town and I loved how both Cassie and Nick each had their own ghost (truly enjoyed the banter between Nick and Elmer). The writing sucked me in immediately and I enjoyed reading how Cassie was able to let go of her old life in Orlando where she felt like she was pushed out due to not having a family or baby (she cannot carry due to medical reasons) and is finding her place in Boneyard Keys.

Plus, the sleuthing done to figure out what is going on in Cassie’s house and the town legends themselves had me quickly turning the pages to know more!

This is my first book be this author and I enjoyed the writing style and character development. The small town Florida setting made me want to live there as everyone in town cares about the other residents. At first, I was hesitant about the haunted part of this world, but as the story moved along through Cassie's point of view, I became a believer. The mystery was another layer I hadn't expected and that added so much depth to this novel.

Cassie Rutherford is in a rut. All her friends are married and have kids, and Cassie feels left behind. So, one hasty decision later finds Cassie packing up her life in Orlando to move to a cottage in the small coastal town of Boneyard Key. At first, Cassie is charmed by how kitschy it is and how it leans into the ghost tourism that seems to keep it afloat. But then Cassie starts noticing weird happenings in her house, convincing her it's haunted. With the help of the handsomely grumpy coffee shop owner, Nick, Cassie dives into the history of her home and Boneyard Key, and soon, the pair can't ignore their growing feelings. Will they be able to make their relationship work, or will Cassie be too spooked to stay?

I enjoyed DeLuca's previous Ren Faire series, so I was excited to try something new from her. While I liked it, I didn't love it as much as I hoped. Much like the previous series, the setting was my favorite part. I adored this spooky small town full of ghosts. I would consider living in Florida if Boneyard Key was a real place. Something about it just felt so cozy. I liked Cassie and Nick, but at times they felt very one-note. Their relationship was very insta-lovey, which I don't tend to enjoy. It can work if done right, but I think it slightly missed the mark. It was still cute, but I wanted more. Despite a few complaints, I would still recommend it if you're looking for a book that gives off major if-Hallmark-made Halloween-movies vibes.

Weirdly misogynistic?

I adored Jen DeLuca's debut, Well Met, and have been chasing that small-town, grump x sunshine, enemies to friends to lovers vibe ever since. Unfortunately, everything else she's written in that series has fallen flat. Okay, no big deal, I moved on.

Haunted Ever After was a completely new (and intriguing) concept. A small town that's populated with ghosts and people! Fun for the fall (~spooky season~) and I didn't mind reading it in the summer either. Until, about 1/3 of the way through, the male main character goes on a misogynistic rant because the female mc is thinking about selling her house after she finds out it's haunted. Sue her!!!! I read on for a little bit but honestly was shocked/disturbed by what the male mc was saying, enough to stop reading.

For everyone's sake, I hope he has a serious redemption arc and learns why everything he said was wildly inappropriate. That being said, I don't believe in reading books you don't like, and sadly this was one of those for me.

Sorry Jen Deluca, I think this is our final goodbye.

As usual, Jen DeLuca did not let me down with Haunted Ever After. This is an absolutely delightful read, that gives some Summerween vibes for those who are over the heat and ready for fall. Cassie unknowingly buys a haunted house in a haunted town. Lucky for her, the cute coffee shop (also haunted) owner knows who to go to for this bizarre (but not so bizarre for Boneyard Key) situation. I adored the cast of odd and funny characters, Elmer and Nan being the best of them. Cassie and Nick have sort of a slow burn going despite being instantly smitten. Nick's thoughtfulness is so charming. I love that Cassie can take care of herself, but I also love that she found someone who will help take care of her. The meddling entities were the best and had me cackling, Jen DeLuca somehow gave me feelings for fictional ghosts. I definitely recommend, even if you're not longing for fall, it's entertaining and sweet and the perfect place to get lost for a bit.

I love it when you are entertained by a story. This author got it right with this one. Set in a small town known for its haunted houses and areas, moving here might get you your own spooky roommate or two.

DeLuca sets the mark with a series and story based on this haunted town. Focused on two main characters who are perfect for each other, the story blooms right along with their slow-burn relationship.

While Haunted Ever After does have some ups and downs as with everything else in life, there are so many positive vibes that are developed throughout the story. Both characters are working through difficulties, but their immediate connection is great.

Fresh, fun, flirty, and a feel-good story that leaves you with a smile! I loved the setting, the unique plot, and the entertainment the author brings along with her writing.

I think I will always love everything Jen DeLuca writes and this was no exception! I went on a proper journey with these characters and fell in love with them all. Never thought a ghost character would make me cry but it happened! So, so good and I can't wait until it comes out and everyone else gets to experience this as well. Will be recommending to everyone (and already am, I'll be honest)!

As someone who doesn’t love stories with ghosts (didn’t know this had one when I picked it up), I still found it to be a nice blend between contemporary and paranormal. The audiobook was narrated beautifully and kept me engaged and laughing one too many times.

Read if you like:
-Spooky rom coms
-Ghosts
-Slow burns
-Small town FL setting
-Publix sandwiches

Thank you Berkley and PRH Audio for the gifted copy!

Small town romance with a little paranormal twist. I would like to move to Boneyard Key!

Unfortunately, this book wasn't as exciting as I was hoping. The resolution was a little too easy, so I knocked off a star. I still look forward to continuing the series as it comes out.

I loved the Renaissance series by Jen DeLuca so I couldn’t wait to read this one, especially since there is a haunted cottage with a misunderstood ghost. I enjoyed the haunting and the research into all of the ghosts of the town; it added to the charm of Boneyard Key and made me feel part of it. I also enjoyed getting to know Cassie and Nick, though I didn’t really feel the chemistry between them (not a fan of insta-love) but am looking forward to reading the rest of the character’s stories.

I really enjoyed this fun paranormal rom com. The characters were all fun and interesting. I loved the women’s rights aspect of the story. I loved the unique ways the ghosts were able to communicate with Nick and Cassie. I enjoyed seeing some of the townspeople work together to figure out the mystery of the Hawkins House. Thank you Net Galley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thank you to Berkley for an e-ARC of this book!

What a lovely book! This is like a steamy Karen White book, but it takes place in Florida and is more modern. If you've liked Ashley Poston, this book is in a similar vein!

Haunted Ever After is the perfect combination of spooky mystery and romance, and Jen did an amazing job bringing this haunted town to life. I absolutely want to go live there now. It is the cutest, quaintest little town with so much ghostly history.

Cassie is a fun FMC, because I feel like her responses to everything that happened are exactly what mine would have been, and her relationship with Nick was adorable.

This is absolutely a book that is cozy and welcoming. It's perfect for a summer read with a hint of spooky vibes. It hit all the marks so well. I found this book fun, adorable and left me with good vibes.

100% recommend this book to people who like a dollop of romance with their ghostly mysteries.

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group & Net Galley for giving me this ARC in exchange for a review .

Although in third person which I struggle with , I really enjoyed the storyline to this book . It was a fun , haunted town & house read . The spice was light . Nick and Cassie’s relationship was slow evolving but it made me want to read more .

Cassie moves to Boneyard Key for a change of scenery , not knowing she was moving into a haunted house . One day she steps into “Hallow Grounds” coffee shop as her laptop wouldn’t charge at home . Nick Royer , owner of said coffee shop became very fond of Cassie ! What happens when he takes her on a date , doing the ghost tour ? Will she want to leave when she finds out the stories of the ghosts of Boneyard Village , the house she bought and the history of the town ? Will the ghost remain in her home ?

If you like paranormal romance with ghosts & a slow burn romance ? Give this a go .

To escape her "last girl" standing lifestyle in Orlando, Cassie has purchased the perfect little home in a quintessential Floridian small town. Who cares that the city has a spooky name, her neighbors all believe in ghosts and everyone thinks that her house is haunted (including her). What matters is that the coffee shop owner down the block is cute, flirty, and just as into her as she is into him until he ghosts her in a whole new way.

With Haunted Ever After Jen Deluca sets the stage for what is going to undoubtedly be a ghoulishly and spooktacular new romance series set in Boneyard Keys, FL. This is the perfect romance for all those Halloween lovers out there who are looking for a haunted summer romance to enjoy at the beach.

What to expect: instalust, hauntings, friends to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn.

What I would change: I don't usually like writing these sections but would feel remiss to not mention that Cassies endometriosis/ cystic fibrosis diagnosis seems a bit lacking in its execution. It feels like it was added more as a plot point that influences predominantly her psyche and that the physical and often debilitating realities of these conditions go unmentioned. I wish Jen Deluca had fleshed out this part of the story more.

Rep: endometriosis, cystic fibrosis, infertility
CW/TW: corporeal possession, domestic abuse (discussed), misogynistic ghosts

3.5/5 Stars rounded to 4 Stars
2/5 Steam

Thank you to Jen DeLuca, Berkley Romance and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. The Opinions above are all my own.