Loved reading this thrilling YA LGBTQIAP+ book. I was drawn right into the familiarity of the story's bones and enjoyed the twists and turns along the way.

I had a great time with this book! Spooky and queer and a lot of feelings. I look forward to adding it to our collection as soon as it comes out.

Thank you so much to Maelstrom Press for the ARC of this spooky gem in exchange for an honest review!

Deemed “Heartstopper meets Haunting of Hill House,” The Haunting Between Us follows two boys – Cameron and Hugo – who are connected by the paranormal and teenage hormones. Cameron has always avoided the haunted house across the street, but when Hugo and his dad move into it, he suddenly has more interest. Cameron’s bestie, Abby, is particularly keen on the mystery of the White Lady, the ghost rumored to roam the halls. As the three team up, there will not only be unexpected frights, but unexpected sparks.

The Haunting Between Us perfectly captures the feeling of being young, whether it be the fear of the unexplained, the grappling with insecurity of body or identity, the importance of friendship, and the big potential of new love. This is the kind of story teenage me would’ve eaten up: A queer love story and something a little spooky to garnish?! These types of stories make me happy because while I didn’t have them, new generations do. There’s nothing more isolating or lonely than feeling the overwhelming complexities of youth without any clue if others feel the same way, or ask the same questions. In the end, the haunting between Cameron and Hugo isn’t what divides them, but what they have in common. Which, in turn, makes it one of the greatest questions to answer.

Fantastic read.
Setting a gay YA story in an old haunted house is my kind of book.
Loads of twists and turns to make you keep reading this book.

This is a hauntingly beautiful story that needs to be on your shelves, I’ve never devoured a book so fast!

I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters. This was one of the last books I read in 2024 and couldn’t have ended it on a better note. A haunted house story with queer characters?! Yes please!! The premise involves Hugo and his father rebuilding homes, and at this location in particular, something seems off. Cameron who lives across the street from said home, spots Hugo one night and forms a crush on him. Cameron also has history with the house and as the two boys grow closer, their friends become intrigued with the house, and it too has something awakened. I really enjoyed all the characters in this book, and while yes some were not meant to be liked I think it’s important to show real things lgbt people deal with when it comes to other people’s reactions.

On that note, the approach to body issues was handled delicately and made me want to give Cameron a hug. As a Latino, I also love seeing that representation as well. The writing was pretty good with both the romance aspect as well as the haunting. Their slow burn of a romance was cute especially considering some bumps in the road, I couldn’t help but root for them. The haunting aspect was very creepy at times, the setting and ambiance were described so well. I could totally see the ghost and that face gave me the creeps! There are plenty of laughs, awes and scares in this book, I recommend adding this to your collection!

Thanks so much to @coloredpagesbt @pmwintersauthor for providing me with this gifted copy!

If you're in the mood for something spooky but not terrifying, then this is the book for you. I like a bit of spookyness in my books, but I'm not a fan of overly terrifying ones, so I'm glad The Haunting Between Us turned out to be just what I liked.

This book definitely keeps you on your toes when it comes to the mysterious Crimson House, also known as Hugo's new home. It's haunted for sure, and I have chills just by thinking someone lives there with a not so nice ghost. I would have freaked out way before Hugo did.
Our other MC is Cameron, who lives across the street from Crimson House, and he also has a history with the haunted house. He's also a sweet guy who develops crushes way too easily. Like he falls just a little bit for his new neighbour when he sees him for the first time. It's just simply sweet.
Their story does not start the easiest, but the hauntings in the old house quickly bring them close.

The book is YA, which means we get a healthy dose of teenage angst, high school bullies, and the healing power of school theatre. We also have a wonderful friendship group complete with a paranormal investigator (Abby), a psychic (Chloe), her girlfriend (Maya), a sweet social non-binary friend (Taylor), and the token straight friend (Matty). I absolutely love them as a bunch.

The story definitely focuses on the Crimson House and hauntings that go on within it, but it's nicely rounded out with a bit of teenage romance and friendships that I very much appreciate. Yes, there are some spooky, slightly scary things going on, but I don't feel like the book actively tries to scare me.
The mystery of the house is the key to the whole story, and in my opinion, it wasn't that hard to solve. The book did include quite a few twists, but I saw them coming a mile away. Which is not bad. It just maybe means the author has some improvement when it comes to plot.
I appreciate that the history of the house and its inhabitants is so involved in the mystery. It added a much needed second layer to all that was going on.

As for the romance, it is very ordinary. The attraction between Hugo and Cameron is clear from the beginning, but once they get together, it's way too fast. Their relationship goes from zero to 100 in a matter of days, which is something I generally don't like in romances.
I did love their bond, though. It's nice to see young men being vulnerable and open with each other instead of repressing their problems.

Overall, I think this is a very enjoyable book. It's spooky, it's mysterious but it's also fun.
I listened to the audiobook, too, and it's great, and I loved the narrator.

I read this book SO fast, I was too spooked and had to see how it ended! This was one of those books where I kept saying “ok last chapter and then I’ll go to bed. *finishes chapter* Well I can’t stop THERE”

The Crimson House was a fantastic haunted house. So many spooks and different kinds of scares, and I loved the mystery behind it as well! I had fun trying to figure out what was going on along with the characters.

The relationship between Cameron and Hugo is so sweet, I love how they helped each other grow and start to overcome the pains of their past. The friend group was also amazing, so many good characters and dynamics.

If you’re looking for a bit of a scare with a very sweet young mlm love story, check out this book!

Thanks to the author for the review copy.

Well-written queer YA ghost story/romance, with genuine scares.

The Haunting Between us begins when Hugo and his father, who flip houses after the death of Hugo's mother, move into the notoriously haunted "Crimson House". Crimson House is located across the street from Cameron's house, though he avoids it all costs after a childhood incident left him there trapped and wounded.

Still, he's drawn to Hugo, and as the two start connecting, they, along with Cameron's group of ghost-hunting friends, start to explore the mysteries around the place.

The scares are well-written and there's a lot here beyond the haunted house storyline: Cameron has body issues after childhood bullying and his father ignores, basically, the fact that he's out and pushes Cameron to "date" his platonic friend. Meanwhile, Hugo and his father struggle to honestly talk to one another as each faces their shared grief in isolation.

The two boys form a lovely and tender connection that's at the heart of The Haunting Between Us, my first read by Paul Michael Winters, but not my last.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC.

4.25 stars

Is the queer rep incredible? Heck yes! Do I love me a haunted house? Oh hell yeah. And is the friendship shown here impeccable, the characters diverse and wonderful in their depiction? Yes, very much.
I highly enjoyed reading this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a sweet book and it was perfect for my first of 2025. We see lots of growth between Cameron and Hugo and I always love seeing teenagers embrace themselves and fully accept who they are. The supporting cast of friends is great here and it always makes me wish I had friends like this in high school. The plot twists in here were actually very well done and I was really enjoying it the more I read. I will definitely have to read more of this author’s books because this was a delight. I’m always up for something creepy and queer.

The Haunting Between Us tells the story of Hugo Cruz who moves into a haunted House and Cameron Walsh the boy next door who is afraid of the house. The two start to like each other as they try to discover what is wrong with Hugo's new house with the help of their friends.

This book had a steady pace it didn't feel rushed with the ghost story or the relationship. Cameron and Hugo's relationship builds organically and it doesn't feel like it came out of nowhere like some YA books do. Their relationship is cute and maybe a tad cringe but not overly so. I also like that Cameron's friend group is so supportive of each other. They don't snipe at each other or be mean like in other YA books.

I wish this wasn't being compared to The Haunting of Hill House. I went in with certain expectations that I don't think the author delivered on. This is supposed to be a ghost story and those scenes fell flat to me.

As for the side characters, Abby and Chloe are the most fleshed out the others just seem to be there. The school bully has like 3 scenes but then falls away like nothing happened. It felt like there were too many characters that if you cut away those characters and gave their lines to someone else it would have been the same story.

The last part I didn't like was making the ghost be someone with mental health issues. She was born different, was treated differently, so obviously she must become a serial killer. That didn't sit right with me.

So overall this is an okay book for me. I liked the Scooby Gang vibes with the friend group but the ghost story element did not hit for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publishers for an ARC of The Haunting Between US.

The Haunting Between Us is marketed as The Haunting of Hill house crossed with YA horror crossed with Heartstopper, but it is so much more than that.
This book is a delightful oxymoron - a hopeful and joyful horror story that still manages to be heartwarming and spine tingling all at once, whilst tackling important topics like racism, body positivity, bullying, homophobia and family dynamics around a young person coming out.
The Haunting Between Us is chilling, but it also is vital work for young people as it allows them to explore their own sexuality, their own gender identities and their own experiences as people of colour in a safe way.
Whilst I say this - if you are young then do be aware that the characters are 16 in this novel and there are intimate scenes in this book which aren’t graphic in nature, but some innuendo and spicy comments are made.
I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I was in the target age group but I have rated it for a young adult, as ratings should be different for YA fiction vs adult fiction.

This is a well done dual POV novel, I did not find myself preferring one viewpoint as I usually do in books with more than one point of view, so I really recommend giving this a go.

Hugo moves into Crimson House, the abandoned haunted mansion opposite Cameron’s house. Cameron had a chilling accident there in the past and already feels uncertain cutting past the house on his route to school, until Cameron and his ghost hunting friend Abby spot gorgeous Hugo moving in.
Cameron once again feels drawn to Crimson House.
I don’t want to spoil too much of the plot, but “the guy of my dreams moves into the house of my nightmares” had me hooked from the get go.
If you love gay horror, found family, small town mysteries or just a spooky good time - you will LOVE this!

A huge thanks to Maelstrom Press and Paul Michael Winters for allowing me to read an arc, I had an absolute blast!

I loved the intersection of horror and queer romance, it has moments of being scary, romantic and heart-warming all at the same time

The story includes a remarkable romantic subplot that skillfully intertwines aspects of horror and the supernatural, resulting in a mesmerizing ambiance. The characters are thoughtfully developed, showing considerable growth as the narrative progresses, which increases reader investment. The pacing is praiseworthy, enabling readers to fully engage with the evolving plot without any sense of haste. Each chapter is easy to follow and pleasurable, fostering a fluid reading experience. Furthermore, the setting is compelling and enriches the narrative, elevating the work to an exceptional level. 4.5 stars!!!

A queer, modern day, story about a haunted house and mystery-solving teens? Yes! Cameron has lived across the street from the abandoned Crimson House his entire life. How is it that his dream guy (Hugo) has just moved in there, and will he be safe living with ghosts?

This coming of age story is a perfect mix of angst, friendship, love, and adventure. Navigating the teen years isn't easy in the best times, but adding in coming out and needing support can complicate it even more. The author has done a fantastic job writing the MMCs and their development through the story. Secondary characters were just as important and also well written. From start to finish the book was engaging and I couldn't put it down.

The story includes fantastic queer and mental health representation. Also, the lesson of how our actions can ultimately change the lives of others, and how being kind to all, even when they are different or have different abilities, is a great takeaway from the book.

If you enjoy a diverse, young love story happening amidst mystery, danger, and learning to find yourself in the world, get this book!

YA-level fade-to-black spice: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)

Overall this isn’t a bad book, I think I just wasn’t in the mood for horror when I read it. Maybe I’ll pick it back up closer to Halloween and try again.

I loved this. It’s like Heartstopper meets a ghost story. The pacing was great. There was never a dull moment as there were secrets to discover, friendships to make, and boys to fall for. It really felt like I was reading a TV show. I also enjoyed the premise. Cameron’s lived across the street from the haunted house his whole life and had an incident in the house when he was 12 whereas Noah recently moved into the haunted house since his dad is a house flipper, yet they’re both connected to the house. Cameron also has a diverse friend group full of queer identities and young love which really lent itself to the Heartstopper vibes.

Overall, I'd call this an enjoyable book! I loved the haunted house aspect (take me back to October, I beg), and thought the spooky/mystery element was done well in terms of vibes. Both of the main characters were really sweet, which was nice to see. I really don't get into the whole I'm-gonna-be-your-bully-first-then-fall-in-love-with-you dynamic. Makes me roll me eyes. So to watch these boys go from strangers to friends to more was really sweet. Sometimes their dialogue did get a bit immature and cringy, though, which was hard to read. But more often than not, it was sweet and fun.

I also really loved how much Cameron and Hugo helped each other. They both had things to overcome, and watching them genuinly care for each other and help each other was really sweet. I'm also a sucker for a good dad character, so I adored Hugo's dad.

The writing flowed pretty effortlessly, which was nice. Wasn't my favorite prose, or anything. But still carried me along the story with ease and didn't feel clumsy outside of some of the dialogue like mentioned above. I think the biggest factor was just the lack of emotional investment for me personally, but still a thoroughly enjoyable read.

This was SO FUCKING GOOD!!
It was advertised with Heartstopper but make it creepy, and I was a bit sceptical at first about this advertisement and if my expectations could be met this way. But it really is spooky Heartstopper, while definitely not being a copycat.
The theatre kids found family friends group has my heart and I wish for more books featuring these characters (especially the genderqueer character Taylor), maybe more Ghosthunting adventures? 🥹👉🏻👈🏻
The romance was sweet and while somehow YA (the MCs are 16, if I remember correctly), there is one open door scene, but this is really low spice. So much for the characters. Onto the haunting: This was so freaking creepy, I loved it. I'm not the biggest thriller/spookiness fan, and this was definitely near the knuckle for me personally (I needed to put the book away in the dark and not only once skimmed for the next jumpscare), but the whole vibe enhanced the book SO much. The story behind the haunted house was gorgeous and the whole suspense made me fly through the pages.
This was a REALLY good start to the new year.
CN/TW: There's bullying on page, homophobia and homophobic slurs and fatphobia/body dysmorphia

Thank you to NetGalley and Maelstrom Press for the early review copy of The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters.

This was my first paranormal queer romance, and I must say I was highly impressed.

Hugo is the new boy in town, and he moves into a large Victorian house haunted by the White Lady. He soon befriends Cameron, the boy across the street and the two of them begin to uncover the secrets of the famous haunted house. While Ghost hunting the bond they share starts to grow into something more than that of just friends.

I really enjoyed my time with this book, more so the romance and connection the MCs share than the paranormal side of the story. It was wonderful to see these two characters finding themselves and growing their relationship. Hugo's dad was also another favorite character of mine. I encourage anyone who loves queer romance to read this beautifully haunting story. I can't wait to read more by this author.