4.5⭐️

Wow. What a hauntingly beautiful and emotionally rich adult debut! This story weaves mystery, memory, and the supernatural into a compelling and fast-faced narrative. The writing is lovely, the characters have depth, and the pacing is superb. If you are in the mood for a dramatic ghost story, I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an eARC!

The Ghost of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a gripping, action-packed novel that blends supernatural intrigue with a fast-paced storyline. Centered around the mysterious spirit of Gwendolyn Montgomery and the chaos that follows her return, this book kept me on my toes from start to finish. I really enjoyed this novel because it’s not like anything I’ve read before, and I genuinely appreciated that originality. The action scenes were exciting and well-written, and I found myself fully invested in the characters and their journey. I truly hope this turns into a series because I’d love to see more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a unique urban fantasy about two estranged Afro-Latinx cousins, Gwendolyn and Fonsi, who reunite when supernatural events start unfolding in New York City. Both come from a line of mystical practitioners, each carrying spiritual gifts rooted in African Traditional Spirituality. Gwendolyn, a successful publicist, has kept her powers secret, while Fonsi openly embraces his queerness and spiritual path.
As they confront the past and growing threats, the story explores legacy, identity, healing, and the power of family. With rich character development, emotional depth, and a blend of humor and heart, this book offers a fresh, magical, and culturally grounded take on urban fantasy. Highly recommend this one.

I absolutely loved The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery. I think Clarence A. Haynes will become an auto-buy author.

Although it started off a little slower, it quickly picked up and didn't let go until the end. The epilogue is making want more from the story ASAP. If we get more from this story in the future, I hope we can learn more about the abilities of Gwendolyn's relatives. I think this novel can easily be read by readers who don't normally read horror. Parts of it gave me Ghostbusters vibes and it was hilarious that a characters makes a Ghostbusters quip. I can definitely see myself rereading this book in the future. The audiobook seems to have multiple narrators for readers that prefer audiobooks.

Thank you to Legacy Lit for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

This was such a nice, twisty little gothic mystery! I loved the eerie vibes, the old house setting, and how the story slowly unraveled Gwen’s past and present. It gave just enough suspense to keep me flipping the pages, but also had heart and depth. Definitely recommend if you like ghost stories with a literary feel.

solid book, definitely one you can read in one sitting

i felt like the major plot points were extremely rushed but i enjoyed the way the characters back stories and relationships fleshed out

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery first caught my attention with the gorgeous cover. Seeing dark skinned black woman on the cover immediately is an add to cart moment. TGoGM is a genre bending book that combines Magical Realism, paranormal elements and urban fiction all in one with many queer identifies. This book is billed as a fast paced soulful, culturally rich ghost story that blends Afro-Latina heritage, ancestral magic, and complex relationships. I found this novel caught me off guard at the start because there were some events that happened that were unexpected and I had to regain my footing. However, as I continued to read and got to know the characters and their motivations better I was able to connect with the characters more. Fonzi has got to be my favorite character because he is misunderstood and truthfully walked on by his ex because he is a kind soul. I have felt like Fonzi is my own life many times so I connected with him so much and I was so happy to see him grow into himself throughout the story. The element I loved the most was the occult, I have a fascination with occult things (which is hilarious since I am very much not into any religious practices) but I loved learning about mediums throughout this novel. This one really kept me on my toes and I appreciated the dabble into some tropes and genres I typically don't read.

Wow this was a fun and interestingly deep ghost story!
Fast paced and grabs you from the first page.
Gwendolyn has reinvented herself and left her past behind. Her cousin Fonsi is trying to find himself with all the wrong men, except for the one he shares a
"spiritual" connection with. When Gwendolyn's events are getting sabotaged for no apparent reason, she fears her past is coming back to haunt her. Fonsi's connection to the other side becomes more complicated when he learns there's a threat of a breach between the world of the living and the dead and he needs to find the one person who can help and find her fast!@clarenceahaynes storytelling is humorous and filled with relatable characters and complex themes. I loved how he delved into culture, spiritual traditions and the diaspora. As a Black and Puerto Rican who searches for representation, this book delivered. The originality and depth in which he explored spiritualism wrapped in a suspenseful plot was great. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more of his work.
Thank you @netgalley and publishers for a chance to read and review.

This was not at all what I expected lol it was off to a good start then Fonsi turnt tf up lmao I was not expecting the ghost boyfriend charade. Gwendolyn was battling demons she didn’t even know wanted her head all these years. But what got me was the reason behind it all. This wasn’t a fav for me but I’d definitely read more from the author. With the way the book ends seems like we may be getting a sequel. The audio was also pretty good the narrators definitely brought the story to life Fonsi’s character will definitely make you laugh.

Rating: 3.25/5⭐️

THE GHOSTS OF GWENDOLYN MONTGOMERY was an unexpected, magical, and at turns funny and dark ride that I didn't see coming, and it wasn't quite like anything else I've read.

The story follows Gwendolyn, a powerhouse New York publicist who walks the line between eternal social fame and a desire to remain in the shadows. Coming from dark, grisly beginnings, Gwendolyn aims to reinvent herself through art, fashion, and unique expression. But with the return of a cousin she hasn't seen in years, a dark presence, and a paranormal crisis that only she can solve, Gwendolyn is thrown back into the dark world of magic, unpredictability, and potential evil that she tried so hard to leave behind.

Gwendolyn's mystical tug-of-war is far from the only storyline to follow in this story. Her cousin, Fonsi, too, finds himself walking the line between the mystical realm where he works as a medium and his day-to-day life among humans, particularly the grieving. But between his increasing medium work, his improved powers, and the questionable relationship he finds himself involved in once per week, Fonsi finds it increasingly hard to keep himself away from the realms that he wanted to tread carefully in.

When a powerful and dark presence enters, the pair have no choice but to come back together, despite the past they both wish to forget.

This book easily earns four stars for its enchanting and cinematic readability, its attitude and sass, its sensual qualities (imploring all of the senses, constantly), and its beautiful representation of Black, Latinx, and New York culture, food, music, and beliefs, which we absolutely need more of. Haynes' voice shines through these characters and interwoven stories, and it came together into an incredibly enjoyable and surprising story I'm sure many readers haven't seen before and will not anticipate.

*

Thank you to Clarence A. Haynes, Legacy Lit, and Netgalley for sharing a review copy with me.

This was an interesting paranormal story! I wasn’t sure what i was anticipating but i liked the mystery and the paranormal aspects. I wish there was some more explanation on certain pieces that I was curious about but i liked the overall story!

I've never read anything like The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. Clarence A. Haynes has written a fun, campy, emotional, intimate, punch-y, daring, love letter to legacy, family, destiny, and the love and purity born from African Traditional Spirituality.

Gwendolyn and Fonsi are Afro-Latinx cousins who have grown apart due to a dark night in their shared past, thrust back together as odd and off-putting, at times dangerous events begin occurring in New York City. Even though Gwendolyn is a high-powered publicist at one of the most popular and daring media companies she isn't able to put a spin on what's happening. A secret that Gwendolyn has kept after running away to make a different life for herself is that she and Fonsi come from a line of mystical practitioners and each have a special gift that has been passed on to them. Over the years, Gwendolyn has secretly sustained her relationship with a deity that has guided and protected her over the years, and realizes her gift is indeed a gift she must use as signals of faith and gratitude.

I adored Gwendolyn. I thought she was smart, adaptable, unselfish, and endlessly interesting. She is dynamically crafted with pieces of the person she wants to be, the person she used to be, and the person others expect her to be, fluidly navigating which version of herself she needed to be at any given time, which was fascinating and much appreciated in an urban fantasy. Fonsi's queerness and spirituality are literally intertwined throughout the story and I laughed, rooted for him, and hoped for his liberation from the things that weighed him down. He wasn't just a typical queer sidekick who is quirky and gets into situations, he was dedicated to growth and self discovery and seeking love and support and he was such a relatable character because of it. It was so nice to root for two protagonists in a story equally, and to be able to see their humanity and imperfections and want them to win anyway.

I feel like I've said too much, but I was so pleasantly surprised by this book and it will stick with me for a while.

The audiobook was spectacularly narrated, each narrator breathing life and warmth into Gwendolyn and Fonsi's POVs.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Legacy Lit, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC and ALC!

5 ⭐️s
1 🌶️

I finished The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery. I really enjoyed this story and I think it’s different than the few horror books I’ve read. I enjoyed reading about the Afro-Latine spiritualist practice, how the PRISMA’s are incorporated, and this story about complicated familial connections. I enjoyed both Fonsi and Gwendolyn/Giselda. My only issue with the story is I wish we would’ve gotten a little more context about why Gwendolyn/Giselda left earlier in the story so we could’ve formed a different opinion of her in the beginning. The connection made sense in the end but I wish we would’ve gotten the explanation sooner so we could’ve better understand why she started away and what it meant for her to agree to come back to help. Overall this was a really good story! I rated it 3.75 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the an advanced reader copy in exchange for a review.

This book introduces us to Gwendolyn, a successful PR agent and Fonsi, a queer Latinx Psychic. As the barrier between the spirit and human worlds weakens, mysterious, graphic things keep happening. These occurrences draw the two together for a fast-paced adventure

This is a fun read. Unfortunately, the last third of the book felt rushed for me. Suddenly things moved quickly, and the build up seemed to miss a bridge to the action. I wanted a little more background to the action, but I appreciate the story didn’t get lost in unnecessary details. Also, paranormal sex was not for me and frankly, I think a tender intimacy without sex would have been more effective to draw me into the world.

I like how the author writes, the character development, and the general progress of the story. It felt well researched without being preachy. I have only heard of botanicas, so I appreciated learning more about it through the lens of this story. I liked the characters and expected to be more drawn to the titular character. I felt way more connected to Fonsi and his development felt more honest to me.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in reading a fast paced story without extraneous details.

What a pleasant read outside of my normal genre! Combining Afro-Latine culture with a high-stakes paranormal thriller, Gwendolyn and Fonsi’s journey to protect the city was hard to put down. You’re not only introduced to a world of ghosts and mediums, but you also get to witness two characters build new relationships while coming to terms with parts of themselves that they can’t escape. The only thing I would have liked to see more of was the action in El Intermedio. I feel like I could’ve gotten lost in this world even more with a few more details, but overall I am excited to read more from this author in the future!

Gwendolyn is one of the most sought-after publicists in the game; anyone who’s anyone wants to work with her, and all is going well until a series of unexplainable, paranormal events start taking place around her. As things become more and more otherworldly, she begins to wonder if her past is starting to catch up with her.

You see, Gwendolyn had tried to escape her past and forget her deeply spiritual roots and culture, and it soon becomes clear that someone from the other world is trying to reach her.

This book explores Afro-Latin culture and spirituality and does a great job representing queer communities. I liked where this book was going in the beginning, but ultimately, I feel like it fell short for me. I think it wanted to tell a story rooted in spirituality, and the plot lost its luster for me. I’d get a true horror, and this wasn’t it- the story fell flat.

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a propulsive adult debut, by Clarence A. Haynes.
Haynes calls it, “urban fantasy/glam horror,” and I call it real world ghostbusters rooted in West African beliefs.
A high-powered publicist, Gwendolyn Montgomery, starts experiencing horrible catastrophes at her events. Simultaneously Fonzie, an Afro-Latine medium, is running into his own supernatural troubles. The divide between humans and ghosts is becoming thinner, our two protagonists are both susceptible to it. The angry and bitter ghosts refuse to be ignored.
The story unfolds vascilating between the two narratives in a well balanced way.
This was a great quick read, and held my attention while getting tattooed. If you’re looking for something a little creepy, mystical, and engaging, look no further.

Thank you @grandcentralpublishimg and @netgalley for the advance copy, the book is out now.
#TheGhostsofGwendolynMontgomery #ClarenceAHaynes #GrandCentralPublishing

Gwendolyn Montgomery is a shining star in the entertainment industry. She has the perfect job, apartment, and boyfriend. Everything she touches turns to gold…until the day her world turns upside down. When inexplicable, chaotic events occur, Gwendolyn is forced to confront a dark past she’s spent years running from. She must rely on her estranged cousin, Fonsi, to save the world as we know it.

This was such a fun read. A departure from my usual romance comfort zone. I found the story intriguing. I appreciate the incorporation of Afro-Latinx culture and queernormative setting. The story was giving fantasy, horror, suspense, and thriller. Gwendolyn and Fonsi were relatable. I’m glad they were able to overcome their past to rebuild their relationship. If you grew up watching shows like Charmed or Supernatural, this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Legacy Lit for an eArc of this book. All opinions are my own.

Gwendolyn Montgomery is a publicist trying to make her mark by making every event she’s involved in something audiences have never seen. When strange things start happening at her events, she starts looking into who might be responsible.

Fonsi is a psychic who has an interesting relationship with the paranormal world. When the barrier between the real and paranormal world begins to thin he starts to look for help from other similar folk. He gets a warning that he needs to find his cousin, Giselda, who may be the only one powerful enough to repair the rift between worlds.

This was definitely nothing like anything I’ve ever read before. This had humor, suspense, action, and just a splash of paranormal horror. It was fast-paced and I was rooting for the protagonists from the beginning. I loved Fonsi’s character and enjoyed watching both MC’s relationships developing with each other and those around them. I will definitely be picking up other titles from this author in the future!

The beautiful cover art for this book grabbed my attention, but the story is what kept me engaged. Paranormal stories of all genres have always been my passion, and while I wasn't sure what to expect from The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery, I was pleasantly surprised by what lay between its pages! I wasn't sure how to take Gwendolyn or Fonsi when these characters were first introduced, but as I delved deeper into the story, they quickly grew on me. I knew there would be ghosts from the title and synopsis, but the beautiful blend of mysticism with African Traditional Religion was a pleasant and welcome surprise. I found it comforting, and it resonated with me. Long story short, you have to face your past to have a future. I enjoyed the writing style and the pacing, but I just wished there was more! This is easily one of my favorite reads this year.

Thank you, Legacy Lit and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC.