"The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery" by Clarence Haynes is a book I was really excited to dive into because of its intriguing concept. The story follows Gwendolyn Montgomery, a woman with the unique ability to communicate with ghosts, as she uncovers secrets about her family's past and the town's hidden history. The themes of identity, courage, and understanding one's heritage are beautifully woven into the narrative. However, I found that the pacing and structure didn't quite meet my expectations. I felt that the reveal of the connection between Gwen and Fonsi should have come much sooner, and some of the early parts involving Fonsi could have been left out. This affected my engagement with the book, and I only managed to read about 88% of it. Despite this, I might pick it back up in the future, as sometimes a different perspective can change the reading experience. Overall, I'd give it a 3-star rating.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own

This book definitely has a lot of elements to it. Secret pasts 🤫, intriguing spiritual lore 🙏🏾, cultural representation 🇵🇦 🇺🇸, and an epic battle 🔪👻. The author did such a great job of storytelling that I was able to picture each scene in my head as if a movie was playing.

There were a few times where I felt the story moved a bit slow but it didn’t detract from enjoying the book. I’ve seen mixed reviews for this story and I can see why certain aspects may not be everyone’s cup of tea however I enjoyed it.

The final battle had me locked in and holding my breath 😬.

Fonsi was such a sweet and lovable character 💙 and I loved seeing him recognize toxic patterns and gain his self worth. Bye f-boys 💋. I am curious on how/if he and Amede move forward.

Gwendolyn. I was happy to see her embrace her past and make reconciliations. I do wish she would have told James the truth about what happened to him. I really hate when parts of stories get left out, no matter how well-intended.

Thank you, NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Legacy Lit, for the advance copy of The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a unique urban Sci-Fi & Fantasy book.

The main character is Gwendolyn Montgomery. She is a beautiful woman who works in the fashion industry. Things were going well for Gwendolyn until terrible accidents happened.
Each of the shows she participated in was destroyed violently. She thinks someone is out to ruin her but can’t figure it out. At the same time, her long-lost cousin, Fonsi, is experiencing powerful supernatural encounters. He believes there is a rift between spiritual work and the natural world. Fonsi is alarmed when he hears of the accidents surrounding his cousin, Gwendolyn. He must find her because the supernatural world is out for her. They will do anything to come into the natural world to harm her and others.

The book was fast-paced and included vivid scenes. The author’s imaginative writing style kept me engaged. Especially the descriptions of spiritual encounters. I enjoyed it so much that I want to read more from the author.

The cover art and title are what drew me to request this book from Net Galley. Gwendolyn Mongomery. The best event/premiere Organizer of Sublime At the top of her game, living life and in a casual relationship with her current beau, James. Right out the gate, this book starts with a BANG! During a premier event for her most famous clients, Clive Sergeant, and LaMarque Fashion, her worst fear comes true: red everywhere with a message scrawled in blood, on the back wall of the runway: Traidora!
So begins the downward spiral of her “new life”. Enters, Fonsi. Gwendolyn’s cousin from back home. Very fond of spirits, and the spirit world and connecting with them, he is struggling with his own relationship issues, and running his own business, “La Playa”.
However, it is soon known that the spirit world has been turned upside down and loose. Fonsi must connect with Giselda, and Gwendolyn must come to grips with her past and “right” everything that has gone wrong. Can the spirit world be repaired, and the two cousins find their way to each other and reconnect their lives as it used to be and she remain hidden as a Guardian?
This was an exciting read. It did start off a little slow but picked up quick and had me turning pages in the middle of the night. The storyline kept me intrigued as new characters and plot twists were introduced along the way. Somewhat of a “coming to terms” with the past, learning, growing, and healing along the way. Everything fit together; vivid images in my mind of El Intermedio, the museum show, Fonsi and his “ghost”, and the star protagonist, Gwendolyn Montgomery. Well written, to send your mind into other worldly imagination. I am excited to see what author, Clarence Haynes writes next!
A must read if you are into spirits, thrillers, a mystery with a bit of romance, and a heroin for the ages!
Overall 4 stars.

Another case of don't judge a book by its cover. This is an instant page turner. Haynes crafted a fast paced and emotional story you can easily fall in love with.

Modern-day witches tackling the ancestral plane. Yes, please! In *The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery*, Clarence A. Haynes delivers a magical tale rooted in Afro-Latinx traditions and mythology, where family, loss, and the supernatural intertwine.

Gwendolyn Montgomery has built the life she always wanted as a top-tier advisor to celebrity artists. But when tragedy strikes—and strikes again—she distances herself from her roots. When mysterious forces begin sabotaging her events and dredging up her past, Gwendolyn is forced to reckon with her what she left behind.

Across town, Fonsi manages the local apothecary, still haunted by the disappearance of his cousin after “the incident”. When the Spirit Realm starts to fracture, Fonsi is drawn into a deeper mystery—and a search for the truth that connects them both. Together, they must face what was lost to restore balance between the living and the ancestral.

Haynes weaves African Orisha lore and Santería practices into the story with care and respect, illuminating cultural connections that are often overlooked. He offers glimpses into spiritual traditions that ground the magic in something deeply human.

The novel is fast-paced and engaging, though I found myself wishing for more depth in certain areas. Some side plots, like Humberto's storyline, felt like detours, while key supporting characters—especially Amede—deserved more attention. I would love to see a sequel that explores these threads more fully and builds on the resolution.

Think: *Blood Like Fate* meets *The Ghost Whisperer*—a supernatural mystery that’s more soul-stirring than spine-chilling.

Overall, this is an enjoyable, atmospheric read you can breeze through in a day or two. Perfect for readers looking for a ghost story with roots, heart, and magic.

The characters and writing were rich, and the book was spooky and fun. I liked the intersection and attention paid to both Gwendolyn and Fonsi.

This one was a little too fantastic with more paranormal elements, but had creative and original world-building that was the perfect match of complex while being easy to understand and follow.

The book is a short, fast paced read that had a lot going on and I loved the LGBTQ+ Afro-Latinx representation that enriched the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for this e-ARC!

First of all, the COVER? Gorgeous.
I immediately wanted to read it & I was not disappointed!
When I seen that the genres were LGBTQ+ & multicultural interests surrounding Afro-Latinx spirituality… I knew that this read would have me SAT.

This fast-paced story takes you from the dual perspectives of the FMC & MMC. Both characters were written with such layering personalities that I walked away with a soft spot for both of them.
There were references from my hometown, PG County, & that’s always a plus.
The references to Black spirituality felt familiar and authentic. I enjoyed that element the most. It isn’t something you see too often and done well like the author did with this novel.

It was an enjoyable read and one that I would recommend if you are into Black sci-fi x fantastical elements with a heavy sprinkle of Latinx culture and spirituality references.

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery aligns strongly with my enjoyment of paranormal elements and thriller-adjacent tension, blending mystical stakes with a fast-paced, emotionally layered narrative.

The LGBTQ+ representation (Fonsi's queer storyline) also reminded me of my FAVES Pritty and Togetha.

If you've read and loved...
My Funny Demon Valentine
Unbroken
Cutthroat
Unhinged
... add this story to your TBR

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a unique original debut that blends the supernatural with vivid storytelling. You are following Fonsi, a queer Afro-Latinx psychic, and his cousin Gwendolyn, a powerful but repressed practitioner turned high-powered New York publicist. After a traumatic event drives them apart, strange phenomena across the city forces them to confront their estranged bond—and Gwendolyn’s buried gifts.

El Intermedio, a metaphysical space where the dead roam when they haven’t moved on. The line between the living and the departed is starting to fray and Fonsi and Gwendolyn must face unforeseen obstacles. The premise is unique, and the writing is vivid and immersive.

This story was constantly moving. From Fonsi’s hidden romance with a ghost to Gwendolyn’s struggle with her past and the unraveling supernatural crisis, there are no dull moments.

A great debut by Clarence A. Haynes. To be transparent, I took many breaks to get through this one because I read it after experiencing a little bit of a book hangover from reading Oathbound by Tracey Deonn. So there were times I had to get reacclimated to the story.

This is a five star read across the board. It is thrilling, suspenseful and has a really unique spin. This urban fantasy has a good amount of spookiness and mystery, while also being full of heart and emotion. I loved the internal and external conflicts that she is facing while trying to deal with trying to maintain a day job and supernatural experiences and trials. I think this book is so well done and I cannot wait to read what the author writes next. Their perspective and ideas seem to be very refreshing.

I thought the supernatural system was very interesting and I loved the cultural elements along with the magic system created for the book. Having the juxtaposition of our two main characters across multiple facets of their lives worked really well in how everything was eventually tied together.

Although this was an urban fantasy I found a lot of the writing more similar to some literary fiction, and not falling into some of the repetitive traps I see in urban fantasies.

This was a solid 5 star read for me.
Even though there was so much going on in the book, I love the way the author tied everything together. The Ghosts, the mysticism and the fast pace of thr book made it hard to put down. It was definitely different from any ghost story that I have read before.

This was quite an interesting read. It follows Gwendolyn who's a successful publicist and she must confront her secret mystical past.
"Gwendolyn would prefer not to have anything to do with ghostly drama. Yet in order to get to the bottom of the spookiness derailing her life and threatening the world, she must face the demons she'd long left behind!."
I actually really enjoyed this book a lot! Gwendolyn is a very relatable character and I love that fact that even though she has such magnificent powers, she is very humble with it. Between Gwendolyn and her cousin Fonsi they both bring in comical vibes with a whole bunch of mystery and mystical drama. This book may not be for everyone as it contains Santeria references. It also is a LGBTQ+ read that is tastefully written. I loved the mystery, secret and lies within this as well as some of the mystical elements. I also loved the fact that this wasn't a long drawn out story and left room for a second installment if the author chooses to. I’m hoping he does because I’d like to see where Gwendolyn & Fonsi end up next and what adventures await!
So if you're into mystical/spiritual elements, humor, mystery and a modern day saving of the world adventure, I highly suggest putting this on your TBR list!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for making it possible for me to read this awesome ARC!

I was really excited to read this! I was immediately drawn to the stunning cover .The story is a wild and captivating ride that kept me turning the pages. Would love to read more from this author!

This book starts with a publicist at the top of her game, but must confront her secret mystical past.

Gwendolyn Montgomery is New York's most powerful publicist at Sublime Media. To the naked eye She's seemed to have created the ideal life with her handsome new boyfriend. But Gwendolyn has a secret, she's chosen to hide her powers, buried her old life, and started anew.

Gwendolyn would prefer not to have anything to do with the ghostly drama. Yet in order to get to the bottom of what's been derailing her life, she must face what she'd long left behind. Or threatening her very existence and all of New York. The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a interesting, funny, mystical read that will leave you wanting more as you keep the pages turning.

What happens when ghosts, goddesses, and grief collide? The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a unique paranormal journey steeped in Afro-Latina culture, ancestral magic, and spiritual truths, all through the lens of love, loss, and limbo. Gisele Rivera is dead—and Gwendolyn Montgomery has taken her place. In this tale where the veil between life and afterlife is thin, Haynes introduces us to a liminal world filled with ancestral spirits, orishas, and ghostly reckonings. As Gwendolyn navigates her way through grief, identity, and rebuilding her life while running away from her old one, her story bends the boundaries of myth and memory in unexpected ways.
This is paranormal fiction with strong spiritual and cultural themes, blending Afro-Caribbean mysticism, ancestral reverence, romance, and contemporary storytelling. Haynes' prose feels warm and familiar—like sitting at brunch with your homegirls telling family stories with supernatural flair. As a Black woman, the voice and cultural cadence felt deeply relatable and rooted, even when the plot took unexpected or uneven turns. The inclusion of the orishas—particularly Oshun—adds a layer of sacred realism that sets this apart from typical ghost stories. It’s not horror; it’s ancestral magic. Centering an Afro-Latina experience gave the story richness and representation that's still too rare in speculative fiction. The concepts of limbo, death, and spiritual reckoning were compelling, and the ghosts were handled in a way that felt both respectful and emotionally impactful.
Gwendolyn is a beautifully flawed protagonist with layers of grief, power, and heart. Her story arc was filled with growth—even if some of her choices felt a bit stretched by the end. Fonsi, Gwendolyn’s cousin, was the most interesting side dynamic for me. The man is having a relationship with a ghost, and I would’ve loved to dive deeper into that. Gwendolyn’s love interest, James, suffers a mishap at the end that I wish was handled differently, but I’ll avoid details for spoiler’s sake. Overall, though, the cast was relatable, culturally textured, and often humorous. The character interactions were a major strength of the story.
The plot was bolstered by the cultural interweaving, exploration of grief and identity, as well as the unique perspective of limbo and spirit work. However, some plot elements, like the Ghostbusters-style action climax, felt tonally inconsistent. The resurrection arc and rushed romantic resolution were a bit too neat for the otherwise nuanced emotional landscape. A little tightening and refining of the storyline would’ve made a big impact. There were many moments that hit emotionally, especially for readers who connect with the themes of ancestry, cultural identity, and the spiritual ties that bind us beyond death. The writing often felt like being wrapped in a familiar blanket—comforting, even when the story itself felt chaotic.
The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is a soulful, culturally rich ghost story that blends Afro-Latina heritage, ancestral magic, and complex relationships with a touch of romance and rebellion against the afterlife’s rules. Despite its pacing and structural flaws, this book offers a refreshing take on death, love, family, and the spiritual legacy we leave behind. I’d recommend it for readers who enjoy spiritual realism and Afro-Caribbean or Afro-Latina representation in speculative fiction, fans of character-driven ghost stories with heart and humor, or anyone looking for a paranormal tale rooted in ancestral reverence and cultural identity. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for early access to this book for review.

This is unique and unlike anything I've read before. The characters were all well developed. I especially liked the lore and learning about the deities. The ghosts wrecking havoc in the city would make a great movie. This isn't a run-of-the-mill ghost story. If you're looking for a modern story with mysticism, ghosts and action, give this a try.

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes was an instant page-turner for me. This story is rich with the kinds of themes that speak deeply to my AfroLatine identity and the ancestral wisdom I hold close. Clarence A. Haynes delivers a fast-paced, genre-blending story that beautifully honors spiritual traditions while tackling the heavy truths of intergenerational trauma.

Our main protagonist, Gwendolyn, is a high-powered NYC publicist who has rebranded her entire life to escape the painful past she's buried. She even changed her name to distance herself from the legacy she’s tried to forget. But when the veil between the spiritual and physical worlds begins to lift and dark forces haunt the city, her cousin Fonsi — a queer psychic and botanica owner from the South Bronx — knows exactly who he needs to find. Fonsi has his own story to tell (and it's spicy!).

Gwendolyn’s journey back to herself is full of fire, heartbreak, and healing. As she reconnects with the family she left behind and the spiritual gifts she tried to repress, we witness how trauma, when unacknowledged, continues to echo across generations. It’s only by confronting the ghosts of her past — literal and metaphorical — that she begins to reclaim her power. I see what the author did there!

Adventurous, mystical, and spicy, The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery is as entertaining as it is meaningful. If you love stories that explore identity, ancestry, healing, and queerness with humor and heart, this one will leave you spellbound — and hungry for more.

3,5 Stars

I had a bit of hard time getting into this book. I don't know if it was because of me or the book itself. As soon as the speed started to pick up a bit I was enthralled. This book felt very unique and thrilling. It was a ghost story where the focus wasn't really on the ghosts but on the MC's instead. I feel like this book was packed to the brim with so much content. You had the ghosts, the "mediums", the different cultures, the mysticism, the secrets and so much more. While Gwendolyn was a real power woman, Fonsi felt a little bit more grounded and charming. As earlier stated, it was quite a unique story and I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this eARC.

3.25 stars - Publishes June 17. It follows a publicist named Gwendolyn who has a long buried secret that seems to be coming to light when a strange incident occurs at an event she’s hosting. Meanwhile a queer psychic named Fonsi is in a messy love triangle and his world is upended when he must deliver a message to Gwendolyn from the spirt realm.

This book was giving ghost busters but make it diverse and glamorous. It’s camp - just absurdity riddled throughout, moments of ridiculous humor within a story of warding off spirits in New York.

I think the tone of this book was a pretty good mix of lighthearted satire and serious undertones and the characters had spunk and heart which I really appreciated.

A unique, albeit cheesy at times fun read.