This book was not what I was expecting. I was expecting to love it but instead just liked it. I felt like the magical realism didn't do what I wanted it to. But I love B.K Borison and will always read what she writes.

i submitted the wrong review! i have not yet reviewed this book yet, i will come back to it as soon as i do! sorry for the confusion

Oh man, well this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I almost threw my phone when I got the NetGalley approval, but I’m bummed to report that it sort of let me down for a number of reasons. There were definitely things that I liked though - this book had B.K.’s signature voice. It was warm and cozy and had her quick banter that I always enjoy. It also had plenty of annotation-worthy dialogue that had me highlighting.

I also liked the Hauntings Department. I thought the organization of it was cheeky and it made me interested to learn more. Now, what I found confusing was how she executed the ghosts. Nolan is a ghost, and yes he has some limitations, but on the whole he’s very human like - body, able to touch, everyone can see him, etc. I was expecting there to be more limitations to Nolan and Harriet’s connection based on him being DEAD (like in The Dead Romantics - unable to touch, etc) but they were able to touch and boy did they. It sort of felt like, why does it matter that he’s dead??

One of the biggest things that bothered me is B.K. and her pub team keep pushing Nolan as this man with a slutty little mustache. And the man’s mustache is only mentioned ONCE. And his beard? FOUR TIMES. This tells me, B.K. is either not married to a man with facial hair or did not do research into what it’s like to kiss a man with facial hair. Because it affects things and YOU KNOW (and I know. My husband has had facial hair our entire relationship). And Nolan read as if he didn’t have facial hair, truly. It feels like false advertising!

And also, Nolan and Harriet went from 0-100. I felt like most of their connection was based on their physical attraction and man, that really bothered me. Like, we get it, Nolan, no-one has touched you in 100 years and this is the first attractive haunting you’ve been assigned. I wanted more from their relationship and less on-page intimacy. I was skipping a lot. B.K.’s last, First-Time Caller, had like two brief scenes that were easy for me to breeze past, so I was hopeful this book was similar, but unfortunately it went beyond my comfort zone.

Also, I don’t want to spoil anything, the but the wrap-up of everything and the ending didn’t do it for me. And I have questions. And frustrations. Ugh. I probably won’t continue with this particular series. Thanks, NetGalley and Avon Books, for the advanced copy to read in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing an eARC to read. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Good Spirits is dreamy and cozy and absolutely not your typical holiday romance.

B.K. Borison is masterful at crafting moments of yearning that swoop through your belly and land heavy in your chest.

Nolan has been haunting horrible people as a ghost of Christmas past for 100 years. He doesn't know what to do with his new assignment, Harriet. She seems perfect. She's thoughtful and whimsical and it's driving him to distraction. Can they solve the mystery of why Harriet was assigned to Nolan? Will their connection put his chance at a peaceful afterlife at risk?

Things I liked: the setting was perfect, I loved the premise of a grumpy ghost falling for someone he was supposed to haunt, and I found both Nolan and Harriet to be charming. They helped each other grow and get past some of their own personal demons.

Things I didn't love: I'm not sure I loved the way things resolved. It maybe felt a little rushed and too tidy?

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the eARC!
Harriet runs an antique store and is a Christmas enthusiast. Nolan is ghost who isn't exactly enthusiastic about anything (yet). When Harriet finds herself being haunted by Nolan, a Ghost of Christmas Past, neither of them are quite sure what she's done to warrant a haunting. As they explore her past, they find more connections that tie them together.
Every time B.K. Borison releases a book it gets harder and harder for me to decide my favorites. Good Spirits FLEW to the top of that list without a second thought. This book is pure magic.
Both Harriet and Nolan demonstrate wonderful, well-paced, and realistic character development (well, as realistic as a ghost's character development could be). One of my favorite parts of Harriet's journey was seeing her stand up to her family and choose her own path. There were some really great moments for her and I loved that Nolan supported her so well but still let her handle things herself. Seeing Nolan warm up throughout the book was also really cute. I can't say much more about his development without spoilers, but dare I say favorite B.K. Borison man? It's tough to beat Beckett Porter for me so maybe they can share the #1 spot. Anyway, Nolan has a mustache, fisherman sweaters, and a cat and honestly I think that's all you need to know.
I do have to admit that I had a hard time really getting invested right when I started the book. Once we got see more of Harriet's personality and some of the Department of Hauntings and Spirits I felt like things started to come together. By the time Harriet and Nolan were visiting her past I was absolutely hooked. Their chemistry also got me invested pretty quickly.
Harriet and Nolan's relationship development felt so genuine to me and I never second guessed that they were meant to be or moving too fast. This story perfectly wove so many threads together to make these two really feel like soulmates. I was on the edge of my seat for the last 30% wondering how things could possibly work out and my expectations were blown out of the water.
Good Spirits is my favorite romance of 2025. I am confident enough to decide that in June. I just don't see how anything could possibly top it.

I put off reading this ARC because I knew it would put me in a slump, and I was right.

I was hooked from page one. I fell in love with Nolan and Harriet right off the bat. I loved how grouchy Nolan was, but how he slowly came around to Harriet, especially after visiting some of her past. The fact we got to see some of his past too was fantastic. It helped tie everything together and gave us a different understanding of the Irish sailor.

Harriet is too sweet and kind for this world. I haven't disliked a family member this much since I read "Still Beating" and met that FMC's sister. How Harriet survived being born into that family, even with her Aunt by her side, is a miracle. I just want to protect her at all costs.

I loved the paranormal aspect of the story. It's something different from this author but she nailed it. It's the perfect story for readers who maybe want to tip their toe into those waters. It gave off "The Dead Romantics" vibes. If you enjoyed that story, I think you'll like this one too. I still have a few questions, but nothing that took away from my enjoyment of the story. I thought it all flowed really well, and the spice was just right.

I'm from Maryland, and I loved seeing Annapolis brought to life on page. I could picture everything so clearly. I shouldn't be surprised though. B.K. has a knack for that!

I AM CONVINCED THAT B.K. BORISON CAN DO NO WRONG! This book is an absolute dream. I loved seeing their stories unfold and intertwine and how it worked together in support of one another. One of my new favorite Christmastime books (even if I read it in June).

This is the best romance I've read in a long time, and trust me when I say that is saying something. The chemistry here is amazing and getting to watch these two souls find each other on the page was the best Christmas gift ever. I cried like four times! Sexy, hopeful, emotional, fun... it really has everything and will hopefully be super popular. I'm rooting for this book like crazy.

A wayward ghost of Christmas past meets a sweet antique shop owner and we follow their adventure to unravel their mysterious connection. The yearning in this was top tier and it’s such a feel good Christmas romance with a paranormal spirit twist! Loved this one 🥰

I wish I had waited to read this during winter because it is the perfect cozy winter book! Highly recommend for a cozy romance.

This was confusing and lost me with the world building. The romance was good though. Nolan is grouchy and I liked him.

This book was cute but a bit cheesy. When it started, I felt like I was watching that Ryan Reynolds/Will Ferrell movie, Spirited. It was a cute concept and I will love everything BK Borison writes! Maybe I’ll reread it come Christmas time and I’ll jive with it a bit more.

OH BK BORISON THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE 😭😭😭😭 harriet & nolan my babies forevermore they are so adorable and i didn’t expect that a literal smut scene would have me sobbing so bad bro

My thanks to Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC through NetGalley!❄️🎄 This is, without a doubt one of the fluffiest, most wholesome romcoms I’ve read this year.

Good Spirits is A Christmas Carol meets Casper the Ghost and tells us a story about a girl and a boy whose love transcends lifetimes. This book is a cozy novel you pick up when you’re longing and seeking comfort, especially for those who’ve learned to walk away, but feel broken and incomplete. Harriett and Nolan’s hilarious but equally emotional story takes us through time travel, a whole bunch of mommy issues, and self-reflection. BK Borison’s world-building for this series is entirely unique, where spirits of those who passed on work for a management that handles the cycle of life and death. It’s very fun and lighthearted because the side characters had personalities that complimented the comforting nature of the story. Besides the beautifully illustrated book cover, the story itself is pure romantic tension and yearning and teaches us the importance of time and enjoying every second of it. Reading this book transports you to the 2000s nostalgic aesthetic of Christmas, and is a truly magical experience for anyone who wants to pick this up. I cannot wait for the future of the series!

What a gorgeous book! This was such a delight to read - a sweet romance, and an empowering story for those of us that never felt enough, and are constant people pleasers.
This will be a book that I read time and again, and will no doubt cry and swoon every time.

B.K. Borison, you have outdone yourself. I already thought B.K. was the queen of Christmas because of Lovelight, but now I KNOW she is!!! As someone who loves love and unconventional ghosts (I’m looking at you, The Dead Romantics), this was perfect. I fell in love with Harriet, Nolan, and their love. They felt so real! I cannot wait for more in this series. This book fully had me in tears over a woman and a Christmas ghost…on the first of June. (And yes, The Muppet Christmas Carol IS the superior film adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic.) Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was an absolute delight from the very first page to the last. Every member of our team fell head over heels for Nolan, and we all agreed—it’s the kind of story you carry with you long after you’ve closed the cover. It’s a standout holiday romance that defies traditional tropes in the best way, with a voice and charm all its own.

BK Borison continues to be a star author at Kiss & Tale. Her stories consistently resonate with our readers, and First-Time Caller has remained a top 10 bestseller every month since its release. We have no doubt this next book will be just as beloved—if not more. We've already begun recommending it to customers in anticipation of its fall release, and the excitement is building fast. We can’t wait to get this one into readers’ hands!

Oh my word. I read this lovely book as we’re starting to think about summer and tank tops, but I have a longing for candy canes and peppermint mochas and Christmas magic.

This author has become a must read for me, delivering perfectly imperfect MCs and a good mix of emotional tears and banter caused smirks. Good Spirits keeps up the trend!

Thanks for letting me read this ARC!!

B.K. Borison has become a must read for me and she does not miss. I love a little magic with my holiday romances, and this one delivers in every way. Harriet and Nolan were both incredibly lovable and charming in every way. Their chemistry was steamy and the banter was a 10. This was more than just a fluffy, cute story though. It made me feel some major feelings. Both MC’s showed a lot of character development and growth. Harriet had a lot of family issues to work through, while Nolan had to overcome the trauma of literally dying and decades of severe loneliness. Watching them fall for each other made my heart sing. Fans of Lovelight Farms will adore this one.

Who knew a romance about the Ghost of Christmas Past could be so captivating? While it's far from the holiday season, the cozy seasonal vibes in this were strong and so, so wonderful. Noah is the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Harriet is his new assignment. The only problem is he can't figure out why he's been assigned to her. She's far from Scrooge energy, so he's just not sure why he's there. Harriet and Noah form a connection, their question then begins why Noah might there as they travel to the past and in the present. Magic isn't always my thing, but this definitely was as the mystery of Harriet and Noah's stories unfolded. I was so drawn into these characters and their stories. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this October 2025 release!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Publisher, and BK Borison for an advanced copy of Good Spirits!!!

Wow!!! Who knew reading a holiday book in May would be IT!?!!?
Nolan- please come haunt me?
I freaking loved these two characters. They were so much fun. I loved the banter between the two of them and the ole switcharoo that happens.

I can't wait to dive into this entire series- It's gonna be SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Do yourself a favor and add this to your holiday TBR!!!