Swoony and bonkers in equal measure, this was a festive, feel good treat. Our couple wastes no time falling for each other, so there was plenty of sugar, SPICE, and all things nice, paired with enough forbidden tension to keep it interesting. I kinda loved that I never knew where the story was going to head next; the magic added a level of unpredictability that kept me on my toes. The magical elements worked well with the Christmas vibes without being overwhelming – they are absolutely present throughout, but not too much for this contemporary romance reader. I will say that you have to be willing to go along for the ride without asking too many questions, as there were definitely some logistical things that were never explained. But it was exactly what I want in a holiday romance, with characters who are multifaceted, compelling, and easy to root for. I particularly loved the sweetheart of a hero, who steals the show in the best of ways.

The story follows Harriet, an antique shop owner who gets an unwelcome visitor for the holidays. When a jaded, handsome man enters her life claiming to be a ghost of Christmas past, Harriet isn’t sure what to think. She knows she’s never been perfect, but she’s not a bad person. Having spent the last one hundred years showing people the error of their ways, Nolan is convinced that visiting Harriet’s past will reveal the ways she’s gone astray. But as the two spend more time together, he only sees the good in her. Tasked with wrapping things up as soon as possible, Nolan finds himself reluctant to leave Harriet, especially since neither one is entirely sure what’s going on. With a little ghostly magic and a lot of chemistry, Harriet and Nolan figure it out together.

I’m a huge fan of Borison’s writing, so I was willing to go on this magical journey. I’m not a big paranormal reader, but the romance was absolutely the heart of this story. Nolan is a ghost with some peculiar powers, but the book is focused on their unexpected connection and the feelings that develop between them. I loved how Harriet brought out a different side of Nolan, waking him up and making him feel alive again. He’s a little grumbly at first, but a total sweetheart once we get to know him better. They fall for each other quickly, but the more layers that are revealed, the more their connection makes sense. The story is very lighthearted and swoony overall, with a whole lot of spice to heat things up. I loved that it had complexity without ever getting too heavy – just what I like in a holiday read. There were maybe a few things that I wish were delved into deeper, but I also love that the story stayed light. All in all, it was fun and endearing, and I had no trouble bingeing the whole thing.

B.K. Borison does not disappoint with this supernatural story that's a departure from the stories she crafted with the Lovelight series. Nolan is a ghost - a ghost of Christmas past, tasked with helping assignments visit their histories to understand the error of their ways. But when he meets Harriet, he quickly learns that she's no ordinary assignment. She's feisty, she's sassy, she's noncompliant. And she stirs up things in him - feelings - that he hasn't experienced since he died. Christmas is rapidly approaching and they need to figure out why this ghost/client relationship isn't typical and what he's going to do about it. So happy to hear there's more in this storyline coming!

Una historia diferente e interesante!
B. K. Borison sabe escribir historias navideñas acogedoras, llenas de romance.
Lamentablemente no siento que los personajes tengas química y es un poco lenta la historia.

I am obsessed with this book, and I believe it will be a yearly reread for me during Spooky Month. 🖤 It is so swoony, and has cute, spooky vibes. If you love rom coms and cute (and sexy?) ghosties, this book is for you!!

We focus largely on Harriett, who’s being haunted by Nolan, but the twist is that he was here for himself. I like that Harriett stood up to her family, especially her mother, and later reconnected with her sister. Dysfunctional families always make my heart ache and I just love that Harriett and Samantha were able to make amends. Nolan’s past also made my heart ache as he was so lonely and waiting for Harriett (later revealed). The way he’s drawn to her from the beginning like a boat to a lighthouse is such a beautiful metaphor that was well played throughout the story.

BK’s writing also has a very strong comedic timing and never failed to make me laugh. Harriett and Nolan were so funny and sweet and I just appreciated the humorous moments that made them even more drawn to one another.

This book started off so strong and I loved it so much, but then the pacing started to slow down a bit and it felt like it was dragging a bit by 70%. There was a slight imbalance of exploring Nolan and Harriet’s chemistry with the plot of the book and the reveal as to why Nolan was assigned to her. I did however love the reveal and all the symbolism that was placed throughout the book. “Your souls were together in the beginning, and so they shall be in the end.” SWOON!! I cannot emphasize how much I loved the phrasing and how it just made it even more magical that Harriett and Nolan were bound together.

I loved BK’s take for what we can claim as paranormal romance. Definitely a beginner book for those interested in paranormal romances. The magic is dazzling and has enough whimsy to keep the holiday spirit alive. BK’s take on ghosts and the afterworld is so funny and humorous while also being unique enough to stand out amongst all the other paranormal elements we see in other pieces of media.

Thank you Avon for this eARC in exchange for an honest review💕

3.5 ⭐️

OH MY GOD!!!!!

i laughed, i CRIED, and i fell absolutely in love with nolan and harriet. I’ve read many books that do the whole “fated to be together” thing but never have i ever believed it so deeply.

i felt so seen with harriet, and being able to see her just say “maybe i am sensitive” as a person who has been called “too sensitive” my entire life truly just put a piece of me back together.

BK is such an excellent writer of character, everyone seems so real and human and it’s astound how easily she is able to bring you into a story.

i absolutely adored this book with my whole entire heart and i will be thinking about nolan and harriet and their absolutely pure and perfect love for a long time to come. i can’t wait for the holidays so i can recommend this to every person i see. one of the easiest 5 stars i’ve ever had the pleasure in giving <3

Every day I thank god that I’m privileged enough to live in the same lifetime as BK Borison. An absolute masterpiece. Leave it to Becs to have me sobbing in April over Christmas.

4.5 stars

Antique-store-owner Harriet and ghost-of-Christmas-past Nolan crash into each other's lives when Nolan is assigned Harriet to haunt for the Christmas season. The only problem is that Harriet seemingly doesn't need haunting; she is kind, caring, and extremely festive when it comes to the holidays. As Nolan tries to get to the bottom of his assignment, they grow closer and feelings start to surface. They are a part of two different worlds, but they fit so perfectly in each other's.

Harriet's character is a love letter to the people pleasers, the tender hearted, and ultimate soft girls. Throughout the book, she visits her past memories with Nolan and reflects on how much her family relationships have impacted her self worth. She learns to forgive herself, forgive others, and move forward in the most beautiful journey of self love and acceptance. She spoke to the smallest corners of my heart and felt like a piece of myself came alive on page, which made for an incredibly emotional reading experience for me.

Nolan mf Callahan. Oh how I love you. After relating to Harriet's character so deeply, I didn't expect to connect to Nolan's so strongly as well. His experience of loneliness and complacency in his life was displayed so beautifully throughout the story and as he allowed Harriet into his (after) life. His journey throughout the story was just as important to the plot and allowed for both characters to really share the spotlight in this romance. A great emotional holiday read (even though I read it in April!)

This was sooo cutie, I will be recommending this to everyone once it comes out. I love B.K they’re an auto buy author for me.

This book is a mix of cozy fantasy and mythical romance. In Good Spirits, a “ghost of Christmas past” named Nolan finds his way to the doorstep of Harriet, a whimsical antique shop owner who is carrying a heavy load. The two don’t make good first impressions on each other, but Nolan, on a new assignment, must help Harriet navigate what might be troubling her past before Christmas Eve comes to pass. As he works with her, Nolan starts discovering more than he bargained for. And of course, he starts to have feelings for Harriet, which makes his job even trickier.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. I think the premise was excellent, and so were the Christmas vibes, but I didn’t connect to any aspect of the story except for the Annapolis, Maryland mentions (as a Marylander, I can confirm that the setting descriptions were on point.) I wasn’t a fan of Harriet or Nolan; I found Nolan to be a bit too harsh with her, except for when he was in lust and suddenly adored everything about her. The family drama also felt very exaggerated, although I can understand and appreciate the theme of cutting yourself off from toxic relationships and standing up for yourself. The stuff with the two of them traveling into past memories also felt very rushed and confusing.

Hopefully other readers will enjoy this book more! Thanks, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

BK Borison clearly has an ear for the romance genre's rhythms (pacing, structure, tension), but the author's prose/voice just isn't for me. The fantastical plot elements in this book (particularly in the denouement) also fell flat––I understand the ~lore~ isn't quite the point here, but the reader needs a bit more context/clearer stakes for the final reveal to feel as emotional as it's intended.

BK Borison did it again, I don't know how she continues to get better...but she does. Good Spirits is a heart wrenching, spicy, adorable, romance that literally flies you through time and space. Harriet seems like such a happy go-lucky girl but in reality...she has a lot to work on. To be honest, Harriet felt like a personal attack. Nolan then comes in, all mustache-y and Irish and literally makes you say, haunt me for the rest of my life...I do not care.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the honor of this ARC.

I can't say enough good things about this book. The yearning, burning, and longing for each other between Nolan and Harriet was unmatched and had me giggling and kicking my feet throughout the book. Everything about this book had me hooked and I wish I could read it all for the first time again and again. I was highlighting lines and quotes like a maniac that I will be looking at when I need a pick me up.

Thank you Avon & NetGalley for the early version!

Good Spirits is a little different from what she usually writes, but it’s no less romantic or swoon worthy. Nolan is the ghost of Christmas past and he’s appeared to Harriet on the first of December to get her to see her past misdeeds and turn her life around. When they start delving into her memories they start to think maybe Harriet hasn’t done anything worthy of being haunted. They’re both surprised and then determined to figure out why Nolan is haunting Harriet. Nolan was a fisherman in Ireland in 1902 when he d!ed so he has this rugged charm that Harriet and I find irresistible!! He’s gruff and adorable. He’s completely charmed captivated by Harriet. Harriet is a lonely antique shop owner who has been forging her own life despite not having the closeness with her family she wishes she had. She’s sweet, optimistic, and obsessed with candy. She’s a huge holiday lover, which is the opposite of Nolan. Their grumpy sunshine dynamic is so sweet. I loved these two so much. They were both lonely and found the most beautiful connection. The aspects of Nolan’s ghost life were so funny. I can’t wait to see more of the paranormal in future books!!! 👻🎄🎀

Oh. My. Goodness. First of all, I will read anything anywhere by B.K. Borison. That said, this was certainly a departure from the Lovelight Series - and I LOVED IT!! This book took me on an absolute rollercoaster - I ugly cried and it was so, so precious.
We get to meet Harriet, who is pretty much the sweetest bumbling FMC ever. Just adorable, super happy and loving - but she can't be all that sweet, right? Enter Nolan, the Ghost of Christmas past and a Scottish sailor from 1902, who is assigned to Harriet. He hopes that this assignment is the one that will get him to the afterlife. However, his magic starts acting a little funny around Harriet, who is really starting to make him question how "bad" she really is that he would have to be assigned to her.

Absolutely precious. This immediately put me into the Christmas spirirt... and mistletoe?!? whew. This really was the most perfect romance I've read in awhile. Now, excuse me while my eyes de-puff from crying!
I am so, so happy that this is the first in the series - I was not ready to leave this world!!

I loved the writing in this. It was so cozy, lush, and descriptive without being tedious. Harriet and Nolan were absolutely precious and sweet. They had amazing chemistry and I liked how they were able to help each other on their personal journeys. I do wish the magic made a little more sense and that we found out a little more about Nolan’s past. But I enjoyed Harriet’s arc when it came to her confidence and her relationship with her family.

Good Spirits was a cute, cozy, holiday read. If you are a lover of all things peppermint and Christmas vibes, this book is for you! Harriet and her ghost of Christmas past Nolan had that grumpy sunshine thing going on. They have easy, sweet chemistry, and I was rooting for them the whole way through. I wish I had had the audio book, because our MMC Nolan is Irish sailor, and I’m a sucker for an accent.

I have really enjoyed B.K. Borison’s other books, so I was excited to get to check this one out, though I’m not typically a holiday book reader. I honestly hate peppermint/candy canes so all of those mentions were distracting for this Scrooge, but aside from that I did enjoy the magic and the story was lovely!

I look forward to getting to listen to this one when it’s released!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Another absolute banger from BK Borison. At first, I was worried that not reading this during the Christmas season would take away from the ~vibe~ a holiday read could bring. I was quickly proven wrong by the lovable characters, warm settings, and extraordinary writing. If you’ve read BK’s other work, you know she has brought FMCs that many of us can relate a little too hard to, and Harriet is no different. She did a fantastic job writing a magical love story, while also making them both feel like real life, normal humans (or human and ghost, I guess).


The downside? I stayed up until 5:30am to finish this book and my circadian rhythm will suffer. Definite 5/5, would ruin my sleep schedule for this one again.

I will admit, I was sooooo skeptical. The Ghost of Christmas Past? Come on. I was lucky enough to get access to the Advance Reader but in April? For a Christmas book? Strike two. However, I love B.K. and having just finished the 5 star (imo) First Time Caller, I gave it a chance.

This book blew me away. I can’t put into words how romantic and swoony and just plain magical it is. I adore the main characters The writing is beautiful and I’m in awe of how BK wove this story to make me a believer. I cant wait for it to be published so I can get my hands on a physical copy and revisit this world whenever I want to

Bk Borison and magical realism is not something I ever knew I needed and now I’m not sure how I’ll ever recover. Good Spirits was a new take from this author. Combining her ability to create the most beautifully crafted characters and a plot that had you on your toes until the very end. The subtle doses of magic and wonder mixed in with a heart stopping romance.

Harriet was such a fun character, despite her past and upbringing she brought such joy and wonder to everyday. While also trying to fill in the cracks. Nolan a grumpy fisherman, living 100 years as a ghost of Christmas past. These two mix and blend so well creating the most wonderful blend of romance, friendship and joy.

I love how she blended in their past with the present, the plot was fast paced and I never felt myself wondering. The writing was as magical as the plot is and I know this book became and instant favorite of mine this year.