WOWOWOW. This might be my new favorite romance book of all time! The underlying theme of Christmas spirit was subtle but it came out in the best ways. It does not have the over the top chritmasy bits but you can still tell that it has the holiday tone. The ghosty/haunting element is unique especially used in this plot. I loved how we got to know our two main characters via time traveling, that was an intimate and fast track way of spending their time together; with that being said, the timeline of their romantic development made sense. I also really enjoyed the family drama and the quirkiness of Harriet. Despite the age gap, you can really tell they are two sides of the same coin, their witty banter and natural flirtations felt so easy. I wanted to be a fly on the wall for every single moment in this book! (that's how much I loved this) I can't wait to listen to the audiobook when this comes out to hear Nolan's accent because I think that might be what will send me to Ireland and find a fisherman for myself. This book broke my heart, I cried sad tears then it mended it back together but I was still crying (happy tears) in the end.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Hot, grumpy, Irish ghost..... who's also a cat dad!? need i say more!?

Harriet runs her aunt's antique store, where she loves all things old, festive, and colorful. She is a people-pleaser at heart, and struggles to find her place.

Nolan is the ghost of Christmas past who has been sent to haunt her so she can right her wrongs.... before it's too late. Little does he know that the more time he spends with her, the more he is the one who will be irrevocably changed.

This was a fun, surprising, heart-warming tale of two people who fall in love with a little help from some holiday magic.

Y'all are in for a treat! the banter had me giggling and kicking my feet

Tropes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Forced proximity
Holiday magic
Small town

Guys, guys, GUYS! The absolute SCREAM I scrumpt when this book appeared in my email. First-Time Caller was my intro to romance queen B.K. Borison and when I heard she had a new one called “Good Spirits” coming out in October, I started manifesting ways to get my hands on it early.

Okay, I’m gonna be honest with you. At first I was thinking, “A love story about a live human being and a ghost? That might be too much...” and then, suddenly, I remembered 1995, and I realized that if I could be fully in love with Devon Sawa as Casper (“Can I keep you?” Seriously?) then I can definitely divulge in a ghostly love story 30 years later (30? Ew.) and TGOD I did because this is for sure my favorite book of 2025 so far.

THIS BOOK! The jam scene. 🥲 But also like, the JAM scene. 🥵 And the mistletoe??? (Kill me.)😭 AND THE CAT??? ☠️ I am truly unwell.

What I loved (and hated) about this book is that I saw a lot of myself in the main character, Harriet. She’s a people pleaser and struggles to feel worthy of other people’s love and attention. (Ya’ll. When you get to chapter 23, just come back and talk to me.) Nolan helps her learn to start standing up for herself and do what’s best for her and to LOVE HERSELF! “But Anna, that sounds so sweet. Why did you hate it?” BECAUSE NOLAN ISN’T REAL! And you don’t want to know what’s out there guys. It’s dark. It’s REALLY dark. (Help.)

Anyway, this book was amazing and I will absolutely be DEMANDING that all my friends read it as soon as it’s released. (Yes, screaming at people that they MUST read something in order to be my friend is definitely my method of book recommendation.) I can’t wait to get my hands on a REAL copy!

The perfect holiday rom com!! The creative story, A+ spice, and character development make this very premium to the typical hallmark rom com.

This book regulated my nervous system. A great palette cleanser from emotional rollercoaster romantasy without being about boring everyday life. Cozy but still magical! I think this book would attract romantasy and rom com readers alike.

I really enjoyed the perfect balance of emotional connection and spice, how distinct Harriet’s character was (I could picture her and her aesthetic so clearly), and the entire concept of the book. I think the dual POV was really well executed and I actually preferred Nolan’s POV which is unlike me!

The ending was wrapped up a little too nicely but if it wasn’t then it wouldn’t be a rom com!! Like I said this regulated my nervous system after a line up of dramatic books.

What would have made this a 5 star read for me is:
- a little more exciting conflict in Harriet’s past. While her background is realistic with her character development, I wish it was a little more juicy
- a clearer distinction of modern/old-timey of Nolan. Sometimes he seems so modern and sometimes very old-timey.

Overall loved this book!!

Happy Christmas in July! This book is such a delightful twist on A Christmas Carol—without a grumpy Scrooge in sight. The main couple is absolutely adorable, and the story is full of cozy, wintry charm. Plus, that cover? Totally stunning!

Nolan, an Irish ghost of Christmas past, is sent to Harriet’s antique shop to figure out what she did wrong and lead her on a better path. However, as they two spend time together and dive into Harriett’s past, Nolan only sees the good in her and Harriett starts to see Nolan as way more than just a ghost.

I will admit I am not a big paranormal romance reader but will pick up anything B.K Borrison writes. Her warmth, humor and real characters make me fall more in love with her stories each time I read them. This is the perfect, cozy holiday season read without being too cheesy and joyful. The plot was unique and the character development mixed with the slow burn romance complemented each other perfectly. Excited to see what’s next in the series!

Read if you like:
-Holiday reads
-Ghost love stories
-Grumpy sunshine
-Strangers to lovers
-Cats

This book is such a fun, sweet festive retelling of the Christmas Carol.
Nolan and Harriett are perfectly developed characters and while I’m not usually a paranormal/ fantasy gal, Borison wrote this so beautifully. Full of magic and romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This felt like a cozy and magical version of Rose and Jacks love story(from the movie Titanic).

Overall it’s such a fantastically sweet and cozy romance novel, with an admirable and charming FMC, plus an adorable and snarky MMC, they had me giggling a lot and I love the way they think. The plot was executed perfectly, great mix between traveling to the past, present drama, and romance 💝

1 important note: this is a fast paced story DO NOT expect a slow burn.

Magical realism meets romantic comedy in this cozy holiday tale following Harriet York—a lifelong people pleaser—who unexpectedly encounters Nolan Callahan, the “rugged, surly sailor” and Ghost of Christmas Past. Tasked with helping her revisit key moments from her life, Nolan soon discovers that Harriet isn’t quite like his usual assignments.

As sparks fly and secrets unfold, this charming seasonal romance delivers the banter, wit, slow-burn tension, and heartwarming magic readers have come to love from B.K. Borison. You’ll be glad you picked this one up!

I’m so excited for the audiobook to be released—because honestly, the only thing that could make this book even better is hearing Nolan’s Irish accent come to life! 😉🎧

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an Advanced Reader Copy!

4.5 rounded to 5 for GR

The way I SCREAMED when I got this ARC on NetGalley.

But I have to admit, I was nervous about the premise because I did NOT like DEAD ROMANTICS and it gave those vibes. But I LOVE BK Borison and will read her grocery list if I could. So I saved this for a little Christmas in July and it did not disappoint! It took me a bit to get invested (and suspend my belief lol) but it was still her cozy romance novel that I love so much. And I loved the nod to A CHRISTMAS CAROL!

This was SO fun! Another great BK Borison read!

Harriet has been trying so hard to find her joy in life, even though her family doesn’t see it that way. Imagine her chagrin when Nolan, literal ghost of Christmas past, is haunting her into reckoning. But things are going wrong more than right and the two have to figure out what the answers are together.

This was just lovely. The love story felt real even within the paranormal tropes. Harriet and Nolan are both so lost and lonely when they find each other and my heart really went out to them.

A Christmas Carol has never been done better. ( Sorry, Charles Dickens, you've been dethroned). How utterly adorable!

What to expect in Good Spirits:
-magic realism/cozy romance
-grumpy & sunshine/people pleaser
-holiday vibes
-close proximity
-🔥

Harriet York is a pretty happy by most standards. She has her own house cluttered with her favorite knickknacks and she runs an antique shop that she loves. So when a random man shows up IN her house letting her know that she's being haunted she doesn't know what to believe.

Harriet is just another assignment to Nolan. He needs to figure out what her transgressions are, hand her off to the next ghost and move on from this place he's been existing in and move on to the afterlife. Except the more he revisits Harriet's past with her the more he's drawn to her. How will their budding relationship interfere with both of them moving on?

I am a huge fan of BK Borison's book after falling in love with her Lovelight Farms series. Good Spirits was a book that intrigued me and I'm so happy that I got to read an early copy of this cozy holiday romance. I loved Nolan and Harriet together. He was so grumpy and it made me laugh out loud. Harriet's patience with him and his trust in her made me want these two to find a way to end up together in the end even though it seemed inevitable. I honestly was really sucked into the paranormal part of this romance and had no clue what was going to happen next!

One of the things I love about BK's books is the way she's able to make me both laugh out loud and feel this sense of melancholy for the characters. In Good Spirits one of the relationships at the forefront of the book is that with Harriet and her aunt who passed away. When we've had a person like that in our lives, these scenes hit especially hard. What I wouldn't give to have another conversation or revisit a conversation I've had with a loved one.

Overall a perfect holiday romance and 4.5 stars!

OKAY so Nolan is my current favorite ghost ever, and I doubt he will be unseated any time soon (but I dare you to try, more ghosties please).

In all seriousness, this book is everything I could want for a crisp fall evening, cozy by the fire.

For everyone who sometimes dreams of owning an antique shop and finding at least a few mysteries along the way, you’ll know Harriet before you even get to page one. She’s got a little of each of us, made up of our better parts (and some of our anxious ones).

Meanwhile, Nolan is the perfect foil, with the job to reflect her faults and the love to highlight a lifetime of her kindness.

I’m charmed! And re-reading already 🖤

I love this book, I love this book, I love this book. B.K. Borison really has a way of making you feel so deeply. These characters and this story was EVERYTHING and I felt every single word. Imprint these words on my bones!

This book had the right amount of banter to romance. This was a great idea for a Christmas style book.

This book is complete and utter magic. I swooned, I cried, I got that burning thing in the back of your throat when you want to cry but you're trying not to because you want to keep reading without the obstruction of teary eyes. Borison paints such a complete picture of Harriet's corner of the world and draws us into it so completely. Your heart is breaking for this magical, delightful creature of a person before we even know if she will end up finding someone who truly appreciates her. Yet there is so much JOY and HUMOR and WARMTH in this story. I hate to spoil anything but I think that is is going to be THE book of the holiday season and I think that there is such a cinematic quality to this story that I wouldn't be surprised if it gets picked up. (Which is such a mixed bag for me because I almost always hate adaptations, but I digress).
Anyway, I read this is the heat of July and had no problem jumping into the Christmas spirit because the writing is just that special.
Thank you so much for the ARC (which I will definitely be rereading soon). I can't wait for this book to be released.

I could not put this book down for the first ten chapters. I was riveted; I could not read fast enough. But around chapter fourteen/fifteen I felt like the wheels started falling off. Characters' actions started making less sense. The mystery's clues weren't taken seriously enough (or they were taken too seriously) compared to the severity of the impact the clues seemed to be making. The pacing became sporadic and hard to keep with. I kept with it and finished the book only for the ending to feel jumbled and leave me asking questions like, "Why did [character] even act like [blank] earlier if they're just going to say [this] in the end?" about...everyone.

I want to love B.K. Borison so bad. I like her writing style, I find it to be so comfy and I'll read scenes that I find so good I just melt into goo. But every book I've read/tried has lost me somewhere along the way, this one included.

“I'll be with you for every tomorrow you allow, and I suspect a time after that, too."

I don’t know what kind of ✨ holiday sorcery ✨ Becca infused into good spirits, but I’m convinced she dipped her fingers in slow burn magic and emotional crack and then hammered it into her keyboard like a menace to society.

I am UNWELL. The cozy tension? The charm? The way I love this book like it’s a person?? It’s illegal.

Becca’s romance books are unmatched. A sweet, sugary delight!

“I was sent to haunt Harriet, but she ended up haunting me.”

🎄THINGS AND STUFF🎄
-dual pov
-haunted for the holiday season
-blueberry danishes & cozy socks
-he’s Irish
-forgotten things, treasures
-builín the cat 🐈
-ten thousand candy canes
-hand knit mittens
-#IsThisAKissingBook open door

Thank you Avon for an advanced copy!

Hot sexy Irish sailor ghost with a slutty little mustache starved for physical touch?! That in itself is 5 starts. Throw in Harriet’s delightful charm and a meddling cat PLUS warm and cozy holiday vibes this book is immaculate.