Ugh I think I'm in love with B.K. Borison. The way this story got into my heart is baffling. A Christmas Carol reimagination? Meh. But THIS ONE?! I'm all in. I need more. The banter, the wit, the cat, the problematic family, the antique store, the protective bestie.. this book was everything. Well done.

Wow! This book was everything. Nolan and Harriet have my entire heart. This story was so sweet and romantic. I cannot wait to read more from this series.

This was a perfect first book for BK Borison's new paranormal romance series! I loved Harriet and Nolan so much. They have such good chemistry and they are truly meant for each other. I really liked that we got to see into Harriet and Nolan's past. It helped to understand them on a fundamental level. I think that a lot of readers will be able to relate to their experiences which makes them feel so much more layered.

As for their romance, I could not get enough. Borison knows how to build tension because DAMN I could cut it with a knife! Their situation feels so impossible which makes their HEA feel all the more rewarding.

Overall, I loved every part of this. Especially Nolan's slutty mustache... (I'm literally obsessed with him)

Infinity stars!!

Every visit the Ghost of Christmas Past makes... has a pattern and a timeline - trips back into people's pasts make them see their error of their ways. At that point, the Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan can pass them off to the next ghost. Nolan knows the routine as he has done it for a number of years. This particular December brings an entirely different haunting as his assignment. Harriet York is kind, fun-loving, thoughtful and caring. What could she have possibly done to warrant a 'get-your-life-straight' haunting or else? Not only does he question the reason for this haunting but his magic goes haywire. Can Harriet understand how wonderful she is as Nolan guides her through some tense and terribly cruel family moments? Can Harriet help Nolan when his magic takes them both in a surprisingly different direction?
I enjoyed Harriet and Nolan's charming romantic connection and the vibe of the delightful story.
Thanks to Avon, B. K. Borison and NetGalley for this ARC.

I knew just from reading the very first line on the page that this would be my new favorite book from Borison, and I was not wrong. Good Spirits deviates from B.K. Borison’s usual contemporary romances and delve straight into the paranormal aspects. Nolan Callahan is the Ghost of Christmas Past sent on an assignment to haunt Harriet York for her past wrongs. As they travel through the past and present together, they realize there’s more to life than they once initially thought there was, and perhaps there might even be a possibility for a future together after all.

Harriett and Nolan were magic together. Both are individually broken yet whole when together as they delicately mend and gently piece all of the hurt they’ve encountered in their lifetime. Their chemistry was simultaneously passionate and cautious but at the same time regardful of and forgiving.

I loved this book with so much vehemence, and this instantly became my favorite holiday book as well as one of my favorite reads of the year. This is B.K. Borison at her best and perhaps her best work yet. I absolutely adored everything about this heartwarming and poignantly whimsical novel. Borison exquisitely crafted a tender yet captivating story about overcoming your past, feeling like a disappointment when failing to measure up to people’s ideals, and being left behind. It’s an uplifting story about self-reflection, hope, love, family, and the importance of prioritizing yourself and choosing your happiness above people who matter. This was such a memorable and emotional read, and I’m absurdly ecstatic to read the next book in the Ghosted series.


Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in change for an honest review!

Sometimes you just need a little bit of Christmas spirit, in the middle of April! This book was just what I needed, a little bit of suspense, mystery, romance, and other worldly mystique! Beautifully written!

The ghost of Christmas past haunts the owner of an antique shop, only to discover she’s not a bad person, and this maybe isn’t the straightforward situation he’s used to… yall, this book was so FUN! And because it’s by BK Borison, the writing was wonderful. I loveddddd Nolan and Harriet, and I was so intrigued by the magic and mystery-- It’s the perfect holiday read!

This was everything and I adored it so much! Harriet is one of the most relatable characters (for me) that I have ever encountered, and it healed a little bit of my inner child to read this. Nolan is now holding my heart hostage.
The entire book feels whimsical and fantastical, and it was so easy to get lost in—in the best ways possible. I didn’t know I wanted a hot ghost to come haunt me until now. I cannot wait to see the rest of this series!!

P.S. that little line at the end of the acknowledgements confirmed my theory, so in the wise words of Blue Oyster Cult: don’t fear the reapers!

A very cute Christmasy read! The author does a great job at incorporating and keeping to the holiday theme. Everything is perfectly described when it comes to the imagery in the book. I felt that the characters actually represent people in real life as they face challenges and are easy to connect to. Very much enjoyed this and can’t wait to suggest it as a holiday read with my book club in the fall/winter time!

This book was cute.

Let me start this review by saying I am a MASSIVE B.K. Borison fan. I’ve read (and loved!) every book that she’s published so far, between her Lovelight and Heartstrings series she has such a way of writing romance that just warms my heart and makes me believe in love again. I was so excited when I got approved for the ARC of Good Spirits, and I immediately got started on reading it.

Good Spirits follows Harriet, an antique shop owner who one day has a Ghost of Christmas Past appear in her shop. This ghost is named Nolan, and his job is to make Harriet reexamine her past, in classic Christmas Carol fashion. Banter, romance, and fun times ensue.

Let me start with the things I did really like. This book, in usual B.K. Borison fashion, is adorable, sweet, and heartwarming! I really liked the main character, Harriet, and the way that her past was reexamined was interesting. I loved the way that her character developed over the course of the book. Nolan, the other main character, was sweet and swoon-worthy! He liked reading and cats! A man after my own heart. The side characters (as always in Borison’s books) were sweet and added so much to the story. I also really loved the cozy Christmas vibes that the story exuded.

However, there were some things that didn’t really click for me. I found that the characters lacked chemistry. Their banter was fun and the humor was on point, but something didn’t quite work for me when they were together. Harriet and Nolan were great characters separately, but their romance didn’t quite spark as much joy as I hoped for in a holiday romance. I also think that some parts of the story dragged a bit, especially with how difficult some of the characters’ situations were. The book’s conflicts weren’t as smooth as I was hoping for. However, I don’t think these are necessarily bad, they just weren’t to my personal taste.

Overall, Good Spirits is a great holiday book to pick up, and I did enjoy it, but I would read it only if you’re prepared for some major struggles in the characters’ lives and their relationship before a sweet happily ever after. I still recommend the book to fans of B.K. Borison and of romance in general, as her writing style really is delightful.

Thank you so much to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

B.K. Borison clearly is no stranger to holiday magic, but this Christmas Carol-themed retelling was so much deeper and more thoughtful than I expected. Unlike the wide cast of characters in her Lovelight Farms series, the story focuses strictly on Harriet and Nolan with only minor appearances by her horrible family and his haunting supervisor. Both MCs experience a deep sense of loneliness that is woven beautifully throughout the book. This is a retelling done in the best possible way - we as readers recognize the basic premise, but we're taken on an unexpected ride. I anticipate this being a 2025 holiday favorite!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for this one. All opinions are my own.

I went in cold, not reading the synopsis, and at first, I wasn’t sure how the story plot would work. It turned out beautifully. Sweet, romantic, sad, funny, all the feels. You really are cheering for the main characters the whole time. Feel good read. It’s going to be a hit during the holiday season. I could almost feel snowflakes around me! Recommend!

One of my favorite books is Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle and Good Spirits by BK Borison has the same wonderful vibes. This is a warm hug in a book, meant for comfort and smiling in your pillow. Romantic, cozy, and a whole lot of good hearted fun. I think this is her best book yet. Readers will absolutely adore it.

Did I think a romance about the ghost of Christmas past and his hauntee would have me cry several times? No. But here we are. A high concept book that is surprisingly moving especially in regards to the important of connection. A second one is implied and I cannot wait for more in this world!

Having read Borison’s work, her characters across the board have very similar voices. At first I thought it was the writing style, but nope, they’re just too too similar no matter which of her books you pick up. With dual POVs, a reader would hope to find some distinguishing characteristics, but even right down to the quirks and nuances, there is so much overlap to the point of frustration. I don’t know what I’d do if I see another “small of my back” or “thump in my chest” or “down to my spine” one more time… No matter who was speaking… I was loosing. My. MARBLES! Also, there were things about Nolan as a ghost that didn’t quite click to me and some inconsistencies I just couldn’t move past.

AND YET… You know what continues to save Borison? Every single time? The moments that still make you laugh. The moments that still bring tears to your eyes. The moments that still make you feel things. Coz ngl, this story got me choked up at the end and it shut my rambling frustrations up for a bit. ‘Twas cute. ‘Twas sweet. It had elements you want in a holiday love story. But still… BK… please, please, PLEASE give me more VARIETY! I beg of you! Harriet and Nolan deserved it, same goes for your past, present, and future heroines and heroes.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the eARC!

I so, so, so adore B.K. Borison’s writing—she has an unmatched knack for crafting clever, fun, and effortlessly down-to-earth romances that make you want to crawl inside the pages and live there. Her stories always feel like a warm hug and a late-night laugh wrapped into one.

And as die-hard as I am for the entire Lovelight series, as well as her latest release, First Time Caller, there was something undeniably special about Good Spirits—dare I say… something magical. It felt like a love letter to the kind of connection that sneaks up on you, makes you believe in timing, fate, and the special magic around the holidays.

First and foremost, a huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for granting me an early digital review copy of this highly anticipated book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Five. Stars.

Now, where do I sign up to be haunted by a charming, funny, Irish ghost of Christmas Past who falls in love with me and makes snowflakes appear when he kisses me? Just kidding…unless?

B.K Borison, I was unfamiliar with your game. But now? Now, I need to devour every book you've ever written, desperately chasing the same buzz this book gave me. Immediately.

I adored everything about this book—Harriet and Nolan, their chemistry, the heartfelt plot—every single element was pure perfection. I can't think of a single thing I didn't love.

Reading this WONDERFUL book felt like driving home on Christmas Eve from your grandparents' house, hot cocoa in hand, anticipation for Santa bubbling in your stomach, while soft music played on the radio. Or those fleeting moments when the opening notes of a beloved Christmas song transport you back to childhood; when just for a moment, you're six years old again and Santa and magic feel real.

This book made me laugh, blush, and even shed a few tears. The dual POV was executed perfectly. It allowed me to see into both Harriet and Nolan's thoughts in a way that made their connection even more real. And Nolan? I need a man to love me like that. PLEASE.

Come October, I'll be purchasing a physical copy of this masterpiece, along with every book in the series, so I can revisit my new fictional parents, Harriet York and Nolan Callahan, and their silly holiday magic romance.

Utterly enchanting, heart-melting, and impossible to put down.

This will be a huge contender for my favorite book of the year!

This is my formal submission to have my name added to the Department of Hauntings and Spirits so I may be haunted by a sexy Irish ghost with a slutty mustache and a dirty mind. This book was transportive. BK Borison had no business making me feel like I was in the middle of the holiday season while in the peak of spring. She had me craving candy canes, and flannel pajamas, and crackling fireplaces, and old Christmas movies. I was both undeniably giddy at the banter between Nolan and Harriet and wracked with nerves at the tipped hourglass as they raced against time. I laughed, I cried (a lot), and was deeply moved by the overarching message that what is lost and forgotten is not without beauty and resiliency. Good Spirits was hopelessly romantic, heart stompingly messy, and cataclysmically magical.

Tropes:
- Horny haunting & holiday hijinks
- A Banter so good it will raise the dead
- Flannel, Fireplaces, & Forbidden Fantasies
- Ghosted (but literally)
- Pining across the paranormal plane

Song Connection:
Daylight by Taylor Swift

I predict this will be THE holiday book of 2025.

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book by B.K. Borison -- filled with her characteristic witty banter and lovable characters. I will admit that I requested it blindly solely because it was by B.K. Borison and I didn't read the description carefully so was surprised to find that it had holiday magic (literally) and the MMC is a ghost! That's not usually my bag, but I did really enjoy this one.

Nolan is a Ghost of Christmas past who typically finishes up his assignments in a few days -- helping a person see the error of their ways and passing them off to the next ghost. But, Harriet is different from any assignment he's ever had. And strange things start happening that he isn't sure how to handle. A little forbidden romance, a little fated mates -- this cozy holiday romance is one you won't want to miss.

It's a 4-star for me because there were a few parts I had to suspend my disbelief for. 2 spice + slow burn.

When a ghost of Christmas past is assigned to a woman that doesn’t fit the normal character of his assignments, but instead challenges all the things he has been feeling and thinking about his afterlife.

This book was so unique, and beautifully done. The characters are compelling and relatable, while also being magical and special. I loved the romance, the humor, and the deep evaluation of how you can see yourself compared to what others see in you, and how to identify and understand which should matter to you.

Reading this Christmas story is spring was interesting, but it’s so beautifully done that was still able to become one of my favorite reads of the year!

I think the only thing I felt like I wanted was for end to be longer. The ending was great, it just happened really fast and could have been drawn out just a little longer.