B.K. Borison does it again! I am in love with this sweet and thoughtful (dual POV!) holiday romance, complete with grumpy, Irish ghost of Christmas past, and pure holiday sunshine, Harriet. Highly, highly recommend! 🎄🎅🎁☕💚

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and B.K Borison for the chance to read this ARC.

i was lucky enough to receive an ARC from netgalley (thank you thank you ng!!!!!) and oh my gosh. yall. this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and it exceeded my expectations. it was so tender and sweet and honestly the entire time i was like how the heck is becs going to tie this up with a pretty bow and not leave me absolutely weeping. spoiler alert, she does both. it’s charming, unique, the slow burn and banter (in true bk fashion) was phenomenal. not screaming everything i loved from the rooftops about this book is so hard!!!!!! i can’t wait to reread this in october with the BEEEEAUTIFUL cover art (no but actually im obsessed) and i can’t wait for you to read harriet and nolan and love them just as much as i do 🥹❤️

A reimagining of A CHRISTMAS CAROL? I mean only in the sense that the MMC is the Ghost of Christmas Past so this was just delightfully charming from beginning to end. I loved it. I'm so happy!

I’m proudly announcing my top romance pick for 2025! I’m so certain nothing will surpass this one!

I’ve always adored B.K. Borison’s romcoms, but her fresh take on the Ghosted series with this magnificent paranormal romance is something truly special. I loved every part of it! The grumpy-meets-sunshine trope was perfectly executed, the main characters were absolutely delightful, and I even considered knitting scarves for them! They’re sweeter than fig jam, lemon drops, and blueberry Danish combined!

This is the kind of book that makes you want to shout your love from the rooftops!

The story follows Harriet York, who inherits her Aunt Mathilda’s antique shop. She may see herself as a people-pleaser, but in reality, she’s the kindest soul—always putting others first, even when her loved ones criticize her for not standing up for herself. In her mid-twenties, with curly hair, a love for colorful fashion, a sweet tooth, and a home filled with Christmas cheer, she’s basically the anti-Scrooge!

But one night, as she sips on stale peppermint tea, she discovers an unexpected visitor in her home—Nolan, a ruggedly charming Irish sailor in his mid-twenties. He introduces himself as the Ghost of Christmas Past, claiming he’s haunting her for the wrongs she’s committed. His mission? To take her on a journey through her past so she can face her mistakes, after which he’ll disappear forever.

But two things Nolan doesn’t anticipate:

Harriet is genuinely one of the sweetest, most selfless people ever—far from the Scrooge he expected to redeem.
The more time they spend together, the less ghostly Nolan feels. His magic starts to wane, and for the first time, he begins to feel something real.
If Harriet isn’t the Scrooge he was meant to haunt, why was he sent to her? And how can he possibly walk away when he’s falling so hard for her?

Overall: THIS BOOK IS CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE FOR MY SOUL!
I can’t even put into words how much I adored it! It may be early in the year, but I already know this will be my favorite romance of 2025. I genuinely can’t imagine loving another book as much as this one!

⭐ 10 stars, easily! ⭐

A massive thank you to B.K. Borison for writing such an incredible book—I cannot wait for the next installment in the Ghosted series!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for letting me read this one early!!!

This was deliciously cozy, bafflingly magical, and endearingly sweet. One of the more bonkers concepts I’ve ever read, and everything WORKED. Magical realism is always going to be a fun read for me, and this one was so incredibly well done I want to stand up and applaud. At no point in the story did I have any clue where we were going next, and the ending was as unpredictable as it was lovely. There were a few unanswered questions about the logistics of everything that I would’ve loved answered, but on the whole, a fantastic and festive holiday read that so many would enjoy, with a supporting cast of characters that are as likable as they come, and two relatable main characters in Nolan and Harriet that I never tired of spending time with. Highly recommend for anyone looking for whimsy and holiday fun!!

I was sobbing by the end of this book. Like to the point where my sister turned to me and said “why are you crying so much”. It was just such a phenomal book. Like I could have finished it sooner but I knew I was going to be so sad when it was over that I just took it little by little and when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. I genuinely believe that there is magic in this book. I might sound crazy but I do think there is always magic in a good story. This book felt like a big hug or a shoulder to lean on.

I know that I say this about a lot of characters but this time it was like looking in a personality mirror (if those were real) the way I related to Harriet. She was sensitive, kind, and happy but also questioned her being a good person a decent amount and it was really nice to see her develop confidence in herself. I think that Harriet serves as a reminder that it is good to stand up for yourself and what you believe in and you are still a good person when you do so and that we make the choice to be sensitive and kind which is a very good thing.

Harriet and Nolan were so perfect for each other it was insane. Their chemistry and banter was amazing. I loved the running “dead” jokes, those made me laugh every time. The whole book was genuinely funny and I found myself giggling for a good portion of it. Their happy ending was beautiful. I loved the magical aspects of their relationship so so much.

Reading a Christmas book in March will get you all turned around though but in the best way. I wanted to decorate the tree, make cookies, listen to Christmas music, and watch Christmas movies while reading this. The space that is set up is so cozy that I wanted to be in it. Also, my favorite Christmas movie is Spirited (the one about the ghost of Christmas present…) so this book was perfect for me.

Thank you so so much to Avon, NetGalley, and B.K. Borison for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I was so excited when I was given this ARC. B.K. Borison is a must read author for me. I’ve enjoyed every book she has written and this one is no different. It was a whimsical and heartfelt holiday romcom that really played to Borison’s strengths as an author. The main characters, Harriet and Nolan, were both layered and lovable with witty banter and rich backstories. This magical book will definitely be in my reread list for holiday season. Thanks Avon books and NetGalley for the ARC!!

This magical and heartfelt romance was such an enjoyable read!

This was my first time reading a holiday themed book and it was everything I hoped for! It was lighthearted, whimsical, cozy, warm, and festive. The book starts on December 1st and takes place mostly during the lead up to Christmas. This book is filled with so many Christmas and winter activities such as ice skating, decorating, visiting a Christmas tree farm, and wearing cozy flannel pajamas. It put me in the holiday spirit even though I read it in March.

The supernatural elements were super fun and playful. There was a lot of comedic moments involving the inner workings of the afterlife that made me laugh out loud. After reading, I'm excited to explore more of this magical world and the Department of Hauntings and Spirits. The easter eggs involving a certain grim reaper on the loose made me so excited for the next installment in this series!

Harriet's growth was so delightful to read about. I think many readers can relate to her people-pleasing tendencies and reluctance toward confrontation. She's used to accommodating everyone else's needs at the cost of her own but her character development, which is sparked by Nolan guiding her through past memories, is so wonderful. Nolan is a former Irish fisherman turned ghost of Christmas past. He's a bit broody and grumpy but underneath all that he's a lonely man who just wants to move on to a peaceful afterlife after nearly a century of service as a spirit. Nolan is caring, gentle, and incredibly supportive of Harriet through her journey of self-growth.

I cried happy tears during the last few chapters, especially at the beautiful ending. Harriet and Nolan are the definition of soulmates. Their connection is undeniable and timeless.

I highly recommend Good Spirits to romance readers and fans of Ashley Poston!

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cheerfully optimistic girl meets apathetic Ghost of Christmas Past when he is assigned to show her where she went wrong in life and help her to forge a new path forward so she can be a better person. Great, except each memory they visit shows she’s not actually a bad person after all and maybe this case isn’t like the others?

Harriet York is a people-pleasing, glass-half-full kind of woman who has tried her best to be the person her family wanted and is tired of always falling short. Nolan Callahan appears in her living room one day and from then on, helps her to stand up for herself and be the person she wants to be.

Nolan Callahan has been around for over a century and is ready to move on to a peaceful afterlife. However, he’s been stuck ushering selfish people to their pasts in order to show them the error of their ways. When he is assigned Harriet, her sunshine personality is immediately off-putting. He looks forward to uncovering her deep, dark secrets but he soon learns that she truly is what she seems. Perhaps he was assigned to Harriet for another purpose?

I was skeptical about how Borison would make this love story work. I was hooked by the premise instantly and I’m so, so glad I got the chance to read it. My only complaint is that I wanted more! An epilogue, at the very least! I was given an ARC of this and I really hope that something is added later so that I can have some relationship updates beyond the two main characters (basically, I want to see how the FMC and her family are doing). I am looking forward to October when it officially comes out!

This book is an absolute masterpiece!

Where do I even begin?! The story itself is so unique, but the writing - THE YEARNING - the heartbreak & the romance is why we love B.K. Borinson and why she is an automatic read for me.

The entirety of this book is absolute perfection - I laughed, I sobbed, I swooned & I was SO MAD at Harriet’s mom! The characters are so well developed and the story held my interest (and heart!) at every page. I highlighted SO MANY PAGES. I could not get enough!! This book made me feel everything so deeply and honestly. Nolan healing Harriet, Harriet healing Nolan. I’m not sobbing - YOU ARE.

Truly, without exaggerating, this is one of the best romance novels I’ve ever read. Wow wow wow.

I thought I could get past the supernatural aspect but had to DNF at about 10% in. I loved her other series but this isn’t for me. The writing is good and kept my interest for long enough to realize the topic is not of interest.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, B.K. Borison, and Avon for giving me the privilege to read and review this ARC! 🤍

Wow…I loved this B.K. (Ranks along with Business Casual as one of my favorites).
I personally enjoy a great romance with a bit of paranormal mixed in, along the lines of Ashley Poston, another favorite author of mine! The ghost aspect of this story was sweet and evocative, NOT creepy…so well done!!

This is definitely a fantastic warm Christmas read, but the fact that I read it on St. Patrick’s Day was also fitting, seeing how the MMC is a hot Irish fellow. Can we just stop and take a moment to admire the cover art on this one??? I’ve never been a mustache girl, but the pure dreaminess of the depiction of Nolan here…I felt a little self-conscious about how much I liked it. 😅 Thought about having my husband grow one to see what would happen…

Anyway…Nolan and Harriet’s story is a new twist for me on A Christmas Carol, and one that I enjoyed. I appreciated the depth of Harriet’s character and how she grew in her interactions with her broken family throughout the novel. This kept me invested in her, which is important for me with a FMC. I related to her a bit. The way Nolan takes care of her is beautiful. My only small criticism is that I would have LOVED to see even more of Nolan’s past, or even his life as a ghost. One of the things that stood out for me as a win in this story was peeking into the “world of a ghost”, and learning about him when he was alive. Very thought-provoking.

***Small spoiler…Skip this paragraph if you don’t want them ***
At the end, I felt like I had a few unanswered questions. Did he still have magic? Or was he actually human again and would age, etc? I guess ultimately it doesn’t matter, and maybe it’s more fun for me to get to choose in my own imagination!!! But I’m also curious 😁***

Overall, this book left my heart full. 5 stars for that alone.

People will love this story if they enjoy:
- Ashley Poston (paranormal that’s not creepy) 👻
- Cozy Christmas and Hallmark 🎄
- Grumpy MMC/Sunshine FMC 🌧️☀️
- Irish accents ☘️
- Nautical/New-England seaside setting ⚓️
- Multiple 🌶️ scenes
- Antiques!

Thankful for the opportunity to read this ARC!!! Highly recommended!

Honestly loved it!! I recently read first-time caller and it reminded me how much I enjoy BK Borison's writing. It just seems like there's magic laced in it and even more so in this case. The Christmas-sy vibes were strong without feeling forced, giving that cozy and swoony feeling I crave in romances. Even if the idea of the book and character dynamic between the fmc and the ghost of christmas past is nothing new, their personalities are what made all the difference: Harriet was the sweetest girl ever and I loved Nolan's grumpiness, they just worked really well together.
Really appreciated the spiceee!! It felt natural and well executed, so thumbs up for me on that.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for this arc!

Nolan and Harriet keep making me squeal with delight and kick my feet! This is such an awesome, original spinoff of a classic Christmas story we all know. 

Harriet is such a sweet, kind, colorful people pleaser. Nolan is a grumpy, rugged, tired spirit of Christmas past who just wants to move on with his afterlife. I am pretty obsessed with B.K. Borison's work, and this one was no different. Another cozy romance, but with a fun supernatural twist! It was spicer than her other books, but felt so natural and sweet. I wish I could reach through the pages to give Harriet with her heart of gold a hug. Loved the little surprise spirit we got to see in the end! Will definitely need a physical copy of this.

Thank you to publishers Avon and Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I've read all of this author's books and was not expecting what I read. Nor did I expect to love it so much. Yes, the MMC is a ghost of Christmas past. But this isn't some noncorporial spirit flitting around, think more magical being who appears fully human aside from a few quirks. This book has every cozy thing I need on a cold fall/winter night. Magical mistletoe, ice skating, and cozy pajamas with piles of peppermint candy. Throw in a lovable side character and an opportunist cat the book is near perfect.

The MMC and FMC are both very lovable characters and easy to root for. However, given that he's a ghost and she's a human I can't say I saw the ending coming. My brain just couldn't understand how an HEA was possible. Sure enough this book made me smile. I recommend this book and eagerly await book number two.

Someone please dust off a tiara because BK Borison is the next Queen of Christmas. I should start out mentioning that I loved her previous novel Lovelight Farms where two characters fall in love at a Christmas Tree farm. Borison just has a smoothness while writing her Christmas novels. Nolan and Harriet are prefection for this particular novel. The pining, the forbidden love, and the spice! This novel was amazing, I'll be recommending it to friends, my bookclub, and anyone who will listen.

This book reminds me of the reasons I love B.K. Borison as an author!! From the first page, she had me hooked and that’s how I felt about her Lovelight Farms series. The characters she developed in the book were perfection.

Harriet was such a treat and her growth and increase in self-confidence during the story made my heart so happy. And NOLAN, the sexy, grumbly, grumpy ghost- I am obsessed. The chemistry between these two was fantastic and the pining gave me butterflies!!!

This is 100% a must read for the festive season this year. Also a must read if you love grumpy/sunshine between the Ghost of Christmas Past & Antique Store Owner!!!!

4.25 ⭐️
2 🌶️

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for an ARC!

This was. a wonderful book to get you into the Christmas spirit. scroogecmeeting a sweet girl why she’s haunted she’s doesn’t know but it’s sweet love story that’s you laugh, cry, and a little mad . Grap a blanket a cup of hot cocoa and sit under the Christmas tree and enjoy this book

So excited for another B.K Borrison book! Her romances truly captivate all the small feelings of falling in love and daily life. Another wonderful read and cannot wait to see what comes next in this series!

This book is a perfect cozy holiday romance that feels like you’re being wrapped in a warm mistletoe hug. It’s filled with magic, mayhem, and lots of Christmas spirit.

On the first day of December, Harriet discovers she’s being haunted by Nolan—a hot, mysterious Irish ghost of Christmas past. He is tasked with mending her ways and exploring her past so that she can learn from her mistakes and he can be one step closer to the afterlife. But Nolan quickly realizes Harriet isn’t a typical assignment. She’s as sweet as a candy cane, a people pleaser at heart, and nothing like the Scrooge-like clients he’s used to. As they dig into her past, they unexpectedly uncover pieces of Nolan’s as well, realizing their lives are mysteriously intertwined. Can they unravel the truth and unlock their futures before the Christmas Eve deadline?

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc.