Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall has a little bit o everything or everyone! You like romance? Got it. You like supernatural stories? Got it. You like a little history? Got it too!

Ghosts is one of my favorite shows of all time and one of my comfort shows and this book has the same vibes so I loved ate it up. Booth's writing style also leans into the vibes and makes for a fun and light read.

Oh my! I adored Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall. Author Sharon Booth has got an absolute winner with the start of this new series. This was the most fun, fabulous entertaining novel I have read in a long time. It just floats along like a dream you don’t want to wake from! It is pure delight and I could not stop following this eclectic mix of characters that captured my attention and heart. The dialogue is brilliant, witty and welcoming. Such a feel-good story that puts a real burst of energy and life into the spirit. The publisher mentions if you like BBC’s Ghosts series you will like this book. I have not watched it so I just might now. If it is anything like Sharon’s joyful creative novel, I certainly would be interested. Regardless, I think Sharon has done an amazing job with this new direction and I absolutely am dying to read the next instalment. This series will be forever on my must read list!

The story is set in the Cotswold village of Rowan Vale. I have not been to the Cotswolds but I have seen plenty of shows that showcase its beauty and charm. When lead character Callie visits with her daughter, she is captivated by this vibrant historical village. Quickly it is apparent this is not an ordinary place with ordinary residents. Callie is seen talking to ghosts which captures the attention of the older gentleman, Sir Lawrence Davenport, the owner/caretaker of this unique set up. Lawrence approaches Callie about buying the manor for ten pounds and taking care of its residents as he is ready to retire. She is stunned by his request but acknowledges she can see ghosts (a pre-requisite for this position): a gift she has subdued for many years due to various reasons. She tried to live a ‘normal’ life after growing up with her family who made her feel unacceptable due to her ability. But here in this setting such a gift is appreciated and essential. And as everything surfaces, she discovers much about herself and her daughter. Will she accept the role once she learns all about its residents and the challenges she will face with all their issues?

There is quite a delightful cast of characters (both living and ghosts) that I completely enjoyed. The wit/humour shared on these pages is priceless. Callie makes a huge impact on the residents’ lives and in turn this opens her up to areas of discovery as well as provides healing from her own past. But change stirs up the waters and in the process, she upsets a number of the residents (as well as the past owner) with her new ideas. When she disrupts the status quo, things get messy for a while but eventually her fresh vision adds new life and sparkle to this long standing village.

One other character I need to mention is Brodie, the grandson of Sir Lawrence. He is an important key figure in the plot who helps run the manor and village. Although Callie and Brodie get off to a bad start, events and time bring about changes in perceptions and their relationship. It’s a sort of enemies to lovers scenario but handled in an original creative way. By the end of the novel I was cheering these two and their exceptional teamwork. It will be exciting to see what the future holds for this couple and village. So I will be eagerly waiting for the next instalment!

This is a must read, best new 2025 romantic cosy mystery fantasy series, that will charm your heart and make you laugh and feel great! Loved it immensely and cannot rave enough about it. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.

Loved it and couldn't put it down...read it in one day! What an interesting read with a wonderful cast of characters. I was excited when I heard that it's for fans of the TV series Ghosts, since that's one of my favourites. Can't wait for the rest of the series to come out. I'll highly recommend this to my friends. Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Review of Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall

Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall is a charming and whimsical blend of romance, history, and the supernatural. Set in the picturesque Cotswolds, the novel introduces readers to Rowan Vale, a living museum village with an unexpected twist—its ghostly residents are very much real, and only Callie, a single mother visiting with her daughter, seems able to see them.

The story has a cozy, almost Ghosts-like charm, with a delightful cast of spectral characters ranging from a mischievous 1940s schoolgirl to a former tutor of Shakespeare himself. The premise of Callie inheriting the estate under the condition that she protects both the living and the dead is intriguing and provides a solid foundation for plenty of heartwarming (and often humorous) moments.

Callie is a relatable protagonist—strong, caring, and refreshingly down-to-earth. Her interactions with both the ghosts and the villagers add warmth to the story, and the slow-burn romance with Brodie, the disinherited grandson, brings an engaging layer of tension. While the romance is sweet, it sometimes takes a backseat to the book’s other elements, which may leave some romance-focused readers wanting more.

The writing is light and engaging, making this an easy, feel-good read. However, the pacing occasionally drags in places, particularly as Callie adjusts to her new role. Some of the ghostly characters could also have been given a little more depth, as their personalities sometimes lean into caricature rather than complexity.

Overall, Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall is an enjoyable, cozy read perfect for fans of gentle supernatural tales with a touch of romance. While not overly deep or surprising, its charm and warmth make it an appealing escape into a world where history and the present collide in the most delightful way.

Rating: 4/5

‘Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall’ by Sharon Booth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book! The following is an honest review.

Callie is a single mom just trying to keep her life on track. After chaperoning her daughter’s class trip, she’s forced to come to terms with the fact that she’s blocked her ability to see ghosts for years! Now the owner of a historical village and estate knows about this too! Lawrie, the aging owner with the same gift, has a once in a lifetime offer for her, take over the estate and manage the ghosts and residents alike!

This was a really sweet tale!

I’m not usually one for a cozy low stakes tale, but this one really worked its way into my heart! Maybe it was all the undeniable British charm? Or the haughty haunted shenanigans?

I couldn’t find faults in the colorful cast of ghostly characters or the residents of Rowan Vale. The charm just wrapped the story in a big fuzzy blanket!

Overall this is a cozy paranormal world with room for more tales and more spectral characters! If you need a soothing story with low stakes and a paranormal sitcom feel you’ll love this!

Sharon Booth has written a charming and magical story in "Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall". Set in the picturesque Cotswolds, it features a delightful mix of living and ghostly characters, with the right amount of humour, mystery, and romance. This book is perfect for fans of cosy contemporary paranormal stories with slow-burn clean romance.

Callie, the main character, is easy to relate to. It’s enjoyable to see her embrace her special ability while dealing with the unique residents of Rowan Vale and the challenges of being a single mum. The ghosts bring a lot of personality to the story, making it warm and funny. The budding romance with Brodie is sweet and leaves you wanting to know what might happen in future books.

If you enjoy BBC’s Ghosts, charming small-town stories, and feel-good tales about the paranormal, you won’t want to miss this book.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!

I absolutely adored this book. Seriously so cozy and sweet!
If you’ve seen the show “Ghosts” and enjoyed it, you will absolutely eat this book up!

Just like most cozy style books, it is very slow moving. It took me a bit to fully get invested but I’m so glad I stuck it out!

Callie is a very stubborn and insecure woman, frustratingly I saw a lot of myself in her. 😂 But taking the chance on moving to the estate when it fell to her, she opened up an amazing new world that was far from “normal” (iykyk).

Reading her come to terms with her reality and gift after being so ashamed of it for so long, and seeing how truly beautiful it was through the eyes of her daughter… loved it.

I was so excited to realize at the end of the book that this was going to be a series. Soooo glad about that because I’m DYING to know more about the ghosts! And I have a prediction for Brodie that I am very curious to see if I’m correct.

My only gripe is that the romance felt a bit rushed and forced. I could have used more pining, longing glances, forced proximity, etc. The romance plot truly didn’t turn up until the 80% mark and I could have done without it, but I think I can see where it’s leading to be more prevalent in the next book. Totally fine with that, I just could have used more pining. Lol

If you liked “Ghosts” the show, and like cozy paranormal/fantasy books I cannot recommend this enough.

Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

I saw it said for fans of BBCs Ghosts
And couldn’t help but jump at the chance to get my hands on this book.
I absolutely loved this book, a cozy paranormal romance and found family. It read so well and I’m currently sat with my fingers crossed while I write this bit .. I hope we get more books in the future!
The author did an amazing job at transporting you into the world of Cotswold and you felt as though YOU were the one experiencing the events in the book!

2.75 / 5 Stars

In “Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall,” Callie, a single mom, and her daughter, Immi, visit Rowan Vale on a school trip. The village is mesmerizing with beautiful sprawling scenery and live re-enactors. The village is also filled with ghosts that Callie can see. She has been able to see ghosts her whole life but has suppressed it to be more “normal.” Yet, being at Rowan Vale brings it back out. To add to the surprise, the owner of the village offers to sell Callie the estate so that someone can keep talking to the ghosts as his grandson, Brodie (very gorgeous and very displeased with Callie) is not able to do so and therefore cannot keep the estate in the family. Callie takes on the job but there is much to navigate between the ghost and living world including her feelings for Brodie.

I really enjoyed the world building in the book. Getting to read about the beauty of Rowan Vale and Harling Hall as well as all of the personalities of the living and dead residents was really entertaining. The author did a great job of making all of the people very distinct. It could have felt overwhelming with how many characters there were, but it felt seamless. However, I struggled a little bit with the main character, Callie. I felt like all of the characters grew and evolved except for her. It seemed that she would often be rash or impulsive and other characters would have to remind her to look at the scenario from another perspective. I just wanted to read about her growing out of that a little bit more. Also to me, the romance between her and Brodie felt underdeveloped so it was hard to root for them as a couple because I wasn't sure what they were like as a couple.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and world building then you may really enjoy this book!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.

I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good cozy fantasy so I was so excited to start reading this book! This book would be perfect in the fall time around September/ October:) this book was super fun and cozy romance! I couldn’t put it down! I have never read anything by this author but it won’t be the last time loved this book so much!

A modern day cozy romance (with ghosts) A perfect pallet cleaners with many figures throughout time popping by to say hello. Excellent for anyone who loves historical fiction but does not want a super heavy book.

Received an eARC via NetGalley for this one. I must say, I love this cover and the premise of it overall and am almost tempted to bump my score to 4 due to that so my review may be edited at some point (I’ll write updated if so)

However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the FMC and felt like it was both too slow in some aspects that it later felt too rushed when trying to close up things etc.

I do think this is cost and can do for a great fall/winter read when the mood sets in… but also… it might take some time to really get into. 3.5 overall

I feel sure that I’ve seen a British TV show or watched a play where all the people Harrumph and talk over each other in higher pitched voiced, saying things like “Don’t be silly dear” and lots of tea. Total stereotype, I’m sure. But that’s how I heard this story in my head. Very busy and dramatic.

Callie can see ghosts. Because of this hidden talent that she forgot about when she was six, she now has new responsibilities. I don’t want to say more because - Spoilers.
Suffice it to say, the story seems very British, which is nice. The plot is unique, which is also nice. The story loses a little of it glow due to the writing style, but it’s ok. It’s still an interesting look at ghosts.

**ARC Review: *Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall* by Sharon Booth**

If you love cozy romance with a side of ghostly charm, *Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall* is *the* perfect escape. Think *BBC’s Ghosts* meets small-town romance, with a dash of mystery and a whole lot of heart.

Callie, a single mom looking for a fresh start, moves to the idyllic Rowan Vale—a living history village straight out of a fairytale. But Harling Hall, her new home, comes with unexpected (and very talkative) roommates… of the *supernatural* variety. As she gets to know the quirky spirits haunting her new life, Callie realizes they have unfinished business—and somehow, she’s the one who has to help them. Oh, and there’s also a certain *very much alive* someone who might just make her believe in love again.

This book is packed with heartwarming moments, laugh-out-loud banter, and just the right amount of spooky vibes. Sharon Booth perfectly blends romance, history, and a little bit of the *otherworldly* to create a story that feels both magical and comforting. If you’re into charming villages, lovable ghosts, and slow-burn romance, this one is *so* worth the read.

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**

I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun cozy paranormal to read. The premise is that (probably) because of the Ley lines outside of the village that the ghosts seem to stay and thus need a sort of guardian to protect both parts of the village (living and the dead). The guardian has the gift of being able to see and communicate with all the ghosts, and then also family members of the ghost can also see and hear them as well. This is the first book in the series (and I'm looking forward to the next one!) putting down the foundation of the world and story. The old guardian line is ready to pass the torch to the next line, everyone is sort of finding place and acceptance, what normal is. Familiar ties are strengthen, found families are made, the hero falls in love- and it's set up pretty perfectly for the next book. I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out- whether it's solving some of the mysteries behind the ghosts or finding inhabitants they didn't know about

First off, I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and pubisher for giving me this temporary ARC to read. This review is my honest opinion on how I feel about this book.

Wow! Where do I even begin with describing this book?! Callie Chase while visiting Rowan Vale reawakens her ability to see ghosts. She then meets Sir Lawrence and his grandson, Brodie. They break the news that she did truly see ghosts and that they have been looking for a person just like her to take over the estate and whole town. Callie, being a single mother to Immie, is shocked and refuses at first, but when she finds out that Immie has the same gift she decides that it is for the best to take on this new adventure. This is no ordinary nor easy task because she has to get to know all of the ghosts including Agnes who is stubborn and seems to run the show. But as time goes on and with a lot of perseverance, everyone learns how to get along.

I absolutely loved this book! The characters are believable and made human mistakes that even I probably would have made. Callie and Agnes are extremely stubborn, but I love how they finally are able to see each others' motives for their behaviors. Every character in this book had natural character growth.
One part of the book I did not love was chapter 2 and 3. The switching of POVs but reading the same dialogue seemed redundant. Personally, I think it would have been better if the second character just had inner dialogue over-viewing the situation rather than a repeat of the entire scene.
Last, I enjoyed the relationships built in this book not only between Callie and Immie but also between Callie and Brodie. I also appreciated the no spice and slow burn romance.

If you like a slow burn and no spice romance with ghosts, you will definitely enjoy this book. I definitely want to read more about these characters.

recieved an arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

the idea was there but it just fell flat for me. i was intrigued by the comparisons to the show Ghosts, but it just didn't hit the same mark. it had all the same elements - found family, romance, coziness - but it didn't gel into a cohesive plot for me. it all felt kind of meandering, with no real conflict or structure. and the romance was laughable. it very much felt like it was thrown in last minute to check a box - there was no connection, no building of a relationship.

additionally, Callie was at no point a likeable character to me. She was constantly negative, overdramatic and pretty thoughtless to everyone around her. The other characters were far more enjoyable to read about to me.

overall, it was a quick, cozy read but not a series i'll be waiting to return to.

This is a cosy book set in a Cotswold village full of eccentric residents - both living and dead! The book centres on Callie, a single Mum who can talk to ghosts.
Personally I found Callie slightly frustrating and thought she lacked growth across the book. However the ghosts we met were much more interesting - we learn their backstories, their worries, and watch them develop. I found that the ghosts were the real draw of the book and provided the warm heart of the story.
There was also a romantic subplot involving Callie but I would have liked to see it developed more - I didn’t feel we saw enough of the romance for it to feel fully developed for me.
Overall this was a lighthearted and cosy read, great for curling up and relaxing.
I received this book as an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book was super fun! A unique, cozy yet paranormal romance with endearing characters (both human and ghost!). I loved the setting of the house too!

This book had such an interesting concept, but overall it fell a bit flat for me. The story focuses around Callie and her daughter Immie who are both able to see spirits. Callie inherits a mansion in a town where there are many spirits. Since the gift of seeing spirits is so rare, she was the only option to inherit it. I did enjoy learning about the spirits and their pasts and how they were all from different time periods.

I really didn't enjoy Callie as a character. I felt like she was very dramatic and negative with such a "woe is me" attitude. Her life changes for the better in my opinion and she still stays negative worrying about such trivial things the entire time. She doesn't take her daughters feelings into consideration which is a bit frustrating because you think she would be able to relate also having the gift of seeing spirits.

I felt like the plot didn't really go anywhere and some romance was thrown in just for the sake of continuing the story. I felt like some things were a bit repetitive at times, mostly with Callie making decisions with the mansion and constantly second guessing herself. Overall it was a cozy read, just not my favorite read of the year. Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Sharon Booth for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.